Monocyte News and Research

RSS

Altering balance among immune system cells could hold potential for T2D-associated inflammation treatment

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have demonstrated that certain T cells require input from monocytes in order to maintain their pro-inflammatory response in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study also showed, for the first time, how a loss in homeostasis in this group of T cells most likely promotes chronic inflammation associated with T2D.

22 Dec 2010

Researchers present definitive explanation of how fibrotic cells destroy human liver

In the latest of a series of related papers, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, with colleagues in Austria and elsewhere, present a new and more definitive explanation of how fibrotic cells form, multiply and eventually destroy the human liver, resulting in cirrhosis. In doing so, the findings upend the standing of a long-presumed marker for multiple fibrotic diseases and reveal the existence of a previously unknown kind of inflammatory white blood cell.

21 Dec 2010

Argos' AGS-004 shows feasibility in in vitro models to generate DC from viremic patients

Argos Therapeutics announced today that its Arcelis HIV immunotherapy, AGS-004, showed feasibility in in vitro models to generate fully functional dendritic cells (DC) from viremic patients.

13 Dec 2010

Consolidation treatment with Y-90 epratuzumab after R-CHOP improves remission in DLBCL lymphoma

Immunomedics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of monoclonal antibody-based products for the targeted treatment of cancer, autoimmune and other serious diseases, today reported that consolidation treatment with fractionated yttrium-90 (Y-90) labeled epratuzumab, after induction therapy with rituximab and CHOP (R-CHOP) chemotherapy, improved remission status of adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a form of aggressive lymphoma.

7 Dec 2010

Appropriate level of Static Magnetic Field exposure for wound patients needs to be considered

The interest in the biological effects of non-ionizing Electro Magnetic Fields (EMFs) and Static Magnetic Fields (SMFs) on the whole organism, as well on cellular systems, has noticeably increased in recent years in consideration of their increased production (from the generation and transmission of electricity, to domestic appliances and industrial equipment, to telecommunications and broadcasting) and the possible health risk for humans.

4 Dec 2010

Spleen cells may do more harm than good at site of spinal cord injury

The spleen, an organ that helps the body fight infections, might also be a source of the cells that end up doing more harm than good at the site of a spinal cord injury, new research suggests.

18 Nov 2010

Gene transfer reduces and stabilizes plaque and decreases inflammation

A plaque-fighting gene - studied in various forms by researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute for 18 years - has now been transferred intravenously to lab mice bred to model atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) in humans. Studies show the gene transfer reduced and stabilized plaque and decreased inflammation, key factors in cutting the risk of heart disease.

18 Nov 2010

Research suggests targeting spleen may promote healing of spinal cord injury

The spleen, an organ that helps the body fight infections, might also be a source of the cells that end up doing more harm than good at the site of a spinal cord injury, new research suggests.

16 Nov 2010

Elevated levels of MCP-1 found in urine of patients with acute kidney injury

The presence of certain markers in the urine might be a red flag for acute kidney injury (AKI), according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The results suggest that a simple urine test could help prevent cases of kidney failure.

12 Nov 2010

Scientists identify new way to drive dendritic cells from blood monocytes

Dendritic cells, known to be the prime movers of the body's immune response, are still notoriously difficult to study in humans. Samples, which come primarily from bone marrow or lymphoid tissue, are simply too difficult to obtain. But new research at Rockefeller University has shown scientists a way to study "authentic" dendritic cells from mouse monocytes, which are abundant in the blood, a much more accessible source in humans.

11 Nov 2010

Patient-specific experimental vaccine to prevent recurrence of glioblastoma

Mary Lee's primary care physician is also a family friend. When he walked into the exam room in October 2006 with tears in his eyes, she knew something serious was wrong. But she was shocked to learn she had a brain tumor - and later found out it was the most aggressive malignant type, a glioblastoma multiforme.

14 Oct 2010

Late breaking clinical trials in interventional cardiovascular medicine to be presented at TCT 2010

Clinical trials in a variety of areas within interventional cardiovascular medicine that will be presented at TCT 2010 will directly affect the way that people with cardiovascular disease are treated. Breakthroughs in science and medical research, presented exclusively at TCT, will lead to new treatments that are minimally invasive and involve shorter recovery times. Among the topics being covered are stenting in the femoral artery, polymer-free drug-eluting stents, valves and drug-eluting balloons used in angioplasty.

8 Sep 2010

David Mosser to discuss primary duty of macrophages at American Physiological Society conference

The term "macrophage" conjures images of a hungry white blood cell gobbling invading bacteria. However, macrophages do much more than that. Not only do they act as antimicrobial warriors, they also play critical roles in immune regulation and wound-healing. They can respond to a variety of cellular signals and change their physiology in response to local cues.

27 Aug 2010

Study finds high glucose level blocks infectious bacteria detection, affects immunity

Research led by the Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick has found that unhealthy glucose levels in patients with diabetes can cause significantly more problems for the body than just the well-known symptoms of the disease such as kidney damage and circulation problems.

24 Aug 2010

Medical standard of care triggers biological responses in brain that can fuel tumor cell survival: Researchers

The medical standard of care - comprised of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy - for the most common form of brain cancer triggers a number of biological responses that may actually feed the energy metabolism that supports the disease, according to Boston College researchers writing in the journal Lancet Oncology.

15 Jul 2010

NOXXON to commence multiple ascending dose study of MCP-1 targeting anti-inflammatory Spiegelmer NOX-E36

NOXXON Pharma AG announced today that it has permission to commence a multiple ascending dose study of its Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) targeting anti-inflammatory Spiegelmer®, NOX-E36. NOXXON plans to develop NOX-E36 for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy and other diabetes related complications.

7 Jul 2010

LEAPS vaccine technology generates dendritic cells to stimulate immune system to fight viral illnesses

CEL-SCI Corporation and researchers at the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) jointly announced today that a LEAPS-based vaccine (Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation System) study has demonstrated the technology's potential using dendritic cells to stimulate the immune system to fight viral illnesses and other diseases.

29 Jun 2010

Positive Phase I results from ChemoCentryx CCX354 study for RA presented at EULAR

ChemoCentryx, Inc., today announced that it reported positive Phase I results for its novel drug candidate CCX354 at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR). CCX354 is the Company's orally-active small molecule drug candidate designed to specifically target the CCR1 chemokine receptor for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

17 Jun 2010

Researchers assess effect of MDs on cardiac and endothelial cell proliferation, survival

A research team from McGill University (Canada) report a beneficial effect on cardiac function in mouse models when implanted monocytes - a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system - helped preserve cardiac function following a heart attack (myocardial infarction).