AppId is over the quota
A scientific team led by researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Charite Berlin Medical University has made a completely unprecedented discovery showing how much our immune system is provoked into action when confronted by viral intruders. The possibility of exploiting this mechanism in vaccines holds promise for the development of new ways of preventing and treating infectious diseases and cancer. The discovery is described in the journal Science.
Killer T cells - also called cytotoxic T lymphocytes - play a central role in our immune system. They are capable of specifically identifying and killing cells harbouring viruses or bacteria and also cancer cells. It is likely that cytotoxic T lymphocytes will play an important role in the future development of vaccines against HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, malaria and also cancer.
It has long been known that viral infection in humans is followed by formation of an army of T lymphocytes. But how does this mobilization come about and who decides it? Researchers think that the alert is provided by dendritic cells capable of identifying a virus by its specific, characteristic molecular motifs called pathogen-associated molecular patterns or PAMPs. After identifying a pathogen, the dendritic cells then coordinate the action of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
However, another fundamental mechanism underlies the counter-attack launched by the immune system. This mechanism is described for the first time by Professor Max Loehning (Charite´ Berlin Medical University) and Professor Daniel Pinschewer (UNIGE) in an article published today in the journal Science. It is engaged after the virus has already killed certain cells. These cells release all kinds of molecules when they die, including some very distinctive molecules that experts have dubbed damage-associated molecular patterns or DAMPs. Among the molecular debris of this miniature battlefield, DAMPs are unique in providing an unequivocal signal that the body has suffered damage.
The research team suspects that the ferocity of the attack mounted by the cytotoxic T lymphocytes is strongly related to the presence of a particular DAMP called interleukin 33 (IL-33). This protein is normally found inside cells that line the walls of the spleen and lymph nodes, the "homes" of cytotoxic T lymphocytes inside the body. Therefore, when these cells are killed by viruses, the interleukin 33 they release immediately signals the cytotoxic T lymphocytes to launch an all-out attack.
The authors were able to demonstrate the existence of this mechanism with the aid of mice whose immune system is not able, for genetic reasons, to identify interleukin 33. As expected, these animals are clearly less able to fend off a viral infection. The cytotoxic T lymphocytes struggle to mount an effective counter-attack because there are simply not enough of them.
If the inability of an organism to recognize interleukin 33 makes it more vulnerable to infections of any kind, one could imagine that, conversely, interleukin 33 could be used to increase the number and the aggressiveness of T lymphocytes mobilized during vaccination.
As explained by Max Loehning and Daniel Pinschewer, the alerts provided by PAMPs and DAMPs seem to be complementary during the preparation of a counter-attack: "PAMPs alert dendritic cells which, in turn, enlist killer T cells. However, the response of the latter cells remains fairly mild until they are roused into action by the presence of DAMP released by victims of the virus in the immediate vicinity."
These results represent fertile new territory for researchers developing vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer.
Additional References Citations Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our immune system / vaccines section for the latest news on this subject. Université de Genève Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
MLA
Université de Genève. "Cell Death Unleashes Full Force Of Human Antiviral System." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 13 Feb. 2012. Web.
16 Feb. 2012.
Université de Genève. (2012, February 13). "Cell Death Unleashes Full Force Of Human Antiviral System." Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/241473.php.
Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.
Rate this article:
(Hover over the stars then click to rate) Patient / Public:
or Health Professional:
Add Your Opinion
Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.
If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.
All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)
Your Name:* E-mail Address:* Title For Opinion:* Opinion:* This is to help prevent SPAM submissions. Please enter the words exactly as they appear, including capital letters and punctuation.** Fields marked with a * need to be filled in before you hit the submit button.
Contact Our News Editors
For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.
Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:
back to top
home
popular news by year
all written articles
health videos
contact us
your news:
news category list
personalize homepage
weekly newsletters
daily news alerts
company:
about us
advertising
news licensing
article submission
more:
accessibility
help / faq
links
free website feeds
free tools & content
Privacy Policy | Terms and ConditionsMediLexicon International Ltd
Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom
MediLexicon International Ltd © 2004-2012 All rights reserved.
Immune System / VaccinesMost Popular Articles 1 Month 3 Months 6 Months 1HPV Vaccine Not Linked To Autoimmune Disorders, Study2Chemical Contaminants Linked To Low Immune Response To Vaccines3Group B Meningococcal Disease - New Vaccine Shows Promise4New Vaccine Approach Discovered For The Treatment Of Cancer5Tracking The Birth Of An Evolutionary Arms Race Between HIV-Like Viruses And Primate Genomes6How Protein Protects Cells From HIV Infection7Human Hookworm Vaccine Trial8Vaccine Myths - Doctors Try To Dispel Them 1HPV Vaccine Not Linked To Autoimmune Disorders, Study2India Polio-Free For One Year3Hep C Vaccine Shows Promise In First Trial4Norovirus Vaccine Provides Significant Protection5Cancer Vaccine Significantly Reduces Tumor Size6Malaria Vaccine A Game Changer7Genital Herpes Vaccine Partially Successful8Chemical Contaminants Linked To Low Immune Response To Vaccines9Promising Progress With Vaccine For Ebola10Chicken Pox Vaccine Protects Small Infants Too, Not Just Vaccinated Children 1HPV Vaccine Not Linked To Autoimmune Disorders, Study2India Polio-Free For One Year3Hep C Vaccine Shows Promise In First Trial4Norovirus Vaccine Provides Significant Protection5Cancer Vaccine Significantly Reduces Tumor Size6Malaria Vaccine A Game Changer7Genital Herpes Vaccine Partially Successful8Chemical Contaminants Linked To Low Immune Response To Vaccines9Promising Progress With Vaccine For Ebola10Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism Or Type 1 Diabetes, Institute Of Medicine Report
Follow Our Immune System News On Twitter
Get the latest news for this category delivered straight to your Twitter account. Simply visit our Immune System / Vaccines Twitter account and select the 'follow' option.Conditions Information-- select from list --Abscess (Dental)AchalasiaAchilles TendinitisAcid RefluxAcneAcoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)AcromegalyActinomicosisAcute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaAcute Myeloid LeukemiaAddictionAddison’s Disease (Primary Adrenal Insufficiency)ADHDAgoraphobiaAir Embolism (Gas Embolism)Alcohol PoisoningAlcoholic Liver DiseaseAlcoholismAlopecia AreataAltitude Sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness)Alzheimer's DiseaseAMD / Macular DegenerationAmenorrheaAmnesiaAmniocentesisAnagen EffluviumAnal CancerAnal FissureAnal Itching (Itchy Bottom)AnaphylaxisAndrogen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)AnemiaAnemia (Vitamin Deficiency)AneurysmAngerAnginaAngioedemaAnorexia & BulimiaAntiphospholipid Syndrome (Hughes Syndrome)AnxietyAphasiaAppendicitisArrhythmiaArthritisAsperger SyndromeAsthmaAstigmatismAtaxiaAtrial FibrillationAtrophic Vaginitis (Vaginal Atrophy)AutismAvian InfluenzaBack PainBacterial VaginosisBaker's Cyst (Popliteal Cyst)BalanitisBartholin's CystBed Sores (Pressure Ulcers)Bell's PalsyBinge Eating DisorderBipolar DisorderBird FluBladder cancerBladder StonesBlepharitisBody Dysmorphic DisorderBody Odor (B.O.)Boils, furuncles, carbunclesBone CancerBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD)BotulismBrain Abscess (Cerebral Abscess)Breast CancerBreast Cancer (Male)Breast LumpsBronchiectasis (Bronchiectasia)BronchitisBursitisCancerCandidiasisCarbon Monoxide PoisoningCarpal Tunnel SyndromeCartilage DamageCataractsCatatonic SchizophreniaCelluliteCellulitisCerebral PalsyCerebrovascular DiseaseCervical SpondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth DiseaseChickenpoxChild AbuseChildhood SchizophreniaChlamydiaCholecystitis (Gallbladder Inflammation)CholeraCholestasis Of Pregnancy (Obstetric Cholestasis)CholesterolChronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)Chronic