Immunology researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have successfully halted a lethal rabies infection in mice by opening the central nervous system's protective blood-brain barrier. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment for late-stage rabies infections in humans, and may also shed light on other neurological diseases.
Researchers found that PAX5 stimulates the growth of cancerous tumors by spurring cell division normally observed during B cell immune response. This leads to over-expression of key molecules comprising B cell receptor, driving B cell expansion.
Researchers discovered that an analog of rapamycin halts production of antibodies and development of lupus in mice, suggesting a potential new approach to combating the disease. The study found that this compound improved symptoms and halted disease progression across different genetic strains of lupus-prone mice.
Developing B cells produce the antibody-altering protein AID, which directs and strengthens their response to disease pathogens. This discovery may offer new research directions for understanding autoimmunity and other diseases.
A recent study published in the journal Cell found that the ATM protein plays a crucial role in preventing genetic damage from being passed on to future generations of cells. The protein helps repair double-stranded breaks in DNA and activates checkpoints that prevent damaged cells from dividing.
Treatment with belimumab resulted in a sustained improvement of SLE disease activity in 46% of patients at week 52, according to the study. The novel combined responder index takes into account three measures of disease progression and is associated with biomarker improvements and quality of life enhancements.
A study found that 36% of refractory SLE patients remained well after undergoing B-cell depletion therapy, with median duration of B-cell depletion being 4 months. Patients with low baseline serum C3 levels and anti-ENA antibodies were more likely to flare after treatment.
New data demonstrates that MabThera effectively relieves RA symptoms and improves remission rates with subsequent courses of therapy. The safety profile remains consistent even after seven courses of treatment, providing confidence for physicians to make informed treatment decisions.
Researchers have created mouse strains that enable them to trace the activity of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) enzyme in live animals. This breakthrough allows scientists to understand how AID regulates the immune response and its role in autoimmunity and B cell tumor development.
A new study reveals how protein Yin Yang 1 regulates early B cell development, a crucial step in the immune system. The research demonstrates that YY1 plays a key role in controlling variable segment recombination, a process essential for B cell differentiation.
Researchers developed an agent that shields rapidly dividing cells from radiation-induced death, regardless of timing of administration. The treatment prevents apoptosis in immune system cells, providing proof-in-principle for a new approach to fending off radiation damage.
The journal ACS Chemical Biology explores recent discoveries in cellular function, including the inhibition of new blood vessel formation using an antifungal drug. Nanoparticles are also shown to enhance the delivery of short interfering RNAs to cells, potentially aiding clinical applications.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered previously unsuspected mutations in genes that control B-cell differentiation, contributing to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study suggests novel methods for treating pediatric ALL and provides a roadmap for identifying unsuspected mutations in adult cancers.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered a genetic signature that identifies cases of lymphoma susceptible to new molecular targeted therapy. The study found that tumors with this signature are killed by the new therapy, while those without it are resistant.
Researchers at NIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases found that up to 10% of B cells retain faulty receptors, escaping correction. This discovery sheds light on the development of self-reactive B cells in autoimmune disease.
Researchers at USC are exploring a novel way to manipulate the body's natural defense system to produce antibodies that can neutralize HIV. By targeting hematopoietic stem cells and using an HIV-based lentiviral vector, they aim to create 'designer immune cells' that can combat the virus.
Researchers are exploring a new way to harness the body's natural defense system to fight HIV. They are designing modified viruses that can deliver therapeutic payloads to specific cells, potentially creating a cure for AIDS.
Research suggests that common painkillers like NSAIDs can reduce vaccine effectiveness by reducing antibody production. The study's findings have implications for people who take these medications regularly, particularly those with compromised immune systems.
Researchers have identified how the body's own immune system contributes to nerve fiber damage in multiple sclerosis. B-cells damage axons by inhibiting energy production, leading to degeneration and death. This finding could aid therapy development for this chronic disease.
Researchers find that fish and amphibian B cells exhibit strong phagocytosis in both in vivo and vitro experiments. This discovery suggests an evolutionary relationship between macrophages and B cells, with implications for understanding human immune systems.
