Scientists have discovered a method that can reprogramme inflammatory cells to suppress the immune system, an advance that may help improve treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Researchers from Gladstone Institutes in the US studied two types of cells called effector T cells, which activate the immune system to defend our body against different pathogens, and regulatory T cells, which help control the immune system and prevent it from attacking healthy parts of its environment.
They identified a small-molecule drug that can successfully reprogramme effector T cells into regulatory T cells.
"Our findings could have a significant impact on the treatment of autoimmune diseases, as well as on stem cell and immuno-oncology therapies," said Sheng Ding, professor at the University of California in the US.
This new approach to reprogramme T cells could have several medical applications. For instance, in autoimmune disease, effector T cells are overly activated and cause damage to body, researchers said.
Converting these cells into regulatory T cells could help reduce the hyperactivity and return balance to the immune system, thus treating the root of the disease, they said.
In addition, the study could improve therapies using stem cells. At least in theory, producing regulatory T cells could promote immune tolerance and prevent the body from rejecting newly-transplanted cells.
"Our work could also contribute to ongoing efforts in immuno-oncology and the treatment of cancer," said Tao Xu, postdoctoral scholar in Ding's laboratory.
"This type of therapy does not target the cancer directly, but rather works on activating the immune system so it can recognise cancer cells and attack them," Xu added.
Many cancers take control of regulatory T cells to suppress the immune system, creating an environment where tumours can grow without being detected.
In such cases, the team's findings could be used to transform regulatory T cells into effector T cells to strengthen the immune system so it can better recognise and destroy cancer cells, researchers said.
The study was published in the journal Nature.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
