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Scientists Find Master Gene To Switch On Immune Cells
Scientists claim to have identified a master gene which is able to transform blood stem cells into disease-fighting immune cells. The hope is that this discovery will allow for new treatments for cancer. "The researchers have 'knocked out' the gene in question, known as E4bp4, in a mouse model, creating the world's first animal model entirely lacking NK cells, but with all other blood cells and immune cells intact. This breakthrough model should help solve the mystery of the role that Natural Killer cells play in autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Some scientists think that these diseases are caused by malfunctioning NK cells that turn on the body and attack healthy cells, causing disease instead of fighting it. Clarifying NK cells' role could lead to new ways of treating these conditions."
Ah, to clarify - they also want to turn off faulty NK cells. That makes more sense.
Scientists point out problems, engineers fix them
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The real Nature article is here : http://www.nature.com/ni/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ni.1787.html
Nature Immunology Published online: 13 September 2009 | doi:10.1038/ni.1787
The basic leucine zipper transcription factor E4BP4 is essential for natural killer cell development
NB: E4BP4 is the mouse name for Human NFIL3 ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4783 )
From the "discussion" section ...
E4BP4 has been shown to regulate circadian gene expression and to be induced by light in the chick pineal gland, where it regulates the pineal clock gene cPer2 (ref. 24). Several studies have shown that the degree of NK cell cytotoxicity is circadian in both rodents and human38, 39. It is plausible that as E4BP4 is critical for NK development, it may also serve a central role in regulating the circadian nature of NK cell function.
That's how genetics works.
You find out what creates a something by turning it off.
For example, they E4bp4 gene is needed to make NK cells from blood stem cells. They now know that one of the steps in generating NK cells from the listed stem cells involves the protein E4bp4 gene. Using information about this and other relevant proteins (both that they have found, and that they haven't found, once they are found), they will be able to devise procedures for converting these stem cells (possibly from the original patient, eliminating or reducing rejection issues) to NK cells.
Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
pssst.... actually, "cancer" has the same exact cause.... mutated cells reproducing out of control... find something that targets and destroys these mutant cells, boom, cure for cancer...
find something that cuts off the blood supply to said mutant cells, boom! cure for cancer...
everyone has cancer cells (newsflash!)
but our immune systems are able to keep on top of things and keep those cells from multiplying out of control.... then some genetic or environmental factor comes along, throws shit out of whack and the next thing you know, MA needs a new senator.
Apart from that you're exaggerating, YOU LIVE! I'm sure doctors world-wide will be very happy to give a cancer patient as many blood transfusions as he needs after this treatment, if it dramatically improves the chances he survives.
No, that is the definition of cancer, not the cause. Cause != symptom. Example: a large portion of cancers, are in part, caused by a disabled p53 gene.
Unfortunately, a cure that non-specific also targets normal stem cells, and the treatment actually curing cancer vs. killing the patient becomes a dice game that works on small cancers.
Now, what CAUSES the cells to go haywire is a good thing to target.
No, everyone has cells that have the potential to become cancerous, and most people develop cancer cells at some point during their lives. It's a small difference, but you seem to want to be really nitpicky here...
Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
Just in case anyone cares to hear from someone who has hands-on experience with mouse colony care in a research environment, but the mice aren't tortured/made to feel suffering as much as animal rights activists would have you believe. Mice, in our facility at least, are usually euthanized via cervical dislocation, which is really quick, and the mouse doesn't realize it's even happening before its done. Usually they're put to sleep via gas first, so they're not even conscious when the procedure is performed. While they're being cared for they're well fed, and pain management is taken very seriously. Anesthetics before/during procedures, analgesics and other medications are prescribed and administered by licensed vets/animal techs, and any violation of rules which compromise the care/humane conditions of any animals is taken extremely seriously. Animal rights is such a touchy subject with some people, but if most people knew how much effort and money goes into making sure research animals are well-cared for they'd realize their attentions would be put to better use elsewhere, like zoos which mistreat their animals or people who leave their dogs in the car during summer...