Research on how the immune system defends the body. Covers immune-cell imaging, T-cell responses, longevity genetics, and cancer immunotherapy.
Dr. Annet Kirabo's research revealed how immune activation and inflammation contribute to high blood pressure, identifying potential therapeutic targets for preventing and treating hypertension. Her work has reshaped the understanding of cardiovascular disease, opening exciting possibilities for new treatments.
Researchers identified a previously unknown pathway that prostate tumors leverage to suppress the immune system, reshaping the tumor microenvironment to resist treatment. Combining B7-H3-targeted therapy with MEK inhibition improved antitumor responses and prolonged survival in preclinical models of castration-resistant prostate cancer.
The new guidelines, developed by leading experts, focus on improving sepsis care by strengthening systems for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and quality improvement. Emerging technologies, such as next-generation diagnostics and artificial intelligence, are also being explored to enhance sepsis care.
Researchers have developed a computational framework to design and fabricate crisscross DNA megastructures, expanding accessibility to DNA nanotechnology. This breakthrough enables the construction of complex structures with precise control, opening up new avenues for applications in fields like optics, immunology, and tissue engineering.
Researchers develop nanoparticles that target tumor-associated macrophages, reprogramming them to attract cancer-fighting T cells. The approach shows promise in reducing immune-suppressing macrophages and increasing cancer-fighting T cells, with potential for improving immunotherapy for solid cancers.
Researchers found that rituximab treatment increases mitochondrial energy production and reduces cell stress in T cells, leading to improved response rates in patients with nephrotic syndrome. This discovery could help predict patient response to treatment and identify suitable candidates for early remission.
Researchers have developed a nondestructive imaging technique to measure single-cell immune metabolism in real patient blood samples, providing a higher level of information than current clinical techniques. This breakthrough could improve disease diagnosis and treatment for conditions like blood cancers, lupus, and sepsis.
Researchers found that longer-lived bats have higher levels of cancer-fighting genes and an immune system that can mount an overwhelming attack against infectious organisms and cancer. This discovery suggests that understanding one will help scientists understand the other.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have developed a vaccine that uses T cells to fight Zika virus, but one vaccine, with both antibody and T cell protection, showed long-term protection against the virus. This discovery offers a new hope in the fight against Zika and its close viral relatives.
Researchers found that radiation to the thymus during NSCLC treatment increased cancer spread and mortality risk in patients with relatively healthy thymus. Thymic health scores were associated with T-cell diversity, longevity, and cancer outcomes.
A new study has discovered a molecular navigation system that precisely directs neutrophils to sites of infection, allowing them to fight off disease-causing microbes without damaging healthy tissue. This finding represents a promising therapeutic strategy for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
UCSF scientists have invented a way to treat cancer with teacher cells and tumor pieces, combining immune cells grown in the lab with patient tumor samples. The method uses dendritic cells to train T cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells, offering a promising approach to immunotherapy.
Scientists have identified multiple targets for antibodies that could treat Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a deadly virus spread by ticks. The research found that antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid protein offer protection against the virus, regardless of strain, and could lead to the development of new treatments.
A new study from Arizona State University finds that past immune encounters can predict future vaccine response, opening a path toward more personalized vaccination strategies. Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 4,000 people, identifying antibody signatures that distinguish strong responders from weak ones.
Researchers at Pusan National University investigated how chronic environmental stress drives immune dysfunction in cold tumors, revealing a key driver of NK-cell maladaptation: the GDF15-AhR axis. This axis sustains activation of stress-sensing receptors, gradually exhausting NK cells and enabling immune escape.
Researchers discover a subset of clear cell ovarian cancers responsive to immunotherapy, driven by inflammation-related protein IL-17. IL-17 acts directly on cancer cells, creating an immune-permissive tumor microenvironment, enabling prediction of treatment response and contributing to personalized medicine.
Scientists create a biomimetic zona pellucida coating called BZP to mimic the natural barrier on egg cells, protecting donor islets from the immune system and reducing blood sugar levels in diabetic mice for 100 days. This approach could lead to a promising commercial cell therapy platform for treating various diseases.
Researchers have discovered that proteins released from mitochondria can activate the immune system in a similar way to invading bacteria. Elevated levels of mitochondrial proteins were found circulating in the bloodstream even when no live bacteria were present, leading to excessive inflammation.
Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are developing drug-based strategies to enhance cancer immunotherapy for melanoma and potentially other cancers. They identified two promising compounds that could strengthen T cell interaction with cancer cells or make tumor cells more susceptible to destruction by T cells.