Kidney FailureChronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS)CirrhosisCJDClaustrophobiaClostridium Difficile (C. Difficile)Clubfoot (Talipes Equinovarus)Cluster HeadacheCold SoresColicColon CancerColorectal CancerComa (Comatose)Common ColdComplex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)ConcussionCongenital Heart Disease (Congenital Heart Defect)Conjunctivitis (allergic)Conjunctivitis (infective)ConstipationCOPD & EmphysemaCorns / CallusesCoronary Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)Costello SyndromeCoughCrabs (Pubic Lice)CraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)CristoporidiosisCrohn's DiseaseCroupCryptorchidism (Undescended Testicle)Cushing's SyndromeCystic FibrosisCystitisCystsCytomegalovirus (CMV)DandruffDeep Vein ThrombosisDehydrationDementiaDengue Fever?DepressionDetached RetinaDHTDiabetesDiabetes InsipidusDiabetic RetinopathyDiarrheaDiphtheriaDiscoid Eczema (Nummular Dermatitis)Disorganized Schizophrenia (Hebephrenia)DiverticulitisDouble Vision (Diplopia)Down SyndromeDry Eye SyndromeDry Mouth (Xerostomia)Dupuytren’s ContractureDysenteryDyslexiaDysphagiaDyspraxiaDystoniaE.coliEctopic PregnancyEctropionEczemaEdemaEmbolismEmphysemaEncephalitisEndocarditisEndometriosisEnuresis - BedwettingEpidermolysis BullosaEpiglottitisEpilepsyEpiphora (Watering Eye)Erectile DysfunctionEsophageal CancerEsophagitisEuthanasia (Assisted Suicide)Exophthalmos (Bulging Eyes)Eye Melanoma (Ocular Melanoma)Febrile Seizures (Convulsions)Female Genital MutilationFeverFibroidsFibromyalgiaFlat Feet (Fallen Arches)FlatulenceFood AllergyFracture (Broken Bones)FrostbiteFrozen ShoulderGallstonesGanglion CystGangreneGastroenteritis / Food PoisoningGenital WartsGERDGiardiasisGilbert SyndromeGingivitisGlandular FeverGlaucomaGlomerulonephritisGlue EarGluten Intolerance / Celiac DiseaseGoiter (Goitre)GonorrheaGoutGraves’ DiseaseGuillain-Barré SyndromeGum Disease (Gingivitis)Hair Loss / BaldnessHalitosis (Bad Breath)HangoverHay FeverHead LiceHeadachesHeart AttackHeart Block (AV Bundle/Bundle Branch Block)Heart DiseaseHeart FailureHeartburnHeat Rash (Prickly Heat)Heel PainHemochromatosisHemophiliaHemroids / HemorrhoidsHepatitisHerniaHerpesHiccupsHiccups (Hiccoughs)High Blood PressureHirsutism (Excessive Hairiness)HIV / AIDSHivesHormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)Huntington's DiseaseHydrocephalus (Water On The Brain)Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)HypertensionHyperthyroidismHypertrophic CardiomyopathyHypertrophic CardiomyopathyHypochondriaHypoglycemiaHypotensionHypothermiaHypothyroidismHysterectomyImpacted Wisdom TeethImpetigoIncontinence (bowel)Incontinence (urinary)IndigestionInfant JaundiceInfertilityInfluenza / FluIngrown ToenailInsomniaIrregular Periods (Oligomenorrhea)Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Irritable Hip (Acute Transient Synovitis)Japanese EncephalitisJaundice (icterus)Jet LagKawasaki DiseaseKetosisKidney CancerKidney Infection (Pyelonephritis)Kidney StonesLactose IntoleranceLaryngeal Cancer (Cancer Of The Larynx)LaryngitisLazy EyeLeg CrampsLegionnaires' DiseaseLeukemiaLichen PlanusListeria Infection (Listeriosis)Liver CancerLung CancerLupusLyme DiseaseLymphedemaLymphomaMal De Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS)MalariaMalnutritionMarfan SyndromeMastitisMeaslesMeniere's diseaseMeningitisMenopauseMental HealthMesotheliomaMetatarsalgia (Stone Bruise)MigraineMolesMolluscum ContagiosumMorning Sickness (Nausea Gravidarum)Morton's NeuromaMotion Sickness (Travel Sickness)Motor Neuron DiseaseMouth CancerMRSAMultiple MyelomaMultiple SclerosisMumpsMunchausen SyndromeMunchausen Syndrome By ProxyMuscular Dystrophy (MD)Myasthenia Gravis (Goldflam Disease)Nail Fungal InfectionNarcissistic Personality DisorderNarcolepsyNasal PolypsNDM-1Necrotizing FasciitisNeurofibromatosisNeuromyelitis Optica (Devic's Disease)NeuropathyNicotine Dependence (Dangers Of Smoking)Noonan SyndromeNorovirus InfectionObesityObsessive Compulsive DisorderObsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)Occupational AsthmaOpioid-Induced Constipation (OIC)Oral Thrush (Babies)Oral Thrush (Oral Candidiasis)OsteoarthritisOsteochondritis DissecansOsteomyelitis (Bone Infection)OsteopathyOsteoporosisOtitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear)Ovarian CancerOvarian CystPaget's Disease (Of Bone)PainPainful Intercourse (Dyspareunia)Pancreatic CancerPancreatitis (acute)Pancreatitis (chronic)Panic AttacksParanoid SchizophreniaParasitesParkinson's DiseasePelvic Inflammatory DiseasePeptic UlcersPericarditisPeriod PainsPeripheral Artery Disease (PAD)Personality DisordersPilesPimplesPinworms (Threadworms)PleurisyPneumococcal DiseasePneumoniaPolioPost Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Postherpetic NeuralgiaPostpartum DepressionPrader-Willi SyndromePremature EjaculationPrimary Sclerosing CholangitisProgeriaProstate CancerPsoriasisPsoriasisPulmonary Edema (Oedema)Pulmonary EmbolismQ FeverRabiesRadiation Sickness (Radiation Poisoning)Ramsay Hunt SyndromeRaynaud's DiseaseRectocele (Proctocele)Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)Restless Legs SyndromeRheumatic FeverRheumatoid ArthritisRhinitis, Non-AllergicRicketsRingwormRosaceaRubellaRuptured SpleenSalivary Gland CancerSalmonellaSARSScabiesScarlet Fever (Scarlatina)Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)Schizoaffective DisorderSchizophreniaSciaticaSclerodermaScoliosisScurvySeasonal Affective DisorderSexual Addiction (Nymphomania)ShinglesShort Stature (Dwarfism)SinusitisSjogren's SyndromeSkin Cancer / MelanomaSlapped Cheek SyndromeSocial Anxiety DisorderSpina BifidaSpinal Muscular AtrophySquint (Strabismus)StammeringStrep Throat / Sore ThroatStressStress IncontinenceStrokeStye (Hordeolum)Subarachnoid HemorrhageSuicidal ThoughtsSwine FluSyphilisTachycardia (Fast Heart Beat)Tapeworms (Cestodes)Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)Tendinitis (Tendonitis)Testicular CancerTesticular TorsionTetanusThyroid CancerThyroid NodulesTinnitusTiredness / FatigueTobacco Smoke ToxinsTonsillitisTourette SyndromeToxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)Transient Ischemic Attacktransient ischemic attackTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI)Trigeminal NeuralgiaTriple X SyndromeTuberculosisTurner SyndromeTyphoidUlcerative ColitisUmbilical HerniaUrinary Tract Infection (UTI)UveitisVaculitis (Angiitis)Vaginal CancerVaginismusVaginitisValley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)VaricoceleVaricose Eczema (Stasis Dermatitis)Varicose VeinsVentricular FibrillationVertigoVesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)Vitamin B12 DeficiencyVocal Cord Paresis (Paralysis)Von Willebrand DiseaseVulvar Cancer (Vulval Cancer)VulvodyniaWartsWater On The Knee (Knee Effusion)Water Retention (Fluid Retention)Wegener's GranulomatosisWernicke-Korsakoff SyndromeWest Nile Virus (WNV)Wheat AllergyWhipple's DiseaseWilliams SyndromeWilms’ Tumor (Nephroblastoma)Wolff-Parkinson-White SyndromeYellow FeverYipsZollinger-Ellison Syndrome
View list of all 'What Is...' articles »
Posts
0 comments: on "Cell Death Unleashes Full Force Of Human Antiviral System"
Post a Comment