Articles tagged with Immune Cells
A new study reveals two specific genes that act like security locks to keep the virus asleep in some individuals who naturally control HIV even after stopping therapy. Metformin, a common diabetes drug, can activate one of these locks to keep the virus in its dormant state.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed lipid nanoparticles that modify immune metabolism to strengthen mRNA vaccines and reduce common side effects. The new lipid boosts the metabolism of immune cells, providing energy for the body's defenses while dialing down inflammatory signals.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a new strategy to engineer immune cells that prolong their effectiveness, addressing a major limitation of current treatments. The new method generates longer-lasting immune cells that provide more sustained control of human blood cancers and suppression of HIV-infection.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute developed DoriVac, a DNA nanotechnology-enabled vaccine platform that induces broad immunity against infectious viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and Ebola. The platform produces potent antigen-specific immune responses and is more stable and easier to manufacture than traditional vaccine platforms.
Blocking two key 'don't eat me signals' in cancer cells heightens the immune response and sensitizes tumors to immunotherapy in glioblastoma models. Researchers found that simultaneously blocking CD47 and CD24 improved immunotherapy response, allowing macrophages to better recognize and attack cancer cells.
Researchers have identified three new proteins, called epitopes, that help the body determine 'safe' foods, aiding in food tolerance and allergy understanding. The epitopes were found in seed proteins from corn, wheat, and soybean, and interact with regulatory T cells to inform tolerance-or-rejection decisions.
Recent studies show that T cells support milk production and have lasting effects on maternal health and infant immunity. The review highlights emerging evidence of the crucial role of immune cells in lactation, which can inform strategies to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
Immune cells have been found to selectively extract nuclear DNA from dying cells, a regulated cellular function that challenges traditional views of the nucleus. This discovery, known as nucleocytosis, may hold implications for understanding autoimmune diseases, infections, and cancer, as well as informing drug development strategies.
Researchers discovered that pairing familiar plant-derived compounds can suppress inflammatory signals more effectively than using each compound independently. The study found that certain combinations increased the anti-inflammatory effect several hundred-fold compared to single ingredients alone.
The review outlines how vascular-immune crosstalk affects various diseases, revealing novel therapeutic opportunities. It highlights the shared embryonic origin of blood vessel cells and immune cells, as well as coordinated immune cell trafficking mechanisms.
Researchers have developed a breakthrough technique to transform a patient's own T cells into soldiers trained to recognize and kill cancer cells, benefiting tens of thousands of individuals with blood cancers. The approach is now being explored for solid tumors and other diseases.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill discovered that chronic inflammation fundamentally alters macrophages, immune cells that drive both inflammation and tissue repair. Chronic inflammation triggers a breakdown in the ability of macrophages to adapt, trapping them in dysfunctional hybrid states.
Researchers found that certain types of CD8+ killer T cells are more abundant in people with MS and target the EBV virus, indicating the virus may trigger an immune response leading to progressive neurological damage. The study suggests that interfering with EBV could have a significant impact on other autoimmune diseases.
Scientists at UNIGE discovered that neutrophils, a type of immune cell, undergo reprogramming to produce chemokine CCL3, promoting cancer growth. This mechanism appears to be a major variable in tumour biology and could serve as an indicator of disease progression.
Engineered yeast cells can mimic real cancer cells and be used to test new cancer immunotherapies much faster and cheaper than before. This new technology enables researchers to assess which CAR T variants are most promising much more quickly, leading to safer and more targeted cancer treatments.
Researchers developed new chemical probes to track individual enzymes, enabling direct measurement of protein activity and correcting prior limitations. This allows for a clearer picture of molecular logic in cells undergoing programmed cell death, potentially informing drug discovery.
A new study reveals how Parkinson's spreads from the gut to the brain via immune cells, identifying a key role for gut macrophages in transporting toxic proteins. Reducing these cells can slow disease progression and improve motor symptoms in mice.
Researchers at Salk Institute debut an epigenetic catalog that shows genetic inheritance and life experiences have distinct effects on various types of immune cells, shedding light on individual differences in immune responses and potential new personalized therapeutics.
A recent study from Penn State College of Medicine researchers found that helper T cells, typically involved in fighting infections, become overly activated in failing human hearts, causing damage. The activation of these T cells highlights the impact of inflammation and immune dysfunction in heart failure.
Researchers found that people experiencing everyday discrimination have elevated levels of "exhausted" white blood cells, indicating chronic stress may hamper the immune system. This study suggests social experiences like discrimination shape immune health at the cellular level and contribute to biological aging.
Researchers identified Fab antibody fragments that target the IgE Cε2 domain, effectively stripping IgE from mast cells. The most potent Fab clones showed rapid efficacy in cellular assays and in vivo anaphylaxis models, demonstrating potential as a next-generation anti-allergy therapy.
Researchers propose a new conceptual framework for neutrophils, highlighting their dynamic and adaptable nature. The study reveals neutrophils' functional diversification and immunological memory capabilities, opening avenues for innovative therapeutic strategies.
Pancreatic cancer cells use specific microRNA molecules to reprogram nearby immune cells called macrophages, helping tumors grow. By blocking this communication, researchers found a potential way to reverse the process and restore macrophage function to fight cancer.
Researchers have created a library of over 400 immune-related factors to reprogram rare immune cell populations. This technique allows for the systematic discovery of 'recipes' for specific immune cells, offering hope for unresponsive patients and advancing immunotherapy.
Boston College researchers used piezoelectric nanoparticles to trigger macrophages, a key part of the body's immune response. The study suggests that this method could be used to activate immune cells specifically at an infection or tumor site, avoiding side effects associated with systemic administration of drugs.
Research reveals molecular interaction between environmental and genetic risk factors triggers MS. EBV and gene variants HLA-DR15 haplotype play key roles in disease onset.
Researchers at MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness of immunotherapy before and after surgery in improving lung cancer patient outcomes. Additionally, a new study shows promise in using CAR T cell therapy to treat large B-cell lymphoma, reducing relapse rates.
A new study from Texas A&M University reveals that circadian disruptions change the structure of mammary glands, weaken immune defenses, and fuel aggressive breast cancer. Disabling an immune checkpoint molecule called LILRB4 helps restore the immune system's ability to fight back.
Researchers at the University of Houston have discovered a potential therapeutic strategy for counteracting muscle wasting in pancreatic cancer by blocking a specific cell pathway. Muscle wasting, also known as cachexia, is a debilitating syndrome affecting 60-85% of patients with pancreatic cancer.
Research found that anxiety symptoms reduce circulatory NK cells and sub-populations, while insomnia symptoms decrease total NK cells. This could lead to impaired immune function and increased disease susceptibility.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine have developed a new type of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell that elicits a more controlled immune response to cancer. The engineered CAR T cells may offer a way to more safely treat blood cancers and reduce the chance of relapse.
Researchers at MD Anderson have made significant discoveries in the treatment of rare bile duct cancers, with zanidatamab showing promising results. Additionally, a study identified RASH3D19 as a target to overcome treatment resistance in KRAS-mutant cancers.
Insilico Medicine has nominated ISM3830, a highly selective CBLB inhibitor, as a preclinical candidate for advanced tumor immunotherapy. ISM3830 showed robust anti-tumor activity in multiple murine models and induction of long-term tumor immunity.
A study by University of Arizona researchers reveals a previously unknown population of circulating immune cells that play a critical role in fibrosis, the buildup of scar tissue. Blocking signals from these cells during wound healing can reduce scar tissue formation and promote normal healing.
Researchers at LJI have discovered a cellular driver that leads to the development of tissue-resident memory T cells, which specialize in defending specific organs. The study found that GPR25 sustains TGF-\u00b2 signaling, promoting differentiation and transformation into these specialized immune cells.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and UCSF have identified the genetic switches that regulate FOXP3 levels in human and mouse cells. In humans, multiple enhancers work together to keep FOXP3 active, while a repressor keeps it off in conventional T cells. This discovery has important implications for developing immune therapies.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Michele Ardolino is bridging scientific fields to unlock the mechanisms behind effective immune responses in cancer patients. They will study the interactions between the immune system, nervous system, and gut microbiome to design more personalized treatment strategies.
Researchers have identified two groups of brain cells in mice that regulate anxiety - a 'gas pedal' that accelerates anxiety and a 'brake pedal' that prevents it. The discovery could lead to the development of new therapies for anxiety disorders by targeting these microglia.
Researchers have identified a distinct population of neuroprotective microglia that may point to a new therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease. Microglia with reduced expression of PU.1 and co-expression of CD28 limit neuroinflammation and slow amyloid plaque build-up.
Scientists have discovered that immune cells shed their glycocalyx layer to move into tissues, changing the understanding of inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis. This finding may lead to new approaches in developing drugs targeting immune cell movement and treating infections and inflammatory diseases.
This study found 32 immune cell phenotypes associated with epilepsy risk, including B cells and regulatory T cells. Inflammatory proteins also played a role, with some increasing and others decreasing the risk of epilepsy.
Researchers discovered that cardiac fibroblasts use a signaling pathway to promote harmful changes in the heart, weakening its ability to pump blood efficiently. Blocking this pathway in mice models improved heart function, suggesting that fibroblasts could be a potential target for new therapeutic strategies.
A new study shows that eosinophils, typically linked to allergies, play a protective role against Candida infections by recognizing the fungus and releasing proteins that stop its growth. This discovery opens the door to new therapies that could strengthen natural defenses against life-threatening fungal infections.
Researchers at UCLA have developed CAR-NKT cell therapy, which can attack tumors from multiple fronts while dismantling their protective shields. The therapy uses engineered immune cells that can be mass-produced from donated blood stem cells and stored ready-to-use, offering a potentially life-changing treatment option.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science identified genes that predict CD8+ T cell expansion in cancer immunotherapy. A 'signature gene set' or 'expansion signature' was found to identify primed T cells for growth, predicting treatment response and offering a potential guide for new therapies.
Researchers identified key genes connected to cellular lipid metabolism that guide the precise release of cytotoxic granules in human NK and T cells. This discovery explains how immune cells work and sheds light on diseases caused by genetic defects.
Researchers identify PIEZO2-expressing fibroblasts as key drivers of keloid formation and recurrence. These cells sense mechanical pressure, leading to excessive collagen production and scarring. The study's findings hold significant implications for future diagnosis and treatment options.
Researchers at The University of Osaka have identified a previously uncharacterized subset of immune cells called preTfr that play a critical role in preventing autoantibody production. In patients with severe COVID-19, these cells are significantly reduced, correlating with increased levels of harmful autoantibodies.
Shimon Sakaguchi's groundbreaking discovery of peripheral immune tolerance revealed a major unknown mechanism for autoimmunity, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. His work led to the identification of regulatory T cells, which act as the immune system's 'security guards', ensuring balanced responses and preventing self-destruction.
A newly identified antibody, 04_A06, has been found to block 98.5% of over 300 different HIV strains in laboratory tests. In humanized mice models, the antibody reduced viral load to undetectable levels, offering a promising approach for HIV prevention and treatment.
Researchers at Ohio State University have found that cancer immunotherapy fails due to a collapse in protein quality control, leading to T-cell exhaustion. This discovery offers a new avenue for cancer immune therapy development by targeting the protein production cycle.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that ALS is likely caused by an autoimmune reaction triggered by inflammatory CD4+ T cells targeting specific proteins in the nervous system. Anti-inflammatory CD4+ T cells may slow disease progression and prolong survival times.
The University of California - Riverside is receiving a $2 million grant to investigate how gut microbes interact with their human hosts to influence health. The research aims to create next-generation probiotics that strengthen the gut microbiome, improve vaccine effectiveness, and prevent infections.
Research has shown that lymph nodes provide the right environment for stem-like T cells to survive, multiply, and produce killer cells. Preserving lymph nodes could strengthen immune responses and increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The study's findings have important implications for cancer therapy.
A team of Japanese researchers has identified shootin1b as a protein that promotes cell migration in glioblastoma, the most common and difficult-to-treat brain tumor. By suppressing abnormal activity of shootin1b, the study suggests a potential target for preventing glioblastoma spread.
Researchers have identified a key immunoregulatory mechanism in aspergillosis, where the dendritic cell receptor limits the host's response to fungal infections. Neutrophils play a crucial role in clearing fungal hyphae, and Dcir regulates their degranulation activity, which is essential for killing pathogens.
Researchers at NUS have developed a bioengineering approach to keep human lymph node tissue alive and functioning outside the body for several days. The method involves embedding thin slices of lymph node tissue in a soft gel that mimics the body's natural environment, allowing for detailed studies of immune cell behavior.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine discovered a new function of antibody-making B cells in response to flu infection. These cells produce a key signaling molecule called interleukin-1 beta, which is necessary for developing a robust immune response and forming optimal germinal centers.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin discovered that electrically stimulating macrophages can shift them into an anti-inflammatory state, promoting faster tissue repair. This breakthrough offers a potentially powerful new therapeutic option for treating inflammation-driven diseases and injuries.
Researchers at Lund University identify genetic toolkit to program dendritic cell subtypes for targeted cancer treatment. The discovery could lead to more precise and powerful immunotherapies by supplying patients with tailored dendritic cells.