A new study reveals that non-specific bystander T cells can counteract type 1 diabetes by limiting access to beta cells and interfering with inflammatory signals. This challenge to the traditional notion of regulatory T cells' anti-inflammatory effects opens up new avenues for treatment.
A high-fat, high-cholesterol Western diet reprograms protective immune cells called regulatory T cells into follicular helper T cells that promote inflammation and atherosclerosis. HDL 'good cholesterol' helps shield these protective cells from this transformation.
A subset of T cells identified as an early childhood immune signature predicts the risk of developing asthma later on. The presence of house dust components stimulating the innate immune system decreases asthma risk, supporting the hygiene hypothesis. Researchers found MAIT cells to be protective against asthma.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology identified a hitherto unknown precursor for a poorly understood subgroup of killer T cells. Single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed an unprecedented level of heterogeneity among immune cells, upending the traditional view of immune cells as unvarying entities.
LJI researchers reveal LIGHT, a tumor necrosis factor super family member, drives skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis. The discovery provides a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of severe eczema. Therapies blocking LIGHT signaling may halt disease symptoms and reverse symptoms.
A recent study by La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology reveals that dengue immunity can confer protection against Zika virus. Cytotoxic T-cells have been identified as crucial in defending against both viruses, suggesting that vaccines targeting either dengue or Zika could be effective.
La Jolla Institute researchers find Histamine-Releasing Factor (HRF) exacerbates both asthma and food allergies. Inhibiting HRF may prevent allergic reactions, offering a new treatment avenue.
Researchers developed a new approach to model human immune variation, identifying gene markers that correlate with human disease outcomes. The study found that accounting for immune diversity is critical for predicting disease outcomes.
In a preclinical study, optimizing immunizations reliably elicits protective antibodies in non-human primates. Delivering the vaccine subcutaneously and increasing time intervals between immunizations improves efficacy and induces neutralizing antibodies.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology identify tissue-resident memory T cells as an important distinguishing factor between cancer patients whose immune system mounts an effective anti-tumor response. The study found that patients with a high density of these cells in tumor tissue survived significantly longer.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology pinpoint TWEAK as a common driver of skin inflammation in both diseases. The protein plays a major role in inducing pro-inflammatory signaling molecules that recruit immune cells to the skin.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that exhausted T cells have distinct DNA structures and activate specific genes, including NFAT and Nr4a proteins. These findings provide new insights into the molecular underpinnings of T cell exhaustion and offer potential targets for improving cancer immunotherapies.
A recent study found that pre-existing immunity to dengue virus modulates the magnitude and breadth of the immune system's T cell response to Zika. This shape the subsequent CD8+ T cell response to Zika in mice, with implications for vaccine development.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that CD8+ T cells, a subset of killer T cells, control Zika infection and limit disease severity. The study provides a new tool to track Zika-specific T cells, which can help understand the virus's transmission and neurological complications.
Researchers confirm live Zika virus infects reproductive tract, replicates and causes disease in mouse models. Hormonal injection timing affects vulnerability to infection, with diestrus-infected mice showing no signs of disease despite viral persistence.
LJI researchers identified key factors controlling T cell fate, shedding light on molecular mechanisms behind T cell exhaustion. This study offers new approaches to clinical intervention strategies to modulate T cell activity and improve immune function.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that the loss of TET proteins hinders T cell maturation and promotes aberrant proliferation, leading to a lethal disease resembling lymphoma. The study's findings suggest that TET proteins serve as tumor suppressors and may help block malignancy in cancers marked by TET mutations.
Researchers have discovered that TET proteins, which modify methyl groups attached to cytosine, influence gene expression and facilitate the removal of these marks. This dynamic modulation is critical for driving developmental gene expression programs in early embryos, particularly in neural tissue formation.
La Jolla Institute for Immunology researchers have developed a new method to inactivate specific genes in immune cells using enhancer targeting. This approach allows for the precise deletion of genes in one cell type while leaving others intact, opening up new possibilities for targeted therapies.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered a novel mechanism by which neutrophil receptors latch onto vessel walls, dampening inflammation. Integrins assume an unorthodox shape that exposes the high affinity patch but maintains a bent conformation, preventing it from binding to ICAM-1 expressed on blood vessel cells.
La Jolla Institute researchers reveal a powerful arm of the immune system that drives maturation of helper T cells. Their study identifies activin A as a key factor, which could lead to more potent vaccines and treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Researchers identified key signal TBK1 drives Tfh cell maturation, promoting precise immune response. ICOS regulates B cell activation and specificity through TBK1 association.
A study reveals Sharpin's role in regulating survival of immunosuppressive T cells, essential for preventing autoimmune disease and cancer. Sharpin-deficient mice develop severe skin lesions and inflammation due to reduced Treg counts.
A new study published in Science suggests that food tolerance emerges over time in normal individuals due to specific populations of T cells. The research found that consumption of a normal diet stimulates gut cells that suppress rejection of food by the immune system, making children more susceptible to food allergies.
The La Jolla Institute will characterize immune responses to dengue virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis with the HIPC grant. The research aims to identify effective gene signatures for vaccines against these diseases, which are major global health challenges.
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that TET protein loss of function leads to rapid development of malignant cancer. The research found that mice lacking both Tet2 and Tet3 developed aggressive myeloid leukemia, highlighting the importance of TET proteins in maintaining genome stability and preventing cancer.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology identified the matchmaker that brings critical calcium channel components together, allowing calcium to rush into cytosol. This finding provides a potential target for developing drugs to modulate T cell activation status.
