Cambridge study findings on Regulatory T cells hold promise for inflammatory disease treatment, organ transplants

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: health

Context:

Scientists at Cambridge University have discovered a new property of Regulatory T cells, a type of white blood cell. It is a discovery that could have a significant impact on the treatment of a wide range of diseases, especially inflammatory ones.

Details:

Researchers have revealed their ability to move collectively throughout the body to repair damaged tissues. This finding challenges the previous understanding that these cells are localized to specific regions.
The discovery is expected to revolutionize treatments for a wide range of diseases, particularly inflammatory conditions, as nearly all diseases and injuries activate the immune system.

Significance of the discovery:

The implications are significant for treating inflammatory diseases more effectively than current anti-inflammatory drugs, which affect the entire body rather than targeting specific areas needing repair.
Researchers described this phenomenon as a ‘Unified Repair Army’, capable of various repair functions, enhancing treatments from muscle repair to insulin response improvement and hair follicle regrowth.
Moreover, based on this research, scientists have developed a drug that increases and activates specific cells to suppress the immune system locally, aiding in organ transplants and autoimmune diseases management.
This breakthrough promises to design drugs that can prevent organ rejection without compromising the overall immune system, potentially leading to healthier lives for transplant patients. The researchers are seeking funding to establish a company for clinical trials shortly.

About T Cells:

Cells also called T lymphocyte, type of leukocyte (white blood cell) that is an essential part of the immune system.
T cells are one of two primary types of lymphocytes—B cells being the second type—that determine the specificity of the immune response to antigens (foreign substances) in the body.
T cells originate in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus.
In the thymus, T cells multiply and differentiate into helper, regulatory, or cytotoxic T cells or become memory T cells.
They are then sent to peripheral tissues or circulate in the blood or lymphatic system.
Once stimulated by the appropriate antigen, helper T cells secrete chemical messengers called cytokines, which stimulate the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells (antibody-producing cells).

T cell’s role in controlling immunity:

Regulatory T cells act to control immune reactions, hence their name.
Cytotoxic T cells, which are activated by various cytokines, bind to and kill infected cells and cancer cells.
Because the body contains millions of T and B cells, many of which carry unique receptors, it can respond to virtually any antigen.

Source: DTE