Mg2+ Regulates Cytotoxic Functions of NK and CD8 T Cells in Chronic EBV Infection

[Waverunner]

Magnesium seems to have very nice antiviral properties in specific patients.

Science 12 July 2013:
Vol. 341 no. 6142 pp. 186-191
DOI: 10.1126/science.1240094

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/3...um=&utm_campaign=science&utm_source=shortener

The magnesium transporter 1 (MAGT1) is a critical regulator of basal intracellular free magnesium (Mg2+) concentrations. Individuals with genetic deficiencies in MAGT1 have high levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and a predisposition to lymphoma. We show that decreased intracellular free Mg2+ causes defective expression of the natural killer activating receptor NKG2D in natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T cells and impairs cytolytic responses against EBV. Notably, magnesium supplementation in MAGT1-deficient patients restores intracellular free Mg2+ and NKG2D while concurrently reducing EBV-infected cells in vivo, demonstrating a link between NKG2D cytolytic activity and EBV antiviral immunity in humans. Moreover, these findings reveal a specific molecular function of free basal intracellular Mg2+ in eukaryotic cells.

 

[SOC]

Well that might explain my family's high incidence of Hodgkin's lymphoma and ME/CFS. We've long suspected some common genetic abnormality in our ability to handle Epstein-Barr (and other herpesviruses).

 

[Waverunner]

Well that might explain my family's high incidence of Hodgkin's lymphoma and ME/CFS. We've long suspected some common genetic abnormality in our ability to handle Epstein-Barr (and other herpesviruses).

Yeah, could have to do with EBV. It's a pitty, that doctors don't look more into this and start to prevent cancer, instead of managing cancer after it occured.