Articles tagged with Immune System
A recent study found that modern humans acquired a gene variant from Denisovans that increases immune reactions and protective responses to disease-causing microbes. The Denisovan gene variant, I207L, was discovered in families with severe autoimmune conditions and was also present in an extinct human species found in the Altai Mountains.
A study of lemur scents reveals that an individual's distinctive body odor reflects genetic differences in their immune system. Females pay more attention to the scents of males with different immune genes, which could lead to more diverse and resilient offspring.
A new pathway has been identified as a potential treatment target for Crohn's disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease that affects millions in the US. The study suggests that blocking a specific protein receptor may ameliorate inflammation and fibrosis in CD patients.
Two known gene mutations, KRAS and TP53, induce pathways that enhance pancreatic cancer's ability to invade tissues and evade the immune system. Mutations in these genes are closely linked to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a type of pancreatic cancer with a low five-year survival rate.
A study published in Frontiers in Immunology found that rural Amish babies had a more diverse and beneficial gut microbiome than urban babies, which led to a more robust development of the respiratory immune system. The researchers used fecal transplants from Amish babies to colonize the guts of newborn pigs, showing a connection betwe...
Scientists deciphered how YopO changes its shape to confuse the immune system, disrupting communication and allowing bacteria to evade digestion. Understanding this process may lead to developing targeted, tailor-made substances to inhibit plague pathogens.
Researchers found that the rate at which a patient's immune system clears slow-growing variants of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is crucial in determining whether antibiotics can cure the infection. A new mathematical model suggests that a drug targeting slow-growing MRSA variants may be the most effective treatmen...
A new shingles vaccine has been shown to effectively prevent outbreaks of the painful rash among patients who have undergone stem cell transplantation. The study found that the vaccine reduced the incidence of shingles by 68% and related complications, offering promise for patients with immune-compromising conditions.
Scientists have discovered a newly found function of the US11 protein that impairs antibody immunity, allowing human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to evade white blood cells and potentially leading to birth defects and immune system dysfunction. This breakthrough has significant therapeutic prospects for treating autoimmune diseases like lupus.
Research at Lund University reveals that prey animals with a weaker immune system have an increased risk of illness due to chronic stress from predator presence. The study found that bold individuals with a greater need for defense exhibit a better immune response.
Female bed bugs exhibit induced antibacterial humoral immune responses when fed regularly, with a 22% increase in longevity compared to unpredictable feeding schedules. Anticipation of mating-associated infection through feeding cues may influence reproductive immune anticipation.
Research found that female bedbugs can cleverly manage their immune systems in anticipation of mating-related infection, allowing them to resist traumatic insemination and improve reproductive success. This ability may also be shared by other insects and could help control bedbug populations.
Researchers identified a crucial protein, Tox, that triggers dysfunctional immune responses in the body. This 'exhaustion mode' can be beneficial as it prevents excessive damage to cells and tissue but also allows tumor growth.
Aphids and insect-infecting viruses like PLRV and MpDNV transmit crop damage worth billions annually. Researchers found a cooperative relationship between the two, increasing the likelihood of viral spread.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new hypothesis to explain the phenomenon of women being more prone to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus. The Pregnancy Compensation Hypothesis suggests that women's immune systems evolved to facilitate survival during pregnancy, leading to heightened immune su...
Ferroptotic cancer cells can stimulate the immune system, leading to activation of anticancer immunity. However, tumor cells dying by ferroptosis can also cause suppression of an antitumor immune response, contributing to cancer progression.
Researchers Nicolae Morar and Brendan J. M. Bohannan examine five common conceptual frameworks describing the human microbiome, highlighting their benefits and drawbacks. The study suggests a pragmatic approach considering all metaphors to explore therapies for diseases and disorders.
A new study by immunologists at the Babraham Institute has shown that fecal transplants from young mice can replenish and boost the gut microbiome of older mice, rejuvenating their immune system. The research suggests that targeting the gut microbiome could be a way to treat age-related symptoms and facilitate healthy aging.
A new study suggests that chronic inflammation disrupts the brain's dopamine system, leading to motivational impairments in depression, schizophrenia, and other disorders. The researchers developed a computational method to test their theory, which may yield insights into treating cases of depression and behavioral disorders.
Under hypoxic conditions, fewer metabolites are produced in the citric acid cycle, reducing bacterial reproduction in macrophages. This discovery provides a new method for pathogen control that doesn't rely on oxygen levels.
Researchers discovered a receptor on human cells that detects metabolites from fermented food bacteria, triggering immune cell movement. Consuming lactic acid bacteria may provide anti-inflammatory effects and serve as a potential drug target for inflammatory diseases.
Researchers use atomic force microscopy to track the formation of deadly holes in bacterial surfaces, discovering a bottleneck that prevents harm to human cells. The study provides insight into how the immune system kills bacteria and may guide the development of new therapies harnessing the immune system against bacterial infections.
Researchers identify five classes of early immune-system programming, linking childhood experiences to chronic inflammatory diseases and psychiatric disorders in adulthood. The study found that children with resilient immune systems were better protected against both conditions.
A new vaccine approach could protect against pandemic flu by teaching the immune system to recognize the shared 'cone' portion of the flu virus, rather than just the seasonal 'scoop'. Researchers have shown early promising results in lab animals.
Researchers have successfully created 'humanized' antibodies that can neutralize human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) infection. The antibodies target the gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 protein complex and CD134 receptor, essential for HHV-6B infection.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet mapped immune system targets in patients with rare IPEX disease, revealing that regulatory T cells control gut-related immunotolerance. The study provides insights into the role of these cells in preventing autoimmune diseases.
Researchers identified a new way C. difficile causes severe disease by triggering an immune response through Th17 cells, explaining why patients with inflammatory bowel disease are more susceptible to severe infections and increasing mortality rates.
Researchers found vitamin D affects dendritic cells' ability to activate T cells, hindering the activation process and reducing immune reactions. The study sheds light on how vitamin D deficiency may regulate the immune system and influence susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.
Research reveals that T-regulatory cells, which suppress the immune response, are driving tumor resistance to radiotherapy. Inhibiting EphB4-ephrinB2 interaction reduces T-reg cell activity, allowing immune cells to target cancer effectively.
A new study found that nearly a third of hospital room surfaces had antibiotic-resistant bacteria on them, suggesting rapid transmission from patients to their environment. The research team suggests expanding hand hygiene efforts to include patients, as healthcare workers' hands remain the primary mode of microbe transmission.
A recent study published in The Gerontologist suggests that the link between caregiving and negative health effects has been overstated. After analyzing data from over three decades of research, Johns Hopkins researchers found a weak association between caregiving and immune system biomarkers.
A joint team from Hokkaido University and Keio University has identified a key player in the gut defense mechanism of infants, a protein called Sox8. This discovery could help understand how infants develop their own intestinal immune systems after weaning.
Researchers discovered how specific fungal prostaglandins deactivate immune cells, allowing fungi to grow and increase infection. This finding provides insight into the interaction between fungal pathogens and the human immune system.
Researchers at the Centenary Institute discovered that the tuberculosis bacterium hijacks platelets from the body's blood clotting system to weaken immune systems. Using anti-platelet drugs like aspirin, they were able to prevent hijacking and allow the body to control infection better.
Researchers found a class of enzymes called metacaspases play a crucial role in plant immune response, releasing calcium and peptides to prevent infection. The discovery opens up new avenues for improving crop breeding techniques and boosting plant immunity.
Scientists at Institut Pasteur and Inserm have found that an immune response generated when solid food is introduced in mice prevents inflammatory disorders. The reaction involves regulatory T cells and balances the immune system, leading to lower susceptibility to allergies, colitis, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
Researchers found that a small yeast species called Malassezia strengthens the body's defenses against pathogens, but its balance with the immune system is key to preventing atopic dermatitis. A new potential treatment targets this balance by neutralizing interleukin-17 cytokine production.
Researchers have developed a metric called IMM-AGE to accurately understand an individual's immune status, providing increased information for accurate prediction and management of risks. This new capability has major implications for drug development, including the design of future vaccine trials and re-evaluating past vaccine trials.
Researchers discovered zinc's role in fighting UTI bacteria, identifying its toxic effects on UPEC cells and potential avenues for non-antibiotic treatment strategies. This knowledge could lead to new therapies that don't develop resistance like traditional antibiotics.
Researchers at University of Utah Health have developed a novel treatment that delays the onset of type 1 diabetes in mice and halts the progression of paralysis in multiple sclerosis models. The treatment targets misfunctioning immune cells, leaving normal immune cells intact.
