Articles tagged with Immune System
The bumblebee genome has been mapped, revealing a relatively small fraction of genes involved in the immune response compared to flies and mosquitoes. Despite its weak social organization, the bumblebee has just as few immune genes as the honeybee, suggesting that diet may play a role in shaping its immune system.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered that Shetland ponies' immune response to insect bites can prevent allergic reactions, similar to what happens in people with allergies. The study found that two different responses occur in horses, one triggering allergy symptoms and the other preventing allergic reactions.
Researchers created a computational model to investigate cancer's earliest stages and the immune system's response. The study found that spatial disorganization within tumors can promote immunosuppression and tumor growth.
A new model, XactMice, allows researchers to test anti-cancer therapies in an environment similar to real patients. Human blood stem cells are used to grow a human-like immune system before tumor transplantation.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System identified a surprising contributor to Rett syndrome: immune cells bearing a mutated MeCP2 gene. These macrophages amplify disease progression by failing to maintain tissue homeostasis, highlighting the immune system as a promising therapeutic target.
A team from the University of Birmingham identified a novel pathway regulating immune cell movement during inflammation. The study shows that beneficial effects are lost in diseases such as diabetes and arthritis, and during normal aging. This discovery may lead to new therapies targeting this pathway.
Researchers suggest families choose pet species that carry fewer diseases, such as dogs or cats, and follow general recommendations like handwashing and cleaning cages. The review aims to reduce zoonotic disease transmission among vulnerable groups, including infants and those with compromised immune systems.
A phase I trial found a new combination of immunotherapy drugs to be safe and effective in shrinking tumors in patients with metastatic melanoma. The dual treatments, which target the immune system's 'brakes' and 'gas,' resulted in an overall response rate of 27% and median progression-free survival of 2.5 months.
Researchers found that the human immune system can control re-awakened HIV with a vaccine-based approach, reducing virus levels to 50 copies per ml within six weeks. This study demonstrates the potential of a 'kick and kill' strategy, which could lead to an effective cure for HIV.
Researchers at SLU discover a mechanism to train potentially aggressive T-cells to become regulatory T cells that police other T cells' responses. Increased expression of CD5 helps these self-reactive T-cells survive and become 'T-cell policemen', minimizing the risk of autoimmune disease.
Researchers tracked protein coats on sleeping sickness parasite, finding up to 80 distinct disguises present at any time. This challenges conventional understanding of antigenic variation and its role in parasite survival.
A Singapore-led study reveals that HBV exposure before birth matures infants' immune systems, countering bacterial infections. This paradigm shift may change treatment guidelines for chronic hepatitis B patients, especially young adults and potentially even children.
Researchers have developed spherical nucleic acids that can selectively trigger the immune response, potentially treating a range of diseases including psoriasis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, lymphoma, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer. SNAs are nontoxic, potent, and efficiently deliver nucleic acids into cells via the endosome.
The study reveals a key role of Cas9 protein in recognizing viral sequences, leading to the destruction of viruses and potentially correcting mutations that cause human disease. The discovery sheds light on the complex process by which bacteria defend against viruses.
Researchers have identified three ways to predict the development of type 1 diabetes in young children based on autoantibody presence. The presence of these autoantibodies can indicate an autoimmune reaction against the body's own insulin cells, which may be triggered by a viral infection.
A randomized trial using Colorado Immunization Information System found that children in the centralized notification system received at least one contact, with documentation rates of 26.9% compared to 21.7% in the practice-based group. The study concludes that a collaborative centralized approach can increase immunization rates and is...
A new study found that a centralized notification system improved immunization rates by reaching 87% of eligible children and increasing documentation rates. The system was more cost-effective than practice-based approaches, with substantial cost savings expected from a societal perspective.
Research by Henry Ford Hospital reveals that breastfeeding and early exposure to bacteria stimulate the immune system, boosting protection against allergies and asthma. The study found distinct gut microbiome compositions in breastfed vs non-breastfed infants, with breastfed babies at lower risk of developing allergies.
Pushpa Pandiyan's research reveals that uncontrolled Th17 cells can lead to inflammation and health issues. Her study uses immunodeficient mice to model the process, which could lead to new treatments for infections like Candida albicans.
