Articles tagged with Immunology
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.
Prof. Yehu Moran's election to EMBO recognizes his groundbreaking research on the evolution of biological defense systems, advancing our understanding of life and exemplifying the university's scientific excellence.
Researchers engineered HER2-specific CAR-T cells to simultaneously silence TIM-3 expression, demonstrating improved anti-tumor responses and significantly elevated lytic cytotoxicity. In vivo evaluations showed delayed tumor growth and minimized tumor burden with this strategy.
A new study reveals that excessive fibrin deposition drives chronic inflammation in diabetic periodontitis. A targeted peptide successfully stops this inflammation and promotes periodontal bone regeneration, offering a potential universal therapeutic strategy for various immune-mediated diabetic comorbidities.
A new study discovered a previously unknown antiviral defense mechanism in sea anemones, revealing that animals may have evolved more than one way to fight viral infections. The findings suggest that fundamentally different antiviral strategies have emerged across the animal kingdom.
A phase III trial is investigating whether an immune-boosting drug can help keep early-stage lung cancer from coming back after surgery. Researchers aim to enroll 336 participants with stage I non-small cell lung cancer and determine if the treatment reduces recurrence.
A recent study found that people with active TB have a specific inflammatory response in their airways, dominated by neutrophils that can lead to disease progression. In contrast, those who control the infection have a different immune cell balance, suggesting a way to predict and prevent TB through early intervention.
A comprehensive map of human STING reveals how different regions regulate immune signaling and how small genetic changes can alter its behavior. The study identifies both known and previously unknown regulatory sites, providing new insight into how immune signaling is regulated.
A study reveals that a cellular interaction between immune cells and fibroblasts drives the progression of Sjögren's disease by promoting chronic inflammation. The CD153+ CD4+ T cell-CD30+ fibroblast axis is identified as a key trigger, and targeting this axis may provide new therapeutic opportunities.
A review published in Diabetes Care suggests that physical exercise could play a role in promoting immune regulation, preserving beta-cell function, and reducing inflammation in type 1 diabetes. The evidence highlights the potential benefits of exercise on immune profiles displaying anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Scientists discovered a direct link between estrogen and gut inflammation in Crohn's disease. The study used zebrafish models to show that estrogen signalling plays a crucial role in maintaining normal gut health. This finding could lead to more personalized approaches to treatment, especially for females affected by the disease.
Scientists have identified a unique chimeric RNA called UBA1-CDK16 that plays important roles in women's blood cell development and disease severity. The findings suggest the chimeric RNA may serve as a natural brake to protect women from excessive autoimmune activity.
Researchers developed engineered CAR-T cells that specifically degrade soluble TNF, preventing and treating all stages of RA in human TNF-transgenic mice. A single infusion provided sustained benefit without redosing or ADA risk, offering a promising alternative to chronic disease management.
A recent international MRI study found evidence of ongoing neurodegeneration in NMOSD patients, even when they are clinically stable and not experiencing flare-ups. The research suggests that subtle cognitive decline may occur even in the absence of relapses, with brain atrophy rates being faster in NMOSD patients compared to healthy v...
A new lab-on-a-chip platform, CellTrap, visualizes individual cell contacts to better understand the effectiveness of immunotherapies. The platform shows that early activation signals in immune cells indicate a cell-damaging effect later in cell-cell interactions.
A spatial map of muscle-invasive bladder cancer reveals organized tumor cell states, immune environments, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Luminal-like cells are found in tumor cores with relevant therapeutic markers, while basal-like cells near margins show signs of aggressiveness. This study guides treatment strategies by accounting ...
A new study reveals that early life experiences shape aging in multiple tissues, leaving a lasting epigenetic signature. Researchers found that aging does not occur uniformly across the body, with some tissues exhibiting strong and distinct age-related patterns.
A new study published in Science found that trans-vaccenic acid (TVA) in breast milk promotes the development of a broader and more effective immune cell population in mice. TVA exposure during breastfeeding also reprograms immune cells to improve responses to pathogens, leading to faster recovery times from infections.
Research suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation in skin diseases. Studies indicate improvements in psoriasis severity indices following treatment with these drugs.
The Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences supports early-career researchers exploring cutting-edge approaches to human health and disease. This year's class includes scientists harnessing new technology, studying immunity, and engineering methods to protect and treat disease.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has announced the 2026 class of the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences, supporting 10 postdoctoral fellows from seven Latin American countries. The fellows will conduct research in laboratories across the US, with a focus on global health and disease prevention.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, can dampen the effect of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. When neutrophils were absent, several immunotherapies became more effective, leading to increased T-cell activation and tumor shrinkage.
Researchers at UC Riverside link immune signaling to disrupted brain function and cognition after concussion, finding a crucial link between TLR4 and MMP-9. Blocking these pathways may limit changes in brain circuits and improve long-term neurological outcomes.
Researchers create a hydrogel-based oral formulation that coats the esophageal lining and releases antibodies like infliximab to treat inflammatory conditions. The formulation reduces side effects by temporarily loosening cell-cell junctions, allowing larger molecules to pass through.
