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This breakthrough uncovers a potentially powerful new therapeutic option, with further work ongoing to delineate the specifics.

Macrophages are a type of white blood cell with several high-profile roles in our immune system. They patrol around the body, surveying for bugs and viruses, as well as disposing of dead and damaged cells, and stimulating other immune cells – kicking them into gear when and where they are needed.

However, their actions can also drive local inflammation in the body, which can sometimes get out of control and become problematic, causing more damage to the body than repair. This is present in lots of different diseases, highlighting the need to regulate macrophages for improved patient outcomes. 

In the new study, just published in the international journal Cell Reports Physical Science, the Trinity team worked with human macrophages isolated from heathy donor blood samples provided via the Irish Blood Transfusion Board, St James’s Hospital. They stimulated these cells using a custom bioreactor to apply electrical currents and measured what happened.

“We have known for a very long time that the immune system is vital for repairing damage in our body and that macrophages play a central role in fighting infection and guiding tissue repair,” said Dr Sinead O’Rourke, Research Fellow in Trinity’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology, and first author of the research article. 

“As a result, many scientists are exploring ways to ‘reprogramme’ macrophages to encourage faster, more effective healing in disease and to limit the unwanted side-effects that come with overly aggressive inflammation. And while there is growing evidence that electrical stimulation may help control how different cells behave during wound healing, very little was known about how it affects human macrophages prior to this work.”

“We are really excited by the findings. Not only does this study show for the first time that electrical stimulation can shift human macrophages to suppress inflammation, we have also demonstrated increased ability of macrophages to repair tissue, supporting electrical stimulation as an exciting new therapy to boost the body’s own repair processes in a huge range of different injury and disease situations.”

The findings from the interdisciplinary team led by Trinity investigators, Professor Aisling Dunne (School of Biochemistry and Immunology) and Professor Michael Monaghan (School of Engineering) are especially significant given that this work was performed with human blood cells (showing its effectiveness for real patients); electrical stimulation is relatively safe and easy in the scheme of therapeutic options; and the outcomes should be applicable to a wide range of scenarios.

Corresponding author Prof. Monaghan added: “Among the future steps are to explore more advanced regimes of electrical stimulation to generate more precise and prolonged effects on inflammatory cells and to explore new materials and modalities of delivering electric fields. This concept has yielded compelling effects in vitro and has huge potential in a wide range of inflammatory diseases.”

Reference: O’Rourke SA, Suku M, Petrousek S, Hoey DA, Dunne A, Monaghan MG. Electromodulation of human monocyte-derived macrophages drives a regenerative phenotype and impedes inflammation. Cell Rep Phys Sci. 2025:102795. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102795

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Dr. Karen Zaghiyan, a prominent colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, recently shared vital advice on bowel cancer in a widely viewed Instagram video. She offers straightforward guidance for anyone concerned about or diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Dr. Zaghiyan stresses the life-saving importance of early screening, particularly colonoscopies, and urges patients to seek second opinions to ensure accurate diagnoses. She warns against unverified remedies and emphasizes taking prompt, informed action when symptoms arise. Her advice highlights how timely medical decisions can dramatically improve outcomes, highlighting the critical role of awareness, professional consultation, and early intervention in combating colorectal cancer.

5 hard truths about colon cancer

1. Get a colonoscopy early

Dr. Zaghiyan stresses that everyone should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45, even if they feel healthy or have no family history. Colonoscopies allow doctors to visually inspect the entire colon and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. Unlike at-home stool tests, which can miss a significant number of polyps, colonoscopies are more than 95% effective at detecting and preventing colorectal cancer. Proper preparation, including dietary adjustments and the use of laxatives, is essential for an accurate examination. Patients should also plan for post-procedure transport due to sedation. Starting screenings early can dramatically increase the chances of detecting cancer at a curable stage.

2. Take screening and diagnosis seriously

Early detection is critical in improving survival rates for colorectal cancer patients. Dr. Zaghiyan notes that patients diagnosed at stage one have around a 90% chance of surviving at least five years, while those diagnosed at stage four have only a 10% five-year survival rate. Symptoms like rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss should never be ignored. Delaying medical attention or dismissing these signs as minor issues can allow the disease to progress, making treatment far more complicated and reducing the likelihood of a positive outcome. Taking diagnosis and screening seriously can be the difference between life and death.

3. Seek second opinions

Dr. Zaghiyan strongly recommends getting a second opinion for any diagnosis or if symptoms are concerning. Misdiagnoses are not uncommon, and consulting multiple experts ensures that patients receive the most accurate assessment and treatment plan. For instance, rectal bleeding might be incorrectly attributed to hemorrhoids without proper examination. Patients should feel empowered to ask questions, challenge their care plans, and consult additional specialists if necessary. Taking the extra step to verify your diagnosis can prevent mistakes and provide access to the latest treatment options, potentially saving lives.

