Preventing an immune overreaction

The immune system can run awry in many ways. Some examples of undesirable immune responses include those directed against the host (autoimmunity), transplanted organs (transplant rejection), or a harmless substance (allergies). In each case, the immune system is reacting to the presence of a molecule known as an antigen. Currently, the best treatment options involve broad spectrum suppression of the immune system, which increases susceptibility to infection. A preferable solution would be to specifically turn off the immune cells that respond to non-threatening objects.

In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Dr. James Paulson and colleagues at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California used antigen-decorated nanoparticles to block the development of antibodies to a immune response-inducing antigens in mice. In an accompanying commentary, Edward Clark of the University of Washington discusses how this finding could lead to therapeutic agents capable of precisely controlling our immune system, allowing favorable responses and inhibiting unfavorable responses.

INFORMATION:

TITLE: Antigenic liposomes displaying CD22 ligands induce antigen-specific B cell apoptosis

AUTHOR CONTACT:
James C Paulson
The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
Phone: 858-784-9634; Fax: 858-784-9690; E-mail: jpaulson@scripps.edu

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/69187?key=d3ac5675f0e4224288c1

ACCOMPANYING COMMENTARY

TITLE: STALing B cell responses with CD22

AUTHOR CONTACT:
Edward A Clark
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Phone: 206 543-8706; E-mail: Eclark@wanprc.org

View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/69670?key=0b5f09cda9a91d9896b6

END