The University of Texas System’s Post

Happy Tuesday all! Check out this open access Nature Immunology paper by Rebuffet et al., "High-dimensional single-cell analysis of human natural killer cell heterogeneity." Abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) contributing to immune responses to microbes and tumors. Historically, their classification hinged on a limited array of surface protein markers. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (CITE-seq) to dissect the heterogeneity of NK cells. We identified three prominent NK cell subsets in healthy human blood: NK1, NK2 and NK3, further differentiated into six distinct subgroups. Our findings delineate the molecular characteristics, key transcription factors, biological functions, metabolic traits and cytokine responses of each subgroup. These data also suggest two separate ontogenetic origins for NK cells, leading to divergent transcriptional trajectories. Furthermore, we analyzed the distribution of NK cell subsets in the lung, tonsils and intraepithelial lymphocytes isolated from healthy individuals and in 22 tumor types. This standardized terminology aims at fostering clarity and consistency in future research, thereby improving cross-study comparisons. #drugdiscovery #nkcells #immunology #cancerresearch #immunooncology #ilcs #scientificresearch

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 I'm thrilled to share that our latest research paper, "Acid ceramidase expression reduces IFN𝛄 secretion by mouse CD4+ T cells and is crucial for maintaining B-cell numbers in mice," has been published in Frontiers in Immunology! 🔍 Key Findings: In our study, we discovered that ceramide was accumulated in our induced Ac-KO mice. This, in turn, led to 1) an increased IFN𝛄 secretion by CD4+ T cells without changing the production of the cytokine itself and 2) a reduction in mature B cells, plasma blasts, and plasma cells. 💡 Why This Matters: These findings are crucial as they shed light on the role of acid ceramidase in immune regulation, potentially opening new therapeutic pathways for immune-related diseases. This research could have significant implications for immune responses in viral infections and autoimmune conditions. 📖 Check out the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/daj33G8Z Big thanks to my supervisor Niklas Beyersdorf, co-authors: Claudia Hollmann Rehan haider Zaidi Dominik Wigger Fabian Schumacher, and everyone who supported this research! #Research #Immunology #Science #AcidCeramidase #TCells #BCells #ImmuneSystem #AcademicPublishing #ProudMoment

🧬 Exploring Immune Dynamics in CCMs: Cuproptosis as a Key Player 🔬 Check out this insightful study that employs single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing to investigate the immune infiltration landscape associated with cuproptosis in cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs). The strength of this research lies in its comprehensive methodology—a systematic approach that can be adapted for related studies. 🔑 Highlights: 1️⃣ In-depth analysis of immune interactions and cell death mechanisms. 2️⃣ Valuable insights for therapeutic target discovery. 3️⃣ Methodological framework applicable to other disease contexts. This study serves as a crucial reference for researchers interested in the interplay between immunology and vascular malformations. 💡 Want to explore similar methods in your research? Contact us at info@biogenomics.co.uk to learn how we can support your biomarker discovery—limited-time special offers available! #CerebralCavernousMalformations #Cuproptosis #Bioinformatics #Immunology #PrecisionMedicine #ResearchInsights

#immunology #biology #cells #senescence https://lnkd.in/eaBZ9KdC Recent reports in oncological and non-oncological experimental setups provide strong evidence that #senescent #cells are under the surveillance of CD8 T cell-mediated adaptive #immunity. These new data also shed light on the mechanisms that sensitize senescent cells to CD8 T cell-dependent killing, as well as those that enable senescent cells to evade CD8 T cell immunosurveillance. Understanding the interplay between cellular senescence and the adaptive immune system may open new strategies to ameliorate #aging and aging-associated diseases. Cellular senescence is a non-apoptotic response to stress and damage that profoundly changes several aspects of normal cellular biology. In young, healthy, organisms, senescent cells are efficiently cleared by the immune system. However, upon aging or in immunodeficient or immunosuppressive contexts, senescent cells may accumulate and contribute to systemic aging and multiple pathologies. Moreover, in response to cancer chemotherapy, senescent cells increase across the organism and intratumorally, where they can favor tumor progression by modifying the intratumoral microenvironment and interacting with the immune system

Functional Profile of Myeloid Cells in Innate Immunity👇 📎Myeloid cells within the innate immune system encompass diverse effector types, including dendritic cells, macrophages, mast cells, basophils, and neutrophils. 📎These cells share common origins in the myeloid lineage and exhibit overlapping expression of membrane receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), cytokine and chemokine receptors, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins, Fc receptors (FcRs), adhesion molecules, co-stimulatory receptors, and complement protein receptors. 📎This receptor repertoire forms the foundation for specific immune responses, including: 📌1)Recognition of pathogens and danger signals through TLRs. 📌2)Responsiveness to cytokines and chemokines, guiding immune cell migration and activation. 📌3)Antigen presentation via MHC proteins to initiate adaptive immune responses. 📌4)Engagement of FcRs to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis. 📌5)Cell-cell interactions facilitated by adhesion molecules for immune cell recruitment and communication. 📌6)Activation of immune responses through co-stimulatory receptors. 📌7)Participation in the complement system for pathogen clearance and inflammation modulation. 📎This functional profile underscores the importance of myeloid cells in orchestrating innate immune responses and shaping subsequent adaptive immunity. Image from: Carsten Carlberg, Eunike Velleuer - Molecular Immunology_ How Science Works-Springer (2022) #immunology #immunesystem #cancerbiologyresearch

