Research on how the immune system defends the body. Covers immune-cell imaging, T-cell responses, longevity genetics, and cancer immunotherapy.
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.
Researchers found a protein called RAB5c that helps white blood cells kill Aspergillus fumigatus, a common airborne fungus. Without this protein, immune cells are disarmed despite attacking at full force. The discovery could lead to new treatments for patients with weakened immune systems.
The article systematically summarizes forty years of discoveries in the TLR field, revealing multilayered regulatory mechanisms governing TLR signaling. Aberrant TLR signaling is closely linked to multiple human diseases, including infectious diseases, autoimmune conditions, and cancer.
Researchers treated 75 children with peanut allergies using slow up-dosing and low maintenance dosing. After three years, 82% of the treatment group could eat at least 3.5 peanuts without an allergic reaction.
Researchers developed a new photonic material using lead iodide, enabling high-speed data transmission in the terahertz frequency range. The material confines light within submicrometer regions, paving the way for integrated photonic circuits that could replace or complement electronic circuits.
Researchers at Garvan Institute of Medical Research discovered key immune cells malfunction in mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), a rare but devastating autoinflammatory disorder. Current treatments targeting inflammatory signals produced by macrophages fail in half of patients, but JAK inhibitors may provide relief.
Researchers at Rice Biotech Launch Pad are developing an encapsulation platform to protect transplanted pancreatic islet cells from immune attack. The approach aims to reduce scarring and inflammation, making it possible for people with Type 1 diabetes to manage their condition without long-term immunosuppression.
The study reveals that hair follicles contain specialized sentinel cells that monitor environmental exposure and microbial presence, potentially linking immune detection to sensory signaling. The discovery may have implications for understanding skin infections, immune disorders, and topical therapeutics.
Researchers reveal how expansion of bone marrow fat promotes immunosuppressive PD-L1 signaling, leading to enhanced osteoclast activity and accelerated bone loss. Reducing bone marrow fat improves bone structure.
Researchers found memory cells in nasal tissue can reactivate to fight influenza, reducing viral replication and protection against more severe illness. These immune cells can be used to develop better nasal vaccines.
A new study from the University of Lausanne identifies a specific subset of fibroblasts that produce Ccl19, an 'attractant signal' for cytotoxic T lymphocytes, bringing them into contact with type 1 dendritic cells. This mechanism is essential for proper immune cell organization and function.
A study from the University of São Paulo reveals that neurodegenerative processes extend beyond the central nervous system, affecting various targets throughout the body. The researchers identified over 9,000 autoantibodies linked to immune status, neurological damage, and symptoms specific to each disease.
Researchers discovered that HDAC7 plays a dual role in immune system development and cancer progression. Restoring HDAC7 in cancer cells can slow or stop tumor growth, offering new hope for diagnosis and treatment.
A first-in-human trial shows that an infusion of immune cells derived from a donor's blood can prime the recipient's immune system to accept a donor liver, potentially reducing lifelong immunosuppression. Eight out of 13 participants achieved complete withdrawal of immunosuppression and remained off for more than three years.
Researchers identified the misdirected immune response as a central driver of tissue degeneration in severe, rapid-aging disorders. By reducing this false alarm, they restored function across multiple biological systems, suggesting the body can cope with more DNA damage than assumed if inflammation is kept in check.
Researchers have found that COVID vaccines can train immune cells to remember the SARS-CoV-2 virus and protect against severe infection for years afterward. However, the continued spread of disease has scientists taking a closer look at how the immune system builds up immune memory over time.
Researchers found that squalene-based adjuvants activate distinct pathways for vaccine protection and reactogenicity, including the role of IL-1β in enhancing efficacy and IL-1α in triggering local swelling. The study's findings could lead to safer vaccine design by targeting specific immune mechanisms.
Researchers at ITQB NOVA and IPOLFG are developing a new project called BRIDGE to improve diagnosis and treatment of aggressive breast cancers. They aim to find new biomarkers to monitor cancer evolution and tailor treatment to individual patient needs.
A new study maps how rare mixed tumors evolve into hybrid cell states and immune-protected neighborhoods, pointing to new ways to detect and treat combined small-cell lung cancer. The findings reveal that these tumors do not arise from two separate cancers but rather from a single ancestral cell that evolves over time.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology discovered a way to prime skin cells for regeneration before injury, enabling rapid and effective healing. This approach, called mosaic partial reprogramming, reshapes surrounding cells and tissue microenvironment to accelerate wound healing.
