Articles tagged with Innate Immune Response
Scientists at Technical University of Munich have discovered an important mechanism in the body's defenses against fungi. Vav proteins play a key role in regulating the innate antifungal immunity pathway, particularly when CARD9 is present.
Researchers found that tree shrews have a natural immunity to HBV, with cytokine interferon-gamma playing a key role in the activation of hepatic natural killer cells. The study also revealed the importance of extracellular vesicles in regulating innate immune responses to HBV infection.
A team of researchers from Hokkaido University found that a receptor, known for its role in mediating dioxin toxicity, also regulates the body's innate immune response to viral infections. The activation of this receptor negatively regulates the production of an antiviral protein called type I interferon.
Bats have a unique ability to carry but remain unaffected by lethal diseases due to their constant immune response. The Australian black flying fox has only three interferons, which is a fraction of the number found in people, yet it can control viral infections that are lethal in humans.
Infants with severe RSV disease may have a dysfunctional innate immune response that relates to the severity of their disease. Immune monitoring could help identify children at high-risk for severe disease, and may lead to the use of immune stimulant drugs to reverse innate immune suppression.
Researchers have identified three key proteins that work together to execute plant innate immunity in the mustard weed Arabidopsis. These proteins are homologous to human spliceosome-associated components, suggesting potential parallels between animal and plant immune systems.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have found that the DNA-repair enzyme DNA-PK also plays a key role in innate immunity, protecting against internal and external threats. The discovery could lead to treatments for DNA instability caused by radiation or cancer treatment.