Harvey Cantor of the American Cancer Institute named Dan-Farber discovered in mice a class of cells responsible for the activity of their immune system against pathogens and cells of the body itself. This discovery can make a real revolution in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, according to the Internet edition for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. Net "Typically, the immune system is represented by a set of special cells created to protect against foreign organisms that cause disease. In general, this is true, but being a truly complex system, the immune system has a containment mechanism and counterbalances in the form of a set of cells programmed to suppress the immune response. These cells are necessary to prevent excessive exposure to foreign cells, which can adversely affect the body's own tissues, "- says Harvey Cantor.

A new discovery will allow monitoring the activity of the immune system. However, I must say that earlier scientists have already studied cells of the immune system called CD4 + T cells that suppress inflammatory processes in tissues containing pathogenic cells to which the immune response of the organism is directed. In a recent survey, Harvey Cantor, along with colleagues, found out that a subclass of CD8 + T cells, called regulatory T cells (CD8 + Treg), needs the immune system to make sure that the cells produce antigens directed against their own healthy cells.

Moreover, the mechanism of such control was revealed. These cells interact with so-called T helper cells that help the immune system's B cells to produce bodies that attack pathogens. The fusion of these two types of cells stops the support of B-cells, as a result of ceasing to produce antibodies, reducing the burden on healthy body tissues.

However, to merge cells with T-helpers, a Qa-1 protein is required, as demonstrated by the example of genetically modified mice with a spoiled gene responsible for the synthesis of this protein. The experiment showed:

over time, rodents developed lupus.

By the way, the amount of CD8 + Treg cells in the body depends on the number of regulatory molecules of interleukins produced by leukocytes. Artificially created variations in the concentration of these interleukins can lead to a variation in the amount of CD8 + Treg and changes in the activity of the immune system. This information scientists also want to use to create drugs that last a long time.

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