immunology

August 8, 2013

Nuclear shield against cell death

The protein SARM appears to protect cells from inflammation-driven death by stabilizing the nuclear laminin scaffold.

By Bill Snyder
June 6, 2013

Study tracks skin salt’s role in blood pressure control

Clinical pharmacologist Jens Titze, M.D., and his colleagues have identified a new cast of cells and molecules that function in the skin to control sodium balance and blood pressure.

By Leigh MacMillan
May 30, 2013

Study lays groundwork for rational T cell vaccine design

Vanderbilt University investigators have developed a new strategy for identifying the “bits” of a pathogen that spark a protective immune response.

By Leigh MacMillan
April 3, 2013

“Silent” B cells trigger autoimmunity

Immune cells that recognize self antigens (e.g. insulin), but are functionally silent, can trigger autoimmune diseases such as diabetes.

By Leigh MacMillan
March 1, 2013

Target for inflammatory bowel disease

The factor STAT6 appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of an inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting it may be a promising target for new treatments.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 21, 2013

Antibacterial protein’s molecular workings revealed

Vanderbilt investigators report new insights to the workings of calprotectin, an immune system protein that “starves” bacterial pathogens of the metal nutrients they require.

By Leigh MacMillan
January 31, 2013

Nobel laureate explores genomics of immune response

In a wide-ranging lecture that moved from plants to nematode worms to human leukemia, Nobel laureate Andrew Fire, Ph.D., outlined his vision for a genomics-based understanding of how organisms respond to novel information.
By Leigh MacMillan
January 31, 2013

Do-it-yourself repair in the kidney

The kidney can mediate its own repair through proliferation of resident immune system cells.
By Leigh MacMillan
August 9, 2012

New therapeutic target for cold, flu viruses identified

Viruses that cause acute respiratory infections — such as human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and flu — impair a set of immune system cells that should clear the virus from the lungs. Now, Vanderbilt University investigators have discovered the signaling pathway that disables these immune cells.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 12, 2012

Targeting post-transplant diabetes

Targeting diabetes that develops after a stem cell transplant may help moderate graft-vs.-host disease, an adverse effect of the procedure, and improve outcomes.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 7, 2011

Diversity key in antibody repertoire

Antibodies to the 2009 H1N1 influenza strain reveal new insights into how antibody diversity forms and functions, with possible implications for designing flu vaccines.
By VUMC News and Communications
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