Macrophage News and Research

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A macrophage is a type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills microorganisms, removes dead cells, and stimulates the action of other immune system cells.

Hair loss could soon be a thing of the past, say researchers

This week, two new studies have been published that open up new avenues for patients with hair loss.

26 Jun 2019

First safe, reliable, noninvasive way to monitor rheumatoid arthritis

A first-in-human Phase 1/Phase II study demonstrates that intravenous administration of the radiopharmaceutical imaging agent technetium-99m (99mTc) tilmanocept promises to be a safe, well-tolerated, noninvasive means of monitoring rheumatoid arthritis disease activity.

24 Jun 2019

Study shows how bacteria can destroy host cells from the inside

A bacterial pathogen that typically multiplies outside of host cells can enter and induce the destruction of cells called macrophages, according to a study published June 20 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Anne-Béatrice Blanc-Potard of the Université de Montpellier in France, and colleagues.

From PLOS ONE 24 Jun 2019

Study: Phenols in cocoa bean shells have powerful effects on fat and immune cells in mice

Scientists may have discovered more reasons to love chocolate. A new study by researchers at the University of Illinois suggests that three of the phenolic compounds in cocoa bean shells have powerful effects on the fat and immune cells in mice, potentially reversing the chronic inflammation and insulin resistance associated with obesity.

21 Jun 2019

Complement system shown to remove dead cells in retinitis pigmentosa, contradicting previous research

Researchers have found that the complement system seems to protect against retinal degeneration in retinitis pigmentosa.

18 Jun 2019

Duke researchers identify enzyme involved in regulating growth, spread of breast cancers

Immunotherapies have transformed cancer care, but their successes have been limited for reasons that are both complex and perplexing.

18 Jun 2019

Research highlights potential targets to help fight Crohn's disease

Affecting around 115,000 people in the UK alone, Crohn's disease is a lifelong condition which sees parts of the digestive system become inflamed.

17 Jun 2019

Genetic study on liver iron content may pave way for better treatment

High levels of iron in the liver are linked to a number of serious health conditions including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular as well as liver disease. But measuring liver iron is difficult and until recently could only be done through an invasive biopsy.

17 Jun 2019

UAB researchers awarded $2.3 million grant to study macrophage circadian rhythms in heart failure

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have been awarded a four-year, $2.3 million grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to study macrophage circadian rhythms in heart failure.

13 Jun 2019

New therapeutic approach utilizes endogenous processes to enhance cardiac repair

Myocardial infarction results in the localized death of the muscle cells that are essential for the heart's pumping function.

12 Jun 2019

Novel agent shown to have dual mechanism of action to eliminate cancer

Results from a study spearhead by researchers at the Vall d´Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), show that the blockade of the multi-functional cytokine LIF induces tumor-infiltrating T Cells to hone in on and eliminate cancer.

11 Jun 2019

Complex molecular conversation is key to the establishment of 'hot tumor'

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has deciphered a complex molecular conversation between cancer and immune cells that is key to orchestrating the successful invasion of tumors by T cells that kill cancer cells.

11 Jun 2019

Researchers identify macrophages' pathway to nurture PTEN-deficient glioblastoma

A common genetic deficiency empowers glioblastoma to broadcast a molecular message to the wrong type of immune cell, summoning macrophages that protect and nurture the brain tumor instead of attacking it, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center report in Cancer Cell.

11 Jun 2019

Unhealthy gut microbiome may make breast cancers more aggressive finds study

A new study from the researchers at the University of Virginia Cancer Center connects an unhealthy gut microbiome with breast cancer that can become invasive and spread to other organs faster. The results of the study were published in the latest issue of the journal Cancer Research.

10 Jun 2019

Study aims to understand role of immune cells in the development of macular scarring

A study funded by research charity Fight for Sight aims to understand the role that our own immune cells play in the development of macular scarring.

31 May 2019

Researchers discover healthy, stress-busting fat in soil-dwelling bacteria

Thirty years after scientists coined the term "hygiene hypothesis" to suggest that increased exposure to microorganisms could benefit health, University of Colorado Boulder researchers have identified an anti-inflammatory fat in a soil-dwelling bacterium that may be responsible.

29 May 2019

New fluorescent probe specifically labels microglia cells

Part of the immune system in the brain is made up of so-called microglia cells. Korean and Singaporean researchers have now developed a fluorescent probe that specifically labels this type of macrophage. The cells were visualized in cell culture and in the live brains of rodents.

29 May 2019

How pathogens are controlled under hypoxic conditions

Infected tissue has a low concentration of oxygen. The body's standard immune mechanisms, which rely on oxygen, can then only function to a limited extent.

24 May 2019

Scientists identify target to ‘tone down’ hyper-active immunity to influenza infection

For most people, the influenza A virus, commonly known as the flu, is cleared from the body by our own immune system.

23 May 2019

Host-cell enzymes vital for inhibiting mutant forms of coronavirus, study finds

Host-cell enzymes called PARP12 and PARP14 are important for inhibiting mutant forms of a coronavirus, according to a study published May 16 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Stanley Perlman of the University of Iowa, Anthony Fehr of the University of Kansas, and colleagues.

21 May 2019