Research on how the immune system defends the body. Covers immune-cell imaging, T-cell responses, longevity genetics, and cancer immunotherapy.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered a new gene variant in the Khoe-San population that reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia and leads to larger, healthier babies. The mutation alters the binding of immune cells to placental cells, resulting in better blood supply to the developing embryo.
A recent study by the UC Davis team has discovered that an early inflammatory response can 'paralyze' CD4 T cells, a crucial component of the immune system. This finding could lead to more effective cancer treatments and new approaches for managing autoimmune conditions.
Researchers used a new technology to study gene activity in living people, finding that women and men use different switches to turn on many immune system genes. The difference in activity might explain the higher incidence of autoimmune diseases in women.
Researchers found that type 1 diabetes patients have significantly lower levels of four proteins (IL8, IL-1Ra, MCP-1, and MIP-1β) that help protect against immune attack. These findings suggest a potential protein cocktail that could aid in disease diagnosis and management, as well as new therapeutic strategies.
A multi-institutional team of researchers has identified an apparently successful treatment for a genetic immune disorder that causes a multitude of health problems. The FDA-approved drug abatacept was tested on a small group of patients, resulting in improved lung function and reduced autoimmunity.
Researchers found that ethoxzolamide inhibits TB's ability to detect acidic environments, effectively blinding the bacterium and allowing the immune system to attack. This compound could help shorten treatment duration and slow the emergence of drug resistance in TB.
A study published in Gut found that anxiety and depression prior to a water contamination incident increased the severity of gastrointestinal infections and the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome. Psychological factors can play a key role in preventing long-term complications.
Researchers have identified a new genetic immune disorder, DOCK2 deficiency, which causes debilitating infections and combined immunodeficiency in children. Early screening for the disease can prevent life-threatening infections, and understanding its role may inform the study of more common immune system disorders.
Scientists have identified a type of sugar produced by Gram-negative bacteria called heptose as the trigger for an immune response in patients with gonorrhea. This discovery could lead to the development of new therapies that use the immune system to fight infections instead of antibiotics.
Scientists at the University of Montreal have discovered a new approach to treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by targeting the immune system. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that an imbalance of the immune system can contribute to ALS and trigger motor neuron destruction.
A world-first vaccine-style therapeutic approach has demonstrated safety and effectiveness in suppressing the immune response in a phase one clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment targets high-risk genes and antibodies associated with the disease.,
The discovery of lymphatic vessels in the brain could have significant implications for understanding and treating neurological diseases such as autism, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis. The findings, published in Nature, suggest that these vessels may play a major role in immune responses to neurodegenerative diseases.
Clinical trials demonstrate improved survival rates for patients with metastatic melanoma using immune therapies nivolumab and pembrolizumab. These treatments target the 'don't attack' protein PDL1 on tumors, allowing the immune system to prime against tumor tissue.
Jim Allison's pioneering work on T-cell response mechanisms led to the development of ipilimumab, a melanoma treatment that has shown unprecedented results in survival rates. His research continues to open new avenues for cancer treatment through immune checkpoint blockade.
Researchers discovered that Hepatitis C virus variants work together, sacrificing some to protect others from the immune system. This complex interaction, known as antigenic cooperation, could alter vaccine and treatment strategies.
Scientists developed modified IL-2 molecules that can boost or block immune responses depending on the therapeutic application. These new forms of IL-2 have shown promising results in laboratory studies, including prolonged survival in a mouse model of graft-versus-host disease.
Researchers discovered a critical role of the body clock in controlling the immune response to infection. A microRNA called miR-155 helps stop the macrophage clock, allowing it to become inflamed, while restoring clock function may provide new therapies for inflammatory disorders.
Researchers have discovered a way to stop lupus without suppressing the immune system by focusing on the TACI receptor. Deleting this receptor eliminates lupus in high BAFF levels, leaving natural immunity intact.
A research team at McGill University Health Centre has developed a potential vaccine that nudges the immune response away from developing allergies, offering hope for Canadians with seasonal allergies. The study uses a molecule called STAT6-IP to redirect the immune system's response, teaching it to tolerate allergens.
Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that blocking FGL2 protein could potentially treat brain cancer. By modulating the immune system's checkpoints, FGL2 promotes tumor growth and suppresses the immune response.
A study reveals that almost a quarter of our genes exhibit seasonal variation, impacting immune cells and blood composition. This seasonality may explain why certain conditions worsen in winter, with some genes more active in summer.
Researchers discovered that macrophages play an unexpected role in Rett syndrome, amplifying the disease instead of helping it. The study suggests modulating the immune system could delay symptom onset and slow disease progression.
A new study found that patients with AIDS have a four-fold increase in the risk of developing intermediate-stage age-related macular degeneration, compared to those without HIV. The study suggests that chronic immune activation and systemic inflammation may contribute to this increased risk.
Researchers report a rare case of a patient with HIV/AIDS who developed cerebral vasculitis and hemorrhagic stroke due to reactivated varicella-zoster virus. This highlights the need for healthcare providers to consider this potential complication in patients with compromised immune systems.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.