Immune system strength examined
Researchers have discovered the genes that control the number of regulatory T cells in the body, a critical determinant for setting the strength of immune responses. This finding is being suggested as an important starting point for the development of new drugs for the treatment of diseases of the immune system.
In ideal circumstances, the immune system is in balance, protecting humans from infections. However, the balance can be disrupted and an underactive immune system allows infections and tumours to grow, while an overactive immune system can drive allergies and autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.
Regulatory T cells are a type of white blood cell that are specialised to keep the immune system in balance. To find out how the right level of balance is achieved, a four-year research project was undertaken and researchers found a network of genetic control that determined whether regulatory T cells lived or died, setting the level of immune activity in mice. The genes involved are almost unchanged between mice and humans, providing strong hope that the same pathway is active in patients.
The research was led by Adrian Liston at the University of Leuven, Belgium and was funded by the IWT and the European Research Council. Also involved was Australia’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. Commenting on the investigation, Liston said: “By working out the genetic control mechanism over regulatory T cell numbers we create a real challenge and opportunity for pharmaceutical researchers. We now have the blueprint for controlling the level of immune activation.
“The next step is to identify drugs that influence this system so that we can rectify disturbances when they occur. In theory, such drugs could be used to combat everything from cancer to allergies and autoimmune diseases.”
The study is published in the journal Nature Immunology.
