Immune Memory Formation Seen In Early Stages Of Viral Infection
Filed under: Cancer / Oncology, Immune System / Vaccines, Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
In an acute viral infection, most of the white blood cells known as T cells differentiate into cells that fight the virus and die off in the process. But a few of these “effector” T cells survive and become memory T cells, ensuring that the immune system can respond faster and stronger the next time around.
Scientists have identified a molecule that defines which cells are destined to become memory T cells just a few days after a viral infection begins. The finding could guide the development of more effective vaccines for challenging infections such as HIV/AIDS and also cancer.
The results were published online by the journal Immunity. The senior author is Rafi Ahmed, PhD, director of the Emory Vaccine Center, a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Working with Ahmed, postdoctoral fellows Vandalia Kalia and Surojit Sarkar tracked memory T cell formation in mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, a virus that causes an acute infection. They observed that a few days after infection begins, T cells separate into two groups: one with high levels of the molecule CD25 on their surfaces and one with low levels of CD25. Later on, all T cells reduce their levels of CD25 and the differences disappear as the infection is cleared.
“The outstanding question in our field has been: when do T cells commit to becoming memory cells,” Kalia says. “This is one of the earliest points where we have been able to see these groups of cells with distinct fates.” Read more
Cancer Medicines Pipeline Offers Patients Great Hope
The Bienville Democrat in Arcadia, LA recently reported that America’s pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies have made great progress in treating cancers, introducing many new, breakthrough medicines.
According to the article, scientists are currently working on 861 new cancer medicines that are either in late-stage testing, being used on patients in clinical trials or are being reviewed for approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
“A country that can put a man on the moon,” says Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, “can find a cure for cancer.”
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