New strategies against bird flu(ngkong and the US-army provided samples ...)

Date:6/26/2008

ngkong, and the US-army provided samples from animals infected with Anthrax and lung plague. Common to all ARDS samples was the massive amount of oxidation products found within the cells. Based on these findings, the scientists showed that oxidative stress is the common trigger that ultimately leads to lung failure.

To elucidate the entire pathway, Yumiko Imai of IMBA developed several mouse models. She was now able to show that a molecule called TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) is responsible for initiating the critical signalling pathway. TLR4 is displayed at the surface of certain lung cells called macrophages, important players of the bodys immune system. Once activated, TLR4 initiates an entire chain reaction which ends with the fatal failure of the lungs. Surprisingly, mice challenged with inactivated H5N1 avian influenza virus also dveloped the full reaction. On the other hand, mutant mice in which the function of TLR4 was genetically impaired were protected from lung failure in repsonse to the inactivated virus.

Based on these findings, the researchers can now outline a common molecular disease pathway: Microbial or chemical lung pathogens trigger the oxidative stress machinery. Oxidation products are intrepreted as danger-signals by the receptor TLR4. Subsequently, the bodys innate immune system is activated. This defense machinery in turn leads to a chain of reactions with severe and often fatal lung damage as a consequence.

For Yumiko Imai, a Postdoc in Josef Penningers team and pediatrician by training, these results are highly satisfying. Her motivation to study ARDS is based on personal experience in over 10 years at a pediatric intensive care unit. I have seen so many children die from acute lung failure and felt utterly helpless, Imai says. Since we found a common injury pathway, our hopes are high that we may be able to develop a new and innovative strategy for tackling severe lung infections.

'/>"/>

Contact: Dr. Heidemarie Hurtl hurtl@imp.ac.at 43-179-730-3625 Research Institute of Molecular Pathology Source:Eurekalert

1 GOOD

Page: 1 2
Related biology technology :

1. Pharsight to Present on IVIVC at Bioequivalence & Bioavailability Strategies Conference
2. Campbell Alliance Managed Markets Practice to Take a Leadership Role at the CBI Forum on Effective Product Pricing and Modeling Strategies
3. As Billions in Blockbuster Drug Revenue Goes Off Patent, Life Sciences Companies are Challenged to Fundamentally Change Future R&D Strategies, According to New Deloitte Report
4. BioInformatics, LLC Studies Trade Show Exhibition Strategies in the Life Science Market
5. White Paper Details Environmental Health & Safety Compliance Strategies for Laboratories
6. Beyond DTC: Pharma Industry Faces New Challenges, Competition, Strategies for Market Dominance
7. Biomoda Hires Manzano Strategies LLC to Spearhead Government Affairs Efforts
8. Pharsight Invited to Present on Winning Strategies for R&D Productivity at New York Pharma Forum on October 15, 2007
9. New White Paper Details Strategies for Biotechnology Companies to Improve EH&S Compliance
10. Sigma-Aldrich and Lab Manager Magazine Present Webinar On Laboratory Environmental, Health and Safety Compliance Strategies
11. Weitz & Luxenberg Files Seroquel Diabetes Lawsuit Against AstraZeneca