On June 5th, 65438+ 10/KLOC-0, the international authoritative academic journal Immunology published the latest research results of Sammul Chan research team of Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences online.
The pathway of fever promoting lymphocyte transport involves heat shock protein 90 and α4 integrin. This study reveals the molecular mechanism of fever promoting immune cell migration and its important role in immune regulation.
The results show that when the body temperature reaches the level of high fever (38.5 degrees Celsius) or above, it will promote the recruitment of a protein named heat shock protein 90(Hsp90) in immune cells to "bind" with α4 integrin on cell membrane. This protein can greatly accelerate the "movement" (adhesion and migration) of immune cells, so that they can quickly rush to lymph nodes and tissues at the infected site, effectively "mop up" the infection and accelerate their own rehabilitation.
At present, Sammul Chan's research team believes that high fever for 6 hours can effectively induce the expression of Hsp90, and they are studying whether it can shorten the time of high fever and make the immune system "run at full capacity" in a shorter time.
In short, the most important conclusion of this study is that patients can keep their body temperature at 38.5℃ for a period of time before taking antipyretics, if the body permits.
What if I don't master the degree and burn my head?
The author of the paper is Sammul Chan, a researcher at China Academy of Sciences.
Exclusive reply by express delivery
The People's Daily (65438+123 October) also published this new research result, entitled "Scientists in China found that fever can promote the" movement "of immune cells". As soon as the news came out, it immediately triggered an online and offline hot discussion.
Many netizens expressed concern: what if you don't master the degree, burn into pneumonia, or other problems, and burn your head? High fever for 6 hours can effectively induce the expression of Hsp90 protein, but what if people are already weak or convulsed within 6 hours? It is easy for children to cross 38.5℃ and have fainting and convulsions. Can children try it?
65438+1On October 23rd, the reporter of Express contacted researcher Sammul Chan, the author of the original text, and he answered the questions of netizens exclusively through Express.
1. has not been popularized in clinic, and clinical trials have been carried out.
"First of all, this is the result of laboratory research and has not been extended to clinical practice and clinical trials. Infants, the elderly and other people whose health conditions lead to poor tolerance for fever must be treated according to the doctor's advice. "
2. The study only focuses on antipyretics, and other drugs should be used according to the doctor's advice.
The study "only focuses on the use of antipyretics, not other drugs (such as antibiotics), and other drugs should continue to be used according to the doctor's advice during the course of the disease." Sammul Chan reminded everyone that it is important to understand that antipyretics do not represent all drugs.
"Our results show that when the temperature in vitro exceeds 38.5℃, delaying the use of antipyretics can enhance the immune system's clearance of infection. After mobilizing the immune system at 38.5 C for several hours, you can use antipyretics again. "
3. Fever helps to clear the infection.
Regarding the concern that excessive fever will lead to pneumonia, Sammul Chan said, "Fever itself is not the cause of pneumonia, and pneumonia is caused by infection. Fever helps to clear the infection. "
(Reporter's Note: Fever is a complex physiological stress response after the body is infected, injured or inflamed by pathogens, and it is an important cell microenvironment factor. Fever can promote lymphocyte migration to secondary lymphoid organs or inflammatory sites, and promote immune response, which is very important for maintaining immune homeostasis and immune monitoring. However, at present, the mechanism of fever regulating lymphocyte adhesion and migration is not clear. This time, Sammul Chan's research team made a breakthrough in this respect.
This study found for the first time that Hsp90-α4 integrin is a heat-sensitive signal pathway, which can sense the body's fever and promote the directional migration of T cells and other immune cells with α4 integrin expression, which is very important for the function of innate immune cells and adaptive immune cells in the process of pathogen infection. Because the expression of heat shock protein is regulated by various stress stimuli, this mechanism may also be applicable to other related diseases that will produce stress response.
At present, Sammul Chan's research group has applied for a patent for the research results of interfering with the directional migration of various immune cells in the body, hoping to be used for the treatment of immune-related diseases and tumors. )
A fever won't burn your brain.
Can a fever burn your brain? Sammul Chan said: "According to the literature, generally speaking, high temperatures below 40 degrees Celsius will not harm the brains of adults, but I personally have not done relevant research."
5. People with poor tolerance to fever should seek medical advice in time.
Sammul Chan pointed out that people's tolerance to fever may be different due to their different physical conditions. Therefore, infants, the elderly or people with other health conditions who have poor tolerance to fever should seek medical advice in time if they have high fever.
Therefore, if we can successfully induce Hsp90 in less than 6 hours, as netizens are worried, we are already very weak or twitching, so hurry to the hospital!
What if you have a fever?
When do you take antipyretics?
Since the above results have not been extended to the clinic and have not been tested, what about headaches and brain fever in daily life? Do you want to stay at home and observe the situation or get to the hospital as soon as possible?
Li Yaqing, deputy director of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, said, "We must first find out what causes the fever" before we can see whether it is suitable not to take antipyretics.
He believes that the first thing to do is to find out the cause of the fever. If it is caused by a virus, you can rest at home first and drink water properly to see if your condition has improved. For adults, it can be observed for 2 days. If it is a high fever of 39℃, you will go to the hospital. "If there is yellow sputum and thick sputum, it is usually a fever caused by bacterial infection. It is recommended to go to the hospital above 38.5 C. "
Recently, the flu is on the rise, and children are the most vulnerable. Li Yaqing reminded parents to take their children's temperature when they find that they are listless and have poor appetite. Generally speaking, they all have a fever.
"If you have a fever of about 38℃, you can go to the hospital in a hurry. If you rest at home, reduce exercise, have a light diet and drink plenty of water, after a while, your child's condition has not improved, so you should be sent to the hospital. Children are prone to high-temperature convulsions. " And during the observation at home, don't give drugs to children aimlessly.
A fever is a good thing to some extent.
It's the autoimmune function at work.
If you have children at home, you are usually most worried about catching a cold and having a fever. Should children take antipyretics after having a fever, and when should they take antipyretics?
Huang Xianmei, director of pediatrics at Hangzhou First People's Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine, said: "If the body temperature is above 38.5℃, antipyretics should be considered, but if the child has a fever above 38.5℃ and his mental state is good, he can also temporarily stop using it. Generally speaking, there is no improvement within 24 to 48 hours after a fever, and it is recommended to send a doctor. "
Huang Xianmei comforted the parents of children with fever, saying that fever is actually a good thing to some extent. Can mobilize the body's immune cells, autoimmune function at work. Besides, a fever won't burn the brain. "It is encephalitis that causes fever, not encephalitis caused by fever, but persistent high fever and ultra-high fever will damage cells.