https://ki.se RSS News Listing https://news.ki.se/large-mapping-of-hereditary-differences-in-the-immune-system Inherited variations in antibody genes can affect how we respond to infections and vaccines, show two new studies from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal Immunity. The researchers have mapped immune gene variation across multiple global populations and shown how these variations affect the ability to form neutralising antibodies, for example against the influenza virus. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:08:37 +0100 https://news.ki.se/the-uterus-immune-system-can-regenerate-after-transplantation The immune system in the uterus can regenerate after both uterus transplantation and bone marrow transplantation. This is shown by a new study from Karolinska Institutet that has been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. The new insights into how the uterine immune environment functions may be significant for the treatment of infertility and complications during pregnancy. Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:35:14 +0100 https://news.ki.se/newly-found-immune-cells-link-strep-throat-to-psoriasis A common strep throat infection can trigger guttate psoriasis by altering the behaviour of key immune cells, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in eBioMedicine. The findings suggest how an infection can lead to sudden skin inflammation, particularly in children and young adults. Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:15:13 +0100 https://news.ki.se/immune-cells-use-dual-signals-to-shut-down-attacks A new study in Nature Communications reveals how immune cells rapidly shut down their response after activation, preventing damage to healthy tissue. Researchers from Karolinska Institutet, sheds light on a molecular ‘kill switch’ that could help control infections or autoimmune diseases. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:25:35 +0100 https://news.ki.se/fat-surrounding-the-colon-interacts-with-the-immune-system Abdominal fat is not a uniform tissue. A new study from Karolinska Institutet, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, and Helmholtz Munich reveals that fat located close to the large intestine contains an unusually high number of inflammatory fat cells and immune cells. The findings suggest that this tissue is specially adapted to communicate with the immune system in the gut region. The study is published in the journal Cell Metabolism. Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:00:15 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-algorithm-maps-how-cells-develop Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and KTH have developed a computational method that can reveal how cells change and specialise in the body. The study, which has been published in the journal PNAS, can provide important knowledge about why this process sometimes goes wrong and leads to disease. Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:43:47 +0100 https://news.ki.se/research-funds-to-be-applied-for-in-immune-regulation-and-gynecological-cancer-starting-at-the-beginning-of-2026 At the beginning of 2026, Karolinska Institutet announces research grants from the Hildegun and Mats Guldbrand research foundation for research in immune regulation and women's diseases. The 2026 funds for the category of women's diseases refer to research in gynecological cancer. Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:17:47 +0100 https://news.ki.se/camilla-engblom-one-of-this-years-wallenberg-academy-fellows One of the promising young researchers receiving Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation’s basic research grant this year is Camilla Engblom at the Department of Medicine, Solna. She will use the funding to study a piece of the puzzle that could help develop more precise and personalized treatments for cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:22:21 +0100 https://news.ki.se/i-thought-something-was-wrong-but-it-was-a-new-cell A puzzling experiment in the 1970s led to the discovery of a new type of immune cell. In 2025, the NK cells celebrate their 50th anniversary. Rolf Kiessling tells the story of the serendipitous finding that changed the course of his career. Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:44:47 +0100 https://news.ki.se/chris-tibbitt-awarded-the-ssi-young-investigator-award-2025 The 50th annual meeting of the Scandinavian Society for Immunology (SSI) took place in Stockholm on 15-17 October. During the conference the SSI Young Investigator Award was presented to recipients from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:37:12 +0100 https://news.ki.se/50-years-of-nk-cell-research-celebrated-with-a-symposium Nearly 240 participants gathered in the Eva & Georg Klein Hall at Karolinska Institutet on 14 October to mark the 50th anniversary of the discovery of natural killer (NK) cells. The full-day symposium featured presentations on scientific advances, offering both historical reflections and future outlooks. Fri, 17 Oct 2025 07:45:18 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-immune-system-is-more-dynamic-than-previously-thought Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that some natural killer cells, NK cells, temporarily reside in our organs and then leave them via the lymphatic system. The study, published in Nature Immunology, shows that our immune system is more dynamic than previously thought. The results may contribute to better treatments that direct the immune system where it is needed. Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:00:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/tilen-trselic-awarded-the-2025-cilla-weigelt-scholarship Tilen Trselic, a doctoral student at the Department of Medicine, Solna, has been awarded the 2025 Cilla Weigelt Prize for his research on Sjögren’s syndrome, a rare rheumatic disease that primarily affects women. The prize includes a personal scholarship and a research grant to promote scientific exchange. Fri, 10 Oct 2025 10:30:28 +0200 https://news.ki.se/nobel-prize-rewards-key-to-future-ms-and-cancer-treatment The year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine rewards discoveries that reveal how our immune system is kept in check – in other words, how the body protects itself from attack by its own immune cells. The discoveries pave the way for possible new therapies for many conditions, including autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, MS and cancer. Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:43:21 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-2025-nobel-prize-in-physiology-or-medicine-to-mary-e-brunkow-fred-ramsdell-and-shimon-sakaguchi The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has decided to award the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance. Mon, 06 Oct 2025 11:54:19 +0200 https://news.ki.se/studying-how-inflammation-starts-and-heals-in-the-gut Inflammatory bowel disease affects millions of people worldwide and currently lacks a cure. Eduardo Villablanca studies how inflammation starts and heals in the intestines, with the aim to find new treatment methods. Meet one of the new professors of Karolinska Institutet who will participate in this year's installation ceremony at Aula Medica on 9 October. Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:00:17 +0200 https://news.ki.se/hidden-complexity-in-blood-cancer-may-hold-key-to-better-treatments New research from Karolinska Institutet, published in Cell Reports Medicine, reveals that mantle cell lymphoma is more diverse than previously thought, highlighting the need for personalized therapies. Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:30:14 +0200 https://news.ki.se/genetic-study-show-that-common-blood-cancer-includes-subtypes A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Cell Reports Medicine, shows that follicular lymphoma (FL), a common type of blood cancer, is not one single disease but consists of three genetically distinct subtypes. The findings may help doctors diagnose and treat patients more accurately in the future. Fri, 15 Aug 2025 10:47:02 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-fenyo-prize-for-2024-awarded-to-daniel-sheward The Swedish Society for Virology has awarded the Pandemifonden Fenyö Prize for 2024 to Daniel Sheward, Assistant Professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet. Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:19:18 +0200 https://news.ki.se/inflammatory-cells-remain-in-the-blood-after-treatment-of-severe-asthma Biological drugs have improved the lives of many people with severe asthma. However, a new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that some immune cells with high inflammatory potential are not completely eradicated after treatment. Thu, 26 Jun 2025 09:00:09 +0200 https://news.ki.se/niklas-bjorkstrom-awarded-the-eric-k-fernstrom-prize-2025 Professor Niklas Björkström at the Institution of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH), Karolinska Institutet, is awarded the Eric K. Fernströms prize for younger, especially talented and promising researcher for "his outstanding research on natural killer (NK) cells in humans." Wed, 11 Jun 2025 08:51:52 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-professor-elected-as-international-member-of-the-us-national-academy-of-sciences Klas Kärre, Professor Emeritus of Molecular Immunology at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, has been elected as an international member of the US National Academy of Sciences. Tue, 06 May 2025 11:44:38 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-svedberg-prize-2025-to-ki-researcher-michael-landreh The 2025 Svedberg Prize is awarded to Michael Landreh, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet, "for the development and innovative use of mass spectrometric tools that reveal hidden protein interactions." Mon, 05 May 2025 16:55:43 +0200 https://news.ki.se/genes-combined-with-immune-response-to-epstein-barr-virus-increase-ms-risk In multiple sclerosis (MS), antibodies to the common Epstein-Barr virus can accidentally attack a protein in the brain and spinal cord. New research shows that the combination of certain viral antibodies and genetic risk factors can be linked to a greatly increased risk of MS. The study has been published in the journal PNAS and led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and Stanford University School of Medicine, USA. Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:00:13 +0100 https://news.ki.se/mucus-and-snot-more-important-than-you-think When you hear the words mucus and snot, you might think of colds, snails or drooling babies. But the runny, sometimes sticky substance often plays a vital role in our lives. And mucus also has potential to be a medicine. Wed, 04 Dec 2024 09:39:45 +0100 https://news.ki.se/t-cells-sent-into-space-in-unique-experiment On 26 November an experiment in a sounding rocket was launched at Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden by a research group at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet. The researchers aims to collect data for a study that examines how a type of immune cell, T cells, are affected by lack of gravity, called microgravity. Tue, 03 Dec 2024 13:01:37 +0100 https://news.ki.se/benjamin-nilsson-payant-and-egle-kvedaraite-awarded-the-jonas-soderquist-scholarship-2024 The Committee for Research at Karolinska Institutet has decided on recipients from the Jonas Söderquist scholarship foundation for basic research in virology and immunology. The awarded are Benjamin Nilsson Payant at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology and Egle Kvedaraite at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics. Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:48:13 +0100 https://news.ki.se/petter-brodin-wants-to-understand-your-immune-system Is your immune system functioning as it should? The question is not as simple to answer as one might think. Professor Petter Brodin is trying to understand more about it. At the same time, he hopes to help patients that are severely affected with post-COVID and other conditions where the regulation of the immune system is not working. Mon, 16 Sep 2024 17:03:35 +0200 https://news.ki.se/seeking-to-understand-how-nerve-signals-regulate-inflammation Unrestrained inflammation is associated with many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Peder Olofsson wants to understand how nerve signals regulate inflammation to ultimately improve therapeutic options. Meet one of the new professors of Karolinska Institutet who will participate in this year's installation ceremony at Aula Medica on 3 October. Fri, 13 Sep 2024 09:00:14 +0200 https://news.ki.se/researching-the-mechanisms-driving-chronic-inflammatory-skin-disease A third of the Swedish population lives with a chronic inflammatory skin disease, such as psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo. Liv Eidsmo is mapping the skin’s T cells to better understand why the diseases often recur at the same place. Meet one of the new professors of Karolinska Institutet who will participate in this year's installation ceremony at Aula Medica on 3 October. Tue, 10 Sep 2024 09:00:09 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-research-explains-differences-between-mens-and-womens-immune-systems In a recent study published in Nature, Swedish researchers demonstrate the role of sex hormones in regulating the immune system. This newfound knowledge explains differences between men and women and can be used to develop new immunological medications according to researchers. Thu, 05 Sep 2024 09:08:28 +0200 https://news.ki.se/studying-the-function-of-the-immune-system-in-respiratory-infections Acute respiratory infections are one of the most common reasons for medical treatment in Sweden and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Anna Smed Sörensen hopes that a better understanding of the immune system in the airways will make serious disease preventable. Meet one of the new professors of Karolinska Institutet who will participate in this year's installation ceremony at Aula Medica on 3 October. Wed, 04 Sep 2024 09:00:09 +0200 https://news.ki.se/seeking-new-treatments-for-immunodeficiency-diseases Many immunodeficiency diseases are serious conditions that require stem cell transplantation. Lisa Westerberg is studying how mutations prevent immune cells from moving properly in order to find new therapeutic strategies. Meet one of the new professors of Karolinska Institutet who will participate in this year's installation ceremony at Aula Medica on 3 October. Thu, 29 Aug 2024 09:00:12 +0200 https://news.ki.se/subclass-of-stem-cells-replenish-platelets-more-rapidly Together with researchers from University of Oxford, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have demonstrated that a subclass of stem cells that are dedicated to the production of platelets replenish platelets through a distinct and shorter pathway than other stem cells. This is presented in a study published in the journal Nature Immunology. Mon, 03 Jun 2024 08:52:47 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-liver-immune-system-eats-up-bad-cholesterol A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that immune cells in the liver react to high cholesterol levels and eat up excess cholesterol that can otherwise cause damage to arteries. The findings, published in Nature Cardiovascular Research, suggest that the response to the onset of atherosclerosis begins in the liver. Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:47:27 +0100 https://news.ki.se/lisa-westerberg-appointed-professor Lisa Westerberg has been appointed Professor of Experimental Immunology at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology from 1 January 2024. Mon, 22 Jan 2024 10:50:26 +0100 https://news.ki.se/aiming-for-mars-curious-about-space-medicine After half a century in near-Earth orbit, humans are heading further out in space. First to the moon again. Then on to Mars! For this to go well, more research is needed on how space stresses the human body. Tue, 19 Dec 2023 09:57:57 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-method-is-better-able-to-map-immune-response-and-paves-way-for-new-treatments A new method, developed at Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and SciLifeLab, can identify unique immune cell receptors and their location in tissue, a study published in the journal Science reports. The researchers predict that the method will improve the ability to identify which immune cells contribute to disease processes and open up opportunities to develop novel therapies for numerous diseases. Fri, 08 Dec 2023 08:14:19 +0100 https://news.ki.se/paradoxical-role-of-white-blood-cells-in-breast-cancer-spread A new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Cell reports shows that tumor-associated macrophages, which are white blood cells that are found in breast tumors, can both help and hinder the spread of cancer cells to other organs. The researchers found that macrophages that produce a substance called VEGF-C reduce the spread of breast cancer to the lungs but increase the spread to the lymph nodes. This may have implications for the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. Mon, 04 Dec 2023 12:21:39 +0100 https://news.ki.se/alexandra-argyriou-and-mireia-cruz-de-los-santos-receive-the-cilla-weigelt-scholarship-for-2022-and-2023 Alexandra Argyriou, doctoral student at the Department of Medicine, Solna and Mireia Cruz De los Santos, doctoral student at the Department of Oncology and Pathology, have been awarded the Cilla Weigelt Scholarship for outstanding research in molecular mechanisms related to rare and under-treated diseases. The scholarships, 50,000 SEK each, will be awarded on November 13. Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:00:45 +0100 https://news.ki.se/tessa-campbell-benedikt-strunz-and-takuya-sekine-are-awarded-the-jonas-soderquist-scholarship-2023 The Committee for Research at Karolinska Institutet has decided on recipients from the Jonas Söderquist scholarship foundation for basic research in virology and immunology. Thu, 09 Nov 2023 11:34:18 +0100 https://news.ki.se/we-want-to-know-more-about-the-immune-system-in-the-airways Meet Anna Smed Sörensen, research group leader at the Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Solna. Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:34:51 +0200 https://news.ki.se/immunotherapy-that-eliminates-mutated-cancer-cells-shows-promising-effect Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the University of Oslo present a new type of immunotherapy that attacks cancer cells with a specific mutation. A study published in the journal Nature Cancer shows promising effects on patient cells in mice and offers hope for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a cancer that has proven difficult to treat. Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:08:50 +0200 https://news.ki.se/allergy-study-on-wild-mice-challenges-the-hygiene-hypothesis The notion that some level of microbial exposure might reduce our risk of developing allergies has arisen over the last few decades and has been termed the hygiene hypothesis. Now, an article published in Science Immunology by researchers from Karolinska Institutet challenges this hypothesis by showing that mice with high infectious exposures from birth have the same, if not an even greater ability to develop allergic immune responses than 'clean' laboratory mice. Fri, 29 Sep 2023 20:00:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/professor-jan-albert-appointed-pandemic-inquiry-chair The government has appointed Jan Albert, professor of infectious disease control at Karolinska Institutet and senior consultant at Karolinska University Hospital, to lead a government inquiry looking into strengthening the country’s preparedness for future pandemics. The directive concerns a national strategy for how pandemics are to be managed and a possible revision of the Communicable Diseases Act. The investigation should be delivered in February 2025. Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:42:34 +0200 https://news.ki.se/how-being-in-space-impairs-astronauts-immune-system A new study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has examined how T cells of the immune system are affected by weightlessness. The results, which are published in the journal Science Advances, could explain why astronauts’ T cells become less active and less effective at fighting infection. Fri, 25 Aug 2023 20:00:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-findings-may-explain-why-mrna-vaccines-provide-limited-protection-against-omicron Vaccination protects against severe COVID-19 but not against infection. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital now show that protection against infection with the new omicron variants is linked to mucosal IgA antibodies, which are not induced by vaccination. These are the findings of two studies recently published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, and The Lancet Microbe, and could explain the limited protection by currently available vaccines against infection. Thu, 13 Jul 2023 09:14:29 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-gene-discovery-gives-hope-of-fighting-severe-ms A new study in Nature by an international team including researchers at Karolinska Institutet has identified the first genetic variant associated with disease severity in multiple sclerosis. The finding opens the door to the development of treatments that fight disease progression – a great unmet need facing people with MS. Wed, 28 Jun 2023 17:00:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/marcus-buggert-awarded-anders-jahres-prize-for-young-researchers Assistant professor Marcus Buggert at Karolinska Institutet is awarded Anders Jahre's prize for young researchers 2023 and 400.000 NOK. Tue, 13 Jun 2023 16:28:01 +0200 https://news.ki.se/memory-killer-cells-can-improve-survival-for-melanoma-patients Our skin contains specialised long-lived killer cells that protect against intruders. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the University of Copenhagen have now identified how these cells are formed, and shown that high levels of memory killer cells in cancer tissue correlate with a better survival rate in people with melanoma. The study is published in the journal Immunity. Fri, 02 Jun 2023 17:00:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/jenny-mjosberg-awarded-the-eric-k-fernstrom-prize-for-young-promising-and-successful-researchers-2023 Jenny Mjösberg at the Department of Medicine in Huddinge at Karolinska Institutet, receives the 2023 Eric K. Fernström Prize for young, promising and successful researchers, for her outstanding research on the role of innate lymphoid cells in various diseases. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 09:17:02 +0200 https://news.ki.se/previous-smallpox-vaccine-provides-immunity-to-mpox Vaccines against smallpox given until the mid-1970s offer continuing cross-reactive immunity to mpox (previously known as monkeypox), researchers from Karolinska Institutet report in a study published in the scientific journal Cell Host & Microbe. Tue, 23 May 2023 14:33:29 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-study-explains-how-a-common-virus-can-cause-multiple-sclerosis Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found further evidence for how the Epstein-Barr virus can trigger multiple sclerosis or drive disease progression. A study published in Science Advances shows that some individuals have antibodies against the virus that mistakenly attack a protein in the brain and spinal cord. Wed, 17 May 2023 20:24:27 +0200 https://news.ki.se/researchers-map-the-immunology-of-the-gut-in-children-with-ibd Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital have mapped the immune system in the gut of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The results, which were published in Cell Reports Medicine, can be used to design more targeted therapies. Tue, 09 May 2023 17:06:15 +0200 https://news.ki.se/t-cells-in-blood-secrete-a-substance-that-affects-blood-pressure-and-inflammation Acetylcholine regulates blood flow, but the source of blood acetylcholine has been unclear. Now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that certain T cells in human blood can produce acetylcholine, which may help regulate blood pressure and inflammation. The study, which is published in PNAS, also demonstrates a possible association between these immune cells in seriously ill patients and the risk of death. Thu, 30 Mar 2023 17:04:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/immune-cell-gives-possible-explanation-for-sex-differences-in-pancreatic-cancer Immunotherapy is an effective form of therapy for different types of cancer. However, for pancreatic cancer, its effect is limited and differs between men and women. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now found a possible explanation for this sex difference. The study, which is published in Cancer Research, reveals the presence of an immune cell in women with pancreatic cancer that obstructs the body’s immune response. The results can pave the way for a more sex-specific treatment. Wed, 15 Mar 2023 08:05:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/common-cold-gives-children-immunity-against-covid-19 During the pandemic, it became clear that children who contracted COVID-19 became less ill than adults. One hypothesis has been that common colds would give children immunity protecting against a severe form of the disease. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are now able to show that OC43, one of the coronaviruses that cause common colds, boosts the immune response to COVID-19. The study, which is published in PNAS, could give rise to more tailored vaccine programmes for children and adults. Wed, 15 Mar 2023 07:25:58 +0100 https://news.ki.se/jenny-mjosberg-awarded-the-2023-goran-gustafsson-prize-in-medicine Jenny Mjösberg, Professor of Tissue Immunology at Karolinska Institutet, is one of five researchers to be awarded the Göran Gustafsson Prize this year. The prize is intended for young researchers in medicine, molecular biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics and is awarded by the Göran Gustafsson Foundations in collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Thu, 02 Mar 2023 11:30:26 +0100 https://news.ki.se/first-detailed-description-of-helicobacter-infected-individuals The first detailed description of the microbiota and immune cells among asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori-infected individuals has been published by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The results of the study will be instrumental to understand the complex microbiome and immunity network and provide new insights for asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori infection. Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:03:12 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-publication-on-how-genes-can-affect-antibodies-against-sars-cov-2 PhD student Pradeepa Pushparaj, in Gunilla Karlsson Hedestam’s group at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, is the first author of a study recently published in Immunity. The study explains how antibody genes can influence the ability to make neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Fri, 03 Feb 2023 09:44:22 +0100 https://news.ki.se/mucosal-antibodies-in-the-airways-provide-durable-protection-against-sars-cov-2 High levels of mucosal IgA antibodies in the airways protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least eight months. Omicron infection generates durable mucosal antibodies, reducing the risk of re-infection. These are the findings of a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital in Sweden. The results raise further hope for the feasibility of future nasal vaccine platforms to protect against infection. Mon, 16 Jan 2023 17:38:43 +0100 https://news.ki.se/cellular-messengers-improve-cancer-therapy Nano-sized membrane bubbles known as extracellular vesicles activate the immune system in mice and seem to render their tumours sensitive to a type of immunotherapy drug called a checkpoint inhibitor. This is according to a new study published in Cancer Immunology Research by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. Thu, 22 Dec 2022 15:00:06 +0100 https://news.ki.se/nanomaterial-influences-gut-microbiome-and-immune-system-interactions The nanomaterial graphene oxide—which is used in everything from electronics to sensors for biomolecules—can indirectly affect the immune system via the gut microbiome, as shown in a new study on zebrafish by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The findings are reported in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:00:05 +0100 https://news.ki.se/common-immune-cells-can-prevent-intestinal-healing B cells are critical to the proper functioning of the immune system. However, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have shown that they can sometimes do more harm than good, as their numbers greatly increase after bowel damage, preventing the tissue from healing. The results, which are presented in the journal Immunity, can be of significance to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Fri, 02 Dec 2022 17:00:06 +0100 https://news.ki.se/immune-cells-in-als-patients-can-predict-the-course-of-the-disease By measuring immune cells in the cerebrospinal fluid when diagnosing ALS, it is possible to predict how fast the disease may progress according to a study from Karolinska Institutet published in Nature Communications. Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:25:34 +0100 https://news.ki.se/researchers-may-have-found-a-new-biomarker-for-acute-covid-19 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have shown that patients with acute COVID-19 infection have increased levels of the cytokine IL-26 in their blood. Moreover, high IL-26 levels correlate with an exaggerated inflammatory response that signifies severe cases of the disease. The findings, which are presented in Frontiers in Immunology, indicate that IL-26 is a potential biomarker for severe COVID-19.   