immune

Experiments illuminate key component of plants' immune systems




immune

Potential role for BCG in treatment of autoimmune diseases




immune

Retroviral particles in human immune defenses - is AIDS orthodoxy dead wrong?

We have previously published articles by the Australian AIDS-and-biology researcher Cal Crilly, and here is yet another installment. Cal is someone who digs into scientific studies. He does biological detective work and finds gems that hide in plain view, things we don't normally understand and that even the experts do not see as they are not trained to put discordant facts together and question basic assumptions. What this new article tells us is that retroviruses - the same kind that are thought to cause immune deficiency or AIDS - are useful and necessary for our immune system to function correctly. That of course tends to leave the hypothesis of a viral causation of AIDS in grave trouble. I say 'hypothesis' because no one has proven, or even come close to a coherent explanation for, the mechanism of AIDS causation by HIV. How does a retrovirus that is by nature a benign particle, cause devastation of the immune system? Here we have several scientific studies published in the world's finest journals, which attest to the fact that retroviruses are part and parcel of the human organism, that they are needed to provide certain defensive capabilities against invaders, and that they are not pathogenic. So we might ask ourselves why HIV tests (thought to indicate the presence of a retrovirus) are still performed, and why doctors are still recommending the use of toxic anti-retroviral drugs to kill what, rather than a foreign invader, appears to be part of normal human metabolic processes. Cal Crilly lays it out for you, citing and linking the sources......




immune

Bush Administration Immune from Whistleblowers...

Posted without comment for your consternation:

On Labor Day, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) issued a press release whose title summarizes its contents all too neatly: Bush Declares Eco-Whistleblower Law Void for EPA Employees. Here's some of it:

Washington, DC - The Bush administration has declared itself immune from whistleblower protections for federal workers under the Clean Water Act, according to legal documents released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). As a result of an opinion issued by a unit within the Office of the Attorney General, federal workers will have little protection from official retaliation for reporting water pollution enforcement breakdowns, manipulations of science or cleanup failures.


The rest of the post on the terrific blog Effect Measure




immune

Immune System Boosting Foods

Foods that provide the human body with the correct fuel to boost and strengthen the immune system.




immune

Ecumenism: The Autoimmune Disease in the Body of Christ

As Orthodox Christians in a non-Orthodox culture, we have questions: Who are we? What is "the Church"? What is our relationship to friends and family of other faiths? What is ecumenism? Who will be saved? In this special edition of Hearts and Minds, Fr John Oliver offers a few reflections.




immune

Reeves 'not immune' to criticism over NI hike

The chancellor defends the rise in employer contributions telling BBC public finances had to be strengthened.




immune

Activia+ Multi-Benefit Drinkable Yogurt with Added Nutrients Helps Support Your Immune System

The new Activia+ Multi-Benefit Probiotic Yogurt Drinks4 are packed with billions of live and active probiotics that help support your gut health, plus are an excellent source (20% DV) of Vitamins C, D and Zinc to support your immune system.




immune

GoodBelly KIDS!, GoodBelly Immune Support

GoodBelly Immune Support dials up an efficacious dose of probiotics that have been proven to support the body's immune system and reduce the frequency, duration and symptoms of the common cold. 




immune

Kemin: Immune Support

The water-dispersible forms join Kemin Human Nutrition and Health’s BetaVia™ line of algae-sourced beta-glucan that has been clinically validated to support the immune system while protecting against oxidative stress.1




immune

Honey Gardens Elderberry Honey Immune Drink Mix

With immunity a top priority, Honey Gardens released its new Elderberry Honey Immune Drink Mix featuring elderberry, honey and apple cider vinegar in convenient packets that make it easy to add to a daily regimen of wellness.




immune

NUTRISHOP Daily Immune Support Super Multi+

Super Multi+ combines vitamins and minerals with five vital blends to support overall health and the immune system.




immune

Fruit Balls: Immune Booster

Continuing to expand its popular Nature’s Garden line of products, Cibo Vita introduced Fruit Balls: Immune Booster, an innovative way to boost the immune system with vital minerals, vitamins and probiotics. The plant-based Fruit Balls are also filling, healthy and deliver flavor. 




immune

LIFEWTR Immune Support

LIFEWTR, a premium bottled water brand committed to advancing and showcasing sources of creativity, debuted LIFEWTR Immune Support, a new water beverage with 10% of the recommended daily value of Zinc, aiding normal immune function.




immune

Gelita: Immune Support

Immune health is one of the fastest growing supplement categories, and it is here to stay. After vitamins and minerals led the first wave of immunity supplements, protein is now emerging as a critical nutrient. 




