 |
|
New strategies against bird flu
April 18, 2008Austrian scientists identify the common mechanism underlying acute respiratory disease syndrome ARDS
The Spanish flu outbreak of 1918 killed between 30 and 50 million people. In the infected patients, the ultimate cause of death was acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This fatal condition is a massive reaction of the body during which the lung becomes severely damaged. ARDS can be induced by various bacterial and viral infections, but also by chemical agents. These could be toxic gases that are inhaled or gastric acid when aspirated. Once ARDS has developed, survival rates drop dramatically. Among patients infected with H5N1 bird flu, about 50 percent die of ARDS.
An international team of scientists has been addressing the underlying disease mechanisms for the past five years. The team involved researchers from leading institutions in Vienna, Stockholm, Cologne, Beijing, Hongkong, and Toronto as well as the US-army at Fort Detrick. The international effort was coordinated by Josef Penninger and Yumiko Imai of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
A first breakthrough came in 2005 when IMBA-scientists identified ACE2 as the essential receptor for SARS virus infections and showed that ACE2 can protect from acute lung failure in disease models (Imai et al. Nature 2005; Kuba et al. Nature Medicine 2005). Based on these data, ACE2 is now under therapeutic development.
In a paper published by Cell this week, the authors describe an essential key injury pathway that is operational in multiple lung injuries and directly links oxidative stress to innate immunity. They also report for the first time a common molecular disease pathway explaining how diverse non-infectious and infectious agents such as anthrax, lung plague, SARS, and H5N1 avian influenza may cause severe and often lethal lung failure with similar pathologies.
To identify these pathways, the researchers studied numerous tissue samples from deceased humans and animals. Victims of bird flu and SARS were examined in Hongkong, and the US-army provided samples from animals infected with Anthrax and lung plague. Common to all ARDS samples was the massive amount of oxidation products found within the cells. Based on these findings, the scientists showed that oxidative stress is the common trigger that ultimately leads to lung failure.
To elucidate the entire pathway, Yumiko Imai of IMBA developed several mouse models. She was now able to show that a molecule called TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) is responsible for initiating the critical signalling pathway. TLR4 is displayed at the surface of certain lung cells called macrophages, important players of the body's immune system. Once activated, TLR4 initiates an entire chain reaction which ends with the fatal failure of the lungs. Surprisingly, mice challenged with inactivated H5N1 avian influenza virus also dveloped the full reaction. On the other hand, mutant mice in which the function of TLR4 was genetically impaired were protected from lung failure in repsonse to the inactivated virus.
Based on these findings, the researchers can now outline a common molecular disease pathway: Microbial or chemical lung pathogens trigger the oxidative stress machinery. Oxidation products are intrepreted as danger-signals by the receptor TLR4. Subsequently, the body's innate immune system is activated. This defense machinery in turn leads to a chain of reactions with severe and often fatal lung damage as a consequence.
For Yumiko Imai, a Postdoc in Josef Penninger's team and pediatrician by training, these results are highly satisfying. Her motivation to study ARDS is based on personal experience in over 10 years at a pediatric intensive care unit. „I have seen so many children die from acute lung failure and felt utterly helpless", Imai says. „ Since we found a common injury pathway, our hopes are high that we may be able to develop a new and innovative strategy for tackling severe lung infections."
Research Institute of Molecular Pathology
A first breakthrough came in 2005 when IMBA-scientists identified ACE2 as the essential receptor for SARS virus infections and showed that ACE2 can protect from acute lung failure in disease models (Imai et al. Nature 2005; Kuba et al. Nature Medicine 2005). Based on these data, ACE2 is now under therapeutic development.
In a paper published by Cell this week, the authors describe an essential key injury pathway that is operational in multiple lung injuries and directly links oxidative stress to innate immunity. They also report for the first time a common molecular disease pathway explaining how diverse non-infectious and infectious agents such as anthrax, lung plague, SARS, and H5N1 avian influenza may cause severe and often lethal lung failure with similar pathologies.
To identify these pathways, the researchers studied numerous tissue samples from deceased humans and animals. Victims of bird flu and SARS were examined in Hongkong, and the US-army provided samples from animals infected with Anthrax and lung plague. Common to all ARDS samples was the massive amount of oxidation products found within the cells. Based on these findings, the scientists showed that oxidative stress is the common trigger that ultimately leads to lung failure.
