Using a DNA-based scaffold carrying viral proteins, researchers created a vaccine that provokes a strong antibody response against SARS-CoV-2Peer-Reviewed Publication MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Using a virus-like delivery particle made from DNA, researchers from MIT and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard have created a vaccine that can induce a strong antibody response...
Category: <span>Immunology</span>
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New technology makes cancer easier for immune system to find and destroy
by Hokkaido University Compared with untreated cancer, the TRED-I system significantly reduced cancer size in mice models. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310821121A new technology to increase visibility of cancer cells to the immune system using CRISPR has been developed, and could lead to a new way to treat cancer. Major...
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Stem cell study shows how gene activity modulates the amount of immune cell production in mice
by Keck School of Medicine of USC Credit: CC0 Public DomainAs people age or become ill, their immune systems can become exhausted and less capable of fighting off viruses such as the flu or COVID-19. In a new mouse study published in Science Advances, researchers from the USC Stem Cell lab of Rong Lu describe how...
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‘Cancer-cooling’ protein puts bowel cancer on ice
by Australian National University Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public DomainA protein in the immune system can be manipulated to help overcome bowel cancer, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU). The research is published in Science Advances. Bowel cancer claims more than 100 lives in Australia each week, yet around 90% of cases can be...
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Immunocompromised patients and COVID infections: Who’s at risk?
by University of Michigan Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public DomainEarly in the pandemic, clinicians noticed that certain immunocompromised patients were experiencing persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections, some lasting weeks to months at a time. This raised concerns that one of these cases could be the source of an emerging viral variant that has benefited from an extended battle with the...
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FDA warns of rare secondary cancer risk with CAR-T therapies
by Robin Foster The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has told drugmakers to add a boxed warning to a type of cancer treatment called CAR-T therapy, saying the treatment itself may sometimes cause a secondary cancer. Still, FDA spokesperson Carly Kempler told NBC News that, despite the new warning, “the overall benefits of these products...
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Why cancer immunotherapies don’t work for everyone
by Katherine Egan Bennett, University of Texas at Arlington Credit: Cell Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113516A multi-institutional study co-authored by University of Texas at Arlington scientists uncovered a mechanism by which cancer cells prevent the immune system from activating and attacking the cancerous invaders. The study, published in Cell Reports, sheds light on why immunotherapy treatments don’t...
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Systematic analysis of the prognostic value and immunological function of LTBR in cancer
by Impact Journals LLC Validation of expression of the LTBR gene. Credit: Aging (2024). DOI: 10.18632/aging.205356A new research paper titled “Systematic analysis of the prognostic value and immunological function of LTBR in human cancer” has been published in Aging. Lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTBR) is a positive T cell proliferation regulator gene. It is closely associated...
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Can autoimmune diseases be cured? Scientists see hope at last
After decades of frustration and failed attempts, scientists might finally be on the cusp of developing therapies to restore immune ‘tolerance’ in conditions such as diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis. Cassandra Willyard Antigen presenting cells (illustrated, right) can sometimes train T cells (left) not to attack. Credit: Juan Gaertner/Science Photo Library Back in 2001, immunologist...
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‘COMPLEMENT SYSTEM’ IS TO BLAME FOR LONG COVID SYMPTOMS
BY U. ZURICH Researchers have discovered that chronic symptoms in long COVID are, to some extent, due to a part of our immune system called the complement system. Long COVID patients have chronic symptoms such as fatigue or shortness of breath. The new study identified a pattern in the blood proteins that will improve the diagnosis...