Human Immunology News Volume 1.19 | Jul 23 2013

Radiotherapy of Human Sarcoma Promotes an Intratumoral Immune Effector Signature
Researchers retrospectively analyzed the expression of 35 immune response-related genes by qRT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry on paired formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples from 38 sarcoma patients before and after radiotherapy. They observed that radiotherapy results in a significant upregulation of several immune effectors and cancer-testis antigens and a concomitant downregulation of immune suppressors, indicating that radiotherapy may support the immune defense in sarcomas. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses in Type 1 Diabetic Patients Participating in a Phase III GAD-Alum Intervention Trial
The authors characterized cellular and humoral responses in Swedish patients participating in a phase III trial, receiving four or two GAD formulated in aluminum hydroxide (GAD-alum) doses or placebo. Serum GAD65 antibody (GADA) levels, GADA IgG1-4 subclass distribution, cytokine secretion, and proliferative responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed. [Diabetes Care] Abstract

Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Circulating Polyomavirus BK VP1-Specific CD8⁺ T Cells in Healthy Adults
Using tetrameric human polyomavirus BK (BKV) peptide-HLA-A02 complexes the authors determined the presence, phenotype and functional characteristics of circulating BKV VP1-specific CD8⁺ T cells in five healthy individuals. They showed that these cells are present in low frequencies in the circulation, and that they have a resting CD45RA- CD27⁺ memory-, and predominantly CCR7- CD127⁺ KLRG1⁺ CD49d^hi CXCR3^hi T-bet^int Eomesodermin^lo phenotype. [J Virol] Abstract

Impaired NK Cell Antiviral Cytokine Response against Influenza Virus in Small-for-Gestational-Age Neonates
Scientists aimed to determine the differences of natural killer (NK) cell immunity among adults, appropriate-for gestational-age and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates. In response to influenza virus stimulation, neonatal NK cells, especially SGA baby cells, expressed significantly lower antiviral cytokines including perforin, interferon-γ and tumor-necrosis factor-a responses than adult NK cells. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

Retinoic Acid-Producing, Ex Vivo-Generated Human Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells Induce the Proliferation of Immunosuppressive B-Lymphocytes
Researchers showed that co-stimulation-impaired tolerogenic dendritic cells that prevent and reverse type 1 diabetes mellitus induce the proliferation of human immunosuppressive B-cells in vitro. They also showed that the suppressive properties of these B-cells concentrate inside the CD19+ CD24+ B-cell population and more specifically inside the CD19+ CD24+ CD38+ B-regulatory cell population. [Clin Exp Immunol] Abstract

Reduced Frequency of CD56^dim CD16^pos Natural Killer (NK) Cells in Pediatric Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)/Sepsis Patients
Scientists tested the hypothesis that decreased NK cell cytotoxicity is a common feature of pediatric SIRS/sepsis patients by measuring, using flow cytometry, NK cell cytotoxicity and cell surface phenotype in the peripheral blood of 38 pediatric intensive care patients who demonstrated signs and symptoms of either SIRS and/or sepsis. [Pediatr Res] Abstract

The Role of miRNA in Inflammation and Autoimmunity
The authors discuss how certain candidate microRNAs (miRNAs) affect inflammatory and immune mediated diseases by regulating their cellular and molecular targets. They focused the influence of gender and sex hormones on miRNA. They believe that understanding the role of miRNAs could shed light on the cause and progression of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and eventually lay the groundwork for therapeutic options. [Autoimmun Rev] Abstract

Adiponectin in Inflammatory and Immune-Mediated Diseases
This review discusses the role of adiponectin (APN) in modulation of inflammation and immunity and the potential mechanisms leading to increased levels of APN in inflammatory/immune diseases, including modification of adipose tissue physiology; relative contribution of different tissues and adipose depots; hormonal, pharmacological, nutritional and life style factors; the potential contribution of the microbiota as well as the role of altered APN clearance and release from T-cadherin-associated tissue reservoirs. [Cytokine] Abstract

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

Immunovaccine and NCIC Clinical Trials Group to Collaborate on Phase II Study of DPX-Survivac
Immunovaccine Inc. (IMV) announced that Canada’s NCIC Clinical Trials Group (NCIC) will sponsor and conduct a randomized Phase II study of Immunovaccine’s cancer vaccine, DPX-Survivac, in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The study is designed to assess whether IMV’s vaccine therapy can delay or prevent cancer recurrence. [Immunovaccine Inc.] Press Release

New Million-Dollar Trial for Multiple Sclerosis Drug
Cleveland Clinic has been selected as the primary investigator in a $11.3 million nationwide study funded primarily by the National Institutes of Health to conduct a trial of the oral drug ibudilast for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The Phase II study will enroll patients at 28 clinical sites across the U.S. [Cleveland Clinic] Press Release

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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)

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Role of the IL-23/IL-17 Axis in Inflammatory Arthritis (UC Davis Medical Center)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Allergy Immunology Medicine (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral and Senior Research Scientist Positions – Immunology ERC Advanced Grant Project (Technische Universitat Munchen)

Assistant Professor – Human Immunology (The Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute of Florida)

PhD Research Position – Immune Tolerance and Autoimmunity (Weizmann Institute of Science)

Research Scientist/Senior Research Officer – Monoclonal Antibodies (Bioprocessing Technology Institute/A*STAR)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

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