Discovery of new immune cells offers hope of asthma treatment
10 March 2010

Researchers funded by Asthma UK and the Medical Research Council (MRC) have discovered a new type of immune cell that could lead to new preventative treatments for asthma.
 


These newly-discovered cells, called ‘nuocytes’, have been found to be responsible for producing a chemical, known as Interleukin 13 (IL-13), designed to help the immune system fight against certain parasites. 
 


Researchers have identified that too much IL-13 may trigger a reaction in asthma patients, causing the airways to become narrower and irritated, making it difficult to breathe. 
 


It is hoped that by stopping nuocytes producing this chemical, these symptoms could be reduced. Until now, there has been a missing link in scientists’ understanding of what happens in our immune systems at the beginning of an asthma attack. 




This study took place at the MRC’s Laboratory for Molecular Biology in Cambridge and was funded by the Medical Research Council and Asthma UK.



Research efforts will now focus on identifying how nuocytes work in humans and finding out further information about their involvement in the development of asthma.



Lead author, Dr Andrew McKenzie of the Medical Research Council, said: ‘We have identified a new immune cell type, which is extremely rare in itself. The fact that the discovery of these cells could offer new hope for preventing asthma attacks makes our findings even more exciting.  My group is now pursuing this goal with the aim of translating our research into new treatments.’ 


Dr Elaine Vickers, Research Relations Manager at Asthma UK, said: ‘This exciting breakthrough is a real leap forward in our understanding of the immune system and how it can become oversensitive, causing the symptoms of asthma. 



‘Every new piece of the puzzle brings fresh hope of new treatments for the 5.4 million people in the UK who suffer from asthma. We look forward to Dr McKenzie’s future work into the precise role of this new immune cell, and whether it could be targeted to prevent the development of asthma - a condition that still kills three people in the UK each day.’