It still wasn't clear, however, what caused the weakened immunity in the first place. So Segal's team focused on cells called macrophages, the immune system's whistle-blowers. In people with Crohn's disease, they found that macrophages secrete lower levels of cytokines, the chemicals that rally other immune cells to infection sites (Journal of Experimental Medicine, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20091683).
The team concluded that ineffectual rallying of immune cells in people with defective macrophages is what allows intestinal bacteria to run amok in the early stages of an infection, setting in motion the series of events that leads to Crohn's disease.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Crohn's blamed on lazy immune cells
Saw this article. Not necessarily anything new here.
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Very interesting (I have to admit parts were over my head). It does seem to give more clues as to how the SCD diet may be so helpful, as it supports healthier bacteria populations. My son and I seem more prone to strep and other "bugs", although improved on the diet, but maybe that is an expalnation for that as well. Maybe this is in autism too? I wonder how low Mannan Binding Lectins, often found in Crohn's, play a part in this as well? Low MBL also means you have a harder time clearing yeasts and certain bacteria. You always seem to post interesting articles.
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