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Bach2 gene opens new avenues for the treatment of allergies and autoimmune diseases
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Scientists from the National Cancer Institute in the United States have made a sensational discovery. They have found a gene that switches T-cells between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory types, and also affects the functioning of the immune system.
It has been proven that it is the gene that has been discovered that influences the possibility of developing allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases in humans. Allergic and autoimmune diseases are considered similar due to the approximately identical immune system failures that occur. Scientists have not yet fully established a more accurate picture of the processes that occur.
A gene called Bach2 has long attracted the attention of researchers. Various gene variations directly affect the predisposition to immune system failures, which was confirmed by tests on laboratory mice.
According to experts, the immune balance depends on the coherence of the immune cells. It is worth paying attention to T-cells, which have a membrane receptor CD4. The role of these cells is to activate an immune response of a certain strength and duration, as well as to regulate the immune system's reaction to prevent it from spreading to healthy cells. Simply put, T-cells control the proper functioning of the immune system with the production of antibodies against a real threat to the body and pacify the process of destroying "everything in a row" indiscriminately. It is known that an attack on healthy cells often accompanies a number of allergic manifestations and autoimmune diseases.
Bach2 acts as a kind of "toggle switch" between immune-activating and immune-suppressing processes. Without this gene, T cells would only act as provocateurs of inflammation without performing the important regulatory function to suppress the inflammatory reaction. For example, in mice tested with suppressed Bach2 gene functions, inflammation was observed, and inevitable death from autoimmune disorders occurred within a few months. When the gene's work was resumed, the T cell regulatory function was restored on its own.
Scientists talk about the uniqueness of the gene itself, which is adapted to work on the border between two types of cells, without being part of either group. The gene was named after Johann Sebastian Bach. The gene's masterful control of the process of polyphonic response of the immune system reminded the authors of the great composer's ability to brilliantly control musical polyphony.
Doctors place great hopes on the Bach2 gene, both in the field of treating allergies and autoimmune diseases. But the study of the gene is not finished. The next stage of the study is aimed at determining the role of Bach2 in cases of cancer. As is known, tumors are capable of suppressing immune reactions against themselves by activating regulatory T-cells. Perhaps scientists will be able to use the discovered Bach2 gene to regulate immune processes against tumor diseases.
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