Immune Regulation News Volume 4.08 | Mar 2 2012

B Cell Maintenance of Subcapsular Sinus Macrophages Protects Against a Fatal Viral Infection Independent of Adaptive Immunity
Utilizing mice that possess B cells but lack antibodies, researchers show that survival upon subcutaneous vesicular stomatitis virus challenge was independent of neutralizing antibody production or cell-mediated adaptive immunity. [Immunity] Abstract | Press Release

Dual Regulation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 Function in T and B Cells Is Required for the Coordination of T–B Cell Interactions and the Prevention of Autoimmunity
Here, investigators demonstrate that on a C57BL/6 background the absence of both DEF6 and SWAP-70 leads to the development of a lupus-like disease in female mice, marked by simultaneous deregulation of CD4⁺ T cell IL-21 production and increased IL-21 B cell responsiveness. [J Exp Med] Abstract

A Germinal Center–Independent Pathway Generates Unswitched Memory B Cells Early in the Primary Response
Memory B cells can be produced from the classical germinal center (GC) pathway or a less understood GC-independent route. Investigators used antigen-based cell enrichment to assess the relative contributions of these pathways to the polyclonal memory B cell pool. [J Exp Med] Abstract

The Impaired Immune Regulation of Autoimmune Hepatitis Is Linked to a Defective Galectin-9/Tim-3 Pathway
Scientists investigated whether impaired immune-regulation in autoimmune hepatitis results from reduced expression of galectin-9 in regulatory T-cells and/or T-cell-immunoglobulin-and-mucin-domain-containing-molecule-3 (Tim-3) on CD4 effector cells. [Hepatology] Abstract

Dendritic Cells Loaded with mRNA Encoding Full-Length Tumor Antigens Prime CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T Cells in Melanoma Patients
Researchers determined the specificity of T cells from melanoma patients treated with dendritic cells loaded with mRNA encoding a full-length tumor antigen fused to a signal peptide and an HLA class II sorting signal, allowing presentation in HLA class I and II. [Mol Ther] Abstract

CD70–CD27 Interaction Augments CD8⁺ T-Cell Activation by Human Epidermal Langerhans Cells
Scientists tested the capacity of human Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells to induce antigen-specific cytokine production and proliferation of memory CD8⁺ cells. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

CD4⁺ CD25⁺ FoxP3⁺ Regulatory T Cells Suppress Cytotoxicity of CD8⁺ Effector T Cells: Implications for Their Capacity to Limit Inflammatory Central Nervous System Damage at the Parenchymal Level
Researchers challenged the role of CD4⁺ regulatory T cells in suppressing established CD8⁺ T effector cell responses by using the OT-I/II system in vitro and an OT-I-mediated, oligodendrocyte directed ex vivo model. [J Neuroinflammation] Abstract

Stimulation of Dopamine Receptor D5 Expressed on Dendritic Cells Potentiates Th17-Mediated Immunity
In this study, investigators analyzed the role of dopamine in the regulation of dendritic cell function. [J Immunol] Abstract

Follicular Helper NKT Cells Induce Limited B Cell Responses and Germinal Center Formation in the Absence of CD4⁺ T Cell Help
Researchers previously observed that immunization of mice lacking CD4⁺ T cells (MHC class II^−/−) elicits specific IgG responses only when protein Ags are mixed with α-galactosylceramide. In this study, they investigated the mechanisms underpinning this observation [J Immunol] Abstract

OncoSec Doses First Patient in Phase II Clinical Trial for Metastatic Melanoma
OncoSec Medical Incorporated announced that Investigational Review Board approval has been received by the University of California San Francisco and the first patient has been dosed for a Phase II clinical trial evaluating OncoSec’s OMS ElectroImmunotherapy for the treatment of advanced stage cutaneous and in-transit metastatic melanoma. [OncoSec Medical, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Accepts Supplemental Biologics License Application Submitted for ACTEMRA®, a Humanized Anti-Human IL-6 Receptor Monoclonal Antibody, Regarding Adult Rheumatoid Arthritis Indication
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the supplemental biologics license application which Genentech, Inc. submitted to the FDA in December 2011, for the humanized anti-human interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor monoclonal antibody, Actemra® . [Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., 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)

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

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Antibody and Hybridoma Technology Platforms (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software, Inc.)  

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)


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