A recent study developed a model to predict the effect of genetic variants on cognitive traits, opening the way for better interpretation of genetic analyzes and early care for children at risk. The discovery paves the way for clinicians to estimate cognitive impact of rare genetic variants.
Researchers identify SpdC as a key player in controlling S. aureus virulence, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance; Inhibiting SpdC may offer new approach to combating S. aureus infections.
A new study published in Translational Psychiatry found that genetic variations contribute to individual differences in empathy, with women generally showing higher levels of empathy than men. The research also linked genetic variants associated with lower empathy to a higher risk for autism.
A large-scale study of French volunteers found significant immune variation among individuals due to differences in sex and age, as well as genetic variations. These findings shed new light on potential causes of diseases such as pollen allergy and lupus erythematosus.
A proof-of-concept study reveals that mass dog vaccination can effectively eliminate human exposure to rabies in Africa. The research found that with over 65% of a city's dog population vaccinated, the risk of transmission was significantly reduced.
Researchers identified genetic variants associated with blood vessel inflammation and metabolism that increase risk of severe dengue. These findings provide insights into the pathophysiology of the disease and may lead to new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers found that adult-born neurons react to reward-related stimuli, speeding up the connection between sensory information and reward. This discovery suggests that adult neurogenesis plays a crucial role in associative learning processes.
An international team of researchers identified a specific mechanism leading to Zika virus-associated microcephaly, involving protein misfolding and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This triggers the unfolded protein response, promoting apoptosis in neuronal cells and reducing cortical neuron development.
Hybrid experimental platforms combine microscopes and software to interface living cells with control algorithms in real-time. Researchers can create new and easily reconfigurable cellular behaviors using external control of living tissue.
Researchers discovered Listeria monocytogenes can change its behavior when infecting liver and placenta cells, producing a dormant form that is more tolerant of antibiotics. This finding explains the long incubation period of listeriosis and may lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria evolved and spread decades before the widespread use of ampicillin. The study suggests that low doses of penicillin fed to livestock may have triggered this evolution.
Researchers discovered H. pylori's two additional strategies to target mitochondria, which maintain an environment conducive to bacterial proliferation and worsen gastric lesions in mice. The findings suggest new avenues for developing effective strategies to combat H. pylori infection and reduce its pathogenic potential.
Researchers linked major cholera outbreaks to Asian origin, highlighting need for targeted control strategies. Genomic analysis identified antibiotic-resistant strains originating from South Asia.
Scientists have characterized the infection mechanism of Rift Valley fever virus by inserting an envelope protein into host cell membranes. The study also reveals a shared recognition pocket with other human pathogenic viruses, paving the way for new therapeutic agents.
Research reveals that APC protein mutations harm the immune system, preventing it from controlling gut inflammation, which supports cancer development. This dysfunction affects regulatory T cells, leading to a deregulation of the immune system.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur successfully restored hearing and balance in a mouse model of USH1G syndrome using gene therapy, offering new hope for the treatment of hereditary deafness. The study demonstrates that inner ear defects caused by mutations in the USH1G gene can be reversed even after birth with durable efficacy.
Researchers found that bacterial exposure during larval development affects adult mosquito traits, including speed of development, size, immune activity, and susceptibility to dengue virus. This discovery highlights the importance of larval ecology in transmitting mosquito-borne pathogens.
Researchers discovered that Legionella pneumophila targets mitochondria to alter cellular metabolism, favouring bacterial replication. This strategy is crucial for the bacterium's survival and causes disease.
Scientists used a mouse model to study nicotine's impact on brain cells involved in schizophrenia. Administering nicotine restored normal activity in prefrontal cortex neurons, similar to observed deficits in patients with psychiatric disorders.
Scientists developed two types of llama antibody that can specifically mark and show amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the characteristic lesions of Alzheimer's disease. These antibodies have the rare ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing for non-invasive detection.
Scientists have identified the β2 subunit of nicotinic receptors as a direct target of soluble amyloid beta peptide, which builds up in the brain and leads to Alzheimer's disease. Blocking this receptor prevents memory loss and cognitive decline in mouse models.
