Add BrightSurf on Google Email

The Wim Hof method may reduce inflammation, per systematic review

The Wim Hof method has been found to increase epinephrine levels and decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines, indicating a potential anti-inflammatory response. However, its impact on exercise performance is less clear, with some studies showing benefits and others finding no significant difference.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 13, 2024

Smoking has long-term effects on the immune system

A recent study published in Nature found that smoking has a lasting effect on the immune system, with certain defense mechanisms persisting for up to 10-15 years after quitting. The research used a large cohort of healthy volunteers and identified three key factors: smoking, latent cytomegalovirus infection, and body mass index.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2024

Revolutionary genomic study sheds light on immune microenvironment in transplanted pediatric hearts

A team of researchers from Texas Heart Institute and Baylor College of Medicine have made a significant discovery about the underlying molecular cell states within transplanted pediatric hearts. They found that donor-derived tissue-resident macrophages are crucial for graft acceptance, but their loss leads to allograft failure.

SourceTexas Heart Institute·JournalCirculation·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2024

Faulty DNA disposal system causes inflammation

Scientists discovered a novel mechanism for removing mtDNA from mitochondria, which can initiate an immune response promoting inflammation. The discovery reveals new targets for therapeutics to disrupt the inflammatory pathway and mitigate inflammation during aging and diseases.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateFeb 8, 2024

New cell therapy shows promise with ARDS patients

A new type of cell therapy has shown promising results in improving survival rates and reducing pneumonia among critically ill ARDS patients recovering from severe Covid-19. The invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapy, known as agenT-797, triggered an anti-inflammatory response and activated anti-viral immunity.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 6, 2024

CityU neuroscientists uncover the therapeutic potential of low-dose ionizing radiation for traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke

Researchers found that low-dose X-ray irradiation reduced lesion size and reversed motor deficits in TBI and ischemic stroke mice, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic strategy. The treatment also accelerated substantial motor function recovery and promoted brain rewiring after stroke.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2024

A new targeted treatment calms the cytokine storm

Researchers from Osaka University have discovered a novel treatment strategy for cytokine storm, a serious inflammatory syndrome triggered by an infection or severe burn. The new approach involves blocking IL-6 receptor signaling with a short-term antibody, minimizing treatment side effects and preventing vascular damage.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2024

A novel angle on type 1 diabetes: RNA editing disruption mimics early-stage disease with no involvement of virus

A recent study by the Hebrew University proposes a new etiology for early stages of type 1 diabetes, attributing it to disrupted RNA editing within pancreatic beta cells. This perspective challenges long-held beliefs about viral involvement, suggesting potential implications for treatments and cures.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 25, 2023

MMRI publishes breakthrough study detailing a novel approach to minimize damage after a heart attack

Researchers at MMRI have developed a novel approach to minimize cardiac damage after a heart attack by targeting the spleen with histone deacetylase inhibitors. This targeting strategy results in a significant decrease in cardiac scar size and preservation of heart function, even after just one dose.

SourceMasonic Medical Research Institute·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2023

Patients can interrupt treatment of immune-supressing medicines for two weeks in order to boost immunity provided by COVID-19 booster vaccine, finds major study

A major study found that patients with inflammatory conditions can boost their antibody response to a COVID-19 booster vaccination by interrupting their treatment for two weeks. The improved protection lasts for six months, and patients who interrupted treatment reported more flare-ups but most were self-managed.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalThe Lancet Rheumatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 12, 2023

B12 deficiency: a hidden trigger of inflammation?

A recent study found a compelling link between vitamin B12 deficiency and chronic inflammation, which can lead to various health problems. The research revealed an inverse relationship between vitamin B12 levels and inflammatory markers in humans and mice, suggesting that higher vitamin B12 levels may lower inflammatory markers.

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·TypeObservational study·DateOct 17, 2023

Switching off the cytokine storm

Researchers at EMBL Grenoble have obtained the first structure of p38α being activated by MKK6, opening up new directions for developing drugs to stop cytokine storms. The inflammatory response is triggered by a series of kinases, and inactivating p38α could prevent inflammation from occurring.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2023

Study characterizes unique immune response in patients who experience inflammatory arthritis as side effect of cancer therapies

Researchers identified a specific type of CD8 T cell that characterizes inflammatory arthritis induced by ICI therapies. A unique population of CD8 T cells was found to promote joint inflammation and persist in the bloodstream, explaining why ICI-arthritis continues after therapy is discontinued.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience Immunology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 1, 2023

How the brain detects and regulates inflammation

A multidisciplinary team of scientists has revealed the existence of a brain circuit involved in sensing and regulating inflammation. The circuit detects inflammatory hormones in the blood and organizes the immune response through the vagal complex and parabrachial nucleus.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2023

New hope for inflammatory disorders - controlling dangerous immune response

A groundbreaking study has uncovered potential treatments for inflammatory disorders by targeting specific receptors involved in the immune response. Researchers created mimetic peptides that successfully reduced inflammation in human immune cells and provided significant protection against toxic shock in mice.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Biomedical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2023

Long COVID not caused by COVID-19 immune inflammatory response, new research finds

Researchers at University of Bristol found that Long Covid is not caused by an immune inflammatory reaction to COVID-19. Instead, persistent immune activation and inflammation may persist for months after COVID-19, correlating with severe disease. The study suggests a new direction for understanding and potentially treating this debili...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournaleLife·TypeObservational study·DateJul 4, 2023

Obesity associated with increased inflammation and prolonged symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury

Researchers found that obese patients with mild traumatic brain injuries had higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers and prolonged symptoms compared to those with healthy body mass indexes. The study suggests that obesity may mediate the inflammatory response and symptoms in mTBI patients.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·DateJun 27, 2023

Study at University Hospital Bonn improves prediction of therapy response in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Researchers at University Hospital Bonn have developed a new approach to predict therapy response in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma by incorporating two simple blood parameters, CRP and albumin. This method improves the prediction of treatment response, especially in patients with disease control in the first follow-up.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateJun 22, 2023

CARD8 helps human immune system respond to some viruses, including COVID-19

A study published in PLOS Biology found that the CARD8 inflammasome sensor is essential for detecting coronavirus infections, but may detect different viruses in different people. The researchers also discovered that genetic variation among humans and across species affects the sensor's ability to detect viral enzymes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2023

Anti-microbial nanonets display multi-functionality by mitigating inflammatory responses during sepsis

Pharmaceutical scientists from the National University of Singapore have developed multi-functional synthetic peptide nanonets for relieving inflammation caused by bacterial infection. These nanonets trap bacterial endotoxins and pro-inflammatory cytokines, achieving anti-inflammatory activity through selective binding.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

A potential pathway to improved stroke recovery

A study published in Stroke identified two proteins, R-spondin 3 (RSPO3) and LGR4, that trigger a signaling pathway to reduce inflammation and promote neurite outgrowth in the ischemic brain. This discovery provides new hope for patients with ischemic stroke by targeting RSPO3/LGR4 signaling.

SourceOsaka University·JournalStroke·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2023

Researchers associate early life stress with pro-inflammatory processes later in life during pregnancy

Research suggests that early life stress may increase pro-inflammatory processes during pregnancy, which can have long-term effects on maternal and child health. The study found that mothers who experienced higher levels of early life stress had increased pro-inflammatory factors but decreased immune cell development.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2023

Fats help tag medical implants as friend or foe

Researchers discovered that lipid deposition on medical implant surfaces can signal to the immune system whether to attack or ignore the implant. This knowledge could help develop biomaterials that deflect host immune aggression, reducing malfunction rates for devices like pacemakers and surgical mesh.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2023