Autoimmunity News and Research

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Autoimmune Disease is a condition in which the body recognizes its own tissues as foreign and directs an immune response against them.

Researchers discover molecular mechanisms behind autoimmunity

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have discovered that human proteins with an affinity for Dermatan Sulfate have the propensity to become autoantigens. In a companion article, the researchers also found that DS physically interacts with dead cells and that the resulting DS-autoantigen complexes drive autoreactive B-1a cell responses and autoantibody production both in-vitro and in mouse models.

26 Apr 2011

Circassia closes $98 million fundraising for lead allergy programmes

Circassia Ltd, a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on allergy, today announced that it has closed a GBP60 million fundraising. The funding round was led by Imperial Innovations, and included investments from other existing shareholders, including Invesco Perpetual.

19 Apr 2011

Scientists develop new compound for multiple sclerosis treatment

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have developed the first of a new class of highly selective compounds that effectively suppresses the severity of multiple sclerosis in animal models.

18 Apr 2011

Genzyme's alemtuzumab Phase 2 trial data in MS to be presented at AAN meeting

Genzyme, a subsidiary of sanofi-aventis Group, announced today that it will present new data from its completed Phase 2 trial of the investigational drug alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis at the American Academy of Neurology's 63rd Annual Meeting in Hawaii, April 9 - 16, 2011.

8 Apr 2011

Cellular Immunology supports Second International Conference on Immune Tolerance

Interest in the immune tolerance field continues to grow. Following the successful First International Conference, held in Boston in October 2009, the Second International Conference on Immune Tolerance will bring together international delegates to share their latest research and insights into the mechanisms and treatment of many conditions, most notably in transplantation, autoimmune diseases, inflammation and cancer.

1 Apr 2011

Diabetes management accepted for coverage by Chemical Abstracts

Future Medicine Ltd announces today that its new journal Diabetes Management (ISSN 1758-1907) which launched in January 2011 has been selected for coverage by Chemical Abstracts.

24 Mar 2011

AARDA report on American economic impact of AD released at congressional briefing

A new report by the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association examining the economic impact of autoimmune disease on Americans, their families and the United States was released today at a congressional briefing as part of AARDA's 2011 National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month activities.

23 Mar 2011

Study identifies gene linked to higher risk of multiple sclerosis in children

Canadians have one of the highest rates of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in the world with approximately 1,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Primarily striking in adulthood, physicians and researchers with the Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Diseases Network (CPDDN), a multi-institutional and multidisciplinary group, have found that MS is being increasingly diagnosed in children.

21 Mar 2011

NasVax reports positive results from Phase 2a trial of oral immunotherapy for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

NasVax announces the success of a Phase 2a clinical trial of a new oral immunotherapy for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an inflammatory disease associated with fatty liver disease and the metabolic syndrome.

21 Mar 2011

New study identifies 15 genetic regions underlying primary biliary cirrhosis

Researchers have provided new clues into the genetics underlying a chronic form of liver disease, called primary biliary cirrhosis, which can lead to transplant surgery for patients.

14 Mar 2011

Scientists identify regulatory T cells responsible for limiting immune response

Scientists from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have identified the key immune cell population responsible for regulating the body's immune response.

6 Mar 2011

New research provides insight into link between sunlight, vitamin D3, MS risk and severity

New research into the neurodegenerative disease, Multiple Sclerosis offers new insight into the link between sunlight, vitamin D3, and MS risk and severity.

3 Mar 2011

New PSA campaign to raise awareness about autoimmune diseases

The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association Inc. has unveiled a multi-media public service/awareness campaign titled "We are 50 Million" to herald March 2011 as National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month.

2 Mar 2011

Lampreys may have dual immune defense system similar to that of humans

Biologists have discovered that primitive, predatory lampreys have structures within their gills that play the same role as the thymus, the organ where immune cells called T cells develop in mammals, birds and fish.

4 Feb 2011

Histamine can be an important molecule to develop new treatments for MS

If you think histamines are your nemesis during allergy season, here's something that might change your perspective. New research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology shows that histamine could be an important molecule to developing new treatments for multiple sclerosis.

1 Feb 2011

PCMD forms 6M research and analysis network to investigate role of virus infection in type 1 diabetes

The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD), University of Exeter, is one of 13 academic institutions and businesses across Europe to form a -6m research and analysis network, funded by the EU for a five-year period, which is designed to investigate the possible role of virus infection in the cause of type 1 diabetes.

28 Jan 2011

Research finds link between increased hygiene and higher rates of certain diseases in women

Little girls growing up in western society are expected to be neat and tidy - "all ribbon and curls" - and one researcher who studies science and gender differences thinks that emphasis may contribute to higher rates of certain diseases in adult women.

27 Jan 2011

Scientist develops FMR1 genetic blood test for predicting IVF outcomes

A researcher at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has helped to develop the first genetic blood test for predicting the chances that in vitro fertilization will lead to a successful pregnancy.

13 Jan 2011

New research finds pattern for detecting 'false-positive' ANA results

The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) indicates the possibility of autoimmunity and the indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay on HEp-2 cells is the standard blood test (ANA-HEp-2) used to detect ANA. However, studies have shown that a "false-positive" ANA test occurs in up to 13% of healthy individuals. In such cases the test detects the presence of autoantibodies that apparently are not associated with autoimmunity.

4 Jan 2011

Phadia to market diagnostic products in India

Import, sales and distribution of Phadia's allergy, asthma and autoimmunity diagnostics products, including ImmunoCAP and EliA, have been commercially approved by the Indian authorities.

20 Dec 2010