Human Immunology News Volume 4.33 | Aug 23 2016

TOP STORY

CD4⁺ T-Cell Alloreactivity towards Mismatched HLA-Class II Alleles Early after Double Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation (dUCBT)

Given the frequent HLA-class II allele mismatches between cord blood units in dUCBT, researchers hypothesized that alloreactive HLA-class II-specific CD4⁺ T-cells from the ‘winning’ cord blood unit (CBU) may contribute to rejection of the ‘loser’ CBU. They evaluated whether CD4⁺ T-cells originating from the predominant-CBU would recognize HLA-class II allele mismatches, expressed by the non-engrafting-CBU. [Blood] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

reChIP-seq Reveals Widespread Bivalency of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 in CD4⁺ Memory T Cells

Scientists illustrate the utility of the reChIP-seq method and normR by identifying H3K4me3 or H3K27me3 bivalently modified nucleosomes in primary human CD4⁺ memory T cells. They unravel widespread bivalency at hypomethylated CpG-islands coinciding with inactive promoters of developmental regulators. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Human Effector B Lymphocytes Express ARID3a and Secrete Interferon Alpha

Researchers indicate ARID3a is important for interferon alpha (IFNa) expression and show a strong association between ARID3a expression and transcription of genes associated with lupus IFN signatures. Furthermore, both ARID3a and IFNa production were elicited in healthy control B cells upon stimulation with the TLR 9 agonist, CpG. [J Autoimmun] Abstract

New Roles for CD14 and IL-β Linking Inflammatory Dendritic Cells to IL-17 Production in Memory CD4⁺ T Cells

Investigators showed that human immature dendritic cells (DCs) exposed to interleukin (IL)-1β promote IL-17 production in human memory CD4⁺ T cells. IL-1β-primed DCs express high levels of CD14 that mediate IL-17 production through direct interaction with T cells. [Immunol Cell Biol] Full Article

Antigen-Presenting Human B Cells Are Expanded in Inflammatory Conditions

Investigators report the identification of a human antigen-presenting B cell subset with strong immunostimulatory properties. This B cell subset is characterized by low expression of CD21 and high expression of the activation marker CD86 and exhibits strong T cell–stimulatory activity, as demonstrated by means of an autologous mixed-lymphocyte reaction. [J Leukoc Biol] Abstract

Expression Patterns of Ikaros Family Members during Positive Selection and Lineage Commitment of Human Thymocytes

Researchers determined how protein levels of Ikaros, Helios, and Aiolos change as human thymocytes progress through the positive selection and lineage commitment stages. [Immunology] Abstract

Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment Responsiveness Depends on the Degree of CD8⁺ T Cell Activation in Kawasaki Disease

The authors analyzed the T cell activation profiles of Kawasaki disease (KD) and assessed their value in the diagnosis of KD and the prediction of intravenous immunoglobulin sensitivity. They analyzed human leukocyte antigen-DR, CD69 and CD25 expression on peripheral blood CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells during the acute phase of KD. [Clin Immunol] Abstract

Role of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Polymorphisms on TCDD-Mediated CYP1B1 Induction and IgM Suppression by Human B Cells

The functional properties of six human aryl hydrocarbon receptor variants were examined in the human B cell line, SKW 6.4. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced Cyp1B1 and Cyp1A2 mRNA expression levels and Cyp1B1-regulated reporter gene activity, used for comparative purposes, were markedly lower in SKW cells containing the R554K single nucleotide polymorphism than in SKW-AHR⁺ cells. [Toxicol Appl Pharmacol] Abstract

IGF1R Derived PI3K/AKT Signaling Maintains Growth in a Subset of Human T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemias

The authors present an assessment of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) dependence in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia using a broad panel of 27 established cell lines that capture a spectrum of the genetic variation that might be encountered in clinical practice. They observed that a subset of cell lines are sensitive to IGF1R inhibition and are characterized by high levels of surface IGF1R expression and PTEN positivity. [PLoS One] Full Article

The RNA-Binding Protein, Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein 1 (PTBP1) Is a Key Regulator of CD4 T Cell Activation

