369-370 Tachykinins are small peptides that were originally associated with the function of the nervous system. However, it is now clear that they regulate a variety of biological processes. B. These tachykinins, primarily produced by neuronal tissues, can all participate in the transmission of pain. In addition, some tachykinins also influence the development of immune cells of the myeloid lineage and can affect responses to inflammatory stimuli. Scientists in Toronto, Canada have identified a completely new member of the tachykinin family in the November issue of Nature Immunology .
B cells are the antibody factories of the body and are crucial for eradication of many pathogens.
During development, cells of the B cell lineage undergo several critical steps that seem to be controlled by the appearance, and disappearance, of important regulatory molecules. HK-1 appears to be one such regulatory molecule that promotes the survival and division of developing B cells.