Articles tagged with Immune Response
Researchers at Ohio State University have restored immune function in spinal injured mice, providing a potential explanation for why people with spinal cord injuries become susceptible to infections. By targeting specific hormones involved in autonomic dysreflexia, the study offers new therapeutic targets for reversing central immune d...
Researchers have uncovered the cell death processes that determine regulatory T cell numbers, which can lead to better treatments for autoimmune diseases. The discovery of Bcl-2 family proteins as determinants of regulatory T cell numbers offers new ways to control these cells and potentially suppress autoimmune disease.
Patients from neurosurgical intensive care units often experience vitamin D deficiency, linked to impaired immunological status. Vitamin D supplementation has shown promise in improving patient immunological status and reducing infections.
A clinical trial assessing an anti-melanoma vaccine found that it enhances the effectiveness of the immune system by increasing IL-12p70 production. Six out of seven patients exhibited a vaccine-stimulated immune response, with three showing clinically significant changes in tumor progression.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine identified cryptopatches as the foundation for human GALT development, a critical component of intestinal immune function. The study suggests that repairing damaged GALT could lead to therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases and autoimmune disorders.
Researchers found significant epigenetic changes in DNA methylation patterns related to immune function in people with and without schizophrenia. These changes were found to protect against delusion and hallucination symptoms in schizophrenia patients.
Researchers develop nanoparticles to block immune responses, enabling precise control of the immune system. The study's findings suggest a new approach to treating autoimmune diseases and allergies by targeting specific immune cells.
Researchers at UC Irvine have discovered that circadian rhythms play a crucial role in the body's immune response to intestinal infections. The study suggests that targeting treatments that supplement the power of the body clock could be an effective approach to treating bacterial pathogens like salmonella.
Researchers have identified an immune protein called CD52 that can suppress the immune response and prevent or reverse type 1 diabetes. This discovery has wider implications for treating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
A study published in American Journal of Human Biology found a negative relationship between inflammation markers (C-reactive protein) and progesterone levels in premenopausal rural Polish women. Estradiol and age of first menstruation were also significant predictors of C-reactive protein levels.
A recent study found that immune responses to HPV-16 and HPV-18 infection were noninferior in girls receiving two doses of the HPV vaccine compared to those receiving three doses. The study suggests a possible reduced-dose schedule for HPV vaccination, which could improve vaccine uptake rates and reduce costs.
A team of researchers studied human cells sent to space, finding that the immune system weakens and bacterial virulence enhances under microgravity conditions. The study also found altered gene expression related to rheumatoid arthritis, tumor growth, and wound repair.
A comprehensive study identifies multiple genes associated with schizophrenia risk, shedding light on brain function and immune response pathways. The findings pave the way for developing more efficacious drugs with fewer side effects.
A new study by UCSF researchers reveals that T cells gather together and share information, helping to mount a coordinated response to invading pathogens. The discovery sheds light on the mechanism behind vaccine effectiveness, which relies on T-cell aggregation to form long-term memory.
Researchers have identified a potent compound that activates immune responses in newborns' white blood cells substantially better than anything previously tested, potentially making vaccines effective right at birth. The compound, VTX-294, produced strong immune responses and triggered production of cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules.
Researchers are conducting an early-stage human clinical trial of two related candidate vaccines to prevent infection with Shigella bacteria, which causes diarrheal illness particularly among children. The Phase I trial aims to evaluate the vaccines for safety and immune response induction in healthy adults.
A new study reveals that the bladder is unable to mount an effective immune response to bacteria, leading to recurrent infections. The researchers found that mast cells produce interleukin-10, which drives localized immune tolerance in chronic bladder infection.
A new TB vaccine, MVA85A, did not offer extra protection against TB in South African infants who had already received the BCG vaccine. The vaccine induced modest immune responses, but these were insufficient to protect against the disease. Further research is needed to understand why this was the case.
Women with NTM infections show a weaker immune response linked to their body fat levels. The study also found that tall and thin individuals share characteristics with Marfan syndrome, suggesting a genetic link to increased susceptibility.
A Phase I clinical trial of a tetravalent candidate dengue vaccine found it induced a balanced antibody response against all four dengue viruses in most recipients. The vaccine was safe, and its development is promising for preventing severe dengue disease.
