Autoimmune diseases.  Where our immune system considers our cells to be the enemy- and attacks them.   Those are the actions  that are behind multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, and coeliac disease, among others.

This fact has intrigued Dr. Jeffrey Hubbell (U Chicago). He and his team of 25 scientists (U Chicago, Anokion [Cambridge MA], Inserm (France), Johns Hopkins (Baltimore MD),    to develop a vaccine that would suppress (or terminate) select Immune responses.

Conventional vaccines are developed to help our body identify and counteract specific items that should not be in or around our bodies.  Inverting that concept means we teach our body to turn off a learned immune response.

Basically, we are hijacking the system the body uses to clear dead cells.  (When our cells die, three is a specific molecular pattern on their surfaces.  That notifies the body that they should be removed when they reach the liver; they are waste products.)

So, what does the hijack do?  It modifies the molecules (antigens) that trigger the immune response (in autoimmune disease), adding a structure that mimics the “destroy this molecule” sign the body adds to foreign dead cells.  This signals the immune system that there is no threat and the immune response is attenuated or blocked.

The team tried this out on 10 mice, who were modified to manifest multiple sclerosis.  (They had already received an antigen that would cause their bodies to attack the protective nerve coating (just like MS acts).  The vaccine’s target was this antigen.  Two weeks post vaccination, the mice had a very mild reaction (1 on a scale of 0 to 5).  The 10 mice that received placebos (saltwater injections) all scored above 2.5 on that scale.  The researchers also found the vaccine of use when tested on non-human primates.

This concept is now being tested on humans; phase 1 of the clinical trial regimen. But, the problem is MS is not a reaction to a single antigen, and each patient is different enough that will make this a pretty steep hill to climb.

But, the technique can be used for other autoimmune diseases.

A big first step in controlling autoimmune diseases!

---

 

I recommend you obtain a copy of “One Bold Move a Day”, written by Shanna Hocking.  The book shares hard-won advice and insights gleaned from 20 years as a successful manager of large teams.  Shanna helps you choose concepts and methods to reach your goals every day of your personal life.  And, the key point- the time to start is now!

Among suggestions in the book is seeking out a mentor, even a personal board of advisors,   as well as these other recommendations- stop relying on external validation, stop trying to prove yourself, there is no such thing as perfect or a perfect time, celebrate the progress you make each and every day, and practicing gratitude.

I am asking you- my loyal readers- to provide me a short blurb of what you are doing to make yourself better each day, how you are helping to remove the bias against women and minorities in STEM and management, and the like.  (Use this form, please.) I will choose among those items submitted between today and the 1rst of November and provide you a copy of Shanna’s book, One Bold Move a Day.

Good luck!