http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45 The Immune Connection Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:18:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5861 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:35:06 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5861 [...] Interferon, a cytokine that influences the immune system, is often used to treat chronic leukemias. Ostensibly, interferon limits the reproduction of leukemia cells while enhancing the immune system’s response to the cancer. Other cytokines have found similar use in treating different forms of leukemia. [...] […] Interferon, a cytokine that influences the immune system, is often used to treat chronic leukemias. Ostensibly, interferon limits the reproduction of leukemia cells while enhancing the immune system’s response to the cancer. Other cytokines have found similar use in treating different forms of leukemia. […]

]]> http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5247 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:55:48 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5247 [...] T cells and antigen-presenting cells (macrophages, dendritic cells, etc.) express the vitamin D receptor; some macrophages also possess the enzyme that converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (the vitamin’s active form). VDR-dependent stimulation of immune cells promotes a variety of cellular functions: antigen processing, cytokine production, cellular differentiation and division, production of antimicrobial peptides, and antibody production are all influenced by vitamin D. [...] […] T cells and antigen-presenting cells (macrophages, dendritic cells, etc.) express the vitamin D receptor; some macrophages also possess the enzyme that converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (the vitamin’s active form). VDR-dependent stimulation of immune cells promotes a variety of cellular functions: antigen processing, cytokine production, cellular differentiation and division, production of antimicrobial peptides, and antibody production are all influenced by vitamin D. […]

]]> http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5210 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:52:19 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5210 [...] Cytokines are messenger molecules that modulate a vast array of immunologic responses. They are released (and interpreted) by lymphocytes, neutrophils, and other immune cells.  The activities of cytokines can be used to advantage in a number of conditions, including immunodeficiency states, cancer, multiple sclerosis, certain viral infections (e.g., hepatitis C), and to stimulate the immune system following chemotherapy. [...] […] Cytokines are messenger molecules that modulate a vast array of immunologic responses. They are released (and interpreted) by lymphocytes, neutrophils, and other immune cells.  The activities of cytokines can be used to advantage in a number of conditions, including immunodeficiency states, cancer, multiple sclerosis, certain viral infections (e.g., hepatitis C), and to stimulate the immune system following chemotherapy. […]

]]> http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5076 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:17:45 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5076 [...] Obesity interferes with the production of cytokines that serve as immune messenger molecules; hence, an appropriate response to an infectious organism or suppression of a hyperactive immune system does not occur in a timely fashion. [...] […] Obesity interferes with the production of cytokines that serve as immune messenger molecules; hence, an appropriate response to an infectious organism or suppression of a hyperactive immune system does not occur in a timely fashion. […]

]]> http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5028 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:55:27 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5028 [...] One might wonder when some research dollars will be spent on identifying the immunologic factors that lead to heart attacks and strokes. What trigger or triggers, for example, stimulate the macrophages in our arterial walls to ingest packets of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), transform into foam cells, and release cytokines that encourage other immune cells to damage the linings of our vessels? In fact, are low-density lipoproteins really one of the root causes of cardiovascular disease, as statin proponents tell us, or are they merely another marker for an as yet unidentified inflammatory process? [...] […] One might wonder when some research dollars will be spent on identifying the immunologic factors that lead to heart attacks and strokes. What trigger or triggers, for example, stimulate the macrophages in our arterial walls to ingest packets of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), transform into foam cells, and release cytokines that encourage other immune cells to damage the linings of our vessels? In fact, are low-density lipoproteins really one of the root causes of cardiovascular disease, as statin proponents tell us, or are they merely another marker for an as yet unidentified inflammatory process? […]

