Automatically we assume newborns are prone to sickness due to their weak immunity system, which is true. This article approaches this idea with new evidence that supports this idea with a protein names toll-like receptor or TLR3 for short.
When comparing blood cell samples from newborns with those of the same blood type of adults, the TLR3 protein was missing from the newborns that was present in adults. The TLR3 protein is responsible for getting rid of viral-infected cells introduced by a virus of sorts such as the herpes simplex virus (HSV). A discovery made was that the adult immune system responded by ways of killing the virus, while the newborns immune systems were either impaired of functioning in this same response or could not do so at all.
With this new information, the scientist plan to use this knowledge to develop novel therapies to fight against newborn illnesses.
Article:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131031125203.htm
This reminds me of an article awhile back that parents who "wash" off their babies pacifiers by putting it in their own mouth, exposed the babies to more antibodies than those that didn't. I never read into the results so I don't really know if its true, but it sounds legit.
ReplyDeleteHow does the TLR3 form? like is it formed while we're still babies, children or do we have to encounter a virus and then its created? Seems like if we knew that, then we can help the babies develop the TLR3 sooner.
The article didn't go into detail as to how it is formed. My guess is that it is a protein that develops later on in life. The same way I guess cancer forms in people; something must initiate the process. But yes, if we could advance this formation, I agree that it could greatly help the infant.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there is a way to make the protein develop earlier, like introduce a dead virus to see if the baby will develop a response sooner.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting idea. I have no idea, but with all the advances in technology, I wouldn't be surprised if it is possible. For instance, find a pathway that produces the protein and induce production of the protein at a faster rate, thus an earlier time.
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