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Researchers from the CSIC, the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Barcelona have developed a new organic molecules that stimulate T cell action Suitable for use as adjuvants in vaccines, or to treat autoimmune diseases, infections or cancer, have a great advantage over previous molecules, modulate the immune response by the leucocytes selectively produce one kind or another cytokine, proteins that are part of the ‘defensive arsenal’ of the immune system.
Why are vaccines that are ineffective? Although there are many factors involved, part of the answer may lie in the limitations of existing adjuvants. It is also believed that some vaccines are in development and have a low rate of effectiveness, such as malaria and HIV, could improve substantially if used other adjuvants.
At the Institute of Advanced Chemistry Catalunya in Barcelona CSIC has developed a series of new molecules that stimulate the proliferation of T lymphocytes (T cells “natural killers”) that could be used as adjuvants in vaccine development. The researchers, led by Amadeu Llebaria CSIC researcher has had the participation of scientists from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the University of Barcelona.
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Unlike normal antigens can bind to receptors in several points of T lymphocytes, succeeding in an exorbitant number attivane
The super-antigens produced by some staphylococci and other organisms act in a much more complex than previously thought. A show is a study conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, show that in an article published in the journal Nature Communications.
“The super-antigens have considerable ability to disrupt the body’s immune system,” says Karin Lindkvist, who led the study. “If you are infected with bacteria expressing super-antigens, the immune system will respond with such force that sicken. Our study shows that they activate the immune system in more ways than previously thought.”
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Tiny variations in a protein could be behind the strange ability of some individuals to control HIV infection without medication. So suggests a study published in the latest issue of the journal Science, Which reveals how these changes affect the effectiveness of the immune response.
“Of the three billion nucleotide genome contains only a handful of them are decisive in determining who is able to maintain their health in spite of HIV infection and those without treatment, will develop AIDS,” says Bruce Walker, lead author and director of Ragon (USA).
The international team of scientists has described differences in five amino acids in a protein called HLA-B, which are associated with the ability of HIV-infected individuals to control (or no) levels of the virus, only through your system immune.
“Understanding where lies the difference will allow us to dominate the immune system to fend of HIV,” says Walker.
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Researchers in the U.S. have discovered a cell of the immune system that prevents other body cells to attack the self: a potential strategy against autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, lupus or Crohn’s disease are due to hyperactivity of the defense system that no longer tolerates the “self” and destroys cells or substances the organization. We then find the patient autoantibodies, ie, molecules that recognize foreign antigens as (“markers”) of the self. Often ignore the causes of autoimmune diseases, but genetic predisposition and a trigger (virus, bacteria, a food antigen, etc..) Could be causing the disruption of the immune system. Hye-Jung Kim of the Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues have discovered immune system cells that interfere with this disorder, preventing the production of autoantibodies.
The immune system is supposed to defend the body against foreign pathogens and abnormal cells or cancer itself. To do this, cells called B and T lymphocytes recognize antigenic proteins on the surface of the intruders.
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Researchers from Vall d’ Hebron Research Institute ( VHIR ) lead a landmark study showing that it is possible to change the composition of the so-called intestinal flora ( intestinal microbiota ) transplantation. All this changes will further maintain , until three months after transplantation.
The ability to validate treatments that can make changes in the composition of the flora would be a before and after in those diseases where there is scientific evidence that intestinal flora plays a role.
This research, published today in the journal Genome Research, makes it possible to introduce new species in the normal intestinal flora just by taking and contends that it is not necessary to remove previously part of the existing flora with antibiotics as previously thought.
Although the work has been performed in mice , the future implications for human health are assumed high importance. The functionality of the genes of the bacteria found in our intestines are key to certain diseases in which the bacteria have a decisive influence through its action on nutrition (obesity ) and the immune system (inflammatory bowel disease ).
The interaction and symbiosis between humans and their bacterial community ( intestinal flora ) is very wide and is particularly important in several aspects of its physiology , such as immune response , metabolism of fats, or the production of new blood vessels.
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Understanding the costs of immunity and immunomodulation of hormones is central to understand its role in the evolutionary history of life and man
One study by researchers at Indiana University has put the energy costs of maintenance and activation of the immune system in humans , as part of a study to assess the cost-benefit balance of the immune mechanisms by evolutionary point of view .
