T Lymphocytes
Articles tagged with T Lymphocytes
Scientists map how HIV hijacks human cells—and how cells can fight back
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes identified hundreds of human genes influencing HIV infection and two potent antiviral proteins, PI16 and PPID. These proteins block HIV's entry into T cells or limit its ability to replicate within the cell.
Small shrinking organ may prove decisive for life or death
A new study from Aarhus University reveals the thymus, a small organ previously believed to cease functioning early in adult life, plays a lifelong role in the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. The healthier the thymus, patients respond better to immunotherapy treatment.
Immune cells link lactation to long-lasting health
Recent studies show that T cells support milk production and have lasting effects on maternal health and infant immunity. The review highlights emerging evidence of the crucial role of immune cells in lactation, which can inform strategies to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.
New single-cell transcriptomic clock reveals intrinsic and systemic T cell aging in COVID-19 and HIV
Researchers developed a new single-cell transcriptomic clock called Tictock to measure aging in specific immune cells. The study found that COVID-19 and HIV alter T cell composition and accelerate the biological age of naïve CD8 T cells, while long-term antiretroviral therapy stabilizes T cell proportions.
New study: Immune cells linked to Epstein-Barr virus may play a role in MS
Researchers found that certain types of CD8+ killer T cells are more abundant in people with MS and target the EBV virus, indicating the virus may trigger an immune response leading to progressive neurological damage. The study suggests that interfering with EBV could have a significant impact on other autoimmune diseases.
Blood test to give insights into a person’s infection history
Researchers aim to develop a blood test that can determine a person's entire infection history by analyzing T-cell receptor analysis and sequencing. This could provide an indication of which pathogens they are immune to, improving diagnosis and treatment.
Gut microbe–derived butyrate activates immune cells to enhance vaccine efficacy
A study published in Microbiome found that gut microbiome-derived butyrate activates immune cells to enhance vaccine efficacy by promoting T follicular helper (Tfh) cell activity and mucosal antibody production. This discovery highlights the crucial role of gut environment regulation in controlling infections and enhancing vaccine resp...
Inflammation and autoimmune-like dysfunction may play a role in heart failure
A recent study from Penn State College of Medicine researchers found that helper T cells, typically involved in fighting infections, become overly activated in failing human hearts, causing damage. The activation of these T cells highlights the impact of inflammation and immune dysfunction in heart failure.
Discrimination linked to diminished immune system function
Researchers found that people experiencing everyday discrimination have elevated levels of "exhausted" white blood cells, indicating chronic stress may hamper the immune system. This study suggests social experiences like discrimination shape immune health at the cellular level and contribute to biological aging.
Genetic risk factor and viral infection jointly contribute to MS
Research reveals molecular interaction between environmental and genetic risk factors triggers MS. EBV and gene variants HLA-DR15 haplotype play key roles in disease onset.
Antibody halts triple-negative breast cancer in preclinical models
A new study developed an antibody that blocks several ways TNBC cells survive, grow, and evade the immune system. The antibody suppressed primary tumor growth and reenergized cancer-fighting immune cells, including T-cells and macrophages, in preclinical models.
Long-term HIV control: Could this combination therapy be the key?
A new combination therapy approach enabled seven out of ten participants to keep the virus at low levels for many months after going off antiretroviral therapy. The results suggest a possible cure for HIV and offer a proof of concept that this approach could work.
Lack of dietary iron may impair immune cells ability to fight influenza
Research suggests that iron deficiency can negatively affect immune cells' response to viruses, leaving lasting effects on lung immune cells. Iron deficiency is linked to conditions like asthma and affects women and young children disproportionately.
Researchers reveal intricate control system for key immune gene
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and UCSF have identified the genetic switches that regulate FOXP3 levels in human and mouse cells. In humans, multiple enhancers work together to keep FOXP3 active, while a repressor keeps it off in conventional T cells. This discovery has important implications for developing immune therapies.
Blood-based immunological signatures for extrapulmonary tuberculosis decoded
Researchers have identified three distinct immunotypes in EPTB patients, revealing new insights into disease mechanisms. Additionally, gene expression-based biomarkers have been developed to reliably diagnose both pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
UC Riverside scientist recognized by American Federation for Aging Research
Huimin Zhang, a UC Riverside assistant professor, has received a $150,000 grant to study the role of HELIOS in epigenetic regulation of T cell aging and TFH cell differentiation. Her research aims to understand how aging affects the immune system and develop new vaccines and therapies to restore immune vitality in older adults.
