Immune system
Recent articles
Immune cells block pain in female mice only
Regulatory T cells in the spinal meninges release endogenous opioids in a sex-specific manner, new work shows.

Immune cells block pain in female mice only
Regulatory T cells in the spinal meninges release endogenous opioids in a sex-specific manner, new work shows.
Rethinking mental health: The body’s impact on the brain
Mounting evidence illustrates how peripheral molecules can influence brain function, offering new therapeutic targets.

Rethinking mental health: The body’s impact on the brain
Mounting evidence illustrates how peripheral molecules can influence brain function, offering new therapeutic targets.
Immune cell interlopers breach—and repair—brain barrier in mice
The choroid plexus, the protective network of blood vessels and epithelial cells that line the brain’s ventricles, recruits neutrophils and macrophages during inflammation, a new study shows.

Immune cell interlopers breach—and repair—brain barrier in mice
The choroid plexus, the protective network of blood vessels and epithelial cells that line the brain’s ventricles, recruits neutrophils and macrophages during inflammation, a new study shows.
Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism
In mice and organoids lacking a neuronal protein, microglia prune synapses to excess.

Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism
In mice and organoids lacking a neuronal protein, microglia prune synapses to excess.
Immune-activation model mice escape infantile amnesia, retain early memories
Male pups born to mothers treated with immune-stimulating molecules show autism-like behaviors and, unlike wildtype animals, do not lose memories formed during early life.

Immune-activation model mice escape infantile amnesia, retain early memories
Male pups born to mothers treated with immune-stimulating molecules show autism-like behaviors and, unlike wildtype animals, do not lose memories formed during early life.
Atlas charts cells of human placenta, uterus across early pregnancy
A new resource gives an unparalleled look at how fetal placental cells attach to the uterine wall and remodel maternal blood vessels to access nutrients.

Atlas charts cells of human placenta, uterus across early pregnancy
A new resource gives an unparalleled look at how fetal placental cells attach to the uterine wall and remodel maternal blood vessels to access nutrients.
‘wildDISCO’ cocktail yields whole-body maps of mouse neurons and more
A new technique used to create see-through rodents can help scientists analyze how the nervous system interacts with other body systems.
‘wildDISCO’ cocktail yields whole-body maps of mouse neurons and more
A new technique used to create see-through rodents can help scientists analyze how the nervous system interacts with other body systems.
Serotonin powers pruning of developing brain circuits in mice
Mice with microglia missing receptors for the neurotransmitter serotonin since birth have too many synapses and show social difficulties in adulthood.

Serotonin powers pruning of developing brain circuits in mice
Mice with microglia missing receptors for the neurotransmitter serotonin since birth have too many synapses and show social difficulties in adulthood.
Maternal immune response dulls male rats’ social radar
Male rats prenatally exposed to a maternal immune response have atypical responses to other rats in distress, according to a new study.

Maternal immune response dulls male rats’ social radar
Male rats prenatally exposed to a maternal immune response have atypical responses to other rats in distress, according to a new study.
Null and Noteworthy: Registered reports; motor measurements; viral DNA
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, Spectrum talks with a Nature editor about the journal’s move to publish more null results.

Null and Noteworthy: Registered reports; motor measurements; viral DNA
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, Spectrum talks with a Nature editor about the journal’s move to publish more null results.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Xiao-Jing Wang outlines the future of theoretical neuroscience
Wang discusses why he decided the time was right for a new theoretical neuroscience textbook and how bifurcation is a key missing concept in neuroscience explanations.
Xiao-Jing Wang outlines the future of theoretical neuroscience
Wang discusses why he decided the time was right for a new theoretical neuroscience textbook and how bifurcation is a key missing concept in neuroscience explanations.
Memory study sparks debate over statistical methods
Critics of a 2024 Nature paper suggest the authors failed to address the risk of false-positive findings. The authors argue more rigorous methods can result in missed leads.

Memory study sparks debate over statistical methods
Critics of a 2024 Nature paper suggest the authors failed to address the risk of false-positive findings. The authors argue more rigorous methods can result in missed leads.
Attention not necessary for visual awareness, large study suggests
People can perceive some visual information even if they do not pay direct attention to it.

Attention not necessary for visual awareness, large study suggests
People can perceive some visual information even if they do not pay direct attention to it.