Research on how the immune system defends the body. Covers immune-cell imaging, T-cell responses, longevity genetics, and cancer immunotherapy.
Researchers found that inhibiting STAT1 chain formation can block detrimental type-II interferon responses while preserving anti-viral protection, providing a new target for improving current treatments.
Researchers discover a molecule that causes atherosclerosis also activates white blood cells called T cells in mice, worsening autoimmune disease symptoms. This finding sheds light on the link between autoimmunity and atherosclerosis, potentially leading to improved treatments.
Researchers have sequenced and analyzed the elephant shark genome, comparing it with human and other vertebrate genomes. The study found that sharks lack certain types of immune cells and exhibit robust immune defences despite this, and also revealed why cartilage prevails in their skeleton over bone.
Researchers discovered that invariant natural killer T cells produce and release GM-CSF to control Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. This finding provides insight into the immune system's ability to combat TB.
A UT Southwestern Medical Center study found that blocking immune system molecule interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and matching major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotypes can improve corneal transplant acceptance rates in mice. The strategy enhances long-term graft survival, almost guaranteeing success.
A PDL-1 antibody could help the immune system fight off influenza viral infection by blocking its impact on T cells, which are crucial for a effective response. The study found that treating mice with an antibody against PD-1 significantly improved their ability to clear the virus.
Researchers found that moderate drinking boosted the immune system of rhesus macaques, leading to enhanced responses to vaccines. In contrast, heavy drinkers showed diminished vaccine responses. The study suggests a potential link between moderate alcohol consumption and improved immune function.
A study by UC Riverside-led team found that moderate alcohol consumption can bolster our immune system and potentially fight infections. The finding could lead to new interventions to improve vaccine responses, benefiting vulnerable populations.
Stanford researchers have made a breakthrough in developing a universal flu vaccine by targeting the protein stem rather than the head of a critical protein. This approach aims to offer broader protection against different strains of flu and potential multi-season immunity.
A new guideline recommends most immunocompromised patients receive annual influenza shots, while those with cancer or undergoing chemotherapy should not. The guideline aims to provide 'one-stop shopping' for clinicians caring for immunocompromised patients.
A nanosponge vaccine has been developed to combat MRSA toxins, triggering neutralizing antibodies and fighting off lethal doses in mice. The vaccine was found to be safer and more effective than traditional toxoid vaccines made from heat-treated staph toxin.
Researchers found that a daily probiotic drink changed how cells in nasal passages reacted to pollen, but not hay fever symptoms. The study suggests a link between the gut microbiota and immune responses in seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Researchers have identified how golden staph bacteria target and destroy key immune cells, disrupting the body's defense against infection. By visualizing this process using advanced microscopy techniques, the team gained insights into how golden staph evades the immune system and causes tissue damage.
Transplant recipients who suppress their immune systems with powerful medications may inadvertently allow a mysterious microorganism called the anellovirus to thrive, Stanford researchers report. The study found that levels of anellovirus rose significantly as immunosuppressant drugs took effect.
Researchers found that natural selection acts on evolvability, favoring traits that enable rapid adaptation and evolution in pathogens like Lyme disease bacteria. This is evident through increased genetic diversity among unexpressed cassettes, which offer a window into past natural selection for more evolvable VlsE protein.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a powerful mechanism that regulates the lifecycle of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell involved in allergies and autoimmune diseases. By targeting a specific receptor, scientists may be able to develop new treatments for eosinophilic disorders like asthma.
The Stanford team's molecular invention enhances the immune system's ability to kill cancer cells, while a Johns Hopkins University team develops a better heart shock system. Other notable inventions include a mechanical leech substitute and an early detection system for ovarian cancers.
Researchers have discovered that the immune system forms in the embryo's yolk sac before blood stem cells, potentially leading to a better understanding of childhood diseases such as leukaemia. The study provides new insights into the development of immune-competent cells and their relationship with blood stem cells.
Research at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center reveals that newborn infants' immune systems suppress helpful bacteria colonization by CD71+ cells, leading to infection susceptibility. The study proposes a new explanation for neonatal infections and suggests temporary immune suppression extends beyond the intestines.
June L. Round will use the award to develop ways to kill 'bad' bacteria while preserving commensal microbes that provide health benefits. Her research aims to exploit immune mechanisms to distinguish between good and bad organisms.
