Latest news with #INRS
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Protecting Immune Cells from Exhaustion
INRS research team makes a promising breakthrough in the fight against chronic infections LAVAL, QC, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - In fighting chronic infections or certain cancers, CD8+ T cells—the immune system's frontline soldiers—eventually become exhausted. They lose effectiveness and respond less efficiently to threats. This weakening is a major therapeutic challenge, as it limits the body's ability to fight chronic infections. However, the team of Professor Simona Stäger at Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), in collaboration with colleagues from INRS and McGill University, has identified a key game changer: IRF-5. This transcription factor appears to preserve the energy and vitality of CD8+ T cells by acting directly on their metabolism. These findings, recently published in The EMBO Journal, highlight the importance of fundamental research in understanding the immune system and developing innovative therapeutic approaches. A Key Ally Against T Cell Exhaustion T cell exhaustion is caused by several factors, including an imbalance in internal cell functioning. Normally, T cells shift their energy production to respond quickly to infection. But when they are stimulated for too long—as during chronic infections—their metabolism becomes depleted. They produce fewer cytokines (chemical messengers essential to the immune response), their mitochondria (the cell's energy centres) function less efficiently, and they ultimately lose their effectiveness. In this study, the team used the LCMV Clone 13 virus, a model of chronic infection, to explore the role of IRF-5 in CD8+ T cells. While the role of IRF-5 in other cell types is well known, its function in these immune cells had not been explored until now. "Our results show that IRF-5 acts as a guardian of T cell metabolism and mitochondrial function. It helps T cells maintain their energy and ability to fight, even under prolonged stress."—Simona Stäger, INRS professor and senior author of the study, expert in immunology of infectious diseases, and Vice-director of Infectiopole. The researchers found that the absence of IRF-5 worsens exhaustion. CD8+ T cells lacking IRF-5 showed disrupted lipid metabolism, increased mitochondrial oxidative stress, and reduced oxidative phosphorylation—all factors that impair their function. A Promising Step Toward Better Understanding Immunity This discovery opens the door to new strategies for boosting immunity to chronic infections or cancers, where T cell exhaustion is also observed. "I hope our work will help us better understand how to modulate cellular metabolism to support and enhance immune responses during chronic infections or cancer. IRF-5 transcription factor could play a key role in this approach."—Linh Thuy Mai, lead author of the study, former PhD student in virology and immunology from INRS, currently a postdoctoral fellow at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, United States. Professor Stäger's laboratory is based at the INRS Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre, the sole North American member of the Pasteur Network About the Study The article, titled Transcription factor IRF-5 regulates lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function in murine CD8+ T-cells during viral infection, was co-authored by Linh Thuy Mai, Sharada Swaminathan, Trieu Hai Nguyen, Etienne Collette, Tania Charpentier, Liseth Carmona-Pérez, Hamza Loucif, Alain Lamarre, Krista M. Heinonen, David Langlais, Jörg H. Fritz, and Simona Stäger. This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Armand-Frappier Foundation, and Fonds de recherche du Québec. About INRS INRS is an academic institution dedicated exclusively to graduate research and training in strategic sectors in Quebec. Since 1969, as per its mission, it has actively contributed to Quebec's economic, social, and cultural development. INRS ranks first in Quebec in research intensity. It is made up of five interdisciplinary research and training centres located in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, and Charlevoix, which focus their efforts on strategic sectors: water, earth, and environment (Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre); energy, materials, and telecommunications (Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre); urbanization, culture, and society (Urbanisation Culture Société Research Centre); and health and biotechnology (Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre), and Ruralités durables (a center currently under development). Its community includes nearly 1,500 members, including students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty members, and staff. SOURCE Institut National de la recherche scientifique (INRS) View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
24-07-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Protecting Immune Cells from Exhaustion Français
