Posted by Fonzie on December 26, 2002 at 23:04:17:
There is a growing belief that autoimmune diseases are caused by a deficiency in regulatory cells (a specific subset of CD4+, CD25+ and NK cells). The discovery that in autoimmune type 1 diabetes patients there is a 100% regulatory cell deficiency is said to possibly shift the future treatment approach to this type of diseases from immune supression to immune stimulation (of the specific subset of regulatory cells).
Here is an interesting article from Cornell University researchers:
http://www.med.cornell.edu/news/press/2002/jan_2_diabetes.html
My question is, would TF/TF+ have an impact on this specific subset of regulatory immune cells? Or would it just increase pathogenic cells, and therefore worsening Th1 mediated autoimmune conditions?