A proteomics study has identified new proteins that facilitate communication between the immune system and the self-cleaning process, potentially leading to new treatments for tuberculosis. The research found that autophagy plays a crucial role in immune response, particularly against intracellular pathogens.
St. Jude researchers discover how intracellular pathogens use biochemical machinery to block nitric oxide production, a key chemical weapon against them. The findings offer hints for fighting bacteria and suggest the development of targeted drugs to inhibit such diseases as tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis.
Researchers found a protein called TREM-2 in the spinal fluid of MS patients, suggesting it may be contributing to the disease. The protein's presence could lead to new pharmaceutical targets for MS prevention and treatment.
Researchers identified A2BAR as a potential therapeutic target for acute lung injury, which spontaneously resolves in some individuals. Additionally, human immune cells' secreted proteins enhance the clearance of bacteria by other immune cells, offering a new mechanism for bacterial infections.
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown molecular signaling pathway in body fat cells that normally acts to suppress harmful inflammation, but is overridden by obesity. The protective function can be boosted with drugs targeting PPAR-d, potentially treating insulin resistance and diabetes.
Researchers found that interrupting a signaling pathway in immune system cells opened the possibility of a new strategy against Alzheimer's disease. Immune cells from outside the brain devoured plaque deposits, reducing their numbers by up to 90 percent.
A team of scientists discovered that Vpx protein enables the AIDS virus to reproduce by facilitating reverse transcription in the simian virus life-cycle. The findings are significant as they suggest potential new strategies to prevent replication.
New study identifies IKK(beta) protein as key driver of pro-tumor switch in macrophages, which halts production of anti-tumor genes. Inactivating IKK(beta) reprograms macrophages into tumor killers, attracting professional immune cells to shrink tumors.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have discovered how tuberculosis bacteria hide and multiply in human bodies. By identifying a key protein involved in this process, they are working towards therapies that can block its activity, leading to a more effective treatment for TB.
Researchers identified a key mechanism by which macrophages recognize friendly cells, preventing them from being eaten. This discovery could lead to new treatments for inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and atherosclerosis.
Researchers at UCF have identified a new protein family that regulates macrophage activation, potentially leading to the development of treatments for inflammatory diseases. The discovery has implications for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and obesity-induced type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found a way to reverse HIV's deadly longevity by targeting its chemical changes that keep reservoirs alive. An existing ant-parasite drug, miltefosine, inhibits the PI3K/Akt pathway, which enables macrophages to survive despite surrounding toxicity.
Researchers have discovered a weakness in the defenses of the anthrax bacterium that could be exploited to produce new antibiotics. Nitric oxide is a critical part of Bacillus anthracis's defense against the immune response, and disrupting this system could make it vulnerable to attack by macrophages.
A research team at Weill Cornell Medical College identified two genes, Pbx-1 and Prep-1, that play a critical role in regulating interleukin-10 (IL-10) production. This discovery could lead to new avenues for understanding and treating diseases such as lupus, cancer, and HIV/AIDS.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have found a connection between two cellular defense mechanisms, phagocytosis and autophagy, that help the body fight infections and resist chemotherapy drugs. The study suggests that these mechanisms work together to destroy germs and cancer cells, paving the way for new treatments.
Anthony Azenabor's research reveals that Chlamydia bacteria can manipulate macrophage cell walls, causing atherosclerosis and disrupting hormone production in the placenta. This discovery could lead to new treatments for both heart disease and infertility by blocking cholesterol signaling.
Scientists discovered that regulatory T cells can reverse macrophages' role in causing inflammation, allowing tumors to go undetected by the body's natural defenses. This knowledge may lead to new treatments for tumors and could also be applied to block chronic inflammation in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Scientists discovered that immune cells called macrophages play a role in age-related macular degeneration by failing to block abnormal blood vessel formation. In older mice, macrophages shift from M1 to M2 type, promoting disease progression.
Researchers at MIT discovered a link between gene SIRT1 and cholesterol flushing pathway, which could lead to drugs lowering risk of diseases like atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's. Potential treatments based on polyphenols may be developed to enhance SIRT1 effects.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers at Columbia University Medical Center will investigate the link between type 2 diabetes and heart disease using a $10.8 million NIH grant. They aim to understand how insulin resistance contributes to accelerated atherosclerotic lesion progression in diabetics.
