Protein complex key in avoiding DNA repair mistakes, cancer Aug 5, 2009
The process is known as immunoglobulin class switch recombination ... The breaks were located in the immunoglobulin locus, the site where class switch recombination occurs ... "The link to cancer results from what is known to happen to DNA breaks at the immunoglobulin locus," says Ferguson. (EurekAlert!)
Leading Pathogen In Newborns Can Suppress Immune Cell Function Jul 28, 2009
Their most recent focus has been on the special role of Siglecs (short for sialic acid binding Ig-like lectins), members of the immunoglobulin family of antibodies. Siglecs sense a chemical structure known as sialic acid a sugar molecule that is abundant on the surface of all human cells and send signals that control the gene expression and function of immune cells. (Science Daily)
Canine Culls and Feral Feasts: China Still No Closer to Ending Its Rabies Problem Jul 25, 2009
The new inoculation series requires an injection of human or horse immunoglobulin, which is in short supply in developing countries, but the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Boston is currently testing a in India that uses monoclonal antibodies that could one day be easily manufactured in China. Whether the development of safer, more affordable vaccines can stop the rise of rabies is unclear. (Scientific American)
Breakthrough In Transgenic Animal Production Enables Development Of New Human Disease Models Jul 25, 2009
In the first commercial application of this technique, OMT, a private biotechnology company developing a new rat-based human antibody platform, used Sangamo's ZFNs to knock out the gene encoding rat immunoglobulin M (IgM), an important gene for rat antibody production. Inactivation of rat IgM expression is the first step in generating rats that exclusively express human antibodies encoded by transgenic human immunoglobulin genes. (Science Daily)
Bcl6 gene sculpts helper T cell to boost antibody production Jul 24, 2009
"In germinal centers, the B cells not only proliferate but they also undergo hypermutation in their immunoglobulin genes so they can produce a diverse class of antibodies," Dong said. "These mutations also allow production of antibodies with stronger affinity for their target antigens.". (EurekAlert!)
New Alzheimer's Treatment Could Be on the Horizon Jul 22, 2009
Researchers looked at the association between the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and the occurrence of Alzheimer's. "IVIg has been used safely for more than 20 years to treat other diseases but is thought to have an indirect effect on Alzheimer's disease by targeting beta-amyloid, or plaques, in the brain," said Dr. Howard Fillit, a clinical professor of geriatrics and medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and the study's lead author. (MEDLINEplus)
Immune therapy Alzheimer's hope Jul 21, 2009
The team from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York looked at the records of 847 people who had been given at least one intravenous immunoglobulin. (IVIg) treatment for cancers, such as leukaemia, or immune system disorders. (BBC News -- Health)
Children and Asthma Jul 17, 2009
Baby s exposed to maternal stress showed higher levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) which is linked to allergies and asthma. Research also shows that children whose parents smoke are twice as likely to develop asthma. (Suite101.com)
CSL taken to court over price fixing claims Jul 17, 2009
"CSL and Baxter, in particular, have focused on preventing oversupply of IVIG [intravenous immunoglobulin] and plasma. "Baxter and CSL have developed sophisticated oligopoly models to estimate and predict changes in supply and demand. "Firms also engage in signalling - i.e, intentional sharing of competitive information for purposes of securing accommodating reactions from other firms.". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Chemists Say Antibody Surrogates Are Just A 'Click' Away Jul 15, 2009
A nephrologist has found that a specialized type of anti-rejection therapy using intravenous immunoglobulin can make kidney transplants possible for. . (Science Daily)
Terry Rindfleisch: Kidney recipient grateful for quality of life Jun 24, 2009
Recently she had been going to Gundersen Lutheran once a month for an eight-hour treatment of immunoglobulin infusions to prevent antibodies from returning ... That day, Chadwick said, she had the liquid part of her blood replaced with donor plasma that had been screened for antibodies, followed by immunoglobulin infusions. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Study May Redefine How A Chronic Auto-immune Disease Is Diagnosed Jun 19, 2009
Treatment for CIDP includes corticosteroids such as prednisone, plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). IVIg may be used even as a first-line therapy. (Science Daily)
US authority seeks to block CSL bid for rival Jun 6, 2009
"CSL and Baxter, in particular, have focused on preventing oversupply of IVIG [intravenous immunoglobulin] and plasma. Baxter and CSL have developed sophisticated oligopoly models to estimate and predict changes in supply and demand. "Firms also engage in signalling - that is, intentional sharing of competitive information for ; securing accommodating reactions from other firms. " Today in Business Story Tools Lance Franklin is the biggest name in AFL. In a rare interview, he tells of his... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Baby measles immune boost call May 31, 2009
