Researchers found combining common immune-suppressing drugs with a complement inhibitor effectively managed the initial human immune response against transplanted pig kidneys. The regimen, which relies solely on already FDA-approved medications, showed remarkable success in Parsons model case series.
UAB researchers have created a 3D, three-layer nanomatrix vascular sheet that mimics human atherosclerosis, enabling high-throughput drug screening. The model replicates key features of the disease and has been validated with two classic atherosclerosis drugs.
Researchers developed a novel platform to transport therapeutic antibodies across the blood-brain barrier using a biocompatible polymer. The method showed promising results in both in vitro and mouse-model experiments, suggesting enhanced brain delivery of cancer-fighting antibodies without inducing adverse effects.
Researchers identify memory CD8 T cells as potential therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis in aging. The study shows that these immune cells enhance plaque buildup in the arteries of aged mice, which could lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers found that vaccination of neonatal mice with group A Streptococcus promotes clonal expansion of innate-like B cells producing antibody against N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc), reducing Type 1 diabetes risk. These GlcNAc-specific B-1 B cells aid in producing tolerance, facilitating efficient clearance of apoptotic beta cells...
A recent study published in Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine reveals that genetics significantly contribute to the sex differences in hypertension development. The research found that females with high genetic risk scores had a higher risk of hypertension compared to males, while low-risk females had a lower risk than males.
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that disrupted NAD(H) homeostasis is a key factor in tuberculosis pathogenesis. The researchers found that the glycolytic pathway can be selectively inhibited using an LDH enzyme with mostly LDHA subunits, which preferentially converts pyruvate to lactate and NADH to NAD+.
Yabing Chen has received two NIH grants totaling over $5 million to investigate vascular diseases and their link to dementia. Her research focuses on Runx2, a master transcription factor involved in both bone formation and calcification of arteries.
Researchers identified a gut-lung axis driven by intestinal antimicrobial peptide expression and mediated by the intestinal microbiota that influences hyperoxia-induced lung injury. Supplemental lysozyme reduced lung injury in neonatal mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
A recent study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham has identified 19 specific Bacteroides vulgatus genes that are linked to early colonization after fecal microbe transplants. These genes are part of a commensal colonization factor complex that promotes stable and resilient colonization in mice, suggesting their potential role i...
A new technique to control severe bleeding in injured patients has been found to increase the risk of death. The REBOA treatment was tested in a clinical trial involving 90 adult trauma patients, but it did not show the expected benefits.
A large public health survey in rural South Africa found that approximately half of people living with HIV, diabetes or hypertension have unmet health needs. The study's novel framework quantifies met and unmet health needs for individuals living with infectious and non-communicable diseases.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that BNP levels are high in end-stage heart failure patients with cardiogenic shock, but no longer a reliable predictor of clinical outcomes after ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation. This study suggests reevaluating routine use of BNP testing for these patients.
Scientists have found that lung-resident memory B cells, critical for pulmonary immunity, require interferon-gamma produced by T follicular helper cells to differentiate. These long-lived immune cells migrate to the lungs from draining lymph nodes and lie in wait to react quickly to future infections.
The collaboration has garnered $5.68 million of grant support, with a five-year $2.13 million National Institutes of Health R01 grant and a five-year $2.89 million NIH R01 grant. Researchers are using computational biology to model a key Alzheimer's protein called TREM2 and its interactions with small chemical molecules.
A randomized controlled trial found that high-protein and normal-protein diets were both effective in improving glucose control, weight loss, and body composition in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that individuals can choose a dietary pattern that suits their preferences while still achieving significant health benefits.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have developed a modified messenger RNA that can temporarily induce cardiomyocyte cell division, leading to reduced infarct size and improved heart function. The treatment has shown promise in mouse and pig models without increasing the risk of deadly arrhythmias.
Researchers found that verapamil prevents the decline of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in Type 1 diabetes patients and promotes IGF-1 signaling in pancreatic beta cells. This mechanism may contribute to the beneficial effects of verapamil on preserving beta-cell function in Type 1 diabetes.
A five-year study will enroll 2,634 adults with a fragility fracture to compare Augmented-Fracture Liaison Service Care with Enhanced Usual Care. The primary measure of effective patient care will be the number of subsequent fractures in each group.
A new kidney function equation has been shown to be more accurate than the old equation in estimating kidney function, particularly for Black individuals. This new equation may reduce racial disparities in cardiovascular disease by making previously ineligible patients eligible for heart failure therapies.
Scientists at UAB identify a cell-surface marker that distinguishes PD-1+CXCR5+CD4+ T cells destined to become GC-Tfh cells from those becoming long-lived memory CXCR5+CD4+ T cells. The study reveals the critical role of c-Maf in the transition step from pre-Tfh to GC-Tfh cell differentiation.
A study found that border-associated macrophages play a crucial role in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. Deleting MHCII from these cells reduced neuroinflammation, suggesting they are essential for presenting alpha-synuclein antigens to T cells.
Researchers discovered that extracellular cytochrome nanowires are widespread in prokaryotic microbes, including both bacteria and archaea. The findings suggest that these nanowires, composed of a long chain of cytochrome proteins, play a crucial role in microbial metabolism by facilitating efficient electron transfer.
A study by University of Alabama at Birmingham researcher Minae Niwa found that adolescent psychosocial stress, combined with pregnancy and delivery, causes hypofunction of a key neural circuit. This altered circuitry leads to abnormal social behavior in postpartum women, including reduced interaction time with familiar mice.
COPD patients treated with dupilumab experienced rapid and sustained improvements in disease, as measured by reduced acute exacerbations, better lung function, and improved quality of life. This is the first biologic to show clinical outcomes improvement in COPD.
