immunology

blood cells
January 7, 2016

Immune tolerance in endothelial cells

Inducing “tolerance” to bacterial toxins in the endothelial cells that line blood vessels may offer a new approach for preventing the negative consequences of sepsis.

By Leigh MacMillan
November 12, 2015

Immune system a must for kidney repair

A signaling protein that is essential for recovery from acute kidney injury works by increasing the population of tissue-repairing immune cells.

By Lorena Infante
conceptual - glowing cell
October 1, 2015

Tolerating a transplant

A new genetic model has generated new strategies for promoting tolerance to transplants – and improving long-term transplant outcomes – in the background of autoimmune disease.

By Leigh MacMillan
September 8, 2015

Immune cells and obesity

Understanding how macrophage immune cells accumulate in fat tissue and contribute to the pathology of obesity could lead to the development of novel therapeutics for metabolic disorders.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 24, 2015

How to trick a wily virus

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered how human antibodies induced during testing of an experimental “bird flu” vaccine kill the virus.

By Sanjay Mishra
January 26, 2015

Immune response depends on force

New studies explain how T-cell receptors use force to recognize and protect us against pathogens.

By Leigh MacMillan
November 21, 2014

Host sequesters zinc to control stomach bug

Understanding how zinc and the host’s immune response control H. pylori’s cancer-causing potential could suggest new therapeutic strategies to reduce infection and cancer risk.
By Leigh MacMillan
November 6, 2014

Immune cell activity and melanoma

The activity of a certain factor in immune cells is essential for an anti-tumor response, emphasizing the need to consider the effects of anti-cancer therapies on immune cells.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 28, 2014

Peptide quells “genomic storm”

A cell-penetrating peptide developed at Vanderbilt blocks the signaling pathways that lead to lethal shock caused by bacterial infection.
By T.J. Utset
October 24, 2014

Immune cells’ role in hypertension

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that certain immune cells contribute to the development of hypertension, suggesting novel targets for treating the disease.
By Leigh MacMillan
October 10, 2014

Aspirin and allergies

Drugs such as aspirin and indomethacin may increase sensitivity to airborne allergens by suppressing production of the signaling molecule PGI2, which in turn may offer a new treatment for allergies.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 9, 2014

Immune cells that guard against ingested pathogens discovered

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered a new type of immune cell residing in the intestinal epithelium that may function as a first line of defense against ingested pathogens.
By Leigh MacMillan
September 25, 2014

A path to sarcoidosis treatment

Vanderbilt investigators identify a new therapeutic target for the inflammatory lung disease sarcoidosis.
By VUMC News and Communications