A team from Monash University and the Lions Eye Institute has identified a tissue protein that acts as a central regulator of immune cell coordination, uncovering a mechanism that determines how immune cells communicate and move within tissues. Published in Nature, the study explains how this molecular system maintains balanced immune activity and how it can be disrupted by a common virus.
The researchers found that the molecule CD44 centrally controls the network of support cells that guide immune system function. Within this network of support cells, stromal cells help immune cells move efficiently and exchange the information needed to fight infections, respond to vaccines, and maintain overall health.
The study also showed that cytomegalovirus (CMV) can interfere with this system. The virus produces a protein that blocks CD44 on stromal cells, disrupting immune cell movement—and effectively shutting down communication channels that coordinate immune responses. This viral interference weakens the body’s ability to fight infections by altering the “traffic flow” of immune defense at its foundation.
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Senior author Mariapia Degli-Esposti explained that the new findings reshape understanding of how immune coordination is structured. “Think of the immune system like a busy city with millions of cells patrolling to keep us safe,” she explained. “CD44 acts as the central traffic controller; it keeps immune cells moving and coordinates their interactions at the right place and time.”
“Our study identifies CD44 as a master regulator of immune cell movement and communication and shows that viruses can undermine immunity not only by attacking immune cells directly, but also by targeting the essential tissue infrastructure they rely on.”
According to co-lead researcher Chris Andoniou, “Because CD44 plays such a central role in regulating immune activity, drugs inspired by the viral protein identified in this study could be developed to precisely dampen harmful inflammation.”