Monocytes Activate Natural Killer Cells via Inflammasome-Induced Interleukin 18 in Response to Hepatitis C Virus Replication Production of interferon-γ by natural killer (NK) cells is attenuated during chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus. Researchers investigated whether this is due to intrinsic or extrinsic mechanisms of NK cells. [Gastroenterology] Abstract Two Functional Lupus-Associated BLK Promoter Variants Control Cell-Type- and Developmental-Stage-Specific Transcription Results demonstrated that both lupus-associated functional variants contribute to the autoimmune disease association by modulating transcription of BLK in B cells and thus potentially altering immune responses. [Am J Hum Genet] Abstract Granzyme K Synergistically Potentiates LPS-Induced Cytokine Responses in Human Monocytes Researchers showed that granzyme K (GrK) binds to Gram-negative bacteria and their cell-wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS). GrK synergistically enhances LPS-induced cytokine release in vitro from primary human monocytes and in vivo in a mouse model of LPS challenge. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract T Cell GM-CSF Expression in Juvenile Arthritis Is Contingent Upon Th17 Plasticity Investigators analysed the expression of T cell derived granulocyte monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the joints of patients with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and investigated the development links between Th17 and GM-CSF+ T helper cells. [Arthritis Rheumatol] Abstract | Full Article Ultra-Low Dose Interleukin-2 Promotes Immune-Modulating Function of Regulatory T Cells and Natural Killer Cells in Healthy Volunteers Low dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) expands regulatory T cells and natural killer cells after stem cell transplantation (SCT) and may reduce graft versus host disease (GvHD). Researchers hypothesized that ultra-low dose IL-2 could serve as an immune-modulating agent for stem cell donors to prevent GvHD following SCT. [Mol Ther] Abstract Invariant Natural Killer T Cells Developing in the Human Fetus Accumulate and Mature in the Small Intestine Investigators showed that functional human fetal invariant natural killer T cells develop and differentiate in a tissue-specific manner during the second trimester. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract Toll-Like Receptors, Immunoproteasome and Regulatory T Cells in Children with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura and Primary IgA Nephropathy The authors investigated some of the immunological features including Toll-like receptors, proteasome/immunoproteasome switch, and the regulatory T cell system in 63 children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura with/without renal involvement and in 25 with primary IgA nephropathy. [Pediatr Nephrol] Abstract Elevated Levels of Serum IL-12 and IL-18 Are Associated with Lower Frequencies of CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ Regulatory T cells in Young Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Since IL-12 and IL-18 mediate inflammatory response and Tregs exhibit anti-inflammatory potential, researchers aimed to examine their reciprocal relationship in patients with type 1 diabetes. [Inflammation] Full Article |