Research Brief
Researchers say they've discovered a key factor in the body's production of T cells, white blood cells that are important to immune function. Some studies show people with chronic fatigue syndrome have reduced T cell response to certain infectious agents.
The new research, which is about to be published in the prestigious journal Science, suggests that manipulating a newly discovered genetic regulator, called Ctip2, can influence some types of immune function. According to Therapeutics Daily, this discovery could lead to drugs targeting the receptor as treatments for diseases characterized by T cell problems (such as HIV/AIDS), autoimmune disease and allergies. Researchers also believe it could one day lead to new treatments for certain cancers.
T cells are critical to your immune response. They attack virus-infected, foreign or cancerous cells, and they can also activate or deactivate other immune cells.
Because this discovery is so new, it could be several years before any potential treatments emerge from it.
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Very interesting! Every time I have my blood taken the results show, among other abnormalities mainly in tests paid for privately, low white cell count. Shame we have to wait years, but at least this is positive news.