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How is the immune system kept in check? | Explained

How is the immune system kept in check? | Explained


Sat Oct 11 21:07:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries concerning “peripheral immune tolerance”. Their research elucidated the role of regulatory T cells in preventing the immune system from attacking the body’s own tissues (autoimmune response). Sakaguchi identified regulatory T cells (carrying CD25 protein), while Brunkow and Ramsdell identified the Foxp3 gene, which controls the development of these regulatory T cells. These findings have significant implications for understanding and treating autoimmune diseases, cancer (by suppressing regulatory T cells), and organ transplantation (by regulating organ acceptance). Clinical trials are underway to test these new treatment modalities.

**News Article:**

**Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded for Breakthroughs in Understanding Autoimmunity**

*The Hindu, October 12, 2025*

Stockholm, Sweden – The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to three researchers for their groundbreaking work in unraveling the mysteries of the immune system and how it prevents self-attack. U.S.-based scientists Mary E. Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell, alongside Japan’s Shimon Sakaguchi, will share the prestigious award for their discoveries concerning “peripheral immune tolerance,” the Nobel Committee announced on October 6th.

Their research has shed light on the crucial role of regulatory T cells in preventing the immune system from mistakenly targeting the body’s own tissues, a process that leads to autoimmune diseases.

Dr. Sakaguchi’s pioneering work in Japan identified a new class of T cells, regulatory T cells, distinguished by the presence of the CD25 protein. He demonstrated that these cells act as “security guards,” calming down other T cells and preventing them from launching attacks on the body.

Building on this, Drs. Brunkow and Ramsdell, working in the U.S., identified the Foxp3 gene, which they found to be crucial for the development and function of regulatory T cells. Mutations in this gene were linked to severe autoimmune diseases, further solidifying the importance of these cells in maintaining immune balance.

“Their discoveries have been decisive for our understanding of how the immune system functions and why we do not all develop serious autoimmune diseases,” said Olle Kämpe, chair of the Nobel Committee.

The implications of this research are far-reaching. Scientists are now exploring novel therapies based on manipulating regulatory T cells to treat a range of diseases. This includes strategies to suppress regulatory T cells in cancer, allowing the immune system to more effectively attack tumors, and methods to boost regulatory T cell activity in autoimmune disorders to prevent the body from attacking itself. Furthermore, the research holds promise for improving organ transplantation outcomes by regulating organ acceptance.

Currently, over 200 clinical studies are underway exploring the therapeutic potential of regulatory T cells. The award highlights the transformative potential of fundamental research in paving the way for new treatments and improving human health.

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News

How is the immune system kept in check? | Explained

How is the immune system kept in check? | Explained


Sat Oct 11 21:07:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries concerning “peripheral immune tolerance.” Their research elucidated how the immune system is regulated to prevent it from attacking the body’s own tissues, leading to autoimmune diseases. Sakaguchi identified regulatory T cells (Tregs) that suppress other immune cells, while Brunkow and Ramsdell discovered the Foxp3 gene, which controls the development and function of Tregs. These findings are paving the way for potential new treatments for autoimmune diseases, cancer (by disabling Tregs to allow the immune system to attack tumors), and organ transplantation (by regulating organ acceptance). Numerous clinical studies are underway to test these innovative treatment modalities.

**News Article:**

**Nobel Prize Awarded for Groundbreaking Discoveries in Immune Tolerance**

**October 12, 2025 (The Hindu)** – The Nobel Assembly has awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to American researchers Mary E. Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell, and Japanese scientist Shimon Sakaguchi, for their revolutionary discoveries regarding “peripheral immune tolerance,” specifically, how the immune system is regulated to prevent self-attack.

The pioneering work of the laureates has fundamentally changed our understanding of the immune system. The discoveries explain how the body avoids autoimmune conditions, in which the immune system mistakenly targets its own organs and tissues.

Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi, whose initial research began four decades ago at the Aichi Cancer Centre Research Institute, identified a unique type of immune cell called regulatory T cells (Tregs). These Tregs act as “security guards,” calming down other T cells and preventing them from launching attacks on the body’s own cells.

Later, Dr. Mary E. Brunkow and Dr. Fred Ramsdell, then working at Celltech Chiroscience in the U.S., discovered the Foxp3 gene, which is crucial for the development and function of regulatory T cells. Their research confirmed that mutations in this gene lead to severe autoimmune diseases.

“Their discoveries have been decisive for our understanding of how the immune system functions and why we do not all develop serious autoimmune diseases,” stated Olle Kämpe, chair of the Nobel Committee, during the prize announcement on October 6th.

The Nobel-winning research has opened new avenues for potential treatments across various diseases. Specifically, there is excitement for cancer therapies where Tregs can be disabled to allow the immune system to attack tumors. In autoimmune disorders, the focus is on promoting the growth of Tregs to prevent self-attack.

Moreover, researchers believe this work could revolutionize organ transplantation by regulating organ acceptance and minimizing rejection risks. Currently, over 200 studies are underway to explore these groundbreaking applications, offering hope for improved treatments in the near future.

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