Immune Regulation News Volume 11.43 | Nov 15 2019

TOP STORY

Findings Could Help Identify Which Aggressive Breast Cancers Will Respond to Immune Treatments

Scientists have discovered a promising method to identify aggressive breast cancer tumors that will respond to drugs that unleash the immune system against cancer. [Press release from University of North Carolina discussing online prepublication in Cell] Press Release | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Mucosal Profiling of Pediatric-Onset Colitis and IBD Reveals Common Pathogenics and Therapeutic Pathways

Infiltration of PDE4B– and TNF-expressing macrophages, decreased abundance of CD39-expressing intraepithelial T cells, and platelet aggregation and release of 5-hydroxytryptamine at the colonic mucosae were common in colitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule Regulates B Lymphocyte Migration across Central Nervous System Barriers

The authors demonstrated that activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule identifies subsets of proinflammatory B lymphocytes and drives their transmigration across different central nervous system barriers in mouse and human. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Repurposing Endogenous Immune Pathways to Tailor and Control Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Functionality

Researchers repurposed TCR, CD25 and PD1, three major players of the T cell activation pathway. They inserted the chimeric antigen receptor into the TCRα gene, and IL-12P70 into either IL2Rα or PDCD1 genes. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Thrombospondin-1 Promotes Tumor Progression in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma via CD47

Scientists investigated roles of TSP-1 and CD47 in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Flow cytometric analysis and immunohistochemistry showed that CTCL tumor cells and CTCL cell lines overexpressed CD47 compared with normal CD4⁺ T cells. [Leukemia] Abstract

Plexin B2 Is a Regulator of Monocyte Apoptotic Cell Disassembly

The authors found that the protein plexin B2, a transmembrane receptor that regulates axonal guidance in neurons, was enriched in the apoptotic bodies of THP1 monocytes and was a caspase 3/7 substrate. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

NIX-Mediated Mitophagy Promotes Effector Memory Formation in Antigen-Specific CD8⁺ T Cells

Investigators showed that deficiency in NIX-dependent mitophagy leads to metabolic defects in effector memory T cells. Deletion of NIX caused HIF1α accumulation and altered cellular metabolism from long-chain fatty acid to short/branched-chain fatty acid oxidation, thereby compromising ATP synthesis during effector memory formation. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

CUL4B Negatively Regulates Toll-Like Receptor-Triggered Proinflammatory Responses by Repressing Pten Transcription

Scientists identified the role of cullin 4B (CUL4B) as an intrinsic negative regulator of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-triggered inflammatory response. Deletion of CUL4B in macrophages increased the production of proinflammatory cytokines and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 production in response to pathogens that activate TLR3, TLR4, or TLR2. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

Dendritic Cells License Regulatory B Cells to Produce IL-10 and Mediate Suppression of Antigen-Specific CD8 T Cells

Researchers showed that natural protection from type 1 diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice is associated with increased numbers of IL-10-producing B cells, while development of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice occurs in animals with compromised IL-10 production by B cells. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

PD-1⁺ Melanocortin Receptor Dependent-Treg Cells Prevent Autoimmune Disease

Investigators showed that blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway prevented suppression of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) by post-EAU Tregs. Adenosine 2 A receptor induction of PD-1⁺FoxP3⁺ Tregs in uveitis patients was similar compared to healthy controls, but was significantly reduced with melanocortin stimulation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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B Cells in Autoimmune and Neurodegenerative Central Nervous System Diseases

Emerging evidence suggests B cells contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Advancing the understanding of the role of B cells in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases could lead to novel therapeutic approaches. [Nat Rev Neurosci] Abstract

Combination Immunotherapy with CAR T Cells and Checkpoint Blockade for the Treatment of Solid Tumors

The authors review preclinical and clinical combination therapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and checkpoint blockade agents, with a focus on solid tumor malignancies. [Cancer Cell] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the immune regulation research field.

Editas Medicine and Celgene Corporation Amend Existing Collaboration to Develop and Commercialize Autologous and Allogeneic T Cell Medicines for the Treatment of Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases

Editas Medicine, Inc. announced an amended collaboration with Celgene Corporation under which the parties may research, develop, and commercialize autologous and allogeneic alpha-beta T cell medicines for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. [Editas Medicine, Inc.] Press Release

X4 Pharmaceuticals Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for Mavorixafor for the Treatment of WHIM Syndrome

X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for mavorixafor for the treatment of adult patients with WHIM (Warts, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Infections, and Myelokathexis) syndrome, a rare, inherited, primary immunodeficiency disease caused by genetic mutations in the CXCR4 receptor gene. [X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Italy to Launch National Agency for Research

Just two months after Italy underwent a crisis of government and established an alliance between two leading political parties, the left-of-center Democratic Party and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, the country has announced plans to start a National Agency for Research to help oversee the distribution of federal funds. [The Scientist] Editorial

EPA’s ‘Secret Science’ Plan Is Back, and Critics Say It’s Worse

Critics are blasting a revised Trump administration plan to give the EPA broad power to ignore research results when setting public health rules if officials decide the underlying data are not adequately accessible to the public. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

The Mental Health of PhD Researchers Demands Urgent Attention

Two years ago, a student responding to Nature’s biennial PhD survey called on universities to provide a quiet room for “crying time” when the pressures caused by graduate study become overwhelming. At that time, 29% of 5,700 respondents listed their mental health as an area of concern – and just under half of those had sought help for anxiety or depression caused by their PhD study. Things seem to be getting worse. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) 2020
June 23-26, 2020
San Francisco, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Immunology/Bioengineering (West Virginia University)

Research Associate – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Human Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Doctoral Student Position – Human Immune Development (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Position – Pro-Inflammatory B Cells (Institut Necker Enfants Malades)

Postdoctoral Researcher – CAR T-Cell Immunology (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Neuro-Immune Control of Metabolism (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Translational Immuno-Oncology (Georg-Speyer-Haus – Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology and Vaccines (University of Maryland)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Innate Immune Signaling Pathways and Mechanisms (University of Utah)

Chief – Laboratory of Allergic Diseases (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

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