 |
|
Reconstructed 1918 influenza virus induces immune response that fails to protect
September 28, 2006An analysis of mice infected with the reconstructed 1918 influenza virus has revealed that although the infection triggered a very strong immune system response, the response failed to protect the animals from severe lung disease and death. The study which was published by Mount Sinai researchers, working in collaboration with scientists from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, appeared in the online edition of Nature on September 27.
"This study gives scientists new insight into how highly pathogenic influenza viruses, such as the 1918 Spanish flu, cause disease," says Christopher F. Basler, PhD, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, who collaborated with Peter Palese, PhD, the Horace W. Goldsmith Professor and Chair of Microbiology, and also Professor of Medicine and Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, PhD, Professor of Microbiology.
Members of the research team, many of whom had collaborated on the reconstruction of the 1918 influenza virus, wanted to know why the virus, which killed 20 to 40 million people, was so lethal. In the study, researchers infected one group of mice with the reconstructed 1918 influenza virus and a second group with benign human influenza. The mice infected with the 1918 virus showed a rapid and potent immune system response, yet the animals also developed severe lung disease and died. The animals infected with the more benign viruses did not develop an immune response that was as strong, and fewer of these animals died. Genes were expressed from lung tissue samples taken from the mice, enabling the researchers to trace the immune response to each of the infections.
The potent immune system reaction of the mice infected with the 1918 virus is one of the main questions raised by the study, according to Dr. Basler. Did the very strong immune system response contribute to their death or was the immune system too overwhelmed to fight the infection?
"When the body responds to infection, there are components of the immune system that can be beneficial and those that can be harmful," Dr. Basler says. "Our next step is to repeat these experiments, but deconstruct what the immune system is doing so that we can understand why it is reacting so strongly, yet failing to fight the infection. By understanding the trajectory of this particular infection, we may also gain insight into how to treat other types of viral infections that are a threat to public health. This could help us develop more targeted therapies to combat pathogenic infections, including different types of influenzas or perhaps avian influenza."
The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine
The potent immune system reaction of the mice infected with the 1918 virus is one of the main questions raised by the study, according to Dr. Basler. Did the very strong immune system response contribute to their death or was the immune system too overwhelmed to fight the infection?
"When the body responds to infection, there are components of the immune system that can be beneficial and those that can be harmful," Dr. Basler says. "Our next step is to repeat these experiments, but deconstruct what the immune system is doing so that we can understand why it is reacting so strongly, yet failing to fight the infection. By understanding the trajectory of this particular infection, we may also gain insight into how to treat other types of viral infections that are a threat to public health. This could help us develop more targeted therapies to combat pathogenic infections, including different types of influenzas or perhaps avian influenza."
The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Immune Response Current Events and Immune Response News RSSMultiple health concerns surface as winter, vitamin D deficiences arrive
A string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of vitamin D has renewed interest in this multi-purpose nutrient, increased awareness of the huge numbers of people who are deficient in it, spurred research and even led to an appreciation of it as "nature's antibiotic."
Exposure to both traffic, indoor pollutants puts some kids at higher risk for asthma later
New research presents strong evidence that the "synergistic" effect of early-life exposure to both outdoor traffic-related pollution and indoor endotoxin causes more harm to developing lungs than one or the other exposure alone.
Common pain relief medication may encourage cancer growth
Although morphine has been the gold-standard treatment for postoperative and chronic cancer pain for two centuries, a growing body of evidence is showing that opiate-based painkillers can stimulate the growth and spread of cancer cells.
New culprit for viral infections among elderly -- an overactive immune response
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have found that exaggerated responses of the immune system explain why the elderly succumb to viral infections more readily than younger people.
Thoughtful words help couples stay fighting fit
Couples who bring thoughtful words to a fight release lower amounts of stress-related proteins, suggesting that rational communication between partners can ease the impact of marital conflict on the immune system.
Researchers mobilizing global resources to test new treatments for severe H1N1 infection
An important, ground-breaking initiative is unfolding in the global critical care community in response to the H1N1 pandemic.
People with less education could be more susceptible to the flu
People who did not earn a high school diploma could be more likely to get H1N1 and the vaccine might be less effective in them compared to those who earned a diploma, new research shows.
Scientists successfully reprogram blood cells
Researchers have transplanted genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells into mice so that their developing red blood cells produce a critical lysosomal enzyme -preventing or reducing organ and central nervous system damage from the often-fatal genetic disorder Hurler's syndrome.
UCI embryonic stem cell therapy restores walking ability in rats with neck injuries
The first human embryonic stem cell treatment approved by the FDA for human testing has been shown to restore limb function in rats with neck spinal cord injuries - a finding that could expand the clinical trial to include people with cervical damage.
Hundreds of genes distinguish patients likely to survive advanced melanoma
Although the chances of surviving advanced melanoma aren't very good with current therapies, some patients can live for years with cancer that has spread beyond the skin to other organs.
More Immune Response Current Events and Immune Response News Articles
 |
Immune Response and the Eye (Chemical Immunology) by Jerry Y. Niederkorn (Editor), Henry J. Kaplan (Editor) In memory of J. Wayne Streilein, the pioneer in ocular immunology The second edition of Immune >Response and the Eye' highlights recent insights into the >dangerous compromise' between the immune system and the eye, which protects the eye against pathogens while limiting inflammation and immune-mediated injury to ocular tissues with little or no regenerative potential. It discusses the broad spectrum of physiological, immunological, anatomical, and biochemical adaptations that conspire to closely regulate the tone and tenor of immune responses in the eye. This volume further describes immune-mediated diseases that occur when the compromise between the immune system and the eye is breached. This breakdown in immune privilege threatens the vision of millions each year. Finally, recent... |
 |
Source Naturals Aller-Response, Tablets, 90 tablets (Pack of 2) by Source Naturals Dietary supplement. Quercetin, Ginkgo & Synephrine. Aller-Response is a seasonal formula featuring quercetin. Human cell culture studies with quercetin demonstrated its capability to inhibit the release of histamines. Ginkgolide B, in human cell culture s |
|
Understanding Hereditary Angioedema: A Mysterious Out-Of-Control Immune Response Directed By: Information Television Network | |
 |
Understanding Hereditary Angioedema: A Mysterious Out-of-Control Immune Response (Home Use) Part of the award winning public television series Healthy Body/Healthy Mind. Its called Hereditary Angioedema and its so rare popular television shows have used it as one of their mystery diagnoses. But for the people who suffer with this condition the drama associated with an episode of hereditary angioedema is anything but entertaining. It can be harrowing and horrifying because a person's face or knees or other parts of the body that once looked normal suddenly takes on grotesque proportions due to an unusual amount of swelling. This condition baffled scientists and researchers for many years but today there are new treatments for hereditary angioedema that are helping people with this condition live healthy normal lives. In this program we'll hear what the experts have discovered... |
 |
Chlamydia pneumoniae immunology: Innate Immune Responses induced by Chlamydia pneumoniae infection by Vjera Magdalenic (Author) Chlamydiae are common pathogens that cause a number of serious but preventable diseases in both humans and animals. In the recent years, Chlamydia pneumoniae has emerged as a major cause of human respiratory disease and more importantly, it has been linked to the establishment and exacerbation of serious chronic diseases including atherosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease, multiple sclerosis and reactive arthritis. There has been a lot of research into host responses to chlamydial infections and the development of immunopathology; but considerable gaps in our knowledge remain. The work described here aimed to analyse the early innate immune responses in the lung following C. pneumoniae infections with a view to better understanding host-pathogen interactions and the... |
 |
Vetri-DMG Tablets for Dogs & Cats (90 Tabs) by vetri science Vetri-DMG Tablets for Dogs & Cats (90 Tabs) (Supports Performance and Immune System Function) Vetri DMG is recommended to help support proper immune response, cardiovascular and skin health, glucose metabolism and proper nerve and brain functions. |
 |
Metabolic Maintenance L-Glutamine 500 mg 100 caps by Metabolic Maintenance L-Glutamine 500 mg 100 caps |
 |
Primer to The Immune Response by Tak W. Mak (Author), Mary Saunders (Author) Primer to The Immune Response is an invaluable resource for college students, university undergraduates and students in medicine and other health professions who need a concise but complete and understandable introduction to immunology. This book is written in the same engaging conversational style as the published reference book The Immune Response: Basic and Clinical Principles and conveys the same fascinating appeal of immunology. The authors bring clarity, readability and continuity of voice to an audience that requires only a brief survey of the most fundamental concepts in basic and clinical immunology. Primer to The Immune Response is beautifully illustrated with over 200 superb figures and 36 full color plates, and further enhanced by the inclusion of 60 tables and 6... |
 |
Bedside Emergencies: Anaphylactic Shock (Volume 3) Also With: Concept Media (Primary Contributor) Describes the body's normal immune response and how it responds physiologically to allergens. Differentiates between anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions, describing signs and symptoms. Describes initial interventions to slow down or prevent reaction from becoming life-threatening, as well as more aggressive therapy for severe, progressive reactions. |
 |
Selected Aspects of Cancer Progression: Metastasis, Apoptosis and Immune Response (Cancer Growth and Progression) by Hans E. Kaiser (Author), Hans E. Kaiser (Editor), Aejaz Nasir (Editor) The processes of tumor metastasis, apoptosis and anti-tumor immune response are among the most complex yet rapidly advancing fields in the area of cancer research. This monogaph presents a comprehensive coverage of the recent advances in the various key concepts in these fundamental aspects of human cancer. It would be of particular interest to members of the cancer research community, especially those who are actively involved in the study of basic and translational aspects of human cancer. Specifically, this volume includes authentic subject reviews by leading experts on the following aspects: Control of tumor cell motility Role of tumor-cell adhesion and migration in organ-selective metastasis-formation Tumor heterogeneity in relation to invasion and metastasis and its... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |