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The Nobel Prize in medical science has been granted for revolutionary discoveries that clarify how the body's defense network targets dangerous pathogens while sparing the body's own cells.

Three renowned researchers—from Japan Prof. Sakaguchi and American experts Mary Brunkow and Dr. Ramsdell—received this accolade.

Their research identified specialized "sentinels" within the defense system that eliminate malfunctioning defense cells capable of attacking the body.

The findings are now enabling innovative treatments for autoimmune diseases and malignancies.

These winners will share a prize fund worth 11 million SEK.

Decisive Findings

"Their work has been essential for understanding how the immune system functions and the reason we do not all suffer from severe autoimmune diseases," commented the chair of the award panel.

This team's studies address a fundamental mystery: In what way does the defense system defend us from countless invaders while keeping our healthy cells unharmed?

The body's protection system uses white blood cells that scan for indicators of disease, including viruses and germs it has not met before.

These defenders utilize detectors—called receptors—that are produced by chance in countless variations.

This provides the immune system the capacity to fight a broad range of invaders, but the randomness of the process unavoidably creates immune cells that can target the host.

Protectors of the Body

Scientists earlier knew that a portion of these harmful white blood cells were destroyed in the thymus—the site where immune cells mature.

This year's Nobel Prize recognizes the discovery of regulatory T-cells—known as the body's "peacekeepers"—which travel through the body to neutralize any immune cells that attack the healthy cells.

It is known that this mechanism malfunctions in autoimmune diseases such as type-1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

A prize committee added, "These findings have established a new field of research and spurred the development of innovative treatments, for example for tumors and autoimmune diseases."

In cancer, regulatory T-cells block the body from fighting the growth, so research are focused on reducing their quantity.

In self-attack disorders, trials are testing boosting T-reg cells so the organism is not under attack. A comparable approach could also be useful in minimizing the chances of organ transplant rejection.

Pioneering Studies

Prof Sakaguchi, of Osaka University, conducted experiments on mice that had their immune gland extracted, leading to autoimmune disease.

The researcher demonstrated that introducing immune cells from healthy animals could stop the disease—implying there was a system for preventing defenders from attacking the host.

Dr. Brunkow, from the a research center in Seattle, and Fred Ramsdell, currently at Sonoma Biotherapeutics in a California city, were investigating an inherited autoimmune disease in mice and people that resulted in the identification of a genetic factor vital for how regulatory T-cells operate.

"The groundbreaking research has revealed how the body's defenses is kept in check by T-reg cells, stopping it from mistakenly attacking the healthy cells," commented a prominent physiology specialist.

"The research is a remarkable example of how basic physiological study can have far-reaching consequences for human health."