(Press-News.org) Contact information: Scott LaFee
slafee@ucsd.edu
619-543-6163
University of California - San Diego
Using microRNA fit to a T (cell)
Researchers show B cells can deliver potentially therapeutic bits of modified RNA
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have successfully targeted T lymphocytes – which play a central role in the body's immune response – with another type of white blood cell engineered to synthesize and deliver bits of non-coding RNA or microRNA (miRNA).
The achievement in mice studies, published in this week's online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may be the first step toward using genetically modified miRNA for therapeutic purposes, perhaps most notably in vaccines and cancer treatments, said principal investigator Maurizio Zanetti, MD, professor in the Department of Medicine and director of the Laboratory of Immunology at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center.
"From a practical standpoint, short non-coding RNA can be used for replacement therapy to introduce miRNA or miRNA mimetics into tissues to restore normal levels that have been reduced by a disease process or to inhibit other miRNA to increase levels of therapeutic proteins," said Zanetti.
"However, the explosive rate at which science has discovered miRNAs to be involved in regulating biological processes has not been matched by progress in the translational arena," Zinetti added. "Very few clinical trials have been launched to date. Part of the problem is that we have not yet identified practical and effective methods to deliver chemically synthesized short non-coding RNA in safe and economically feasible ways."
Zanetti and colleagues transfected primary B lymphocytes, a notably abundant type of white blood cell (about 15 percent of circulating blood) with engineered plasmid DNA (a kind of replicating but non-viral DNA), then showed that the altered B cells targeted T cells in mice when activated by an antigen – a substance that provokes an immune system response.
"This is a level-one demonstration for this new system," said Zanetti. "The next goal will be to address more complex questions, such as regulation of the class of T cells that can be induced during vaccination to maximize their protective value against pathogens or cancer.
"There are reasons to believe that the quality of T cells in response to vaccination matters to the efficacy of protection. This could push vaccination aimed at the induction of T cell responses to a new level of accuracy, predictability and ultimately, efficacy."
Other potential applications, he said, included targeting and repairing T cells disabled by autoimmune or inflammatory diseases.
"Another objective will be to further control targeting to tissues other than lymphoid organs. For example, cancer cells," Zanetti said. "There is a world of untapped possibilities out there. We believe that the new idea – and the technology behind it – will carry a great distance in a variety of conditions to aid regulation of the immune system or control or prevent disease."
INFORMATION:
Co-authors include Gonzalo Almanza, Veronika Anufreichik, Jeffrey J. Rodvold, Kevin T. Chiu and Alexandra DeLaney, Laboratory of Immunology, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center; Johnny C. Akers and Clark C. Chen, Center for Theoretical and Applied Neuro-Oncology, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
Funding support for this research came, in part, from the National Institutes of Health (grant 2R56A1062894-04A1).
Using microRNA fit to a T (cell)
Researchers show B cells can deliver potentially therapeutic bits of modified RNA
2013-11-26
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Cervical cancer screening overused in some groups of women
2013-11-26
Cervical cancer screening overused in some groups of women
SALT LAKE CITY— For the past ten years, clinicians throughout the United States have been performing unnecessary Pap tests for cervical cancer screening in certain groups of women, according to a researcher from Huntsman ...
Search for habitable planets should be more conservative
2013-11-26
Search for habitable planets should be more conservative
Scientists should take the conservative approach when searching for habitable zones where life-sustaining planets might exist, according to James Kasting, Evan Pugh Professor of Geosciences at Penn State, including ...
UTMB researchers find ear infections down, thanks to vaccine
2013-11-26
UTMB researchers find ear infections down, thanks to vaccine
Advent of PCV-13 vaccine in 2010 contributed to sharp downward trend
Otitis media, more commonly known as ear infection, is the leading cause of pediatric health care visits and ...
