- विज्ञापन -
Israeli researchers have made a significant b r e a k t h r o u g h i n understanding how the human body tolerates food without triggering an immune attack. Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) in Jerusalem have identified a crucial network of immune cells responsible for preventing harmful reactions to food, a process known as oral tolerance.
This discovery sheds new light on how the immune system recognizes everyday foods as harmless, allowing digestion without inflammation, while still maintaining the ability to fight off infections. For many years, scientists believed that dendritic cells— immune cells known for their role in detecting foreign substances—were the primary agents controlling oral tolerance. However, animal studies showed that even when these dendritic cells were removed, the body continued to tolerate food, indicating that other immune players must be involved.
The WIS team, in a study published as a preprint in the journal Nature, has now identified a rare type of immune cells called ROR-gamma-t cells as the real drivers of oral tolerance. These specialized cells initiate a complex chain reaction involving four different types of immune cells, which together prevent the body’s attack cells, specifically CD8 cells, from reacting aggressively to food proteins. Dr. Ranit Kedmi from We i z m a n n ’s S y s t e m s Immunology Department explained the significance of this finding using a metaphor: “If an aggressor fires across the border, he will be swiftly neutralised, peace accords notwithstanding.
The immune system operates on a similar principle.” This means that while the immune system remains vigilant against harmful invaders, it also maintains peace by not attacking harmless substances like food. When this intricate immune system balance fails, it can lead to food allergies, sensitivities, or autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, where the body mistakenly attacks gluten proteins. The new understanding of oral tolerance mechanisms offers hope for future treatments targeting these conditions by correcting the immune system’s faulty response. The research also uncovered that during infections, the immune system can temporarily suspend oral tolerance.
This allows the body to mount a strong defense against invading microbes, overriding its usual peaceful approach to food proteins. Once the infection clears, the immune system returns to its normal role of maintaining tolerance, ensuring that food is safely digested without inflammation. Dr. Kedmi emphasized that this discovery reveals a more nuanced division of labor within the immune system than previously understood.
“It’s not that dendritic cells always decide whether or not to attack foreign substances. Rather, completely different players – specific, rare cells – are dedicated to launching a mechanism that makes sure we can consume food safely,” she said.
The findings from this study open new avenues for research into immune system disorders related to food. By targeting the specific cells responsible for oral tolerance, scientists hope to develop therapies that can restore balance in individuals suffering from food allergies or autoimmune diseases triggered by food proteins. In summary, the Weizmann Institute’s breakthrough uncovers a sophisticated immune network that protects the body from mistakenly attacking food. This advancement not only deepens scientific understanding of immune tolerance but also holds promise for innovative treatments to help millions affected by food-related immune disorders worldwide.
