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Article
| Open AccessPhosphoantigens glue butyrophilin 3A1 and 2A1 to activate Vγ9Vδ2 T cells
Phosphoantigen-mediated BTN2A1 association drives BTN3A1 intracellular fluctuations outwards in a thermodynamically favourable manner, thereby enabling BTN3A1 to push off from the BTN2A1 ectodomain to initiate T cell receptor–mediated γδ T cell activation.
- Linjie Yuan
- , Xianqiang Ma
- & Yonghui Zhang
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Article |
CD300ld on neutrophils is required for tumour-driven immune suppression
A CRISPR–Cas9 screen in a tumour mouse model identifies CD300ld as a tumour receptor on polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells and in vivo experiments indicate that it is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy.
- Chaoxiong Wang
- , Xichen Zheng
- & Min Luo
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Article
| Open AccessSpatial predictors of immunotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer
Imaging mass cytometry is used to map the multicellular dynamics of immune checkpoint blockade-treated triple-negative breast cancer, finding that key proliferative fractions and cell–cell interactions drive response, and immunotherapy distinctively remodels tumour structure.
- Xiao Qian Wang
- , Esther Danenberg
- & H. Raza Ali
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World View |
A new model for public health in Africa can become a reality
As Africa emerges from the COVID pandemic, combating infectious diseases must be a priority — along with treating non-communicable and mental health conditions.
- Jean Kaseya
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Article
| Open AccessNeutralization, effector function and immune imprinting of Omicron variants
Convergent mutations in hot spots of the spike proteins of currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants increase the binding affinity for the host receptor and promote more efficient fusion with host cell membranes.
- Amin Addetia
- , Luca Piccoli
- & David Veesler
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Article |
Metabolic programs of T cell tissue residency empower tumour immunity
A study describes the metabolic adaptations supporting differentiation, survival and function of tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells and how to leverage them to enhance immunity against pathogens and tumours.
- Miguel Reina-Campos
- , Maximilian Heeg
- & Ananda W. Goldrath
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News |
COVID infection risk rises the longer you are exposed — even for vaccinated people
Rigorous evidence shows that significant contact with a person with SARS-CoV-2 is more likely to lead to transmission than a short encounter.
- Anil Oza
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Article |
CRISPR screens decode cancer cell pathways that trigger γδ T cell detection
A combination of genome-wide CRISPR screens in target cancer cells identifies pathways that regulate γδ T cell killing and BTN3A cell surface expression.
- Murad R. Mamedov
- , Shane Vedova
- & Alexander Marson
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Article
| Open AccessEpitope editing enables targeted immunotherapy of acute myeloid leukaemia
Epitope engineering of donor haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells endows haematopoietic lineages with selective resistance to CAR T cells or monoclonal antibodies, without affecting protein function or regulation, enabling the targeting of genes that are essential for leukaemia survival and reducing the risk of tumour immune escape.
- Gabriele Casirati
- , Andrea Cosentino
- & Pietro Genovese
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Spotlight |
How virtual reality is helping to boost scientific engagement in rural Africa
Immunologist Patience Kiyuka explains her use of the latest technologies to show young people what it is like to be a researcher and what science can do for society.
- Rachael Pells
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Article
| Open AccessNon-cell-autonomous cancer progression from chromosomal instability
Chromosomal instability in cancer is linked to endoplasmic reticulum stress signalling, immune suppression and metastasis, which is mediated by the cGAS–STING pathway, suppression of which can reduce metastasis.
- Jun Li
- , Melissa J. Hubisz
- & Samuel F. Bakhoum
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Article |
Increased hyaluronan by naked mole-rat Has2 improves healthspan in mice
Mice overexpressing Has2 from the naked mole-rat showed an increase in hyaluronan levels in several tissues, and a lower incidence of spontaneous and induced cancer, attenuated inflammation through several pathways, extended lifespan and improved healthspan.
- Zhihui Zhang
- , Xiao Tian
- & Vera Gorbunova
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Research Highlight |
Could a blood test diagnose the cause of kids' fevers?
RNA transcripts can discriminate between 18 categories of disease, including common bacteria and viruses as well as rare, potentially life-threatening conditions.
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News Explainer |
Why a highly mutated coronavirus variant has scientists on alert
Research is under way to determine whether the mutation-laden lineage BA.2.86 has the potential for global spread — or whether it is nothing to worry about.
- Ewen Callaway
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Career Column |
How a lupus diagnosis taught me that resilience in science is a double-edged sword
The ability to persevere through hardship is celebrated in research, but a ‘one size fits all’ approach can perpetuate inequalities, says Caitlin Aamodt.