Researchers introduce a novel approach to stimulate the skin immune response using needle-free vaccination. The cyanoacrylate skin surface stripping (CSSS) method enhances penetration of vaccine particles into deeper skin layers, activating key immune cells.
A new study found that stem cell transplants significantly reduced disease activity and brain damage in people with severe multiple sclerosis, compared to the existing drug mitoxantrone. The treatment showed promise as a potential alternative for those not responding well to standard treatments.
A short nap can help relieve stress and bolster the immune systems of men who slept only two hours the previous night. Napping restores biomarkers of neuroendocrine and immune health to normal levels after a night of poor sleep, suggesting a potential way to counter the damaging effects of sleep restriction.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that Listeria monocytogenes bacteria are widespread in retail delis, with 6.8% of samples tested positive before operation and 9.5% during operation over six months. The bacteria can persist in growth niches, posing a risk to vulnerable immune systems. To mitigate this risk, experts recomm...
Researchers at Montana State University have discovered a critical molecule, IL-1a, that plays a crucial role in recruiting white blood cells to fight lung infections. The molecule helps prevent mold from invading lung tissue and growing, potentially reducing the death rate associated with Aspergillus fumigatus.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which immune cells in the skin function as the body's 'border control'. This finding could improve how we fight some infections, allergies and auto-immune diseases. The discovery of CD1a molecule reveals how it interacts with lipid molecules to identify foreign invaders.
Research reveals that a balanced gut bacterial community is crucial for digestive health, and the immune system plays a key role in shaping this balance. Fecal transplants may also offer new hope for treating IBD by restoring a healthy gut microbiome.
A Stanford University School of Medicine investigation found that the environment, rather than genetics, influences the state of the human immune system. The study compared monozygotic and dizygotic twins to determine the relative contributions of nature and nurture to immune variation.
New research review highlights the link between cytokines and breast cancer, exploring topics such as cytokine-mediated blood vessel formation and immune evasion. The study suggests that cytokines may serve as prognostic factors for breast cancer patients.
Researchers found that specific commensal microbes like Staphylococcus epidermidis stimulate distinct immune cell responses without causing inflammation. This discovery helps clarify the role of skin commensals and may explain skin disorder variations.
Researchers discover enzyme SPPL3 activates T cells without cutting proteins, providing new insight into immune system control. The findings could also shed more light on presenilin functions and related Alzheimer's disease.
A study led by Dr. Majid Afshar found that binge drinking in young adults significantly disrupts the immune system, leading to increased risk of falls and traumatic injuries. The study showed that blood samples taken after peak intoxication revealed higher levels of white blood cells and proteins signaling an active immune response.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a safety lock mechanism in the enzyme RAG that prevents helter-skelter clipping of DNA. This discovery provides new insights into how the immune system regulates gene expression and could lead to better understanding of immunodeficiency and cancer.
New research solves decades-old mystery of silent cell death, revealing how dying cells hide from the immune system. The study identified the role of caspases in suppressing interferon release, providing insights into links between cell death, the immune system and disease.
Researchers found that Dutch barnacle geese invest less energy in their immune systems, particularly resistance to general disease, compared to those breeding in the Netherlands. This allows for more energy available for reproduction and plumage changes.
Research suggests that occasional heroin use among HIV-positive patients can lead to lower CD4 cell counts, indicating a weakened immune system. This preliminary study found that intermittent heroin users had lower CD4 counts compared to those who consistently abused the drug.
Researchers found associations between extraversion and pro-inflammatory genes, as well as conscientiousness and reduced pro-inflammatory gene expression. These findings support the idea that personality traits influence health and longevity.
A new study suggests that MMP-2 protein plays a signaling role in the immune system, accelerating wound healing in some cases while exacerbating inflammatory diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. The protein's mechanisms may be leveraged to develop novel treatments for these conditions.
Researchers have developed a new vaccine strategy that targets unique features of cancer cells, enabling the immune system to destroy or drive into remission tumors. The vaccines, which use samples of DNA from patient tumors and normal tissue, have shown promising results in computer simulations, cell cultures, and animal models.
A Brigham and Women's Hospital-led team identified a critical TIM-3 partner, CEACAM-1, which determines the protein's behavior. The findings suggest that blocking both CEACAM-1 and TIM-3 could enhance anti-tumor responses in cancer and improve treatments for diseases like HIV.
