Studies from University of Cologne Add New Findings in the Area of Immune System (Polysialic acid blocks mononuclear phagocyte reactivity, inhibits…

Studies from University of Cologne Add New Findings in the Area of Immune System (Polysialic acid blocks mononuclear phagocyte reactivity, inhibits complement activation, and protects from vascular damage in the retina)

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Genomics & Genetics Weekly -- Investigators publish new report on Immunology - Immune System. According to news reporting originating in Cologne, Germany, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, "Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness in the elderly population. Its pathophysiology is linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of the complement system."

Financial supporters for this research include Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Hertie-Foundation, Hans und Marlies Stock-Foundation, Bayer Pharma AG, NRW-Patent-Validierung, Bundesministerium fur Bildung und Forschung (see also Immunology - Immune System).

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from the University of Cologne, "Sialic acid polymers prevent ROS production of human mononuclear phagocytes via the inhibitory sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-11 (SIGLEC11) receptor. Here, we show that low-dose intravitreal injection of low molecular weight polysialic acid with average degree of polymerization 20 (polySia avDP20) in humanized transgenic mice expressing SIGLEC11 on mononuclear phagocytes reduced their reactivity and vascular leakage induced by laser coagulation. Furthermore, polySia avDP20 prevented deposition of the membrane attack complex in both SIGLEC11 transgenic and wild-type animals. In vitro, polySia avDP20 showed two independent, but synergistic effects on the innate immune system. First, polySia avDP20 prevented tumor necrosis factor-a, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and superoxide production by SIGLEC11-positive phagocytes. Second, polySia avDP20 directly interfered with complement activation."

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: "Our data provide evidence that polySia avDP20 ameliorates laser-induced damage in the retina and thus is a promising candidate to prevent AMD-related inflammation and angiogenesis."

For more information on this research see: Polysialic acid blocks mononuclear phagocyte reactivity, inhibits complement activation, and protects from vascular damage in the retina. Embo Molecular Medicine, 2016;():. (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; Embo Molecular Medicine - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1757-4684)

Our news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained by contacting T. Langmann, Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Dept. of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. Additional authors for this research include J. Kopatz, A. Aslanidis, A. Shahraz, A. Caramoy, B. Linnartz-Gerlach, Y. Lin, A. Luckoff, S. Fauser, K. Duker, J. Claude, Y. Wang, J. Ackermann, T. Schmidt, V. Hornung, C. Skerka, T. Langmann and H. Neumann.

Keywords for this news article include: Europe, Cologne, Germany, Genetics, Immunology, Phagocytes, Immune System.

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