Articles tagged with Immune System
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found a compound called cathelicidin that directly attacks and stops RSV from binding to cells. Boosting natural production of this compound could protect babies and vulnerable adults from life-threatening illnesses.
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a novel cell-based immunotherapy that combines chemotherapy, inducing specific type of cell death in brain cancer cells. This approach stimulates the immune system to attack and activate dendritic cells, resulting in a drastically increased survival rate of mice with brain tumors.
A study involving skydiving participants found that acute stress can cause molecular alterations in the immune response, leading to increased risk of stress-related conditions. The researchers identified specific genes and pathways involved in both innate and adaptive immune responses that were dysregulated after the jump.
A new clinical trial has begun at Oxford and Sheffield to test a potential vaccine for prostate cancer. The vaccine aims to stimulate the immune system's attack on cancer cells by recognizing a specific protein found on their surface. If successful, future studies will assess its effectiveness in preventing disease progression.
A recent study by Whitehead Institute scientists found that B cells with diverse affinities for invading pathogens are selected in the immune system's germinal centers. This approach may aid development of effective vaccines against rapidly mutating viruses like HIV and influenza.
A team from the University of Sheffield has discovered a white blood cell in birds that can completely block the growth of Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that causes fatal infections in humans. The researchers found that this macrophage cell is able to destroy the fungus when it tries to invade the bird's body.
Researchers at Georgia State University identified a new factor, IL-36, that promotes intestinal inflammation but also helps to resolve it. The study highlights the complex role of immune system balance in IBD and emphasizes the importance of understanding disease timing and phase for effective treatments.
A recent study by researchers at VIB and KU Leuven in Belgium and the Babraham Institute in the UK discovered that raising a child together has a significant impact on one's immune system. Individuals who co-parented a child showed a 50% reduction in variation between their two immune systems, compared to the wider population.
A study by Aarhus University found that wholegrain foods, such as rye bread, contain bioactive compounds called benzoxazinoids. These substances have been shown to pass through the gut wall and circulate in the body, potentially regulating the immune system.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have captured atomic images of the herpes simplex 1 virus revealing how it inserts itself into another protein to evade detection by immune cells. The study provides a mechanistic explanation for the virus's ability to escape immune system recognition.
Researchers at McGill University found that chronic pain changes DNA marking in the brain and white blood cells, impacting immune function. This epigenetic discovery could lead to new targets for pain medications.
A new study published in Science suggests that food tolerance emerges over time in normal individuals due to specific populations of T cells. The research found that consumption of a normal diet stimulates gut cells that suppress rejection of food by the immune system, making children more susceptible to food allergies.
A new clinical imaging method has been developed to tackle one of the main killers of patients with weakened immune systems. The method uses a combination of PET and MRI imaging to identify invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, allowing for faster and more accurate diagnosis.
Researchers identify SIM4, a new part of the TRIM5alpha protein that attaches to SUMO and activates an immune response against HIV. This finding could lead to optimizing gene therapy by tweaking the activity of antiviral factors.
Researchers suggest that playing American Football may be a risk factor for hypertension due to immune system activation and inflammation caused by musculoskeletal trauma. The study also highlights the importance of excess weight as a contributing factor, particularly in linemen.
A new cellular structure responsible for previously unexplained rejection of organ transplants has been identified. Researchers have found a way to neutralize the enzyme driver of this structure, which could revolutionize transplantation practice by modifying risk assessment of rejection.
Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate the parasite that causes African sleeping sickness, making it easier for the host immune system to eliminate. By inhibiting specific proteins, they can 'trick' the parasite into a different stage of its lifecycle.
Researchers have found a way to manipulate trypanosomes in the mammalian bloodstream to acquire fly stage characteristics, making them easier for the host immune system to eliminate. Inhibiting specific proteins that interact with chromatin can 'trick' the parasite into differentiating to a different stage of its lifecycle.
Researchers found that an impaired immune system alters the composition of gut bacteria and affects its evolutionary pace. The study suggests personalized therapies based on individual gut bacteria composition may be more effective than generalist treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a new immune mechanism that begins working even before interferon is produced, helping to prevent illnesses. This breakthrough sheds light on why some people are more prone to viral infections than others.