This human normal immunoglobulin (HNIG) is made from donor plasma and is currently used in immuno-compromised patients, such as children with leukaemia. It was also previously offered in outbreaks in infants older than six months but too young for the MMR.. (BBC News -- UK)
CSL Plans to Contest U.S. FTC's Actions to Block Its Talecris Acquisition May 28, 2009
A successful bid would help the company overtake Deerfield, Illinois-based as the leader in the $15 billion global market for blood plasma-derived medical treatments such as immunoglobulin, used to treat patients with weakened immune systems ... CSLs proposed acquisition of Talecris would be anti- competitive and violate antitrust laws, and leave CSL and Baxter controlling 80 percent of the U.S. market for immunoglobulin and albumin, the commission said in a statement. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
CSL challenges US block of Talecris deal May 28, 2009
A tie-up with Talecris would have handed CSL roughly a quarter of the world's $US15 billion plasma therapy market and control of half the world's immunoglobulin market. In the US, CSL would have had more than 60 per cent of the human plasma market, ceding the rest to one other competitor. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Making a wish come true May 27, 2009
Recently, Nathan began getting monthly treatments of intravenous immunoglobulin at the University Medical Center in Tucson to increase his antibodies. So far, it has been successful for him. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Fake Drugs Kill 700,000 Yearly May 27, 2009
In May 2008, six out of seven people injected with immunoglobulin in Jiangxi Province died. A subsequent examination by the authorities found irregularities in samples of the drug. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
CUHK Releases Results of 'Survey on Toddler Health in Hong Kong' May 26, 2009
" Mr. Schipper stated that Nestle has developed a high-quality probiotic, Bifidus BL, which has been shown to stimulate immune response, reduce inflammatory reactions in children suffering from allergies, provide healthy gastrointestinal environment and help children have more desirable soft bowel movements. The clinical studies on Bifidus BL were developed by a team of 300 nutritionists and scientists at the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, one of the world's leading research... (PR Newswire)
NYU School of Medicine pathology researchers solve another mystery in B lymphocyte development May 22, 2009
New York May 18, 2009: A new study published online in Nature Immunology ahead of the June 2009 print issue has found that homologous immunoglobulin (lg) alleles pair up in the nucleus at stages that coincide with V(D)J recombination of the heavy and light chain (Igh and Igk) loci ... In "RAG-1 and ATM Coordinate Monoallelic Recombination and Nuclear Positioning of Immunoglobulin Loci," researchers found that RAG-mediated cleavage occurs on one allele at a time at every stage of Igh and Igk... (EurekAlert!)
Possible Link Between Childhood Obesity And Allergies May 9, 2009
They looked at total and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) or antibody levels to a large panel of indoor, outdoor and food allergens, body weight, and responses to a questionnaire about diagnoses of hay fever, eczema, and allergies. Obesity was defined as being in the 95th percentile of the body mass index for the child's age. (Science Daily)
New Insight Into An Old Reaction: Adenylylation Regulates Cell Signaling Apr 18, 2009
Immunoglobulin binding protein A (IbpA) is a large fibrillar surface antigen that is produced by the respiratory pathogen Histophilus somni and has been implicated in virulence and host toxicity. One section of IbpA is similar to YopT, a known cytotoxic effector, while a separate domain resembles Bordetella pertussis filamentous hemagglutinin, which mediates attachment to host cells. (Science Daily)
Rabies incidents increasing among wild animals Apr 1, 2009
Doctors give an immunoglobulin to the patient, then vaccinations to stimulate the patients own immunity to the virus, Escalada said. This modern treatment has eliminated painful shots in the stomach. (Nogales International, AZ)
Protein from tick saliva studied for potential myasthenia gravis treatment Mar 26, 2009
Other treatments, intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis, which involve blood plasma, are expensive and can have rare but serious side-effects such as infections, heart attacks and stroke. Doctors believe that myasthenia gravis is caused by an overreaction of the complement system, a component of the immune system that specifically defends against parasites, bacteria and other pathogens. (EurekAlert!)
Exposure to Peanuts May Build Tolerance to Allergy Mar 17, 2009
When the researchers tracked immunologic changes -- specifically levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin E, which the body makes in response to allergens -- they found the levels had declined to nearly nothing at the end of the trial. "I think what has been shown in this [research] is that the threshold [at which allergic reactions begin] really can change with treatment," Burks said. (MEDLINEplus)
Studies show children can complete treatment for peanut allergies and achieve long-term tolerance Mar 16, 2009
One of the tests used in the study looks at immunoglobulin E (IgE), a protein the body makes in response to peanut allergens. "If you have it, you're likely allergic, if you don't, you aren't," explained Burks. (EurekAlert!)
