Human Immunology News Volume 7.13 | Apr 9 2019

TOP STORY

Systemic Clinical Tumor Regressions and Potentiation of PD1 Blockade with In Situ Vaccination

Investigators demonstrated that lymphoma cells can directly prime T cells, but in vivo immunity still requires cross-presentation. To address this, they developed an in situ vaccine, combining Flt3L, radiotherapy, and a TLR3 agonist, which recruited, antigen-loaded and activated intratumoral, cross-presenting dendritic cells. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Loss of Neurological Disease HSAN-I-Associated Gene SPTLC2 Impairs CD8⁺ T Cell Responses to Infection by Inhibiting T Cell Metabolic Fitness

Scientists report that HSAN-I-associated mutations in serine palmitoyltransferase subunit SPTLC2 dampened human T cell responses. Antigen stimulation and inflammation induced SPTLC2 expression, and murine T-cell-specific ablation of Sptlc2 impaired antiviral-T-cell expansion and effector function. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Interleukin-1β Induces mtDNA Release to Activate Innate Immune Signaling via cGAS-STING

The authors report that exogenous interleukin-1 beta induced interferon regulatory factor 3 activation in human myeloid, fibroblast, and epithelial cells. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

IL-7 Receptor Influences Anti-TNF Responsiveness and T Cell Gut Homing in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

While in mice IL-7 is known to play a role in systemic inflammation, scientists found that in humans IL-7 also controlled α₄β₇ integrin expression and imprinted gut-homing specificity on T cells. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Characteristics of Impaired Dendritic Cell Function in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Using IFN‐γ enzyme‐linked immunospot assay, investigators analyzed the antigen‐specific response in hepatitis B virus‐infected patients. Regarding dendritic cell function, they analyzed antigen‐presenting capacity, cell migration capacity, phagocytic capacity, and cytokine production capacity. [Hepatology] Abstract

Designer Covalent Heterobivalent Inhibitors Prevent IgE-Dependent Responses to Peanut Allergen

Researchers present a design of food allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) inhibitors named covalent heterobivalent inhibitors that selectively formed covalent bonds to only sIgEs, thereby permanently inhibiting them. Using screening reagents termed nanoallergens, they identified two immunodominant epitopes in peanuts that were common in a population of 16 allergic patients. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Increased Expression of the Immunosuppressive Interleukin-35 in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The authors found elevated levels of interleukin 35 (IL-35) in the tumoral (TU) region as well as postoperative serum from patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Consistently, they found an increased expression of IL-35⁺Foxp-3⁺ cells, which associated with ARG1 mRNA expression and decreased TNFA in the TU region of the lung of patients with non-small cell lung cancer as compared to their control region. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Human Cytomegalovirus Antigen Presentation by HLA-DR⁺ NKG2C⁺ Adaptive NK Cells Specifically Activates Polyfunctional Effector Memory CD4⁺ T Lymphocytes

Based on gene expression data showing increased transcription of CIITA and several genes related to the MHC class II pathway in adaptive natural killer (NK) cells, researchers explored their putative capacity for antigen presentation to CD4⁺ T cells. [Front Immunol] Full Article

Role of Vimentin in Modulating Immune Cell Apoptosis and Inflammatory Responses in Sepsis

Scientists demonstrated that serum vimentin (VIM) levels were significantly increased in patients with sepsis and septic shock compared to controls and that VIM expression was significantly increased in lymphocytes isolated from septic shock and sepsis patients compared to controls. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Altered X-Chromosome Inactivation in T Cells May Promote Sex-Biased Autoimmune Diseases

Researchers used single cell imaging to determine the epigenetic features of the inactive X (Xi) in developing thymocytes, mature T cell subsets, and T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients and mice. They showed that Xist RNA and heterochromatin modifications transiently reappeared at the Xi and were missing in mature single positive T cells. [JCI Insight] Full Article

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B Cell Checkpoints in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

B cells have important functions in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In addition to producing autoantibodies, B cells contribute to autoimmunity by serving as professional antigen-presenting cells, producing cytokines, and through additional mechanisms. [Nat Rev Rheumatol] Full Article

ILC3 Function as a Double-Edged Sword in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

The authors feature the group 3 innate lymphoid cells’ development, biological function, maintenance of gut homeostasis, mediation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) occurrence, and potential application to IBD therapy. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

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

FDA Clears the IND for UCARTCS1, the First Allogeneic CAR-T to Treat Multiple Myeloma Patients

Cellectis announced that the FDA has approved the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase I clinical trial for UCARTCS1, in patients with multiple myeloma. [Cellectis] Press Release

UC San Diego Health Treats 1^st Cancer Patient with Stem-Cell Derived Natural Killer Cells

In February 2019, as part of a Phase I clinical trial at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, Ruff became the first patient in the world to be treated for cancer with a human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell therapy called FT500. [UC San Diego Health] Press Release

Racism Rife at Top South African University, Says Report

A damning report that says racism is entrenched at the University of Cape Town has reignited discussions about how to erase the divisive legacy of colonialism at South Africa’s top research institutions. [Nature News] Editorial

FDA, New York Attorney General Go After Stem Cell Clinics

On April 3, the FDA sent letters to 20 companies providing stem cell treatments, reports The New York Times, reminding them that they may require FDA approval and should take action to comply. The agency also issued a warning to a stem cell company for violating good manufacturing practices. [The Scientist] Editorial

Brazil’s Government Freezes Nearly Half of Its Science Spending

Researchers in Brazil are up in arms after President Jair Bolsonaro’s government announced late March that it had frozen 42% of the budget for the country’s science and communications ministry. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW New Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Conference
September 14-15, 2019
San Diego, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Associate – Cancer Biology/Tumor Immunology (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Research Technologist – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Analyzing Innate Immune Regulation (Umea University)

Director of Research – Division of Translational Medicine & Human Genetics (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Single-Cell Immune Transcriptomics and Epigenomics (Karolinska Institutet)

Faculty Position – Immunology (Fox Chase Cancer Center)

Research Fellow – Protective and Aberrant Immunity (Monash University)

Computational Biologist – Aging (NIH National Institute on Aging)

Chief Scientific Officer – Immunology, Infection and Tissue Injury/ Repair (Weill Cornell Medical College)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Immunology (University of Maryland)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Autoimmune Diseases (Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason)

Assistant/Associate or Professor – Cancer Immunotherapy/Tumor Immunology (University of California, Irvine)

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