Human Immunology News Volume 2.05 | Feb 11 2014

Comprehensive Immunophenotyping of Cerebrospinal Fluid Cells in Patients with Neuroimmunological Diseases
Investigators performed unbiased, comprehensive immunophenotyping of cerebrospinal fluid and blood leukocytes in 221 subjects referred for the diagnostic work-up of neuroimmunological disorders to obtain insight about disease-specific phenotypes of intrathecal immune responses. [J Immunol] Abstract

The Intramembrane Proteases Signal-Peptide-Peptidase-Like 2a and b (SPPL2a/b) Have Distinct Functions In Vivo
The authors suggested that pharmacological modulation of SPPL2a may represent a novel approach to deplete B cells in autoimmune disorders. With regard to reported overlapping substrate spectra of SPPL2a and its close homologue SPPL2b, they investigated the role of SPPL2b in CD74 N-terminal fragment proteolysis and its impact on B and dendritic cell homeostasis. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

Broad Requirement for Terminal Sialic Acid Residues and FcγRIIB for the Preventive and Therapeutic Activity of Intravenous Immunoglobulins In Vivo
Investigators used four independent in vivo model systems of autoantibody-mediated autoimmune disease to identify a common pathway explaining intravenous immunoglobulin activity under therapeutic conditions in vivo. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

Specific Contactin N-Glycans Are Implicated in Neurofascin Binding and Autoimmune Targeting in Peripheral Neuropathies
Scientists mapped the molecular determinants of Contactin targeted by the autoantibodies. In three patients, immunoreactivity was directed against the Ig domains of Contactin and was dependent on N-glycans. [J Biol Chem] Abstract

Exploring Necrotizing Autoimmune Myopathies with a Novel Immunoassay for Anti-3-Hydroxy-3-Methyl-Glutaryl-CoA Reductase Autoantibodies
Anti-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase levels were assayed in 150 patients with suspicion of necrotizing autoimmune myopathies, 142 controls with different inflammatory/autoimmune diseases and 100 healthy donors. [Arthritis Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Estrogen Upregulates IL-21 Production by CD4+ T Lymphocytes in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Peripheral blood was obtained from 22 Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 16 healthy controls. Expression levels of interleukin-21 (IL-21) and its receptor in serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and CD4+ T cells were higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls. [Immunology] Abstract

Differential Expression Pattern of MicroRNAs in CD4+ and CD19+ Cells from Asymptomatic Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
A screening of the expression of 377 microRNAs was performed in human CD4+ and CD19+ cells isolated from the peripheral blood by using a TaqMan Human MicroRNA Array. Validation of differential expression pattern of those was performed using TaqMan assays in these cell populations obtained from a larger cohort of patients and controls. [Lupus] Abstract

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NeoStem Expands Treg International Patent Portfolio with Granting of Patent in Japan
NeoStem, Inc. announced the expansion of intellectual property protection surrounding the Company’s T-regulatory cell (Treg) program with the grant of Japanese Patent Number 5409827 titled “Methods for the Isolation and Expansion of Cord Blood Derived T Regulatory Cells.” This grant further expands the scope and reach of NeoStem’s Treg patent estate internationally. [NeoStem, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetic Regulation of Interleukin-12 Family Members (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetic Regulation of Interleukin-12 Family Members (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

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