Researchers have mapped the structure of complement component C1, a protein responsible for spotting foreign agents and triggering the immune response. The study reveals how the complex is assembled from its constituent proteins, shedding light on the immune system's prevention of disease and potential therapeutic applications.
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) inhibits immune response against cancer by binding to killer T cells, preventing them from recognizing and attacking nascent tumors. The LPA5 receptor is responsible for this inhibition, which can halt tumor growth.
A team of scientists has created an artificial protein that mimics a key site on the HIV outer coat where antibodies can bind, providing a potential new strategy in vaccine development to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies. The new protein was designed to facilitate the production of desired antibodies while preventing undesired re...
Researchers discovered four genera of haemosporidian parasites in West African bats, closely related to the malaria pathogen Plasmodium. The study highlights the complex relationship between bats and pathogens, with potential implications for understanding human malaria evolution and developing new vaccines.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center discovered a mechanism by which Staphylococcus aureus bacteria attack and kill off immune cells. The toxin selectively binds to surface receptors on different types of white blood cells, including neutrophils and T-cells.
Scientists at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute identify IRF4 protein as key regulator of elite killer T cells, which recognize and fight infections. Enhanced IRF4 production boosts immune response against HIV and other chronic infections.
Research suggests that gut microbes play a crucial role in immune function and are linked to various health issues, including autoimmune disease, depression, and obesity. Understanding the microbiome can help personalize therapies to restore balance, and identifying new types of probiotics could mitigate antibiotic misuse.
Medical scientists at the University of Alberta have made a key discovery about how the immune system kills healthy cells while attacking infections. Their research could lead to better solutions for cancer and anti-viral treatments by manipulating the immune system response to block collateral damage.
Monash University researchers discovered a safety mechanism that regulates the activation of marginal zone B cells, which can turn against the body. The study found that MZ B cells have a short life span and are triggered by bacteria to express a protein called TACI.
Researchers aim to understand factors that make immune cells target the spinal cord and brain, leading to multiple sclerosis (MS). The study will determine the function of specific T cells, how they are generated, and how they can be regulated in model systems of MS and humans.
Researchers at Lund University have found that Zebularine, an old cancer drug, can prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. The treatment also showed promise in curing type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the immune system's reaction to healthy tissue.
Researchers from Penn Medicine discovered that the immune system governs the skin microbiome, which is crucial for maintaining diverse microbes and healthy skin. The complement system, an ancient branch of the immune response, influences the skin microbiome.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered that bacterial toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus cause lethal effects on the heart in infective endocarditis and sepsis. The study found that blocking superantigen action could be a new approach to treating deadly staph infections.
Researchers at UGA are developing a new treatment technique that uses nanoparticles to stimulate the immune system against breast cancer cells. By targeting mitochondria and activating dendritic cells, they can produce high levels of chemical signals that alert the immune system to attack cancer cells.
A new study by the American Society of Animal Science found that adult horses with low selenium levels have suppressed cell-mediated immunity, while antibody production remained unaffected. The researchers aimed to understand how different levels of selenium affect the immune system in horses.
Researchers at Duke University found that tumor microenvironment alterations promote cancer progression by altering signaling in tumor-associated immune cells. The study supports the use of TGF-β inhibitors to enhance therapy efficacy.
Research found that C-section infants had a narrower range of beneficial bacteria in their guts compared to vaginally delivered infants. This has implications for the development of their immune systems and risk of allergies. The study also found lower levels of Th1 chemical messengers, which can contribute to allergic diseases.
A team of researchers has developed a strategy for inducing a key part of an effective immune response to HIV by tracing the evolution of HIV-recognizing molecules. The study suggests that a future vaccine against HIV could combine multiple biological components to give broad protection against the virus.
Researchers found that people with Hyper IgE Syndrome have more redundancy in their immune systems than expected, allowing them to respond effectively to most viruses and cancers. This discovery highlights the differences between mouse model work and real human infectious diseases, providing valuable insights for clinical treatment.
Researchers have developed a method to identify Staphylococcus aureus capsule types using infrared light, achieving a success rate of up to 99%. The technique relies on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and artificial neuronal networks to distinguish between different capsule forms.
