Immune system

A treatment that inhibits the immune system component responsible for Guillain-Barré syndrome could become the first targeted therapy approved for the autoimmune condition.

Getting enough sleep triggers changes in the brain, heart, hormones, and immune system. These bodily changes often go unnoticed by most people.

A boy born in Britain without an immune system, known as a 'bubble baby,' has returned to Great Ormond Street Hospital to thank the doctors who saved his life 25 years ago. The patient, now grown-up, was isolated to protect his fragile health at birth and is celebrating the medical team's role in his survival.

Scientists discovered that creatine may enhance the immune system's cancer-fighting pathways by energizing dendritic cells that activate killer T cells. The findings suggest potential for improving immunotherapy but have not yet been tested in human patients.

Scratching bug bites or rashes can worsen inflammation and itchiness due to immune system reactions. A study using mice showed that scratching triggers mast cells and substance P, leading to increased swelling and irritation. Researchers found that avoiding scratching allows rashes to subside faster.

A new study indicates ongoing immune system impacts from toxic chemical exposure linked to the East Palestine train derailment in Ohio. Jessica Boersma, a city council member living near the derailment site, experienced significant exposure while coordinating with first responders.

A first-in-human trial tested an AI-designed 'universal vaccine' targeting multiple viruses, showing a 'modest' immune response. The vaccine's active ingredient was entirely created by artificial intelligence, marking a milestone in vaccine development.

Scientists discovered that cancer cells shutting down MHC I molecules to evade killer T cells may instead become vulnerable to CD4+ helper T cells, challenging a long-held immunology belief. This finding suggests a new approach for immune system-based cancer treatments.

CBD may help fight Alzheimer’s disease by reducing neuroinflammation in the brain, according to experiments on Alzheimer’s mice. Inhaled CBD was found to calm the brain’s immune response, which is linked to memory loss and brain degeneration.

A new depression treatment approach targeting the immune system instead of brain chemicals showed early promise in a small clinical trial. An anti-inflammatory drug used for rheumatoid arthritis reduced depression symptoms, fatigue, anxiety, and improved quality of life in participants.

Scientists discovered that human blood cells may originate from single-celled ancestors dating back 700 million years. By reconstructing the evolutionary family tree of blood cells, researchers linked the development of the modern immune system to Earth's earliest life forms.

A study reveals vitamin D2 supplements may decrease levels of vitamin D3, the more effective form of vitamin D, which plays a unique role in immune system function against viruses and bacteria. Researchers are reconsidering vitamin D3 as the preferred supplement choice.

Turbocharging the immune system could lead to the end of antibiotics, revolutionizing the treatment of infections. This breakthrough has the potential to transform the medical field and save countless lives. The innovation aims to enhance the body's natural defense mechanisms.

Carrots are undervalued vegetables that can provide numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system, skin, and eyesight. An expert highlights the importance of carrots, which are affordable at 6p. The humble carrot deserves more respect for its nutritional value.

Scientists are using new technologies to study the immune system at the nanoscale level. Immunologist Daniel Davis presented these advancements at WIRED Health, highlighting breakthroughs in understanding immune system functions.

A universal vaccine administered via nasal spray could protect against flu, Covid, pneumonia, and dust-mite allergies by boosting the immune system. The protein-based treatment may become available sooner than expected.

Harvard researchers discovered that the gut bacterium Morganella morganii, when interacting with a common pollutant, produces a molecule triggering inflammation linked to depression. This finding highlights how gut microbes influence brain health and suggests new immune-targeted treatments for depression.

A recent BBC report highlights that occasional beer consumption may provide 15% of the daily recommended vitamin B6, which supports brain function, blood health, and the immune system, according to new research.

Scientists identified HOXD13 as a key protein that drives melanoma tumor growth and immune evasion by enhancing blood supply and suppressing cancer-fighting T cells. Disabling HOXD13 reduces tumors and restores immune system activity, offering a potential new treatment approach for skin cancer.

Scientists discovered a protein linked to cell death damages mitochondria in blood stem cells, weakening the immune system over time. Disabling the protein preserved stem cell strength and balance under stress, suggesting a new strategy to slow aging.

Scientists discovered blocking the Ant2 protein enhances T cells' energy generation, making them more effective against cancer. This breakthrough could revolutionize cancer immunotherapy by boosting the immune system's ability to target tumors.

Researchers are launching a new project to study how aggressive breast cancer suppresses the immune system, aiming to identify biomarkers for more precise treatments. The initiative uses real patient samples to develop clinical tools that could revolutionize personalized cancer care.

Scientists have identified why rare blood clots occur after certain COVID-19 vaccines or adenovirus infections, linking it to the immune system mistakenly targeting a blood protein (PF4). This discovery enables vaccine redesign to prevent the reaction while maintaining effectiveness.