Research on antibodies and their uses. Covers engineered antitoxin antibodies, long-lasting immunity, monoclonal therapies, and antiviral T cells.
A study by Karolinska Institutet found that children with primary immunodeficiency diseases have a higher mortality rate due to COVID-19. Genetic analysis revealed mutations in genes important for immune defense, and some children lacked antibodies to the coronavirus.
A recent study found that the immune response to COVID-19 booster vaccination decreases over five months, with a slower decline in antibody levels after the third dose compared to the second. The neutralizing response to the Omicron variant was also found to be lower than other variants of concern.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that mucosal antibodies in the airways significantly reduce the risk of omicron infection. High levels of these antibodies more than halved the risk of becoming infected, while also being associated with lower viral replication.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels remained high for at least 6 months after vaccination, providing long-term protection against subsequent infection. The study involved 2,100 West Virginia nursing home residents and staff who received COVID-19 vaccination.
A study by researchers at Linköping University suggests that severe COVID-19 infection has long-lasting negative effects on the immune system. The results showed that patients developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 within 2-3 weeks of symptoms, which then started to fall after six months.
Researchers have identified two effective antibodies that neutralize all known strains of COVID-19, including Delta and Omicron variants. These breakthrough antibodies could eliminate the need for repeated booster vaccinations and strengthen immune systems, especially in at-risk populations.
A Tel Aviv University study challenges the widely-held assumption that COVID-19 originated from bats, instead highlighting their highly effective immune system. The researchers found that many reported findings on bat-borne viruses are based on antibody presence or PCR tests rather than actual virus isolation.
Researchers discovered a substance that increased immune response to an experimental COVID-19 shot in mice, producing antibodies 25 times greater than without an adjuvant. The new adjuvant, αGC-CPOEt, is being investigated as a potential treatment for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Researchers at Indian Institute of Science create a novel virus-like particle (VLP) to safely study SARS-CoV-2 mutations and trigger an immune response. The VLP is stable, can attach to host cells, and elicit antibodies that neutralize the live virus.
Researchers have found that human antibodies can incorporate foreign genetic material from the mitochondria and ends of chromosomes, leading to increased immune diversity. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that antibody diversity results solely from gene mutations.
A new study from Cedars-Sinai researchers found that 56% of people infected with the Omicron variant were unaware they had COVID-19. The study suggests that a lack of infection awareness contributed to the fast spread of Omicron.
Researchers found that Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) Glypican-3 (GPC3) is expressed in nearly 70% of MCC tumors and up to 90% of MCPyV-negative cases. GPC3 expression is associated with worse prognosis, including increased risk of death from MCC. This makes GPC3 a promising target for chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy.
A 3-dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccination schedule significantly improved SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations in immunocompromised patients. This improvement was comparable to those obtained by healthy individuals after the standard two-dose Moderna vaccination schedule.
Researchers have discovered a broadly neutralising antibody, ZCB11, that protects against all SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants. Administration of ZCB11 either prophylactically or therapeutically shields lung infection in golden Syrian hamsters from Omicron viral challenge.
Boosting with either Janssen or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine boosts humoral and cellular immune responses. Boosting with Janssen vaccine provides durable antibody and T-cell responses for at least four months.
A new study by Tokyo University of Science researchers reveals that dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) plays a crucial role in the development of colorectal tumors. Blocking DCIR may prevent ulcerative colitis and colon cancer, offering a potential therapeutic target for treating these diseases.
Researchers have created a nanobody that can penetrate tough brain cell coatings and disrupt alpha-synuclein clumps, which contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. The nanobody, PFFNB2, shows promise in preventing disease progression in live mouse brains.
The new phage T4-COVID-19 vaccine elicits superior mucosal immunity in mice, inducing robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. The vaccine provides complete protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants with minimal lung lesions and no impact on gut microbiota.
CoVaRR-Net is investing $6.9 million in 15 research projects focused on understanding Omicron subvariants and finding solutions to curb their spread. The studies will explore various aspects of variants, including viral transmission between animals and people, new variant mutations, and the impact of social factors on Indigenous Peoples.
A study by Goethe University Frankfurt found that antibodies against Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 decline rapidly, even after a second vaccination or booster shot, offering limited protection against infection.
