Results Lay Groundwork for New, More Targeted Immune Therapies. New UC San Francisco research sheds light on how immune system B cells that infiltrate the central nervous system may drive multiple sclerosis (MS), pointing the way to a new generation of targeted immune therapies to halt the progression of the disease. MS is a common...
Tag: <span>plasma B cells</span>
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Preliminary study of 300+ COVID-19 patients suggests convalescent plasma therapy effective
American Journal of Pathology publishes efficacy results from Houston Methodist clinical trial HOUSTON METHODIST HOUSTON METHODIST PHYSICIAN SCIENTIST ERIC SALAZAR, MD, PHD, LOOKS ON AS HIS TEAM WORKS IN THE LAB ON CONVALESCENT PLASMA RESEARCH. view more CREDIT: HOUSTON METHODIST HOUSTON-(Aug. 12, 2020) – A preliminary analysis of an ongoing study of more than 300...
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Drug prevents multiple sclerosis relapses in phase 3 trial
by University of California, San Francisco A newly completed phase 3, multicenter clinical trial has found that an immune-modulating drug can silence inflammatory disease activity in a large majority of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS)—the most common form of the illness, in which symptoms wax and wane. MS is an autoimmune disease in which...
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Immunoprotein impairs Sars-Cov-2
An endogenous protein prevents the virus from fusing with host cells RUHR-UNIVERSITY BOCHUM STEPHANIE PFÄNDER IS LOOKING FOR GENES THAT INHIBIT CORONA VIRUSES. view more CREDIT: RUB, MARQUARD A protein produced by the human immune system can strongly inhibit corona viruses, including Sars-Cov-2, the pathogen causing Covid-19. An international team from Germany, Switzerland and the...
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Immune response to COVID-19’s spike protein – the secret to a successful vaccine?
by Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Scientists have uncovered how a crucial component of the immune system responds to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19—important information for future validation of vaccine candidates. Coronavirus particles have a corona (crown) of proteins that resemble spikes, which enable the virus to attach and...
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The protein that stands between us and autoimmunity
by Osaka University Tet-mediated B cell tolerance Tet2/3-deficient B cells are activated by self-antigen and express exaggerated amount of CD86. Then those B cells stimulate autoreactive CD4+ T cells, resulting in autoimmune response. Credit: Osaka University The immune system is supposed to protect from external microbial invaders, but sometimes it turns its efforts inward, potentially...
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B-cell protectors
MAX DELBRÜCK CENTER FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE IN THE HELMHOLTZ ASSOCIATION THE PROTEIN PDAP1 (RED) IS LOCATED IN THE CYTOPLASM OF B CELLS. view more CREDIT: DI VIRGILIO, MDC Whenever a germ gets into the human body, the immune system usually responds immediately to fight off the enemy attacker. One of our defense system’s most important...
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Scientists investigate a powerful protein behind antibody development
become T follicular helper cells (Tfh cells, shown in blue), which work with B cells (shown in green) to produce powerful antibodies. Activated B cells give rise germinal centers (shown in red), where mature B cells proliferate and produce highly specific antibodies against pathogens. Bcl6 blocks the expression of two proteins that normally stop Tfh...
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A metabolic enzyme drives lymphoma and is a potential drug target
by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Because of how aggressively they divide, cancer cells have an increased demand for building materials and energy. They meet these added demands by altering their metabolism—taking in larger amounts of fuel, for example. Historically, these metabolic changes have been considered a consequence rather than a cause of cancer, and...
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Engineer uses mechanical resistance to detect damage to red blood cells
by Karen B. Roberts, University of Delaware According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 37 million people are living with kidney disease. The kidneys play an important role in the body, from removing waste products to filtering the blood. For people with kidney disease, dialysis can help the body perform these essential functions when...
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