Human Immunology News Volume 6.30 | Jul 31 2018

TOP STORY

SLAMF1 Engagement Inhibits T Cell-B Cell Interaction and Diminishes IL-6 Production and Plasmablast Differentiation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Anti-IgM pre-stimulated naïve or total B cells from healthy donors or patients with SLE were co-cultured with autologous T cells under CD3/CD28 stimulation in the presence or absence of SLAMF1 monoclonal antibody. [Arthritis Rheumatol] Abstract

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Functional Interrogation of Primary Human T Cells via CRISPR Genetic Editing

Scientists used lentiviral CRISPR/Cas9 systems to transduce primary human T cells to stably express the Cas9 gene and guide RNAs that targeted either coding or noncoding regions of genes of interest. [J Immunol] Abstract

Human Extrafollicular CD4⁺ Th Cells Help Memory B Cells Produce Igs

Investigators characterized a human tonsillar CD4⁺ T cell subset. These cells are similar to follicular helper T cells in terms of expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR5 and the inhibitory receptor PD-1, IL-21 secretion, and expression of the transcription factor BCL6 [J Immunol] Abstract

Dimethyl Fumarate Therapy Suppresses B Cell Responses and Follicular Helper T Cells in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Researchers found that dimethyl fumarate reduces the frequency of circulating antigen-experienced B cells, a reduction likely related to a reduced frequency of follicular helper T cells and an increased frequency of follicular regulatory T cells. [Mult Scler] Abstract

Sex-Based Differences in Association between Circulating T Cell Subsets and Disease Activity in Untreated Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Proportions of T cell subsets were analyzed in peripheral blood from 72 untreated early rheumatoid arthritis DMARD- and corticosteroid-naïve patients and in 31 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. [Arthritis Res Ther] Full Article

Interferon- α-Mediated Activation of T Cells from Healthy and HIV-Infected Individuals Is Suppressed by Δ 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol

The authors compared the response of T cells to stimulation by interferon-α and IL-7 in T cells from healthy and HIV⁺ donors in the absence and presence of tetrahydrocannabinol. [J Pharmacol Exp Ther] Abstract

Functional Status of Immune Cells in Patients with Long-Lasting Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had peripheral blood mononuclear cell composition ratios comparable to healthy controls, except for a higher frequency of B cell and effector T cell fractions. [Clin Exp Immunol] Abstract

T Follicular Regulatory Cells Infiltrate the Human Airways during the Onset of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Regulate the Development of B Regulatory Cells

Scientists found that T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells were significantly enriched in peripheral blood and in mini-bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) during the onset of ARDS. Notably, Tfr cells represented the majority of T regulatory cells in the mini-BAL samples. [Immunol Res] Abstract

Impairment of Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and non-NEC infants with matching age and weight. Treg cells, identified as CD3⁺CD4⁺CD25^+/hiFoxp3⁺ T cells, were present at significantly lower frequency in NEC infants than in non-NEC infants. [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract

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Novel Molecules Mediate Specialized Functions of Human Regulatory Macrophages

Regulatory macrophage (Mreg)-induced regulatory T cells (Tregs) are nonspecifically suppressive of mitogen-stimulated bystander T cell proliferation and inhibit TNFα-induced maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Preclinical and clinical studies found that intravenous infusion of allogeneic Mregs leads to enrichment of circulating TIGIT⁺ Tregs. [Curr Opin Organ Transplant] Abstract

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Bristol-Myers Squibb and Tsinghua University Announce Collaboration to Accelerate Early Research into Potential Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases and Cancer

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Tsinghua University have entered into a collaboration to discover therapeutic agents against novel targets for autoimmune diseases and cancers. The collaboration brings together Bristol-Myers Squibb and Tsinghua University’s respective scientific expertise and capabilities with a focus on validating new targets and generating early drug candidates for clinical development. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release

GSK and Adaptimmune Complete Transition of NY-ESO SPEAR T-Cell Therapy Program to GSK

GlaxoSmithKline plc and Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc announced the transition of the development programme for GSK3377794, an NY-ESO SPEAR T-cell therapy, to GSK. [GlaxoSmithKline plc] Press Release

Celyad Announces FDA Acceptance of IND Application for CYAD-101, a First-in-Class Non-Gene Edited Allogeneic CAR-T Candidate

Celyad announced that the FDA has accepted the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for CYAD-101, the first non-gene edited allogeneic clinical program. [Celyad] Press Release

Federal Scientists to Be Protected Against Muzzling, Political Interference

All federal departments and agencies with 10 or more employees that do science- or research-related activities will have to have a scientific integrity policy by Dec. 31, 2018, based on a new model policy released by the federal Liberal government. [CBC/Radio-Canada] Editorial

Trump Desperately Needs a Science Adviser, Experts Say. He Just Doubled the Record for Time without One

President Trump can add another tick in the records column: He doubled the length of time that any modern president has gone without a science adviser. [Washington Post] Editorial

NEW Cell Therapies and Bioengineering Conference
September 20-22, 2018
San Francisco, California, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Autoimmunity (Medical University of South Carolina)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Assistant – Immune Response (University of Cambridge)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Innate Immunity (Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – DNA Damage Response and Innate Immunity (The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunotherapy (California Institute for Biomedical Research)

Postdoctoral Fellowship Position – Innate Immunity and Neurodegeneration (The Mount Sinai Health System)

Professorship – Molecular Immune Regulation (Kiel University)

Associate Professor or Senior Scientist – Immunological Methods and Immune System of Production Animals (Aarhus University)

PhD Student – Cellular Immunotherapy (Glycostem Therapeutics)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunoengineering for Muscle Regeneration (Duke University)

Scientist/Senior Scientist – Lentivirus Production (Obsidian Therapeutics)

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