Tag Archives: autoimmunity

Is multiple sclerosis triggered by immunological cross-recognition between an ancient virus and brain cell proteins?

AoS. Is multiple sclerosis triggered by immunological cross-recognition

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease where immune cells (T cells) and antibodies progressively damage the myelin sheath surrounding nerve cells leading to their loss of function. We have a reasonable understanding of the disease process

The cellular protein (cFLIP) downregulates IFN-alpha, a signaling protein involved in the pathogenesis of SLE

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disorder that manifests itself within various organs of the body. It is observed in women more often than men. While clinical presentations may vary widely, hallmarks of SLE include

Novel anti-inflammatory adjuvants for vaccines to prevent and/or treat autoimmune diseases

The increase during the last 30 years in the incidence of autoimmune diseases (AD) in the developed countries, points to environmental rather than genetic risk factors. Indeed, studies have shown that ADs are rare in countries where

Increased blood immune regulation in autoimmunity?

Through centuries, the immune system evolved to become highly proficient in protecting the human body from invading threats. Part of its strength relies on antibodies produced within germinal centres (GC). These structures form intricate networks of immune

Chemokines, an answer to the gut inflammation?

Our gut is a complex organ which not only digests the food but also acts as an immune organ. The gut is lined by a single layer of specialized cells called as intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) which

Identification of a new T cell regulator

T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling is mediated by the activation of protein-tyrosine kinases such as p56lck and ZAP-70. In mature T-cells, CD4 and CD8 molecules bind to p56lck which then phosphorylates the intracellular immune-receptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAM)

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection empowers B lymphocytes for autoimmunity

The human body is under constant threat of foreign invaders (bacteria, viruses, parasites) that can cause infectious diseases. The reason why this often does not occur is the immune system, a complex collection of molecules and cells

The mother’s latent immune disease can affect her unborn child

At birth our immune system is still immature but fully develops during our childhood, and when we encounter different infectious threats it adapts and generates a memory that will protect us if we are exposed to the

Collateral damages and self-inflicted scars by inflammation in cardiovascular diseases

Inflammation is a double-edged sword used by the body to initiate the healing process. However, persistence of immune responses can cause progressive destruction of tissues culminating in self-destructive autoimmune reactions which is a hallmark of many diseases. 

Alternative splicing: the new frontier in diabetes research

The human genome is predicted to contain 22.000 coding genes, but more than 200.000 proteins are expressed in human cells. This discrepancy is explained at least in part by the presence of alternative splicing (AS), a key

Exorcising autoimmunity

Moderately intense physical exercise, performed at regular intervals, is now firmly recognized as a safe and effective intervention by which to enhance quality of life. Despite this awareness, for many of us, as our age increases, so

How the immune system is regulated by small RNAs called microRNAs to prevent self-attacks leading to autoimmunity

The ability to properly engage the different arms of the immune response is essential for protection from pathogens but also for preventing autoimmune reactions against normal tissue. Central to autoimmune prevention are a class of white blood

Could cancer be cured by inducing an autoimmune disease against It?

Might there be some way to make a microbial protein that the immune system normally overlooks (a “non-antigen”) into a target for an active immune response (an “antigen”)? Could one co-opt the immune system to produce an

Vaccines and autoimmunity

The human immune system (and of other animals as well), have been developed historically to prevent infections by invading microorganisms, bacteria, viruses etc. This system is not supposed to react against the components of the body itself.