A research collaboration between Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and SciLifeLab in Sweden has resulted in the development of a new method that can identify unique immune cell receptors and their location in human tissue. The findings of the study, published in the journal Science, highlight the potential of this method to enhance the identification of immune cells contributing to disease processes and to create new therapeutic approaches for a wide range of medical conditions.
The body’s immune response relies heavily on the activity of T and B cells, which play a central role in defending against infections and tumors. These immune cells express specific receptors that recognize different unwanted and foreign entities such as viruses, bacteria, and tumors. Each immune cell and its offspring possess their own unique receptors, resulting in billions of different immune cells in each individual.
The research team has developed a method capable of identifying both B and T cell receptors and revealing their location within human tissue. This ability to map the cells closest to targets they attack is significant in understanding disease mechanisms. As explained by Camilla Engblom, assistant professor at the Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, and lead author of the study, “Since activated immune cells are often found close to the targets that they attack, we want to be able to map the cells that are indeed closest to a tumor or infection.”
What distinguishes this new method from previous approaches is the capability of identifying both B and T cell receptors in their microenvironments. Dr. Engblom believes the potential clinical applications of this technique are extensive. In cancer research, for example, the method can identify potentially tumor-attacking T cells that can be utilized in cell therapy against cancer. Additionally, the technique enables the identification of unique receptors on B cells that produce antibodies in specific tumor regions. These antibodies can be readily synthesized in the laboratory and eventually give rise to novel therapies. The method also holds promise in the field of autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks healthy tissue. Using this technique, researchers would be able to pinpoint which specific immune cells initiate this attack and design targeted therapies accordingly.
Jeff Mold, researcher at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at Karolinska Institutet, and one of the principal investigators of the study, emphasizes the significance of this new method, particularly in autoimmune diseases. He explains, “Identifying these unique immune receptors is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, especially when it comes to autoimmune diseases. With this method, we preserve the cells where they are, and we can see cells that would otherwise have been lost.”
Dr. Mold highlights the importance of identifying B cells, as they have been somewhat overlooked compared to T cells. He believes that by tracking the development and expansion of B cells directly in tissue, researchers can gain valuable insights into their role in cancer and potentially explore new treatment avenues.
Overall, the development of this new method is a significant breakthrough in immune response mapping. Its ability to identify unique immune cell receptors and their location in tissue opens up new possibilities in disease research and treatment development. It provides researchers with a more comprehensive understanding of the immune system and its response to various diseases, offering opportunities for targeted therapies and improved patient outcomes.
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