Human Immunology News Volume 1.12 | Jun 4 2013

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Novel Recombinant Human B7-H4 Antibodies Overcome Tumoral Immune Escape to Potentiate T Cell Anti-Tumor Responses
Scientists showed that cell surface expression of B7-H4 occurs only on tumors in vivo, and that antibody binding of B7-H4 could restore anti-tumor T cell responses. They suggested that blocking of B7-H4/B7-H4 ligand interactions may represent a feasible therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Multipotent Stromal Cells Induce Human Regulatory T Cells through a Novel Pathway Involving Skewing of Monocytes towards Anti- Inflammatory Macrophages
Using an in vitro culture system, investigators showed that culture-expanded bone marrow derived multipotent stromal cells (MSC) promote the generation of CD4⁺ CD25^hi FoxP3⁺ T cells in human PBMC populations and that these populations are functionally suppressive. Similar results were obtained with MSC-conditioned medium, indicating that this process is dependent on soluble factors secreted by the MSC. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Identification of Promiscuous KIF20A Long Peptides Bearing Both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-Cell Epitopes: KIF20A-Specific CD4⁺ T-Cell Immunity in Patients with Malignant Tumor
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from healthy donors or patients with head-and-neck malignant tumor were used to study the immunogenicity of kinesin family member 20A (KIF20A)-long peptides (LPs), and the in vitro cross-priming potential of KIF20A-LPs bearing CTL-epitopes. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Ara h 1 CD4+ T Cell Epitope-Based Peptides: Candidates for a Peanut Allergy Therapeutic
Researchers identified short, HLA-degenerate CD4⁺ T cell epitope-based peptides of the major peanut allergen Ara h 1 that target allergen-specific T cells without causing IgE-mediated inflammatory cell activation, as candidates for safe peanut-specific immunotherapy. [Clin Exp Allergy] Abstract

Beta₂-Adrenoceptor Stimulation Suppresses TLR9-Dependent IFNA1 Secretion in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Scientists examined how adrenoceptor stimulation influences toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-induced interferon alpha (IFNA1) secretion from human plasmacytoid dendritic cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

T Cell Responses after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Aggressive Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
The authors evaluated similarities and differences of the CD4+ T cell populations between hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-treated patients and healthy controls. More specifically, they performed phenotyping of memory T cells, Tregs, T helper type 1 and T helper type 17 cells. [Immunology] Abstract

IL-27 Suppresses the Production of IL-22 in Human CD4⁺ T Cells by Inducing the Expression of SOCS1
Researchers demonstrated that interleukin (IL)-27 inhibits the production of IL-22 and induces the expression of IFN-γ in CD4⁺ T cells from human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 in dose-dependent manner. [Immunol Lett] Abstract

Infliximab Inhibits Activation and Effector Functions of Peripheral Blood T Cells In Vitro from Patients with Clinically Active Ulcerative Colitis
Investigators determined the in vitro effects of infliximab on blood T cells derived from anti-TNF therapy naïve ulcerative colitis patients with clinically active disease. [Scand J Immunol] Abstract

Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in Patients with Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09
Scientists investigated the host immune response against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus [A(H1N1)pdm09] in patients before and after anti-influenza therapy and found that the numbers of dendritic cells and T cells were significantly reduced compared with those of a healthy control group. [Arch Virol] Abstract

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Human Dendritic Cell Subsets in Vaccination
Dendritic cells (DCs) are at the center of the immune system owing to their ability to control both tolerance and immunity. DCs are thus key targets for both preventive and therapeutic vaccination. Herein, the authors discuss recent progresses in their understanding of DC subsets physiology as it applies to vaccination. [Curr Opin Immunol] Abstract

Monitoring the Immune Response in Sepsis: A Rational Approach to Administration of Immunoadjuvant Therapies
There is an urgent need for robust biomarkers usable in routine conditions evaluating rapidly evolving immune status in patients. Although functional testing remains a gold standard, its standardization remains challenging. Therefore, surrogate markers such as monocyte HLA-DR expression, are being developed. Such biomarkers of immune functionality will enable a novel approach in the design of clinical trials evaluating immunostimulating therapies in sepsis at the right time and in the right patient. [Curr Opin Immunol] Abstract

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

New European Phase II Trial to Test Immunovaccine’s DPX-Survivac in Brain Cancer Patients
Immunovaccine Inc. has agreed to use its lead cancer product, DPX-Survivac, in a study based designed to extend life for glioblastoma patients. Patients will be randomized into three groups to receive either DPX-Survivac; a dendritic cell based survivin vaccine; or, the standard of care with a placebo vaccine. [Immunovaccine Inc.] Press Release

Funding to Increase MS Clinical Trials In Scotland
A new multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trials unit being set up in Glasgow which will give Scots sufferers access to cutting edge medical treatments for the disease has been welcomed by patients and specialists. The new clinical trials unit will give research into the debilitating condition a much needed boost thanks to funding from the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates as part of a national initiative called NHS Research Scotland. [NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde] Press Release

Agenus Announces Initiation of Enrollment in National Cancer Institute-Sponsored Randomized Trial of Prophage G-200 Vaccine with Avastin in Treatment of Brain Tumors
Agenus Inc. announced enrollment has started for a large, randomized Phase II study of Prophage G-200 (Heat Shock Protein Peptide Complex-96) vaccine in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin^®) for treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme in adult patients. [Agenus Inc.] Press Release

DCPrime’s Phase I/IIa Trial with Dendritic Cancer Vaccine in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Meets All Clinical Endpoints
DCPrime announced the successful completion of its Phase I/IIa study in acute myeloid leukemia. The study establishes the safety and feasibility of vaccination with DCPrime’s lead product DCP-001, and shows clear evidence of a positive, vaccination induced immune response. [Business Wire] Press Release

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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 The Immunology of a Successful Pregnancy
October 16, 2013
London, United Kingdom

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

NEW Fellowship – Analysis of Gene Expression Profile of CD8+ Treg (Università degli Studi di Genova)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Immunology/Autoimmunity (Hospital for Special Surgery)

Chair of the Department of Immunology – Tumor Immunology (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Faculty Position – Cancer Immunology (Mayo Clinic)

Assistant Professor – Cancer Immunology (Mayo Clinic)

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

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

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

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