Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have found that a protein called alpha-myosin heavy chain triggers inflammatory heart disease in people with type 1 diabetes. The discovery could lead to diagnostic and therapeutic tools for this condition, which is often fatal.
Researchers discovered that autoimmune disease myocarditis occurs when immune system targets heart muscle cells expressing alpha myosin, a protein required for contraction. Preventing the disease involves exposing T cells to alpha myosin in thymus, suggesting measurement of alpha-myosin as diagnostic tool and potential therapeutic target
Research reveals T cells from elite controllers are resistant to HIV infection due to selective upregulation of p21, an enzyme inhibitor. Blocking p21 increases viral gene expression, highlighting potential treatment strategies for vulnerable patients.
By analyzing CD8+ T cells from healthy blood donors, researchers created a statistical model that accurately predicts the age and quality of T cells. This allows clinicians to transfer only young functional cells back into patients' bodies, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes for various cancers.
Researchers have created a bioengineered protein called CD19-L that selectively targets and destroys leukemia cells, including those resistant to chemotherapy. This breakthrough discovery offers new hope for treating childhood leukemia.
Researchers have developed an approach to identify parasite genes associated with severe infection in pregnant women and children, offering new understanding of childhood malaria. Additionally, studies found that niacin can inhibit progression of atherosclerosis in mice through its receptor GPR109A expressed by immune cells.
Primitive lampreys have structures within their gills that play a role similar to the thymus, where T cells develop in mammals and birds. The finding suggests two separate organs for immune cell development preceded the appearance of key features like antibodies and T cell receptors.
New research suggests histamine plays a critical role in preventing or lessening the effects of multiple sclerosis. Histamine reduces MS-causing T cell proliferation and interferon-gamma production, and its ability to adhere to brain vessels.
T cell receptors first bind with antigen on pathogen-invaded cell, triggering signaling process that amplifies effect. Co-receptor plays key role in discrimination process, contributing to stronger binding when combined with T cell receptor.
A new study finds that dendritic cells play a key role in amplifying autoimmune disease, specifically systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The research suggests that depleting dendritic cells may be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating SLE and potentially other autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology discover how HIV promotes the death of CD4 T cells by infecting them with a failed form of viral replication. This process leads to the depletion of these critical immune cells, ultimately causing AIDS.
Researchers have found that the HIV virus triggers an immune response in CD4 T cells due to incomplete reverse transcription, leading to cell death. The study's findings suggest that targeting the cell sensor responsible for this response could lead to new treatment strategies.
Scientists at Rockefeller University have discovered a new class of dendritic cells, called monocyte-derived dendritic cells, that can be derived from blood monocytes. These cells have been shown to have the same functional properties as classical dendritic cells and are promising for therapeutic uses in humans.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new epitope-mapping laboratory test that can pinpoint the unique binding site for disease-causing pathogens within three weeks. The test uses five essential proteins involved in antigen processing by immune system cells, speeding up the development of cancer vaccines and diagnostic...
Researchers studying gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy discovered a natural immunity to dystrophin, complicating experimental therapies. The immune response triggered by T cells may target muscle cells, resembling autoimmunity.
A recent study by scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that any two people share tens of thousands of identical T-cell receptors, challenging previous dogma. This discovery has significant implications for diagnosing and treating autoimmune diseases and cancer, as it suggests a common immune response to disease.
Researchers have developed a way to deliver drugs directly to tumors using nanoparticles, reducing the risk of severe side effects. The new approach uses immune cells to target tumors, allowing for more effective cancer treatment.
Researchers at National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have identified a precise protein fragment that can trigger diabetes in mice. The finding contradicts conventional wisdom and suggests that poorly presented peptides may cause autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found a new mechanism by which CD8+ T cells control HIV. The discovery highlights the antiviral activity of prothymosin-alpha, a tiny protein that stimulates interferon production to block viral replication.
Scientists at the Trudeau Institute have identified two crucial signals that enable virus-fighting T cells to migrate to the lungs, where they can fight future infections. This breakthrough could lead to the development of vaccines designed to promote respiratory immunity.
