Research on how the immune system defends the body. Covers immune-cell imaging, T-cell responses, longevity genetics, and cancer immunotherapy.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Researchers found that spaceflight temporarily alters the immune system of crew members, leading to depression in cell function and heightened activity. This can result in asymptomatic viral shedding, increased allergy symptoms, and persistent rashes.
Researchers have better understood how bacteria can protect itself from harm, using X-ray crystallography to visualize the molecular machinery known as Cascade. The unique ladder-like structure allows RNA to scan DNA more efficiently than a double-helix structure, enabling faster recognition and destruction of viral invaders.
Research suggests that high levels of inflammatory markers in childhood may increase the risk of developing depression and psychosis in adulthood. The study found that individuals with elevated IL-6 levels were nearly two times more likely to experience depression or psychosis than those with low levels.
Researchers have found that blood cells in crayfish can differentiate into neurons, challenging our understanding of neural development and regeneration. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of neurological diseases such as clinical depression and neurodegenerative disorders.
An international team of researchers from the University of Bonn Hospital and the London Research Institute have now discovered that our immunosensory system attacks viruses on a molecular level. This means a healthy organism can keep rotaviruses, a common cause of diarrheal epidemics, at bay.
Researchers have identified a peptide from parasitic worms that suppresses the immune response and may provide relief for multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus patients. The study paves the way for a new drug containing the peptide to be developed.
Researchers found that blood-forming stem cells falter with age due to DNA replication problems, leading to a decline in immune function. However, even old stem cells can repair induced DNA damage efficiently and retain molecular tags associated with DNA damage.
A new Northwestern University study finds that an intervention focused on strengthening families can reduce inflammation in children from low-income backgrounds. The training program improved parenting and communication between parents and children, leading to reduced inflammation.
Scientists discovered a new pathway the dengue virus takes to suppress the human immune system, deepening understanding of the virus and its potential for more effective treatments. The study reveals how sfRNA interacts with proteins in the cell to evade antiviral defenses.
Research at Aarhus University found that children raised on farms have lower risk of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The study suggests a correlation between urbanization and rising incidence rates of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Researchers discovered that mice born by natural birth have a stronger immune system due to exposure to their mother's beneficial bacteria. This may lead to the development of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and Crohn's disease.
A study by University of Gothenburg researchers found that children raised on dairy farms have a lower risk of developing allergies. The study suggests that delayed maturation of the immune system may be a risk factor for allergic disease. Researchers plan to examine specific factors on dairy farms that promote immune system maturity.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool discovered a mechanism by which Streptococcus pneumoniae switches from harmless commensal to pathogenic bacterium, triggered by T regulatory cells. This balance is crucial in preventing inflammation and disease.
Researchers discovered how beryllium changes the shape of immune system proteins, triggering an inflammatory response in the lungs. The findings describe a new form of immune response that combines elements of allergic hypersensitivity and autoimmunity, with potential for new therapeutic strategies.
A new study shows that specific immune system signals repel a common parasite but also cause a dormant herpes virus to become active again in mice. The findings highlight complex interactions between infectious agents and the immune system, which can lead to unexpected consequences.
A new T cell therapy has been developed to protect immunodeficient patients from infections. The treatment involves transferring a few immune cells, which are then used to fight off specific pathogens, and has shown great potential in clinical trials.
Researchers at UGA report that Tpl2 plays a key role in directing immune system components, which may lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases. The study found reduced chemokine receptor activity in mice lacking the enzyme.
Researchers developed a nanoshell to protect foreign enzymes used in chemotherapy, shielding them from the immune system. The nanoshell acts like a filter in the bloodstream, allowing amino acids to feed cancer cells while trapping enzymes that starve cancer cells.
Researchers found that even uninfected cells can trigger immune defenses against TB by transferring immune-stimulating proteins from infected dendritic cells. This discovery could lead to more effective vaccines, including the BCG vaccine for TB, which works on a similar principle.
Researchers found that treating cystic fibrosis patients with interferon gamma (IFN-γ) enhanced autophagy and cleared the lethal bacterial infection Burkholderia cenocepacia. This breakthrough offers new hope for patients with CF who are resistant to traditional antibiotics.
Researchers engineered a bacterial toxin to attach to tumour cells, forcing the immune system to recognize and attack cancer. The engineered toxin significantly reduced human colon cancer tumours in mice with minimal metastasis.
Scientists have discovered a new drug that significantly improves the effectiveness of radiotherapy in stopping tumor growth and increasing long-term survival. The combination treatment reduces secondary lung tumors and demonstrates potential for improved cancer treatment.
Immunology is the study of the human immune system, which seeks out and destroys dangerous bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It also explores how its activity connects with other body systems, influencing metabolism, hormone levels, and overall well-being.
A clinical trial found that HIV-positive women build antibodies against HPV and experience no unusual safety issues after vaccination. The study's results counter doubts about the vaccine's effectiveness in this population, suggesting it is safe and beneficial for those with weakened immune systems.
Researchers discovered that antibiotics like gentamicin can cause abnormal proteins to be presented to the immune system, potentially triggering autoimmune disease. This approach, used to treat diseases in genes with truncated proteins, may come with a risk of initiating autoimmunity.
The Milieu Interieur Project characterizes healthy human immune responses using TruCulture technology, a proprietary blood collection system. The study reveals unique patterns of immune responses to complex stimuli, shedding light on genetic and environmental causes of immune variations.
A team of researchers at the Technical University of Munich has identified a receptor that limits the immune response to uric acid crystals, preventing overreaction and damaging healthy tissue. The discovery sheds light on the fundamental mechanism by which the immune system recognizes crystalline structures.
Scientists have discovered that B-lymphocytes lack the protein PTP1B, making them hyperactive and promoting an autoimmune attack. This study provides a new mechanism for how B-cells regulate an immune response, potentially playing a significant role in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a set of genes that can be turned back on to evade immune detection in ovarian, breast, and colorectal cancer. Reversing these epigenetic changes with an FDA-approved drug allows cancer cells to become more vulnerable to immune therapy, potentially leading to more effective treatment.
Researchers have successfully activated an immune system response in mice by applying localized heat to tumors, which then targeted and eliminated other tumor sites. This innovative approach uses iron-oxide nanoparticles and magnetic energy to kickstart the immune system against metastatic tumors.
Researchers studying cow antibodies have gained insights into the diversity of human antibodies, which is crucial for recognizing and neutralizing pathogens. The unique structure of these cow antibodies may also be useful for antibody-based therapies or diagnostics.
A study found that newborn mice's lung dendritic cells respond differently to RSV infection, leading to impaired CD8+ T cell responses. This understanding can guide vaccine approaches for infants to promote adult-like immune responses.
A team of scientists has discovered the structure of the NS1 protein, which helps dengue and West Nile viruses replicate and evade the immune system. The researchers believe this breakthrough could lead to the development of a vaccine that protects people without increasing their risk.
Researchers discovered a stem-loop structure in viral RNA that blocks host cell immune proteins, allowing viruses to evade the immune system. By altering this structure, scientists hope to develop treatments that restore natural virus-fighting capabilities and stop or slow viral infections.
Lund University researchers have created a method to visualize inflammatory processes in the pancreas during type 1 diabetes. This allows them to study the body's response to new treatment strategies and potentially develop a model for human immune system diseases.
Researchers find that people can detect unpleasant odors in sweat after exposure to toxins, potentially indicating an early immune response. The study suggests that there may be biomarkers for illness in the form of volatile substances from the body.