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        <title>Frontiers in Immunology | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Immunology | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
        <generator>Frontiers Feed Generator,version:1</generator>
        <pubDate>2026-05-12T21:27:06.507+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1767380</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1767380</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Induction immunochemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy improves survival in unresectable esophageal cancer: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Systematic Review</category>
        <author>Xuefei Fan</author><author>Xin Liu</author><author>Song Mi</author><author>Yunxin Yang</author><author>Chenggong Li</author><author>Jiandong Zhang</author><author>Pingping Hu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundConcurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) remains the standard treatment for unresectable esophageal cancer (EC). However, the clinical benefits of combining immunotherapy with CCRT for unresectable EC remain controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the potential benefits of different immunotherapy strategies added to CCRT in patients with unresectable EC.MethodsWe employed single-arm, pairwise and network meta-analysis (NMA) methods to analyze the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and safety of several combined treatment strategies based on CCRT.Results30 single-arm trials and 39 controlled trials involving a total of 9648 participants were included. Compared with CCRT alone, both induction immunochemotherapy plus CCRT (ICT-CCRT) and CCRT plus consolidation immunotherapy (CCRT-IO) significantly improved OS in pairwise meta-analyses (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.39–0.71, I²= 0.0%; HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.65–0.90, I²= 0.0%, respectively). In the NMA, only ICT-CCRT showed a significant OS benefit (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64–0.88), whereas CCRT-IO did not. For PFS, CCRT-IO consistently prolonged PFS compared with CCRT alone in both pairwise meta-analyses (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.64-0.85, I²=0.0%) and NMA (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.76–0.99). In contrast, ICT-CCRT demonstrated a significant PFS benefit only in the NMA (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71–0.99), but not in the pairwise analysis. Notably, ICT-CCRT ranked first in the NMA for both OS and PFS.ConclusionsIn conclusion, compared with CCRT alone, ICT-CCRT significantly improves OS and shows a potential PFS benefit. CCRT-IO improves OS only in pairwise analyses but consistently improves PFS across analyses. Currently, sufficient randomized controlled trials are lacking to validate the efficacy and determine the optimal timing and sequence.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420261364669.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1752217</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1752217</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Temporal transcriptional dynamics in cutaneous leishmaniasis reveal novel targets for therapeutic interventions in a dermal mouse model]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jessica Lobo-Silva</author><author>Cibele Orge</author><author>Almiro Pires da Silva Neto</author><author>Bruno Vinagre Ribeiro</author><author>Regiane Degan Fávaro</author><author>Joyce Karoline da Silva</author><author>Sara Patrícia de Oliveira Santos</author><author>Sara Nunes</author><author>Valdomiro Silveira Moitinho-Junior</author><author>Aldina Barral</author><author>Natalia Tavares Machado</author><author>Pablo Ivan Pereira Ramos</author><author>Ricardo Khouri</author><author>Leonardo Paiva Farias</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania braziliensis results in chronic skin ulceration and remains challenging to treat. While human transcriptomic studies have identified pathways driving immunopathology, the early events of infection and the molecular transitions from lesion formation to healing are still poorly understood. Here, we performed a longitudinal transcriptomic analysis of skin lesions and draining lymph nodes (dLNs) in the BALB/c ear dermal model infected with L. braziliensis, which recapitulates features of human CL. Using bulk RNA sequencing at 2, 6, and 48 hours and at 14, 35, and 77 days post-infection, we characterized differential gene expression, pathway enrichment, and gene co-expression networks. Ulcerated mouse lesions (Day 35) recapitulated 77% of the inflammatory pathways described in human CL, with many persisting at Day 77 despite “clinical healing”. Mice displayed additional upregulation of genes linked to macrophage polarization (Il12a, Il12b, Il4), nitric oxide metabolism (Arg1, Nos2) and epidermal differentiation (e.g., Crnn, Rptn, Tchh, Lce members). Gene co-expression analysis revealed stage-specific gene modules (M) associated with early innate responses (M3), tissue damage (M1), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (M4), and skin barrier remodeling (M6). A long non-coding RNA-enriched module (M2) was selectively downregulated during the ulceration. Cross-species comparison of ulcerated lesions revealed 16 conserved microRNAs and 12 shared epigenetic regulators, including Mir155, Mir142, Sp140, and Kdm6b, with known roles in inflammation and tissue repair, representing promising host-directed therapeutic targets. Together, this study provides a comprehensive temporal framework of host responses to L. braziliensis and identifies actionable non-coding RNAs and epigenetic pathways with translational potential for CL therapy.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1818962</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1818962</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The biological characteristics of tertiary lymphoid structures in head and neck cancer]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Suwen Bai</author><author>Yuan Wei</author><author>Fankai Liu</author><author>Hexing Sun</author><author>Xianhai Zeng</author><author>Peng Zhang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, and its clinical management remains fraught with formidable challenges. In recent years, as our understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has deepened, immunotherapy—especially the clinical application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)—has brought a revolutionary breakthrough to HNC treatment. However, only a subset of patients can derive clinical benefits from such therapies, highlighting the urgent need to identify reliable predictive biomarkers. Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), lymphocyte aggregates ectopically formed in non-lymphoid tissues such as chronically inflamed or tumor sites with functions analogous to secondary lymphoid organs, have emerged as a burgeoning research hotspot in tumor immunology. This review aims to systematically elaborate on the biological characteristics of TLS in HNC, their clinical value as biomarkers for prognostic evaluation and immunotherapy response prediction, current TLS detection and assessment methodologies, as well as potential therapeutic strategies targeting TLS. We employed a systematic literature review methodology. Studies have confirmed that mature, intra-tumoral TLS are significantly correlated with improved patient prognosis and higher immunotherapy response rates, acting as the “central core” of tumor immunity by initiating and sustaining adaptive anti-tumor immune responses locally. Despite the promising clinical translation prospects of TLS, standardization of assessment systems, development of non-invasive detection technologies, and clarification of TLS functional heterogeneity across different HNC subtypes remain major challenges in current research. This review synthesizes the latest advances in this field, providing a comprehensive and insightful perspective for understanding the pivotal role of TLS in HNC treatment.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1742723</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1742723</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Unlocking the potential: current landscape and future directions of immunotherapy in gastric cancer]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Yingfei Zhou</author><author>Luling Wei</author><author>Luoyang Wang</author><author>Bei Zhang</author><author>Jie Liang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and its management remains formidable. Immunotherapy has been highly praised for its remarkable efficacy and acceptable toxicity, and its development has outpaced that of traditional therapies. However, molecular heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) have hindered the treatment response of a considerable number of patients. This review synthesizes the latest therapeutic advances, spanning immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), adoptive cell therapy (ACT), monoclonal antibodies and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), cancer vaccines, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, and CAR-T cells therapy. Emerging strategies such as RNA interference nano-delivery systems, immune adjuvants, and microbiota modulation are constantly evolving to transform “cold” tumors into “hot” tumors. Persistent challenges include primary resistance, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and antigenic heterogeneity, underscoring the imperative for refined patient stratification. Classical biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), mismatch-repair status, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) positivity and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) all demonstrate predictive value but remain constrained by spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics. Consequently, we highlight emerging biomarkers that integrate metabolic, epigenetic and cell-death signatures, providing a roadmap for precision immunotherapy and continuous optimization of GC treatment algorithms.