The immune system will memorize the pathogen after an infection and can therefore react promptly after reinfection with the same pathogen. Now, scientists have deciphered new details of this process.
A step toward helping patients breathe deeply
Researchers report that a protein called TL1A drives fibrosis in several mouse models, triggering tissue remodeling, and making it harder for lungs and airways to function normally.
A genetic variant that protects against Alzheimer’s disease promotes immune cell functions
A new study has found that the PLCG2-P522R genetic variant, which protects against Alzheimer’s disease, enhances several key functions of immune cells. The results obtained in the study highlight the importance of immune cells as a target of future dev…
Uncovering a ‘suPAR’ culprit behind kidney injury in COVID-19
A new observational study finds patients in the hospital for COVID-19 have high levels of soluble urokinase receptor (suPAR), an immune-derived pathogenic protein that is strongly predictive of kidney injury.
Berry good news: newly discovered compound from blueberries could treat inflammatory disorders
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), caused by chronic inflammation in the digestive tract linings, can be debilitating and life threatening. Therapeutic options include suppression of immune response, but treatments leading to complete cure of IBD are st…
COVID-19 mortality rates higher among men than women
A new review article shows people who are biologically male are dying from COVID-19 at a higher rate than people who are biologically female.
Targeting the treatment of autoimmune diseases
Researchers have successfully treated two patients with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. Using daratumumab, a monoclonal antibody which targets specific immune cells known as plasma cells, the researchers were able to modulate the a…
Children’s immune response more effective against COVID-19
Children and adults exhibit distinct immune system responses to infection by the virus that causes COVID-19, a finding that helps explain why COVID-19 outcomes tend to be much worse in adults, researchers report.
Researchers find diminished response by ‘killer’ T cells in elderly COVID-19 patients
Although people of any age can become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, elderly patients face a higher risk of severity and death than younger patients. New research comparing the immune response among age groups may help explai…
Regulatory T cells could lead to new immunotherapies aimed at treating multiple sclerosis
Researchers have discovered how regulatory T cells (Treg) are instrumental in limiting the damage caused to the spinal cord in diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).