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Early inflammation signal drives oral cancer development, highlights path for immunoprevention

A study published in Cancer Research identified an immune pathway that promotes the progression of oral precancerous lesions into head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The researchers found that targeting a key inflammation signal known as interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) could help restore immune surveillance and prevent high-risk lesions...

A Journal of Environmental Sciences study reveals that metal-organic frameworks may be toxic

A study reveals that metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be toxic to mice, causing disruptions in blood cell formation and immune balance. The researchers found that the MOFs suppressed production of certain cells but also triggered a rebound effect, leading to increased inflammation.

SourceEditorial Office of Journal of Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Environmental Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2025

Fighting COVID-19 with a cancer drug

Scientists identify PI3K gamma as a key player in recruiting damaging myeloid cells to infected tissues, and show that inhibiting this enzyme with eganelisib can prevent excessive inflammation. The study provides a new approach to preventing irreversible organ damage in infectious diseases like COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 3, 2024

Aging speeds up and lifetime becomes shorter in animals whose cells ‘believe’ to have too many nutrients, despite following a normal diet

In animal models, increasing mTOR activity just slightly accelerates aging and shortens lifetime by up to 20%. This research provides clues on why obesity-related diseases worsen with age. A new model allows researchers to study the relationship between nutrient increase and organ aging.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2024

How a protein component of nuclear pore complexes regulates development of blood cells and may contribute to myeloid disorders

A recent study has identified Nup358 as a critical regulator of myeloid cell development, revealing its role in the differentiation process of early progenitors. The findings provide insights into how alterations in Nup358 contribute to blood malignancies and may lead to novel therapies targeting transport machinery like NPCs.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2024

B cells drive responses of other immune cells, and can be modified to prevent Multiple Sclerosis symptoms

Researchers found that abnormally active B cell metabolism causes an inflammatory immune response in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), leading to nerve damage and symptoms. Emerging BTK inhibitors alter this abnormal B cell respiration, stopping the signaling that leads to MS flare-ups.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2024

USC Stem Cell study shows how gene activity modulates the amount of immune cell production in mice

Researchers at USC Stem Cell lab discovered nearly 40 genes associated with immune cell production, including those related to diseases like myelodysplastic syndrome. The study found that gene activity was linked to specific levels of immune cell production, offering insights for improving bone marrow transplantation strategies.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2024

Potential therapeutic target found to combat tuberculosis, a disrupted NAD(H) homeostasis

A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that disrupted NAD(H) homeostasis is a key factor in tuberculosis pathogenesis. The researchers found that the glycolytic pathway can be selectively inhibited using an LDH enzyme with mostly LDHA subunits, which preferentially converts pyruvate to lactate and NADH to NAD+.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2023

The aging mouse prostate: kinetics of lymphocyte infiltration

Researchers tracked immune cell clusters in the aging mouse prostate using highly multiplexed immune profiling. Early adulthood sees myeloid cells, while between 6-12 months old, there's a profound shift to T and B lymphocyte-dominance. The study reveals new insight into prostatic inflammaging and the window for interventions.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 23, 2023

A key biological pathway for multiple sclerosis is uncovered by Mount Sinai researchers

Researchers at Mount Sinai have discovered a previously unknown way in which the brain and immune system interact in multiple sclerosis. They found that the inflammatory protein interleukin-3 (IL-3) coordinates this communication, inciting the recruitment of immune cells to the brain and exacerbating brain inflammation.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2023

Cancer that spreads to the lung maneuvers to avoid being attacked by “killer” T cells

Cancer cells have been found to employ a strategy to evade the immune system's killer T cells by interacting with myeloid cells and suppressing type 1 interferon production. This natural pathway is crucial for recruiting killer T cells to combat cancer spread. Researchers hope to develop new therapeutic approaches, such as forcing tumo...

Houston Methodist researchers identify an immunotherapy target to combat glioblastomas

Glioblastomas, the deadliest brain cancer, have evaded immune cells by promoting immunosuppressive myeloid cells. Researchers identified S100A4 as a key molecule that can selectively target these immune suppressive cells. This discovery paves the way for new therapeutic strategies to restore antitumor action in glioblastoma patients.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

Cleaning the brain after ischemic stroke

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that blocking CD300a enhances efferocytosis and ameliorates neuronal deficits after ischemic stroke. This process involves the removal of damaged cells in the brain, reducing inflammation and neurological impairment.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScience Immunology·DateOct 17, 2021

Stanford study reveals immune driver of brain aging

A Stanford study reveals that chronic inflammation driven by myeloid cells is the main driver of brain aging. The researchers found that blocking a specific hormone-receptor interaction in these cells can restore youthful metabolism and calm down inflammation, potentially reversing age-related cognitive decline.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature·DateJan 20, 2021

Circulating immune cells as biomarkers for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

A study by Helmholtz Zentrum München found that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are increased in the blood of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), correlating with lung function decline. MDSC may serve as a biomarker for IPF diagnosis and disease progression.

Before there will be blood

Scientists identify tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) as a key player in the emergence of hematopoietic stem cells, a breakthrough that could aid in developing induced pluripotent stem cell replacements for blood disorders. The discovery sheds light on the complexities of HSC genesis and paves the way for further research.

Reversing blood and freshening it up

Researchers have successfully rejuvenated the blood of mice by reprogramming their stem cells, reversing epigenetic changes that occur with age. This breakthrough could potentially lead to new treatments for diseases such as leukemia, where cancer often originates in older, damaged bone marrow.

SourceLund University·JournalBlood·DateMar 25, 2013

Moffitt researchers say effective immunotherapy for melanoma hinges on blocking suppressive factors

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have found that blocking myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T-cell reconstitution improves adoptive T-cell therapy for melanoma. This blockade is achieved after total body irradiation eliminates these cells, leading to delayed tumor growth and enhanced survival in mice.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateDec 11, 2012