Research on how the immune system defends the body. Covers immune-cell imaging, T-cell responses, longevity genetics, and cancer immunotherapy.
A study by researchers at the University of Basel found that meals trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. This mechanism is dependent on bacteria and nutrients ingested during meals, highlighting the importance of adequate nutrition for immune function.
The new therapy uses a kilohertz frequency electrical block of afferent vagus nerve pathways to stimulate the nerve while inhibiting unwanted nerve activity, increasing clinical efficacy and therapeutic benefit. This approach is reversible, controllable, and clinically feasible, providing a potential solution for chronic inflammatory d...
Researchers at the University of Michigan have successfully tested nanodiscs in mice for personalized cancer immunotherapy. The therapeutic vaccine targets cancer mutations and generates T-cells that recognize unique neoantigens, leading to the elimination of cancer cells.
Researchers developed a dual strategy combining biomimetic beads and anti-PD1 therapy to boost killer T cell immunity against skin cancer. The combination technique increased T cell activation by 35% compared to artificial beads alone and 72% compared to anti-PD1 alone.
Researchers discovered that nanoparticles, resembling caterpillars, trigger immune system activation when internalized. To counteract this detection, three possible strategies are proposed: modifying the coating, understanding absorbed proteins, or attracting natural inhibitors.
Researchers discovered that radiotherapy can be less effective due to inflammation and immune response modulation. Combining immunotherapy with radiotherapy may enhance treatment benefits.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that the loss of TET proteins hinders T cell maturation and promotes aberrant proliferation, leading to a lethal disease resembling lymphoma. The study's findings suggest that TET proteins serve as tumor suppressors and may help block malignancy in cancers marked by TET mutations.
A study found that farm dust exposure stimulates production of a protein called A20, which suppresses inflammatory immune responses in the lungs. This leads to lower rates of asthma and allergies in children who grow up on farms.
Scientists have discovered how the human immune system targets Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB. The study provides key insight into how the immune system can recognize TB-infected cells, which could lead to the development of new diagnostic tools and novel immunotherapies.
A combination of brentuximab vedotin and nivolumab has been found to be safe and effective in treating recurrent Hodgkin lymphoma, with 64% of patients experiencing significant tumor reduction. The therapy has manageable side effects and shows promise as an alternative curative regimen for relapsed disease.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a chemical tool that controls inflammation using UV light, allowing for targeted therapy with minimal side effects. The method has potential applications in treating inflammatory diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers found that IL-12 has a positive effect on skin affected by psoriasis, preventing pathogenic immune cell infiltration and inhibiting inflammatory reactions. The current treatment ustekinumab neutralizes both IL-23 and IL-12, potentially leading to counterproductive effects.
Dr. Jean-Sébastien Delisle's research uncovers the unexpected role of Neuropilin-1 and dendritic cell maturation in the immune response to infection and disease. His discovery is timely, helping improve cancer treatment and potentially enhancing responses in unfavourable conditions.
Researchers discovered that Immunoglobulin D (IgD) keeps 'traitor cells' in lockdown, preventing auto-antibodies from damaging body tissues. IgD promotes the formation of germinal centres, allowing these cells to target invaders when needed.
Researchers discover that tolerance is induced only when antigens are acquired and presented to T cells by specialized dendritic cells. Dendritic cells also cause short-term activation of T cells under non-infection conditions, but without long-term effects. This improved understanding may lead to new ways to control the immune response.
Scientists discovered a rare gene mutation that impairs lymphocyte development and function, providing new insights into the human immune system. A personalized therapy was also identified, using an approved drug to reverse some effects of the deficiency.
Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München have discovered a mechanism used by the immune system to prepare for attacks on insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The team identified a signaling pathway triggered by miRNA92a, which leads to an increase in immune cells that promote autoimmunity. Targeted intervention using antagomirs may ...
Research finds that people of African ancestry generally show stronger immune responses than Europeans, who display reduced immune responses due to selective pressure. The discovery suggests that European populations were partly shaped by the introduction of new genetic variants through interbreeding with Neanderthals.
Scientists have identified thousands of previously unknown epitopes on the surface of cells, which could lead to a deeper understanding of the immune system and new avenues for therapies. The discovery of 'spliced' epitopes could provide new targets for immunotherapy and vaccine design.