Leveraging the power of T cells: Oxford team maps the future of cancer immunotherapy
The review highlights how T cells specifically recognize and eliminate malignant cells through antigen recognition mechanisms. It also explores how tumors evade immune surveillance through various mechanisms and discusses potential therapeutic strategies, including combination therapies to improve response rates for cancer patients.
Decoding the T-cell burst: Signature genes that predict T-cell expansion in cancer immunotherapy
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science identified genes that predict CD8+ T cell expansion in cancer immunotherapy. A 'signature gene set' or 'expansion signature' was found to identify primed T cells for growth, predicting treatment response and offering a potential guide for new therapies.
Tackling inflammation in the gut: the role of ‘unconventional’ immune cells
Double negative T cells (DNT cells) play an indispensable role in suppressing intestinal inflammation, acting as antigen-presenting cells. Their impaired function may contribute to the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease, suggesting they could be a potential therapeutic target.
Next-generation CAR T cells could expand solid cancer treatment options
Researchers engineered CAR T cells to produce a fusion of IL-12 cytokine and a PD-L1 blocker, boosting immune activity against solid tumors. The modified cells were found to be highly effective in shrinking ovarian and prostate tumors while minimizing side effects.
Researchers find a way to use antibodies to direct T cells to kill Cytomegalovirus-infected cells
Researchers have found a way to use antibodies to direct T cells to kill Cytomegalovirus-infected cells, offering an alternative treatment for life-threatening infections without expensive and side-effect-prone drugs.
IU scientists reprogram cancer-protecting regulatory T cells to fight tumors
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have developed a novel candidate drug that shifts the behavior of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells, turning them from cancer protectors into tumor fighters. The study shows promising results in clearing triple-negative breast cancer tumors and treating other aggressive cancers.
New AI approach paves way for smarter T-cell immunotherapy and vaccine development
Researchers harness AlphaFold 3 to predict how T cells recognize peptides, opening avenues for precision immunotherapy and vaccine design. The approach enables in silico identification of immunogenic epitopes that could serve as vaccine targets.
Moffitt study finds lymphoma accelerates aging of immune cells and tissues
A new study reveals that lymphoma can accelerate the biological aging of the immune system and other tissues, leading to increased inflammation, impaired protein balance, and altered iron regulation. The effects were not limited to immune cells, with markers of aging also appearing in blood vessels, kidneys, and intestines.
This artificial sweetener could make cancer treatment less effective
Research suggests that consuming high levels of sucralose can make cancer treatment less effective by disrupting the gut microbiome and altering T cell function. However, adding arginine or citrulline supplements to the diet may restore immunotherapy effectiveness in patients with melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.
The hidden science of allergy shots
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology investigate the fundamentals of allergy immunotherapies by examining T cells in children with cockroach allergies, finding that dosage and underlying response don't affect treatment efficacy.
New antibody selectively targets immune cells that suppress anti-tumor responses
Researchers discovered a new monoclonal antibody, 2B010, that selectively targets regulatory T cells (Tregs) in tumors, boosting the activity of CD8+ T cells and improving anti-tumor immune responses. This unique mechanism could complement existing cancer therapies and lead to more effective treatments.
Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation awards $4.2 million to clinical cancer researchers
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded $4.2 million to five new Clinical Investigators conducting patient-oriented cancer research. The awards will support the development of new treatments for cancer patients, with a focus on enhancing efficacy and safety.
Novel T-cell subtypes in the follicular lymphoma microenvironment
The study reveals three new subsets of follicular T cells that increase in follicular lymphoma, each with distinct gene expression and spatial distribution patterns. These T-cell subsets serve as a strong predictor of patient prognosis, enhancing treatment approaches for the disease.
Gut microbes key to understanding how exercise boosts cancer immunity
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh shows exercise improves cancer outcomes and enhances response to immunotherapy in mice by reshaping the gut microbiome. The research found that a specific compound called formate, produced by gut bacteria in exercised mice, was associated with better outcomes in patients with melanoma.
