 |
|
Research exposes new target for malaria drugs
August 05, 2008The malaria parasite has waged a successful guerrilla war against the human immune system for eons, but a study in this week's Journal of Biological Chemistry has exposed one of the tricks malaria uses to hide from the immune proteins, which may aid in future drug development.
Malaria parasites (plasmodia) are transmitted to people via infected mosquitoes. Once inside their human hosts the parasites first set up shop in liver cells, then move into red blood cells (RBCs) to replicate and wait for the next mosquito to help continue the cycle.
After plasmodia infect a blood cell, they send out clusters of sticky proteins to the cell surface, enabling them to attach to blood vessels and escape destruction by the host's spleen while they replicate. This tactic can be especially problematic during pregnancy as malaria-infected RBCs congregate in the vessel-rich placenta (the source of food and oxygen for the growing fetus), creating health problems such as anemia, low birth-weight, fever and more.
Targeting these sticky proteins with drugs is difficult, however, as plasmodia contain many different varieties, which they use to evade the human immune system. However, certain parts of the protein have to remain constant for proper function, and in this study, Matthew Higgins generated high-resolution 3-D structures of a malarial sticky protein that binds to placenta, PfEMP1, to detail how plasmodia protect these conserved areas.
Higgins found that a variable region of PfEMP1 covers a section that is important for docking up with the placental wall. When the infected RBC gets close to chondroitin sulphate, a structural molecule on blood vessels, the variable region moves aside and ever so briefly exposes the binding region, just enough to allow anchoring to take place. Higgins notes that women in regions where malaria is endemic do gain some immunity to the build-up of RBCs at the placenta after multiple pregnancies by developing an immune response for PfEMP1. Targeting this conserved binding domain of the protein with pharmaceuticals that mimic chondroitin sulphate and expose this region might be an approach to hasten this immunity.
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Targeting these sticky proteins with drugs is difficult, however, as plasmodia contain many different varieties, which they use to evade the human immune system. However, certain parts of the protein have to remain constant for proper function, and in this study, Matthew Higgins generated high-resolution 3-D structures of a malarial sticky protein that binds to placenta, PfEMP1, to detail how plasmodia protect these conserved areas.
Higgins found that a variable region of PfEMP1 covers a section that is important for docking up with the placental wall. When the infected RBC gets close to chondroitin sulphate, a structural molecule on blood vessels, the variable region moves aside and ever so briefly exposes the binding region, just enough to allow anchoring to take place. Higgins notes that women in regions where malaria is endemic do gain some immunity to the build-up of RBCs at the placenta after multiple pregnancies by developing an immune response for PfEMP1. Targeting this conserved binding domain of the protein with pharmaceuticals that mimic chondroitin sulphate and expose this region might be an approach to hasten this immunity.
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Science News and Science Current Events Tag Cloud
This tag cloud is a visual representation of term frequencies of random science news topics with common terms grouped together and emphasized by their display size.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Cholesterol Levels Dinosaurs Dead Zone Honey Bee Cell Phone Premature Birth Galaxies Logging Sinusitis Colon Polyps Fibromyalgia CPR Cancer Gene Folate Vaccination Prozac Cognitive Function Pathogens Stem Cell Transplant Whales Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Liver Cancer Tumor Suppressor Mitochondrial
See More: Science News Tags
Immune System Current Events and Immune System News RSSNew clue into how brain stem cells develop into cells which repair damaged tissue
The joint research, funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the UK MS Society as well as the National Institutes of Health and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, was conducted by scientists at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and University of Cambridge and was published today (01 July) in the journal Genes and Development.
UCLA collaboration identifies immune system link to schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disease, thought to be caused by the interaction of both genetic and environmental factors.
Researchers testing virus-gene therapy combination against melanoma
Researchers at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center are injecting a modified herpes virus into melanoma tumors, hoping to kill the cancer cells while also bolstering the body's immune defenses against the disease.
New lab-on-a-chip measures mechanics of bacteria colonies
Researchers at the University of Michigan have devised a microscale tool to help them understand the mechanical behavior of biofilms, slimy colonies of bacteria involved in most human infectious diseases.
Study identifies biomarker that safely monitors tumor response to new brain cancer treatment
A specific biomarker, a protein released by dying tumor cells, has been identified as an effective tool in an animal model to gauge the response to a novel gene therapy treatment for glioblastoma mulitforme.
Mayo Clinic study finds celiac disease 4 times more common than in 1950s
Celiac disease, an immune system reaction to gluten in the diet, is over four times more common today than it was 50 years ago, according to findings of a Mayo Clinic study published this month in the journal Gastroenterology.
UT researcher: Interferon alpha can delay full onset of type I diabetes
A low dose of oral interferon alpha shows promise in preserving beta cell function for patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, or juvenile diabetes.
Gene expression findings a step toward better classification and treatment of juvenile arthritis
Scientists have discovered gene expression differences that could lead to better ways to classify, predict outcome, and treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Scripps research scientists find key culprits in lupus
The more than 1.5 million Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus (or lupus) suffer from a variety of symptoms that flare and subside, often including painful or swollen joints, extreme fatigue, skin rashes, fever, and kidney problems.
Patients with moderate to severe periodontitis need evaluation for heart disease risk
Additional research is called for and patients with moderate to severe periodontitis should receive evaluation and possible treatment to reduce their risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).