Researchers at Monash University have made a groundbreaking discovery about how T cells recognize viruses, challenging decades-old immunological concepts. By using the National Synchrotron, they gained key molecular insights into the T cell-virus interaction, revealing a new way T cells 'see' viruses and triggering an immune response.
TB research suggests infection causes autoimmunity, where immune system reacts incorrectly to its own lung tissue. This can lead to the bacteria spreading through coughing, making the person highly infectious.
Researchers have identified 200 genetic loci linked to multiple sclerosis, a disease where the immune system attacks the brain and spine. The study, which analyzed over 110,000 samples, highlights the complex interplay of different immune cells in MS susceptibility.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new treatment for type 1 diabetes that targets the immune system's damage, aiming to reduce or eliminate daily insulin injections. The treatment uses aldesleukin, a drug that enhances regulatory T cells to prevent autoimmunity.
Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München discovered a mechanism by which EBV virus suppresses alarm signals sent out by infected cells. MicroRNAs made by the virus block production of proteins that would ring the alarm, rendering killer T cells and helper T cells inactive.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered that structural instabilities in the myelin sheaths of neurons may enable the immune system to launch an uncontrolled attack on them, leading to multiple sclerosis. The study suggests a potential trigger for the disease's outbreak and offers new avenues for therapies and diagnostics.
A study by Queen Mary University of London found that mice with toys and stimulating environments have healthier immune systems. The research discovered changes in T cells, which are essential for immunity and involved in chronic diseases like HIV and rheumatoid arthritis.
Katerina Akassoglou, a Gladstone Senior Investigator, has been awarded a $5.8M NINDS grant to advance her research on the role of brain's vascular and immune systems in neurological diseases. The grant will enable her lab to pursue innovative solutions for devastating conditions like multiple sclerosis.
Scientists describe a multi-step method to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies in genetically engineered mice, which can recognize multiple HIV mutations. This approach offers a starting point for developing an HIV vaccine that could prevent infection or cure the systemic illness.
Scientists at Lund University have developed a barcode system to track the development of immune cells, revealing that stem cells undergo different stages of maturation. This discovery has significant implications for understanding leukemia and autoimmune diseases.
After major trauma, debris from damaged cell powerhouses triggers an immune response in the kidneys, leading to permanent damage or destruction. Researchers aim to prevent this by understanding how formyl peptide receptors activate the immune system.
A study by Duke University researchers found that manipulating dopamine signaling can control inflammation in the gut, providing a proof of principle for using drugs originally designed to target the nervous system to treat immune system disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disease.
Researchers suggest that duration of T-cell interactions with dendritic cells may be key to matching immune response to infection severity. Understanding this process could lead to advancements in vaccine development and the study of autoimmune diseases.
A new study published in Nature Medicine shows that a natural immune system protein called IL-2 can help restore balance to the overactive immune system of lupus patients. The drug, originally used to boost the immune system for cancer treatment, has been found safe and effective in clinical trials.
Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes have developed a new method to consistently activate mesenchymal stromal cells to produce anti-inflammatory proteins, enhancing their immune-suppressing effects. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatments for inflammatory bowel disease and organ transplant rejection.
Researchers found that blocking specific cell signaling pathways may reduce the risk of preterm labor caused by inflammation or stop it altogether. The study also identified key molecules in the Notch signaling pathway, paving the way for therapies to control preterm labor in humans.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered key immune differences that can help in the development of an effective HIV vaccine. The study found that HIV-infected individuals with broadly neutralizing antibodies had similar immune alterations as those with autoimmune disease.
Scientists have discovered the molecular structure of a key Zika virus protein, shedding light on its role in viral reproduction and immune system interaction. The study provides new insights into the NS1 protein's functions and potential targets for vaccine development.
Researchers identified specific parasite proteins that trigger an antitumor immune response in mice with ovarian tumors. The discovery could lead to the development of new therapies using Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that has been shown to cure mice of solid tumors.
A new study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers has identified key aspects of the Mucorales fungi that may lead to treatment development. The fungus invades weakened immune systems, causing sometimes-deadly mucormycosis infections.
Researchers modeled co-evolution of antibodies and viruses to understand conditions for broadly neutralizing antibodies to emerge. They found that presenting the immune system with a large diversity of viral antigens may prompt the emergence of such potent antibodies, which could defeat broad swaths of viral strains.
