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New insights into how cells alert the body when they may become cancerous could open new doors in the search for treatments.
Scientists have discovered that normal cells can take on the characteristics of immune cells, which can send warning signs in case of stress or danger.
The mechanism is part of the body's system to eliminate older cells, a natural part of the aging process, called senescence.
The researchers say the system can also help the body detect cancer cells earlier, so they can be eliminated before tumor formation.
Senescence prevents cells from dividing and prevents damaged cells from continuing to grow. The process is caused by stress on the cell. It is also triggered when potentially carcinogenic genes, called oncogenes, become active.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered that key immune molecules in cells, called TLR2 and TLR10, detect when oncogenes are activated.
This triggers a cascade of chemical signals that cause inflammation and cause immune cells to remove damaged cells.
TLR2 and TLR10 are known to play an important role in detecting infections such as bacteria and viruses, but this is the first time they play a key role in ordinary cellular aging.
The study, published in Progress of science, was performed at the UK Edinburgh Cancer Research Center at the University of Edinburgh.
Dr. Juan-Carlos Acosta, CRUK career development researcher at the University of Edinburgh, said: "The results of the study deepen our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms controlling senescence and could lead to new strategies for the development of anti-cancer and anti-aging treatments based on the manipulation of innate-immune receptors. "
Matthew Hoare, Clinical Scientist and Honorary Consultant at Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, said, "The damaged cancer cells become senescent and are then killed by the body's immune system, but if the immune system does not destroy the senescent cell, surrounding tissue can become inflamed, promoting the development of cancer.
"This is a very active area of research, as senescence can potentially stop cancer development at an early stage.These results show for the first time that damaged cancer cells use the TLR2 / 10 signal for Ignite and thus represent potential therapeutic targets, this could help the body clean the senescent cells before they cause any damage. "
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