In the mid-1990s Vertex chemists crafted compounds that block a key kinase protein that unleashes toxic immune-system molecules in arthritic joints.

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The new data indicate that leukotrienes, immune-system-signaling molecules previously thought to play a crucial role only in asthma, are also overabundant inside diseased arteries.

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It neutralises potentially harmful oxygen molecules, boosts the immune system and rids the cell of toxins.

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This stimulates the body to grow little spikes on the artery walls called adhesion molecules that snare floating immune system cells and bring them into the artery wall.

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Novavax's vaccines utilize what are called virus-like particles--genetically engineered molecules designed to train the immune system to recognize a particular virus.

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Staph molecules are good at eluding the immune system because they're disguised by an abundant coat of sugars.

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In the case of these diseases, the damage seems to be caused irreversibly in the womb, suggesting that any autoantibodies involved are attacking structural molecules rather than messengers (attacks on structural molecules are the cause of multiple sclerosis, though they involve a different part of the immune system).

ECONOMIST: Psychiatric disorders and immunity