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'Jekyll and Hyde' protein linked to type 1 diabetes

A new study published in PNAS reveals how the GAD65 protein changes shape when activated, potentially linking it to type 1 diabetes. The research found that antibodies interact with the protein differently depending on its state, which may affect vaccine development for the disease.

SourceMonash University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 2014

The protective milk shot

Researchers discovered that pigs from infected mothers suffer less from the infection than those from non-infected mothers. The study found that maternal antibodies in the sow's milk protect piglets from infections in the first few weeks of life, leading to fewer cases of severe diarrhoea and faster recovery.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalVeterinary Parasitology·DateMay 23, 2014

Learning from sharks

Researchers discovered that shark antibodies possess structural characteristics making them robust against dehydration, leading to enhanced stability in human antibody fragments. This breakthrough enables the development of improved therapeutic and diagnostic antibodies with increased efficacy.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 15, 2014

Adhesion molecule shows promise for treating colitis

Scientists have found that targeting adhesion molecule CD146 with anti-CD146 antibody AA98 shows promise in reducing inflammation and tumor incidence in mice with colitis. The study suggests that CD146 plays a dual role in promoting inflammation, making it a potential therapeutic target for treating inflammatory bowel disease and preve...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateApr 28, 2014

NIH grantees sharpen understanding of antibodies that may cut risk of HIV infection

Two studies found that only one subclass of V1V2-directed IgG antibodies, the IgG3 subclass, is associated with antiviral responses linked to the reduced risk of HIV infection seen in the RV144 trial. More research is needed to determine whether these antibodies protected some vaccinees from HIV infection.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 19, 2014

Diagnosing diseases with smartphones

University of Houston researchers create a system to diagnose diseases in real time using smartphones and $20 lens attachments. The device uses gold nanoholes to detect chemical interactions between disease-causing agents and antibodies, providing quick and affordable readouts.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalACS Photonics·DateMar 10, 2014

New molecules doom proteins with kiss of death

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new type of antibody, called a ubiquibody, which can target specific proteins for destruction. This technology could provide a powerful way to fine-tune research on protein deletion or reduction, and may also prove useful for future drug therapies.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 5, 2014

Malaria drug combo could help prevent pregnancy complications in lupus patients

Researchers at Yale University found that a combination of hydroxychloroquine may partially reverse the detrimental effects of antiphospholipid antibodies on human placental cell function, potentially benefiting pregnant women with lupus and/or antiphospholipid syndrome. This could lead to improved pregnancy outcomes for these patients.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal Of Reproductive Immunology·DateJan 22, 2014

'Barcode' profiling enables analysis of hundreds of tumor marker proteins at once

Researchers have developed a novel DNA-barcoded antibody sensing approach to analyze hundreds of cancer-related protein markers from miniscule patient samples. This technology enables comprehensive analysis of protein expression patterns in single cells, revealing significant differences between tumors and predicting treatment response.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 15, 2014

In men, high testosterone can mean weakened immune response, Stanford study finds

A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that men with high testosterone levels have a weakened immune response to the flu vaccine, whereas women and men with lower testosterone levels have a stronger response. The study also discovered that testosterone interacts with genes in a way that dampens immune response.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 23, 2013