A new blood-based biomarker has been discovered to help identify individuals at higher risk of developing cancer in people with Lynch Syndrome. The biomarker uses immune signatures detected in blood samples to provide unique characteristics that can detect cancer risk, allowing for early detection and personalized surveillance.
Research found that sleep and diet impact immune cell proportions and protein expression, with long-term late sleep onset triggering inflammation. The study's indexes reflect human immune health or chronic diseases, providing a foundation for future health assessment and management.
A new study suggests that autoantibodies from Long COVID patients can induce persistent pain-like symptoms in mice, providing evidence for a potential causal role of autoantibodies in the condition. The research also highlights distinct biological subgroups and offers hope for targeted antibody-based therapies.
Researchers at Linköping University found that an existing medication can restore immune cell function in people with HIV. The study showed that the medication blocks type I interferon and restored the function of immune cells, potentially improving health outcomes.
Researchers engineered supercharged T cells that can recognize and kill prostate cancer cells more effectively. By fine-tuning how they physically interact with tumor cells, the T cells form a stronger bond, allowing them to deliver a targeted immune response without damaging healthy tissue.
A new study from Aarhus University reveals the thymus, a small organ previously believed to cease functioning early in adult life, plays a lifelong role in the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. The healthier the thymus, patients respond better to immunotherapy treatment.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered a new therapeutic target, SRC, present on up to half of all tumors, which can be targeted with antibody drugs. The enzyme, normally hidden inside cells, is exposed on the surface of tumor cells due to an overactive disposal system, making it an easy target for cancer-killing antibodies.
Researchers studied the Seychelles warbler's gut bacteria, finding that immune genes influence which microbes thrive, and that this relationship affects host health and survival. The study suggests a two-way relationship between immune genes and gut bacteria, with potential benefits for human health and disease prevention.
A new study reveals that NFAT controls uterine natural killer cells, which guide embryo implantation and placental growth. The findings offer fresh insight into preeclampsia, implantation failure, and inadequate placental blood flow, potentially benefiting all pregnant patients.
Researchers discovered that tendon stem cells and progenitor cells fail to differentiate into mature, functional cells, instead promoting scar buildup. Immune cells, including macrophages, also play a central role in sustaining fibrosis, creating a self-sustaining environment that is difficult to reverse.
A new study demonstrates that blocking a signaling protein called FAK helps mobilize an anti-tumor immune response, allowing tumor-fighting cells to approach tumors and shift the behavior of other immune cells to work against them. This approach achieved the best effects on immune cell recruitment, tumor size reduction, and survival ti...
Researchers developed a spray shield that adheres to transplant organs using mussel-derived adhesive protein, reducing immune rejection and its side effects. This innovation enables targeted delivery of immunosuppressants directly to the transplanted site, increasing success rates in xenograft transplantation.
A new Cornell University study reveals that exposure to diverse microbes and allergens as adults may worsen the development of allergic airway inflammation compared to newborns. Researchers found a break point where protection from microbial exposure might wane, depending on life stage and timing.
A new injection therapy uses self-amplifying RNA to prompt the body's release of the natural heart-protective hormone ANP for several weeks. This approach aims to reduce harmful scarring, preserve healthy heart muscle and improve heart function after a heart attack.
A new $1.7 million NIH grant will support Carol Webb's research on the protein ARID3a and its role in lupus development and treatment. The study aims to identify genes controlled by ARID3a, understand how it disrupts the immune system, and test potential treatments.
Researchers have developed a painless skin patch that samples key immune cells from the skin, offering a new way to monitor immune health. The device detects inflammatory signals and collects immune cells without invasive procedures.
Researchers found that early precancerous cells in pancreas gather into specific clusters and interact with immune cells, weakening the body's ability to fight them. The study provides fresh insight into how pancreatic cancer may begin taking shape years before it is clinically detected.
A Cornell University study reveals that an existing FDA-approved drug, AMD3100, can prevent the sequestration of immune T cells from tumors, allowing them to attack cancer cells. The treatment shows promise for fibrolamellar carcinoma, a rare and fatal liver cancer with no cure.
A new study by Dr. Alex Gileles-Hillel and colleagues found that children with sleep apnea are twice as likely to contract the flu or COVID-19. The researchers suggest prioritizing annual vaccinations for these children to prevent severe respiratory complications.
The review outlines how vascular-immune crosstalk affects various diseases, revealing novel therapeutic opportunities. It highlights the shared embryonic origin of blood vessel cells and immune cells, as well as coordinated immune cell trafficking mechanisms.
