HHS NEWS

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December 2, 1997             
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        FDA SCIENTISTS DISCOVER KEY MECHANISM REGULATING 
                       IMMUNE CELL ACTIVITY

     FDA researchers have discovered a key mechanism by which
proteins, called chemokines, direct the traffic of immune cells
in response to infections, cancer or other attacks on the body. 
These findings, published in the December 1 issue of the Journal
of Experimental Medicine, have important potential implications
for the treatment of AIDS, cancer, heart disease and other
serious medical conditions. 
     Researchers from FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and
Review (CBER) and the University of Sydney discovered how a
protein known as CD26 that is present on the surface of certain
white blood cells influences chemokines and either disables or
activates them.     
     The FDA scientists propose that new therapies may be
developed that change the impact that CD26 has on chemokines. 
These new treatments may help prevent infection with HIV and
other pathogens, as well as treat or prevent other diseases in
which chemokines have a major role.
     The main authors of the study at FDA are Drs. Tamas Oravecz
and Michael Norcross.  At the University of Sydney, Dr. Mark
Gorrell is the author.
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