- Caitlin Aamodt
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Outlook |
In search of a vaccine for leishmaniasis
Researchers hope that immunization will provide much needed protection against the neglected parasitic disease in conflict zones.
- Anthony King
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News & Views |
Immune treatment tackles chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Smoking causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Some people with this disease have high levels of eosinophil cells, which is typical of the type 2 category of inflammation, and blocking such inflammation improves their lung health.
- John V. Fahy
- & Richard M. Locksley
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Article
| Open AccessEndothelial sensing of AHR ligands regulates intestinal homeostasis
Single-cell transcriptomics and in vivo challenge models establish a key role for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in regulating the function of enteric endothelial cells in response to environmental cues.
- Benjamin G. Wiggins
- , Yi-Fang Wang
- & Chris Schiering
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Article |
Endothelial AHR activity prevents lung barrier disruption in viral infection
The environmental sensor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and diet-derived AHR ligands play an important part in protecting against tissue damage following viral pathogen infection in the lung.
- Jack Major
- , Stefania Crotta
- & Andreas Wack
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Article |
Mapping the T cell repertoire to a complex gut bacterial community
Germ-free mice were colonized with complex defined communities to show T cell recognition of commensals is focused on widely conserved, highly expressed cell-surface antigens, opening the door to new therapeutic strategies.
- Kazuki Nagashima
- , Aishan Zhao
- & Michael A. Fischbach
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Correspondence |
Heed a decade of calls for antibody validation
- Richard A. Kahn
- , Harvinder S. Virk
- & Peter S. McPherson
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News |
Can the world really stop wild polio by the end of 2023?
Given that global efforts to eradicate the poliovirus were recently described as unsuccessful, how are Afghanistan and Pakistan now on the verge of eliminating it?
- Clare Watson
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Research Briefing |
Insights into different populations’ immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection
Analysis of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 at single-cell resolution reveals marked differences across human populations that are caused by previous infections and genetic variation. Natural selection and past reproduction with Neanderthals contributed to these differing immune responses and disparities in COVID-19 risk.
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Article |
Lactate limits CNS autoimmunity by stabilizing HIF-1α in dendritic cells
Lactate produced by dendritic cells (DCs) suppresses T-cell-mediated autoimmunity through a mechanism in which lactate activates HIF-1α–NDUFA4L2 signalling in DCs and thereby limits DC-mediated pro-inflammatory responses such as the development of encephalitogenic T cells.
- Liliana M. Sanmarco
- , Joseph M. Rone
- & Francisco J. Quintana
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Article
| Open AccessTRIM5α restricts poxviruses and is antagonized by CypA and the viral protein C6
The well-characterized HIV restriction factor TRIM5α also restricts orthopoxviruses and is countered by the viral protein C6 and the proviral activity of CypA, which in turn is antagonized by CsA and derivatives alisporivir and NIM811.
- Yiqi Zhao
- , Yongxu Lu
- & Geoffrey L. Smith
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Article
| Open AccessDissecting human population variation in single-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2
Population differences in immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 can be explained by environmental exposures, but also by local adaptation acting through genetic variants acquired after admixture with archaic hominin forms.
- Yann Aquino
- , Aurélie Bisiaux
- & Lluis Quintana-Murci
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News & Views |
How the cGAS–STING system links inflammation and cognitive decline
When DNA is misplaced inside cells, the cGAS–STING molecular system triggers inflammation. It emerges that stimulation of this mechanism in microglial cells of the brain during ageing contributes to cognitive decline.
- Bart J. L. Eggen
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Research Briefing |
Variation in African genomes linked to control of HIV
Genomic analyses of individuals living with HIV-1 revealed a region in chromosome 1 that is associated with reduced viral loads specifically in populations with African ancestry. This could point to much-needed therapeutic targets to address the global public-health crisis caused by HIV-1.
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Article
| Open AccesscGAS–STING drives ageing-related inflammation and neurodegeneration
The cGAS–STING signalling pathway is a critical driver of chronic inflammation and functional decline during ageing, and could be targeted to halt neurodegenerative processes during old age.
- Muhammet F. Gulen
- , Natasha Samson
- & Andrea Ablasser
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Article |
Africa-specific human genetic variation near CHD1L associates with HIV-1 load
Africa-specific genetic variation on chromosome 1 near CHD1L is associated with HIV replication in vivo.
- Paul J. McLaren
- , Immacolata Porreca
- & Jacques Fellay
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Perspective |
CAR T therapy beyond cancer: the evolution of a living drug
The rationale behind chimaeric antigen receptor T cell therapy is reviewed, and current challenges in oncology, preliminary reports in noncancerous diseases and relevant emerging technologies are discussed.
