A team from the Scripps Research Institute found that endothelial cells may act as a regulator in how the body reacts to the flu virus.
The scientists were looking at the S1P pathway (molecular control circuit) and gave rodents a substance to stimulate the S1P1 receptor. They learned that the treatment lessened severe cytokine response.
Details available on SCIENCE NOW:
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/09/surprising-cells-rein-in-killer-.html