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1792836</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1792836</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Multi-omics investigation of perineural invasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: neuroimmune mechanisms and clinical implications]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Muling Deng</author><author>Yuhao Lin</author><author>Chenyu Fang</author><author>Jiaqi Cai</author><author>Chuanben Chen</author><author>Jianming Ding</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundPerineural invasion (PNI) is an aggressive feature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but its molecular basis and neuroimmune implications, including potential links to immunotherapy response, remain unclear.MethodsWe performed an integrative multi-omics analysis using public datasets and an independent clinical cohort. Transcriptomic, proteomic, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomic data were jointly analyzed to identify PNI-associated molecular patterns, construct prognostic signatures, and characterize immune infiltration and cell-cell communication. Regulatory elements were further explored by super-enhancer mapping and target-gene prediction. Pharmacologic inhibition experiments using the TLR2 inhibitor C29 were performed in FaDu cells for functional validation.ResultsPNI was associated with extracellular matrix and neuroactive signaling changes. A protein-based signature (ADIPOQ, MB, PLIN1, ADH1B) stratified survival risk. PNI-positive/high-risk tumors showed an immune-suppressed phenotype with lower predicted immunotherapy sensitivity and reduced CD8+ T-cell, B-cell, and Tfh-cell infiltration. Spatial analysis showed higher PNI scores at the invasive front, positive correlations with neural programs, and enrichment of TLR2-related signaling. TLR2 expression was associated with the PNI score, neural markers, and immune exclusion. In FaDu cells, C29 suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion. Super-enhancer analysis identified candidate SE-target genes, including MYL4, CMYA5, and TNNT3, linked to PNI-associated biology.ConclusionsPNI in HNSCC is associated with coordinated extracellular-matrix, neuroimmune, and immune-suppressive remodeling. These findings support PNI-related molecular signatures for risk stratification and identify TLR2-related signaling and SE-associated programs as candidate mechanisms for further study.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1708062</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1708062</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Case Report: IgG4-rich tubulointerstitial inflammation in MPO-ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis: a case-based review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Case Report</category>
        <author>Songlin Qiu</author><author>Sufen Li</author><author>Minya Jin</author><author>Yijun Chen</author><author>Suyun Chen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic, immune-mediated fibro-inflammatory disorder with the potential to affect multiple organs, with the kidney being the most commonly involved organ, typically presenting as IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis (IgG4-TIN). Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN), in contrast, is a pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis characterized by acute renal dysfunction and systemic inflammation. While early reports have interpreted IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration in ANCA-associated vasculitis as evidence of overlap with IgG4-TIN, histologic resemblance in varying disease contexts can make differentiation challenging. In this context, we present the case of an 81-year-old woman diagnosed with both ANCA-GN and IgG4-TIN, informed by a comprehensive review of all previously reported cases. Renal biopsy confirmed this rare overlap, revealing pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis alongside dense IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration and storiform fibrosis. This case illustrates the diagnostic complexity posed by IgG4-rich inflammatory infiltrates in ANCA-associated disease and underscores the importance of careful clinicopathologic correlation to guide accurate diagnosis, appropriate immunosuppressive therapy, and improved understanding of potentially overlapping autoimmune mechanisms.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1818121</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1818121</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Therapeutic cancer vaccines: navigating clinical translation and multimodal synergy]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Tan-Huy Chu</author><author>Thuy Linh Huynh</author><author>Le-Tri Phuong</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Over the past decades, the field of cancer treatment has been revolutionized by cancer immunotherapy. With therapeutic cancer vaccines (TCVs) are emerging as a promising strategy capable of eliciting potent and lasting T cell responses against cancer cells. While theoretically potent, the translation of TCVs into consistent clinical success remains an evolving challenge. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of TCVs, traversing from fundamental TCVs concepts, epitope spreading, antigen selection, and delivery platforms, to the current clinical landscape. We specifically examine the transition from monotherapy to innovative combination regimens and propose a translational concept of the strategic utility of TCVs in targeting minimal residual disease (MRD). Despite significant immunogenic potential, the clinical impact of TCVs is currently constrained by the manufacturing hurdles, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), patient heterogeneity, and evaluation of outcomes. By addressing these barriers through rational therapeutic approaches and optimized patient selection, TCVs may offer a promising pathway for integration into future clinical paradigms to improve patient outcomes.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1770276</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1770276</link>
