Innate Lymphoid Cells Promote Anatomical Containment of Lymphoid-Resident Commensal Bacteria Researchers present data that indicate that innate lymphoid cells regulate selective containment of lymphoid-resident bacteria to prevent systemic inflammation associated with chronic diseases. [Science] Abstract | Press Release Interactions between Commensal Fungi and the C-Type Lectin Receptor Dectin-1 Influence Colitis The results of this study revealed a eukaryotic fungal community in the gut that coexists with bacteria and substantially expands the repertoire of organisms interacting with the intestinal immune system to influence health and disease. [Science] Abstract | Press Release Photocrosslinkable pMHC Monomers Stain T Cells Specifically and Cause Ligand-Bound TCRs to Be ‘Preferentially’ Transported to the cSMAC The binding of T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) to specific complexes of peptide and major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) is typically of very low affinity, which necessitates the use of multimeric pMHC complexes to label T lymphocytes stably. The authors report the development of pMHC complexes able to be crosslinked by ultraviolet irradiation; even as monomers, these efficiently and specifically stained cognate T cells. [Nat Immunol] Abstract The MicroRNA miR-23b Suppresses Interleukin-17-Associated Autoimmune Inflammation by Targeting TGF-β-Activated Kinase 1/MAP3K7 Binding Protein 2 (TAB2), TAB3 and Inhibitor of Nuclear Factor κ-B Kinase Subunit-α Researchers showed that miR-23b is downregulated in inflammatory lesions of humans with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in the mouse models of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis. [Nat Med] Abstract Oligodendrocytes Enforce Immune Tolerance of the Uninfected Brain by Purging the Peripheral Repertoire of Autoreactive CD8+ T Cells Myelin-specific CD8+ T cells are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Researchers modeled this contribution in mice with CD8+ T cells recognizing ovalbumin (OVA) expressed in oligodendrocytes. Surprisingly, even very high numbers of activated OVA-reactive CD8+ T cells failed to induce disease and were cleared from the immune system after antigen encounter in the central nervous system. [Immunity] Abstract Dynamic In Situ Cytometry Uncovers T Cell Receptor Signaling during Immunological Synapses and Kinapses In Vivo Researchers introduced dynamic in situ cytometry, a combination of intravital multiphoton imaging and flow cytometry-like phenotypic analysis. Taking advantage of CD62L shedding as a marker of early T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, they examined how T cells sense TCR ligands of varying affinities in vivo. [Immunity] Abstract Safety, Tolerability, and Antibody Response of Active Aß Immunotherapy with CAD106 in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, First-in-Human Study Immunotherapy targeting the amyloid ß (Aß) peptide is a potential strategy to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, researchers assessed the safety and tolerability of CAD106, a novel active Aß immunotherapy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, designed to induce N-terminal Aß-specific antibodies without an Aß-specific T-cell response. [Lancet Neurol] Abstract | Press Release The B-Cell Identity Factor Pax5 Regulates Distinct Transcriptional Programs in Early and Late B Lymphopoiesis Researchers used genome-wide approaches to identify Pax5 target genes in pro-B and mature B cells. In these cell types, Pax5 bound to 40 percent of the cis-regulatory elements defined by mapping DNase I hypersensitive sites, transcription start sites and histone modifications. [EMBO J] Abstract SOCS2-Induced Proteasome-Dependent TRAF6 Degradation: A Common Anti-Inflammatory Pathway for Control of Innate Immune Responses Researchers demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is targeted by both lipoxins and L-kynurenine via an aryl hydrocarbon receptor/suppressors of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2)-dependent pathway. [PLoS One] Full Article |