Thu, 17 Nov 2022 09:39:50 +0100 https://news.ki.se/quirin-hammer-and-daniel-sheward-are-awarded-the-jonas-soderquist-scholarship-year-2022 The Committee for Research at Karolinska Institutet has decided on recipients from the Jonas Söderquist scholarship foundation for basic research in virology and immunology 2022. Quirin Hammer at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH) and Daniel Sheward at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor- and Cell Biology (MTC)) are awarded. Thu, 10 Nov 2022 12:43:25 +0100 https://news.ki.se/they-are-awarded-kaw-project-grants-in-2022 Four research projects coordinated from Karolinska Institutet have been awarded project grants by Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) in 2022. This means that, over SEK 135 million are allocated to KI research in the fields of immunology, neuroscience, and stem cell biology. Fri, 14 Oct 2022 09:10:09 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-omicron-subvariant-largely-evades-neutralizing-antibodies A study at Karolinska Institutet shows that the coronavirus variant BA.2.75.2, an Omicron sublineage, largely evades neutralizing antibodies in the blood and is resistant to several monoclonal antibody antiviral treatments. The findings, published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, suggest a risk of increased SARS-CoV-2 infections this winter, unless the new updated bivalent vaccines help to boost immunity in the population. Fri, 14 Oct 2022 07:29:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-study-explains-link-between-diabetes-and-utis Lower immunity and recurring infections are common in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet now show that the immune system of people with diabetes has lower levels of the antimicrobial peptide psoriasin, which compromises the urinary bladder’s cell barrier, increasing the risk of urinary tract infection. The study is published in Nature Communications. Tue, 20 Sep 2022 11:00:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-in-top-10-of-institutions-with-most-publications-on-covid-19-immunity In a new analysis, Karolinska Institutet is ranked number eight in a list of organizations with the most published articles on COVID-19 and the immune response. KI also stands out as one of the universities that has had the most international collaborations in the field. The analysis was conducted by Chinese researchers without a connection to KI and is published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health. Fri, 19 Aug 2022 09:23:59 +0200 https://news.ki.se/single-clinical-test-provides-more-answers-about-covid-19 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet present the results of a refined clinical COVID-19 test, which has been used to track the spread of the Omicron variant in real time in the Swedish population. The study, published in the journal Med, provides new insights into the dominance transition of Omicron sublineages that occurred consistently across the world. Wed, 10 Aug 2022 09:08:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/metabolic-changes-in-immune-cells-linked-to-covid-19-severity The clinical outcome and severity of COVID-19 cannot be explained by a single factor like age, gender, or comorbidities. A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has identified potential determinants of COVID-19 severity at the cellular level using advanced systems biology analysis. The findings, published in the journal Cell Systems, offer insights into the metabolic tug-of-war in the human body and its association with disease severity. Fri, 08 Jul 2022 13:22:29 +0200 https://news.ki.se/omicron-elicits-lower-antibody-responses-in-individuals-with-prior-covid-19-infection Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital have followed participants who have received three doses of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and compared their immune responses after Omicron infection. The results, which are published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, show that Omicron infection elicits significantly higher antibody responses in individuals without prior COVID-19 infection as compared to previously infected individuals. Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:50:26 +0200 https://news.ki.se/nerve-stimulation-promotes-resolution-of-inflammation The nervous system is known to communicate with the immune system and regulate inflammation in the body. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet now show how electrical activation of a specific nerve can promote healing in acute inflammation. The finding, which is published in the journal PNAS, opens new ways to accelerate resolution of inflammation. Tue, 31 May 2022 13:22:48 +0200 https://news.ki.se/gene-variant-influences-blood-clot-risk-in-severe-covid-19 Researchers at Uppsala University and Karolinska Institutet are one step closer to explaining why COVID-19 patients have a substantially increased risk of blood clots. The study, published in Nature Immunology, shows that a gene variant in the innate immune system influences the risk for blood clots in the lungs of severely ill COVID-19 patients. Tue, 31 May 2022 09:01:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/hybrid-strains-make-insidious-parasite-more-dangerous Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have mapped how the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi forms new variants that are more effective at evading the immune system and causing disease. Their findings can give rise to new methods for diagnosing, preventing and treating Chagas disease, which affects millions of people in Central and South America, causing thousands of deaths every year. The study is published in the journal eLife. Tue, 10 May 2022 10:32:21 +0200 https://news.ki.se/findings-open-way-for-personalised-ms-treatment Currently available therapies to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) lack precision and can lead to serious side effects. Researchers at KI have now developed a method for identifying the immune cells involved in autoimmune diseases, and have identified four new target molecules of potential significance for future personalised treatment of MS. The results, which are published in Science Advances, have been obtained in collaboration with KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Region Stockholm. Wed, 27 Apr 2022 20:00:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/a-new-understanding-of-how-the-immune-system-deals-with-malaria By analysing samples from patients who have been treated for malaria in Sweden, researchers at Karolinska Institutet can now describe how the immune system acts to protect the body after a malaria infection. The results, published in the journal Cell Reports, provide knowledge that can aid in the development of more effective vaccines against the disease. Tue, 19 Apr 2022 17:00:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/promising-drug-candidates-for-crimean-congo-haemorrhagic-fever-identified Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified key signalling pathways that when blocked by existing drug candidates limit reproduction of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus. The findings, published in the journal eLife, offer hope for patients affected by this potentially deadly disease. Tue, 19 Apr 2022 09:08:40 +0200 https://news.ki.se/alpaca-nanobodies-potently-neutralize-sars-cov-2-variants Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a novel strategy for identifying potent miniature antibodies, so-called nanobodies, against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. The approach led to the discovery of multiple nanobodies that in cell cultures and mice effectively blocked infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The findings, which are described in the journals Nature Communications and Science Advances, could pave the way for new treatments against COVID-19. Fri, 25 Mar 2022 19:00:08 +0100 https://news.ki.se/the-scientific-race-to-understand-the-omicron-variant Late last year, preliminary studies revealed that the fast-spreading Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant was likely to evade COVID-19 antibodies but, in many people, less so than expected. Now one of those studies from Karolinska Institutet has been published in the prestigious journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases. KI researcher Ben Murrell explains the findings and recalls the rush to understand the new variant. Fri, 18 Mar 2022 07:04:41 +0100 https://news.ki.se/elevated-inflammation-persists-in-immune-cells-months-after-mild-covid-19 There is a lack of understanding as to why some people suffer from long-lasting symptoms after COVID-19 infection. A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, the Helmholtz Center Munich (HMGU) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), both in Germany, now demonstrates that a certain type of immune cell called macrophages show altered inflammatory and metabolic expression several months after mild COVID-19. The findings are published in the journal Mucosal Immunology. Tue, 15 Mar 2022 02:00:06 +0100 https://news.ki.se/why-natural-killer-cells-react-to-covid-19 Little has been known to date about how the immune system’s natural killer (NK) cells detect which cells have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. An international team of scientist led by researchers from Karolinska Institutet now shows that NK cells respond to a certain peptide on the surface of infected cells. The study, which is published in Cell Reports, is an important piece of the puzzle in our understanding of how the immune system reacts to COVID-19. Mon, 21 Feb 2022 13:02:14 +0100 https://news.ki.se/persistent-t-cell-response-to-omicron-after-infection-and-vaccination The omicron variant can partly