Researchers have genetically engineered therapeutic CAR T cells that can destroy solid tumors, overcoming a major obstacle in cancer treatment. By silencing prostaglandin E2 signalling, these new cells can recognize and attack cancer cells without suppressing their own immune function.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill discovered that chronic inflammation fundamentally alters macrophages, immune cells that drive both inflammation and tissue repair. Chronic inflammation triggers a breakdown in the ability of macrophages to adapt, trapping them in dysfunctional hybrid states.
A recent rat study identified the neural mechanism underlying chills, a cold sensation that supports the body's response to infection. The findings suggest that prostaglandin E₂ boosts cold signals from the lateral parabrachial nucleus to the central nucleus of the amygdala, triggering chills and promoting warmth-seeking behavior.
Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reveal the origins of Thetis cells, which play a crucial role in teaching immune system tolerance. The team used single-nucleus DNA sequencing to shed light on pancreatic cancer evolution and identify genetic changes that occur earlier or later in disease progression.
Engineered yeast cells can mimic real cancer cells and be used to test new cancer immunotherapies much faster and cheaper than before. This new technology enables researchers to assess which CAR T variants are most promising much more quickly, leading to safer and more targeted cancer treatments.
A new experimental intranasal spray, INNA-051, will be tested in a randomized Phase 2 trial to determine its safety and effectiveness in reducing illness from respiratory viruses. The study aims to enroll 1,100 healthy adults at increased risk of upper respiratory virus infections.
A recent study from Penn State College of Medicine researchers found that helper T cells, typically involved in fighting infections, become overly activated in failing human hearts, causing damage. The activation of these T cells highlights the impact of inflammation and immune dysfunction in heart failure.
Researchers at Salk Institute debut an epigenetic catalog that shows genetic inheritance and life experiences have distinct effects on various types of immune cells, shedding light on individual differences in immune responses and potential new personalized therapeutics.
A study by UC Riverside scientists reveals that the cysts of Toxoplasma gondii contain multiple distinct subtypes of parasites, each with different biological roles. This discovery offers new insights into how the parasite causes disease and why it has been difficult to treat.
Researchers found that people experiencing everyday discrimination have elevated levels of "exhausted" white blood cells, indicating chronic stress may hamper the immune system. This study suggests social experiences like discrimination shape immune health at the cellular level and contribute to biological aging.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich discovered that gut bacteria can directly deliver proteins into human cells, shaping immune responses. This new mechanism may help explain how changes in gut bacteria contribute to inflammatory diseases like Crohn's disease.
Salk Institute scientists discover that dietary supplementation of the amino acid methionine protects infected mice against inflammation-related wasting, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, and death. Methionine boosts kidney filtration, reducing circulating cytokine levels and improving disease outcomes.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has made significant advancements in cancer care through its collaborative efforts between clinicians and scientists. These breakthroughs include an immune-targeting vaccine that shows promise in intercepting cancer in patients with Lynch Syndrome, a novel immunotherapy that demonstrate...
Researchers at University College London have uncovered a key mechanism that helps the body switch off inflammation. Tiny fat-derived molecules called epoxy-oxylipins act as natural brakes on the immune system, preventing chronic inflammation linked to arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes.
Researchers summarize itaconate biology highlighting its chemical reactivity and therapeutic potential in treating infectious diseases, sepsis, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disorders. Itaconate exerts biological effects through post-translational modifications, altering protein activity and signaling pathways
The review details the dual role of interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) in regulating essential antiviral responses while mitigating excessive inflammation. IRF proteins have distinct roles, with some driving interferon production and others acting as fine-tuners or negative regulators.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown mechanism that can reduce the risk of allergies and asthma in children. Certain bifidobacteria produce a substance called 4-hydroxyphenyl lactate (4-OH-PLA), which dampens immune responses to allergens, reducing the production of IgE antibodies.
Boston College researchers used piezoelectric nanoparticles to trigger macrophages, a key part of the body's immune response. The study suggests that this method could be used to activate immune cells specifically at an infection or tumor site, avoiding side effects associated with systemic administration of drugs.
Salk Institute scientists found distinct disease courses and tolerance mechanisms in younger and older mice with sepsis, indicating a need for age-tailored therapies. The study suggests that future treatments may focus on controlling infection-generated damage rather than just targeting the pathogen.
The study found that even with immunosuppressants, innate immunity remains activated, indicating a need for new therapies to prevent organ rejection. Researchers recommend combining therapies targeting innate immunity with advanced genetic engineering in donor pigs.