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Transplant researchers develop vaccine in preclinical models to regulate immune responses to prevent kidney and heart transplant rejection

A team of researchers developed a vaccine that stimulates regulatory T cells to suppress harmful immune cells, prolonging allograft survival in mice. This discovery identifies an analogous pathway in humans, suggesting potential treatment for autoimmune disorders and organ transplant patients.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2023

Penn Medicine research sheds new light on immune response during SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections

Researchers identified enhanced B-cell and T-cell responses in fully vaccinated individuals who became infected with SARS-CoV-2, generating immunological memory to prevent severe infection. Vaccine-primed memory T cells play a critical role in preventing severe COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 19, 2023

Allergy study on 'wild' mice challenges the hygiene hypothesis

Researchers from Karolinska Institutet challenge the hygiene hypothesis by showing that mice with high infectious exposures have a similar ability to develop allergic immune responses as laboratory mice. Despite this, they developed strong signs of pathological inflammation and allergic responses when exposed to allergens.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 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

Study details immune cells vital to success of vaccines against coronavirus

A study has identified key T cell subsets that track closely with successful vaccination and are responsible for early protection against SARS-CoV-2. The research found distinct CD8+ T cells that proliferate and attack key proteins of the pandemic virus, particularly those lacking surface protein KLRG1.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2023

Osivax announces publication in The Lancet Infectious Diseases of Phase 2a data for broad-spectrum influenza vaccine candidate, OVX836

The Phase 2a trial of OVX836 showed a notable signal of protection against influenza symptoms with an 84% level of protection compared to placebo. The vaccine candidate elicited significant humoral and cellular immune responses, highlighting its potential as a universal influenza vaccine.

SourceTrophic Communications·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 27, 2023

Why we lose fat and muscle during infection

Researchers found that CD4+ T cells initiate fat wasting, while CD8+ T cells induce muscle wasting, which surprisingly helps the mice fight infection and survive. The study sheds light on the complex relationship between immune cells and wasting responses.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 24, 2023

Researchers identify strong T-cell response in first-in-human nanoparticle HIV vaccine

The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, shows robust T-cell responses in volunteers participating in a phase 1 clinical trial of a self-assembling nanoparticle HIV vaccine. The antigen used stimulates VRC01-class B cells, an immune response considered promising for boosting in further studies.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 24, 2023

USC research identifies biomarker that may predict treatment response to chemoimmunotherapy

Researchers at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a biomarker, CX3CR1, that can predict which patients with non-small cell lung cancer will respond well to chemoimmunotherapy. Elevated levels of the biomarker in T-cells after six to nine weeks of treatment indicate long-term benefits from the combination therapy.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalCancer Research Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMay 11, 2023

T-cell vaccine for COVID-19 may last longer than current vaccines

A new AI-generated vaccine targeting T-cells provides broad coverage against future COVID-19 variants, potentially lasting longer than current antibody-based vaccines. This innovation has the potential to be used for seasonal flu and other vaccines, offering a long-lasting solution to emerging viral diseases.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateApr 13, 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

COVID vaccine induces robust T cell responses in blood cancer patients

Researchers found that COVID-19 vaccination generates robust T cell responses in haematology patients, on par with healthy individuals. The study provides key insights for future immunisation strategies and shows that mRNA vaccines can elicit strong T cell immunity in patients with co-morbidities.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2023

Oncolytic virus treatment produces promising results in patients with triple-negative breast cancer

A phase 2 trial found that talimogene laherparepvec combined with chemotherapy provided strong responses and immune cell activation in 45.9% of patients with early stage triple-negative breast cancer. Tumor samples showed high levels of tumor-fighting T cells, indicating a potential for improved outcomes.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 9, 2023

Study discovers triple immunotherapy combination as possible treatment for pancreatic cancer

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a novel triple immunotherapy combination targeting checkpoints in T cells and myeloid suppressor cells, improving anti-tumor responses and survival rates in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer. The study found that neutralizing specific immunosuppressive mechanisms dramatical...

Protein kinase CK2 has key role in killer T cells during infection by Listeria monocytogenes

The study found that protein kinase CK2 plays a key role in regulating CD8+ T cell activation, metabolic reprogramming and differentiation during infection by the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. In mouse models, deletion of the CK2α catalytic subunit impaired CD8+ T cell function.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2022

Duke-NUS scientists shed new light on key differences in immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

A new study led by Duke-NUS Medical School scientists found that inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines elicit a broad immune response against different proteins on the virus, while mRNA vaccines stimulate a single spike protein response. This broader T-cell response may be beneficial in preventing severe COVID-19 disease.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2022

New cancer drug candidate targets immune system “brakes”

Researchers have designed a potential therapeutic that dampens the activity of regulatory T cells, which can prevent the immune system from unleashing its full potential against tumor cells. The molecule, known as FOX3P, acts as a transcription factor for many Treg genes but isn't vital for other types of T cells.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2022

Immune cells more susceptible to being suppressed allow acceptance of transplanted organs

In a new study, researchers found that immune T cells lacking the key transcription factor Satb1 are more susceptible to suppression by regulatory T cells, leading to transplant tolerance. The study provides insight into the mechanism behind transplantation tolerance and may lead to the development of new immunosuppression regimens.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2022

T cells use force to destroy cancer cells

Researchers at UNSW Sydney discovered that T cells use mechanical forces to propel lytic granules towards cancer cell membranes. The study found that the shape of the target membrane plays a crucial role in T cell-mediated cancer cell killing, with a bias towards outwardly curved membranes.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2022

New mechanism extends life of immune system

Researchers discovered a telomere transfer reaction between immune cells that extends their lifespan and confers long-term protection. This 'anti-ageing' mechanism has potential clinical applications for diseases like cancer and dementia, and may enable people to live healthier and longer.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2022

Specific components of the tumor immune microenvironment may affect the durability of responses to BCMA CAR T-cell therapy

Researchers found that patients with longer progression-free survival after BCMA-targeted CAR T-cell therapy had more diverse baseline T-cell repertoires, fewer markers of immune exhaustion, and distinct changes to immune cell populations. These factors were associated with improved responses to the treatment.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalBlood Cancer Discovery·DateAug 30, 2022

Study reports blocking key enzyme boosts anti-cancer T-cell responses and resistance to immunosuppression

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have identified a critical immunosuppressive pathway and developed an experimental inhibitor to protect T-cells from weakening. The CBL-B inhibitors show great potential in enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, making patients' T-cells more effective in killing cancer cells.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2022