Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Comparison of immune response to 1918 and H5N1 influeza viruses shows similarities

Comparison of immune response to 1918 and H5N1 influeza viruses shows similarities

March 01, 2007

A comparison of the 1918 Spanish influenza and the H5N1 avian influenza viruses suggests that while the two viruses appear to trigger a similar abnormal immune response in animal models, there are distinct differences. Researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle report their findings today at the ASM Biodefense and Emerging Disease Research Meeting.

"The influenza pandemic of 1918-19 was responsible for at least 40 million deaths worldwide. Recent experiments in mouse and nonhuman primates have suggested a central role of the host immune response in 1918 and H5N1 disease severity," says John Kash, a lead researcher on the study.




Kash and his colleagues have previously published research on how the immune system responds to infection with the 1918 virus in mouse and nonhuman primate lungs, using bioinformatic tools to see what genes within the immune system are expressed in response to infection. They discovered that the virus caused an almost immediate and overwhelming immune system response that basically turned the immune systems of its victims against them.

In the current study, Kash and colleagues examined the gene expression in response to H5N1 avain influenza virus in mouse lungs and compared the immune response to the previously collected data on the 1918 influenza virus.

"It looks like both these viruses elicit some sort of overblown inflammatory response. While at a fundamental level they look very similar to each other, there are subtle distinctions," says Kash.

In studying these commonalities and differences, Kash hopes to better understand how the viruses cause disease and hopefully develop new treatments. Eventually scientists may be able to develop drugs that could turn down or even switch off the unwanted activity while still allowing the immune system to combat the infection.

"What we are trying to do is understand the similarities and differences and what they mean. If we can understand those common mechanisms, we can better develop new treatments for the disease," says Kash.

American Society for Microbiology



Related Immune Responses Current Events and Immune Responses News Articles Immune Responses Current Events and Immune Responses News RSS Immune Responses Current Events and Immune Responses News RSS
UAB Researchers Discover Antibody Receptor Identity, Propose Renaming Immune-System Gene
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have uncovered the genetic identity of a cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody, a discovery that sheds new light on infection control and immune disorders.

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.

Initial Results Show Pregnant Women Mount Strong Immune Response To One Dose of 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine
Healthy pregnant women mount a robust immune response following just one dose of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine, according to initial results from an ongoing clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health.

Neurologists Investigate Possible New Underlying Cause of MS
Neurologists at the University at Buffalo are beginning a research study that could overturn the prevailing wisdom on the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Probiotic Found to Be Effective Treatment for Colitis In Mice
The probiotic, Bacillus polyfermenticus, can help mice recover from colitis, a new study has found.

The bowels of infection
Current research suggests that latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The related report by Onyeagocha et al, "Latent cytomegalovirus infection exacerbates experimental colitis," appears in the November 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.

Earlier flu viruses provided some immunity to current H1N1 influenza, study shows
University of California, Davis, researchers studying the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, formerly referred to as "swine flu," have identified a group of immunologically important sites on the virus that are also present in seasonal flu viruses that have been circulating for years.

Outfoxing pox: Developing a new class of vaccine candidates
In the annals of medicine, Edward Jenner's 1796 vaccination of a young boy against smallpox, using fluid from cowpox blisters, remains a landmark case. In a new study, Kathryn Sykes, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute and her colleagues have taken a fresh look at cowpox.

Cell study explains why younger people more at risk of vCJD
Specific cells within the immune system could help explain why younger people are more susceptible to variant CJD, scientists believe.

NIH launches 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine trials in HIV-infected pregnant women
The first clinical trials to test whether the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine can safely elicit a protective immune response in pregnant women launched yesterday, and a trial to conduct the same test in HIV-infected children and youth will begin next week.
More Immune Responses Current Events and Immune Responses News Articles
Mechanisms of Lymphocyte Activation and Immune Regulation XI: B Cell Biology (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology) (v. 11)

Mechanisms of Lymphocyte Activation and Immune Regulation XI: B Cell Biology (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology) (v. 11)
by Sudhir Gupta (Editor), Frederick W. Alt (Editor), Max D. Cooper (Editor), Fritz Melchers (Editor), Klaus Rajewsky (Editor)

In recent years, major developments have been made in understanding various genetic and epigenetic regulatory processes that are critical for the generation of B cell repertoires. These include the role of chromatin regulation and nuclear organization in understating the IgH gene regulation. A role and mechanism of DNA repair proteins in somatic hypermutation has been elucidated. Genetic mutation studies have been instrumental in providing insight into some of the mechanisms involved in targeting CSR to various switch DNA regions located upstream of C region genes, especially a role of AID motifs, transcription, and R-loops. Recent studies support a dominant role of receptor editing in central B cell tolerance and signaling pathways that regulate receptor editing in self-reactive and...

Source Naturals Aller-Response, Tablets, 90 tablets (Pack of 2)

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

Understanding Hereditary Angioedema: A Mysterious Out-of-Control Immune Response

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

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)

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

Metabolic Maintenance L-Glutamine 500 mg 100 caps
by Metabolic Maintenance

L-Glutamine 500 mg 100 caps

Primer to The Immune Response

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)

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)

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