Carrageenans, biologically active polysaccharides isolated from red algae and widely used in the food industry as stabilizers, thickeners, or jelly agents, have an express effect on the immune systems of mice, according to a new study. The research was carried out by scientists from the School of Biomedicine of Far…
New study indicates Ebola vaccine safe and produces robust immune response
Scientists from the University of Oxford, working as part of the EBOVAC2 EBL2001 study group, have today announced the results of a phase 2 trial of a replication-deficient adenovirus vaccine aimed at providing protection against the lethal Ebola virus. Writing in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, they conclude that…
Fostamatinib in chronic immune thrombocytopenia: No comparison—added benefit not proven
Fostamatinib is approved for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenia in adults who are refractory to other treatments (in particular to treatment with corticosteroids). The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined in an early benefit assessment whether fostamatinib offers an added benefit for these patients…
Immune system may have another job—combatting depression
An inflammatory autoimmune response within the central nervous system similar to one linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) has also been found in the spinal fluid of healthy people, according to a new Yale-led study comparing immune system cells in the spinal fluid of MS patients and…
Researchers identify key role of immune cells in brain infection
A new study has detailed the damaging role played by the immune system in a severe brain condition most commonly caused by the cold sore virus. Researchers have identified the specific type of immune cell that induces brain inflammation in herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis. Crucially, they have also determined…
Immune cells sculpt circuits in the brain
Immune cells play an unexpected role in fine-tuning the brain’s neural circuits, according to research published in September, 2020 in Neuron. The immune cells that reside there, known as microglia, not only protect the brain from infection and inflammation, they also help physically sculpt circuits in the developing brain. The…
Oxford vaccine prompts immune response, shows promise in early results
One of the leading coronavirus vaccine candidates shows promise in early trials, triggering participants to build up immune cells against the virus without causing any severe reactions, according to results published today. The vaccine, called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and being developed by Oxford University in the United Kingdom, is made up…
Immune response to COVID-19’s spike protein – the secret to a successful vaccine?
Scientists have uncovered how a crucial component of the immune system responds to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19—important information for future validation of vaccine candidates. Coronavirus particles have a corona (crown) of proteins that resemble spikes, which enable the virus to attach and enter cells…
Cancer drug resistance study raises immune red flags
Sooner or later, most cancer patients develop resistance to the very chemotherapy drugs designed to kill their cancer, forcing oncologists to seek alternatives. Even more problematic, once a patient’s tumor is resistant to one type of chemotherapy, it is much more likely to be resistant to other chemotherapies as well,…
The best ways to strengthen your immune system during the coronavirus pandemic
Although there is no cure or specific treatment for COVID-19, there are some things you can do to strengthen your immune system against the coronavirus. Here are scientifically supported ways to help fight off illness. Get enough sleep The amount of sleep you’re getting each night can make a big…
Study unravels how our immune system deals with fungal and viral infections
The body’s immune response to fungal infections changes when a patient is also infected by a virus, according to new research which investigated the two types of infection together for the first time. The study, carried out by researchers at the University of Birmingham, The Pirbright Institute and University College…