Researchers at The University of Osaka have discovered precursor T follicular regulatory cells (preTfr), comprising 30-50% of circulating Tfr in human blood. preTfr are significantly reduced in severe COVID-19 and sepsis, correlating with increased anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies and activated atypical B cells. Unlike stable conventional naïve regulatory T cells, preTfr are specifically depleted during severe disease. When stimulated, preTfr up-regulate suppressive molecules including IL-1RA and show enhanced wound healing capacity. Conversely, mRNA vaccination increases preTfr frequency, suggesting controlled immune participation. The findings identify preTfr as a therapeutic target for preventing autoantibody production during severe infections.

Researchers investigated how autoimmune gastritis alters the gastric microbiota and disrupts metabolism, shedding light on mechanisms that contribute to the development of neuroendocrine tumors.

SDSE, a lesser-known cousin of group A strep, is causing a growing number of severe infections across Australia, with First Nations communities facing three times the risk of invasive disease. Doherty Institute researchers tracked over a decade of cases, revealing rising rates, a fast-spreading bacterial clone and differences from group A strep – highlighting urgent needs for better surveillance, prevention and potential vaccines.

New research from WashU Medicine identified a key enzyme that enables rotavirus to infect cells. Disabling this enzyme prevented infection with the potentially deadly virus, suggesting new treatments against rotavirus and other pathogens that rely on similar mechanisms.

A University of Houston professor has received nearly $4 million from the NIH to lead a translational effort turning enzyme-targeting science into urgently needed treatments for Cryptosporidium infections – which are caused by a life-threatening pathogen and have no existing cure. 

The study reveals that HIV cloaks itself in the DNA of infected cells using unique DNA patterns in the brain, blood and parts of the digestive tract.