Chronic Illness from Faulty Friends

December 16, 2004

Immune cells can trigger severe pneumonia

A new study has found that malfunctioning immune cells can be the cause of

severe pneumonia. This discovery was made by scientists working at the

German Research Centre for Biotechnology (GBF) in Braunschweig. In the

latest issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care

Medicine (AJRCCM), GBF researchers describe how mice in their experiments

developed a tendency toward chronic inflammation of the lung¹s mucous

membrane. What they found was that immune cells of the type known as CD 4+T

cells bring on such a disease when they inadvertently attack the body¹s own

tissue instead of the invading pathogen.

Diseases and disruptions to pulmonary alveoli and the lung, lymph and

vascular tissues of the respiratory system are termed ³Interstitial Lung

Disease² (ILD) by the medical profession. Various forms of pneumonia are

also classified under the ILD heading and can afflict mice as well as

humans. The GBF research group led by Professor Jan Buer working together

with colleagues from Yale University in the USA used these mice to prove

something scientists had long suspected but until now had been unable to

prove: that malfunctioning CD 4+T cells play an active role in the emergence

of many forms of ILD.

A better understanding of immune reactions in the lung

³For our research we crossed two breeds of mice,² explains Dr. Dunja Bruder,

a GBF researcher. ³The first mouse type carried a special protein molecule

in the cells of the lung mucous membrane, a so-called antigen,² says Bruder.

³The second strain produced aggressive immune cells against exactly this

antigen. The result is mice whose immune systems attack their own lung

tissue.² These animals then developed ILD symptoms.

Shortly after the faulty immune reaction the coexistence of antigens and the

opposing CD 4+ T cells triggered immune tolerance mechanisms:

anti-inflammatory messenger substances were released and defensive responses

were inhibited. ³After a severe and acute outbreak of the illness, the

symptoms dissipate suddenly and the illness turns into a chronic disease,²

notes Bruder.

Through the study of how the chronic stages develop scientists hope to field

a more comprehensive understanding of immune reactions in the lung.

³Malfunctioning immune cells,² emphasises Buer, ³play a role not only in ILD

but also in many other lung diseases such as allergenic asthma. ²Very

similar genes are turned on in the cells of sick mice as in sick humans, he

says, ³so if we understand these processes better we could develop new

methods of treatment.²

http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/life_sciences/report-37907.ht

ml

December 16, 2004

Hi a,

I hope you are doing well. I just wanted to tell you, that I still haven't

had a soda. It has been months, I can't believe I have gone this long without a

pepsi. I drink ice tea, hot tea, and water. It really isn't bad at all. I

stopped taking the prilosec for the heartburn and was so happy. However, I had

to go back on it, the heartburn slowly came back. I still think I shouldn't

have this heartburn since I don't have bile in my stomach but I do. Anyway this

is not bad.

Also I am at a crossroad, I have completed everything for my degree. I will

officially graduate in May, since I want to take part in the ceremony. I never

went to school with the idea of graduating. I was just going in the hopes of

finding a career and job. Now I am faced with what now. I have some decisions

to make. I will do that after the holidays.

Anyway I just wanted to share this, I still can't believe I won't be in

school in January. This will be your first Christmas in Florida. Will you be

having a lot of company? I just heard on the news we may have snow on Monday

and that is suppose to be my last day of school.

Lynn

a54 wrote:

> Chronic Illness from Faulty Friends

>

> Immune cells can trigger severe pneumonia

>

> A new study has found that malfunctioning immune cells can be the cause of

> severe pneumonia. This discovery was made by scientists working at the

> German Research Centre for Biotechnology (GBF) in Braunschweig. In the

> latest issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care

> Medicine (AJRCCM), GBF researchers describe how mice in their experiments

> developed a tendency toward chronic inflammation of the lung¹s mucous

> membrane. What they found was that immune cells of the type known as CD 4+T

> cells bring on such a disease when they inadvertently attack the body¹s own

> tissue instead of the invading pathogen.

>

> Diseases and disruptions to pulmonary alveoli and the lung, lymph and

> vascular tissues of the respiratory system are termed ³Interstitial Lung

> Disease² (ILD) by the medical profession. Various forms of pneumonia are

> also classified under the ILD heading and can afflict mice as well as

> humans. The GBF research group led by Professor Jan Buer working together

> with colleagues from Yale University in the USA used these mice to prove

> something scientists had long suspected but until now had been unable to

> prove: that malfunctioning CD 4+T cells play an active role in the emergence

> of many forms of ILD.

>

> A better understanding of immune reactions in the lung

>

> ³For our research we crossed two breeds of mice,² explains Dr. Dunja Bruder,

> a GBF researcher. ³The first mouse type carried a special protein molecule

> in the cells of the lung mucous membrane, a so-called antigen,² says Bruder.

> ³The second strain produced aggressive immune cells against exactly this

> antigen. The result is mice whose immune systems attack their own lung

> tissue.² These animals then developed ILD symptoms.

>

> Shortly after the faulty immune reaction the coexistence of antigens and the

> opposing CD 4+ T cells triggered immune tolerance mechanisms:

> anti-inflammatory messenger substances were released and defensive responses

> were inhibited. ³After a severe and acute outbreak of the illness, the

> symptoms dissipate suddenly and the illness turns into a chronic disease,²

> notes Bruder.

>

> Through the study of how the chronic stages develop scientists hope to field

> a more comprehensive understanding of immune reactions in the lung.

> ³Malfunctioning immune cells,² emphasises Buer, ³play a role not only in ILD

> but also in many other lung diseases such as allergenic asthma. ²Very

> similar genes are turned on in the cells of sick mice as in sick humans, he

> says, ³so if we understand these processes better we could develop new

> methods of treatment.²

>

> http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/life_sciences/report-37907.ht

> ml

>

December 16, 2004