Arginine aids immune detection of cancer and viruses, study finds

A new study from Rockefeller University, published in the journal Cell, suggests that the amino acid arginine plays a critical role in the immune system's ability to detect cancer and viral infections.

Researchers found that low levels of arginine limit the production of MHC-I proteins on the surface of cells. These proteins act as signaling mechanisms that allow T-lymphocytes to identify and attack cells that have been infected by viruses or have undergone cancerous changes. When arginine is insufficient, the production of these essential proteins is hindered, reducing the warning signals available to the immune system.