Releasing a molecular ‘brake’ may help immune cells better fight cancer
Scientists found that blocking PTGIR could help revitalize T cells in their battle against cancer. Prostacyclin interacts with PTGIR to lead to T cell exhaustion, which can be reversed by inhibiting this interaction.
Transforming immunotherapy design
Assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering Natasa Miskov-Zivanov is receiving a $581,503 NSF CAREER Award for her project that leverages AI to design more effective lymphocytes for cancer immunotherapies. The system aims to accelerate the process of designing new therapeutic cell designs.
Vaccines of the future: harnessing the immune system for long-lasting protection
Scientists have discovered a novel way to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines by boosting stem cell-like memory CD8+ T cells, which can provide decades-long immunity. The study uses mRNA vaccine technology to increase the formation of these cells, offering a promising solution for viruses and cancer therapies.
AACR: New CAR T cell therapy benefits patients with advanced thyroid cancers
AIC100 demonstrated encouraging responses and an acceptable safety profile in patients with two types of advanced thyroid cancer, including anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) and relapsed/refractory poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PTDC). The therapy showed significant tumor shrinkage and disease control in 56% of patients.
Tumor byproduct blocks immune cells from fighting cancer
A team of researchers has identified a novel oncometabolite that accumulates in tumors and impairs immune cells' ability to fight cancer. The study highlights how the metabolic environment of tumors influences T cell function, opening new possibilities for improving cancer immunotherapy by targeting tumor metabolism.
New findings on T cell exhaustion: The body prepares early for mild to severe disease
A recent study by researchers at TUM has discovered that the body produces special T cells predisposed to exhaustion even in early infection phases of moderate diseases. This finding expands our understanding of immune response mechanisms and could help control the immune system in cancer patients or weaken excessive defenses.
Researchers find intestinal immune cell prevents food allergies
A recent study published in Cell revealed that a specific intestinal immune cell prevents food allergies by breaking the threshold between friend and foe in the gut. Researchers at WashU Medicine identified this cell as RORγt+ dendritic cells, which maintain tolerance to harmless food allergens, preventing allergic reactions.
A novel AI-based method reveals how cells respond to drug treatments
A novel AI-based method called scNET combines gene expression data with networks of possible gene interactions to identify biological patterns in response to drug treatments. The system reveals complex mechanisms underlying cellular behavior, providing insights for new therapeutic approaches.
Protein in the nose provides information about COPD
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a new method to diagnose COPD by analyzing protein levels in nasal lavage. The study found that elevated IL-26 levels can indicate an early phase of the disease, and may lead to new treatment strategies targeting this cytokine.
MD Anderson Research Highlights for March 27, 2025
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center made several key discoveries, including the spatial organization of cancer-associated fibroblasts across various cancers and a study on treatment resistance in SMARCA4-mutant lung cancer. These findings highlight the importance of investigating cell populations in their spatial context to better...
Study identifies link between high-salt diet and depression
A new study published in The Journal of Immunology found that a high-salt diet induces depression-like symptoms in mice by driving the production of IL-17A. Researchers identified gamma-delta T cells as an important source of this protein, which is also linked to depression in human clinical studies.
Reprogramming immune cells to improve cancer treatment
Researchers discovered that by targeting the Elovl1 enzyme, T cells can harness fatty acid oxidation for energy, increasing their survival and effectiveness against cancer. This metabolic reprogramming approach enhances antitumor activity and improves treatment outcomes in experimental models of melanoma and pancreatic cancer.
New insights into how cancer evades the immune system
Researchers at Amsterdam UMC and Moffitt Cancer Center found that contact with CLL cells leads to an energy crisis in T cells, making them unable to proliferate. The study suggests that restoring T cell energy could significantly enhance the effectiveness of current treatments for cancer.
Rice researchers harness gravity to create low-cost device for rapid cell analysis
The Rice team created a low-cost, pump-free flow cytometer that uses gravity-driven slug flow to analyze cells with similar accuracy as conventional devices. The device is powered by AI and can count specific immune cells from unpurified blood samples within minutes.
