Articles tagged with Immunology
A study of blood samples from patients with Long Covid has identified changes in serum proteins, including dysregulated activation of the complement system and thromboinflammatory responses. These findings suggest potential biomarkers for diagnosis and new treatment strategies warranting further investigation.
Researchers found that the complement system remains activated in Long Covid patients, causing cell damage and tissue destruction. This abnormal activity can lead to thromboinflammation and other symptoms of the condition.
A subset of CD4+ 'helper' T cells helps fight cytomegalovirus infection and reduces the chances of transmission. The late-rising T cells expand long after the initial response has died down, gathering in high numbers in the salivary gland.
Researchers have gained decisive insights into treating bloodstream infections with Staphylococcus aureus, finding that early oral antibiotic therapy is as effective and safe as intravenous standard treatment. This approach enables easier treatment and faster discharge for patients at low risk of developing infectious complications.
A new vaccine design has been developed by a UC Riverside-led research team, which uses preexisting immunity to the influenza virus to help kickstart the production of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine aims to speed up the immune response and provide better protection for people who still lack immunity to the coronavirus.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a nasal spray with IgA antibodies that can protect mice from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The treatment significantly diminished virus load in infected mice and showed stronger binding to the spike protein compared to original IgG antibodies.
Researchers developed anti-CTLA-4 nanobodies that promote antitumor immune responses without inducing colitis in mice, advancing the development of next-generation CTLA-4 inhibitors. The study found that these nanobodies can activate a subset of regulatory T cells while preserving antitumor effects.
Researchers have discovered that immune cells play a crucial role in directing the growth of human lung tissue during development, revolutionizing our understanding of early lung development. The findings also suggest that early immune disturbances could manifest as pediatric lung disease.
Researchers have discovered key mechanisms by which the host immune system blocks viral infection in the cell's nucleus, including the role of signaling proteins called interferons and host protein IFI16. These findings could lead to new treatments for herpesviruses and other nuclear DNA viruses.
Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University have identified PD-1+ T cells as the culprit behind harmful inflammation in certain muscular disorders. The study found that these cells, when activated, produce cell-damaging molecules, causing body-wide weakness and pain.
A Wayne State University study reports progress in a therapeutic approach that can restore immune surveillance and provide long-term protection against ovarian cancer tumors. The therapy, CARG-2020, has shown promise in animal models and may prove more effective than existing immunotherapies.
Researchers discovered how Vγ9Vδ2 T cells recognize pathogens and cancer cells by their altered cell metabolism. The study found that phosphoantigens bind to special molecules inside the cell, triggering a signal to kill. This finding can improve the clinical use of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in tumor treatment.
A new method developed at Karolinska Institutet can identify unique immune cell receptors and their location in human tissue. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel therapies for diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders, by pinpointing the specific immune cells responsible.
A new study found that a type of white blood cell called tumour-associated macrophages can promote the formation of lymphatic vessels, facilitating cancer cell transport to other organs. However, these cells also reduce breast cancer spread to the lungs while increasing it to the lymph nodes.
Researchers discovered distinct mechanisms controlling different types of immune cells and found a way to selectively eliminate 'problematic' cells driving autoimmune disorders. This breakthrough offers precise targets for potential treatment strategies, potentially revolutionizing the way we treat skin conditions.
A study will examine the cognitive function of older adults who were exposed to measles during childhood, shedding light on potential long-term benefits of routine childhood vaccinations. The research aims to better understand how childhood experiences shape health and well-being across the life course.
Extracellular vesicles have been found to transport bacterial products into human cells, alerting the immune system and potentially affecting physiology. This discovery explains a key mechanism by which bacteria impact our health, with implications for both infections and normal bodily functions.
Researchers analyzed genes and brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease to find sex-specific differences in immune function, cellular metabolism, and communication between brain cells. The study suggests that these differences contribute to women's increased risk for the disease and its severity.
The Snow Centre for Immune Health will transform how we understand and treat immune diseases, offering a whole-of-system approach to address debilitating conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The centre aims to deliver transformational real and measurable impacts for patients through translational research.
Researchers found that tumor-resident T-cell receptor sequences showed high complementarity with the cancer testis antigen DDX53, suggesting an immune response that selects for DDX53-negative cells. This association was correlated with worse disease-free survival rates, highlighting a potential early esophageal cancer antigen.