Scientists discovered a unique evolutionary link between primitive B cells in fish and the adaptive immune response in humans. In fish, B cells participate in phagocytosis, attacking and eating foreign particles; this behavior is unexpected in mammals. The findings may lead to novel roles of B cells in mammals and improved fish vaccines.
A unique evolutionary link has been found between the immune systems of fish and mammals, with primitive B cells in fish playing a key role in phagocytosis. This discovery could lead to new strategies for developing effective fish vaccines and offers insights into the evolution and function of immune cells.
Researchers found that a compartment of the spleen called the marginal zone is where autoreactive B cells are primarily located. Transplanting immune cells from this zone into mice with lupus-like disease led to the production of pathogenic antibodies, highlighting the spleen as a potential target for new therapies.
A human study confirms that immune cells play a destructive role in periodontal disease. Researchers found that B cells and T cells produce RANKL, which induces osteoclasts and leads to bone loss.
Researchers found that B cells expressing a special protein called DC-SIGN are necessary for HIV to infect T cells. Activating DC-SIGN on B cells allows HIV to invade T cells, highlighting a new target for future studies and drug development.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that the protein CD86 on B lymphocytes increases antibody production when interacting with T cells. This finding could lead to new treatments for pneumonia, HIV/AIDS, and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers identify DC-SIGN on B cells as crucial for HIV's takeover of T cells, revealing a new pathway for antiviral drug development. About 8% of B cells express the protein, which allows HIV to invade T cells while sparing B cells.
The REFLEX study demonstrated that MabThera can inhibit structural joint damage in patients with an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors. Repeated treatment courses provided continued improvement of symptoms across all clinical measures, increasing remission rates and symptom improvement.
The IL-21 receptor plays a pivotal role in the Th2 immune response, which is often disrupted in chronic diseases. This receptor is essential for regulating T-cell function and cytokine production.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that overexpression of microRNA miR155 leads to the development of a neoplastic disease in transgenic mice. The researchers believe that miR155 acts as an oncogene, promoting abnormal cell growth and cancerous transformations.
Researchers are testing rituximab to see if it can prevent the immune system from attacking the pancreas, a key component of insulin production. The study aims to reduce long-term complications associated with type 1 diabetes, such as heart disease and kidney damage.
Researchers found that a protein called alpha4-beta1 integrin promotes the homing of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells to tumor-associated blood vessels. Inhibiting this process could be useful in suppressing new blood vessel formation in tumors.
A Phase 2 clinical study revealed that BiovaxID, a personalized anti-cancer vaccine, induced anti-tumor T-cell responses in most patients despite B-cell depletion. The overall survival rate was 89%, showing the vaccine's potential to treat other types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a crucial signaling pathway involving the protein Abi, which regulates actin filament formation in T cells. This process is essential for the T cell to attach to and target infected cells.
MabThera demonstrates significant improvements in symptom parameters, including tender and swollen joint counts and fatigue, with higher response rates compared to methotrexate alone. The treatment was well-tolerated, with consistent safety profiles across the six-month analysis.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center found that immune factors APRIL and BlyS have multiple effects in rheumatoid arthritis. In some types of disease, they promote inflammation, while in others, they suppress it.
A study found that patients with multiple sclerosis were more likely to carry a specific variation of the gene EBF-1, which is involved in axonal damage. The researchers also discovered that one version of the microsatellite within the gene was more frequently found in MS patients than healthy controls.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a new monoclonal antibody targeting immune system B cells that shows promise in treating leukemias, autoimmune diseases, and transplant rejection. The treatment effectively depletes malignant B cell tumors and reduces circulating antibody levels.
Researchers have identified a link between lupus patients and an overabundance of specific immune cells in their tonsils, which may lead to the disease's characteristic auto-reactivity.
Researchers found that CA4P selectively targets endothelial cells, inducing regression of unstable vessels by disrupting VE-cadherin signaling. This discovery may lead to new avenues for targeting tumor neo-vessels and increasing the therapeutic window of anti-angiogenic agents.
Scientists discover that constant stimulation of antigens is necessary to maintain anergy in self-reactive B cells, which can lead to autoimmune diseases. The study suggests that pro-inflammatory products or bacterial infections may trigger the loss of anergy and activate these cells.
