Human Immunology News Volume 2.09 | Mar 11 2014

Quantitative Reconstruction of Leukocyte Subsets Using DNA Methylation
Investigators developed an approach that uses DNA methylation to simultaneously quantify multiple leukocyte subsets, enabling the investigation of immune modulations in virtually any blood sample including archived samples previously precluded from such analysis. Here they assessed the performance characteristics and validity of this approach. [Genome Biol]Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Enhancement of T Cell Responses as a Result of Synergy between Lower Doses of Radiation and T Cell Stimulation
Scientists report enhanced T cell function induced by synergistic radiation treatment, with potential physiological significance in a wide range of T cell responses. [J Immunol]Abstract

T Helper 17 Cell Cytokines and Interferon Type I: Partners in Crime in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Recently, T helper 17 subset (Th17 cells), which produces IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21 and IL-22, has been implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As CCR6 enriches for Th17 cells, researchers used this approach to investigate whether CCR6+ memory T helper cells producing IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21 and/or IL-22 are increased in SLE patients and whether this increase is related to the presence of interferon type I signature. [Arthritis Res Ther]Abstract | Full Article

Ex Vivo Expanded Human Regulatory T Cells Delay Islet Allograft Rejection via Inhibiting Islet-Derived Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Production in CD34⁺ Stem Cells-Reconstituted NOD-scid IL2rγ^null Mice
Investigators developed a pre-clinical model of human islet transplantation by reconstituting NOD-scid IL2rγ^null mice with cord blood-derived human CD34⁺ stem cells and demonstrated that although the engrafted human immune system mediated the rejection of human islets, their survival was significantly prolonged following adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded human regulatory T cells. [PLoS One]Full Article

Preferential Infiltration of IL-4-Producing CXCR4⁺ T Cells in the Lesional Muscle but Not Skin of Patients with Dermatomyositis
To investigate the difference between muscle- and skin-infiltrating T cells and to address their role for myopathy, researchers characterized T cells that were directly expanded from the tissues. [Clin Exp Immunol]Abstract

Luteinizing Hormone Contributes to Fetal Tolerance by Regulating Adaptive Immune Responses
Recently, the authors showed that human chorionic gonadotropin not only increases the number and activity of regulatory T cells (Treg) but also retains tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs). Here, they investigated whether the highly homologous luteinizing hormone modulates Treg number and DC phenotype and thereby supports pregnancy. [Am J Reprod Immunol]Abstract

Allogeneic Lymphocyte-Licensed Dendritic Cells Expand T Cells with Improved Antitumor Activity and Resistance to Oxidative Stress and Immunosuppressive Factors
Scientists demonstrated that when irradiated and preactivated allosensitized allogeneic lymphocytes are used as helper cells to license OKT3-armed allogeneic mature dendritic cells, together they expand target T cells of high quality. [Mol Ther – Methods Clin Dev]Full Article | Press Release

Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 1 (S1P₁) Signaling in T Cells: Trafficking and Beyond
This review article discusses the current knowledge of S1P signaling in the fate and function of T regulatory, T helper 17 and memory T cells in health and disease.Abstract

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Synthetic Biologics Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent Adding Another Layer of Protection for the Use of Oral Estriol Candidate, Trimesta™, for Multiple Sclerosis
Synthetic Biologics, Inc. announced that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 8,658,627 entitled, “Pregnancy Hormone Combination for Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases”, to the Regents of the University of California. [Synthetic Biologics, Inc.]Press Release

Genocea Biosciences Announces Collaboration to Characterize T Cell Responses to Cancer Antigens
Genocea Biosciences, Inc. announced a joint research collaboration with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School to characterize anti-tumor T cell responses in melanoma patients. This collaboration extends the use of the company’s proprietary ATLAS™ platform for the rapid discovery of T cell antigens to cancer immunotherapy approaches. [Genocea Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Fellowship – Construction of Vaccine Molecules for Treatment of Allergic Diseases (University of Oslo)

Postdoctoral Fellow Position – Examining the Impact of the Neonatal Immune System on Perinatal Brain Injury (University of Gothenburg)

Assistant/Associate Professors – Allergic Inflammation and Sensory Neurobiology (North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine)

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

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

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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