” The metabolic response to infection or trauma is also read so far been little studied in spite of the fact that most studies of evolutionary anthropology is based on the assumption that conservation and the activation of the immune system has a cost , “said Michael Muehlenbein first signatory of ‘article on ‘ American Journal of Human Biology describing the study.
The researchers assessed the basal metabolism of a group of subjects in good health and following a slight respiratory infection and found that on average in the latter situation the metabolism speeds up 8 percent while there is also lower testosterone levels of 10 percent, but in the most “severe “have also noted a decline in testosterone over 30 percent and an acceleration of the metabolism of 14 percent.
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An international team led by the Hospital Research Institute of the Sea ( IMIM ) and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York (USA ) has identified a new molecular mechanism of antibody production by B lymphocytes This discovery opens the door to new treatments for autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis , and possibly immune system tumors such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma .
The research group IMIM B cells , led by Andrea Cerutti, ICREA research professor , has discovered a new mechanism for activation of B cells, the cells that produce antibodies through BAFF molecules and APRIL . These molecules promote the interaction of MyD88 signaling protein with TACI , a receptor that stimulates B cell activation and the production and diversification of antibodies.
It is noteworthy that MyD88 is a signaling protein that is usually not involved in the activation of B cells , but which is necessary for the innate immune system cells detect the presence of pathogens. Diversification and plasticity of the immune system are essential to achieve an adequate immune protection . The interaction between TACI and MyD88 described in this study reveals a surprising link between the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system . TACIS- MyD88 interaction increases the efficiency of the immune system by increasing the plasticity.
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Allergy is extremely widespread disease that affects more than 15 % of the population in Western societies .
Moreover, its incidence is constantly rising . Several cytokines secreted by basophils and mast cells are the source of severe symptoms . The usual treatments are designed to neutralize the effects of cytokines rather than blocking their secretion . Therefore, a deeper understanding of biochemical processes that are responsible for this condition is essential to develop better approaches for its treatment more specific . The research team of Professor Israel Pecht of the Weizmann Institute employs a technology that uses synthetic peptides based on a natural component of complement , to treat allergy.
The secretory response of mast cells and basophils is one of the most powerful effector mechanisms of the immune system . The allergic reaction develops from the activation of these cells , followed by the release of cytokines. Sequences of peptides that were originally identified within the sequence of complement component C3a were re-examined and synthesized . The team found that these sequences were very effective inhibitors of mast cell secretory response of type mucosa .
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The German Agency for Research resources ( DFG ) supports a new program of research on interactions between immune system and human bone , the program 1468 ” Osteoimmunology - Immunobone . Immunobone will be funded by the DFG to the tune of 7.1 million euros over the next 3 years. This interdisciplinary project brings together 22 institutes spread throughout Germany and is coordinated by Georg Schett , director of the clinic 3 to the University of Erlangen ( Bavaria).
The osteo- immunology is a relatively new area of research that relies on the assumption that there exists a close link between the immune system and bone .
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In the Department of Immunology , the team of Professor Lea Eisenbach identified new peptide sequences from breast , prostate , and bladder that could be used as a target for anti-tumor vaccines .
The usual local treatment such as surgery or ablation therapy is the key point for the treatment of primary cancer . This treatment is curative for a certain percentage of patients. However , many tumors will recur either locally or remotely . Therefore, the prevention or treatment of metastasis represents a major challenge in clinical oncology . This finding current causes the immune system to fight cancer by activating the endogenous response of T cells against tumors and their metastases and may provide long term protection against recurrence .
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Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, lupus or Crohn’s disease are due to hyperactivity of the defense system that no longer tolerates the “self” and destroys cells or substances the organization. We then find the patient autoantibodies, ie, molecules that recognize foreign antigens as (“markers”) of the self. Often ignore the causes of autoimmune diseases, but genetic predisposition and a trigger (virus, bacteria, a food antigen, etc..) Could be causing the disruption of the immune system. Hye-Jung Kim of the Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues have discovered immune system cells that interfere with this disorder, preventing the production of autoantibodies.