Articles tagged with Immune Response
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.
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 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.
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.
Research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that high levels of estradiol prior to ovulation weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infection. This natural dip in immunity may allow spermatozoa to survive and fertilize an egg successfully.
University of Iowa researchers have found a way to cure mice of bloodstream malaria infections by rescuing an immune system pathway. The study's findings suggest that blocking the action of inhibitory receptor molecules could be an effective strategy for treating existing malaria infections.
Researchers have identified a protein that contributes to brain tumor resistance to chemotherapy, while also developing a way to predict which liver transplant patients can be weaned off immunosuppressive drugs. High levels of APNG in GBM cells correlated with poorer survival rates, suggesting it may serve as a biomarker for treatment ...
A new study by Yale University researchers found that children raised in orphanages exhibit changes in genome functioning, particularly in immune response and inter-cellular interactions. These early stressors may contribute to adopted children's vulnerability to harsh parenting and long-term health issues.
Researchers create a glycoconjugate vaccine prototype that is 100 times more effective than traditional vaccines due to its recognition of carbohydrate-specific T-cells. The breakthrough may lead to better vaccines for high-risk populations and more effective treatments for various diseases.
A new study by Duke neuroscientists identifies the source of learning difficulties as an overactive immune response, triggered by early-life infections. The researchers found that specialized immune system cells in the brain called microglia release a signaling molecule called Interleukin-1, which can impair learning and memory.
Researchers found a significant reduction in glioma risk among people with borderline elevated IgE levels. However, the protective effect couldn't be measured in people with higher IgE levels. The study suggests an immune response to allergies may affect brain tumors.
A new study found that genetic factors beyond major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules play a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of an Alzheimer's vaccine. The findings suggest that vaccines could be designed to prevent neuroinflammatory reactions, improving treatment outcomes for patients.
Measurable changes in brain function and communication between regions may indicate disease progression in early HIV infection. Cognitive decline is associated with reduced survival time and increased risk of death.
A University of Adelaide study found that an immune response in the brain contributes to how people respond to alcohol, influencing behavioral changes such as difficulty walking or talking. Blocking toll-like receptors may help reduce these effects and potentially treat alcohol dependence.
Researchers at Michigan State University have created a new malaria vaccine that combines an immune-stimulating gene with a disabled cold virus, increasing the immune response against the parasite. The vaccine was found to be more effective than previously developed systems in animal models, paving the way for human clinical trials.