Research has identified a novel unconventional type of immune cell capable of fighting viral infections.
Research led by the University of Birmingham has identified a novel unconventional type of immune cell capable of fighting viral infections.
우리 몸에는 T림프구, B림프구, 대식세포 등 다양한 면역세포가 있다. 바이러스가 침입하면 면역세포는 바이러스에 감염된 세포를 죽이기도 하고, 항체를 만들어 바이러스를 무력화시키기도 한다. 영국 버밍햄대 연구진이 바이러스에 대항하는 새로운 면역세포를 찾아내 네이처 커뮤니케이션스 5월 2일자에 발표했다.
📷 GIB : 바이러스에 감염되면 T림프구, B림프구 등 다양한 면역세포가 이에 대항한다
The study, published today in Nature Communications and carried out in collaboration with the Academic Medical Center, Netherlands, and Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Russia, focussed on T cells that control our immune system.
Specifically the research has defined a subset of 'unconventional V-delta-2 lymphocytes', which are a type of Gamma Delta T cell -- an ancient class of immune cell that has been relatively poorly understood.
The new findings establish that this subtype is not only present at birth, but persists in adults at low levels, and can increase in numbers massively during virus infections.
The researchers examined how this subtype of T cell responded to a virus infection called cytomegalovirus. They found that when these T cells detected signs of the virus infection they both increased in numbers and became 'licensed to kill'.
Lead Author Dr Martin Davey, of the University of Birmingham's Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, said:
"These cells can clearly adapt to some key challenges that life throws at them.
"Upon viral infection, they change from harmless precursors into what appear to be ruthless killers.
"They can then access tissues, where we believe they detect and destroy virally infected target cells."
The results build on previous work from the same research group, published last month in Trends in Immunology, which also suggests that many gamma delta T cells that control our immune system can adapt in the face of infectious challenges.
The team is now trying to better understand the scenarios when these unconventional killer T cells are most important and how to harness them to advance treatments to fight viral infections.
Dr Davey added: "We think these cells contribute to defence against viral infection in the liver, a site which is exposed to many potentially dangerous infectious diseases.
"They may also be particularly important when other aspects of our immune system are not working at full strength, such as in newborn babies, but also in transplant patients who are taking immunosuppressive drugs to prevent organ rejection.
"In these scenarios, boosting the activity of these cells could prove beneficial to patients, and we are now starting to explore how to do that."
연구진이 주목한 것은 우리의 면역 체계를 제어하는 T림프구였다. T림프구는 전체 림프구 중 4분의 3 이상을 차지하는 면역세포로, 바이러스나 감염세포를 죽이는 세포독성 T림프구, 침입한 바이러스의 정보를 기억하는 기억 T림프구 등 여러 가지 세포로 세분화된다.
연구팀은 이 중 그간 알려진 바가 거의 없었던 ‘V-델타-2 림프구(unconventional V-delta-2 lymphocytes)’를 집중적으로 관찰했다. V-델타-2 림프구는 피부와 같이 몸의 바깥 층을 이루는 상피 조직에 있는 ‘감마 델타 T림프구’의 일종이라는 사실만 알려져 있었다.
연구팀은 건강한 사람의 혈액에 일종의 포진바이러스인 세포거대바이러스(cytomegalovirus)를 감염시킨 뒤 V-델타-2 림프구의 반응을 관찰했다. 그 결과 독성을 띠지 않던 림프구 전구체가 바이러스에 감염된 직후 V-델타-2 림프구로 분화했으며, 그 수가 증가했다.
마틴 데이비 버밍엄대 면역학 및 면역치료연구소 박사는 “V-델타-2 림프구는 태어날 때 만들어진 뒤 성인이 되면 적은 수를 유지하다, 바이러스에 감염될 때만 수를 증가시킨다”며 “이는 감염 반응이나 장기 거부 반응 등을 억제하는 연구에 중요한 역할을 할 것”이라고 말했다.
📝 Story Source: University of Birmingham (May 2, 2018)
📚 Reference
📝 Story Source: University of Birmingham (May 2, 2018)
📚 Reference
http://dongascience.donga.com/news.php?idx=22291
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2018/05/immune-cells-viral-infection-killer.aspx
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