In CRISPR advance, scientists successfully edit human T cells Scientists have devised a new strategy to precisely modify human T cells using the genome-editing system known as CRISPR/Cas9. Because these immune-system cells play important roles in a wide range of diseases, from diabetes to AIDS to cancer, the achievement provides a versatile new tool for research on T cell function, as well as a path toward CRISPR/Cas9-based therapies for many serious health problems.
Researchers identify model to predict successful wound healing Battlefield surgeons and civilian physicians could have a powerful new tool to help patients recover from traumatic injuries, including life-threatening wounds from explosions. Researchers have identified a model to predict the chances for successful wound healing in individual patients.
Some vaccines support evolution of more-virulent viruses Scientific experiments with the herpesvirus such as the one that causes Marek's disease in poultry have confirmed, for the first time, the highly controversial theory that some vaccines could allow more-virulent versions of a virus to survive, putting unvaccinated individuals at greater risk of severe illness. The research has important implications for food-chain security and food-chain economics, as well as for other diseases that affect humans and agricultural animals.
Strong link between delirium, inflammation in older patients Delirium is an acute state of confusion that often affects older adults following surgery or serious illness. Now a study confirms that inflammation -- an immune response that develops when the body attempts to protect itself from harmful stimuli -- plays a role in the onset of delirium.
Protein implicated in osteosarcoma's spread The investigation of a simple protein has uncovered its uniquely complicated role in the spread of the childhood cancer, osteosarcoma. It turns out the protein, called ezrin, acts like an air traffic controller, coordinating multiple functions within a cancer cell and allowing it to endure stress conditions encountered during metastasis.
Activated T cell therapy for advanced melanoma developed T cells from patients with melanoma can trigger a protective immune response against the disease, according to a new study. These new findings demonstrate that T cells derived from lymph nodes of patients with melanoma can be expanded in number and activated in the laboratory for intravenous administration in the treatment of patients.
Improvement in management of localized prostate cancer After years of overtreatment for patients with low-risk prostate cancer, rates of active surveillance/watchful waiting increased sharply in 2010 through 2013, and high-risk disease was more often treated appropriately with potentially curative local treatment rather than androgen deprivation alone.
Magnetic hyperthermia, an auxiliary tool in cancer treatments Hyperthermia (increase in body temperature) has been used for centuries to combat tumors and reduce their effects. New research aims to use a different system (magnetic nanoparticles) to increase body temperature. These nanoparticles absorb energy from magnetic fields and convert it into heat which is used to raise the temperature in tumors and combat them.
Mesothelioma: Aspirin may delay growth of asbestos-related cancer Aspirin may help mesothelioma patients. The finding could eventually give doctors and patients a potential new tool to fight against this devastating disease, which kills about 3,200 people a year nationwide, and advance knowledge of how to fight other cancers.
Dendritic cells of elite controllers able to recognize, mount defense against HIV Investigators have added another piece to the puzzle of how a small group of individuals known as elite controllers are able to control HIV infection without drug treatment. The research team reports finding that dendritic cells of elite controllers are better able to detect the presence of HIV, which enables them to stimulate the generation of T cells specifically targeting the virus.
Scientists map surface of immune cells The immune system must constantly adapt to its environment in order to protect a body effectively. The so-called T cells are an important example in this regard. One of their functions is to form the immune system's "memory". Researchers recently examined the surface of precursors of these T cells and identified previously unknown proteins there. According to the scientists, the results could lead to new approaches for therapies for asthma and allergies.
Restoring natural immunity against cancers Scientists have successfully increased the infiltration of immune cells into tumors, thus inducing the immune system to block tumor growth. In a new article, the scientists show that, in combination with existing immunotherapies, this process efficiently destroys cancer cells.
Adenosine in Ambrosia pollen increases allergic response Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) -- an otherwise unremarkable plant -- produces pollen that can trigger strong allergic reactions such as asthma even in very small quantities. Scientists have now published a study showing that the substance previously identified as the major allergen only induces such a vigorous allergic response in combination with the adenosine also present in the pollen.
