|
|
Article: Understanding How Lymph Nodes Respond to Infection May Redefine How Immune System Functions.
- Article from:
- AScribe Medicine News Service
- Article date:
- November 20, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 AScribe. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Byline: Duke University
DURHAM, N.C., Nov. 20 (AScribe Newswire) -- Duke University Medical Center researchers may have solved the mystery of why lymph nodes swell when the body fights infection. Their findings may redefine how the immune system functions, they said.
Their research, published in the December 2003 issue of Nature Immunology, centered on the role of mast cells. Mast cells are immune cells that are typically found just under the skin and in the lining of the intestine and lungs and were previously associated primarily with the induction of allergic reactions. The Duke researchers report that allergic reactions are only a side effect of mast ...