Human Immunology News Volume 5.25 | Jun 27 2017

TOP STORY

Tissue-Resident Memory Features Are Linked to the Magnitude of Cytotoxic T Cell Responses in Human Lung Cancer

Investigators performed transcriptomic profiling of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes from treatment-naive patients with lung cancer to define the molecular features associated with the robustness of anti-tumor immune responses. [Nat Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Lineage Specification of Human Dendritic Cells Is Marked by IRF8 Expression in Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Multipotent Progenitors

Researchers found that specification to the dendritic cell lineage occurred in parallel with specification of hematopoietic stem cells to the myeloid and lymphoid lineages. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

Antibodies against Immune Checkpoint Molecules Restore Functions of Tumor-Infiltrating T Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinomas

The authors analyzed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples from patients to determine if these inhibitory pathways prevent T-cell responses in HCCs and to find ways to restore their anti-tumor functions. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

Human Mast Cells Present Antigen to Autologous CD4⁺ T Cells

Scientists utilized in situ-matured primary human mast cells (MCs) and matched CD4⁺-T cells to diligently assess the ability of MCs to act as antigen-presenting cells. [J Allergy Clin Immunol] Abstract

MicroRNA-34a Dependent Regulation of AXL Controls the Activation of Dendritic Cells in Inflammatory Arthritis

The authors showed that microRNA-34a provides homoeostatic control of CD1c⁺ dendritic cell (DC) activation via regulation of tyrosine kinase receptor AXL, an important inhibitory DC auto-regulator. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Somatic Mutations in Clonally Expanded Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis

Researchers showed that patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis have expanded CD8⁺ T-cell clones; in 20% of patients CD8⁺ T cells, but not CD4⁺ T cells, harbor somatic mutations. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Characterization of MK-4166, a Clinical Agonistic Antibody that Targets Human GITR and Inhibits the Generation and Suppressive Effects of T Regulatory Cells

Investigators report the potential utility of MK-4166, a humanized GITR monoclonal antibody selected to bind to an epitope analogous to the DTA-1 epitope, which enhances the proliferation of both naïve and tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes. [Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

Regulated Expansion and Survival of Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Modified T Cells Using Small Molecule-Dependent Inducible MyD88/CD40

Researchers present a novel strategy to activate Toll-like receptor and CD40 signaling in human T cells using inducible MyD88/CD40, which can be triggered in vivo via the synthetic dimerizing ligand, rimiducid, to provide potent costimulation to CAR-modified T cells. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Uniting the Neuro Developmental and Immunological Hypotheses: Neuregulin 1 Receptor ErbB and Toll-Like Receptor Activation in First-Episode Schizophrenia

Scientists recruited 42 first-episode, drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia and 42 matched healthy control subjects. In monocytes, TLR4/TLR5 and ErbB expressions were measured with flow-cytometry. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were determined following the stimulation of TLR4/TLR5 and ErbB. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Immature Human DCs Efficiently Translocate Endocytosed Antigens into the Cytosol for Proteasomal Processing

Investigators made use of the pro-apoptotic properties of cytochrome c when in the cytosol, and confirmed that it triggered apoptosis of human immature dendritic cells (DCs), but only at high concentrations. [Mol Immunol] Abstract

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The IL-10/STAT3 Axis: Contributions to Immune Tolerance by Thymus and Peripherally Derived Regulatory T Cells

The authors review the contribution of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 to the induction and function of both peripherally induced as well as thymus-derived regulatory T-cells. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

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

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Provides Update on Strategic Review and Decision to Suspend Further Patient Randomization for ICT-107 Phase III Trial

ImmunoCellular has determined that the company is unable at this time to secure sufficient additional financial resources to complete the Phase III registration trial of ICT-107. As a result, the company intends to suspend further patient randomization in the ICT-107 trial while it continues to seek a collaborative arrangement or acquisition of its ICT-107 program. [ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.] Press Release

TapImmune Reaches 50% Patient Enrollment Benchmark in Phase II Study of Novel T-Cell Vaccine Targeting Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

TapImmune, Inc. announced that it has enrolled 50% of the patients in its randomized Phase II clinical study of its novel T-cell vaccine candidate TPIV 200 for treating triple-negative breast cancer. [TapImmune, Inc.] Press Release

eFFECTOR Therapeutics to Collaborate with Pfizer and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany to Evaluate a Novel Immuno-Oncology Combination in Microsatellite Stable Colorectal Cancer

eFFECTOR Therapeutics announced it has entered into a clinical collaboration and supply agreement with Pfizer and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to evaluate the combination of two immuno-oncology agents in patients with microsatellite stable colorectal cancer. [eFFECTOR Therapeutics] Press Release

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Trains the Next Generation of Scientific Leaders in Cancer Immunotherapy

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy recently announced six awards to support talented young researchers in cancer immunotherapy. The three programs will provide up to $3.46 million for 2017 awardees, as well as mentorship and access to resources, to help these young researchers advance the field and translate their discoveries to benefit cancer patients. [The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy] Press Release

Scientists in Limbo as US Supreme Court Allows Modified Travel Ban

The US Supreme Court has reinstated a limited version of President Donald Trump’s temporary order banning travelers from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. The court will hear a legal challenge to the ban in October. The court’s decision casts doubt on the fate of students and scientists from these countries who hope to study or work in the United States. [Nature News] Editorial

US Court Grants Elsevier Millions in Damages from Sci-Hub

One of the world’s largest science publishers, Elsevier, won a default legal judgement against websites that provide illicit access to tens of millions of research papers and books. A New York district court awarded Elsevier US$15 million in damages for copyright infringement by Sci-Hub, the Library of Genesis project and related sites. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI)
October 26-30, 2017
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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

NEW Full Professorship – Immunology (The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Immunogenomics (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Innate Immunity (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Innate and Adaptive Immunity (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Scientist – Analytical Development (KBI Biopharma)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (University of Southern California)

Senior Scientific Researcher – Personalized Cancer Vaccines (Genentech)

Assistant Associate – Cancer Immunology (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.

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