The Immune System

Researchers have identified a way of selectively eliminating the ‘bad’ immune cells that contribute to autoimmune skin diseases like psoriasis while leaving the ‘good’ cells intact. The discovery could lead to longer-lasting, more targeted treatments.

Researchers have identified how Lactobacillus, a member of our guts’ microbiome community, affects a critical immune system protein, influencing stress levels and mental health. The findings could lead to new treatments for depression and anxiety.

A study has found that a fatty acid found in meat and dairy may boost the cancer-killing abilities of the immune system’s T cells. Also found to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy, the nutrient could be used to complement cancer treatments.

Researchers have improved upon existing organoids, creating a miniature 3D colon complete with immune cells that could lead to the development of personalized treatments for colon-related diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and cancer.

Vitamin B12 doesn't get much time in the spotlight, but as well as its role in red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis, scientists have now found that it is key to cellular reprogramming and tissue regeneration, as well as curtailing inflammation.

A study has found that a protein that normally triggers our immune system to defend against certain viruses plays a pivotal role in exacerbating COPD. The unexpected discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches for the incurable condition.

Immunotherapy is a promising cancer treatment, but it can take too long. In a new study, scientists have taken steps towards an “off-the-shelf” therapy that could be mass produced and quickly rolled out to patients with a variety of cancer types.

Right now, drug developers have high hopes on Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitors for treating advanced cancers. But a team of scientists has found it also shows huge promise in calming inflammation, and could be used to treat gout and heart failure.

Striking new findings have demonstrated how all variants of virus that causes COVID-19 can spread into the brain and travel from neuron to neuron. This indicates losing one's sense of smell is not necessarily linked to the virus infiltrating the brain.

Using a method of total-body imaging, researchers have measured and tracked the body’s immune response to viral infection. It's a promising platform for studying human immunity in greater detail and may assist the study of other infectious diseases.

Cancer vaccines are a medical holy grail – but what if you could repurpose a vaccine you’ve already had? Scientists have demonstrated in mice a way to trick the immune system into attacking tumors by mistaking them for a pathogen it already targets.

Trial results have shown that a pH-balanced form of vitamin C, sodium ascorbate, effectively treats sepsis, the life-threatening complication from infection that claims 270,000 American lives every year. This treatment may not be far off use in hospitals.