Stanford researchers have developed a new technique that reinforces immune cells to seek and destroy cancer, potentially improving the efficacy of adoptive immunotherapy. The approach uses synthetic biology to engineer T cells to produce cytokines for themselves, while introducing switches to control their growth.
Researchers at Yale University found that carbon nanotubes cause T cell antigens to cluster in high concentrations, stimulating the body's natural immune response. This breakthrough could improve current adoptive immunotherapy for cancer treatment by increasing T cell proliferation.
Researchers found a molecular link between genetic mutations and type 1 diabetes, identifying a critical new target for intervention. The study's findings suggest a way to break 'tolerance' in the immune system, potentially leading to novel antibody or small molecule therapies.
Researchers found that minocycline effectively targets and reduces HIV replication in immune cells, providing an additional layer of defense against the virus. The antibiotic may improve current treatment regimens for HIV-infected patients when used in combination with HAART.
A Notre Dame study highlights the role of dynamic motion by proteins involved in the body's immune response. The research found that different antigens produce distinct motions, complicating but also simplifying recognition by T-cell receptors.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne discovered a type of cell that causes T cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in children. Targeting these cells could reduce treatment length and toxicity, leading to better patient outcomes.
A Wisconsin statewide blood screening program successfully identified newborns with T-cell lymphopenia, a severe immune disorder. The test, which analyzes DNA from dried blood spots, detected the condition in eight infants and showed promise as a cost-effective method for early diagnosis.
Bone marrow transplantation can cause immune deficiency, leading to infections and cancer recurrence due to thymic damage from donor T cells. Research identified key molecules FasL and TRAIL required for this damage, offering potential targets to improve allo-BMT outcomes.
A Scripps Research Institute study describes a new approach to identifying molecules that prevent autoreactive T cells from attacking the body. The method uses peptoids to visualize binding antibodies and has the potential to create new therapeutic discoveries for autoimmune diseases like MS and blood cancers.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered that T cell receptors are mechanosensors that rely on sheer mechanical force to shift between scanning and fighting modes. This fundamental understanding may lead to the development of precisely targeted therapies for cancers and infections, eliminating harsh side effects.
Researchers discovered that T cells recognize a specific marker on insulin-producing cells to gain access to the islets, triggering inflammation and destruction. The findings suggest new approaches to halt or prevent type I diabetes by blocking T cell entry into the islets.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed an in vitro system to identify compounds that can eliminate HIV-1 from resting CD4+ T cells without causing global T cell activation. This breakthrough offers a potential solution for eliminating the virus's hidden reservoir.
Researchers suggest engineering attenuated pathogens to mimic live viruses, inducing potent cellular response. The study identifies key immune patterns that distinguish pathogenic from non-pathogenic microbes.
Scientists identify defective immunity in skin as a key factor in skin aging and age-related health problems. The study reveals that older people's skin tissue fails to attract T-cells, leading to reduced immunity and increased risk of infections and cancer.
Researchers developed a lab test to predict HIV microbicide safety, identifying why some 'safe' microbicides increased HIV transmission. The test detects disruptions in the vaginal epithelial barrier, which can facilitate HIV infection.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that the Ras protein can be transferred from cancer cells into immune cells, strengthening the immune system and activating it against cancer. This discovery opens up new possibilities for creating cancer drugs targeting this specific threat.
A new clinical trial found that starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) before CD4+ T cell counts drop below 200 cells/mm3 improves survival for HIV-infected adults. The study's results have the potential to change standard of care for HIV infection in dozens of countries.
A new study found that lymph nodes are not necessary for the immune system to respond to infections. Instead, the liver can serve as a surrogate structure for T-cell activation. This discovery suggests an alternative role for the liver and may explain why patients receiving a liver transplant sometimes inherit the donor's allergies.
Research suggests that lymph nodes are not necessary for marshalling T-cells to respond to skin breaches, with the liver playing a key role instead. This discovery implies a novel function for the liver and offers insights into the evolution of immune systems in mammals.
T cells wear out during chronic infections due to limited presentation of viral antigens. Mice studies show altered MHC class I molecules on blood and immune system cells but missing from other cells, leading to exhaustion.
