Since scientists first discovered that human immune cells could be modified to become cancer-fighting agents, they’ve been trying to engineer a cell that’s effective against solid tumors, which account for the vast majority of cancer cases. In a key ad…
A team of researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Weill Cornell Medicine, and other institutions have uncovered a key biological explanation for why eczema so often starts in childhood. The study, in young mice, found that some type…
UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have identified two lipids that work together with a quintessential protein known as stimulator of interferon genes (STING) to launch an immune response in the human body. Their findings, detailed in two paper…
A new study has overcome a long-standing challenge: how to isolate and study elusive HIV-infected cells called authentic reservoir clones (ARCs) that evade the immune system, making the disease difficult to cure. Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine…
Vaccines have traditionally worked by teaching the immune system to recognize a specific virus or bacterium—in effect, showing it a wanted poster for a single suspect. But what if one vaccine could protect against dozens of different infections at once…
Why can the human immune system often remember a vaccination for a whole lifetime? Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen have now investigated this question. Their study provides a surp…
Researchers with the Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience have modified a well-known immune protein to spark the growth of new neurons, ease brain inflammation, and improve cognition in old mice. The findings, published in the journal Immunity, could…
A new study has shed light on why patients with certain rare immune disorders develop severe, food-triggered allergic reactions while others with similar diagnoses do not. The findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, could help guid…
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke investigators at the National Institutes of Health traced meningeal immune activity to dural venous sinuses that actively constrict and dilate, exchange fluid across a permeable wall, and coordina…
Scientists at Stanford Medicine have unveiled a bold new kind of “universal” vaccine that could one day protect against everything from COVID-19 and the flu to bacterial pneumonia and even common allergens. Instead of targeting a specific virus or bact…
Cancer Immunol Res. 2026 Feb 25. doi: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-25-0836. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet their response rates remain limited, highlighting the need for new therapeutic targets. In this study, we found that VSIG4 (V-set and immunoglobulin domain containing 4) is predominantly expressed by macrophages in both … Read more
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype characterized by limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint blockade, particularly via programmed cell death protein-1/programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitio…
We developed a 50-plex imaging protocol using the MACSima platform to characterize the microarchitecture of germinal centers in secondary lymphoid tissues. This workflow combines tissue processing, automated cyclic imaging, image preprocessing, and a new analysis method that detects morphological changes in irregularly shaped stromal cells.
Human lamina propia mononuclear cells (LPMC) were isolated from intestinal biopsies and resections, as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from blood. Using flow cytometry approaches, we characterized cDC subsets and assessed their functional capacity through T-cell coculture assays (after isolation of the different subsets of cDC using sorter cytometry). This approach enabled a … Read more
Cancer Immunol Res. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-25-1381. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy demonstrated remarkable efficacy against hematological malignancies. However, B cell malignancies with lymph node (LN) involvement frequently remain resistant. Here, we show that CAR T cells downregulated the chemokine receptor CCR7, crucial for nodal homing, during manufacturing. … Read more
PurposeCutaneous melanoma (CM) incidence is rising, and despite advances in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), many metastatic patients do not respond or develop resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of a pre-treatment FDG-PET/…
IntroductionTumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors are widely used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but paradoxical immune reactions, including autoimmune thyroid disease, have been reported.Case presentationWe describe a 71-year-old man with a 16-year…
BackgroundListeria monocytogenes is an uncommon cause of infective endocarditis but is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate in immunocompromised hosts. Evans syndrome, typically treated with prolonged high-dose corticosteroids and additi…
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the potential of EEG in monitoring the extent of white matter microstructural damage in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (pwNMOSD) for the first time.MethodsThirty-two pwNMOSD and 20 healthy cont…
The integrated stress response (ISR) is a conserved cyto-protective mechanism, which has fundamental roles in maintaining cell viability under various conditions when intracellular and/or extracellular homeostasis is disrupted. ISR features phosphoryla…
Immunotherapy represents a systemic approach to cancer treatment; however, its effectiveness can be limited by intrinsic tumor resistance or immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment. In contrast, carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) dem…
Background/objectiveImmunodeficiency is a common precipitating factor for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). Vitamins are essential for enhancing immune function and mitigating systemic inflammation. However, the relationship between various vitami…
Background aimDespite the remarkable efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM), treatment response and toxicity exhibit considerable heterogeneity. This study aimed to evaluate the pro…
PurposeCrohn’s Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by intestinal inflammation, especially in the progression of postoperative anastomotic recurrence. Recent evidence implicates mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) in CD pathogenes…
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder resulting from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and an abnormal immune response of the intestinal immune system to commensal microorganisms. The gut micr…
