Human Immunology News Volume 2.14 | Apr 15 2014

CD4CD8αα Lymphocytes, A Novel Human Regulatory T Cell Subset Induced by Colonic Bacteria and Deficient in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Using colonic lamina propria lymphocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy individuals, and those with colon cancer and irritable bowel disease, scientists demonstrated that CD4CD8αα T lymphocytes expressed most of the regulatory markers and functions of Foxp3 regulatory T cells and secreted interleukin-10. [PLoS Biol] Full Article

Impact of Genomic Polymorphisms on the Repertoire of Human MHC Class I-Associated Peptides
Investigators present a novel approach that enables high-throughput discovery of polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-associated peptides, which play a major role in allorecognition. [Nat Commun] Abstract

Clearance of Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Haploidentical Natural Killer Cells Is Improved Using IL-2 Diphtheria Toxin Fusion Protein
Researchers treated 57 refractory AML patients with lymphodepleting cyclophosphamide and fludarabine followed by natural killer cell infusion and interleukin (IL)-2 administration. [Blood] Abstract

T Cell-Associated α₄β₇ but Not α₄β₁ Integrin Is Required for the Induction and Perpetuation of Chronic Colitis
Results demonstrate a direct role for T cell-associated α₄β₇ but not α₄β₁ integrins during initiation and perpetuation of chronic colitis. Moreover, the data demonstrated that natalizumab treatment reduced mucosal CD4 T-cell accumulation in Crohn’s disease patients. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

The Human Immune System Recognizes Neopeptides Derived from Mitochondrial DNA Deletions
Researchers used bioinformatics approaches to predict MHC binding of neopeptides identified from known deletions in mitochondrial DNA. Six such peptides were confirmed experimentally to bind to HLA-A*02. Pre-existing human CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells from healthy donors were shown to recognize and respond to these neopeptides. [J Immunol] Abstract

Naturally Occurring Human Phosphorylcholine Antibodies Are Predominantly Products of Affinity-Matured B Cells in the Adult
The authors designed a phosphorylcholine (PC)-specific probe to identify, isolate, and characterize PC-reactive B cells from 10 healthy individuals. [J Immunol] Abstract

Oversulfated Chondroitin Sulfate Binds to Chemokines and Inhibits Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 Mediated Signaling in Activated T Cells
Researchers previously demonstrated that oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS) inhibited the complement classical pathway by binding C1 inhibitor and potentiating its interaction with C1s. By using surface plasmon resonance, they found OSCS interacts with T cell chemokines that can impact adaptive immunity. [PLoS One] Full Article

Prognoses of Patients with Acute-on-Chronic Hepatitis B Liver Failure Are Closely Associated with Altered SOCS1 mRNA Expression and Cytokine Production following Glucocorticoid Treatment
Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 1 plays a crucial role in the immune response and might contribute to the prognoses of liver failure treated with glucocorticoid. Researchers recruited 47 acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment and 30 healthy controls to determine the potential effects of glucocorticoid on the transcriptional level of SOCS1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

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International Study Designed to Find Cause of Crohn’s Disease
As the first study of its kind designed to identify the cause of Crohn’s disease, the Genetics, Environmetal, Microbial Project recently received the largest single donation in Canadian history dedicated to Crohn’s research; $6 million dollar gift from the Helmsley Charitable Trust Fund and a further $4 million financial commitment from Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. [Mount Sinai Hospital Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Health Complex] Press Release

Moffitt Cancer Center Begins Phase I Clinical Trial of New Immunotherapy
Moffitt Cancer Center has initiated a Phase I clinical trial for a new immunotherapy drug, ID-G305, made by Immune Design. [Moffitt Cancer Center] Press Release

Japan Patent Office Issues Advaxis a Notice of Allowance for Two Patent Applications Covering Its Cancer Immunotherapy Platform Technology
Advaxis, Inc. announced that the Japan Patent Office issued to Advaxis two notices of allowance for two patent applications (P-72863-JP, P-7924) with claims for each patent application related to the Company’s proprietary cancer immunotherapy platform technology. These patents will provide protection in Japan until 2030. [Advaxis, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW PhD Studentship – Translational Liver Immunology (Karolinska Institute)

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