Drug can stave off organ damage from lupus, research reveals
Lupus can do irreversible harm to a person’s organs, damaging the lungs, kidneys, heart, liver and other vital organs through inflammation.
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Beta-glucan from fungi could help protect against influenza
A component found in all fungi may provide a shield against flu-related lung damage, according to a new study.
Study identifies potential role of interferon signaling in progressive spinal disease
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a progressive spinal disease characterized by ectopic bone formation in the spine, leading to severe neurological symptoms due to spinal cord compression. This condition is more prevalent in…
From Spanish flu to today: How immune cells keep up with a changing virus
In a breakthrough for influenza research, scientists have discovered immune cells that can recognize influenza (flu) viruses even as they mutate, raising hopes for a longer-lasting vaccine and a universal protection against future flu pandemics.
Long COVID: Women at greater risk compared to men—could immune system differences be the cause?
About 5% of people who catch COVID have long-lasting symptoms. In these people, loss of smell, dizziness, fatigue and other hallmark COVID symptoms can persist for months after the initial illness. Yet even five years after the COVID pandemic began, we…
An unexpected mechanism regulates the immune response during parasitic infections
Researchers at the University of Liège (Belgium) have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that regulates the immune response against parasites. During a parasitic infection, specific immune cells, known as virtual memory T cells, become activated …
Cystic fibrosis alters immune system from early life stages, researchers discover
Despite new medication, cystic fibrosis often leads to permanent lung damage. Working with an international team, researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have discovered that the disease causes changes in the immune system early in li…
Why SARS-CoV-2 bounces back after antiviral treatment
The antiviral combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (brand name Paxlovid) is an effective treatment for people with COVID-19 who have mild symptoms and face a high risk of hospitalization. For some of those people, however, the virus returns, and t…
Antibody treatment prevents severe bird flu in monkeys, researchers report
A prophylactic antibody-based immune therapy protects monkeys against severe disease caused by H5N1 avian flu, University of Pittsburgh and NIH Vaccine Research Center researchers report in Science.
Reverse mutational scanning offers faster response to new virus variants
Viruses are masters at disguise. When they are pushed too far by our immune system, they send new virus variants into play that are no longer recognized by immune cells. They escape our immune system by mutating the virus structures that are recognized…