LA JOLLA INSTITUTE FOR ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY SCIENTISTS IDENTIFY MOLECULES THAT TURN ON LONG-TERM MEMORY IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Research Could Lead to Better and Longer-lasting Vaccines
SAN DIEGO - April 23, 2004 - Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology (LIAI) have identified two molecules (TL and CD8aa) that cooperate to trigger immune cells to develop into long-lived memory cells to fight recurring infections. This finding may have important implications for the future development of longer lasting and more potent vaccines for viruses such as HIV and West Nile.
In a paper (CD8aa __Mediated Survival and Differentiation of CD8 Memory T Cell Precursors), published today in the scientific journal Science, Hilde Cheroutre, Ph.D., and a team of scientists have found that the TL and CD8aa molecules can not only drive activated immune cells to develop into long-lived memory cells, but can also identify which of the immune cells become memory cells.
During an infection, immune cells are activated and fight the infectious assault. These activated immune cells are programmed to undergo death immediately at the end of such a defense response. However, a few of the activated cells survive as memory cells. These memory cells are important since they can persist for the life of the individual and will act rapidly upon encountering the same infection later in life to provide immediate protection. This is why people do not get sick twice from chickenpox and other infections.
"These two molecules (TL and CDaa) are induced during this defensive response and provide survival signals to the responding immune cells, which allow them to develop into long-lived memory cells," Cheroutre said. "With more of these memory cells, the body can better fight the infection should it arise again. This has major implications for the development of vaccines which will protect people longer and more effectively against disease."
Founded in 1988, the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology is a non-profit medical research center dedicated to increasing knowledge and improving human health through studies of the immune system. Researchers at the institute carry out studies designed to understand and develop cures for cancer, allergy and asthma, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. The institute's research staff includes approximately 100 Ph.Ds.
About LIAI
Founded in 1988, the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology is a
nonprofit medical research center dedicated to increasing knowledge and
improving human health through studies of the immune system. Scientists
at the institute carry out research searching for cures for cancer,
allergy and asthma, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases such
as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. LIAI's research
staff includes more than 100 Ph.Ds.
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