Immune cells may lead to more Parkinson's cases in men
La Jolla Institute scientists found that a protein in brain cells drives Parkinson's onset and may explain why the disease is more common in men. PINK1 appears to mark brain cells for immune cell attack, leading to inflammation and death.
As dengue spreads, researchers discover a clue to fighting the virus
A new study led by La Jolla Institute for Immunology scientists found that children who experience multiple dengue virus infections develop protective T cells, which help fight the virus. These T cells appear to be key to dengue virus immunity and may inform the development of a vaccine that prompts a similar response.
Rare side effect of cancer immunotherapy
A rare case of T cell lymphoma developed in a patient with multiple myeloma nine months after CAR-T cell therapy. Genetic alterations in the patient's haematopoietic cells played a role in tumour development, highlighting the importance of genetic predispositions for potential side effects.
IR Sant Pau study reveals immune system’s crucial role in ALS at cellular level
A recent study from IR Sant Pau investigates the peripheral immune system's role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the single-cell level. The research found altered NK cell subpopulations associated with ALS progression, suggesting a potential target for new therapies.
From Spanish flu to today: how immune cells keep up with a changing virus
Researchers discovered immune cells that can recognise influenza (flu) viruses even as they mutate, providing a potential solution to the annual updates of flu vaccines. The study found that certain T cells, which play a critical role in fighting infections, can detect multiple flu strains, even those that have evolved over a century.
New research unlocks key to long-lasting immune response in cancer and chronic diseases
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have identified a rare type of immune cell, called stem-like T cells, that holds the key to maintaining powerful, long-term immune responses. ID3+ T cells have the remarkable ability to resist burnout and maintain a powerful immune response over time.
New MSK research a step toward off-the-shelf CAR T cell therapy for cancer
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have made a breakthrough in creating allogeneic CAR T cells that can persist in fighting cancer without being rejected by patients. By modifying donor cells with the HIV protein Nef, the cells can survive and remain potent in treating various types of cancer.
A battle of rafts: How molecular dynamics in CAR T cells explain their cancer-killing behavior
Researchers investigated how two CAR T cells kill cancer with distinct signaling domains. CD28.ζ-CAR molecules work quickly and efficiently, while 4-1BB.ζ-CAR molecules linger in lipid rafts for sustained collaborative killing of tumor cells. This study aims to design CAR molecules maximizing antitumor activity beyond B cell malignancies.
Understanding how the immune system switches between rest and action
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and UCSF identified MED12 as a crucial switch that regulates T cell rest and activation. The study found that MED12 promotes rest in resting cells and activation in activated cells, and its removal led to blurred lines between rest and activation.
Accelerated aging in young sickle cell patients linked to elevated T-cell p16INK4a
Researchers found significantly higher levels of p16INK4a in young people with sickle cell disease, indicating accelerated cellular aging. This discovery may lead to new treatments targeting cell aging and improved quality of life for SCD patients.
Physician-scientist receives NCI grant to advance cell-based cancer treatments
Dr. Christopher Seet has received a $2.9 million R37 MERIT Award from the National Cancer Institute to develop innovative T cell therapies for cancer. The grant will support research into iPSC-derived T cells, which can be engineered for enhanced tumor-fighting capabilities.
Inflammatory myopathies and autoimmune gluten-related disorders
A scoping review found associations between myositis disease activity and gluten exposure in patients with inflammatory myopathies and celiac disease. The study suggests that gluten may act as an exogenous antigen driving myositis in genetically predisposed patients.
Immune T cells become exhausted in chronic fatigue syndrome patients
Chronic fatigue syndrome patients' immune T cells become exhausted, a condition well-studied in cancer. Researchers now explore potential treatments to reverse this state, which may benefit ME/CFS patients.
Extracellular matrix and tumor-immune interactions: challenges & opportunities
The review explores the impact of extracellular matrix (ECM) geometry on immune cell behavior and treatment efficacy. Specific ECM configurations, known as Tumor-Associated Collagen Signatures (TACS), create physical barriers that limit immune cell access to tumors.
New take on immunotherapy reinvigorates T cells by blocking uptake of energy-sapping cancer byproducts
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that blocking the uptake of lactic acid, a key factor in T cell exhaustion, can reinvigorate these cells. This new approach shows promise for improving tumor control and treatment outcomes in various cancers.