Human Immunology News Volume 2.12 | Apr 1 2014

The Enhancer and Promoter Landscape of Human Regulatory and Conventional T-Cell Subpopulations
CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ human regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. Researchers describe the promoterome of CD4⁺CD25^highCD45RA⁺ naïve and CD4⁺CD25^highCD45RA^– memory Tregs and their CD25^– conventional T-cell counterparts both before and after in vitro expansion by cap analysis of gene expression adapted to single-molecule sequencing. [Blood] Abstract

Antigen-Specific Activation and Cytokine-Facilitated Expansion of Naive, Human CD8⁺ T Cells
Researchers describe how to evaluate antigen-specific priming of CD8⁺ cells 10 days after a single specific stimulation. The assay provides reference conditions, which result in the expansion of a substantial population of antigen-specific T cells from the naive repertoire. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

Tumor-Educated Macrophages Display a Mixed Polarization and Enhance Pancreatic Cancer Cell Invasion
Tumor-associated macrophages have a key role in cancer-related inflammation, immune escape, matrix remodeling and metastasis. In this study, the interplay between tumor cells and immune cells under the influence of different glucose levels was investigated. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract

Expression of Dopaminergic Receptors on Human CD4+ T Lymphocytes: Flow Cytometric Analysis of Naive and Memory Subsets and Relevance for the Neuroimmunology of Neurodegenerative Disease
By use of 5-color flow cytometric analysis, researchers examined the expression of dopaminergic receptors (DR) on human CD4+ naive T lymphocytes, central memory and effector memory T cells. In addition, in cultured CD4+ T cells they investigated the changes in DR expression induced by stimulation with antiCD3/antiCD28 antibodies. [J Neuroimmune Pharmacol] Abstract

Cholesterol Lowering Modulates T Cell Function In Vivo and In Vitro
Results showed that lipid lowering reduces T cell proliferation and function, supporting the notion that lipid lowering modulates T cell function in vivo and in vitro. [PLoS One] Full Article

Peripheral CD4CD8 Double Positive T Cells with a Distinct Helper Cytokine Profile Are Increased in Rheumatoid Arthritis
In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), both CD4 and CD8 single positive T cells are known to be involved in the pathogenesis, but the role of peripheral CD4CD8 double positive (DP) T cells has not been investigated in detail. Anti cyclic citrullinated antibodies (ACPA) positive and ACPA negative RA patients, patients with systemic lupus erythematodes and age matched healthy donors were enrolled in the analysis. The frequencies and phenotype of DP T cells in PBMC were investigated. [PLoS One] Full Article

Human Cathelicidin LL-37 and Its Derivative IG-19 Regulate IL-32-Induced Inflammation
The authors examined the effects of LL-37 and IG-19 on IL-32-induced responses in human peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells and macrophages. [Immunology] Abstract

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Indolamine 2,3-Dioxygenase in Patients with GvHD
Based on the results of a previous clinical study with females treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as preconditioning therapy for in vitro fertilization, investigators hypothesized that low-dose hCG stimulates indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, IL 10 and regulatory T cells, thereby suppressing clinical manifestations of chronic GvHD. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Tumor Lysing Genetically Engineered T Cells Loaded with Multi-Modal Imaging Agents
T cells were modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR). An efficient, non-toxic process with potential for cGMP compliance was developed for loading high cell number with multi-modal contrast agents. CD19-specific-CAR⁺ super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle^pos T cells effectively target in vitro CD19⁺ lymphoma. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Global Partners SillaJen, Transgene and Lee’s Pharmaceutical Confirm Clinical Development Plan for Pexa-Vec
Transgene SA, Lee’s Pharmaceutical and SillaJen unveiled their late-stage clinical development plan for Pexa-Vec oncolytic immunotherapy. [Transgene SA] Press Release

Kite Pharma Announces FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Anti-CD19 T Cell Cancer Immunotherapy Product
Kite Pharma, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development granted orphan drug designation for the Company’s lead investigational therapy, an autologous engineered T cell product that targets CD19 expression on B cell malignancies, for the treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

RuiYi Announces $15 Million Series B to Advance Pipeline of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting GPCR Receptors
RuiYi, Inc. announced a $15 million Series B financing by existing investors. The financing will support the continued development of RuiYi’s lead asset, RYI-008, a novel anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody (mAb), and the discovery and development of new therapeutic mAbs targeting G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), including a first-in-class mAb to cannabinoid receptor 1, a commercially validated but previously intractable drug target. [RuiYi, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Research Assistant – Human Immunology (University of Oxford)

NEW Director – Human Immunology (Biogen Idec)

NEW Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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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