Navigation Links
NIH study suggests immune system could play a central role in AMD
Date:11/28/2012

Changes in how genes in the immune system function may result in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of visual impairment in older adults, based on preliminary research conducted by National Institutes of Health (NIH) investigators.

"Our findings are epigenetic in nature, meaning that the underlying DNA is normal but gene expression has been modified, likely by environmental factors, in an adverse way," said Dr. Robert Nussenblatt, chief of the National Eye Institute (NEI) Laboratory of Immunology. Environmental factors associated with AMD include smoking, diet, and aging. "This is the first epigenetic study revealing the molecular mechanisms for any eye disease."

The study identified decreased levels of DNA methylation, a chemical reaction that switches off genes, on the interleukin-17 receptor C gene (IL17RC). The lack of DNA methylation led to increased gene activity and, in turn, increased levels of IL17RC proteins in patients with AMD. IL17RC is a protein that promotes immune responses to infections, such as fungal attacks.

The study, conducted by research teams from the NEI and other NIH institutes, including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; the University of Melbourne, Australia; and Oregon Health and Science University, appears in the Nov. 29 issue of Cell Reports.

"Our study also suggests IL17- and IL17RC-mediated immune responses can be crucial in causing AMD," added Dr. Lai Wei, also of NEI's Laboratory of Immunology and first author on the paper. "By measuring IL17RC gene activity in at-risk patients, we have also potentially identified an early method to detect AMD."

AMD damages the light-sensitive cells of the macula, the central part of the retina that allows us to see fine visual detail. As the disease progresses, patients encounter great difficulty reading, driving, or performing hobbie
'/>"/>