HaoSheng Sun, assistant professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham, has been selected as a Freeman Hrabowski scholar by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He will receive up to $8.6 million over 10 years to advance his research on neural development and plasticity.
Researchers found that IL-6 signaling in allergen-specific T cells was needed to suppress commitment to the harmful Th2 lineage. SOCS3 upregulation by IL-6 inhibits JAK/STAT internal signaling pathway, preventing Th2 cell priming.
Researchers uncover a pathophysiological mechanism that initiates and sustains neuropathic pain in mice, identifying Tiam1 as a potential therapeutic target. Targeting spinal Tiam1 with antisense oligonucleotides alleviates neuropathic pain hypersensitivity, offering promise for treating chronic pain.
A study by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers reveals that cadmium-induced inflammation increases the severity and mortality of lung infections. The findings suggest that targeting the regulation of PPAR-gamma in macrophages may protect against severe pneumonia.
Researchers developed a chelator-free-radiolabeled polymersome capable of long-term multiday PET imaging in vivo. The nanovesicle meets key requirements for targeted cancer therapy, including precision targeting, stable radiotracer binding, and biocompatibility.
Researchers discovered that fomepizole, an FDA-approved drug, can significantly reduce disease in mice infected with multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. The combination of fomepizole and erythromycin reduced bacterial burdens by 95% in the lungs and up to 700-fold in other organs.
A new subset of memory B cells, marked by the FcRL5 receptor protein, has been identified as a predictor of long-lived antibody responses to influenza vaccination. These effector memory B cells can be detected seven days after immunization and correlate with vaccine antibody responses months later.
Alveolus Bio, a UAB startup, has received a $2.5 million FastTrack grant from the NIH to support the development of first-of-its-kind inhaled biotherapeutics for chronic lung disease COPD. The company aims to create FDA-approved treatments for 15.7 million people affected by COPD worldwide.
A US FDA mandate to limit acetaminophen dosage in pills combining it with opioids significantly reduced hospitalizations and acute liver failure cases. Researchers found a persistent decline in yearly rates of these cases after the mandate was implemented in 2014.
A study found that time-restricted feeding improves muscle performance in obese fruit flies by upregulating genes related to glycine production and utilization. This approach may provide a natural alternative therapy for managing obesity-related pathologies.
A recent study found that bacterial co-infection in COVID-19 patients significantly increased the risk of death, intensive care unit admission, and mechanical ventilation. The study reviewed 13,781 COVID-19 inpatient encounters and identified laboratory trends associated with COVID-19 bacterial co-infection.
A study analyzing over 12,000 patients found that transesophageal echocardiography-guided transcatheter structural cardiac interventions were associated with a major complication rate of 3.6%. The most frequently reported complication was gastrointestinal bleeding.
A new clinical trial has shown safety and tolerability of oral GABA and reduced serum glucagon levels in children with recent onset Type 1 diabetes. The study focused on the potential of GABA and GAD to preserve insulin-secreting beta cells and attenuate excessive glucagon release.
A new study found that a single oral dose of azithromycin reduced the risk of maternal sepsis or death by 33% in women who delivered vaginally. The results showed lower rates of specific maternal infections and fewer hospital readmissions after delivery.
Researchers have uncovered the underlying mechanism driving depressive systems in chronic pain, identifying a potential therapeutic target for treatment. Tiam1 protein modulates neural connections, leading to hypersensitivity and depression; ketamine blocks this effect, alleviating symptoms.
A novel treatment involving ACE2-producing probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei may prevent or reverse diabetic retinopathy in Type 1 diabetes patients. The study found that human subjects with retinopathy had a dysregulated systemic RAS and profound gut permeability defects, which were reversed by the probiotic treatment.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has found a significant imbalance in the gut microbiome of individuals with Parkinson's disease. The researchers discovered that over 30% of micro-organisms and bacterial genes tested had altered abundances, indicating a widespread imbalance in the microbiome.
Researchers have gained a better understanding of the structures and functions of Andhra gene products, paving the way for custom phages for therapeutic applications. The high-resolution knowledge of the virus structure is crucial for developing targeted treatments against Staphylococcus epidermidis infections.
Researchers discovered 10 novel genetic loci associated with osteoarthritis, which are robustly found in every population ancestry studied. The study also identified genes expected to contribute to OA included targets for existing drugs against cancer, epilepsy and acne.
Researchers used microCT to create a 3D atlas of lung lesions in TB and COVID-19, revealing complex shapes and hidden pathological structures. The study provides new insights into the microscopic anatomy of these deadly diseases.
A live biotherapeutic product made from three Lactobacillus species has been shown to reduce lung damage in neonatal mice with chronic lung disease. The study found that the product can ameliorate redox imbalance and damages caused by experimental microbial dysbiosis, using a humanized mouse model of lung microbiome transplant.
Researchers found that fecal microbial transplants can't reliably change the gut microbial community when no prior antibiotic treatment is given to the recipient. This challenges the use of these transplants to alter metabolism or host immunity without reducing the recipient's existing microbe community.
The study found that protein kinase CK2 plays a key role in regulating CD8+ T cell activation, metabolic reprogramming and differentiation during infection by the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. In mouse models, deletion of the CK2α catalytic subunit impaired CD8+ T cell function.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have identified TBX20 as a vital regulator of direct human cardiac reprogramming. Adding TBX20 to existing cocktails improves contractility and mitochondrial function in reprogrammed heart muscle cells, suggesting a therapeutic potential for TBX20.
Researchers aim to understand the role of FAK in promoting key changes in vascular smooth muscle cells that contribute to atherosclerosis. Preliminary evidence suggests that inhibiting FAK may block VSMC transdifferentiation and promote plaque stability.