Discovering the Immune Cells in Human Blood that Regulate Blood Flow and Inflammation: Implications for Cardiovascular Disease and Inflammatory Disorders

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Acetylcholine has long been known to regulate blood flow, but the source of this chemical in human blood has remained a mystery. However, a new study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has discovered that certain T cells in human blood can produce acetylcholine, which helps regulate blood pressure and inflammation.

The study, published in PNAS, found that a type of immune cell called ChAT+ T cells produce acetylcholine and affect endothelial cells in the blood vessels. Previous research had shown that these T cells existed in mice, but it was unclear if they existed in humans. This new finding corroborates previous studies and could lead to new treatments for cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.

The researchers are particularly interested in acetylcholine’s role in inflammation. They found that acetylcholine in the blood can be secreted by immune cells and regulate inflammation in the blood vessels. The researchers also studied severely ill patients with circulatory failure and found that higher levels of ChAT+ T cells were associated with a reduced risk of death.

The findings are of clinical interest and could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for patients with excessive inflammation. The researchers plan to map the presence of ChAT+ T cells in different patient groups and organs and investigate how they affect metabolic and inflammatory processes.

Key Takeaways in a Nutshell – Health Newstrack

– Certain T cells in human blood can produce acetylcholine, which helps regulate blood pressure and inflammation.

– This finding could lead to new treatments for cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.

– Acetylcholine in the blood can be secreted by immune cells and regulate inflammation in the blood vessels.

– Higher levels of ChAT+ T cells were associated with a reduced risk of death in severely ill patients with circulatory failure.

– This research could contribute to new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for patients with excessive inflammation.


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