Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects millions worldwide and can have a devastating impact on patients’ lives. Yet, about one in three patients respond poorly to existing treatments. Researchers at Kyoto University have shed new light on this challenge by discovering that peripheral helper T cells (Tph cells), a key type of immune cell involved in RA, exist in two forms: stem-like Tph cells and effector Tph cells. The stem-like Tph cells reside in immune “hubs” called tertiary lymphoid structures within inflamed joints, where they multiply and activate B cells. Some of these then become effector Tph cells that leave the hubs and cause inflammation. This continuous supply of effector Tph cells may explain why inflammation persists in some patients despite treatment. Targeting the stem-like Tph cells at the source could offer a new therapeutic strategy, bringing hope for more effective symptom relief and improved quality of life for patients living with RA.

This research is led by Yuki Masuo, a doctoral student at the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University; Associate Professor Hiroyuki Yoshitomi of the Department of Immunology (also Associate Investigator at WPI-ASHBi), Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University; and Professor Hideki Ueno, Vice Director and Principal Investigator at WPI-ASHBi (also Professor at the Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, and Director of the Kyoto University Immunological Monitoring Center, KIC). These findings will be published online in Science Immunology on August 15, 2025, at 2:00 PM local time (August 16 at 3:00 AM JST).

Media Invitation – IJCAI 2025, Montréal, Canada
Artificial Intelligence for a Better World – Since 1969

The 34th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI) takes place August 16–22, 2025 in Montréal, Canada, bringing together over 2,000 AI researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders. Guided by the theme “AI at the service of society”, IJCAI 2025 features world-class keynote speakers, award-winning researchers, thematic tracks on AI for Social Good, Human-Centred AI, and AI, Arts & Creativity, as well as admission free public events like the AI Lounge: Between Wonder and Caution.

Highlights include talks by Yoshua Bengio, Heng Ji, Luc De Raedt, Bernhard Schölkopf, and IJCAI 2025 awardees Aditya Grover, Rina Dechter, and Cynthia Rudin. The program also showcases AI-driven competitions, an AI Art Gallery, and discussions on ethics, creativity, and global impact.

Full program & details: https://2025.ijcai.org
Media contact: mrozman@ijcai.org

Large language models (LLMs) are revolutionizing drug development. Researchers from China are exploring the applications of LLMs in the drug development process, including target identification and drug screening, drug molecular design and optimization, drug repurposing, preclinical research, and clinical trials. Moreover, they deeply explore the major challenges LLMs face in pharmaceutical development and provide a scientific outlook on future research directions.