🛡️ Category

immunology

258 papers

Immunology explores the intricate defense systems that keep our bodies safe from infections and disease. This field examines how our immune cells recognize threats, coordinate responses, and maintain a delicate balance between fighting invaders and avoiding self-harm. From understanding vaccine mechanisms to investigating autoimmune disorders, these studies reveal the dynamic biology protecting human health every day.

On Gist.Science, we ensure these critical discoveries remain accessible to everyone. We automatically process every new preprint in this category as it appears on bioRxiv, transforming complex research into both plain-language explanations and detailed technical summaries. This approach allows readers to grasp the core findings without getting lost in dense jargon, while still providing the depth needed for scientific inquiry.

Below are the latest immunology papers from bioRxiv, each accompanied by our curated summaries to help you navigate the newest breakthroughs in the field.

🛡️ immunology

Integrated single cell multiomic profiling and functional validation reveal distinct cellular routes to human plasma cell differentiation.

This study utilizes integrated single-cell multiomic profiling and functional validation to demonstrate that human B cells follow distinct differentiation routes to form plasma cells, with germinal center-independent pathways involving a transient MEF2C-driven CD30+ intermediate leading to CD44v9+ plasma cells, while germinal center-dependent pathways bypass this intermediate to generate CD44v9-negative plasma cells.

Fields, C., Read, J. F., Coffman, H., Petrow, E., Bosco, A., Bhattacharya, D.2026-02-18
🛡️ immunology

A comparative analysis of the immunotranscriptomic features of DENV-1, -3, and -4 human challenge models

This study demonstrates that in human challenge models of Dengue virus infection, the transcriptional response and clinical symptomatology are primarily driven by viral burden (RNAemia) rather than serotype, revealing a conserved core antiviral response alongside unique signatures linked to high viral loads.

Hardy, C. S. C., Ware, L. A., Friberg, H., Chua, J. V., Lyke, K. E., Thomas, S. J., Waickman, A. T.2026-02-18
🛡️ immunology

SATB1 is a targetable modulator of JAK-STAT signaling and cytokines in human Treg and Tconv cells

This study demonstrates that SATB1 ablation in human T cells disrupts Treg suppressive function while enhancing CD4 CAR T cell-mediated tumor clearance through dysregulated JAK-STAT signaling and cytokine production, suggesting SATB1 modulation as a promising strategy to improve CAR T cell therapy efficacy.

Kolb, S., Diekmann, L., Lochert, E. D., Warmuth, L., Ritter, J., Weber, M., Hoffmann, M., List, M., Kotlarz, D., Serr, I (…)2026-02-16
🛡️ immunology

Fixation matters: duration in fixative prior to immunofluorescent analysis directly impacts macrophage visualisation in epithelial tissues

This study demonstrates that prolonged paraformaldehyde fixation significantly impairs the detection of macrophage surface markers in epithelial tissues across multiple organs, whereas shortening the fixation duration preserves both macrophage visualization and tissue architecture for accurate immunofluorescent analysis.

Hegarty, L. M., Watson, E., Bain, C. C., Emmerson, E.2026-02-16
🛡️ immunology

Glucocorticoid receptor and RUNX transcription factors cooperatively drive CD8 T cell dysfunction in human cancer

This study reveals that endogenous cortisol signaling drives CD8 T cell dysfunction in human cancers by promoting a physical interaction between the glucocorticoid receptor and RUNX transcription factors, which cooperatively regulate a distinct set of immunoregulatory genes enriched in tumor-infiltrating T cells across multiple solid tumor types.

Ward, C. J., Chakraborty, S., Shaji, S. K., Veiga-Villauriz, C., Al-deka, A., Zhao, Q., Pramanik, J., Chen, X., Mahata (…)2026-02-15
🛡️ immunology

Prolonged TGF-β locks NK cells in a dysfunctional state through persistent epigenetic remodeling of IRF, T-bet and EOMES binding sites

This study reveals that prolonged TGF-β exposure, unlike short-term signaling, induces irreversible epigenetic remodeling at IRF, T-bet, and EOMES binding sites that permanently locks NK cells in a dysfunctional state independent of continued cytokine presence, a mechanism validated by similar alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Schmid, K., Haimerl, C., Stark, J., Mueller, E., Merz, L., Schenk, R., Pistrenko, K., Baumgarten, J., Berberich, K., Bau (…)2026-02-14
🛡️ immunology

Evolutionary Divergence and Structural Differentiation of Multiple Immunoglobulin M Genes in Gekkota (Squamata: Reptilia)

This study reveals that Gekkota lizards possess multiple, lineage-specific IgM gene variants that have undergone significant evolutionary divergence from the canonical IgM1, characterized by distinct amino acid signatures, a marked shift in electrostatic charge, and structural adaptations that suggest functional specialization beyond standard antibody roles.

Gambon Deza, F.2026-02-13
🛡️ immunology

Tricked by Edge Cases: Can Current Approaches Lead to Accurate Prediction of T-Cell Specificity with Machine Learning?

This paper argues that current machine learning approaches for predicting T-cell receptor (TCR) specificity are limited by flawed equilibrium-based training data and proposes a new framework that integrates cell-based kinetic measurements with machine learning to achieve more accurate and mechanistically grounded predictions.

Culka, M., Desponds, J., Cheung, J., Cruz Tleugabulova, M., Ng Palace, S., Darwish, M., Smirnov, R. A., Tabatsky, E., St (…)2026-02-11
🛡️ immunology

A framework for reparative CAR T engineering in the CNS

By using ischemic stroke as a model, this study demonstrates that engineering CD4-restricted CAR T cells to secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can shift their function from neuroinflammation to neuroprotection and tissue repair, providing a framework for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Shalita, R., Ben Yehuda, M., Boskovic, P., Frid, Y., Kuznetsov, Y., Tsoory, M., Kalchenko, V., Brenner, O., David, E., M (…)2026-02-11