Researchers found that IL-7 increases in response to declining CD4+ cell counts, a hallmark of HIV disease. This cytokine stimulates the thymus and other immune tissues to produce new T-cells, potentially rebuilding the entire T-cell compartment.
A new study establishes a link between gastroesophageal reflux and allergies, including environmental allergens like pollens and molds. The discovery could lead to new treatments for children with eosinophilic esophagitis and adults with refractory reflux.
A recent study from the University of California, San Francisco has discovered a novel mechanism by which the drug ribavirin kills viruses by generating excess mutations that overwhelm the virus. This unexpected finding may lead to the development of more effective anti-viral treatments for hepatitis C patients.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified ubiquitin as crucial to budding, a process allowing viruses to exit host cells and infect new ones. The study's findings suggest that ubiquitin plays a key role in the maturation and release of viral particles from the cell surface.
Researchers at UCSF and Compugen identified a new chemokine CXCL16 that recruits immune cells to sites of infection. The novel molecule binds to the CXCR6 receptor, which is exploited by HIV viruses for entry into human cells.
The project aims to catalog the HLA gene complex and explore its differences among populations worldwide. The goal is to create a searchable database linking multiple interacting genes with function, ethnicity, and disease.
Researchers have determined the 3-dimensional structure of a Rosetta Stone protein, which may help scientists understand how cells are programmed to die and shed light on the role of loss in cancer. The human Fhit protein is encoded at the most fragile site in the genome and is lost in many human cancers.
Dr. Steven D. Douglas, a leading expert in immunology, has been recognized with the Erwin Neter Award for his groundbreaking research on innate immunity and disease. He has developed several major diagnostic tests used globally and is a leader in the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group.
Dr. Edus H. Warren, an immunologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is one of five recipients of a $1.2 million grant to support his research on understanding immune responses in leukemia patients. He aims to develop strategies for selectively enhancing the GVL effect without inducing GVHD.
The JDF Center aims to develop new gene therapy techniques to increase islet cell supply for transplantation and protect transplanted cells from immune system attack. The center will focus on making islet cell transplants viable for young patients with Type 1 Diabetes.
The University of Chicago has been awarded a $2.4 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to expand its programs in immunology and structural biology. The grant will be used to fund six new junior faculty members, support pilot projects, and establish shared facilities.
Dr. Bruce D. Walker delivers a lecture on immune-mediated control of HIV infection, highlighting the Wistar/Philadelphia FIGHT Collaborative Project. The project combines basic immunotherapy with community-based research involving over 4,000 individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Rafi Ahmed will deliver a lecture on immune memory to viruses as part of the 1999 Tadeusz J. Wiktor Memorial Lecture series at The Wistar Institute. His research focuses on chronic viral infections and immunology, building on his PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Harvard.
Researchers at the University of Chicago are developing new therapies to induce immune tolerance for islet transplants and autoimmune diseases. The grants aim to improve the success of transplants and treatments for type 1 diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina will use a novel vaccine method to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine. Early tests on monkeys show promise, with vaccinated animals showing significant cellular and humoral immunity and reduced virus load.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have isolated hematopoietic stem cells using a specific marker, enabling laboratory production of all types of blood cells. This breakthrough has the potential to alleviate blood shortages for transfusions and develop innovative approaches to bone marrow transplants and gene therapy.
Scientists used peptide injections to divert the immune system and prevent disease progression in mice with type-I diabetes. The study suggests peptide-based immunotherapy may be effective for people at risk of developing the autoimmune disease.
Researchers found that patients with severe asthma who use intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in conjunction with steroids have fewer hospitalizations for asthma attacks than those using only steroids. IVIG also reduces lung inflammation and increases steroid sensitivity, making it an effective treatment option for people with asthma.
Researchers found that intense stimulation is required to create lasting memory T cells, which are crucial for killing HIV-infected or cancerous cells. This discovery may provide a solution to vaccine challenges in treating AIDS and cancer.
A new study by Ohio State University proposes five research areas to understand why men and women respond differently to autoimmune diseases. The task force aims to uncover the cellular mechanisms behind hormonal effects and identify genetic factors that may contribute to the diseases.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new arsenal of medicines using monoclonal antibodies to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, gastrointestinal viruses, and the common cold. The antibodies can be produced in common field crops like corn and soy, making them potentially cheaper and more accessible.
