Human Immunology News Volume 2.10 | Mar 18 2014

Enhanced Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper in Dendritic Cells Induces Allergen-Specific Regulatory CD4⁺T-Cells in Respiratory Allergies
Scientists suspect a defective expression of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper protein in the dendritic cells of respiratory allergic patients and speculate that increasing its expression might restore immune tolerance against allergens through the induction of IL-10-secreting regulatory CD4⁺T-cells. [Allergy] Abstract

Killer-Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor Expression on Lymphocyte Subsets in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Interferon-β: Evaluation as Biomarkers for Clinical Response
Investigators analyzed whether the expression of killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor isoforms is implicated in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis and in the therapeutic response to interferon-β. [CNS Drugs] Abstract

Angiotensin Receptor Type 1 and Endothelin Receptor Type A on Immune Cells Mediate Migration and the Expression of Interleukin-8 and CCL18 When Stimulated by Autoantibodies from Systemic Sclerosis Patients
Angiotensin II receptor type 1 and endothelin receptor type A protein expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals and systemic sclerosis patients were analyzed using flow cytometry, and mRNA expression of both receptors in PBMCs from healthy donors was examined by real-time PCR. [Arthritis Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Mitochondrial Dysfunction Promotes and Aggravates the Inflammatory Response in Normal Human Synoviocytes
The authors investigated whether mitochondrial dysfunction induces inflammatory responses in cultured normal human synoviocytes, a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis. [Rheumatology] Abstract

Effects of IL-6 and IL-6 Blockade on Neutrophil Function In Vitro and In Vivo
Scientists investigated interactions between IL-6, the anti-IL-6 receptor agent tocilizumab (TCZ) and neutrophils in vitro and in vivo. Neutrophils were isolated from healthy controls and incubated in vitro with pharmacologically relevant concentrations of IL-6 or TCZ. [Rheumatology] Abstract

Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Shedding of ULBP2
Researchers showed that human tumor cells lost their surface expression of UL16 binding protein 2 (ULBP2), but not ULBP1 and ULBP3, during natural killer cell-mediated cytolysis. [PLoS One] Full Article

ATG16L1 and NOD2 Polymorphisms Enhance Phagocytosis in Monocytes of Crohn’s Disease Patients
Scientists assessed the differential responses in phagocytosis by measuring the phagocytic activity and the percentage of active phagocytic monocytes and granulocytes in inflammatory bowel disease patients as well as healthy controls. [World J Gastroentero] Full Article

RNA-Sequencing Methods for Identifying Differentially Expressed Gene in Human Pancreatic Islet Cells Treated with Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
The authors profiled the transcriptome in human islets of langerhans under control conditions or following exposure to the pro-inflammatory cytokines based on the RNA sequencing dataset downloaded from SRA database. [Mol Biol Rep] Abstract

Molecular Abnormalities of the B Cell in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Are Candidates for Functional Inhibition Treatments
The authors focus on the aberrant phenotype of B cell signaling in patients with lupus. They also discuss data stemming from the use of small molecules that have recently been recognized to target important steps of the B cell signal transduction pathways with therapeutic implications for systemic lupus erythematosus. [Expert Opin Pharmacother] Abstract

Regulatory T-Cell Vaccination Independent of Auto-Antigen
This review article examines the potential of treating autoimmune diseases without having previous knowledge of the auto-anitgen using an innocuous antigen to stimulate regulatory T cells via the production of transforming growth factor-β and interleukin-10. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

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

Tesaro and Anaptysbio Announce Collaboration and Exclusive Worldwide License Agreement for Multiple Immuno-Oncology Programs
TESARO, Inc. and AnaptysBio, Inc. announced an exclusive, worldwide license agreement and immuno-oncology antibody collaboration. Therapeutic antibodies selected from these programs will form the basis of a strategic platform that will enable TESARO to develop novel monotherapy and combination-based approaches with immuno-oncology and other anti-cancer agents in a variety of indications. [TESARO, Inc.] Press Release

MD Anderson, MedImmune Join Forces to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and MedImmune will collaborate through MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program to develop therapies that unleash patients’ immune systems to attack their cancers. [The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center] Press Release

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Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

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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