Immune Regulation News Volume 3.32 | Sep 2 2011

The Ubiquitin Ligase Peli1 Negatively Regulates T Cell Activation and Prevents Autoimmunity
Here researchers show that genetic deficiency in the ubiquitin ligase Peli1 caused hyperactivation of T cells and rendered T cells refractory to suppression by regulatory T cells and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). [Nat Immunol] Abstract

Innate Immune Recognition of Bacterial Ligands by NAIPs Determines Inflammasome Specificity
Here researchers show in mice that different NAIP (NLR family, apoptosis inhibitory protein) paralogues determine the specificity of the NLRC4 (NLR family, CARD domain containing 4) inflammasome for distinct bacterial ligands. [Nature] Abstract

The Antiviral Factor APOBEC3G Enhances the Recognition of HIV-Infected Primary T Cells by Natural Killer Cells
Results show that pathogen-induced deamination of cytidine and the DNA-damage response to virus-mediated repair of the incorporation of uridine enhance the recognition of HIV-infected cells by natural killer cells. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

IL-22 Bridges the Lymphotoxin Pathway with the Maintenance of Colonic Lymphoid Structures during Infection with Citrobacter rodentium
Here researchers report that IL-22 acted downstream of the lymphotoxin pathway and regulated the organization and maintenance of mature colonic patches and lymphoid follicles in the colon during infection with Citrobacter rodentium. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

Imatinib Potentiates Antitumor T Cell Responses in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor through the Inhibition of Ido
Imatinib therapy activated CD8+ T cells and induced regulatory T cell apoptosis within the tumor by reducing tumor-cell expression of the immunosuppressive enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (Ido). [Nat Med] Abstract

T Cell Killing by Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells Protects Mice from Allergy
Here, researchers show that TNF released by tolerogenic CD11+CD8+ dendritic cells located in skin-draining lymph nodes is required and sufficient for development of tolerance to contact allergens in mice. [J Clin Invest] Abstract

The E3 Ligase c-Cbl Regulates Dendritic Cell Activation
Researchers have identified the E3 ligase c-Cbl–known for its roles in regulating lymphocyte signalling––as a modulator of dendritic cell activation. [EMBO Rep] Abstract

Combining mTor Inhibitors With Rapamycin-resistant T Cells: A Two-pronged Approach to Tumor Elimination
Researchers hypothesized that if T cells were rendered resistant to rapamycin they could capitalize on its downregulation of tumor immune evasion. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Human Natural Regulatory T Cell Development, Suppressive Function, and Postthymic Maturation in a Humanized Mouse Model
Researchers now demonstrate that FOXP3⁺Helios⁺ “natural” regulatory T cells develop normally in human fetal thymic grafts and are present in peripheral blood, spleen, and lymph nodes of these humanized mice. [J Immunol] Abstract

Epitope-Specific Human Influenza Antibody Repertoires Diversify by B Cell Intraclonal Sequence Divergence and Interclonal Convergence
Researchers generated from a single blood sample five independent human mAbs that recognized the Sa antigenic site on the head of influenza hemagglutinin and exhibited inhibitory activity against a broad panel of H1N1 strains. [J Immunol] Abstract

Increased Frequency of Regulatory T-Cells Accompanies Increased T-Cell Immune Activation in Rectal Mucosa of HIV+ Non-Controllers
Findings reveal that rather than experiencing depletion, mucosal regulatory T-cell frequency is enhanced during chronic HIV infection and is positively correlated with viral load and immune activation. [J Virol] Abstract

Cleveland Researchers Collaborate to Launch Phase 1 Clinical Trial for New Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
Researchers are collaborating on a ground-breaking study that will test the feasibility and safety of using the body’s own stem cells to treat multiple sclerosis. [Cleveland Clinic] Press Release

FDA Approves Dendreon’s Atlanta Cancer Immunotherapy Manufacturing Facility
Dendreon Corporation announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its Atlanta cancer immunotherapy manufacturing facility. [Dendreon Corporation] Press Release

Zymeworks Inc. Announces Collaboration with Merck to Develop Bi-specific Antibody Therapeutics
Zymeworks Inc. announced a research collaboration with Merck around Zymeworks’ proprietary Azymetric™ platform for the development of novel bi-specific antibody therapeutic candidates. [Zymeworks Inc.] Press Release

Cancer Research Institute to Honor Pioneers in Adoptive Immunotherapy
The Cancer Research Institute, Inc., a U.S. nonprofit organization established in 1953 to advance the science of tumor immunology and drive the discovery of new cancer immunotherapies, announced the winners of the 2011 William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Tumor Immunology. [Cancer Research Institute, Inc.] Press Release

UTHealth Opens Center for Autoimmunity and Immunobiology
The University of Texas Health Science at Houston announced the opening of a center devoted to researching and treating diseases associated with malfunctioning immune systems. [Newswise] Press Release

ImmunoCellular Appoints Helen Kim to Board of Directors
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd., announced that Helen Kim has been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors and has been elected to be Chairperson of the Company’s Product Strategic Committee. [ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

NEW Keystone Symposia: Chemokines and Leukocyte Trafficking in Homeostasis and Inflammation
January 8-13, 2012
Breckenridge, United States

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

Scientist (iPSC) (STEMCELL Technologies)

Contract Assay Service Technologist (STEMCELL Technologies) 

Research and Development Technologist (STEMCELL Technologies) 

Proteomics, Vascular Biology/Angiogenesis, or Immunology (St.Michael’s Hospital/University of Toronto)

PhD Scholarship (Tasmania University)

Associate Director, Immune Cell Signaling (Genentech)

Recruit Top Talent
Reach more than 11,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Jobs are categorized regionally: United States, Canada, Europe, Asia Pacific

Visit here to post your career opportunities.

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

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.