Articles tagged with B Lymphocytes
Researchers have discovered a way in which leukemia cells can change their identity to become macrophages, a process known as transdifferentiation. This transformation occurs through epigenetic changes that alter the cell's genetic material, allowing it to acquire new functions and behaviors.
A new study found that tocilizumab is more effective than rituximab in reducing disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have low B-cell infiltration in their synovial tissue. Tocilizumab achieved significant improvements in both low levels and falls in disease activity, particularly in the B-cell poor patient subgroup.
A new HIV vaccine strategy has been successfully demonstrated in proof-of-principle tests, targeting young immune cells and showing promise against the flu, dengue, malaria, and hepatitis C. The approach stimulates broadly neutralizing antibodies capable of neutralizing multiple strains of the virus.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science and Germany's University of Cologne have identified two antibodies produced by vaccinated individuals that provide long-term immunity against Ebola. These antibodies, which target specific sites on the viral glycoprotein, demonstrate effective protection against the virus.
A preclinical study shows that IL-6 protects T follicular helper cells from deleterious effects of IL-2 by interrupting a feedback loop, allowing them to receive sustained T-cell receptor stimulation. This finding has important therapeutic implications for autoimmune diseases like lupus and may lead to better treatment options.
Researchers at EMBL and Medical University of Vienna found B cells play a critical role in triggering inflammation and guiding T cells to melanoma. This discovery suggests that B cells may be more important in immunotherapy than previously thought, potentially leading to new targets for cancer treatment.
Jacques Miller's discovery of immune cells T and B cells has had a profound impact on modern medicine, underpinning innovations in vaccine development, organ transplants, and cancer treatment. The Lasker Award recognizes his seminal work, which has also been recognized as a predictor of Nobel Prize success.
The 2019 Lasker Awards recognize Max D. Cooper and Jacques Miller for their discovery of the function of B and T cells in the adaptive immune system. The awards also honor H. Michael Shepard, Dennis J. Slamon, and Axel Ullrich for their development of Herceptin, a monoclonal antibody therapy that targets HER2-positive breast cancer.
Researchers identified a specific type of T-cell that drives the production of high-affinity IgE antibodies associated with severe allergic reactions. This discovery suggests a potential target for new therapies to prevent or treat allergic diseases, including anaphylaxis.
Researchers have successfully created stable, cancer-like cells in the lab by simultaneously infecting white blood cells with two viruses, Epstein-Barr Virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. This breakthrough opens up new opportunities for understanding the progression of this rare blood cancer and developing treatments.
Researchers developed an implantable microneedle skin patch containing an HIV subunit vaccine, which led to sustained intradermal vaccine release and improved antibody responses in mice. The study suggests that microneedle patches may enhance vaccine effectiveness.
Researchers discovered that B cells specifically binding N-terminal epitopes of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) more efficiently take up and present TG2-gluten complexes to gluten-specific T cells. This suggests that B cells with this specificity are the main antigen-presenting cells for pathogenic T cells in celiac disease.
Researchers found signs of activation in resting B cells, which precede the activation of immune cells in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a previously underappreciated stage of the disease. The study identified patterns of gene activity that could be used as biomarkers for disease development.
Scientists at UNIGE and Swansea University develop gold nanoparticles that activate B lymphocytes without harming them, leading to potential breakthroughs in vaccine development and cancer treatment. The use of these nanoparticles improves the efficacy of pharmaceutical products while reducing side effects.
A study of 50 APECED patients found that 40% developed pneumonitis, a condition often misdiagnosed or missed. Targeting T and B cells resolved symptoms and improved lung function in five treated patients.
A new study suggests that a probiotic-derived molecule from Bacteroides fragilis can temper the immune system and prevent fatal brain inflammation caused by herpes simplex virus infection. The findings provide an exciting proof of principle for the potential therapeutic benefits of certain prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology developed a new HIV vaccine delivery strategy that enhances the protective immune response by slowly releasing vaccine doses. This approach, called escalating dose strategy, leads to stronger and more neutralizing antibodies against the virus.
Researchers at Seattle Children's have successfully engineered human B cells to produce therapeutic proteins, opening the door for a novel cell therapy. The B cells can survive indefinitely in models, offering a potential advantage over other treatments.
Researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that genetic deletion of TET2 and TET3 in mouse B cells impairs the generation of functional IgG antibodies, highlighting the critical role of epigenetic control in healthy immune cell function.
