Author: Yuriy Baglaenko
Cultivating Early Immune System Ontogeny across a Shifting Landscape (Infographic)
(image) The human body has been bombarded by environmental insults since conception. The prenatal immune system facilitates the generation of tissues and organs and is a versatile medium for communication with the outside world, which largely constitutes endogenous maternally-derived solutes. As the fetus matures, characterized by an elaboration of physical and chemical barriers, this prepares...
Beyond Nourishment: Breastfeeding versus Formula and its immunological effects
Since the beginning of Homo sapiens as a species, breastfeeding has been the main feeding practice for newborns. The earliest documented cases of neonatal breastfeeding date as far back as 2000 BC, and the importance of this practice has been well understood for centuries as a primary source of nutrition for infants. Alternative feeding practices...
Vaccinating children: evidently not a walk in the park
Four years ago in March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a global pandemic. Nations scrambled to develop and secure vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – competing for supplies, intensifying political rivalries, and hoarding in the name of nationalism. As adults engaged in this frenetic...
Navigating the Hormonal Highway: What Has Puberty Taught Us About the Sex-Bias in Autoimmunity?
Growing pains, painful acne, menstruation, pubic hair, and voice cracks – these are some of the physical changes many of us can remember as we unavoidably stepped into teenhood. Puberty marks a crucial period in sexual maturation characterized by alterations in the composition and levels of our sex hormones which drive sex-specific changes in physical...
Immunology in utero – the immunology of pregnancy
Introduction Historically, it was thought that successful pregnancies require a dampening of the maternal immune system for fetal growth and survival, not unlike the need to suppress host immunity following organ transplant. However, we now understand that this is not exactly accurate. Although not often considered, the immune system is crucial in the protection of...
On Guard with Gardasil: vaccines against cancers caused by HPV
While a “cure” for cancer remains elusive, prevention of some cancers is within our grasp. It is estimated that 30 – 50% of cancer cases are preventable through risk-reducing measures. One simple method involves just two shots of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine during childhood. This vaccine not only protects against HPV infections, but also...
Unlocking Hope: Progress in Understanding and Treating Inborn Errors of Immunity
David Vetter, popularly known as the “boy in the bubble”, was born with Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID). As one of the most severe cases of primary immunodeficiency, SCID impairs the growth and operation of immune cells that protect against infection. Although seemingly healthy initially, infants born with SCID are at heightened risk of severe...
The invisible scars of childhood adversity
The impact of early childhood experiences and parent-child relationships on our neurodevelopment and psychological health is popularly known. However, research has shown that there is a deeper link between the nature of our early childhood life and adult immune function. Early life stress or childhood adversity can include child abuse, parental conflict or neglect, low...
Your fur baby: an early immune system’s best friend?
Have you ever met a devoted cat-owner that is simultaneously allergic to that same cat? While 10-20% of the world’s population is allergic to cats or dogs, a 2020 survey of cat owners by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute found 23% of cat owners lived with an allergy to cats. 84% of those allergic...
