Immunity

Researchers from Osaka University find that the transcription factor Ikaros binds to Foxp3 to inhibit the expression of target genes, including Ifng, in regulatory T cells

Research collaboration between Osaka University and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. revealed that deletion of mRNA endonuclease Regnase-1 promoted NK cell anti-tumor activity via OCT2-dependent transcriptional up-regulation of Ifng mRNA. Associated with the deletion of Regnase-1 in NK cells, NK cells showed a high expression of OCT2 and CXCR6 in those that escaped from mRNA decay from Regnase-1, and they contributed to the transcriptional regulation of Ifng and NK cell persistence inside the tumor microenvironment, respectively. The loss-of-function strategy targeting Regnase-1 potentially enhances the production of cytotoxic proteins such as IFN-γ, granzymes, and perforin. This approach also promotes NK cell infiltration and persistence within the tumor, thereby facilitating the development of effective anti-tumor immunotherapy against solid tumors.

Understanding how bats tolerate viral infections without developing symptoms may lead to better ways of combatting human disease.

Research into how the SARS-CoV-2 virus induces death is suggesting potential treatments for its most destructive complications.