Immune System Reset May Halt Multiple Sclerosis Progression

NIH | MARCH 3, 2015

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system. It results in damage to nerve fibers, disrupting communication between the brain and the body. The disease’s widely varying symptoms can include tingling or numbness in extremities, motor and speech difficulties, weakness, fatigue, chronic pain, vision loss, and depression.

One promising treatment for MS is HDIT/HCT (high-dose immunosuppressive therapy with autologous hematopoietic cell transplant). The goal of this treatment is to “reset” the immune system so that it will cease attacking the central nervous system.

Three years after HDIT/HCT treatment, nearly 80% of trial participants had survived without an increase in disability, relapse of MS symptoms, or new brain lesions. Patients didn’t receive any MS drugs during those 3 years.

Few serious early complications or unexpected side effects occurred. Many participants experienced issues that typically accompany high-dose immunosuppressive therapy, such as infections and gastrointestinal problems.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Memory T cells shelter in bone marrow, boosting immunity in mice with restricted diets

Even when taking in fewer calories and nutrients, humans and other mammals usually remain protected against infectious diseases they have already encountered.

A new pharmacological therapy against a severe kind of deficiency in Coenzyme Q10

Scientists from the University of Granada have developed a new pharmacological therapy using a molecule that presents similarities with one of the precursors of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

Alzheimer’s protein may have natural antibiotic role

Beta-amyloid, a protein implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, appears to help protect mice and worms from infection with bacteria or fungi. The results suggest that Alzheimer’s disease may result from certain infections. If validated, the findings could lead to novel approaches to prevent the disease.

Early treatment benefits infants with severe combined immunodeficiency

Early transplantation of blood-forming stem cells is a highly effective treatment for infants with severe combined immunodeficiency, a group of rare, life-threatening inherited immune system disorders.

Obesity May Be to Blame for Quarter of Asthma Cases in Children

A new study suggests obesity might be to blame for about a quarter of asthma in children who are obese.

NIH completes atlas of human DNA differences that influence gene expression

Researchers have completed a detailed atlas documenting the stretches of human DNA that influence gene expression – a key way in which a person’s genome gives rise to an observable trait, like hair color or disease risk.