Researchers at the University of Liège (Belgium) have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that regulates the immune response against parasites. During a parasitic infection, specific immune cells, known as virtual memory T cells (TVM), become activated and express a surface molecule called CD22, which prevents an excessive immune reaction. This discovery could help in better-controlling inflammation and improving immune responses to infections.
Nearly a quarter of the world’s population is infected by helminths, parasitic worms that establish themselves in the intestine for extended periods. In response to these invaders, the immune system deploys complex defence strategies. A recent study, conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Liège, has revealed a previously unsuspected…