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/ Technology News / 2008 / January 2008 / January 23, 2008 Researchers discover new way to boost the immune system |
Stem cell heart surgery may spell the end for transplantation
British scientists have developed a new technique that can rebuild a severely damaged heart, and one day, might replace the need for transplantation. ANI
A new insight into the turbulent atmosphere of Venus
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ESA tests laser to measure atmospheric CO2
A recent ESA (European Space Agency) campaign has demonstrated how a technique using lasers could be employed to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. ANI
Researchers have discovered a way to enhance the immune system, by manipulating it to increase its power and protect the body from successive viral infections.
Washington, Jan 23 : Researchers have discovered a way to enhance the immune system, by manipulating it to increase its power and protect the body from successive viral infections.
The study, led by Sam Basta, Queen's professor of Microbiology and Immunology, suggests that scientists can enhance the body's resistance and fend off successive viral infections by taking components of the virus and indirectly activating specific populations of killer T cells - the body's virus-killing cells.
The virus components are introduced through a process known as "cross priming" whereby virus molecules are engulfed by immune cells to activate killer T cells.
The findings might point the way towards developing new and more effective vaccines against diseases like influenza or HIV and enhance new developments in immunology.
"With this mechanism in mind, we can develop better tools to make more successful and effective vaccines," said Basta.
The researchers hope to build on their findings by next studying which immune cells do a better job of protecting the body while using this mechanism.
"The answer to this question is like having the Holy Grail of immunotherapy and vaccine design within our grasp," says Dr. Basta. The study is published in Viral Immunology.
ANI
