Articles tagged with Immune System
A study by University of Helsinki researchers found that the immune system attacks itself in rare type of blood cancer. The immune system plays a role in the development and growth of cancer cells, making current therapies less effective.
Naked mole-rats of higher social rank have a larger spleen, which may enable them to fight infections better and deal with inflammation more easily. The researchers also suspect that the spleen influences an animal's longevity, as successful naked mole-rats live longer.
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine significantly increases immune responses in patients with multiple myeloma, but a subset remains vulnerable. The study found that 88% of patients developed antibodies after the third dose, leading to improved neutralization of the wild-type virus.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a drug delivery system based on lipid nanoparticles that utilize RNA to boost personalized cancer care. The nanodrug enhances chemotherapy effectiveness and reinvigorates the immune system, increasing sensitivity to cancer cells.
A new analysis of data on molnupiravir shows the drug effectively clears active SARS-CoV-2 virus in both immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised patients. The study found similar reductions in viral replication and no infectious virus detected after treatment, indicating equal efficacy in both groups.
Researchers discovered that obesity changes molecular underpinnings of allergic inflammation in both mice and humans. The treatment in obese mice makes their skin worse instead of healing, but a specific drug can 'de-fatten' obese mice without changing body weight.
Researchers found that older killifish have less diverse circulating antibodies compared to younger fish, contributing to reduced immune function. This decrease in antibody diversity may lead to a reduced ability to respond to infections.
A new study by University of Southampton researchers found that a third COVID-19 vaccination improves immune responses in blood cancer patients. The study showed that 92% of patients without recent anti-CD20 treatment had improved antibody responses after the third dose.
Researchers found that people who had COVID-19 and then got vaccinated generated an immune response more specific to fighting viral infections, producing a broader antibody response. This hybrid immunity also produced a cellular immune response called Th1 response, which is antiviral.
A new model suggests that antibodies select antigens based on their surface characteristics, similar to a child playing on stepping stones. The researchers used DNA origami to simulate the behavior of antibodies and found that they tend to favor closer antigen distances.
The FDA has approved a novel combination therapy of relatlimab and nivolumab for patients with metastatic or inoperable melanoma. The treatment significantly delayed cancer progression time compared to nivolumab alone. LAG-3 blockade reinvigorated T cell anti-tumor activity, establishing the pathway as the third immune checkpoint target.
A new study led by Kelly Monaghan at West Virginia University suggests that interrupting the immune response may improve multiple sclerosis outcomes. The researchers found that targeting a specific protein called CCL17 can prevent the disease from attacking the central nervous system, leading to milder symptoms and delayed paralysis.
A new vaccine platform, using spherical nucleic acid (SNA) nanoparticles, has been shown to produce an immune response in animals and offer protection against lethal doses of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The results suggest that this approach could be used to target other infectious diseases.
Researchers identified common features of pediatric antiphospholipid syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease causing inflammation and recurring blood clots. Nearly half of children with APS experienced recurrent blood clots despite treatment, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and prevention.
A study found that excessive sugar consumption can promote inflammation and autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn's disease and type 1 diabetes. Researchers identified GLUT3, a glucose transporter, as a key player in this process, and proposed blocking its activity to mitigate inflammatory responses.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology discovered that vaccination after COVID-19 recovery increases neutralizing antibody levels by up to five times, providing better protection against current coronavirus variants. The study involved 140 volunteers and showed that antibody levels remained high even after 300 days.
Columbia University researchers have engineered a microbial encapsulation system that temporarily hides therapeutic bacteria from immune systems, allowing them to deliver drugs to tumors and kill cancer cells in mice. The system, called iCAP, controls the bacteria's surface by manipulating gene circuits.
Researchers have discovered an essential role of LCOR in enabling cancer cells to present tumour antigens, making them visible to the immune system. This approach increases the success of immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer, a subtype with low treatment response rates.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur discovered a mechanism that enables infected cells to evade immune responses and infect the brain, leading to life-long persistence of bacteria. This finding has implications for understanding other intracellular pathogens and developing new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers found that sequencing drug combinations can enhance the anti-tumor immune response in liver cancer, potentially reducing toxic drug exposure. The new strategy primes the tumor with an immune checkpoint inhibitor before using a multikinase inhibitor, enhancing its effectiveness.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet and Helmholtz Center Munich found that macrophages show altered inflammatory and metabolic expression several months after mild COVID-19. Even though most individuals were symptom-free, their immune systems were more sensitive than those of healthy counterparts.
