Articles tagged with Immunology
Researchers will evaluate COVID-19 vaccination safety in 1,800 pregnant participants and monitor immune response. The study aims to provide information on vaccine efficacy for mothers and babies.
A UC San Diego study suggests COVID-19 rebound symptoms after taking Paxlovid are likely caused by insufficient drug exposure, not resistance or impaired immunity. The study found the virus remained sensitive to the drug and no relevant mutations were detected.
Researchers have developed a new drug called OximUNO, which has shown to treat breast cancer in mice by targeting tumor-associated macrophages. The treatment reduces primary tumour lesions and lung metastasis, and prolongs the survival of mice with triple-negative breast cancer.
Researchers have developed a novel fusion protein that enables the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using widely available glucose meters. The test was validated on various patient samples and found to be as accurate as four different ELISAs.
Researchers analyzed 139 patient blood samples to identify common mechanisms underlying COVID-19 recovery. They found that a gradual reduction in neutrophil counts and changes in molecular regulation of the immune system characterize the recovery process.
A new study reveals that non-coding mutations in the human genome can increase cancer risk by altering epigenetic marks on DNA. Researchers identified an important biological mechanism, which could lead to therapies targeting this pathway.
A new USC study found that stress accelerates immune aging, leading to a weaker immune system and increased risk of chronic diseases. The study identified lifestyle factors like poor diet and low exercise as contributing to accelerated immune aging, while CMV vaccination may be a potential intervention.
Babies born to mothers infected with COVID-19 show differences in motor function and relaxation, especially when held. Preliminary analysis suggests increased risk of neurodevelopmental changes compared to uninfected babies.
A new study by McGill University and US National Cancer Institute researchers reveals that antigen strength, rather than quantity, drives T cell responses. This discovery has implications for predicting vaccine efficacy and designing more effective immunotherapies.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve promotes healing in acute inflammation by shifting the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules. This finding opens new avenues for treating inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune and cardiovascular conditions.
Researchers discovered that blood vessels forming from lymphatic vessels were found to be suited for specific functions. In transgenic zebrafish, they found that fins develop with lymphatic-derived blood vessels, which are perfectly suited for fin development.
Scientists have discovered a small molecule that bypasses ADAR1 suppression and directly activates tumor cell death by ZBP1, inducing highly immunogenic cell death and destroying fibroblasts supporting tumor growth. This approach has the potential to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy in treating therapy-resistant tumors.
A new study found that crown-like structures surrounding breast tumors in overweight and obese patients can hinder their response to therapy. Researchers identified a potential molecular biomarker, CD32B, which is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.
A study by Kyushu University researchers has analyzed the development and genetic profile of a set of cells that construct the brain's immune system. The findings reveal that meningeal macrophages develop in the same way as other microglia, but perivascular macrophages originate from meningeal macrophages after birth.
The US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases has made a breakthrough in understanding Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) disease process. The study found that the host inflammatory response is a significant driver of CCHFV-mediated disease, and that modulating this response could help prevent severe disease....
A recent study reveals that nearly half of SARS-CoV-2 variants contain the same three mutations, which together improve the virus's ability to infect human cells and evade the immune system. The combination of K417, E484, and N501 mutations enhances viral fitness by balancing positive and negative selection pressures.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that COVID-19, MIS-C and Kawasaki disease share similar underlying molecular patterns. The study reveals that MIS-C is a more severe version of the immune response than KD, with potential implications for improved disease diagnosis and treatment.
Patients who experienced severe systemic inflammation during hospitalization for Covid-19 have a higher risk of dying within one year after seemingly recovering. Prescription of steroids upon discharge from hospital significantly reduces this risk, with effects seen even in the most severe cases.
Research found that SARS-CoV-2 relies on human transmembrane proteins, especially IFITM2, to replicate efficiently and produce infectious viruses. Antibodies targeting IFITM2 can protect lung cells from infection, suggesting a promising therapeutic approach by targeting host factors instead of viral ones.
A new study suggests that supplementing a diet with Ascidiacea, also known as sea squirts, reverses some main signs of aging in animal models. The researchers found that plasmalogens, vital to body processes, decrease with age and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers developed a new test method to detect tuberculosis (TB) progression from latent infection in elephants using IgG antibodies against Antigen 85B. High levels of IgG against ESAT6/CFP10 remained constant, while IgG against Ag85B increased before disease onset and declined with treatment.
