Researchers identify candidate vaccine for Sjgre...( TORONTO - Researchers at The Hospital f...)

TORONTO - Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), Toronto Western Hospital and the University of Toronto (U of T) have identified the protein that triggers the autoimmune response in Sjgren syndrome, a prevalent autoimmune disease, as well as a candidate vaccine to treat this condition. This research is reported in the October 5 issue of the scientific journal The Lancet.

Using a mouse model that naturally develops autoimmune Sjgren syndrome, the laboratory of Dr. Michael Dosch, an HSC senior scientist, has identified a protein (ICA69) that is a major target in the autoimmune response that results in Sjgren syndrome. They have also developed a prototype vaccine to treat this condition, which dramatically reduced the progression of tissue damage even relatively late in the disease in the animal model.

Sjgren syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture producing glands - for example, the salivary (mouth) and lacrimal (tear duct) glands. Sjgren syndrome affects approximately one per cent of the population. Nine out of ten patients are women and the average age of onset is in the late 40s. About 50 per cent of the time Sjgren syndrome occurs alone, and 50 per cent of the time it occurs in the presence of another connective tissue disease. The four most common diagnoses that co-exsist with Sjgren syndrome are rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and polymyositis/dermatomyositis.

The primary symptoms of Sjgren syndrome are dry eyes and dry mouth. It may also cause dryness of other organs, affecting the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, lung, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. Many patients experience debilitating fatigue and joint pain. Symptoms can plateau, worsen, or go into remission. While some people experience mild symptoms, others suffer debilitating symptoms that greatly impair their quality of life. There
'"/>

Contact: Laura Greer
laura.greer@sickkids.ca
416-813-5046
University of Toronto
3-Oct-2002

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Researchers determine genetic cause of Timothy syndrome
2. Researchers find color sensitive atomic switch in bacteria
3. Researchers identify protein promoting vascular tumor growth
4. Researchers devise potent new tools to curb ivory poaching
5. Researchers create nanotubes that change colors, form nanocarpet and kill bacteria
6. Researchers ID chlorophyll-regulating gene
7. Researchers develop fast track way to discover how cells are regulated
8. Researchers identify distinctive signature for metastatic prostate cancer
9. Researchers report new gene test for isolated cleft lip and palate
10. Researchers discover why mutant gene causes colon cancer
11. Researchers identify the genomes controlling elements