Washington, July 29 (ANI): Scientists have discovered that a faulty genetic pathway could be responsible for a range of allergies.

The research by the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and the Johns Hopkins Institute of Genetic Medicine has found that aberrant signalling by a protein called transforming growth factor-beta, or TGF-beta, may be responsible for disrupting the way immune cells respond to common foods and environmental allergens, leading to a wide range of allergic disorders.

It was found that mutations in the genes that lead to abnormal TGF-beta signaling are also keys to Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes, genetic conditions marked by blood vessel laxity and dangerous stretching of the aorta, the body's largest blood vessel.

"Disruption in TGF-beta signalling does not simply nudge immune cells to misbehave but appears to singlehandedly unlock the very chain reaction that eventually leads to allergic disease," senior investigator Harry "Hal" Dietz, M.D. said.

The study involved 58 children with LDS, ages 7 to 20, followed at Johns Hopkins. Most of them had either a history of allergic disease or active allergies, like allergic rhinitis, eczema, food allergies, asthma, and gastrointestinal and esophageal allergic disease.

These patients also had abnormally high levels of several traditional markers of allergic disease, including IgE - an antibody that drives life-hreatening allergic responses - and high numbers of eosinophils, white blood cells involved in allergic reactions.

Because TGF-beta is known to control immune cell maturation, the researchers homed in on a group of cells known as regulatory T cells, which keep tabs on other immune cells to ensure that they don't go into overdrive.

To identify precisely how TGF-beta affects immune cell behavior, the researchers next obtained undifferentiated, or naive, immune cells from LDS patients. Immersed in TGF-beta, these "pre-specialized" cells quickly transformed into allergy-promoting immune cells known for their ability to recognize and attack pathogens, as well as otherwise innocent substances, like food proteins.

In a final, critical discovery, the researchers found that the immune cells of children with LDS had abnormally high levels of a protein called SMAD, a known transmitter of TGF-beta signaling.

The study was published on July 24 in journal Science Translational Medicine. (ANI)

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Genetic glitch potent player in many types of allergies

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Do Genetics Play a Big Role While Working Out?
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Genetics, Epigenetics, Biology and the Emotions. Chris Astill-Smith - Chapter 1 of 9

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Public release date: 29-Jul-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Beata Mostafavi bmostafa@umich.edu 734-764-2220 University of Michigan Health System

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Researchers have uncovered the genetics behind what makes some people susceptible to Takayasu arteritis, a debilitating disease that can lead to poor circulation, easy tiredness in the legs and arms, organ damage and stroke.

A study led by the University of Michigan has identified five genes tied to Takayasu arteritis, an inflammation that damages the aorta and can lead to narrowed arteries, aneurysms, high blood pressure, and heart failure. The findings appear in the August issue of The American Journal of Human Genetics.

"Discovering the genetic makeup of Takayasu arteritis is a pivotal step that will lead to fundamental understanding of the disease mechanisms and developing therapies to more effectively treat it," says senior author Amr Sawalha, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine in the division of rheumatology at the U-M Medical School. "This disease can be devastating but is understudied and poorly understood."

Takayasu arteritis mainly causes inflammation in the aorta the large artery that carries blood from the heart to body and other major blood vessels. This inflammation can also affect the heart valves, reduce blood flow to the legs and arms, and cause a stroke. Other symptoms include weight loss, fever, night sweats, fatigue and joint and muscle pain.

The disease is most common among women and typically occurs between the ages 20 and 40.

The new findings increase the number of genes linked to susceptibility to the disease to five risk areas both in the HLA (an inherited group of genes known as human leukocyte antigen) and outside the HLA. In addition to the previously established genetic association in HLA-B for Takayasu arteritis, researchers discovered and carefully localized novel genetic risk areas in HLA-DQB1/HLA-DRB1, FCGR2A/FCGR3A, and PSMG1.

"We have established and localized the genetic association with IL12B, which encodes the P40 subunit of the interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-23," says Gher Saruhan-Direskeneli, M.D., professor of physiology at Istanbul University and co-author of the study.

"Therapies to inhibit the IL12/IL23 pathway have been successful in other inflammatory diseases, and these recent findings support investigating this pathway closer in Takayasu arteritis as a potential therapeutic target," Sawalha adds.

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Study unravels genetics behind debilitating inflammatory disease Takayasu arteritis

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(PRWEB UK) 29 July 2013

Venture capital fund manager Mercia Fund Management (MFM) has announced 150,000 of funding in Oxford Genetics Ltd. The new biotechnology company is behind SnapFast - a system that simplifies the purchase of synthetic DNA molecules (plasmids).