A team of LMU researchers identified a signaling pathway in mice through which dietary changes influence the development of the immune system. The study found that dendritic cells are activated by dietary signals, which shape how T cells respond to environmental substances.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that immune cells in lung tissue express genes associated with autoimmune disease risk. These tissue-resident immune cells may actively drive the development of autoimmune diseases, particularly in women.
The Alliance QUANTUM trial is testing whether post-transplant consolidation therapy with teclistamab improves survival in patients with primary plasma cell leukemia. Plasma cell leukemia is a rare but aggressive blood cancer with poor long-term survival rates.
Researchers at Tulane University discovered that vesper bats have two distinct copies of genes producing antibodies, which helps them recognize and fight infections. This finding opens up new areas of study on the evolution of immunity and how animals respond to diseases.
A recent study found that human lung tissue contains a vast reservoir of tissue-resident memory T cells (T RM cells) capable of targeting a range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These cells reside only in the lungs and can live for years, providing a vital line of defense against severe respiratory infections.
Researchers at Nagoya University discovered that complement C3 protein acts inside tumors to prevent immunosuppressive cells, improving cancer immunotherapy effectiveness. Higher levels of C3 in tumor tissue were associated with better treatment outcomes and survival rates in patients.
Researchers discovered that CRISPR-Cas plays a broader role in bacteria, directing a network of innate immune systems. Over 20 innate defense modules are genomically embedded within type I CRISPR-Cas loci, which are kept under tight transcriptional control by small RNAs.
Scientists at UVA have developed a new method to target glioblastoma, the most common and deadly brain cancer, by delivering microRNAs through the brain's natural barrier. The approach shows promise in slowing tumor growth and extending survival in animal models.
Researchers identified unique antibody signatures against viruses and bacteria in nearly 2,000 blood samples collected over a decade, showing immune system changes years before diagnosis. The study supports the theory of molecular mimicry and provides an important framework for understanding IBD's earliest stages.
Researchers at UIC identified KCNMB1, an ion channel protein that helps regulate cell movement. Activating this pathway increases cell stiffness, making cancerous cells more susceptible to immune attack. The discovery points to a promising new therapeutic target for metastatic cancer.
Researchers found that sea anemones can selectively distinguish between beneficial and harmful bacteria thanks to 'nematosomes'. This ability is crucial for maintaining a stable microbiome. The study suggests that invertebrates may have sophisticated mechanisms for supporting beneficial microorganisms.
Dr. Rui Yang receives a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists to uncover genetic causes of life-threatening immune disorders and identify new treatment paths. The research aims to advance diagnosis and understanding of rare diseases while fostering the next generation of scientists.
Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a previously unknown mechanism by which T cells attack and eliminate acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. The discovery reveals that AML cells use a CD64-dependent pathway to evade traditional MHC recognition, potentially explaining why AML is sensitive to immune-based treatments.
A buildup of bile acids caused by an unhealthy gut can drive breast cancer to other parts of the body, researchers reveal. The study found that replenishing beneficial bacteria or treating patients with FDA-approved bile acid sequestrants may reduce breast cancer metastasis.
The University of Minnesota Medical School research team has received a $10 million NIH grant to study how animals fight infection. The team will utilize a 'cellular zoo' of living cells from over 100 animal species to understand how different species recognize and respond to viral infections.
Researchers from 12 countries have launched a global effort to document and study 'heritage' diets before they are lost. These diets, shaped by local environments and traditions, may hold vital clues to better health.
A new study reveals that macrophages, a key immune cell type, age differently across tissues and between sexes. The researchers found that aging macrophages become more focused on responding to stress and cellular damage, but lose some molecular programs involved in maintaining healthy tissue structure.
Researchers found that yeast-based supplements can reprogram early-stage immune cells to produce enhanced anti-tumor responses. The study suggests a potential solution for obesity-related immune dysfunction and cancer, using a food-grade supplement with an excellent safety record.
Macrophages are critical drivers of chronic allograft failure, with emerging strategies targeting key macrophage signaling pathways providing an important conceptual shift. Targeted therapies, such as inhibiting the purinergic pathway and mTOR/NF-κB pathway, show promise in preventing chronic rejection.
A new method called ATTACH identifies strong interactions between T cells and cancer-specific proteins to isolate effective tumor-reactive T cells. This approach overcomes key challenges in immunotherapy development, offering a rapid and accessible way for isolating rare immune cells.
