Human Immunology News Volume 3.08 | Mar 3 2015

Developing In Vitro Expanded CD45RA⁺ Regulatory T Cells as an Adoptive Cell Therapy for Crohn’s Disease
To define the optimum population for regulatory T (T_reg) cell therapy in Crohn’s disease, CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127^loCD45RA⁺ and CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127^loCD45RA⁻ T_reg subsets were isolated from patients’ blood and expanded in vitro using a workflow that can be readily transferred to a good manufacturing practice background. [Gut] Full Article

Beyond Immune Density: Critical Role of Spatial Heterogeneity in Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer
Investigators combined automated histological image processing with methods of spatial statistics used in ecological data analysis to quantify spatial heterogeneity in the distribution patterns of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. [Mod Pathol] Abstract | Press Release

Viral Entry Route Determines How Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Produce Type I Interferons
Scientists showed that replication of the yellow fever live vaccine YF-17D in human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and pDC-like cell lines stimulated type I interferon production through RIG-I (retinoic acid-inducible gene I), a member of the RIG-I-like receptor family of cytosolic pattern recognition receptors. [Sci Signal] Abstract

Inhibiting STAT5 by the BET Bromodomain Inhibitor JQ1 Disrupts Human Dendritic Cell Maturation
Scientists investigated the effect of STAT5 inhibition on LPS-induced maturation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs). They inhibited STAT5 by treating Mo-DCs with JQ1, a selective inhibitor of BET epigenetic readers, which can suppress STAT5 function. [J Immunol] Abstract

Ex Vivo Peptide-MHC II Tetramer Analysis Reveals Distinct End-Differentiation Patterns of Human Pertussis-Specific CD4⁺ T Cells following Clinical Infection
P.69 Pertactin (P.69 Prn)_7–24 peptide-MHC II tetramers were designed to ex vivo interrogate the presence and differentiation state of P.69 Prn_7–24 specific CD4⁺ T cells in six symptomatic pertussis cases. [Clin Immunol] Abstract

T Cell Subsets in Human Airways Prior to and following Endobronchial Administration of Endotoxin
Researchers investigated the distributions of T-cell subsets in the human airways and sought to determine whether pro- and anti-inflammatory T cells are involved in the local immune response to lung inflammation. [Respirology] Abstract

PD-1 Expression Defines Two Distinct T-Cell Sub-Populations in Follicular Lymphoma that Differentially Impact Patient Survival
To determine the biological and clinical relevance of programmed death 1 (PD-1) in follicular lymphoma, investigators characterized PD-1⁺ T-cell subsets and assessed their biological function as well as potential clinical impact. [Blood Cancer J] Full Article

Reslizumab for Inadequately Controlled Asthma with Elevated Blood Eosinophil Counts: Results from Two Multicenter, Parallel, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Trials
Reslizumab is a humanized anti-interleukin 5 monoclonal antibody that disrupts eosinophil maturation and promotes programmed cell death. Investigators assessed the efficacy and safety of reslizumab in patients with inadequately controlled, moderate-to-severe asthma. [Lancet Respir Med] Abstract | Press Release

Subscribe to our sister publications:
Immunology of Infectious Disease News and Immune Regulation News!

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the human immunology research field.

From our sponsor: Learn how ex vivo models drive progress in HIV research. Read the research profiles.

CDRD to Capitalize on Exciting New Therapeutic and Market Opportunity through Support from Western Economic Diversification Canada
Honorable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced that The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) has been awarded $2,167,000 to support the development and commercialization of innovative immunotherapy treatments for human disease. [The Centre for Drug Research and Development] Press Release

Kite Pharma Expands Its Research and Development Collaboration with the National Cancer Institute to Develop a Next Generation of Cancer Immunotherapy Products for Solid Tumors
Kite Pharma, Inc. announced that the company has amended its Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the National Cancer Institute. The amendment will encompass emerging areas of research in the immune response to tumor neo-antigens, truly tumor-specific antigens generated as tumors accumulate genetic mutations. [Kite Pharma, Inc.] Press Release

Aduro Biotech Collaborates with Leaders in Cancer Research on Investigator-Sponsored Phase II Trial Combining Aduro’s Innovative Immunotherapies with Anti-PD-1 Technology to Treat Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Aduro Biotech, Inc. announced the initiation of an investigator-sponsored Phase II clinical trial of the company’s immuno-oncology product candidates GVAX Pancreas and CRS-207 in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab), a monoclonal antibody against programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor. [Aduro Biotech, Inc.] Press Release

Celimmune Announces Anti-IL-15 Antibody Licensing and Option Agreements with Amgen
Celimmune LLC announced that it has licensed a Phase II-stage, anti-IL-15 monoclonal antibody (AMG 714) from Amgen. Under the provisions of this exclusive license agreement, Celimmune has the rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize AMG 714 on a worldwide basis excluding Japan. [Celimmune LLC (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the human immunology community.

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Immunology (University of Oxford)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard)

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.)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Oregon Health & Science University)

Faculty Position – Immunology (The Lowance Center for Human Immunology at Emory University)

Senior Process Development Engineer (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

Director – Vector Production (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (United Arab Emirates University)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.