]]> http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5013 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:01:22 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5013 [...] The reason that probiotics improve our response to viral illness is, on the surface, fairly straightforward: these organisms stimulate immune cells (T lymphocytes, B cells, etc.) and evoke the production of protective antibodies, cytokines, and other factors in the very mucous membranes where viruses gain entrance to the human body. Over the millennia, we have developed a symbiotic relationship with those bacteria that have proven the most useful to us as individuals and as a species. [...] […] The reason that probiotics improve our response to viral illness is, on the surface, fairly straightforward: these organisms stimulate immune cells (T lymphocytes, B cells, etc.) and evoke the production of protective antibodies, cytokines, and other factors in the very mucous membranes where viruses gain entrance to the human body. Over the millennia, we have developed a symbiotic relationship with those bacteria that have proven the most useful to us as individuals and as a species. […]

]]> http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-3288 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:23:36 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-3288 Immune Cross Reaction Theory for Myathenia Gravis and RA caused by Herpes "The cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown, but it appears that there is an inherited predisposition to develop autoimmune disease in many cases. In a few types of autoimmune disease (such as rheumatic fever), a bacteria or virus triggers an immune response, and the antibodies or T-cells attack normal cells because they have some part of their structure that resembles a part of the structure of the infecting microorganism." I suspect that the Zoster Virus immune response sets in motion an autoimmune response that triggers symptoms of RA and MG. My right drooping eyelid began concurrently with a herpes simplex sore in the right roof of my mouth, caused by a burn wound initially. I progressively got RA in my right pelvis so intense that I was unable to stand or walk for months. The MG caused double vision, then difficulty swallowing and migrated to the left eye. I then got Zoster on the left side. The progression of the disease intensified over a 8 month period until I finally self diagnosed. This is what happens when you are self insured I guess. A study seems to suggest that this is the case with a Autoimmune hepatitis. "Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by the presence of circulatory autoantibodies and inflammatory changes in liver histology[1]. Several triggers for AIH, particularly drugs and viral hepatitis, have been described, which may induce the development of autoimmunity in predisposed individuals[1,2]. We report a case of severe AIH preceded by varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, which we believe, triggered the AIH. The possible pathogenic mechanism is based on the molecular mimicry hypothesis, in which viral proteins that are similar to the amino acid chains of autoantigens in the liver induce immune cross reactions that cause liver damage[3]. As far as we are aware, VZV-induced AIH has not been reported previously." (World J Gastroenterol. 2009 February 28; 15(8): 1004–1006. Published online 2009 February 28. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.1004. Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved. Immune Cross Reaction Theory for Myathenia Gravis and RA caused by Herpes
“The cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown, but it appears that there is an inherited predisposition to develop autoimmune disease in many cases. In a few types of autoimmune disease (such as rheumatic fever), a bacteria or virus triggers an immune response, and the antibodies or T-cells attack normal cells because they have some part of their structure that resembles a part of the structure of the infecting microorganism.”
I suspect that the Zoster Virus immune response sets in motion an autoimmune response that triggers symptoms of RA and MG. My right drooping eyelid began concurrently with a herpes simplex sore in the right roof of my mouth, caused by a burn wound initially. I progressively got RA in my right pelvis so intense that I was unable to stand or walk for months. The MG caused double vision, then difficulty swallowing and migrated to the left eye. I then got Zoster on the left side. The progression of the disease intensified over a 8 month period until I finally self diagnosed. This is what happens when you are self insured I guess.
A study seems to suggest that this is the case with a Autoimmune hepatitis.
“Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by the presence of circulatory autoantibodies and inflammatory changes in liver histology[1]. Several triggers for AIH, particularly drugs and viral hepatitis, have been described, which may induce the development of autoimmunity in predisposed individuals[1,2]. We report a case of severe AIH preceded by varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, which we believe, triggered the AIH. The possible pathogenic mechanism is based on the molecular mimicry hypothesis, in which viral proteins that are similar to the amino acid chains of autoantigens in the liver induce immune cross reactions that cause liver damage[3]. As far as we are aware, VZV-induced AIH has not been reported previously.” (World J Gastroenterol. 2009 February 28; 15(8): 1004–1006.
Published online 2009 February 28. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.1004.
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.

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