Overview

• Fever temperatures enhance the metabolism, proliferation, and activity of certain T cells, aiding the immune response.
• Regulatory T cells, which suppress immune responses, are less effective under fever conditions, leading to a more robust immune defense.
• A subset of helper T cells, Th1 cells, experience mitochondrial stress and DNA damage at fever temperatures, with some cells dying and others becoming more resilient.
• The mitochondrial dysfunction observed in Th1 cells could explain the link between chronic inflammation and cancer development.
• Researchers emphasize that while moderate fever can be beneficial, prolonged high temperatures may contribute to conditions like autoimmune diseases and cancer.