Strong Immunogenicity and Cross-Reactivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESX-5 Type VII Secretion-Encoded PE/PPE Proteins Predicts Vaccine Potential Researchers report the strong T cell immunogenicity of the ESX-5-encoded PE/PPE proteins (named after their N-terminal Pro-Glu (PE) or Pro-Pro-Glu (PPE) motifs), which share a large panel of cross-reactive CD4+ epitopes with substantial numbers of their ESX-5-nonassociated PE/PPE homologs. [Cell Host Microb] Abstract Mitigating Age-Related Immune Dysfunction Heightens the Efficacy of Tumor Immunotherapy in Aged Mice Researchers developed a melanoma-specific cancer immunotherapy that shows efficacy in aged but not young hosts by mitigating age-specific tumor-associated immune dysfunction. [Cancer Res] Abstract | Press Release LIGHT Delivery to Tumors by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mobilizes an Effective Antitumor Immune Response Researchers demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells can effectively home to and deliver immune stimulating molecules to tumor tissues, thereby reversing the immune-suppressive environment, promoting anti-tumor immunity, and inhibiting tumor growth. [Cancer Res] Abstract Antagonist-Mediated Down-Regulation of Toll-Like Receptors Increases the Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus This study evaluated whether abnormal host innate immune response in lupus patients may enhance human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence. Protein levels of Toll-like receptors 3, 7, 8 and 9 in cervical epithelial cells of lupus patients and controls with or without HPV infection were assessed using flow cytometry. [Arthritis Res Ther] Abstract Spherical Lactic Acid Bacteria Activate Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Immunomodulatory Function via Toll-Like Receptor9-Dependent Crosstalk with Myeloid Dendritic Cells Data showed that certain non-pathogenic spherical lactic acid bacteria in wide dietary use have potent and diverse immunomodulatory effects on plasmacytoid dendritic cells. [PLoS One] Abstract CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells from MRL/lpr Mice Were Functionally More Active In Vitro but Did Not Prevent Spontaneous as well as Adriamycin-Induced Nephropathy In Vivo Researchers investigated the suppressive function of regulatory T cells from MRL/lpr mice in vitro and in vivo by using an alternative quantitative assay. [Rheumatology] Abstract Glia Maturation Factor Gamma Regulates the Migration and Adherence of Human T Lymphocytes Researchers demonstrated that glia maturation factor gamma (GMFG) is a component of human T cell pseudopodia required for migration. The reduction in migration and increased adherence properties associated with inhibition of GMFG expression suggest that GMFG activity influences the regulation of integrin mediated adhesion. [BMC Immunol] Abstract Chitooligosaccharide Elicits Acute Inflammatory Cytokine Response through AP-1 Pathway in Human Intestinal Epithelial-Like Cells Researchers evaluated the effect of chitooligosaccharide (COS) on expression of a specific panel of cytokine genes involved in inflammation and delineated the signal transduction pathway underlying the COS mediated inflammatory response. [Mol Immunol] Abstract Resistance to ABT-737 in Activated T lymphocytes: Molecular Mechanisms and Reversibility by Inhibition of the Calcineurin-NFAT Pathway By following a T-cell receptor transgenic population of alloantigen-specific T cells, researchers found that sensitivity to ABT-737 radically changed during the course of allo-specific immune responses. [Cell Death Dis] Abstract |