Research on how the immune system defends the body. Covers immune-cell imaging, T-cell responses, longevity genetics, and cancer immunotherapy.
Researchers found that proteins produced by melanocytes trigger attacks on immune cells, leading to hair loss. The discovery could pave the way for more effective treatments for alopecia areata.
Researchers found osteopontin is present in higher levels in the brains of individuals with MS and mice models. Osteopontin's presence may accelerate disease progression, prompting efforts to block its effects.
According to Roger J. Pomerantz, M.D., physicians should treat HIV-infected individuals when their CD4 lymphocyte count is below 350 or their HIV RNA level exceeds 50,000, rather than immediately upon diagnosis.
Researchers at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical School and Peptor Ltd. successfully arrested the progression of Type I diabetes in newly diagnosed patients using DiaPep277, an experimental drug that alters immune cell behavior.
Researchers found that a chemical signal from the nervous system can redirect immune actions, affecting conditions like arthritis and asthma. The discovery suggests potential for developing drugs to regulate the immune response and improve defenses.
Researchers found that levels of IL-12 and TNF alpha decreased during pregnancy, while cortisol, norepinephrine, and 1,25 hydroxyvitamin D3 increased. After birth, these stress hormones surged, possibly contributing to the resurgence of immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Researchers found that exposure to short days triggers immune system enhancements in mice, which last for approximately 20 weeks. The immune system returns to its non-enhanced status after 32 weeks, even if short days remain. Melatonin levels are believed to play a key role in this process.
Estrogen controls lymphocyte formation and replenishment of the immune system by binding to hormone receptors found only in rare "precursors" within adult bone marrow. This discovery reveals that various kinds of stem cells may differ between fetal and adult life, protecting the fetus's immune system from estrogen-related compounds.
Researchers at UCSD have discovered a new immunological pathway involving the enzyme I-kappa-B kinase alpha (IKKa), which plays a crucial role in developing B cells and forming certain lymphoid organs. Blocking IKKa's action may offer a new approach to treating autoimmune diseases without compromising the immune system.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered how Mycobacterium tuberculosis evades detection by the human immune system. The TB bacterium inhibits MHC-II molecules in macrophages to prevent recognition and eliminate it from detection.
Researchers found that vegetable recipes from around the world are less spicy than their meat-based counterparts, thanks to plants' inherent defenses against bacterial and fungal infections. The study suggests that spices were originally used to protect against foodborne pathogens in hot climates before refrigeration.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have identified a gene in mice that causes an autoimmune disease similar to human systemic lupus erythematous. The study found abnormal N-glycans in the mice, leading to SLE-like symptoms and organ damage, offering new insights into understanding autoimmune disease.
A novel therapy employing the immune system to attack prostate cancer cells has been found to slow disease progression in some men and decrease PSA levels. The study's results show that modified dendritic cells can train lymphocytes to recognize prostate cancer cells, leading to a stronger immune response.
Researchers describe a medical paradox where some AIDS patients develop opportunistic infections after regaining immune strength from HAART therapy. The 'immune reconstitution disease syndrome' occurs when the strengthened immune system reacts to bacteria or viruses already present in the patient.
A new study by Penn State and University of Nebraska researchers found that men who are moderately aggressive have stronger immune systems. The study analyzed data from 4,415 men aged 30-48 years and found that those with higher levels of aggression had higher concentrations of specific white blood cells, which could help them better f...
Research by Penn State and University of Nebraska found that moderate aggression is associated with a stronger immune system, particularly among CD4 cells. Men who reported engaging in occasional fights or aggressive acts had higher levels of lymphocytes, indicating a more rapid and intense response to pathogens.
A study by Duke University Medical Center researcher Edward Suarez found that stress triggers an immune response in people with low serotonin levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Subjects with normal or high serotonin levels showed no increased immune response under stressful conditions.
A study found that women with unstable angina had significantly higher neopterin levels, indicating worsening of the condition. High neopterin levels were also seen in women with stable angina experiencing acute exacerbations, suggesting a potential marker for disease progression.
Researchers suggest that testosterone plays a key role in redistributing immune cells to the skin during stress, rather than suppressing the immune system. This redistribution hypothesis is supported by studies in rats and mice, which show improved wound healing rates with testosterone treatment.
A study by University of Toronto Professor Roy Shephard found that light physical training has the strongest protective effect on immunity in sedentary young adults. The research, published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, suggests that low-volume exercises are optimal for improving immunity in this population.
Researchers found that mast cells recognize harmful bacteria and alert the immune system to destroy them, clearing up a mystery about their role. Mast cells can also boost the immune system in people with weakened immune systems.
A study by the University at Buffalo found that a very-low-fat diet can suppress the immune system of trained runners, making them more susceptible to infections. The researchers discovered that high-fat diets, on the other hand, enhanced certain components of the immune system and reduced inflammation.
Researchers at TSRI demonstrate that the immune system can cure viral infections without destroying infected cells. Nondestructive antiviral mechanisms triggered by inflammatory cytokines contribute to viral clearance, preserving organ function.
As people age, a protein called TNF helps to destroy diseased cells but also causes the immune system to degenerate. Researchers found that older adults' immune cells became more sensitive to TNF, leading to increased cell death and weakening of the 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.