New Type of White Blood Cell Discovered

An international collaboration of researchers announces the discovery of a new type of white blood cell, which could from now on be targeted in future therapeutic approaches to treating a large number of diseases and infections.

Called human tissue dendritic cells, the novel white blood cells were discovered by scientists at the Newcastle University, in the United Kingdom, and the A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network.

Among the conditions that will be addressed by the upcoming drugs, experts include some forms of cancer, such as HPV (triggered by the human papilloma virus), and Hepatitis B, EurekAlert reports.

“These are the cells we need to be targeting for anti-cancer vaccines. Our discovery offers an accessible, easily targetable system which makes the most of the natural ability of the cell,” NU expert Dr. Muzlifah Haniffa says.