immune

GELITA: Sports, Immune Nutrition

GELITA will use this year’s virtual Natural Products Expo West event to discuss how GELITA Bioactive Collagen Peptides® (BCP®) are ideal for sports nutrition supplements. Strong ligaments and tendons, bones, and joints, also identified as “white tissue,” are a vital precondition for this. BCP® support white tissue and thus, help to build stamina, strength, athletic agility as well as performance. 




immune

Blue California: Immune Health

Blue California’s Taxifolin BC-DHQ® with super antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties is now Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) in a range of foods and beverages following a letter of no objection from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 




immune

Failure by immune cells worsens Alzheimer's disease

University of Coimbra Failure by immune cells worsens Alzheimer's disease, reveals study by the University of Coimbra A team from the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra (UC) in Portugal discovered how some cells of the immune system lose the ability to fight Alzheimer's disease. This new knowledge can help to find a definitive diagnosis. Ana Luísa Cardoso, the coordinator of the research group, explains that "We found that monocytes (the innate immune system cells) of Alzheimer's patients are unable to move when stimulated by substances produced in the brain, which may lead to reduction of cells that can be recruited to the nervous tissue and participate in fighting the disease."




immune

Lab-Grown Human Immune System Uncovers Weakened Response in Cancer Patients

These miniature immune system models -- known as human immune organoids -- mimic the real-life environment where immune cells learn to recognize and attack harmful invaders and respond to vaccines. Not only are these organoids powerful new tools for studying and observing immune function in cancer, their use is likely to accelerate vaccine development, better predict disease treatment response for patients, and even speed up clinical trials.




immune

Lab-Grown Human Immune System Uncovers Weakened Response in Cancer Patients

These miniature immune system models -- known as human immune organoids -- mimic the real-life environment where immune cells learn to recognize and attack harmful invaders and respond to vaccines. Not only are these organoids powerful new tools for studying and observing immune function in cancer, their use is likely to accelerate vaccine development, better predict disease treatment response for patients, and even speed up clinical trials.




immune

NIH Should Create an Office of Autoimmune Disease Research, Says New Report

To enhance and coordinate its research on autoimmune diseases, the National Institutes of Health should create an Office of Autoimmune Disease/Autoimmunity Research and a plan that spans all institutes and centers to provide an overall NIH strategy for autoimmune disease research.




immune

Ganeden probiotic-derived immune health ingredient

Ganeden, already known as a leader in probiotic technology, has used its patented probiotic strain to develop an immune health ingredient: Staimune.




immune

Consumers value beverages that support immune health

As more consumers are recognizing the link between immune-health and overall health, experts note that the demand for functional beverages that support immunity has never been higher.




immune

Consumer focus on prevention over cure driving immune support ingredients

With its complex formulas helping consumers further their pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, the functional beverage market has thrived. Detox drinks have benefited from this interest, but is not without its challenges.




immune

New ingredient launches aid immune health, plant protein needs

Ingredient suppliers release innovations to support immune health, plant-based food and beverages.




immune

COVID CANCER LINKS: NEW SCIENCE TIES IMMUNE SYSTEM ONCOGENESIS TO THE VIRUS AND mRNA VACCINES

New Peer Reviewed Science Links Increasing Incidence of Lymphatic Cancers to COVID-19 Virus as well as the mRNA Vaccines




immune

White House Covid Chief Issues Dire Warning For Fall - A Result of Vaccines Dumbing Down The Immune System Says Dr. Richard Ruhling

Dr. Richard Ruhling is an expert on Biblical prophecy and is also the author of 'The Alpha & Omega Bible Code'




immune

Hybrid Immune Cells from Skull Bone Marrow Suppress Brain Cancer

Brain tumors or glioblastomas are one of the most difficult cancer types to treat. These masses are malignant tumors that are made up of abnormal neuronal



  • Cell & Molecular Biology

immune

Mitochondria Boost Enhances Immune Cell Activity

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major obstacle that limits effective cancer treatments. Various cells around the tumor promote immunosuppression and



  • Cell & Molecular Biology

immune

Viral Protein Shapes Linked to Immune-evading Functions

Viruses are invading pathogens that infect host cells and rapidly replicate throughout the body. They carry a small piece of genetic material such as DNA o




immune

Table Salt Can Activate Immune Cells Against Cancer

Salt has been used for a myriad of reasons throughout history. Not only did individuals use it to preserve food, but it was also used to garden, to constru




immune

Hybrid Immune Cells from Skull Bone Marrow Suppress Brain Cancer

Brain tumors or glioblastomas are one of the most difficult cancer types to treat. These masses are malignant tumors that are made up of abnormal neuronal




immune

Cancer Development, Growth, and Evasion of the Immune Response

Most know the word “cancer” as a negative thing.  As a disease characterized by the body’s cells growing uncontrollably, cancer rema




immune

Mitochondria Boost Enhances Immune Cell Activity

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major obstacle that limits effective cancer treatments. Various cells around the tumor promote immunosuppression and




immune

Immune Cells Surviving Fever-like Temperatures Adapt to Become More Effective

Inflammation represents a long-conserved biological process characterized by the release of chemical messengers that regulate the immune response.  Wh




immune

Promising New Drug Target for Autoimmune Diseases Like MS

Increased expression of gene PRDM1-S triggers loss of immune regulation seen in autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS)



