Immune System Research: New genetic immune disorder identified ♦ Keeping a lid on inflammation ♦ Rare disorder found to have a common form

Rare disorder found to have a common form A hereditary autoimmune disease that was thought to be exceedingly rare may have a less severe form that affects one in 1,000 people or even more, according to new research. The results of this research suggest that a number of different autoimmune diseases and syndromes may be tied to mutations in a single gene. Among other things, these findings may help provide new means of diagnosing and treating autoimmune disorders.

Keeping a lid on inflammation Although critically important for shaping the immune response and maintaining self-tolerance, how regulatory T cells (Treg cells) hold on to their immunosuppressive powers had remained unclear. Now, for the first time, researchers have identified a molecular pathway that maintains the stability and function of Treg cells.

New genetic immune disorder identified A new immune disorder has been identified -- DOCK2 deficiency -- named after the mutated gene responsible for the disease. An international team of collaborators studied five children, four boys and one girl, from different ethnic backgrounds who had experienced debilitating infections early in life. The children were diagnosed with combined immunodeficiency, which refers to a group of inherited disorders distinguished by defects in immune system cells called T cells. CIDs also may affect other cells of the immune system, including B cells

Too exhausted to fight, immune system may harm the body they are supposed to protect An 'exhausted' army of immune cells may not be able to fight off infection, but if its soldiers fight too hard they risk damaging the very body they are meant to be protecting.