Immune Regulation News Volume 3.42 | Nov 18 2011

Transforming Growth Factor-β Induces the Expression of the Adaptor Ndfip1 to Silence Interleukin 4 Production during iTreg Cell Differentiation
Mice deficient in the adaptor Ndfip1 develop inflammation at sites of environmental antigen exposure. Researchers show here that such mice had fewer inducible regulatory T cells (iTreg cells). [Nat Immunol] Abstract

The Transcriptional Regulators Id2 and Id3 Control the Formation of Distinct Memory CD8⁺ T Cell Subsets
Through the use of mice expressing reporters for the DNA-binding inhibitors Id2 and Id3, researchers identified Id3^hi precursors of long-lived memory cells before the peak of T cell population expansion or upregulation of cell-surface receptors that indicate memory potential. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

Repression of the DNA-Binding Inhibitor Id3 by Blimp-1 Limits the Formation of Memory CD8⁺ T Cells
Here researchers show that Blimp-1 bound to and repressed the promoter of the gene encoding the DNA-binding inhibitor Id3 in short-lived effector cells. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

Nuclear Factor-κB1 Controls the Functional Maturation of Dendritic Cells and Prevents the Activation of Autoreactive T Cells
Here scientists show that nuclear factor–κB1 is crucial for maintaining the resting state of dendritic cells. [Nat Med] Abstract

Flt3 Signaling-Dependent Dendritic Cells Protect against Atherosclerosis
Researchers found that functional dendritic cells (DCs) are dominant in normal aortic intima and, in contrast to macrophages, CD103⁺ classical DCs are associated with atherosclerosis protection. [Immunity]
Abstract | Press Release

Monophosphorylation of CD79a and CD79b ITAM Motifs Initiates a SHIP-1 Phosphatase-Mediated Inhibitory Signaling Cascade Required for B Cell Anergy
Src homology-2-containing inositol 5-phosphatase SHIP-1 and its adaptor Dok-1 were found to be constitutively phosphorylated in anergic B cells, and activation of this inhibitory circuit was dependent on Src-family kinase activity and consequent to biased BCR immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) monophosphorylation. [Immunity] Abstract

Cre-Mediated Cell Ablation Contests Mast Cell Contribution in Models of Antibody- and T Cell-Mediated Autoimmunity
Here, investigators show that targeted insertion of Cre-recombinase into the mast cell carboxypeptidase A3 locus deleted mast cells in connective and mucosal tissues by a genotoxic Trp53-dependent mechanism. [Immunity] Abstract

CD8αα and -αβ Isotypes Are Equally Recruited to the Immunological Synapse through Their Ability to Bind to MHC Class I
Bimolecular fluorescence complementation was used to engineer CD8 molecules so that CD8αα and CD8αβ dimers can be independently visualized on the surface of a T cell during antigen recognition. Using this approach, researchers show that CD8αα is recruited to the immunological synapse almost as well as CD8αβ, but because the kinase Lck associates preferentially with CD8αβ in lipid rafts, CD8αα is the weaker co-receptor. [EMBO Rep] Abstract

Cross-Presentation of Tumor Antigens by Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived CD141⁺XCR1⁺ Dendritic Cells
Researchers have succeeded in differentiating dendritic cells from human leukocyte antigen-A^*0201⁺ induced pluripotent stem cells, using protocols compliant with their subsequent clinical application. [Gene Ther] Abstract | Press Release

The Capsule of Porphyromonas gingivalis Leads to a Reduction in the Host Inflammatory Response, Evasion of Phagocytosis, and Increase in Virulence
Results indicate that the Porphyromonas gingivalis capsule plays an important role in aiding evasion of host immune system activation, promoting survival of the bacterium within host cells, and increasing virulence. [Infect Immun] Abstract | Press Release

Cancer Immunotherapy Consortium Appoints New Leadership
The Cancer Research Institute (CRI), Inc. announced that James P. Allison, Ph.D., chair of the immunology program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Axel Hoos, M.D., Ph.D., medical lead in immunology/oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb, have been named directors of the CRI Cancer Immunotherapy Consortium. [Cancer Research Institute] Press Release

Canadian-Made Research Aims at Developing Treatment to Stop the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Cangene Corporation has signed a collaborative research agreement with the University of British Columbia (UBC) under which they will develop the work of Dr. Neil Cashman aimed at developing immune-based therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. [Cangene Corporation] Press Release

University of Calgary Researcher Named Canada’s Health Researcher of the Year
An internationally-recognized scientist specializing in visualizing the mammalian immune system, Paul Kubes, PhD, will accept the 2011 Canada’s Health Researcher of the Year award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research at a ceremony in Ottawa. [University of Calgary] Press Release

Immunomedics Awarded Additional U.S. Patent for Anti-CD20 Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases
Immunomedics, Inc. announced the issuance of U.S. Patent 8,057,793 with additional claims for the patent family “Anti-CD20 antibodies and fusion proteins thereof and methods of use.” [Immunomedics, Inc.]
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)

Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies) 

Lab Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software)  

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology & Inflammation (SRI International)

Principal Scientist, Immune Disease (Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited)

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