October 22, 2026 | By Asher Jones
Western-Style Diet May Set the Stage for Severe Side Effects of Cancer Immunotherapy
research
Lymphoid Aggregates in Brain Metastases Matter for Survival, But It’s Primary Tumor-Dependent
October 5, 2026 | By Asher Jones
Immune cell clusters called lymphoid aggregates may play an important role in fighting certain types of brain metastases, according to a new study published in Cancer Discovery by University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center researchers.
Study Reveals How Nerve Cells Ignite Inflammation in the Skin
September 2, 2026 | By Asher Jones
Nerve cells that sense pain and heat can single-handedly kick off inflammation in the skin, according to a new study published in Immunity that showed how activation of neurons sets in motion a complex cascade of interactions that hinges on mast cells—a type of immune cell usually associated with allergy.
T Cells Ditch Exhaustion Marker to Escape Tumors and Protect Against Cancer Relapse
August 18, 2026 | By Asher Jones
As the immune system battles cancer, chronic stimulation gradually drives T cells to a state of exhaustion. But some of these exhausted T cells can lose expression of the exhaustion marker LAG3, move out of the tumor, and confer long-lasting immunity to cancer in mice, according to a surprising new study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine that describes a new method to track these cells for the first time.
Machine Learning Uncovers Hidden Signature of Severe Asthma, Pointing to New Drug Targets
August 4, 2026
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified novel molecular pathways that distinguish severe asthma from milder forms of the disease. The findings, published in JCI Insight, open the door to new treatments for the 5–10% of asthma patients who have severe disease that does not respond to current treatments.
From Single Slice to the Full Pie: New Network Framework Resolves Debate in Immune Cell Development
July 22, 2026 | By Asher Jones
A novel network-based framework that captures complex webs of gene regulation and protein interactions has resolved a longstanding debate about maturation of T follicular helper cells (Tfh)—a subset of T helper cells that guide the production of high-quality, long-lasting antibodies after infection or vaccination.
BLIMP1 Controls Identity of Immune Cells That Promote Allergic Asthma
May 5, 2026 | By Asher Jones
New research published in Nature Immunology shows that a transcription factor called BLIMP1 is essential for maintaining the identity of type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in a mouse model of allergic asthma, shedding light on how these cells promote allergy in asthmatic patients.
Eating for Billions: How a Single Meal Fuels Potent T Cells
April 29, 2026 | By Asher Jones
Greg Delgoffe started with a simple question: how does a meal influence the immune system?
BLIMP1 Acts as a Molecular Brake to Balance B Cell Breadth
April 20, 2026 | By Asher Jones
The immune system faces a tradeoff during infection or after vaccination: It must select for B cells with potent antibodies that efficiently eliminate pathogens, while also maintaining a breadth of B cells that recognize other antigens—or risk getting caught off guard if the pathogen mutates.