IntroductionPeripheral blood samples are widely used in HLA genotyping due to their easy accessibility and the high-quality DNA from nucleated leukocytes. However, in cases of disease relapse requiring a second transplantation, clinicians encounter sig…
BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a frontline treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet 80% of the patients exhibit resistance, creating an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigate…
BackgroundSchistosomiasis remains a significant public health challenge in endemic regions, leading to substantial morbidity. While regular mass drug administration (MDA) of praziquantel (PZQ) is a cornerstone schistosomiasis control programs in endemi…
Histone acetylation, a fundamental and reversible epigenetic modification, critically regulates chromatin structure and plays a pivotal role in diverse cellular processes, including gene transcription, cell cycle progression, and DNA damage repair. Rhe…
IntroductionIn recent years, repeated eccentric exercise has gained increasing attention as a potentially superior intervention for ameliorating insulin resistance (IR). However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects remain incomplete…
IntroductionIntravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), a therapeutic preparation of pooled normal IgG is extensively used as a first-line immunotherapy for many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including Kawasaki disease (KD). IVIG provides therapeutic be…
Radioresistant thymic cells encompass minor subsets of lymphoid precursors of T cells (TLPs), innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), as well as stromal-epithelial and endothelial populations. This review focuses on radioresistant TLPs and their regenerative and…
IntroductionT cell exhaustion driven by chronic antigen stimulation limits durable responses to cancer immunotherapy. Using repeated soluble anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulation, we established an in vitro system that recapitulates hallmark exhaustion featur…
BackgroundCervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. For patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer (R/MCC) after surgery or radiotherapy, drug therapy is the primary treatment modality. Currently, head-to-head …
PurposeThis study aimed to thoroughly investigate the detection levels of serum Hepatitis B Virus RNA (HBV RNA) and its clinical significance in Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) patients before and after treatment.MethodsSerum samples were collected from 487 …
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a leading cause of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia, with clinical manifestations ranging from self-limiting disease to severe refractory pneumonia and long-term pulmonary sequelae. Three interrelated, partially over…
BackgroundInvasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), which is the most common histological subtype of breast cancer, is highly aggressive and progresses rapidly. Acyl-CoA thioesterase 7 (ACOT7) is a key regulator of cell survival, the cell cycle, and lipid and g…
Insects have robust immune systems to protect themselves against pathogens. However, the immune system relies on the support of a number of organs for effective immune defense. Muscle plays an unexpectedly key role in both cell-mediated and humoral imm…
Combined central and peripheral demyelination (CCPD) is a rare chronic demyelinating disorder. Neurofilament (NF) proteins are structural components specific to neuronal intermediate filaments within axons. The presence of anti-neurofilament antibodies…
Depression is a prevalent emotional disorder that significantly impacts global health. Its etiology is multifactorial, and current therapeutic options have notable limitations, underscoring the need to identify novel molecular targets and therapeutic s…
BackgroundNeoadjuvant immunochemotherapy is increasingly used for resectable locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) and gastroesophageal junction (EGJ) adenocarcinoma, yet the optimal chemotherapy backbone for PD-1 blockade remains unclear. We compared…
BackgroundSpinal cord injury (SCI) leads to irreversible neurological deficits, with emerging evidence highlighting the pivotal regulatory role of gut microbiota in neural repair through the bidirectional gut-brain axis. This study investigates age-rel…
Caplan syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the coexistence of pneumoconiosis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), primarily observed in individuals with silica or coal dust exposure. Data on disease behavior in the context of incomplete or irregular…
BackgroundBurns often induce a profound inflammatory response that contributes to immune dysfunction, tissue damage, and adverse clinical outcomes. Activation of the complement system plays a crucial role in this response, yet findings across different…
BackgroundThe combination of disitamab vedotin (DV), a novel human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, with immunotherapy represents a promising strategy for locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. However,…
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent and debilitating joint disorder that imposes a heavy burden on global public health due to its high incidence, prevalence, and disability rate, as well as the associated substantial healthcare costs. Early inte…
Signal regulatory proteins (SIRPs) are membrane receptors on immune cells that control immune homeostasis and inflammation. Although SIRP family members share homologous extracellular domains, they differ in intracellular motifs and function: SIRPα tra…
Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) is the primary agent of Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle. It represents both a threat to human health and the cattle industry worldwide. Improving bTB diagnostic performance in cattle represents a key step in eradicati…
Background
Most colorectal cancers (CRCs) are mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) and microsatellite stable (MSS), and they respond poorly to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Radiotherapy (RT) can promote antitumor immunity but may also trigger adap…
Background
Global clinical programs based on TIGIT (T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain) blockade have been terminated due to inadequate clinical efficacy. New approaches are needed to increase the antitumor activity of anti-TIGIT-based immunotherap…
by Subudhi, S. K., Siddiqui, B. A., Zarrabi, K. K., Kelly, W. K., Drake, C. G.
Abstract
T cell engagers (TCEs) recruit T cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME) to induce antitumor immune responses. TCEs have demonstrated promising clinical responses in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and have adv…
by Lee, S. N., Arseneau, R. J., Arnason, T., Boudreau, J. E.
