Mast cells (MCs) are recognized to participate in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Owing to their strategic location at the host–envir...

Viral infections may play a role in Alzheimer's disease.

Mast cells act as “signal converters,” translating immunological and tissue signals into host-protective behaviors. They sense antigen and possibly toxins driving avoidance behavior, which can prevent inflammation and tissue damage. Beyond classical immunity, mast cells rapidly activate antigen expulsion responses and initiate nociception. These reflexes promote host-protective behavior and maintain tissue integrity.

When B cells engage in an immune response, metabolic reprogramming is key to meeting cellular energetic and biosynthetic demands. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a highly prevalent gamma-herpesvirus, latently infecting B cells for the human host’s lifetime. By hijacking signaling pathways of T cell-dependent humoral immunity, EBV activates B cells in a T cell-independent manner, forcing lymphoblastoid transformation. Interlinked with this coercion of signaling pathways, EBV has also evolved strategies to manipulate B cell metabolism. In this opinion article we integrate recent findings from studies of B cell metabolic reprogramming after EBV infection and during antigen-specific activation, respectively. We hypothesize that defining EBV host-cell metabolic vulnerabilities that differ from pathways required for B cell immunity might uncover novel therapeutic targets against EBV-related diseases.

PolyBio-supported study finds reduced percentages of cytotoxic natural killer cells in people with long COVID. The immune dysfunction might facilitate SARS-CoV-2...

Respiratory viruses infect the human upper respiratory tract, mostly causing mild diseases. However, in vulnerable populations, such as newborns, infants, the elderly and immune-compromised individual...

Understanding the pathophysiology of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is critical for advancing treatment options. This review explores the novel hypothesis that a herpesvir...

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led the medical and scientific community to address questions surrounding the pathogenesis and clinical presentation of COVID-19; ...