Human Immunology News Volume 6.45 | Nov 13 2018

TOP STORY

PEGylated IL-10 (Pegilodecakin) Induces Systemic Immune Activation, CD8⁺ T Cell Invigoration and Polyclonal T Cell Expansion in Cancer Patients

Scientists report that pegilodecakin induces hallmarks of CD8⁺ T cell immunity in cancer patients, including elevation of interferon-γ and GranzymeB, expansion and activation of intratumoral CD8⁺ T cells, and proliferation and expansion of LAG-3⁺ PD-1⁺ CD8⁺ T cells. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

High-Dimensional Single-Cell Analysis Identifies Organ-Specific Signatures and Conserved NK Cell Subsets in Humans and Mice

Researchers assessed the diversity of human and mouse natural killer (NK) cells by single-cell RNA sequencing on thousands of individual cells isolated from spleen and blood. Unbiased transcriptional clustering revealed two distinct signatures differentiating between splenic and blood NK cells. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Antibodies to Costimulatory Receptor 4-1BB Enhance Anti-tumor Immunity via T Regulatory Cell Depletion and Promotion of CD8 T Cell Effector Function

The authors found that T regulatory (Treg) cells infiltrating human or murine tumors expressed high amounts of 4-1BB. Intra-tumoral Treg cells were preferentially depleted by anti-4-1BB mAbs in vivo. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Selective Blockade of the Lyso-PS Lipase ABHD12 Stimulates Immune Responses In Vivo

Investigators developed a selective and in vivo active inhibitor of ABHD12 termed DO264 and showed that this compound elevated lysophosphatidylserine (lyso-PS) in mouse brain and primary human macrophages. [Nat Chem Biol] Abstract

ROCK2, but not ROCK1 Interacts with Phosphorylated STAT3 and Co-Occupies TH17/TFH Gene Promoters in TH17-Activated Human T Cells

The authors report that Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2 (ROCK2) binds phosphorylated-STAT3 and its kinase activity controls the formation of ROCK2/STAT3/JAK2 complex and optimal STAT3 phosphorylation in human CD4⁺ T cells during T helper 17 (TH17)-skewing. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Altered Populations of Unconventional T Cell Lineages in Patients with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Unconventional T cell lineages include mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, type I natural killer T (NKT) cells and gamma-delta (γδ) T cells, which are associated with many inflammatory conditions, although their importance has not been studied in langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Scientists characterized their phenotype and function in blood and lesions from patients with LCH, and identified a deficiency in MAIT cell frequency and abnormalities in the subset distributions of γδ T cells and NKT cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Recruitment of CCR6⁺ Foxp3⁺ Regulatory Gastric Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Helicobacter pylori Gastritis

Scientists found that in gastric infiltrating lymphocytes, CCR6⁺ CD4⁺ CD25^high regulatory T cells, which express high levels of CD45RO, are positively associated with more severe inflammation in gastric mucosa during H. pylori infection. [Helicobacter] Full Article

Peripheral CD19⁺ B-Cell Counts and Infusion Intervals as a Surrogate for Long-Term B-Cell Depleting Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica/Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

Investigators evaluated the long-term depletion and repopulation rate of peripheral CD19⁺ B-cells as a potential surrogate for the clinical outcome, and whether it may serve for dosage and time-to-infusion decision making. [J Neurol] Full Article

Extracellular Vimentin Modulates Human Dendritic Cell Activation

The authors demonstrated how extracellular vimentin modulates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of human dendritic cells (DCs). Using cytometric bead arrays, they showed that extracellular vimentin decreases LPS-activated DC secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-12 while increasing secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. [Mol Immunol] Abstract

NK-Cell Function Is Impaired during Long-Duration Spaceflight

Researchers compared changes in NK-cell phenotype and function in eight crewmembers who completed a ~6-month mission to the International Space Station with healthy controls who remained on Earth. [J Appl Physiol] Abstract

Subscribe to our sister publications: Immunology of Infectious Disease News & Immune Regulation News.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase in Regulatory T Cell Development, Immunity and Cancer

Besides the direct effect of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) inhibition on carcinogenesis and resistance to cancer therapies, inhibition of ALDH could potentially augment the immune response to tumor antigens by inhibiting regulatory T cells induction, function and ability to promote immune tolerance to tumor cells in multiple cancer types. [Immunology] Abstract | Full Article

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

Obsidian Presents Preclinical Data Demonstrating Precise Regulation of Cytokines and CAR in T cells with Destabilizing Domain Technology Using FDA-Approved Drugs

Obsidian Therapeutics, Inc. announced the presentation of preclinical data demonstrating fine-tuned regulation of cytokine production and CAR-T function using Destabilizing Domains paired with FDA-approved small molecule drugs. [Press release from Obsidian Therapeutics, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.) discussing research presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) 33^rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC] Press Release

CRISPR Therapeutics and MaxCyte Expand Clinical and Commercial License Agreement into Oncology

CRISPR Therapeutics and MaxCyte announced the expansion of their existing relationship by entering into a non-exclusive commercial license agreement that will allow CRISPR Therapeutics to deploy MaxCyte’s Flow Electroporation^® Technology to develop CRISPR/Cas9-based therapies in immuno-oncology. [CRISPR Therapeutics] Press Release

Generon Receives Investigative New Drug (IND) Approval from China SFDA for A-319 to Treat Patients with B Cell Malignancies

Generon Corporation announced it received approval for the company’s IND application from the SFDA of the People’s Republic of China to initiate a Phase I clinical trial for A-319 in patients with B cell malignancies. [Generon Corporation (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

China’s Crackdown on Genetics Breaches Could Deter Data Sharing

China’s enormous population is a genetics goldmine. But the government, wary that this data could be exploited for profit, has been cracking down on researchers and companies that violate rules on sharing its citizens’ genetic material and information. [Nature News] Editorial

Be Open about Drug Failures to Speed Up Research

Access to evidence from disappointing drug-development programs advances the whole scientific process, explain Enrica Alteri and Lorenzo Guizzaro. [Nature News] Editorial

How Facebook and Twitter Could Be the Next Disruptive Force in Clinical Trials

Participants in medical research are more empowered than ever to influence the design and outcomes of experiments. Now, researchers are trying to keep up. [Nature News] Editorial

More Researchers Denied UK Entry to Attend Meetings

A number of researchers seeking to attend scientific and medical meetings in the UK in recent weeks have had their visa applications denied by the British government. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW Novel Biomarkers, TMB and Immuno-Oncology Summit
January 31-February 1, 2019
London, United Kingdom

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immune Oncology (Lund University)

NEW Junior Principal Investigator – Cancer Immunity (University of Oxford)

Research Technologist – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Bioinformatics (Oslo University Hospital)

Associate Professor/Professor – Immunobioengineering, Regenerative Medicine or Computational Bioengineering (University of Toronto)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Host Cell-Mediated Immunity (Temple University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (Johns Hopkins University)

Tenure/Tenure Track Faculty Position – Immunology (Wayne State University)

PhD Position – Antigen Presentation and Immune Regulation (Erasmus MC)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immunology (University of Nantes)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Foxp3+ T-Regulatory in Autoimmunity and Transplantation (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Human Immunology News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.