Human Immunology News Volume 2.17 | May 6 2014

Voluntary Activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System and Attenuation of the Innate Immune Response in Humans
Researchers evaluated the effects of a training program on the autonomic nervous system and innate immune response. All subjects underwent experimental endotoxemia. In the intervention group, plasma levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 increased more rapidly after endotoxin administration, correlated strongly with preceding epinephrine levels, and were higher. Levels of proinflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 were lower in the intervention group and correlated negatively with IL-10 levels. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]
Abstract | Press Release

Recombinant Immunotoxin for Cancer Treatment with Low Immunogenicity by Identification and Silencing of Human T-Cell Epitopes
Using human cells, investigators identified eight helper T-cell epitopes in PE38, a portion of the bacterial protein Pseudomonas exotoxin A which consists of the toxin moiety of the recombinant immunotoxin, and used this information to make LMB-T18 in which three epitopes were deleted and five others diminished by point mutations in key residues. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Autologous T Cell Therapy for Cytomegalovirus as a Consolidative Treatment for Recurrent Glioblastoma
Researchers reported findings of a formal clinical assessment of safety and potential clinical efficacy of autologous cytomegalovirus-specific T cell therapy as a consolidative treatment for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Differential Effect of Vitamin D on NOD2- and TLR-Induced Cytokines in Crohn’s Disease
Using peripheral mononuclear cells and monocyte-derived dendritic cells from Crohn’s disease, it was found that the hormonal form of vitamin D decreased Toll-like receptor (TLR)-induced cytokine production and enhanced cytokine levels induced by muramyl dipeptide, the NOD2 ligand. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

KIR/HLA Interactions Negatively Affect Rituximab- but Not GA101 (Obinutuzumab)-Induced Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity
Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by NK cells is regulated by inhibitory killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs), which interact with target cell HLA class I. Investigators analyzed how KIR/HLA interactions influence ADCC induced by rituximab and by GA101, a novel type II CD20 Ab glycoengineered for increased FcgRIII binding and ADCC capacity. [J Immunol] Abstract

Phorbol Myristate Acetate, but Not CD40L, Induces the Differentiation of CLL B Cells into Ab-Secreting Cells
Scientists investigated the capacity of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells to undergo terminal differentiation into Ig-secreting plasma cells in T cell-independent and T cell-dependent responses. [Immunol Cell Biol] Full Article

CD56^brightCD25⁺ NK Cells Are Preferentially Recruited to the Maternal/Fetal Interface in Early Human Pregnancy
Researchers identified a subtype of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells characterized as having a CD3⁻CD56^brightCD25⁺ phenotype. They found that CD56^brightCD25⁺ NK cells preferentially localize to the maternal/fetal interface during early human pregnancy. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

A Naturally Occurring CD8⁺CD122⁺ T-Cell Subset as a Memory-Like Treg Family
The authors summarize the significant progress in this promising field of CD8⁺CD122⁺ regulatory T cell research and discuss their phenotypes, suppressive roles in autoimmunity and alloimmunity, functional requirements, mechanisms of action and potential applications in the clinic. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

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Scripps Florida Scientists Awarded Grant to Develop New Diagnostics for Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Colitis
Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have been awarded a $2.3 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health to develop new technology to diagnose cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and colitis. [The Scripps Research Institute] Press Release

Advaxis to Initiate Clinical Development of ADXS-cHER2 Immunotherapy to Treat Pediatric Bone Cancer
Advaxis, Inc. announced it intends to initiate a clinical development program with its product candidate, ADXS-cHER2, for the treatment of pediatric osteosarcoma. ADXS-cHER2 is an immunotherapy that targets the HER2 oncogene, which is overexpressed in certain solid-tumor cancers, including pediatric bone cancer and breast cancer. [MarketWatch, Inc.] Press Release

Aduro BioTech Announces Initation of a Clinical Trial of Its Novel Immunotherapy in Patients with Brain Cancer at Providence Cancer Center
Aduro BioTech, Inc. announced that the first patients have been enrolled in a Phase I clinical trial to evaluate its novel immunotherapy ADU-623 in patients with high-grade glioma, a form of brain cancer. [BusinessWire]
Press Release

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NEW Research Technologist – hPSC (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Inflammatory Mechanisms in Chronic Rhinosinusitis (Johns Hopkins University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Adoptive T Cell Immunotherapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Systemic Autoimmunity (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

PhD Studentship – Translational Liver Immunology (Karolinska Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (AstraZeneca)

Director – Human Immunology (Biogen Idec)

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of 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 – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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