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Structural insights illuminate the arms race between crop plants and fungal pathogens

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research have characterized the structures of several powdery mildew effectors, revealing a common scaffold that allows them to evade recognition by plant immune receptors. This discovery provides new insights into the molecular arms race between plants and fungal pathogens.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

Low binding affinity improves vaccine efficacy

Researchers developed a novel vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 by selecting antigen variants with low binding affinity, resulting in higher neutralizing antibody concentrations. This design strategy may also improve vaccine efficacy for other coronaviruses and herpes viruses.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 26, 2023

New hope for inflammatory disorders - controlling dangerous immune response

A groundbreaking study has uncovered potential treatments for inflammatory disorders by targeting specific receptors involved in the immune response. Researchers created mimetic peptides that successfully reduced inflammation in human immune cells and provided significant protection against toxic shock in mice.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Biomedical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2023

Scientists make a breakthrough in the cellular recognition of microplastics

Researchers at Ritsumeikan University have made a breakthrough in understanding how macrophages recognize microplastics, discovering an interaction between aromatic rings that drives this process. The study suggests that while microplastics may not induce acute inflammation, chronic exposure could lead to autoimmune diseases.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

Potential relief for osteoarthritis moves to clinical trial after animal studies

Researchers have found a potential treatment for osteoarthritis by targeting the GP130 immune receptor, which causes hyper-inflammation in joints. The new compound R805/CX-011 showed promising results in animal studies, reducing joint pain and stiffness, and may lead to Phase 1 and 2A clinical trials.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2023

New treatment for COVID-19 is made from plants

Researchers at Arizona State University describe an innovative therapy using transient expression in tobacco plants to produce a monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2. This class 4 mAb provides key advantages over existing treatments, including mutation resistance and universal protection against emerging variants.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2023

Scientists discover receptor that blocks COVID-19 infection

Researchers identified a protein in lung cells that blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection and forms a natural protective barrier. The discovery opens up an entirely new area of immunology research around LRRC15 and offers promising prospects for developing new drugs to prevent viral infection or treat fibrosis in the lungs.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023

How gut bacteria evade the immune system

Researchers identified a new type of flagellin in the human gut that binds to Toll-like receptor 5 without inducing an inflammatory response. This discovery provides a mechanism for the immune system to tolerate beneficial microbes while remaining responsive to pathogens.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Immunology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 16, 2023

Researchers identify how certain immune cells contribute to worse survival in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer

Researchers found that HER2-positive breast cancer patients with high levels of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in residual disease have significantly shorter overall survival. High levels of TILs are associated with poorer outcomes, while lower levels are linked to improved survival rates.

Plant immune systems can adapt to non-living environmental stressors, a new study reveals

A recent study led by Eliza Loo found that plant immune receptors and signaling components confer salt tolerance even in plants challenged by non-pathogenic microbes. This suggests that plants can sense and initiate adaptive responses to abiotic stresses upon detecting alterations in cues presented by plant-inhabiting microbes.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalMolecular Plant-Microbe Interactions·DateAug 24, 2022

Scientists identify what makes the Delta variant dangerous and explain the recent surge in COVID-19 infections

Researchers analyze delta variant's biophysical characteristics, revealing unique traits that evade neutralizing antibodies and contribute to severe symptoms. The study sheds light on why vaccinated individuals can still contract the virus and why delta variant hospitalizations are higher than other variants.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Molecular Biology·DateJul 18, 2022

SARS-Arena reveals hidden hooks in virus

The SARS-Arena program identifies conserved peptides in the SARS-CoV-2 virus that could be used to develop vaccines. The peptides are part of the nucleocapsid protein, which is highly expressed upon infection and highly immunogenic.

SourceRice University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 13, 2022

Quality control for antibodies

A team led by Dr. Johan Duchêne investigated commercial antibodies against ACKR1, refuting a previous study that claimed its expression on macrophages and monocytes. The study emphasizes the significance of antibody specificity and demonstrates the importance of publishing corrections in scientific research.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJul 8, 2022

Some cases of long COVID-19 may be caused by an abnormally suppressed immune system, UCLA-led research suggests

A UCLA-led team found that an abnormally suppressed immune system, not a persistently hyperactive one, may be to blame for some cases of long COVID-19. The study suggests boosting immunity in those individuals could be a treatment option.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 22, 2022

T-cell responses may help predict protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with and without cancer

New study reveals that T-cell responses against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can predict protection against infection. In healthy individuals, T cells with a specific cytokine profile offered immunity against COVID-19. In contrast, cancer patients showed lower T-cell responses and increased susceptibility to infection.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Discovery·DateFeb 18, 2022