Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital developed a therapy concept to treat high-risk patients with sensitized kidneys, achieving comparable transplant survival rates as non-immunized patients. After one year, 95% of transplanted kidneys were still functioning.
The La Jolla Institute will host research projects throughout the San Diego biomedical community, exploring genetic triggers of disease and developing new therapies for cancer and other diseases. The Center is expected to propel immunology research and catalyze a broad base of basic and clinical investigations.
The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute is developing mathematical models to understand immune responses to gut pathogens, aiming to accelerate disease prevention and treatment. The Center for Modeling Immunity to Enteric Pathogens will generate new hypotheses through computer simulations and experimental research.
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that exposure to air pollution suppressed immune system regulatory T cells, leading to increased severity of asthma symptoms and lower lung capacity. The research suggests a potential long-term effect of polluted air on children's health.
Researchers found improved lung function after inhaled steroids is related to breathing function measures, not genetic ancestry. The study suggests that a commonly used asthma medication is equally beneficial across racial groups.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a new pathway that helps control the immune balance through reciprocal regulation of specialized T lymphocytes. The mechanism offers a promising target for new drugs against autoimmune disorders and could lead to new anti-rejection drugs.
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have identified two bacteria that instigate gut inflammation, leading to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in mice. The study suggests that the genetic background influences the intestinal microbiota, with Enterobacteriaceae playing a role in triggering IBD.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that exposure to community violence is associated with increased asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Younger adults were more likely to be exposed to violence and experience ED visits.
A multidisciplinary team at UCLA has successfully visualized a virus using cryo-electron microscopy, enabling the adaptation of the adenovirus for use in gene-therapy treatments for prostate and breast cancers. The breakthrough provides critical structural information for researchers attempting to modify the adenovirus.
The Novartis 2010 Immunology Prizes were awarded to Professor Michael Bevan and Charles Dinarello, and Juerg Tschopp, for their contributions to basic and clinical immunology. The prizes recognize individual achievement and provide financial support for further research.
Researchers at UCI have found a new diagnostic tool for multiple sclerosis by detecting increased levels of antibodies that inhibit energy production in neurons. This breakthrough could lead to earlier and more effective treatment for the chronic disease.
Researchers are testing Lexiscan, a pharmacologic stress agent, in a multicenter clinical trial to reduce inflammation in sickle cell disease. The trial aims to improve symptoms such as pain and breathing problems, which can be fatal.
Researchers found that interferon blocks the development of immune cells causing asthma, providing proof-of-principle for a potential therapy. The protein targets the transcription factor regulating Th2 cell function, potentially stopping asthma-causing chemicals from being released.
Researchers found that a specific virus interacts with a mutation in the host's genes to trigger disease. In mice, exposure to a damaging chemical and infection with a viral strain caused symptoms similar to human Crohn's disease, suggesting viruses may be key to understanding complex diseases.
Researchers discovered how bacteria aid digestion and enhance immune function by binding to B lymphocytes. This finding suggests the possibility of using bacterial spores to treat people with weakened or undeveloped immune systems.
Research reveals a mechanism for autoimmune disease that depends on killer T cells expressing dual receptors for normal proteins and pathogens. The study found that viruses lacking the specific protein can still trigger the disease, suggesting a complex interplay between viral infections and genetic predisposition.
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to develop a safe and cost-effective strategy for immune intervention. The project aims to boost immunity with minimal adverse effects in populations at risk due to malnutrition and poor socio-economic conditions.
Researchers propose a new theory on the cause of autoimmunity in diabetes, suggesting that unusual protein fragments can trigger an immune response. This discovery could lead to a new strategy for preventing type 1 diabetes.
Twelve new research projects on infectious diseases and immunology have been awarded grants by A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council and Singapore Immunology Network. These projects aim to develop better vaccines and improve clinical care for patients, with a focus on viral infections and the human immune response.
A new study reveals that resident dendritic cells capture and present flu viruses to B-lymphocytes, activating an immune response. Harnessing this function could lead to more effective vaccines.
