The cells of our immune system constantly communicate with one another by exchanging complex protein molecules. A team led by TUM researchers inter alia Rudolf Mößbauer Tenure track Assistant Professor Matthias Feige has now revealed how dedicated cellular control proteins, referred to as chaperones, detect immature immune signaling proteins and prevent them from leaving the cell.
The body's defenses systems have to react quickly whenever pathogens enter the organism. Intruders are identified by white blood cells which pass on the information to other immune cells. Information is transmitted via secreted signaling proteins, the interleukins, which dock onto the matching receptors on the recipient cells and for example make the target cells divide and release antibodies.
The full press release can be found here.