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Rebooting the system: Immune cells repair damaged lung tissues after flu infection
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine ^ | October 3, 2011 | Unknown

Posted on 10/03/2011 1:40:22 PM PDT by decimon

HILADELPHIA -- There's more than one way to mop up after a flu infection. Now, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania report in Nature Immunology that a previously unrecognized population of lung immune cells orchestrate the body's repair response following flu infection.

In addition to the looming threat of a deadly global pandemic, an estimated 200,000 people are hospitalized because of the flu and 36,000 die each year in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control. However, many influenza-related deaths are not a direct result of the invading virus but instead are linked to the body's failure to effectively repair and restore lung tissues after it has been damaged by the virus. However, the processes that promote lung tissue repair have remained elusive.

In this new report, David Artis, PhD, associate professor of Microbiology; Laurel Monticelli, a PhD student in the Artis lab; and colleagues observed that flu-infected mice without a population of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells suffered poor lung function leading to eventual death. The team also found that those innate lymphoid cells produced a growth factor called amphiregulin. Infusion of innate lymphoid cells or amphiregulin to the lungs of infected mice normalized lung function, suggesting that the activation of these cells is central to tissue repair at lung surfaces.

(Excerpt) Read more at eurekalert.org ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: flu

1 posted on 10/03/2011 1:40:28 PM PDT by decimon
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To: neverdem; DvdMom; grey_whiskers; Ladysmith; Roos_Girl; Silentgypsy; conservative cat; ...

Ping


2 posted on 10/03/2011 1:45:01 PM PDT by decimon
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To: decimon

The problem here is that after the Flu people can get Pneumonia which can kill you!


3 posted on 10/03/2011 1:55:25 PM PDT by tallyhoe
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To: decimon

The cure is worse than the disease. Popping pills to control the flu more than likely interferes with the healing process lending to worse results.


4 posted on 10/03/2011 2:27:11 PM PDT by Razzz42
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To: Razzz42; tallyhoe
Razzz42
I have Pneumonia right now. I was having trouble breathing until I started the antibiotics. I do not see another choice
5 posted on 10/03/2011 7:04:04 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric Cartman voice* 'I love you, guys')
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To: Steve Van Doorn

That is about the only choice you have to combat Pneumonia!


6 posted on 10/03/2011 7:50:59 PM PDT by tallyhoe
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To: Steve Van Doorn

You don’t have a choice because medical science brought you to this point in time.

Pneumonia is the largest killer even though the diagnosis is disguised under some other column like congestive heart failure.

I hope you recover and soon but the next time the drugs you take now will make it even harder to recover. Check your diet and try to adjust it to clean it up a bit or your body will do it for you no matter what the consequences.

In meantime, stay in bed and get plenty of rest and don’t exert yourself. Sip lemon-water to help flush the kidneys.


7 posted on 10/03/2011 8:14:22 PM PDT by Razzz42
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To: tallyhoe
yeah but this article has me wondering will the lung tissue recover and how much will it recover. I notice my lung area is still sore since Friday when i started the antibiotic but don't have the sharp pains I was having.

Maybe once I am done with the antibiotics the lung will start to recover. I know I will always be more susceptible to pneumonia for the rest of my life after this.

8 posted on 10/03/2011 8:14:52 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric Cartman voice* 'I love you, guys')
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To: Razzz42

lemon-water that is a good idea. Thank you


9 posted on 10/03/2011 10:37:50 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric Cartman voice* 'I love you, guys')
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To: Steve Van Doorn

It is suppose to but you never know. By all means if you still cough or have sharp pains when you breath after you finish your antibiotic go back to the doctor!


10 posted on 10/03/2011 11:22:37 PM PDT by tallyhoe
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