Articles tagged with Immune Response
A COVID vaccine booster dose increased levels of neutralizing antibodies against all known SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. The boost was sustained for at least eight weeks and generated high-level protection against severe disease, suggesting a strong immune memory response and potentially longer lasting immunity.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet finds that two vaccine doses increase antibody levels in the airways after COVID-19, while a second dose after recovery also boosts levels. The results highlight the importance of completing vaccination with a second dose to achieve optimal immune responses and reduce transmission.
Patients with multiple myeloma often mount a poor antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines and have a weak T cell response, underscoring the need for booster vaccination and safety precautions. Researchers found that these patients are at high risk of severe COVID-19 infection.
A study by Northwestern University scientists has shown that coronavirus vaccines and prior infections can provide broad immunity against other, similar coronaviruses. The findings build a rationale for universal coronavirus vaccines.
Researchers found that optimizing energy metabolism through autophagy can improve the immune system response in HIV-affected cells, providing a potential therapeutic approach. This metabolic optimization enables CD4 lymphocytes to better defend against HIV-1 by secreting IL-21, a key protein in defense against the virus.
A new hydrogel treatment kills drug-resistant bacteria, including MRSA, and induces the expression of naturally-existing antimicrobial peptides in human skin cells. The gel is non-toxic, biodegradable, and scalable.
Research at Florida Atlantic University found that green sea turtles in polluted environments have impaired immune systems, leading to increased disease susceptibility. The study suggests a positive feedback loop where pollution compromises immunity, making turtles more prone to Green Turtle Fibropapillomatosis.
Researchers discovered that RSV's NS1 protein alters immune gene expression to evade the immune response. The study provides crucial data for targeting NS1 in drug or vaccine development and may shed light on the link between RSV and asthma.
A University of Alberta-led study found that anemia can generate different immune responses in males versus females, making females more prone to infections. The research highlights the importance of considering sex as a variable in prevention, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies for immune-related conditions.
Researchers have developed a new sensor that can detect chemical changes in immune cells during the breakdown of pathogens. The breakthrough could lead to early diagnosis and better treatment of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, which claims about 1.5 million lives annually.
A UCL-led research team has identified an anti-viral gene that increases the risk of both Alzheimer's disease and severe Covid-19. The study found that a specific variant of the OAS1 gene amplifies inflammation in the brain, highlighting the importance of the immune system in both conditions.
Researchers analyzed fecal metagenomic DNA sequencing data to see if specific donor strains correlated with successful treatment outcomes. They found no correlation between donor strains and response to anti-PD-1 therapy in melanoma patients.
Researchers found that asymptomatic patients may not produce significant IgG antibodies, but rather a different kind of antibody count that can indicate disease severity. The study suggests using the ratio of these two counts as a marker to determine if a person has had COVID-19.
Cachexia is characterized by weight loss and muscle tissue shrinkage, driven by the immune system's response to chronic infections and diseases. Researchers from CeMM emphasize the need for more research into cachexia, highlighting the importance of interplay between the immune system and metabolism.
A study by University of Minnesota Medical School researchers found that fully vaccinated individuals with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection have a stronger immune response, producing more memory B cells. This increased immune response may reduce the risk of breakthrough infections and potentially fewer doses needed for booster shots.
University of Delaware chemical engineer Catherine Fromen aims to improve the delivery of therapeutic medicines to the body by studying how they interact with mucosal interfaces. Her research focuses on designing medicines that can overcome natural defenses in the lungs and gut, with potential applications for diseases such as lung can...
A study suggests that immunity from natural infection is short-lived and can wane over time, increasing the risk of reinfection. This could lead to a shift in the disease's progression from pandemic to endemic, making vaccination crucial for those who have been naturally infected.
Research provides insights on immune responses of kidney transplant recipients following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study found that production of IgG antibodies against the virus was delayed in these individuals, but their IgM and IgA responses were similar to those observed in non-transplant individuals.
Researchers found that cancer patients on chemotherapy had a lower immune response to the first two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. However, a third dose significantly boosted their immune response, reaching levels similar to those of healthy adults after two doses.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new treatment that pairs essential proteins with lysophosphatidylserine to build immune tolerance and prevent antibody development, potentially treating autoimmune disorders and allergies.
