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science3h ago
How the Immune System Controls a Brain Parasite Found in 1 in 3 People
- New research shows caspase-8–driven death of infected T cells helps prevent Toxoplasma gondii from thriving in the brain.
- In mice lacking caspase-8, parasite levels in the brain were higher and animals grew seriously ill.
- Mice with intact caspase-8 cleared infected T cells quickly, preventing the parasite from using them as a refuge.
- The study suggests this cellular safeguard helps explain toxoplasmosis risk in people with weakened immune systems.
- Researchers tracked Toxoplasma behavior in mouse CD8+ T cells to test the caspase-8 hypothesis.
- Caspase-8 activity correlated with better survival in the infected mice.
- The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can form long-lasting brain cysts after infection in humans.
- The work was published alongside related reviews and background on brain infection and immunity.
- The article emphasizes that current findings rely on peer-reviewed sources and editorial standards.
- The piece confirms caspase-8’s central role in protecting the brain from Toxoplasma.
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