Human Immunology News Volume 7.21 | Jun 4 2019

TOP STORY

A Public BCR Present in a Unique Dual-Receptor-Expressing Lymphocyte from Type 1 Diabetes Patients Encodes a Potent T Cell Autoantigen

Scientists describe a previously unknown lymphocyte that is a dual expresser of TCR and BCR and key lineage markers of both B and T cells. [Cell] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Polymer-Coated Gold Nanospheres Do Not Impair the Innate Immune Function of Human B Lymphocytes In Vitro

Researchers exposed freshly isolated human B lymphocytes to a set of well-characterized and biomedically relevant gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with distinct surface and shape characteristics. Polymer-coated GNPs poorly interacted with B lymphocytes, in contrast to uncoated GNPs. [ACS Nano] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Senescent Cells Evade Immune Clearance via HLA-E-Mediated NK and CD8⁺ T Cell Inhibition

The authors showed that senescent dermal fibroblasts expressed the non-classical MHC molecule HLA-E, which interacts with the inhibitory receptor NKG2A expressed by NK and highly differentiated CD8⁺ T cells to inhibit immune responses against senescent cells. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Peripheral T Cells from Multiple Sclerosis Patients Trigger Synaptotoxic Alterations in Central Neurons

A chimeric model of human T cells and murine brain slices was established to record, by patch clamp technique, the glutamatergic transmission in the presence of T cells isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy subjects, active and non‐active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients. [Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol] Abstract

Selective Cell Death of Latently HIV-Infected CD4⁺ T Cells Mediated by Autosis Inducing Nanopeptides

A single dose of nanopeptides was found to eliminate latent HIV infection in an in vitro primary model of HIV latency and ex vivo using resting CD4⁺ T cells obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral with fully suppressed virus for greater than 12 months. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Cross-Talk between miR-511-3p and C-Type Lectin Receptors on Dendritic Cells Affects Dendritic Cell Function

Researchers examined the impact of miR-511-3p up- or downregulation on human dendritic cell (DC) surface phenotype, cytokine profile, immunogenicity, and downstream T cell polarization. Using gene silencing and a selection of microRNA mimics, they could successfully suppress or induce the expression of miR-511-3p in DCs. [J Immunol] Abstract

Unraveling the Identity of FoxP3⁺ Regulatory T Cells in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Patients

Investigators found a significant increase in the frequency of nonTreg cells in granulomatosis with polyangiitis-patients as compared with healthy controls. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Rapid and Safe Isolation of Human Peripheral Blood B and T Lymphocytes through Spiral Microfluidic Channels

Scientists proposed a simple spiral microfluidic chip for efficient and high-throughput isolation of lymphocytes from a sample with prelysed RBCs. This spiral microfluidic platform did not rely on antibodies or biological markers for labeling cells of interest while isolating lymphocytes but rather enriched B and T lymphocytes through the different physical properties that are intrinsic to lymphocytes and other blood cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Abnormal Function of CD39⁺ Regulatory T Cells Could Be Corrected by High-Dose Dexamethasone in Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia

CD39 expression within CD4⁺CD25⁺ Treg cells in ITP patients was decreased compared to normal controls. After high-dose dexamethasone therapy, response group showed increased CD39 expression within Treg cells while non-response group did not show any difference in contrast to those before treatment. [Ann Hematol] Abstract

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Molecular and Immune Targets for Merkel Cell Carcinoma Therapy and Prevention

Scientists discuss both current and investigational immune and molecular targets of therapy for Merkel cell carcinoma. [Mol Carcinog] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the human immunology research field.

The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research Funds New Center at University of Pennsylvania

The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research announced that it has awarded a grant of $12 million to establish The Mark Foundation Center for Immunotherapy, Immune Signaling, and Radiation at the University of Pennsylvania. [The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research] Press Release

NantKwest Launches First-in-Human Targeted NK Phase I Clinical Trial of CD19 T-haNK Cell Therapy in Lymphoma Patients

NantKwest Inc. announced that the company’s t-haNK investigational new drug application has cleared FDA review and the program has now transitioned to a first-in-human clinical trial targeting CD19 t-haNK in advanced B-cell lymphoma. [NantKwest Inc.] Press Release

Controversial US Bill Would Lift Supreme Court Ban on Patenting Human Genes

A congressional proposal that would overturn a landmark US Supreme Court decision that barred the patenting of human genes and ease other restrictions on patenting software and biomedical inventions is drawing fierce criticism from some scientific societies and patient advocates. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

China Urged to Abandon Plan to Sell Unproven Cell Therapies

An international group of stem-cell researchers is urging China to cancel draft regulations that would permit some hospitals to sell therapies developed from patients’ own cells, without approval from the nation’s drug regulator. [Nature News] Editorial

Brexit ‘May Bar UK Scientists From €100bn EU Research Fund’

The Horizon Europe program will fund €100bn in research projects, making it one of the largest science funds in the world. British researchers will be locked out unless the government negotiates an access deal in the coming months. [The Guardian] Editorial

NEW CAR-TCR Summit
September 10-13, 2019
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (Boston University)

PhD Position – Infection Biology/Mucosal Immunology (RWTH University Hospital)

Researcher – Tumor Responses to Radiotherapy & Immunotherapy (University Hospital of Northern Norway)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (KU Leuven)

Postdoctoral Opportunities – Tumor Microenvironment/Immunology (Oregon Health & Science University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Mucosal Immunology and the Microbiome (Massachusetts General Hospital)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Immunology and Bioengineering (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology of Enteric Infections (University of Utah)

Postdoctoral Associate – Cancer Biology/Tumor Immunology (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Director of Research – Division of Translational Medicine & Human Genetics (University of Pennsylvania)

Assistant/Associate or Professor – Cancer Immunotherapy/Tumor Immunology (University of California, Irvine)

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