Carabin moderates immune response

Scientists say they have learnt how the body controls the machinery it uses to fight infections and foreign invaders.

The Johns Hopkins University researchers say a protein molecule called carabin may be the body's way of restraining its defences.

It is made by white blood cells, one of the most important immune system cells.

However, its role actually appears to restrict their ability to mount a response to infection.

They found that when there was more carabin in a cell, it appeared to "damp down" its activity.

Professor Liu said: "It acts like an internal brake to dial down the speed and intensity of an immune response so that it doesn't go too fast or too far, or career out of control and attack healthy cells.

"It's like having a built-in timer to keep the immune system in check."

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