Sensitive balance in the immune system

(Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research) The protein c-FLIPR plays a key role in controlling a 'cellular suicide' process named 'apoptosis.' Scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research have described the significance of c-FLIPR for the immune system in detail: In the presence of an excess of this molecule, mice can fight infectious diseases better, but they develop autoimmune diseases as they get older. The inhibitory effect of c-FLIPR on apoptosis is the underlying cause in both cases.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news