|
|
|
New light is shed on the mechanisms of infection-induced immunosuppression, in the February 2006 edition of Nature Immunology. Immunosuppression is when the body's immune system is disabled and is unable to fight off subsequent infections and is often caused by malaria and other viruses. Why this occurs is not well understood, but because many people suffer from these so-called 'systemic infections', understanding the mechanism would be beneficial.
Following infection, specialized immune cells called dendritic cells (DCs) can alert the immune system to the presence of the infectious agent by ingesting elements of the pathogen from its immediate environment in a process called cross-presentation. Jóse Villadangos and colleagues, show if infectious agents excessively trigger receptors expressed on DCs, the 'over-stimulated' DCs can no longer cross-present foreign material, thereby shutting down this critical alarm system. Unraveling how cross-presentation is switched off following systemic infection may help develop treatments to overcome immune suppression induced by severe infections such as malaria. Author contact: Jóse A. Villadangos (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia)
E-mail: villadangos@wehi.edu.au Abstract available online. (C) Nature Immunology press release.
Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza
|
|
Variants Associated with Pediatric Allergic Disorder
Mutations in PHF6 Found in T-Cell Leukemia
Genetic Risk Variant for Urinary Bladder Cancer
Antibody Has Therapeutic Effect on Mice with ALS
Regulating P53 Activity in Cancer Cells
Anti-RNA Therapy Counters Breast Cancer Spread
Mitochondrial DNA Diversity
The Power of RNA Sequencing
‘Pro-Ageing' Therapy for Cancer?
Niche Genetics Influence Leukaemia
Molecular Biology: Clinical Promise for RNA Interference
Chemoprevention Cocktail for Colon Cancer
more news ...
|