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Asthma may reduce risk of brain tumors -- but how?

Researchers found that asthma causes immune cells to behave in a way that prevents brain tumor growth, suggesting a potential new therapeutic approach. The findings suggest reprogramming T cells to act like those in asthma patients could be a new treatment for brain tumors.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2021

From the god of sun to immunodeficiency: international research team identifies new rare disease affecting hematopoiesis and immunity

An international research team discovered a new rare disease caused by a disrupted Helios-dependent epigenetic regulation mechanism, leading to T and B cell defects. The study highlights the importance of Helios in immune homeostasis and suggests potential therapeutic targets for immunodeficiency and malignancy.

SourceSt. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

Differences in T cells’ functional state determine resistance to cancer therapy

Researchers found that certain T cells stop working before entering the tumor due to changes in gene expression, making ICB therapies less effective. Combining ICB with other forms of immunotherapy targeting different aspects of T cell function may improve response rates for non-small cell lung cancer patients.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Biology·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2021

ImCheck publishes comprehensive overview of the development results of its first-in-class cancer immunotherapeutic targeting BTN3A to activate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in Science Translational Medicine

ImCheck's ICT01 selectively activates Vγ9Vδ2 T cells through all three isoforms of BTN3A, overcoming prior limitations. The therapy demonstrates anti-tumor activity in solid and hematologic cancer models.

SourceTrophic Communications·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 20, 2021

New cell type in human skin discovered to contribute to inflammatory skin diseases like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis

Researchers identified a new cell type in human skin contributing to AD and psoriasis, highlighting potential therapeutic targets. The study revealed CD14+ type 3 dendritic cells co-producing IL1B and IL23A, essential for PSO pathogenesis.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2021

'Relaxed' T cells critical to immune response

Rice University researchers suggest that T cell relaxation time is key to immune response, explaining how invaders prompt the immune system. The approach helps explain why T cells can react so fast and selectively, despite self-ligand imposters outnumbering invaders by a factor of 100,000.

SourceRice University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateJun 16, 2020

Research maps key signaling pathways linking calcium entry and exit in activated T cells

A study by Temple-led researchers describes a unique mechanism for coordinating calcium entrance and exit 'doors' on T cells, which helps them carry out their jobs and ensure normal immune function. The research offers new insight into calcium signaling that could help scientists better understand autoimmune and immunodeficiency diseases.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalScience Signaling·DateOct 8, 2019

The 'greying' of T cells

Research suggests that weakened metabolism of immune T cells, specifically one-carbon metabolism, may contribute to age-related immunity loss. Adding small-molecule compounds that boost T cell performance could potentially restore immune function.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 13, 2018

Activation of immune T cells leads to behavioral changes

Scientists have discovered that T cell activation leads to a depletion of amino acids in the blood, which in turn affects neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, causing anxiety and fear responses. In mice without PD-1 receptor, they found behavioral changes dominated by anxiety and exacerbated fear responses.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Immunology·DateOct 23, 2017

New insights into tumor-infiltrating T cells

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified a distinct gene module for T cell dysfunction, contributing to chronic disease states like cancer and chronic viral infections. A transcription factor, Gata-3, was found to play a crucial role in T cell dysfunction, offering new avenues for targeted therapy.

Key switch in the immune system regulated by splicing

Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München have identified two variants of the protein MALT1, which are regulated by posttranscriptional splicing and affect the immune response. The study found that stronger activation of T cells is associated with the MALT1A variant, while the MALT1B variant results in a weaker response.

Gut microbes linked to major autoimmune eye disease

Research finds gut microbes produce a molecule mimicking retinal protein, activating T cells responsible for autoimmune uveitis. The study offers a novel mechanism explaining how tissue-specific autoimmune diseases can arise from responses to gut microbes at a distal site in the body.

SourceCell Press·JournalImmunity·DateAug 18, 2015

The company you keep

Researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology report that Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFAT) plays a key role in CD8 T cell exhaustion, leading to impaired immune responses. The study identifies NFAT as a molecular hub that orchestrates T cell activation and exhaustion.

Killer cocktail fights brain cancer

Researchers at Rockefeller University Press develop a novel two-pronged approach to combat glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. By combining interleukin-12 with a CTLA-4 blocking drug, the cocktail successfully eradicated tumors in mice, showing promise for future treatment.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateNov 25, 2013

Going live -- immune cell activation in multiple sclerosis

Scientists have developed two new indicator molecules that can visualize the activation of auto-aggressive T cells in the body, shedding light on the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. The indicators enable researchers to track T cell activity and activation patterns in real-time, offering new avenues for drug development.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 24, 2013

La Jolla Institute discovers previously unknown cell interaction key in immune system attacks

Researchers at La Jolla Institute have identified a previously unknown molecular interaction between protein kinase C theta and CD28 that is essential for T lymphocyte activation. This discovery opens up a novel therapeutic avenue for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis by blocking the cellular inter...

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Immunology·DateOct 2, 2011

Superantigens could be behind several illnesses

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered that superantigens, produced by staphylococcus bacteria, can activate the immune system in more ways than previously thought. This complex interaction may be behind several illnesses, including long-term wound infections and autoimmune disorders.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 28, 2010

Acne drug prevents HIV breakout

Researchers found that minocycline effectively targets and reduces HIV replication in immune cells, providing an additional layer of defense against the virus. The antibiotic may improve current treatment regimens for HIV-infected patients when used in combination with HAART.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateMar 19, 2010

Vitamin D crucial to activating immune defenses

Scientists have discovered that Vitamin D is essential for activating killer cells in the immune system. Without sufficient vitamin D, T cells cannot detect and fight off serious infections. The researchers found that T cells rely on vitamin D to activate and that a lack of vitamin D can lead to immune suppression.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature Immunology·DateMar 7, 2010

A reductionist approach to HIV research

A team of researchers has created a mouse model with key features of HIV infection, shedding light on the disease's mechanisms. The mouse exhibits symptoms similar to those of immunodeficiency virus infection, but with notable differences that highlight its limitations as a model for human disease.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Biology·DateNov 30, 2009