Research suggests that the new swine flu virus may induce a cytokine storm in otherwise healthy adults, causing fatal damage to lungs. Historical evidence also supports the possibility of severe infection and poor outcomes in young, healthy individuals.
The Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB) is the world's largest collection of scientific data on how the immune system responds to infectious diseases. With its 2.0 launch, researchers worldwide can now easily access and analyze over 95% of published information on immune epitope responses.
Researchers have discovered a way to trigger an improved immune response to cancer using a combination of interleukin-7 and a viral vaccine. The new approach shows promise in treating cancer, potentially sparing patients from toxic therapies.
UT Southwestern researchers have discovered a link between immune cell malfunction and kidney damage in lupus patients. They also found that certain genes, such as kallikreins, appear to protect the kidneys from immune attack, suggesting potential new treatments for the disease.
A new imaging technology uses specially designed dye-containing nanoparticles to simultaneously monitor changes in two intracellular proteins in cancer cells. This could provide a better picture of what's happening in individual tumor cells and potentially improve diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers develop method to target genes in Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite responsible for malaria and diarrhea. The breakthrough enables the creation of safe and effective genetically modified vaccines and drug therapies.
Researchers identify previously unrecognized defense mechanisms that improve treatment of viral skin infections. They found that immune cells in the skin, such as dendritic cells and memory T cells, can trigger a strong response to infections, providing efficient and long-lasting immunity.
Researchers have discovered a cellular process that seeks out and fights Type 1 herpes simplex virus. The study, published in Nature Immunology, found that the nuclear membrane of infected cells can unmask the virus and stimulate the immune system to disintegrate it.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have documented a select group of children who achieved long-term tolerance after completing daily doses of peanuts as therapy for peanut allergies. The study showed that the body builds tolerance quickly, with key immunologic changes observed in these participants.
Researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center have discovered a gene, BDNF, that can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce fat mass, and lead to weight loss when active in the hypothalamus. The study involves injecting the gene into mice and shows promising results for treating obesity.
A UCLA study found that broccoli sprouts triggered an increase in antioxidant enzymes, offering protection against free radical damage and inflammation. The researchers discovered a significant increase in these enzymes after consuming 100g or higher of broccoli sprouts.
Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed radioimmunotherapy to target and destroy HIV-infected cells. The treatment, which uses antibodies attached to radioactive payloads, shows promise in laboratory and animal studies, and is currently being tested in pre-clinical trials.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered that the protective capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans fungus grows by linking saccharides together, allowing it to evade the immune system. This finding could lead to new therapies or vaccines against fungal infections.
This issue of Cold Spring Harbor Protocols features two protocols: one for stem cell differentiation using the OP9-DL1 system, and another for RNA interference in plants using viral vectors. These methods provide new tools for understanding T-lymphocyte lineage commitment and gene silencing in plants.
Researcher Stacey Walters finds that boosting BAFF levels in mice can alter their immune systems to accept tissue transplants. Increased B cells stimulate T regulatory cells, controlling killer cells and preventing rejection.
Researchers have identified a negative regulation loop that restricts the ability of T lymphocytes to divide, paving the way for a homeostatic production of CD4+ T lymphocytes. This discovery has major implications for patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, or infected with HIV.
The Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science has awarded grants to university investigators to conduct early studies in translational science. These studies may lead to improvements in human health if successful.
Researchers employed intravital two-photon microscopy to study immune cells in mice with viral meningitis. They found that T-cells didn't attack infected cells but instead recruited monocytes and neutrophils, which caused fatal seizures.
The RHIC will continue to drive standardization in immunology, allowing for better comparison of data worldwide. The center's expertise will help advance three cutting-edge technologies to maturity, including arrayed image reflectometry and quantum dot nanostructures.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered Paneth cells, which line the gut and secrete antimicrobial proteins to keep harmful bacteria from invading tissues. These cells serve as a defense mechanism to prevent disease and illnesses such as food poisoning.
