Scientists Discover New Protein That Boosts Immunity Against Viruses, Cancer

Scientists at Imperial College London have discovered a new protein that plays a critical role in promoting immunity to viruses and cancer, opening the door to new therapies. Experiments in mice and human cells have shown that the protein promotes the proliferation of cytotoxic T cells, which kills cancer cells and cells infected with viruses.

"Cancer cells have ways to suppress T cell activity, helping them to escape the immune system," said Dr. Philip Ashton-Rickardt, lead researcher from Imperial College London.

Regeneration of Heart Cells Possible in Mice With the Help of Specialized Protein, ERBB2
More research will be required to see if this principle could be applied to the human hearts, but the findings indicate that it may be possible.

Cytotoxic T cells are an important component of the immune system, but when faced with serious infections or advanced cancer, they are often unable to proliferate in large enough quantities to fight the disease.

By screening mice with genetic mutations, the Imperial team discovered a strain of mice that produced 10 times as many cytotoxic T cells when infected with a virus compared with normal mice.

These mice suppressed the infection more effectively, and were more resistant to cancer. They also produced more of a second type of T cells, memory cells, enabling them to recognize infections they have encountered previously and launch a rapid response.

Physical, Mental Activities is Controlled by a Single Metabolic Protein in our Bodies
A single protein called estrogen-related receptor gamma can be used in regenerative and developmental medicine and also to address defects in learning and memory.

The mice with enhanced immunity produced high levels of a hitherto unknown protein, which the researchers named lymphocyte expansion molecule, or LEM.

They went on to show that LEM modulates the proliferation of human T cells as well as in mice. The discovery was unexpected because the new protein had no known function and doesn’t resemble any other protein.

Cancer Breakthrough: Two Proteins Discovered that can Control Growth of Cancer Cells
Cancerous cells were suppressed after being treated with a high concentration of these proteins, which are linked to an inflammatory process in the body.

The researchers now aim to develop a gene therapy designed to improve immunity by boosting the production of LEM. Genetically engineered T cells to augment their ability to fight cancer have been a goal for some time.

"By introducing an active version of the LEM gene into the T cells of cancer patients, we hope, we can provide a robust treatment for patients," Ashton-Rickardt said.

Protein Concentrate can Reduce Spinal Cord Damage: University of Vienna
The protein concentrate extracted from white blood cells can reduce damage due to spinal cord injuries; it can also boost regeneration through vascularization.

The study was published in the journal Science.

Source-IANS