more insight into 'B' cells

[Gabes-Apg]

http://www.smh.com.au/national/in-divis ... 1ptic.html


MELBOURNE researchers have found that the body's immune cells have a greater control over their own destiny than previously realised, prompting a shake-up of scientists' understanding of how cells work.

The findings, by researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Parkville, will aid future drug design for a range of conditions including diabetes, some infectious diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and allergies such as hayfever.

After studying B cells - immune system cells that can make antibodies - the researchers discovered that cells were not necessarily instructed by their exposure to hormones and their external environment, as originally thought.

A B cell is a type of blood cell that belongs to a group of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are crucial in protecting the body from infection.

B cells are an essential component of the adaptive immune system.

Head of immunology Professor Phil Hodgkin, who led the study, said it showed that this was not actually the case, with the cells being involved in an internal decision-making process.

''Each cell has the potential to divide, to die, to change the type of antibody it makes,'' Professor Hodgkin said.

''This all happens while the cells are proliferating in the lymph nodes.''

Mark Dowling also worked on the study alongside colleagues Jie Zhou, Cameron Wellard and John Markham.

Dr Dowling explained the results as the different outcomes being in competition with each other.

''Each cell will, in some sense, set up a clock that starts ticking for each of the outcomes and whatever clock goes off first is the decision that the cell makes,'' he said.

"The cell is trying to do everything but only one fate wins."

The study, which was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, the Victorian government and Science Foundation Ireland, involved filming a recreation of the conditions necessary for B cells to develop into different cell types.

Professor Hodgkin said the hope is now to create new models that will help in the design of new immune therapies for autoimmune diseases and improved vaccines.

The study took place over a four year period and was recently published in the international journal Science.



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