Cole Winsor
Author: University of Utah Health Sciences
Published: may 15, 2014
link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140515123204.htm
summary: Mice with multiple sclerosis were able to walk after two weeks following treatment with human stem cells. It was first expected that the mice would reject the stem cells much like an organ transplant. However the scientist were all very surprised when the transplant worked and the rats were cured of their multiple sclerosis. after 10 to 14 days the rats could move again and after six months they still seemed fine. The treatment seemed to have a reversal of symptoms and could help people with more progressive forms of MS, which has no cure right now. in fact after i week there were no stem cells left in the mice, however in the time that the stem cells were present they sent out chemical signals, which caused a repair of the myelin. this could point to the possibility that drugs could be developed that mimicked these effects in a patient.
connection: This article connects to the systems of the human body. In this case it is focusing on the nervous system. multiple sclerosis is a disease which we learned about during the presentation on the nervous system by our classmates.It is an autoimmune disease which we also learned about in class. It talks about myelin sheaths, which are important in quickening nervous responses. that is how it connects to what we have learned about in class.
Showing posts with label autoimmune disease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label autoimmune disease. Show all posts
Monday, May 19, 2014
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Researchers discover how vascular disease activates autoimmune disorders
Carter Terranova
Author: Cell Press
Date: Jan. 9, 2014
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140109132303.htm
Summary:
In a recent study, the University of Texas Health and Science Center found that a molecule that causes atherosclerosis also activates T cells that are responsible for autoimmune disorders. First, the team led by Yeonseok Chung speculated that since patients with T cell-mediated autoimmune disorders have a much higher risk of getting atherosclerosis, then the correlation between those diseases could be explained by the activation of T cells from oxLDL. OxLDL stands for oxidized low-density lipoprotein, which is a type of molecule that activates the immune system and is more abundant in patients with vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. To get their results, the team exposed atherosclerotic mice to an autoimmune disease causing molecule, and then treated the mice with an agent that prevents the activity of Th17 cells (cells that increase in numbers from oxLDL). After that, symptoms of the autoimmune diseases improved. The study shows that the circulatory system has an impact on immune diseases and that in treatment controlling oxLDL levels could improve the efficiency of treatment.
Connection:
This article connects to what we have been learning by including things like the circulatory system and its diseases, as well as autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In class, we have learned that the circulatory system's main function is to bring nutrients, oxygen, and blood to and from the cells. Also, atherosclerosis, a circulatory system disease, is caused by the build up of plaque from fat, cholesterol, and other substances in your arteries and over time hardens and narrows those arteries, limiting the flow of oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. This disease can lead to heart attacks, strokes, or death and is connected to autoimmune diseases as mentioned in the article above. Lastly, when studying skeletal system diseases, we learned about rheumatoid arthritis which is a type of autoimmune disease that leads to inflammation of joints and other tissues and is also a type of T cell-mediated autoimmune disease that increases the risk of getting atherosclerosis and was one of the autoimmune diseases targeted in the study above.
Summary:
In a recent study, the University of Texas Health and Science Center found that a molecule that causes atherosclerosis also activates T cells that are responsible for autoimmune disorders. First, the team led by Yeonseok Chung speculated that since patients with T cell-mediated autoimmune disorders have a much higher risk of getting atherosclerosis, then the correlation between those diseases could be explained by the activation of T cells from oxLDL. OxLDL stands for oxidized low-density lipoprotein, which is a type of molecule that activates the immune system and is more abundant in patients with vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. To get their results, the team exposed atherosclerotic mice to an autoimmune disease causing molecule, and then treated the mice with an agent that prevents the activity of Th17 cells (cells that increase in numbers from oxLDL). After that, symptoms of the autoimmune diseases improved. The study shows that the circulatory system has an impact on immune diseases and that in treatment controlling oxLDL levels could improve the efficiency of treatment.
Connection:
This article connects to what we have been learning by including things like the circulatory system and its diseases, as well as autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In class, we have learned that the circulatory system's main function is to bring nutrients, oxygen, and blood to and from the cells. Also, atherosclerosis, a circulatory system disease, is caused by the build up of plaque from fat, cholesterol, and other substances in your arteries and over time hardens and narrows those arteries, limiting the flow of oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. This disease can lead to heart attacks, strokes, or death and is connected to autoimmune diseases as mentioned in the article above. Lastly, when studying skeletal system diseases, we learned about rheumatoid arthritis which is a type of autoimmune disease that leads to inflammation of joints and other tissues and is also a type of T cell-mediated autoimmune disease that increases the risk of getting atherosclerosis and was one of the autoimmune diseases targeted in the study above.
Breakthrough model holds promise for treating Graves' Disease
Sarah Jackman
Author: Endocrine Society
Published: September 13, 2013
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130903101545.htm
Summary:
Graves' disease is caused by an autoimmune response, meaning the immune system attacks its own tissues. The thyroid gland produces too much not enough hormones because antibodies are attacking it. If untreated, this disease could cause major heath problems such as heart disease. One problem caused by Graves' Disease are eye problems, which are called Graves' orbitopathy. Swelling tissues press up against the back of the eye causing pain and potentially blindness in the eye. Currently, Graves' orbitopathy is treated with steroids, but they are not an ideal treatment. Dr. J. Paul Banga created an experiment to create an animal model of Graves' orbitopathy in order to find a better treatment. His team of researchers used mice to perform the experiment. To stimulate Graves' orbitopathy, researchers used plasmids, and electric pulses to ensure the plasmids had inserted themselves self into the cells. After three months, the mice that had received the plasmids exhibited the same problems humans with Graves' Disease expressed.
Connection:
This connects to our unit that we will be learning about this term about the immune system. It connects to a major theme of the human body, homeostatic imbalances. In Graves' disease, the thyroid is over or under active depending on whether one has hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The over and under productions of hormones causes homeostatic imbalance. This article also connects to an idea from a previous unit. Plasmids were discussed a term or two ago when we discussed recombiant DNA technology and cloning.
Author: Endocrine Society
Published: September 13, 2013
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130903101545.htm
Summary:
Graves' disease is caused by an autoimmune response, meaning the immune system attacks its own tissues. The thyroid gland produces too much not enough hormones because antibodies are attacking it. If untreated, this disease could cause major heath problems such as heart disease. One problem caused by Graves' Disease are eye problems, which are called Graves' orbitopathy. Swelling tissues press up against the back of the eye causing pain and potentially blindness in the eye. Currently, Graves' orbitopathy is treated with steroids, but they are not an ideal treatment. Dr. J. Paul Banga created an experiment to create an animal model of Graves' orbitopathy in order to find a better treatment. His team of researchers used mice to perform the experiment. To stimulate Graves' orbitopathy, researchers used plasmids, and electric pulses to ensure the plasmids had inserted themselves self into the cells. After three months, the mice that had received the plasmids exhibited the same problems humans with Graves' Disease expressed.
Connection:
This connects to our unit that we will be learning about this term about the immune system. It connects to a major theme of the human body, homeostatic imbalances. In Graves' disease, the thyroid is over or under active depending on whether one has hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The over and under productions of hormones causes homeostatic imbalance. This article also connects to an idea from a previous unit. Plasmids were discussed a term or two ago when we discussed recombiant DNA technology and cloning.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Sophia Li
Author: Hui Chen
Published: April 1, 2014
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140401173136.htm
Summary
Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has recently been approved in Europe as a basic therapy for multiple sclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that affects nerve fibers by damaging their myelin sheaths. The cause of multiple sclerosis is uknown and the disease has no cure, but there are several possible treatments for affected people. Basic MS therapy usually involves beta interferons or glatiramer acetate, which are administered by injections under the skin or into the muscle, causing great discomfort to many patients. However, DMF can be taken as a tablet and has much less side effects. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research and the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Lubeck used a standardized mouse model of multiple sclerosis, whereby drugs trigger an autoimmune response. Using this model, they induced neurological deficits similar to those observed in multiple sclerosis. In this experiment, the group treated with DMF had significantly less problems in motor function than the control group. Researchers also discovered that DMF's protective effect is due to the HCA2 receptor. The activation of the HCA2 receptor is responsible for infiltration of the CNS, and DMF blocks this infiltration, theryby preventing inflammation. In mice without the HCA2 receptor, DMF was unable to prevent the signs or paralysis caused by multiple sclerosis. Scientists believe that patients respond differently to DMF treatment because individual genetic differences infulence the efficacy of DMF. Researchers also intend to search for additional substances that bind to the HCA2 receptor that may even have a greater efficacy with fewer side effects.
Connection
This article connects to our study of nervous system, the immune system, and autoimmune diseases. We learned in class that autoimmune diseases are caused when the immune system turns against some of the body's own molecules or "self"cells. While studying about the immune and nervous system, we learned that multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system. T cells attack the myelin sheaths that cover the axons of neurons. Multiple sclerosis can cause fatigue, tingling, and numbness, as well as interfere with memory, talking, and concentration. As mentioned in the article, while there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, there are many treatments. Medicines for autoimmune diseases usually replace the destroyed "self cells," suppress the immune response, or treat specific symptoms. DMF is an example of one of these medicines.
Author: Hui Chen
Published: April 1, 2014
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140401173136.htm
Summary
Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has recently been approved in Europe as a basic therapy for multiple sclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that affects nerve fibers by damaging their myelin sheaths. The cause of multiple sclerosis is uknown and the disease has no cure, but there are several possible treatments for affected people. Basic MS therapy usually involves beta interferons or glatiramer acetate, which are administered by injections under the skin or into the muscle, causing great discomfort to many patients. However, DMF can be taken as a tablet and has much less side effects. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research and the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Lubeck used a standardized mouse model of multiple sclerosis, whereby drugs trigger an autoimmune response. Using this model, they induced neurological deficits similar to those observed in multiple sclerosis. In this experiment, the group treated with DMF had significantly less problems in motor function than the control group. Researchers also discovered that DMF's protective effect is due to the HCA2 receptor. The activation of the HCA2 receptor is responsible for infiltration of the CNS, and DMF blocks this infiltration, theryby preventing inflammation. In mice without the HCA2 receptor, DMF was unable to prevent the signs or paralysis caused by multiple sclerosis. Scientists believe that patients respond differently to DMF treatment because individual genetic differences infulence the efficacy of DMF. Researchers also intend to search for additional substances that bind to the HCA2 receptor that may even have a greater efficacy with fewer side effects.
Connection
This article connects to our study of nervous system, the immune system, and autoimmune diseases. We learned in class that autoimmune diseases are caused when the immune system turns against some of the body's own molecules or "self"cells. While studying about the immune and nervous system, we learned that multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system. T cells attack the myelin sheaths that cover the axons of neurons. Multiple sclerosis can cause fatigue, tingling, and numbness, as well as interfere with memory, talking, and concentration. As mentioned in the article, while there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, there are many treatments. Medicines for autoimmune diseases usually replace the destroyed "self cells," suppress the immune response, or treat specific symptoms. DMF is an example of one of these medicines.
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