Human Immunology News Volume 4.35 | Sep 6 2016

TOP STORY

Interleukin 15-Dependent T Cell-like Innate Intraepithelial Lymphocytes Develop in the Intestine and Transform into Lymphomas in Celiac Disease

Investigators showed that, in humans and in mice, innate intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes expressing intracellular CD3 differentiate along an Id2 transcription factor (TF)-independent pathway in response to TF NOTCH1, interleukin-15, and Granzyme B signals. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

The Mucin MUC1 Modulates the Tumor Immunological Microenvironment through Engagement of the Lectin Siglec-9

When the mucin MUC1 is expressed on cancer cells, it is decorated by multiple short, sialylated O-linked glycans. Investigators found that this cancer-specific MUC1 glycoform, through engagement of Siglec-9, ‘educated’ myeloid cells to release factors associated with determination of the tumor microenvironment and disease progression. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

iNKT Cells Induce FGF21 for Thermogenesis and Are Required for Maximal Weight Loss in GLP1 Therapy

Adipose-resident invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell activation induced fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) production and thermogenic browning of white fat. Complete metabolic analysis revealed that iNKT cell activation induced increased body temperature, V02, VC02, and fatty acid oxidation, without affecting food intake or activity. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Regulation of Monocyte Cell Fate by Blood Vessels Mediated by Notch Signaling

A population of monocytes, known as Ly6C^lo monocytes, patrol blood vessels by crawling along the vascular endothelium. Researchers showed that endothelial cells control their origin through Notch signaling. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Hepatic Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts Enhance Immune Suppression by Facilitating the Generation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells

Although studies have demonstrated that tumor-derived cytokines promote myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) accumulation and activation, little is known regarding the role of the tumor stroma in MDSC accumulation and activation. The authors identified a novel mechanism of MDSC differentiation. [Oncogene] Abstract

Distinct Microenvironmental Cues Stimulate Divergent TLR4-Mediated Signaling Pathways in Macrophages

The microbial product lipopolysaccharide and the extracellular matrix glycoprotein tenascin-C are released during bacterial infection and tissue injury, respectively, and both activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Investigators found that these two TLR4 ligands stimulated distinct signaling pathways in macrophages, resulting in cells with divergent phenotypes. [Sci Signal] Abstract

Kinsenoside Screening with a Microfluidic Chip Attenuates Gouty Arthritis through Inactivating NF-κB Signaling in Macrophages and Protecting Endothelial Cells

Scientists used a three-dimensional flowing microfluidic chip to screen the effective candidate against monosodium urate-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cell damage, and found kinsenoside to be the leading active component of Anoectochilus roxburghi, one of the Chinese medicinal plants widely used in the treatment of gouty arthritis clinically. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Expression and Function of Human CD300 Receptors on Blood Circulating Mononuclear Cells are Distinct in Neonates and Adults

Differential expression of cell surface receptors may result in altered thresholds of neonatal immune cell activation. The authors determined whether the expression and function of the lipid-binding CD300 family of receptors are different on neonatal immune cells compared to adult immune cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Enhanced Immune Response of MAIT Cells in Tuberculous Pleural Effusions Depends on Cytokine Signaling

Scientists investigated the phenotypes and immune response of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells from tuberculous pleural effusions and peripheral blood. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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

Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Management

Ulcerative colitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum, resulting from a dysregulated immune response towards intraluminal antigens in a genetically predisposed host. The disease has a varying extent and severity. [Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol] Abstract

What Rheumatologists Need to Know About Innate Lymphocytes

The authors summarize the main characteristics and functions of innate lymphocyte subsets, and describe their roles in autoimmune disease. They also discuss how biological therapies influence innate lymphocyte function and consider the potential for these cell subsets to act as future therapeutic targets. [Nat Rev Rheumatol] Abstract

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

Soligenix Announces Issuance of New Composition of Matter Patent for Dusquetide Analogs

Soligenix, Inc. announced that the United States Patent Office granted the patent entitled “Peptides for Treating and Preventing Immune-Related Disorders, Including Treating and Preventing Infection by Modulating Innate Immunity.” The newly issued patent claims composition of matter of analogs of dusquetide, the company’s lead development compound. [Soligenix, Inc.] Press Release

Rigel’s Fostamatinib Meets Primary Endpoint in Phase III Study in Chronic ITP

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that fostamatinib, its oral spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, met the primary endpoint in the first of two double-blind studies in the FIT Phase III clinical program for the treatment of adult chronic/persistent immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). [Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Arena Pharmaceutics Announces Formation of Beacon Discovery

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the formation of Beacon Discovery Inc. (“Beacon”), an independent, privately-held drug discovery incubator. Beacon will focus on identifying and advancing molecules targeting G-Protein Coupled Receptors from concept to clinic leveraging the strengths and capabilities developed over close to two decades at Arena. [Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Congress Returns, with a Long Science To-Do List and Not Much Time

Congress returns from a 7-week summer break with a lengthy list of unfinished business, some of great interest to the U.S. research community—and just a few weeks to tackle it. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

New Vaccine Coalition Aims to Ward Off Epidemics

A new public-private coalition that aims to derail epidemics by speeding development of vaccines has now hung its shingle with the backing of the Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Turkey Sacks Thousands of University Staff

Turkey’s government has sacked 2,346 university staff for suspected ties to July’s attempted military coup in the country. The sackings, announced in a 1 September decree as part of a wider purge of 40,000 civil servants, are the first of an expected wave of dismissals under powers granted by state-of-emergency rules following the coup. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 5^th Australian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) 2016 Conference
November 20-23, 2016
Melbourne, Australia

NEW EMBO Conference: Innate Lymphoid Cells
November 30-December 2, 2016
Berlin, Germany

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

NEW Faculty Positions – Various Areas (Jackson Laboratory)

Technical Sales Representative (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow Position – Stem Cell Biology & Immunology (Toronto General Research Institute & McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Translational Immunology (University of Eastern Finland)

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)

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

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

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

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.