The immune system protects the body from cancer. To protect healthy body cells from its own immune system, they have developed a protective shield: the protein CD47 is a so called ‘don’t eat me’ signal, which tells the immune cells to stand back. Tumor…
New avenues for the optimzation of dendritic cell-based cancer immunotherapies
A recent study reveals that inhibiting certain adhesion receptors on the surface of dendritic cells, the main antigen-presenting cells of the immune system, enhances antitumor responses.
Link between COVID vaccination and reduced household transmission, Swedish study finds
People without immunity against COVID-19 were at considerably lower risk of infection and hospitalization as the number of family members with immunity from a previous infection or full vaccination increased, according to a new study from Sweden.
Alzheimer’s and COVID-19 share a genetic risk factor, study finds
An anti-viral gene that impacts the risk of both Alzheimer’s disease and severe COVID-19 has been identified by researchers.
Lung maintains long-term memory of COVID infection
After infection with the COVID virus, where does the immune system store the memory? A new study finds memory cells take up residence in the lung to protect against reinfection.
Kids with MIS-C mount normal T cell response to COVID-19, study finds
A new study suggests multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare condition associated with COVID-19, is not caused by abnormal T cell response to COVID-19 virus as previously hypothesized.
Research reveals mechanisms behind ‘COVID toes’
Redness and swelling of the hands and toes, known as chilblain-like lesions, have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new study uncovers the underlying mechanisms involved in such ‘COVID toes’ symptoms.
Mitigating lung damage, mortality due to SARS-CoV-2
Researchers report that a drug approved for treating patients with autoimmune disease helped to prevent lung damage and death in mice infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 in humans.
New study reveals lung cell roles in pulmonary immunity
Researchers have found that control of immunity in the lungs is accomplished by cells that line the air spaces, epithelial cells, using a specialized immune-facing molecule, MHC-II. This epithelial MHC-II is essential for localizing and scripting highl…
CAR-T immunotherapy could be improved to kill solid tumors
CAR-T cells are less sensitive than other types of immunotherapy in detecting and killing melanoma cells, a finding that could help improve immunotherapy sensitivity.