Immune cells. New perspectives in treatment and regeneration

In almost all articles about brain function and boosting human capabilities, I write that “you can’t just change the way your brain works.” Our body is a complex homeostatic system. And immune cells turned out to be another point of application of strength that promises new opportunities.

A new study overturns the traditional view of conventional T cells as tools that suppress inflammatory responses in the body. Their capabilities are valuable both for the treatment of a wide range of diseases and for tissue regeneration. From damaged muscles to hair regrowth.

Immune cells and where they live

We are talking about ordinary T cells, which are also called Tregs. These are a specific type of white blood cell that actively regulate or suppress the body's immune response. These immune cells protect the body from immune system overreaction by controlling its course, controlling levels of inflammation, and protecting against autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

Who are Tregs?

Traditionally, Tregs were thought to be specialized populations of cells found only in certain areas of the body. However new research Scientists from the University of Cambridge in the UK have upended the traditional understanding of their work.

Moreover, the findings of this study have serious and far-reaching implications for the treatment of a wide range of diseases and injuries that trigger an immune response.

It's hard to imagine a disease, injury, or even an injection that won't trigger some kind of immune response. And our discovery creates the conditions in which we can control this response. We have discovered new rules for how the immune system works. This “united army of healers” can do it all: repair damaged muscles, make fat cells respond better to insulin, regrow hair follicles. To think that we can use immune cells alone for such a huge range of diseases is simply fantastic. The discovery has the potential to be used for almost anything.

Professor Adrian Liston co-authored the study.

Moving to the origins

Lymphoid organs are an integral part of the immune system. They are responsible for the production of lymphocytes including T cells. T cells begin life in the bone marrow and then travel to the thymus, an organ in the upper middle part of the chest, where they mature into specialized subsets, including Tregs.

Once fully matured, immune cells are exported to peripheral lymphatic tissues and organs such as the spleen, tonsils and lymph nodes, and some enter the bloodstream. This is where Tregs were thought to remain in a dormant state until they are activated by the immune system.

To test this concept, the researchers analyzed Tregs present in 48 different mouse tissues, including lymphoid, nonlymphoid, and gut-associated tissues. They found these specific immune cells in all types of tissue.

The connection between different body systems and each other is amazing. Scientists are now working to control regeneration through immune cells. While we can reduce the risks of depression by working through gut microbiome.

The potential that immune cells harbored

The scientists' discovery suggests that Tregs are not specialized populations of cells. Their existence is not limited to lymphoid tissues. These immune cells move throughout the body, performing repair functions in areas that need it.

Opening details

Now that we know that conventional immune T cells are present throughout the body, we can in principle begin to use immune suppression and tissue regeneration techniques that target a single organ. Acting like a sledgehammer.

Professor Adrian Liston co-authored the study.

Modern anti-inflammatory drugs affect the entire body, not just inflamed tissue, and suppress the body's entire immune system, leaving people susceptible to infection. The researchers tested a previously developed drug that, in mice, attracted Tregs to a specific organ or tissue, increasing their number and activating them to suppress the immune response and speed up healing.

Based on the findings, the researchers say there is potential to reverse site-specific damage by turning off the immune response in a specific area. What is important, because a weakened immune system can also damage blood brain barrier of the brainleading to schizophrenia.

The promise of immune cells

By increasing the number of Tregs in targeted areas of the body, we can help the body do a better job of repairing itself or managing immune responses. There are a lot of diseases in which we would like to turn off the immune response and start a restorative reaction. This would improve the condition of people with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and many infectious diseases.

Professor Adrian Liston co-authored the study.

The researchers are now raising funds to create a spin-off company. They plan to test the study's findings in human clinical trials over the next few years.

The topic of immune cells is not new. Recently, material was published about the possibility of improving the functioning of immune cells through a hunger strike. Fasting for cancer in mice contributed to the survival of individuals.

Instead of output

If, while reading, you had thoughts about Milla Jovovich and the Resident Evil universe, then let me know in the comments. But seriously, T cells have long been considered and studied as a potential link for improving the functioning of the body.

Essentially, we don't need to invent nano-robots from scratch. We already have an army of such bots in our bodies, and all that remains is to pick up the keys to the control panel. But the body is complex, multifaceted, and diamond bullets have not yet delivered.

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