Research on how the immune system defends the body. Covers immune-cell imaging, T-cell responses, longevity genetics, and cancer immunotherapy.
Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center have identified a receptor on murine immune cells that activates a protective mechanism preventing unwanted immune responses against the body's own tissues. Dectin-1 binds to annexins on dying cells, suppressing the immune response and preventing autoimmune reactions.
Scientists have discovered a molecular foundation for bacterial exposure as a potential environmental factor in coeliac disease development. Receptors from immune T cells can recognize protein fragments from certain bacteria that mimic gluten, leading to aberrant recognition and health problems.
Research shows that maternal microbiota provides immunity to newborns against E. coli, a disease-causing microbe. The study reveals that antibodies are passed on to offspring through milk and the placenta, offering protection beyond just breastfeeding.
A team led by CSHL Professor David Jackson has identified a gene in corn that contributes to both plant development and immune system control. Manipulating this gene, Gß, could increase crop yields by reprogramming the balance between growth and defense.
Researchers found that the sympathetic nervous system can limit the generation of effector responses by inhibiting the action of cells attacking an antigen. This discovery opens up opportunities for novel therapies in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Researchers found that a molecularly similar regulator to PD-1, PD-1H, can cause immune system attacks in lupus patients. This discovery suggests novel ways to restore function and provide new therapy for the disease.
A recent study found that probiotics and prebiotics have distinct effects on the immune systems of male and female piglets, contradicting previous assumptions. This research highlights the importance of considering sex in nutritional trials and may lead to personalized treatment approaches for infants.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center developed an immunogen that selectively bound to antibodies with necessary mutations, which led to the production of potent neutralizing antibodies. The study demonstrates the ability to engineer the immune system to create an environment where effective antibodies can be made.
A new pathway in the central nervous system removes brain waste substances through the creation of corpora amylacea (CA), aggregates formed by glucose polymers. CA acts as waste substance containers that are expelled from the nervous system and removed by the immune system.
Researchers describe how ancestral origins impact the likelihood of developing immune-related diseases, including Crohn's disease and cardiovascular diseases. The human immune system is evolving depending on a person's location or lifestyle, leading to new diseases emerging as our lifespans increase.
Scientists have identified nearly thousand ISG15 sites on protein targets during bacterial infection, revealing a link between ISG15, cellular metabolism, and autophagy. This discovery may lead to novel antimicrobial drugs.
Professor Muzlifah Haniffa has made significant contributions to biomedical science, including mapping the maternal-fetal interface and discovering new immune cells in the skin. Her work aims to improve understanding of health and disease, particularly in childhood kidney cancer.
Patients with diverse HLA genes respond better to immune checkpoint inhibitors, surviving longer with improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers develop a new technique to detect activated complement pathway in patients with thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA), allowing clinicians to determine potential use of existing treatment for other diseases. The technique could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of secondary TMAs, such as pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.
A new phase 2 clinical trial shows that technology can induce immune tolerance to gluten in individuals with celiac disease, reducing inflammation and protecting the small intestine. The treatment, called CNP-101, is a biodegradable nanoparticle containing gluten that convinces the immune system it's safe.
New research from UChicago shows how genetic differences in the immune system shape the collections of bacteria that colonize the digestive system. Genetic variations in innate immunity play a key role in determining microbial composition.
A new study has found that nearly 70% of children with an immune deficiency had two or more bouts of invasive pneumococcal disease. The research suggests that a weakened immune system increases the risk of life-threatening bacterial infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
Research found that 45-year-old slow walkers have 'accelerated aging' on a 19-measure scale, with poorer lung function, teeth, and immune systems compared to faster walkers. Early life neurocognitive testing also predicted walking speed at age 45.
Researchers at CNIO and the University of Würzburg have solved the 3D structure of the T7SS nanomachine used by Mycobacterium tuberculosis to evade the immune system. This finding provides crucial information for developing new therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis, a disease that kills over 1.6 million people worldwide each year.
The study aims to examine the efficacy of a drug that inhibits an enzyme used by brain tumors to protect themselves from the immune response. Adding the inhibitor to chemotherapy and radiation therapy may enable lower doses, better quality of life, and improved survival for children with recurrent or newly diagnosed brain tumors.
Researchers from Aarhus University discovered that Parkinson's patients have an immune imbalance in their blood, affecting the regulation of immune cells and anti-inflammatory molecules. This finding advocates for immune modulation as a potential alternative treatment for the disease.
New research reveals that maternal exposure to industrial pollution can harm offspring's immune system and pass on the weakness to subsequent generations. The study, conducted in mice, suggests that this multigenerational weakening of the immune system could explain variations in responses to flu infection.
Researchers have created the first cell atlas of the human kidney's immune system, charting the communities of immune cells in different zones. The atlas shows how the immune system develops during early life and strengthens after birth, with implications for tackling kidney disease and transplant rejection.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered that β-Galactoside-Binding Protein (βGBP) can selectively target and kill cancer cells while stimulating the immune system to provide long-term protection against cancer recurrence. The study presents a promising new strategy for treating aggressive forms of cancer.
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.