T cells making brain chemicals may lead to better treatments for inflammation, autoimmune diseases
Friday, September 16, 2011 - 10:00
in Health & Medicine
Scientists have identified a surprising new role for a new type of T cell in the immune system: some of them can be activated by nerves to make a neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) that blocks inflammation. The discovery of these T cells is novel and suggests that it may be possible to treat inflammation and autoimmune diseases by targeting the nerves and the T cells. The study was published this week in Science.