Tag

Immune Regulation

All articles tagged with #immune regulation

science1 month ago•8 min saved

Directing Attention to Inflammation May Modulate Immune Response

A Nature Human Behaviour study reports that focusing attention on an inflammatory skin reaction can alter the body's immune response: participants who paid close attention to the sensation showed smaller inflammation (smaller wheal and flare) and faster resolution than those who were distracted, and the effect persisted somewhat even when the area was numb with lidocaine, implying brain–body pathways where attention helps regulate inflammation. The study involved skin-prick tests in a small sample, so applicability to illness remains to be shown.

via ScienceAlert|

#attention #brain-body #histamine

science1 month ago•48 min saved

Focused attention on bodily sensations dampens acute inflammation via brain–body pathways

A three-study, pre-registered investigation using histamine skin-prick inflammation shows that directing attention inward to bodily sensations produces smaller, faster-resolving wheal and flare responses than focusing on external distractors. The effect is robust across participants (about 90% showing the pattern) and is linked to increased parasympathetic (vagal) activity, suggesting two mechanisms: sensory modulation of inflammation-related signals and a top-down autonomic pathway. Notably, reducing sensory input with lidocaine did not abolish the effect, indicating that purely top-down attention can sustain anti-inflammatory regulation. The findings integrate attention, perception, and immune control, with implications for mindfulness-based therapies, while acknowledging model limits and the need to test generalizability to other immune challenges.

via Nature|

#attention #immune-regulation #inflammation

science11 months ago•5 min saved

Mitochondria and lysosomes reprogram immune cells to reduce inflammation

Scientists at St. Jude's Research Hospital discovered how mitochondria and lysosomes work together to activate and deactivate regulatory T cells, which are crucial for controlling inflammation and immune responses. Their findings reveal metabolic and organelle signaling pathways that influence T cell function, with potential implications for treating autoimmune diseases and enhancing cancer immunotherapy.

via Medical Xpress|

#cancer-immunotherapy #immune-regulation #lysosomes

health2 years ago•4 min saved

"Unlocking the Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting: Insights from Recent Studies"

Researchers have identified a neural mechanism that may underlie the fasting-mediated regulation of the immune system, shedding light on the potential benefits of intermittent fasting. The study suggests that fasting activates specific neurons in the brain, which in turn influence the distribution and function of T-cells, leading to immunosuppressive effects and potential alleviation of autoimmune diseases. These findings could pave the way for future therapeutic interventions related to fasting for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune conditions.

via Medical Xpress|

#autoimmune-diseases #fasting #health