Tuesday 29 March 2016

Researchers turn to tick spit to shut down our immune systems

A traditional foe could become a friend to those with a rare blood disorder

When ticks bite humans, they inject us with a substance that keeps them disguised from our immune systems. This lets them hang on to us and feed for up to 10 days without getting attacked by our bodies' defences. While this strategy certainly serves the tick — and not the humans — very well, researchers may soon be turning the tables and employing a substance in tick saliva to help people battle damaging, and potentially deadly, autoimmune diseases.

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Category: Science

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from Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine http://ift.tt/1MyRXpj

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