The researchers found that the sacs surrounding the lungs contain macrophages that fight influenza infections by entering the lungs, providing new insights into lung health and potential ways to enhance the body's immune response to fight drug-resistant infections.
This one** illustrates the early stages of respiratory infection, influenza. Source**: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Scientists have long believed that the fluid-filled sacs around our lungs are just buffers used to ward off foreign injuries. It turns out that it also houses powerful viral phagocytes that flood into the lungs in the event of a flu infection. These cells are macrophages, which are immune cells produced in the human body and cannot be confused with bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria).
The name macrophage means:'Big Stomach King'。They can engulf bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, and dying cells. "Juliet Morrison, a virologist at the University of California, Riverside, led the discovery team. "We were surprised to find them in the lungs because no one had ever seen them before, where these cells enter the lungs when an infection occurs. "
An article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences details how macrophages leave the outer cavity and enter the lungs during influenza infection, where they reduce inflammation and lower disease levels.
This study shows that it's not just what's happening in the lungs that matters, it's what's happening outside the lungs as well. Cell types that are not normally associated with the lungs can have a huge impact on lung disease and health"Morrison said.
The role of the pleural space
The human body has three major cavities: the cavity around the heart, the abdominal cavity, and the pleural cavity around the lungs. "Because there is fluid in the pleural space, it prevents the lungs from collapsing. However, it is seldom thought that the pleural cavity is a complete organ in its own right. This study may change that perception"Morrison said.
Initially, the researchers wanted to understand a more general question: what types of cells appear in the lungs during a flu infection. They obtained available data on lung-related genes from studies of mice that died or survived the flu. They then used an algorithm to mine the data, **the cell types that change in the lungs during the infection.
We take big data and break it down to determine what potential immune cells are present in lung tissue. That's where I got the hint, maybe we found previously unknown external cells in our lungs**. "
Next, the team used laser technology to track the macrophages that entered the lungs of mice and observed what would happen if those cells were removed from the equation. Morrison said. "When they were removed from the mice, more disease and more lung inflammation were observed. "
Morrison said she hopes the study will encourage other scientists to re-evaluate the datasets from older studies by using the information they already have for new purposes and hopefully seeing something new.
Next, the team wanted to determine which proteins were they"Tell"Macrophages enter the lungs. Once these protein signals are identified, it is possible to develop drugs that can increase the number of macrophages or increase their activity.
Instead of developing another antiviral drug, this strategy could provide people with a more effective and long-lasting way to get the flu**. Morrison's interest in the host is due to the growing problem of resistance to antibiotics and antivirals.
This problem arises when germs such as bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat drugs designed to kill them. Drug abuse and overuse are accelerating the resolution of this problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 2.8 million cases of drug resistance** infections in the U.S. each year, more than 350,000 people died as a result.
If we can improve our body's ability to fight infections, we may have a better chance. We are unlikely to develop resistance. "Morrison said. "The immune system is so complex, but in the long run, our best bet is to use what we have instead of chasing the viruses that keep evading us. "
Compilation**: scitechdaily