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The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been granted for revolutionary findings that clarify how the body's defense network attacks dangerous pathogens while sparing the body's own cells.

Three esteemed researchers—Japan's Prof. Sakaguchi and US scientists Dr. Brunkow and Dr. Ramsdell—share this accolade.

Their research identified unique "security guards" within the immune system that eliminate rogue immune cells that could harming the body.

The discoveries are now paving the way for new therapies for immune disorders and malignancies.

These laureates will divide a monetary award worth 11m Swedish kronor.

Crucial Discoveries

"The research has been decisive for comprehending how the body's defenses functions and why we do not all suffer from severe autoimmune diseases," stated the chair of the Nobel Committee.

This trio's studies address a fundamental mystery: In what way does the immune system defend us from numerous invaders while keeping our healthy cells intact?

Our body's protection system employs immune cells that search for signs of infection, including pathogens and germs it has never encountered.

These cells utilize detectors—called receptors—that are produced randomly in countless variations.

That gives the defense network the ability to combat a broad range of threats, but the unpredictability of the mechanism unavoidably creates white blood cells that may target the host.

Security Guards of the Immune System

Researchers previously understood that some of these harmful white blood cells were destroyed in the immune organ—the site where white blood cells mature.

The latest award recognizes the identification of T-reg cells—known as the immune system's "security guards"—which patrol the system to disarm any immune cells that attack the body's own tissues.

It is known that this process malfunctions in self-attack conditions such as juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and RA.

The prize committee stated, "These discoveries have established a new field of investigation and accelerated the creation of new treatments, for example for tumors and immune disorders."

Regarding cancer, T-regs block the system from attacking the tumor, so studies are focused on lowering their quantity.

In self-attack disorders, trials are exploring increasing regulatory T-cells so the organism is not being harmed. A similar approach could also be useful in reducing the chances of transplanted organ rejection.

Pioneering Experiments

Professor Sakaguchi, of Osaka University, performed tests on mice that had their thymus extracted, causing self-attack conditions.

He showed that introducing immune cells from other animals could prevent the illness—suggesting there was a system for blocking defenders from attacking the body.

Dr. Brunkow, from the a research center in Seattle, and Fred Ramsdell, currently at a biotech firm in a California city, were investigating an genetic autoimmune disease in rodents and people that led to the discovery of a genetic factor critical for the way regulatory T-cells operate.

"Their groundbreaking research has revealed how the body's defenses is kept in check by T-reg cells, stopping it from accidentally attacking the healthy cells," said a prominent biological science specialist.

"This research is a remarkable illustration of how basic physiological study can have far-reaching consequences for human health."