Experiments were designed to introduce shRNA into primary human CD4 T cells to achieve decreased, but not complete ablation of PTBP1 expression. Analyses of shPTB-expressing CD4 T cells revealed multiple processes including cell proliferation, activation-induced cell death and expression of activation markers and cytokines that were regulated in part by PTBP1 expression. [PLoS One] Full Article

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

Donor-Unrestricted T Cells in the Human CD1 System

Researchers review evidence showing how cellular CD1a, CD1b, CD1c, and CD1d proteins capture and display many cellular lipids to T cell receptors. Increasing evidence shows that CD1-reactive T cells operate outside two classical immunogenetic concepts derived from the MHC paradigm. [Immunogenetics] Abstract

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

GE Healthcare Expands Cell Therapy Portfolio with License of STEMCELL Technologies’ T-Cell Reagents

In a further step to build its portfolio for the rapidly-growing cell therapy industry, GE Healthcare announced an agreement with STEMCELL Technologies Inc. to provide T-Cell reagents for commercial-scale cell therapy production. [GE Healthcare] Press Release

Kite Pharma Advisors and Scientific Pioneers in Cancer Immunotherapy Receive Prestigious Cellular Immune Therapy Award

Kite Pharma, Inc. announced that two of its key advisors and scientific collaborators, both pioneers in the field of cancer immunotherapy, have received the renowned Novartis Prize for Clinical Immunology. [Kite Pharma, Inc.] Press Release

Methamphetamine and Skin Wounds: NYIT Researcher Wins $431,000 NIH Grant to Study Immune Response Problems with Drug Use

The National Institutes of Health awarded Luis Martinez, Ph.D., a $431,700 three-year grant to investigate, in mice, methamphetamine’s effects on the underlying biological mechanisms that cause inflammation and impair wound healing. [New York Institute of Technology (Newswise, Inc.)] Press Release

A Tale of Two Governments: The Politician Behind Argentina’s Science Growth

Lino Barañao, the only minister to stay in power after last year’s elections, lays out his plans. [Nature News] Editorial

Spiking Genomic Databases with Misinformation Could Protect Patient Privacy

Large genomic databases are indispensable for scientists looking for genetic variations associated with diseases. But they come with privacy risks for people who contribute their DNA. A 2013 study1 showed that hackers could use publicly available information on the Internet to identify people from their anonymized genomic data. [Nature News] Editorial

UK Government Gives Brexit Science Funding Guarantee

British scientists say they’re relieved by a government promise to guarantee them funding for existing EU research projects, even after the country leaves the European Union. But the reassurance only partly allays concerns about Brexit’s effect on UK science. [Nature News] Editorial

Candidate Cancer Drug Suspected after Death of Three Patients at an Alternative Medicine Clinic

A new type of cancer drug developed at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, but not yet tested in clinical trials may have triggered the deaths of three patients who were undergoing an alternative cancer treatment by a nonmedical practitioner in Germany. Germany has many such practitioners, and the field is loosely regulated. The public prosecutor in Germany is now investigating whether the case constitutes involuntary manslaughter. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Obama’s Science Legacy: Uneven Progress on Scientific Integrity

Many researchers who watched Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009 were thrilled by his pledge to “restore science to its rightful place”. But scientists and legal scholars say that, in many ways, Obama has failed to live up to that lofty promise. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Danish Stem Cell Society 2016
November 10-11, 2016
Rungsted, Denmark

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Translational Immunology (University of Eastern Finland)

Technical Sales Representative (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Faculty Position – Immunology (Vanderbilt University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mucosal Immunology (University of Utah)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Metastatic Breast Cancer (Purdue Center for Cancer Research)

Assistant Associate – Cancer Immunology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunomodulatory Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (NYU Langone Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – CRISPR/Cas9 Screens in Immune Cells (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)

Principal Investigator – Cancer Immunology/Immunotherapy (Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Microbiology, Immunology, Biochemistry (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular/Cellular Immunology (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Postdoctoral Position – Mucosal Immunology (KU Leuven)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine (Stanford University School of Medicine)

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

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.