Immunity system complexity: guiding cells to infections (Introduction)

by David Turell , Sunday, February 18, 2024, 19:18 (69 days ago) @ David Turell

Molecules that do it and how it happens are described:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240215113612.htm

"When an enemy invades, defenders are ferried to the site to neutralise the marauders. In the human body, a protein carrier called SPNS2 transports S1P molecules from endothelial cells to rally immune cell response in infected organs and tissues.

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"'Seeing is believing. This work shows that SPNS2 is directly exporting S1P for signalling and it is possible to inhibit its transport function with small molecules. This work provides the foundation for understanding of how S1P is released by SPNS2 and how this protein function is inhibited by small molecules for treatment of inflammatory diseases," said team leader Dr Nguyen Nam Long.

"The SPNS2 protein allows the binding of the S1P signalling molecules to trigger the immune cells to leave the lymph nodes and induce inflammation in different parts of the body when needed.

"Made up of amino acids, the SPNS2 protein is malleable enough to change its shape and structure to release the S1P signalling molecules through small cavities found within the protein.

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"Both SPNS2 protein and S1P signalling molecule are required for immune cell recruitment to inflammatory organs, which goes towards treating various inflammatory diseases.

"Using pre-clinical models, we have shown that targeting SPNS2 proteins in the body blocks inflammatory responses in disease conditions, such as multiple sclerosis. This work has provided us a possibility to inhibit its transport function with small molecules that will go a long way to treating inflammatory diseases more efficiently and effectively," said Dr Nguyen."

Comment: as usual we see very specific molecules doing critical work. Evolution, as a natural process, could not have found such specificity by chance. Design required.