Angola: Record Rabies Outbreak Kills 93 Children Mar 12, 2009
Once exposed, WHO recommends Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which could be a four- to five-dose regimen, and administration of rabies immunoglobulin in case of severe exposure, such as multiple bites in the head area ... immunoglobulin to prevent death, which can cost another $50. (allAfrica.com)
Number of cardiovascular risk factors could determine safety of intravenous gammaglobulin treatment Mar 5, 2009
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. New research out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine identifies the presence of cardiovascular risk factors as an indicator of how likely it is that elderly, hospitalized patients who receive intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment will have a stroke or heart attack ... Prior to this study, physicians knew that administering intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIg, could cause stroke or heart attack, but it was unclear when those serious side effects occurred ...... (EurekAlert!)
Colostrum can help calves throughout life (26) Feb 23, 2009
We have measured the immunoglobulin type G (IgG) levels in calves at UW finding that, even though we closely manage cows during calving, we still have approximately 40 percent of our calves with low (below 8. 0 mg/ml) IgG levels. (Great Falls Prairie Star, MT)
Have researchers found the flu's Achilles' heel? Feb 23, 2009
The team then turned the antibodies into full-length immunoglobulins and tested them in mice. Immunoglobulin - antibodies derived from the blood of survivors of an infection - has a long history in medicine. (International Herald Tribune)
Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment of Ustekinumab Effective, Study Suggests Feb 23, 2009
Ustekinumab is a human immunoglobulin monoclonal antibody that is also being studied for treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Researchers conducting the study published in The Lancet reported that at week 12 of the study, 42 percent of patients given 63 or 90 mg of the drug at weeks 0, 1, 2 and 3 showed significant improvement in their pain, stiffness and other symptoms defined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR20) score compared with 14 percent of patients... (Science Daily)
Sex: Good for What Ails You Feb 19, 2009
Colds and Flu: An active sex life has been tied to higher levels of substances called immunoglobulin A (IgA) thought to fight colds and flu. People who made love more than once a week had a 30 percent increase in IgA levels. (Newsmax)
New location, hope for MDA walk Feb 18, 2009
"She had a tumor in her thymus gland and she got droopy eye and had trouble swallowing." Hammons must now take monthly immunoglobulin treatments at Yuma Regional Medical Center, Beck said. Two years ago, Hammons was advised to leave her job in retail in which she was on her feet all day. (Yuma Daily Sun, AZ)
Tailor-made Recombinant Proteins In Mammals Feb 16, 2009
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the most widely used, clinically important type of antibody. For example, it can be rendered anti-inflammatory by chemically modifying part of its structure known as the Fc fragment. (Science Daily)
IRI Separation Technologies Inc.: Agreement with Japanese Partners to Produce Helicobacter Pylori and Avian Influenza Specific Antibodies Feb 13, 2009
IRI Separation Technologies Inc. (TSX VENTURE: - ) is a biotechnology company that specializes in the extraction development and commercialization of monoclonal and polyclonal immunoglobulin antibodies for virus and bacteria related health issues ... The immunoglobulin antibodies are intended for both the general and specific antibody market. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
The Secret Lives of Monoclonal B Cells Feb 12, 2009
Their revelations were first uncovered indirectly in serum through reactions with microbes, cells, and toxins; increases in gamma globulin after immunization; agammaglobulinemia associated with immune deficiency; and the paraproteins in multiple myeloma and related disorders that ultimately revealed the structure of immunoglobulins and prompted the two-gene one-antibody hypothesis. Further revelations, often surprising and unique, came from the B cells themselves: clonal expansion, allelic... (New England Journal of Medicine)
B-Cell Clones as Early Markers for CLL Feb 12, 2009
Using six-color flow cytometry (with antibodies CD45, CD19, CD5, CD10, kappa, and lambda) and immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangement by reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction assay, we determined the association between MBL and subsequent CLL and characterized the immunoglobulin gene repertoire of the prediagnostic B-cell clones ... The presence of immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable (IGHV) genes was determined in 35 of 45 prediagnostic clones (78%). (New England Journal of Medicine)
Sex can protect against cancer and fight colds and flu Feb 11, 2009
While the immune system is fortified is a person has sex once or twice a week thanks to the body producing higher levels of immunoglobulin A a substance that helps fight colds and flu. However, there are downsides to sex. (NEWS.com.au)
