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Finding the answers hidden in our antibodies

A new serological test, PepSeq, allows scientists to quickly test antibody binding against hundreds of thousands of protein targets, helping prepare for and respond to pandemics. The technology identifies specific antibodies that provide protection against infection, holding promise for developing effective vaccines and treatments.

SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalNature Protocols·DateNov 30, 2022

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

Early plasma antigen levels predict illness severity and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

A large cross-sectional study found that baseline plasma antigen levels are highly associated with both the severity of pulmonary illness and clinically important patient outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Higher antigen levels were linked to increased risk of pulmonary worsening and delayed hospital discharge.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 29, 2022

Road signs for immune defense cells

A recent international study has shed light on the inner workings of the adaptive immune response, revealing how killer T cells recognize viral invaders using molecular road signs. The study highlights the crucial role of chaperones in ensuring the stability and longevity of these road signs, allowing for more effective detection and d...

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2022

Oncotarget | Glypican-3 (GPC3) is associated with MCPyV-negative status and impaired outcome in Merkel cell carcinoma

Researchers found that Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) Glypican-3 (GPC3) is expressed in nearly 70% of MCC tumors and up to 90% of MCPyV-negative cases. GPC3 expression is associated with worse prognosis, including increased risk of death from MCC. This makes GPC3 a promising target for chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2022

New method of nasal vaccine delivery could lead to better vaccines for HIV and COVID-19

Researchers have developed a new way to deliver vaccines through mucosal tissues in the nose, generating strong immune responses in mice and non-human primates. The technology bypasses traditional barriers to delivery by engineering antigens to bind onto albumin, allowing them to effectively target immune tissues.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2022

Decoding the language of immune responses

A new study by McGill University and US National Cancer Institute researchers reveals that antigen strength, rather than quantity, drives T cell responses. This discovery has implications for predicting vaccine efficacy and designing more effective immunotherapies.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·DateJun 2, 2022

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers develop a tool for studying inflammatory diseases related to COVID-19

Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology have developed a new bioinformatics pipeline, CRESSP, to investigate the mechanism underlying autoimmune diseases following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The tool identified potential epitopes responsible for COVID-related autoimmune diseases and predicted cross-reactive epitopes of di...

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalBriefings in Bioinformatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 16, 2022

Usefulness of monitoring IgG against Antigen-85b for prediction of tuberculosis development from latency: From an elephant tuberculosis analysis

Researchers developed a new test method to detect tuberculosis (TB) progression from latent infection in elephants using IgG antibodies against Antigen 85B. High levels of IgG against ESAT6/CFP10 remained constant, while IgG against Ag85B increased before disease onset and declined with treatment.

SourceNiigata University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 8, 2022

Rapid antigen COVID-19 tests may not be keeping pace with variants of concern, researchers find

Four rapid antigen tests were found to be less sensitive to the Delta variant than the Omicron strain. The study suggests that continuous assessment and updating are needed for these tests to remain effective in detecting COVID-19 infections. Continuous improvement is necessary to ensure they meet public health testing goals.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateMay 5, 2022

Accounting for genetic factors that cause normal variations in PSA levels may improve the accuracy of prostate cancer detection

A study suggests that accounting for genetic factors causing normal variations in PSA levels could improve the accuracy of prostate cancer detection. By analyzing data from over 95,000 men, researchers identified a polygenic score that accounted for 7.3-8.7% of variation in baseline PSA levels and was not associated with prostate cancer.

Data published in a Lancet journal on COH04S1, a City of Hope-developed COVID-19 vaccine, shows it produced robust antibodies and T cells against SARS-CoV-2

The investigational vaccine targets both the spike and nucleocapsid proteins, producing neutralizing antibodies and inducing T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2. COH04S1 is being studied in Phase 2 trials for immunocompromised patients and as a booster for healthy adult volunteers.

SourceCity of Hope·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 10, 2022