Human Immunology News Volume 5.38 | Sep 26 2017

TOP STORY

Deregulation of MicroRNA Expression in Purified T and B Lymphocytes from Patients with Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome

Researchers investigated miRNA expression patterns in purified T and B lymphocytes from patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome using a high-throughput quantitative PCR approach. [Ann Rheum Dis] Full Article

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Accurate Immune Repertoire Sequencing Reveals Malaria Infection Driven Antibody Lineage Diversification in Young Children

Antibody clonal lineage analysis revealed that somatic hypermutation levels are increased in both infants and toddlers upon infection, and memory B cells isolated from individuals who previously experienced malaria continue to induce somatic hypermutations upon malaria rechallenge. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Ex Vivo Expanded Human NK Cells Survive and Proliferate in Humanized Mice with Autologous Human Immune Cells

Scientists examined the adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded human cord blood-derived NK cells into humanized mice reconstituted with autologous human cord blood immune cells. They report that ex vivo expanded NK cells are able to survive and possibly proliferate in vivo in humanized mice without exogenous cytokine administration, but not in control mice that lack human immune cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

IRAK4 Kinase Activity Controls Toll-Like Receptor Induced Inflammation through the Transcription Factor IRF5 in Primary Human Monocytes

Using transcriptomic and biochemical analyses of human monocytes treated with a highly potent and selective inhibitor of interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase 4 (IRAK4), researchers showed that IRAK4 kinase activity controls the activation of the transcription factor IRF5, a transcription factor implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Neurotransmitter Signaling via NMDA Receptors Leads to Decreased Th1-Like and Enhanced Th2-Like Immune Balance in Humans

Using primary CD4 T cells and short-term Th1 and Th2-like lines, the authors investigated roles and mechanisms by which neurotransmitter receptors may influence human Type 1 vs Type 2 immunity. [Immunology] Abstract

CD25-Expressing Th17 Cells Mediate CD8⁺ T Cell Suppression in CTLA-4 Dependent Mechanisms in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Investigators examined the role of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) in CD4⁺ T cell subsets from pancreatic cancer patients. In circulating CD4⁺ T cells, the expression of CTLA-4 was low at baseline but was significantly upregulated following T cell stimulation. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

CD4⁺ T Helper Cells and Regulatory T Cells in Active Lupus Nephritis – An Imbalance towards a Predominant Th1 Response?

Scientists evaluated the frequency of CD4⁺ T cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, urine, and renal tissue from patients with lupus nephritis. [Clin Exp Immunol] Abstract

Interleukin-17-Positive Mast Cells Influence Outcomes from BCG for Patients with CIS: Data from a Comprehensive Characterization of the Immune Microenvironment of Urothelial Bladder Cancer

The authors found IL-17-positive cells were significantly increased in primary and concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS) a highly malignant lesion which is the most significant single risk factor for disease progression. Further characterization of the tumor immunophenotype identified IL-17⁺ cells as predominantly mast cells rather than T-cells, in contrast to most other tumour types. [PLoS One] Full Article

Increased Cycles of DC/CIK Immunotherapy Decreases Frequency of Tregs in Patients with Resected NSCLC

Scientists investigated whether increased cycles of immunotherapy could decrease frequency of Tregs in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract

CD5⁺ B Lymphocytes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: Relation to Disease Activity

Investigators assessed blood concentration of CD5⁺ B cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and evaluated their relationship with disease activity and organ damage. [Clin Rheumatol] Abstract

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B Cells in the Pathophysiology of Myasthenia Gravis

The authors document research concerning the immunopathology of myasthenia gravis, bringing together evidence principally from human studies with an emphasis on the role of adaptive immunity and B cells in particular. [Muscle Nerve] Abstract

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Can-Fite Files Patent Application to Treat Cytokine Release Syndrome, a Potentially Life-Threatening Complication of CAR-T Cell Therapy

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. announced it has filed a patent application to protect the use of its drugs and other ligands which target the A3 adenosine receptor to treat cytokine release syndrome. [Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.] Press Release

Formula Pharmaceuticals Announces Initiation of the First Clinical Trial for Allogeneic CIK-CAR Cancer Immunotherapy

Formula Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the opening of the first clinical trial for allogeneic cytokine induced killer cell-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cancer immunotherapy. [Formula Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Canada Names New Chief Science Adviser

Mona Nemer, a cardiology researcher and vice-president of research at the University of Ottawa, has been named Canada’s new Chief Science Adviser by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

What Germany’s Election Results Mean for Science

As Germany reels from an unexpected surge for the far right in the elections, researchers don’t expect much effect on the country’s generous support for science. But with smaller parties standing to gain political influence, battles over issues such as the regulation of gene-edited organisms and how to cut greenhouse-gas emissions could grow fiercer. [Nature News] Editorial

BIA & MHRA Publish Report ‘Innovation in Life Sciences in a Changing and Dynamic Environment’

The UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) brought together experts from across the sector to discuss some hot topics and important developments that are having an impact on the changing and dynamic UK life sciences ecosystem. [Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency] Press Release

United Kingdom Sees Dip in European Research Applications after Brexit Vote

The number of researchers applying for Europe-funded Marie Curie fellowships in the United Kingdom has dipped slightly since the country’s vote to leave the European Union, data released to Nature show. But there is no evidence yet of a sharp collapse in interest, which some scientists had feared in the wake of the Brexit referendum. [Nature News] Editorial

HHMI’s Own Brand of Diversity in the Life Sciences

One of Erin O’Shea’s first moves as Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) president was committing $25 million a year to support postdocs from underrepresented groups. Her hope was that they would eventually change the color—and culture—of their departments as they moved into leadership positions, in addition to serving as role models for the next generation of scientists. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Regulation and Dysregulation of Innate Immunity in Disease
February 18-22, 2018
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (University of Rochester Medical Center)

Research Technologist – Immunotherapy (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Scientist – Immuno-oncology (Kymab Ltd.)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Development of Immune System (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Immunogenomics (University of Oxford)

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 Researcher – Inflammatory Diseases (University of Pennsylvania)

Assistant Professor – Cell Science (University of Manitoba)

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