Futurity.org » immunology

Therapy for MS prods brain to re-cloak neurons

Deborah Williams-Hedges-Caltech — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:15:49 +0000

CALTECH (US) — A new gene therapy, applied directly to the brain, may help protect neurons from damage by diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Our bodies are full of tiny superheroes—antibodies that fight foreign invaders, cells that regenerate, and structures that ensure our systems run smoothly. One such structure is myelin—a material that forms a protective, insulating cape around the axons of our nerve cells so that they can send signals quickly and efficiently.

After 3 days, lung bacteria are unstoppable

Leslie Lang-UNC — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:44:35 +0000

UNC-CHAPEL HILL (US) — A deadly plague bacterium is able to transform the lungs into a breeding ground for other microbes—often escaping detection until it is too late for medical treatment.

Most other microbes that infect the lungs trigger an antimicrobial response within a few hours after infection. This early inflammatory response is generally sufficient to eliminate microorganisms with no more than mild respiratory symptoms. But the pneumonic plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, hides out for about 36 hours when the lungs are “quiet,” not inflamed, and symptoms are completely absent.

Immune suppressants may curb diabetes

Helen Dodson-Yale — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:51:01 +0000

YALE (US) — A new study has uncovered how targeted suppression of the immune system may prevent type 1 diabetes or induce sustained remission.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease—the immune system goes into overdrive and attacks the body’s normal cells instead of foreign invaders. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system targets and eventually destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, leading to increased levels of blood sugars.

T cells help immune system remember invaders

Michael Purdy-WUSTL — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:15:41 +0000

WASHINGTON U.-ST. LOUIS (US) — After defeating an infection, the immune system creates a memory of the vanquished attacker to make it easier to identify and eliminate it in the future.

New research finds the cells that store these memories—memory T cells—are able to enhance their own survival by packing themselves full of mitochondria—energy generators that help the cells live a long time and allow them to recognize a returning invader.

Seen for first time: T-cells knock out insulin

Christopher Jones-Cardiff — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:41:15 +0000

CARDIFF (UK) — T-cells in the human body, which help protect us from disease, can inadvertently destroy cells that produce insulin, new research shows.

Published in the journal Nature Immunology, the study may clarify the role of T-cells in the development of Type 1 diabetes.

Fish oil compound stops leukemia in mice

A'ndrea Elyse Messer-Penn State — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:20:33 +0000

PENN STATE (US) — A compound produced from fish oil that appears to target leukemia stem cells could lead to a cure for the disease, researchers say.

The compound—delta-12-protaglandin J3, or D12-PGJ3—targeted and killed the stem cells of chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML, in mice, says Sandeep Prabhu, associate professor of immunology and molecular toxicology at Penn State.

Mosquito genes modified to zap malaria

Dennis O'Shea-JHU — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:39:07 +0000

JOHNS HOPKINS (US) — Mosquito immune systems can be engineered to more effectively kill malaria-carrying parasites, blocking transmission to humans.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University report that the genetic modification does not compromise the mosquitoes physically. That makes it more likely that they would be able to compete in the wild and spread the genetic change to normal insect populations.

False alarm can spark autoimmune disease

George Lowery-Cornell — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:57:16 +0000

CORNELL (US) — An unchecked signaling mechanism could be the reason the immune system sometimes goes off track to attack the body’s own cells.

The problem lies in what are called innate immune cells, the first responders to infection, says Cynthia Leifer, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Cornell University. The findings may open the door for new therapies for diseases like lupus and arthritis.

Potent antibodies protect mice from HIV

Deborah Williams-Hedges-Caltech — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:26:06 +0000

CALTECH (US) — Researchers for the past year have been studying a group of potent HIV-neutralizing antibodies. Now biologists have discovered a way to deliver the antibodies to mice.

The breakthrough by scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has effectively protected the mice from HIV infection.

Build a better antibody to neutralize HIV

Katie Neith-Caltech — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:33:13 +0000

CALTECH (US) — Biologists have built a better antibody in an effort to neutralize the many subtypes of HIV.

The work builds on earlier efforts that involved using highly potent antibodies isolated from HIV-positive people. Now, a team from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has used one of these naturally occurring antibodies to create a stronger version—one the researchers believe is a better candidate for clinical applications.

Current advances in isolating antibodies from HIV-infected individuals have allowed for the discovery of a large number of new, broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies directed against the host receptor (CD4) binding site—a functional site on the surface of the virus that allows for cell entry and infection.