How gut antibodies protect against colon cancer
Antibodies that coat the lining of your gut may be playing an important role in preventing colon cancer from developing, Rockefeller University scientists have discovered.
Scientists at Rockefeller University have found that antibodies called immunoglobulin A (IgA), which coat the lining of the gut, may play a crucial role in preventing colon cancer. Mice lacking IgA developed more than twice as many colon tumors as usual, according to a study published in Nature. IgA binds to the cells lining the gut, preventing them from dividing too quickly, which could lead to cancer.
When researchers gave IgA-deficient mice oral doses of the antibodies, the mice no longer had a higher risk of developing tumors. The discovery could provide insights into how the gut's immune system and microbes interact, potentially leading to new interventions to reduce colon cancer risk.
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