evade the antibody response provided by vaccination or infection with previous variants of SARS-CoV-2. However, T cells still recognise omicron, scientists at Karolinska Institutet report in a study published in the journal Nature Medicine. Wed, 19 Jan 2022 10:42:15 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-study-reveals-how-the-lungs-immune-cells-develop-after-birth From our first breath, our lungs are exposed to microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses. Thanks to immune cells in the lungs, so-called macrophages, we are protected from most infections at an early age. In a new study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, researchers from Karolinska Institutet show how lung macrophages develop; new findings that can help to reduce organ damage and that are significant for the continued development of important lung disease treatments. Wed, 12 Jan 2022 16:00:07 +0100 https://news.ki.se/he-is-awarded-the-erc-stg-for-research-on-killer-t-cells-in-body-organs KI researcher Marcus Buggert has been awarded the prestigious ERC Starting Grant for his research on human cell-mediated immunity against virus diseases. In all, the European Research Council through this call will invest EUR 619 million in 397 young research leaders. Mon, 10 Jan 2022 12:34:18 +0100 https://news.ki.se/reverse-strategy-finds-diagnostic-marker-of-autoimmune-disease Instead of searching for proteins that the immune system reacts against in a specific autoimmune disease, researchers have taken the opposite approach to find diseases linked to a certain protein. By searching among patients with various skin diseases, they identified a disease linked to autoimmunity against the skin protein TGM1. The strategy, which is presented in the journal PNAS, can facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Tue, 14 Dec 2021 10:57:25 +0100 https://news.ki.se/study-identifies-new-potential-drug-target-for-pneumonia Researchers at Karolinska Institutet report that a recently discovered inflammatory mediator, interleukin-26, appears to have an important role in pneumonia and contribute to the killing of bacteria. The study is published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Immunology - Microbial Immunology. Fri, 29 Oct 2021 06:48:55 +0200 https://news.ki.se/covid-19-immunity-in-young-swedish-adults-investigated Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have analysed the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies and memory cells of the immune system in young adults. The results, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, show that over one in four had antibodies due to the infection. Fewer of these individuals had measurable levels of memory B and T cells compared with other age groups. The researchers will now study long COVID in young adults and the effects of vaccination on immunity. Mon, 25 Oct 2021 17:10:47 +0200 https://news.ki.se/two-vaccine-doses-boost-antibody-levels-in-the-airways-after-covid-19 Antibodies in the airways quickly wane after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but vaccination results in a strong increase in antibody levels, especially after two doses, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal JCI Insight. The results suggest that having a second dose of vaccine also after recovering from COVID-19 may be important for protecting against re-infection and to prevent transmission. Wed, 20 Oct 2021 10:08:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/examining-how-the-immune-system-is-formed Petter Brodin is a paediatrician and is researching the early deve- lopment of the immune system. His research can contribute to the development of new and more effective treatments, including for the prevention of autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergies. Thu, 14 Oct 2021 10:36:28 +0200 https://news.ki.se/innate-immune-response-may-predict-covid-19-severity COVID-19 disease severity seems to be affected by the characteristics of white blood cells called granulocytes, which are part of the innate immune system. Combined measurements of granulocytes and well-known biomarkers in the blood can predict the severity of the disease, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet. The results are published in the journal PNAS and may eventually contribute to more tailored treatments for COVID-19 patients. Thu, 23 Sep 2021 09:45:50 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-findings-on-b-cells-may-improve-vaccine-design Our bodies can fine-tune the immune response to an infection and make it proportional to the threat at hand. New research from Karolinska Institutet describes how B lymphocytes, the immune cells that make antibodies, choose between different cell fates to balance the magnitude of the acute immune response and the memory response that protects against future threats. The study, published in Immunity, may contribute to the optimisation of vaccines to fight viruses or other pathogens. Tue, 14 Sep 2021 17:00:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/autoantibodies-a-possible-contributor-to-fibromyalgia Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and their British colleagues have identified a possible contributory cause of fibromyalgia, a difficult to treat pain condition. In a study on mice and human tissue, the researchers found that fibromyalgia patients’ antibodies played a key part in symptom development. The results, which are published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, pave the way for developing new treatment strategies. Thu, 01 Jul 2021 18:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/immune-cells-in-the-human-biliary-system-mapped Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have analysed and described in detail the immune cells residing in the human bile duct. The findings may pave the way for new treatment strategies against disorders of the bile duct, which are often linked to immunological processes. The study is published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Wed, 23 Jun 2021 20:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/first-months-decisive-for-immune-system-development Many diseases caused by a dysregulated immune system, such as allergies, asthma and autoimmunity, can be traced back to events in the first few months after birth. To date, the mechanisms behind the development of the immune system have not been fully understood. Now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet show a connection between breast milk, beneficial gut bacteria and the development of the immune system. The study is published in Cell. Thu, 17 Jun 2021 17:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/nerve-signaling-alerts-the-host-to-bacterial-infection-within-hours An exciting new way has been found in which the body senses a bacterial infection within 4 hours and uses nerve pathways to trigger an immune response in distant organs. The speed by which an infection can be identified, and how the defence mechanisms are triggered is critical to infection outcome. Fri, 21 May 2021 14:28:59 +0200 https://news.ki.se/brain-organoids-uncover-mechanisms-of-virus-induced-microcephaly A study involving researchers at Karolinska Institutet and IMBA – Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences – demonstrates how zika and herpes viruses can lead to brain malformations during early pregnancy. The researchers used 3D models of human brains to study which mechanisms are involved in virus-induced microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with smaller-than-usual heads. The results are published in the journal Cell Stem Cell. Fri, 09 Apr 2021 17:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/one-in-ten-have-long-term-effects-8-months-following-mild-covid-19 Eight months after mild COVID-19, one in ten people still has at least one moderate to severe symptom that is perceived as having a negative impact on their work, social or home life. The most common long-term symptoms are a loss of smell and taste and fatigue. This is according to a study published in the journal JAMA, conducted by researchers at Danderyd Hospital and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. Wed, 07 Apr 2021 18:54:28 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ongoing-study-is-testing-the-covid-19-vaccine-on-patients-with-compromised-immune-systems Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are investigating the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in a new study on patients with compromised immune systems, who can become seriously ill if they are affected by COVID-19. On February 23, the first patient in the study was vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine at Karolinska University Hospital. So far, the project has received two grants from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation of SEK 10 million in total. Fri, 05 Mar 2021 11:21:13 +0100 https://news.ki.se/covid-19-vaccine-from-new-vaccine-platform-effective-in-mice It is necessary to develop additional COVID-19 vaccines, as different vaccine approaches have their advantages and disadvantages and may work synergistically. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden now report that they have developed a prototype vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 using a DNA vaccine platform that is inexpensive, stable, easy to produce, and shows a good safety profile. A study published in Scientific Reports shows that the vaccine induces potent immune responses in mice. Thu, 04 Feb 2021 13:14:49 +0100 https://news.ki.se/myeloid-immune-cells-in-the-blood-tied-to-severe-covid-19 Individual variations in how the immune system responds to SARS-CoV-2 appear to impact the severity of disease. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now been able to show that patients with severe COVID-19 have significantly elevated levels of a certain type of immune cells in their blood, called myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation may bring an increased understanding of how early immune responses impact disease severity. Tue, 26 Jan 2021 09:43:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-study-on-the-role-of-monocytes-in-sarcoidosis The cause of the inflammatory lung disease sarcoidosis is unknown. In a new study, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have investigated whether a type of immune cell called a monocyte could be a key player in sarcoidosis pathogenesis and explain why some patients develop more severe and chronic disease than others. The study, which is published in The European Respiratory Journal, opens new possibilities for future diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Thu, 21 Jan 2021 12:36:19 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-potential-therapeutic-target-for-ovarian-cancer A subset of immune cells called gamma delta T cells are associated with increased survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer, researchers at Karolinska Institutet report in the scientific journal Science Translational Medicine. The findings suggest that promoting gamma delta T cell responses may be a therapeutic option for ovarian cancer, researchers say. Thu, 21 Jan 2021 08:47:56 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-small-antibodies-show-promising-effects-against-covid-19-infection Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed, in collaboration with researchers in Germany and the U.S., new small antibodies, also known as nanobodies, which prevent the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus from entering human cells. The research study, published in Science, shows that a combined nanobody had a particularly good effect – even if the virus mutated. According to the researchers, the nanobodies have the potential to be developed into a treatment for COVID-19. Tue, 12 Jan 2021 16:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-research-may-explain-severe-virus-attacks-on-the-lungs In some cases, immune cells in the lungs can contribute to worsening a virus attack. In a new study, researchers at Karolinska Institutet describe how different kinds of immune cells, called macrophages, develop in the lungs and which of them may be behind severe lung diseases. The study, which was published in Immunity, may contribute to future treatments for COVID-19, among other diseases. Wed, 30 Dec 2020 17:11:02 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-research-highlights-the-importance-of-the-thymus-in-successful-pregnancies How the immune system adapts to pregnancies has puzzled scientists for decades. Now, findings from an international group of researchers, led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, reveal important changes that occur in the thymus to prevent miscarriages and gestational diabetes. The results are published in the journal Nature. Wed, 23 Dec 2020 17:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-research-identifies-which-t-cells-patrol-the-body The blood is the main source of studies on the immune system, despite the fact that most diseases are combated by immune cells in the body’s tissues. A new study from Karolinska Institutet and the University of Pennsylvania has identified which immune cells patrol the human body’s tissues and circulate back into the blood. The study, which is published in Cell, shows that not all T cells do this – some are found mostly in the blood where they constitute a unique part of our immune system. Thu, 10 Dec 2020 17:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-type-of-immunotherapy-may-pave-the-way-for-better-cancer-treatments Immunotherapy for cancer has made great advances and many patients can now receive effective treatments that were not available ten years ago. However, there are certain types of cancer that do not respond to existing immunotherapy. A study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) reports on a new kind of immunotherapy that gives hope of more treatment options for cancer in the future. Mon, 23 Nov 2020 21:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/they-are-on-the-2020-highly-cited-list Thirteen researchers connected to Karolinska Institutet are on the 2020 list of highly cited researchers presented by Clarivate, the company behind Web of Science. Wed, 18 Nov 2020 12:01:42 +0100 https://news.ki.se/mid-levels-of-immune-marker-at-birth-may-protect-against-autism Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have investigated the association between certain immune markers in neonates and the risk of later developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They found that mid-levels of a classical marker of inflammation, C-reactive protein, were associated with the lowest risk for ASD – whereas too much or not enough were linked to increased risk. The study is published in the scientific journal Biological Psychiatry. Tue, 10 Nov 2020 14:18:41 +0100 https://news.ki.se/immunological-cause-of-severe-covid-19-identified More than 10 percent of young and previously healthy people who develop severe COVID-19 have misguided antibodies that attack the immune system itself, and another 3.5 percent carry a specific genetic mutation. This is according to new research published in Science by an international consortium involving researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:24:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/rare-hyperinflammatory-syndrome-in-children-with-covid-19-described Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Science for Life Laboratory in Sweden and Tor Vergata University of Rome in Italy have mapped the immune response in children affected by a rare but life-threatening inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19. The study, which is published in the scientific journal Cell, reveals that the inflammatory response differs from that in Kawasaki disease and severe acute COVID-19. Mon, 07 Sep 2020 12:25:59 +0200 https://news.ki.se/they-are-awarded-the-2020-erc-stg Three researchers at Karolinska Institutet have been awarded the 2020 ERC Starting Grant: Niklas Björkström, Janina Seubert and Nils Landegren. Their projects concern resident organ-specific immune cells, the cognitive mechanisms behind our preference of certain foods, and sex-differences in the human immune system and the risk of autoimmune disease. In all, the European Research Council will support 436 early-career researchers with this prestigious grant. Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:05:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/early-nk-cell-mediated-immune-response-may-contribute-to-severe-covid-19 Researchers may have come one step closer toward understanding how the immune system contributes to severe COVID-19. In a study published in Science Immunology, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden show that so-called natural killer (NK) cells were strongly activated early after SARS-CoV-2 infection but that the type of activation differed in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19. The discovery contributes to our understanding of development of hyperinflammation in some patients. Fri, 21 Aug 2020 20:00:03 +0200 https://news.ki.se/immunity-to-covid-19-is-probably-higher-than-tests-have-shown A new study from Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital shows that many people with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 demonstrate so-called T-cell-mediated immunity to the new coronavirus, even if they have not tested positively for antibodies. According to the researchers, this means that public immunity is probably higher than antibody tests suggest. The article has been published in the esteemed scientific journal Cell. [This news article has been updated] Tue, 18 Aug 2020 08:45:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-insights-into-the-immune-systems-role-in-severe-covid-19 By conducting advanced analyses of immune system activation in patients with severe COVID-19, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have managed to identify several cell types that play a key part in the immune response to the new coronavirus and the hyperinflammation seen in severe cases of the disease. The results are published in the scientific journal Cell Reports Medicine. Fri, 07 Aug 2020 17:16:51 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-immunologist-the-lab-is-my-frontline Immunologist Qiang Pan Hammarström has worked every day since late January to find medicines against the new coronavirus. With her husband and KI-colleague Lennart Hammarström, she coordinates an international research consortium that is working on three tracks to develop treatments against COVID-19. Mon, 11 May 2020 14:11:51 +0200 https://news.ki.se/the-hunt-for-antibodies-against-the-coronavirus The coronavirus pandemic has shaken all our lives—and researchers around the world are working hard to find solutions to the crisis. Gerald McInerney, Associate Professor of Virology at Karolinska Institutet, focuses on developing antibodies that can block the virus’ ability to infect cells, so-called neutralizing antibodies. Mon, 11 May 2020 13:25:26 +0200 https://news.ki.se/erc-proof-of-concept-for-a-new-treatment-for-severe-pneumonia-and-fibrosis Thomas Helleday’s research group has been awarded a prestigious grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for the sixth time. The latest ERC Proof of Concept Grant is aimed at the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs for lung diseases such as fibrosis. Mon, 27 Apr 2020 12:30:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/celiac-disease-linked-to-increased-mortality People with celiac disease have increased risk of dying prematurely, despite increased awareness of the disease in recent years and better access to gluten-free food. This is according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Columbia University in the U.S. published in the prestigious journal JAMA. Celiac disease was linked to increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory disease. Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:13:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/advances-in-production-of-retinal-cells-for-treating-blindness Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and St Erik Eye Hospital in Sweden have discovered a way to refine the production of retinal cells from embryonic stem cells for treating blindness in the elderly. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, they have also managed to modify the cells so that they can hide from the immune system to prevent rejection. The studies are published in the scientific journals Nature Communications and Stem Cell Reports. Mon, 30 Mar 2020 11:00:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/petter-brodin-awarded-the-goran-gustafsson-prize-in-medicine-2020 Petter Brodin, researcher in immunology at Karolinska Institutet is awarded the prestigious Göran Gustafsson Prize in medicine for his “pioneering analysis of the early development of the human immune system”. Thu, 05 Mar 2020 16:33:07 +0100 https://news.ki.se/cognitive-impairment-after-intensive-care-linked-to-long-lasting-inflammation People who have been treated in intensive care commonly suffer from residual cognitive impairment, but the reason for this is unknown. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet now link cognitive impairment with lasting inflammation and a potential treatment target. The results are presented in the scientific journal Intensive Care Medicine. Wed, 26 Feb 2020 08:00:06 +0100 https://news.ki.se/gunilla-karlsson-hedestam-new-member-of-the-royal-swedish-academy-of-sciences Professor Gunilla Karlsson Hedestam was elected member of the Academy's Class for medical sciences on 15 January 2020. Tue, 11 Feb 2020 14:20:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-whooping-cough-vaccine-shows-promise A clinical phase I study led by the Public Health Agency of Sweden and researchers from Karolinska Institutet shows that a new vaccine for pertussis (whooping cough) given as drops into the nose is more efficacious than the current vaccine. The results of the study are presented in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. The vaccine will now be evaluated in a larger phase II clinical trial. Wed, 29 Jan 2020 12:41:02 +0100 https://news.ki.se/proteins-that-protect-against-joint-inflammation-identified Endogenous proteins that play a vital part in allergies and parasitic infection can prevent the immune system from wrongly attacking the body and causing inflamed joints, a study from Karolinska Institutet published in the scientific journal PNAS reports. The researchers hope that the results will give rise to new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. Mon, 20 Jan 2020 21:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/detailed-map-of-immune-cells-in-human-blood Researchers at SciLifeLab report in the journal Science that they have created a detailed blood atlas of the proteins in human immune cells. The open-access database offers medical researchers an unprecedented resource in the search for treatments for diseases. Fri, 20 Dec 2019 07:16:38 +0100 https://news.ki.se/more-funding-from-kaw-to-four-ki-researchers Four researchers at Karolinska Institutet have been granted a total of SEK 28 million in additional funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW). Two of these researchers are also promoted from Wallenberg Academy Fellows (WAF) to Wallenberg Scholars. Wed, 11 Dec 2019 17:57:47 +0100 https://news.ki.se/two-ki-researchers-awarded-the-erc-consolidator-grant Myriam Aouadi and Camilla Svensson have been awarded the European Research Council’s Consolidator grant 2019 for research on the role of macrophages in liver disease and how autoantibodies contribute to chronic pain, respectively. Tue, 10 Dec 2019 12:30:19 +0100 https://news.ki.se/they-are-this-years-wallenberg-academy-fellows-at-ki Six of the 29 new Wallenberg Academy Fellows appointed in 2019 will conduct their groundbreaking research at Karolinska Institutet. The five-year grant is financed by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation to provide the young and talented researcher leaders with long-term research funding in Sweden. Mon, 02 Dec 2019 16:16:17 +0100 https://news.ki.se/newly-discovered-immune-cells-contribute-to-toxic-shock Recently discovered immune cells called MAIT cells play a key role in group A streptococcal toxic shock, researchers at Karolinska Institutet report. The results, which are published in the journal PNAS, have potential implications for the diagnosis and treatment of this life-threatening condition. Mon, 25 Nov 2019 21:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/immune-cells-in-skin-kill-mrsa-bacteria-before-they-enter-the-body A type of immune cell called neutrophils could be responsible for controlling bacterial numbers of an antibiotic-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on human skin before the bacteria get a chance to invade, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Cell Reports. The results could provide an explanation for why this superbug is only carried transiently by some people. Tue, 29 Oct 2019 11:11:53 +0100 https://news.ki.se/close-to-135-million-in-kaw-project-funding Four research projects at Karolinska Institutet receive funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) in the project call of 2019. In all, researchers at KI are awarded close to SEK 135 million over a five-year period for studies into MS, mitochondrial disease, and vaccine against rheumatism. Tue, 01 Oct 2019 10:40:02 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-method-provides-vehicles-for-rna-vaccines A new way of producing nanoparticles that can function as carriers in so-called mRNA vaccines has been developed by researchers at the Hong Kong node of Karolinska Institutet – the Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine – and the MIT, USA. Using the method, which is described in the scientific journal Nature Biotechnology, the researchers have identified a new class of carrier molecules that inhibit tumour growth and prolong survival in mouse models of cancer. Mon, 30 Sep 2019 17:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-insights-into-how-joint-inflammation-develops Antibodies present in the blood years before development of painful chronic joint inflammation may cause early changes in the synovial tissue and bones, according to a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. The findings could pave the way for new methods of preventing development of the disease. Wed, 04 Sep 2019 15:59:26 +0200 https://news.ki.se/they-are-awarded-the-erc-starting-grant Three researchers at Karolinska Institutet have been awarded the ERC Starting Grant 2019: Jenny Mjösberg, Maria Genander, and newly recruited Pia Dosenovic. Their projects concern inflammatory bowel disease, esophageal cancers, and HIV vaccine, respectively. In all, the ERC will support 408 early-career researchers from around the world with its prestigious starting grant this year. Tue, 03 Sep 2019 12:32:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-biomarker-may-uncover-uncontrolled-asthma Cytokines are a type of proteins that are important to the signaling between cells in the body's immune system, for example in the case of an infection or injury. A new study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, by researchers researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Lund University, is now indicating that the cytokine interleukin(IL)-26 could be used as a biological marker (biomarker) for uncontrolled asthma in both adults and children. Tue, 20 Aug 2019 13:14:03 +0200 https://news.ki.se/detailed-map-of-lung-immune-response-in-tb The picture above shows a tuberculosis (TB) infection in a mouse lung, in which immune cells form a granuloma around the bacteria. The different symbols represent working copies of active genes, called messenger RNA, which are different in the granuloma centre in comparison to the surrounding cells. Tue, 23 Apr 2019 13:07:19 +0200 https://news.ki.se/rare-disease-gives-new-insight-into-regulatory-t-cell-function Tue, 23 Apr 2019 09:23:35 +0200 https://news.ki.se/mutation-behind-incurable-disease-mapped Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:52:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/they-are-the-2019-wallenberg-scholars Three researchers at Karolinska Institutet have been appointed Wallenberg Scholar in 2019: Ernest Arenas, Sten Linnarsson, and Randal S. Johnson. The researchers – among the foremost in their field in Sweden – receive SEK 18 million each from the Wallenberg Foundations in the form of a five-year grant for free research. Mon, 25 Mar 2019 09:10:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/antibodies-stabilise-plaque-in-arteries Thu, 21 Mar 2019 10:02:21 +0100 https://news.ki.se/protective-antibodies-also-found-in-premature-babies Even premature babies carry anti-viral antibodies transferred from the mother, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report in a paper on maternal antibodies in newborns, published in the journal Nature Medicine. The results should change our approach to infection sensitivity in newborns, they say. Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/3tr-a-precision-medicine-endeavour Professor Sven-Erik Dahlén, IMM, participates in the co-ordination team of the IMI project 3TR that was recently approved for funding by the European Commission. Tue, 26 Feb 2019 11:15:34 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-insights-about-the-role-of-myelin-producing-cells-in-ms Subpopulations of oligodendrocytes, myelin-producing cells in the brain that are targeted by the immune system in multiple sclerosis (MS), are altered in MS and might therefore have additional roles in the disease than previously described. The results are published in the journal Nature, in a study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and University of Edinburgh in the UK. Wed, 23 Jan 2019 19:00:49 +0100 https://news.ki.se/old-cells-repair-damage-in-the-brains-of-ms-patients A new study shows that there is a very limited regeneration of cells in the brain of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). These findings underline the importance of treating MS at an early stage of the disease progression, when the affected cells can repair the damage as they are not replaced by new ones. The results are published in the journal Nature by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University. Wed, 23 Jan 2019 19:00:19 +0100 https://news.ki.se/dna-origami-a-precise-measuring-tool-for-optimal-antibody-effectiveness Mon, 14 Jan 2019 17:00:39 +0100 https://news.ki.se/how-pneumococci-challenge-our-immune-system Pneumococci are the most common cause of respiratory tract infections, such as otitis and sinusitis, as well as of severe infections like pneumonia and meningitis. A new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Nature Microbiology shows how the bacteria can inhibit immune cell reaction and survive inside cells to give rise to pneumonia. Mon, 12 Nov 2018 17:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-explanation-for-the-cause-of-ms Fri, 07 Sep 2018 09:49:22 +0200 https://news.ki.se/dramatic-development-of-immune-system-after-birth As soon as a baby is born, its immune system starts to change dramatically in response to the bacteria, viruses and so forth in its new environment, a phenomenon that is common to all babies, researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden write in a paper published in Cell. The study was made possible using new techniques of immune cell analysis. Thu, 23 Aug 2018 17:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-pathway-to-activate-the-warriors-of-our-immune-system Failure to generate neutrophils in the bone marrow leads to devastating bacterial and fungal infections. Researchers from Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new pathway to elevate the number of tissue neutrophils by activating the cell cytoskeleton. The study is published in Journal of Clinical Investigation. Wed, 22 Aug 2018 09:25:22 +0200 https://news.ki.se/prestigious-grant-for-research-on-als Wed, 15 Aug 2018 15:07:23 +0200 https://news.ki.se/mechanism-controlling-multiple-sclerosis-risk-identified Tue, 19 Jun 2018 11:01:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/immune-system-does-not-recover-despite-cured-hepatitis-c-infection Mon, 11 Jun 2018 11:01:52 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-strategy-to-cure-chronic-hepatitis-b-infection Thu, 17 May 2018 12:42:21 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-disease-model-to-facilitate-development-of-als-and-ms-drugs Mon, 16 Apr 2018 17:03:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/gunilla-karlsson-hedestam-awarded-the-erc-advanced-grant-adg Gunilla Karlsson Hedestam at MTC has been awarded the ERC Advanced Grant (AdG) 2017 from the European Research Council. Fri, 06 Apr 2018 13:28:38 +0200 https://news.ki.se/pcsk9-inhibitors-have-unexpected-anti-inflammatory-effects Thu, 05 Apr 2018 09:08:21 +0200 https://news.ki.se/asthmatics-show-dna-changes-in-immune-cells Children with asthma have epigenetic DNA changes in certain cells of their immune system, a major international study involving researchers at Karolinska Institutet shows. The finding, which is presented in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, can one day lead to improved diagnostics and treatment. Fri, 23 Feb 2018 13:05:09 +0100 https://news.ki.se/how-exercise-training-promotes-a-sound-mind-in-a-sound-body A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that the same mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of exercise training on the brain also help to counteract fat and to strengthen the immune system. The results, which are published in the journal Cell Metabolism, can ultimately give rise to new obesity and diabetes drugs. Tue, 06 Feb 2018 18:05:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/graphene-oxide-is-sensed-by-specialised-immune-cells Fri, 26 Jan 2018 09:04:16 +0100 https://news.ki.se/oxysterols-guide-gut-immune-cells-and-are-involved-in-inflammatory-bowel-disease Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:32:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/rikard-holmdahl-granted-nearly-sek-20-million-by-the-swedish-research-council Tue, 12 Dec 2017 11:18:24 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-approach-to-predict-respiratory-allergy-in-early-childhood Mon, 04 Dec 2017 11:27:36 +0100 https://news.ki.se/harder-for-t-cells-to-fight-cancer-in-absence-of-vegf-a Tue, 14 Nov 2017 08:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/thorough-analysis-reveals-immune-system-dynamics Wed, 30 Aug 2017 08:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-insight-into-how-immune-cells-are-formed In contrast to what has been previously believed, development of blood stem cells to mast cells, a type of specialised immune cell, does not depend on a growth factor called stem cell factor. This has been demonstrated in a new collaborative study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University, and published in the scientific journal Blood. The results could pave the way for new treatments for certain types of blood diseases. Thu, 10 Aug 2017 13:14:49 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-tool-demonstrates-differences-in-human-immune-systems Tue, 11 Jul 2017 08:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/cytotoxic-immune-cell-in-sick-and-healthy-skin-a-key-to-understanding-vitiligo Mon, 20 Feb 2017 13:30:58 +0100 https://news.ki.se/how-autoimmune-disease-is-prevented-mechanism-discovered Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:50:36 +0100 https://news.ki.se/how-statins-aid-the-immune-system Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:29:02 +0200 https://news.ki.se/swine-flu-jab-harmless-to-unborn-babies Tue, 20 Sep 2016 08:36:24 +0200 https://news.ki.se/immune-cells-can-regulate-blood-pressure Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:08:52 +0200 https://news.ki.se/study-explains-mechanisms-behind-glioblastoma-influence-on-the-immune-system-0 Glioblastomas exert an influence on the microglia, immune cells of the brain, which causes them to stimulate cancer growth rather than attacking it. In a study published in the journal Nature Immunology, an international research team led from Karolinska Institutet now explains the molecular mechanisms behind this action. Tue, 13 Sep 2016 13:37:30 +0200 https://news.ki.se/why-pneumococci-affect-primarily-humans A special variant of a sugar molecule in the human nose might explain why pneumococcal infections are more common in humans than in other animals, researchers from Karolinska Institutet report in a study published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe. The discovery can help in the search for a broader vaccine able to protect against all types of pneumococci. Thu, 01 Sep 2016 18:10:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/novel-role-for-neutrophils-elucidated Wed, 03 Aug 2016 10:15:44 +0200 https://news.ki.se/keeping-the-olympic-village-healthy Benedict Chambers and Berit Carow left the world of elite sports to concentrate on their careers as immunologists at Karolinska Institutet. They are now returning to the limelight to help contestants in this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio avoid infection. Fri, 17 Jun 2016 10:47:28 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-subgroups-of-ilc-immune-cells-discovered-through-single-cell-rna-sequencing Mon, 15 Feb 2016 17:10:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/blood-vessel-cells-help-tumours-evade-the-immune-system Mon, 24 Aug 2015 08:15:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/study-identifies-the-epigenetic-basis-of-immunodeficiency-disorder Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:17:27 +0200 https://news.ki.se/how-cancer-tricks-the-lymphatic-system-into-spreading-tumours Mon, 11 May 2015 12:35:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/environment-drives-human-immune-variation-more-than-genes Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:05:36 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-immunological-findings-provide-possible-therapy-for-cardiovascular-disease Fri, 14 Nov 2014 08:10:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/newly-discovered-bacterial-defence-mechanism-in-the-lungs Tue, 21 Oct 2014 10:53:27 +0200 https://news.ki.se/personalised-medicine-against-hereditary-immunodeficiency Thu, 14 Aug 2014 10:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/why-the-immune-system-fails-to-kill-hiv Fri, 18 Jul 2014 09:02:34 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-cellular-mechanism-represses-immune-reaction-in-type-i-diabetes Mon, 10 Mar 2014 09:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/three-doses-of-hpv-vaccine-recommended-against-genital-warts Wed, 12 Feb 2014 21:15:29 +0100 https://news.ki.se/no-serious-adverse-reactions-to-hpv-vaccination Wed, 09 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/intestinal-biopsy-can-reveal-the-risk-of-lymphoma-for-gluten-intolerant-individuals Tue, 06 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/possible-goal-for-new-tuberculosis-vaccine-identified A new study published in the research journal PLOS Pathogens, shows for the first time the essential role of the molecule SOCS3 in the control of Tuberculosis. This could have impact on the future development of a vaccine. Fri, 05 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/lower-incidence-of-genital-warts-in-young-girls Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/immune-cells-keep-cholesterol-down Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/genetics-of-infection-at-the-basis-of-inflammatory-bowel-disease Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/low-levels-of-lipid-antibodies-increase-complications-following-heart-attack Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/gene-variant-linked-to-ibs Tue, 07 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0200