Researchers found a strong association between gut microbiome composition and bone health in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Bifidobacterium longum was identified as a key microbial driver of bone loss through immune-mediated mechanisms.
A deadly hantavirus cluster on a cruise ship has sparked global alarm, but new research highlights the overlooked risk of agricultural and wildlife farming environments. The study calls for a One Health approach to protect agricultural workers worldwide from this preventable occupational risk.
The University of Oklahoma is establishing the Oklahoma Center of ImmunoEngineering with an $11.5 million NIH award. The center will integrate wet lab science and data science to accelerate disease research. Four early-career faculty members are selected as research project leaders, and the center offers training workshops, seminars an...
Extracellular vesicle-encapsulated microRNAs (EV-miRNAs) form a precise communication network for organ crosstalk, mediating immune regulation and disease outcomes. EV-miRNAs display organ tropism, influencing tumor growth, anti-tumor immunity, and inflammation.
Johanna Joyce, a leading tumor immunologist, has begun her two-year term as President of the European Association for Cancer Research. She will focus on strategic oversight, promoting broad scientific collaboration, dialogue, and training, while addressing issues such as gender disparities in science.
Researchers from Kyushu University discovered that the circadian clock protein BMAL1 drives macrophages towards a pro-inflammatory M1 state by activating inflammatory signaling pathways. This mechanism links the body clock to intracellular metabolism and immune function, offering new insights into treating inflammatory diseases.
The PediQEESI is a new pediatric adaptation of the QEESI questionnaire to assess chemical intolerance in children. It can help identify patterns among symptoms, exposures, and daily functioning, enabling parents and clinicians to avoid future exposure and trigger symptoms.
Researchers identified five immunomodulatory proteins in Borrelia recurrentis that prevent activation of the human complement system, allowing the pathogen to survive in the human body. These Chi proteins also convert plasminogen into active plasmin, giving Borrelia recurrentis a significant advantage in spreading after infection.
Researchers at IGTP identify N-glycosylation as essential for preserving immunomodulatory function of extracellular vesicles. The study found that intact N-glycosylation can reduce monocyte recruitment to inflamed endothelium, contributing to a better understanding of these vesicles' therapeutic potential.
LRBA deficiency, a rare inherited condition, impairs kidney function by disrupting water and sodium balance, leading to polyuria and electrolyte abnormalities. Treatment with desmopressin may help manage excessive urination in some patients.
A new review highlights that vitamin D deficiency is common and clinically important in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, but the current evidence does not support a direct disease-modifying effect. Vitamin D supplementation shows modest benefits in some patients, particularly those with low baseline vitamin D levels.
TIGIT is a second-generation immune checkpoint that exerts immunosuppressive effects through multiple pathways, promoting a hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Combination with PD-1 inhibitors has shown remarkable promise, improving objective remission rates and progression-free survival.
Researchers found that obexelimab significantly reduces the risk of relapse in patients with IgG4-related disease, a rare chronic immune condition. The study showed that patients treated with obexelimab were nearly twice as likely to be in complete remission after one year and needed less emergency steroid treatment.
Scientists discovered a new way cells fight infection, using a method called antibody-directed xenophagy (ADX), which can digest bacteria and viruses inside infected cells. ADX is triggered by a protein called TRIM21, which flags invading pathogens for destruction.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advances in understanding cancer biology, developing AI-powered atlas of tertiary lymphoid structures as prognostic biomarkers, and uncovering drivers of resistance to KRAS inhibitors. Additionally, they have discovered a molecular pathway that drives stressed cells to b...
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that 'cross-reactive' T cells can recognize multiple species of paramyxovirus, including measles and Nipah viruses. This broad protection is essential in combating emerging diseases with unknown viral strains.
Fluconazole-resistant Candida auris benefits from zinc deficiency, exhibiting increased pathogenicity and resistance to macrophage-mediated killing. Suppression of ZCF4 enables the fungus to impede phagocytic clearance via suppression of MMP-9 activity.
The study provides a detailed, cross-species view of how tumor-associated dendritic cells are organized and altered in cancer. It identified over 30 distinct dendritic cell subsets and functional states within tumors, with many populations conserved between mice and humans.
Researchers decode signaling pathway of atypical chemokine receptor ACKR4, revealing its role in internalizing and degrading unnecessary chemokines. This mechanism helps guide immune cells and regulate inflammation, with potential implications for cancer treatment.
The study demonstrated a response to treatment in several tumor types, including lung cancer and head and neck cancers. A significant tumor shrinkage was observed in four out of 14 patients treated within the optimal dose range.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin found that cells with latent TB remain metabolically flexible, allowing strong antibacterial responses. In contrast, cells from people with active TB disease show impaired metabolism and weaker responses to infection.
The Phase 3 SUNRISE trial shows that tezepelumab nearly triples the likelihood of reducing daily oral corticosteroid dose in patients with severe, oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma. Patients treated with tezepelumab achieve greater reductions in oral steroid use while maintaining asthma control and improving key clinical outcomes.