Guest guest Posted June 21, 2006 Report Share Posted June 21, 2006 I just found this, and I'm not sure how it applies to , but it was interesting so I'm posting it! Caroline Mice lacking key immune component still control chronic viral infections By Purdy May 25, 2006 -- Despite lack of a key component of the immune system, a line of genetically engineered mice can control chronic herpes virus infections, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found. Scientists can't prove it yet, but they suspect the missing immune system component, a group of molecules known as the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class Ia, has a previously unrecognized backup that is similar enough to step in and fill the void left by its absence. If so, that backup may become a new focus for efforts to design antiviral vaccines. " This surprising finding contradicts a long-held belief about control of viral infection: that the immune system must have MHC Class I molecules to recognize and destroy virus-infected cells, " says senior author Skip Virgin, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pathology and immunology and of molecular microbiology. " It also suggests that we may need to take a more extensive look at what immune system elements play a role in controlling chronic viral infections. " The study will be published in the May issue of Public Library of Science Pathogens. In chronic herpes virus infections, the body brings the invader under control, reducing its replication and spread, but is unable to completely eliminate it, resulting in lifelong infection. The mice in the study were injected with murine gamma herpes virus 68, a herpes virus that infects mice and is closely related to the human gamma herpes viruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, the cause of mononucleosis) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV, the cause of a form of cancer known as Kaposi's sarcoma). Other herpes viruses that infect humans include the alpha herpes viruses herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, which cause cold sores and genital herpes, and varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. Infection with gamma herpes viruses such as EBV and KSHV increases the risk of some cancers, especially in persons with weakened immune systems. Immune system cells known as CD8 or cytotoxic T cells are responsible for recognizing virus-infected cells and killing them or sounding alarms that summon other defensive measures. To enable this recognition process, other cells regularly chop up viral proteins found in their interiors and display them on their surfaces. MHC Class I molecules act as a kind of stage for this inspection process, binding to the protein parts as they are sent to the surface and allowing CD8 T cells to recognize the presence of a foreign invader. When the CD8 T cells recognize a viral protein part, they either destroy the cell displaying the part or emit inflammatory hormones known as cytokines that trigger other immune defense measures. Because the genetically modified mice used in their experiment lacked the genes that contain instructions for making MHC Class I molecules, Virgin and his colleagues expected to see little response from CD8 T cells when they injected the mice with herpes virus. Initially, that was exactly what they found. " This was a study of chronic infection, though, and when we looked at the mice seven weeks later, we were surprised to find the mice making a very robust and effective CD8 T cell response, " he says. " This suggests there's an alternate way of generating CD8 T cells. " The researchers believe a closely related stand-in for MHC Class I makes it possible for mouse CD8 T cells to recognize and fight the virus. " It would be reasonable for there to be backup plans, particularly given that some viruses have evasion strategies that they use to block the classical antigen recognition processes that rely on MHC Class I, " Virgin says. Follow-up studies now underway have produced preliminary evidence that these backup plans may be active even when normal MHC Class I is engaged in the fight against chronic infection. Additional studies will look at whether the backup system can enable an active immune response to other chronic infectious agents. Some current efforts to develop antiviral vaccines focus exclusively on portions of viral proteins likely to be picked up and presented by MHC Class I molecules. If these backup mechanisms are important to control of herpes and other chronic diseases, they may pick up and display other parts of viral proteins for CD8 T cells to recognize. If so, vaccine developers may need to revise their approach in order to create vaccines that trigger the most potent antiviral immune responses. " The ultimate relevance of these backup systems to human disease isn't known yet, but it's worth noting that we never would have even known to look for them if it weren't for our ability to study genetically altered mice, " he says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2006 Report Share Posted June 21, 2006 Kaposi's sarcoma -- isn't that HHV 7 or 8 ? It's one of those herpes viruses that (I've heard) is difficult to test for (not to mention expensive). Dr G mentioned once that HHV 7 or 8 might be one of those 'latent' viruses we harbor (or that might be affecting our kids) I believe it affects the skin? doris > > I just found this, and I'm not sure how it applies to , but it was > interesting so I'm posting it! > > Caroline > > Mice lacking key immune component still control chronic viral infections > > By Purdy > > May 25, 2006 -- Despite lack of a key component of the immune system, a line > of genetically engineered mice can control chronic herpes virus infections, > researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have > found. > > Scientists can't prove it yet, but they suspect the missing immune system > component, a group of molecules known as the Major Histocompatibility > Complex (MHC) Class Ia, has a previously unrecognized backup that is similar > enough to step in and fill the void left by its absence. If so, that backup > may become a new focus for efforts to design antiviral vaccines. > > " This surprising finding contradicts a long-held belief about control of > viral infection: that the immune system must have MHC Class I molecules to > recognize and destroy virus-infected cells, " says senior author Skip Virgin, > M.D., Ph.D., professor of pathology and immunology and of molecular > microbiology. " It also suggests that we may need to take a more extensive > look at what immune system elements play a role in controlling chronic viral > infections. " > > The study will be published in the May issue of Public Library of Science > Pathogens. > > In chronic herpes virus infections, the body brings the invader under > control, reducing its replication and spread, but is unable to completely > eliminate it, resulting in lifelong infection. > > The mice in the study were injected with murine gamma herpes virus 68, a > herpes virus that infects mice and is closely related to the human gamma > herpes viruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, the cause of mononucleosis) and > Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV, the cause of a form of > cancer known as Kaposi's sarcoma). Other herpes viruses that infect humans > include the alpha herpes viruses herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, which cause > cold sores and genital herpes, and varicella zoster virus, which causes > chickenpox. Infection with gamma herpes viruses such as EBV and KSHV > increases the risk of some cancers, especially in persons with weakened > immune systems. > > Immune system cells known as CD8 or cytotoxic T cells are responsible for > recognizing virus-infected cells and killing them or sounding alarms that > summon other defensive measures. To enable this recognition process, other > cells regularly chop up viral proteins found in their interiors and display > them on their surfaces. MHC Class I molecules act as a kind of stage for > this inspection process, binding to the protein parts as they are sent to > the surface and allowing CD8 T cells to recognize the presence of a foreign > invader. When the CD8 T cells recognize a viral protein part, they either > destroy the cell displaying the part or emit inflammatory hormones known as > cytokines that trigger other immune defense measures. > > Because the genetically modified mice used in their experiment lacked the > genes that contain instructions for making MHC Class I molecules, Virgin and > his colleagues expected to see little response from CD8 T cells when they > injected the mice with herpes virus. Initially, that was exactly what they > found. > > " This was a study of chronic infection, though, and when we looked at the > mice seven weeks later, we were surprised to find the mice making a very > robust and effective CD8 T cell response, " he says. " This suggests there's > an alternate way of generating CD8 T cells. " > > The researchers believe a closely related stand-in for MHC Class I makes it > possible for mouse CD8 T cells to recognize and fight the virus. > > " It would be reasonable for there to be backup plans, particularly given > that some viruses have evasion strategies that they use to block the > classical antigen recognition processes that rely on MHC Class I, " Virgin > says. > > Follow-up studies now underway have produced preliminary evidence that these > backup plans may be active even when normal MHC Class I is engaged in the > fight against chronic infection. Additional studies will look at whether the > backup system can enable an active immune response to other chronic > infectious agents. > > Some current efforts to develop antiviral vaccines focus exclusively on > portions of viral proteins likely to be picked up and presented by MHC Class > I molecules. If these backup mechanisms are important to control of herpes > and other chronic diseases, they may pick up and display other parts of > viral proteins for CD8 T cells to recognize. If so, vaccine developers may > need to revise their approach in order to create vaccines that trigger the > most potent antiviral immune responses. > > " The ultimate relevance of these backup systems to human disease isn't known > yet, but it's worth noting that we never would have even known to look for > them if it weren't for our ability to study genetically altered mice, " he > says. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2006 Report Share Posted June 22, 2006 Doris, Yes, Kaposi's is HHV8. It's a malignant tumor of the connective tissue, often associated with AIDS. It causes bluish-red, flat or raised lesions with an irregular shape. I think most people associate it with its appearance on the skin, but it can also spread to internal organs and cause things such as gastrointestinal lesions and lesions in the lungs. * HHV-8 may also cause other tumours such as primary effusion lymohoma (PEL) and multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). * KS only occurs in people with a severely damaged immune system. This includes people with advanced AIDS and people on powerful immunosuppressive drugs (usually after an organ transplant). * Other Diseases associated with HHV-8 Even rarer cancers, such as Multicentric Castleman¹s Disease and Primary Body Cavity Lymphoma have also been linked to HHV-8. These diseases also rarely occur in people with intact immune systems Caroline > From: drsmit6 <sjsmith@...> > Reply-< > > Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:52:29 +0000 > < > > Subject: Re: New Herpes Research > > Kaposi's sarcoma -- isn't that HHV 7 or 8 ? > It's one of those herpes viruses that (I've heard) is difficult > to test for (not to mention expensive). Dr G mentioned once > that HHV 7 or 8 might be one of those 'latent' viruses > we harbor (or that might be affecting our kids) > I believe it affects the skin? > > doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2006 Report Share Posted June 22, 2006 This is a great article thanks Caroline. Is cancer thought to be autoimmune...does anyone know? Does anyone know of any relationship between viruses or autoimmunity and Lou Gehrigs disease? Thanks > > Doris, > > Yes, Kaposi's is HHV8. > > It's a malignant tumor of the connective tissue, often associated with AIDS. > It causes bluish-red, flat or raised lesions with an irregular shape. I > think most people associate it with its appearance on the skin, but it can > also spread to internal organs and cause things such as gastrointestinal > lesions and lesions in the lungs. > > * HHV-8 may also cause other tumours such as primary effusion lymohoma (PEL) > and multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). > > * KS only occurs in people with a severely damaged immune system. This > includes people with advanced AIDS and people on powerful immunosuppressive > drugs (usually after an organ transplant). > > * Other Diseases associated with HHV-8 > Even rarer cancers, such as Multicentric Castleman¹s Disease and Primary > Body Cavity Lymphoma have also been linked to HHV-8. These diseases also > rarely occur in people with intact immune systems > > Caroline > > > > > From: drsmit6 <sjsmith@...> > > Reply-< > > > Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:52:29 +0000 > > < > > > Subject: Re: New Herpes Research > > > > Kaposi's sarcoma -- isn't that HHV 7 or 8 ? > > It's one of those herpes viruses that (I've heard) is difficult > > to test for (not to mention expensive). Dr G mentioned once > > that HHV 7 or 8 might be one of those 'latent' viruses > > we harbor (or that might be affecting our kids) > > I believe it affects the skin? > > > > doris > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2006 Report Share Posted June 22, 2006 Hi! My daughter is 11 years old and since January 2006 she has been complaining of mouth pain and in March we noticed purplish marks on her leg (they look like bruises). They are still there and they have grown in size. We have been to her dentist and a pedontist for her gum pain--the teeth and gums surrounding them look great. But they did notice below the gum line lower that there is bleeding underneath the surface of the skin. Lumps on the leg we have been to her pediatrician 2 time--told me not to worry about them they will go away. Her bones also ache so we thought maybe she broke her right tibia (that is where the lumps are) but the x-ray looked fine. Does any of your children have any of these symptoms? Any input would be great. And thanks for putting the information up--maybe it might help us with our daughter. Have a nice day, Tresa Elengold Caroline Glover <sfglover@...> wrote: I just found this, and I'm not sure how it applies to , but it was interesting so I'm posting it! Caroline Mice lacking key immune component still control chronic viral infections By Purdy May 25, 2006 -- Despite lack of a key component of the immune system, a line of genetically engineered mice can control chronic herpes virus infections, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found. Scientists can't prove it yet, but they suspect the missing immune system component, a group of molecules known as the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class Ia, has a previously unrecognized backup that is similar enough to step in and fill the void left by its absence. If so, that backup may become a new focus for efforts to design antiviral vaccines. " This surprising