Articles tagged with Immune System
Researchers discovered the ZIP-1 gene acts as a cell's first-line response to infection, controlling immune responses to viruses and other threats. The finding could have implications for identifying similar genes that control immune responses in humans.
Researchers discovered nine genes in S. mansoni's autophagy pathway inhibited by the primate's immune system, preventing parasite multiplication and contaminating the host. The study suggests a potential novel therapy and vaccine against schistosomiasis.
The Sanford Children's Genomic Medicine Consortium has initiated a whole genome sequencing research project to investigate undiagnosed illnesses in children with suspected inborn errors of immunity. The study aims to sequence the genomes of up to 25 patient genomes and learn information that can benefit patients and others.
A UCLA-led team has improved a method to kill HIV-infected cells, using natural killer cells to target and eliminate them. The approach could lead to reducing or eliminating the virus from infected individuals who rely on medication.
A large population study found that living alone for several years and/or experiencing serial relationship break-ups are strongly linked to raised levels of inflammatory markers in the blood of middle-aged men. The researchers suggest that this combination may indicate a heightened risk of age-related ill health and death.
Researchers at UCSF identify unique immune microenvironments in different types of cancer, paving the way for personalized immunotherapies. The study categorizes tumors into 12 groups based on their immune profile, suggesting that some cancers share similar characteristics despite being from different types.
Researchers have discovered a pattern of immune activity in normal pregnancies that can detect abnormalities and predict complications. The study found elevated immune activation in the first three months, followed by a calmer phase, and higher activity in the last three months, especially when childbirth is imminent.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people with immune dysfunction, such as HIV infection or rheumatoid arthritis, had a higher rate of COVID-19 breakthrough infections after vaccination. These individuals also experienced worse outcomes compared to those without immune dysfunction.
Researchers found that CBD shrinks glioblastoma tumors by reducing inflammation and restoring immune balance. The compound also suppresses key proteins involved in tumor growth and spread, making it a potential novel adjunct therapy for glioblastoma patients.
A genetic variation among some Greenlanders makes sugar healthy by converting it into a short-chain fatty acid called acetate, which boosts the immune system. Adult carriers have lower BMI, weight, and fat percentage, while children may experience negative consequences from consuming sugar.
Scientists have identified the transcription factor Blimp1 as a new critical regulator of tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells. Disrupting Blimp1 in these cells remodels the tumor microenvironment and augments the response to immunotherapy, promoting improved tumor control and anti-tumor immunity.
Researchers have discovered a fundamental role of the TBK1 enzyme in deciding B cell fate, crucial for developing effective vaccines for diseases like COVID-19 and malaria. The study reveals that TBK1 is necessary for germinal center formation and high-quality antibody production.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that mRNA therapy improves the response of patients who weren't responding to cancer immunotherapy. The study identified a weak spot in T cells, white blood cells crucial for fighting cancer, and developed an mRNA-based strategy to enhance their response.
A new blood test developed at Hebrew University of Jerusalem detects immune and inflammatory activity in tissues by monitoring circulating DNA fragments. This method provides accurate information about immune processes in remote tissues, removing the need for invasive measures.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that activate key cancer fighters by driving up immunity at the tumor site, improving interactions with antibody therapies. The technique left six of 10 mice with lymphoma tumor-free and was effective in melanoma when combined with existing immune response amplifiers.
Research at University of Basel discovered that certain areas in tissue allow bacteria to survive despite antibiotic therapy. Immune system plays a critical role in eradicating bacteria, and boosting defenses with immune therapy can lead to more effective clearance.
Researchers found fecal transplants increase IL-25, reducing tissue inflammation and boosting immune system response to C. difficile infections. The transplants also promote beneficial microbial diversity, helping patients heal from life-threatening diarrhea.
A case study published in Nature Medicine reports a patient experiencing progressive neurological features resembling Parkinson's disease after CAR-T cell therapy, suggesting potential neurotoxicity. The study highlights the importance of monitoring for neurotoxicity in patients receiving BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapies.
Researchers discovered that blood stem cells use high-energy fatty acids from the body's fat stores to power up their response to infection. This finding could lead to new approaches in treating bacterial infections, particularly in vulnerable and older individuals.
Researchers found that a combination of natural infection and vaccination produces maximally potent antibodies against COVID-19. The study suggests that repeated exposures to the spike protein can improve the immune system's ability to produce high-quality antibodies against variants.
Researchers at Hokkaido University and Texas A¼M University identified a key mechanism used by SARS-CoV-2 to evade host immune systems, targeting the MHC class I pathway. The study found that the virus suppresses the activation of this pathway using the ORF6 protein, allowing it to persist in the body and infect others.
Researchers discovered that pregnancy triggers the activation of Natural Killer T (NKT) cells to prevent breast cancer. After pregnancy, breast epithelial cells produce a specific protein called CD1d, which attracts NKT cells to monitor and eliminate potential cancer cells.
Researchers report that combining infection and vaccination produces high-quality antibodies effective against COVID-19 variants. The study found that prior-infected individuals who received a vaccine had potent antibodies against new variants, contrary to previous findings suggesting reduced potency.
A study found that long-term cannabis smokers have increased levels of Actinomyces meyeri in their saliva, which correlates with the length of cannabis use. This bacterium was shown to decrease activity and increase beta-amyloid production in mice, suggesting a link between oral microbiome disruption and brain health.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology and MIT have discovered a new adjuvant called SMNP, which combines saponin and TLR agonist to boost the protective power of vaccines. The study found that SMNP triggers a strong immune response in mice, promoting lymphatic drainage and activating multiple parts of the immune system.
Researchers discovered that infections improve the production and function of naïve T cells, the body's first line of defense against disease. This mechanism involves interleukin 7 and MHC molecules, which signal naïve T cells to stay alive and receive optimal metabolic signals.
Researchers found that adding a specific bacterium to the gut microbiome of mice with colon cancer increased immune cell activity and reduced tumor size. The study suggests leveraging gut microbiota to enhance anti-tumor immunity in advanced colon cancer, offering a promising new approach for treatment.
A team of biologists identified the fungus Verticillium dahliae's effector molecule VdAMP3, which targets beneficial organisms in the plant's microbiome to promote infection. This discovery highlights the importance of considering the entire microbiome when understanding disease.
Researchers in Brazil and Belgium developed a stable, immune-resistant molecule from rattlesnake venom using PEGylation. The resulting drug candidate modulates blood clotting and has potential for anti-coagulant and wound dressing applications.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified genes that help ovarian cancer evade the immune system. These findings could lead to more effective immunotherapy for ovarian and other types of cancer.
A recent review article describes a class of viruses known as oncolytic viruses, which have the remarkable ability to target and destroy cancer cells. Researchers are exploring these viruses for cancer therapy, with some showing promising results in stimulating an immune response against cancer.
Antibodies that mimic the SARS-CoV-2 virus may explain lingering symptoms of long-haul COVID-19 and rare vaccine side effects like allergic reactions and blood-clotting. This theory, based on classic immunological concepts, suggests a cascade of immune responses that can lead to adverse effects.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified FAM72A as a crucial gene in antibody development, enabling high-quality antibodies by facilitating AID's effect. The findings also suggest that increased levels of FAM72A could spur cancer development and progression.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered that cancer cells can disarmed the immune system by forming nanotubes that pull out mitochondria from immune cells. This new mechanism gives a target to go after, leading to potential new combinations of therapies for improving cancer immunotherapy outcomes.
A recent study by James Godwin, Ph.D. has identified the liver as a primary reservoir for pro-regenerative macrophages essential to limb regeneration in axolotls. The research paves the way for regenerative medicine therapies in humans, potentially treating diseases like heart and lung disease with scar-free healing.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that vaccination results in a more robust immune response than natural infection. Even with waning antibodies, vaccinated individuals still have protective immunity against severe disease and hospitalization.
Researchers have identified a second person living with HIV who appears to have rid themselves of the virus, with no intact HIV genomes found in over 1.19 billion blood cells and 500 million tissue cells sequenced. This finding may represent a sterilizing cure for people with HIV who cannot achieve this on their own.
Research conducted by Mount Sinai Hospital reveals that cannabis exposure in utero can lead to higher levels of anxiety, aggression, and hyperactivity in children. Placental gene expression also shows lower immune-activating genes, predicting these outcomes.
A recent study discovered high levels of mercury exposure in human bones from Copper Age Iberia, dating back 5000 years. Cinnabar powder used for pigments and rituals led to severe health effects, including intoxication.
Scientists have reversed new-onset type 1 diabetes in mice by injecting pyramid-like DNA molecules called tFNAs, which increased regulatory T cells and protected pancreatic β-cells. The treatment is one of the most promising candidates for type 1 diabetes immunotherapy.
Dendritic cells, crucial in detecting infectious agents, need boosting when they are scarce in healthy tissue. A new process, dubbed 'emergency' dendritic cell response, rapidly replenishes these cells from bone marrow upon infection.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that interleukin-26 plays a critical role in bacterial pneumonia by directly killing bacteria and modulating the immune system. This finding positions IL-26 as a new potential target for biological treatment of pneumonia, an increasing global health threat.
Researchers found that certain T cells stop working before entering the tumor due to changes in gene expression, making ICB therapies less effective. Combining ICB with other forms of immunotherapy targeting different aspects of T cell function may improve response rates for non-small cell lung cancer patients.
Researchers from Kazan Federal University have developed a gene-cell preparation that uses membrane vesicles to target and kill cancer cells. The technology has shown promise in treating various types of cancer, including breast, lung, and colon cancer.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital propose using an existing drug to prevent NET formation, which can lead to severe inflammation in conditions like COVID-19, sepsis, and ARDS. The study shows that ricolinostat inhibits histone deacetylases, reducing NET formation and inflammation.
Researchers have identified a link between certain gut microbiome molecules and the immune system protein P-gp, which plays a critical role in gut inflammation. The study suggests that supporting a healthy balance of microbes in the gut may help regulate P-gp expression and prevent chronic inflammation.
A recent study published in eLife reveals that the shape of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) plays a crucial role in determining infection outcomes. Researchers found that RSV viruses change from long, rod-shaped particles to more rounded ones during infection, which affects the activation of complement proteins by the immune system.
Scientists at Einstein College of Medicine have successfully suppressed HIV infections in mice using a novel treatment strategy that boosts the immune system's CD8+ T cells. The therapy, known as synTac, selectively targets HIV-infected T cells, eliminating them from the body and offering a potential path to a functional cure for HIV.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found lactoferrin to have promising efficacy in reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19. Lactoferrin may also play a beneficial role in managing symptoms and recovery for patients suffering from RTIs.
Patients with multiple myeloma often mount a poor antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines and have a weak T cell response, underscoring the need for booster vaccination and safety precautions. Researchers found that these patients are at high risk of severe COVID-19 infection.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to reduced influenza reporting, but vaccination and strengthened surveillance are critical for a possible resurgence. Research highlights the importance of flu vaccination and early testing for non-influenza respiratory viruses.
Researchers report that 90% of patients who received gene therapy between 2009 and 2012 remain disease-free, with significant immune system differences observed among those treated. The therapy is most effective in younger children, but further work is needed to achieve high levels of gene correction in all patients.
Researchers found that optimizing energy metabolism through autophagy can improve the immune system response in HIV-affected cells, providing a potential therapeutic approach. This metabolic optimization enables CD4 lymphocytes to better defend against HIV-1 by secreting IL-21, a key protein in defense against the virus.
A team of scientists has found that IgA antibodies, a natural defense substance in the human body, can limit the fitness of benign bacteria in the intestine. This discovery helps maintain a delicate balance between the human organism and the intestinal flora.
A study by SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities found that people become more sensitive to feelings of disgust when they perceive their lives as being in danger. As a result, they tend to avoid foreigners, which is linked to an evolutionary response known as the behavioral immune system.
A new pouch device has been developed to protect transplanted human liver cells from immune systems for up to six months, producing crucial biomolecules. This breakthrough offers a potential path toward treating human diseases without needing to suppress the patient's immune system.
A national review of nocardia infection in kidney transplant patients found that those with compromised immune responses are more vulnerable to the opportunistic agent. Nocardiosis can lead to pneumonia and brain abscess, and screening is crucial, especially in combination with pneumonia symptoms.
A Harvard study found that massage therapy using mechanotherapy rapidly clears immune cells from severely injured muscles, enhancing regeneration. The treatment also removed inflammatory cytokines, leading to greater repair and strength recovery in injured muscles.
Cachexia is characterized by weight loss and muscle tissue shrinkage, driven by the immune system's response to chronic infections and diseases. Researchers from CeMM emphasize the need for more research into cachexia, highlighting the importance of interplay between the immune system and metabolism.
A pre-clinical study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers shows that a drug targeting specific immune pathways can prevent lung damage and death in mice infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The study suggests targeted treatments may be more suitable for COVID-19 patients than broad immune suppressants.