Research reveals that the IgG3 subclass exhibits superior antiviral activity, with its long and flexible hinge region being critical for protection against viral infections. This understanding can guide the design of 'super-antibodies' for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a method to identify the immune cells involved in autoimmune diseases and identified four new target molecules for personalized treatment of multiple sclerosis. This approach could lead to more precise treatments with fewer side effects, potentially benefiting other autoimmune diseases.
Professor Holger Frey's innovative research aims to preserve PEGylation benefits while avoiding immune system recognition. His project RandoPEGMed seeks to create modified polymers for medicinal agents, potentially solving the problem of increasing antibody resistance.
A gene defect among people of Inuit ancestry has been discovered, putting children at risk of dying from child vaccines or simple viral infections. The defect is found in 1 out of 1500 Inuits and can be screened for using heel prick blood test samples.
Researchers identified UHRF1 as a protective factor in rheumatoid arthritis, where its suppression exacerbates disease. Stabilizing UHRF1 with Ryuvidine improves arthritis pathogenesis and suppresses organoid development.
The efficacy of Palforzia in treating peanut allergies is being called into question by Dr. Michael R. Perkin, who raises concerns about adverse events and potential long-term side effects. The editorial review aims to provide a balanced perspective on the treatment option.
Researchers found that tumor cells use endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) proteins to resist T cell attack and survive cell death. Inhibiting ESCRT activity in cancer-derived cells makes them more susceptible to CTL killing, providing new insights into cancer immunotherapy.
The 44th AChemS meeting investigates how COVID-19 affects olfactory function, leading to significant symptomology and quality of life impacts. Researchers will discuss recent findings on chemosensory testing and COVID-19, as well as the relationship between smell and depression.
Researchers at Charité, MDC, and FU Berlin have studied the mechanisms of action of antibody and dexamethasone treatments for COVID-19. They found that combination therapy is more effective in reducing viral activity and inflammation in lung tissue, suggesting a potential game-changer in treating severe cases.
Researchers found daily e-cigarette use altered inflammatory markers in the brain, colon, and heart, while lungs showed gene expression changes; flavors influenced organ responses to infections like COVID-19.
City of Hope researchers present new developments in cell therapy for acute myeloid leukemia and non-small cell lung cancer. A novel smoking cessation program increases patient desire to quit with personalized counseling.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology discovered that double-stranded RNA molecules can activate the immune system response leading to bone deterioration in gum disease. The study found that dsRNA triggers the differentiation of osteoclasts, cells responsible for breaking down bone, leading to increased bone ero...
Researchers analyzed genomic profiles of over one million cells from 1,000 people, identifying a link between specific genes and immune cell types in autoimmune diseases. The discovery could lead to tailored treatments and refine clinical trials.
CD22 paradoxically augments BCR signaling by upregulating BCR expression, restoring B cell function in immunodeficient cells. High levels of BCR are required for survival, and CD22 facilitates this process.
A new study reveals that a subset of fibroblasts, known as Scleroderma-Associated Fibroblasts, are crucial to the development of scleroderma. The researchers found these cells in nearly 100 scleroderma patients and identified biological markers correlated with specific kinds of organ damage.
A new study reveals that zinc supports immunity by developing disease-fighting immune cells called T cells and regrowing the thymus, an immune organ. Zinc supplementation also promotes immune recovery after bone marrow transplant and works even better than the natural mineral in experimental compounds.
Katalin Karikó, a Hungarian-born biochemist, received the 2022 Vilcek Prize for Excellence in Biotechnology for her decades-long research leading to the development of safe and effective mRNA vaccines. Her work has had a profound impact on culture and society, particularly in the fight against COVID-19.
Researchers verified the cause of allergic disorders by identifying plasma B cells secreting E-type immunoglobulin in the thymus of mice models. The study found that thymus-derived E-type immunoglobulin promotes food-induced anaphylactic reactions by increasing mast cell numbers in the intestine.
A new study by University of Southampton researchers found that a third COVID-19 vaccination improves immune responses in blood cancer patients. The study showed that 92% of patients without recent anti-CD20 treatment had improved antibody responses after the third dose.
