
via UCL
Scientists have discovered a critical part of the body’s immune system with potentially major implications for the treatment of some of the most devastating diseases affecting humans.
Professor Graham Lord, from The University of Manchester, led the study, which could translate into treatments for autoimmune diseases including Cancer, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis and Crohn’s Disease within a few years.
It is published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation today.
The discovery of the molecular pathway regulated by a tiny molecule – known as microRNA-142 – is a major advance in our understanding of the immune system.
The 10-year-study found that microRNA-142 controls Regulatory T cells, which modulate the immune system and prevent autoimmune disease. It is, they found, the most highly expressed regulator in the immune system.
Autoimmune diseases often target people in the prime of their life creating a significant socio-economic burden on them. Sometimes, the effect can be devastating, causing terrible hardship and suffering. But these findings represent a significant step forward in the understanding of the immune system and we believe many people worldwide may benefit
Professor Graham Lord
And according to Professor Lord, the discovery could be translated into a viable drug treatment within a few years.
He said: “Autoimmune diseases often target people in the prime of their life creating a significant socio-economic burden on them. Sometimes, the effect can be devastating, causing terrible hardship and suffering.
“But these findings represent a significant step forward in the understanding of the immune system and we believe many people worldwide may benefit.”
If the activity of Regulatory T cells is too low, this can cause other immune cells to attack our own body tissues. If these Regulatory T cells are too active, this leads to suppression of immune responses and can allow cancers to evade the immune system.
So being able to control them is a major step forward in our ability to control- and harness – the therapeutic power of the immune system.
Professor Richard Jenner from UCL, who led the computational side of the project, said that: “We were able to trace the molecular fingerprints of this molecule across other genes to determine how it acted as such a critical regulator.”
Professor Lord, now Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at The University of Manchester, added: “Scientists over the past decade or so have developed therapies which are able to modulate different pathways of the immune system. We hope that this new discovery will lead to the development of new ways to treat autoimmunity, infectious diseases and cancer and we are incredibly excited about where this may lead.”
The Latest on: Autoimmune diseases
via Google News
The Latest on: Autoimmune diseases
- How Viagra puts a brake on a master growth regulator to treat heart disease on February 12, 2019 at 10:02 am
(2019, February 12). How Viagra puts a brake on a master growth regulator to treat heart disease: New findings have implications for heart failure, but also for cancer, diabetes and autoimmune disorde... […]
- Alpine Immune Sciences Announces First Subjects Dosed in Phase I Clinical Trial for Lead Autoimmune/Inflammatory Disease Program ALPN-101 on February 11, 2019 at 5:54 pm
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALPN), a leading clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on developing innovative treatments for cancer, autoimmune/inflammatory ... […]
- Developing vaccine Nexvax2 could allow people with celiac disease to end gluten-free diet on February 11, 2019 at 1:48 pm
CLEVELAND, Ohio – A vaccine for celiac disease is in the works that could allow those suffering from the autoimmune disease to reintroduce gluten to their diets. Saying this is big news feels like an ... […]
- Spoilers: Exclusive 'Botched' Sneak Peek: Koffa's Face is 'Skin and Bones' Due to an Autoimmune Disease, but Will the Doctors be Able to Help? on February 11, 2019 at 7:00 am
Botched will return to E! Wednesday with a medical mystery. The exclusive clip introduces the story of Koffa, a woman who was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease known as sarcoidosis. The disease af... […]
- IFM Therapeutics launches cGAS/STING-focused subsidiary for inflammatory and autoimmune disease on February 11, 2019 at 5:30 am
IFM Therapeutics is unveiling its second subsidiary: IFM Due, which will target the cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase, Stimulator of Interferon Genes (cGAS/STING) pathway to treat inflammatory and autoimmune di... […]
- IFM Therapeutics launches new spinout aimed at Parkinson's, lupus and other diseases on February 11, 2019 at 5:14 am
Boston biotech IFM Therapeutic LLC is taking a second major step out from drug giant Bristol-Myers Squibb's wake this week, spinning out its second subsidiary focused on developing treatments for auto... […]
- IFM Therapeutics, LLC Launches New Subsidiary, IFM Due, to Advance cGAS/STING Antagonists for Serious Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases on February 11, 2019 at 4:30 am
BOSTON, Feb. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- IFM Therapeutics, LLC (IFM), a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies that modulate novel targets in the innate immune system, t... […]
- Autoimmune Diseases Treatment Market 2019 Global Industry Analysis & Forecast to 2025 on February 8, 2019 at 2:04 am
"In the recently published report, QY Research has provided a unique insight into the global Autoimmune Diseases Treatment market for the forecasted period of 7-years (2018-2025). The report has cover... […]
- Woman Contracts Rare Autoimmune Disease From Touching Stray Cat: 'I'll Have It for Life' on January 31, 2019 at 3:41 pm
Even after contracting a life-altering syndrome from a feral cat she befriended on vacation, Gemma Birch still considers herself an animal lover. The 25-year-old from Southport, England, was spending ... […]
- Epidemic of autoimmune diseases pushes researchers in new direction on January 31, 2019 at 7:07 am
The immune system normally defends the body against everything from microscopic viruses to meters-long parasitic worms. But sometimes, it sets its sights on the wrong target: the body's own cells. […]
via Bing News