Human Immunology News Volume 6.08 | Feb 27 2018

TOP STORY

Natural Variation in the Parameters of Innate Immune Cells Is Preferentially Driven by Genetic Factors

To identify the relative effects of environmental and genetic factors on variation in the parameters of innate and adaptive immune cells in homeostatic conditions, researchers combined standardized flow cytometry of blood leukocytes and genome-wide DNA genotyping of 1,000 healthy, unrelated people of Western European ancestry. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

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Clonally Diverse CD38⁺HLA-DR⁺CD8⁺ T Cells Persist during Fatal H7N9 Disease

The authors showed circulating CD8⁺ T-cell profiles from patients hospitalized with avian H7N9, seasonal influenza A virus, and influenza vaccinees. Patient survival reflects an early, transient prevalence of highly activated CD38⁺HLA-DR⁺PD-1⁺ CD8⁺ T cells, whereas the prolonged persistence of this set is found in ultimately fatal cases. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Novel Phosphorylated TAK1 Species with Functional Impact on NF-κB and β-Catenin Signaling in Human Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Scientists showed that the kinase TAK1, known as essential in B-cell lymphoma, is constitutively activated in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells, but tempered by the MYPT1/PP1 phosphatase complex. [Leukemia] Abstract

A Novel Generation 1928zT2 CAR T Cells Induce Remission in Extramedullary Relapse of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The authors utilized a third generation of CAR T cell vector, which contains the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain of Toll-like receptor 2, to generate 1928zT2 T cells targeting CD19, and evaluated the efficacy of 1928zT2 T cells in relapse or refractory B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia patients with extramedullary involvement. [J Hematol Oncol] Full Article

STAT3 Regulates Cytotoxicity of Human CD57⁺ CD4⁺ T Cells in Blood and Lymphoid Follicles

Investigators showed that CD57⁺ follicular helper T cells are universally PD-1^hi, but compared to their CD57− PD-1^hi counterparts, express little IL-21 or IL-10 among others. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Proliferation and Apoptosis of T Lymphocytes in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Scientists evaluated proliferation capacity and susceptibility to apoptosis of T lymphocytes of patients with bipolar disorder and investigated in vitro influence of two standard mood stabilizers: lithium and valproic acid on these parameters using flow cytometry. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Evaluation of CD307a Expression Patterns during Normal B-Cell Maturation and in B-Cell Malignancies by Flow Cytometry

CD307a expression was assessed by flow cytometry in normal precursor and mature B cells and in 115 samples collected from patients diagnosed with precursor and mature B-cell neoplasms. CD307a expression was compared between neoplastic and normal B cells. [Cytometry B Clin Cytom] Abstract

B Cell Subset Distribution Is Altered in Patients with Severe Periodontitis

Fifteen subjects with severe periodontitis and thirteen subjects without periodontitis, according to the definition proposed by the CDC periodontal disease surveillance work group, were enrolled in this pilot observational study. Two flow cytometry panels were designed to analyse the circulating B and B1 cell subset distribution in association with the RANKL expression [PLoS One] Full Article

TIM-3 Expression Identifies a Distinctive PD-1⁺ Follicular Helper T Cell Subset, with Reduced Interleukin 21 Production and B Cell Help Function in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Circulating CD4⁺CXCR5⁺ follicular helper T (Tfh) cells was examined and compared in ovarian cancer (OC) patients and non-cancer (NC) controls. Data showed that the frequency of PD-1⁺ Tfh cells was significantly higher in OC patients than in NC controls. [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract

Comparison between 8-Methoxypsoralen and 5-Aminolevulinic Acid in Killing T Cells of Photopheresis Patients Ex Vivo

Flow cytometry was used to study dark cytotoxic effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) on human leukocytes, to measure the production of 5-ALA-induced protoporphyrin IX in CD25⁺ activated T cells from both diluted mononuclear cells and undiluted buffy coat samples of extracorporeal photopheresis patients and to compare photodynamic effects on CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells with 5-ALA/ultraviolet-A (UV-A) or 8-methoxypsoralen/UV-A. [Lasers Surg Med] Abstract

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A Guide to Manufacturing CAR T Cell Therapies

The authors detail current production processes being used for CAR T cells with a particular focus on efficacy, reproducibility, manufacturing costs and release testing. By undertaking a systematic analysis of the manufacture of CAR T cells from reported clinical trial data to date, they have been able to quantify recent trends and track the uptake of new process technology. [Curr Opin Biotechnol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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Fate Therapeutics Announces Receipt of CIRM Grant for Clinical Translation of FT516 Off-the-Shelf Engineered NK Cell Cancer Immunotherapy

Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded the company a $4.0 million grant to advance FT516 into a first-in-human clinical trial. [Fate Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Medigene Receives Approvals for Its First Clinical Trial with TCR Therapy MDG1011

Medigene AG announced that the German Senior Federal Authority “Paul-Ehrlich-Institute” and the relevant ethics committee have approved the study design of the first planned Phase I/II clinical trial with its T cell receptor (TCR)-modified T cell therapy MDG1011. [Medigene AG] Press Release

Merkel Makes a Surprise Pick for German Research Minister

German Chancellor Angela Merkel isn’t known for her political surprises. But she managed a big one this week when she tapped Anja Karliczek, a 46-year-old lawmaker little known outside of party circles, as Germany’s next minister for education and research. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

National Science Foundation to Close Its Overseas Offices

A plan by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to close its overseas offices, first reported on the Science | Business website, is getting mixed reviews in the scientific community. The NSF announced it would shutter its outposts in Beijing, Brussels, and Tokyo by summer; two U.S. staff will return to the agency’s headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and local staff will be reassigned to U.S. embassies. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Florida Residents Could Soon Get the Power to Alter Science Classes

Policymakers in the United States are pushing to give the public more power to influence what educators teach students. Florida’s legislature started considering two related bills that, if enacted, would let residents recommend which instructional materials teachers in their school district use in their classrooms. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 8^th EACR-OECI Joint Course: Molecular Pathology Approach to Cancer
June 4-6, 2018
Amsterdam, Netherlands

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology and iPSCs (Stanford University)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Associate – Immunity and Inflammation (University of Illinois)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Principal Scientist – Immunosciences Drug Discovery (Bristol-Myers Squibb)

Postdoctoral Fellow – T-Cell Therapy (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

PhD Studentship – Treg Cell Research (Universitätsklinikum Carl-Gustav-Carus Dresden)

Postdoctoral Scientist Opportunities – Biomedical Research (Cedars-Sinai)

Senior Director – Immuno-Oncology Research (Alector LLC)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cellular and Molecular Immunology (Karolinska Institutet)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Microbiology and Immunology (University of Maryland)

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

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