Driving autoreactive cells to distraction
Nature Immunology
September 28, 2009
How potentially autoreactive T cells are prevented from being 'switched on' is reported in a paper published online this week in Nature Immunology. Explaining how these potentially harmful cells are activated could lead to new therapies for the prevention of autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes.
Previous work showed that PD-1, a protein expressed on autoreactive T lymphocytes, is essential to prevent autoimmunity and maintain immune cell tolerance for self proteins in mice.
Using a mouse model of type 1 diabetes, Brian Fife and co-workers found that blockade of PD-1 caused a slowdown in the movement of autoreactive T cells. This decreased spontaneous movement allowed autoreactive T cells the opportunity to recognize pancreatic islet cell components. The subsequent release of proinflammatory mediators caused islet cell destruction and clinical diabetes.
Whether these findings are relevant to other T cell-driven autoimmune diseases remains to be seen.
doi: 10.1038/ni.1790
Research highlights
-
Jul 1
Criminology: Predicting police enforcement bias in major US citiesNature Human Behaviour
-
Jul 1
Evolution: Pandas gave bamboo the thumbs up at least six million years agoScientific Reports
-
Jul 1
Space health: The path of most resistance could help limit bone loss during spaceflightScientific Reports
-
Jun 30
Genomics: Gray wolf genome hints at dual ancestry of dogsNature
-
Jun 30
Evolution: Hawks learn on the fly to swoop up before perchingNature
-
Jun 30
Microbiology: Transmission of gastrointestinal viruses in salivaNature