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New uOttawa study suggests gene linked to Parkinson's disease holds clues to battling deadly bacterial infections

Researchers have discovered a gene linked to Parkinson's disease may also strengthen the body's ability to fight dangerous infections. The study found that a well-studied mutation in the LRRK2 gene increases the production of reactive oxygen species, making immune cells more effective at eliminating intracellular bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCellular and Molecular Immunology·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 19, 2026

Scientists discover how macrophages – a key type of immune cells – age differently throughout the body

A new study reveals that macrophages, a key immune cell type, age differently across tissues and between sexes. The researchers found that aging macrophages become more focused on responding to stress and cellular damage, but lose some molecular programs involved in maintaining healthy tissue structure.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Itaconate modifications: mechanisms and applications

Researchers summarize itaconate biology highlighting its chemical reactivity and therapeutic potential in treating infectious diseases, sepsis, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disorders. Itaconate exerts biological effects through post-translational modifications, altering protein activity and signaling pathways

SourceJournal of Intensive Medicine·JournalJournal of Intensive Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 15, 2026

A surprising suspect behind concussion trouble: Your own immune system

A new study from the Medical University of South Carolina suggests that the complement system, a part of the body's innate immune system, plays a major role in brain damage after repeated concussions. The research found that reducing complement activation can help protect the brain and reduce cognitive impairments.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2026

New insights into natural killer cell brakes point to more effective combination cancer therapies

Researchers have discovered that blocking NK cell checkpoints could significantly enhance cancer immunotherapy, providing new avenues for treating solid tumors and blood cancers. Emerging precision approaches using gene editing and engineered cell therapies promise specific recognition of cancer cells with potentially fewer side effects.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateJul 1, 2025

BNT162b2 vaccine not only targets COVID-19 virus, but may also help reduce and control innate inflammation

The BNT162b2 vaccine not only targets the COVID-19 virus but also helps reduce and control innate inflammation to other bacterial and fungal pathogens. By reprogramming innate immune cells, the vaccine reduces pro-inflammatory mediators, providing potential benefits beyond its primary target.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalClinical Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2025

Synthetic RIG-I-agonist RNA induces death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

A synthetic retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) agonist RNA has been shown to induce innate immune signaling and death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. The addition of recombinant interferon-b potentiated this cell death, suggesting a potential new mechanism for treating patients with liver cancer.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Interferon & Cytokine Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2025

Researchers in Brazil discover a gene that may afford protection against COVID-19

A study on six serodiscordant couples found that women who were immune to SARS-CoV-2 had elevated expression of the gene IFIT3 compared to their male partners. This suggests that overexpression of IFIT3 may offer protection against COVID-19 by inhibiting viral replication and preventing cell invasion.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateJan 29, 2025

Spanish scientists discover how the gut modulates the development of inflammatory conditions

Gut bacteria that cross a weakened intestinal barrier induce epigenetic changes in bone marrow, generating trained immune cells primed to respond more efficiently to infections. However, this amplified immune response also contributes to the development of inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions.

Human papillomavirus infection kinetics revealed in new longitudinal study

A new longitudinal study has provided unprecedented insights into human papillomavirus (HPV) infection dynamics. The study found that non-persistent infections exhibit a plateau in viral load before rapidly declining, while chronic infections show a strong correlation between immune cells and virus production. This research could infor...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2025

A new experimental infection model in flies offers a fast and cost-effective way to test drugs

Researchers developed a new experimental infection model using Drosophila flies to test drugs for infectious diseases, reducing the use of vertebrate animals. The model assesses innate immunity against infections by Candida albicans and allows for the design of new therapeutic approaches targeting uncontrolled immune responses.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 15, 2024

Natural killer cell cellular-based therapeutic options to manage acute myeloid leukemia: prospects and challenges

Natural Killer (NK) cell-based therapies have shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies for treating Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), offering a potential cure with minimal prior antigen sensitization. However, the dysfunction of NK cells in AML patients poses a significant challenge that must be overcome to unlock their full ther...

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalOncology Advances·DateSep 30, 2024

Common respiratory infections may have protected children from COVID-19, study suggests

Researchers found that frequent respiratory infections in children may have elevated their innate immune activity, protecting them from severe COVID-19 symptoms. The study suggests that childhood exposure to common cold viruses and bacteria boosted the kids' immune systems, allowing them to better fight off SARS-CoV-2.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 1, 2024

New study uncovers molecular interactions driving multiple inflammasome activation and inflammatory cell death

A team of researchers discovered a multiprotein complex involving NLRP3, AIM2, NLRC4, and Pyrin that drives PANoptosis, a type of programmed inflammatory cell death. The findings have implications for understanding inflammasome biology and identifying potential therapeutic targets.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalCellular and Molecular Immunology·DateDec 27, 2023

Immune cell map reveals origin of subcellular response to microbes, researchers report

Researchers have created an 'immune cell map' that reveals the origin of neutrophils' subcellular response to microbes. The study found that a specific type of glycoprotein is responsible for the restricted subcellular origin, and this discovery may lead to refined personalized immune responses.

SourceInstitute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2023

SMART researchers discover novel combination therapy to counter antibiotic-resistant Mycobacterium abscessus infections

SMART researchers have discovered a novel combination therapy using rifaximin and clarithromycin to treat antibiotic-resistant Mycobacterium abscessus infections. The study found that rifaximin potentiates clarithromycin against M. abscessus, increasing its sensitivity and effectiveness in killing the bacteria.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalJAC-Antimicrobial Resistance·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023

St. Jude finds NLRP12 as a new drug target for infection, inflammation and hemolytic diseases

Researchers from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered NLRP12 to be the key molecule responsible for inducing inflammatory cell death and pathology in response to heme combined with other cellular damage or infection. This finding provides a new potential drug target to prevent morbidity in certain illnesses.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2023

HKU biologists reveal a molecular scissor that cuts chromatin bridge and prevents DNA damages and autoimmunity

A research team led by Dr Gary Ying Wai Chan reveals the function of enzyme ANKLE1 in cutting chromatin bridges, preventing DNA damages and autoimmunity. This discovery has significant implications for understanding immune responses and developing new strategies to prevent diseases such as cancer and autoinflammatory disorders.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023

Status epilepticus: New inflammatory markers to improve patient care

A new study identifies several cytokine markers associated with poor prognosis in New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE) patients. The researchers found that the concentration of these inflammatory proteins was higher in NORSE patients than controls, and their increase was correlated with short-term and long-term neurological ...

SourceInstitut du Cerveau (Paris Brain Institute)·JournalAnnals of Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 31, 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

Wheat’s ancient roots of viral resistance uncovered

Researchers have uncovered the ancient roots of a gene in wheat that provides resistance to the devastating Wheat Yellow Mosaic Virus, which causes significant economic losses. The discovery could lead to more resistant wheat cultivars, increased crop yields, and reduced use of harmful fungicides.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2023

X-ray light reveals how virus responsible for COVID-19 covers its tracks, eluding the immune system

A new study uses serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography to reveal the structure of NendoU protein at room temperature. The resulting high-resolution image shows that the protein's flexibility plays a crucial role in its functional mechanism, which is essential for designing antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2.

SourceArizona State University·JournalStructure·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2023

Portland State study finds diet high in saturated fat can reprogram immune cells in mice

Researchers discovered that a ketogenic diet high in saturated fats can reprogram the mouse immune system, making it better at fighting off infections but more susceptible to systemic inflammatory conditions. The study also found that another type of fat, oleic acid, may be able to counteract the harmful effects of palmitic acid.

SourcePortland State University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2022