Scientists have successfully modified red blood cells to transport viral agents that trigger the immune system against SARS-CoV-2. The new method, described in PLOS ONE, shows promise as a safe and effective vaccine delivery platform with potential for rapid adaptation to emerging variants.
Research team finds mutations leading to omicron variant don't affect immune response in people with pre-existing immunity. This suggests individuals who were previously infected or vaccinated may still be protected against breakthrough infections, but humoral immunity may fail.
A new study suggests that persistent breathlessness after COVID-19 is linked to altered immune cell landscapes in the airways and signs of ongoing lung damage. While preliminary results indicate a possible improvement over time, further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential treatments.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered a critical step in the molecular circuitry of immune cells that mobilizes the immune system to fight off foreign invaders. The findings, published in iScience, shed light on subtle genetic variations among human populations that may explain individual responses to infections.
A study found that intact astrocyte networks are essential for neural homeostasis, synaptic plasticity, and spatial cognitive abilities in adult mice. Disrupting these networks impairs spatial learning and memory due to altered neuronal excitability and compromised synaptic transmission.
A new study found that a ketogenic diet significantly improves MS symptoms, including fatigue, depression, and cognitive function. Patients on the keto diet experienced reductions in neurologic disability and enhanced overall quality of life.
Scientists identify a specialized zone in Muller glia cells called the citrullination bunker that sequesters damaged proteins, preserving vision. Chronic engagement of this process may lead to retinal degeneration, but inhibiting it could delay or prevent disease.
Human immune cells occupy certain tissues and remain there for years, contrary to previous belief. T cells found to be optimally adapted to their local environment, potentially supporting barrier function.
Research reveals SARS-CoV-2 can have multiple variants in one person, with some hiding in specific cells like kidneys or spleens. This can make complete virus clearance more difficult, as the body struggles to defend against dominant strains.
A new study by University of Bonn researchers found that cow's milk protein casein triggers an autoimmune response in mice, damaging neurons and myelin sheath. This cross-reactivity can occur when the immune system mistakes similar molecules for each other.
Scientists have discovered a new therapeutic approach to aid the immune system in fighting cancer, offering hope for better solutions for patients. Researchers found that blocking the EP4 molecule can 'free' the immune system and restore its cancer-fighting functions.
Researchers have discovered the structure of C.difficile's protective armor, a chain-mail like layer that prevents molecules from entering the cell. This discovery opens the possibility of designing specific drugs to target the armor and kill the cell.
A UC Riverside-led study has identified a potential antiviral therapy for SARS and SARS-like coronaviruses by targeting the papain-like protease enzyme. The research reveals that subgroup 2b PLpros selectively target specific host immune pathways, making them a promising target for future coronavirus therapeutics.
A new study has found that vitamin D3 can balance people's immune systems and strengthen defenses against viral infections like Covid-19. In contrast, vitamin D2 had a questionable impact on human health, with its effects differing from those of vitamin D3.
A team of researchers at MedUni Vienna's Center for Physiology and Pharmacology has discovered a key building block in immune cells that promotes immunotolerance and prevents T-cell attacks on the body's own tissues. The study suggests a potential new cell-based therapeutic approach to slow down autoimmune disease progression.
A study of 1.5 million Swedish men found that high BMI in adolescence was associated with a higher risk of severe COVID-19, including hospitalization and intensive care, years later. Obesity in early adulthood also played a role in the severity of the disease.
A study published in Immunogenetics found that male Kentish Plovers have stronger immune systems than females due to the presence of two active copies of immune genes on their Z chromosome. This may explain why males tend to survive longer than females in this species.
Researchers found higher-than-expected levels of antiphospholipid autoantibodies in COVID-19 patients, causing endothelial cell activation and promoting clotting. Removing these antibodies from blood samples lost the activation effect, suggesting a potential cause of severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Researchers used identical twins to exclude genetic influences and track immune system changes responsible for triggering multiple sclerosis. The study found that an error in the communication of immune cells leads to greater activation of T cells, causing damage in the central nervous system.
