Human Immunology News Volume 1.10 | May 21 2013

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CD47 Fusion Protein Targets CD172a⁺ Cells in Crohn’s Disease and Dampens the Production of IL-1β and TNF
Scientists aimed to elucidate the nature and functional properties of human CD172a⁺ dendritic cells in chronic intestinal inflammation. They showed that CD172a⁺CD11c⁺ cells accumulate in the mesenteric lymph nodes and inflamed intestinal mucosa in patients with Crohn’s disease. [J Exp Med] Abstract

Specific Peripheral B Cell Tolerance Defects in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Researchers found that only the peripheral, but not the central, B cell tolerance checkpoint is defective in patients with multiple sclerosis. They showed that this specific defect is accompanied by increased activation and homeostatic proliferation of mature naive B cells. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

Thyroid Autoimmunity in Relation to Islet Autoantibodies and HLA-DQ Genotype in Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents
Scientists investigated, in children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes the prevalence of autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin (TGAb); and the association between TPOAb, TGAb or both, with either islet autoantibodies or HLA-DQ genes. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Patients with autoimmune thyroid disease show defects in immune-regulatory mechanisms. Herein the authors assessed the expression of different regulatory receptors in circulating and thyroid dendritic cells. Peripheral blood samples from 49 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 35 with Graves’ disease, and 34 healthy subjects were studied. [J Clin Endorinol Metab] Abstract

CD40 Mediates Downregulation of CD32B on Specific Memory B Cell Populations in Rheumatoid Arthritis
The authors showed that patients with active rheumatoid arthritis have an increased frequency of CD32B low/neg cells in the CD27⁺IgD^– memory B cell subset and that these changes are associated with phenotypic and functional B cell activation. [J Immunol] Abstract

CD161 Expression Characterizes a Sub-Population of Human Regulatory T Cells that Produces IL-17 in a STAT3 Dependent Manner
Investigators identified and characterized the human regulatory T cell (Treg) sub-population that can be induced to produce IL-17 and identified its mechanisms. They confirmed that a sub-population of human Treg cells produces IL-17 in vitro when activated in the presence of IL-1β, but not IL-6. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

Slower Immune System Aging in Women versus Men in the Japanese Population
To elucidate the relationship between immunological changes and lifespan, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy Japanese subjects were analyzed by using three-color flow cytometry. The proliferative activities and cytokine-producing capacities of T cells in response to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody stimulation were also assessed. [Immun Ageing] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – T_FH Cells in Human Health and Disease
Long-lived humoral immunity depends on help provided by CD4⁺ T cells, namely T follicular helper (T_FH) cells, which support the differentiation of antigen-specific B cells into memory and plasma cells. T_FH cells are stringently regulated, as aberrant T_FH cell activity is involved in immunopathologies such as autoimmunity, immunodeficiencies and lymphomas. The elucidation of the mechanisms that regulate T_FH cell differentiation, function and fate should highlight targets for novel therapeutics. [Nat Rev Immunol] Abstract

The BAFF/A Proliferation Inducing Ligand System: Emerging Functions beyond B Cell Biology and Autoimmunity
The authors provide the latest views on additional roles of the B cell activating factor from the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) system in health and diseases, as well as an update on BAFF and autoimmunity, with particular focus on current clinical trials. [Cytokine Growth Factor Rev]  Abstract

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

FANG™ Personalized Tumor Vaccine Stimulates Immune Response and More than Doubles Time to Recurrence in Patients with Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer
Gradalis, Inc. announced that FANG™, the company’s tumor-based personalized cancer vaccine, elicits an immune response and delays time to recurrence in advanced stage ovarian cancer patients by more than one year compared to patients who received standard of care. [Press release from PR Newswire Association LLC discussing research to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, Salt Lake City] Press Release

Poliovirus Vaccine Trial Shows Early Promise for Recurrent Glioblastoma
An attack on glioblastoma brain tumor cells that uses a modified poliovirus is showing encouraging results in an early study to establish the proper dose level. The investigational therapy, known as PVSRIPO, uses an engineered form of the virus that is lethal to cancer cells, while harmless to normal cells. Infused directly into the patient’s tumor, the virus-based therapy also triggers the body’s immune fighters to launch an attack against the infected tumor cells. [Press release from Duke University Health System discussing research to be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Chicago]
Press Release 

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AbbVie and Alvine to Collaborate on Investigational Oral Therapy for Celiac Disease
AbbVie and Alvine Pharmaceuticals announced that they have entered into a global collaboration to develop a novel oral treatment for patients with celiac disease, currently in Phase II development. ALV003 is an investigational oral therapy composed of two recombinant, gluten specific enzymes (a cysteine protease and a prolyl endopeptidase), that degrade gluten in-vitro and in human clinical testing, and may reduce the symptoms and intestinal injury associated with celiac disease in patients attempting to adhere to a gluten-free diet. [AbbVie Inc.] Press Release

Ignyta Announces Acquisition of Actagene Oncology and Entry into Oncology Personalized Medicine
Ignyta, Inc. announced that it has acquired Actagene Oncology, Inc. With the acquisition, Ignyta has evolved its business strategy from a sole focus on molecular diagnostics for autoimmune disease to an integrated “Rx/Dx” focus on drug and biomarker discovery and development for cancer and immunology. [Business Wire] Press Release

Dr. Laurie H. Glimcher Honored by Female Scientists from The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research for Excellence in Immunology Research
The Feinstein Institute’s Advancing Women in Science and Medicine organization bestowed the AWSM Award for Excellence to Dr. Glimcher for the impacts of her immunology research on human health and for serving as a role model for women in medicine and science. [Weill Cornell Medical College] 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 European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) & World Allergy Organization (WAO): World Allergy & Asthma Congress 2013
June 22-26, 2013
Milan, Italy

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

NEW Research Scientist – Small Molecule Modulators of Cross-Talk between Tumors and Infiltrating Cells (Synovo GmbH)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – NK Cell Therapeutic Protocols (Goethe University Frankfurt am Main)

Assistant Professor – Cancer Immunology (Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

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

Faculty Position – Cancer Immunology (Mayo Clinic)

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)

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