Organ-ized Cells

Summary

White blood cell (cell of immune system)

A team of scientists from Washington University School of Medicine has discovered disease-fighting cells that only defend one organ of the body. Wayne M. Yokoyama, MD, led this investigation. So far, they have discovered that the liver, skin, and uterus all have these types of immune cells, which they have dubbed "tissue-resident natural killer cells." It is likely that other organs have such natural killer cells. Notably, the results of this study disproved the previous theory that all immune cells travel throughout the body.

Yokoyama says the findings of this study are significant because, if the right technology was implemented, "these organ specific cells [...] could provide powerful and selective weapons against infections and tumors in the organs where they reside." He also says these natural killer cells may be more effective at fighting diseases and minimizing accidental damage to healthy tissue.

Reflection

Healthy human T-cell
(essential to the immune system)

It fascinates me that scientists are capable of studying cells. Although I am somewhat educated on the function and processes of cells, I always keep in mind that at some point people weren't learning this information; they were studying cells in order to discover what has happening. How exactly they obtained this information beats me, and that's fine—I'm wholly content with being amazed.

The reason this article amazed me was because it reinforced the importance of persistence and research. Now that sufficient information has been gathered, it is possible that scientists will be able to potentially save the lives of people who have certain infections. Yokoyama and his fellow scientists must have known that no matter how difficult their work, their efforts would be worth it in the end.

Here is some more information about cytopathology. Also, if you'd like, this website will inform you of the functions of immune cells.

NOS Themes

Science is subject to debate and is tentative: Prior to this study, immune cells were thought to roam the entire body. The results of this study disproved that.

Science is based on evidence: Due to the reliable research of the Yokoyama and his team of scientists, they were able to conclude that some immune cells only defend specific organs of the body.

Article

"Some immune cells defend only 1 organ"