Word: immunoglobulins
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...Anne Willoughby had a dilemma. She is the director of a study begun in 1988 to see if infusions of immunoglobulin (IG) in children infected with the AIDS virus could boost their weak immune systems and help stave off illness. An independent panel that had been monitoring the investigation informed Willoughby early this month that children receiving monthly doses of IG, a protein produced by the body's cells, were faring significantly better than those given a placebo. The youngsters had fewer bacterial infections and fewer hospitalizations. News of the advance in treatment could have enormous consequences...
...fever and other allergy sufferers will testify, the immune system can sometimes react to pollen, animal dander, molds and drugs that are normally harmless. In allergy victims, however, the immune system goes into high gear at the appearance of these substances, or allergens. It begins producing antibodies called immunoglobulin E, which attach themselves to mast cells located in the tissues of the skin, in the linings of the respiratory and intestinal tracts, and around the blood vessels. The mast cells promptly begin to release a number of chemical signals, including histamine, a substance that dilates blood vessels and makes...
Allergy sufferers are now treated with antihistamines, which temporarily block the immune response, as well as steroid nasal sprays and inhalers, which reduce inflammation. But more effective help may be on the way. Scientists have synthesized bits of protein molecules that prevent immunoglobulin E antibodies from setting off an allergic reaction...
Leder's research--performed at the Medical School in collaboration with scientist at the National Institute of Health--originally sought to discover on a genetic level how the body's immunological system produces an infinite safety of disease fighting antibodies of immunoglobulin molecules, the Globe story said...
...discovered that in a type of cancer called Burkitt's lymphomas, a gene that is apparently associated with annual cancers may be inserted near the spot where authorities are actively produced. The tumor generated may be submitted to a pattern of abnormal growth because of its proximity to the immunoglobulin gene...