A new study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Meeting recommends innovative interventions to help single parents manage their child's symptoms and keep asthma under control. Food allergy diagnosis is also highlighted as a crucial step in providing proper disease management.
The Boston University School of Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $316,875 training grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate inflammatory disorders. The program will provide students with a solid academic background in immunology and multi-disciplinary approaches.
Researchers at Trudeau Institute found a link between the formation of new lymphoid tissue in the lungs and protection from tuberculosis. The study, published in The Journal of Immunology, may lead to improved vaccines and therapies for fighting deadly disease.
Researchers have developed a method to create tolerance in the immune system by attaching peanut proteins onto blood cells and reintroducing them. This approach has shown promise in preventing life-threatening allergic reactions. By tricking the immune system, researchers hope to target multiple food allergies at once.
Researchers have discovered a cellular pathway that promotes inflammation in diseases like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. Understanding this pathway may provide opportunities for tailored treatments of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute have identified a previously unknown molecular interaction between protein kinase C theta and CD28 that is essential for T lymphocyte activation. This discovery opens up a novel therapeutic avenue for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis by blocking the cellular inter...
Researchers at the La Jolla Institute identified a previously unknown mechanism generating protective immune memory cells to fight recurring infections at mucosal linings. This discovery could lead to the creation of new and more effective vaccines by triggering the newly identified mechanism, particularly for Listeria and HIV.
Researchers at National Jewish Health found that T-cell receptors from mice continue to function with shark, frog, and trout receptor pieces substituted in. This interaction between the T cell and MHC molecules is crucial for immune defense and organ transplants.
Researchers found that Adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) targets all different grades of breast cancer by activating death pathways. The virus causes 100% of cancer cell destruction within seven days, with majority of cell death proteins activated on the fifth day.
A study on natural killer cells in wild mice found that these mice have higher numbers of NK cells compared to lab mice, suggesting a closer representation of human immune systems. The findings support the hypothesis that environmental factors are needed to fully represent the immune system.
Researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center found a biological switch that converts white fat to brown fat, leading to reduced abdominal fat mass and improved metabolism. The discovery uses environmental enrichment to activate a nerve and biochemical pathway that stimulates the transformation.
Researchers have demonstrated a new HIV vaccine approach by designing an altered form of the virus's outer coating protein. This allows for better targeting of immature B cell receptors, leading to enhanced immune responses in animal models.
A breakthrough discovery identifies a key gene, SIRT3, that exacerbates the development of metabolic syndrome, a condition linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. The study suggests that increasing SIRT3 activity could help alleviate symptoms and develop new treatments for this growing health concern.
The La Jolla Institute's new RNAi Center will focus on understanding the genetics behind disease processes and developing new therapies to treat disease. The Center aims to make key discoveries about how the immune system recognizes bacteria and viruses and fights infections.
Infants exposed to moldy homes are three times more likely to develop asthma by age 7. The study, published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, analyzed data from 176 children and found that genetic factors also play a critical role in childhood asthma development.
Vishwa Deep Dixit, a researcher at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has been awarded the 2011 Nathan Shock New Investigator Award by the Gerontological Society of America. The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to new knowledge about aging through basic biological research.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified Tsc1 as a key regulator of the immune system, maintaining a balanced immune response by inhibiting effector T cells and naïve T cells. Loss of Tsc1 leads to premature activation and depletion of immune cells, compromising bacterial infection resistance.
A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that using hypoallergenic baby formula does not decrease the risk of allergies in high-risk infants. The trial involved 620 infants and assessed whether hypoallergenic formula could prevent childhood eczema, asthma, or hay fever up to seven years of age.
Vanessa Oliveira, Portuguese researcher, develops strategy to reprogramme immune system of hemophilia patients. Her project aims to improve treatment efficacy by inducing patient's immune tolerance towards therapeutic clotting factors.
Researchers have developed a method to predict whether someone will produce high levels of antibodies against a flu shot, allowing for the rapid development of vaccines and monitoring of suboptimal immune responses in vulnerable populations. The test uses gene activity data to identify predictive signatures with up to 90% accuracy.
A type of Archaea, Methanosprillum hungatei, has been found to contain highly efficient energy-storage structures that can store 100-fold more energy than the entire cell. These granules could potentially be used as a chemical battery for engineered synthetic cells.
