Immune Regulation News Volume 4.05 | Feb 10 2012

Extrathymically Generated Regulatory T Cells Control Mucosal T_H2 Inflammation
Here researchers show that a highly selective blockage in differentiation of induced regulatory T cells in mice did not lead to unprovoked multi-organ autoimmunity, exacerbation of induced tissue-specific autoimmune pathology, or increased pro-inflammatory responses of T helper 1 (T_H1) and T_H17 cells. [Nature] Abstract

The Alarmin Interleukin-33 Drives Protective Antiviral CD8⁺ T Cell Responses
Investigators show that interleukin-33, an alarmin released from necrotic cells, is necessary for potent CD8⁺ T cell responses to replicating, prototypic RNA and DNA viruses in mice. [Science] Abstract

Elevated and Sustained Expression of the Transcription Factors Egr1 and Egr2 Controls NKT Lineage Differentiation in Response to TCR Signaling
Here scientists found that T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-induced transcription factors Egr2 and Egr1 had higher and more-prolonged expression in precursors of the natural killer T (NKT) than in cells of conventional lineages. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

Interleukin-4 Production by Follicular Helper T Cells Requires the Conserved Il4 Enhancer Hypersensitivity Site V
Investigators found that hypersensitivity site V, a 3′ enhancer in the Il4 locus, is essential for interleukin-4 (IL-4) production by follicular helper T cells. [Immunity] Abstract

Plasticity of Foxp3⁺ T Cells Reflects Promiscuous Foxp3 Expression in Conventional T Cells but Not Reprogramming of Regulatory T Cells
This study establishes that regulatory T cells constitute a stable cell lineage, whose committed state in a changing environment is ensured by DNA demethylation of the Foxp3 locus irrespectively of ongoing Foxp3 expression. [Immunity] Abstract

Viral Infection Triggers Rapid Differentiation of Human Blood Monocytes into Dendritic Cells
Here, researchers show that monocytes are the predominant cell type infected when peripheral blood mononuclear cells are exposed to viruses ex vivo. Remarkably, infection with vesicular stomatitis virus, vaccinia virus and a variety of influenza A viruses induces monocytes to differentiate within 18 hours into CD16^–CD83⁺ mature dendritic cells with enhanced capacity to activate T cells. [Blood] Abstract

IL-38 Binds to the IL-36 Receptor and Has Biological Effects on Immune Cells Similar to IL-36 Receptor Antagonist
In the present study researchers aimed to elucidate the biological function of IL-38 and to identify its receptor. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Protein Phosphatase 1 Subunit Ppp1r15a/GADD34 Regulates Cytokine Production in Polyinosinic:Polycytidylic Acid-Stimulated Dendritic Cells
Here investigators show that in response to polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid, dendritic cells mount a specific integrated stress response during which the transcription factor ATF4 and the growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 34 (GADD34/Ppp1r15a), a phosphatase 1 cofactor, are expressed. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Control T-Cell Response to Chronic Viral Infection
Researchers’ data suggest that plasmacytoid dendritic cells facilitate CD4⁺ helper T-cell responses to persistent viruses independently of direct antigen presentation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Gene Silencing of IL-12 in Dendritic Cells Inhibits Autoimmune Arthritis
In this study, researchers demonstrate the therapeutic utilization of shRNA-modified dendritic cells as an antigen-specific tolerogenic vaccine strategy for autoimmune arthritis. [J Transl Med]
Abstract | Press Release

Sistemic to Work with TiGenix on Landmark EUR 5.9 Million, FP7 European Project Aiming at Developing an Innovative Rheumatoid Arthritis Cell Therapy Treatment Product
Sistemic announced that its proprietary technology (SistemQC™) has been chosen to form a key part of the research and production process for a landmark multinational collaborative project led by TiGenix, Belgium and including partners from Spain, France, the Netherlands as well as the UK and Belgium. The project, REGENER-AR, will bring the first stem cell therapy treatment product for rheumatoid arthritis, Cx611, through final research and clinical development. [Sistemic Scotland Limited] Press Release

Tekmira Announces USPTO Issuance of Key Patents Broadly Covering LNP Formulations and Mitigation of Immune Stimulation
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently issued two key patents expanding its intellectual property portfolio: one covers its lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology, and the other covers the chemical modification of siRNA to mitigate immune stimulation. [Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corp.] 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 European Scientific Conferences – 2nd Annual Regulatory Cells in Autoimmunity Event: Analyzing and Moderating Function
March 29, 2012
London, United Kingdom

NEW American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2012
March 31-April 4, 2012
Chicago, United States

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

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software)  

Research Technologist, Manufacturing Sciences (STEMCELL Technologies)

Immunology Investigator (BloodCenter of Wisconsin)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Program in Children’s Regenerative Medicine (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

Postdoctoral Positions in Allergy and Immunology (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Position – Department of Immunology (University Hospital Jena)


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