Immunity system complexity: how T cells are triggered (Introduction)

by David Turell , Monday, November 22, 2021, 23:42 (884 days ago) @ David Turell

New research on T call response to infection:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-11-cells-infection-disease.html

"T cells communicate with other cells in the body in search of infections or diseases. This crosstalk relies on specialized receptors known as T cell receptors that recognize foreign molecular fragments from an infection or cancer that are presented for detection by particular molecules called major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or MHC-like.

"In this study, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute scientists have expanded the understanding of how a poorly defined class of gamma delta T cells recognizes an MHC-like molecule known as MR1. MR1 is a protein sensor that takes cellular products generated during infections or disease and presents them for T cells to detect, thereby alerting the immune system.

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"By using a high-intensity X-ray beam at the Australian Synchrotron, the scientists were able to obtain a detailed 3D atomic model of how the gamma delta T cell receptor recognizes MR1. What sets these cells apart from others seems to be the unusual ways in which they interact with MR1. This work further recasts our understanding of how T cell receptors can interact with specialized MHC-like molecules and represents a notable development for our understanding of T cell biology.

"Mr Rice stated: "By using high-resolution protein imaging and biochemical assays, we were able to identify key mechanisms that govern gamma delta T cell receptor recognition of MR1, a key sensor of bacterial infection."

"Co-lead author Dr. Gully said: "These cells have evaded characterisation for a long time, leading to many assumptions on how they become activated. Here we have shown that these gamma delta T cells can recognize MHC-like molecules in their own unique ways and in ways we could not have predicted."

Comment: here is a marvelous example of how T cells act automatically to fight infections and cancer. The whole immune system is programmed to fit infections and invasions (note the red skin around a splinter) The cells are not innately intelligent, but completely automatic. Cells act automatically, and following intelligent information (instructions) appear to BE intelligent, inferring they use an innate intelligence they do not have.