A recent study found higher antibody titers after the third and fourth Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses in individuals aged 60 or older. This population is at high risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 disease, making timely vaccination crucial.
A new study found that adults have stable immune memory to common cold coronaviruses, which could lead to similar protection against SARS-CoV-2. The findings suggest that COVID-19 booster shots may be critical for long-term immunity.
Researchers from Indiana University are developing a new biosensor that can analyze samples from 96 individuals in under three hours, with a sensitivity rate of 100% and specificity rate of 90%. The sensor detects not only the virus's spike protein but also the proteins created by the body to protect against the virus.
Researchers developed a new blood test that can indicate cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 within 48 hours. The test distinguishes between post-infection and post-vaccination immunity, enabling quick diagnosis for patients unable to produce antibodies. Long-lasting T-cell responses may protect against severe disease in re-infections.
MU researchers have identified specific mutations in the Omicron variant's spike protein that help it evade existing antibodies from vaccines or previous COVID-19 infections. These findings can inform developers of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, which may need to target different parts of the virus to produce effective outcomes.
Scientists at UC Davis have successfully produced COVID-19 antibodies in hen eggs, which may be used as a preventative measure or treatment for people exposed to the disease. The antibodies, similar to those found in human blood, were shown to neutralize the virus effectively.
Researchers found that breastfeeding provides an immune boost to infants, reducing the risk of respiratory infections such as pneumonia. However, milk also mounts responses to beneficial gut bacteria, which can be disruptive and increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections.
A recent study published in CANCER found that adults with hematologic malignancies mounted immune responses after a COVID-19 booster dose, with 56% of nonresponders producing antibodies. However, the initial vaccine showed limited effectiveness, with only 48% of patients developing detectable antibodies.
A team led by Dr. Johan Duchêne investigated commercial antibodies against ACKR1, refuting a previous study that claimed its expression on macrophages and monocytes. The study emphasizes the significance of antibody specificity and demonstrates the importance of publishing corrections in scientific research.
Scientists have found that prior exposure to Staphylococcus aureus prevents effective vaccination due to immune response memory. To overcome this, the research suggests targeting only the protective component of the protein IsdB, generating a more effective vaccine against MRSA.
A study found that Omicron's neutralization capacity outperforms its predecessors, even in vaccinated individuals. Antibody levels against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 are roughly 10 times higher in vaccinated people than those with natural immunity.
A new nanoparticle vaccine has shown promising results in protecting against a spectrum of COVID-19-causing variants and related viruses. The vaccine induces the production of cross-reactive antibodies that recognize virtually every SARS-like betacoronavirus strain, providing broad-spectrum protection against future pandemics.
Researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have identified key molecules linked to the mammalian-meat allergy caused by tick bites. The study reveals that a particular antibody type has a natural pocket into which a sugar molecule, galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), snugly fits.
Researchers at the German Primate Center found that emerging Omicron subvariants BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 are inhibited less efficiently by existing therapeutic antibodies, which may reduce protection against future infections. The study suggests these variants have acquired biological traits allowing for more efficient transmission.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo have created a new antibody-based method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 that does not require a blood sample. This innovative approach uses interstitial fluid from human skin to detect antibodies within 3 minutes.
The study found that legislatures, rather than governors, played a crucial role in shaping data reporting practices. Standardized data collection protocols and comprehensive race and ethnicity data are essential for addressing health disparities and reducing information asymmetries.
A study examined maternal immune responses and antibody transfer from mother to fetus for different COVID-19 vaccines across pregnancy trimesters. mRNA vaccination induced higher levels and functions against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, while first and third trimester vaccination led to enhanced maternal immune responses.
A clinical trial found that interrupting treatment with methotrexate, a common immune-suppressing drug, doubles the antibody response to COVID-19 booster vaccinations in vulnerable individuals. This improvement is maintained over a 3-month period and has no adverse impact on quality of life.
Researchers have developed a new therapeutic agent from Brazilian lapacho tree bark that targets acute myeloid leukemia cells while minimizing toxic effects on healthy cells. The compound is attached to an antibody that binds specifically to cancer cells, delivering the drug directly to its target.
A Brazilian patient with a rare genetic disease was treated with breast milk donated by a vaccinated woman, boosting her IgA levels and eliminating the virus. The treatment was successful after a week, with the patient testing negative twice at ten-day intervals.
