Response to Viral Infection Mediated by Specialized White Blood Cells

by Rajshri on  April 26, 2008 at 1:38 PM Research News
  •   Print
  •   Share
  •   Comments
  •  Text 
Specialized white blood cells called regulatory T cells may be able to avert autoimmune response by directing the first response to viral infection in the body, researchers at the University of Washington (UW) have suggested.

T-cells are important in controlling autoimmunity, a cellular self-attack that can lead to diseases like reactive arthritis.

UW researchers have shown in a rodent study that young mice deficient in regulatory T cells die from an aggressive form of autoimmunity that damages several organs.

Alexander Y. Rudensky, professor of immunology at UW has said that while there’s a great interest in the therapeutic potential of regulatory T cells, studies in lab animals suggest these cells might be harnessed to treat autoimmune diseases or reduce rejection of transplanted organs.

According to the researchers, regulatory T cells might call a halt to immune responses as the body nears success in eliminating an infection. This suppression as the fight draws to an end would reduce tissue damage from robust immune responses.

In the recent study, namely "Coordination of Early Protective Immunity to Viral Infections by Regulatory T Cells," researchers scouted for a role for regulatory T cells during the start of a herpes simplex virus infection in mucus membranes.

When regulatory T cells are deficient in mice, the herpes simplex virus replicates rapidly in the mucus membranes and spreads to the spinal cord. On a closer examination of these mice that lack regulatory T cells, the researchers found very little interferon, an anti-viral chemical that also boosts the immune response, at the infection site, even though it was found in the draining lymph nodes.

Page 1 Page 1 | 2  Next
 Email Email   RSS Feeds RSS Feeds   Print this page Print   Save this page Save   Link Link   Syndicate Syndicate   Comments Comments   Bookmark and Share
 
Comment & Contribute
Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. Comments are normally moderated and are reviewed after they are posted.
* Your comment can be maximum of 2500 characters

Notify me when reply is posted
I agree to the terms and conditions
  
If you have a question about health related issues, you can now post it in our Ask An Expert section on our community website Medwonders.com and get answers from our panel of experts.
X
  • Health News Index
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
News Archive
Date :
Category :
Keyword :
  • News Quick Links
News Central Health Watch
Latest Health News Health In Focus
News Category (500+) Breaking Health News
Popular News Celebrating Life
Health News and Press Release Medindia - Exclusive
News Photo Gallery India Special
News Video Gallery Lifestyle and Wellness
News From Other Resources
News Categories:  
Diabetes Health Center

Research Related News

» New Record for Arthritic Surgery Created » Descendants' Sensitivity To Stress Aggravated by Chemical Exposure
» Drug to Destroy Parasite Causing Death Globally, Discovered » Molecule Flicking On Immune System, Spotted
» Danger Detected in Standard Treatment for A Grave Lung Disease » Scientists Turn Skin Cells Into Healthy Heart Muscle
» Statins Use May Help Prevent Prostate Enlargement » Biomarkers to Confirm Radiation Exposure
Read More >>