Contact: NEI Communications Office
neinews@nei.nih.gov
301-496-5248
NIH/National Eye Institute
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Study by UC Santa Barbara researchers suggests that bacteria communicate by touch
2. Law that regulates shark fishery is too liberal: UBC study
3. New study will help protect vulnerable birds from impacts of climate change
4. Study jointly led by UCSB researcher supports theory of extraterrestrial impact
5. BYU study: Using a gun in bear encounters doesnt make you safer
6. 15-year study: When it comes to creating wetlands, Mother Nature is in charge
7. Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract) shown to improve menopause symptoms in new study
8. Crystal structure of archael chromatin clarified in new study
9. EU-funded study underlines importance of Congo Basin for global climate and biodiversity
10. University of Houston study shows BP oil spill hurt marshes, but recovery possible
11. Study demonstrates cells can acquire new functions through transcriptional regulatory network
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/20/2013)... USA New Geology articles posted ... 2013 cover a wide swath of geoscience subdisciplines, ... geophysics, and paleobotany. Locations studied include Siberia; the ... Alpi Apuane, Italy; Ukraine; Mars; and the Southeastern ... 1. Rubies, jadeite, and plate tectonics;, 2. The ...
(Date:5/19/2013)... at the University of California, Davis have engineered a ... for light. They report their findings today at ... Microbiology. , "In this work, we used synthetic biology ... carbon dioxide and light energy for growth) cyanobacterial metabolism ... Jordan McEwen, the lead researcher on the study. ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... FL (May 18, 2013) Research presented at ... managing digestive health through diet and lifestyle. ... plagued by reduced muscle strength, fatigue and poor ... when patients are in remission. A randomized, double ... that vitamin D supplementation corresponded to significant relief ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 2New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 3New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 4New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 5New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 6New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 7New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 8New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 9New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 10New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 11Research examines new methods for managing digestive health 2Research examines new methods for managing digestive health 3
... light is life. It drives everything from photosynthesis to ... that enables light signals to control gene activity and ... Now a team of researchers from the Salk Institute ... courier that gives the signal to revamp the plant,s ...
... June 24 West Corporation has selected the ... authentication for their thousands of virtual  agents supporting Fortune ... service.  Using Anakam.TFA® capabilities, West at Home will be ... authentication mechanisms offered on the Anakam platform, including voice ...
... 2010 The approach the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ... anaerobic lagoons that treat manure contains errors and may ... scientists from the University of Missouri. Anaerobic lagoons ... application to crops as a fertilizer. Methane, one byproduct ...
Cached Biology News:Connecting the dots: How light receptors get their message across 2Connecting the dots: How light receptors get their message across 3West Corporation Partners With Anakam(R) to Provide Multi-Factor Authentication and Voice Biometrics 2West Corporation Partners With Anakam(R) to Provide Multi-Factor Authentication and Voice Biometrics 3West Corporation Partners With Anakam(R) to Provide Multi-Factor Authentication and Voice Biometrics 4Scientists question EPA estimates of greenhouse gas emissions 2
(Date:5/22/2013)... 2013 Mold remediation could take a toll ... is a way to cut down the process' expense. And ... post the details of a method how to kill ... could be prevented, My Cleaning Products said. But in case ... a mold remediation must then be promptly implemented as it ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... FL (PRWEB) May 22, 2013 A recent ... of probiotics on athletes to find that those who took ... longer. The results from the study showed that in extreme ... Action, known for their adult acne treatment explains ... and how it may help their skin condition. , ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... , May 21, 2013  On May 9, ... ), the global business advisory firm dedicated to ... (the "Company"), announced that it has combined the ... formerly included within the Corporate Finance/Restructuring segment with ... to form a single integrated practice whose financial ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... led by George Washington University Professor Tianshu Li ... in small droplets is strongly size-dependent, an important ... The formation of ice at the nanoscale is ... also has important implications for climate research and ... from supercooled water is generally initiated by a ...
Breaking Biology Technology:How to Kill Mold While Saving Thousands of Dollars on Mold Remediation Projects Explained by My Cleaning Products 2Adult Acne Treatment, Probiotic Action Shares Insight on New Findings Between Probiotics and Heat Tolerance, and What It Means for Acne Sufferers 2FTI Consulting Releases Realigned Segment Information Reflecting Newly Combined Health Solutions Practice 2Study led by GW professor provides better understanding of water's freezing behavior at nanoscale 2
... Standards and Technology (NIST) and Seoul National University ... class of polymer-based semiconductors to better control the ... blend. Their recent resultshow to move the top ... large-scale manufacturing techniques for a wide range of ...
... of us, gold is only valuable if we possess ... rule isn,t the case for those interested in exploiting ... chemical reactions, including the oxidation of poisonous carbon monoxide ... process, if industrialized, could potentially improve the effectiveness of ...
... N.J., Sept. 5 Pharmasset, Inc.,(Nasdaq: VRUS ) ... Day,being held September 8, 2008, at the Citi Executive ... the Morgan Stanley Global,Healthcare Unplugged Conference on September 9, ... Price, Pharmasset,s Chief Executive Officer,will provide a brief overview ...
Cached Biology Technology:Bottoms up: Better organic semiconductors for printable electronics 2NIST and partners identify tiny gold clusters as top-notch catalysts 2Pharmasset to Present at the Upcoming Citibank and Morgan Stanley Investor Conferences 2
Standard 2" and 3" Fiberboard Boxes can be sold separately or with 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81 or 100 cell dividers. Fiberboard boxes can also be ordered with corresponding freezer racks...
Although each Beacon 2000 System includes one preinstalled sample chamber (size specified at time of order), optional chambers are available and easily retrofit by the user....
... technology incorporating the sophisticated DirectDrive architecture ... new Varian NMR System is undeniably ... ,The Varian NMR System features parallel ... channel, providing pulse sequence programming power ...
... vitro cell labeling mix, 92.5 ... solution stabilized with 0.1% 2-mercaptoethanol ... 3,4-dicarboxylic acid. *Amino acid mixture ... containing l-[35S]Methionine and l-[35S]Cysteine. * ...
Biology Products: