Hypertension may be related to the activity of cells of the immune system – T lymphocytes, which help our bodies to defend themselves against viruses and bacteria – argued prof. dr hab. med. Tomasz Guzik from the Jagiellonian University.
The scientist received the 2010 Foundation for Polish Science Prize, called the Polish Nobel Prize, in the field of natural and medical sciences for demonstrating the importance of the immune system in the mechanism of hypertension. Its discovery may be the basis for effective treatment in the future. However, as he emphasizes as a physician, the path from basic observation to clinical practice is long.
Hypertensive disease occurs in approx. 30 percent. people, and the mechanism of its formation remains unknown in 95 percent. patients. In an interview with PAP, the winner of the award tells the extent to which Polish research can provide guidance on the prevention and treatment of this civilization disease.
PAP: What are T lymphocytes, what is their role in the human body?
Prof. Tomasz Guzik: T lymphocytes are a key element of the immune system, without them an immune deficiency develops. Simply put, it can be said that lymphocytes are a key part of the specific reactions of the immune system to pathogens. They are able to very accurately recognize the pathogen particles presented to them. T lymphocyte dysfunction occurs in a number of diseases. For example, it is the T cells that are attacked in AIDS.
We have observed that depriving animals of T lymphocytes results in a decrease in sensitivity to pronounced (hypertensive) factors such as angiotensin II peptide or salt. Then the hypertension that develops is less advanced. In this way, the animals are protected against severe hypertension and the vascular dysfunction that accompanies hypertension and is one of the known causes of this disease. If we restore T cells, the same hypertension and its bad consequences come back. It was also noted earlier that in people with AIDS, the occurrence of arterial hypertension is less frequent than in people not infected with HIV.
PAP: But if we remove T lymphocytes, then we suffer from other diseases …
TG: Exactly, therefore, the way to deal with the problem of hypertension is not likely to be depriving a person of T lymphocytes. Suppressing the immune system would be the wrong treatment. Therefore, now, in cooperation with outstanding pharmacologists and immunologists, also from the USA, we are conducting research on finding and very strict characterization of molecules in the lymphocyte and blood vessel that are responsible for the observed role of T lymphocytes in arterial hypertension.
PAP: Found particles will cure hypertension?
TG: If we can determine their role in the process of hypertension at the level of individual molecules, then perhaps we will be able to effectively apply this knowledge in treatment in the future. So far, we have identified some key mechanisms, but we do not know yet whether this will be clinically relevant.
PAP: Can your discovery be important in the prevention of hypertension?
TG: We can draw some practical conclusions from our research today. We have shown that the pre-activation state of T lymphocytes increases the sensitivity to pro-hypertensive factors. Such a pre-activation can be caused by many chronic inflammations, which often take place without our knowledge. Periodontitis, for example, is one very common source of chronic T-cell irritation.
Currently, we have joined forces and, together with dentists, are conducting a research project financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Its aim is to find out how intensive dental treatment can help us in the treatment of hypertension.
PAP: Dentists can help in the treatment of hypertension?
TG: Absolutely.
PAP: Thank you for the interview.
Karolina Olszewska (PAP) interviewed
(more extensive interview – on the Science in Poland PAP website)