Discover the "secret" defense system in our body is unprecedented!

Zones – Riyadh

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Researchers at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Academy have discovered an "unprecedented" defense against germs entering the nasal passages.

The function of these exfoliated vesicles, called exosomes, not only kills bacteria, but also warns surrounding cells to protect themselves from pathogens.

To determine the precise role of the exosomes, the researchers analyzed the nasal tissue in the laboratory, as well as in the operated patients of the nose.

The results showed that within 5 minutes following the exposure of nasal cells to potentially harmful bacteria, the release of exosomes in the mucus doubled.

"The vesicles are effective at killing bacteria, such as antibiotics," said Dr. Benjamin Bleier, sinus surgeon and author. "But not all small vesicles destroy bacteria – many of them go to the back of the nose and fuse with other cells to warn of invading pathogens."

The researchers then discovered that they had then deposited proteins and some of their genetic material into these cells, which had armed them against dangerous bacteria.

This study may explain another finding that small nasal capillaries lift pathogens into the nose instead of pushing them outward.

Once the cells in the back of the nose are alerted by a dangerous bacteria, the pathogens can then be ingested and destroyed by the gastrointestinal tract, according to Dr. Bleier.

The researchers plan to study how exosomes fuse with cells, in the hope of using this process to deliver drugs more effectively.

Exosomes, discovered in 1983, have been linked to the health of the individual as a whole, including the risk of cancer.

This comes after research, published earlier this month, showed that "llamas" could help develop the "cold" flu vaccine in the long run.