UT Southwestern researchers found that interferon and another signaling protein are needed to create memory cells that remember how to fight off the virus. Without these cells, the body is defenseless against re-infections.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that natural killer (NK) T cells play a crucial role in preventing chronic inflammatory infection and clearing Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which cause Lyme disease. The research demonstrates that NK T cells are central to reducing arthritis symptoms.
A study published in Clinical Immunology describes a new method to induce regulatory T cells, which show great potential for treating autoimmune diseases and improving transplant outcomes. The method uses an inexpensive and simple high-yield approach to generate large amounts of these immune suppressive cells.
Researchers found seven different receptors on T cells that can tamp down immune responses, leading to exhaustion. Blocking multiple inhibitory receptors, such as PD-1 and LAG-3, improved T cell responses and viral control.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital developed a vaccine that prevents multiple sclerosis in mice by suppressing the harmful immune response. The treatment uses autologous immune cells treated with mitomycin and expresses a self-protein from the nervous system, rendering them non-reactive to the disease.
A multidisciplinary approach predicts the immunity of a vaccine based on gene expression patterns and T cell responses. The study successfully predicted immunity in up to 90% accuracy using the yellow fever vaccine as a model.
Developing antibodies to cockroach and mouse proteins increases the risk of wheeze, hay fever, and eczema in young children. The study highlights the importance of reducing exposure to these allergens at a very early age for susceptible children.
A new research study at Cardiff University aims to understand and regulate a patient's immune response to infections, which is crucial for treating end-stage kidney disease. The three-year grant will enable the multidisciplinary team to investigate the consequences of bacterial infection on patients with peritoneal dialysis.
St. Jude researchers discover how intracellular pathogens use biochemical machinery to block nitric oxide production, a key chemical weapon against them. The findings offer hints for fighting bacteria and suggest the development of targeted drugs to inhibit such diseases as tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis.
A Stanford study found that gene expression patterns in mice with type-1 diabetes were similar to those in humans before symptoms appeared. The researchers identified clusters of genes that participated in coordinated changes over time, which may provide an early warning for pre-diabetics.
Researchers found that gradually increasing doses of milk protein over time can help children with severe and persistent milk allergy tolerate the allergen, reducing symptoms and building tolerance. The study suggests oral immunotherapy may be a promising treatment option for food allergies.
A new NYU study reveals that specific types of bacteria in the intestine trigger the generation of pro-inflammatory immune cells, which could lead to novel treatments for inflammatory bowel disease and other diseases. The finding adds to research showing that gut flora have a significant impact on human health.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that the nervous system of the minuscule worm Caenorhabditis elegans induces a change in its susceptibility to bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By manipulating the secretion patterns of nerve cells, they identified a particular molecule that binds to receptors i...
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new diagnostic test that can identify rare leukemias in hours instead of weeks. The test uses cell-signaling pathways to decipher potentially dangerous molecular conversations, offering a more reliable assessment of risk and potential treatment options.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified T Helper Type 17 (Th17) cells as potential mediators of steroid-resistant asthma. These cells may provide a new target for developing drugs to better control the condition.
A new method allows for the detection of multiple immune parameters from individual human cells, which may aid in diagnosing diseases such as type 1 diabetes. This breakthrough enables researchers to study rare blood cells and their role in autoimmune diseases, leading to potential novel biomarkers for therapy monitoring.
Researchers found that interferon-alpha plays a key role in the onset of type 1 diabetes by triggering an immune response that destroys pancreatic beta cells. This discovery could provide new insights into the disease and potentially lead to new treatments.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has published a special issue focusing on AIDS and HIV research, featuring reviews on vaccine development, B-cell abnormalities, and viral reservoirs. Key findings also include an increased rate of asthma in HIV-infected children treated with HAART.
Researchers have discovered a new immune disease that affects the innate immune system of children with a deficiency in the MyD88 gene. The study found that these children can see off other infections but still die from widespread infection by common bacteria like pneumococci and staphylococci.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have identified a key membrane protein, Rv3671c, essential to Mycobacterium tuberculosis' defense against immune cell acidification. Disabling this protein makes the bacterium vulnerable to acidification and killing.
A new analysis of kidney transplant data found that male kidneys function better in men than women, who have a higher risk of rejection. The study, based on almost 200,000 cases, suggests that gender should be considered when allocating donor kidneys.
A new study suggests that more aggressive treatment of childhood eczema could help reduce the incidence of asthma in later life. The study, conducted by the University of Melbourne and others, found a strong association between childhood eczema and asthma into middle age.
A federally funded consortium of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine found that children treated for HIV are at higher risk of developing asthma. CD4 cells increase in these children, leading to inflammation in lung tissue and worsening asthma symptoms.
A new study presents radioimmunotherapy targeting viral antigens as a novel option to treat or prevent many viral cancers. The therapy offers 'exquisite specificity' in targeting cancer cells expressing viral antigens, allowing for more precise diagnosis and treatment.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered a previously unknown mechanism in how the body responds to viruses, illuminating a new approach to developing vaccines. The finding reveals that B cells and CD4 T cells recognize the same piece of the virus, narrowing down the search for antigens.
Researchers at Tufts University have discovered how cell surface receptors cooperate to generate immune responses, revealing the importance of integrin VLA-4 in facilitating signal transmission. This understanding is crucial for developing interventions to enhance or inhibit immune responses, particularly in autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health discovered a molecule called XBP1 that regulates fat and cholesterol production in the liver. Turning off XBP1 dramatically reduced blood levels of cholesterol and triglyceride fats, with no apparent adverse effects on the liver.
The Einstein-Montefiore Center for AIDS Research has received a $8.5 million grant renewal from the NIH, supporting its growth of AIDS research programs and international collaborations. The center's contributions to HIV/AIDS research and treatment include identifying key areas of study and developing innovative therapies.
A study published in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that early life exposure to cats may reduce the risk of developing asthma symptoms. Children with cat ownership were more likely to make allergy-related antibodies and less likely to have wheeze at age five.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered T cells use molecular controls to modulate development and avoid autoimmunity. Subtle defects in these controls may explain the delayed onset of autoimmune diseases.
Researchers have discovered that Properdin, a protein linked to defence against meningitis, plays a more vital role than previously understood in the body's immune defence system. The study also found that Properdin can aggravate organ damage in certain conditions.
The Nix protein plays a crucial role in the maturation of red blood cells by facilitating autophagy, a process that removes damaged organelles like mitochondria. This regulation is essential for maintaining cellular quality and preventing anemia.
UC Davis scientists discovered how salmonella becomes lethal for AIDS patients by finding the defect in immune response that allows it to cross the gut barrier and infect other organs. The study suggests Th17 cells play a crucial role in the inflammatory response, recruiting immune system cells to the site of infection.
Researchers have created a highly accurate mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which closely resembles the most serious form of human ulcerative colitis. Treating the mice with broad-spectrum antibiotics reduced gut inflammation and increased survival, providing hope for new treatments.
A team of researchers identified a human gene called TRIM22 that can block HIV infection in cell culture by preventing virus assembly. The discovery shows the body has a natural defense mechanism against HIV, but research is needed to understand why it doesn't work in people infected with HIV.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified interleukin 22 (IL-22) as a crucial factor in the immune response to bacterial pneumonia. The study, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that stimulating the Th17 arm of the immune system may lead to more efficient treatment and prevention of pneumonia.
Scientists have discovered that immune cells confront viruses just inside the lymph node, not deep within the organ. This breakthrough could help design effective anti-virus vaccines against deadly viruses like HIV. The study sheds light on how the immune system operates during a viral infection.
A recent article in Developmental and Comparative Immunology reveals that plants possess elements of specificity and responsiveness to disease-causing agents, similar to animal immunity. The study suggests that the plant immune surveillance genes diversify at a rate stimulated by pathogen presence, shedding new light on plant immunity.
Researchers at Queen's University have found a way to manipulate the immune system by introducing virus components that activate killer T cells. This discovery may lead to more effective vaccines against diseases like influenza or HIV, as well as enhanced immunology treatments.
Anti-TNF compounds disrupt germinal centers, training grounds for immune cells in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The team found that these drugs eliminate abnormal B cell activity, raising the possibility of improved patient health.