Immune System News and Research

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New research may provide insight on how dengue virus gains entry into cells

Dengue fever, an infectious tropical disease caused by a mosquito-borne virus, afflicts millions of people each year, causing fever, headache, muscle and joint pains and a characteristic skin rash. In some people the disease progresses to a severe, often fatal, form known as dengue hemorrhagic fever.

18 Feb 2014

High levels of stress hormone cortisol may contribute to risk aversion in traders

High levels of the stress hormone cortisol may contribute to the risk aversion and 'irrational pessimism' found among bankers and fund managers during financial crises, according to a new study.

18 Feb 2014

New approach for delivering vaccines and for stimulating body's immune system to attack tumors

Many vaccines, including those for influenza, polio, and measles, consist of a killed or disabled version of a virus. However, for certain diseases, this type of vaccine is ineffective, or just too risky.

18 Feb 2014

Researchers identify new type of regulatory blood cells that can combat brain inflammation

Hyperactivity of our immune system can cause a state of chronic inflammation. If chronic, the inflammation will affect our body and result in disease. In the devastating disease multiple sclerosis, hyperactivity of immune cells called T-cells induce chronic inflammation and degeneration of the brain. Researchers at BRIC, the University of Copenhagen, have identified a new type of regulatory blood cells that can combat such hyperactive T-cells in blood from patients with multiple sclerosis. By stimulating the regulatory blood cells, the researchers significantly decreased the level of brain inflammation and disease in a biological model.

17 Feb 2014

Novartis acquires CoStim Pharmaceuticals

MPM Capital and Atlas Venture announced today that portfolio company CoStim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has been acquired by Novartis for an undisclosed amount. CoStim, founded in 2012 by MPM Managing Director Luke Evnin together with MPM Managing Director-Operations Robert Millman, is an emerging immuno-oncology company developing monoclonal antibody drugs that enable a patient's own immune system to better fight cancer.

17 Feb 2014

Sleep apnea may contribute to fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) might assume that the fatigue they often feel just comes with the territory of their chronic neurological condition.

17 Feb 2014

Global environmental variation produces variation in human biology around the world

Three anthropology professors from the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University will highlight recent research in biological anthropology Sunday, Feb. 16 at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Chicago.

17 Feb 2014

Researcher reveals the secrets of Francisella tularensis bacterium that causes tularemia

Tularemia, aka "rabbit fever," is endemic in the northeastern United States, and is considered to be a significant risk to biosecurity -- much like anthrax or smallpox -- because it has already been weaponized in various regions of the world.

17 Feb 2014

Extreme loneliness can increase premature death by 14% in older adults

Feeling extreme loneliness can increase an older person's chances of premature death by 14 percent, according to research by John Cacioppo, professor of psychology at the University of Chicago.

17 Feb 2014

NIAID awards Soligenix SBIR grant to further develop SGX943 for treatment of melioidosis

Soligenix, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing products to treat serious inflammatory diseases where there remains an unmet medical need, as well as developing several biodefense vaccines and therapeutics, announced today that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded Soligenix a Small Business Innovation Research grant to support further preclinical development of SGX943 as a treatment for melioidosis.

14 Feb 2014

Improper handling of intravenous saline leads to rare bacteria outbreak

Improper handling of intravenous saline at a West Virginia outpatient oncology clinic was linked with the first reported outbreak of Tsukamurella spp., gram-positive bacteria that rarely cause disease in humans, in a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report was published in the March issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

14 Feb 2014

Elusive progenitor cells that give rise to ILCs identified in fetal liver and bone marrow of mice

The elusive progenitor cells that give rise to innate lymphoid cells-a recently discovered group of infection-fighting white blood cells-have been identified in fetal liver and adult bone marrow of mice, researchers from the University of Chicago report early online in the journal Nature.

14 Feb 2014

Two new mechanisms open alternative approaches to antibiotics development

The first mechanism disrupts the arrangement of amino acids required for the cohesion of the protease subunits. As a result the protease breaks into two parts. The second acts directly on the core of the active center.

14 Feb 2014

Exposure to common infections linked to memory and brain function

Exposure to common infections is linked to memory and brain function - even if the infections never made you ill, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2014.

13 Feb 2014

Agenus closes previously announced acquisition of 4-Antibody

Agenus Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapeutics, including a portfolio of checkpoint modulators (CPMs), anti-cancer vaccines and adjuvants, today completed the previously announced acquisition of 4-Antibody AG, a private European-based biopharmaceutical company.

13 Feb 2014

CHOP develops unique laboratory test to characterize genes that encode HLA molecules

Immunogenetics experts at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have developed a unique laboratory test to characterize the genes that encode HLA molecules. The test relies on faster, more comprehensive gene sequencing technology to type human leukocyte antigens (HLAs)--complex, highly variable proteins on cell surfaces that are essential to immune function.

13 Feb 2014

Researchers identify effective target for human autoimmune disease

Researchers at King's College London have identified a new gene (PIM1), which could be an effective target for innovative treatments and therapies for the human autoimmune disease, psoriasis.

13 Feb 2014

Researchers examine whether spirituality has role to play in prevention of addictions

Spirituality is a central tenet of 12-step recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Its value, particularly regarding alcohol addiction, has been recognized by many health care practitioners as well.

13 Feb 2014

Understanding genetic changes associated with aggressive prostate cancer

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have made an important advance in understanding genetic changes associated with terminal prostate cancer.

12 Feb 2014

Natera initiates distribution partnership with ProPath for Panorama non-invasive prenatal screening test

Natera, a leading innovator in prenatal genetic testing, today announced the initiation of a distribution partnership with ProPath, a wholly physician-owned provider of pathology services to clinicians and medical facilities in the United States, for its Panorama non-invasive prenatal screening test (NIPT).

From Natera 12 Feb 2014

Immune System News and Research

New research may provide insight on how dengue virus gains entry into cells

High levels of stress hormone cortisol may contribute to risk aversion in traders

New approach for delivering vaccines and for stimulating body's immune system to attack tumors

Researchers identify new type of regulatory blood cells that can combat brain inflammation

Novartis acquires CoStim Pharmaceuticals

Sleep apnea may contribute to fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis

Global environmental variation produces variation in human biology around the world

Researcher reveals the secrets of Francisella tularensis bacterium that causes tularemia

Extreme loneliness can increase premature death by 14% in older adults

NIAID awards Soligenix SBIR grant to further develop SGX943 for treatment of melioidosis

Improper handling of intravenous saline leads to rare bacteria outbreak

Elusive progenitor cells that give rise to ILCs identified in fetal liver and bone marrow of mice

Two new mechanisms open alternative approaches to antibiotics development

Exposure to common infections linked to memory and brain function

Agenus closes previously announced acquisition of 4-Antibody

CHOP develops unique laboratory test to characterize genes that encode HLA molecules

Researchers identify effective target for human autoimmune disease

Researchers examine whether spirituality has role to play in prevention of addictions

Understanding genetic changes associated with aggressive prostate cancer

Natera initiates distribution partnership with ProPath for Panorama non-invasive prenatal screening test

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