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Scientists develop method to track immune system enzyme in live animals

Researchers have created mouse strains that enable them to trace the activity of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) enzyme in live animals. This breakthrough allows scientists to understand how AID regulates the immune response and its role in autoimmunity and B cell tumor development.

News tips from ACS Chemical Biology

The journal ACS Chemical Biology explores recent discoveries in cellular function, including the inhibition of new blood vessel formation using an antifungal drug. Nanoparticles are also shown to enhance the delivery of short interfering RNAs to cells, potentially aiding clinical applications.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateApr 30, 2007

Single microRNA causes cancer in transgenic mouse

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that overexpression of microRNA miR155 leads to the development of a neoplastic disease in transgenic mice. The researchers believe that miR155 acts as an oncogene, promoting abnormal cell growth and cancerous transformations.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2006

JCI table of contents, February 23, 2006

Researchers found that a protein called alpha4-beta1 integrin promotes the homing of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells to tumor-associated blood vessels. Inhibiting this process could be useful in suppressing new blood vessel formation in tumors.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 23, 2006

JCI table of contents November, 2005

Researchers found that CA4P selectively targets endothelial cells, inducing regression of unstable vessels by disrupting VE-cadherin signaling. This discovery may lead to new avenues for targeting tumor neo-vessels and increasing the therapeutic window of anti-angiogenic agents.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 6, 2005

Study offers clues to origins of autoimmunity

Scientists discover that constant stimulation of antigens is necessary to maintain anergy in self-reactive B cells, which can lead to autoimmune diseases. The study suggests that pro-inflammatory products or bacterial infections may trigger the loss of anergy and activate these cells.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalNature Immunology·DateOct 2, 2005

Immune system finding paves way for vaccine use in some leukemia, lymphoma cancers

Researchers have found that few B cells are needed to trigger an effective T-cell immune response in certain cancers. A personalized vaccine used in a Phase I study resulted in an impressive 89% survival rate for patients with mantle cell lymphoma. The study paves the way for future vaccine use in other hematological cancers.

JCI table of contents June 1, 2005

Researchers discovered FGF-21 regulates glucose uptake in human fat cells, decreasing plasma glucose levels and triglycerides in diabetic animals. Additionally, FGF-21 protected animals from diet-induced obesity, defining a functional role for FGF-21 in vivo.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 2, 2005

TEL2 gene cooperates with MYC gene to provoke B-cell lymphomas

The TEL2 gene cooperates with MYC to increase the risk of precancerous B lymphocytes becoming cancerous. This cooperation leads to a mutation inactivating p53, allowing abnormal cells to multiply uncontrollably. The study suggests that TEL2 should be considered a diagnostic marker and/or a target for novel drugs to treat B-cell lymphoma.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology·DateMar 21, 2005

The very unexpected life and death of a leukemic cell

Researchers found that CLL cells divide at a fast rate and their production is variable, leading to fluctuations in disease activity. This dynamic interplay between cell division and death rates challenges the long-held view of CLL as an accumulative disorder.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 10, 2005

JCI table of contents

Researchers propose a new antiviral therapy targeting the smallpox growth factor, demonstrating effectiveness in lowering morbidity and mortality in infected mice. In another study, human bone marrow-derived stem cells are shown to regenerate myocardium after myocardial infarction, providing a potential approach for heart repair.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2005

Multi-purpose protein regulates new protein synthesis and immune cell development

The IRE1 protein plays a crucial role in regulating new protein synthesis and immune cell development. Researchers have found that IRE1 is essential for the development of B lymphocytes, which produce antibodies to fight infections. The study suggests that IRE1 could be a target for new drugs to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2005

Immune system contributes to evolution of a new fluorescent protein

Researchers used somatic hypermutation to evolve a red fluorescent protein with improved stability and color emission properties. The new protein, mPlum, was created by allowing B cells to mutate the gene at a rate of roughly a million times that of the genome. This process enabled the production of multiple mutations in a single cycle.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 22, 2004