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Study shows an unusual mechanism could have thwart the invasion of human genome by junk DNA

In the January 7th edition of Communications Biology, researchers at InsideOutBio argue that an unusual form of DNA with a reverse twist may have helped thwart the invasion of the human genome by junk DNA.

11 Jan 2019

Faulty immune receptor in HIV patients could be reason why many experience complications

For HIV patients, treatments that control the infection have come a long way. But many still struggle with a host of other disease-related complications such as neurocognitive disorders, cardiovascular issues, diabetes and chronic inflammation.

7 Jan 2019

Rockefeller scientists uncover genetic mutation responsible for tuberculosis vulnerability

If you live in the United States, you are unlikely to come into contact with the microbe that causes tuberculosis. Your odds of encountering the microbe are so low, in fact, that risk factors for the disease can easily go unnoticed: If you happened to carry a gene that predisposed you to tuberculosis, you likely wouldn't know.

2 Jan 2019

Scripps Research finds molecular cause of a group of rare autoimmune disorders

A team from Scripps Research has found a molecular cause of a group of rare autoimmune disorders in which the immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells.

20 Dec 2018

Chronic fatigue syndrome connected with an overactive immune system

A new study has shown that overactive immune systems may be the trigger that gives rise to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The study results were published in the latest issue of the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.

19 Dec 2018

Study reveals mechanism behind failed remyelination in MS

Researchers have discovered that in adult stem cells, the activation of a specific transcription factor induces pathological quiescence and that this is deactivated in MS.

18 Dec 2018

Baculovirus virion completely eliminates liver-stage parasites in mouse model

Currently, few antimalarial treatments exist that effectively kill liver-stage malaria parasites, which can lay dormant for months or years as in the case of Plasmodium vivax. Researchers from Kanazawa University have successfully demonstrated that administration of a baculovirus virion completely eliminates liver-stage parasites in a mouse model via BV-induced fast-acting innate immunity.

13 Dec 2018

Discovery could be used to prevent viral infection and autoimmunity

Researchers have discovered that chemical changes to mRNA regulate the production of interferon beta, and hope to exploit this in new treatments.

27 Nov 2018

Study identifies potential therapeutic strategy for patients with clear cell renal cancer

Researchers have provided new insight on the mechanisms behind the development of clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC), according to new findings published in eLife.

13 Nov 2018

Study shows new emerging role of osteopontin in HCV-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and was estimated to be responsible for 745,000 deaths in 2012.

13 Nov 2018

Merck presents MK-1454 Phase 1 data for treatment of advanced solid tumors or lymphomas

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the first presentation of preliminary data from a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating MK-1454, an investigational STING (stimulator of interferon genes) agonist, as monotherapy and in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas.

22 Oct 2018

Study shows close link between cytokine interleukin-1ß and obesity-promoted colon cancer

A new study describes the mechanistic relationship between the cytokine interleukin-1β, (IL-1β) and obesity, showing that when IL-1β levels are increased in obesity, IL-1 receptor signaling activates multiple pathways leading to colon cancer.

18 Oct 2018

Antimicrobial signaling molecule has lower activity against hepatitis C virus in most humans

An antimicrobial signaling molecule called IFNλ4 has lower activity against the hepatitis C virus in the vast majority of humans compared with chimpanzees and African hunter-gatherer Pygmies, according to a study published October 11 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by John McLauchlan’s research team at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research in the UK, and colleagues.

12 Oct 2018

Scripps Research scientists discover role of immune system double agent

Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered the role of an immune system double agent. This molecule, called USP18, can help curtail immune responses, but it can also open the door to bacterial infections, such as harmful listeria and staph infections.

5 Oct 2018

CHMP recommends approval of Gilenya for treatment of multiple sclerosis in children, adolescents

Novartis today announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency has recommended approval of Gilenya (fingolimod) for the treatment of children and adolescents 10 to 17 years of age with relapsing remitting forms of multiple sclerosis.

24 Sep 2018

Researchers use CRISPR to identify gene that helps cells resist flavivirus infection

UT Southwestern researchers today report the first use of CRISPR genome-wide screening to identify a gene that helps cells resist flavivirus infection. That nasty class of pathogens includes West Nile virus, dengue fever, Zika virus, and yellow fever.

18 Sep 2018

QIAGEN and DiaSorin launch automated, CE-marked workflow for high-throughput TB screening

QIAGEN N.V. and DiaSorin today announced the introduction of an automated, CE-marked workflow for QIAGEN’s QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Blood Collection Tubes (QFT-Plus BCT) and a novel DiaSorin LIAISON Test on widely used immunodiagnostic instruments from DiaSorin.

17 Sep 2018

Researchers unravel how Zika virus manipulates the human immune system

Macrophages are immune cells that are supposed to protect the body from infection by viruses and bacteria. Yet Zika virus preferentially infects these cells. Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have now unraveled how the virus shuts down the genes that make macrophages function as immune cells.

11 Sep 2018

Research uncovers how the immune system detects DNA damage

Our immune system is working every day to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and parasites, but it can also detect when our own cells are damaged.

6 Sep 2018

Scientists reveal how immune system strives to protect the lungs of infants with flu

The immune system appears to put a premium on maintaining lung function in infants infected with the influenza virus by mounting a rapid response to repair damaged cells, according to research led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The findings appear today in the scientific journal Immunity.

29 Aug 2018