Human Immunology News Volume 2.13 | Apr 8 2014

Two Functional Lupus-Associated BLK Promoter Variants Control Cell-Type- and Developmental-Stage-Specific Transcription
Results demonstrated that both lupus-associated functional variants contribute to the autoimmune disease association by modulating transcription of BLK in B cells and thus potentially altering immune responses. [Am J Hum Genet] Abstract

Granzyme K Synergistically Potentiates LPS-Induced Cytokine Responses in Human Monocytes
Researchers showed that granzyme K (GrK) binds to Gram-negative bacteria and their cell-wall component lipopolysaccharide (LPS). GrK synergistically enhances LPS-induced cytokine release in vitro from primary human monocytes and in vivo in a mouse model of LPS challenge. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

T Cell GM-CSF Expression in Juvenile Arthritis Is Contingent Upon Th17 Plasticity
Investigators analysed the expression of T cell derived granulocyte monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the joints of patients with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and investigated the development links between Th17 and GM-CSF+ T helper cells. [Arthritis Rheumatol] Abstract | Full Article

Ultra-Low Dose Interleukin-2 Promotes Immune-Modulating Function of Regulatory T Cells and Natural Killer Cells in Healthy Volunteers
Low dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) expands regulatory T cells and natural killer cells after stem cell transplantation (SCT) and may reduce graft versus host disease (GvHD). Researchers hypothesized that ultra-low dose IL-2 could serve as an immune-modulating agent for stem cell donors to prevent GvHD following SCT. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Invariant Natural Killer T Cells Developing in the Human Fetus Accumulate and Mature in the Small Intestine
Investigators showed that functional human fetal invariant natural killer T cells develop and differentiate in a tissue-specific manner during the second trimester. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Toll-Like Receptors, Immunoproteasome and Regulatory T Cells in Children with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura and Primary IgA Nephropathy
The authors investigated some of the immunological features including Toll-like receptors, proteasome/immunoproteasome switch, and the regulatory T cell system in 63 children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura with/without renal involvement and in 25 with primary IgA nephropathy. [Pediatr Nephrol] Abstract

Elevated Levels of Serum IL-12 and IL-18 Are Associated with Lower Frequencies of CD4⁺CD25^highFOXP3⁺ Regulatory T cells in Young Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
Since IL-12 and IL-18 mediate inflammatory response and Tregs exhibit anti-inflammatory potential, researchers aimed to examine their reciprocal relationship in patients with type 1 diabetes. [Inflammation] Full Article

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Immunicum Submits the Final Report for its Phase I/II Trial in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Showing Positive Safety Data and Promising Survival Data
Immunicum® AB submitted the final report to the Swedish Medical Products Agency regarding its clinical Phase I/II study in 12 patients with newly diagnosed kidney cancer, treated with the cancer vaccine INTUVAX®. [Immunicum AB] Press Release

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. The companies plan to initiate a global Phase III study in the first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients, as well as several additional Phase I/II trials in different cancers, both as a single agent and in combination with a variety of other treatments, including immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. [Transgene SA] Press Release

Adaptimmune Integrates BioLife Solutions CryoStor® Cell Freeze Media in Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Trial
BioLife Solutions, Inc. announced that Oxford, UK and Philadelphia, PA-based Adaptimmune Ltd has adopted the Company’s CryoStor clinical grade cell freeze media for use in Adaptimmune’s current Phase I/II clinical trial CT Antigen TCR-Engineered T Cells for Myeloma. [BioLife Solutions, Inc.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Fellows – T-Cell Signal Transduction (The Netherlands Cancer Institute)

Research Assistant – Human Immunology (University of Oxford)

Director – Human Immunology (Biogen Idec)

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)

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (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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