Scientists discovered that weight loss plays a crucial role in fighting off intestinal worms by hijacking their natural feeding pathways. This triggers the immune system to expel the worms more effectively.
Researchers have developed 61 new strains of genetically engineered bacteria that can boost the immune response to vaccines. The bacteria are designed to express endotoxin molecules in different configurations, creating a range of potential adjuvants for vaccine design.
Researchers found that enhanced aggressiveness of recurrent tumors is due to changes in immune response, specifically an increase in regulatory T cells and macrophages protecting tumor cells. Blocking these cells with new drugs could be a promising strategy for patients with recurrent disease.
A new study has identified toll-like receptor 12 (TLR12) as crucial for combating the deadly parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The findings suggest that TLR12 promotes survival in infected animals and could lead to the development of a vaccine against this parasite.
Researchers identify new therapeutic approaches for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), find immune cells defective in Huntington's disease, and discover signaling pathways contributing to muscle weakness in myotonic dystrophy. Targeting C/EBPG and C/EBPA, or normalizing GSK3β activity may help treat these conditions.
Researchers have found that targeting human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) can effectively eliminate HIV-infected cells using immune responses. This discovery could lead to the development of novel HIV vaccines by leveraging HERV-targeted T-cells.
A University of British Columbia study reveals that childhood poverty and stress as an adult leave imprints on genes and predict future immune responses. The research found correlations between DNA methylation patterns and early life experiences.
Duke researchers add anti-cancer agent bortezomib to treatment regimen for Pompe disease, improving outcomes for three infants with severe form of the disorder. The addition reverses established immune response and reduces antibodies, leading to dramatic clinical improvements.
Researchers found that ACE plays a crucial role in the development of red blood cells and the kidneys. Mice lacking ACE had impaired kidney function and reduced fertility. The study suggests new potential therapeutic targets for blood pressure regulation and fertility issues.
Researchers at Northwestern University have found that the influenza virus reduces immune system-regulating protein production in human cells by activating specific microRNAs. This discovery sheds light on a new mechanism of viral immune evasion and may lead to the development of therapeutics to preserve the immune response.
Researchers found that aging mice's dendritic cells accumulated oxidation-damaged proteins, impairing their function. Administering antioxidants reversed some effects, suggesting a potential therapy to improve vaccine responses in the elderly.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC identify TLR1 protein as critical component driving mucosal immune response against bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, which cause food poisoning and gastrointestinal infections. The discovery may lead to the development of more effective oral vaccines.
A Stanford-led study found that short-term stress stimulates immune activity, mobilizing key cells to fight infections and wounds. The research offers hope for developing new treatments to improve recovery from surgery or vaccines.
A new study suggests that HIV superinfection rates are equivalent to primary HIV infections among a general heterosexual population. Researchers used ultra-deep sequencing to detect even the lowest levels of circulating HIV strains and found 7 cases of superinfection out of 149 tested individuals.
Researchers have designed specialized proteins that assemble to form tiny molecular cages, which may be used for drug delivery or as artificial vaccines. The cages are hundreds of times smaller than a single cell and can be decorated with virus-identifying proteins to stimulate an immune response.
A study by University of Notre Dame biologist Beth Archie and colleagues found that high-ranking male baboons recover more quickly from injuries and are less likely to become ill than other males. Social status is a better predictor of wound-healing than age, highlighting the complex interplay between social context, physiology, and im...
A hormone previously associated with calcium homeostasis boosts immune response when dietary vitamin D levels are inadequate. The discovery may provide an alternative to current antibiotic therapies for treating skin infections.
A new study by University of Notre Dame biologist Beth Archie and colleagues reveals that high-ranking male baboons have better wound healing rates. The researchers found that factors associated with high rank, such as chronic stress and age, suppress immune function in low-ranking males, making them more susceptible to illness.
Researchers identified a group of patients with high immune response gene expression who are more likely to have their tumors completely eradicated by pre-operative chemotherapy. Patients with HER2-positive and ER-negative/HER2-negative subtypes showed better treatment outcomes.
Research suggests that brief prenatal exposure to plant estrogens may affect a woman's fertility as an adult. Exposure to estrogenic chemicals in the womb or during childhood has been shown to alter immune response genes and compromise oviduct support for preimplantation embryo development, leading to infertility.
