Suche
Mein Konto
Würzburg researchers decipher the secret of T cell activation!
The team at the University of Würzburg discovers new T cell activation phases that could revolutionize immunotherapies against cancer.
Würzburg researchers decipher the secret of T cell activation!
On April 11, 2025, the reports University of Würzburg about groundbreaking discoveries by the Max Planck Research Group for Systems Immunology. The team, led by Wolfgang Kastenmüller and Georg Gasteiger, has discovered an unknown phase of the immune response that could have far-reaching implications for vaccinations and cellular immunotherapies.
T cells, central defense cells of the immune system, play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response. This immune response is activated when innate defense mechanisms are not sufficient to fight infections. Sensor cells of innate immunity recognize antigens and thus activate adaptive immunity, which is often necessary to effectively combat pathogens.
The phases of T cell activation
The team showed that the T cell priming phase begins when T cells encounter dendritic cells (DCs) in lymph nodes. These present specific antigens, which initiates the activation of the T cells. This process takes about 24 hours, during which the T cells remain in contact with dendritic cells, such as the PMC explained. This interaction is crucial because once activated, the T cells continue to migrate and multiply to become effector cells or memory cells.
The studies also show cyclic activation of T cells. After the first interaction, desensitization occurs, followed by reactivation after two to three days. This occurs as T cells migrate through blood and lymphatic tissue to recognize antigens, requiring specific peptide:MHC complexes to carry out their function.
Implications for immunotherapies
Understanding these dual activation phases may enable significant advances in the development of immunotherapies, particularly against cancer. CAR-T cells, a form of immunotherapy, are genetically modified to efficiently attack cancer cells. The aim of the research is to decipher the mechanisms that control T cell activation and differentiation, which could lead to the optimization of T cell-based therapies.
Current research also sheds light on the role of cytokines such as IL-2, which are important in supporting T cell proliferation and differentiation. Cytotoxic T cells can kill infected cells and release cytokines to further enhance the immune response. This highlights the complexity of the interaction between different immune cell types and their signaling through specific antigen receptors and adhesion molecules.
Advances in this area could revolutionize the treatment of diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma as the immune system is increasingly mobilized against apical pathogens. Through more precise methods for identifying and activating specialized T cells, the scientific community hopes to find more efficient forms of therapy that can be tailored to individual patient needs.