This study builds on decades of work showing that the protein IL-24 attacks cancer broadly, and is the first to deliver the protein using T cells. This approach is in contrast to CAR-T cells, which are built to recognize proteins on the surface of canc…
Shortage of DNA building blocks in the cell releases mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondria are the energy suppliers of our body cells. These tiny cell components have their own genetic material, which triggers an inflammatory response when released into the interior of the cell. The reasons for the release are not yet known, but…
Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection boosts response to variants after first vaccine dose
A single dose of vaccine boosts protection against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus variants, but only in those with previous COVID-19, a study has found.
New atlas of genetic function maps complexities of immune system and immune diseases
A new genetic database for autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases will allow experts to more deeply understand how immune disorders develop and plan future drug discovery projects. Scientists also hope this atlas of immune-related genome data may eve…
How meningitis-causing bacteria may sense fever to avoid immune killing
Researchers have discovered a mechanism through which meningitis-causing bacteria can evade our immune system. In laboratory tests, they found that Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae respond to increasing temperatures by producing safe…
How SARS-CoV-2 hijacks human cells to evade immune system
Researchers discovered one way in which SARS-CoV-2 hijacks human cell machinery to blunt the immune response, allowing it to establish infection, replicate and cause disease.
New, rapid CRISPR/Cas9 method identifies key genes in zebrafish spinal cord regeneration
A new, rapid screening approach uses CRISPR/Cas9 technology to identify immune system-related genes that play a crucial role in repairing zebrafish spinal cord injuries.
Treating severe COVID-19 cases
Long non-coding RNA molecules (lncRNAs) are potential regulators of anti-viral response during severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Researchers constructed a gene co-expression network that measures the relationship of gene expression patterns across a group o…
SARS-CoV-2 curtails immune response in the gut
Scientists have provided further evidence of the gut’s role in COVID-19. They have transformed human intestinal cells into ‘mini guts’ to follow infection process.
Common inflammatory bowel disease treatment blunts COVID-19 vaccine response, study finds
People who take a commonly-prescribed drug for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should not assume they are protected after a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, after a large-scale study found many had poor antibody responses.