Can this protein be a new target for autoimmune therapies?
The body fights off attacks from foreign infections and cancerous cells through its white blood cells, which include T cells. In autoimmune diseases, T cells mistakenly attack the body's tissues, leading to damage and inflammation. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a new role for the protein QRICH1 in regulating the immune system, specifically its influence on T cells. QRICH1 was found to act like a “brake” on T cells, especially CD8+ T cells, which are responsible for attacking foreign cells or perceived threats to the body. In autoimmune diseases, where the immune system is too active, boosting QRICH1’s effect could help reduce harmful overactivation.
To study this, scientists engineered mice without the QRICH1 protein and observed how their immune cells reacted to threats. When T cells from these mice were exposed to signals mimicking cancer cells or infections, the T cells were more active compared to those from normal mice. This increased activity confirmed that QRICH1 limits T cell activation, showing its potential as a target for drugs that either enhance or suppress immune responses.
To further test this hypothesis, researchers went on to study the effect with real infections. They infected the study mice with Listeria, a bacterium responsible for foodborne infections. The results again showed that mice without QRICH1 mounted a stronger immune response: the T cells became "more activated even in response to a natural infection." Researchers will next study the effect of removing this protein on the immune response to cancer cells.
This new research highlights the key role of QRICH1 in regulating T cell activation, offering fresh insights into how the immune system functions. By targeting this protein, scientists can unlock more precise and safer immunotherapies to either boost the immune system to target cancer cells or inhibit the immune system to alleviate autoimmune activities. This discovery marks a promising step toward tailoring immune responses and developing treatments to modulate immune activity in autoimmune disease patients.
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