Human Immunology News Volume 2.36 | Sep 23 2014

Anti-CTLA-4 Therapy Broadens the Melanoma-Reactive CD8⁺ T Cell Response
It is unclear whether anti-CTLA-4 treatment amplifies previously induced T cell responses or whether it induces new tumor-specific T cell reactivities. Using a combination ultraviolet-induced peptide exchange and peptide-major histocompatibility complex combinatorial coding, scientists monitored immune reactivity against a panel of 145 melanoma-associated epitopes in a cohort of patients receiving anti-CTLA-4 treatment. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Enhanced Natural Killer-Cell and T-Cell Responses to Influenza A Virus during Pregnancy
Although some data suggest that natural killer- and T-cell responses are suppressed during pregnancy, influenza-specific responses have not been previously evaluated. Investigators analyzed the responses of women that were pregnant versus those that were not immediately before inactivated influenza vaccination, seven days after vaccination, and six weeks postpartum. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Regulation of T Cell Proliferation by JMJD6 and PDGF-BB during Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
Scientists demonstrate that jumonji domain-containing protein 6 (JMJD6) is a potential regulator of T cell proliferation during chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The expression of JMJD6 was reduced in T lymphocytes in chronic hepatitis B patients, and this reduction in JMJD6 expression was associated with impaired T cell proliferation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Expression of Coinhibitory Receptors on T Cells in the Microenvironment of Usual Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia Is Related to Proinflammatory Effector T Cells and an Increased Recurrence-Free Survival
Scientists show that the vulva constitutes an area intensely surveyed by CD8⁺, CD4⁺, Tbet⁺ and regulatory T cell populations, parts of which express examined coinhibitory molecules. In usual-type vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia especially, the number of regulatory T cells and TIM3⁺ T cells increased. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Expression and DNA Methylation of TNF, IFNG and FOXP3 in Colorectal Cancer and Their Prognostic Significance
Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is associated with suppression of host cell-mediated immunity and local immune escape mechanisms. Scientists assessed the immune function in terms of expression of TNF, IFNG and FOXP3 in CRC. [Br J Cancer] Full Article

In Situ Immune Response in Human Chromoblastomycosis – A Possible Role for Regulatory and Th17 T Cells
The cellular immune response in the severe form of chromoblastomycosis seems to correlate with a Th2 pattern of cytokines. The humoral immune response also seems to play a role. Investigators intended to explore the populations of regulatory T cells and the Th17 pattern. [PLoS Negl Trop Dis] Full Article

Sequential Immune Monitoring in Patients with Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with High-Dose Interleukin-2: Immune Patterns and Correlation with Outcome
Researchers hypothesized that changes in T cell subset distribution in patients undergoing interleukin (IL)-2 therapy may correlate with treatment outcomes. Changes in distribution and phenotype of circulating CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte subsets were compared based on cancer types and intra-patient during the course of the IL-2 therapy. [Cancer Immunol Immunother] Abstract

Clinical Cell Therapy Imaging Using a Perfluorocarbon Tracer and Fluorine-19 MRI
To accelerate clinical translation, noninvasive imaging of cell grafts in clinical trials can potentially be used to assess the initial delivery and behavior of cells. This technology was used to detect immunotherapeutic dendritic cells delivered to colorectal adenocarcinoma patients. [Magn Reson Med] Full Article | Press Release

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Development, Differentiation, and Diversity of Innate Lymphoid Cells
Recent evidence suggests that innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) can be grouped into two separate lineages, cytotoxic ILCs represented by conventional natural killer cells and cytokine-producing helper-like ILCs. The authors focus on current work in humans and mice that has identified core transcriptional circuitry required for the commitment of lymphoid progenitors to the ILC lineage. [Immunity] Abstract

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Boehringer Ingelheim and CureVac Announce Collaboration to Develop Next Generation Lung Cancer Immunotherapy
Boehringer Ingelheim and CureVac jointly announced an exclusive global license and development collaboration. The new collaboration focuses on CureVac’s CV9202, a novel investigational therapeutic mRNA vaccine, in early clinical development for the treatment of lung cancer. [Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH] Press Release

Inovio Pharmaceuticals Expands HPV Immunotherapy Development to Aerodigestive Cancers
Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced it has initiated a Phase I clinical trial in patients with aerodigestive cancers. The trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of INO-3106. [Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Amgen Submits Biologics License Application for Investigational BiTE^® Immunotherapy Blinatumomab
Amgen announced submission of a Biologics License Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval for its investigational bispecific T cell engager (BiTE^®) antibody construct, blinatumomab. [Amgen, Inc.] Press Release

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Senior Research Fellow – Immunosenescence and Immune Exhaustion in Persistent Infections and Aging (Singapore Immunology Network A*STAR)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Interleukin 23 in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Beth Israel Medical Center)

Research Scientist – Immunology (Beijing Genomics Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immunology (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

Postdoctoral Position – Transplantation Aspects of Hepatocytes Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (INSERM UMR 1064 )

Postdoctoral Position – Human Mucosal Immunology (INSERM)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Aspects of Autoimmunity (Singapore Immunology Network A*STAR)

Senior Manager – Inflammation, Fibrosis Biomarkers (Gilead Sciences)

Scientist – Recombinant Molecules and Antibodies (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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