Researchers found that macrophages and monocytes in the gut mesentery interact to prevent salmonella from spreading. Removing macrophages allows monocytes to flood the organ, highlighting the role of these immune cells in regulating tissue damage.
The new journal features cutting-edge research across basic, clinical, and translational immunology. It is designed to connect researchers across the full breadth of immunology, deepening understanding of the immune system in health and disease.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Scripps Research have developed an HIV vaccine that trains immune cells to see past HIV's defenses. The vaccine resulted in the best HIV-fighting antibody response ever seen in primates, with human trials now underway.
Researchers found that wood frogs' adaptation to salty water increases their vulnerability to ranavirus, a common and fatal disease. The study highlights the hidden costs of survival in wildlife under environmental stress.
A UMD-led study reveals that wild bats balance different types of immune defenses based on sex, age, and competition for mates. The researchers found that male bats rely more on rapid-response immune defenses, while females invest in targeted responses to pathogens.
Researchers present a roadmap for developing Tregs as adaptable therapies to restore immune balance and support tissue repair. This approach holds promise for treating conditions such as metabolic and cardiovascular disease, as well as neurodegeneration.
New therapies using regulatory T cells, known as Tregs, could target diseases with inflammation, such as cancer and autoimmune conditions. Early evaluations show good tolerance and safety profiles, but precision is key to tailoring treatments for specific patients.
Professor David Engblom of Linköping University has won the Onkel Adam Prize for his groundbreaking research on how inflammation affects brain function and behavior. His work aims to alleviate human suffering by improving treatment and care.
Two studies found that certain fungal species in the gut play a key role in immune dysregulation and pediatric allergic diseases, positioning the infant mycobiome as a promising target for therapies. Infants' early-life antibiotic use may have a direct impact on these fungi, leading to immune dysregulation and allergic asthma.
A University of Minnesota Medical School research team led by Dr. Mark Schleiss has received a $3.87 million NIH grant to investigate congenital CMV transmission during pregnancy. The study aims to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes and prevent lifelong disabilities in children.
Scientists have identified a unique chimeric RNA called UBA1-CDK16 that plays important roles in women's blood cell development and disease severity. The findings suggest the chimeric RNA may serve as a natural brake to protect women from excessive autoimmune activity.
A Drosophila study shows that macrophages detect nutritional stress caused by high-sugar diets and send a signal to the endocrine system to delay development. This delay helps buffer the impact of the diet on growth, allowing organisms to reach adulthood in better condition.
A study by the University of Florida reveals that young frogs invest heavily in early growth and delay stronger immune responses until infection levels become dangerous. This strategy helps them survive and reproduce in environments with fluctuating food availability and infection risk.
PhD candidate Tommaso Zaccaria's research shows that microorganisms from Earth can survive in Martian hot springs and other celestial bodies. This has implications for astronaut health and the study of the human immune system on Earth.
Researchers discovered a single amino acid change that allows coronaviruses to interact with human and bat immune systems differently, shifting the body's response to infection. This alteration enables benign animal viruses to adapt to humans and cause severe disease.
A study by Okayama University researchers revealed that SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels can assess infection history, symptom severity, and cognitive complications in long COVID. The findings suggest that declining S-antibody levels may indicate a greater risk of neurological complications.
Researchers at UC Riverside link immune signaling to disrupted brain function and cognition after concussion, finding a crucial link between TLR4 and MMP-9. Blocking these pathways may limit changes in brain circuits and improve long-term neurological outcomes.
Researchers identified five immunomodulatory proteins in Borrelia recurrentis that prevent activation of the human complement system, allowing the pathogen to survive in the human body. These Chi proteins also convert plasminogen into active plasmin, giving Borrelia recurrentis a significant advantage in spreading after infection.
Scientists discovered a new way cells fight infection, using a method called antibody-directed xenophagy (ADX), which can digest bacteria and viruses inside infected cells. ADX is triggered by a protein called TRIM21, which flags invading pathogens for destruction.
A universal Sarbeco coronavirus vaccine has shown safety and no significant side effects in a human clinical trial, providing protection against multiple viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine uses an AI-designed super-antigen to offer lasting protection against emerging virus threats.
Researchers analyzed brain tissue from MSA patients and found that the immune cells known as microglia appear to be exhausted or dysfunctional in later stages of the disease. The study suggests that an overactive immune system may contribute to the development of MSA, providing a potential target for future treatment.