US methane emissions exceed government estimates
2013-11-26
US methane emissions exceed government estimates
Collaborative atmospheric study indicates fossil fuel extraction and animal husbandry are major contributors
Cambridge, Mass. – November 25, 2013 – Emissions of methane from fossil fuel extraction and refining activities ...
Increasing the number of insured patients is not tied to higher ICU usage in Massachusetts
2013-11-26
Increasing the number of insured patients is not tied to higher ICU usage in Massachusetts
Better, earlier care may mean fewer ICU admissions; implications for US as national health care reform begins
PHILADELPHIA- A multi-institution ...
Oxytocin leads to monogamy
2013-11-26
Oxytocin leads to monogamy
Researchers at the Bonn University Medical Center: Hormone stimulates the brain reward system when viewing the partner
How is the bond between people in love maintained? Scientists at the Bonn University Medical Center have ...
Study examines barriers to human papillomavirus vaccination among teens
2013-11-26
Study examines barriers to human papillomavirus vaccination among teens
Barriers to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among adolescents in the U.S. range from financial concerns and parental attitudes to social influences and concerns about the vaccination's ...
Findings not supportive of women-specific chest pain symptoms in heart attack diagnosis
2013-11-26
Findings not supportive of women-specific chest pain symptoms in heart attack diagnosis
CHICAGO – Using chest pain characteristics (CPCs) specific to women in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI, heart attack) in the emergency department ...
Childhood exercise may stave off some bad effects of maternal obesity
2013-11-26
Childhood exercise may stave off some bad effects of maternal obesity
Prenatal exposure to high-fat diets mitigated in offspring
Rats whose mothers were fed a high-fat diet during pregnancy and nursing were able to stave off some of the detrimental health effects ...
School climate key to preventing bullying
2013-11-26
School climate key to preventing bullying
To prevent bullying schools need to understand positive school climate, use reliable measures to evaluate school climate and use effective prevention and intervention programs to improve the climate
RIVERSIDE, ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Multi-energy X-ray curved surface imaging-with multi-layer in-situ grown scintillators
Metasurface enables compact and high-sensitivity atomic magnetometer
PFAS presence confirmed in the blood of children in Gipuzkoa
Why do people believe lies?
SwRI installs private 5G network for research, development, testing and evaluation
A new perspective in bone metabolism: Targeting the lysosome–iron–mitochondria axis for osteoclast regulation
Few military spouses use formal support services during, after deployment
Breakthrough in the hunt for light dark matter: QROCODILE project reveals world-leading constraints
2D x-ray imaging technique reveals hidden processes in CO2 electrolyzers
Rational high entropy doping strategy via modular in-situ/post solvothermal doping integration for microwave absorption
Circular Economy has been officially included in the ESCI
Recent advances in exciton-polariton in perovskite
Efficacy and safety of GLP-1 RAs in children and adolescents with obesity or type 2 diabetes
Over-the-counter sales of overdose reversal drug naloxone decline after initial surge
Global trends and disparities in social isolation
Country of birth, race, ethnicity, and prenatal depression
Kissick Family Foundation, Milken Institute announce $2 million in funding for frontotemporal dementia research and new call for proposals
Mayo Clinic study reveals hidden causes of heart attacks in younger adults, especially women
Target: BP initiative helps more than 10M adults with hypertension
New initiative launched to improve care for people with certain types of heart failure
You’ve never seen corn like this before
Mediterranean diet could reduce gum disease
Mount Sinai launches cardiac catheterization artificial intelligence research lab
Why AI is never going to run the world
Stress in the strands: Hair offers clues to children’s mental health
UCLA distinguished professor, CVD researcher to receive 2025 Basic Research Prize
UT San Antonio School of Public Health: The People’s School
‘Preventable deaths will continue’ without action to make NHS more accessible for autistic people, say experts
Scientists shoot lasers into brain cells to uncover how illusions work
Your ecosystem engineer was a dinosaur
[Press-News.org] Using microRNA fit to a T (cell)Researchers show B cells can deliver potentially therapeutic bits of modified RNA