Human Immunology News Volume 2.41 | Oct 28 2014

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Stimulates Regulatory T Cells and Suppresses Autoimmune Disease
Researchers show that recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulates proliferation of both human and mouse regulatory T cells in vitro and when delivered systemically via continuous minipump, it halts autoimmune disease progression in mouse models of type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis in vivo. [EMBO Mol Med] Full Article | Press Release

Ibrutinib Interferes with the Cell-Mediated Anti-Tumor Activities of Therapeutic CD20 Antibodies: Implications for Combination Therapy
Researchers investigated the possible positive or negative impact of ibrutinib and idelalisib on all known mechanisms of action of both Type I and Type II CD20 antibodies. Activation of natural killer cells, and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity by these cells, as well as phagocytosis by macrophages or neutrophils were inhibited by ibrutinib. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article

T-Cell Profile in Adipose Tissue Is Associated with Insulin Resistance and Systemic Inflammation in Humans
Researchers have previously shown that insulin resistance or glucose intolerance in diet-induced obese mice is related to a shift in the ratio of pro- and anti-inflammatory T cells in adipose tissue. They now test the hypothesis that the balance of T-cell phenotypes would be similarly related to insulin resistance in human obesity. [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol] Abstract

Adoptive Immunotherapy of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer with Vγ9Vδ2 T Cells, Potentiated by Liposomal Alendronic Acid
Expanded Vγ9Vδ2 T cells from patients and healthy donors displayed similar phenotype and destroyed autologous and immortalized ovarian tumor cells, following earlier pulsing with either free or liposome-encapsulated aminobisphosphonates. [J Immunol] Abstract

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Downregulate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Activation of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
To evaluate neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) effects on dendritic cell (DC) maturation, investigators developed a model based on monocyte-derived DC and calibrated NETs isolated from fresh human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. [J Immunol] Abstract

Functional Analysis of the Anti-Adalimumab Response Using Patient-Derived Monoclonal Antibodies
Researchers investigated the characteristics of a panel of patient-derived monoclonal antibodies for binding to adalimumab. Single B cells were isolated from two patients, cultured and screened for adalimumab specificity. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Small Amounts of Sub-Visible Aggregates Enhance the Immunogenic Potential of Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics
Monoclonal chimeric and humanized antibodies were subjected to fine-tuned stress conditions to achieve low levels of sub-visible aggregates. The effect of stimulating human dendritic cells and CD4⁺ T cells with the aggregates was measured in vitro using cytokine secretion, proliferation and confocal microscopy. [Pharm Res] Abstract

B Cell Markers of Operational Tolerance Can Discriminate Acute Kidney Allograft Rejection from Stable Graft Function
Scientists investigated regulation-associated B-cell phenotypes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of kidney transplant recipients with and without acute rejection. They also determined expression levels of the B cell-related genes, MS4A1, TCL1A, and CD79B, in PBMCs and isolated B cells. [Transplantation] Abstract

Functional Phenotype of Synovial Monocytes Modulating Inflammatory T-Cell Responses in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Researchers investigated the phenotypic and functional characteristics of monocytes derived from synovial fluid and peripheral blood in RA patients in order to explore the pathogenic roles of these cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

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Sjögren Syndrome-Associated Lymphomas: An Update on Pathogenesis and Management
The authors propose the following scenario: auto-immune B cells with rheumatoid factor activity are continuously stimulated by immune complexes containing antibodies against more specific auto-antigens, such as SSA/Ro, SSB/La or others. [Br J Haematol] Abstract

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Generex/Antigen Express to Participate in 2014 BIO-Europe^® Annual International Partnering Conference
Antigen Express has pioneered a platform technology for activating a key component of the immune system in a specific and non-toxic manner. In particular, the technology allows for the generation of a robust and antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells response using virtually any protein one desires to elicit an immune response against. [Press release from Antigen Express, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2014 BIO-Europe^® Annual International Partnering Conference, Frankfurt] Press Release

TapImmune Provides Update on PolyStart™ Vaccine Platform Applicable to Cancer and Infectious Disease
TapImmune, Inc. provided an update on the status of its PolyStart™ vaccine technology platform in light of recent global concerns regarding pandemic infections and emerging viral threats such as Ebola and enterovirus. [TapImmune, Inc.] Press Release

Compugen Discloses Successful Validation Results for Novel B7/CD28-Like Cancer Immunotherapy Target Candidate
Compugen Ltd. disclosed successful experimental data for CGEN-15027, a Compugen-discovered immune checkpoint target candidate. The experimental results include its expression in the cancer microenvironment, both on cancer cells derived from lung, breast, and liver cancer patients, and on tumor infiltrating immune cells. [Compugen Ltd.] Press Release

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Partnerships, Cancer Research in Malawi to Expand with New Grant
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UNC Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases have received a $3.7 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to study the growing worldwide cancer problem and expand the University’s efforts in Malawi to study and treat HIV-associated cancers. [UNC Lineberger] Press Release

Wayne State Research Funded by NIH May Develop Next Generation of Vaccines against Autoimmune Diseases
A major barrier to treating autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes is the lack of methods to deliver the therapeutics to specific sites such as the lymph nodes. A researcher in Wayne State University’s College of Engineering is working to address this issue with a recently awarded a $475,752 grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). [Wayne State University] Press Release

Sutro Biopharma and Celgene Corporation Enter Multi-Year Strategic Collaboration and Option to Acquire Agreement
Sutro Biopharma announced it has entered into a strategic collaboration and option agreement with Celgene Corporation to discover and develop multispecific antibodies and antibody drug conjugates. [Sutro Biopharma, Inc.] Press Release

Stellar Biotechnologies and Biovest International Sign KLH Supply Agreement for BiovaxID Immunotherapy for Follicular Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. and Biovest International, Inc. announced that the companies have executed a definitive supply agreement to meet Biovest’s requirements for Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) for use in Biovest’s BiovaxID^® active immunotherapy to treat follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. [Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.] Press Release

Batu Biologics Awarded Exclusive License from University of California San Diego for Drug that Stimulates Immune System to Kill Cancer
Batu Biologics announced the signing of a license agreement with the Regents of the University of California, granting exclusive rights to novel peptide drugs developed at UC San Diego that have been proven to stimulate cancer-killing immune responses. [Batu Biologics (Business Wire)] Press Release

Immunicum Acquires Patent for Oncolytic Therapy and Further Development of SUBCUVAX
Immunicum AB announced that it has acquired the patent rights to a genetically modified adenovirus vector. The vector is primarily intended to be used for efficient loading of vaccine cells by a variety of tumor antigens in the therapeutic cancer vaccine SUBCUVAX. [Immunicum AB] Press Release

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PhD Studentship – Effects of Probiotics on Immunity in the Human Ageing Gut (University of East Anglia)

Professorship Position – Virology (Medical University of Vienna)

PhD Position – Childhood Respiratory Virus Infections and Development of Asthma (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

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)

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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