Researchers discovered that mice infected with tuberculosis are resistant to developing COVID-19, suggesting a potential protective effect against the virus. The findings may explain why double infections of both diseases are rare in humans and contribute to the high rates of infection for each disease individually.
A new model suggests that antibodies select antigens based on their surface characteristics, similar to a child playing on stepping stones. The researchers used DNA origami to simulate the behavior of antibodies and found that they tend to favor closer antigen distances.
A team led by Professor Charles Gauthier is developing a glycoconjugate vaccine using sugars expressed on the surface of Burkholderia pseudomallei. The vaccine aims to stimulate an immune response and increase its efficacy.
Scientists at University of Illinois and Mie University develop monoclonal antibodies to prevent lung cell death in mouse models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and acute respiratory disease syndrome. Non-invasive diagnostic tools also presented could aid in predicting disease progression and identifying patients at risk.
A recent Cornell University study reveals that white-tailed deer can shed and transmit the COVID-19 virus for up to five days following infection. The virus replicates in the deer's respiratory tract, lymphoid tissues, and central nervous system, making them a potential reservoir for the virus in nature.
Genetic testing of saliva samples has been shown to be more quick and sensitive than nasal swab testing for detecting SARS-CoV-2 virus, with implications for improving public acceptance of COVID-19 testing and reducing healthcare worker risks
Researchers have discovered an essential role of LCOR in enabling cancer cells to present tumour antigens, making them visible to the immune system. This approach increases the success of immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer, a subtype with low treatment response rates.
A new study published in Frontiers in Oncology has shown that mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines are well-tolerated by high-risk patients with impaired immunity. The trial enrolled 566 patients and found no evidence of increased adverse events or interference with treatment, reassuring vaccine-hesitant immunocompromised individuals.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute create functional lymphoid follicles on a chip, replicating human immune responses and predicting vaccine efficacy. The discovery offers a new tool to model the complex choreography of human immune responses to infection and vaccination.
A study published in eLife found that measuring changes in immune cell populations may help predict the prognosis of patients with ALS. Certain immune cells were associated with better or worse survival rates, providing new insights into the disease's progression.
Scientists at LMU found that mild disease courses are characterized by strong antiviral upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes, preventing viral spread and lung infection. This 'specific immunological signature' is initially independent of antibodies and holds promise for modulating the immune system to activate these mechanisms.
A new study suggests that persistent breathlessness after COVID-19 is linked to altered immune cell landscapes in the airways and signs of ongoing lung damage. While preliminary results indicate a possible improvement over time, further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential treatments.
A new human CD8+ T cell subset has been identified that suppresses pathogenic CD4+ T cells in autoimmune and infectious diseases. This subset, known as KIR+CD8+ T cells, is increased in the blood and inflamed tissues of patients with autoimmune conditions and COVID-19.
The Vilcek Foundation will award three prizes of $50,000 each to early-career immigrant researchers in biomedical science. Past recipients include notable scientists such as Ibrahim Cissé and Viviana Gradinaru.
A study suggests that targeting necroptosis in muscle fibers using an inhibitor can lessen myositis-induced muscle weakness and cell death, promoting muscle regeneration. This approach shows promise for treating polymyositis with potentially fewer infectious complications than current immunosuppressive therapies.
Researchers have identified a link between autoantibodies against type I interferon and increased risk of severe COVID-19. The study's findings suggest that screening for these autoantibodies could help identify patients at high risk of life-threatening complications, enabling early intervention and treatment.
Dixit's work on programmed cell death and inflammation has led to therapies for autoimmune disorders and rheumatoid arthritis. The Vilcek Foundation recognizes his contributions as an immigrant scientist in the US.
A new study by Karolinska Institutet reveals that natural killer cells respond to a specific peptide on the surface of infected cells. This peptide triggers an activation response in NK cells carrying the NKG2A receptor, allowing them to kill virus-infected cells.
Researchers used identical twins to exclude genetic influences and track immune system changes responsible for triggering multiple sclerosis. The study found that an error in the communication of immune cells leads to greater activation of T cells, causing damage in the central nervous system.
Researchers found that infusing bone-marrow stem cells into mice with sepsis increased their survival by 50-60% and decreased inflammation. This treatment could offer an alternative to current granulocyte transfusions, which have limited benefits.