Human Immunology News Volume 2.23 | Jun 17 2014

Targeting WNT1-Inducible Signaling Pathway Protein 2 Alters Human Breast Cancer Cell Susceptibility to Specific Lysis through Regulation of KLF-4 and miR-7 Expression
Investigators found that silencing WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 2 signaling in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cells impairs cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-mediated cell killing by a mechanism involving stem cell marker Kruppel-like factor-4 induction and microRNA-7 (miR-7) downregulation. [Oncogene] Abstract

A Role for CCL28-CCR3 in T-Cell Homing to the Human Upper Airway Mucosa
Analysis of the cognate chemokine receptors revealed that close to 50% of the CD4⁺ T cells in the human nasal mucosa expressed the CCL28 receptor CCR3, whereas CCR3 was hardly detectable on T cells in the small intestine and skin. In the circulation, CCR3⁺ T cells comprised a small subset that did not express homing receptors to the intestine or skin. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Association between Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells Enrichment, Nasal Polyps and Allergy in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Researchers characterized group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) compartment in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) by investigating the correlations between ILC2s, Th2 cells and Th2 cytokines expression in CRS patients. [Allergy] Abstract

A High Frequency of Myeloid-Derived Stem Cells (MDSCs) in Sepsis Patients, with the Granulocytic Subtype Dominating in Gram-Positive Cases
Investigators analyzed potential MDSCs in sepsis patients with different causative microorganisms, using total peripheral blood compared with density gradient-centrifuged blood. [J Leukoc Biol] Abstract

Upregulation of Store-Operated Ca²⁺ Entry in the Naïve CD4⁺ T Cells with Aberrant Cytokine Releasing in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis
Researchers measured Ca²⁺ influx and Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ currents in naïve and memory CD4⁺ T cells. These cells were further characterized by flow cytometric analysis of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract

Clinical Heterogeneity of Immunodysregulation, Polyendocrinopathy, Enteropathy, X-linked: Pulmonary Involvement as a Non-Classical Disease Manifestation
Immunodysregulation, Polyendocrinopathy, Enteropathy, X-linked is a rare X-linked recessive life-threatening disorder characterized by autoimmunity and early death. Clinical data and laboratory findings including autoantibodies, immunoglobulin levels as well as number of T, B and NK cells were evaluated. FOXP3 expression and T reg activity were analyzed. [J Clin Immunol] Abstract

Pre-TCRα Supports CD3-Dependent Reactivation and Expansion of TCRα-Deficient Primary Human T-Cells
Researchers showed that pre-T-cell receptor (TCR) α, a TCRα surrogate that pairs with TCRβ chains to signal proper TCRβ folding during T-cell development, can be expressed in TCRα knockout mature T-cells to support CD3 expression at the cell surface. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Full Article

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Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR2F6 Acts as an Essential Gatekeeper of Th17 CD4⁺ T Cell Effector Functions
A CD4⁺ T cell intrinsic and non-redundant function of NR2F6 as a potent and selective repressor of the transcription of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (Il) 2, interferon g, Il17 and Il21, and consequently of T helper (Th)17 CD4⁺ T cell-mediated autoimmune disorders has been discovered. [Cell Commun Signal]
Abstract | Full Article

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AVERT Trial Demonstrates High Rates of DAS-Defined Remission with Orencia^® in Combination with Methotrexate in Adult Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced its first release of new data from a Phase IIIb rheumatoid arthritis (RA) trial showing that the T-cell co-stimulation modulator, Orencia^®, in combination with methotrexate (MTX) achieved significantly higher rates of DAS-defined remission at 12 months than treatment with standard of care agent MTX in biologic and MTX-naïve patients with early active RA. [Press release from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discussing research presented at the 2014 annual meeting of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), Paris] Press Release | Abstract

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Hyperion Therapeutics Completes Acquisition of Andromeda Biotech, Ltd.
Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has completed its acquisition of Andromeda Biotech Ltd. The acquisition broadens Hyperion’s pipeline to include DiaPep277^®, a potentially first-in-class immunotherapy for new onset Type 1 diabetes. [Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Vaccine Study Hopes to Improve Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Medical investigators at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare are studying a new cancer immunotherapy to see if it can successfully help patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. [Translational Genomics Research Institute] Press Release

Grant Supports Innovative Immunotherapy Research at Baylor
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Center for Cell and Gene Therapy researcher Dr. Stephen Gottschalk has received a $250,000 Innovation Award from Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to support his work to find innovative new treatments for childhood cancer. [Baylor College of Medicine] Press Release

First-of-Its-Kind Pediatric Research and Funding Collaboration to Speed Development of Medications for Autoimmune Diseases
Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Kineta, Inc. launched the Alliance for Children’s Therapeutics, a first-of-its-kind pediatric research and funding collaboration designed to speed development of new medications for children and teens with lupus nephritis and other autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. [Seattle Children’s Research Institute] Press Release

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NEW Research Scientist – Autoimmunity (Eli Lilly)

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Immunology (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

PhD Candidate – Tumor Immunology and Cell Signaling (Goethe University Frankfurt)

Postdoctoral Positions – Epigenetics in Autoimmune Diseases (Weill Cornell Medical School/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin)

Research Associate – Cellular Immunology (Alector LLC)

PhD Candidate – Immune Monitoring (Erasmus MC)

PhD Studentship – Characterization of Human Antibodies Removed from the Repertoire in Central Tolerance (King’s College London)

Principal Investigator – Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammation (Inflammation Research Center – VIB-UGent)

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

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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