Human Immunology News Volume 6.03 | Jan 23 2018

TOP STORY

Researchers Develop a Remote-Controlled Cancer Immunotherapy System

A team of researchers has developed an ultrasound-based system that can non-invasively and remotely control genetic processes in live immune T cells so that they recognize and kill cancer cells. [Press release from the University of California, San Diego discussing online prepublication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Identification of T-Cell Epitopes from Benzylpenicillin Conjugated to Human Serum Albumin and Implication in Penicillin Allergy

Scientists identified immunodominant benzylpenicillin (BP)-haptenated peptides from human serum albumin (HSA) involved in immunization of patients to BP and refined the frequency calculation of naïve CD4⁺ T-cells recognizing BP. Results showed that BP-HSA and BP-haptenated peptides were recognized by naïve T-cells from 15/16 and 13/14 tested healthy donors, respectively. [Allergy] Abstract

Flame Retardants, Hexabromocyclododecane (HCBD) and Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), Alter Secretion of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα) from Human Immune Cells

Investigators examined the effects of HBCD and TBBPA on secretion of the critical pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα from human immune cells. when the cell preparation contained T lymphocytes these same concentrations of HBCD increased TNFα secretion as did nearly all other concentrations. [Arch Toxicol] Abstract

Expression of Inflammasome Proteins and Inflammasome Activation Occurs in Human, but Not in Murine Keratinocytes

The authors demonstrated that murine keratinocytes do not activate inflammasomes in response to stimuli, which induce IL-1β and -18 secretion by human keratinocytes. The results demonstrated a higher immunological competence of human compared to murine keratinocytes, which is reflected by stress-induced IL-1β secretion that is mediated by inflammasomes. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Cutting Edge: Piezo1 Mechanosensors Optimize Human T Cell Activation

Scientists found that the professional mechanosensor protein Piezo1 is critically involved in human T cell activation. Although a deficiency in Piezo1 attenuated downstream events on ex vivo TCR triggering, a Piezo1 agonist obviated the need to immobilize TCR–cross-linking Abs. [J Immunol] Abstract

KEAP1 Editing Using CRISPR/Cas9 for Therapeutic NRF2 Activation in Primary Human T Lymphocytes

Previous work demonstrated that murine T cell-specific kelch like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) deletion enhances antioxidant capacity and protects from experimental acute kidney injury. Researchers used CRISPR technology to develop clinically translatable human T cell-specific KEAP1 deletion. [J Immunol] Abstract

Activation of Human CD141⁺ and CD1c⁺ Dendritic Cells In Vivo with Combined TLR 3 and TLR 7/8 Ligation

Investigators describe a humanized mouse model in which fully functional human CD141⁺ and CD1c⁺ myeloid and CD123⁺ plasmacytoid dendritic cells developed from human cord blood CD34⁺ cells in immunodeficient mice. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract

Altered Pattern of Monocyte Differentiation and Monocyte-Derived TGF-β1 in Severe Asthma

The authors identified circulating subsets of PM-2K⁺ macrophage-like cells and evaluated their relationships to lung function, severity and control status. Circulating PM-2K⁺ macrophage-like cells and fibrocytes could be identified and distinguished between normal individuals and asthmatic subjects using multi-parametric flow cytometry. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Precursors of Human CD4⁺ Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Identified by Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis

Scientists performed single-cell RNA sequencing in more than 9000 cells to unravel CD4⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CD4-CTL) heterogeneity, transcriptional profile, and clonality in humans. Single-cell differential gene expression analysis revealed a spectrum of known transcripts, including several linked to cytotoxic and costimulatory function that are expressed at higher levels in the TEMRA subset, which is highly enriched for CD4-CTLs, compared with CD4⁺ T cells in the central memory and effector memory subsets. [Sci Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

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Unwrapping the Genomic Characteristics of Urothelial Bladder Cancer and Successes with Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy

The authors discuss the rationale for immunotherapy in bladder cancer, progress with blocking the programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1)/its ligand pathway for urothelial bladder cancer treatment, and ongoing clinical trials. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

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

Kineta Immuno-Oncology Announces Presentation on Novel RIG-I Agonists

Dr. Bedard will present on the proof of concept compound, KIN131A, which activates RIG-I-dependent signaling to stimulate chemokine/cytokine production by human PBMCs, and induces direct activation of dendritic cells. [Press release from Kineta Immuno-oncology, LLC discussing research to be presented at 2018 the Immuno-Oncology Frontiers World Conference, Miami] Press Release

Biolinerx Presents Preclinical Data Showing BL-8040 Prolongs Survival by Mediating Tumor Infiltration of Antigen-Specific T-Cells

BioLineRx Ltd. announced the publication of data showing that BL-8040, its lead oncology platform, augments the ability of the immune system to fight cancer by increasing the infiltration of anti-tumor-specific T cells into the tumor microenvironment, resulting in decreased tumor growth and prolonged survival in a murine model of cancer. [Press release from BioLineRx Ltd. discussing research to be presented at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)-Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium, San Francisco] Press Release

Medeor Therapeutics Awarded $18.8 Million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Medeor Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has approved an award to the company for $18.8 million under its Clinical Trial Funding Initiative. [Medeor Therapeutics, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

American Immunologist Wins King Faisal Prize Major Award for Outstanding Research Work in Cancer Treatment

Professor James P. Allison, the ‘Vivian L. Smith Distinguished’ Chair of the Department of Immunology, USA, has been named as the winner of the King Faisal Prize 2018 for Medicine for his vast contributions to humanity and medicine through his research work in the field of Immunotherapy for Cancer. [King Faisal Prize (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

SillaJen and ABL Europe Expand Strategic Manufacturing Collaboration for Oncolytic Virus Therapies

SillaJen, Inc. and ABL Europe have expanded their strategic manufacturing collaboration. Under the expanded agreement, ABL will provide development, manufacturing & QC release testing services for SillaJen’s pipeline product, JX-970. [SillaJen, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

U.S. Scientists Breathe a Sigh of Relief as Government Shutdown to End

It’s over—at least for the moment. The U.S. Senate voted 81–18 to advance legislation funding government activities, essentially ending a partial government shutdown that had moved into its third day. The House of Representatives is expected to follow suit, sending the bill to President Donald Trump for his signature. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

German Scientists Hope for Windfall from Incoming Government

Research budget could rise to 3.5% of gross domestic product if agreement struck during coalition talks holds. [Nature News] Editorial

Nobel Laureate Suggests He Could Fall on Sword over Colleague’s Bogus Paper

Shinya Yamanaka, who won a share of the 2012 Noble Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, has suggested he could resign as director of Kyoto University’s Center for iPS Cell Research and Application in Japan over a fraudulent paper published by center researchers. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The 2^nd Annual European Neoantigen Summit
April 24-26, 2018
Amsterdam, Netherlands

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

NEW Senior/Laboratory Research Scientist – B Cells (The Francis Crick Institute)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Cellular and Molecular Immunology (Karolinska Institutet)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology/Vascular/Stromal Biology (Hospital for Special Surgery and Weill Cornell Medicine)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Microbiology and Immunology (University of Maryland)

Head of Laboratory – Cancer Vaccines/Oncolytic Viruses (Boehringer Ingelheim)

Investigator – Immuno-Oncology (Bristol-Myers Squibb)

Scientist – Immuno-Oncology (Bristol-Myers Squibb)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immune Surveillance (University of Massachusetts)

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

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