Anti-angiogenic drugs used to treat cancer may improve immune responses in tissues affected by chronic infection or inflammation, increasing effectiveness of conventional treatments for leishmaniasis and other globally important diseases.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have made a new discovery about how the body fights certain types of cancer and autoimmune diseases. A newly discovered protein, HVCN1, regulates antibody production and can be targeted for therapies to treat conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center report encouraging results in children with egg allergies who consume increasingly higher doses of egg protein. The study found that more than half of the children could tolerate 5 grams of eggs without an allergic reaction, experiencing mild to moderate symptoms.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that a simple urine test for four proteins might be able to detect early kidney disease in people with lupus. The findings suggest the tests could pinpoint kidney disease better than existing tests, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers have proven that subneutralizing levels of dengue virus antibodies exacerbate the disease, contradicting the normal function of antibodies. This finding has major implications for developing a vaccine against dengue virus, which annually infects 50-100 million people worldwide.
Scientists have revealed the 3-D structure of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a model system for understanding negative-strand RNA viruses. The research provides insights into the assembly process and proposes a model for viral structure, potentially leading to advances in cancer treatment and HIV vaccines.
Researchers have identified a potential new set of targets to improve the efficiency of pancreatic islet transplantation. The study found that treatment with an antibody targeting HMGB1 prevented early pancreatic islet loss and inhibited IFN-gamma production by NKT cells and Gr-1+CD11b+ cells.
Researchers identify potential new targets for preventing early loss of transplanted pancreatic islets, which could improve the efficiency of pancreatic islet transplantation. Meanwhile, studies show that engineering macrophages to store triacylglycerol protects mice from diet-induced insulin resistance and inflammation.
Kai W. Wucherpfennig, a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researcher, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his contributions to immunology and T-cell activation in human autoimmune disease. The AAAS Fellowship recognizes his distinguished efforts to advance science and its applications.
The La Jolla Institute will receive funding to identify epitopes for developing effective vaccines against these diseases. The study aims to make new inroads toward vaccines that can target the body's immune system to launch an attack, with potential applications for tuberculosis and malaria.
A large-scale genetic study has identified seven genes that increase an individual's susceptibility to leprosy, a chronic infectious disease affecting skin and peripheral nerves. The discovery highlights the role of innate immune response in leprosy development and may lead to early diagnosis and treatment.
Scientists at Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a new method for transplanting bone marrow-based stem cells from mismatched donors, restoring the immune system faster and improving cure rates for leukemia patients. The procedure involves infusing regulatory T cells into cancer patients before receiving donor stem cells, lead...
A new cancer vaccine has successfully eliminated tumors in mice by reprogramming the mammalian immune system. The implant-based vaccine targets tumor-specific antigens and directs T cells to hunt down and kill cancerous cells, providing durable protection against relapse.
Researchers at the La Jolla Institute found that previous influenza infections can provide some level of immunity to the H1N1 'swine' flu. The study suggests that this pre-existing immunity may make the disease less severe in the general population, reducing its impact.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded approximately $208 million to two programs that support research on the human immune response to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. This funding aims to identify new vaccines and drug targets, with a focus on developing prevention tools and therapeutics.
A new federal grant will investigate a novel approach in treating HIV infection, focusing on a unique class of drugs that target psychological and neurological effects. The research aims to develop therapies that can relieve depression-like symptoms and improve innate immunity in HIV-infected patients.
The institution has received a total of $122M in NIH grants last year, with this latest award bringing the total to over $150M. The funding supports research in various fields including HIV/AIDS, cancer, immunology, and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) have identified the molecular key to understanding the p53 tumor suppressor gene's function. The discovery reveals how p53 regulates genes by recognizing specific sequences of nucleotides in DNA, providing a missing piece to this complex biological process.
Hilde Cheroutre's groundbreaking proposal aims to pinpoint molecular events underlying autoimmunity susceptibility, enabling early detection and potentially preventing the disease. Her innovative approach could also lead to new therapies for those at high risk or already affected by autoimmunity.