        <title><![CDATA[CD73 activity controls cytotoxic CD4 T-cell response driving myocardial pathology in chronic Chagas disease]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Gastón Bergero</author><author>Yanina L. Mazzocco</author><author>Zoé M. Cejas Gallardo</author><author>Walter Rivarola</author><author>Sebastian Del Rosso</author><author>Maria P. Aoki</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is the major cause of infectious cardiopathology worldwide. Although cytotoxic CD4 T-cells (CD4 CTLs) have recently been recognized as crucial effectors in infections and inflammation, the mechanisms that control their differentiation and impact on pathological outcomes remain largely undefined. Here, we demonstrate that the ectonucleotidase CD73, which generates adenosine from extracellular AMP, acts as a key immunoregulator of CD4 CTL response during T. cruzi infection. Using murine models, we found that infection induced a robust expansion of CD4 T-cells expressing granzyme B, perforin, and IFN-γ. CD73 deficiency improved parasite control and amplified the frequency and cytotoxic program of CD4 T-cells during the acute phase. However, the absence of CD73 also led to sustained cardiac inflammation, extensive fibrosis, and impaired contractility during chronic infection. In patients with asymptomatic chronic Chagas disease, circulating CD4 T-cells exhibited elevated granzyme B expression, predominantly within the CD73- subset. Consistently, cardiac tissue from patients with chronic terminal Chagas cardiomyopathy showed transcriptomic enrichment of granzyme B (GZMB), perforin (PRF1), and IFN-γ (IFNG), with CD4 T-cells as the major contributors. Together, these findings identify CD73 ectoenzyme as a critical immunometabolic checkpoint that modulates CD4 CTL responses, revealing a dual role for this pathway in controlling infection and limiting tissue damage.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1783098</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1783098</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Early sex-related transcriptional differences in CD8+ T cells responding to chronic viral infection reveal a sex bias in exhaustion]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Nyambura Kahia</author><author>Sean M. Robertson</author><author>Megan Rodriguez</author><author>Paul Jerard Layug</author><author>Harman Vats</author><author>Kamali Kannan</author><author>Victor Spicer</author><author>Arzu Ozturk-Aptekmann</author><author>Olivia Wilkins</author><author>Janilyn Arsenio</author>
        <description><![CDATA[CD8+ T cell diversity is essential to control infections and chronic antigen stimulation. In acute-resolving infection, effector cells mediate acute responses and memory cells provide long-lived protection against future exposures. In chronic infection and cancer, an altered state called exhaustion occurs. Exhausted CD8+ T cells are molecularly and functionally distinct from effector and memory cells. Differences in immune responses exist between biological sexes, however, how biological sex influences the timing and transcriptional programs of CD8+ T cell responses during chronic versus acute viral infection remains unknown. Here, we show that male and female CD8+ T cells exhibit transcriptional differences in their early responses during chronic but not acute viral infection in vivo. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing and immunophenotyping analyses, we show that female CD8+ T cells exhibit an early exhaustion-like program compared to males. These findings reveal new insights into sex-related differences in CD8+ T cell exhaustion development and early T cell responses that may contribute to sex differential immune responses.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1738865</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1738865</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Real-world comparison of anti-CD20 therapies: efficacy, infections, and immune profiles in a German cohort]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jakob Stögbauer</author><author>Moritz Bewarder</author><author>Linda Groß</author><author>Lorenz Thurner</author><author>Klaus Fassbender</author><author>Rebecca Urschel</author><author>Einar A. Høgestøl</author><author>Gro O. Nygaard</author><author>Hanne F. Harbo</author><author>Olaf Stüve</author><author>Marc Pawlitzki</author><author>Sven G. Meuth</author><author>Martina Sester</author><author>Sergiu Groppa</author><author>Mathias Fousse</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundThe use of anti-CD20 drugs has become a widespread therapeutic approach in systemic and central nervous system (CNS) neuroinflammation. Apart from the desired B-cell depletion, relevant dynamics of the humoral and cellular immune response occur. Despite the extensive utilization of these drugs, direct comparative analyses of various B-cell-depleting agents remain scarce.MethodsA total of 262 