University of Basel

Department of
Biomedicine

/ News, Research

Magnesium is essential for the immune system, including in the fight against cancer (Hess Lab)

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Immunofluorescence microscopy: T cells (blue) attack cancer cells (gray) by binding to them via their surface protein LFA-1. LFA-1 needs magnesium to adopt an active, elongated form (active LFA-1 in red). (Image: J. Lötscher et al., Cell, 2022)

The level of magnesium in the blood is an important factor in the immune system’s ability to tackle pathogens and cancer cells. Writing in the journal Cell, researchers from the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel have reported that T cells need a sufficient quantity of magnesium in order to operate efficiently. Their findings may have important implications for cancer patients.

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