Research on how the immune system defends the body. Covers immune-cell imaging, T-cell responses, longevity genetics, and cancer immunotherapy.
A landmark study reveals that maternal immune system activation can shape brain development in babies, with elevated IL-6 and CRP levels correlating with changes in the salience network. The study found significant effects on infant brain function and development into toddlerhood.
A study published in JNeurosci found that a woman's immune system during pregnancy influences the development of her child's brain network, which may be linked to psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Higher maternal immune activation was also associated with improved cognitive ability in infants.
A landmark study found that maternal immune system activation during pregnancy can shape brain development in infants, influencing the functioning of the salience network. Elevated inflammatory markers were correlated with changes in brain regions and persisted into toddlerhood.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed an innovative approach to treat peanut allergies by retraining the immune system using nanoparticles. The study found that delivering molecules to the lymph nodes quells allergic reactions, providing long-lasting tolerance without repeated exposures.
Researchers discovered that a subset of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are susceptible to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. MPNs hijack this pathway to prevent T cells from attacking malignant cells, but mutant JAK2 activation can expose a therapeutic vulnerability.
A new study by Gladstone Institutes researchers shows that infection sites impact the immune system's response to a virus and its spread through the body. The study found that different routes of sexual transmission trigger distinct immune responses, influencing the virus's dissemination.
Scientists used a computational model to show that sepsis treatment needs multiple-step targeting for effective therapy. The study suggests 'precision medicine' is necessary due to the complexity of individual patient responses.
A new oncolytic virus has been shown to kill cancer cells by alerting the immune system, triggering a widespread immune response that kills cancer cells beyond the infected region. Researchers have found that the virus's mechanism of action involves exposing tumor proteins, which are then detected by the immune system, leading to a pow...
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found that PFAS can inhibit a mussel's immune system, but the effects are reversible. The research highlights the importance of monitoring regions with high environmental concentrations of PFAS.
Platelets have been found to act as the immune system's first responders when a virus, bacterium, or allergen enters the bloodstream. They release serotonin, which triggers an inflammatory response in mice with antigen-antibody complexes, leading to septic or anaphylactic shock.
Researchers have identified 10 previously unknown bacterial immune defense mechanisms, which may provide new insights into the evolution of human immunity. These systems include novel Toll-Interleukin Receptor domains and genes 'borrowed' from non-defensive bacterial systems.
A UCL-led research team found that an excessive inflammation reaction in older people can obstruct the immune system, leading to weaker immune responses. Blocking this inflammation with a short-term anti-inflammatory pill increased the immune system's effectiveness.
New research published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that certain flu virus mutations can restore fitness by adding a new sugar molecule to the hemagglutinin, enabling Goldilocks binding to the host cell. This understanding improves efforts to design more effective flu vaccines.
Researchers have found a new mechanism of immunotherapy resistance that appears to be reversible, potentially enhancing the effect of current therapies. The approach targets a signaling pathway within the tumor microenvironment, which is manipulated by melanomas to silence dendritic cells.
A study by McLean Hospital neuroscientists reveals that brief immune system activation within days of birth can cause persistent changes in sleep patterns and epilepsy-like brain activity, common symptoms in autism spectrum disorder. The findings suggest that early postnatal immune activation can have long-term negative impacts on brai...
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich successfully halted an autoimmune reaction in the early stages of islet autoimmunity, a key step in developing potential treatments for type 1 diabetes. The study reveals that inhibiting the miRNA181a/NFAT5 axis can increase Treg formation and reduce immune activation.
Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that cancer patients with more versions of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes respond better to checkpoint inhibitors. The study also showed that certain HLA patterns affect survival and may be relevant for understanding side effects observed with immunotherapy.
A new study reveals that mutations in 'Ras' genes, which drive 25% of human cancers, can also suppress the immune system around tumors by increasing PD-L1 levels. This understanding will help offer patients more precise and effective treatments.
Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have discovered that overexpression of the MKL1 protein in macrophages contributes to inflammation development in IBD. Targeting this protein may hold potential for treating IBD, a condition with currently no cure.
Researchers have discovered a promising new strategy to program the immune system to fight cancer by leveraging the novel function of the protein Runx3. This allows killer T cells to locate and persist in infected tissues or tumors, helping to eradicate infections or slow growth of malignancies.