patients with neuroimmunological diseases treated with ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, or rituximab were observed over a median period of 36 months. Relapses, infection rates, and the concentration of immunoglobulins were monitored quarterly. In addition, changes in cellular immunity (differential blood count, natural killer cells, CD19+, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells) along with polyclonal T-cell function (measured by reactivity) were analyzed using multidimensional flow cytometry.ResultsAnnual relapse rates in both the ocrelizumab and ofatumumab groups were low: 0.11 [95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.06 – 0.15] and 0.08 (95% CI, 0.05 – 0.16), respectively. Infections occurred significantly less frequently with ofatumumab (p < 0.001). Hypogammaglobulinemia was observed more frequently and earlier in rituximab patients (p < 0.001). Ocrelizumab treatment was associated with a reduction in the proportion of total lymphocytes and an increase in the proportion of CD3+ T cells, while ofatumumab was linked to a rise in the CD4/CD8 ratio. Anti-CD20 antibodies did not influence T-cell reactivity after polyclonal stimulation.ConclusionsB-cell depletion is effective in neuroimmunological diseases irrespective of which CD20 antibody was used. However, differences in infection rates and the occurrence of hypogammaglobulinemia were observed. Together with new insights into differences in the influence of CD20 antibodies on lymphocyte subpopulations, these findings may inform future individualized treatment strategies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1774959</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1774959</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Deciphering the mechanistic landscape of immune checkpoint blockade in ccRCC: from molecular drivers to therapeutic responses]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Lingxiang Ran</author><author>Guangmo Hu</author><author>Chunyu Fan</author><author>Yuanyin Teng</author><author>Rui Zhao</author><author>Qinghua Li</author><author>Jing-Min Yang</author><author>Chao Zhang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) based combination therapies have revolutionized the management of advanced clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), establishing a new standard of care and significantly improving survival outcomes. However, this success is challenged by substantial heterogeneity in patient response, with primary and acquired resistance remaining major clinical hurdles that limit durable benefit for a substantial proportion of patients. This review synthesizes our current understanding of the multifaceted mechanisms governing these outcomes. We explore the complex interplay between tumor-intrinsic drivers of resistance, such as mutations in key genes like PBRM1, and the profoundly immunosuppressive landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME), which includes diverse inhibitory cell populations, metabolic reprogramming, and stromal barriers. We then highlight how multi-omics technologies, from single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to proteomics, are decoding the TME’s intricate cellular and spatial architecture to reveal novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Crucially, we discuss the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in translating this high dimensional data into clinically actionable insights. AI-driven models in pathomics and radiomics are creating powerful, non-invasive tools to predict treatment response and prognosis from images, while deep learning algorithms are proving essential for integrating multi-omics data to guide patient selection and accelerate drug discovery. Ultimately, the convergence of these advanced biological insights and computational strategies is paving the way for precision immuno-oncology, with the goal of moving beyond current risk stratification toward truly personalized ICI therapy for patients with ccRCC.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1756194</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1756194</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Treg-derived IFN-γ supports the differentiation of Th1-Treg in tumor immunity and autoimmunity]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ayumi Kuratani</author><author>Masaaki Okamoto</author><author>Sekar Arumsari</author><author>Takashi Kobayashi</author><author>Miwa Sasai</author><author>Masahiro Yamamoto</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Regulatory T cells (Tregs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) exhibit functional heterogeneity, including a Foxp3+T-bet+ subset known as Th1-type Treg (Th1-Treg) cells that exert potent immunosuppressive activity. Although IFN-γ signaling is essential for Th1-Treg differentiation, the cellular source of IFN-γ in tumors has remained unclear. Here, we reveal that Treg cells themselves are one source of IFN-γ, which enhances the Th1-Treg induction. Treg-derived IFN-γ acts in an autocrine manner to stabilize T-bet expression and maintain the Th1-Treg phenotype, while Arg1+ tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)–derived platelet factor 4 (PF4) amplifies this loop by inducing Ifng transcription in Tregs. Conditional deletion of Ifng in Foxp3+ cells impaired Th1-Treg differentiation both in tumors and in the spleen, indicating that Treg-derived IFN-γ contributes to Th1-Treg maintenance at local and systemic levels. Moreover, Treg-derived IFN-γ similarly promoted Th1-Treg generation during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, suggesting its role in type 1 inflammatory environments. Together, these findings reveal that Treg-derived IFN-γ contributes to a positive feedback circuit, acting in concert with other IFN-γ sources and TAM-derived PF4 to sustain Th1-Treg differentiation and accumulation in tumors, thereby reinforcing immunosuppression.