Source: TOI
Context:
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Mary Brunkow (USA), Fred Ramsdell (USA), and Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan) for their pioneering discoveries on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the Foxp3 gene, which govern peripheral immune tolerance. Their work has transformed understanding of autoimmune diseases and opened pathways for therapies in cancer, autoimmunity, and transplantation.
Key Discoveries
- Discovery:
- The trio identified regulatory T cells, which prevent the immune system from attacking the body’s own cells.
- Significance:
- This discovery is critical for understanding autoimmune diseases, cancer, and organ transplantation.
- Opens avenues for new therapies and clinical interventions.
- Individual Contributions:
- Mary E. Brunkow (USA) – Senior Programme Manager, Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle: Co-identified FOXP3 gene, a marker for regulatory T cells.
- Fred Ramsdell (USA) – Scientific Advisor, Sonoma Biotherapeutics, San Francisco: Studied genetic mechanisms of immune regulation.
- Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan) – Distinguished Professor, Osaka University: Discovered CD25+ regulatory T cells and their role in suppressing self-attacking T-cells.