Background
At diagnosis, ~80% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) have metastasized. Relapse is thus common even among patients who undergo surgical resection, the only curative option. PDAC progresses rapidly, and existing immunotherapies hav…
by Chen, X., Chen, J., Yin, Y., Sun, M., Li, S., Zhang, J., Wu, Z., Jiang, J., Hu, D., Fan, D., Nie, Y., Huang, W., Wu, K., Xia, L.
Background
The complex tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC), composed of diverse cellular components and dynamic interactions, constitutes a major barrier to effective immunotherapy and facilitates disease progression. There is a pr…
by de Bont, D. A., Straetemans, T., Sebestyen, Z., Kuball, J.
Adoptive transfer of unmodified T cells has shown limited clinical benefit, prompting a shift toward chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineering to enhance activation, persistence, and tumor specificity. CAR technology positions T cells as promising…
by Andon, F. T., Rosales Sanchez, A., Pensado-Lopez, A., Garcia-Campelo, R., Takimoto, C. H.
Tumor-associated macrophages are key myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), acting as essential orchestrators of innate and adaptive immune responses. The efficacy of current antitumoral treatments can be promoted by macrophages, thanks to…
Objective
Metadherin (MTDH) is a recognized oncogene involved in the progression and metastasis of various cancers. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the biological role of MTDH, which is expressed in macrophages during tumor progressio…
by Xiao, Q., Zhang, X., Liang, X., Yu, G., Li, Y., Du, R., Xiang, H., Yang, Z., Liu, Y.
This Highlight describes a key observation where serotonin transporter (SERT) was shown to suppress CD8+ T cell antitumor responses via depletion of intratumoral 5-HT. While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—among the most widely u…
J Immunol. 2026 Feb 9;215(2):vkaf367. doi: 10.1093/jimmun/vkaf367. ABSTRACT Dickkopf1 (DKK1) is a quintessential Wnt antagonist and immunomodulator in various inflammatory diseases. The underlying molecular mechanisms of DKK1-mediated immunomodulation remain elusive. Here, we identified TLR4 as a new receptor for DKK1, activating NFκB-mediated gene expression. Subsequently, this event resulted in pyroptosis via the NLRP3 inflammasome in … Read more
J Immunol. 2026 Feb 9;215(2):vkaf359. doi: 10.1093/jimmun/vkaf359. ABSTRACT Membrane atg8ylation is a broad homeostatic process of immunological import. It encompasses membrane repair and remodeling pathways, including canonical autophagy, in cells subjected to stress, damage, infection, and immune or metabolic signaling under microbe-induced or sterile inflammatory conditions. The initial reports on autophagy, which is one of … Read more
1. Normal state: T-cell-endogenous IL-6 stabilizes IL6R and promotes STAT3 activation, functional Th17 differentiation with resistance to immune suppression. 2. Il6-KO: Loss of T-cell endogenous IL-6 destabilizes IL6R expression, leading to suboptimal Th17 and greater susceptibility to suppression, despite availability of exogenous IL-6. 3. IL-21 bypasses the requirement for endogenous IL-6 by restoring STAT3 signaling … Read more
Mucosal Immunol. 2026 Feb 21:S1933-0219(26)00023-1. doi: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2026.02.006. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT EFFECTIVE control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection requires timely activation and accumulation of CD4+ T cells in the lungs, yet the factors delaying this response remain unclear. Here we show that alveolar macrophages (AMs) delay CD4+ T cell priming by retaining Mtb within … Read more
Mucosal Immunol. 2026 Feb 21:S1933-0219(26)00021-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2026.02.004. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Basal cell dysfunction contributes to the pathophysiology of chronic inflammatory airway disorders and is linked to persistent epithelial barrier defects. Epithelial integrity dysfunction, basal cell hyperplasia and metaplasia have been described in allergic rhinitis (AR). However, it remains unclear how basal cell progenitor … Read more
Cellular & Molecular Immunology, Published online: 24 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s41423-026-01392-0B cells maintain the homeostasis of splenic marginal zone antigen-presenting cells to promote the antiviral CD8+ T-cell response
Cellular & Molecular Immunology, Published online: 24 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s41423-026-01394-yAuthor Correction: NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis is required for HIV-1 gp120-induced neuropathology
Liver disease progression is profoundly shaped by the spatial and temporal dynamics of innate immune cells, particularly neutrophils and macrophages. Recent advances in single-cell and spatial omics, intravital imaging, and multiplexed histology have r…
BackgroundLupus nephritis (LN) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) are major organ manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), imposing significant health and economic burdens due to their chronic course. This study aims to explore putati…
ObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that significantly impacts quality of life. Despite extensive research, its pathogenesis remains unclear. This study aims to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic ta…
Although a range of glomerular diseases profoundly affect glomerulus-associated cells, a comprehensive understanding of their molecular alterations is still lacking. Here, we performed in-depth analysis of glomerular data from mouse models of primary a…
