Human Immunology News Volume 6.34 | Aug 28 2018

TOP STORY

HIV-1 Intron-Containing RNA Expression Induces Innate Immune Activation and T Cell Dysfunction

Researchers showed Rev-CRM1-dependent nuclear export and peripheral membrane association of intron-containing HIV-1 RNA, independent of primary viral sequence or viral protein expression, was subject to sensing and signaling via MAVS, resulting in type I interferon-dependent pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

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Identification of an Early Unipotent Neutrophil Progenitor with Pro-Tumoral Activity in Mouse and Human Bone Marrow

Scientists used cytometry by time of flight and single-cell RNA sequencing methodologies to identify a committed unipotent early-stage neutrophil progenitor (NeP) in adult mouse bone marrow. They found a similar unipotent NeP in human bone marrow. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release

Tuning of Human MAIT Cell Activation by Commensal Bacteria Species and MR1-Dependent T-Cell Presentation

The authors developed an in vitro functional assay through human T cells engineered for mucosal-associated invariant T cell receptors (eMAIT-TCRs) stimulated by MR1-expressing antigen-presenting cells. They then screened 47 microbiota-associated bacterial species from different phyla for their eMAIT-TCR stimulatory capacities. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

SIVcol Nef Counteracts SERINC5 by Promoting Its Proteasomal Degradation but Does Not Efficiently Enhance HIV-1 Replication in Human CD4⁺ T Cells and Lymphoid Tissue

A single Y86F mutation disrupted SERINC5 and tetherin antagonism but not CXCR4 down-modulation by SIVcol Nef, while mutation of a C-proximal di-leucine motif had the opposite effect. Unexpectedly, the Y86F change in SIVcol Nef had little if any effect on viral replication and CD4⁺ T cell depletion in preactivated human CD4⁺ T cells and in ex vivo infected lymphoid tissue. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

Absence of Surface IgD Does Not Impair Naive B Cell Homeostasis or Memory B Cell Formation in IGHD Haploinsufficient Humans

Investigators examined the in vivo role of surface IgD in human B cell homeostasis and Ab responses in four individuals with heterozygous nonsense mutations in IGHD. [J Immunol] Abstract

Dysregulated Calcium Homeostasis in Cystic Fibrosis Neutrophils Leads to Deficient Antimicrobial Responses

Scientists showed a defect in reactive oxygen species production by mouse Cftr^−/−, human F508del-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, and cystic fibrosis neutrophils; this resulted in reduced antimicrobial activity against Burkholderia cenocepacia. [J Immunol] Abstract

Blockade of MCAM/CD146 Impedes CNS Infiltration of T Cells over the Choroid Plexus

Effects of very late antigen 4 and melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM) blockade on lymphocyte migration were investigated in the human system via in vitro T cell transmigration assays. [J Neuroinflammation] Full Article

α-Gal on the Protein Surface Affects Uptake and Degradation in Immature Monocyte Derived Dendritic Cells

Investigators revealed whether the presence of galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) epitopes on the protein surface influence antigen uptake and processing in immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (iMDDCs). iMDDCs were prepared from healthy blood donors and red meat allergic patients. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Characterization of Human Peritoneal Monocyte/Macrophage Subsets in Homeostasis: Phenotype, GATA6, Phagocytic/Oxidative Activities and Cytokines Expression

Researchers studied by flow cytometry several features of human peritoneal macrophages obtained from the peritoneal cavity of healthy women. Three peritoneal monocyte/macrophage subsets were established on the basis of CD14/CD16 expression, and analysis of CD11b, CD11c, CD40, CD62L, CD64, CD80, CD86, CD116, CD119, CD206, HLA-DR and Slan was carried out in each subpopulation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Identification of a Novel De Novo Gain-of-Function Mutation of PIK3CD in a Patient with Activated Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase δ Syndrome

Investigators report a novel de novo gain-of-function mutation in phosphoinositide 3-kinase CD (PIK3CD) in a six-year-old Chinese girl. Immunological analysis revealed increased CD4⁺ T cell senescence and B cell immaturity. Further analysis revealed an increase in almost all CD4⁺ T cell subsets to varying degrees, including effector T cells and regulatory T cells. [Clin Immunol] Abstract

Comparative Analysis of Immune Cell Subsets in Peripheral Blood from Patients with Periodontal Disease and Healthy Controls

To determine whether peripheral immune dysregulation is associated with periodontitis, the authors performed extensive analysis of immune cell subsets in peripheral blood from patients with chronic or aggressive periodontitis vs. periodontally healthy control subjects. [Clin Exp Immunol] Abstract

Sentinel Lymph Node B Cells Can Predict Disease-Free Survival in Breast Cancer Patients

Using multicolor histology and quantitative image analysis, scientists quantified immune cells within sentinel lymph nodes from a discovery cohort of 76 breast cancer patients. They found statistically more in situ CD3⁺ T cells in tumor negative vs. tumor positive nodes, but no statistical difference in CD20⁺ B cells or CD1a⁺ dendritic cells. [npj Breast Cancer] Full Article

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Role of Allergen-Specific T-Follicular Helper Cells in Immunotherapy

The authors summarize the evidence for follicular helper T cells in controlling immune responses to allergens with a particular focus on immunoglobulin E production and discuss the implication of such regulation in allergen-specific immunotherapy. [Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol] Abstract

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Affimed Announces Collaboration with Genentech to Develop Novel NK Cell Engager-Based Immunotherapeutics for Multiple Cancer Targets

Affimed N.V. announced that it has entered into a strategic collaboration agreement with Genentech to develop and commercialize novel NK cell engager-based immunotherapeutics to treat multiple cancers. [Affimed N.V.] Press Release

Genprex Amends Options to License Additional Cancer Fighting Technologies from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Genprex, Inc. announced that it has entered into amendments with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to extend the terms of two option agreements between Genprex and MD Anderson pertaining the use of TUSC2, the active agent in Genprex’s lead product candidate Oncoprex, in combination with immunotherapies and the development and the use of biomarkers to predict patient response to TUSC2 therapy. [Genprex, Inc.] Press Release

Novartis Receives European Commission Approval of Its CAR-T Cell Therapy, Kymriah^® (Tisagenlecleucel)

Novartis announced that the European Commission has approved Kymriah^®. The approved indications are for the treatment of pediatric and young adult patients up to 25 years of age with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia that is refractory, in relapse post-transplant or in second or later relapse; and for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy. [Novartis AG] Press Release

NIH Investigating Whether U.S. Scientists Are Sharing Ideas with Foreign Governments

Fears that foreign governments are tapping U.S.-funded research for valuable information have reached the nation’s largest research funder, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Last week it sent a letter to more than 10,000 research institutions, urging them to ensure that NIH grantees are properly reporting their foreign ties. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

US Senate Passes Spending Bill Granting NIH $39.1 Billion

The US Senate passed a spending bill allotting $39.1 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the 2019 fiscal year starting on October 1. [The Scientist] Editorial

India Targets Universities in Predatory-Journal Crackdown

Most academics regard predatory journals as an irritant – if not a threat – to science. But in India, some universities have recommended the inclusion of such publications in the country’s ‘white list’ of approved journals. Now the government is cracking down on this practice, which scientists say came about as a result of perverse government incentives. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI) 2018 Annual Scientific Meeting
November 15-19, 2018
Seattle, Washington, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Associates – Cancer Immunology and/or Bioinformatics (Emory University)

NEW Institute Group Leader – Lymphocyte Biology (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Therapeutics and Immunotherapy (Emory University)

Research Fellow – Neuropsychiatric Immunology (Cardiff University)

Faculty Position – Aging and the Immune System (Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Position – Autoimmunity (Medical University of South Carolina)

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)

PhD Student – Cellular Immunotherapy (Glycostem Therapeutics)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunoengineering for Muscle Regeneration (Duke University)

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