Researchers discovered Plasmodium falciparum uses nanovesicles to deliver misleading messages to the immune system, allowing it to multiply unhindered. The team identified a key molecular sensor called STING that plays a crucial role in this subversive strategy.
Researchers found that SIRT1 stabilizes a mechanism preventing immune cell toxic effects, but its loss accelerates glycolysis and cytokine production. This understanding led to potential new drug targets to strengthen or weaken SIRT1, potentially countering age-related diseases.
Researchers found that patients with more mutations in their tumors had better survival rates after adoptive T cell therapy. The treatment, which sharpens T cells to fight cancer, showed promising results but also many side effects.
Researchers found that patients with high levels of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) at diagnosis have lower overall survival rates and early mortality. IDO expression should routinely be measured during bone marrow biopsies to identify potential treatment targets.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh identified a previously unknown mechanism by which immune responses are regulated. The discovery found that Th2 cells express EGFR, releasing defense molecules only in response to parasites, preventing tissue damage.
Researchers have identified key epigenetic marks and proteins that control the production of antibodies in the immune system. By understanding these systems, scientists hope to develop new diagnostic tests and therapies to boost the body's response to infection.
Scientists at the University of Michigan found that injecting nanoparticles can redirect neutrophil immune cells away from an injury site, reducing inflammation. This discovery could lead to new treatments for acute lung injuries, sepsis, and atherosclerosis.
A study suggests that targeting the 'stalk' of the hemagglutinin protein, which remains relatively constant across flu strains, could provide broad protection against seasonal and pandemic strains. However, the results also show that the stalk can mutate in response to immune pressure.
Researchers found that activating programmed cell death (necroptosis) in white blood cells leads to inflammation and auto-antibody attachment, contributing to disease progression. Inhibiting necroptosis may offer a new treatment approach for ANCA vasculitis.
A study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center has identified a specific subset of adult blood stem cells responsible for regenerating the entire blood and immune system. The 5% subset, marked as CD34+CD45RA-CD90+, was found to rebuild all different cells of the blood and immune system within 10 days after being infused in nonhuman primates.
Researchers at UMD School of Medicine are studying a new approach to tackle antibiotic resistance by targeting the immune system's response to harmful bacteria. They aim to prevent inflammation and white blood cell activation using special molecules or peptides, which could pave the way for treating a wide range of infections.
Research reveals that APC protein mutations harm the immune system, preventing it from controlling gut inflammation, which supports cancer development. This dysfunction affects regulatory T cells, leading to a deregulation of the immune system.
Scientists have discovered that T cell activation leads to a depletion of amino acids in the blood, which in turn affects neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, causing anxiety and fear responses. In mice without PD-1 receptor, they found behavioral changes dominated by anxiety and exacerbated fear responses.
A new study reveals that cancer cells can use the body's own immune system to wake themselves up and fuel their growth after treatment, leading to relapse. Researchers found that immunotherapies targeting this response could delay or prevent cancer return in mice, suggesting a promising approach for patients at risk of relapse.
Researchers found noroviruses hide in extremely rare gut cells that fail to communicate with T cells, allowing the virus to evade the immune system. The study informs vaccine development and may explain limited effectiveness of current vaccines.
A new study aims to find the lowest dose of chemotherapy needed for babies with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) undergoing bone marrow transplant. The goal is to restore the immune system safely and effectively with less toxicity than current regimens.
Researchers have developed a new software tool that reveals molecular connections between breast cancer tumor cells and immune system cells in the bloodstream. The study found that these connections vary depending on the type of breast cancer, potentially leading to new treatment and monitoring strategies.
Researchers identified a new mechanism for how spinal cord injury weakens the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to pneumonia. Disrupting nerve fibers to the adrenal glands may be a promising treatment strategy to prevent or reduce infections.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover two microRNAs that help cancer cells survive and subvert the immune response by lowering cGAS levels. Inhibiting these microRNAs in tumor cells slowed tumor growth, but their effect was diminished in immune-deficient mice.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have found a significant reduction in alcohol drinking behavior by mice that had been given a drug blocking a specific response from the immune system in the brain, highlighting the importance of the brain's immune system in driving desire to drink alcohol.