  • Genetics & Genomics

immune

Promising New Drug Target for Autoimmune Diseases Like MS

Increased expression of gene PRDM1-S triggers loss of immune regulation seen in autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS)




immune

Immune Cells Surviving Fever-like Temperatures Adapt to Become More Effective

Inflammation represents a long-conserved biological process characterized by the release of chemical messengers that regulate the immune response.  Wh



  • Health & Medicine

immune

Cancer Development, Growth, and Evasion of the Immune Response

Most know the word “cancer” as a negative thing.  As a disease characterized by the body’s cells growing uncontrollably, cancer rema



  • Clinical & Molecular DX

immune

Viral Protein Shapes Linked to Immune-evading Functions

Viruses are invading pathogens that infect host cells and rapidly replicate throughout the body. They carry a small piece of genetic material such as DNA o




immune

How Hydrogenated Water Can Unlock Your Immune System

Immersed in authenticity, RC Publisher Jill Bloom delved into Gary Brecka's podcast, "The Ultimate Human," discovered hydrogen water's benefits for energy, endurance, and immunity and explores how it relates to our industry.




immune

Immune-supportive supplements and specific nutrients that have been shown in recent studies related to COVID-19 and reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections

Dana Laake and her special guest Caitlin Higgins will discuss immune-supportive supplements and specific nutrients that have been shown in recent studies related to COVID-19 to reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections.

The post Immune-supportive supplements and specific nutrients that have been shown in recent studies related to COVID-19 and reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections first appeared on Federal News Network.




immune

CRISPR Immune Cells Not Only Survive, They Thrive After Infusion Into Cancer Patients

CRISPR Immune Cells Not Only Survive, They Thrive After Infusion Into Cancer Patients

In the first-ever (sanctioned) investigational use of multiple edits to the human genome, a study found that cells edited in three specific ways and then removed from patients and brought back into the lab setting were able to kill cancer months after their original manufacturing and infusion.

This is the first U.S. clinical trial to test the gene editing approach in humans, and the publication of this new data today follows on the initial report last year that researchers were able to use CRISPR/Cas9 technology to successfully edit three cancer patients' immune cells. The ongoing study is a cooperative between Tmunity Therapeutics, the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and the University of Pennsylvania. 

Patients on this trial were treated by Edward A. Stadtmauer, MD, section chief of Hematologic Malignancies at Penn, co-lead author on the study. The approach in this study is closely related to CAR T cell therapy, in which patient immune cells are engineered to fight cancer, but it has some key differences. Just like CAR T, researchers in this study began by collecting a patient's T cells from blood. However, instead of arming these cells with a receptor against a protein such as CD19, the team first used CRISPR/Cas9 editing to remove three genes. The first two edits removed a T cell's natural receptors so they can be reprogrammed to express a synthetic T cell receptor, allowing these cells to seek out and destroy tumors. The third edit removed PD-1, a natural checkpoint that sometimes blocks T cells from doing their job. 

Once the three genes are knocked out, a fourth genetic modification was accomplished using a lentivirus to insert the cancer-specific synthetic T cell receptor, which tells the edited T cells to target an antigen called NY-ESO-1. Previously published data show these cells typically survive for less than a week, but this new analysis shows the edited cells used in this study persisted, with the longest follow up at nine months. 

Several months after the infusion, researchers drew more blood and isolated the CRISPR-edited cells for study. When brought back into the lab setting, the cells were still able to kill tumors. 

The CRISPR-edited T cells used in this study are not active on their own like CAR T cells. Instead, they require the cooperation of a molecule known as HLA-A*02:01, which is only expressed in a subset of patients. This means that patients had to be screened ahead of time to make sure they were a match for the approach. Participants who met the requirements received other clinically-indicated therapy as needed while they waited for their cells to be manufactured. Once that process was completed, all three patients received the gene-edited cells in a single infusion after a short course of chemotherapy. Analysis of blood samples revealed that all three participants had the CRISPR-edited T cells take root and thrive in the patients. While none responded to the therapy, there were no treatment-related serious adverse events. 

CRISPR technology has not previously been tested in humans in the U.S. so the research team had to move through a comprehensive and rigorous series of institutional and federal regulatory approval steps, including approval by the National Institutes of Health's Recombinant DNA Research Advisory Committee and review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as Penn's institutional review board and institutional biosafety committee. The entire process required more than two years.

 Researchers say these new data will open the door to later stage studies to investigate and extend this approach to a broader field beyond cancer, several of which are already planned at Penn.

sb admin Thu, 02/06/2020 - 14:52
Categories




immune

Gut Serotonin Curbs the Developing Immune System

In neonatal mice, the neurotransmitter serotonin mobilizes immune cells that promote tolerance to antigens.



  • News
  • News & Opinion

immune

Meet Cyclone: A Monitoring Tool That Watches for Waves of Immune Response

A new algorithm detects when immunotherapies create surges of T cell responses in melanoma patients.



  • News
  • News & Opinion

immune

A Neural Thermostat Sets the Intensity of Immune Responses

Specialized neurons in the brainstem and vagus nerve provide potential therapeutic targets for treating inflammatory disorders.




immune

A Fungal Messenger Impairs Immune Cell Function

Farnesol, a fungal signaling molecule, alters lipid synthesis in dendritic cells, causing mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased inflammatory responding.



  • News
  • News & Opinion

immune

Proteomics of Galapagos Marine Iguanas Links Function of Femoral Gland Proteins to the Immune System [Research]

Communication between individuals via molecules, termed chemosignaling, is widespread among animal and plant species. However, we lack knowledge on the specific functions of the substances involved for most systems. The femoral gland is an organ that secretes a waxy substance involved in chemical communication in lizards. Although the lipids and volatile substances secreted by the femoral glands have been investigated in several biochemical studies, the protein composition and functions of secretions remain completely unknown. Applying a proteomic approach, we provide the first attempt to comprehensively characterize the protein composition of femoral gland secretions from the Galápagos marine iguana. Using samples from several organs, the marine iguana proteome was assembled by next-generation sequencing and MS, resulting in 7513 proteins. Of these, 4305 proteins were present in the femoral gland, including keratins, small serum proteins, and fatty acid-binding proteins. Surprisingly, no proteins with discernible roles in partner recognition or inter-species communication could be identified. However, we did find several proteins with direct associations to the innate immune system, including lysozyme C, antileukoproteinase (ALP), pulmonary surfactant protein (SFTPD), and galectin (LGALS1) suggesting that the femoral glands function as an important barrier to infection. Furthermore, we report several novel anti-microbial peptides from the femoral glands that show similar action against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis such as oncocin, a peptide known for its effectiveness against Gram-negative pathogens. This proteomics data set is a valuable resource for future functional protein analysis and demonstrates that femoral gland secretions also perform functions of the innate immune system.




immune

Molecular Profiling of Innate Immune Response Mechanisms in Ventilator-associated Pneumonia [Research]

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common hospital-acquired infection, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Currently, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is used in hospitals for VAP diagnosis and guiding treatment options. Although BAL collection procedures are invasive, alternatives such as endotracheal aspirates (ETA) may be of diagnostic value, however, their use has not been thoroughly explored. Longitudinal ETA and BAL were collected from 16 intubated patients up to 15 days, of which 11 developed VAP. We conducted a comprehensive LC–MS/MS based proteome and metabolome characterization of longitudinal ETA and BAL to detect host and pathogen responses to VAP infection. We discovered a diverse ETA proteome of the upper airways reflective of a rich and dynamic host-microbe interface. Prior to VAP diagnosis by microbial cultures from BAL, patient ETA presented characteristic signatures of reactive oxygen species and neutrophil degranulation, indicative of neutrophil mediated pathogen processing as a key host response to the VAP infection. Along with an increase in amino acids, this is suggestive of extracellular membrane degradation resulting from proteolytic activity of neutrophil proteases. The metaproteome approach successfully allowed simultaneous detection of pathogen peptides in patients' ETA, which may have potential use in diagnosis. Our findings suggest that ETA may facilitate early mechanistic insights into host-pathogen interactions associated with VAP infection and therefore provide its diagnosis and treatment.




immune

Serum Protein Profiling Reveals a Landscape of Inflammation and Immune Signaling in Early-stage COVID-19 Infection [Report]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious infection and threating the human lives in the world. The elevation of cytokines in blood is crucial to induce cytokine storm and immunosuppression in the transition of severity in COVID-19 patients. However, the comprehensive changes of serum proteins in COVID-19 patients throughout the SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. In this work, we developed a high-density antibody microarray and performed an in-depth proteomics analysis of serum samples collected from early COVID-19 (n = 15) and influenza (n = 13) patients. We identified a large set of differentially expressed proteins (n = 132) that participate in a landscape of inflammation and immune signaling related to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, the significant correlations of neutrophil and lymphocyte with the CCL2 and CXCL10 mediated cytokine signaling pathways was identified. These information are valuable for the understanding of COVID-19 pathogenesis, identification of biomarkers and development of the optimal anti-inflammation therapy.