Pediatric transplant recipients have a more robust immune response to COVID-19 vaccines, achieving higher antibody levels after two doses compared to adult counterparts. This study suggests that the standard two-dose regimen may be safe and effective in pediatric transplant recipients.
Studies found distinct patterns in nasal microbiota of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, with symptomatic patients showing reduced bacterial counts and increased presence of certain bacteria. The findings suggest that altered microbiota may impact immune response to the virus.
Researchers have developed a microneedle patch that delivers a COVID-19 DNA vaccine into the skin, causing strong immune responses in cells and mice. The patch can be stored at room temperature for over 30 days, making it an important tool for global COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Researchers identified four immune markers that are elevated in SARS-CoV-2 patients in the early phase of infection but not in other viral infections. These findings could provide starting points for future therapeutic approaches and serve as comparative parameters for further studies on chronic COVID-19 forms.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that antibodies from people infected with the original COVID-19 strain do not effectively bind to newer variants. This has implications for vaccine efficacy and the design of possible boosters.
MIT researchers have found that vaccinating against certain cancer proteins can boost the overall T cell response and help to shrink tumors in mice. The study identifies specific neoantigens that, when targeted with a vaccine, can reawaken dormant T cell populations and lead to tumor regression.
Researchers found that patients with MS receiving aCD20 treatment generated robust CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to the COVID-19 vaccination. The study measured both antibody and T cell responses in 20 patients with MS who were undergoing aCD20 treatment, compared to those in a group of healthy controls.
Researchers have identified the potential of 7HP349 as an oral medication to strengthen the effectiveness of vaccines, particularly for populations that struggle with immunosuppression. The study suggests adding 7HP349 to standard vaccination can improve vaccine efficacy without reformulating the vaccine.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that B cells choose between cell fates to balance acute and memory responses. This understanding could optimize vaccines against viruses or other pathogens.
A Michigan Medicine study found that most patients with mild COVID-19 infections produce antibodies that persist and protect them from reinfection for up to six months. Nearly 90% of participants produced spike and nucleocapsid antibody responses, and all but one had persistent antibody levels at follow-up.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago found a potential direct connection between neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), glaucoma, and herpesvirus. The study suggests OPTN protein restricts HSV-1 virus spread in cells.
A study found that the ability to lose control over HIV is linked to a decrease in proliferative and cytolytic ability of immune cells, years before actual virus loss. In contrast to other infections, T cell dysfunction here impairs their response only to HIV.
Researchers found that stressed fruit flies have the biggest change in their microbiome, suggesting a link between social stress, immunity, and longevity. The study used Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies and found sex- and age-specific variations in their microbiome composition.
A novel gene-based COVID-19 vaccine leveraging an adeno-associated viral vector platform was highly effective in eliciting neutralizing antibody responses and cellular immunity from a single dose. The vaccine provided near-complete protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge in nonhuman primates for at least 11 months.
Researchers found that the gene TCF-1 regulates specific Treg cells, leading to more severe and inflammatory colon cancers. Without TCF-1, these cells become activated and gain a gut-homing feature, resulting in harsher cancer outcomes.
Scientists are still unraveling how pathogens adapt to changing conditions, including climate change and global trade. Genome sequencing and big data technologies have revealed that dramatic events like hybridization between pathogen species can lead to rapid evolution of virulence on new host plants.
Researchers analyzed plasma and single immune cells from nearly 200 COVID-19 patients and found metabolic changes associated with disease severity. The study's findings could lead to better therapies targeting immune-metabolic changes in severe disease cases.
A new study from the University of Virginia Health System found that Moderna's vaccine produced higher antibody levels than Pfizer's, especially in older subjects. The researchers caution that measuring antibody levels does not necessarily predict vaccine effectiveness.
A UNSW psychology researcher recommends a set of neurocognitive and mental health questionnaires to harmonize the assessment of long COVID patients. These tests can be used internationally and in various cultural settings to address key questions about the problem, including brain fog and dementia risks.
A UC Riverside-led study identifies how loss-of-function mutations in the gene PTPN2 affect intestinal epithelial cells' ability to maintain a barrier. The researchers found that increased fluid loss and diarrhea are linked to the mutation, which can be reversed by treating cells with synthetic matriptase.
A study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that Covid-19 vaccines stimulate different immune responses in organ transplant patients. While antibody tests alone are insufficient, combining vaccines with T cell analyses provides better protection.
