The ubiquitin editing enzyme A20 maintains immune homeostasis and prevents autoimmunity

Dissertation presented to obtain the Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Biology at Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica da Universidade Nova de Lisboa

The immune system is vital to ensure the surveillance of organisms against pathogens or malignant cells. However, the negative regulation of the immune system is equally essential, and defects in the termination of immune signals can result in autoimmunity and other pathologies. The functioning of the immune system results from the integration of signals between and within cells. For some time, studies in immune signaling have focused on the molecular events playing a role in activating such cascades. However, little was known about how to turn off those signals. Just recently, new research started shedding light into mechanisms that ensure the negative regulation of immune signaling.(...)