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine reveals that nerve cells in the gut play a crucial role in triggering an immune response to infection. The researchers found that these nerve cells communicate with immune system cells through a protein called neuromedin U, enabling them to rapidly respond to threats.
Scientists have identified an early predictor of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) through a groundbreaking collaboration. By analyzing the microbiome, researchers found parallel changes in gut bacteria that may indicate disease onset.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine characterized the immune system changes during pregnancy and found a precise timing pattern. The study used mass cytometry to analyze blood samples from 18 women with full-term pregnancies and validated the findings in an additional group of 10 women.
Researchers have discovered a new immunotherapy combination that effectively kills cancer cells, with promising results for treating aggressive breast and rare pediatric muscle cancer. The combination uses existing cancer drugs in a whole new way to stimulate the immune system.
A USC study found that the Zika virus targets specific white blood cells in pregnant women, handicapping their immune system and increasing the chances an unborn baby will be harmed. The virus exploits this weakness to infect and replicate, particularly during the first and second trimesters.
A new treatment combines gold nanostars and immunotherapy to treat cancer. The treatment successfully cured two mice and vaccinated one mouse against the disease. By destroying tumors and triggering the immune system, the treatment activates immunity against remaining cancerous cells.
Researchers will investigate regulatory mechanisms and biomarkers of healthy aging, aiming to understand why the immune system weakens with age. The study may lead to new treatments for age-related health issues, such as increased vulnerability to infections and cancers.
Researchers studied viruses from different eras to understand how they evade the host's immune response. Viruses collected in the 1990s are more effective at suppressing immune systems than those from the 1950s, leading to severe symptoms and high mortality rates.
A rare genetic mutation in the POL III sensor can turn chickenpox into a life-threatening infection, leading to brain inflammation and pneumonia. Individuals with this mutation have an increased risk of developing severe illness.
Researchers discovered that a single protein from Group A Streptococcus bacteria can wipe out macrophages but not other immune cells, triggering an early warning system. This finding has implications for vaccine design and treatment of toxic shock syndrome.
Researchers found that T cells from people with PD responded to alpha-synuclein to a greater degree than those gathered from healthy controls. Four genetic variations were associated with T cell reactivity, and over half of people with PD carried at least one variant.
Researchers have discovered a key new mechanism regulating T-cell response to foreign antigens and cancer. LFA-1 on T-cells mediates adhesion to cancer cells, enabling immune-cell rejection of cancer.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine reveals that changes to the immune system occur rapidly after a traumatic injury, with levels of immune cells and molecules altered within minutes. The research aims to improve outcomes for patients who have suffered trauma by identifying those at risk of developing life-threatening complications.
A protein called Blimp-1 regulates the immune system in patients with lupus, leading to an overactive immune response that attacks healthy tissue. The study's findings suggest a link between low Blimp-1 levels and increased risk of lupus in females.
Scientists have found that human immune cells contain particles with neurotransmitters like dopamine, which play a crucial role in immune responses. This discovery opens the door to using available drugs to improve therapies for lymphoma, autoimmunity, and immunodeficiency disorders.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus discovered a process protecting against autoimmune disease also prevents the body from creating antibodies that can neutralize HIV-1. By temporarily relaxing immunological tolerance, scientists believe they may be able to elicit protective antibodies with vaccination.
Researchers found differences in immune system factors between men and women with bipolar disorder, particularly in zinc levels associated with depression severity in women. This study suggests that biological changes in the body could be used to diagnose the disease and tailor treatments differently for men and women.
A recent study suggests that the human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) may impede the brain's ability to repair itself in diseases like multiple sclerosis. The virus produces a protein called U94 that can impair the normal function of cells in the brain, potentially accelerating disease progression.
Aging individuals with implants face unique challenges due to immunosenescence and delayed immune responses. The study investigates the impact of aging on macrophage activity and white blood cell function, seeking ways to optimize implant success and minimize negative effects.
Three case reports published in NEJM demonstrate the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy in gray zone lymphoma, a rare subtype of Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin forms of the disease. Nivolumab and pembrolizomab showed promising results in treating patients with PD-L1 over-expression.