IL-35-Mediated Immunotherapy

7 Nov 2024

IL-35-Mediated Immunotherapy

Researchers from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in Guwahati have identified a promising protein, IL-35, that could lead to new treatments for type 1 diabetes and autoimmune diabetes mellitus.

About IL-35

IL-35 is a unique protein composed of two specific chains, IL-12α and IL-27β, with promising potential in immunotherapy for type 1 and autoimmune diabetes.

  • IL-35 has been found to play a protective role in the immune system by reducing specific immune cells that produce inflammatory chemicals. 
    • This reduction helps lower pancreatic cell infiltration, a major contributor to the development of autoimmune diabetes.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that enhances or modifies the immune system to fight diseases, especially cancers and autoimmune conditions.

  • Types of Immunotherapy
    • Checkpoint Inhibitors: Block proteins that prevent the immune system from attacking cancer cells (e.g., Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab).
    • CAR-T Cell Therapy: Involves engineering T-cells to better recognize and kill cancer cells 
    • Cancer Vaccines: Stimulate the immune system to target cancer cells 
    • Cytokine Therapy: Uses immune-boosting proteins like interferons and interleukins to stimulate immune cells.
  • Applications: Used in treating cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, and blood cancers, and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

About Autoimmune Diabetes

  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.Causes: It is a complex disease involving both genetic predisposition and environmental triggers that contribute to the autoimmune response against beta cells.
  • Impact: In genetically susceptible individuals, the inflammatory attack on beta cells leads to a chronic deficiency of insulin. This process results in a lifelong dependence on external (exogenous) insulin for managing blood glucose levels.

  • Macrophages: Derived from monocytes (a type of white blood cell originating in the bone marrow), macrophages play a vital role in immune defence.
    • Monocytes can differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells when foreign pathogens invade the body.
  • T-cells and B-cells: Both T-cells and B-cells are white blood cells known as lymphocytes.
    • These cells are critical to immune function and are involved in the autoimmune response in diabetes.

Role of  IL-35 in the Immune System

  • Immune Regulation: IL-35 regulates various immune components, including macrophages, T-cells, and regulatory B-cells, all of which are crucial in managing immune responses.
  • IL-35 impacts the immune system by
    • Inhibiting Macrophage Activation and T-cell Proteins: IL-35 prevents immune cells from attacking pancreatic beta cells, essential for insulin production.
    • Regulating Regulatory B Cells: These cells play a vital role in moderating immune responses, helping prevent autoimmune attacks on pancreatic cells. Lowering Inflammatory Cell Production: By reducing specific immune cells that produce inflammatory chemicals, IL-35 minimizes pancreatic cell infiltration, a critical factor in both type 1 and autoimmune diabetes.

Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store

Significance of the IL-35 identification

  • The global diabetes epidemic, particularly concerning children and adolescents in developing countries, demands effective new therapies.
    • Traditional treatments focus on symptom management, but IL-35-mediated immunotherapy offers a new approach by addressing the immune response directly, potentially leading to more lasting control over the disease.

Archive Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

Know about Physics Wallah

Physics Wallah is an Indian online education platform, that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students of classes 6 to 12 and those preparing for JEE and NEET exams. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample papers, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers, which makes us a one-stop solution for all resources. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.

We Stand Out because

We successfully provide students with intensive courses by India's qualified & experienced faculties. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.

Our Key Focus Areas

Physics Wallah’s main focus is to create accessible learning experiences for students all over India. With courses like Lakshya, Udaan, Arjuna & many others, we have been able to provide a ready solution for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formulae to giving e-books of eminent authors, PW aims to provide reliable solutions for student prep.

What Makes Us Different

Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others.

Aiming for UPSC?

Download Our App

# #
Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">






    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.