Workhorse Immune Molecules Lead Secret Lives In The Brain
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 - 08:14
in Biology & Nature
Molecules assumed to be in the exclusive employ of the immune system have been caught moonlighting in the brain -- with a job description apparently quite distinct from their role in immunity. Neurobiologists have shown that members of a large family of proteins critical to immune function (collectively known as HLA molecules in humans and MHC molecules in mice) also play a role in the brain.