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Revolutionizing lymphedema care: new lymphedema-on-chip platform holds promise

Researchers created a tiny 3D cell culture model that mimics the function of lymphatic vessels to explore how inflammatory substances affect the lymphatic system. They found that certain cytokines cause cells to tighten their junctions, leading to reduced fluid drainage and swelling. Inhibiting a protein called ROCK2 reversed lymphedem...

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2023

Immune cells in single file

Dendritic cells form three-dimensional networks that regulate their migration and development. The new concept reveals how cytokines keep the cells together and close gaps in their network. This discovery has prognostic value for tumour diseases, particularly after immunotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 17, 2023

Long COVID not caused by COVID-19 immune inflammatory response, new research finds

Researchers at University of Bristol found that Long Covid is not caused by an immune inflammatory reaction to COVID-19. Instead, persistent immune activation and inflammation may persist for months after COVID-19, correlating with severe disease. The study suggests a new direction for understanding and potentially treating this debili...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournaleLife·TypeObservational study·DateJul 4, 2023

Anti-microbial nanonets display multi-functionality by mitigating inflammatory responses during sepsis

Pharmaceutical scientists from the National University of Singapore have developed multi-functional synthetic peptide nanonets for relieving inflammation caused by bacterial infection. These nanonets trap bacterial endotoxins and pro-inflammatory cytokines, achieving anti-inflammatory activity through selective binding.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Status epilepticus: New inflammatory markers to improve patient care

A new study identifies several cytokine markers associated with poor prognosis in New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE) patients. The researchers found that the concentration of these inflammatory proteins was higher in NORSE patients than controls, and their increase was correlated with short-term and long-term neurological ...

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalAnnals of Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 31, 2023

Enhanced cancer immunotherapies through cytokine-labeled T cells

A new method utilizes an unnatural sugar to anchor cytokines to T cells, enhancing their functions without systemic side-effects. The approach has shown promise in stimulating the host immune system against tumor cells and inhibiting tumor growth in mice with melanoma.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2023

Brain aging is not one-size-fits-all: Chronological age, biological age and gender affect the shrinkage of different brain areas

Research reveals that brain function networks are affected differently by aging, gender, and blood immune factors. The study found correlations between cytokine clock, brain shrinkage, and gender, with females having a faster ticking cytokine clock.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 2, 2022

Portland State study finds diet high in saturated fat can reprogram immune cells in mice

Researchers discovered that a ketogenic diet high in saturated fats can reprogram the mouse immune system, making it better at fighting off infections but more susceptible to systemic inflammatory conditions. The study also found that another type of fat, oleic acid, may be able to counteract the harmful effects of palmitic acid.

SourcePortland State University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2022

Gut bacteria may contribute to susceptibility to HIV infection, UCLA-led research suggests

Researchers found pre-existing differences in gut bacteria between people with and without HIV, including decreased Bacteroides species and increased Megasphaera elsdenii. These changes were present even before infection occurred, suggesting a potential link between gut microbiome and HIV susceptibility.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 29, 2022

‘Drug factory’ implants eliminate mesothelioma tumors in mice

Rice University researchers have developed a treatment combining drug factory implants producing interleukin-2 with checkpoint inhibitors to eradicate advanced-stage mesothelioma tumors in mice. The treatment resulted in complete tumor destruction in all seven treated mice, offering a promising approach to this aggressive lung cancer.

SourceRice University·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Protective T cells remain 20 months after COVID-19

Researchers found that highly specialized T cells, designed to eliminate infected cells, remained active in the blood of all previously SARS-CoV-2-infected patients for at least 20 months. These T cells did not disappear or wane even at long follow-up, suggesting a vital aspect of protective immunity that persists years after COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCase study·DateJul 21, 2022

Transcranial stimulation lowers blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension, study shows

A recent study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can lower blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. After a single session or ten sessions, the treatment reduced peripheral and central blood pressure in some patients by up to 15 mmHg.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine·DateJun 7, 2022

Stopping lung damage before it turns deadly

Researchers found that hypoxia can activate immune cells called ILC2s, which respond to harmless environmental allergens and drive mucus production and inflammation in the lungs. The study identifies adrenomedullin as a new target for treating inflammatory and allergic lung diseases.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022