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Master detox molecule boosts immune defenses

Scientists at Luxembourg Institute of Health discovered a new molecular mechanism where the human immune system activates T cells to fight off pathogens through the production of glutathione, a substance that stimulates energy metabolism. This discovery offers potential therapeutic strategies for targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases.

SourceLuxembourg Institute of Health·JournalImmunity·DateApr 18, 2017

The molecular underpinnings of T cell exhaustion

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that exhausted T cells have distinct DNA structures and activate specific genes, including NFAT and Nr4a proteins. These findings provide new insights into the molecular underpinnings of T cell exhaustion and offer potential targets for improving cancer immunotherapies.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2017

Unearthing immune responses to common drugs

Australian researchers investigated how certain medications impact MAIT cell function, finding some prevent detection of infections while others activate the immune system. This discovery may lead to better understanding and control of immune reactions to drugs, as well as new therapies that manipulate MAIT cell behavior.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Immunology·DateFeb 6, 2017

Technique reveals movements of immune cells as they hunt for tumors in Stanford-led study

A new imaging technique allows researchers to visualize and monitor the behavior of immune cells used to treat cancer patients. The technique reveals whether T cells have found a tumor, how many T cells have arrived, and whether they are alive. This breakthrough could improve our understanding of why immunotherapy doesn't always work.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 18, 2017

New approach tests the strength of immunity

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have developed a new test to determine immune cell strength, which could help predict patient reactions to various threats. The CaFlux test uses calcium channel detection to assess T-cell responses, offering insights into potential allergies or autoimmunity.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 27, 2016

Mobilizing our immune system to fight viruses

Researchers at Monash University have made a groundbreaking discovery about how T cells recognize viruses, challenging decades-old immunological concepts. By using the National Synchrotron, they gained key molecular insights into the T cell-virus interaction, revealing a new way T cells 'see' viruses and triggering an immune response.

SourceMonash University·JournalImmunity·DateOct 20, 2016

New insights into tumor-infiltrating T cells

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified a distinct gene module for T cell dysfunction, contributing to chronic disease states like cancer and chronic viral infections. A transcription factor, Gata-3, was found to play a crucial role in T cell dysfunction, offering new avenues for targeted therapy.

Malnutrition, shaping up to be a first world problem

Researchers found that a western-style high fat diet can affect the immune system prior to weight gain, altering T cell responses and potentially leading to autoimmune disease. The study revealed that dietary lipids directly influence T cell activation and responsiveness by changing the composition of the T cell membrane.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateJul 17, 2016

Study shows why immune-boosting therapy doesn't work for everyone with widespread melanoma

A recent study published at ASCO found that gene dysregulation causes immune T cells to turn back to an immature state, making them less effective against metastatic melanoma. The researchers discovered over 60 epigenetic changes and 10 changes in gene activity that were most common among patients who didn't respond to immunotherapy.