Page 8 - Palm City Spotlight - January '23

Page 8, Palm City Spotlight

cLEvELAnd cLinic mArtin hEALth nEws

Cleveland Clinic Researchers but many people show no signs at all. HSV-1 is more mononucleosis and associated with certain types of cancer
Collaborate With International threatening to children and adults who are immunodeficient, and multiple sclerosis.
whose immune system cannot control the virus well.
“Understanding the molecular processes underlying
Team To Uncover How The “Genetic and mechanistic analyses of uncommon viral antiviral responses is key to treating or possibly
preventing severe viral infections that change patients’
diseases like herpes encephalitis are quite rare. In fact,
Body Responds To Life- the causes underlying severe herpes encephalitis are often and families’ lives,” Gack said. “Our findings on critical
Threatening Disease From unknown,” says Michaela Gack, Ph.D., FRIC’s scientific immune defense proteins may translate into new therapies
in the future.”
director. “This information provides us with invaluable
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 insight into the fundamental molecular processes that The study was funded through U.S. National
govern our immune response and opens up opportunities
Institutes of Health grants AI165502 and AI087846,
for future research on severe disease outcomes.” and the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB)
Researchers Revealed Novel Genetic Alterations And The Ghent research team led by Filomeen Haerynck, Grand Challenges program. The award from VIB, an
Immune Mechanisms In Child Hospitalized With Herpes M.D., Ph.D., reached out to Dr. Gack’s team after finding the entrepreneurial nonprofit research institute, is to the
Encephalitis mutations in the gene. Gack’s lab studies interactions between Ghent University.
A collaboration between Ghent University in Belgium and the human immune system and viruses on a molecular level. About The Cleveland Clinic Florida Region
Cleveland Clinic’s Florida Research & Innovation Center The GTF3A mutations shape how cells respond to Cleveland Clinic’s regional health system in the Florida
(FRIC) found a new way genetics influences the body’s viral activity through the genetic makeup of a protein region is a nonprofit, multispecialty healthcare provider
antiviral response by studying a life-threatening disease called TFIIIA. TFIIIA plays a role in helping a human that integrates clinical and hospital care with research
caused by a common virus: herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). enzyme produce certain types of RNA that can determine and education. The Florida region includes Cleveland
The researchers analyzed genetic data from a patient specific functions inside cells. Some RNAs can elicit an Clinic Weston Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Indian River
with immunodeficiency and hospitalized at nine months anti-herpes viral immune response. Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Martin Health and has five
old with herpes encephalitis, a rare but life-threatening Gack’s team tested cells that have the mutations, and hospitals and numerous outpatient centers in Broward,
brain inflammation after HSV-1 infection. They identified found that because of defects in certain immunostimulatory Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
novel mutations in the gene GTF3A, and found that these RNAs, the cells were more susceptible to HSV-1 infection The Florida region is an integral part of Cleveland Clinic
mutations impair the innate immune response. and lost the ability to control the HSV-1 virus. in Ohio, where providing outstanding patient care is
The findings, published in Science Immunology, hold The affected gene is part of the body’s defense system based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and
potential as a genetic marker doctors could use to gauge that produces interferons to combat viruses. Interferons innovation. Physicians at Cleveland Clinic are experts in
a child’s risk of herpes encephalitis, although such are crucial to the human immune response and for the treatment of complex conditions that are difficult to
mutations are generally very rare in the population. suppressing virus infection and spread. diagnose. For more information about Cleveland Clinic
Many people are infected in childhood with the HSV-1 This new genetic pathway could be helpful in Florida, visit www.clevelandclinicflorida.org. Follow us
virus but the vast majority don’t suffer from encephalitis. understanding the immune response to other viruses, on Twitter and Facebook.
The most common symptom of HSV-1 is oral cold sores, like Epstein-Barr virus, a common virus linked to
Art hAppEninGs

Jensen Beach Art League Start The Year With A • Michaelann Bellerjeau
• Patricia Pasbrig
Awards VSOA Student Kaleidoscope Art Exhibit • Renee Keil
• Sally Browning Pearson
By Jackie Holfelder By Jackie Holfelder While you’re enjoying the fabulous show, be sure to
Jensen Beach Art League recently awarded an up-and- Martin Artisans Guild’s first exhibit of 2023, check out the very special and one-of-a-kind items in the
coming student at Visionary School of Arts (VSOA) with Kaleidoscope Art, is currently running through March 4 Artisans Boutique – you’ll find great Valentine’s gifts for
a scholarship sponsorship to continue his studies. Lee at The Palm Room Art Gallery and Artisans Boutique, the special people on your list.
Ciambriello, age 13, accepted the award from Joe Young, located at 3746 S.E. Ocean Boulevard in Harbour Bay The Palm Room Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday
president of the Jensen Beach Art League and other members Plaza in Stuart. from noon to 6 p.m.
on Dec. 11 at the Elliott Museum. Take advantage of an opportunity to “Meet the Artists” For more information, visit www.martinartisansguild.org.
The mission of Visionary School of Arts is to equip that is planned for 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 1. Photos by Martin Artisans Guild
youth with award-winning fine arts skills, artisanship The talented artists
entrepreneurship, while establishing community impact with included in Kaleidoscope
a center for the arts and continued after-school education. include:
To learn how you can sponsor a student or contribute to • Barb Bucci
VSOA, visit www.visionaryschoolofarts.org. • Caryl Pomales
Photo provided by VSOA • Denise Jackson
• Doreen Lepore
• Dot Galfond
• Glen Allen
• Jacquelyn Roesch-
Sanchez
• Jane Lawton Baldridge
• Kim Beltrame
• Lynn Morgan
• Margarita Nielsen-
Palacios
• Maria Miele Dot Galfond Sally Browning Pearson

Aligned
Lynne Barletta, founder of VSOA; Lee Ciambriello; Jennifer with
Ford, Jensen Beach Art League; Joe Young, president, Jensen
Beach Art League; Maria Bauer, treasurer, Jensen Beach
Art League Home • Auto • Boat • RV • Life
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