New research shows that the first SARS-CoV-2 spike protein a person encounters, be it by vaccination or infection, shapes their subsequent immune response against current and future variants. That is, it imparts different properties that have an impact…
COVID-19 Delta variant may have increased ability to evade vaccine-induced immunity
Vaccines are effective in decreasing hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19 infection but the emergence of viral variants of concern may diminish their efficacy. A new study suggests that COVID-19 Delta variant may be more successful at evading the p…
Adding single type of bacteria to gut microbiome boosted anti-tumor immunity in mice
Bacterium common in the mouse gut microbiome can charge up the immune system to fight cancer cells in the colon.
Novel immune cell population may trigger inflammation in multiple sclerosis and other brain disorders
A group of immune cells that normally protect against inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract may have the opposite effect in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other brain inflammation-related conditions, according to a new study. The results suggest that…
Unconventional T cells promote immunity to malaria
Researchers have made a vital breakthrough in the understanding of a new facet of the immune response to malaria, which will help in the development of a vaccine.
Targeting the brain’s immune cells may help prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease
A gene mutation linked to Alzheimer’s disease alters a signaling pathway in certain immune cells of individuals with the disease, according to a new study. The team also found that blocking the pathway — with a drug that’s currently being tested in ca…
Discovery of a Stem-like T cell in type 1 diabetes holds potential for improving cancer immunotherapy
As an autoimmune disease, Type 1 diabetes raises important questions about immune cell activity that have broad implications for immunotherapy.
New review highlights cancer-crushing viruses
In a recent review article researchers describe a class of viruses that act to combat rather than cause deadly disease. Such oncolytic viruses as they are known, have a remarkable ability to target and destroy cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells …
Successful treatment in mice for severe childhood cancer
In mice with high-risk neuroblastoma, tumors disappeared in response to a new combination treatment with precision medicines, a recent study shows. This is a vital step toward a potentially curative treatment for a form of cancer affecting young childr…
Grouping of immune cell receptors could help decode patients’ personal history of infection
Novel software for grouping immunological T-cell receptors may enable the identification of shared patterns that could be used to determine if a person has previously been infected or vaccinated against a given pathogen.