Scientists have pinpointed the region on dengue virus that humans target with their immune system, challenging current vaccine research. The discovery reveals human antibodies bind to a complex structure on assembled dengue viruses, not small fragments as previously thought.
Researchers have identified a protein on the surface of dendritic cells that recognizes damaged cells, enabling the development of more specific and effective vaccines. This discovery could lead to vaccines that are 100-1000 times less in amount and have fewer side effects.
Researchers are investigating ways to improve horse vaccinations to defend foals against pathogens at an early age. Preliminary data suggests that vaccinating foals as young as 3 months old may increase protection against environmental pathogens.
Women infected with two different strains of HIV experience more potent antibody responses that can block virus replication, offering insights into developing broad neutralizing antibodies for an HIV vaccine. The study suggests harboring a mixture of viral strains promotes a robust response.
A new study offers a fresh perspective on the immune system's acute-phase response, which creates systemic stress that can harm both healthy cells and pathogens. By viewing this response as 'immune brinksmanship,' researchers argue that it may be beneficial for natural selection.
A recent study using advanced gene-sequencing technologies tracked viral evolution in HIV-infected patients. The research found that early mutations can evade the host's immune response, making it challenging to control the infection. This understanding may lead to the development of vaccines targeting specific regions of the virus.
Scientists discovered an effective way to eliminate a persistent form of HIV-1 through vaccination strategy. The research found that heightened immune response prior to virus reactivation facilitates the elimination of latent viral reservoir, paving the way for true eradication.
A study published in NEJM describes a rare case of the abscopal effect in a melanoma patient, where combining targeted radiation therapy with immunotherapy led to a strong immune response and favorable clinical outcome. The patient's pre-existing immunity to NY-ESO-1 antigen played a crucial role in the enhanced tumor regression.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a protein, TMED7, that can shut down part of the immune system after an infection has been cleared. This finding could lead to new ways to prevent over-activation of the immune system in diseases.
Researchers at the University of Toronto Scarborough are studying how environmental factors affect gene expression in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients. The study aims to identify epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to immune dysfunction and stress response in CFS, which could lead to new treatment options.
A recent study by Emory University found that fruit flies infected with blood-borne parasites consume alcohol to increase their survival rate. The researchers discovered that the toxic effects of alcohol can be protective against infectious disease and raise an important question about whether other organisms, including humans, could c...
Research reveals that a circadian clock controls the expression and function of TLR9, an immune system protein, leading to enhanced or impaired immune responses depending on the time of day. The study's findings have significant implications for sepsis treatment and prevention.
A recent study from University of Utah biologists found that the diversity of immune-system MHC genes is maintained through an 'arms race' between genes and germs, where pathogens evolve to evade the immune response, but also create new opportunities for other variants to emerge. This phenomenon helps explain why some disease-susceptib...
Researchers at UBC have discovered the molecular pathway enabling receptors in immune cells to find and flag pathogen fragments. This discovery could lead to more efficient vaccines against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as personalized medical options.
Researchers report that a short course of vaccination with an anti-HER2 dendritic cell vaccine eradicates tumors in nearly 20% of women with ductal carcinoma in situ. The treatment triggers strong, lasting immune responses in over 85% of patients, potentially reducing the risk of invasive cancer.
Research by Monash University reveals that producing high-quality sperm comes with significant health costs for males. The study found a negative correlation between sperm quality and immune function, suggesting males invest energy strategically to produce better sperm.
Researchers discovered that leprosy pathogen Mycobacterium leprae manipulates micro-RNs to evade the human immune system, specifically targeting vitamin D-dependent immune pathways. This finding offers new treatment avenues for infectious diseases.
A study published in JAMA found that exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) was associated with lowered immune responses to childhood vaccinations. The research, which analyzed data from Faroe Island children, suggested a link between PFCs and reduced antibody levels, posing a potential threat to public health.
A new study from Boston University has discovered 13 genetic loci associated with the age of menopause onset, providing insight into hormonal regulation and DNA repair. The research team found that genes related to immune function and auto-immune disease are also linked to menopause timing.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a low-dose combination therapy using cancer medicines to eliminate or prevent the immune response in children with Pompe disease. This treatment has saved the lives of four patients who were previously predicted to fail enzyme replacement therapy.