According to the publication, Cell Stem Cell, a team of researchers from the Columbia center for translational immunology a few years ago I noticed a very interesting pattern: many patients undergoing transplantation of the intestine, the body began to find a new area, which started the blood. It was called “blood Chimera”, as it reproduced its own cells of the recipient’s blood, but based on the tissues of the donor. Absorbed in the study of this phenomenon, the experts made a number of discoveries, which gave a more complete picture of the physiology that will help to improve the procedure of organ transplantation.
Long been known that the main place of production of blood cells is the bone marrow, however, the opening of the American scientists suggests that blood can be produced in the intestinal cells. Not only the people who have had a transplant.
In the course of work the experts observed the composition of blood and phenotype cells from 21 patients who received a donor intestines for 5 years after surgery. As a result, in the intestinal mucosa, patches of Peyer and mesenteric lymph nodes was discovered hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells. Analysis of circulating after transplantation of donor T cells suggests that they undergo a kind of “selection” in the lymphoid organs of the recipient for the acquisition of immunological tolerance. That is, alien in fact, the cells cease to be and not be attacked by its own immune system.
Schematic representation of the process
“In our research, we demonstrated the existence of a relationship between different blood cells. This process protects the transplant from the effects of the immune system.” — said one of the authors Megan Sykes.
At the moment it is not known what amount of blood produced in the intestine, but scientists assume that this figure can reach up to 10%. The new discovery will help you learn more about the immune system and to develop ways to protect organs from the effects of autoimmune reactions.
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