The results of a study by the University of Basel have appeared in the scientific journal “Cell”. Magnesium activates a protein on the outer wall of T lymphocytes, essential for boosting defences.
There is a hitherto misunderstood immune system ally: magnesium, an element that is very common in nature. We usually obtain magnesium as part of our diet but it can also be taken in supplements for those who are lacking. A study carried out by Christoph Hess of the Basel University Hospital Department of Biomedicine, which has just been published in the scientific journal Cell, shows that when magnesium concentrations are too low, T lymphocytes (vital elements of our complex immune system) do not work properly.
In order to make this discovery, researchers started with some pre-established information. For example, the fact that cancerous masses grow faster in laboratory animals if magnesium levels are low, or the fact that immune defences against influenza viruses are weaker if magnesium is lacking. There were therefore several indications that the mineral was involved in the body's defence system.
But the researchers at Basel University wanted to carry out a series of experiments with a different aim. In particular, they wanted to test the efficiency of T lymphocytes in situations where magnesium is present in various concentrations and to find out why lymphocytes themselves fail to eliminate infected or abnormal cells adequately if there is not enough of the mineral.
A focus on lfa-1
Scientists discovered that the reason for this is a protein on the surface of lymphocytes, called LFA-1, which acts as a docking site for the cells to be eliminated. When resting, LFA-1 has a structure that makes binding with infected or abnormal cells much less likely, if not impossible. When it is activated, however, its spatial layout changes, and the cells have no chance. But for LFA-1 to remain in an active state for as long as necessary, it needs magnesium, which it gets from the environment. The mechanism works when there is enough of the mineral, but if not, the protein remains in a dormant state longer than necessary, and the defence system does not work as expected.
This has important implications, for example in treating tumours with immunotherapy. Researchers have already seen, in laboratory animals, that a localised increase in magnesium levels near the tumour mass can increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy, probably because it allows T lymphocytes to function properly.
Testing on humans
Researchers are now exploring how to test whether the same thing happens to patients after increasing the magnesium concentration in situ near the tumour, as they have already shown the opposite, namely that immunotherapy is less effective in patients with low magnesium levels.
While waiting for a definite answer, the advice is to keep magnesium levels in the body at an adequate level at all times, with a diet that is as balanced and varied as possible. Magnesium is found in many different types of food, especially in sufficient amounts of green leafy vegetables, pulses, whole grains and other foods rich in fibre. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements.