University of Chicago researchers identify mechanism to reverse radiation immune suppression

Researchers at the University of Chicago have identified a mechanism that can make immune cells reprogrammed by radiation therapy attack tumors rather than protect them, Medical Xpress reported. The findings were published in the journal Cancer Cell. [1]

According to Medical Xpress, the study shows that radiation activates a protein called TET2 on immune cells located in bone marrow. Once activated, TET2 removes chemical tags from RNA and locks the immune cells into an immune-suppressing state. [1]

An autoimmune disease occurs when the adaptive immune system mistakenly targets and attacks healthy parts of the body as if they were foreign organisms. Medical research estimates that there are more than 80 recognized autoimmune conditions, with recent evidence suggesting more than 100 distinct diseases exist. [2]