Articles tagged with Immunology
Recent research found that D-serine accelerates gastric cancer growth by suppressing cytotoxic T-cell activity and promoting immunosuppressive macrophages. High serum D-serine concentrations were linked to ICI therapy resistance in patients, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for disease progression.
Cancer cells' ability to evade the immune system is linked to changes in their surrounding environment, including nearby nutrients and conditions. Researchers discovered that altering these factors can thin the cancer cell's protective sugar coating, allowing the immune system to recognize and eliminate them.
Researchers have uncovered a key mechanism explaining how allergic inflammation in the skin can progress to a body-wide allergic response. IL-13 acts on dendritic cells, enhancing their ability to present allergens and promoting immune responses that produce antibodies.
Researchers at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are developing drug-based strategies to enhance cancer immunotherapy for melanoma and potentially other cancers. They identified two promising compounds that could strengthen T cell interaction with cancer cells or make tumor cells more susceptible to destruction by T cells.
A study by King's College London has identified an immune pathway that prevents a normally harmless fungus from developing into a fatal infection. The IL-1 family signalling plays a critical role in containing the fungus, suggesting it may be a broader defence mechanism against other fungal species.
Researchers discovered how cancer cells exploit palmitate to suppress neutrophils' anti-tumor activity, allowing tumors to survive and grow. By disrupting this process, the researchers restored neutrophil function and reduced metastatic growth in liver metastases.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that fecal transplants from healthy donors reduced peanut allergy symptoms in some patients. The study suggests that the right bacteria can help restore tolerance to food through bile acid metabolites. Increased levels of immune regulatory cells also protected against allergic reactions.
A major Australian study of twins will investigate why two genetically similar people respond differently to infections, diseases, and treatments. The Snow Centre for Immune Health and Twins Research Australia are recruiting 100 pairs of identical and non-identical twins to track immune cell behavior over time.
A $3.2 million NIH grant will support a five-year study investigating the role of thymulin, a hormone produced by the thymus, in age-related inflammation and cancer. The research aims to explore whether thymulin can improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes, particularly in older individuals.
A new study has identified over 100 genes in rare immune cells that may contribute to Crohn's disease risk. The researchers used a novel method to map long-range DNA interactions in these cells, revealing unexpected connections between genetic variants and gene regulation.
A study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle reveals that deleting transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) from macrophages enhances muscle regeneration and mitochondrial function. The research found that this approach protected against obesity-related muscle wasting and improved exercise performance.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that immune cells in lung tissue express genes associated with autoimmune disease risk. These tissue-resident immune cells may actively drive the development of autoimmune diseases, particularly in women.
Researchers found that tumor cells use DDB1 to ubiquitinate PD-L1, allowing it to enter the nucleus and drive immune suppression. A new compound, thalidomide, disrupts this process, restoring sensitivity to immunotherapy in preclinical breast cancer models.
Researchers developed a flexible, battery-free hydrogel bioelectronic patch that wirelessly monitors periodontal inflammation and delivers localized miRNA therapy. The system successfully distinguished MMP-9 levels between healthy volunteers and patients with periodontal disease.
New research from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center sheds light on leukemia resistance to promising new drugs and the role of bone hardness in the immune battle against metastasis. A telehealth tobacco treatment program also shows promise in helping cancer patients quit smoking.
The Alliance QUANTUM trial is testing whether post-transplant consolidation therapy with teclistamab improves survival in patients with primary plasma cell leukemia. Plasma cell leukemia is a rare but aggressive blood cancer with poor long-term survival rates.
Researchers will examine whether online support strengthens brain development linked to emotional and mental health in prematurely born infants. The scalable intervention could transform how families receive support after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit, bringing evidence-based support into the home.
Researchers developed a quantum machine learning framework to predict which tumor mutations will trigger an immune response. The Q-CHIPP model outperformed classical computing methods and achieved a significant technical milestone by scaling to full-length peptide modeling on quantum hardware.
The PIEM concept introduces a new framework for studying persistent intracellular extraintestinal microbes, which reside within internal tissues and cells. Microbiome research has long focused on barrier surfaces, but PIEMs offer fresh perspectives on host–microbe relationships and the pathogenesis of complex diseases.
Researchers at Tulane University discovered that vesper bats have two distinct copies of genes producing antibodies, which helps them recognize and fight infections. This finding opens up new areas of study on the evolution of immunity and how animals respond to diseases.