A study published in JCI found that bacteria residing in the gut boost immune response to tumors after total body irradiation, a common treatment for cancer. The researchers discovered that a specific population of bacteria plays a crucial role in augmenting the function of tumor-specific T cells and resulting in tumor regression.
Immune cells use filopodia to catch pathogens, with the internal scaffolds growing and shrinking through actin filaments. Researchers tracked the dynamic behavior of these structures for the first time in three dimensions, revealing discrete steps of retraction and a possible molecular mechanism underlying it.
A study published in The American Journal of Pathology found that a specific enzyme helps protect against tumor growth by enhancing the immune response. Mice with high levels of this enzyme in their macrophages were resistant to melanoma and lymphoma, demonstrating its potential as a new cancer therapy.
A Stanford study found that macrophages, known as troublemakers in obesity, can also play a beneficial role in metabolism. The researchers identified a molecular switch that can shift the cells into the more desirable mode, which could help block insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have developed a new imaging technology using multi-detector computed tomography (CT) and a novel contrast agent N1177 to detect high-risk plaque. This may help physicians diagnose a heart attack before it occurs, preventing cardiac events.
Macrophages play a critical role in clearing debris after nerve damage, but their continued presence can damage tissue and compromise repair. Now, researchers have identified a process that allows macrophages to be cleared, enabling nerve regeneration.
Researchers used MRI to detect macrophages in arterial walls, which indicate inflammation and cardiovascular disease. The study found a 79% increase in detection compared to baseline images, suggesting a potential noninvasive screening tool for heart attack risk.
A genetic mutation in the beta1-adrenergic receptor alters the response to certain heart failure drugs, highlighting the potential for personalized medicine. The study found that a single amino acid change in the receptor can affect how well patients respond to beta blockers, with some variants showing increased sensitivity to carvedilol.
Researchers found that TSA and SAHA decreased cholesterol deposits and prevented macrophages from forming foam cells inside arterial walls. These findings suggest the potential for these anti-inflammatory drugs to stabilize atherosclerotic plaque and reduce acute coronary events.
A new protein, RELM-beta, has been identified as a key player in the connection between gut bacteria and inflammatory bowel disease. Research found that mice lacking this protein are protected from colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate.
Researchers at UCLA/VA have discovered that curcumin, a compound found in curry and turmeric, can enhance the immune system's ability to clear amyloid beta from the brain. In a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, treated macrophages showed improved uptake of amyloid beta in 50% of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have identified a protein, STM3117, that helps Salmonella evade immune cells, allowing the bacteria to multiply inside macrophages. The discovery presents a promising target for developing new drugs, vaccines, and rapid diagnostics to combat food poisoning caused by Salmonella.
For hematopoietic stem cells, a two-step process regulates cell fate decisions, with pioneer transcription factors triggering the first step and secondary factors activating specific genes. Understanding this circuitry is crucial for learning how to transform stem cells into therapeutically useful cells.
Researchers found that macrophage entry into the eye encourages new vessel formation, while direct injection of macrophages significantly inhibits this process. This suggests regulators of macrophages may be a possible therapeutic target in AMD.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that marijuana use at conception and early pregnancy can prevent embryos from safely passing to the uterus, leading to early pregnancy failure. The study also showed that THC, a psychoactive component of marijuana, can swamp normal signaling systems, causing implantat...
Researchers at Rutgers University propose a new approach to combat clogged arteries by attacking how bad cholesterol triggers inflammation and causes plaque buildup. Their nanolipoblockers, or NLBs, compete with oxidized LDL for macrophage attention, cutting accumulation by up to 75 percent.
Dr. McCluskey receives the Ajinomoto Award for Young Investigators in Gustation for her work on taste bud regeneration and its relation to the immune system. She aims to understand how macrophages, a type of immune cell, affect neural function in injured nerves.
Phagocytosis, a key part of the immune system, depends on macrophages to remove particles from the body. Researchers at UCSB found that particle shape, not size, is more important in this process. This discovery could lead to the design of drug carriers that can be retained by the body for longer periods and vaccines that stimulate rap...
Research finds elastases cause emphysema through generation of pro-inflammatory elastin fragments. Blocking elastin fragment activity prevents emphysema in both mouse models. Elastin fragments are chemotactic, attracting inflammatory cells.
Researchers use MRI to visualize individual immune cells in live animals, enabling real-time tracking of organ rejection. The new approach offers personalized care and reduces biopsy procedures.