A new model of the immune system predicts that chronic infections can lead to autoimmune diseases. Researchers developed a biologically-plausible strategy for the immune system to react more quickly and effectively against disease.
Researchers found that antibiotics are less effective in preventing recurrent gastric lymphoma when H. pylori is re-infected, and that follicular dendritic cells play a key role in the disease's progression. Re-infected animals developed more aggressive tumors than those who received antibiotic treatment.
Researchers have found that few B cells are needed to trigger an effective T-cell immune response in certain cancers. A personalized vaccine used in a Phase I study resulted in an impressive 89% survival rate for patients with mantle cell lymphoma. The study paves the way for future vaccine use in other hematological cancers.
Researchers found that Sirt1 protein enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in mice, improving glucose tolerance. The study suggests therapeutic interventions for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
Researchers discovered specific mutations in the TACI gene that are associated with common variable immunodeficiency and IgA deficiency. These genetic defects impair the immune system's ability to fight infections, increasing the risk of recurrent illnesses and autoimmune diseases.
A team of scientists has identified a key protein, LcrV, that allows Yersinia pestis to evade the host's immune response. By developing an altered version of this protein, rV10, they have created a potential plague vaccine that triggers only small amounts of IL-10 and protects against infection.
Researchers find B-1a cells regulate innate immunity, while B-1b cells drive adaptive long-term response to infections. The discovery sheds light on vaccine action and potential insights into designing vaccines.
Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery had lower levels of inflammatory markers CRP and IL-6 compared to conventional surgery. The levels of natural killer cells were also significantly higher in laparoscopic surgery patients.
Researchers found mutations in the TACI gene in patients with CVID and IgA deficiency, linked to recurrent infections and low immunoglobulin levels. This discovery may lead to a new test for diagnosis of these immune deficiency syndromes.
Researchers found that CD22 targets its own molecule to regulate B cell activation. This discovery is crucial for understanding the complete picture of how CD22 and B cells work, which can lead to new ways of addressing immunologic disorders involving B cell activation.
A mouse model study reveals B cell activation is essential for early epithelial neoplastic development. Transfer of B cells restores chronic inflammation and tumorigenesis mechanisms, supporting the interaction between adaptive and innate immune systems in cancer development.
Researchers observed B cells' random and directed migration to helper T cells, guided by chemokine receptor CCR7 and cognate antigen. The interaction enables stable formation of motile conjugates with activated T cells.
Researchers discovered FGF-21 regulates glucose uptake in human fat cells, decreasing plasma glucose levels and triglycerides in diabetic animals. Additionally, FGF-21 protected animals from diet-induced obesity, defining a functional role for FGF-21 in vivo.
The TEL2 gene cooperates with MYC to increase the risk of precancerous B lymphocytes becoming cancerous. This cooperation leads to a mutation inactivating p53, allowing abnormal cells to multiply uncontrollably. The study suggests that TEL2 should be considered a diagnostic marker and/or a target for novel drugs to treat B-cell lymphoma.
Researchers found that CLL cells divide at a fast rate and their production is variable, leading to fluctuations in disease activity. This dynamic interplay between cell division and death rates challenges the long-held view of CLL as an accumulative disorder.
Researchers propose a new antiviral therapy targeting the smallpox growth factor, demonstrating effectiveness in lowering morbidity and mortality in infected mice. In another study, human bone marrow-derived stem cells are shown to regenerate myocardium after myocardial infarction, providing a potential approach for heart repair.
The IRE1 protein plays a crucial role in regulating new protein synthesis and immune cell development. Researchers have found that IRE1 is essential for the development of B lymphocytes, which produce antibodies to fight infections. The study suggests that IRE1 could be a target for new drugs to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
Researchers found that leukemia cells overexpress Lyn enzyme, allowing them to evade apoptosis. Inhibiting Lyn activity restored normal cell death processes and decreased malignant cell growth.
Researchers used somatic hypermutation to evolve a red fluorescent protein with improved stability and color emission properties. The new protein, mPlum, was created by allowing B cells to mutate the gene at a rate of roughly a million times that of the genome. This process enabled the production of multiple mutations in a single cycle.