CEO of Oxford Genetics, Dr Ryan Cawood, invented the SnapFast system and likens it to Lego for DNA. Historically, most genetic engineering has been performed by combining pieces of DNA, gathered from a variety of sources that were never intended to fit together. This can make clinical research and drug development time-consuming, costly and often frustrating. Oxford Genetics provides all of the standard DNA components that researchers use on a regular basis in a compatible and easy to clone format.

The funding will be used for the companys e-commerce website, http://www.oxfordgenetics.com, and new product development. Currently Oxford Genetics provides human, mouse and bacterial DNA and through the funding will soon be able to offer insect, plant and yeast DNA.

Oxford Genetics is yet another company to benefit from SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) funding from the Mercia Growth Fund suite of funds (MFMs hybrid EIS/SEIS funds).

Dr Cawood commented on the companys decision to work with MFM: We were looking for a venture capital fund with experience of biotech start-ups and MFMs name kept coming up. The investment team has a good reputation in our industry sector and is already adding value.

Dr Mark Payton, Managing Director of MFM, added: Our team is actively identifying start-ups with early commercial traction and high growth potential. As part of the MFM SEIS investment portfolio, Oxford Genetics receives an injection of capital and support. The company clearly stood out for us - the SnapFast system and the online business model meet an untapped need in the market. Coupled with a strong product roadmap and an exceptional founder, we predict a promising future for this start-up.

The Mercia Growth Fund suite of funds, (hybrid funds offering EIS and SEIS investment capital), comprise approximately 4 million. Collectively with Mercia Growth Funds 1 and 2 (hybrid EIS and SEIS funds), MFM oversees arguably the largest SEIS discretionary funds in the UK.

About Mercia Fund Management Mercia Fund Management (MFM) is a venture capital fund manager with over 19 million under active management.

MFM provides investment growth capital for businesses ranging from early commercial traction through to those seeking expansion or working capital that are trading profitably. Furthermore, MFM can also provide cost-effective incubator accommodation at Forward House in Henley-in-Arden coupled with centralised support services in keeping with its model as a hands-on, supportive investor.

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Oxford Genetics secures funding for DNA cloning system

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SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwired - Jul 29, 2013) - Atossa Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATOS), The Breast Health Company, today announces its support for the fact that North Carolina has become the 12th state to pass a dense breast notification law, HB 467, the Breast Density Notification & Awareness bill. The bill was signed by Gov. Pat McRoy on July 23, 2013, and will become effective on January 1, 2014.

Dense breast notification legislation requires that women who are found through mammography to have dense breasts must be notified of this fact. Twelve states including Alabama, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia have enacted such legislation. Similar dense breast measures have been introduced or advanced in many other states. At the federal level, the Breast Density and Reporting Act of 2011 (HR 3102) was introduced in the previous Congress in October 2011 by Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Representative Steve Israel (D-NY).

"Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc. and its supporters are working tirelessly on behalf of women to advance dense breast legislative initiatives at the state and federal levels," said Dr. Steven Quay, Chairman, CEO & President of Atossa Genetics and inventor of theForeCYTEBreast Health Test for breast cancer risk assessment. "This latest legislative victory is an important step forward in protecting women's health. The need for dense breast notification laws is strongly supported by data indicating that mammograms have greater difficulty spotting tumors in dense breast tissue and that women with dense breasts are at higher risk for breast cancer. We continue to support Are You Dense Advocacy and its efforts to enact dense breast notification laws in the remaining 38 states and at the national level."

In January 2013, Atossa launched the ForeCYTE Breast Health Test. This test analyzes cells from the linings of the milk ducts and lobules, where approximately 95 percent of breast cancers arise, in order to identify pre-cancerous changes that confer an increased risk of breast cancer. Atossa believes that its test is advantageous for women in general, and particularly for women with dense breasts, since dense breast tissue does not affect ForeCYTE's ability to collect and analyze cells from the breast.

"We believe that women ages 18 to 73, including women with dense breasts, should take the ForeCYTE Breast Health Test in order to gain valuable and potentially life-saving information about their breast health status. By identifying women at high risk for breast cancer through scientific means and intervening with lifestyle changes or therapeutic interventions, we believe the incidence of breast cancer can be significantly reduced, just as cervical cancer rates have fallen dramatically since the introduction of the Pap smear," Dr. Quay added.

A peer-reviewed study of 2,712 women age 25 to 65 years showed a strong association between increased breast density and cytological atypia of nipple aspirate fluid, the specimen collected by the ForeCYTE Test. The authors concluded, "Particularly in premenopausal women, the identification of women at increased risk of breast cancer might be enhanced using nipple aspiration." M M Lee, N L Petrakis, M R Wrensch, et al. "Association of abnormal nipple aspirate cytology and mammographic pattern and density." Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 3:33-36.

Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc. is the government relations affiliate of Are You Dense, Inc., an independent, national breast health advocacy organization dedicated to informing the public about dense breast tissue and its significance for the early detection of breast cancer. Are You Dense, Inc. was founded by Nancy M. Capello, Ph.D., who was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer in February 2004 after receiving "normal" mammography reports for a decade.

For additional information on breast cancer risk, including the risks associated with dense breasts, please visit the Breast Cancer Overview page on the American Cancer Society's website at http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/overviewguide/.

About the ForeCYTE Breast Health Test

The ForeCYTE Breast Health Test, intended for the 110 million women in the U.S. ages 18 to 73, is a painless, quick and non-invasive procedure that can be done in a physician's office. A small sample of fluid, aspirated from the nipple of each breast with the Company's modified breast pump, can provide vital early detection of cancer or pre-cancerous conditions that may progress to cancer over an approximately eight year period and before cancer can be detected by mammography or other means and without the risks of radiation, especially in women younger than age 50. No invasive biopsy needles or open surgical incisions are used in the Atossa test and the test is painless.

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Statement on New Dense Breast Notification Law in North Carolina From Atossa Genetics

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#39;The Wolverine #39; End Credit Scene Details Revealed - SPOILERS!
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AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS--(Marketwired - Jul 29, 2013) - uniQure B.V., a leader in human gene therapy, today announced the start of a human trial in Parkinson's disease with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The gene therapy developed by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), uses the GDNF gene, which uniQure licensed from Amgen. This trial is part of a wide-ranging collaboration between uniQure and UCSF and represents one of uniQure's suite of GDNF-based gene therapies in development targeting disorders of the central nervous system.

uniQure and UCSF's joint program is an investigator initiated clinical trial in Parkinson's disease, led by Dr. Krystof Bankiewicz MD, PhD, at UCSF, and Dr. John D. Heiss, MD, at the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Using the ClearPoint Neuro Interventional System, Dr. Bankiewicz's team administered the GDNF gene packaged in an AAV vector to the brain of a first Parkinson's patient. The ClearPoint system has been developed to allow real-time observation of brain surgery, allowing unmatched precision of gene therapy delivery. The hypothesis is that GDNF's neuro-regenerative and protective properties may protect and strengthen brain cells that produce dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that affects brain function. People with Parkinson's disease have problems producing dopamine in a specific area in the brain responsible for the control of body movements. The study is a Phase I open-label dose escalation safety study that will include 24 patients divided over 4 cohorts. The first patient was dosed on May 20, and so far there have been no safety issues. The study is fully funded by the NIH.

"The start of this trial is the culmination of over 10 years of preclinical work performed at UCSF," says Dr. Krys Bankiewicz of UCSF. "We are extremely proud to have optimized the delivery technologies together with our partners so that we can now safely deliver a gene therapy product into a minuscule space in the brain, including the putamen, observe the surgery in real-time and guarantee the highest possible level of quality and precision of gene delivery. uniQure is our partner of choice for the development of the therapy as they are first in having mastered the vector design, as well as the development and manufacturing challenges gene therapy developers faced in the past."

Under the terms of the collaboration, uniQure will have the rights to the results of the study as well as the IND. In exchange uniQure will manufacture the GDNF-AAV construct using its baculovirus platform for the next phases of the study.

In addition, uniQure is collaborating on a range of GDNF-based CNS disorders, such as multiple system atrophy (MSA), Huntington's disease, and hearing loss together with Universit de Toulouse (France), University of Cambridge (UK), and UCSF. Using AAV5, which has a strong tropism for the CNS, the partners will evaluate these programs up to preclinical proof of concept. As part of this work, uniQure and UCSF are currently developing administration of AAV5 to the cerebrospinal fluid to facilitate broad distribution of substance in the brain.

uniQure has appointed Dr. Bankiewicz chair of its CNS Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Bankiewicz is the Kinetics Foundation Chair in Translational Research and Professor in Residence of Neurological Surgery and Neurology at UCSF. His research focus is restorative interventions, specifically drug delivery and gene transfer, in models of Parkinson's disease and brain tumors. His laboratory studies delivery of therapeutic agents into the central nervous system through cell-implantation, convection-enhanced and gene transfer-based delivery methods, as well as in vivo applications of MRI and PET to detect in-vivo changes in the brain and their correlation with functional outcome.

"Success in CNS gene therapy is to a large extent dependent on cutting edge delivery technologies. Capitalizing on the unique and broad collaboration with UCSF, in particular the outstanding group in Dr. Bankiewicz' laboratory, we are accessing and developing leading CNS gene delivery technologies. This Parkinson trial also demonstrates the potential of the Company's gene therapy technologies to reach beyond orphan diseases. The modular approach of our manufacturing platform and the use of AAV5 will allow us to rapidly advance a portfolio of promising programs targeting CNS disorders," said Jrn Aldag, CEO of uniQure.