More Immune System Current Events and Immune System News Articles
 |
How the Immune System Works (Blackwell's How It Works) by Lauren M. Sompayrac (Author) Understanding the immune system is crucial for both medical and bioscience students, with new research revealing yet more secrets year on year. Many books offer in-depth introductions to the subject, but How the Immune System Works remains uniquely popular for its personable and practical overview of the nuts and bolts of the immune system. This third edition provides a perfect introduction to the essential principles of the immune system, covered in humorous but highly informative 'lectures' accompanied by clear and accessible illustrations. It is perfect for exam preparation or as an enjoyable overview of a difficult subject. Both students and instructors will welcome the clarity and authority that Lauren Sompayrac brings to this timely revision. |
 |
Immunitril (90 Caps) - The Worlds Strongest Immune System Booster!! ***50% MORE*** by Optimal Therapeutics Immunitril Activate Immune Cells "The Body's First Line of Defense" Immunitril is the most complete immunity support formula available today. This revolutionary complex is a unique combination of herbs, extracts, minerals, and anti-oxidant vitamins providing maximum support for immune system function. The Best Treatment For an Illness is to Stop It Before it Starts! Immunitril's Many Benefits: Promotes Healthy Immune System Function Increases Healthy Digestive Microflora Supports the Function of White Blood Cells Anti-oxidant Protection Against Cellular Damage May Be Used Daily or When You Feel Your Immunity May Be At Risk Immunitril Contains All Of the Most Powerful Immune System Enhancing Ingredients! Ester C -The patented and improved form of Vitamin C Vitamin E -a powerful... |
 |
The Immune System by Peter Parham (Author) The Immune System, Second Edition has been designed for use in immunology courses for undergraduate, medical, dental, and pharmacy students. This class-tested and successful textbook synthesizes the established facts of immunology into a comprehensible, coherent, and up-to-date account of how the immune system works, rather than presenting immunology as a chronology of experiments and discoveries. Emphasizing the human immune system the text has been designed to break down the barriers which often divide basic and clinical immunology. The reader-friendly text, section and chapter summaries, and full-color illustrations make the book accessible and easily understandable to students. The Immune System is adapted from Immunobiology by Janeway, Travers & Walport. New in... |
 |
The Immune System 3e by Peter Parham (Author) The Immune System, Third Edition is designed for use in immunology courses for undergraduate, medical, dental, and pharmacy students. This class-tested and proven textbook synthesizes the established facts of immunology into a comprehensible, coherent, and up-to-date account of how the human immune system works and the effects it has on the health and survival of individuals and populations, making generous use of medical examples to illustrate points. The reader-friendly text, full-color illustrations, and section and chapter summaries make the book accessible and easily understandable to students. The Third Edition is a major revision and includes two new chapters: Innate Immunity (Chapter 2) and Principles of Adaptive Immunity (Chapter 3). Former... |
 |
90-Day Immune System Makeover by Siloam Press No matter how your health has been in the past, there is something you can do right now-a complete makeover to give you the vitality and energy to embrace life at your best! In just ninety days, Janet Maccaro will enable you to build and strengthen your immune system to bring your body into proper balance and experience disease-free living. Birthed out of Maccaro-s twenty-year struggle with poor health and immune dysfunction, this book provides time-tested natural alternatives to strengthen your body, mind, and spirit. If you-re tired of being sick and tired, and if you-re ready for a complete immune system makeover, this easy-to-follow guide to renewed health can show you how! |
 |
The Immune System Cure: Optimize Your Immune System in 30 Days-The Natural Way! by Kensington (Producer) |
 |
Human Immune System DVD Starring: Artist Not Provided The body’s immune system is essential for survival. Learn how it defends us against foreign substances, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, parasites, potentially toxic cells, or abnormal cells. The immune system attacks invaders, or antigens, and maintains a memory of doing so, thereby enabling it to respond more quickly and with greater strength if the body is ever exposed to the same threat again. Understand what antibodies are and learn how they’re produced. Immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases are discussed, so students will know what happens when the immune system does not function as it should. |
 |
Garden of Life Immune System Food, RM-10, 120 Caplets by Garden of Life Whole food dietary supplement.RM-10 is a combination of 10 tonic mushrooms synergistically balanced with Aloe Vera and the herb Uncaria Tomentosa (Cat's Claw). Select ingredients are produced through the Garden of Life proprietary Poten-Zyme process to make nutrients more available to the body. 100% Vegetarian. This product is made with natural ingredients; therefore color may vary from lot to lot. |
 |
Standard Process Canine Immune System Support 110 g by standard process |
 |
90-Day Immune System Makeover by Janet C. Maccaro (Author) No matter how your health has been in the past, there is something you can do right now—a complete makeover to give you the vitality and energy to embrace life at your best! In just ninety days, Janet Maccaro will enable you to build and strengthen your immune system to bring your body into proper balance and experience disease-free living. Birthed out of Maccaro’s twenty-year struggle with poor health and immune dysfunction, this book provides time-tested natural alternatives to strengthen your body, mind, and spirit. If you’re tired of being sick and tired, and if you’re ready for a complete immune system makeover, this easy-to-follow guide to renewed health can show you how! |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |