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Why we lose fat and muscle during infection

Researchers found that CD4+ T cells initiate fat wasting, while CD8+ T cells induce muscle wasting, which surprisingly helps the mice fight infection and survive. The study sheds light on the complex relationship between immune cells and wasting responses.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 24, 2023

Team from Korea University medicine explores ways to overcome cisplatin resistance and alleviate pain in cancer treatment

Researchers from Korea University Medicine have discovered a potential therapeutic target for overcoming cisplatin resistance and neuropathic pain in cervical cancer. By inhibiting TRPV1, they found that resistant tumors became vulnerable to cisplatin, improving the outlook for patients.

SourceKorea University College of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Scientific breakthrough harnesses mRNA technology to develop powerful malaria vaccine

A breakthrough mRNA vaccine has been developed to target and stimulate protective immune cell responses against malaria. The vaccine combines an RNA-based approach with a liver-specific adjuvant, generating resident memory cells that halt malaria infection in the liver, providing a broader and more protective immune response.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

Study sheds light on cellular interactions that lead to liver transplant survival

Researchers identify key protein interactions that control the body's immune response during liver transplantation, leading to improved transplant survival rates. The study found that a specific communication pathway between CEACAM1 and TIM-3 proteins plays a crucial role in controlling the immune response.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalGastroenterology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

Immune memory is achieved by epigenetic and topological rearrangements of DNA in immune cells

Scientists discovered epigenetic signatures in immune cells that allow for rapid activation of key genes, enabling quick recall of antigens. This rearrangement is accompanied by changes in the 3D distribution of DNA in the nucleus, which affects gene expression and could lead to new therapies for autoimmune diseases.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2023

Revealing how blood triggers brain disease

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered that blood leaking into the brain triggers toxic genes in microglia, turning them into harmful cells that destroy neurons. Fibrin, a blood protein, is responsible for this process, which can lead to cognitive dysfunction and motor impairment.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Immunology·DateJun 8, 2023

Pre-basophils: A basophil origin story

Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University have identified a previously unknown intermediate cell type, pre-basophils, which plays a critical role in the differentiation of precursor cells into mature basophils. These newly discovered cells exhibit higher proliferation capacity and distinct surface protein expression profiles...

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2023

New way to model human brain immune cells

Researchers create a human-brain-like environment to study microglia development and function for the first time in living human-derived tissue. The findings suggest that brain environment influences microglia development and function, particularly in diseases such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateMay 11, 2023

Making vaccines longer lasting

A recent study by Monash University researchers found that a unique subtype of an immune cell produces long-lasting antibodies in response to certain vaccinations. This discovery may lead to the development of improved vaccines providing life-long protection.

SourceMonash University·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2023

Gut bacteria could be behind weaker immune responses to COVID-19 vaccine

A study published in Communications Biology suggests that gut bacteria's digestion of fucose sugar may be behind weaker immune responses to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Individuals with lower T-cell responses had higher expression of genes FOS and ATF3, which are part of a larger group controlling T-cell survival and activity.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2023

A readily available dietary supplement may reverse organ damage caused by HIV and antiretroviral therapy

A recent study found that the mitochondrial antioxidant MitoQ can reverse the detrimental effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy on organs such as the brain, heart, and liver. The researchers used humanized mice infected with HIV and treated them with MitoQ for three months.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 24, 2023

Got milky spots?

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reveals a unique subset of fibroblastic reticular cells in omental milky spots crucial for immune cell recruitment to prevent sepsis. These cells regulate the display of CXCL12, recruiting lymphocytes to sites of inflammation.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2023

UCLA-led study uses base editing to correct mutation that causes rare immune deficiency

Researchers at UCLA successfully used base editing to correct a mutation causing rare immune deficiency CD3 delta SCID. The treatment corrected an average of 71% of patient stem cells and allowed them to produce fully functional T cells, suggesting long-term persistence of corrected blood stem cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2023

Discovery of an unexpected function of blood immune cells : Their ability to proliferate !

A new study by researchers at the University of Liège reveals that monocytes, blood immune cells, have the ability to proliferate and generate macrophages to replace damaged or missing immune cells. This discovery challenges current knowledge of cell proliferation and has implications for understanding various diseases, including cancer.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalNature Immunology·DateMar 17, 2023

NTU Singapore study shows new way to spur brain immune cells to clear toxic waste linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at NTU Singapore have found a way to spur brain immune cells to clear toxic waste linked to Alzheimer’s disease by targeting their metabolism. The study reveals a ‘metabolic switch’ in the brain’s immune cells that can be manipulated to improve their function.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

Fats help tag medical implants as friend or foe

Researchers discovered that lipid deposition on medical implant surfaces can signal to the immune system whether to attack or ignore the implant. This knowledge could help develop biomaterials that deflect host immune aggression, reducing malfunction rates for devices like pacemakers and surgical mesh.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2023

Fresh understanding of ageing in the brain offers hope for treating neurological diseases

Researchers have found a possible new target for therapies aimed at treating age-related neurological diseases by linking increased presence of immune cells to conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Microglia, specialized immune cells in the brain, can adopt a dysfunctional state that contributes to neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2023

The marathon runners of the immune system

A biological messenger called interleukin-33 (IL-33) plays a crucial role in maintaining cytotoxic T cells' 'marathon runner' state, allowing them to provide sustained immunity against chronic infections. This finding has implications for improving treatment of hepatitis C and cancer immunotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2023

Innovative technology shows great promise against certain head and neck cancers

Researchers have developed a microfluidic squeezing technology that stimulates anti-tumor activity in a subtype of HPV16-positive head and neck, cervical, and anal cancers. The treatment uses peripheral blood mononuclear cells trained to recognize and attack cancer cells without genetic modifications.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalInvestigational New Drugs·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 3, 2023

How do e-cigarettes affect the lungs?

A new study found that prolonged inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols by mice caused changes in pulmonary immune cell composition and altered gene and protein levels in the lungs. Even low exposure to JUUL aerosols had significant impacts on the animals' lung health.

SourceWiley·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJan 25, 2023

How tumors transform blood vessels

Researchers discover that tumour tracks, formed by transformed blood vessels, trap immune cells and promote healing processes. The tension of extracellular matrix fibers plays a key role in tumour development, allowing cancer cells to grow undisturbed.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalMatrix Biology·DateJan 18, 2023

Tracking plasma cell survival

A study by Osaka University tracked the survival of antibody-producing plasma cells, finding that most die shortly after immune response, but a small population can survive for months or years. The researchers identified molecular markers distinguishing these long-lived plasma cells from short-lived ones.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 14, 2022

Racism takes its toll on brain and body

A new study finds that discrimination influences the central and enteric nervous systems, altering the bidirectional signaling between the brain and gut microbiome. This leads to changes in systemic inflammation, emotional arousal, and psychological symptoms across different racial and ethnic groups.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 13, 2022

Scientists reveal the role of immune progenitor cells in the repair of inflamed intestinal tissue

Researchers from Kumamoto University reveal how hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells orchestrate intestinal tissue repair through microbial signals. The study found that acute gut inflammation triggers the activation and expansion of immune progenitor cells, which migrate to lymph nodes to promote tissue repair.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2022