How much the immune system sees may shape how well we fight infections
Why does the same infection cause only mild symptoms in one person but more serious disease in another? A new study led by the HUN-REN BRC Szeged Momentum Systems Immunology Research Group, together with several international collaborators, suggests that part of the answer lies in how broadly the immune system can present fragments of pathogens to its own immune cells.
The immune system's ability to recognize and present pathogen-derived peptides to immune cells plays a crucial role in determining the severity of infections. A study led by the HUN-REN BRC Szeged Momentum Systems Immunology Research Group and international collaborators found that the genetic variability of HLA-II molecules, which present these peptides, influences an individual's susceptibility to infections.
Individuals with HLA-II molecules that have a broader range of peptide-binding diversity are more likely to mount effective antibody responses against disease-causing microbes, as evidenced by their lower risk of severe infections requiring hospital care and various infections during their lifetime. However, it is not always advantageous to have high peptide-binding diversity, as it may provide protection against common infections but could also have other implications not covered in the report.
Brief written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
