Cigarette Smoking Impairs Human Pulmonary Immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Researchers compared the functional impairment, seen in human alveolar macrophages from non-smokers, smokers and ex-smokers, after infection with M. tuberculosis. [Am J Respir Crit Care Med] Abstract | Press Release Fc Gamma Receptor-TLR Cross-Talk Elicits Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production by Human M2 Macrophages Scientists show that human M2 macrophages promote inflammation instead of suppressing inflammation on simultaneous exposure to complexed IgG and TLR ligands, as occurs in the context of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. [Nat Commun] Full Article Selective Oral ROCK2 Inhibitor Down-Regulates IL-21 and IL-17 Secretion in Human T Cells via STAT3-Dependent Mechanism The authors show that targeted rho-associated kinase 2 (ROCK2) inhibition down-regulates proinflammatory responses via concurrent regulation of STAT3/STAT5 phosphorylation and shifting Th17/Treg balance in human T cells with a minimal effect on the rest of the immune response. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release Tumor-Induced Senescent T Cells Promote the Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Angiogenic Factors by Human Monocytes/Macrophages through a Mechanism that Involves Tim-3 and CD40L Investigators report that tumor-induced senescent (TIS)-T cells may modulate monocyte activation. To gain insight into this interaction, CD4+ or CD8+TIS-T or control-T cells were co-incubated with autologous monocytes under inflammatory conditions. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article C3d Adjuvant Effects Are Mediated through the Activation of C3d-Specific Autoreactive T Cells C3d peptide sequences were previously synthesized and shown in vitro to bind multiple human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR alleles with high affinity, and induce interferon-γ responses in healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Now investigators establish further correlations between HLA binding and HLA-specific lymphocyte reactions with select epitope clusters. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract Glioblastoma Exosomes and IGF-1R/AS-ODN Are Immunogenic Stimuli in a Translational Research Immunotherapy Paradigm In a pilot study, a vaccine consisting of Lucite diffusion chambers containing irradiated autologous tumor cells pre-treated with an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide directed against the insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor was found to elicit positive clinical responses in 8/12 patients when implanted in the rectus sheath for 24 hours. Investigators make use of a murine glioma model and samples from glioblastoma patients in this second Phase I trial to investigate this novel therapeutic intervention more thoroughly. [Cancer Immunol Immunother] Abstract | Press Release Methylation of NKG2D Ligands Contributes to Immune System Evasion in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Researchers demonstrate that DNA methylation can contribute to the absence of NKG2DL (natural killer group 2 member D ligand) expression during tumor progression. Treatment with demethylating agents restored the expression of NKG2DL on the cell surface of acute myeloid leukemia cells, leading to an enhanced recognition by NKG2D-expressing cells. [Genes Immun] Abstract Dendritic Cell Reconstitution Is Associated with Relapse-Free Survival and Acute GvHD Severity in Children after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation The authors investigated the age- and sex-dependent immune reconstitution of myeloid and plasmacytoid DC in the peripheral blood of 45 children with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome after allo-SCT with regard to relapse, acute GvHD and relapse-free survival. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract Selective, Efficient Modulation of Activated CD4+ αβT Cells by the Novel Humanized Antibody GZ-αβTCR Targeting Human αβTCR The novel humanized monoclonal antibody GZ-αβTCR, specific for the human αβT-cell receptor, was tested in vitro and in vivo for its specificity and efficacy to modulate the αβT-cell compartment. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract Subscribe to our sister publications: Immunology of Infectious Disease News and Immune Regulation News! |