Division News

2007

Aspirin, the mighty drug

(Republished with permission from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This article originally ran in the Healthy & Fit section on Monday, July 23, 2007)

http://mednews.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/9728.html

 

 

 

Yokoyama named director of Medical Scientist Training Program

July 3, 2007 -- Wayne M. Yokoyama, M.D., is the new director of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The appointment went into effect July 1. http://mednews.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/9669.html

 

Three faculty members elected to National Academy of Sciences

May 3, 2007 -- Three Washington University scientists are among the 72 members and 18 foreign associates elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Election to the academy is considered one of the highest honors that can be accorded a U.S. scientist or engineer.

WUSTL's new academy members are Wayne M. Yokoyama, M.D., the Sam J. Levin and Audrey Loew Levin Professor of Research in Arthritis and professor of medicine and of pathology and immunology, Aaron Ciechanover, M.D., D.Sc., visiting professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine and the Research Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel, and Clifford M. Will, Ph.D., the James S. McDonnell Professor of Physics in Arts & Sciences. http://mednews.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/9439.html


Genetic finding sheds light on diseases causing blood vessel breakdown

Twenty-one years after they first described a fatal genetic disorder in Missouri and Arkansas families, scientists at the School of Medicine have linked the condition to mutations in a gene known as TREX1. The study appears online in Nature Genetics. The identification will accelerate efforts to understand and treat retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukodystrophy (RVCL), a rare condition that usually goes unrecognized or is misdiagnosed. http://mednews.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/9736.html?emailID=15383 


Washington University, Barnes-Jewish Hospital open Chesterfield orthopedic center

 Washington University Orthopedics and Barnes-Jewish Hospital have completed construction of a new $13 million outpatient orthopedic facility. The new Washington University Orthopedics and Barnes-Jewish Hospital Outpatient Orthopedic Center opens with its first full clinic day July 30. The first surgical procedure took place on July 25.  <http://mednews.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/9757.html?emailID=15383>

Second chance reveals gene's ability to help fight flu, other viruses  

Jan. 15, 2007 -- An immune system gene that flunked its first tryout as an antiviral factor has triumphed in its second, proving that it can help fight the flu, herpes and the Sindbis virus. Picking the right opponents for interferon stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) to square off against proved to be key to uncovering its potential. Earlier tests found it provided no help in the battle against a pair of other viruses, but scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis selected new viral opponents and found the gene significantly enhanced mouse survival after infection. The results are published this week in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "We're very curious about what ISG15 is doing and what it can teach us about fighting viruses," says first author Deborah J. Lenschow, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine. "Our labs have identified over 200 proteins that ISG15 targets and binds to."

 http://mednews.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/8521.html?emailID=12797

 

2005

"License to kill" enables powerful immune attack cells in mice
St. Louis, August 3, 2005 — Scientists have discovered that a group of important immune system cells has a surprising resemblance to cinematic British superspy James Bond: the cells receive a "license" that allows them to unleash their most potent attacks on enemies. This licensing process apparently helps reduce the chances that the cells will erroneously direct their firepower at the body's own tissues, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The process is very different from other previously identified ways that help immune cells distinguish invaders from self, and could have important implications for doctors struggling to understand such issues as persistent viral infections and patients' responses to bone marrow transplants. The findings will appear in the August 4 issue of Nature. The immune cells in question already evoked cinematic connections simply by virtue of one of their names: scientists commonly refer to them as natural killer cells. The cells rapidly attack invaders and are continually generated in the bone marrow, leading to replacement of the entire population approximately once a week. Scientists led by Wayne M. Yokoyama, M.D., the Sam J. Levin and Audrey Loew Levin Professor of Research in Arthritis, and professor of medicine and of pathology and immunology, discovered through experiments in mice that the arsenals of natural killer cells only become fully armed after a receptor on their surfaces interacts with a molecule on the surfaces of other cells. 
http://http://mednews.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/5525.html?emailID=6082

Veterans of first Gulf War have more chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia
St. Louis, July 12, 2005 — More than a decade after the first Gulf War in 1991, a detailed comparison of the health of veterans who were deployed to the Persian Gulf region and veterans who served elsewhere has found that the health of the two groups is very similar. However, the study also found that Gulf War veterans are more likely to have chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome. The proportion of Gulf War veterans with these two illnesses is very small, according to lead author Seth Eisen, M.D., physician at the St. Louis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center and professor of medicine and psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. "But that doesn't mean these conditions aren't serious concerns for those veterans who still have them 10 years later," Eisen says.

