Taming of lymphocytes

Diabetes and multiple sclerosis have learned to treat without harm to the immune system

Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+

Autoimmune diseases, such as type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis, occur when immune cells attack the host body. Modern methods of treatment can suppress the immune response, but this makes patients vulnerable to infections, Eurek Alert notes.

Researchers from The University of Utah has developed a different approach that targets malfunctioning immune cells, but does not affect normally functioning ones.

As a target, they chose the protein of programmed cell death PD1 (Programmed cell death 1). Normally, lymphocytes produce it in response to the invasion of pathogens, but in autoimmune diseases, control mechanisms fail, and it is synthesized constantly.

To destroy out-of-control lymphocytes, scientists have created a molecule consisting of three parts: a fragment of an antibody against PD-1, a bacterial toxin and albumin binding them. The antibody works as a key that attaches to immune cells, after which the toxin kills them.

At the same time, healthy lymphocytes, which produce PD-1 only if necessary, remain unaffected.

In an experiment with rodents, treatment slowed the development of type I diabetes by 10 weeks compared to the control group. In mice with multiple sclerosis, therapy stopped the progression of paralysis and restored the ability to walk. No signs of immunodeficiency were found in the experimental animals.

Currently, researchers are developing a similar technique for treating people. To do this, they need to find an antibody against the human PD-1 protein. If successful, the treatment of autoimmune diseases will change forever.

According to researchers, inflammatory processes in the intestine can play a key role in the development of multiple sclerosis. This is confirmed by the fact that patients with food allergies develop multiple sclerosis much more actively.

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