Replies to post #3951 on Biotech Values

[rstor1]

TH2 Cells

From the article it seems that VEGF is implicated in asthma via the production of TH2 cells.

The inhibition of TH2 action is a common thread in a number of drug candidates. CAT, for example, is in a pI aimed at IL13, for example.

The link below points to a good referrence for keeping those cytokines straight 8-)

http://www.copewithcytokines.de/cope.cgi

[poorgradstudent]

>My first question was whether excess VEGF was a cause of asthma or an effect of it. The scientists in your article seem convinced it’s a cause. <

haven't looked at the paper yet, but when they use the terms "transgenic mice", that means that they've mostly likely inserted a VEGF gene with a promoter sequence that targets overproduction of VEGF in the lungs. Therefore, the VEGF in this case would be the cause since it is VEGF overexpression that perturbs the system.

Promoter sequences in front of genes act to define when and where the gene product is expressed.

OT: There are secret service all over campus today. Couldn't even go to the gym to play basketball... i guess neither Cheney nor Edwards were interested in a game of pick-up ;-)