CRI NEWS

Restore Lost Immunity: A Possible Breakthrough For AIDS

2004-4-21 20:18:46 CRIENGLISH.com

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the US have found a way to revive immunity in mice that have deficient immune systems.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the US have found a way to revive immunity in mice that have deficient immune systems.

The discovery may lead to a means of restoring immunity to individuals with immunodeficiency diseases such as AIDS and cancer.

Their report says B cells and the immunoglobulin they produce increase the quantity and variety of T cells, the lymphocytes that fight viruses and tumors. The greater the number and variety of T cells, the wider the range of threats they can respond to.

AIDS patients, for example, may have very few, and a small variety of, T cells. The report suggests it may be possible to boost T cell numbers and diversity by administration of gamma globulin or B cells.

Immune deficiency can be caused by a range of autoimmune diseases, like arthritis, agents such as the AIDS virus, chemotherapy for cancer, and old age.

Because the use of gamma globulin is an existing therapy, application of the new findings may be possible in the near future.

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