A study published in Immunology Letters describes new ways of inducing immune responses through selective B cell priming, suggesting a potential approach to rational vaccine design. This discovery could have significant practical implications for vaccination development.
Researchers found that bacterial infections can activate self-reactive B cells with significant affinity, driving them to mature into harmful memory B cells. This activation is facilitated by the cooperation of autoantigens, innate immunity, and T cells.
A new study suggests that using stents to open blocked blood vessels in branching passages can lead to a harmful blood flow pattern, resulting in rapid re-occlusion of the main branch. This contradicts previous findings that suggest stenting was more successful in non-bifurcated areas.
Researchers found that individuals vaccinated against smallpox maintained anti-smallpox antibodies for at least 60 years after vaccination. Memory B cells initially declined but then plateaued approximately ten times lower than their peak and remained stable for over 50 years.
UCSD researchers found that the Staph protein SpA triggers a pre-emptive attack on B cells, leading to their death and preventing them from developing memory cells. This process may explain why staph infections are common and recurring. The study's findings have potential applications in treating autoimmune diseases and cancers.
A study by The Wistar Institute suggests that infections can trigger autoimmunity through a normal but rare process involving memory B cells. A transgenic mouse with a self-similar influenza gene led to an autoimmune response, showing that the immune system may not eliminate all self-reactive cells.