α-synuclein aggregates are transported between neurons via lysosomal vesicles in tunneling nanotubes, enabling Parkinson's disease progression. This discovery highlights the role of tunneling nanotubes in intercellular communication and lysosome-mediated protein disposal.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur have created a live, genetically attenuated vaccine for Plasmodium that triggers a potent immune response and provides long-term protection against malaria. The vaccine uses a mutated gene that boosts the production of an IL-6 cytokine, resulting in a strong cellular and humoral response.
Scientists have discovered two new strains of the HTLV-4 virus in hunters bitten by gorillas in Gabon, supporting the notion that gorillas are a major source of infectious agents. The findings suggest that gorilla bites can lead to chronic persistence of the virus in humans.
Researchers from Institut Pasteur and Université catholique de Louvain identify genetic and metabolic mechanisms underlying the therapeutic action of a bacteriophage. The study reveals that RNA metabolism plays a crucial role in the infection strategy of the bacteriophage, with control mechanisms involving small RNA and antisense RNA.
Scientists observed real-time formation and evolution of new adult-born neurons in the olfactory bulb of mice. Constant structural plasticity in connections between new neurons and neighboring cells was revealed, enabling efficient processing of sensory information.
Researchers have discovered two antibodies that can efficiently neutralize both dengue and Zika viruses, sharing identical binding sites on their viral envelopes. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a single vaccine offering protection against both diseases.
The global mapping of artemisinin resistance, led by Institut Pasteur researchers, has confirmed that resistance to the main malaria drug is confined to Southeast Asia. The study identified 70 new mutations, including those in Cambodia and Vietnam-Laos, which were not associated with resistance.
Researchers discovered that HIV controllers' CD4+ T cells express specific T cell receptors targeting the HIV capsid protein, enabling sensitive detection and control of viral replication. These findings offer potential for developing immunotherapy strategies to restore antiviral responses in patients with HIV.
Researchers identified hypervirulent strains of Listeria monocytogenes associated with human infections, which are more invasive and infect central nervous system and fetus more often than those linked to food. The study used large-scale analysis of epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological data.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur in French Guiana have sequenced the complete genome of the Zika virus, showing almost complete homology with strains responsible for the 2013-2014 Pacific epidemic. The analysis provides a major starting point for understanding how the virus behaves and shedding light on its impact.
Researchers have filmed in vivo the process by which an AIDS vaccine candidate recruits immune cells to destroy infected cells. The study, published in Nature Medicine, shows how the vaccine induces the formation of the inflammasome, a complex assembly of proteins that triggers an immune response.
Researchers discovered that sepsis causes severe muscle damage, impairing muscle function and leading to debilitating long-term effects. Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has shown promising results in restoring muscle capacity and repairing mitochondrial dysfunction.
Researchers found that moving from forest to urban habitats affects epigenetic patterns of the immune response, while historical lifestyles impact development and physical characteristics. These findings suggest a significant influence of environment on epigenetics and potential risks for autoimmune diseases.
Scientists found that asymptomatic people can infect mosquitoes with dengue virus, representing three-quarters of all dengue infections. This challenges existing theories and highlights the potential for these individuals to contribute to the spread of the virus.
Researchers identified pejvakin as a crucial molecule in the hearing system, and its absence is linked to noise-induced hearing loss. The study found that mice with inactivated pejvakin genes exhibited varying levels of hearing impairments, highlighting the importance of environmental factors in hearing damage.
The study demonstrates how the microbiota acts on the balance of the immune system, specifically blocking type 2 immune responses that lead to allergic reactions. By stimulating type 3 cells, which coordinate phagocytosis and killing of microbes, the researchers provide an innovative therapeutic approach for allergy treatment.
Scientists at the Institut Pasteur sequenced three distinct Ebola virus variants co-circulating in Guinea, with each variant defined by unique mutations affecting viral proteins. The study highlights the genetic diversity of the viruses circulating in Guinea during the epidemic's spread and will aid in optimizing treatments and vaccines.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur successfully inhibit enzyme DPP4 to increase T lymphocyte infiltration into tumors, leading to efficient cancer cell destruction. This innovative treatment combines with existing immunotherapies to eradicate tumors in mice.
Researchers have identified and corrected defects in diseased cells, restoring normal activity in Cockayne syndrome patients. The study reveals the role of an enzyme, HTRA3 protease, in mitochondrial defects that contribute to premature aging. Therapeutic strategies using HTRA3 inhibitors or antioxidants may soon be tested in patients.