Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Does your immune system learn like AI?

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory used machine learning concepts to study the immune system's learning process, finding that the system achieves negative selection through generalization. This process allows for the correct deletion of self-reactive T cells despite encountering only a small fraction of the body's self-peptides.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 19, 2026

Building your immunity: Tissue-resident immune cells defend human lungs from viral, bacterial, and fungal infections

A recent study found that human lung tissue contains a vast reservoir of tissue-resident memory T cells (T RM cells) capable of targeting a range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These cells reside only in the lungs and can live for years, providing a vital line of defense against severe respiratory infections.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2026

Taming overactive immune systems with antibodies: hope for autoimmune diseases

A multi-institutional team has discovered a novel immune regulatory mechanism mediated by antibodies that selectively shut down overactive immune responses. The 'immune-induced TCR-like antibody' (iTab) can reduce disease severity and delay its onset in a mouse model of autoimmune disease.

SourceImmunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) - The University of Osaka·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2026

Researchers develop high-precision human immune aging clock, identifying RUNX1 as key target for T-cell senescence

A high-precision Human Immune Aging Clock (HIAC) has been developed to quantify immunosenescence and identify actionable intervention targets. The study identified RUNX1 as a functional 'brake' on T-cell senescence, and found that individuals with decelerated immune aging displayed a more youthful immune profile.

Gut health à la CAR T

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have devised a new approach to stimulate cell growth and repair in the intestine using CAR T-cell therapy. This therapy has shown promising results in improving gut health in both young and old mice, with significant reductions in inflammation and improved nutrient absorption.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Aging·DateDec 11, 2025

AI-informed approach to CAR design enhances bi-specific CAR T cells

St. Jude researchers developed a computational method to design tandem CARs that target two cancer-related proteins, overcoming previous challenges and function better in treating animal models of cancer. The approach demonstrated improved surface expression and anti-tumor function, clearing tumors in four out of five mice.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2025

A new approach to differentiating large granular lymphocytic leukemias and their mimics in light of current updates in the 5th Edition of the WHO Classification

Large granular lymphocytic leukemias (LGLLs) are heterogeneous groups of chronic lymphoproliferative disorders. Recent molecular insights and WHO 5th edition updates refine diagnostic precision. T-cell LGLL has favorable prognosis with immunosuppressive treatment, while NK-LGLL is indolent but requires symptomatic treatment.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Pathology·DateApr 10, 2025

Dr. Theodore Scott Nowicki awarded $4.5M NCI grant to advance next generation of cellular immunotherapies for solid tumors

Dr. Nowicki's team has engineered 'supercharged' T cells that produce extra TNF-alpha to boost cancer-fighting ability, offering a potentially more precise and toxic-free treatment option. The new funding will help test these enhanced T cells in preclinical models to evaluate their effectiveness.

T-cell receptor repertoire analysis in the context of transarterial chemoembolization synergy with systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Research suggests that T-cell receptor repertoire analysis can inform treatment responses and predict efficacy in combination therapies for HCC. Advances in sequencing technologies are refining our understanding of tumor-immune interactions and adaptive immune mechanisms.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateDec 10, 2024

TCR CDR3s and renalase-1 linked to increased melanoma survival

Researchers identified a potential antigen for TCR recognition in melanoma, suggesting that RNLS protein could be recognized by T cells leading to local immune responses against the cancer. The study found that chemical complementarity between melanoma-resident TCR CDR3s and renalase-1 protein correlates with increased melanoma survival.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeNews article·DateAug 8, 2024

Uncovering “Blockbuster T cells” in the gut wins NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize

Researchers have identified a novel type of T cell that can recognize and respond to multiple bacterial strains in the gut. This breakthrough finding has significant implications for treating diseases such as cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. The discovery was made by Kazuki Nagashima, winner of the NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize.

Machine learning classifier accelerates the development of cellular immunotherapies

A machine learning classifier developed by German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) scientists has accelerated the development of personalized T cell therapies for cancer patients. The technology, called predicTCR, can identify tumor-reactive T cell receptors with 90% accuracy in a matter of days, regardless of tumor type.

EMBARGOED UNTIL JAN. 8 @ 3 PM EST: UTHealth Houston study: EBV-specific T-cells play key role in development of multiple sclerosis

Researchers from UTHealth Houston discovered that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T-cells are present in high numbers in the cerebrospinal fluid of people with multiple sclerosis at its earliest stages. The study suggests that these cells may be contributing to the disease's pathogenesis.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2024

A potential early esophageal cancer antigen: DDX53

Researchers found that tumor-resident T-cell receptor sequences showed high complementarity with the cancer testis antigen DDX53, suggesting an immune response that selects for DDX53-negative cells. This association was correlated with worse disease-free survival rates, highlighting a potential early esophageal cancer antigen.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncoscience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 17, 2023

Breakthrough T cell discovery has huge potential for engineering custom immune responses

Researchers at Institute for Systems Biology have made a breakthrough discovery about T cells, finding that the genetically encoded T-cell receptor sequence determines a T cell's function. This fundamental discovery has huge potential for developing custom immune responses to specific antigens.

SourceInstitute for Systems Biology·JournalCell Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

Study finds immune cells in older adults resemble those in newborns and children, but fall short in virus detection

Research finds that immune cells in older adults are similar to those in newborns and children, but less effective at recognizing infected cells. The study, published in Nature Immunology, suggests that tailored vaccines and therapies could be developed for different age groups based on the unique characteristics of killer T cells.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2023

Automated, accurate reporting for NGS-based clonality testing

Researchers have developed an automated calling algorithm for determining B and T cell clonality from NGS data with greater sensitivity than previous models. The new model increases the assay's sensitivity in detecting clonality, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of lymphoproliferative disorders.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 16, 2023

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Antitumor Response: Decoding Molecular Mechanisms

Researchers found that immune checkpoint inhibitors increase the mobilization of overlapping tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells, leading to antitumor effects. The diverse subset of T-cell clones plays a key role in this response, with polyclonal clones exhibiting more proliferative potential and contributing to effective treatment outcomes.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023

Scientists develop new method to faster – and more accurately – find antigens that trigger specific immune cells

A team of Stanford scientists has developed a new method to predict which antigens will lead to a strong immune response, allowing for more effective cancer immunotherapies. By applying a sliding force between peptides and T cell receptors, the researchers can identify the best antigen-receptor pairs in under five hours.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Methods·DateSep 5, 2022

Reinvigorating ‘lost cause’ exhausted T cells could improve cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that even terminally exhausted T cells retain some capacity to function again. They identified approaches to overcome exhaustion by targeting co-stimulation pathways and reprogramming T cells to be resistant to hypoxia, a common tumor microenvironmental signal.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2022

Illumination of immune checkpoint LAG3 ‘black box’ could yield new cancer and autoimmune therapies

Researchers have shed light on how immune checkpoint protein LAG3 modulates T cell activity, providing crucial information for the development of new LAG3-blocking therapies. The study found that LAG3 suppresses T cell activation by disrupting coreceptor-Lck association, even in the absence of MHC Class II molecules.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2022