🌟 Major Breakthrough in Immunology Research 🌟 🔬 A team from Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and SciLifeLab has unveiled a groundbreaking method for mapping the immune response at a cellular level. Published in the journal Science, this innovative approach allows for the precise identification and localization of unique immune cell receptors within human tissues. The research, led by Camilla Engblom, Kim Thrane, and Qirong Lin, represents a significant advancement in our understanding of how the immune system interacts with diseases, particularly in the realms of cancer and autoimmune disorders. 💡 What's New? The method focuses on B and T cell receptors, key players in the body's defense against pathogens and tumors. It enables the identification of these receptors in their specific microenvironments, a task previously unachievable with existing techniques. https://ow.ly/JHNY50QhyYh #Immunology #MedicalResearch #CancerTreatment #AutoimmuneDiseases #HealthcareInnovation #KarolinskaInstitutet #ScienceAdvancement #HealthTech

Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Thymic Regeneration: A New Axis Revealed The thymus, a vital organ in our immune system, undergoes transient but reversible shrinkage in response to stress. However, the precise molecular mechanisms driving its regeneration after this shrinkage, known as acute thymic involution (ATI), remain unclear. In a groundbreaking study, Nevo et al. employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the non-T cell compartment of the thymus following dexamethasone-induced ATI in mice. Their findings shed light on a novel axis involving thymic tuft cells, fibroblasts, and innate lymphoid cells type 2 (ILC2s) that orchestrates thymic regeneration. Key Highlights: 1. Thymic Tuft Cells and Fibroblasts Initiate the Regeneration Process:   - Upon ATI, thymic tuft cells and fibroblasts release alarmins, IL-25 and IL-33, respectively, in response to tissue damage.   - These alarmins activate thymic ILC2s, triggering a type 2 immune response. 2. ILC2s Drive Tissue Regeneration:   - Activated ILC2s produce effector molecules like amphiregulin and IL-13, promoting the differentiation of thymic epithelial cells (mTECs).   - This differentiation process is crucial for thymic regeneration. 3. The Importance of Cross-Talk:   - The communication between thymic tuft cells, fibroblasts, and ILC2s is essential for effective thymus regeneration after ATI.   - Disruption of this axis, either through depletion of tuft cells or IL-33 deficiency, impairs regeneration. This study deepens our understanding of thymic regeneration and highlights the significance of intercellular communication in tissue repair. It opens up new avenues for exploring therapeutic interventions targeting this axis to enhance thymus function and immune responses. What are your thoughts on the role of the tuft cell–fibroblast–ILC2 axis in thymic regeneration? How might this knowledge contribute to future immunotherapies? Join the discussion and share your insights! #Science #Longevity #Biology #Immunology #Regeneration

Researchers at the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) in Seattle have shown that the different disease-fighting functions of distinct T cells are determined by the genetically encoded T-cell receptor (TCR) sequence that are unique to those cells. The researchers believe that the potential applications of this discovery are vast, with implications not only in cancer immunotherapies but also in vaccine development and the treatment of infectious diseases. By leveraging the unique TCR sequences present in T cells, scientists may develop tailored immune responses, potentially revolutionizing the field of personalized medicine. Read more about this discovery via Inside Precision Medicine: https://bit.ly/40phnhm | #PrecisionMedicine #PersonalizedMedicine #InfectiousDiseases #Immunotherapies #Tcells

Researchers at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have created the Immune Dictionary, a comprehensive reference using single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the effects of 86 major cytokines on 17 immune cell types in mice. This groundbreaking study, the first at single-cell resolution in vivo, revealed a surprising complexity in immune responses and cell plasticity, challenging previous understandings. The accompanying software, Immune Response Enrichment Analysis (IREA), enables scientists to identify active cytokines in diseases and study how different immune cells function based on cytokine signals, potentially advancing precision medicine and immunotherapy development. #Immunology #Cytokines #PrecisionMedicine

📸 Action shot! At abcam's 2023 Innate Sensing & Signaling in Immunology meeting in Boston this week, BioAge scientists Kevin Wilhelmsen, Sarah Tronnes, and Aditi Deshpande presented a poster on our novel class of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors, which we are developing for inflammatory and age-related diseases. BioAge’s AI-driven discovery platform revealed that NLRP3 levels rise with age and are positively correlated with all-cause mortality. To identify novel NLRP3 inhibitors, we screened billions of molecules in a DNA-encoded library (DEL) for compounds that bind purified NLRP3 protein, yielding drug-like compounds that functionally inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro with comparable or superior potency relative to publicly known inhibitors. https://lnkd.in/gmUffkJD