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Scientists Find Master Gene To Switch On Immune Cells

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the nature's-lightswitch dept.

Scientists claim to have identified a master gene which is able to transform blood stem cells into disease-fighting immune cells. The hope is that this discovery will allow for new treatments for cancer. "The researchers have 'knocked out' the gene in question, known as E4bp4, in a mouse model, creating the world's first animal model entirely lacking NK cells, but with all other blood cells and immune cells intact. This breakthrough model should help solve the mystery of the role that Natural Killer cells play in autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Some scientists think that these diseases are caused by malfunctioning NK cells that turn on the body and attack healthy cells, causing disease instead of fighting it. Clarifying NK cells' role could lead to new ways of treating these conditions."

2 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Cure for cancer... by ByOhTek · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The problem with "a cure for cancer", is that cancer isn't one disease. Also there are many causes.

    That being said, reliable treatments (cures) for different types of cancers can still be developed. However, no cure for cancer could ever prevent a relapse, unless it treated the genetic factors involved, and was taken regularly through a person's life. Even then, only cancers derived from the cause that the treatment targets, will be prevented.

    --
    Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
  2. Fuck cancer by Theodore · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Seriously, if this has no benefits towards a cancer cure, I don't care...
    Because it looks like a promising step towards helping auto-immune disorders.

    Cancer either kills you, or you live...
    auto-immune, you live, and suffer, and live, and suffer, and live (goddamn it).

    I've known people with auto-immune disorders for over 25 years,
    And it's only NOW that some of these disorders are even being recognized as a disease.
    (coming in from the fringe to "real" medicine).

    I have eczema.
    Yeah, doesn't really sound bad does it.
    Imagine having the skin on your fingers swell and split open, and your forearms be red and "popeye-ish" and they just radiate heat.
    I've been lucky enough to figure out some of the triggers for it (MSG and onions, mainly), but it never quite goes away, except when I get a hard cold/flu, then it totally clears up.

    Too many auto-immune disorders are still considered to be "all in the head".
    Hopefully this helps bring them more mainstream attention.