RESEARCH REVEALS CONTROL OF POTENT IMMUNE REGULATOR
RESEARCH REVEALS CONTROL OF POTENT IMMUNE REGULATOR -- A new study at OSU reveals how the production of a potent immune regulator called interferon gamma (IFNg) is controlled in natural killer (NK) cells -- immune cells that typically defend the body against cancer and infections. IFNg, produced by NK cells and other cell types, plays a critical role in killing pathogen-infected cells and in defending against tumor cells. However, overproduction of IFNg is also dangerous to the body and can cause autoimmune diseases. But exactly how the body tightly controls IFNg production -- and, therefore, NK-cell activity -- is not known. This study, published in the May issue of the journal Immunity, looked at substances called proinflammatory cytokines, which cause NK cells to make IFNg and stimulate their activity. The study found that the proinflammatory cytokines not only cause NK cells to make IFNg, but that they also shut down TGFb signaling, which inhibits production of IFNg. -- "Our findings provide important details about the fine balance between positive and negative regulators of IFNg production in NK cells," says principal investigator Michael Caligiuri, MD, director of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center.
|