Research suggests that mothers experiencing high levels of anxiety or depression during pregnancy are more likely to have children who develop wheezing before age 5. The study found a significant association between prenatal psychological stress and the risk of asthma in minority populations.
A recent study conducted at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that introducing baked milk products into the diets of children with milk allergies accelerated the rate at which they outgrew their allergy. After five years, 47% of children in the experimental group could tolerate unheated milk products, compared to 22% in a control gr...
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine found that traditional Korean medicine SCRT treatment alleviates asthma-like pulmonary inflammation via suppression of specific chemokines or proteins. The study, published online in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, suggests a potential mechanism for reduced inflammation.
A new study found that acute Hepatitis A virus is more efficient at evading the host's interferon response, allowing it to linger in the body for almost a year. This discovery undermines current theories on chronic Hepatitis C development and highlights the need for further research into Hepatitis-host interactions.
Researchers will use a quantitative proteomics approach to identify biomarkers for bile duct cancer in patients infected with Opisthorchis viverrini. The study aims to develop early diagnostic tools for this deadly disease, which affects over 40 million people in Southeast Asia.
The FASEB MARC Program has awarded $9,900 to underrepresented minority students and postdoctorates attending the AAI 2011 Advanced Course in Immunology. The program aims to increase diversity in biomedical and behavioral research.
The FASEB MARC Program aims to increase the number of underrepresented minorities engaged in biomedical research, with a total of $1,650 awarded this year. Dr. Patricia B. Lodato from University of Maryland School of Medicine has been selected as the recipient of the FASEB MARC Travel Award.
Australian scientists have identified a new type of NKT cell that can specifically target lipids found in bacterial cell walls, offering hope for novel vaccine development. The discovery provides insight into the immune system's unique function and its potential to combat various diseases.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital discovered a previously unknown biological pathway explaining why influenza induces asthma attacks. Activation of natural helper cells presents a new set of drug targets for asthma.
Research suggests that aging lung cells are more susceptible to infection by pneumonia-causing bacteria, increasing the risk of community-acquired pneumonia. Controlling inflammation may hold the key to preventing this deadly disease in the elderly.
A recent study published in Nature Immunology has discovered a novel mechanism by which tumor necrosis factor (TNF) suppresses inflammatory responses. The researchers found that TNF activates the glycogen synthase kinase 3-alpha protein and upregulates the A20 gene, leading to reduced inflammation.
A new biomarker for diagnosing prostate cancer has been found to be more reliable than current methods, reducing false positives and unnecessary operations. The study, published in PNAS, uses a unique test that detects elevated levels of prostasomes in blood, which are released by cancer cells into the surrounding tissue.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have found that the protein Foxp1 actively maintains T cells in a 'quiescent state,' allowing them to work without antigenic triggers. Removing Foxp1 enables T cells to proliferate and become activated, which could lead to new treatments for diseases like cancer.
Research at RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology reveals ERK signaling pathway's role in B cell differentiation into antibody-producing plasma cells. The finding could lead to breakthroughs in drug discovery for autoimmune diseases and allergies.
The La Jolla Institute has identified LIGHT as a promising therapeutic target for chronic asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions. Blocking LIGHT's interactions with its receptors significantly inhibited airway remodeling in mouse models of chronic asthma.
A new study found that children with eczema are nine times more likely to develop allergic asthma in their 40s. The research, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, suggests that preventing childhood eczema and hay fever may prevent adult asthma.
A study from UNC School of Medicine found that saturated fatty acids activate immune cells to produce inflammatory protein interleukin-1beta, leading to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes symptoms.
The FASEB MARC Program has announced 37 travel award recipients for the 98th Annual Meeting of The American Association of Immunologists. These awards aim to promote diversity in biomedical research by supporting junior faculty and students from underrepresented minority groups.
A recent publication in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology highlights the need to establish guidelines for studying HIV's entry point: the female genital tract. Research attention has shifted from blood to this area, but proper sampling methods and assays are crucial for accurate results.
Scientists at NIAID discovered how E. coli O157:H7 infects humans by altering the host's immune responses, allowing it to evade elimination and prolong survival. This mechanism could be relevant to other pathogens involved in foodborne diseases, such as Shigella and Salmonella.