finding contradicts a long-held belief about control of viral infection: that the immune system must have MHC Class I molecules to recognize and destroy virus-infected cells, " says senior author Skip Virgin, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pathology and immunology and of molecular microbiology. " It also suggests that we may need to take a more extensive look at what immune system elements play a role in controlling chronic viral infections. " The study will be published in the May issue of Public Library of Science Pathogens. In chronic herpes virus infections, the body brings the invader under control, reducing its replication and spread, but is unable to completely eliminate it, resulting in lifelong infection. The mice in the study were injected with murine gamma herpes virus 68, a herpes virus that infects mice and is closely related to the human gamma herpes viruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, the cause of mononucleosis) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV, the cause of a form of cancer known as Kaposi's sarcoma). Other herpes viruses that infect humans include the alpha herpes viruses herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, which cause cold sores and genital herpes, and varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. Infection with gamma herpes viruses such as EBV and KSHV increases the risk of some cancers, especially in persons with weakened immune systems. Immune system cells known as CD8 or cytotoxic T cells are responsible for recognizing virus-infected cells and killing them or sounding alarms that summon other defensive measures. To enable this recognition process, other cells regularly chop up viral proteins found in their interiors and display them on their surfaces. MHC Class I molecules act as a kind of stage for this inspection process, binding to the protein parts as they are sent to the surface and allowing CD8 T cells to recognize the presence of a foreign invader. When the CD8 T cells recognize a viral protein part, they either destroy the cell displaying the part or emit inflammatory hormones known as cytokines that trigger other immune defense measures. Because the genetically modified mice used in their experiment lacked the genes that contain instructions for making MHC Class I molecules, Virgin and his colleagues expected to see little response from CD8 T cells when they injected the mice with herpes virus. Initially, that was exactly what they found. " This was a study of chronic infection, though, and when we looked at the mice seven weeks later, we were surprised to find the mice making a very robust and effective CD8 T cell response, " he says. " This suggests there's an alternate way of generating CD8 T cells. " The researchers believe a closely related stand-in for MHC Class I makes it possible for mouse CD8 T cells to recognize and fight the virus. " It would be reasonable for there to be backup plans, particularly given that some viruses have evasion strategies that they use to block the classical antigen recognition processes that rely on MHC Class I, " Virgin says. Follow-up studies now underway have produced preliminary evidence that these backup plans may be active even when normal MHC Class I is engaged in the fight against chronic infection. Additional studies will look at whether the backup system can enable an active immune response to other chronic infectious agents. Some current efforts to develop antiviral vaccines focus exclusively on portions of viral proteins likely to be picked up and presented by MHC Class I molecules. If these backup mechanisms are important to control of herpes and other chronic diseases, they may pick up and display other parts of viral proteins for CD8 T cells to recognize. If so, vaccine developers may need to revise their approach in order to create vaccines that trigger the most potent antiviral immune responses. " The ultimate relevance of these backup systems to human disease isn't known yet, but it's worth noting that we never would have even known to look for them if it weren't for our ability to study genetically altered mice, " he says. --------------------------------- How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2006 Report Share Posted June 22, 2006 Tresa, This is probably not it, but you might want to read up on " thrombocytopenia " because it can cause bleeding of the gums and long term bruising. It is basically a blood clotting disorder. I'd ask about it anyway just to rule it out. Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2006 Report Share Posted June 22, 2006 Tresa, Here's a link to the article... http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060526180414.htm ....if it doesn't come up, just type the title of the article into Google and you'll get a zillion hits... It's all over the web! Caroline > From: Tresa Elengold <telengold@...> > Reply-< > > Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 08:42:13 -0700 (PDT) > < > > Subject: Re: New Herpes Research > > Where did you get this article? Thanks, Tresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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