Recent advances in the genetic analysis of PTEN and PI3K innate immune properties

The role of the PI3-kinase pathway and its antagonist PTEN in the regulation of innate immune responses has only recently attracted the attention of the scientific community. The PI3K/PTEN signaling axis is most renowned for its critical involvement in the malignant transformation of cells leading to tumorigenesis. PI3K function in the regulation of innate immunity, either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory, is still a controversial issue. Undoubtedly, PI3K serves as an essential pro-inflammatory signaling molecule to activate leukocytes, initiate migration and facilitate phagocytosis. Nevertheless, it is less clear how PI3K and PTEN modulate the amplitude of immune responses. Here, we review recent advances on the immune biology by means of reverse genetics analyzing the role of the PI3K/PTEN signaling cascade in innate immunity.