Passage 1 An experimental vaccine has shown promising results in reducing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This could potentially offer a new treatment approach for autoimmune conditions, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells. Autoimmune diseases, such as MS, type 1 diabetes, and coeliac disease, can cause significant damage to the body. In the case of MS, immune cells damage the protective coating around nerves, leading to issues like muscle spasms. Jeffrey Hubbell at the University of Chicago and his colleagues have developed a unique “reverse vaccine”. Traditional vaccines train the immune system to recognize and attack specific molecules. In contrast, this reverse vaccine does the opposite: it inhibits an unwanted immune response. The way it works is as follows. When our body has a system for clearing dead cells, it develops a specific molecular pattern on their surface. The liver then treats these cells like a dying cell and removes them, while also signaling to the immune system not to attack them. Hubbell's team modified a group of molecules, called antigens, to mimic this “out-of-service” signal. Once in the body, the liver processes these modified antigens, teaching the immune system to ignore them. In an experiment using non-human primates, the researchers tested the vaccine's effect on an immune response caused by a previously received antigen. The results were encouraging. The vaccine was effective in reducing the immune response in the animals. Currently, the reverse vaccine is in an early - stage clinical trial for MS. David Hafler at Yale University points out that multiple sclerosis is not caused by one single antigen. However, Hubbell believes that with further adjustments, the vaccine could potentially target other autoimmune conditions as well. For example, a similar injection has shown promise against coeliac disease in a small trial. What is the main function of the “reverse vaccine” A. To strengthen the immune system. B. To train the immune system to recognize foreign molecules. C. To inhibit the body's unwanted immune response. D. To stimulate the production of immune cells. How does the “reverse vaccine” work in the body A. It directly attacks the immune cells that cause autoimmune diseases. B. It changes the structure of the immune system. C. It mimics the signal that tells the immune system not to attack certain cells. D. It helps the liver to produce more protective substances. What can we learn about the “reverse vaccine” from the passage A. It has been widely used to treat various autoimmune diseases. B. It is only effective in non - human primates. C. It is in the early stage of clinical trial for MS. D. It can completely cure multiple sclerosis. What is David Hafler's attitude towards the “reverse vaccine” A. He is optimistic about its potential for treating autoimmune diseases. B. He believes it needs to be adjusted to target multiple antigens. C. He doubts its effectiv ... ...
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