To elucidate the entire pathway, Yumiko Imai of IMBA developed several mouse models. She was now able to show that a molecule called TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) is responsible for initiating the critical signalling pathway. TLR4 is displayed at the surface of certain lung cells called macrophages, important players of the body's immune system. Once activated, TLR4 initiates an entire chain reaction which ends with the fatal failure of the lungs. Surprisingly, mice challenged with inactivated H5N1 avian influenza virus also dveloped the full reaction. On the other hand, mutant mice in which the function of TLR4 was genetically impaired were protected from lung failure in repsonse to the inactivated virus.
Based on these findings, the researchers can now outline a common molecular disease pathway: Microbial or chemical lung pathogens trigger the oxidative stress machinery. Oxidation products are intrepreted as danger-signals by the receptor TLR4. Subsequently, the body's innate immune system is activated. This defense machinery in turn leads to a chain of reactions with severe and often fatal lung damage as a consequence.
For Yumiko Imai, a Postdoc in Josef Penninger's team and pediatrician by training, these results are highly satisfying. Her motivation to study ARDS is based on personal experience in over 10 years at a pediatric intensive care unit. „I have seen so many children die from acute lung failure and felt utterly helpless", Imai says. „ Since we found a common injury pathway, our hopes are high that we may be able to develop a new and innovative strategy for tackling severe lung infections."
Research Institute of Molecular Pathology
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Current Events and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome News RSSMechanical ventilation for patients with lung damage don't always work as planned
As more Canadians are diagnosed with H1N1 influenza infection, some will be admitted to hospital. The most severely affected may be treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) and placed on a mechanical ventilator to help them breathe while they recover from the infection.
USU scientists report major advance in human antibody therapy against deadly Nipah virus
A collaborative research team from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), Australian Animal Health Laboratory and National Cancer Institute, a component of the National Institutes of Health, reports a major step forward in the development of an effective therapy against two deadly viruses, Nipah virus and the related Hendra virus.
Critical illness from 2009 H1N1 in Mexico associated with high fatality rate
Critical illness from 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in Mexico occurred among young patients, was associated with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock, and had a fatality rate of about 40 percent.
Most H1N1 patients with respiratory failure treated with oxygenating system survive illness
Despite the severity of disease and the intensity of treatment, most patients in Australia and New Zealand who experienced respiratory failure as a result of 2009 influenza A(H1N1) and were treated with a system that adds oxygen to the patient's blood survived the disease.
Intensive care procedure saves lives: Swine flu study
A research team has warned medical experts in the Northern Hemisphere not to underestimate the serious impact of the H1N1 (Swine flu) virus with a new report showing that many patients who were critically ill with the virus required prolonged life support treatment with heart-lung machines.
LSUHSC researcher identifies new target to prevent fatal flu lung complication
Research led by Dr. Jay Kolls, Professor and Chairman of Genetics at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, has identified a therapeutic target for acute lung injury resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome, a highly fatal complication of influenza infection.
The challenges of avian influenza virus: Mechanism, epidemiology and control
The latest special issue of Science in China Series C: Life Sciences focuses on the recent progress in the H5N1-related research field.
New therapy protects lungs from runaway inflammation
A novel anti-inflammatory therapy designed by Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators prevents acute lung injury in mice exposed to an inflammation-causing toxin, the researchers report in the journal Molecular Therapy.
Shades of 1918? New study compares avian flu with a notorious killer from the past
In the waning months of the First World War, a lethal virus known as the Spanish flu (influenza A, subtype H1N1), swept the United States, Europe and Asia in three convulsive waves.
ARDS mortality is unchanged since 1994
Mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has not fallen since 1994, according to a comprehensive review of major studies that assessed ARDS deaths. This disappointing finding contradicts the common wisdom that ARDS mortality has been in steady decline.
More Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Current Events and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome News Articles
 |
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Second Edition (Lung Biology in Health and Disease) by Augustine M. K. Choi (Editor) The only available text to focus primarily on Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Thoroughly revised content and ten new chapters provide pulmonologists with the latest developments and applications of pharmacological and mechanical therapies needed to treat the debilitating and difficult condition of ARDS. Key features: REVISION OF A BESTSELLER-Updated content and ten new chapters cover the latest developments and applications physicians need to treat ARDS EVALUATION OF CURRENT THERAPIES-Surfactant therapy, glucocorticoid therapy, invasive and non-invasive prone position forms of mechanical ventilation, and mesenchymal stem cells helps clinicians give patients the best possible care INTERNATIONAL TEAM OF EDITORS... |
 |
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Incorporated (Primary Contributor) |
 |
ARDS Awareness Ribbon Mouse Pad by MyHeritageWear.com The ARDS Ribbon proudly displayed on a mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for the meaning of the ARDS Ribbon than to display it on your mouse pad for everyone to see. The mouse pad measures at 9.25 x 7.75, it is machine washable, and the colors will not fade or run. Start gaining awareness today by presenting your ARDS Ribbon mouse pad at work or at home. It is certain to keep your mouse rolling in style all while gaining support and awareness! |
 |
Acute Respiratory Disorders (119) CD-ROM by Concept Media, a division of Jobson Medical Information LLC 6 CD series including these programs: [119.1] Pulmonary Embolism; [119.2] Pleural Effusion and Hemothorax; [119.3] Pneumothorax and Tension Pneumothorax; [119.4] Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome; instructor's guides in PDF format and self-grading description |
 |
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Lung Biology in Health and Disease) by Michael A. Matthay (Editor) The latest volume in the prestigious Lung Biology in Health and Disease series chronicles recent progress made in understanding ARDS at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels and in discovering pharmacologic and ventilatory approaches to better treat and resolve the condition. |
 |
The Official Patient's Sourcebook on Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Revised and Updated Directory for the Internet Age by ICON Health Publications (Author) This book has been created for patients who have decided to make education and research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it also gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it tells patients where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to acute respiratory distress syndrome (also Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Adult respiratory distress syndrome; Shock lung; Stiff lung), from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. The title of this book includes the word official. This reflects the fact that the sourcebook draws from public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research. Selected readings from various agencies are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information... |
 |
Beyond Medicine by Steve Yarnall (Author) BEYOND MEDICINE is the first major book about ARDS written for patients, families and medical professionals with input from patients themselves. ARDS effects over 150,000 individuals annually with a mortality rate of 30-50% or higher. Patients and families will find information and consolation in the stories of other patients with similar problems. Physicians, nurses and other medical professionals will get a patient-family perspective that they may have missed by focusing on the disease rather than on the person with the disease. BEYOND MEDICINE comes in an era of "Evidence-based Medicine" and protocol- based patient care. This engaging book reminds us to remember and use the healing forces of Love & Prayer, Touch & Humor, Music & Pets. Each of these elements of healing can... |
 |
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Comprehensive Clinical Approach by James A. Russell (Editor), Keith R. Walley (Editor) Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is the most lethal form of acute respiratory failure and presents one of the greatest challenges in critical care medicine. Yet despite its severity and complexity, few texts exist that are devoted to its diagnosis and management. After presenting the history and epidemiology of ARDS, clinicians will learn the basic science underlying its causes, and how to manage patients in the acute and later stages. Drs. Russell and Walley, along with a team of expert contributors, clearly explain such clinical issues as mechanical ventilation, pneumonia, multiple system organ failure, and cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology and monitoring. An extensive chapter on clinical assessment demonstrates the importance of total patient care. Thoroughly referenced,... |
 |
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, An Issue of Clinics in Chest Medicine (The Clinics: Surgery) by Alejandro Arroliga MD (Author), Michael Matthay MD (Author), Herbert Wiedemann MD (Author) Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a severe manifestation of acute lung injury, is a core concern of chest physicians. This issue provides a much-needed update to this topic, as there has been progress in several major areas in this specialty over the years. The latest studies are reviewed, as are the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment. |
|
Acute respiratory distress syndrome in a child with Kawasaki disease.: An article from: Southern Medical Journal by April Lynne Palmer (Author), Thomas Walker (Author), J. Clinton Smith (Author) This digital document is an article from Southern Medical Journal, published by Thomson Gale on October 1, 2005. The length of the article is 2226 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Acute respiratory distress syndrome in a child with Kawasaki disease. Author: April Lynne Palmer Publication: Southern Medical Journal (Magazine/Journal) Date: October 1, 2005 Publisher: Thomson Gale Volume: 98 Issue: 10 Page: 1031(3) Distributed by Thomson... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |