Human Immunology News Volume 1.08 | May 7 2013

Development of a Novel Redirected T Cell-Based Adoptive Immunotherapy Targeting Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase for Adult T-Cell Leukemia
The authors demonstrated for the first time that human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is a promising therapeutic target for adult T-cell leukemia and developed a novel redirected T cell-based immunotherapy targeting hTERT. [Blood] Abstract

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Circulating Plasmablasts/Plasmacells as a Source of Anticitrullinated Protein Antibodies in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scientists studied the characteristics and phenotype of anticitrullinated protein antibody-specific B cells in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. [Ann Rheum Dis] Abstract

Suppression of Inflammation Reduces Endothelial Microparticles in Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Researchers investigated whether patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus had higher indices of endothelial damage and dysfunction than healthy controls and whether improved disease control was associated with improvement in these indices. [Ann Rheum Dis] Full Article

4-1BB Signal Stimulates the Activation, Expansion, and Effector Functions of γδ T Cells in Mice and Humans
Investigators showed that expression of 4-1BB is rapidly induced in γδ T cells following antigenic stimulation in both mice and humans, and ligation of the newly acquired 4-1BB with an agonistic anti-4-1BB augments cell division and cytokine production. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

IFN-β Therapy Modulates B-Cell and Monocyte Crosstalk via TLR7 in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
The authors investigated the response of B cells to IFN-β, a first-line therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, upon stimulation with TLR. IFN-β restored the frequency of TLR7-induced IgM and IgG-secreting cells in MS patients to the levels found in healthy donors, showing a specific deficiency in TLR7 pathway. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

Novel Adenoviral Vector Induces T-Cell Responses Despite Anti-Adenoviral Neutralizing Antibodies in Colorectal Cancer Patients
In this phase I/II study, cohorts of patients with advanced colorectal cancer were immunized with escalating doses of E1-deleted adenovirus subtype 5 (Ad5) [E1-, E2b-]-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). CEA-specific cell-mediated immune responses were observed despite the presence of preexisting Ad5 immunity in a majority of patients. [Cancer Immunol Immunother] Abstract | Press Release

Ex Vivo Analysis of Pancreatic Cancer-Infiltrating T Lymphocytes Reveals that ENO-Specific Tregs Accumulate in Tumor Tissue and Inhibit Th1/Th17 Effector Cell Functions
Scientists characterized the effector functions of α-enolase (ENO)1-specific T cells isolated from pancreatic cancer patients, and they specifically evaluated the successful role of intra-tumoral T helper 17 (Th17) cells and the inhibitory role of regulatory T (Tregs) cells in respectively promoting or reducing the cancer-specific immune response. [Cancer Immunol Immun] Abstract

Eosinophils Affect Functions of In Vitro-Activated Human CD3-CD4+ T Cells
Effects of eosinophils on CD4 T-cell activation in vitro were investigated as an indirect means of exploring whether treatment-induced eosinophil depletion may affect pathogenic T-cells driving L-HES. Helper (CD4) T-cells and CD3-CD4+ cells from healthy controls and L-HES patients, respectively, were cultured in vitro in presence of anti-CD3/CD28 or dendritic cells. Effects of eosinophils on T-cell proliferation and cytokine production were investigated. [J Transl Med] Abstract

Oxazolone and Ethanol Induce Colitis in Non-Obese Diabetic-Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Interleukin-2Rγ^null Mice Engrafted with Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Oxazolone-induced colitis in mice has become a recognized model to study the efficacy of therapeutics targeting the immunological response underlying the development of inflammatory bowel disease. However, this model cannot be used when therapeutics designed to address human targets do not interact with the respective murine counterpart. Investigators examined the induction of oxazolone mediated colitis in non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency interleukin-2Rγ^null mice engrafted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from patients suffering from ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis and healthy volunteers. [Clin Exp Immunol] Abstract

A New Paradigm in Ulcerative Colitis: Regulatory T Cells Are Key Factor which Induces/Exacerbates UC through an Immune Imbalance
The changes of T cell subsets were investigated in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients treated with leukocytapheresis (LCAP). Levels of T cell subsets in peripheral blood before and after LCAP were analyzed by flow cytometric analysis. Of 20 UC patients, 13 achieved remission and 2 showed the improvement of UC symptoms. [Mol Immunol] Abstract

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Cell-Based Immunotherapy against Gliomas: From Bench to Bedside
Cellular immunotherapy is currently being explored as therapeutic approach to treat malignant brain tumors. This review discusses advances in active, passive, and vaccine-based immunotherapeutic strategies for gliomas both at the bench and in the clinic. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy for Pediatric Asthma and Rhinoconjunctivitis: A Systematic Review
The authors systematically reviewed the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy for the treatment of pediatric asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. [Pediatrics] Abstract | Press Release

Cellular Immunotherapy for Plasma Cell Myeloma
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for plasma cell myeloma can lead to graft-vs-myeloma immunity and long-term survivorship, but limited efficacy and associated toxicities have prevented its widespread use. Cellular immunotherapies seek to induce more specific, reliable and potent antimyeloma immune responses with less treatment-related risk than is possible with allogeneic transplantation. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

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

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University’s Cancer Research Centre Boosted by £8M Donation
Almost £8m is being donated to the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre at Nottingham Trent University to support its crucial work into the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Scientists at the University are working to develop better approaches for identifying the presence, severity and progression of cancer – as well as providing an insight into how patients will respond to certain treatments. A key area of their research is to develop ways to immunize patients against their cancer, in much the same way that we can be protected against tetanus or flu. [Nottingham Trent University] Press Release

Katherine Knight, PhD, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from American Association of Immunologists
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine Professor Katherine L. Knight, PhD, one of the nation’s leading immune system researchers, has received the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Immunologists (AAI). The award is given in recognition of a career of extraordinary scientific accomplishment, as well as outstanding leadership and service to the AAI. [Loyola University Chicago]
Press Release

Three Faculty Elected to National Academy of Sciences
Three Washington University in St. Louis scientists are among the 84 members and 21 foreign associates elected to the National Academy of Sciences this year. Election to the academy is considered one of the highest honors that can be accorded a U.S. scientist or engineer. [Washington University in St. Louis]
Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

NEW 14^th Annual World Vaccine Congress 2013
October 16-17, 2013
Lille, France

NEW SELECTBIO CellTech 2014
January 28-29, 2014
San Diego, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist (Inserm [French Institut of Health and Medical Research])

NEW PhD Position (Medical University of Vienna/Christian Doppler-Laboratory for Cardio-Metabolic Immunotherapy)

Faculty Position – Cancer Immunology (Mayo Clinic)

Research Fellow (King’s College London)

Scientist – Immunology (Crucell Holland B.V.)

Physician/Scientist – Tumor Immunotherapy (Stanford University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Immunology (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Harvard Medical School)

PhD Studentship (University of Lübeck, ISEF)

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