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Immunology

The study of immune systems in all organisms, including innate and adaptive immunity, immunological disorders, vaccines, transplantation immunology, and therapeutic immunology approaches

21 papers

Papers

Dietary restriction reprograms CD8+ T cell fate to enhance anti-tumour immunity and immunotherapy responses

This preclinical mouse study found that dietary restriction (DR) significantly slows tumor growth by reprogramming CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment. DR promotes the expansion of highly functional, cytotoxic T cells and limits exhausted T cells, primarily by increasing ketone body oxidation. Furthermore, DR synergizes with anti-PD1 immunotherapy, enhancing its anti-tumor effects in these mouse models.

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Immunology Dec 09, 05:13 PM

Interleukins 15 and 18 synergistically prime the antitumor function of natural killer cells through noncanonical activation of mTORC1

This study, conducted on mouse and human NK cells, found that interleukins 15 (IL-15) and 18 (IL-18) work together to activate a protein complex called mTORC1, which boosts the cells' metabolism, proliferation, and tumor-killing abilities. In a mouse model, injecting both cytokines led to better tumor control than either cytokine alone, suggesting potential for cancer immunotherapy.

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Immunology Sep 20, 06:09 AM

The evolutionary landscape of host immunity genes involved in respiratory and other immune-related diseases, and their association with severe COVID-19 outcomes

This study analyzes four immunity genes and finds evidence of natural selection and shared alleles with Neanderthals/Denisovans. However, the low-frequency variants associated with severe COVID-19 were not directly under selection and primarily found in a European cohort, limiting generalizability.

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Immunology Sep 05, 04:13 PM

Drought recovery in plants triggers a cell-state-specific immune activation

This study found that plants activate thousands of specific genes during recovery from drought, along with distinct "recovery cell states" in different cell types. Notably, drought recovery triggers a heightened immune response, termed drought recovery-induced immunity (DRII), in both *Arabidopsis thaliana* and tomato species, enhancing resistance to pathogens upon rehydration. This response appears to be independent of abscisic acid, a plant hormone typically associated with abiotic stress responses.

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Immunology Aug 31, 05:15 AM

HIV broadly neutralizing antibody precursors to the Apex epitope induced in nonhuman primates

This study, conducted in rhesus macaques, showed that two versions of an HIV vaccine candidate (ApexGT6, delivered as a protein or mRNA) successfully primed the immune system to create antibody precursors targeting the Apex region of the HIV envelope protein. Further research is needed to determine if these precursor responses can be guided to develop into mature broadly neutralizing antibodies in humans. Notably, the mRNA version induced precursors with longer HCDR3s, potentially advantageous for future vaccine development.

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Immunology Aug 26, 03:41 PM

SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in children exhibit higher FcR engagement and avidity than in adults

In a study of children and adults with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19, children had lower overall antibody levels but their antibodies were better at grabbing onto the virus and activating other immune cells. These differences seem to be driven by children generating a new, targeted response to SARS-CoV-2, while adults' responses may be influenced by past encounters with other coronaviruses.

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Immunology Aug 24, 08:55 AM

Oral NaHCO3 activates a splenic anti-inflammatory pathway; evidence cholinergic signals are transmitted via mesothelial cells

This study, conducted primarily in rats, suggests that oral intake of baking soda can reduce inflammation by activating an anti-inflammatory pathway in the spleen. It also found a similar effect in a small human trial, albeit with differing baseline inflammatory markers between groups. The study proposes a novel mechanism for this effect involving mesothelial cells, which appear to transmit signals like neurons.

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Immunology Aug 13, 05:28 PM

ME/CFS and PASC Patient-Derived Immunoglobulin Complexes Disrupt Mitochondrial Function and Alter Inflammatory Marker Secretion

This in vitro study found that antibodies from ME/CFS patients caused mitochondrial fragmentation and altered energy production in human cells, potentially contributing to some symptoms of the disease. However, this study was conducted in vitro with limited sample sizes and the exact mechanism remains unclear, requiring further investigation to confirm these findings and explore potential treatments.

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Immunology Aug 11, 06:02 PM

The source of dietary fat influences anti-tumour immunity in obese mice

This mouse study found that the source of dietary fat influences tumor growth and immune function in obese mice. While butter-based high-fat diets accelerated tumor growth and impaired immune responses, palm oil-based diets protected against these effects, despite similar levels of obesity. The study suggests that specific dietary lipids and resulting metabolites, like stearoyl-carnitine, may be key players in this process.

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Immunology Aug 09, 12:49 PM

Supplementary Information for The Virtual Lab of AI Agents Designs New SARS-CoV-2 Nanobodies

This study uses a multi-agent AI system, called "Virtual Lab," to design new nanobodies against COVID-19 variants. The system simulates a team of scientists with different specializations, who collaborate, critique each other’s work, and learn from relevant scientific literature to propose modifications to existing nanobodies. Initial in vitro experiments confirm the binding of some of the AI-designed nanobodies to COVID-19 variants.

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Immunology Aug 09, 12:49 PM

The source of dietary fat influences anti-tumour immunity in obese mice

In obese mice, the type of dietary fat influences tumor growth and anti-tumor immunity. Butter-based high-fat diets accelerate tumor growth and impair immune cell function, while palm oil-based diets protect against these effects, likely by altering lipid metabolism and acylcarnitine levels. While promising, this research was conducted on mice and may not directly translate to humans.

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Immunology Jul 31, 06:35 PM

Spatial Architecture of Myeloid and T Cells Orchestrates Immune Evasion and Clinical Outcome in Lung Cancer

This study explored the spatial organization of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using imaging mass cytometry and genomic data from the TRACERx 100 cohort. Researchers identified four TME subtypes, including a neutrophil-rich type associated with poorer clinical outcomes and metastasis. The study also found associations between spatial TME features, neoantigen burden, and immune evasion mechanisms.

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Immunology Jul 21, 10:21 AM

The mitochondrial anti-viral protein MAVS associates with NLRP3 and regulates its inflammasome activity

This study, primarily in cells and mice, finds that the mitochondrial antiviral protein MAVS interacts with NLRP3, a key component of the inflammasome, and regulates its activity, particularly in response to Sendai virus infection. This interaction appears to facilitate NLRP3 oligomerization and subsequent caspase-1 activation, suggesting a new mechanism for inflammasome regulation in the context of viral infection.

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Immunology Jul 19, 04:25 PM