Immunity system complexity: innate and secondary (Introduction)

by David Turell , Saturday, January 21, 2023, 19:49 (458 days ago) @ David Turell

Another study of immune memory:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-01-immunological-memory-immune-disease.html

"Using a mouse model, the researchers created various strains of pathogenic bacteria that increased levels of inflammation through the stimulator of interferon genes—or STING—proteins inside of T cells. While many scientists assumed this increase in inflammation would result in a stronger immune response and therefore stronger immunological memory, Teixeiro and her team found the opposite: immunological memory was reduced.

"'Some scientists in the field believe STING activation may be targeted to improve cancer vaccines or immunotherapies, so gaining a basic understanding of all the interacting mechanisms at play is critical to reduce the chances of unintended consequences or harmful side effects," Teixeiro said. "We want to better understand how to regulate immunological memory, which has implications for potential vaccines or immunotherapies that trigger T cells in a way that hopefully boosts long-term memory, so our bodies are protected from disease over time."

"While her research is fundamental in nature, Teixeiro's findings have the potential to contribute to the development of more effective treatments to help patients suffering with cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI), asthma and other chronic inflammatory syndromes.

"The pursuit of knowledge is what drives my curiosity as a scientist," Teixeiro said. "While there are still more questions to answer, this research is a small step in the right direction, and I am proud to be a part of it."

"'STING controls T cell memory fitness during infection through T cell intrinsic and Indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) dependent mechanisms" was recently published in PNAS."

Comment: this memory system builds a library of responses for future use. We have the basic system in place at birth.