INRS research team makes a promising breakthrough in the fight against chronic infections LAVAL, QC, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - In fighting chronic infections or certain cancers, CD8+ T cells—the immune system's frontline soldiers—eventually become exhausted. They lose effectiveness and respond less efficiently to threats. This weakening is a major therapeutic challenge, as it limits the body's ability to fight chronic infections. However, the team of Professor Simona Stäger at Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), in collaboration with colleagues from INRS and McGill University, has identified a key game changer: IRF-5. This transcription factor appears to preserve the energy and vitality of CD8+ T cells by acting directly on their metabolism. These findings, recently published in The EMBO Journal, highlight the importance of fundamental research in understanding the immune system and developing innovative therapeutic approaches. A Key Ally Against T Cell Exhaustion T cell exhaustion is caused by several factors, including an imbalance in internal cell functioning. Normally, T cells shift their energy production to respond quickly to infection. But when they are stimulated for too long—as during chronic infections—their metabolism becomes depleted. They produce fewer cytokines (chemical messengers essential to the immune response), their mitochondria (the cell's energy centres) function less efficiently, and they ultimately lose their effectiveness. In this study, the team used the LCMV Clone 13 virus, a model of chronic infection, to explore the role of IRF-5 in CD8+ T cells. While the role of IRF-5 in other cell types is well known, its function in these immune cells had not been explored until now. "Our results show that IRF-5 acts as a guardian of T cell metabolism and mitochondrial function. It helps T cells maintain their energy and ability to fight, even under prolonged stress." — Simona Stäger, INRS professor and senior author of the study, expert in immunology of infectious diseases, and Vice-director of Infectiopole. The researchers found that the absence of IRF-5 worsens exhaustion. CD8+ T cells lacking IRF-5 showed disrupted lipid metabolism, increased mitochondrial oxidative stress, and reduced oxidative phosphorylation—all factors that impair their function. A Promising Step Toward Better Understanding Immunity This discovery opens the door to new strategies for boosting immunity to chronic infections or cancers, where T cell exhaustion is also observed. "I hope our work will help us better understand how to modulate cellular metabolism to support and enhance immune responses during chronic infections or cancer. IRF-5 transcription factor could play a key role in this approach." — Linh Thuy Mai, lead author of the study, former PhD student in virology and immunology from INRS, currently a postdoctoral fellow at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, United States. About the Study The article, titled Transcription factor IRF-5 regulates lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function in murine CD8+ T-cells during viral infection, was co-authored by Linh Thuy Mai, Sharada Swaminathan, Trieu Hai Nguyen, Etienne Collette, Tania Charpentier, Liseth Carmona-Pérez, Hamza Loucif, Alain Lamarre, Krista M. Heinonen, David Langlais, Jörg H. Fritz, and Simona Stäger. This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Armand-Frappier Foundation, and Fonds de recherche du Québec. About INRS INRS is an academic institution dedicated exclusively to graduate research and training in strategic sectors in Quebec. Since 1969, as per its mission, it has actively contributed to Quebec's economic, social, and cultural development. INRS ranks first in Quebec in research intensity. It is made up of five interdisciplinary research and training centres located in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, and Charlevoix, which focus their efforts on strategic sectors: water, earth, and environment (Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre); energy, materials, and telecommunications (Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre); urbanization, culture, and society (Urbanisation Culture Société Research Centre); and health and biotechnology (Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre), and Ruralités durables (a center currently under development). Its community includes nearly 1,500 members, including students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty members, and staff. SOURCE Institut National de la recherche scientifique (INRS)
Associated Press
22-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
DiagnaMed Announces Issuance of Restricted Share Units and Stock Options to Directors, Officers, and Consultants
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2025) - DiagnaMed Holdings Corp. (CSE: DMED) (OTCQB: DGNMF) ('DiagnaMed' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that, in accordance with its equity incentive plan, it has issued a total of 3,000,000 restricted share units (RSUs) and 2,500,000 stock options to directors, officers, and consultants of the Company. The RSUs and options were granted as part of DiagnaMed's ongoing efforts to align the interests of its leadership and key partners with those of shareholders, and to reward contributions to the Company's continued growth and development. The 2,500,000 stock options have an exercise price of $0.05 per share and are exercisable for a period of three (3) years from the date of grant. All RSUs and options are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's