Vitamin d and Asthma
Interactions between the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, and the immune system are well established. With levels of the vitamin affecting a whole host of immune system functions including dendritic cell maturation, bacteria killing, immunoglobulin production by B cells, T-cell differentiation and cytokine production. As a result, vitamin D levels have been linked to a number of conditions including multiple sclerosis, cardiac disease and asthma.
This week research by the group of BSI member Catherine Hawrylowicz (Kings College London) was published showing a potential role for vitamin D in enhancing the function of steroids used to treat asthmatics. The work found that the active form of vitamin D (1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) led a to decreased in the level of Th17 cytokine production in peripheral white blood cells from asthmatic patients. The study published in
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
The research was widely covered in the national media, including the
BBC News website and
NHS Choices.
Interactions between the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, and the immune system are well established. With levels of the vitamin affecting a whole host of immune system functions including dendritic cell maturation, bacteria killing, immunoglobulin production by B cells, T-cell differentiation and cytokine production.
As a result, vitamin D levels have been linked to a number of conditions including multiple sclerosis, cardiac disease and asthma. This week research by the group of BSI member Catherine Hawrylowicz (Kings College London) was published showing a potential role for vitamin D in enhancing the function of steroids used to treat asthmatics. The work found that the active form of vitamin D
(1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) led a to decreased in the level of Th17 cytokine production in peripheral white blood cells from asthmatic patients. The study published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology builds on their previous research into Vitamin D and asthma.
The research was widely covered in the national media, including the BBC News website and NHS Choices.
Happy Day of Immunology 2013
The 29 April was World Day of Immunology 2013, the British Society for Immunology hopes you all had an immunology filled day! If you want to continue to share your knowledge with family and friends -you can find excellent free tools to explain the immune system, and keep posted on who did what and where it was celebrated on
www.dayofimmunology.org!
Want to learn more about the immune system but don’t know where to start? Then try
Your Amazing Immune System. This illustrated book provides a comprehensive guide to the what, where and how of the immune system. From vaccinations to allergies and arthritis, this book covers all the basics in a fun and informative way. For more information and to request a free copy of this book, click
here. This book is also available in an interactive digital format at –
Interactive Immunity.
Bite-Sized Immunology: Back with added Bite...
We are delighted to announce that our free immunology resource Bite-Sized Immunology has now been relaunched with updated functionality and lots of new content. It offers a quick and easy route to understanding the detailed workings of the immune system that is ideal for science undergraduates, or indeed anyone with a curious mind. We are grateful to our many volunteer authors who have made this enterprise possible. Find-out more
here.
BSI Summer School 2013 – Travel Awards
As the BSI Summer Schools may provide a career-shaping first step into the field of immunology for those who are yet to make its acquaintance, we are particularly keen to support those might benefit from such an opportunity. To this end, we are making a limited number of bursaries available to those BSI members who, although not currently active in the field of immunology, are either anticipating closer involvement – or to renew a previous interest.
Applications will be assessed competitively on the basis of how clearly the applicant communicates the anticipated contribution of the Summer School to their future development.
To download an application form
click here.
Bursaries up to the value of £400 will be awarded, and applications must be received by
30 June 2013.
|
The British Society for Immunology (BSI) actively promotes and supports excellence in research, scholarship and clinical practice in Immunology for the benefit of human and animal health and welfare. It seeks to help British Immunology accomplish the highest possible goals.
|
The BSI is a member of: