HTTP:: Master Gene for NK Cells Identified
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For the first time ever, scientists at the Imperial College London (ICL) identified the gene that controlled the expression of NK (natural killer) cells, which are an important part of the human immune system. The gene's action in fact triggers the differentiation of blood stem cells into NK cells, which makes it one of the most promising options in devising new treatments for diseases such as cancer. This type of cells is at the front lines of fighting tumors, and experts are currently trying to find ways of harnessing the gene's powers for boosting NK-cell production. Dubbed E4bp4, the gene that was identified as the trigger behind NK-cell formation was completely knocked out in lab mice. This led to the creation of the first animals ever recorded that had all the immune-system features one would expect from it, except, of course, the natural killers. The research is published in the September 13th issue of the respected scientific journal Nature Immunology, e! Science !
News reports. This line of research is also expected to provide experts with more clues on autoimmune diseases, the paper reveals. Afflictions such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis are caused by dysfunctions in the immune system, which begins to attack organs inside the body, as if they were intruders. Identifying which of the cells is responsi...
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http://news.softpedia.com/news/Master-Gene-for-NK-Cells-Identified-121524.shtml
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