Researchers discovered that macrophages and monocytes actively participate in multiple sclerosis progression, exacerbating disease severity through stress signals. The study highlights the significance of the crosstalk between the peripheral immune system and brain, opening new avenues for potential therapies.
Researchers found that patrolling monocytes play a key role in blocking lung metastasis by recognizing and scavenging tumor cells. This discovery could lead to new treatments for lung cancer by augmenting existing immunotherapy approaches.
A team of researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology has identified LEF-1 and TCF-1 as master regulators that control the fate of T follicular helper cells. These transcription factors pre-program CD4+ T cells to respond to TFH induction signals, making them crucial for inducing a strong and lasting antibody response.
Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) play a critical role in shaping the immune response and maintaining self-tolerance. A recent study by LJI researchers identified a molecular pathway that maintains Treg cell stability and suppressive function, crucial for immune system balance. The discovery suggests that Treg cells may not be stable und...
A new class of medications could prevent joint damage and provide relief to patients who don't respond to available treatments. The novel drug target, RPTPσ, inhibits the aggressive invasion of synoviocytes into joint cartilage by acting as an inhibitory signal.
Researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology report that Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFAT) plays a key role in CD8 T cell exhaustion, leading to impaired immune responses. The study identifies NFAT as a molecular hub that orchestrates T cell activation and exhaustion.
Stephanie Stanford, Ph.D., has been awarded a $1.6 million grant by the American Diabetes Association to investigate the genetic and environmental causes of type 1 diabetes. The grant will support her research on the PTPN22 gene mutation that significantly increases the risk of type 1 diabetes.
A study by La Jolla Institute for Immunology identifies new genetic neighborhoods active in diseased cells, highlighting 33 genes that could be targeted with drug treatments. The research uses a novel approach to find specific genes associated with asthma, which may lead to more effective treatments.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have identified a novel interaction between Protein Kinase C-η and CTLA-4, a key immune checkpoint receptor. This finding may lead to new tumor immunotherapy strategies targeting CTLA-4.
A La Jolla Institute researcher has discovered that mast cells and a cellular protein called STAT5 play a crucial role in causing eczema by triggering increases in mast cells. The study opens new therapeutic avenues to prevent or treat eczema, including blocking STAT5 in mast cells.
A recent study by La Jolla Institute scientist Shane Crotty found that follicular helper T (Tfh) cells play a key role in generating broad neutralizing antibodies against HIV. The research showed a correlation between Tfh cell levels and antibody response, suggesting these cells may serve as an indicator for vaccine development.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that septins play a crucial role in activating the calcium channel on T cell surfaces, allowing them to fight disease. This discovery provides new insights into the intricate pathways involved in turning on T cells and could lead to the development of more targeted drugs.
Researchers from La Jolla Institute, Dana-Farber and BloodCenter of Wisconsin are launching Phase II clinical trials to investigate a potential new therapy for reducing sickle cell anemia symptoms. The trial is testing Lexiscan, an existing drug with anti-inflammatory effects.
Researchers at the La Jolla Institute discovered that T cells contribute to host protection against dengue virus infection, contradicting current scientific understanding. This finding may lead to a new approach in dengue vaccine design, potentially improving its effectiveness against the deadly disease.
A team of researchers from La Jolla Institute and Cardiff University has identified a novel cellular mechanism that could aid in creating a CMV vaccine. The study found that a specific CMV protein blocks the ability of immune pathways to kill infected cells, providing an important piece of the CMV puzzle.
The study found that CD4 helper T cells can transform into killer cells by overcoming a suppression mechanism triggered by a transcription factor. This transformation enables the helper cells to take on the role of killer cells in mounting an immune attack against viruses, cancerous tumors, and other damaged or infected cells.
The La Jolla Institute has secured a seven-year, $22 million contract renewal to further develop the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), a global resource for mining information on immune responses to diseases. The database contains thousands of epitopes and experimental data points, which are crucial for designing vaccines and treatments ...
Researchers have identified CD4 T cells as the key players in an autoimmune response that fuels inflammation in the artery wall, leading to plaque buildup. A potential vaccine could target this response, offering a new approach to preventing heart disease.
A study published in Nature reveals that the HVEM molecule plays a critical role in protecting against bacterial infections, including E. coli and pneumococcus, by acting as a border guard to signal the immune system to respond. The discovery provides a potential new therapeutic target for preventing and treating bacterial infections.
La Jolla Institute scientist Klaus Ley reveals a novel mechanism played a major role in inflammation. Neutrophils use sling-like membrane tethers to latch on to blood vessel walls during high blood flow, providing new insights into critical biological mechanisms underlying heart disease and other disorders.
La Jolla Institute scientists discovered a mechanism key in drug allergy, identifying HLA gene-linked hypersensitivity reactions before use in humans. The finding could lead to pre-screening of drugs at risk of causing severe reactions.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute identified specific T cells that trigger type 1 diabetes in humans for the first time in human tissues. The study provides a crucial step in interrupting the disease process and highlights CD8 T cells as key players.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute create cellular movies showing the destruction underlying type 1 diabetes in real-time, providing new insights into disease process and potential therapeutic directions. The studies use two-photon microscope to illuminate cell processes previously extrapolated from photos or lab experiments.