Researchers have found that selenium compounds can effectively block immunostimulatory molecules in cancer cells, which overactivate the immune system. This breakthrough could lead to better cancer drugs with fewer adverse effects, slowing down cancer development.
A new study reveals how the immune system recognizes enemies on a molecular level and how this process can go wrong, leading to autoimmune diseases. The research also offers insights into training the immune system for vaccine development.
A team of researchers reveals that dendritic cells activate killer T cells through a protein named STING, which links DNA damage to interferon-β production. This suggests novel strategies for boosting radiotherapy effectiveness and combining it with immune system therapies.
Researchers have successfully developed a treatment that reduces the risk of skin graft rejection by combining interleukin 2 with rapamycin. The treatment has shown promising results in mice, with no signs of rejection observed after 30 days.
A cell study has uncovered a gene mutation that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the body, leading to diseases like Lupus and Motor Neurone Disease. Researchers found that a defect in an alarm system protects the body from viruses and other infections.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1) as a new target for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study suggests that insufficient FHL-1 in the eye's back may lead to inflammation and vision loss.
A research project has been awarded for its innovative approach to stopping bone destruction and tooth loss in severe gum disease. The study aims to re-programme the immune system to fight bacteria without damaging healthy tissue, thereby halting bone destruction before it advances.
Researchers found E. coli can survive repeated DNA breaks by using emergency repair mechanisms and overlapping DNA replication, enabling it to thrive indefinitely.
Researchers discovered that dendritic cells trigger lymph node expansion by producing CLEC-2, allowing immune cells to gather and launch an attack against infections and cancer. The study provides new insights into the immune system's role in diseases, including cancer.
Scientists have developed an immune-based treatment that reduces brain damage after head injuries by blocking the activation of immune cells. The treatment, called CAP, was tested on mice and found to be effective in reducing brain lesions.
Researchers at Kansas State University discovered a protein in caterpillar blood that helps insects detect fungal infections and trigger immune responses. The findings may lead to new ways to control disease transmission from insects to humans and animals, as well as novel methods for biocontrol of agricultural insect pests.
A study published in Journal of Clinical Investigation found that skin exposure to peanut proteins can lead to sensitization and severe allergic reactions in mice. Researchers believe this mechanism may explain why peanut allergies are a common cause of food allergy in children.
New research suggests that early exposure to THC may cause long-term damage to the immune system, leading to increased risk of autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions. Studies involving adolescent mice found that THC treatment resulted in severe alterations of immune responses in adulthood.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism for inhibiting the immunoproteasome, a protein complex involved in autoimmune disorders such as rheumatism and multiple sclerosis. The found mechanism involves a novel compound that selectively targets and deactivates the immunoproteasome without affecting other proteasomes.
Researchers have found a promising plant-derived compound, CDDO, that may block both steps of lupus development and has no known side effects. The compound, originally derived from plants, could potentially eliminate the risks associated with current lupus treatments.
Research suggests that newborn babies have a strong immune system, triggered by T cells producing IL8, which activates neutrophils to fight infections. This finding may lead to future treatments aimed at boosting neonatal immunity in intensive care settings.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge used a new technique to study the immune response to live Salmonella vaccines, finding they enhance the ability to prevent bacterial replication and spread. This is crucial for preventing conditions like bacteraemia, a major killer in Africa.
A new study found that people with asthma have a similar immune response to respiratory viruses as those without asthma, suggesting another aspect of the immune system is at play. The researchers compared the key immune response to viruses in the lungs and breathing passages, finding no significant differences.
Infant rhesus monkeys receiving different diets early in life develop distinct immune systems that persist months after weaning. Breast-fed macaques had more memory T cells and T helper 17 cells, which are known to fight Salmonella and other pathogens.
Scientists discovered that Listeria uses RNA molecules to fine-tune protein production, allowing it to evade the immune system and resist antibiotics. By understanding this mechanism, researchers can develop targeted treatments to combat the life-threatening bacteria.
Scientists have found that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have a defective immune system, which is the primary reason for ongoing gut pain and reduced effectiveness of pain treatments. This groundbreaking research could lead to more targeted treatments for IBS sufferers.