March 28, 2024

Scientists have discovered that cancer can drain the energy of immune cells through tiny tentacles

Scientists have discovered that cancer can “drink” energy from immune cells through tiny tentacles

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown defense mechanism for cancer cells from the immune system, in which they absorb the mitochondria of lymphocytes through nanoscale tubes.

When the immune system is weakened, cancer beginsmetastasize, spreading throughout the body. New research by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Medical School's Brigham and Women's Hospital has shown that the success of this expansion is partly due to the ability of its cells to disarm the body's defense systems withusing tiny tentacles.

The team collaborated to culture cancer cellsbreasts and lymphocytes to study their interaction at the nanoscale level. Analyzing field emission scanning electron microscopy data, they noticed an unusual physical connection between them from one or more tiny tubes (100 to 1000 nm wide) woven together.

After further experimentation withUsing a fluorescent dye, it was discovered that cancer cells use these tentacles to pull mitochondria from lymphocytes. At the same time, the cancer cell not only weakens the immune cell, but also becomes stronger itself, absorbing the energy of the stolen mitochondria.

Scientists have discovered that cancer can “drink” energy from immune cells through tiny tentacles

This unexpected discovery allowed scientiststo develop a new method of therapy. They created an inhibitor of the formation of these nano-tentacles, which, when injected into malignant tumor samples of mice, significantly slowed their growth.

Recall that earlier researchers also discovered a protein, when suppressed, cancer cells are converted into normal tissues of the body without additional treatment.

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