Homing in on what's wearing out T cells When the T cells of your immune system are forced to deal over time with cancer or a chronic infection they become exhausted - less effective at attacking and destroying invaders. While the PD-1 protein pathway has long been implicated as a primary player in T cell exhaustion, a major question has been whether PD-1 actually directly causes exhaustion.
Researchers expose how 'James Bond' cells are made New research has revealed how immune cell 'spies' are created, providing clues on how the immune system could be manipulated to better fight disease. Dendritic cells are intelligence-gathering immune cells, gathering information on viruses, bacteria, cancer and fungi to aid the immune system in fighting disease. Understanding how dendritic cells are created will aid scientists in finding ways to boost the immune response to infections or dampen it in autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
How a gut feeling for infection programs our immune response An unexpected finding by an international team of scientists has shed new light on how immune cells are programmed to either repair or protect the body. It's hoped the discovery will inform the development of better treatments for a range of conditions from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) to certain cancers.
First functional, synthetic immune organ with controllable antibodies Engineers have created a functional, synthetic immune organ that produces antibodies and can be controlled in the lab, completely separate from a living organism. The engineered organ has implications for everything from rapid production of immune therapies to new frontiers in cancer or infectious disease research.
What makes cancer cells spread? New device offers clues Cancer becomes deadly when it spreads, or metastasizes. Why do some cancer cells break away from a tumor and travel to distant parts of the body? A team of oncologists and engineers teamed up to help understand this crucial question.
Biomarker may boost ovarian cancer chemotherapy response A molecule that helps control gene expression may play a role in controlling chemotherapy resistance among patients with the most common form of ovarian cancer. Chemoresistance is a major challenge in cancer treatment and this study may provide a means to overcome resistance.
New insight into inflammatory bowel disease may lead to better treatments A newly discovered link between bacteria and immune cells sheds light on inflammatory bowel disease, an autoimmune condition that affects 1.6 million people in the United States. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common forms of IBD, an autoimmune condition that are thought to develop from genetic and environmental factors
Starved T cells allow hepatitis B to silently infect liver Hepatitis B stimulates processes that deprive the body's immune cells of key nutrients that they need to function. The work helps to explain why the immune system cannot control hepatitis B virus infection once it becomes established in the liver.
New malaria test could lead to global eradication of the disease One of the biggest difficulties faced by worldwide programs aimed at eliminating malaria is that the tests they use are not sensitive enough to detect all people who have the disease and need treatment. A study shows that a new test known as capture and ligation probe-PCR (CLIP-PCR) could diagnose the malaria cases that would typically escape detection and lead to new infections.
Breakthrough in tinnitus research could lead to testable model A major breakthrough has been made that provides new insights into how tinnitus, might develop and be sustained. Tinnitus is largely a mystery, a phantom sound heard in the absence of actual sound. Tinnitus patients "hear" ringing, buzzing or hissing in their ears much like an amputee might "feel" pain in a missing limb. It is a symptom and exposure to loud noise may cause it, some cases have no apparent trigger.
WI Dairy’s permit suspended after Campylobacter outbreak A dairy farm’s Grade A permit is being suspended for 30 days, by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The farm, owned by Roland and Diana Reed supplied the raw milk that caused 38 Campylobacter jejuni infections last September. Continue Reading
FDA warning letters: Drug residues The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent warnings to three beef producers, one pork producer, a seafood processor and a biscuit manufacturer in its latest round of warning letters. FDA wrote to Oak Hill Farms about selling a bob veal calf with tissue samples later revealed.. Continue Reading
Salmonella linked to VA cucumbers killed 1, sickened 275 At least 275 people in 29 states and Washington, D.C., were sickened and one man died in a Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers grown in the Delmarva region of Virginia, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Continue Reading
Dental researcher demonstrates how T cells cause inflammation A dental researcher has discovered a new way to model how infection-fighting T cells cause inflammation. The process could lead to identifying and testing new drugs to replace antifungal medicines that have become ineffective because of resistance. Continue Reading
Diabetes, depression predict dementia risk in people with slowing minds People with mild cognitive impairment are at higher risk of developing dementia if they have diabetes or psychiatric symptoms such as depression, finds a new review. Mild cognitive impairment is a state between normal aging and dementia, where someone's mind is functioning less well than would be expected for their age. Continue Reading
