Natural Killer Cells News and Research

RSS

Scientists develop and characterize variant-specific vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

In a recent study conducted at Yale University, USA, scientists have investigated the immunogenicity of mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidates encoding the spike proteins of different severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. The findings reveal that the vaccines induce robust immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

6 Dec 2021

Simple quantitative framework to understand the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19

Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States developed a model to explain why severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections induce high inflammatory levels.

6 Dec 2021

Exposure to Chikungunya may offer partial cross-protection against Mayaro virus

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil suggests people previously infected by Chikungunya virus may develop partial immunity to Mayaro virus.

4 Dec 2021

Maternal-fetal interface yields intriguing clues to how it battles SARS-CoV-2

Scientists have hypothesized that the number of immune cells and the amount of cytokines produced in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women change in accordance with the timing of maternal infection in pregnancy. This study is available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

24 Nov 2021

Severe COVID-19 patients have significantly higher NK and T cell frequency

A new study published in the open-access journal Cells aimed to clarify the role of NK and T cell subsets in SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized COVID-19 patients to unravel their potential association with disease severity.

18 Nov 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibited by CCR2 signaling

A new study discusses the role of monocytes in protecting individuals from SARS-CoV-2.

15 Nov 2021

New findings about naturally acquired immunity may help improve existing malaria vaccines

When you have become immune to malaria after having contracted the disease, it seems that the body uses a more efficient protection than if you have been vaccinated against the deadly disease.

12 Nov 2021

New method of stem cell transplantation may eliminate the need for radiation or chemotherapy

Studying mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a method of stem cell transplantation that does not require radiation or chemotherapy.

10 Nov 2021

Study suggests less access to nature may contribute to higher COVID-19 case rates

By now, it's clear the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly unkind to communities of color and low-income populations.

11 Oct 2021

Critical function of IL-7 in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of COVID-19 patients

In this review, researchers summarized the therapeutic and pathogenic role of IL-7 in patients with COVID-19 and examined the promising role of IL-7 as a vaccine adjuvant.

7 Oct 2021

Researchers devise novel technique to count elusive circulating tumor cells

As tumors grow within an organ, they also release cells that enter the bloodstream. These cells can travel to other organs, seeding new tumors called metastases.

29 Sep 2021

Specially designed lipid nanoparticles overcome resistance to anti-tumor immunotherapy

A specially designed lipid nanoparticle could deliver immune-signaling molecules into liver macrophage cells to overcome resistance to anti-tumor immunotherapy.

18 Sep 2021

Scientists identify new approach to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy

Hokkaido University scientists and colleagues in Japan have found a way that could help some patients overcome resistance to immunotherapy treatment for cancer. The approach, proven in mice experiments, was reported in the Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

17 Sep 2021

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies provide Fc receptor-independent SARS-CoV-2 protection in Hamsters

A study published in the journal mBio analyzes the capacity of the neutralizing MAb 2B04 to protect different antibody titers.

16 Sep 2021

Deep profiling of SARS-CoV-2 immune response amongst the mildly symptomatic

In a research paper recently uploaded to the medRxiv* preprint server by Capelle et al. (September 2nd, 2021), the immune response of mild and hospitalized COVID-19 patients is compared, finding that early T-cell response is a vital indicator of SARS-CoV-2 disease severity.

15 Sep 2021

A review of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for severe COVID-19

Researchers find that MSC treatment is highly tolerated and effective in reducing lung damage in COVID-19 patients and improving their chances of recovery.

13 Sep 2021

Natural killer cells mediate a trade-off between wound healing and bacterial defense

Natural killer cells do not just kill cancer cells or cells infected with viruses, they also mediate a trade-off between wound healing and bacterial defense in skin wounds.

8 Sep 2021

Severe COVID-19 is associated with expansion of immature myeloid cells and inflammation

A team of scientists in Ireland recently identified certain immune markers that can predict the progression of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Early detection of these predictive markers can facilitate therapeutic decision-making prior to peak severity.

7 Sep 2021

Scientists identify potential biomarkers to predict COVID-19 outcomes

A team of scientists from the United States has recently examined the trajectory of early immune biomarkers in response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. They have identified specific plasma proteins that can accurately predict the clinical and virological outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

31 Aug 2021

Magnetic nanoparticles could enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy

Boosting the function of natural killer cells with magnetic nanoparticles could make cancer immunotherapy more efficient.

6 Aug 2021