A study published in The Journal of Immunology reveals that the elderly are more susceptible to pneumonia and bacterial infections due to a decline in immune system cells. Researchers have found that macrophages and B cells, which fight bacteria, appear effective but are fewer in number, making them less effective. Developing targeted ...
Scientists from Thomas Jefferson University have discovered that the protein FADD controls multiple cell death pathways, which could lead to better treatment options for autoimmune diseases and cancer. The study found that FADD regulates apoptosis and keeps necrosis at bay, allowing researchers to develop more targeted drugs with fewer...
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new vaccine technology that stimulates and accelerates the immune system to show its defense mechanisms against hepatitis C virus. The technology works by presenting a larger section of the internal molecule, allowing the immune defenses to recognize and respond to it.
The Jeffrey Modell Endowed Chair in Pediatric Immunology Research will advance research into primary immunodeficiency diseases, enabling early diagnosis and treatment to prevent permanent damage. Dr. Orange is renowned for studying natural killer cells and innate immune system biology.
Researchers at Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) and VIVALIS have developed two fully human monoclonal antibodies that can neutralize several Chikungunya strains. These antibodies, generated using VIVALIS' Humalex platform, show promise as a potential treatment for the disease.
New research reveals that odontoblast cells in teeth orchestrate an immune response to protect against bacteria-induced decay. The cells produce proteins that down-regulate inflammation, protecting the underlying pulp from damage.
Researchers at UNC Health Care discovered the Kaposi sarcoma virus produces a homolog protein that binds to cellular proteins, preventing inflammatory response and allowing the virus to evade immune system detection. The study highlights the virus's ability to lie dormant in the body over a lifetime by avoiding cell death.
Researchers identified broadly protective antibodies against a variety of flu strains in patients infected with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic strain, suggesting a pan-influenza vaccine may be feasible. The antibodies could guide efforts to design a vaccine providing long-lasting protection against a wide spectrum of flu viruses.
A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that both the stratum corneum and tight junctions play a crucial role in eczema development. Tightening both leaky barriers may be an effective treatment approach, targeting the faulty tight junction protein claudin-1.
Researchers found that inactivating the NLRP3 protein can increase the effectiveness of therapeutic cancer vaccines. This discovery may lead to more effective cancer treatments and is the first to link immature myeloid cells, NLRP3, and vaccine response.
Researchers have identified an existing medication, lenalidomide, that can restore key elements of the immune system decreasing production during aging and rebalance cytokine levels. This discovery could lead to a daily pill boosting immunity in the elderly.
The new guidelines aim to standardize diagnosis, treatment, and management of food allergies. They consolidate the latest available data into straightforward and consistent protocols for diagnosis and treatment, which will give physicians a uniform pool of information, ultimately leading to more accurate care for patients.
A La Jolla Institute team has validated a computer model's ability to predict key information on nasal insulin treatment regimens in type 1 diabetes. The platform accurately predicted biomarker onset and therapeutic outcome, confirming its potential as a valuable research tool.
Scientists at Virginia Tech uncover how abscisic acid, a natural plant hormone, fights inflammation by interacting with the lanthionine synthetase C-like 2 protein. This alternative mechanism avoids known adverse side effects of existing drugs, paving the way for new treatments.
A new study suggests preterm infants are at risk of invasive pneumococcal disease despite receiving the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Early effective immunization is crucial, as they have lower levels of maternally derived antibody than full-term infants.
Researchers found plasma cells regulate immune response by negatively impacting follicular helper T cells. The discovery has implications for vaccine administration and autoimmunity.
Researchers at Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology discover how HIV promotes the death of CD4 T cells by infecting them with a failed form of viral replication. This process leads to the depletion of these critical immune cells, ultimately causing AIDS.
Researchers will discuss guidelines for food allergy diagnosis and management, as well as primary immunodeficiency diseases such as Job's syndrome and DOCK8 deficiency. The meeting also addresses atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin disorder associated with dry, itchy skin.
A team of international scientists led by Dr Florent Ginhoux have uncovered the origins of microglia, white blood cells specific to the brain, revealing they derive from a particular structure in the mouse embryo. This understanding may lead to new strategies to manipulate microglia for treating various brain disorders.