Dynavax's proprietary ISS-DNA alters immune response in allergic asthma, inhibiting symptoms and modifying inflammation. The company believes ISS-DNA therapy may provide a novel treatment for chronic allergic pulmonary inflammation.
A global plan has been launched to cut childhood asthma deaths by 50% through improved education, increased accessibility of effective anti-asthma therapies, and enhanced research into the disease's causes and treatment. The plan targets significant reductions in mortality, morbidity, and school days lost due to asthma.
The Lupus Foundation of America has awarded a summer internship to Yale student Su-jean Seo, who is conducting research on antigens targeted in autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematosus at the Wistar Institute. The fellowship will support her work under the supervision of Dr. Jan Erikson.
A new protein called HveC has been discovered that allows both Herpes Simplex-1 and -2, as well as animal herpesviruses, to infect human cells. This receptor has the broadest activity among the identified co-receptors, enabling entry of multiple strains of herpesviruses into various cell types.
William E. Paul, a prominent NIH AIDS researcher, has been awarded the 1998 Abbott Laboratories Award in Clinical and Diagnostic Immunology. He made significant contributions to understanding cytokine biology, T-cell reproduction, and B-cell activation.
Hultgren's research focuses on understanding how bacteria attach to human tissue, a key event in disease onset. He has made significant breakthroughs in developing vaccines against urinary tract infections.
Researchers found that the immune system targets unwanted invaders by introducing mutations in genetic material, increasing antibody diversity. The study identifies Pms2 enzyme as key player in hypermutation process, which may contribute to cancer growth.
Nancy Roseman, assistant professor of biology at Williams College, has been awarded a $266,191 NSF grant to study the biochemistry of dUTPase, an enzyme involved in DNA metabolism. Her research uses the vaccinia virus as a model to understand viral/host interactions and DNA replication.
Professors Michael Sela and Ruth Arnon have made significant contributions to the field of immunology with their development of synthetic vaccines and peptides. Their work has led to safer and more effective treatments for infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders.
Researchers have found that fatty acids from various plants and fungi can prevent MS-like symptoms in animal models. Dr Harbige's team thinks certain fatty acids work by dampening the immune system's damaging effects, but more rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm.
Research suggests that high levels of IgE type antibodies can cause an overactive immune response, leading to cerebral malaria. The study found a genetic link between IgE production and the production of TNF, which can be beneficial but also deadly in excessive amounts.
Researchers are developing a new approach to treat cancer by boosting the immune system using dendritic cells, which can be grown in large quantities in culture. The therapy has shown promise in clinical trials, particularly for patients with advanced melanoma or breast cancer.
Researchers are exploring unmodified monoclonal antibodies, or 'naked mAbs', as a potential therapy for cancer. These antibodies can trigger programmed cell death in cancer cells, restoring control mechanisms that have gone awry in the disease.
Researchers have discovered that killer lymphocytes recognising HPV can be found in tumour tissues, and that they may be able to boost the immune system's response to prevent cancer. A novel vaccine is also being developed to stimulate killer lymphocytes to target HPV-infected cells.
Researchers found that black children have more frequent and severe asthma than white children, with higher IgE serum levels and increased risk due to factors like dust mites and season of birth. The study also suggests that parents can take preventive measures by reducing dust in the home.
Preliminary results from ACTG 315 show that an antiretroviral drug cocktail can partially restore immune function in people with moderately advanced HIV disease. The study found increases in CD4+ T cell counts, decreased plasma levels of HIV, and improved immune response.
The review paper reviews powerful computational tools in studying ecology, genetics and evolution, infectious diseases and immunology. Computational biologists use models to understand the behavior of entire systems, mediated by smaller and larger scales.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School Medicine discovered that mature B cells can re-activate V(D)J recombination, allowing them to produce different antibodies and adapt to new antigens. This finding may help scientists better understand and control the immune system's response to infections.
The new test developed by Prof. Roald Nezlin of the Weizmann Institute solves a problem with standard tests by measuring the quantity of DNA in harmful complexes, indicating effective treatment. This approach could also be used to measure antibody complexes involved in other autoimmune diseases.