A recent study found that exposure to specific bacteria in barn air can protect against allergies, asthma, and hay fever. Researchers identified two key bacteria, Romboutsia timonensis and Glutamicibacter arilaitensis, which mediate the farm effect through certain receptors.
A recent study found that human lung tissue contains a vast reservoir of tissue-resident memory T cells (T RM cells) capable of targeting a range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These cells reside only in the lungs and can live for years, providing a vital line of defense against severe respiratory infections.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Houston Zoo have developed the world's first mRNA vaccine against elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), a deadly disease affecting young Asian elephants. The vaccine has shown promising results in clinical trials, providing protection against severe hemorrhagic disease.
Researchers discovered that blocking autophagy in high endothelial venules reduces inflammation in mice with psoriasis, offering a promising new approach for treating chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This strategy targets the blood vessels rather than the immune system, preserving normal immune function.
A new study reveals that USP22 regulates B-cell activation and differentiation through the CHD4-CD19 axis. Inhibiting USP22 partially reversed B-cell hyperactivation in Kawasaki disease patients.
A study by North Carolina State University researchers found that an AVP stimulation test can reliably diagnose endocrine dysfunction in sick foals. The test, which involves administering arginine vasopressin to stimulate the release of hormones, showed promising results in detecting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal gland axis (HPAA) dys...
Dr. Yi Li receives CPRIT funding to develop treatments for solitary fibrous tumor, a rare cancer driven by gene fusions. Researchers are working on novel therapies, including immunotherapy and antisense oligonucleotides, to reduce cancer-causing signal activity.
Researchers found that CRISPR-Cas systems regulate the expression of innate immunity genes to defend against bacteriophages. This layered regulatory hierarchy provides a layer of protection, making it challenging for phages to evade the defense mechanisms.
A three-year project aims to create a new formulation that supports the targeted and less invasive regeneration of injuries affecting intimate tissues. The researchers focus on extracellular vesicles, tiny particles released by cells, to facilitate intercellular communication and tissue regeneration.
A new study reveals that hepatocytes release soluble Tim-3 protein to limit immune-mediated damage in response to drug-induced liver injury. The protein binds to Galectin-3 and Galectin-9 to regulate immune cell infiltration, providing protection against subsequent damage.
Scientists at UVA have developed a new method to target glioblastoma, the most common and deadly brain cancer, by delivering microRNAs through the brain's natural barrier. The approach shows promise in slowing tumor growth and extending survival in animal models.
Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC identified a hormone produced by the thymus that keeps inflammation under control. As we age, levels of this hormone decrease, allowing diseases like cancer to progress. Increasing this hormone improved cancer survival and made immunotherapy more effective in older mice.
University of Minnesota researchers found that certain immune cells, regulatory T cells, prevent helpful T cells from eliminating hidden cancer cells. By combining treatment strategies, they improved the immune response and reduced cancer spread in preclinical models.
A new framework integrates all stages of carbohydrate vaccine development, from antigen production to clinical evaluation. The framework highlights emerging technologies like automated glycan assembly and AI-driven glycoscience to transform vaccine design.
Research reveals that blood vessel endothelial cells produce lipoprotein lipase (LPL), guiding activated T cells to enter tumors and fight cancer cells. LPL enables endothelial cells to present tumor-derived components, acting like a 'wanted poster' to alerting T cells to the presence of cancer cells.
Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered a previously unknown pathway for B-cell development in chickens, bypassing the bursa of Fabricius. The discovery reveals that B cells originate in the bone marrow and migrate to the cecal tonsils, establishing an IgA-mediated intestinal barrier.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant progress in treating rare brain infections with a virus-specific T cell therapy, achieving an overall response rate of 56.8% in patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The center also introduced a novel CAR T cell therapy for hard-to-treat kidney ...
Researchers developed a new way to uncover differences in how viruses infect and destroy individual microbial cells. The study used a mathematical modeling framework to analyze infection outcomes in individual cells, revealing striking accuracy and new insights into viral behavior.
Researchers developed a new allergen-specific IgE test to detect functional antibodies capable of triggering immune responses in food allergies. The improved AlphaCL method overcomes limitations of conventional tests, maintaining strong signal responses even with serum components present.
Dr. Rui Yang receives a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists to uncover genetic causes of life-threatening immune disorders and identify new treatment paths. The research aims to advance diagnosis and understanding of rare diseases while fostering the next generation of scientists.