Scientists at Texas Biomedical Research Institute found a promising cancer therapy also effectively reduces TB growth, even for drug-resistant bacteria. The therapy combines MCL-1 and BCL-2 inhibitors with antibiotics to control TB up to 98%.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that gene splicing can reduce CD20 protein levels, making immunotherapies ineffective. However, CAR-T cell therapy may still be effective against patients with low CD20 levels, offering a new treatment option for these patients.
A recent study found that transient inflammatory pain causes persistent mitochondrial and metabolic disturbances in sensory neurons, leading to failure in pain resolution. Targeting the cellular redox balance prevents and treats chronic inflammatory pain in rodents.
Researchers at UTSA have discovered a novel strategy to inhibit the spread and infection of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera. They identified a peptide-binding domain that can disrupt the virulence of V. cholerae, preventing intestinal colonization and biofilm formation.
Scientists have identified how neutrophils release pro-inflammatory messengers called alarmins through tiny pores in the cell membrane at an early stage of the immune response. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for inflammatory diseases such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.
The Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics is offering global grants of up to $200,000 per annum for three years to develop novel therapeutics for pathogens of pandemic potential. Researchers are invited to submit expressions of interest for Round Two of the Foundation Grants program.
Researchers used dynamic total-body PET scans to visualize immune T cell distribution in recovering patients. The study found increased concentrations of CD8+ T cells in the bone marrow of recovering COVID patients compared to healthy controls.
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to capture detailed images of key receptors, unveiling their interactions with molecules and signaling mechanisms. This study provides significant insights into a crucial receptor family within the immune system, potentially paving the way for innovative treatments.
Spanish researchers successfully inhibited TIM-3, an immune checkpoint molecule, promoting a proinflammatory microenvironment that boosts the antitumor response. This breakthrough could guide clinical trials for diffuse intrinsic stem glioma (DIPG), the leading cause of death in pediatric cancer.
Researchers found a quantitative difference in B cell response following vaccination between young and older adults, with younger adults mounting a stronger clonal response and older adults having more activated B cells. This study provides insights into the age-related differences in B cell vaccine response and may lead to the develop...
Dr. Qihui Zhou aims to investigate the role of immune cells in ALS and FTD with a focus on the C9orf72 gene mutation, potentially leading to better treatments.
Researchers at Dana-Farber and MD Anderson Cancer Center found that MTA buildup in tumor cells impairs T cell function. Depleting MTA with enzymes restores T cell activity, improving checkpoint inhibitor effectiveness in MTAP-deleted cancers.
A team of researchers has uncovered a previously unknown compensatory mechanism found in liver disease. Giant cell clusters, formed by immune cells from the bone marrow, take over the filtration function of impaired Kupffer cells. This finding changes the way we think about the role of the immune system in liver fibrosis.
Research finds that immune cells in older adults are similar to those in newborns and children, but less effective at recognizing infected cells. The study, published in Nature Immunology, suggests that tailored vaccines and therapies could be developed for different age groups based on the unique characteristics of killer T cells.
A comprehensive molecular characterization of T cell infiltration into the CNS has been achieved using CRISPR screening, revealing essential inhibitors and facilitators of T cell migration. The study identified 5 key regulators that can be categorized into three functional groups, providing new insights into MS pathogenesis.
Researchers found that beta-blockers can revive exhausted killer T cells, making them better cancer fighters. The study discovered a link between the sympathetic stress response and immune system response to cancer.
A new study from Uppsala University has found that women with a high genetic predisposition for blood clots are six times more likely to develop a blood clot during the first two years of using contraceptive pills. This knowledge could be used to identify women at risk and counsel them on alternative methods of contraception.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 195 clinical trials found that cell therapy can reduce the risk of death from COVID-19 by 60%. The studies, conducted in 30 countries between January 2020 and December 2021, used various types of cells, including mesenchymal stem cells and natural killer cells.
Agriculture can both facilitate and hinder pathogen spread through deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and biodiversity loss. Promoting agricultural practices that boost biodiversity and create barriers can prevent zoonotic spillover.
New research from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory suggests that high tumor mutation burden does not guarantee an effective immune response in patients with mismatch repair deficiency. The study found that tumors with identical mutations across all cells responded to immunotherapy, while those with subclonal mutations did not.