http://mednews.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/5380.html?emailID=5623

Enzyme’s newly discovered role may make it target for arthritis treatment
St. Louis, June 23, 2005 — Scientists have found a new role for a previously identified enzyme that may make it a target for anti-inflammatory treatments.
The finding by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that an enzyme known as cathepsin G regulates the ability of immune cells known as neutrophils to secrete chemicals that attract other immune cells and start the local inflammatory process. Over time, the excessive accumulation of immune cells can lead to tissue and cartilage damage in joints, causing pain and limiting mobility.
http://aladdin.wustl.edu/medadmin/PAnews.nsf/0/325F2F96CAAEE0968625702A004E29F5

2004

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is listed among America's elite medical centers - Rheumatology #17
US News and World Report - Barnes-Jewish Hospital is listed among America's elite medical centers on the U.S. News & World Report "Honor Roll," ranked No. 8 in the nation. Of 6,102 U.S. hospitals, only 177 have ranked specialties and only hospitals earning high marks in six or more of 17 select specialties make the "Honor Roll" of America's best hospitals.
http://www.barnesjewish.org/groups/default.asp?NavID=1754

'Leash' protein may help keep B cells from attacking body tissue
St. Louis, September 22, 2004 - Stanford Peng, who earlier this year discovered the first of these immune system "leashes" in T cells, now has given the theory another key boost by identifying the first leash in a B cell: a protein called microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). He reported the discovery in the Journal of Experimental Medicine .
http://mednews.wustl.edu/medadmin/PAnews.nsf/0/8679FB916AA7642F86256F170077C130

Lack of Immune System Protein Prevents Lupus-Like Condition in Mice
St. Louis, July 8, 2004 Removal of an immune system signaling protein prevents the development of a lupus-like condition in mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the National Institutes of Health have found. Whats perhaps most exciting is that normal immune system functions were still largely intact in the experimental mice that lacked SAP, says Stanford Peng, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine in rheumatology and of pathology and immunology and lead investigator for the study.
http://mednews.wustl.edu/medadmin/PAnews.nsf/0/DDAF04504DAFE68686256ECB00604975

Arthritis drug may cause adverse side effects
St. Louis, Feb. 13, 2004 - Researchers at the School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center have analyzed a national database of VA patients to investigate the effects of the rheumatoid arthritis drug leflunomide in the first years after its approval.
http://record.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/2953.html

Immune SystemĴs Attack Dogs Kept on Genetic Leash: Loss of restraint may contribute to lupus, other autoimmune disorders
St. Louis, Feb. 12, 2004 - When theyĴre not busy battling invaders, some of the cells that act as the attack dogs of the mouse immune system have to be kept on a genetic leash to prevent them from mounting inappropriate attacks on the mouseĴs own tissues, researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found.
http://mednews.wustl.edu/medadmin/PAnews.nsf/0/48AC43D9D7D4AC4486256E370075894A

2003

Washington University Launches BioMed 21 Į a $300 Million Biomedical Science Initiative to Transform Genome Research into New Medical Treatments
St. Louis, Nov. 17, 2003 - Washington University and its School of Medicine today announced they will spend more than $300 million to rapidly bring the new knowledge of the human genetic blueprint to the patient's bedside and to change how illnesses ranging from diabetes to AlzheimerĴs disease to various cancers are understood, diagnosed and successfully treated.
http://mednews.wustl.edu/medadmin/PAnews.nsf/c0a4ebcc9ebbd32286256afd0074391b/8fb25f5f1ad885f886256de100651f48?OpenDocument

WUSTL Medical School Ranks 2nd in Country; Remains 1st in Student Selectivity
St. Louis, April 2, 2004 - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is rated the second best medical school in the nation and ranks first in student selectivity, according to this yearĴs U.S. News & World Report rankings of graduate and professional programs released April 2.
http://mednews.wustl.edu/medadmin/PAnews.nsf/0/E03370EF87C2A 17586256E6900739B7E

