Decoys for misguided antibodies restore antiviral immune defense
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 7-Jul-2025 22:11 ET (8-Jul-2025 02:11 GMT/UTC)
An immune system defect makes affected individuals vulnerable to severe viral diseases such as influenza or COVID-19. It is caused by the body's own antibodies, which inhibit important defense proteins known as type I interferons. UZH researchers have now generated “decoy molecules” that intercept these autoantibodies and restore the immune defense – the foundation for a possible new therapy.
The prestigious journal Hepatology Communications reports on the discovery by the Cancer and Translational Medicine research group of the University of the Basque Country (EHU). Tests on mice revealed that hepatic stellate cells, which in themselves help to cure various hepatic diseases, are activated in response to a tumour and help it to develop; furthermore, metastasis virtually disappears when these cells, which are activated and reproduce in the presence of a tumour, are eliminated.
The genetic modification of the Natural Killer (NK) cells, lymphocytes forming part of the body’s immune system, would make it possible to retain their capacity of eliminating tumour cells in solid tumours
Some types of tumours secrete two molecules, TGF-β and Activin A, which supress the capacity of NK cells to attack them
A team of researchers from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Pompeu Fabra University has developed a new tool that allows modifying these NK cells to make them immune to the tumour’s defense mechanismThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem proudly extends its heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Yinon Ben-Neriah of the Faculty of Medicine on being awarded the prestigious Israel Prize for his groundbreaking contributions to cancer research.
An international research team, led by scientists from Tel Aviv University and Sheba Medical Center, has unveiled an innovative method for activating adult stem cells from human bone marrow, enabling their expansion outside the body for use in bone marrow regeneration and the construction of a new blood and immune system.
- A joint research team from DGIST, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, and Dongguk University has revealed the identity of cervical stem cells for the first time in the world - The research presents new possibilities for cervical cancer prevention and treatment using lactic acid bacteria and lactic acid, published in Nature Communications
A comprehensive study from Karolinska Institutet shows that people with fatty liver disease have almost twice the mortality rate of the general population. They have an increased risk of dying from both liver diseases and common diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to the study published in The Journal of Hepatology.