The Glycolytic Enzyme PKM2 Bridges Metabolic and Inflammatory Dysfunction in Coronary Artery Disease Investigators report that in monocytes and macrophages of patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, overutilization of glucose promotes excessive and prolonged production of the cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β, driving systemic and tissue inflammation. [J Exp Med] Abstract | Press Release Platelet-Derived Microparticles Inhibit IL-17 Production by Regulatory T Cells through P-Selectin Researchers investigated whether platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) have the ability to affect regulatory T cell (Treg) plasticity. PMPs were co-cultured with healthy donor peripheral blood-derived Treg that were stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 monoclonal antibodies in the presence of IL-2, IL-15 and IL-1β. [Blood] Abstract PD-1 Blockade Boosts Radiofrequency Ablation–Elicited Adaptive Immune Responses against Tumor Scientists investigated immune-suppressive mechanisms limiting the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). They found that RFA treatment of liver metastases increased not only T-cell infiltration, but also PD-L1 expression in primary human colorectal tumors. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract | Press Release Matrix Metalloproteinase-10 Is a Target of T and B Cell Responses That Correlate with Synovial Pathology in Patients with Antibiotic-Refractory Lyme Arthritis Researchers identified an immunogenic HLA-DR-presented peptide derived from the source protein matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) from the synovium of a patient with antibiotic-refractory arthritis. After priming of the immune response to MMP-10 in early infection, a subset of patients with antibiotic-responsive or antibiotic-refractory arthritis had MMP-10 autoantibodies, but only patients with antibiotic-refractory arthritis had both T and B cell responses to the protein. [J Autoimmun] Abstract Human Naïve Regulatory T-Cells Feature High Steady-State Turnover and Are Maintained by IL-7 The authors found that in adults thymectomized early in infancy the naïve-regulatory T-cell pool is remarkably well preserved, in contrast to conventional naïve CD4 T-cells. [Oncotarget] Full Article Regulatory T Cells Inhibit CD34+ Cell Differentiation into NK Cells by Blocking Their Proliferation Investigators explored whether regulatory T cell (Treg) therapy impacted natural killer (NK) cell differentiation. Using an in vitro model of hematopoietic stem cell differentiation into NK cells, they found that activated Tregs led to a 90% reduction in NK cell numbers when added at the time of commitment to the NK cell lineage. [Sci Rep] Full Article Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells Expressing HLA Class II Molecules as an Effective Tool for Amplifying Human Specific Memory CD4+ T Cells Scientists constructed stable artificial antigen presenting cells (AAPCs) derived from mouse fibroblasts. They showed that AAPCs were able to take up and process whole Ag proteins, and present epitopes to specific T cells. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract Comparative Analysis of Protocols to Induce Human CD4+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells by Combinations of IL-2, TGF-Beta, Retinoic Acid, Rapamycin and Butyrate Investigators comprehensively compared different established and defined novel protocols of human induced regulatory T cell (iTreg) generation using TGF-β in combination with other compounds. They found that human iTregs expressed several Treg signature molecules, such as Foxp3, CTLA-4 and EOS, while exhibiting low expression of the cytokines interferon-γ, IL-10 and IL-17. [PLoS One] Full Article Glioblastoma-Infiltrated Innate Immune Cells Resemble M0 Macrophage Phenotype Researchers performed a comprehensive battery of immune phenotyping, whole-genome microarray analysis, and microRNA expression profiling of glioblastoma-associated myeloid cells with matched blood monocytes, healthy donor monocytes, normal brain microglia, nonpolarized M0 macrophages, and polarized M1, M2a, M2c macrophages. [JCI Insight] Full Article | Press Release Autoimmune Response to Transthyretin in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Using biochemical and proteomic approaches, the authors identified the molecular chaperone transthyretin (TTR) as an antigenic target for B and T cell immune responses. Three cryptic, HLA-DR1–restricted TTR peptides, which induced CD4+ T cell expansion and IFN-γ and TNF-α production in three out of 17 analyzed patients, were also identified. [JCI Insight] Full Article | Press Release Subscribe to our sister publications: Immunology of Infectious Disease News & Immune Regulation News! |