Fever temperatures rev up immune cell metabolism, proliferation and activity, but they also -- in a particular subset of T cells -- cause mitochondrial stress, DNA damage and cell death, researchers have discovered. The findings offer a mechanistic understanding for how cells respond to heat and could explain how chronic inflammation contributes to the development of cancer.
Read more: Fever drives enhanced activity, mitochondrial damage in immune cells
Researchers investigated differences in T-cell responses between male and female patients with lung cancer that may help direct future treatments. T-cell responses are part of the adaptive immune system, which is part of the body's 'smart system' that monitors for threats and fights them with customized defenses.
Read more: Researchers identify sex-based differences in immune responses against tumors