Gaining Insight into How Cells React to Physical Disease
Researchers have made an exciting breakthrough in understanding how cells react to physical disease. In a study published in Nature Communications, scientists from the University of Cambridge have revealed that cells respond to physical diseases with an inflammatory response similar to the one seen in an immune system response. This means that the body is trying to protect itself against the physical damage inflicted by the disease. The findings could open up new possibilities for treating physical diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and heart disease.
The researchers studied cells from mice with different physical diseases and found that they responded in a very similar way to cells from healthy mice. The cells released inflammatory molecules, which have been linked to a number of physical diseases, and also produced molecules that are associated with inflammation. This suggests that the body is trying to mount an immune system response to the physical damage inflicted by the disease. The study also revealed that the cells were able to repair themselves after the damage had been done, which may provide insight into new treatments for physical diseases.
source: Phys.org