Researchers at Turku Centre for Biotechnology and Aalto University have discovered a new epigenetic mechanism that regulates lymphocyte function. This breakthrough provides insight into the emergence of immune-mediated diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
A Loyola University Medical Center study found that treating acid reflux through laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery could help prevent chronic rejection in lung transplant patients. Certain biomarkers in lung fluid can predict BOS and immune system activity.
A cancer doctor turned to immunotherapy after his Great Dane's lung cancer diagnosis. The treatment, using an engineered vaccine, significantly prolonged the dog's life and has sparked interest in testing on human brain cancer patients.
Researchers engineered dendritic cells to recognize protein fragments from cancer-specific antigens, eliciting an immune response that led to partial and complete clinical responses in patients with active disease. The study suggests a promising approach for enhancing immune recognition of melanoma cells.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine identified cryptopatches as the foundation for human GALT development, a critical component of intestinal immune function. The study suggests that repairing damaged GALT could lead to therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases and autoimmune disorders.
A Kansas State University researcher has received a prestigious fellowship to study mosquitoes and their role in spreading malaria. The goal is to understand how the mosquito's immune system responds to parasites, which could lead to new methods to limit parasite development and potentially find a cure for malaria.
A Michigan State University study found that female mice are protected from severe symptoms of colitis and bone deterioration, suggesting a reduced gut inflammation response. The findings could aid in understanding and treating the 1.4 million Americans suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have identified an extraordinary family of cow antibodies that could lead to breakthroughs in human medicine. The unique structure and mechanism of these antibodies may allow for the creation of new therapeutic proteins.
Scientists at NIH discover how HIV kills immune cells by triggering a signal that causes infected cells to die. Treating HIV-infected individuals with drugs blocking viral replication may improve CD4+ T cell survival and immune function.
A team from The Scripps Research Institute has developed a new technique to selectively repress unwanted immune reactions without disabling the immune system as a whole. This method exploits a natural mechanism to target B-cells responsible for Factor VIII rejection, preventing an unwanted immune response in mice for several months.
Current MS treatments focus on dampening the immune system, but Dr. Peter K. Stys suggests an alternative: addressing nervous system degeneration as a primary cause of the disease. Recent studies indicate that neuronal structures are also damaged in MS.
Researchers develop nanoparticles to block immune responses, enabling precise control of the immune system. The study's findings suggest a new approach to treating autoimmune diseases and allergies by targeting specific immune cells.
Researchers at Lund University have developed a vaccine-based treatment that stimulates the immune system to fight brain tumors, with promising results in animal experiments. The treatment has shown significant effectiveness in curing rats of their brain tumors.
Researchers have discovered that targeting regulatory T cells can help eliminate cancer cells, while a new fluorescence labeling method enables the visualization of microRNAs in tissue sections. Additionally, studies suggest that malnourishment exacerbates Giardia infection in mice, leading to severe gastrointestinal problems and growt...
Researchers discovered that innate lymphoid cells limit the response of inflammatory T cells to commensal bacteria in the gut, keeping a truce between the immune system and 'good' microbes. This finding suggests new therapeutic strategies for chronic diseases like IBD, HIV/AIDS, and cancer.
Research found that women's immune systems decline slower with age compared to men's, particularly in lymphocytes. This slower aging of the immune system may contribute to women's overall longevity.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have made a groundbreaking discovery about bacterial biofilm formation, a major contributor to complicated infections. The study found that small RNA molecules play a crucial role in determining whether bacteria form biofilms or swim, offering new avenues for treating such infections.
A novel drug developed by Gilead Sciences suppresses hepatitis B virus infection by stimulating the immune system and inducing loss of infected liver cells. The therapy targets a receptor on immune cells, reducing both virus levels and number of infected liver cells in chimpanzees chronically infected with HBV.
Researchers at Bonn University Hospital have deciphered the mechanism of CMA, a long-forgotten antiviral candidate. The study reveals that the compound stimulates the immune system in mice but not humans due to differences in receptor structure. This discovery inspires the search for an effective antiviral drug.
Researchers found that temporarily blocking a critical protein helps the immune system fight off chronic infection, reversing many immune problems. The discovery suggests new approaches to treating persistent viral infections like HIV and hepatitis C.