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USC researchers develop next-generation CAR T cells that show stronger, safer response in animal models

Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine have developed a new type of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell that elicits a more controlled immune response to cancer. The engineered CAR T cells may offer a way to more safely treat blood cancers and reduce the chance of relapse.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2025

Gut–immune–brain axis modulation of autism spectrum disorder using precision-selected probiotics

Researchers discovered a multi-faceted mechanism behind ASD, revealing the gut microbiota and host immune system's influence on disease progression. Precision-selected probiotics restored metabolic balance, reduced neuroinflammation, and ameliorated behavioral abnormalities in ASD mouse models.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 19, 2025

Researchers find intestinal immune cell prevents food allergies

A recent study published in Cell revealed that a specific intestinal immune cell prevents food allergies by breaking the threshold between friend and foe in the gut. Researchers at WashU Medicine identified this cell as RORγt+ dendritic cells, which maintain tolerance to harmless food allergens, preventing allergic reactions.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2025

Putting the brakes on chronic inflammation

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine discovered that interleukin-23 acts on group 3 innate lymphoid cells to balance pro-inflammatory effects and maintain gut health. This interaction is impaired in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, providing new insights into the disease and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature·DateJun 12, 2024

Key role found for gut epithelial cells and their expression of MHCII in the defense against deadly diarrheal infections

Researchers have identified a subset of intestinal epithelial cells that act as both the major target and responder in a mouse model of gut infection by Citrobacter rodentium. These cells, known as distal colonocytes, trigger a unique gene-expression program when infected with the bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2024

Pusan National University researchers reveal how diabetes weakens gum defense

Researchers from Pusan National University discovered a link between diabetes and periodontitis, showing pro-inflammatory cytokines rise in classical monocytes. The study highlights the systemic impact of these conditions on immune regulation and suggests a potential therapeutic target to reduce diabetes risk.

SourcePusan National University·JournalClinical and Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024

Evolutionary conservation of CD4 and LAG-3 and their cytoplasmic tail motifs with opposing immune functions: do we finally understand LAG-3?

Researchers have discovered that CD4 and LAG-3 are conserved throughout jawed vertebrate species, including sharks. The study reveals that the cytoplasmic tail motifs of these proteins have opposing immune functions, with CxC/H promoting activation and ITIM-like motif inhibiting cell activity.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 16, 2024

Study sheds light on cellular interactions that lead to liver transplant survival

Researchers identify key protein interactions that control the body's immune response during liver transplantation, leading to improved transplant survival rates. The study found that a specific communication pathway between CEACAM1 and TIM-3 proteins plays a crucial role in controlling the immune response.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalGastroenterology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2023

Cancer that spreads to the lung maneuvers to avoid being attacked by “killer” T cells

Cancer cells have been found to employ a strategy to evade the immune system's killer T cells by interacting with myeloid cells and suppressing type 1 interferon production. This natural pathway is crucial for recruiting killer T cells to combat cancer spread. Researchers hope to develop new therapeutic approaches, such as forcing tumo...

Moffitt researchers discover new pathways to activate dendritic cells, produce strong anti-tumor immunity

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute discovered a new way to activate dendritic cells, which can produce strong anti-tumor immunity. The approach uses an oncolytic virus expressing CD40 ligand and IFNβ, reducing tumor size and activating immune cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2023

Improving CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumours through inhibition of conventional signalling pathway

Researchers have discovered that inhibiting conventional signalling pathway by disrupting LCK allows more efficient tumour cell killing, using FYN protein instead. This approach enhances T-cell function and reduces graft-versus-host disease, making CAR-T therapy more accessible to patients.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2023

Protein kinase CK2 has key role in killer T cells during infection by Listeria monocytogenes

The study found that protein kinase CK2 plays a key role in regulating CD8+ T cell activation, metabolic reprogramming and differentiation during infection by the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. In mouse models, deletion of the CK2α catalytic subunit impaired CD8+ T cell function.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2022

Study reports blocking key enzyme boosts anti-cancer T-cell responses and resistance to immunosuppression

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have identified a critical immunosuppressive pathway and developed an experimental inhibitor to protect T-cells from weakening. The CBL-B inhibitors show great potential in enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, making patients' T-cells more effective in killing cancer cells.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2022

CDI laboratory identifies critical regulators controlling T-cell homeostasis which could improve cancer therapies, vaccines of the future

The Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation's CDI laboratory has identified critical regulators controlling T-cell homeostasis. The findings could lead to improved cancer therapies and vaccines of the future by modulating the human immune system.

SourceHackensack Meridian Health·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2022

Researchers find natural mechanism to sensitize cancer to immunotherapy

A U-M study defines how a cytokine and fatty acid combination triggers ferroptosis, a type of cell death previously studied with synthetic molecules. This natural mechanism could make immunotherapy treatments more effective, particularly for cancers where the treatments currently work for only about 30% of patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2022

The body fights infection amidst 'waves' of regulatory CD4+ T cells

A new study from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology reveals that two groups of regulatory CD4+ T cells develop at different times to combat acute inflammation. The early Tregs reduce autoimmune damage, while the second wave shuts down the entire immune response to signal infection clearance.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Pushing past pancreatic tumors’ defenses

Researchers discovered that cancer cells use a combination of proteins to repel T cells and protect themselves from the immune system. By disabling this protection, scientists were able to allow T cells to infiltrate and attack pancreatic tumors, leading to shrinkage or disappearance.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2022

T cells: No time to die

Scientists at the University of Basel have discovered a new signaling pathway that enables T cells to survive for decades. Coronin 1 regulates this pathway, which suppresses T cell death by maintaining PI3Kdelta activity. This finding has significant implications for understanding and controlling immune function.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience Signaling·DateDec 22, 2021

A Chinese medical journal review sheds light on T-cell responses in respiratory diseases

Researchers comprehensively review T-cell responses to respiratory viral infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), highlighting key characteristics of peptide-reactive T-cells. The review aims to improve understanding of the underlying mechanisms, leading to more effective immune protection and treatment methods.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 30, 2021

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

First in-depth profile of CAR T-cell signals suggests how to improve immunotherapy

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center compared two common CAR designs in lab models and found that the CD28 CAR showed faster and stronger activity, while the 4-1BB CAR was more effective in clearing cancer cells. The study provides insights into how to improve immunotherapy by designing future generations of CAR T-cell therapies.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalScience Signaling·DateAug 21, 2018