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1761552</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1761552</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Pregnane X receptor (NR1I2) deficiency in mice reveals context-dependent regulation of inflammatory homeostasis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Salah Edden Amini</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group I member 2 (NR1I2; mouse ortholog Nr1i2), also known as the pregnane X receptor (PXR) or steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR), is a ligand-activated transcription factor classically known for its role in xenobiotic metabolism and detoxification. Beyond these canonical functions, accumulating evidence identifies NR1I2 as a key regulator of inflammation and intestinal homeostasis, particularly in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where dysregulated inflammatory responses are central to disease pathogenesis and NR1I2 expression is often reduced. In this review, we integrate data from whole-body and tissue-specific Nr1i2-deficient mouse models, as well as knockdown and ligand-based approaches, to define the role of Nr1i2 in intestinal inflammation under basal and pathological conditions. These studies collectively show that whole-body Nr1i2 deficiency disrupts intestinal homeostasis, impairs barrier integrity, and enhances innate immune activation, whereas tissue-restricted deletion, especially within the epithelium, frequently fails to reproduce these phenotypes, underscoring the importance of coordinated Nr1i2 activity across multiple cellular compartments. Across experimental models, most often Nr1i2 deficiency commonly exacerbates intestinal injury, particularly in response to microbial toxins or chemical damage, however attenuated inflammatory responses have been reported in selected metabolic or injury contexts. Conversely, pharmacological activation of Nr1i2 confers protective and restorative effects in a ligand-, tissue-, and context-dependent manner. Together, these findings establish NR1I2 not as a simple anti-inflammatory switch, but as an immune–metabolic integrator that coordinates xenobiotic detoxification, microbial-derived signal sensing, and restraint of innate inflammatory pathways. This review provides a conceptual framework for future studies aimed at elucidating the cell- and context-specific functions of NR1I2 and for guiding the development of targeted therapeutic strategies for intestinal inflammatory disorders.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1803861</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1803861</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants originating from the lower respiratory tract are associated with persistent pulmonary infection]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Chao An</author><author>Shanjian Chen</author><author>Anqi Zheng</author><author>Lingqi Zheng</author><author>Chenshuo Luo</author><author>Bin Yang</author><author>Yulan Lin</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveStaphylococcus aureus small colony variants (SCVs) are responsible for pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis patients globally, including regions such as Europe and the Americas.There is currently a lack of research in China on persistent pulmonary infections caused by S. aureus SCVs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical and pathogenic characteristics of S. aureus SCVs in the lower respiratory tract of patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.MethodsFrom October 2024 to January 2026, normal phenotype S. aureus and S. aureus SCVs (characterized by small, slow-growing colonies with atypical morphology) were collected from lower respiratory tract specimens at two tertiary grade A hospitals in Fuzhou. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the VITEK® 2 Compact system. Molecular characteristics were analyzed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), virulence genes were screened by PCR, and biofilm formation capacity was assessed using a microtiter plate assay. Pathogenicity was evaluated through serum killing assays and a mouse pulmonary infection model. Patient characteristics were analyzed using the hospital information system.ResultsA total of 46 S. aureus SCVs (2.2%) were isolated from 2130 lower respiratory tract specimens from patients with P. aeruginosa pneumonia. These SCVs exhibited small colonies, grayish-white color, and reduced hemolysis. More than half of the SCVs were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), with the predominant genotype being ST1 (19.6%, 9/46). The positive rates of immune evasion-related genes (78.3% vs 53.5%) and the proportion of strong biofilm formation (65.2% vs 39.1%) were significantly higher in SCVs than in normal phenotype S. aureus. In addition, SCVs showed greater resistance to host serum and resulted in higher bacterial loads, inflammatory cytokine levels, and pathological damage in the lungs of mice at the late stage (day 28) compared to normal phenotype strains. Notably, patients with SCVs were more frequently treated with fluoroquinolones and mechanical ventilation and had longer hospital stays than those with normal phenotype strains.ConclusionS. aureus SCVs (often undetected) show a high prevalence of immune evasion genes and a strong ability to form biofilms, and may be associated with persistent pulmonary infection in patients.