Scientists at Saint Louis University are studying an investigational vaccine for yellow fever, a potentially deadly disease spread by the same mosquito that transmits Zika virus. The vaccine aims to provide protection to vulnerable groups who are at increased risk of complications if they receive the current vaccine.
Researchers at Ohio State University have identified a potential gene-based treatment for Candida albicans, which can cause deadly hospital-acquired bloodstream infections. By targeting the CBLB gene, the immune system can be boosted to effectively combat the infection.
A new Yale study found that warmer body temperatures impaired key immune system proteins in human airway cells, but did not completely disable the immune response. Researchers also identified two additional mechanisms that contribute to defense against the cold virus at core body temperature.
Researchers at Aarhus University discovered how simvastatin reduces inflammation in chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The study found that simvastatin acts as a 'plug' in proteins retaining immune cells, reducing inflammation and improving symptoms.
Joanna Kreitinger, a University of Montana graduate student, has been awarded a prestigious immunology fellowship to study immune cell development and contribute to understanding lung diseases. Under Professor David Shepherd's leadership, her research aims to develop new drugs to treat diseases of the immune system.
The study reveals that Group B streptococcus (GBS) uses the enzyme hyaluronidase to evade the immune system during pregnancy, leading to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Blocking this enzyme could lead to eradication of GBS and new treatments for other ascending infections.
A Weizmann Institute study found that viral infection during pregnancy disrupts the fetal immune system, leading to abnormal brain development and increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. The study suggests a possible explanation for how maternal infections raise the risk of autism and schizophrenia in offspring.
Researchers found MAIT cells can bypass specific receptors to react to cytokine combinations, previously only known for fighting bacteria. The discovery suggests MAIT cells could be involved in defending against or reducing the effects of viruses.
A high-fibre diet shaped by fibre and short-chain fatty acids boosts dendritic cells, which control allergic responses, reducing allergy symptoms. The study suggests that a lack of fibre may promote food allergies in infants due to low levels of vitamin A.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are recruiting volunteers for a clinical trial aimed at decoding the human immunome. The study, part of the Human Vaccines Project, will generate data on the genetic underpinnings of the immune system to guide next-generation vaccine development.
A BU researcher has received a $2.95 million grant to investigate the relationship between immune cells and type 2 diabetes, with the goal of developing new treatments for both conditions.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified Rac1 as a potential target for treating psoriasis. The small protein is involved in wound repair and has been linked to environmental triggers of the disease, as well as genetic predisposition. Blocking Rac1 activation may offer a new way to treat psoriasis without s...
A study by Stanford University researchers has identified CD47, a protein highly expressed on the surface of small-cell lung cancer cells, as a potential therapeutic target. Blocking this protein with immunotherapies may stimulate the immune system to destroy cancer cells, offering new hope for treating this deadly disease.
GAM is a free web service that identifies links between changes in metabolism and genes, enabling better understanding of complex biological processes. The program can analyze entire maps of metabolic pathways in cells, revealing mechanisms of tumor growth and shedding light on autoimmune pathologies.
A review by Queen Mary University of London suggests that malnutrition can cause immune system dysfunction, making children more susceptible to common infections. This altered immune system may be passed down through generations, contributing to a range of physiological problems.
New evidence suggests that even with a healthy diet, defects in immune system function from birth can contribute to malnourished states throughout life. Researchers propose targeting immune pathways as a potential approach to reducing poor health and mortality caused by under- and overnutrition.
A microscopic parasite causes blindness, birth defects, and severe health consequences in hundreds of millions worldwide. Dr. Zhicheng Dou aims to develop a 100% cure for the disease by designing drugs that starve the parasite from host cells.
Researchers at Umeá University have developed a new method to directly follow viral infections in living organisms, making infected cells produce fluorescent proteins. This method enables the manipulation of cells to produce specific proteins, allowing for detailed study of immune system responses.
Researchers found that differences in immune cell parameters correlate with an individual's immune response to the flu vaccine. People who show a better antibody response after vaccination have higher levels of specific proteins on dendritic cells and more B cells, indicating improved immunity against flu.
A molecular pathway in brain helps halt spread of intestinal bacteria into bloodstream, strengthening gut barrier to prevent immune system activation. Researchers discover genetic switch Crtc plays key role in maintaining this barrier.