4. Avoid unverified remedies

Online advice and alternative treatments can be misleading or harmful. Dr. Zaghiyan warns against trusting unproven cures, such as extreme diets, supplements, or home remedies promoted online. Instead, patients should rely on evidence-based medical treatments and consult registered cancer dietitians to safely complement conventional therapy. For those seeking innovative approaches, enrolling in clinical trials with rigorous oversight is far safer than following anecdotal or unverified claims. Sticking to verified medical advice increases the likelihood of successful treatment and minimizes unnecessary risk.

5. Act timely and follow medical guidance

Delaying treatment is one of the most dangerous decisions a patient can make. Dr. Zaghiyan emphasizes that once concerning symptoms appear or a diagnosis is confirmed, timely action can mean the difference between curable and advanced disease. Following your doctor’s recommendations without unnecessary delay, adhering to medication schedules, and attending follow-up appointments is crucial. Patients should avoid waiting to “see if it goes away” and instead act promptly, as early intervention substantially increases survival chances.

Symptoms and risks of colon cancer

Colorectal cancer often develops silently, showing few or no symptoms in its early stages. Being aware of both warning signs and risk factors is crucial, as early detection can dramatically improve survival rates. Individuals should pay attention to changes in their digestive health and seek prompt medical evaluation if they notice unusual patterns or persistent discomfort.Common symptoms:

Risk factors:

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health routine or treatment.

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have identified three monoclonal antibodies against monkeypox (also commonly referred to as mpox) that block viral spread and protect against severe disease. The findings provide a potential basis for developing targeted therapies for orthopoxvirus infections.

The findings, published in Cell, reveal that the antibodies – isolated from an individual previously infected with mpox – target a protein called A35. In laboratory studies, the antibodies not only halted viral spread but also shielded rodents from severe illness and prevented death entirely. Importantly, analysis of patient samples showed that people who had been infected with mpox naturally carry high levels of these antibodies and that their presence is linked to milder disease and fewer hospitalisations.

A virus in urgent need of treatment

Mpox has been a global health concern since a multi-country outbreak in 2022. The virus, a close relative of smallpox, is transmitted primarily through direct contact and causes rash, lymphadenopathy and fever. Although most cases resolve, infection can result in permanent scarring and, in severe instances, be life threatening.

Despite repeated warnings from the World Health Organization, which has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern twice since 2022, there is still no approved drug to treat the disease. Clinical trials of the most advanced candidate therapy have failed to demonstrate effectiveness, highlighting the urgent need for alternatives.

That urgency is precisely what drove the Mount Sinai team.

“A previous study published in 2023 by our team showed that human antibodies targeting the viral protein A35 were unusually increased in sera in response to mpox infection compared with vaccination for smallpox or antibodies against other viral proteins,” explained Dr Camila Coelho, Assistant Professor of Microbiology at Icahn Mount Sinai.

“Based on this earlier finding, we hypothesised that antibodies targeting A35 from mpox-infected individuals would be highly protective against orthopoxviruses, since the viruses in this family share high genetic similarity. We aimed to address the urgent unmet need for effective treatments for orthopoxviruses, and with the help of our outstanding collaborators, I am very proud to say that we are close to achieving that goal.”

What makes the discovery particularly compelling is the antibodies’ binding site. The researchers found that the antibodies latch onto a region of A35 that is highly conserved across not just orthopoxviruses – including mpox – but the entire poxvirus family. As this site is unlikely to mutate, the antibodies are less vulnerable to immune escape, making them robust drug candidates.

“Ours is the first report of the crystal structure of a human antibody bound to an mpox virus protein, providing a detailed map of a vulnerability in the virus,” said Dr Raianna Fantin, postdoctoral researcher and first author of the study.

“It is also the first time that monoclonal antibodies against orthopoxviruses were quantified in human sera. We were surprised by how consistently people recovering from mpox infection produced antibodies targeting the same A35 epitope of the virus as the antibodies we discovered.”

Next steps towards therapy

The Icahn School of Medicine has already patented the antibodies, signalling confidence in their potential clinical use. However, the team is clear that the work is still in its early stages. The antibodies must undergo rigorous preclinical safety checks and eventually human clinical trials before becoming available as a therapy.

For now, the researchers are focusing on two tracks: advancing the antibodies through further testing and leveraging their insights into the immune response to guide future strategies. Their dual approach could yield not only a treatment for mpox but also a foundation for tackling related viruses.

The discovery comes at a critical time. Mpox cases continue to be reported globally and no approved treatments are available. The identification of targeted antibodies offers a potential path toward effective therapy.