Human Immunology News Volume 2.04 | Feb 4 2014

Allergen-Specific Th2 Responses in Young Children Precede Sensitization Later in Life
Investigators hypothesized that allergen-specific Th2-cell responses can be detected preceding sensitization. Therefore, peripheral blood mononuclear cells of nonsensitized, ‘not-yet’ sensitized or sensitized children were cultured with highly purified allergens. Cytokine levels in supernatant were determined using multiplex assay and GATA3 expression by flow cytometry. [Allergy] Abstract

Cell Contact-Dependent Priming and Fc Interaction with CD32⁺ Immune Cells Contribute to the TGN1412-Triggered Cytokine Response
TGN1412 treatment of T cells isolated from high-density preculture-PBMCs induced moderate cytokine responses, which upon additional anti-IgG crosslinking were significantly boosted. Moreover, coincubation of TGN1412-treated T cells with B cells expressing the intermediate affinity Fcγ receptor IIB, or coincubation with Fcγ receptor IIB (CD32B)⁺ transfectants, resulted in robust T cell activation. [J Immunol] Abstract

T Cell Receptor-Mediated Activation Is a Potent Inducer of Macroautophagy in Human CD8⁺CD28⁺ T Cells but Not in CD8⁺CD28^– T Cells
The authors investigated autophagy in CD8⁺CD28⁺ and CD8⁺CD28^– T cells following T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. They demonstrated that TCR-mediated activation led to a potent induction of autophagy in CD8⁺CD28⁺ T cells which was accompanied by an increased activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1. [Exp Gerontol] Abstract

HLA Restriction of Carbamazepine-Specific T-Cell Clones from an HLA-A*31:01-Positive Hypersensitive Patient
Researchers showed that HLA-A*31:01+ restricted the activation of carbamazepine-specific CD8⁺ T-cells, which provides an immunological basis for the genetic association. [Chem Res Toxicol] Abstract

Studying IFN-Gamma, IL-17 and FOXP3 in Pediatric Lupus Nephritis
Scientists studied the cytokines secreted by the inflammatory T cell subgroups (IFN-γ and IL-17) and FOXP3 expression in lupus nephritis and analyzed associations with clinical and histopathological parameters. [Pediatr Nephrol] Abstract

APL-2, an Altered Peptide Ligand Derived from Heat-Shock Protein 60, Induces Interleukin-10 in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Derived from Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patients and Downregulates the Inflammatory Response in Collagen-Induced Arthritis Model
Scientists aimed to evaluate the potentialities of two altered peptide ligands derived from human heat-shock protein 60, an autoantigen involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune arthritis, in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients. [Clin Exp Med] Abstract

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Interplay of Infections, Autoimmunity, and Immunosuppression in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Strategies to prevent infection, including vaccines, prophylactic antibiotic therapies, toll-like receptor antagonism, and antioxidant treatment that may decrease disease burden and improve quality of life in lupus patients are discussed. [Int Rev Immunol] Abstract

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Ablynx Announces Worldwide Cancer Immunotherapy Discovery Collaboration and Licensing Agreement with Merck
Ablynx announced that the company has entered into a second research collaboration and licensing agreement with a subsidiary of Merck & Co. This new exclusive collaboration and licensing agreement is focused on the discovery and development of several predefined Nanobody candidates directed toward so called “immune checkpoint modulators,” proteins believed to provide potential targets for the development of cancer immunotherapies, a rapidly emerging approach to the treatment of a wide range of cancer types. [Ablynx]
Press Release

Stem Cell Agency’s Grants to UCLA Help Set Stage for Revolutionary Medicine
Scientists from University of California, Los Angeles’ (UCLA’s) Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research were awarded grants totaling more than $3.5 million by California’s stem cell agency for their ongoing efforts to advance revolutionary stem cell science in medicine. [University of California, Los Angeles] Press Release

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NEW Lab Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

PhD Studentship – Beta-Cell ER Stress as Driver for Immune Activation in Early Type 1 Diabetes (KU Leuven)

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