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1816695</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1816695</link>
        <title><![CDATA[HDAC7 controls anti-viral and anti-tumor immunity by CD8+ T cells]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Cansu Yerinde</author><author>Jacqueline Keye</author><author>Hsiang-Jung Hsiao</author><author>Sibel Durlanik</author><author>Inka Freise</author><author>Franziska Nowak</author><author>Marilena Letizia</author><author>Stephan Schlickeiser</author><author>Benedikt Obermayer</author><author>Adrian Huck</author><author>Marie Friedrich</author><author>Hao Wu</author><author>Désirée Kunkel</author><author>Anja A. Kühl</author><author>Sebastian Bauer</author><author>Andreas Thiel</author><author>Ahmed N. Hegazy</author><author>Britta Siegmund</author><author>Rainer Glauben</author><author>Carl Weidinger</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Class II histone deacetylases (HDAC) orchestrate T cell-dependent immune responses via the epigenetic control of genes and via the post-translational modification of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins. However, the contribution of single HDAC family members to the differentiation and function of peripheral CD8+ T cells remains elusive. We here demonstrate that HDAC7-deficiency leads to the upregulation of immune checkpoint molecules, increased apoptosis and disturbed glutamine homeostasis of peripheral murine CD8+ T cells, which we could link to a MEF2D-dependent induction of FasL expression ultimately deterring the survival of HDAC7-deficient CD8+ T cells. Likewise, we observed in mouse models of lymphoma, that mice with a T cell-specific deletion of Hdac7 harbor impaired anti-tumor immune responses in syngeneic transfer models of lymphoma and we found that HDAC7 is required for CD8+ T cell-dependent memory recall responses in models of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. Taken together, we identify HDAC7 as a central regulator of cellular exhaustion and apoptosis of peripheral CD8+ T cells, controlling CD8+ T cell dependent anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity in mice.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1835853</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1835853</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Case Report: Cytokine storm syndrome causing retinal inflammatory factor storm]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Case Report</category>
        <author>Na Liu</author><author>Jingyi Bai</author><author>Gaixia Zhai</author><author>Shaopeng Wang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) represents a severe systemic inflammatory condition precipitated by the hyperactivation of immune cells and the consequent excessive release of cytokines, triggered by various factors. This report details the case of a 23-year-old woman admitted with acute high fever and subsequently referred to the ophthalmology department due to blurred vision. Multimodal imaging documented the progression of inflammatory cytokine storm in her fundus, and intraocular fluid analysis revealed abnormal cytokine levels. Following the resolution of inflammation, ocular symptoms and signs showed marked improvement. This report describes ocular manifestations of cytokine storm syndrome, underscoring the susceptibility of the fundus to systemic immune dysregulation despite the presence of the blood-retinal barrier.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1870895</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1870895</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Time-resolved transcriptomics of haemocyte discrimination between challenges by nematodes and inert material in the Oriental Armyworm Mythimna separata]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Masaya Ono</author><author>Xiaolan Li</author><author>Yasunobu Maeda</author><author>Rei Nishimura</author><author>Jion Tsuruta</author><author>Akemi Yoshida</author><author>Kazuki Sato</author><author>Taisei Kikuchi</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1814357</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1814357</link>
