In Germany, approximately 800,000 people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. In this progressive disease, a person's own immune system attacks and destroys connective tissue. However, the most important factors governing the progress of the disease are still unknown. Now, scientists working with Michael Reth and David Medgyesi from the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics have identified a factor that may play a significant role. Using genetic engineering, they deactivated the PTP1B protein (PTPN1 protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 1
) in B-cells in the immune systems of mice. The B-cells then became much more responsive to activating signals and, in turn, served to reactivate the other cells.
PTP1B could therefore have a monitoring function in the B-cell-mediated immune response. Until now, B-cells were mainly known for producing antibodies after coming into contact with pathogens. Only recently is more and more accepted by researchers that B-lymphocytes possess important regulatory function in the immune system. The current study now provides a new detail of this mechanism.
) in B-cells in the immune systems of mice. The B-cells then became much more responsive to activating signals and, in turn, served to reactivate the other cells.
PTP1B could therefore have a monitoring function in the B-cell-mediated immune response. Until now, B-cells were mainly known for producing antibodies after coming into contact with pathogens. Only recently is more and more accepted by researchers that B-lymphocytes possess important regulatory function in the immune system. The current study now provides a new detail of this mechanism.
1 comment:
In Germany in 2012 there were 1 million doctor visits for Lyme Disease. A disease known for being mistaken for Rheumatoid arthritis. The late stages of Lyme disease are still poorly defined and the controversies abound - is it persistent infection, permanent damage, auto immunity or all in your head?
Well the science supports all those scenarios but many thousands of patients and some international doctors are finding better responses to longer courses of antibiotics.
In cases of persistence of course we will have B cell mediated immune response but do we really want to disable that and allow the engine of destruction to continue on it's way or do we indeed want to assist our immune response in fighting this very complex organism Borrelia. Testing is so problematic when it comes to Borrelia leaving many seronegative cases. Now with the spread of Borrelia Miyamotoi throughout Europe and USA yes identified now in UK too which only tests positive on Band 41 which our Health Authorities ignore we are somewhat in a mess.
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