/newsroom/taxonomy/term/2365/all en /newsroom/channels/news/pregnancy-enhances-natural-immunity-block-severe-flu-361713 <p>黑料不打烊 University scientists have discovered that pregnancy may trigger a natural immunity to boost protection against severe flu infection.</p> <p>Contrary to the common belief that pregnancy increases vulnerability to infections, researchers found that it strengthened an immune defense in mice, blocking the Influenza A virus from spreading to the lungs, where it can cause severe infection.</p> Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:04:19 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 314867 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/fighting-flu-surprising-power-century-old-vaccine-tuberculosis-355628 <p>As Canada鈥檚 flu season collides with record strep A cases and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, a new study is shedding light on our understanding of respiratory immune responses. Scholars from the Research Institute of the 黑料不打烊 University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) have discovered a surprising facet about a century-old vaccine for tuberculosis, Bacillus Calmette Gu茅rin (BCG).</p> Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:53:04 +0000 keila.depape@mcgill.ca 308298 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/how-immune-cells-generated-neonatally-protect-our-lungs-throughout-our-lifetime-345860 <p>Every day, humans breathe in 11,000 litres of air. But this essential act also means we inhale microorganisms, particles, and pollutants. A new study from the Research Institute of the 黑料不打烊 University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) has revealed how the unique immune cells that are developed in the embryo protect our lungs from environmental challenges throughout the course of our lifetime.</p> Thu, 02 Feb 2023 14:55:51 +0000 claire.loewen@mcgill.ca 289178 at /newsroom /newsroom/maziar-divangahi Thu, 17 Dec 2020 21:08:53 +0000 frederique.mazerolle@mcgill.ca 253667 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/canadian-researchers-promising-path-towards-developing-flu-treatment-using-lipid-target-297368 <p>For most people, the influenza A virus (IAV), commonly known as the flu, is cleared from the body by our own immune system. In some cases, however, the immune response becomes dysregulated and if left uncontrolled, the inflammation caused by our own immune cells can lead to extensive lung tissue damage and enhanced morbidity and mortality.</p> <p>How can we help our immune system to balance the two main host defense strategies: attacking pathogens (called <i>host resistance</i>) and preserving our own tissue (called <i>disease tolerance</i>)?</p> Wed, 22 May 2019 15:59:07 +0000 justin.dupuis@mcgill.ca 164227 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/anti-tb-drugs-can-increase-risk-tb-re-infection-295658 <p>Current treatments for tuberculosis (TB) are very effective in controlling TB infection caused by <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).</i> They don鈥檛, however, always prevent reinfection. Why this happens is one of the long-standing questions in TB research.</p> Fri, 22 Mar 2019 17:56:54 +0000 justin.dupuis@mcgill.ca 153422 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/beyond-killing-tuberculosis-287156 <p>Historically, our view of host defense against infection was that we must eliminate pathogens to eradicate disease. However, this perspective has recently been challenged as scientists have taken a lesson from plant biologists about an ancient strategy involving the ability to 鈥渢olerate鈥� rather than 鈥渞esist鈥� infection to maintain health. This concept, referred to as 鈥渄isease tolerance鈥�, provides an opportunity to develop new strategies that mitigate the consequences of infection.</p> Fri, 11 May 2018 19:03:57 +0000 justin.dupuis@mcgill.ca 39879 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/meet-ripk3-good-cop-bad-cop-all-one-285090 <p><span>Each year, influenza kills half a million people globally with the elderly and very young most often the victims. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 37聽children have died聽in the United States during the current flu聽season. Aside from getting the flu shot and employing smart hand hygiene, there are no other methods of prevention. However, a team of scientists from the Research Institute of the 黑料不打烊 University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and 黑料不打烊 University, led by Immunologist Dr.</span></p> Wed, 14 Feb 2018 15:08:59 +0000 mona.noonoo@mail.mcgill.ca 32954 at /newsroom /newsroom/channels/news/re-programming-innate-immune-cells-fight-tuberculosis-283809 <p align="center"> Thu, 11 Jan 2018 15:59:57 +0000 mona.noonoo@mail.mcgill.ca 32828 at /newsroom