Human Immunology News Volume 3.16 | Apr 28 2015

Expression and Functions of Long Noncoding RNAs during Human T Helper Cell Differentiation
Scientists identified >2000 long noncoding RNAs expressed in human T-cell cultures and those that display a TH lineage-specific pattern of expression and are intragenic or adjacent to TH lineage-specific genes encoding proteins with immunologic functions. [Nat Commun] Abstract

Association of CD8⁺ T Lymphocyte Repertoire Spreading with the Severity of DRESS Syndrome
Researchers isolated CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells from peripheral blood of eight drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) patients at ten-day intervals and sequenced CDR3-regions of the T-cell receptor B chain by high-throughput sequencing to analyze the dynamic reformation in the T-cell repertoire hierarchy. [Sci Rep] Full Article

MicroRNA Transcriptomes of Distinct Human NK Cell Populations Identify miR-362-5p as an Essential Regulator of NK Cell Function
Investigators examined microRNA (miRNA) profiles of human natural killer (NK) cells from different cell compartments and of NKT and T cells from peripheral blood, and identified a novel miRNA, miR-362-5p, that is highly expressed in human peripheral blood NK cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Stress Activated DC Induce Dual Homeostatic and Inflammasome Pathways, which May Elicit CD4⁺ Memory T Cells and IFN Stimulated Genes
Investigators examined the hypothesis that stress agents contribute to the tonic cellular activation and maintain immunological memory. Stimulation of monocyte derived dendritic cells (DC) with stress agents elicited reactive oxygen species and HSP70. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

The Uncovering of ESE-1 in Human Neutrophils: Implication of Its Role in Neutrophil Function and Survival
The authors report that epithelium-specific Ets transcription factor 1 (ESE-1) is constitutively expressed in human, but not in murine, neutrophils and that ESE-1 is modestly upregulated in septic patient neutrophils. [Genes Immun] Abstract

Differential Effects of Calcineurin and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors on Alloreactive Th1, Th17, and Regulatory T Cells
Previously, scientists had reported the role of tacrolimus (TAC) versus sirolimus (SRL) on the generation of regulatory T cells in primary MLR assays with SRL, demonstrating a uniquely supportive effect. Here, they tested whether TAC and SRL differentially affect already alloactivated human CD4⁺ T-cell subsets. [Transplantation] Abstract

Efficacy and Safety of CDX-301, Recombinant Human Flt3L, at Expanding Dendritic Cells and Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Healthy Human Volunteers
This Phase I trial assessed the safety, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and immunologic profile of CDX-301, explored alternate dosing regimens and examined the impact of rhuFlt3L on key immune cell subsets. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

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Kineta, University of Groningen Present New, Positive Data for Dalazatide in ANCA Vasculitis, an Orphan Disease
Kineta, Inc. and researchers from the University of Groningen, Netherlands, announced new data from a study that showed dalazatide is effective in immunomodulating the cells causing inflammation and damage of small blood vessels in various organs in samples from patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis. [Press release from Kineta, Inc. (Business Wire) discussing research presented at the 17^th International Vasculitis & ANCA Workshop, London] Press Release

Opexa Therapeutics to Present Biomarker Data from NMO Patients
Opexa presented the results of a study conducted to characterize the cellular immune profile of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients prescribed B-cell depleting therapy in comparison to those of healthy donors. [Press release from Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2015 Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.] Press Release

Re-Engineering Lupus into a Cancer Killer
Researchers from the Yale Cancer Center and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System have devised a way to re-engineer lupus antibodies to turn them into potential cancer killers. [Press release from the Yale Cancer Center discussing research presented at the 2015 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release

New T Cell-Based Immunotherapy Shows Promise for Lethal Stem Cell Transplant Complication
More than 60 percent of patients with Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorder that was not responding to standard rituximab treatment responded to a new type of immunotherapy called Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte therapy. [Press release from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) discussing research presented at the 2015 AACR Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release

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TxCell and Trizell Amend Collaboration Agreement to Accelerate Ovasave^® Development
TxCell SA announced an amendment to the Ovasave^® collaboration option, development and license agreement with Trizell Holding SA. In the agreement, TxCell will undertake a program to bring forward the preparation of Ovasave for Phase III development and commercialization, notably in the areas of process and manufacturing development. [TxCell SA] Press Release

Advaxis Enhances Lm-LLO Cancer Immunotherapy Intellectual Property Portfolio with Two USPTO Patents Addressing ADXS-PSA and ADXS-HER2
Advaxis, Inc. announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted U.S. Patent No. 9,012,141 with composition of matter claims covering the Advaxis product candidate, ADXS-PSA, and U.S. Patent No. 9,017,660 with methods of use claims covering the Advaxis product candidate, ADXS-HER2. [Advaxis, Inc.] Press Release

Visabl Website Update Launched
Visabl.com, the powerful cloud based antibody and biomarker search engine, announced the largest website update to date. The Visabl.com antibody search function has been completely overhauled, and has the ability to dynamically sort and populate antibodies as you type. [Visabl] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Human CD4⁺ T Cell Responses in Autoimmune and Allergic Disease (Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason)

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