immunology

October 25, 2023

Immune system’s role in metabolic disease detailed in tissue atlas

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have published the largest known single-site adipose tissue atlas — a comprehensive, detailed map of the cells, structures and molecules within a specific tissue or organ, designed to support open-ended study.

By Paul Govern
Mary Philip, MD, PhD, left, and Michael Rudloff, PhD, found that T cells become “exhausted” within hours of encountering a tumor, challenging existing ideas about how T cells become dysfunctional. (photo by Anthony Czelusniak)
August 3, 2023

Study finds hallmarks of T cell exhaustion within hours of tumor exposure

Vanderbilt researchers found that T cells become “exhausted” within hours of encountering a tumor, challenging existing ideas about how T cells become dysfunctional.

By Leigh MacMillan
June 27, 2023

Rare disorder sheds light on dysbindin function

A case study of a rare disorder uncovers roles for the protein dysbindin in the adaptive immune response and suggests that mutations may underlie some cases of very early onset inflammatory bowel disease.

By Sarah E. Glass
May 4, 2023

Tracking lung macrophages

A new technique will allow researchers to track subsets of immune cells that patrol and defend the lungs, to better understand the roles of these cells during lung inflammation, infection and injury.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 20, 2023

Probing hellbender health

Understanding how hellbenders — large, fully aquatic salamanders — fight fungal pathogens and disease is important for protecting these unique stream predators; Vanderbilt researchers add new insights.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 7, 2023

A new view of a cholesterol carrier

Vanderbilt researchers developed a novel method to measure small RNAs carried by HDL and demonstrated that these molecules circulate in greater concentrations than previously believed and are likely to contribute to communication between immune cells.

By Kelsey Pinckard