Researchers developed a mouse model to investigate the role of persistent CD30 signaling in blood cancer development. They found that permanent CD30 activation increases the risk of B-cell lymphoma and can trigger cancer through misdirected cellular processes.
A comprehensive profile of B cells in rheumatoid arthritis reveals their involvement in the disease's progression. Researchers identified two specific differences in B cells that contribute to the condition, including the inclusion of interleukin 15 receptor subunit alpha and high levels of amphiregulin.
Researchers at the NIH have made progress toward developing an EBV vaccine by identifying key antibodies that block infection. The new vaccine candidates elicited potent anti-EBV antibody responses in animals, offering potential protection against EBV-associated cancers and infectious mononucleosis.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center research team successfully developed a protective antibody-based treatment against the Zika virus, completing the challenge in just 12 days. The breakthrough could pave the way for rapid deployment of treatments to prevent outbreaks and pandemics worldwide.
CAR T cells kill cancer cells directly, rather than relying on other immune cells. Reducing encounters with circulating B cells can enhance CAR T cell infiltration and persistence, improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers have successfully targeted the tumor biomarker EpCAM with chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells, significantly delaying tumor growth in mice. The study suggests that EpCAM could be a promising target for cancer immunotherapy in various tumor types.
Researchers have identified a key pathway, ufmylation, that regulates plasma cell development and antibody production. By targeting this pathway, scientists hope to develop more effective vaccines and treatments for autoimmune diseases like lupus and arthritis.
A novel treatment targeting solitary B cells improved lung disease in CVID patients, offering a safer alternative to broad immunosuppressive therapies. Researchers identified elevated IgM levels as a marker of lung disease progression, allowing for precise timing of treatment and potential future therapeutic targets.
A new study by Marko Radic and colleagues shows that CAR T cells can significantly reduce disease symptoms and progression in mice with lupus, improving lifespan and reducing inflammation. The findings offer a renewed optimism for eliminating B cells as a therapeutic option for lupus.
Researchers discovered a mechanism by which bacteria like Burkholderia ambifaria activate white blood cells and attack the immune system. The study found that lectin BambL binds to carbohydrate residues on the surface of B cells, triggering an immune response in immunocompromised hosts.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science discovered that gut immune cells operate under harsh conditions and use a more socialistic principle to select B cells with varying levels of antibody affinity. This unique process may lead to the development of more effective oral vaccines.
Researchers at Max Delbrück Center found that B1-typical B-cell receptor can reprogram B2 cells into B1 cells, suggesting a new origin for B1 cells. This discovery provides clear evidence for the validity of the second hypothesis on the origin of B cells.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center used sophisticated gene sequencing and computing techniques to analyze antibody-producing white blood cells. They found a surprisingly high frequency of shared clonotypes, which could aid in developing universal vaccines and treatments.
Researchers have successfully generated functional, transplantable B cells from mice using mouse embryonic stem cells. The study demonstrates that these cells can secrete natural antibodies and maintain themselves for over six months after transplantation.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a process that may prevent antibody-mediated rejection in lung transplants. They found that giving immunosuppressive drugs can help the lungs survive and induce growth of lymph node-like structures within the grafts, which contain cells that dampen immune responses.
Nir Hacohen and Vijay Kuchroo receive Distinguished Innovator Award for innovative approaches to treating lupus kidney disease and harnessing regulatory T and B cells. Their research aims to stimulate strategies for prevention, treatment, and cure of the chronic autoimmune disease.
Researchers discover Ets1 gene's role in autoimmune disease lupus; found that faulty gene leads to Tfh2 cell expansion and autoantibody production. Blocking IL4 pathway mitigates SLE features.
A study published in JCI Insight found that a specific subset of immune B cells, CD19+IgM+, can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes in mice. This discovery opens up new possibilities for developing therapies targeting this disease subtype.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine developed a method to turn B cells into factories that assemble and secrete vesicles containing tumor-suppressing microRNAs. In mice, breast tumors treated with this approach were significantly smaller than untreated tumors, and the treatment was long-lasting.
A new study reveals spaceflight has limited impact on B-cell immunity, a crucial part of the immune system. Astronauts living on the International Space Station for 6 months showed unaffected B-cell immune competency, suggesting in-flight vaccine-based countermeasures may be effective.
