HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Research uncovers signaling pathways related to brain-immune system links

New research on signaling pathways in immune cells bolsters evidence of connections between the central nervous system and the immune system. The findings may also advance the scientific foundation for a potential HIV treatment that may block the virus that causes AIDS.

The cell culture study by a research team from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published online on May 4.

The team, led by Steven D. Douglas, M.D., chief of the Section of Immunology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, analyzed neurokinin-1 receptors found on the surfaces of monocytes, immune cells that develop into macrophages. The neurokinin-1 receptors (NK-1R) are docking sites for substance P, a well-known neurotransmitter that plays important roles in both immune function and the nervous system.

In the current study, the Douglas team investigated two forms of NK-1R in a human monocyte/macrophage cell line. One was a full-length receptor, the other a shortened version with fewer amino acids. When the researchers added substance P to cell cultures with the receptors, both responded with an increase in calcium ions, but used distinct signaling pathways.

The truncated NK-IR did not respond directly to substance P, but worked through another signaling molecule, the chemokine RANTES, to increase the calcium flow. The RANTES molecule is important because it binds to another cell receptor, CCR5, which is crucial in allowing common strains of HIV (R5 strains) to infect immune cells.

Significantly, when the investigators added the drug aprepitant, which binds to NK-1R, to their cell cultures, it inhibited signaling from both the full-length and short form of the receptors.

Although the current study was not focused on HIV infection, it directly relates to broader interests of Dr. Douglas' laboratory. He currently leads a four-year program projec
'"/>

Contact: John Ascenzi
Ascenzi@email.chop.edu
267-426-6055
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
15-May-2006


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Gilbert Foundation and American Fed for Aging Research award grants on Alzheimers disease
2. Research shows skeleton to be endocrine organ
3. Research aims to identify markers for menopausal women at risk for deadly blood clot
4. Research team enlightens the reasons for severe blindness
5. Research teams uncover risk genes for multiple sclerosis
6. Research shows NPD1 protects a key component of vision
7. Researchers find pathway that controls cell size and division
8. Researchers watch antibiotics, bacteria meet at atomic level
9. Researchers discover gene responsible for Restless Legs Syndrome
10. Research study describes the role part of the brain plays in memory
11. NY Stem Cell Foundations 2nd Annual Translational Stem Cell Research Conference

Post Your Comments:
(Date:5/21/2013)... and health stores, phosphatidylserine is a natural food ... to improve cognition and slow memory loss, it,s ... impairment. Now a team headed by Prof. Gil ... University,s Department of Human Molecular Genetics ... functioning of genes involved in degenerative brain disorders, ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... scientists have developed many devices that can reopen clogged ... effective, each of these treatments has drawbacks, including the ... MIT analyzes the potential usefulness of a new treatment ... stents, but may pose fewer risks. With this new ... only a brief period, during which it releases a ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... genes function without changing the underlying DNA sequence, ... pregnant women during any trimester, potentially providing a ... after giving birth, and an opportunity to intervene ... the small study involving 52 pregnant women are ... . , "Postpartum depression can be harmful to ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Common food supplement fights degenerative brain disorders 2Evaluating a new way to open clogged arteries 2Evaluating a new way to open clogged arteries 3Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered by Hopkins researchers 2Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered by Hopkins researchers 3
(Date:5/20/2013)...  MiMedx Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDXG ), ... regenerative biomaterials and bioimplants processed from human amniotic membrane, ... of credit with Bank of America.  The revolving line ... accounts receivable and inventory, allows MiMedx to borrow up ... will be used for general corporate purposes. ...
(Date:5/20/2013)...  (PSHR) Pacific Shore Holdings, Inc. a consumer ... broad range of product categories lines, today reports ... BlueWater Advisory Group, to provide strategic counsel and ... to direct the company,s outreach and investor awareness ... Matthew Mills , Pacific Shore Holdings, president ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... Biomarkers and Clinigene International are set to unveil their ... 2013 AAPS/ National Biotechnology Conference May 20-22 ... Marina , San Diego, CA. ... company representatives at their collaborative seminar, "Biosimilarity, Immunogenicity and ... 1-2 p.m. in the conference,s Spinnaker Room. ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... Md. and BALTIMORE , May 20, ... a regional private-public partnership focusing on commercializing market-relevant ... in Central Maryland , today ... as the first Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) for BHI at ... Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Dr. ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Pacific Shore Holdings Retains Investor Relations Firm 2Pacific Biomarkers and Clinigene International To Announce Laboratory Solutions for Developers of Biosimilars at 2013 AAPS/ National Biotechnology Conference 2BioHealth Innovation, Inc. Names Ram Aiyar as Entrepreneur-in-Residence to NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 2BioHealth Innovation, Inc. Names Ram Aiyar as Entrepreneur-in-Residence to NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 3BioHealth Innovation, Inc. Names Ram Aiyar as Entrepreneur-in-Residence to NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 4
Cached News: