Scientists Unlocking 'Black Box Immune System'

Treatments for diseases such as type one diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis have moved a step closer after scientists said they were succeeding in unraveling the "black box" of the human immune system. Researchers in the US claim to have made good progress in understanding the genes that regulate a group of white blood cells known as T cells, which are described as being the body's "frontline" defense. They say that increased knowledge of the genetic basis for this regulation could lead to treatments for autoimmune diseases, rather than just for their symptoms.