Human Immunology News Volume 7.47 | Dec 3 2019

TOP STORY

On-Target Restoration of a Split T Cell-Engaging Antibody for Precision Immunotherapy

Investigators report on a T cell-engaging antibody derivative that came in two complementary halves and addressed antigen combinations instead of single molecules. [Nat Commun] Full Article

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Expanding CAR T Cells in Human Platelet Lysate Renders T Cells with In Vivo Longevity

Human platelet lysate (HPL)-exposed CAR T cells exhibited the less differentiated T cell phenotype and gene signature, which displayed inferior short-term killing abilities (compared to their FBS- or ABS-cultured counterparts) but superior proliferative and anti-tumor effects in long-term in vitro co-culture experiments. [J Immunother Cancer] Full Article

H19 Increases IL-17A/IL-23 Releases via Regulating VDR by Interacting with miR675-5p/miR22-5p in Ankylosing Spondylitis

H19 siRNA (Si-H19) significantly down-regulated miR22-5p and up-regulated miR675-5p expression; Si-H19 decreased the protein and mRNA expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and decreased the cytokine and mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-23. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Abstract | Full Article

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Reduces STAT3 Phosphorylation in Human Memory CD8 T Cells Stimulated with IL-21

In vitro, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) impaired STAT3 phosphorylation induced by IL-21 in purified human memory CD8 T cells. In addition, RSV decreased granzyme B production by memory CD8 T cells, reducing its cytotoxic activity against RSV-infected epithelial pulmonary cell lines. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Transcriptomes Reveal an Over-Representation of Down-Regulated Genes Associated with Immunity in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants

Researchers showed that genes primarily associated with neutrophil mediated immunity were repressed in the HIV-exposed uninfected infants. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Hydroxychloroquine Inhibits IL-1β Production from Amyloid-Stimulated Human Neutrophils

Hydroxychloroquine pretreatment significantly inhibited the serum amyloid A (SAA)-induced IL-1β production in human neutrophils, but did not affect the SAA-induced NF-κB activation, pro-IL-1β mRNA expression, and NLRP3 protein expression. [Arthritis Res Ther] Full Article

T Cells and Immune Functions of Plasma Extracellular Vesicles Are Differentially Modulated from Adults to Centenarians

Researchers found that senescent CD8 cells accumulate with age, while there is a partial reduction of senescent CD4 cells in nonagenarians and centenarians. [Aging (Albany NY)] Full Article

Expression and Function of DNAM-1 on Human B-Lineage Cells

After exclusion of platelet-conjugating B cells, the authors showed that DNAM-1 expression was detected on subpopulations of memory B cells, plasmablasts, and plasma cells and upregulated by stimulation with CpG-ODN. [Cytometry B Clin Cytom] Abstract

Macrophage-Associated Pro-Inflammatory State in Human Islets from Obese Individuals

Investigators showed that pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines and macrophage polarization markers were expressed in isolated human islets from non-diabetic donors. [Nutr Diabetes] Full Article

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Distinct Regulatory and Effector T Cell Metabolic Demands during Graft-versus-Host Disease

Scientists focus on recent advances in our understanding of regulatory T cell (Treg) metabolism in the context of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and discuss potential therapeutic applications of Tregs in the prevention or treatment of GvHD in cancer patients. [Trends Immunol] Abstract

Natural Killer Cells; Diverse Functions in Tumor Immunity and Defects in Pre-Neoplastic and Neoplastic Stages of Tumorigenesis

The authors present an overview of their recent findings on the biology and significance of natural killer cells in selection/differentiation of stem-like tumors using in vitro and in vivo studies conducted in the humanized-BLT mice and those of cancer patients. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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Soligenix Completes Enrollment in Its Pivotal Phase III Clinical Trial of SGX301 in the Treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Soligenix, Inc. announced it has completed patient enrollment in its Phase III “Fluorescent Light Activated Synthetic Hypericin” study for SGX301 in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. [Soligenix, Inc.] Press Release

NantKwest Announces Phase I Results for First-in-Human PD-L1 Tumor-Targeted Natural Killer Cells (PD-L1.t-haNK) in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Cancers

NantKwest, Inc. announced promising safety data generated from the first six patients in its QUILT-3.064 trial. The first-in-human study evaluated the safety and preliminary efficacy of the company’s first-in-class, tumor-targeted PD-L1.t-haNK cell therapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. [NantKwest, Inc.] Press Release

First Patient Dosed with Cellectis’ Allogeneic UCART22 in Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Cellectis announced that the first patient enrolled in the dose escalation Phase I clinical study for its UCART22 product candidate has been dosed at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. [Cellectis (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

First-in-Kind Human 3D Models of Parkinson’s Disease and Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Launching to the International Space Station

The National Stem Cell Foundation announced that research teams from Aspen Neuroscience and the New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute will send a first-in-kind study of neurodegenerative disease to the International Space Station. [The National Stem Cell Foundation] Press Release

Elsevier Progresses in Open-Access Deal Making

The scholarly publisher has announced several new licensing agreements in both Europe and the US, but some major academic groups are still without contracts and access to journals. [The Scientist] Editorial

Stark Party Differences in ‘Brexit Election’ Could Shape Future of UK Science

When representatives of each party took to a stage last week at the Royal Society in London, they all promised increased funding and easier immigration for scientists. But Brexit loomed over the discussion, says Sarah Main, director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering, an advocacy group in London. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Advancing Precision Medicine Drug Development: Incorporation of Real-World Data and Other Novel Strategies
January 9-12, 2020
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NEW Postdoctoral Research Associate – Vaccines and Immunotherapies (University of Montana)

Research Associate – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Human Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Autoimmune Pathogenesis (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

Post-Doctoral Fellow – Cancer Immunology/Bioengineering (West Virginia University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Infection, Inflammation and Immunology (The Boston University Pulmonary Center)

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Postdoctoral Position – B Cells (Institut Necker Enfants Malades)

Director of Operations – Immunopathogenesis (The Immunotherapy Assessment Core)

Postdoctoral Positions – Immunotherapies (Indiana University School of Medicine)

PhD Studentship – Melanoma (Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute)

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