Scientists Discover a Novel Modulator of Human Regulatory T Cells
The research group of Professor Riitta Lahesmaa has made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying a novel modulator for human regulatory T cells. This newly found regulator, known as LIRIL2R, has the ability to regulate the expression of the transcription factor FOXP3 and enhance the suppressive function of regulatory T cells. This discovery opens up new possibilities for therapeutic interventions in immune-mediated diseases.
The Lahesmaa group, affiliated with the Turku Bioscience Center of the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University in Finland, has shed light on the crucial role of regulatory T cells in maintaining immune balance. These specialized T cells play a vital role in preventing autoimmune diseases and controlling immune responses to cancer cells. Disruption in the function of regulatory T cells can have serious implications for human health.
Published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research findings offer promising avenues for the development of personalized medicine approaches targeting autoimmune diseases and cancer. By manipulating the levels of the novel lincRNA molecule LIRIL2R, it may be possible to enhance the production and function of regulatory T cells for therapeutic purposes.
Professor Lahesmaa highlights the potential of this discovery in advancing precision medicine treatments. The ability to target specific lincRNAs that regulate immune responses opens up new possibilities for tailored therapies against a variety of diseases. By focusing on the modulation of regulatory T cells, researchers aim to develop effective treatments without the need for costly immune activator antibodies.
The implications of this research extend to the field of cancer treatment, where immune evasion mechanisms play a critical role. By unraveling the role of LIRIL2R in controlling immune responses, scientists hope to devise innovative strategies to overcome cancer cell evasion tactics. Targeting the novel lincRNA molecule could offer a more targeted and cost-effective approach to immune activation in cancer therapy.
In conclusion, the discovery of the novel modulator LIRIL2R represents a significant advancement in our understanding of human regulatory T cells and their role in immune regulation. This breakthrough paves the way for future research in precision medicine and targeted therapies for a range of immune-mediated diseases.
For more information, please refer to:
Lahesmaa, Riitta, Long noncoding RNA LIRIL2R modulates FOXP3 levels and suppressive function of human CD4+ regulatory T cells by regulating IL2RA, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2315363121. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2315363121
Citation: Scientists discover a novel modulator of human regulatory T cells (2024, May 30) retrieved 31 May 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-05-scientists-modulator-human-regulatory-cells.html
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