equity incentive plan and applicable regulatory approvals. These grants reflect the Board's confidence in the strategic direction of the Company, particularly as it advances its natural hydrogen projects in Ontario alongside its collaborative partners, INRS and QIMC. This initiative underscores DiagnaMed's commitment to driving innovation and growth in the natural hydrogen sector in Ontario. The Company continues to advance its hydrogen development initiatives and enhance operational execution, strategically scaling its platform to capitalize on growth opportunities within the expanding natural hydrogen sector. This includes the ongoing deployment of the QIMC and INRS teams in Northern Ontario. About DiagnaMed Holdings Corp. DiagnaMed Holdings Corp. (CSE: DMED) (OTCQB: DGNMF) is a Canadian technology innovator specializing in advanced hydrogen extraction technologies designed to support the rapidly growing natural hydrogen industry. Focused on commercial scalability, DiagnaMed aims to deliver cost-effective, sustainable, and efficient hydrogen solutions critical for global energy security and decarbonization. Visit For more information, please contact: John Karagiannidis, President and CEO DiagnaMed Holdings Corp. Tel: 514-726-7058 Email: [email protected] Website: Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as 'will', 'may', 'expect', 'could', 'can', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'believe', 'projected', 'aims', and 'continue' or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption 'Risk Factors' in Company's management's discussion and analysis for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2025 ('MD&A'), dated May 28, 2025, which is available on the Company's profile at Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the '1933 Act') or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DiagnaMed Announces Issuance of Restricted Share Units and Stock Options to Directors, Officers, and Consultants
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2025) - DiagnaMed Holdings Corp. (CSE: DMED) (OTCQB: DGNMF) ("DiagnaMed" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, in accordance with its equity incentive plan, it has issued a total of 3,000,000 restricted share units (RSUs) and 2,500,000 stock options to directors, officers, and consultants of the Company. The RSUs and options were granted as part of DiagnaMed's ongoing efforts to align the interests of its leadership and key partners with those of shareholders, and to reward contributions to the Company's continued growth and development. The 2,500,000 stock options have an exercise price of $0.05 per share and are exercisable for a period of three (3) years from the date of grant. All RSUs and options are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's equity incentive plan and applicable regulatory approvals. These grants reflect the Board's confidence in the strategic direction of the Company, particularly as it advances its natural hydrogen projects in Ontario alongside its collaborative partners, INRS and QIMC. This initiative underscores DiagnaMed's commitment to driving innovation and growth in the natural hydrogen sector in Ontario. The Company continues to advance its hydrogen development initiatives and enhance operational execution, strategically scaling its platform to capitalize on growth opportunities within the expanding natural hydrogen sector. This includes the ongoing deployment of the QIMC and INRS teams in Northern Ontario. About DiagnaMed Holdings Corp. DiagnaMed Holdings Corp. (CSE: DMED) (OTCQB: DGNMF) is a Canadian technology innovator specializing in advanced hydrogen extraction technologies designed to support the rapidly growing natural hydrogen industry. Focused on commercial scalability, DiagnaMed aims to deliver cost-effective, sustainable, and efficient hydrogen solutions critical for global energy security and decarbonization. Visit For more information, please contact: John Karagiannidis, President and CEO DiagnaMed Holdings Corp. Tel: 514-726-7058 Email: info@ Website: Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "will", "may", "expect", "could", "can", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe", "projected", "aims", and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Company's management's discussion and analysis for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2025 ("MD&A"), dated May 28, 2025, which is available on the Company's profile at Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Cision Canada
03-07-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Innovative Molecules Offer Good News in the Fight Against HIV and Other Viral Infections Français
