People taking TNF inhibitors, a kind of immunosuppressive drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, produced a weaker and shorter-lived antibody response after two doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, according to a new st…
Cystic fibrosis faithfully modeled in a human Lung Airway Chip
Despite advances in patient screenings and breakthrough therapies that allow CF patients now to live into their mid- to late 30s or 40s, sometimes even longer, all patients are plagued by bacteria settling in their mucus, which causes inflammation in t…
COVID-19 case severity: How genetic differences leave immune cells at a disadvantage
New research shows how genetic variations linked to severe cases of COVID-19 affect our immune cells. The study is one of the first in-depth look at the connections between COVID-19 severity and gene expression in many types of immune cells. This work …
Cancer cells use ‘tiny tentacles’ to suppress the immune system
Investigators used the power of nanotechnology to discover a new way that cancer can disarm its would-be cellular attackers by extending out nanoscale tentacles that can reach into an immune cell and pull out its powerpack.
Strategy to overcome tumors’ resistance to immunotherapy generates promising clinical trial results
Immune checkpoint inhibitors strengthen the immune response against cancer cells, but the medications are ineffective against certain tumors. Results from a new clinical trial indicate that adding radiation may overcome this resistance to immune checkp…
Researchers study the link between vitamin D and inflammation
An active metabolite of vitamin D (not the over-the-counter version) is involved in shutting down inflammation, new research shows.
Dengue’s dance: Host immunity drives viral evolution
New research provides evidence that host immunity drives evolution of the dengue virus. The research analyzes two decades of genetic variation from Thailand alongside population-level measures of infection and immunity.
Study links stress to Crohn’s disease flare-ups
Researchers using mouse models found that stress hormones suppressed the innate immune system that normally protects the gut from invasive Enterobacteriaceae, a group of bacteria including E. coli which has been linked to Crohn’s disease.
Research in mice shows how diet alters immune system function through a gut microbe
Research in mice demonstrates how diet alters a gut microbe molecule that, in turn, prompts immune cells to downregulate inflammation. The study elucidates molecular mechanism behind long-standing belief that diet, microbiota, and immunity influence on…
Why drug used to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients may only benefit males
A new study shows how dexamethasone, the main treatment for severe COVID-19 lung infections, alters how immune cells work, which may help male patients, but has little to no benefit for females.