We
are continuing to raise funds for The NU/UC Tolerance Initiative. Drs. Steve Miller of
Northwestern Medical School and Brian Popko of The University of Chicago are collaborating
on a very promising line of research to induce tolerance of the immune system
using nanotechnology to prevent “friendly fire” on healthy cells. They attach myelin
proteins to biodegradable nanoparticles (myelin is the coating on nerves that
is destroyed by a confused immune system in MS). Once this nano-cluster is injected into the
body and goes through the spleen and liver, the immune system is re-taught that
healthy myelin is not an invading outside threat and should be left alone and
becomes “tolerized”.
Drs. Miller and Popko are also combining the tolerance protocol
with drugs that stimulate myelin repair and have found that combined treatment
with both strategies leads to a remarkable ability to reverse symptoms of MS.
The money we raised last year allowed them to finish up some needed work so
they could be awarded more grant money from The National Institutes of Health.
This tolerance initiative will enhance the environment
allowing for re-myelination naturally or with the intervention of the many
myelin repair agents that are entering into human clinical trials. When people
describe this research they use words like game changer, the Holy Grail and
accelerating towards a cure. This research has the potential to revolutionize
disease management since you can substitute the myelin proteins for other
proteins. Therefore you can tolerize the immune system in response to all
autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Celiac’s
disease and lupus. Additionally, you can control severe allergies, including to
peanut and cat dander and even eliminate organ transplant rejections. So, our
great philanthropic endeavors will benefit many people we know and love that
fit into these expanded categories. As an offshoot to their research, human
clinical trials on Celiac’s disease start in a couple months.
To learn more about the Tolerance Initiative, click here to watch a video produced by WGN News featuring Dr. Stephen Miller.
Join us and be part of our team; walk and donate on
Sunday, May 21nd, 2017 in Lincolnshire. At 10:30 am
we will start a 4 mile neighborhood walk, starting and finishing at our
house. Then spend the afternoon of camaraderie and a backyard picnic with
us. Bring your friends.
If you can’t make the trip join our group
by donating online through Northwestern University
or by writing a check:
Northwestern Univ.
Memo: CATalyzer project, GAKG2
c/o Bob Gregory
10 Londonderry Lane
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
It's Tax Deductible!
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