A study from Carnegie Mellon University found that self-rated health accurately predicts susceptibility to the common cold in healthy adults. Those with better self-rated health were more resistant to developing a cold, despite accounting for socioemotional factors and health practices.
Researchers have developed methods to overcome technical limitations in studying the immune system, allowing for investigation of interdependent components and their impact on functions at the systems level. The new book provides valuable insights into team science and the application of computational tools to model immunity.
Researchers found that nanoparticles can evade the human immune system by changing their sugar coating, making them more visible during MRI imaging. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new medicines to target tumors.
Researchers found that intestinal worm infections can increase short-chain fatty acid production, activating receptors that influence the immune system. This discovery highlights the microbiome as a new pathway for helminths to modulate host immune function.
Research found that long-chain fatty acids promote CNS reactive immune cells, while short-chain fatty acids regulate autoimmune responses. The study suggests a potential role for dietary interventions in managing multiple sclerosis.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine has identified a genetic defect in the immune system that can lead to fatal brain inflammation in some people infected with the herpes virus. The discovery may also shed light on other types of viral infections, such as meningitis and influenza.
The immune system marks pathogen-containing vacuoles with ubiquitin to trigger destruction, a process that could lead to new therapeutic strategies. Highly virulent strains block this tagging, making them more resistant to host response.
Researchers have discovered that a class of experimental drugs already in clinical trials can help the body's immune system fight cancer. The drugs target a protein called Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), which is often overproduced in tumors and enables them to evade the immune system.
Research finds that spending time in nature enhances the functioning of the body's immune system, providing protections against a range of diseases including depression and cardiovascular disease. The immune system plays a crucial role in every one of these diseases, highlighting the importance of exposure to nature for overall health.
Research suggests a treatment that boosts the immune system could improve liver failure treatment outcomes. The therapy uses an immune-boosting molecule called CSF-1 to trigger natural defence mechanisms in the liver.
Researchers have developed ImmuNet, an online tool that uses public experiments and machine learning algorithms to predict new immune pathway interactions and disease-associated genes. The tool accelerates the understanding of immunological mechanisms and diseases, ultimately leading to improved treatment options.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered a new gene variant in the Khoe-San population that reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia and leads to larger, healthier babies. The mutation alters the binding of immune cells to placental cells, resulting in better blood supply to the developing embryo.
Researchers discovered that human induced pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into retinal pigment epithelial cells without immune rejection. This finding provides hope for the development of human stem cell therapies to treat macular degeneration, a condition affecting 30-50 million people globally.
A recent study by the UC Davis team has discovered that an early inflammatory response can 'paralyze' CD4 T cells, a crucial component of the immune system. This finding could lead to more effective cancer treatments and new approaches for managing autoimmune conditions.
Researchers found that type 1 diabetes patients have significantly lower levels of four proteins (IL8, IL-1Ra, MCP-1, and MIP-1β) that help protect against immune attack. These findings suggest a potential protein cocktail that could aid in disease diagnosis and management, as well as new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers used a new technology to study gene activity in living people, finding that women and men use different switches to turn on many immune system genes. The difference in activity might explain the higher incidence of autoimmune diseases in women.
A multi-institutional team of researchers has identified an apparently successful treatment for a genetic immune disorder that causes a multitude of health problems. The FDA-approved drug abatacept was tested on a small group of patients, resulting in improved lung function and reduced autoimmunity.
Researchers found that ethoxzolamide inhibits TB's ability to detect acidic environments, effectively blinding the bacterium and allowing the immune system to attack. This compound could help shorten treatment duration and slow the emergence of drug resistance in TB.
A study published in Gut found that anxiety and depression prior to a water contamination incident increased the severity of gastrointestinal infections and the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome. Psychological factors can play a key role in preventing long-term complications.
Researchers have identified a new genetic immune disorder, DOCK2 deficiency, which causes debilitating infections and combined immunodeficiency in children. Early screening for the disease can prevent life-threatening infections, and understanding its role may inform the study of more common immune system disorders.
