Category: Immunology

The Role of Maternal Immune Activation in Autism Spectrum Disorder Pathogenesis

September 15, 2025 Vanessa Alkarra
Vanessa Alkarra Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting approximately 2.2% of adults in the US, and has been increasing in prevalence.1 ASD is characterized by persistent social deficits and repetitive/stereotyped behaviors and its etiology consists of genetic and environmental components. However, mechanisms of ASD pathogenesis are…
Immunology Neuroscience

Development of Human Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein B and Pentamer Complex Subunit Vaccines to Elicit Protective Immune Response Against Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infections

September 15, 2025 Ankita Rao
Ankita Rao Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) is the most common congenital infection in the United States, caused by vertical transmission of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). cCMV can result intrauterine fetal demise, miscarriage, neurodevelopmental disorders, intracranial abnormalities and sensorineural hearing loss1. Antiviral medications available for treatment of transplant patients cannot…
Featured Abstracts Immunology Microbiology

Engineering CAR-T Cells to Enhance Anti-tumorigenic Properties for Cancer Treatment

September 2, 2025 Janssen Fang
Janssen Fang Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer primarily affecting the lymphatic system.1 This disease involves “hijacking” cellular mechanisms of differentiation and maturation within the germinal center of lymphoid organs. Currently, the standard treatment for DLBCL is R-CHOP(rituximab,…
Cancer Featured Abstracts Immunology

SynNotch-CAR T Cells: Enhancing Specificity and Persistence in Glioblastoma Immunotherapy

July 22, 2025 Kasey Nguyen
Kasey Nguyen Background:  Glioblastoma (GBM) is a World Health Organization grade IV astrocytoma and the most aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Despite maximal safe surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy with temozolomide, median survival remains 12–15 months. GBM’s poor prognosis is largely attributed to its infiltrative growth, treatment resistance, and…
Cancer Featured Abstracts Immunology

Host Immunity and Gut Microbiota: A Synergistic Barrier Against C. difficile Colonization

July 22, 2025 Annette Nguyen
Annette Nguyen Background: Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is one of the most reported nosocomial pathogens, accounting for 12% of healthcare-associated infections.1 While colonization by C. difficile is common, infection occurs primarily when gut microbiota dysbiosis disrupts colonization resistance, allowing the bacterium to proliferate and produce toxins that damage the intestinal…
Featured Abstracts Gastroenterology Immunology

Immune Modulation by microRNAs Post-FMT: Implications for IBD and C. difficile

July 18, 2025 Ahmad Lambert
Ahmad Lambert Background:  Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).1 IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is characterized by chronic inflammation due to an aberrant immune response to…
Featured Abstracts Immunology Microbiology

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Ameliorate Rheumatoid Arthritis by Modulating the Th17/Treg Balance

July 18, 2025 Jonathan Joseph
Jonathan Joseph Background:  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, and pain, affecting approximately 1% of the global population 1. While genetic factors like the HLA-DRB1 allele contribute to RA, environmental triggers such as smoking and obesity play a significant role, as evidenced by…
Featured Abstracts Immunology Stem Cells

Preventing Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection through Toxin Neutralization by Monoclonal Antibody Engineering

July 17, 2025 Radwa Emam
Radwa Emam Background:  Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of hospital acquired diarrhea, especially in the elderly and immunocompromised patients.1,2 Clostridium difficile toxins, TcdA and TcdB, disrupt the actin cytoskeleton which leads to symptoms that range from mild diarrhea to fulminant colitis, toxic megacolon, shock, or kidney failure.1…
Featured Abstracts Immunology Microbiology