A recent study published in Nature Immunology found that B cell accumulation triggers nervous system damage in MS patients. The presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) regulates the number of B cells, and their absence leads to inflammation and tissue damage.
Researchers in Barcelona have received an ERC Synergy grant to study chronic lymphocytic leukemia at unprecedented resolution using single-cell analysis. The BCLL@las project aims to generate comprehensive information from thousands of individual cells, leading to novel insights into the origin and evolution of cancer.
A team of researchers at TUM and Helmholtz Zentrum München investigated the processes taking place in the body during a three-year allergen-specific immunotherapy. They found that regulatory B-cells play a more important role than previously thought, and that certain ratios of cell types can predict treatment success.
Pax5 helps maintain immune health by efficiently organizing genetic information in immune cells. The protein's organization skills are crucial for cells to access specific instructions and function properly, with disruptions linked to increased cancer risk.
A recent study found that DN2 B cells, a type of immune cell, are expanded in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may be responsible for the production of autoantibodies. The research suggests that targeting these cells could provide new insights into treating the disease.
Children who develop B-cell precursor ALL have dysregulated immune function at birth, as indicated by significantly different neonatal concentrations of eight detectable inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that early immune modulation may hold promise for preventing childhood ALL.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have described a key immune response mechanism that determines the fate of T cells. This knowledge can aid in the development of better vaccines, treatments for infections, and moderation of autoimmune diseases.
Researchers discovered that B cells activate specific T cells causing inflammation and nerve cell damage in MS patients. This finding explains how novel drugs like Rituximab and Ocrelizumab inhibit inflammation.
In scleroderma, IL-6-producing effector B cells promote fibrosis, while IL-10-producing regulatory B cells suppress inflammation. Administering a BAFF antagonist selectively depletes Beffs while sparing Bregs, suggesting this approach could be a therapeutic strategy for SSc.
Researchers have discovered that a distinct glycan feature, blood group I-antigen or 'I-branches', plays a central role in regulating both human B cell signaling/activation and melanoma aggressiveness. This finding has significant implications for immunomodulation and anti-cancer treatments.
University of Houston researcher Chandra Mohan receives $2 million grant to examine the connection between lupus and female sex hormones, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment of the autoimmune disease.
A rare genetic defect in the WDR1 protein impairs the ability of lymphocytes to rearrange their actin cytoskeleton, leading to aberrant T-cell activation and B-cell development. This study expands the phenotypic spectrum of WDR1 deficiency, highlighting its impact on both innate and adaptive immunity.
The new assay enables simultaneous measurement of tirabrutinib bound and total BTK levels, reducing sample requirements. It uses full-length purified recombinant human BTK protein and PBMCs derived from healthy volunteers and patients with CLL, demonstrating its utility for pharmacodynamic assessments.
Patients taking JAK inhibitors for myelofibrosis are at increased risk of developing aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Screening for a preexisting B-cell clone before treatment may help prevent this side effect.
Researchers found that a type of immune cell called B cell lymphocytes are responsible for damaging inflammation in the heart after a heart attack. Pirfenidone, an approved lung drug, was shown to effectively reduce this inflammation and protect the heart from further damage.
A new study reveals that testosterone regulates the levels of protein BAFF, which affects B cell production in the spleen. This link has significant implications for understanding and treating autoimmune diseases like lupus.
A new study by Penn Medicine neurologist Amit Bar-Or presents findings on ocrelizumab's impact on multiple sclerosis patients, including reduced inflammation and lower vaccine response levels. The research also explores the role of ocrelizumab in limiting MS attacks.
A team of Osaka University researchers identified a specific subset of B cells with higher affinity that preferentially commit to plasma cell fate. The study suggests that stable Tfh-GC B cell contacts are key for plasma cell-prone GC cell formation, providing valuable insights for vaccine development.
A study published in Immunity reveals that T follicular helper cells play a crucial role in determining the fate of B cells, with stronger interactions leading to plasma B cell formation. The researchers identified a subset of B cells expressing IRF4 and CD69 as precursors to plasma B cells.
Researchers found that soluble antibodies from B cells induce accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which inhibit antitumor immune response and worsen cancer outcomes. Targeting antibody production may slow down tumor progression.
Researchers at Garvan Institute of Medical Research found that a population of 'bad' antibodies, usually silenced due to harm to the body, can be activated to fight disease. The 'redeemed' antibodies become powerful weapons to combat diseases evading the immune system by disguising themselves as normal body tissue.