Prolonged diseases such as cancer and chronic infections often leave the immune system in a state of exhaustion, where their frontline defenders, T cells lose their ability to function effectively. The research, directed by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) and the Peter Maccallum Cancer Center (Peter Mac), have identified a rare type of immune cells, called STEM -shaped T -shaped T -shaped T -shaped cells, which maintains the key To keep powerful, immune responses in the long term.
Posted in Scientific immunologyThe study revealed that the resistance of these stem -shaped T -shaped T -shaped cells is fed by a protein called ID3, expressed by a gene of the same name. These T ID3+ cells have a unique ability to self -harm and resist exhaustion, giving them the power to maintain immune responses much longer than other T cells that do not express ID3.
The Catarina Gaza da Graça of the University of Melbourne, a doctoral candidate at the Doherty Institute, said the research highlights how T ID3+ cells have the key to overcome one of the greatest challenges in the treatment of chronic diseases: immune exhaustion.
“T ID3+ cells have the remarkable ability to resist exhaustion and maintain a powerful immune response over time, which makes them particularly effective against chronic infections or cancer,” said author Gago da Graça.
Research also found that certain signals in the body could increase the number of T ID3+cells, paving the way to improve treatments such as T Car cell therapy. Although T Car therapy has been transformative in the treatment of certain cancers, its effectiveness can decrease over time due to the depletion of T cells.
Professor Ricky Johnstone, Executive Director of Cancer Research at Peter Mac and co-leader of the author of the study, said that improving the activity of ID3 could strengthen the resistance of these cells, which makes the therapies more effective and lasting.
“We discovered that the formation of T ID3+ cells could be promoted by specific inflammatory signals, potentially offering new strategies to increase the number of immune cells that stand out in the fight against cancer in patients,” said Professor Johnstone.
“This could lead to better treatments for cancer patients and improve clinical immunotherapy results.”
Dr. Daniel Utzschneider of the University of Melbourne, laboratory manager at the Doherty Institute, said the findings could lead to advances in immunotherapy treatments and the development of vaccines that provide lasting protection.
“Exhausted immune cells are still one of the greatest challenges in the treatment of chronic diseases,” said Dr. Utzschneider.
“This research provides a roadmap on how we could revitalize the immune system to improve health results for people who live with cancer or chronic infections such as HIV or hepatitis B and C, thanks to these stem -shaped T -shaped T cells , the secret power of the immune system. “
This research is the result of a collaboration effort between the Doherty Institute, Peter Mac, the University of La Trobe, the University of the Northwest (USA), the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom) and the University of Melbourne.