About Us Portfolio Press Careers Sitemap Advertise Contact Us Make this your Homepage

Custom Search

Register

Sign In

Sign In Using Facebook

Home » Research News

Study Finds Key Protein That Resists Gut Infection

by Thilaka Ravi on February 18, 2010 at 12:44 PM Research News

A signaling protein that is key in orchestrating the body's overall immune response has an important localized role in fighting bacterial infection and inflammation in the intestinal tract, according to a study by UC San Diego School of Medicine investigators, published in the journal Cell Host and Microbe.

Related Links

Martin Kagnoff, MD, UCSD Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Pediatrics, who led the study, says his team's findings suggest that diminished levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is potentially an underlying factor in the severe illness caused by pathogens such as E. coli, and inflammation of the intestine by diseases such as Crohn's disease. These findings shed light on the apparent benefits of GM-CSF administration to some patients with Crohn's, which have been observed but not clearly understood. Kagnoff is also Director of Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology and the Wm. K. Warren Medical Research Center for Celiac Disease at UC San Diego.

GM-CSF is important for the survival and function of dendritic cells, immune cells that are the body's foot soldiers against certain diseases. Dendritic cell levels are normally elevated when the body is exposed to infection. GM-CSF serves a rapid-response role when the body is attacked by molecular agents � activating dendritic cells, pumping up their numbers, and signaling them to the target site of infection, where they orchestrate a defense against the invading pathogen. This response is sustained until the pathogens are cleared from the body.

Page 1

Page 1 | 2

Next

Marijuana's Therapeutic Effects Found in Clinical Trials

Newborn Babies' Survival in Developing Countries Increased by Training Birth Attendants: Study

More News on: Flu, Probiotics - Support System for the Gut, Protein Catabolic Rate

Comment & Contribute

Be the first to comment!
Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. Comments are normally moderated and are reviewed after they are posted.
* Your comment can be maximum of 2500 characters
	Notify me when reply is posted I agree to the terms and conditions
Your comments are automatically posted once they are submitted. All comments are however constantly reviewed for spam and irrelevant material (such as product or personal advertisements, email addresses, telephone numbers and website address). Such insertions do not conform to our policy and 'Terms of Use' and are either deleted or edited and republished. Please keep your comments brief and relevant.This section may also have questions seeking help. If you have the information you are welcome to respond, but please ensure that the information so provided is genuine and not misleading.

Medwonders Health Network

Support Groups Members Discussions

Total Members - 55031
Support Groups - 445

Health News Index

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Latest News Most Popular Most Commented

Access to Kidney Transplantation and Racial Disparities

Increasing Obesity and Diabetes Contribute to Drug Eluting Balloons Market Growth

Mobile Awareness and Screening for Kidney Disease Launched in Chennai

Breastfed Babies Less Likely to Become Angry: Study

Study Says 7-hour Sleep Helps High School Students Do Better

News Archive
Date :
Category :
Keyword :

News Quick Links

	News Central			Health Watch
	Latest Health News			Health In Focus
	News Category (500+)			Breaking Health News
	Popular News			Celebrating Life
	Health News and Press Release			Medindia - Exclusive
	News Photo Gallery			India Special
	News Video Gallery			Lifestyle and Wellness
	News From Other Resources

News Categories:


»	Excessive Consumption of Phosphate Pose Risk To Health

»	Trauma Patients Have High Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency

»	Bread and Dinner Rolls Have High Salt Levels: CDC

»	Latest Weight Loss Tip

»	Diabetes Diagnosis Triggers Unhealthy Diet Promotion Charge on US Celebrity Chef
More Diet News

Research Related News
»	Study Says 7-hour Sleep Helps High School Students Do Better	»	Benefits of Local Anesthesia After Knee Replacement Surgery Highlighted
»	Decoding the Molecular Machine Behind Some Bacteria	»	Organ Damage in Inflammatory Genetic Disorder Arrested by Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug
»	Immune System Regulation Directly Affected If Raised on a Farm	»	Shortly, Memory- Impaired Patients to Get Smartphone 'Prescription'
»	Sporting Activity in Excess Could Mar Long-Term Success of Hip Resurfacing	»	Spread of Clostridium Difficile in Hospitals Probably Not by Contact With Infected Patients

Read More >>

Study Finds Key Protein That Resists Gut Infection

Medwonders Health Network

Research Related News

Consumers

Medical Professionals

Medical Students

Directories