IgA Defense Starts in the Gut

 Subject: Immune Defense and Immunoglobulin cell defense 

Article:: ¨Protecting the brain from infection may start with a gut reaction¨ 

In the article, ¨Protecting the brain from infection may start with a gut reaction¨ a study had indicated that immune cells had initially learned to detect pathogens in the gut. The study even further discovered that these immune defense cells are even found in the brain. The brain and spinal cord is encased in three protective layers called meninges that have their own immune cells known as immunoglobulin A. Also known as IgA, it is a kind of antibody in the blood that helps combat pathogens and are found primarily in the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract etc. When it comes to the brain IgA is an antibody-producing plasma cell in the leathery meningeal work to protect itself from foreign invaders that want to break through the meningeal layers. Knowing that the gut plays a role in defending the brain of diseases, it is possible that boosting gut bacteria could potentially aid in autoimmune diseases, infections and viruses. Which as shown in mice, gut microbial cells were found in those that had multiple sclerosis. This could be a turning point for many diseases, not just brain ones. If the human body is capable of healing itself from serious illness it is possible that illness like ASL, autoimmune diseases,multiple sclerosis and even alzheimers or dementia could be combated much earlier in a person's life. 

Article Link: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/brain-infection-gut-immune-system 

Supporting Link(s): https://www.rchsd.org/health-articles/blood-test-immunoglobulins-iga-igg-igm/ 

https://www.healthline.com/health/autoimmune-disorders#causes 

Main Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/topic/genetics

Say Sayonara to Celiac Complications

Celiac disease is commonly known as the "gluten allergy." This disease causes an immune reaction when one consumes gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. A recent article in New Scientist, written by Michale Le Page, explains a new strain of wheat that may bring these harmful immune reactions to an end. For those people effected by the celiac disease, baking and carb consuming can be a pretty difficult thing to do. The gluten causes an attack on the small intestine, which results in unwelcoming side effects, some of which can be severe. Gliadins are the key group of gluten that causes the celiac disease to flare up. With that being said, a group of people from the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture in Spain have come up with a plan to do without. By genetically modifying a strain of wheat, they were able to remove approximately 90% of the gliadins. A technique known as RNA interference was used at first trial, which is a process that stops certain proteins from forming. CRISPR gene-editing was used second. This was a more promising approach, since this technique was able to eliminate the genes all together. The team in Spain states that they have already done away with 35 of the 45 genes of the gliadin protein genes. Thankfully, I don't have celiac disease, but I know people that do. From what I understand, gluten free products are not very appetizing. Although this is still a rather new experiment with less than 50 people participating in Mexico, I believe that this could really change things for those suffering from celiac disease in the future.

Identification of mutation makes treatment possible

The location of a genetic mutation which leads to a disease of the immune system has been identified. The gene responsible codes for the protein ZAP70 (70 kDa), which is involved with intracellular signaling with T-cells, which help fight viruses and other invaders in the body. The hypomorphic mutation of this gene can create combined immunodeficiency and new research has lead to the creation of a molecule that blocks this mutation and allows the fully functioning expression of ZAP70. It may be possible to use this as treatment for those with this immunodeficiency or similar hypomorphic mutations. This work matters because the more we know about these slight mutations the closer a proper treatment is to being developed and utilized. Through genetics, it may be possible to save a lifetime of suffering.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20170406/Researchers-solve-medical-mystery-through-genetics.aspx

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091674917302403

New Gene-Editing Therapy Technique Effective in Leukemia Patient

          The picture above is of Layla a one-year-old girl with Leukemia who was recently put into remission through the use of gene-editing technology.  This is only the second trial of gene-editing used as therapy the first trial was used in HIV patients.  Layla's was not responding well from conventional treatment methods for Leukemia, so after a request she was given the new gene editing treatment.

          This technique requires the healthy T cells from a donor.  The T cells are then modified so that they are protected from the anti-cancer drugs that the patient has been taking.  The T cells are also "edited" with a DNA-cutting enzyme called  TALEN.  This deactivates the immune cells from attacking the leukemia patient when injected.  The patient then undergoes therapy in which their immune system in destroyed and replaced with the modified donor T cells.  There are however many concerns when dealing with ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy. They can cause cut and mutations in other parts of the genome. Also for in vivo therapy the DNA-delievering vector can stay active in the body years after injection which raises concern for future immune reactions. There is definitely more research necessary for this treatment to become more conventional.

         While this technique resulted in a cancer free Layla it is still an experimental stage and more research is being put into gene-editing therapy.  In my opinion I believe that this can open many doors for treating immune system related diseases. Just the fact that a technique has been used for two diseases that have been found extremely difficult to treat shows where the research is going towards.  To see new treatment techniques coming out out seemingly every year is amazing.

Original Post

Fetal Microchimerism: Death By Pregnancy

Fetal Microchimerism, named after the Greek mythology monster, chimera, was first found in 1990 to be a condition where fetal cells can escape from the uterus and freely disperse through the mother's body.  The problem is, is many times Fetal Microchimerism has affected the health of the mother, including death during, or after, pregnancy.  In a recent study at Leiden University Medical Center, a team of pathologists collected tissue samples from 26 different women, who had previously passed away during, or after, pregnancy.  All of them had been carrying sons, making it easier for the pathologists when collecting samples because they could just look for the Y chromosomes in cells. The experiment was successful, in that the pathologists found Y chromosomes in every single tissue sample they had examined.  The chromosomes were even present in every organ sample as well, including the heart, lungs and even the brain.

When fetal cells inhibit such organs, the condition can then become fatal, essentially controlling the mother's biological controls, such as her body temperature.  Meanwhile, some cells can have the complete opposite affect, aiding the mother's health.  It is the fatal cells which we are still puzzled about.  After women give birth, their immune system kicks in, usually riding of most of these fetal cells.  However, if a woman has an autoimmune disease, she could possible relapse, or even die, after or during giving birth.  Also, tumors in women who have given birth before, contain masses of fetal cells, making us believe that these cells might help drive cancer.

I think this is really interesting, especially seeing that this condition, whether fatal or not, is not all that uncommon.  It actually gives some truth to the myth of "pregnancy brain," and I hope that in the near future, we can find a way to make these cells more passive.

Diseases caused by immune system fault.

A group of researches at the University of Edinburgh have discovered the way a gene mutation can lead to diseases that occur when the immune system accidentally attacks the body. They found that a mutation in a gene, known as ADAR1, causes a defect in an alarm system cells that usually protects the body from viruses and other infections. This mutation causes the immune system to attack its own good, healthy, cells.

Its been proved that some viruses encode their genetic material using a molecule called RNA. Our own cells also produce this when the genes encoded in our DNA are translated into proteins. When foreign RNA is detected inside a cell, it is the first warning sign of an infection. The team of researchers has developed a system that helps the body understand the differences between normal RNA and foreign RNA.

They discovered that ADAR1 adds a specific chemical signature to the cell's own RNA molecules. This signal stops them from setting off an immune response. A normal virus’ RNA molecules don’t have this so the immune system attacks.

"Our findings provide fresh insights into the way cells distinguish our own genetic material from that of disease-causing agents, such as viruses, "said Dr. Liam Keegan, of the MRC Human Genetics Unit at the University of Edinburgh

Dr Mary O'Connell said: "This is crucial for understanding how the immune response can be inappropriately triggered to attack our own cells and cause devastating autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases."

Having this greater understanding of the mechanisms to stop this mutation could help scientists develop new treatments for many autoimmune systems. I think it’s great that they were able to figure it out. It’s crazy how such a small mutation could lead to the body attacking itself on accident.

Article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/285719.php

Researchers Find That a Gut Bacteria May Weaken the Symptoms of Lupus

Researchers at Virginia Tech performed a test to measure the amount of Clostridia and Lactobacillus in mice with lupus and found that the more Clostridia present in the female mice, the slower the disease progressed and the converse for the more Lactobacillus present. These investigators also performed another series of experiments where the lupus mice were treated with retinoic acid or retinoic acid and vitamin A. Although these two were expected to help the symptoms in these mice, they actually worsened. The research strongly suggests that altering the gut microbiota in individuals with lupus may mitigate lupus symptoms. The principle investigator also suggests that individuals with lupus eat yogurt containing Lactobacillus for it will help with flare ups.

This article stuck out to me because my best friend has lupus and struggles with flare ups every few months and consequently requires extensive treatment. I do hope that more research is done on these gut bacteria to prove their effectiveness and also that more research is done on lupus and other autoimmune diseases in other areas of cause and treatments.

Original Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141020212750.htm

Related Article: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/825045