Human Immunology News Volume 1.22 | Aug 13 2013

Human Regulatory T Cells against Minor Histocompatibility Antigens: Ex Vivo Expansion for Prevention of Graft-versus-Host Disease
Scientists sought to identify and expand regulatory CD4 T cells (Treg) specific for human minor histocompatibility antigens in numbers and potency adequate for clinical testing. Purified Treg from normal donors were stimulated by dendritic cells from their HLA-matched siblings in the presence of IL-2, IL-15 and rapamycin. [Blood] Abstract

Immune Competence after Alemtuzumab Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Investigators aimed to determine the immunocompetency of patients with multiple sclerosis treated with the lymphodepleting humanized monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab. [Neurology] Abstract

A Phase IB Study on Intravenous Synthetic mRNA Electroporated Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy in Pretreated Advanced Melanoma Patients
In this phase IB clinical trial, 24 million viable dendritic cells were administered by four biweekly combined intradermal and intravenous (iv) administrations, and a fifth administration on week 16. Immune responses were assessed by analysis of antigen specificity of blood-derived T-cells and skin infiltrating lymphocytes. [Ann Oncol] Abstract

Autoimmunity against INS-IGF2 Expressed in Human Pancreatic Islets
The authors aimed to determine expression of INS-IGF2 in human pancreatic islets and autoantibodies in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes children and controls. INS-IGF2, expressed primarily in beta cells, showed higher levels of expression in islets from normal compared to donors with either type 2 diabetes or high HbA1c levels. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

CD14⁺CD33⁺ Myeloid Cell-CCL11-Eosinophil Signature in Ulcerative Colitis
Scientists tested the hypothesis that eotaxins (CCL11, CCL24, and CCL26) and IL-5 contribute to eosinophil recruitment to the intestine in ulcerative colitis and that intestinal macrophages are important producers of CCL11 in this disease. [J Leukoc Biol] Abstract

CTLA4-Ig (Abatacept) Therapy Modulates T Cell Effector Functions in Autoantibody-Positive Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Researchers performed a mechanism of action study to dissect T cell functionality in rheumatoid arthritis patients with long-standing disease undergoing abatacept treatment and the influence of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies status. [BMC Immunol] Full Article

Regulatory T Cells in Behçet’s Disease: Is there a Correlation with Disease Activity? Does Regulatory T Cell Type Matter?
The authors investigated the percentage of regulatory T cells and the correlation with clinical activity in Behçet’s disease (BD). Forty BD patients, 18 males and 22 females, were included in the study. [Rheumatol Int] Abstract

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Kite Pharma Appoints Leading Cancer Immunotherapy Experts to its Scientific Advisory Board
Kite Pharma Inc. announced the appointment of three leading experts in the areas of immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor technology, and gene therapy to its Scientific Advisory Board. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

Regulatory Update – GSK Announces EU Submission for Cervarix^® Two Dose Schedule
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plc announced the submission of a regulatory application in the European Union (EU) for a two dosing schedule in 9-14 year old girls for its cervical cancer vaccine, Cervarix^® [Human papillomavirus bivalent (types 16 and 18) vaccine, recombinant]. [GlaxoSmithKline plc] Press Release

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)

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

Tenure-Track Position – Cell Biologist (McGill University)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Immunology (Baylor Institute for Immunology Research)

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

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Allergy Immunology Medicine (Columbia University)

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

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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