Takaki et al., used a S.mansoni Zebrafish infection model and confocal microscopy demonstrated that only mature S.mansoni eggs induce granuloma formation, while immature eggs have limited capacity to do so. They showed that immature eggs evade granuloma formation...
October 2020
Impact of intermediate hyperglycaemia and diabetes on immune dysfunction in TB
Researchers sought to identify mechanisms that can account for the increased susceptibility to tuberculosis disease among individuals with diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia. They demonstrated that patients with intermediate levels of hyperglycaemia also exhibit immune dysfunction...
NIX is essential for systemic metabolic reprogramming of immune cells mediating tuberculosis protection
Researchers from India and United Kingdom utilised human samples to demonstrates that NIX plays a central role in mitophagy mediated immune and metabolic reprogramming of peripheral immune cells during chronic pulmonary tuberculosis infection.
NIH COVID-19 lecture on SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine
This week we highlight the COVID-19 SIG meeting that featured a talk by Dr Kizzmekia Corbett (NIH) on “SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Development Enabled by Prototype Pathogen Preparedness. Dr Corbett began her talk emphasising that the potential for coronavirus...
Auto-antibody responses to type I IFNs is a clue to severe COVID-19
A recent paper in Science reported that about 10% of patients who develop severe COVID-19 pneumonia have neutralizing auto-Abs against type I IFNs Most notable was that (94%) patients with life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia, and who possessed these auto-Abs...
Do lipid bodies play a role in innate immunity?
Researchers (Bosch et al.,) investigated the role of lipid droplets in innate immunity by utilising hepatic (liver) lipid droplets to study the role of these organelles in response to bacterial or lipopolysaccharide challenge. They measured lipid droplet size and co-localisation...
Trained Immunity in Dogs.
Paris et al., investigate pro-inflammatory functions, using utilised ELISA, Luminex and flow cytometry , and also measured the activity of reactive oxygen species and phagocytosis by canine macrophages. Using an adapted in vitro experimental model of immune training, they confirmed that stimulation...
NIH COVID-19 lecture on SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies
In a recent NIH COVID-19 SIG webinar, Prof. Paul Bieniasz presented research that demonstrated that monoclonal nAbs from convalescent patients have potential sterilising effect in vivo using a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus model.
Why is flu vaccine induced immunity short-lived?
Davis et al., detected influenza-specific BMPCs and IgG/IgA Abs in volunteers before vaccination. This immunity was due to previous flu vaccination and flu episodes. New seasonal flu vaccination significantly...
Molecular mimicry: perfect match propels pathologies
Molecular mimicry drives the pathogenesis of autoimmune neuropathies such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and multiple sclerosis.Does molecular mimicry also play a role in COVID-19 pathogenesis?