Scientists discover cells that control inflammation in chronic disease

Scientists discover cells that control inflammation in chronic disease. New kind of immune cell can go out of control in diseases like psoriasis and asthma - %0A " - Imperial College London News Release For Immediate Release - Tuesday 17 November 2009 A new type of immune cell that can be out of control in certain chronic inflammatory diseases, worsening the symptoms of conditions like psoriasis and asthma, is described for the first time this week in Engineers, scientists and clinicians will improve the lives of those living with osteoarthritis, thanks to £11 million grant - The authors of the study, from Imperial College London, the Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata in Rome and the Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) in Munich, hope their discovery could lead to new treatments for these diseases that would bring the cells under control. The new cell described in the study, called a Th22 cell, is a kind of T-helper cell. These cells are white blood cells that help to activate other immune cells when the body is infected by a pathogen, such as a virus or bacterium. They also control inflammation in the body to help fight off infection. According to the new study, Th22 cells play a special role in overseeing and coordinating immune cells that cause inflammation. In chronic and allergic inflammatory diseases like psoriasis and allergic eczema, Th22 cells appear to be malfunctioning, leading to excessive inflammation, which can worsen symptoms.