Researchers investigated the role of tertiary lymphoid tissues in aging kidney disease, identifying proinflammatory interactions between renal cells and immune cells that promote inflammation and injury. The study suggests targeting proinflammatory cytokines for potential therapeutic strategies.
Patients with severe long COVID often struggle with fatigue and exertion intolerance, with recovery rates varying depending on the initial infection's severity. A recent study found that those with ME/CFS experience little to no improvement in symptoms, while some patients in a second group show gradual improvement over time.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that weightlessness affects T cells in astronauts' immune systems, making them less effective at fighting infections. The study's results could lead to new treatments for reversing these changes.
The WVU team evaluated Code Interpreter's features, finding it accessible to students but limited for scientists working with biological data. The plugin breaks down barriers for coding, but lacks internet access and parallel processing capabilities.
A new study published in BMJ Oncology has found that relatively short-term use of immunosuppressant medications to control inflammatory diseases is not associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. The research included over 10,000 participants and tracked their cancer incidence for an average of 10 years.
Researchers have identified key genes involved in producing large amounts of immunoglobulin G, a crucial antibody in the human body. The discovery could lead to advancements in manufacturing antibody-based therapies for diseases such as cancer and arthritis.
Researchers find immunotherapy treatment anti-CTLA-4 leads to greater survival in mice with glioblastoma and discover new way cells kill cancer by triggering microglia, specialized immune cells in the brain. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for human brain cancer.
Researchers unveil a novel signaling pathway that fosters chronic metabolic disorders through aged adipocyte dysfunction. Impaired BCAA catabolism in adipose tissues accelerates aging, while selective inhibition of CRTC2 or PPAR gamma activation may hold potential to inhibit aging and extend health span.
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is triggered by food allergies or airborne allergens, causing inflammation and damage to the esophagus. A new study found that inhibiting the NLRP3 pathway and releasing Interleukin-18 prevents EoE development.
Researchers have developed an innovative RNA-based strategy to activate dendritic cells, which play a key role in immune response. The approach, called CATCH, eradicated tumors and prevented their recurrence in mouse models of melanoma, suggesting its potential effectiveness against different cancer types.
University of Melbourne researchers have discovered that T cells patrol the human eye, protecting it from pathogens and inflammation. The study uses a new imaging technique to capture dynamic behavior of these cells in response to different stimuli.
Researchers found that CD4+ T cells initiate fat wasting, while CD8+ T cells induce muscle wasting, which surprisingly helps the mice fight infection and survive. The study sheds light on the complex relationship between immune cells and wasting responses.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered molecular mechanisms of HIV drug-resistance to Dolutegravir, a breakthrough that could lead to the development of new HIV therapeutics. The study revealed how changes in integrase protein structure can lead to resistance and how another compound, 4d, may overcome this resistance.
A breakthrough mRNA vaccine has been developed to target and stimulate protective immune cell responses against malaria. The vaccine combines an RNA-based approach with a liver-specific adjuvant, generating resident memory cells that halt malaria infection in the liver, providing a broader and more protective immune response.
Researchers from Korea University Medicine have discovered a potential therapeutic target for overcoming cisplatin resistance and neuropathic pain in cervical cancer. By inhibiting TRPV1, they found that resistant tumors became vulnerable to cisplatin, improving the outlook for patients.
A new study reveals that breast milk contains a unique set of antibodies passed from mom to baby, which can vary significantly between mothers. This variability may explain why some infants develop life-threatening diseases like NEC, while others do not.
Researchers used a new method to study PFAS's impact on immune cells, finding that they significantly reduced T-cell activity and impaired the function of certain immune cells. This could lead to increased susceptibility to infections and reduced antibody production after vaccinations.
A study by Forsyth Institute researchers reveals a link between periodontal disease and amyloid plaque formation in the brain. Oral bacteria can travel to the brain, causing neuroinflammation and promoting cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.
A phase I trial found that combining fecal transplants with immunotherapy is safe and shows promise in improving clinical responses in 65% of patients. The study used healthy donor microbiome to enhance immune system attack on cancer, offering a new paradigm shift in melanoma treatment.
Researchers discovered that Nerofe and Doxorubicin can downregulate KRAS signaling, leading to enhanced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. The combination also activates the immune system against tumor cells, increasing immunostimulatory cytokines and recruiting NK cells and M1 macrophages.