Researchers Kira Rubtsova, Philippa Marrack and Anatoly Rubtsov have shown that the transcription factor T-bet inside B cells drives the appearance of Age-associated B Cells (ABCs) and the development of autoimmune disease. Researchers at National Jewish Health have identified a trigger for autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis. The findings,...
Category: <span>Immunology</span>
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Organ signal find raises hopes of immune disorder treatments
The discovery of key signals that help tissues repair after injury could pave the way for new treatments for asthma and organ scarring, a study suggests. Scientists have identified two molecules that enhance the body’s immune response inside vital organs, helping to fight off parasitic worm infections and repair damaged tissues. Identifying these signals could help...
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Platelets suppress T cell immunity against cancer
Stylized illustration of a platelet and T cell. Plus and negative signs are used to symbolically indicate the positive (clotting) and negative (downregulating T cell immunity) effects of platelets. Blood platelets help disguise cancer from the immune system by suppressing T cells, report scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in the...
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TIAM1 Antagonizes TAZ/YAP Both in the Destruction Complex in the Cytoplasm and in the Nucleus to Inhibit Invasion of Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Highlights TIAM1 is part of the WNT-regulated destruction complex regulating TAZ/YAP stability WNT induces TIAM1 nuclear translocation where it reduces TAZ/YAP-TEAD interaction Nuclear TIAM1 blocks the TAZ/YAP genetic program inhibiting migration of CRC cells Nuclear TIAM1 predicts good prognosis in CRC Summary Aberrant WNT signaling drives colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we identify TIAM1 as a...
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A New Gene Therapy Cure Just Treated Its First-Ever Patient
Rarefied Cures This March, child with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) became the second commercial gene therapy patient ever. The patient started receiving a drug called Strimvelis from GlaxoSmithKline — a drug that appears to be able to cure the rare, inherited immune disorder SCID. The drug was approved for use in commercial gene therapy in May of 2016,...
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Molecule identified that helps give resident T cells in the skin their anti-cancer punch
Mouse showing signs of vitiligo. Photograph courtesy of Medical University of South Carolina cancer immunologist Dr. Chrystal M. Paulos and Dartmouth’s Dr. Mary Jo Turk. The molecule CD103 is key to the long-term residence of T cells in the skin and to their anti-tumor function, report a team of researchers at the Medical University...
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Chronic fatigue syndrome linked to imbalanced microbiome
Scientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have discovered abnormal levels of specific gut bacteria related to chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS, in patients with and without concurrent irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Findings are published in the journal Microbiome. The study is among the...
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Mitochondrial protein-linked DNA breaks perturb mitochondrial gene transcription and trigger free radical–induced DNA damage
Abstract Breakage of one strand of DNA is the most common form of DNA damage. Most damaged DNA termini require end-processing in preparation for ligation. The importance of this step is highlighted by the association of defects in the 3′-end processing enzyme tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) and neurodegeneration and by the cytotoxic induction of...
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Engineering cells to make immunotherapy more effective
Microscopy image of cells within nanowell array chips. Immunotherapy, in which cells from the human immune system are unleashed to fight disease, has been the big story in cancer treatment over the past few years. When it works, it can spur long-lasting remission in patients for whom other treatments have failed. But most patients...
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Testing a new immunotherapy treatment for neuroblastoma
T cells are important fighters against disease. Immunotherapies are changing the outlook for many cancer patients. Drugs that block cancer cells from deflecting an immune attack are now routinely used to treat advanced skin and kidney cancers, and are showing promise in other types of cancer too. But cancers are complex and diverse – what works...