
Researchers in the UAB Department of
Medicine's Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology were studying
memory B cells, which are a type of immune cell in the lungs. Using a mouse
model for experiments, the researchers infected the mice and discovered that
after the influenza infection is acquired, the lungs have memory B cells in
them. The article explains, "memory B cells "remember" a
previous infection and are able to respond more quickly to a second infection
by the same pathogen" (University of Alabama at Birmingham). In an
experiment using parabiosis, one mouse of one strain of influenza was connected
to a ouse with a different strain six weeks later. The mouse's memory B cells
did not fight off the different strain of influenza. Overall, the experiments
demonstrated that memory B cells are important to fighting off the influenza
infection and are important components of our immunity.
More research will need to be done to see
how these memory B cells can be incorporated into a flu shot to make them more
effective. It can be speculated that a memory B cell for every possible strain
would need to be in the shot, but just like we have recognized in the past,
there could always be more strains discovered. I think it's very fascinating
and amazing what technology and experiments scientists use, and how we can
create vaccines to avoid severe illnesses.
References:
University of Alabama at Birmingham.
"Memory B cells in the lung may be important for more effective influenza
vaccinations: Up to now, it has not been clear if these cells might be useful
to combat influenza infections or even if they exist at all."
ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 December 2018.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181205142705.htm>.
“Influenza
(Flu).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 6 Sept. 2018, www.cdc.gov/FLU/PROTECT/KEYFACTS.HTM.
Wow, so this may once and for all end the argument of "Vaccines vs No Vaccines". I wonder if after all the testing is done we'll be able to use the memory B cell at a very very young age. Early infant-developmental stage!
ReplyDeleteNew discoveries such as Memory B cells are extremely important in the medical field because it enables a better understanding and effective behavior. These immune cells recollect a previous strain and fight it off. The flu is a major deal and spreads like wildfire.
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