Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Awards
The scientists were awarded for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.
It explains how the immune system attacks hostile infections, but not the body's own cells.
Awarded to -Mary E. Brunkow, Frederick J. Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi.
Given by -Karolinska Institutet.
Prize money -The winners share a prize fund worth 11m Swedish kronor (£870,000).
Purpose -The scientists discovered how a special group of immune cells, called regulatory T cells (Tregs), act as the body’s internal “peacekeepers.”
These cells ensure that the immune system attacks harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, but leaves healthy cells unharmed.
Central to this process is a gene known as FOXP3, which acts as a switch that helps Tregs develop and function properly.
When this gene malfunctions, the immune system can lose control and begin attacking the body’s own tissues, leading to diseases like type-1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
The discoveries have also led to the development of potential medical treatments that are now being evaluated in clinical trials.
The hope is to be able to treat or cure autoimmune diseases, provide more effective cancer treatments and prevent serious complications after stem cell transplants.
