Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025

08-Oct-2025

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025

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2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to–

Shimon Sakaguchi: Discovered regulatory T cells (Tregs) in 1995, showing they prevent autoimmune attacks.
Mary Brunkow & Fred Ramsdell (US): Identified in 2001 that mutations in FOXP3 (Forkhead Box Protein) gene cause autoimmune disease (IPEX) in humans and mice.
- Combined Contribution: Sakaguchi showed FOXP3 gene controls Treg development, explaining how immune system maintains peripheral tolerance.
- Significance: Targeting or boosting Tregs enhances immune response against cancer, prevents self-attack, and reduces organ rejection.

In 1968, Indian Nobel Laureate Har Gobind Khorana, along with Marshall Nirenberg and Robert Holley, was awarded Nobel Prize for their work on the genetic code and its role in protein synthesis.

Human Immune System

Types:
- Innate Immunity: Rapid, non-specific defense using barriers (skin, mucous membranes), phagocytes, and inflammation.
- Adaptive Immunity: Targeted, specific defense with memory for quicker responses upon re-infection.
Key Elements:
- T-cells (type of WBCs): Recognize & destroy infected cells.
- B-cells: Produce antibodies (proteins) to neutralize foreign antigens.

Immune Tolerance: Prevents the immune system from attacking body’s own cells.
- Central Tolerance: Eliminates self-reactive cells in bone marrow and thymus.
- Peripheral Tolerance: Prevents activation of remaining self-reactive cells in tissues.
Regulatory T cells: Maintain tolerance by suppressing immune responses, preventing autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis).