More anti-inflammatory genes mean longer lifespans for mammals

In a recent study published by eLife, researchers at the University of California San Diego reported a correlation between CD33rSIGLEC gene copy number and maximum lifespan across 14 mammalian species. It was also found that mice lacking one CD33rSIGLEC gene copy do not live as long as normal mice, have higher levels of reactive oxygen species and experience more molecular damage. The CD33rSIGLEC genes encode siglec receptors that bind sialic acids. The siglec receptors stick out on the outer surface of immune cells, probing the surface of other cells in the body. When sialic acids bind siglec receptors they transmit the message to the inside of the cell and this signal relay puts a brake on immune cell activation. Through this process the CD33rSIGLEC receptors help dampen chronic inflammation and reactive oxygen species that are known to contribute to molecular damage and aging. The higher CD33rSIGLEC gene number could be considered as an improved maintenance system that co-evolved with mammals to buffer against the effects of infectious episodes.

Although the reported results are not definitive they are the first time lifespan has been correlated with a single gene copy number. It seems a bit far-fetched that a single gene number could influence the duration of lifespan but it is surely worth further research. Humans vary in the number of CD33rSIGLEC gene copies and it would be interesting to see if these genes influence human lifespan similarly to mice.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150407095350.htm

http://www.livescience.com/50409-longer-life-span-anti-inflammatory-genes.html

Protein that triggers immune response to viruses identified

Massachusetts General Hospital has found a protein that is linked to triggering the body's immune system response against infection caused by viruses. The protein known as GEF-H1 helps the macrophages - the eating machine that eats away materials and pathogens - react to viral infections, which also sends the body a response signal to fight the infection. The macrophages initiate the innate immune system - the first line of defense that sends white blood cells, cytokines, and antimicrobial peptides to stop the invasion. It is said the the gene GEF-H1 controls the response by binding to microtubules and recognizing bacteria.

The Hospital has also found that without GEF-H1 the tested mice were not able to be protected from two viral infections. Influenza A and enchephlomyocarditis were not attacked by the immune system. It is said that this could be due to viruses being capable of creating a resistance against the immune response. they are able to develop strategy's to prevent the immune system from stopping them so they can continue their invasion. However the discovery doesn't discourage the researchers, they hope to find a way to destroy the viruses strategy.

Knowing that researchers are constantly looking for ways to prevent viral infections and any other pathogen is reassuring. This means we are one step closer to developing a technique to ensure everyone has a healthy life. Our body holds many secrets but when we find these secrets it we find new ways to create treatments with the knowledge that comes out of research.

Butyric Acid Increases Amount of Treg Cells in the Gut

A recent  research conducted by RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences found that butyric acid, a by-product of fiber digesting bacteria which lives in the gut of humans, can actually boost the immune system. According to an article published on Science Daily, the butyric acid - a fatty acid- accomplishes this by epigenetically causing immature T- cells in our gut to mature into Treg cells.

Moreover, scientists have found that people who have a deficiency of butyric acid in their gut are more susceptible to and often do suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases.
Clearly this is a great discovery for not only the science community, but also for those who suffer from this disease. Because of the knowledge gained as a result of this research, we can understand the causes of inflammatory bowel diseases and also work towards treating them.

The Genetics of a Cell's Natural Defense

For years there has been debate and question over just exactly how cells in our bodies fight off disease and infections. The "Immune System" is a broad range of mechanisms and devices within the human body that keep us healthy. However, in a study conducted UC San Diego, the immune defense of intestinal cells was studied. Using the roundworm  C. elegans, scientists were able to study the exact mechanisms of how infection was fought. The worm was ideal for the study because of its physical transparency, and similarity to human cells.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="360" caption="A Cell's Immune System at Work"][/caption]

It was found that the cell's defense depended on the availability of certain transcription factors. Since the "infection" would inhibit the normal activity of the roundworms cells, once proteins stopped being synthesized, antibiotic defense factors were released by the cell. It was determined by this study that the inhibition of protein synthesis in the roundworm directly expresses the cell's defense genes. Scientists and experts estimate that many other similar chemical pathways exist, and that certain toxins, nutrients, and other materials may express certain genes.

New immune defense enzyme

The finding of the enzyme neutrophil serine protease 4, or NSP4 is a huge step forward for anti-inflammatory drugs. The above picture shows the NSP4 stained in bone marrow myeloblast and myelocytes.  This enzyme could help with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, chronic arthritis or inflammatory skin diseases.  The neutrophil serine protease are enzymes that activate signal molecules that guide other immune cells to destroy pathogens on focus inflammation areas.  The NSP4 is different from the other three that are known because it cuts proteins with the amino acid arginine.  This was found while looking through the human genome for genes that encode serine protease and was noticed becuase it was an unknown gene sequence.  Though this a huge find, it will be some time till there is anything done with it because there needs to be test done to see what the long term effects of its use will be on the body.