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.
2020
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?
SAIS/Immunopaedia Webinar: Immunothrombosis & COVID-19
We highlight SAIS/Immunopaedia COVID-19 Webinar featuring talks by haematopathologists Dr Susan Louw and A/Prof Jessica Olpie on immunothrombosis & COVID-19. Dr Susan Louw began her talk...
Safety and immunogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 vaccine candidate in older age.
A follow-up article published in NEJM showed that the mRNA vaccine, mRNA-1273, was safe and immunogenic in older vaccine volunteers (56-70 years). The vaccine has also been shown to be safe and immunogenic in younger people.