- Daniel J. Baker
- , Zoltan Arany
- & Carl H. June
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Research Highlight |
Why heart trouble can lead to sleep trouble
An immune response triggered by cardiac disease affects the function of a gland with a key role in the sleep–wake cycle.
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Obituary |
Harald zur Hausen, virologist who linked viruses to cancer (1936–2023)
Nobel laureate who laid the foundations for vaccines to prevent cervical cancer.
- Michael Baumann
- & Magnus von Knebel Doeberitz
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Research Briefing |
A genetic basis for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection
A common genetic variant of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex, a family of genes involved in the immune response, is associated with an absence of symptoms during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Previous exposure to cold viruses seems to confer this immunity.
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News |
Had COVID but no symptoms? You might have this genetic mutation
A common variant in an immune-system gene is linked with a much higher chance of dodging symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Max Kozlov
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Article
| Open AccessA common allele of HLA is associated with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection
The human leukocyte antigen allele HLA-B*15:01 is associated with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection due to pre-existing T cell immunity.
- Danillo G. Augusto
- , Lawton D. Murdolo
- & Jill A. Hollenbach
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Perspective |
The complementarity of DDR, nucleic acids and anti-tumour immunity
This Perspective reviews advances in the understanding of the intersection between the DNA damage response and the response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy, and discusses how developments in the field could lead to improved anti-cancer therapies.
- Anand V. R. Kornepati
- , Cody M. Rogers
- & Tyler J. Curiel
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Article
| Open AccessA spatially resolved timeline of the human maternal–fetal interface
A multiomics approach is used to produce a spatiotemporal atlas of the human maternal–fetal interface in the first half of pregnancy, revealing relationships among gestational age, extravillous trophoblasts and spiral artery remodelling.
- Shirley Greenbaum
- , Inna Averbukh
- & Michael Angelo
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Technology Feature |
Germs, genes and soil: tales of pathogens past
Armed with DNA sequencers and powerful computational tools, archaeogeneticists are turning their attention towards ancient microbes to give bacteria their due in human history.
- Amber Dance
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News & Views |
Regulatory T cells aid stem-cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease
Inflammation caused by surgical trauma limits the survival of transplanted stem-cell-derived neurons in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease. Co-transplanting immune cells called regulatory T cells improves the therapy’s efficacy.
- Qizhi Tang
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News & Views |
The immunology that underlies picky eating
Humans can be picky eaters. One such behaviour is an aversion to food associated with food allergy. The immunological basis for this response has been uncovered in mice, revealing the role of neuroimmune connections.
- Marc E. Rothenberg
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Article
| Open AccessImmune sensing of food allergens promotes avoidance behaviour
A study using mouse models of food allergy shows that allergic sensitization drives antigen-specific avoidance behaviour mediated by immunoglobulin E antibodies and mast cells.
- Esther B. Florsheim
- , Nathaniel D. Bachtel
- & Ruslan Medzhitov
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Article
| Open AccessPLSCR1 is a cell-autonomous defence factor against SARS-CoV-2 infection
Phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1), a protein induced by IFNγ, acts as a defence factor against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses by inhibiting the fusion of the virus with host-cell membranes.
- Dijin Xu
- , Weiqian Jiang
- & John D. MacMicking
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Article |
Co-transplantation of autologous Treg cells in a cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease
In mouse and rat models of Parkinson’s disease, co-transplanting regulatory T cells (Treg cells) improves the survival of grafted midbrain dopamine neurons in cell therapies by reducing the inflammatory response caused by surgical injury.
- Tae-Yoon Park
- , Jeha Jeon
- & Kwang-Soo Kim
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Article
| Open AccessMast cells link immune sensing to antigen-avoidance behaviour
Mast cells are shown to function as sensor cells linking antigen recognition in type 2 immunity to antigen-specific avoidance behaviour, preventing immune activation and inflammation.
- Thomas Plum
- , Rebecca Binzberger
- & Hans-Reimer Rodewald
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Article
| Open AccessSLC38A2 and glutamine signalling in cDC1s dictate anti-tumour immunity
Competition for glutamine between type-1 conventional dendritic cells and tumour cells has a central role in tuning the anti-tumour immune response and in immune evasion by cancer cells.
- Chuansheng Guo
- , Zhiyuan You
- & Hongbo Chi
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News Explainer |
Disinformation researchers under investigation: what’s happening and why
US researchers have spent years studying how conspiracy theories spread. Now they are accused of helping to suppress conservative opinions.
- Jeff Tollefson
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News |
Tasmanian devil cancer vaccine approved for testing
The vaccine was inspired by COVID jabs, but if it is approved, it will be delivered in edible bait.
- Gemma Conroy
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