Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 7.30 | Aug 7 2019

TOP STORY

Multispecific Anti-HIV duoCAR-T Cells Display Broad In Vitro Antiviral Activity and Potent In Vivo Elimination of HIV-Infected Cells in a Humanized Mouse Model

The authors showed that transduction with lentiviral vectors encoding multispecific anti-HIV duoCARs confered primary T cells with the capacity to potently reduce cellular HIV infection by up to 99% in vitro and >97% in vivo. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

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The NDV-3A Vaccine Protects Mice from Multidrug Resistant Candida auris Infection

Anti-Als3p antibodies generated by vaccinating mice with NDV-3A (a vaccine based on the N-terminus of Als3 protein formulated with alum) recognized C. auris in vitro, blocked its ability to form biofilms and enhanced macrophage-mediated killing of the fungus. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article | Press Release

Macrophages Exposed to HIV Viral Protein Disrupt Lung Epithelial Cell Integrity and Mitochondrial Bioenergetics via Exosomal MicroRNA Shuttling

Investigators showed that HIV-1-infected macrophages and HIV-1 proteins Tat or gp120-treated macrophages expressed high levels of microRNAs, including miR-23a and miR-27a. Identical miRNAs expression patterns were detected in macrophage-secreted exosomes isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of HIV transgenic rats. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Proportion of CD57⁺ Cells among Effector CD8⁺ T Cells Is Lower HIV Controllers Compared to ART Treated Patients

For the CD8⁺ T cell population as a whole, the ART-exposed but not the HIV-1 controller (HIC) patients exhibited a much higher proportion of KLRG-1⁺ and CD57⁺ CD8⁺ T cells than HDs. For the CD8⁺ T cell subsets, HICs had a lower proportion of CD57⁺ effector CD8⁺ T cells than ART patients or HDs, whereas the proportions of KLRG-1⁺ effector were similar. [AIDS] Abstract

A Novel PPE39 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain Beijing/K Induces Th1 Polarization via Dendritic Cell Maturation

Researchers characterized PPE39-induced immunological features by investigating the interaction of PPE39 with dendritic cells (DCs). PPE39-treated DCs displayed reduced dextran uptake and enhanced MHC-I, MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 expression, indicating that this PPE induced phenotypic DC maturation. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

Immunization of BLT Humanized Mice Redirects T Cell Responses to Gag and Reduces Acute HIV-1 Viremia

The authors explored the utility of the bone marrow, liver, thymus (BLT) model for HIV-1 vaccine development by immunizing BLT mice against the conserved viral Gag protein utilizing a rapid prime-boost protocol of PLGA microparticles and a replication-defective HSV recombinant vector. [J Virol] Abstract

Primary HIV-1 Strains Use Nef to Downmodulate HLA-E Surface Expression

Investigators examined HLA-E surface levels following infection of CD4⁺ T cells with primary HIV-1 strains and observed that a subset downregulates HLA-E. Two primary strains of HIV-1 inducing the strongest reduction in surface HLA-E expression were chosen for further testing. [J Virol] Abstract

Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors Impair CD4 T Cell Immunity and Exacerbate Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in Aerosol-Challenged Mice

Researchers showed that cyclooxygenase inhibitors treatment was detrimental to Mycobacterium tuberculosis control in different mouse models of respiratory infection. [Commun Biol] Abstract

Successful Application of Prime and Pull Strategy for a Therapeutic HSV Vaccine

Scientists evaluated subunit vaccines and imiquimod in the guinea pig (gp) model of recurrent Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2). Following vaginal HSV-2 infection, gps were vaccinated with various combination of glycoproteins and adjuvant with or without subcutaneous or local applications of imiquimod after infection. [npj Vaccines] Full Article | Press Release

An Autophagy-Inducing and TLR-2 Activating BCG Vaccine Induces a Robust Protection against Tuberculosis in Mice

Consistent with in vitro effects, BCG^85C5 markedly expanded both effector and central memory T cells in C57Bl/6 mice protecting them against both primary aerosol infection with M. tuberculosis and reinfection, but was less effective among TLR-2 knockout mice. [npj Vaccines] Full Article

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Protective to a T: The Role of T Cells during Zika Virus Infection

Scientists discuss the CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to Zika virus (ZIKV), and the lessons they have learned from both mouse and human infections. In addition, they consider the possibility of whether T cells, in the context of flavivirus-naïve and flavivirus-immune subjects, play a role in promoting ZIKV pathogenesis during infection. [Cells] Full Article

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DNARx Awarded DARPA Contract for up to $10.7 Million to Develop Non-Viral DNA-Encoded Gene Therapy to Protect against Pandemic Influenza

DNARx announced that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded the company up to $10.7 million for research and development of DNA-encoded gene-based therapeutics to protect against pandemic influenza. [DNARx (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

PerkinElmer Launches EUROIMMUN ELISA for Detection of Aspergillus Infections

PerkinElmer, Inc. announced the launch of the new EUROIMMUN Aspergillus Antigen ELISA. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is specifically designed to detect the Aspergillus antigen galactomannoprotein and assist in distinguishing invasive aspergillosis. [PerkinElmer, Inc.] Press Release

Novavax Reaches Agreement with the FDA on Pivotal Phase III Trial Design for NanoFlu

Novavax, Inc. announced that it received input from the FDA on its End-of Phase II questions and has reached agreement on its Phase III trial design for NanoFlu^™, its adjuvanted recombinant quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine candidate for older adults aged 65 and over. [Novavax, Inc.] Press Release

Squarex Announces Positive Results from Completed Phase II Study of SQX770 in the Prevention of Recurrent Herpes Labialis

Squarex announced positive results from a Phase II study of its investigational compound SQX770, a topical formulation of the immunomodulator squaric acid dibutyl ester, in patients with recurrent herpes labialis. [Squarex (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Inotrem Announces FDA Clearance of Investigational New Drug (IND) for the Phase IIB ASTONISH Trial in Septic Shock Patients to Demonstrate Nangibotide Efficacy

Inotrem S.A announced that the FDA has cleared the company’s IND application for the ASTONISH trial where the safety, tolerance and efficacy of nangibotide, its lead compound for septic shock, will be studied. [Inotrem S.A (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Uganda Launching New Experimental Ebola Vaccine Trial

Researchers in Uganda are set to introduce a second experimental Ebola vaccine to the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, where the virus has claimed more than 1,800 lives in the past year. [The Scientist] Editorial

CDC Shuts Down Army Lab’s Disease Research

The agency cites lapses in biosafety procedures at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Maryland. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW 2019 National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference
November 3-5, 2019
Glasgow, United Kingdom

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NEW Director – Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology (Gladstone Institutes)

Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Immune Cell Culture (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Innovation Scholar – Neglected Diseases (Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Influenza (University of Georgia)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Antibody-Mediated Protection of EBV (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Senior Staff Fellow – Viral Vaccines (Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research)

Postdoctoral Position – Mucosal Immunology (University of California, San Diego)

Postdoctoral Position – Infectious Disease (National Institute of Health)

Postdoctoral Positions – Infectious Disease (The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine)

Scientist – Infectious Diseases (Genentech, Inc.)

Research Associate – Immunology (Evotec)

Postdoctoral Position – Innate Immune Signaling in Spirochetal Diseases (UConn Health)

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