Sugar governs how antibodies work in the immune system

(University of Zurich) Antibodies protect the body against diseases -- but can also harm their own organism if the reactions are misdirected. Researchers from the University of Zurich have now discovered that a particular sugar in the antibodies determines whether one of the body's own cells is destroyed or not. This result could lead to new treatment possibilities for patients with autoimmune diseases.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news