Bacteria trigger production of key immune cells

Reuters, Thu Dec 23, 2010:

Allergies and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis could one day be prevented by consuming a type of bacteria, like probiotics taken in yoghurt, according to a study published on Friday.

The researchers fed mice with a family of bacteria and found that it triggered the production of certain white blood cells, called regulatory T cells.

"By increasing regulatory T cells, they will help suppress many of our allergies and autoimmune diseases," said one of the scientists, Kenya Honda, an immunology associate professor at the University of Tokyo.

Regulatory T cells are white blood cells that regulate the immune system and prevent it from excessive reactions.

When an immune system goes into an overdrive, it can cause allergies. It can also destroy healthy cells and tissues and cause autoimmune diseases like ... Read more>>