Immune response – Page 2

Potential of Wormwood and Oak Bark-Based Supplement in Health Improvement of Nosema ceranae-Infected Honey Bees

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This study tested a natural dietary supplement made from wormwood and oak bark on honey bees infected with Nosema ceranae, a parasite that weakens bee colonies. The supplement significantly improved bee survival and reduced parasite levels, regardless of when it was given. It also reduced harmful oxidative stress caused by the infection. While it didn’t boost immune genes as strongly as some other treatments, its plant-based nature and consistent effectiveness make it a promising tool for beekeepers.

Fungal β-Glucans: Biological Properties, Immunomodulatory Effects, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

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β-glucans are beneficial compounds found in fungi and some plants that help your body in multiple ways. They boost your immune system, lower cholesterol and blood sugar, protect against oxidative stress, and may help fight cancer and infections. Recent research shows they could be useful as diagnostic markers for fungal infections and as vaccine boosters, especially for diseases like COVID-19.

Dectin-1 and dectin-2 drive protection against Sporothrix brasiliensis in experimental sporotrichosis

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Researchers studied how the body fights a dangerous fungus called Sporothrix brasiliensis that causes sporotrichosis. They found that two immune receptors called dectin-1 and dectin-2 are crucial for protecting against this infection in mice. Surprisingly, these receptors work by activating killer immune cells and controlling regulatory immune cells, rather than through the typical immune response pathway scientists expected.

Immunomodulatory function of chitosan is dependent on complement receptor 3

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This study reveals how the human immune system recognizes chitosan, a natural component found in the walls of disease-causing fungi like Aspergillus and Cryptococcus. Researchers discovered that immune cells use a protein called CR3 on their surface to detect and respond to chitosan by producing inflammatory chemicals that help fight infection. When chitosan works together with fungal proteins, it can boost the immune system’s response even more effectively, suggesting new ways to enhance immunity against fungal infections.

Genotype-by-genotype interactions reveal transcription patterns underlying resistance responses in Norway spruce to Heterobasidion annosum s.s

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This study examined how different types of Norway spruce trees respond to infection by a fungus that causes root rot. Researchers found that the spruce tree’s genetics are more important than the fungus’s virulence in determining disease severity. Resistant tree clones activate specific defense genes early in infection, particularly genes related to pathogen recognition, while susceptible trees mount a delayed and broader response. Understanding these genetic differences could help with breeding more resistant trees for forests.

Pathogenic mucorales: Deciphering their cell wall polysaccharidome and immunostimulatory potential

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Mucormycosis is a dangerous fungal infection that kills many immunocompromised patients. Researchers analyzed the outer layer (cell wall) of three common disease-causing fungi and discovered that their surfaces contain sugar-like molecules that trigger strong inflammatory responses from the immune system. This excessive inflammation may actually contribute to the disease’s severity, suggesting that controlling inflammation alongside antifungal treatment might improve patient outcomes.

Diversity and functions of fungal VOCs with special reference to the multiple bioactivities of the mushroom alcohol

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Fungi release various volatile compounds (VOCs) that have different effects on organisms and the environment. The most notable fungal VOC is 1-octen-3-ol, also called mushroom alcohol, which gives mushrooms their distinctive smell. This compound can inhibit fungal growth, repel insects, and help control plant diseases, but at high concentrations it may be toxic to humans and trigger immune responses. Scientists use fruit flies as a model to study how these fungal compounds affect health.

Acidic pH Modulates Cell Wall and Melanization in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Affecting Macrophage Interaction

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A dangerous fungal infection called paracoccidioidomycosis affects people in Latin America. Researchers found that when this fungus encounters acidic conditions similar to those inside immune cells in the body, it protects itself by producing a dark pigment called melanin and changing its cell surface. These changes help the fungus hide from the immune system and reduce the ability of immune cells called macrophages to attack and destroy it.

Transcription factor RonA-driven GlcNAc catabolism is essential for growth, cell wall integrity, and pathogenicity in Aspergillus fumigatus

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Researchers identified how a deadly fungus called Aspergillus fumigatus uses a special nutrient (GlcNAc) to survive and cause disease. They found that a protein called RonA controls this nutrient processing and also helps the fungus hide from the immune system by building a protective outer coating. When RonA is disabled, the fungus becomes much less dangerous because the immune system can recognize it better. This discovery suggests RonA could be a new target for developing antifungal drugs.

Microbial links to Alzheimer’s disease

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This review examines whether germs like bacteria, fungi, and viruses might play a role in causing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have found that certain bacteria from the mouth and gut, fungal infections, and cold sores (herpes viruses) appear more frequently in Alzheimer’s patients and may trigger the brain changes that damage memory and thinking. While the evidence is promising, researchers still need to determine whether these infections actually cause Alzheimer’s or simply make it worse once it develops.

Research Keyword: Immune response