Negative regulator stops extreme immune response to parasite, averting multi-organ damage

(Osaka University) A new study from Osaka University identified a role for the BATF2 protein in negatively regulating the immune response to infection by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is responsible for Chagas disease. BATF2 was shown to inhibit production of the IL-23 cytokine, thus limiting immunopathology mediated by another cytokine, IL-17. This furthers understanding of the host response to parasitic infection, and is likely to be applicable to other immune disorders.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news