Articles tagged with Immune System
Researchers successfully modified adenovirus, a common cold virus, to carry corrective genes to defective cells. The modified virus persisted for over two months in mice, overcoming a major barrier to widespread use of adenovirus as a genetic delivery vehicle.
Prof. Michal Schwartz's research reveals a unique relationship between the central nervous system and immune system, showing that immune cells can aid in healing damaged nerves. This discovery may lead to new treatments for nerve damage and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
A newly discovered gene mutation has been found to shut down the MHC-I transport system in tumor cells, making them less recognizable to the immune system. This could lead to a way to increase the immune system's sensitivity to tumors, potentially improving cancer treatment options.
A team of researchers discovered that malfunctions in the Tlr4 gene set the stage for septic shock, an often-fatal consequence of widespread bacterial infection. Identifying individuals susceptible to septic shock could lead to preemptive treatment with antibiotics and development of new drugs.
A University of Colorado at Boulder study found that rats who exercised regularly before stress exposure were protected against its suppressive effect on immune response. Regular exercise in moderation can help buffer the negative effects of stress on the immune system, according to the researcher.
A new study found that chronic stress can reduce the activity of natural killer cells in people with a history of cancer, especially those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that high levels of perceived stress and biological predisposition to cancer can compromise the body's ability to fight cancer.
Scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center successfully treated melanoma in mice with a new DNA-based vaccine, inducing an immune response that attacked cancer cells and prevented tumor spreading. The vaccine also caused autoimmunity, a condition that may indicate a good outcome for patients.
A study by UNC-CH scientists found elevated DDE levels in Aberdeen residents' blood, but no major clinical effects were observed. Younger residents showed a two-to-three-fold increased risk of herpes zoster, indicating immune system suppression.
Researchers from Rockefeller University have developed a new method to fight cancer by using dendritic cells to activate T cells. This technique offers the promise of new therapies for cancer, AIDS, and autoimmune diseases, potentially overcoming the need for designer immunotherapy.
Carnegie Mellon researcher Sheldon Cohen suggests that stress reduction may alter immune function, which could lead to better defenses against cancer. However, the evidence for this link is still incomplete, and more research is needed to confirm its validity.
Imperial College researchers are building artificial viruses from DNA, protein, and fat that can bypass the patient's immune system. These artificial viruses have shown great promise for gene therapy in corneal transplants, particularly for children at high risk of graft failure.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have successfully treated deadly skin cancer melanoma in mice using a human skin pigment protein. The immune system mistakenly attacks both melanoma cells and the patient's own skin cells, leading to tumor rejection.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that a specific HIV vaccine, MNrgp120, did not stop the virus from reproducing or slow immune system destruction. Researchers evaluated 568 volunteers infected with HIV and found no significant differences in CD4 counts between those who received the vaccine and those who received a placebo.
Researchers have discovered a gene that drives T lymphocytes to mature into specialized subtypes, playing a crucial role in different immune system disorders. The discovery offers a molecular handle on manipulating specialized groups of T cells, potentially leading to gene therapy for autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified unique molecular footprints on the biochemical trail leading the immune system to attack its own tissues in scleroderma. Exposure to toxic oxygen products causes tissue molecules to break apart, exposing hidden parts that trigger an immune response.