Researchers discovered that macrophages secreting a specific enzyme trigger the rupture of unstable plaques in arteries, leading to cardiovascular events. The study suggests targeting this enzyme may help stabilize precarious plaques and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers discovered that TRAF3 is essential for producing type I interferons and IL-10, a protein preventing inflammation. Cells lacking TRAF3 over-produce inflammatory proteins, highlighting its role in controlling the immune response to viruses.
Researchers pinpoint CD36 as the first candidate for detecting fatty acids in the oral cavity, influencing digestive physiology and potentially increasing obesity risk. The study also reveals an alteration in the fat perception system may impact HIV transmission through human milk.
Researchers have identified a protein called CCL5 that protects macrophages from premature death during respiratory viral infections, allowing them to continue fighting the infection. This discovery may lead to new methods to hasten recovery and reduce symptoms of influenza and the common cold.
Scientists have found tunneling nanotubules that enable immune cells to relay molecular messages, allowing them to coordinate responses to pathogens. The discovery could reveal new insights into the local inflammatory response and potential therapeutic strategies.
A study found that HIV-infected macrophages travel to the temporal lobe, causing inflammation and damaging memories. Researchers hope to develop drugs targeting these cells to prevent HIV-associated dementia.
Researchers identify how nuclear receptors work to suppress inflammatory responses, potentially leading to more powerful anti-inflammatory drugs with fewer side effects. This discovery could lead to better therapeutic results in treating diseases such as arthritis and arteriosclerosis.
Scientists discover a new connection between macrophages and lymph vessels in the eyes, which could lead to new therapies for eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy. The study also suggests that this link may be universal and involved in spreading cancer.
Researchers have discovered a novel Group B Streptococcus (GBS) gene, iagA, that helps the bacteria invade the human blood-brain barrier, leading to meningitis. A glycolipid treatment has been found to induce long-term anergy in natural killer T cells, which could impact its use as an immune activator.
Researchers discovered that CD11b-positive macrophages play a crucial role in the development of lymphangiogenesis in the cornea during inflammatory conditions. These macrophages transform into endothelial cells or stimulate the division of existing lymphatic cells, leading to the formation of new lymph vessels.
Certain bacteria, such as Rhodococcus equi, have evolved strategies to survive and even multiply within macrophages, which are intended to digest pathogens. This occurs when the bacteria prevent phagosome development, avoiding acidification and lysosomal digestive enzymes.
A new device has been developed to detect inflammatory cells in blood vessels, which are associated with critical atherosclerotic plaques. The device uses fluorescence spectroscopy to identify macrophage infiltration in the fibrous cap, a key marker of plaque inflammation.
Researchers find biglycan acts as endogenous ligand of Toll-like receptor 4 in macrophages, increasing responses and leading to improved survival in sepsis. Mice lacking biglycan show increased survival benefit, highlighting the protein's pro-inflammatory role.
A study by University of Illinois-Chicago researchers found that a plasminogen system component called PAI-1 actually enhances muscle regeneration when deficient. This suggests the plasminogen system may have multiple roles in muscle repair and offers potential therapeutic targets for aging and degenerative diseases.
Research reveals how a molecule helps Brucella bacteria evade destruction within macrophages, leading to a deeper understanding of the pathogen. This discovery has significant implications for developing new vaccines and treatments against Brucellosis.
A recent study published in Cell Metabolism discovered a novel link between a molecule called apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) and the development of atherosclerosis. AIM, which typically protects infection-fighting cells, was found to promote plaque buildup inside arteries when its function is suppressed.
A study found that air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes by thickening blood, a process triggered by particulate matter. Exposure to pollutants boosted inflammatory activity and promoted clotting factors in cells, suggesting a potential link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that deleting pro-inflammatory enzyme IkB kinase â (Ikk-â) from immune cells' macrophages improves insulin sensitivity, offering hope for new type II diabetes treatments. The study suggests targeting myeloid cells and their macrophages as a potential strategy for treating the disease.
The study reveals that Rb plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, two key processes affected in cancer development. By analyzing mice lacking Rb during embryonic development, researchers found that red blood cells failed to mature, highlighting the importance of Rb in maintaining normal cellular function.
Researchers identified a novel oncogene in Chernobyl residents with papillary thyroid cancer, resulting from the fusion of the AKAP9 and BRAF genes. This study provides evidence that chromosomal inversions are a common molecular lesion in post-Chernobyl thyroid cancers.