Researchers induced pathological damage to a normal pancreas with an immune adjuvant and found that it triggered a strong anti-self response, which suppressed autoimmunity. The study highlights the complexity of immune responses in different organs and may lead to new therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment
A five-year grant will create a comprehensive research infrastructure in the Midwest, focusing on HIV prevention, detection, and treatment. The center will concentrate its investigations around three themes: HIV and women, HIV and aging, and HIV and drug abuse.
A study found that traditional measurements and markers of inflammation were not effective in predicting future asthma symptoms and exacerbations in well-treated patients with persistent asthma. Researchers hope to identify better clinical predictors for this complex disease.
Microbiologists at the University of Texas Health Science Center have discovered a cellular molecule called NOD2 that recognizes two common respiratory viruses and directs cells to mount a defense. The finding holds promise for new therapies against human RSV and influenza A, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Researchers found that commensal bacteria in the human gut activate the immune system against Toxoplasma gondii by releasing signaling molecules, inducing inflammatory responses. The study suggests looking at gut bacteria to understand susceptibility to infectious diseases and developing novel probiotic strategies.
A small study found that 18 children with severe milk allergies could safely consume milk and dairy products, with reactions decreasing over time. Regular exposure to milk was needed to maintain tolerance.
Researchers at the La Jolla Institute have identified a previously unknown role of an enzyme in suppressing tumor growth, which may lead to new treatments for myeloproliferative diseases and certain types of leukemia. The discovery could also provide insights into the mechanisms underlying blood cancers.
The University of Rhode Island has been awarded a $13 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop vaccines for emerging infectious diseases. The grant will fund research on immunome-derived vaccines, which have the potential to be safer and more effective than traditional vaccines.
Researchers discovered that a common allergy medication can reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes in mice by stabilizing mast cells. A separate study found regulatory T cells play a crucial role in controlling inflammation in fat tissue, suggesting a new connection between immune function and metabolic conditions.
Researchers from the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research found that Beta-Interferon facilitates faster immune reactions against microbial and viral threats by regulating antigen presentation. Low levels of Beta-Interferon before infection can lead to a stronger immune response, known as priming.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute have discovered the specific gene that triggers antibody production, a key step in mounting an immune response against viruses and pathogens. The finding has significant implications for developing new and more effective vaccines.
Researchers identified a gene that allows immune cells to start self-destructive processes underlying autoimmune diseases. The study found that the presence of the Batf gene enables T cells to produce inflammatory Th17 cells, which can lead to autoimmune conditions.
A study found that a drug similar to one used for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis can rescue memory in mice with Alzheimer's symptoms. The drug, PMX205, prevented inflammation in brain regions with amyloid plaques, which accelerates neuron damage.
Researchers found that HIV-1 damages the gut's B-cell arm of the immune system just days after transmission, disrupting its ability to fight infections. This damage affects both reactive and non-reactive B cells, leading to a weak response against pathogens like influenza.
Researchers at the Bioprocessing Technology Institute discovered a novel function of the FAIM gene, which protects immune and liver cells from apoptosis. They propose that manipulating this process could lead to new treatments for liver cirrhosis and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A study characterizes eczema patients most at risk for serious viral infections, including herpes simplex and vaccinia viruses. The research highlights the importance of skin-barrier defects and antimicrobial protein production in increasing susceptibility to these infections.
Nearly half of the world's population is at risk of malarial infection, causing over 250 million clinical episodes and one million deaths each year. Researchers identified key challenges in developing a protective malaria vaccine, including identifying which proteins provoke a strong immune response.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered two biochemical signals promoting the development of memory cells in immune cells. These signals, interferon alpha and IL-12, play distinct roles in driving immediate and long-term immunity.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that Abatacept reduces severe illness and death in mice exposed to Influenza A virus by tempering the immune response. The treatment approach also improves survival rates for mice infected with a lethal dose of influenza virus.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute have identified a cellular defect that increases the risk of severe reactions to the smallpox vaccine in people with eczema. Boosting Natural Killer cell activity may help prevent such reactions.
Researchers at University of Western Ontario discovered that superbugs like Staphylococcus aureus can manipulate the immune system to prevent toxic shock syndrome. The study identifies a mechanism by which the bacteria bind to immune cells and produce an anti-inflammatory protein, allowing them to evade the host's defense.