A UC San Diego study suggests COVID-19 rebound symptoms after taking Paxlovid are likely caused by insufficient drug exposure, not resistance or impaired immunity. The study found the virus remained sensitive to the drug and no relevant mutations were detected.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 variants are formed in chronic patients with weakened immune systems, who experience prolonged infections. This leads to the accumulation of mutations, similar to those found in severe illness variants.
A new combination therapy using a plant virus and an antibody activates natural killer cells to target and destroy cancer cells. The therapy eliminates all tumors and prevents their recurrence, resulting in 100% survival in mouse models of colon cancer.
Researchers have developed a novel fusion protein that enables the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using widely available glucose meters. The test was validated on various patient samples and found to be as accurate as four different ELISAs.
Researchers developed a rapid blood assay that measures the magnitude and duration of immunity to SARS-CoV-2, allowing large-scale monitoring of population immunity. The test takes less than 24 hours to perform and is scalable to use broadly in the population.
A UVA researcher is using a harmless amoeba to develop an innovative treatment for deadly C. difficile infections in young children. The approach has the potential to deliver specific antibodies directly to the gut, reducing the need for antibiotics and addressing a growing public health threat.
A new preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers shows that naturally-produced IgG antibodies in breast milk can protect infants from infection-induced diarrheal illness. These antibodies enhance infant immunity against bacterial pathogens causing gastrointestinal diseases.
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine may be essential for kidney transplant patients in Japan to prevent severe disease and infection. Researchers found that only a third of patients developed sufficient antibodies after two doses, highlighting the need for additional protection.
A study published in Brain, Behaviour and Immunity found that lower neighbourhood cohesion is associated with a lower response to COVID-19 vaccines. Social cohesion was also linked to feelings of loneliness, which reduced the antibody response.
Researchers have developed a new tool to visualize leukocytes in the brain vasculature during in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy. The tool uses a fluorescent antibody targeting CD45, a ubiquitously expressed protein on white blood cells, allowing for tracking of circulating leukocytes over time and space.
A Brazilian group developed a peptide called Rb4 that triggers necrosis in murine melanoma cells and inhibits the viability of human cancer cells. In mice, Rb4 reduced lung metastasis and slowed subcutaneous melanoma growth, increasing survival by 25%.
A study of 50 people found that higher body weights were inversely correlated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels six months after receiving two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The findings suggest that weight may impact immune response to the vaccine.
Studies found people infected and vaccinated had similarly robust antibody responses against variants alpha through omicron; Immune memory cells against common cold coronaviruses may be markers of longer immunity. Researchers hope to improve vaccines with these insights.
A new study analyzing 8 cohorts of COVID-19 patients found that antibody responses in previously infected individuals were relatively stable, providing protection from reinfection unless the new infection was the Omicron variant. Vaccination also boosted protection, with rapid immune responses observed even after a single vaccine dose.
A recent study reveals that nearly half of SARS-CoV-2 variants contain the same three mutations, which together improve the virus's ability to infect human cells and evade the immune system. The combination of K417, E484, and N501 mutations enhances viral fitness by balancing positive and negative selection pressures.
A new combination therapy using a tumor-suppressing lipid molecule and an antibody for cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 has been shown to significantly slow tumor growth and enhance the strength of tumor-attacking T cells in liver cancer. This promising approach offers hope for patients with limited treatment options.
A new study by Gladstone Institutes and UC San Francisco found that infection with the Omicron variant provides weak immune response in unvaccinated individuals, failing to confer broad protection against other variants. In contrast, vaccinated individuals show stronger immunity against multiple COVID-19 strains.
Researchers compared SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers after Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in immunosuppressed patients. The study found differing antibody responses among these individuals, who have decreased immune responses to standard vaccines.
Researchers found that a single mRNA vaccine booster shot can provide the same level of protection as three doses, making it a promising investment for resource-poor countries. The study suggests that this strategy could benefit billions of people worldwide and help combat emerging COVID-19 variants.
Researchers found that MS patients treated with Rituximab who have higher B cell counts of 40/µL or more develop protective levels of antibodies after vaccination. This suggests that measuring B cell level before vaccination is crucial for increasing the chance of a positive response.