Scientists find early signs of exhaustion of T cells in the stages of early infection

Even in the case of simple infections, the body is prepared early for the possibility of a more serious course. A research team from the Munich Technical University (TUM) and Helmholtz Munich has revealed this mechanism. Scientists have shown that, precisely at the onset of mild illness, the body also produces specific T cells that were known only by chronic, severe infections and tumors.

There are several types of T cells in the body, which play a decisive role in the immune system. They fight pathogens and control the immune response. However, some subtypes become less effective or even cease their activity completely as the disease progresses. This has a protective function: in persistence infections, it would harm the body if the immune system continued to fight the pathogens. However, the depletion of T cells is a problem in cancer treatment, as therapeutic measures may no longer be effective.

Until now, it is assumed that the body only produces such T cells in severe and dividing infections. The results of researchers in Tum and Helmholz Munich show that this is not the case.

We were able to show that the body is preparing the subtypes of cells that are predisposed to exhaust even in phases of early infection of moderate diseases. “

Dietmar Zehn, Professor of Physiology and Animal Immunology in Tum and Latest Study of Author

Different T cells for different purposes

The group concludes from the discovery that the body gathers a series of different T cells early when on the onset of the disease to arm different disease advances. Depending on the course of the disease, it then has the cells at its disposal to make the immune response more aggressive or softer – and in some cases, even to cancel it.

“Our results extend the classic idea of ​​developing T cell depletion,” says Dietmar Zehn. “Therefore, we assume that our observations will help further decipher the mechanisms behind the depletion of T. Cells.” The best understanding of these processes could help in the future to control targeted immunomodialism – for example, to strengthen the immune system in cancer patients or to weaken excessive defenses, such as typical in severe cases of Covid -19, for example.