Human Immunology News Volume 3.47 | Dec 1 2015

CD57⁺ CD4 T Cells Underlie Belatacept-Resistant Allograft Rejection
Investigators identified a population of CD57⁺PD1^– CD4 T cells present prior to transplantation that correlated with costimulation blockade-resistant rejection. Contrary to data recognizing CD57 as a marker of senescence on CD8 T cells, they discovered a non-senescent, cytolytic phenotype associated with CD57 on CD4 T cells. [Am J Transplant] Abstract

Lovastatin Blocks Kv1.3 Channel in Human T Cells: A New Mechanism to Explain Its Immunomodulatory Properties
Researchers aimed to examine the block effect of Lovastatin on Kv1.3 channel in human T cells, and to clarify its new immunomodulatory mechanism. They found that Lovastatin inhibited Kv1.3 currents in a concentration- and voltage-dependent manner. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Tumor Antigen NY-ESO-1 Mediates Direct Recognition of Melanoma Cells by CD4⁺ T Cells after Intercellular Antigen Transfer
Researchers investigated how NY-ESO-1 is processed onto MHC class II molecules for direct CD4⁺ T cell recognition of melanoma cells. Intercellular Ag transfer, followed by classical MHC class II Ag processing via endocytosis, sensitized neighboring melanoma cells for CD4⁺ T cell recognition. [J Immunol]
Abstract | Full Article

TCRVγ9 γδ T Cell Response to IL-33: A CD4 T Cell–Dependent Mechanism
IL-33 is a γ-chain receptor-independent cytokine of the IL-1 superfamily that is expressed by endothelial cells from a tumor microenvironment and can sustain Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Scientists investigated its ability to support the stimulation of human TCRVγ9⁺ γδ T cells. [J Immunol] Abstract

CCR6⁺ Th Cell Populations Distinguish ACPA Positive from ACPA Negative Rheumatoid Arthritis
Investigators recently identified a potential pathogenic role for CCR6⁺ T-helper (Th) cells in rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, they examined whether Th cell population distributions differ by anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) status. [Arthritis Res Ther] Full Article

Immune Repertoire Profiling Reveals that Clonally Expanded B and T Cells Infiltrating Diseased Human Kidneys Can Also Be Tracked in Blood
The authors compared immunoglobulin and T cell receptor repertoires of lymphocytes found in kidney and blood samples of ten patients with various renal diseases based on next-generation sequencing data. [PLoS One] Full Article

Master Regulators of Infiltrate Recruitment in Autoimmune Disease Identified through Network-Based Molecular Deconvolution
Using alopecia areata as a model, investigators adapted regulatory network analysis to specifically isolate physiological behaviors in the skin that contribute to the recruitment of immune cells in autoimmune disease. [Cell Syst] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Secondary Necrotic Neutrophils Release Interleukin-16C and Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor from Stores in the Cytosol
Scientists present evidence that the processing of interleukin (IL)-16 stored as a precursor to the biologically active IL-16C is mediated by caspase-3 and occurs during both spontaneous and UV-induced apoptosis of human neutrophils. [Cell Death Discov] Full Article

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Regulatory T-Cells and Preeclampsia: An Overview of Literature
The authors compile an overview of the studies about the associations of regulatory T-cells and preeclampsia risk and to provide recommendations for future research. [Expert Rev Clin Immunol] Abstract

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SELLAS Life Sciences Reports Positive WT1 Cancer Vaccine Clinical Results in Mesothelioma and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Patients
SELLAS Life Sciences Group announced that positive data from the company’s clinical studies of its WT1 cancer vaccine in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma and AML were reported. [Press release from SELLAS Life Sciences Group discussing research presented at the International WT1 Conference, Kyoto] Press Release

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Adaptimmune and Universal Cells Announce Collaboration to Develop Allogeneic T-Cell Therapies
Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc and Universal Cells Inc. announced that they have entered into a collaboration and exclusive license agreement for the development of allogeneic T-cell therapies. [Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc] Press Release

Loncar Investments Selects Cancer Research Institute as Exclusive Charitable Partner in Immunotherapy Research Donation Program
Loncar Investments and the Cancer Research Institute announced that they have entered into an exclusive charitable partnership for the Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF. The partnership is a two-year agreement, with an option for renewal in 2017. Loncar Investments has guaranteed a minimum donation of at least $20,000 per calendar year. [Loncar Funds] Press Release

Study Tests Method to Boost Immune System Response to Inoperable Cervical Cancer
The University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences, along with the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, is one of three study sites in the United States participating in a clinical trial to determine whether an investigational DNA cancer vaccine is safe and can stimulate the immune systems of women with inoperable, recurrent or progressive/persistent cervical cancer to attack malignant cells. [University of Chicago] Press Release

Advaxis Receives Orphan Drug Designation in the European Union for ADXS-HER2 for the Treatment of Osteosarcoma
Advaxis, Inc. announced that the European Medicines Agency granted Orphan Drug Designation for ADXS-HER2 for the treatment of osteosarcoma. [Advaxis, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Clinical Implications of Lung Cancer Genomic/Immunogenomic Findings (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Mucosal Immunology (University of Southern California)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Immunology (iTeos Therapeutics)

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)

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

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