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The prestigious award in medical science was awarded for revolutionary findings that clarify how the immune system targets harmful pathogens while sparing the healthy tissues.

A trio of renowned scientists—Japan's Prof. Sakaguchi and US scientists Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell—received this accolade.

Their research identified unique "sentinels" within the defense system that eliminate malfunctioning immune cells that could harming the organism.

These discoveries are now paving the way for innovative treatments for immune disorders and cancer.

These laureates will share a monetary award worth 11m SEK.

Crucial Discoveries

"Their work has been decisive for understanding how the body's defenses operates and the reason we don't all develop severe self-attack conditions," commented the chair of the award panel.

This team's studies explain a core mystery: How does the immune system defend us from countless infections while keeping our healthy cells intact?

Our immune system uses white blood cells that search for signs of infection, even pathogens and bacteria it has not met before.

These cells employ sensors—known as receptors—that are produced randomly in a vast number of combinations.

This gives the defense network the capacity to combat a broad range of invaders, but the unpredictability of the mechanism inevitably produces white blood cells that may target the host.

Protectors of the Body

Researchers earlier knew that some of these problematic defense cells were eliminated in the thymus—where immune cells develop.

This year's award recognizes the identification of T-reg cells—described as the body's "peacekeepers"—which travel through the body to neutralize other defenders that assault the healthy cells.

We know that this process malfunctions in self-attack conditions such as juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The prize committee stated, "The discoveries have established a new field of research and spurred the development of innovative therapies, for instance for tumors and autoimmune diseases."

Regarding cancer, regulatory T-cells prevent the system from fighting the growth, so studies are focused on reducing their numbers.

For autoimmune diseases, trials are exploring increasing regulatory T-cells so the organism is no longer being harmed. A similar method could also be useful in reducing the chances of organ transplant rejection.

Pioneering Experiments

Prof Shimon Sakaguchi, of a Japanese institution, conducted experiments on mice that had their immune gland extracted, leading to self-attack conditions.

He demonstrated that introducing immune cells from healthy mice could stop the disease—suggesting there was a system for blocking defenders from attacking the host.

Mary Brunkow, affiliated with the a research center in a US city, and Dr. Ramsdell, currently at a biotech firm in San Francisco, were investigating an genetic immune disorder in mice and humans that resulted in the identification of a genetic factor critical for the way regulatory T-cells operate.

"The pioneering work has revealed how the immune system is controlled by regulatory T cells, preventing it from mistakenly targeting the body's own tissues," commented a leading physiology expert.

"This research is a striking example of how fundamental biological study can have broad implications for human health."