INRS team is exploring the potential of saponins, a group of natural molecules found in many plants LAVAL, QC, July 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Innovative, nontoxic molecules developed by a research team at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) could pave the way for new safe and effective antiviral therapies for prevention and treatment purposes. Are there natural compounds with antiviral properties, particularly against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS? Betulinic acid has long been recognized in medical and scientific communities for its antiviral potential. This molecule, found in various plants, is especially abundant in the bark of white birch trees—a common byproduct of the forestry industry. However, the use of betulinic acid and some of its derivatives in medicine has been limited by a major drawback: the molecules are poorly soluble in water. This limits their absorption by the body and complicates their use in medicine. A discovery by INRS Professor Charles Gauthier 's team, part of the INRS-UQAC Joint Research Unit in Sustainable Health, could significantly unlock the potential of this molecule. Their findings * were recently published in Chemistry – A European Journal. Creating a Promising and Novel Molecule In their research, Professor Gauthier's team studied two natural molecules: betulinic acid and echinocystic acid. Both belong to a family of compounds known as triterpenes and share a similar chemical structure. The researchers chemically modified these molecules using a novel, controlled method by attaching a specific sugar called Lewis X. This sugar is structurally similar to those that define human blood groups. The modification resulted in new chimeric compounds known as "saponins." These saponins had never been described in scientific literature before. They offer several advantages for potential antiviral use: they are significantly more water-soluble than triterpenes, they dissolve well in biological environments, and unlike similar substances that can be toxic, they are safe for human cells and mice. Most importantly, they effectively block HIV activity. The team observed that saponins prevent the virus from using certain carbohydrate-specific proteins, known as Lewis-binding proteins, found on immune cells called DC-SIGN and L-SIGN, to spread to CD4+ cells, the main targets of HIV. "Our results show that these are among the most potent monovalent inhibitors ever identified for blocking this HIV transfer mechanism, even when used at very low concentrations," explains INRS Professor Gauthier, who specializes in chemistry of carbohydrates and natural products. He is also a member of the Pasteur Network. HIV, Ebola disease, dengue fever, coronaviruses: the potential is vast These chimeric molecules capable of blocking viral entry into immune cells—a critical step in infection—are a first of their kind. Saponins could serve as a foundation for developing broad-spectrum antiviral agents that block infection at the earliest stage, such as during sexual transmission of HIV. "While it's known that human breast milk contains oligosaccharides that protect infants from HIV infection during early breastfeeding, we are the first to demonstrate that saponins can inhibit HIV entry via DC-SIGN and L-SIGN receptors," says doctoral student in biology at INRS and lead author Oscar Javier Gamboa Marin. "Despite progress in this field, very few studies have focused on inhibiting DC-SIGN and L-SIGN using Lewis-type carbohydrates," he adds. Another promising feature of saponins is their ability to spontaneously form structures called micelles or to integrate into liposomes. This could further enhance their antiviral effectiveness, particularly through improved targeting of virus-infected cells, and holds out promising research potential. Moreover, since DC-SIGN and L-SIGN proteins are also exploited by other dangerous viruses such as Ebola, dengue, and SARS-CoV-2, saponins open new avenues for developing broad-spectrum antiviral agents against these diseases. About the studies* The article entitled Lewis-X-Containing Triterpenoid Saponins Inhibit DC-SIGN- and L-SIGN-Mediated Transfer of HIV-1 Infection was co-authored by Oscar Javier Gamboa Marin, Kurtis Ng, Nitish Verma, Assi Gérard Flavien Yapi, Ralph Pantophlet, and Charles Gauthier. The article entitled Immunological and Toxicological Assessment of Triterpenoid Saponins Bearing Lewis-X- and QS-21-Based Trisaccharides was co-authored by Oscar Javier Gamboa Marin, Yasmine Adda-Bouchard, Balla Sylla, Nitish Verma, Tania Charpentier, Maya Huber, Guillaume Lopez, André Pichette, Alain Lamarre, and Charles Gauthier. This work was made possible thanks to the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Fonds de recherche du Québec, the Armand-Frappier Foundation, and the Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center. INRS is an academic institution dedicated exclusively to graduate research and training in strategic sectors in Quebec. Since 1969, as per its mission, it has actively contributed to Quebec's economic, social, and cultural development. INRS ranks first in Quebec in research intensity. It is made up of five interdisciplinary research and training centres located in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, and Charlevoix, which focus their efforts on strategic sectors: water, earth, and environment (Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre); energy, materials, and telecommunications (Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre); urbanization, culture, and society (Urbanisation Culture Société Research Centre); and health and biotechnology (Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre), and Ruralités Durables Research Centre (a center currently under development). Its community includes nearly 1,500 members, including students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty members, and staff.