Researchers found that the immune system helps produce ketone bodies, which energize the brain and body, even in healthy individuals. The discovery sheds light on how the immune system maintains bodily equilibrium.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells use a combination of proteins to repel T cells and protect themselves from the immune system. By disabling this protection, scientists were able to allow T cells to infiltrate and attack pancreatic tumors, leading to shrinkage or disappearance.
Researchers tracked antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination and found that antibodies improve in quality for months after vaccination. Even low levels of antibodies provide some protection as long as the virus doesn't change.
Prenatal exposure to industrial toxin TCDD may cause long-term damage to brain circuits and potentially lead to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD. Researchers found that pharmacological manipulation can restore microglia function, suggesting a possible therapeutic avenue for these disorders.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered that tumour cells in ovarian cancer hide from the body's immune system by interacting with specific gene mutations. Tumours with BRCA1/2 mutations are more effectively targeted by killer T-cells, leading to better patient outcomes.
Researchers discovered a signaling mechanism allowing intracellular bacteria like Salmonella to outmaneuver host defenses. By triggering macrophage death and activating the complement system, these bacteria can safely deliver themselves into another macrophage. This 'hack' enables them to persist within infected hosts.
A University of Houston researcher has identified potential biomarkers for neuropsychiatric symptoms of lupus, which include CSF Lipocalin-2, M-CSF, IgM, and complement C3. Elevated levels of these proteins in cerebrospinal fluid may indicate a diagnosis of NPSLE.
A recent study published in Cell found that T cell responses are still robust against the Omicron variant in most individuals with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, offering protection against severe disease. Booster vaccines can enhance T cell responses, substantially increasing immunity against severe COVID-19.
Researchers have discovered disulfiram prevents the formation of toxic webs known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that contribute to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Disulfiram's ability to block NET formation may lead to a new treatment for severe COVID-19 and other lung injuries.
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln researcher has developed a virtual immune system model that can simulate the complex interactions between different components of the human immune system. The goal is to identify more effective drug targets and accelerate the development of new treatments for immune-related diseases.
A Brazilian study found that SARS-CoV-2 can persist in patients for over a month before becoming negative on diagnostic tests. Researchers tracked 38 COVID-19 patients and found that the virus remained detectable in three cases for more than 70 days, raising concerns about quarantine periods.
A study by UConn Health and Washington University School of Medicine found that eating more meat correlates with worse MS symptoms, altered gut bacteria, and increased immune cells. The research identified key bacteria and metabolites associated with the disease, providing new insights into its causes.
Researchers have discovered that a bacteria-fighting mechanism in the immune system, NETs, can manipulate beneficial Th17 cells into harmful autoimmune responders. This finding opens doors to developing targeted therapies for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions.
Researchers developed a new 'Easy-BILAG' tool to measure lupus disease progression, enabling accurate and consistent assessments in 91.3% of cases. The single-page document uses color-coding to make assessment more user-friendly, reducing completion time from 80 minutes to under an hour.
The four-year programme will investigate the chemical signatures that trigger immunity in fungal infections, which kill an estimated 1.6 million people worldwide annually. By understanding these signatures and how fungi disguise them, researchers hope to uncover the origins of antifungal immunity.
UAB surgeons successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead human recipient, testing safety and feasibility in a novel human preclinical model. The experiment showed that the xenograft perfused normally and maintained vascular integrity, paving the way for potential treatment of thousands with organ failu...
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that memory T cells formed after previous infection or mRNA vaccination can still recognize the omicron variant, suggesting protection against severe disease. The study also suggests booster immunization may provide benefits beyond neutralizing antibodies.
Four MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researchers received American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grants worth $35,000 each. The grants support promising projects that aim to push cancer care forward. Researchers are working on various innovative projects, including a digital literacy training program for community health workers an...
Researchers at Lund University discovered that non-neutralising antibodies can also protect against Covid-19 by facilitating phagocytosis. The findings suggest that broader protection from antibodies may be more effective in combating mutations of the virus.
A University of South Australia study suggests that nature-based citizen science projects can alleviate stress and isolation, while improving mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. By engaging with natural environments, individuals can experience lower stress levels, improve their wellbeing, and feel connected to a community.