Human Immunology News Volume 5.36 | Sep 12 2017

TOP STORY

Static and Dynamic DNA Loops Form AP-1-Bound Activation Hubs during Macrophage Development

To better understand the mechanisms underlying context-specific 3D chromatin structure and transcription during cellular differentiation, scientists generated comprehensive in situ Hi-C maps of DNA loops in human monocytes and differentiated macrophages. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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An Aberrant NOTCH2-BCR Signaling Axis in B Cells from Patients with Chronic GvHD

Investigators examined B cell receptor (BCR)-NOTCH2 synergy, since Notch has been shown to increase BCR responsiveness in normal mouse B cells. They conducted ex vivo activation and signaling assays of 30 primary samples from HCT patients with and without chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). [Blood] Abstract

Integrin-Assisted T-Cell Activation on Nanostructured Hydrogels

The authors studied the influence of integrin-mediated cell-adhesion on T-cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation using nanostructured surfaces, which provided a well-defined system at the nanoscale compared with standard cultures. [Nano Lett] Abstract

CD155T/TIGIT Signaling Regulates CD8⁺ T Cell Metabolism and Promotes Tumor Progression in Human Gastric Cancer

Scientists evaluated the role TIGIT checkpoint plays in the development and progression of gastric cancer (GC). They showed that the percentage of CD8 T cells that are TIGIT⁺ was increased in GC patients compared to healthy individuals. [Cancer Res] Abstract | Full Article

The TNF Receptor Superfamily-NF-κB Axis Is Critical to Maintain Effector Regulatory T Cells in Lymphoid and Non-Lymphoid Tissues

Researchers showed that tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) signaling plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of effector regulatory T (eTreg) cells. TNFRSF signaling activated the NF-κB transcription factor RelA, which was required to maintain eTreg cells in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues, including RORγt⁺ Treg cells in the small intestine. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Expansion of Cytotoxic Natural Killer Cells Using Irradiated Autologous Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Anti-CD16 Antibody

Scientists used an anti-CD16 monoclonal antibody and irradiated autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells to provide a suitable environment for the natural killer (NK) cell expansion. This method more potently expanded NK cells, and the final product was composed of highly purified NK cells with less T-cell contamination. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Modulation of γδ T Cell Activation by Neutrophil Elastase

The authors investigated the role of neutrophils during the activation of human blood γδ T cells through CD3 molecules. They found that the up-regulation of CD69 expression, and the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α induced by anti-CD3 antibodies were potentiated by neutrophils. [Immunology] Abstract

Alternative Splicing of Telomerase Catalytic Subunit hTERT Generated by Apoptotic Endonuclease EndoG Induces Human CD4⁺ T Cell Death

Investigators determined the role of the apoptotic endonuclease EndoG in alternative splicing of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and telomerase activity. A strong correlation was identified between EndoG expression levels and hTERT splice variants in human CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes. [Eur J Cell Biol] Abstract

Functional Characterization of T-Cells from Palatine Tonsils in Patients with Chronic Tonsillitis

Researchers examined the functional status of human tonsillar T-cells in chronic tonsillitis and compared it to the acute inflammatory setting of a peritonsillar abscess. [PLoS One] Full Article

Cellular and Molecular Synergy in AS01-Adjuvanted Vaccines Results in an Early IFNγ Response Promoting Vaccine Immunogenicity

Hours after injection of AS01-adjuvanted vaccine, resident cells, such as NK cells and CD8⁺ T cells, released IFNγ in the lymph node draining the injection site. This effect resulted from 3-O-desacyl-4’-monophosphoryl lipid A and QS-21 synergy and was controlled by macrophages, IL-12 and IL-18. [npj Vaccines] Full Article

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Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-Transduced Natural Killer Cells in Tumor Immunotherapy

T cells genetically modified with a CAR have demonstrated remarkable success in the treatment of hematological cancers. Compared to T cells, CAR-transduced natural killer cells exhibit several advantages, such as safety in clinical use, the mechanisms by which they recognize cancer cells, and their abundance in clinical samples. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Full Article

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Lycera Presents Encouraging Safety Results from Phase I ARGON Study of LYC-55716

Lycera Corp. announced the first presentation of clinical findings from the initial three cohorts of patients in Lycera’s Phase I/IIa ARGON study of its novel immuno-oncology therapeutic candidate, RORgamma agonist LYC-55716. [Press release from Lycera Corp. discussing research presented at the 2017 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, Madrid] Press Release

AbCellera Launches Antibody Discovery Collaboration with GSK

AbCellera Biologics, Inc. announced that it has entered into an antibody discovery research collaboration with GSK, whereby AbCellera will apply its high-throughput single-cell antibody screening platform to identify antibodies against an undisclosed membrane protein target. [AbCellera Biologics, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Aurigene, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Dr. Reddy’s, and Curis Announce CA-170 Program Update following Data Presented at ESMO 2017

Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited announced plans to initiate a Phase II trial of CA-170, a PDL1-VISTA inhibitor to be conducted at sites in India. [Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited] Press Release

Congress Rejects Trump Proposals to Cut Health Research Funds

Congress has not only rejected the president’s National Institutes of Health proposal; lawmakers from both parties have joined forces to increase spending on biomedical research — and have bragged about it. [The New York Times] Editorial

Pall Hangs over U.S.-Iran Science Ties

Rising tensions between the U.S. and Iranian governments have frozen most scientific contacts between the two nations, experts reported at a forum. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Italian Scientists Welcome Surprise €400 Million Boost for Basic Research

Italian scientists received a welcome surprise when Valeria Fedeli, the minister for education, university, and research, announced that Italy will put an extra €400 million into its main basic science fund, the Research Projects of National Interest (PRIN). The money, to be spent over 3 years, will more than quadruple PRIN’s annual funding. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Cell-Weizmann Institute of Science Symposium: Next Gen Immunology
February 11-14, 2018
Rehovot, Israel

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NEW Research Technologist – Immunotherapy (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Scientist – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Development of Immune System (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Immunogenomics (University of Oxford)

Research Fellow – Mucosal Immunology (Malaghan Institute of Medical Research)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology Cell Based Assay (Turnstone Biologics Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology Relating to Type 1 Diabetes (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Regulation of Immune Responses (University of Iowa)

Postdoctoral Fellowships – Immune Signaling and Metabolism (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Immunology (Harvard Medical School, Joslin Diabetes Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Inflammatory Diseases (University of Pennsylvania)

Assistant Professor – Cell Science (University of Manitoba)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Autoimmune Disease Research (Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Biology and Immunology (Harvard Medical School)

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