A novel mechanism discovered by researchers at the University of York and Queen Mary University London reveals that miR-132 controls how immune cells respond to infection. This tiny molecule acts as a 'handbrake' on the immune system, preventing over-reaction and promoting protective immunity.
The study found that the live oral typhoid vaccine Ty21a can strengthen the immune response against subsequent, unrelated infections, including those caused by other pathogens. This promising research could lead to broader protection and lower mortality rates globally.
A study by researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin has identified a molecule, c-Maf, that regulates the balance between the immune system and gut microbiota. This finding may lead to new therapies for chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers at University of Cologne decipher mechanism by which intestinal microbiota amplifies inflammatory reactions in lungs. Candida albicans stimulates Th17 cells, leading to cross-reactivity and immune system imbalance.
Researchers discovered that pancreatic beta cells themselves may play a role in T1 diabetes, and found that eliminating senescent cells prevents the disease in mice. The study suggests a paradigm shift for T1 diabetes therapy and opens up new avenues for treatment.
Two new forms of an older anti-cancer agent, s-DAB-IL-2 and s-DAB-IL-2(V6A), have been shown to enhance the immune system's ability to fight melanoma in mice. The agents depleted T regulatory cells and inhibited tumor growth when used individually or in combination with checkpoint blockade therapy.
Scientists have developed a new technique using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to create pluripotent stem cells that can avoid rejection by the immune system. These 'universal' stem cells can be manufactured more efficiently than individualized cells and bring promise to regenerative medicine.
A new study by Cancer Research UK found that smokers with melanoma are 40% less likely to survive than non-smokers. Researchers believe smoking may disrupt the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center used sophisticated gene sequencing and computing techniques to analyze antibody-producing white blood cells. They found a surprisingly high frequency of shared clonotypes, which could aid in developing universal vaccines and treatments.
A new discovery by Professor Graham Lord and his team at the University of Manchester reveals a crucial molecular pathway regulated by microRNA-142, which controls Regulatory T cells. This finding has significant implications for treating autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer.
Researchers discovered that gliotoxin, a mycotoxin from Aspergillus fumigatus, inhibits the production of leukotrieneB4 in neutrophilic granulocytes, disrupting communication between immune cells. This allows fungal spores to infiltrate tissues and organs, posing a fatal threat to people with weakened immune systems.
Researchers at Bar-Ilan University developed a computational tool to analyze genetic variations in immune system genes, revealing a rich pattern of deletions and duplications. This discovery sheds light on the critical importance of these genomic regions for understanding the immune system and predicting diseases.
A study reveals how HIV-1 protein Vpu hinders the immune system's response to infection by inhibiting transcription factor NF-κB and reducing antiviral factors. This finding could inform therapeutic approaches aiming to activate dormant HIV for subsequent elimination.
A powerful molecule, HLA-G dimer, helps protect transplanted organs from rejection by quietening two other immune molecules. The study provides more evidence that this molecule should be an effective therapy for protecting transplanted organs, and its potential to improve outcomes in organ transplant patients.
Research in mice at the University of Tokyo found that heat waves can reduce the body's immune response to flu. However, providing supplemental nutrition before and after infection can help restore normal immune function. The study suggests that food insecurity may weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to illness.
A recent study published in Immunity reveals that Lactobacillus bacteria interact with immune system cells to regulate the intestinal barrier function. The interaction, mediated by the Mincle receptor, promotes a beneficial response and helps prevent diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
A new study found that prolonged spaceflights can impair natural killer cell function in astronauts, increasing the risk of cancer and viral reactivation. The effects are more pronounced in first-time astronauts, suggesting stress or age may play a role.
The La Jolla Institute has been awarded a seven-year NIH contract renewal to host and expand the Immune Epitope Database, containing over 530,000 epitopes from 3,600 species. This vast amount of data allows researchers to unlock clues to disease causes by searching for commonalities among different pathogens.
Researchers have successfully engineered a protein that balances an overreaction of the immune system, making it a promising candidate for sepsis therapy. By understanding how interleukins mediate communication between immune cells, scientists can now modulate their reaction in a targeted manner.
A Vanderbilt University team developed a nanoparticle to target tumor-infiltrating immune cells and activate the STING pathway, a natural mechanism to mount an immune response against cancer. The breakthrough offers hope for patients who don't respond to checkpoint blockade therapies.