Suppressing Immune System Reverses Otherwise Untreatable Case of Blood Disease
St. Louis, Jan. 21, 2003 - Treatment with two medications that suppress the immune system, rituximab and cyclophosphamide, appears to have cured one woman of an otherwise untreatable case of the blood disease known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
http://mednews.wustl.edu/medadmin/PAnews.nsf/0/0542D0FE1EDB720986256CB10074C54B

2002

Unshrouding the Mysteries of Miscarriages
March 22. 2002 - Hector D. Molina thinks a percentage of them may happen because of an abnormaility in the mother's immune system.
http://record.wustl.edu/2002/03-22-02/washington_people.html

2001

$3 Million For New Center To Foster Research on Arthritis
St. Louis, Dec. 12, 2001 - Researchers at School of Medicine have received a five-year, $3 million grant to establish a Rheumatic Disease Core Center, making it one of only seven in the nation.
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/2001/yokoyamacore.html

Yokoyama Receives Novartis Award for Basic Immunology
St. Louis, August 17, 2001 - Wayne M. Yokoyama, M.D., was awarded the Novartis 2001 Prize for Basic Immunology at the 11th International Congress for Immunology in Stockholm, Sweden, in recognition of his groundbreaking scientific contributions to the understanding of natural killer cells and the molecular basis for their function.
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/2001/yokoyamaaward.html

Closing In on How Natural Killer Cells Thwart Viral Infection
May 4, 2001 - Researchers have identified a receptor on the surface of natural killer cells in mice that is vital to resisting viral infection. The scientistsĴ discovery offers new insights into innate immunity, a rapid response system that allows the host to fend off invading microorganisms until other arms of the immune system are mobilized.
http://www.hhmi.org/news/yokoyama.html

Killer Cells Recognize Specific Viruses
St. Louis, May 4, 2001 - Researchers have discovered that immune system cells called natural killer cells can recognize and destroy specific viruses. Scientists previously thought these cells responded to infection only in a nonspecific way.
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/2001/yokoyama.html

2000

1.7 Million To Study Immune System
St. Louis, August 1, 2000 - John P. Atkinson, M.D., the Samuel B. Grant Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received a five-year $1.7 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Atkinson will study a protein that helps regulate the bodyĴs immune response and also serves as a binding protein or receptor for infectious diseases such as measles and gonorrhea.
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/2000/atkinsongrant.html

Medical School Ranked Fourth in Nation and First in Student Selectivity
St. Louis, March 31, 2000 - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is one of the top five medical schools in the nation, ranks first in student selectivity and has the leading physical therapy program and a top occupational therapy program, according to this yearĴs U.S. News & World Report rankings of graduate and professional programs.
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/2000/usnews.html

A Crucial Protein Prevents Miscarriages in Mice
St. Louis, Jan. 21, 2000 - A mother's immune system must be kept in check so that it does not attack her baby, which contains foreign genetic material. Yet no comprehensive explanation has emerged about how this process, called fetomaternal tolerance, occurs.
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/2000/molina.html

Volunteers Needed For Arthritis Studies
St. Louis, Jan. 10, 2000 - People who have rheumatoid arthritis may be eligible for experimental treatments at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Volunteers are needed for three rheumatoid arthritis studies.
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/2000/brasingtonpsa.html

1998

ATKINSON RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH AWARD
St. Louis, October 22, 1998 - John P. Atkinson, M.D., the Samuel B. Grant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will receive the 1998 Distinguished Investigator Award from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/atkacr.html

1997

ATKINSON NAMED GRANT PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
St. Louis, Nov. 26, 1997 - John Atkinson, M.D., has been named the first Samuel B. Grant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/atkgrantprof.html

$1.1 MILLION GRANT TO STUDY IMMUNE SYSTEM RECEPTORS
St. Louis, Sept. 4, 1997 - Hector D. Molina, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and pathology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received a five year $1.1 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/molinacrgrant.html

1996

RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY NEW TRIGGER FOR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Orlando, Oct. 21, 1996 - Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated how a well-known group of proteins, called the complement system, triggers the immune system's first line of defense. These findings, which clarify how the immune system is activated in certain circumstances, may also impact the understanding of autoimmune diseases and other disorders in humans, said Hector D. Molina, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology.
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~wumpa/news/molina.html

 

 

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