Three scientists who discovered the key to the immune system received the Nobel Prize

International News: Every day our body fights millions of bacteria and viruses. The immune system protects us. But sometimes it attacks its own organs. This condition is called autoimmune disease. Three Nobel laureate scientists solved the mystery of why the immune system does not fight itself. In 1995, Japanese scientist Shimon Sakaguchi proved that the protection of the immune system does not lie only in an organ called thymus. He discovered that a new type of cell, called regulatory T cell, protects the body from itself.

Contributions by Brunckow and Ramsdell

In 2001, Mary Brunckow and Fred Ramsdell discovered a specific gene. They found that if this gene, called "Foxp3," becomes damaged, the immune system becomes impaired. Experiments conducted on mice revealed that this gene defect causes serious illness. These scientists later discovered that if this gene becomes damaged in humans, it causes a dangerous disease called IPEX. In this condition, children suffer from severe autoimmune problems as soon as they are born. Its treatment is extremely difficult.

The relationship between genes and cells

In 2003, Sakaguchi proved that this Foxp3 gene is responsible for the formation of regulatory T cells. This means that without this gene, these cells cannot be formed, and the immune system begins to attack itself. This discovery gave doctors new hope. Now, new drugs are being developed to treat autoimmune diseases like diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. This will also be of great benefit to organ transplant patients.

Hope for patients around the world

The head of the Nobel Committee said that this discovery explains why not everyone develops a serious autoimmune disease. In the future, this discovery could bring relief to millions of patients and save many lives. Doctors believe these findings will guide better treatment options for chronic illnesses. New therapies are already being tested in clinical trials worldwide. Patients suffering from autoimmune disorders may soon get longer-lasting relief. This Nobel-winning work has opened a fresh chapter in medical science.