Human Immunology News Volume 7.16 | Apr 30 2019

TOP STORY

A CD40L-Targeting Protein Reduces Autoantibodies and Improves Disease Activity in Patients with Autoimmunity

In a Phase I study in healthy volunteers, VIB4920 suppressed antigen-specific IgG in a dose-dependent fashion after priming and boosting with the T-dependent antigen, KLH. Furthermore, VIB4920 significantly reduced circulating Ki67⁺ dividing B cells, class-switched memory B cells, and a plasma cell gene signature after immunization. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

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Patrolling Monocytes Promote the Pathogenesis of Early Lupus-Like Glomerulonephritis

Researchers found that glomerulonephritis was driven by TLRs but, remarkably, proceeded independently of immune complexes. Rather, disease in three different mouse models and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus was characterized by glomerular accumulation of patrolling monocytes, a cell type with an emerging key function in vascular inflammation. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

Lipopolysaccharide Inhalation Recruits Monocytes and Dendritic Cell Subsets to the Alveolar Airspace

The authors used lipopolysaccharide inhalation to induce acute inflammation in healthy volunteers and examined the impact on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood mononuclear phagocyte repertoire. Classical monocytes and two dendritic cell subsets were expanded in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eight hours after lipopolysaccharide inhalation. [Nat Commun] Full Article

FcγRIIb Differentially Regulates Pre-Immune and Germinal Center B Cell Tolerance in Mouse and Human

Investigators showed that reduced expression of FcγRIIb enhanced the deletion and anergy of autoreactive immature B cells, but in contrast promoted autoreactive B cell expansion in the germinal center and serum autoantibody production, even in response to exogenous, non-self antigens. [Nat Commun] Full Article

CXCR5⁺CD8⁺ T Cells Are a Distinct Functional Subset with an Antitumor Activity

Scientists found that CXCR5⁺CD8⁺ T cells were present in human tonsils and follicular lymphoma, inhibiting follicular helper T-mediated B cell differentiation, and exhibiting strong cytotoxic activity. [Leukemia] Abstract

Split Tolerance Permits Safe Ad5-GUCY2C-PADRE Vaccine-Induced T-Cell Responses in Colon Cancer Patients

The cancer vaccine Ad5-GUCY2C-PADRE was evaluated in a first-in-man Phase I clinical study of patients with early-stage colorectal cancer to assess its safety and immunological efficacy. [J ImmunoTher Cancer] Full Article

IL-1α and IL-1β Promote NOD2-Induced Immune Responses by Enhancing MAPK Signaling

Researchers found that interleukin-1 (IL-1)α/β increased nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)2-induced inflammatory response in human monocytic THP1 cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, mouse macrophage RWA264.7 cells and spleen cells, and in an in vivo experiment. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Semaphorin 7A Modulates Cytokine‐Induced Memory‐Like Responses by Human Natural Killer Cells

The authors showed that semaphorin 7A was substantially upregulated on NK cells stimulated with cytokines, and specifically marked activated NK cells with a strong potential to release IFN‐γ. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

Inhibiting Phosphatase SHIP-1 Enhances Suboptimal IgE-Mediated Activation of Human Blood Basophils but Inhibits IgE-Mediated Activation of Cultured Human Mast Cells

Investigators clarified the regulatory role of SH2-containing inositol-5’-phosphatase 1 (SHIP-1) in degranulation of basophil granulocytes and mast cells by selective inhibition of the phosphatase function of SHIP-1 with 3-α-aminocholestane. [Immunol Lett] Abstract

Expression and Biological Functions of the CCL5‐CCR5 Axis in Oral Lichen Planus

Scientists investigated the effects of the C‐C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5)‐C‐C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) axis on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of oral lichen planus T cells using cell counting kit‐8 assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay. [Exp Dermatol] Abstract

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CAR T-Cell Bioengineering: Single Variable Domain of Heavy Chain Antibody Targeted CARs

The authors review CAR T-cell bioengineering and discuss selected important initiatives for improved T-cell reprogramming, function and safety. [Adv Drug Deliv Rev] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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

University of Minnesota Research Team Works to Eradicate HIV with Natural Killer Cells

A collaborative research team at the University of Minnesota has used Tri-specific killer engagers to target HIV-infected cells in preclinical testing. [University of Minnesota] Press Release

TC BioPharm Initiates Phase I Trial of Allogeneic Gamma Delta T Cell Therapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients

TC BioPharm announced it has initiated a Phase I clinical study of TCB002, an allogeneic cell therapy consisting of activated and expanded gamma delta T cells. [TC BioPharm] Press Release

LineaRx Achieves Higher Expression and Survival Rates in Human T Cells Transfected Non-Virally with Linear DNA

LineaRx, Inc. announced that it has improved expression levels and survival rates of linear DNA constructs delivered without viruses or plasmids to human T cells. [LineaRx, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Kite Announces Plans for New State-of-the-Art Facility to Expand Cell Therapy Production Capabilities

Kite announced plans for a new facility in Frederick County, Maryland, which will produce innovative cell therapies for people with cancer. The 20-acre site will significantly expand Kite’s ability to manufacture a variety of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) therapies, including Yescarta^®, Kite’s first commercially available CAR T cancer therapy, and investigational T cell receptor cell therapies being evaluated in solid tumors. [Kite (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Venezuela Is Unraveling—So Is Its Science

Empty labs, nonexistent funding, deteriorating equipment and an unsympathetic government: Many Venezuelan scientists say the country’s worsening political turmoil has made research virtually impossible. In the capital, Caracas, they struggle to find food and maintain personal security—their experiments a distant afterthought. Abroad, self-exiled biochemists and physicists clean houses, wash tables and give private language lessons to make ends meet. [Scientific American] Editorial

House Panel Proposes $2 Billion Increase for NIH

A spending panel in the US House of Representatives has proposed giving the National Institutes of Health (NIH) a $2 billion raise, for a total of $41.1 billion, in a draft bill released. If adopted, that 5% raise for the 2020 fiscal year that begins on 1 October would more than reverse a $5 billion cut recommended by President Donald Trump, whose three budget blueprints have all called for slashing NIH funding. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

US Science Academy Leaders Approve Plan to Expel Sexual Harassers

The US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is moving ahead with a policy that would allow it to expel members found guilty of sexual harassment. The academy’s governing council voted to proceed with the plan at the NAS annual meeting in Washington DC. [Nature News] Editorial

What Study Findings? Most European Universities Fail to Report Clinical Trial Results

Despite European Union rules that require clinical trial reporting, a new survey finds results from more than four of every five studies run by 30 European universities have not been registered, the latest such finding to stir concerns about the impact on health systems and patient care. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW 5^th International Conference Acute Myeloid Leukemia
October 24-26, 2019
Estoril, Portugal

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

NEW Research Investigator – Tumor Immunology (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Opportunities – Tumor Microenvironment/Immunology (Oregon Health & Science University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Mucosal Immunology and the Microbiome (Massachusetts General Hospital)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Immunology and Bioengineering (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology of Enteric Infections (University of Utah)

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

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

Faculty Position – Immunology (Fox Chase Cancer Center)

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

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