Research from Radboud University Medical Center reveals that T cells from the adaptive immune system can manipulate the memory of innate immune cells. Previously, it was believed that the memory of innate immune cells operated independently. This surprising connection opens up new possibilities for the treatment of various diseases.
A mouse model shows that no immunosuppressive drugs are needed after an organ transplantation if this interaction between T cells and the innate immunity is temporarily blocked after the transplantation. The adaptive immune system develops through infections that people experience. This immune response is slow to develop, highly specific against pathogens, and uses memory cells.
In addition, there is the innate immune system, which responds much faster to invaders and serves as a first line of defense. About ten years ago, it was discovered that the cells of the innate system also have memory, allowing them to respond stronger and faster to repeated infections. This is called trained immunity.
Until now, trained immunity was thought to be an independent process of innate immune cells. However, research from an international team led by Raphaël Duivenvoorden and researcher Maaike Jacobs from Radboudumc has now revealed that T cells from the adaptive immune system play a crucial role in regulating trained immunity. They discovered that this occurs through direct contact between cells via the CD40 molecule.
Transplantation This finding offers new p.