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Nature 454, 837-838 (14 August 2008) | doi:10.1038/454837a; Published online 13 August 2008

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Immunology: Surprising side effects

Michael J. Bevan1 & Pamela J. Fink1

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A drug that normally suppresses an immune response by trapping lymphocytes in lymphoid organs results in the elimination of a chronic viral infection when applied at low doses. Why should this be?

During many immune responses, the circulation of blood lymphocytes, such as T cells, to lymph nodes and back to the bloodstream via lymphatic vessels is temporarily shut off. Lymphocytes can still enter the nodes, but their egress is curtailed, leading to a dramatic decline in the number of these cells in the blood — a condition called lymphopenia.

  1. Michael J. Bevan and Pamela J. Fink are in the Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-7370, USA.
    Email: mbevan@u.washington.edu
    Email: pfink@u.washington.edu

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