A new study found that heat stress in pregnant dairy cows reduces fetal growth and influences the performance and immune development of offspring. Calves born to heat-stressed cows have lower birth weights, organ weights, and higher rates of cell death, suggesting compromised placental and fetal development.
A Rutgers study found that people with severe or prolonged COVID-19 have higher antibody levels against the virus. The study of 831 participants showed that immune responses vary by symptom severity, with those having persistent symptoms producing more antibodies.
Researchers uncover a neuro-immune process by which brain signals instruct immune function in visceral fat stores, providing new approaches for fighting obesity and related illness. The study identifies a critical mediator of neuro-immune communication, mesenchymal cells, and reveals the molecular messages exchanged across all steps.
A multidisciplinary team reveals two structural points in the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that allow the virus to deceive the immune system. These mutations can be detected and inform strategies to control the pandemic.
Researchers assessed effectiveness of T-cell immune response to 11 SARS-CoV-2 variants, identifying HLA gene variants with significantly changed virus peptides. The T-cell COVID-19 Atlas portal (T-CoV) provides a comprehensive resource for understanding the impact of viral mutations on immunity.
Researchers found that some medications used to treat autoimmune rheumatic diseases can weaken the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccination still induced an immune response in patients, but at a lower rate than in those without autoimmune diseases.
Flipon genetics proposes that evolution happens on a faster time scale than Darwin imagined, with rapid adaptations occurring in real-time within individuals. This is achieved through the simple sequence repeats of DNA, which can adopt alternative shapes and transmit adaptations to offspring.
A new research strategy enhances COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness by providing 'border protection' immunity in the nose, mouth and blood. The approach involves suppressing an enzyme that breaks down both pathogens and immune cells, resulting in a robust antibody response and improved protection against infections.
A study found that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies remained stable or increased in healthcare workers seven months after infection, indicating potential protection from pre-existing antibodies against common cold coronaviruses. The results suggest that individuals with higher levels of anti-HCoV IgG and IgA had lower susceptibility to COVID-19.
Immunocompromised individuals are at risk for prolonged viral shedding and the emergence of novel variants of concern. Healthcare providers must develop precise guidelines for monitoring and treating these patients.
Researchers have found a way to harness the power of immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancer by targeting a protein called PIKfyve. Blocking PIKfyve with the inhibitor ESK981 has been shown to increase tumor death and recruit immune T cells, offering new hope for patients with this challenging form of cancer.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that combining different COVID-19 vaccines boosts the immune response by up to ten times. The research team discovered that a combination of AstraZeneca and BioNTech vaccines or double doses of BioNTech vaccination yields better results than a double dose of AstraZeneca vaccine.
A recent study from Scripps Research found that proof-of-concept HIV vaccines generate off-target antibodies that degrade the vaccine's payload, hindering protection. The research provides critical insights for improving HIV subunit trimer vaccines and offers a promising avenue for design improvements.
Eija Kononen is a Professor and Chair of Periodontology at the University of Turku, Finland, known for her pioneering work on oral microbiology and its role in immune response. Her novel salivary diagnostic method, the Cumulative Risk Score, has been used in several studies to diagnose periodontal status.
Researchers define the atomic-level architecture of a protein-receptor connection that allows the malaria parasite to evade the immune response. A drug designed to fit into this space could block the interaction, allowing the immune system to clear away the pathogen and potentially reducing severe malaria cases.
Researchers at TMDU discovered a novel disorder resulting from a mutation in the AIOLOS protein, which causes immune deficiency and interferes with IKAROS protein function. The study found that the mutant protein forms a heterodimer with IKAROS, recruiting it to incorrect regions of the genome and leading to immunodeficiency.
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine reports on the protection offered by Ebola vaccines. The research found that different vaccine platforms conferred varying levels of protection, with RBD-specific antibodies and Fc-mediated immune functions playing key roles.
Australian scientists found that COVID-19 survivors produced sustained antibodies but they were less effective against contemporary variants. The study suggests vaccination is more effective than the body's natural response and highlights the need for new vaccine designs to keep pace with emerging variants.
Research from University of Johannesburg uncovers essential amino acids in wild African fruits. The study reveals several species exceed daily nutritional values recommended by WHO. The white olive and jacket plum are good candidates to boost immune function against viruses due to high lysine content.