        <title><![CDATA[AI-driven insights into protein misfolding and innate immunity in neurodegenerative diseases]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Hui Xin Deng</author><author>Jing Ling Cao</author><author>Yao Wu</author><author>Si Jin Jiang</author><author>Qian Qian Fang</author><author>Bi Yue Zhu</author><author>Yong Jian Jiang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Neurodegenerative diseases encompass a diverse group of disorders ranging from adult-onset conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease to pediatric forms including neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), Niemann-Pick type C (NPC), and infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD), all of which are characterized by protein misfolding and chronic neuroinflammation. During their occurrence and development, the innate immune system, especially the immune responses mediated by microglia in the central nervous system, plays a crucial regulatory role. Increasing evidence indicates that misfolded and abnormally aggregated proteins, such as β-amyloid (Aβ), Tau, α-synuclein, and TDP-43, are not only neurotoxic factors but can also act as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) recognized by innate immune receptors, thereby triggering persistent neuroinflammatory responses. However, traditional experimental and computational methods still have significant limitations in systematically analyzing the “protein misfolding–innate immune activation” mechanism. In recent years, artificial intelligence has made breakthrough progress in protein structure prediction, multi-conformation modeling, and integration of multi-omics data, providing a new research paradigm for revealing the intrinsic relationship between protein misfolding and innate immunity across the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases. This article systematically reviews the latest applications of artificial intelligence in predicting the conformational characteristics of misfolded proteins, simulating the protein aggregation process, revealing the mechanism of innate immune perception, and reconstructing the regulatory network of neuroinflammation. It focuses on discussing the significance of deep learning models such as AlphaFold, I-TASSER, RoseTTAFold, Phyre2, and ESMFold in the field of protein structure prediction, as well as the related research on multi-modal AI technology in revealing the complex molecular mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases, such as combining AI with mathematical models to simulate the spread of misfolded proteins and further exploring the association with disease progression. The review also highlights the potential of AI to address the diagnostic challenges unique to pediatric neurodegenerative disorders, which, despite their rarity, collectively impose devastating lifelong burdens. In summary, AI tools not only deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying both adult and childhood neurodegenerative diseases but also open up new avenues for developing innovative diagnostic tools and treatment methods.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1806683</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1806683</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Immunological mechanisms and precision stratification in male infertility: from testicular immune privilege and danger signal amplification to seminal immune biomarkers and mechanism-tailored intervention]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Jiedong Zhou</author><author>Shian Hu</author><author>Yong Ouyang</author><author>Dong Yang</author><author>Zhi Su</author><author>Min Liu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Male infertility presents significant heterogeneity, yet traditional assessments primarily rely on semen parameters and endocrine, imaging, and genetic screening. Although these methods can identify some definitive etiologies, a mechanistic explanatory gap persists in large populations with mild to moderate oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, elevated sperm DNA fragmentation, or recurrent adverse reproductive outcomes. The testis maintains a dynamic immune-privileged balance by balancing infection defense against tolerance to post-pubertal germ cell antigens. In this context, infections, varicocele-induced hypoxia or thermal stress, metabolic abnormalities, and environmental factors, trigger innate immune recognition via PAMPs or DAMPs. Notably, most mechanistic insights discussed are derived from animal models and in vitro studies; direct high-level clinical evidence in humans remains limited, and the proposed framework requires prospective validation. This is proposed to drive myeloid amplification, complement cascades, and inflammasome activation, which may in turn mutually reinforce oxidative stress. Based on current evidence, this may consequently compromise blood-testis barrier integrity, cause immune tolerance thresholds to decline, and induce tissue remodeling, collectively impairing the spermatogenic microenvironment, sperm maturation, and DNA integrity. This article reviews these immunological mechanisms and proposes a hypothesis-driven intervention framework driven by immune endophenotypes, aiming to provide an actionable clinical roadmap for the precision management of male infertility.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1874174</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1874174</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Microbiome-innate immune crosstalk in acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: an amplification framework]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Wanwan Zhang</author><author>Jiayang Yi</author><author>Zhi Li</author>
        <description></description>
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