Scientists have identified a type of sugar produced by Gram-negative bacteria called heptose as the trigger for an immune response in patients with gonorrhea. This discovery could lead to the development of new therapies that use the immune system to fight infections instead of antibiotics.
Scientists at the University of Montreal have discovered a new approach to treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by targeting the immune system. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that an imbalance of the immune system can contribute to ALS and trigger motor neuron destruction.
A world-first vaccine-style therapeutic approach has demonstrated safety and effectiveness in suppressing the immune response in a phase one clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment targets high-risk genes and antibodies associated with the disease.,
The discovery of lymphatic vessels in the brain could have significant implications for understanding and treating neurological diseases such as autism, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis. The findings, published in Nature, suggest that these vessels may play a major role in immune responses to neurodegenerative diseases.
Clinical trials demonstrate improved survival rates for patients with metastatic melanoma using immune therapies nivolumab and pembrolizumab. These treatments target the 'don't attack' protein PDL1 on tumors, allowing the immune system to prime against tumor tissue.
Jim Allison's pioneering work on T-cell response mechanisms led to the development of ipilimumab, a melanoma treatment that has shown unprecedented results in survival rates. His research continues to open new avenues for cancer treatment through immune checkpoint blockade.
Researchers discovered that Hepatitis C virus variants work together, sacrificing some to protect others from the immune system. This complex interaction, known as antigenic cooperation, could alter vaccine and treatment strategies.
Scientists developed modified IL-2 molecules that can boost or block immune responses depending on the therapeutic application. These new forms of IL-2 have shown promising results in laboratory studies, including prolonged survival in a mouse model of graft-versus-host disease.
Researchers discovered a critical role of the body clock in controlling the immune response to infection. A microRNA called miR-155 helps stop the macrophage clock, allowing it to become inflamed, while restoring clock function may provide new therapies for inflammatory disorders.
Researchers have discovered a way to stop lupus without suppressing the immune system by focusing on the TACI receptor. Deleting this receptor eliminates lupus in high BAFF levels, leaving natural immunity intact.
A research team at McGill University Health Centre has developed a potential vaccine that nudges the immune response away from developing allergies, offering hope for Canadians with seasonal allergies. The study uses a molecule called STAT6-IP to redirect the immune system's response, teaching it to tolerate allergens.
Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that blocking FGL2 protein could potentially treat brain cancer. By modulating the immune system's checkpoints, FGL2 promotes tumor growth and suppresses the immune response.
A study reveals that almost a quarter of our genes exhibit seasonal variation, impacting immune cells and blood composition. This seasonality may explain why certain conditions worsen in winter, with some genes more active in summer.
Researchers discovered that macrophages play an unexpected role in Rett syndrome, amplifying the disease instead of helping it. The study suggests modulating the immune system could delay symptom onset and slow disease progression.
A new study found that patients with AIDS have a four-fold increase in the risk of developing intermediate-stage age-related macular degeneration, compared to those without HIV. The study suggests that chronic immune activation and systemic inflammation may contribute to this increased risk.
Researchers report a rare case of a patient with HIV/AIDS who developed cerebral vasculitis and hemorrhagic stroke due to reactivated varicella-zoster virus. This highlights the need for healthcare providers to consider this potential complication in patients with compromised immune systems.
The bumblebee genome has been mapped, revealing a relatively small fraction of genes involved in the immune response compared to flies and mosquitoes. Despite its weak social organization, the bumblebee has just as few immune genes as the honeybee, suggesting that diet may play a role in shaping its immune system.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered that Shetland ponies' immune response to insect bites can prevent allergic reactions, similar to what happens in people with allergies. The study found that two different responses occur in horses, one triggering allergy symptoms and the other preventing allergic reactions.
Researchers created a computational model to investigate cancer's earliest stages and the immune system's response. The study found that spatial disorganization within tumors can promote immunosuppression and tumor growth.
A new model, XactMice, allows researchers to test anti-cancer therapies in an environment similar to real patients. Human blood stem cells are used to grow a human-like immune system before tumor transplantation.