Auto-Immune diseases can be prevented by blocking key molecules
Scientists have identified a key molecule which could be beneficial to people suffering from chronic inflammation due to their immune system overreacting against’self tissue’. Interleukin 21 is a chemical messenger known as a cytokine that affects the behavior of immune cells. This research indicates that drugs can be used to block IL-21 in people who have chronic inflammation due to defective T-cell regulation. Cecile King is an immunologist at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney.
IL-21 plays an important role in autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren syndrome and type I diabetes. The findings from experiments with mice showed that removing IL-21 is crucial to reduce inflammation, even when there are severe immune defects present. The study published in Journal of Immunology found that when IL-21 was blocked, the massive inflammatory response could be greatly reduced, but not completely eliminated.
Health.India.com has changed its name to TheHealthSite.com.
