For several years, the biomedical research community has recognized that compounds already approved for human use might have additional therapeutic applications. To facilitate investigation of new applications for existing drugs, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) assembled several collections of molecules that can be screened for specific characteristics. Two recent papers report the screeningContinueContinue reading “Teaching old drugs new tricks”
Tag Archives: autoimmunity
Stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the myelin that surrounds nerve fibers, inhibiting nerve impulses, impairing mobility and vision and causing fatigue and pain. Many researchers, including Thomas Lane (then working at University of California, Irvine) and Jeanne Loring (The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA), work to developContinueContinue reading “Stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis”
Mutation of MDA5 in autoimmunity
MDA5 is an intracellular viral receptor that detects picornaviruses and other invaders and elicits immune responses accordingly. It has been implicated in autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus, but no mechanistic link has been identified. To learn more about its potential role in autoimmunity, Takashi Fujita (KyotoContinueContinue reading “Mutation of MDA5 in autoimmunity”
A link between gut bacteria and rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by joint inflammation. Although its causes are unknown, mouse studies suggest that gut bacteria may be involved in supporting the immune response underlying inflammation. When scientists led by Dan Littman (New York University School of Medicine, NY) investigated this involvement, they found that a specific gut bacteriumContinueContinue reading “A link between gut bacteria and rheumatoid arthritis”
For lupus treatment, drug delivery may be key
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system becomes dysregulated, attacking the body’s own cells and tissues and causing inflammation and subsequent damage. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common and serious form of lupus. There is no cure; treatments instead focus on suppressing the immune response in order to minimize organContinueContinue reading “For lupus treatment, drug delivery may be key”
Using nanoparticles to teach immune tolerance
Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes are the third largest cause of morbidity and mortality in the US. In these and other autoimmune diseases, immune cells mistakenly attack and destroy healthy tissue; in the case of multiple sclerosis, the target is myelin, which creates the protective sheath around nerve cells. AsContinueContinue reading “Using nanoparticles to teach immune tolerance”
Treating diabetes with fewer side effects
Thiazolidinediones are used to treat type 2 diabetes by targeting the insulin resistance that characterizes the disease through activation of the receptor PPARγ. This improves insulin sensitivity but also contributes to side effects such as weight gain, edema, increased risk of bone fractures and, for certain drugs, organ toxicity and cardiovascular problems. Such side effectsContinueContinue reading “Treating diabetes with fewer side effects”
Modeling type 2 diabetes on the fly
The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly in the US, making it a major public health concern and the focus of much biomedical research. Insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, is linked to obesity and poor diet. Until now, researchers have relied primarily on rodent models for investigations of the mechanismsContinueContinue reading “Modeling type 2 diabetes on the fly”
Histamine links allergy and autoimmune disease
The neurotransmitter histamine is known to be involved in allergic reactions and other physiological processes. It works by dilating blood vessels and making their walls more permeable so that immune cells can move around more easily. To the extent that autoimmune disorders share some characteristics with allergic reactions, it seems reasonable that similar pathways couldContinueContinue reading “Histamine links allergy and autoimmune disease”
Activating apoptosis to treat rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, destructive inflammation, primarily of the joints, that affects up to 1% of the world’s population. The cause of the disease is not known, but its progression is autoimmune: immune cells called macrophages, which normally die after attacking an invader, instead persist and collect in the cartilage and bone, where theirContinueContinue reading “Activating apoptosis to treat rheumatoid arthritis”
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