Human Immunology News Volume 3.46 | Nov 24 2015

T-Cell Receptor-HLA-DRB1 Associations Suggest Specific Antigens in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
To investigate T-cell receptor-HLA-DRB1*03 interactions underlying recognition of hitherto unknown antigens, researchers performed detailed analyses of T-cell receptor expression on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid CD4⁺ T-cells from sarcoidosis patients. [Eur Respir J] Abstract

Lamina Propria CD4⁺LAP⁺ Regulatory T Cells Are Increased in Active Ulcerative Colitis but Show Increased IL-17 Expression and Reduced Suppressor Activity
The authors investigated the frequency and function of lamina propria (LP) CD4⁺LAP⁺ T cells in inflammatory bowel disease patients. LP CD3⁺CD8^–LAP⁺ cells were significantly increased, when compared to controls, in active ulcerative colitis patients and not in Crohn’s disease patients. [J Crohns Colitis] Abstract

MicroRNA-155-IFN-γ Feedback Loop in CD4⁺ T Cells of Erosive Type Oral Lichen Planus
Researchers determined the role of miR-155 in immune response of oral lichen planus (OLP) and determined the expression and correlation of microRNA-155 and SOCS1 in erosive-type OLP CD4⁺ T cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Low Molecular Weight Polysialic Acid on Human Macrophages
Scientists showed that soluble low molecular weight polysialic acid with an average degree of polymerization 20 interacts with sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-11 (SIGLEC-11) and acts anti-inflammatory on human THP1 macrophages involving the SIGLEC-11 receptor. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Alternative Promoter Methylation Regulates Together with Foxp3 Transcription of GARP
Investigators report that transcription of human glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP) in regulatory CD4 T cells is tightly regulated by two alternative promoters. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Immunomodulation of Endothelial Differentiated Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Impact on T and NK Cells
The authors sought to determine the impact of differentiation toward endothelial cells on immunoregulation by Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stromal cells (WJ-MSCs). They co-cultured un- and differentiated MSCs with immune cells, under conditions of both direct and indirect contact. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract

Evidence for Epigenetic Regulation of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines, Interleukin-12 and Interferon Gamma, in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from PTSD Patients
Investigators examined genome-wide histone and DNA methylation in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD patients showed increased expression of interleukin (IL)-12 in their PBMCs. [J Neuroimmune Pharmacol] Abstract

Processing and MHC Class II Presentation of Exogenous Soluble Antigen Involving a Proteasome-Dependent Cytosolic Pathway in CD40-Activated B Cells
Scientists investigated the MHC class II processing pathway in CD40-activated B cells (CD40Bs), as a model for activated, antigen-presenting B cells. Using CMV pp65 as a model antigen, they evaluated processing and presentation of the CD4⁺ T cell epitope 509-523 by human CD40Bs in Elispot assays. [Eur J Haematol] Abstract

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Toll-Like Receptors: Potential Targets for Lupus Treatment
Numerous antagonists targeting Toll-like receptor signaling, including oligonucleotides, small molecular inhibitors and antibodies, are currently under preclinical studies or clinical trials for systemic lupus erythematosus treatment. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Full Article

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Combination of Bevacizumab and Lomustine with First Recurrence of Glioblastoma Prolongs PFS but Not OS
Results of EORTC trial 26101 showed that bevacizumab treatment in patients with progressive glioblastoma, despite prolonged progression-free survival, does not confer a survival advantage. [Press release from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) discussing research presented at the 20^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), San Antonio] Press Release

Long-Term Survival Benefit Demonstrated in Phase II ReACT Study of RINTEGA^® in Recurrent Bevacizumab-Naive Glioblastoma
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. presented mature survival data from the company’s randomized, double-blind Phase II study of RINTEGA^® (rindopepimut) in patients with EGFRvIII-positive, recurrent glioblastoma. [Press release from Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 20^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), San Antonio] Press Release

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Presents Updated ICT-107 Phase II Survival and Immune Response Data
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. announced the presentation of recently updated overall survival results and immune response data from the Phase II trial of ICT-107 in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. [Press release from ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. discussing research presented at the 20^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), San Antonio] Press Release

Merck Announces Initial Results for KEYTRUDA^® (Pembrolizumab) with Novel Immunotherapy Combinations from Three Investigational Studies Presented
Merck announced findings from three studies investigating the use of KEYTRUDA^®, the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with three other immunotherapies – epacadostat, IMLYGICTM, and ipilimumab – in patients with advanced melanoma. [Press release from Merck & Co., Inc. discussing research presented at the 12^th International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR), San Francisco] Press Release

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City of Hope Clinical Trial Will Test Cancer Vaccine with Anti-Tumor Drug
In a clinical trial to be launched at City of Hope in November, researchers will combine two approaches — an immune-boosting vaccine and a drug that blocks a tumor’s inhibitory signal — to more effectively activate a patient’s own immune system to fight his or her cancer. [City of Hope (Newswise, Inc.)] Press Release

FDA Approves Opdivo to Treat Advanced Form of Kidney Cancer
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Opdivo (nivolumab) to treat patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer, who have received a certain type of prior therapy. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Press Release

Nivolumab in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Indication of Major Added Benefit for Under-75-Year-Olds
The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care examined in a dossier assessment whether nivolumab offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer . [Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care] 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)

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Senior Scientist – Immunology and Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technician – Preclinical and Translational Research (Qu Biologics Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (Medical College of Wisconsin)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Transplantation Immunology (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute)

Assistant Professor – Cancer Immunology (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology and Cell Biology (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)

Staff Scientist – Immunology (Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Molecular Oncology (Genentech, Inc.)

Professor – Immunology (La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology)

Principal Investigator – The Role of Inflammation and the Immune Response in Regenerative Medicine (KU Leuven)

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