Human Immunology News Volume 4.22 | Jun 7 2016

TOP STORY

Direct Measurement of T Cell Receptor Affinity and Sequence from Naïve Antiviral T Cells

The authors introduce the in situ T cell receptor (TCR) affinity and sequence test for simultaneous measurement of TCR affinity and sequence from single primary CD8⁺ T cells in human blood. They demonstrated that the repertoire of primary antigen-specific T cells from pathogen-inexperienced individuals has a surprisingly broad affinity range of 1000-fold composed of diverse TCR sequences. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Early Onset Combined Immunodeficiency and Autoimmunity in Patients with Loss-of-Function Mutation in LAT

Scientists describe the first kindred with defective linker for activation of T cells (LAT) signaling caused by a homozygous mutation in exon 5, leading to a premature stop codon deleting most of the cytoplasmic tail of LAT, including the critical tyrosine residues for signal propagation. [J Exp Med] Abstract

Phenotype and Immune Function of Lymph Node and Peripheral Blood CLL Cells Are Linked to Transendothelial Migration

Researchers demonstrated that lymph node-derived chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells possess a distinct phenotype and exhibit enhanced capacity for T-cell activation and superior immune synapse formation when compared to paired peripheral blood samples. [Blood] Abstract

Immunoregulatory Roles of Versican Proteolysis in the Myeloma Microenvironment

Scientists demonstrated proteolytic processing of the matrix proteoglycan, versican, in myeloma tumors. Whereas intact versican exerts tolerogenic activities through Toll-like receptor-2 binding, the immunoregulatory consequences of versican proteolysis remain unknown. [Blood] Abstract

Diversity and Divergence of the Glioma-Infiltrating T-Cell Receptor Repertoire

Investigators defined immunophenotypes of whole repertoires based on T-cell receptor repertoires of the alpha- and beta-chains from glioma tissue, nonneoplastic brain tissue, and peripheral blood from patients. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Melanoma Lesions Independently Acquire T-Cell Resistance during Metastatic Latency

Researchers report an investigation of a patient with multiple recurrent lesions, where poorly immunogenic melanoma phenotypes were found to evolve in the presence of autologous tumor antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Immune Cells from Psoriasis Patients Are Defective to Induce Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Expression in Response to Inflammatory Stimuli

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an inducible enzyme that suppresses the immune response. The role of IDO as a negative regulator of the inflammatory responses has been documented in several experimental autoimmune diseases. Investigators explored the regulation of IDO by immune cells in psoriasis and its relation with disease severity. [Br J Dermatol] Abstract

Expanded CD4⁺ Effector/Memory T Cell Subset in APECED Produces Predominantly Interferon Gamma

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare human autoimmune disorder caused by mutations in the AIRE (autoimmune regulator) gene. Loss of AIRE disrupts thymic negative selection and gives rise to impaired cytotoxic and regulatory T cell populations. To date, CD4⁺ T helper cells remain little studied. This study aims to elucidate their role in APECED pathogenesis [J Clin Immunol] Abstract

CD19⁺CD20^–CD27^hi IL-10-Producing B Cells Are Overrepresented in R-CHOP-Treated DLBCL Patients in Complete Remission

Investigators observed that diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients under remission contained significantly lower frequencies of total B cells, with a significantly overrepresented IL-10-producing B cell population in the peripheral blood. [Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol] Abstract

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

Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategies to Target Alloantibody-Producing B and Plasma Cells in Transplantation

The authors discuss recent progress in the generation of B-cell and plasma cell-targeted therapeutics, with an emphasis on novel agents. [Curr Opin Organ Transplant] Abstract

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

Immunotherapy Improves Survival, Quality of Life in Rapidly Progressing Head and Neck Cancer

Immunotherapy doubles overall survival and improves quality of life, with fewer side effects, in a treatment-resistant and rapidly progressing form of head and neck carcinoma, reports a large, randomized international trial. [Press release from University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (EurekAlert) discussing research presented at 52^nd annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Chicago] Press Release

Nivolumab Immunotherapy Helps Patients with Advanced Bladder Cancer

The immune checkpoint blockade drug nivolumab reduced tumor burden in 24.4 percent of patients with metastatic bladder cancer, regardless of whether their tumors had a biomarker related to the drug’s target, according to clinical trial results. [University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center] Press Release

Bristol-Myers Squibb and MD Anderson Announce New Research Collaboration in Immuno-Oncology Focused on Lung Cancer

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced a new clinical research collaboration to evaluate innovative strategies for the potential use of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immuno-oncology agents Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) to treat early- and advanced-stage lung cancer patients. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

New International Initiative Will Focus on Immunology Research and Treatments

University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Chiba University School of Medicine in Japan have announced a new collaborative research center to investigate the most promising aspects of immunology, especially the area of mucosal immunology, and to speed development of clinical applications. [UC San Diego] Press Release

NEW 10^th Australasian Viral Hepatitis 2016 Conference
September 30-October 1, 2016
Gold Coast, Australia

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the human immunology community.

NEW Group Leader – Immunology (Academic Medical Center)

NEW Research Associate – Molecular and Cellular Biology of Inflammation (King’s College London)

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Immune Focused In Vitro Research (King’s College London)

Scientific Communications and Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Immunology and Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Technical Sales Representative (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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.)

PhD Position or Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immunology with Focus on Autoimmunity (University of Oslo)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Thymic and Immune Regeneration (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Immunology (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Saarland University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Allergy and Immunology (Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Immunology (Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immunology (Tongji Medical College)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (Technische Universität München)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology & Cancer Immunology (Fox Chase Cancer Center)

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

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.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Human Immunology News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.