Nobel Prize 2025: 3 scientists for work on the human immune system Receive Nobel Prize in Medicine
Nobel Prize 2025: The announcement of the Nobel Prize has once again presented the world with a miracle. The 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to Mary E. Brunckow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their discovery of peripheral immune tolerance .The award is for their discoveries related to peripheral immune tolerance (the immune system's tolerance of external stimuli).
This discovery, which controls the body's defense system, will revolutionize cancer and transplantation. Prize money is ₹8.5 crore.
This discovery has revolutionized understanding of the body's defense system, opening the way to treatments for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and lupus. The Karolinska Institute in Stockholm announced the findings on Monday.
What is immune tolerance? The mystery of the body's defense system?
Our body always fights threats—such as viruses or bacteria—with the immune system. But sometimes, this system mistakenly attacks its own organs, leading to autoimmune disease. Previously, scientists believed that immune cells (germ-fighting cells) became tolerant within the body, a phenomenon known as central immune tolerance.
But the winners showed that a specific mechanism also operates in the peripheral parts of the body, controlling the immune system. This helps protect the body's organs.
This research began in the 1990s. The winners discovered that cells called regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit the immune system. If these cells are weakened, other body organs are attacked. This discovery could also help in the treatment of cancer, transplantation, and allergies.
Teamwork of Three Scientists
Shimon Sakaguchi (Japan)
Shimon Sakaguchi is known for the discovery of regulatory T cells. In 1995, he showed that CD4+ CD25+ cells suppress the immune system. These cells prevent the body from fighting its own tissues. Sakaguchi's discovery revealed that Tregs play a key role in maintaining immune tolerance. His work transformed the understanding of autoimmune diseases. Today, drugs are being developed by engineering Tregs.
Mary E. Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell (USA)
Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell discovered the FOXP3 gene, the "master switch" for Tregs. In 2001, they discovered that mutations in FOXP3 cause IPEX syndrome – a rare disease in which a child's immune system attacks its own body. This causes pediatric diseases, diabetes, and intestinal problems. Their work demonstrated that FOXP3 keeps Tregs active. This discovery was a milestone in understanding peripheral immune tolerance.
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Together, they demonstrated that peripheral tolerance is essential in addition to central tolerance. Their discoveries are now being used in medicine, such as Tregs therapy for autoimmune diseases.
New Drug Era
This award offers hope for millions of people suffering from autoimmune diseases. More than 50 million people worldwide are affected by these diseases. Tregs therapy could reduce transplant rejection. Controlling Tregs in cancer can strengthen the immune system.
Summary
The Nobel Committee stated that this discovery reveals a way to control the immune system. The prize money is 11 million Swedish krona (about ₹8.5 crore), which will be divided among the three. The ceremony will be held in Stockholm in December.
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