Immunology

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of HIV-1 virus particles (yellow) budding and replicating from an H9 T cell (dark blue). The virus particles are in various stages of maturity, which accounts for differences in shape. Credit: NIAIDNIH-funded trial shows promising outcomes with treatment started promptly after birth.Four children have remained free of detectable HIV for more than one year after their antiretroviral therapy (ART) was paused to see if they could achieve HIV remission, according to a presentation at…

A new study reveals the role of STAP-1 in T cell activation and immune response, showing its mediation in cell signaling and its potential link to immune disorders like multiple sclerosis and asthma. This understanding paves the way for therapeutic advancements targeting STAP-1. Credit: SciTechDaily.comNew research highlights a potential therapeutic target for immune-related disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and asthma.A new study has shed light on the importance of the protein STAP-1 in activating certain immune…

Researchers identified that activating the SOX17 gene allows early-stage colon cancer cells to escape immune detection, presenting a potential target for preventing colon cancer. Credit: SciTechDaily.comA new study finds precancerous colon cells turn on a gene called SOX17, which helps them evade detection and develop into more advanced tumors.One of the immune system’s primary roles is to detect and kill cells that have acquired cancerous mutations. However, some early-stage cancer cells manage to evade this surveillance…

New research reveals that blocking the cGAS/STING pathway reduces age-related inflammation and cognitive decline, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. Credit: SciTechDaily.comInhibiting the STING protein in aged mice leads to decreased inflammation and improved memory and physical function, highlighting a promising approach to mitigating aging-related challenges.As we age, our bodies undergo various changes that can impact our overall health and make us more susceptible to diseases.…

Researchers at the McGill University Health Centre have found that the old tuberculosis vaccine, BCG, also protects against influenza A, indicating potential for broader virus defense, including COVID-19. This breakthrough could significantly influence future vaccine development.As Canada’s flu season collides with record strep A cases and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, a new study is shedding light on our understanding of respiratory immune responses. Scholars from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health…

Rapamycin is one of the most promising anti-aging substances to date. Rapamycin is named after “Rapa Nui,” the local translation for the Easter Islands, where the active ingredient was discovered as a metabolic product of bacteria in a soil sample. Credit: K. Link/ Max Planck Institute for Biology of AgeingProtection against the rise of pro-inflammatory factors that come with aging.Rapamycin, a drug typically used in cancer treatment and post-organ transplant care, has been found to prolong both the lifespan and health…

Scientists have discovered that the brain’s activity during sleep, particularly the generation of rhythmic brain waves, is crucial for flushing out waste. This process could offer new strategies for preventing neurodegenerative diseases and improving sleep efficiency, potentially reducing the necessity for long sleep durations.Findings could pave the way for innovative strategies to tackle Alzheimer’s and various other neurological disorders.There lies a paradox in sleep. Its apparent tranquility juxtaposes with the…

Scientists at Scripps Research have created an antibody that effectively neutralizes the venom from various deadly snakes, potentially leading to a universal antivenom. This breakthrough offers a promising solution to the global challenge of snakebite envenoming, particularly benefiting regions with the highest incidence of snake bites. Credit: Simon TownsleyScientists at Scripps Research identified antibodies that protect against a host of lethal snake venoms.Scripps Research scientists have developed an antibody that…

A study by the National Institutes of Health found that adopting a vegan or ketogenic diet leads to significant immune system changes, with the vegan diet enhancing innate immunity and the keto diet boosting adaptive immunity. Both diets also caused metabolic changes and altered the gut microbiome.NIH study finds distinct immune responses occur quickly when diets change, more research needed to determine health effects.Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) observed rapid and distinct immune system changes…

A study reveals that people with long COVID have dysfunctional immune cells, showing chronic inflammation and abnormal movement into organs. Analyzing immune cells and molecules in 43 individuals, the research highlights a low-level viral persistence in long COVID, with a particular focus on T cells’ mismatched activity, paving the way for understanding and treating the condition.Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and the University of California, San Francisco, conducted analyses on immune cells from individuals with…