About uniQure uniQure is delivering on the promise of gene therapy, single treatments with potentially curative results. We have developed a modular platform to rapidly bring new disease modifying therapies to patients with severe disorders. Our approach is validated by multiple partnerships and the regulatory approval of our lead product Glybera. http://www.uniqure.com.

DisclaimerThis press release contains forward-looking statements based on uniQure's current expectations. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the development of a suite of CNS therapies, partnerships in the CNS area, and the development of additional gene therapies. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including uncertainties regarding further regulatory requirements, the success of further clinical trials, and competitive pressures. uniQure assumes no responsibility to update such forward-looking statements.

Press release (PDF): http://hugin.info/157414/R/1719343/572213.pdf

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uniQure Announces Start of Parkinson's Disease Gene Therapy Phase I Trial by UCSF/NIH to Test Its GDNF Gene in Patients

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NEW YORK, NY and PETAH TIKVA, ISRAEL--(Marketwired - Jul 29, 2013) - BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (OTCQB: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the European Commission has granted Orphan Drug Designation for NurOwn, the Company's stem cell therapy consisting of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells secreting neurotrophic factors, for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.NurOwn received Orphan Drug Designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011.

Orphan drugs benefit from 10 years market exclusivity in the European Union (EU) after marketing approval. Additional benefits for sponsor companies include reduced fees for various centralized activities including applications for marketing authorization, inspections and protocol assistance, as well as possible eligibility for EU grants and other R&D-supporting initiatives.

BrainStorm is currently conducting a Phase IIa dose-escalating trial with 12 ALS patients at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel. The company anticipates launching a Phase II multi-center trial at three leading institutions in the United States towards the end of 2013, pending FDA approval.

About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company engaged in the development of first-of-its-kind adult stem cell therapies derived from autologous bone marrow cells for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The Company holds the rights to develop and commercialize its NurOwn technology through an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Ramot, the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.brainstorm-cell.com.

Safe Harbor Statement - Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute "forward-looking statements" and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.'s actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Terms and phrases such as "may", "should", "would", "could", "will", "expect", "likely", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "predict", "potential", and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward-looking statements.The potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with BrainStorm's limited operating history, history of losses; minimal working capital, dependence on its license to Ramot's technology; ability to adequately protect the technology; dependence on key executives and on its scientific consultants; ability to obtain required regulatory approvals; and other factors detailed in BrainStorm's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q available at http://www.sec.gov.These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on BrainStorm's forward-looking statements.The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release. We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or assumptions if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, unless otherwise required by law. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

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BrainStorm's NurOwn Cell Therapy Receives Orphan Drug Designation in the European Union for ALS

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 26, 2013) - Jason Kolbert, Managing Director of Maxim Group, stated in an interview with The Life Sciences Report, "Mesoblast Ltd. (ASX: MSB) (PINKSHEETS: MBLTY) did something very interesting in its phase 2 human clinical trial for DDD. It recruited steroid-refractory patients -- people who had already failed steroids for their pain. Therefore, the fact that cells showed a good result in these patients is very significant. We think the long-term use of steroids does nothing toward healing disc disease. Cell therapy opens up an entire new treatment paradigm in back pain."

The Life Sciences Report: "Does cell therapy have to be superior to current therapies, steroids in particular? Isn't it enough that cells won't cause steroid necrosis in the spine?"

Jason Kolbert: "Mesoblast went around the current therapy issue entirely by enrolling steroid-refractory patients in its trial. If it can demonstrate that cell therapy works in patients who have failed steroids, the company is dealing in a niche market, essentially an unmet medical need. That's huge.

Going forward, once Mesoblast has FDA approval, how would it extend the label for frontline usage? That's the question. Would it have to run a control arm against steroids and show noninferiority? That's more likely than being required to show superiority, particularly if it occurs in a sequence where it has already shown utility in steroid-refractory patients. That is the brilliance of the Mesoblast strategy."

Continue reading this interview with Jason Kolbert of Maxim Group: "Is Cell Therapy the 'Future of Medicine'?"

Read The Life Sciences Report's recent interview with Mesoblast Ltd.'s CEO, Silvio Itesco: "Mesoblast Ltd. Targets Success in the Degenerative Disc Space."

About Streetwise Reports - The Life Sciences Report

Investors rely on The Life Sciences Report to share investment ideas for the biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics industries. Our exclusive interviews with leading industry experts and analysts provide a clear picture of the causes of macro-economic shifts and the strategies that will help you capitalize on these developing trends. This valuable insight is integrated with in-depth company information, summaries from the latest research and news that will help you make smart investment decisions.

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Is Cell Therapy the 'Future of Medicine'? The Life Sciences Report Interview With Jason Kolbert of Maxim Group

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