Human Immunology News Volume 1.39 | Dec 10 2013

Therapeutic Activation of Macrophages and Microglia to Suppress Brain Tumor-Initiating Cells
Scientists examined whether the microglia and macrophages that are abundant in gliomas alter brain tumor initiating cell (BTIC) growth. They found that microglia derived from non-glioma human subjects markedly mitigated the sphere-forming capacity of glioma patient-derived BTICs in culture by inducing the expression of genes that control cell cycle arrest and differentiation. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

IL-2 Therapy Promotes Suppressive ICOS⁺ Treg Expansion in Melanoma Patients
Investigators evaluated Treg population subsets that were induced in patients with melanoma following high-dose IL-2 therapy. They identified a Treg population that was positive for CD4, CD25, Foxp3, and the inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS). [J Clin Invest] Abstract | Press Release

Digital Genomic Quantification of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes
The authors’ experiments demonstrated an association between higher tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes counts and improved survival among women with ovarian cancer, and are consistent with previous observations that the immune response against ovarian cancer is a meaningful and independent prognostic factor. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Transfer of Antigen from Human B Cells to Dendritic Cells
The cooperation of B lymphocytes with other antigen presenting cells (APCs) is often necessary in the efficient processing and presentation of antigen. Scientists describe a mechanism by which B cells physically interact with dendritic cells resulting in the transfer of B cell receptor-enriched antigen to these APCs. [Mol Immunol] Abstract

Cladribine Exerts an Immunomodulatory Effect on Human and Murine Dendritic Cells
The authors demonstrated that cladribine reduces the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by murine and human dendritic cells, the most potent antigen-presenting cells. [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract

Peripheral and Site-Specific CD4⁺CD28^null T Cells from Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Show Distinct Characteristics
Researchers sought to identify functional differences between CD4⁺CD28^null T cells from blood and synovial fluid in comparison to conventional CD28 expressing CD4⁺ T cells. [Scand J Immunol] Abstract

B-Lymphocyte Tolerance and Effector Function in Immunity and Autoimmunity
The authors discuss how gene expression and signaling networks regulate peripheral B-cell tolerance, B-cell effector functions and emerging therapies targeting B-cell signaling in autoimmune diseases. [Immunol Res] Abstract

Regulatory Dendritic Cell Therapy: From Rodents to Clinical Application
This mini-review outlines how observations made using animal models have been translated into human use, and discuss the challenges faced in further developing this form of regulatory immune cell therapy in the fields of autoimmunity and transplantation. [Immunol Lett] Abstract

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

From our sponsor: Learn how ex vivo models drive progress in HIV research. Read the research profiles.

Qu Biologics Begins Research with McMaster University to Study New Crohn’s Disease Research Model
Qu Biologics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing Site Specific Immunomodulators that aim to stimulate the body’s immune system against autoimmune disease and cancer, announced it is collaborating with McMaster University to study a new Crohn’s disease research model. [Qu Biologics Inc.] Press Release

The Oracle of the T Cell
As of December 2013 scientists from around the world can use the “virtual T cell” to test for themselves what happens in the blood cell when receptor proteins are activated on the surface. [University of Freiburg]
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)

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

Chief Medical Officer – Novel Therapeutics in Oncology and Autoimmune Disease (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Clinical MD – Clinical Development Program for Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Research Position – Immunology (Sanofi R&D)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Wound Healing/Fibrosis Research (University of Connecticut Health Center)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Immunology Research (The Babraham Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor Immunology (National University of Singapore)

PhD Studentship – Systems Biology and Lymphocyte Activation (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Research Position – Immunology (Singapore Immunology Network [SIgN])

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

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.