Human Immunology News Volume 3.18 | May 12 2015

Human Caspase-4 Mediates Noncanonical Inflammasome Activation against Gram-Negative Bacterial Pathogens
Researchers sought to define the inflammatory caspases in primary human macrophages that regulate inflammasome responses to gram-negative bacteria. They found that human macrophages activate inflammasomes specifically in response to diverse gram-negative bacterial pathogens that introduce bacterial products into the host cytosol using specialized secretion systems. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

PD-1 and Tim-3 Pathways Are Associated with Regulatory CD8⁺ T-Cell Function in Decidua and Maintenance of Normal Pregnancy
T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) are important negative immune regulatory molecules involved in viral persistence and tumor metastasis. Investigators demonstrated that Tim-3⁺PD-1⁺CD8⁺ T cells from decidua greatly outnumbered those from peripheral blood during human early pregnancy. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

FAS-Ligand Regulates Differential Activation-Induced Cell Death of Human T-Helper 1 and 17 Cells in Healthy Donors and Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Scientists generated stable clones of inflammatory T-helper (Th) subsets involved in autoimmune diseases, such as Th1, Th17 and Th1/17 cells, from healthy donors and multiple sclerosis patients and measured activation-induced cell death (AICD). They found that human Th1 cells were sensitive, whereas Th17 and Th1/17 were resistant, to AICD. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Retargeting Pre-Existing Human Antibodies to a Bacterial Pathogen with an Alpha-Gal Conjugated Aptamer
The authors examined whether anti-galactose-α-1,3-galactosyl-β-1,4-N-acetyl-glucosamine (α-Gal) antibodies could be recruited and redirected to exert anti-bacterial activity. The anti-group A Streptococcus (GAS) alphamer was shown to recruit anti-Gal antibodies to the streptococcal surface in an α-Gal-specific manner, elicit uptake and killing of the bacteria by human phagocytes, and slow growth of invasive GAS in human whole blood. [J Mol Med] Abstract | Press Release

Cellular Immunotherapy as Maintenance Therapy Prolongs the Survival of the Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer
Researchers investigated the efficacy and safety of cellular immunotherapy with autologous natural killer, γδT, and cytokine-induced killer cells as maintenance therapy for small cell lung cancer patients. [J Transl Med] Abstract | Full Article

Human Primary Immune Cells Exhibit Distinct Mechanical Properties that Are Modified by Inflammation
Single-cell microplate assays were performed to measure the viscoelastic moduli of different human myeloid primary antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The effect of inflammation on the mechanical properties was independent of the induction of expression of commonly used APC maturation markers, making myeloid APC rigidity an additional feature of inflammation. [Biophys J] Abstract

2DL1, 2DL2 and 2DL3 All Contribute to KIR Phenotype Variability on Human NK Cells
Researchers investigated killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) expression in a healthy human cohort that they had previously characterized in depth at a genetic level, with KIR allele typing and human leukocyte antigen class I ligand genotypes available for all donors. [Genes Immun] Abstract

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Biothera to Present Additional Data on Imprime PGG’s Potential to Alleviate Tumor-Mediated Immunosuppression
Additional data showing Biothera’s investigational cancer immunotherapy Imprime PGG can alleviate tumor-mediated immunosuppression and potentially strengthen the body’s ability to recognize and kill tumor cells will be presented. [Press release from Biothera, The Immune Health Company discussing research to be presented at the 2015 American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Annual Meeting, New Orleans]
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Phase I Trial of Immunotherapy Opens for Children with Relapsed or Treatment-Resistant Leukemia
Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center has joined a clinical trial of immunotherapy for children with relapsed or treatment-resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s] Press Release

Medigene Announces Milestone Payment in Phase I/II Trial with Dendritic Cell (DC) Vaccines for AML
Medigene AG announced that the progress achieved in its recently initiated clinical Phase I/II trial with DC vaccines for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) gives rise to a milestone payment amounting to EUR 700,000 to former contributing shareholders of Medigene Immunotherapies GmbH to be made within the next five months. [Medigene AG] Press Release

NewLink Genetics’ IMPRESS Phase III Pancreatic Cancer Trial with Algenpantucel-L to Continue Following Second Interim Analysis
NewLink Genetics Corporation announced the continuation without any modification or sample size adjustment for its pivotal Phase III immunotherapy for pancreatic resectable cancer study of algenpantucel-L for patients with surgically resected pancreatic cancer following the second planned interim data analysis. [NewLink Genetics Corporation] Press Release

Formula Pharmaceuticals Acquires Next-Generation, Allogeneic, Non-Viral Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Immunotherapy Platform
Formula Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the acquisition of worldwide exclusive rights to an allogeneic, non-viral CAR technology platform which leverages cytokine-induced killer cells as immune effector cells. [Formula Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Scientist – Immunology Discovery (Genentech, Inc.)

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