Researchers confirm that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disease caused by a specific immune cell variation. A study found that nearly 90% of patients with narcolepsy carry a variant of the human leukocyte antigen gene, which is also associated with other autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and juvenile diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a novel optical technique called IRAM that enables rapid analysis of single human immune cells using only light. This technique allows for clear differences between two types of immune cells to be seen, providing new insights into cell activation and development.
Researchers identify LIPG gene mutations that result in elevated HDL-C levels, potentially increasing cardiovascular risk. Meanwhile, a new study suggests intermittent IL-7 therapy may boost CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-infected patients.
A new study found that intermittent IL-7 therapy, combined with conventional antiretroviral therapy (c-ART), boosts the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in HIV-infected patients with low T cell counts. This effect was observed for 48 weeks, suggesting a potential treatment option for these individuals.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine discovered that immune cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis have trouble turning on the enzyme that replenishes telomeres, leading to premature aging. This finding suggests that restoring defective telomerase could help 'reset' the immune system in rheumatoid arthritis.
A new HIV rapid test is being developed with a potential cost of $2, aiming to measure CD4+ T-cells in a person's blood without electronics or mechanical parts. The test would enable patients to find out if they need antiretroviral therapy within minutes.
Two large clinical trials found that IL-2 immunotherapy increases CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy, but fails to reduce the risk of opportunistic diseases or death. The treatment's efficacy was not linked to better health outcomes.
Researchers have generated altered immune cells that target mesothelin, a protein highly expressed on cancer cells, shrinking and sometimes eradicating large tumors in mice. The approach shows promise for immunotherapies against certain tumors.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a woman's immune system anomaly that may lead to breakthrough therapies for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and colitis. The discovery of antibodies blocking T-cell movement could result in more targeted treatments with lower risks of infections or tumors.
Researchers have identified a negative regulation loop that restricts the ability of T lymphocytes to divide, paving the way for a homeostatic production of CD4+ T lymphocytes. This discovery has major implications for patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, or infected with HIV.
Researchers employed intravital two-photon microscopy to study immune cells in mice with viral meningitis. They found that T-cells didn't attack infected cells but instead recruited monocytes and neutrophils, which caused fatal seizures.
A new study reveals that long-term non-progressors' immune cells can effectively contain HIV by stockpiling molecular weapons, enabling them to kill infected cells efficiently. The discovery advances understanding of the unique mechanisms behind this phenomenon and may inform the development of an HIV vaccine.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have devised a new way to track the location and survival of specially modified cancer-killing cells in living patients for months and years. The technique uses a reporter gene that is expressed throughout a cell's lifetime, providing repeated snapshots of the cells' status.
A new study reveals that TIM-3 protein inactivates virus-killing T cells in HIV-infected patients, leading to their exhaustion. Blocking this protein may one day help patients eliminate HIV and other chronic infections.
Researchers have developed polymer patches that can ferry drugs, assist in cancer diagnosis and help with tissue engineering. The polymer backpacks allow researchers to use cells as vectors to carry materials to tumors or other tissue sites.
Researchers found a 71% higher risk of death for patients who deferred treatment compared to those who started HAART earlier. The study's findings suggest that initiating therapy at an earlier stage of HIV disease may improve patient outcomes.
A study by French researchers found that infused T cells recognize a new protein called meloe-1, which is highly expressed in melanoma cells but not normal skin cells. Meloe-1-specific T cells were more common among patients who remained relapse-free, suggesting this strategy may improve adoptive immunotherapy efficacy.
Dr. Xingxing Zang receives Type 1 Diabetes Pathfinder Award for his innovative research on B7x protein, which may prevent T lymphocytes from destroying pancreatic cells. The award supports his five-year study to explore the role of B7x in diabetes prevention and treatment.
A study led by Yuntao Wu reveals how HIV triggers a cell process that activates cofilin, allowing the virus to cross the cell membrane. This fundamental understanding may lead to the development of new therapeutic tools to block viral interaction.
Researchers identify key areas of focus, including broadly neutralizing antibodies and innate immune responses, to develop an effective HIV vaccine. The authors express cautious optimism about the potential development of a vaccine, citing the need for significant scientific understanding of HIV disease.