Human Immunology News Volume 4.17 | May 3 2016

Update on the Safety and Efficacy of Retroviral Gene Therapy for Immunodeficiency Due to Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency
Scientists investigated the medium-term outcome of gene therapy in 18 patients with adenosine deaminase-severe combined immunodeficiency for whom an HLA-identical family donor was not available. Immune reconstitution was demonstrated by normalization of T cell subsets, evidence of thymopoiesis, and sustained T cell proliferative capacity. [Blood] Abstract

Extracellular Vesicles Released by CD40/IL-4 Stimulated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells Confer Altered Functional Properties to CD4⁺ T Cells
In order to characterize tumor extracellular vesicles (EVs) released in response to T cell-derived tumor microenvironment signals, scientists performed microRNA profiling of EVs released from chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells stimulated with CD40 and IL-4. [Blood] Abstract

Naïve and Memory B Cells Exhibit Distinct Biochemical Responses Following BCR Engagement
Researchers investigated the nature of BCR signaling in human splenic naïve, IgM⁺ memory and isotype switched memory B cells following multivalent BCR crosslinking. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract

IL-10 Promotes Homeostatic Proliferation of Human CD8⁺ Memory T Cells and, When Produced by CD1c⁺ DCs, Shapes Naive CD8⁺ T-Cell Priming
Investigators analyzed the role of interleukin (IL)-10 produced by human APC subsets in T-cell responses. IL-10 production was restricted to CD1c⁺ dendritic cells (DCs) and CD14⁺ monocytes. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

IL-9 Promotes the Survival and Function of Human Melanoma – Infiltrating CD4⁺CD8⁺ Double-Positive T Cells
The authors documented that melanoma-infiltrating CD4⁺CD8⁺ double-positive T cells express a high level of the IL-9 receptor, which prompted them to investigate the impact of IL-9 on their biology. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

Distribution and Molecular Characterization of Human Adenovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus Infections in Tonsillar Lymphocytes Isolated from Patients Diagnosed with Tonsillar Diseases
Researchers characterized the distribution of human adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and human cytomegalovirus in purified tonsillar T and B cell-enriched fractions isolated from three patient age groups diagnosed with tonsillar hypertrophy and chronic/recurrent tonsillitis. [PLoS One] Full Article

Delayed Adaptive Immunity Is Related to Higher MMR Vaccine-Induced Antibody Titers in Children
Researchers investigated whether early-life environmental factors and adaptive immune maturation prior and close to measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) immunization relate to magnitudes of vaccine-specific antibody titers. [Clin Transl Immunol] Full Article

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

Local Innate Immune Responses in the Vaccine Adjuvant-Injected Muscle
The authors focus on the initial innate immune events that occur locally at the site of intramuscular vaccine delivery, and how they are influenced by clinically approved vaccine adjuvants. [Clin Transl Immunol] Full Article

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

Opexa to Attend the Third International Conference on the Progress of Regenerative Medicine and Its Cultural Impact
Neil K. Warma, Opexa’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will present “Can T-Cells be Used to Treat Neuromyelitis Optica and Other Autoimmune Disorders?” [Press release from Opexa Therapeutics discussing research presented at Cellular Horizons: The Third International Conference on the Progress of Regenerative Medicine and its Cultural Impact, Vatican City] Press Release

From our sponsor: Working with blood? Request your free wallchart on human blood cell frequencies.

TG Therapeutics, Inc. Launches First Clinical Trial in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for TG-1101 (Ublituximab)
TG Therapeutics, Inc. announced the opening of its Phase II clinical study of ublituximab, the company’s glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, in patients with relapsing remitting MS, a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. [TG Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

SELLAS Life Sciences Group Announces Initiation of Galinpepimut-S (WT1 Cancer Vaccine) Phase I Clinical Trial in Combination with PD-1 Checkpoint Inhibitor for Patients with Ovarian Cancer
SELLAS Life Sciences Group announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SELLAS’s galinpepimut-S in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo^®), Bristol- Myers Squibb’s PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. [SELLAS Life Sciences Group] Press Release

Agenus Commences Phase I Clinical Trial of Its CTLA-4 Checkpoint Antibody to Treat Solid Tumors
Agenus Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in the company’s Phase I clinical trial of AGEN1884, an anti-CTLA-4 checkpoint antibody. The open-label, multicenter trial in patients with advanced or refractory cancer is designed to evaluate the safety of AGEN1884 and determine the estimated maximum tolerated dose. [Agenus Inc.] 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 Fellow – Cancer Biology & Cancer Immunology (Fox Chase Cancer Center)

Research Technologist – T Cell Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Erasmus MC)

Faculty Positions – Microbiology and Immunology (National University of Singapore)

Engineering Project Lead (Cytonome)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (University of Wisconsin – Madison)

Postdoctoral Researchers – Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy (University of California, Los Angeles)

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