A buildup of bile acids caused by an unhealthy gut can drive breast cancer to other parts of the body, researchers reveal. The study found that replenishing beneficial bacteria or treating patients with FDA-approved bile acid sequestrants may reduce breast cancer metastasis.
Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a previously unknown mechanism by which T cells attack and eliminate acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. The discovery reveals that AML cells use a CD64-dependent pathway to evade traditional MHC recognition, potentially explaining why AML is sensitive to immune-based treatments.
A specific subgroup of neutrophils signals the immune system to dial down its response, allowing regeneration. The study shows that the fine regulation of inflammation is crucial for healing and that unleashing the right signals can reactivate nerve regeneration.
Researchers created a comprehensive single-cell map of the tumor immune microenvironment in multiple myeloma and its precursor conditions. The study identified five distinct subtypes, or 'ecotypes,' that capture meaningful insights into signaling pathways and genetic programs not fully explained by disease stage alone.
Eight Fred Hutch researchers will receive funding for projects guiding pancreatic cancer treatment decisions, improving CAR-T effectiveness, and stopping acute myeloid leukemia development. The Evergreen Fund, an internal grant program, aims to accelerate translational discoveries to commercial viability.
A new study by University of Notre Dame economist Santosh Kumar Gautam found that India's universal immunization programme significantly reduced infant and under-five mortality rates. However, the programme had mixed effects on educational attainment, with some regions seeing increased primary school completion while others experienced...
Researchers at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology discovered that mature, aged cells can revert into active stem cells that regenerate damaged tissue. This finding challenges the prevailing view on tissue regeneration and implies the possibility of therapies promoting natural healing mechanisms.
This review highlights metabolic crosstalk between tumor cells and immune cells, shaping the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and limiting immunotherapy efficacy. Emerging metabolic intervention strategies aim to overcome therapeutic bottlenecks in skin cancer treatment.
Recent studies have challenged the classical view of immune checkpoints as local suppressive molecules only active in tumor immunity. Instead, ICs participate in systemic immune homeostasis and are embedded in broader inflammatory and metabolic networks.
Macrophages are critical drivers of chronic allograft failure, with emerging strategies targeting key macrophage signaling pathways providing an important conceptual shift. Targeted therapies, such as inhibiting the purinergic pathway and mTOR/NF-κB pathway, show promise in preventing chronic rejection.
Scientists at Hackensack Meridian Health's CDI Lab published two companion papers explaining the 'exhaustion' of key immune cells. The first paper identified Id proteins as determinants of exhausted CD8+ T cell fate, while the second paper revealed CTCF's role in dynamic enhancer activation and invariant barriers.
Recent studies have expanded our understanding of immune checkpoint functions, revealing their involvement in systemic immune homeostasis and broader inflammatory networks. Aberrant IC regulation has been linked to various conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic inflammation.
The new journal features cutting-edge research across basic, clinical, and translational immunology. It is designed to connect researchers across the full breadth of immunology, deepening understanding of the immune system in health and disease.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Scripps Research have developed an HIV vaccine that trains immune cells to see past HIV's defenses. The vaccine resulted in the best HIV-fighting antibody response ever seen in primates, with human trials now underway.
A new AI model called COMPASS improves the prediction of which patients are most likely to respond to cancer immunotherapy drugs, outperforming existing approaches by 8.5 percent. The model makes predictions based on tumor gene activity and provides a rationale for its output.
A new study by Thales Papagiannakopoulos and colleagues found that lung cancer tumors talk directly to the nervous system through sensory neurons in the lungs, promoting cachexia. Silencing these nerves or blocking the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) reduced cachexia, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
A team of scientists found that a small subset of T cells called stem T cells are responsible for making new T cells and replenishing them in chronic disease. These rare stem T cells express the protein LEF1, which is key to their persistence. Boosting LEF1-positive cells overcame T cell exhaustion in chronic infection, while removing ...
Researchers developed a strategy to attack glioblastoma on two fronts by targeting the tumour and its immune support system. In preclinical models, the therapy eliminated detectable tumours and led to long-term disease-free survival.
The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research has appointed three Clinical Scholars, Bernhard Gentner, Caroline Arber, and Christian Hinrichs, to advance cancer research and clinical interventions. The new scholars will focus on translating scientific discoveries into clinical trials and partnerships with leading clinical facilities.
Researchers found that fatty liver disease significantly increases the risk of developing replacement metastases, which are associated with poor survival rates. The study highlights the importance of integrating metabolic health into cancer care and identifies potential therapeutic targets tailored to a patient's metabolic condition.