Immune Regulation News Volume 4.09 | Mar 9 2012

Interleukin-22 Drives Endogenous Thymic Regeneration in Mice
Here, researchers detail a framework of thymic regeneration centered on interleukin-22 and triggered by depletion of CD4⁺CD8⁺ double positive thymocytes. [Science] Abstract

Interleukin-17A Produced by αß T Cells Drives Airway Hyper-Responsiveness in Mice and Enhances Mouse and Human Airway Smooth Muscle Contraction
Because loss of T helper 17 (T_H17) cells inhibited airway narrowing without any obvious effects on airway inflammation or epithelial morphology, researchers examined the direct effects of T_H17 cytokines on mouse and human airway smooth muscle function. [Nat Med] Abstract

Fluorescent In Vivo Detection Reveals that IgE⁺ B Cells Are Restrained by an Intrinsic Cell Fate Predisposition
Here, researchers describe fluorescent IgE reporter mice and validate a flow cytometry procedure to allow sensitive and specific identification of IgE-expressing B cells in vivo. [Immunity] Abstract

Lipid-Antigen Presentation by CD1d⁺ B Cells Is Essential for the Maintenance of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells
Investigators report that B cells are essential for invariant natural killer T cell expansion and activation in healthy donors but fail to exert a similar effect in systemic lupus erythematous patients. [Immunity] Abstract

Stat3 and Gfi-1 Transcription Factors Control Th17 Cell Immunosuppressive Activity via the Regulation of Ectonucleotidase Expression
Here, scientists showed that in vitro Th17 cells generated with the cytokines IL-6 and TGF-ß expressed CD39 and CD73 ectonucleotidases, leading to adenosine release and the subsequent suppression of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell effector functions. [Immunity] Abstract

Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection Does Not Erode Preexisting CD8⁺ T Cell Memory in Humans
Researchers’ data support the concept that, in humans, a robust CD8⁺ T cell response creates a new memory CD8⁺ T cell niche without substantially depleting preexisting memory for heterologous infections. [J Exp Med] Abstract | Press Release

Evidence for a Stepwise Program of Extrathymic T Cell Development within the Human Tonsil
Here, researchers report evidence that a stepwise program of T cell development occurs within the human tonsil. [J Clin Invest] Abstract | Press Release

Lysophospholipid Presentation by CD1d and Recognition by a Human Natural Killer T-Cell Receptor
Here, investigators describe their studies of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) presentation by human CD1d and its recognition by a native, LPC-specific invariant natural killer T cell receptor. [EMBO J] Abstract

Transferred Melanoma-Specific CD8⁺ T Cells Persist, Mediate Tumor Regression, and Acquire Central Memory Phenotype
As a means to enhance persistence of infused T cells in vivo and limit toxicity, 11 patients with refractory, progressive metastatic melanoma received cyclophosphamide alone as conditioning before the infusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived, antigen-specific, CD8⁺ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte clones followed by low-dose or high-dose IL-2. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Chemokine Receptor CXCR3 Agonist Prevents Human T-Cell Migration in a Humanized Model of Arthritic Inflammation
This study was designed to assess the potential of a CXCR3-specific small-molecule agonist to inhibit the migration of activated human T cells toward multiple chemokines. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Intestinal CX₃C Chemokine Receptor 1^high (CX₃CR1^high) Myeloid Cells Prevent T-Cell-Dependent Colitis
Here, researchers report that CX₃CR1^high CD11b⁺ CD11c⁺ cells are responsible for prevention of intestinal inflammation through inhibition of T-cell responses. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Sangamo Presents New Clinical Data Demonstrating Persistent Positive Effects of ZFN Therapeutic^® for “Functional Cure” of HIV/AIDS
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced that new data from its program to develop a ‘functional cure’ for HIV/AIDS were presented. [Press release from Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. discussing research presented at the 19th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Seattle] Press Release

Merck’s Investigational Allergy Immunotherapy Tablet (AIT) Significantly Reduced the Combination of Ragweed Allergy Symptoms and Medication Use in Phase III Trial
Merck announced the results from a Phase III clinical study of its investigational AIT for ragweed pollen. [Press release from Merck & Co., Inc. discussing research presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting, Orlando] Press Release

Circassia’s Ragweed Allergy Therapy Achieves Positive Phase II Clinical Results
Circassia Ltd announced that its ragweed allergy therapy has achieved positive results in a key phase II clinical trial.  In the study, patients with more severe symptoms achieved a significantly greater improvement following treatment with the ToleroMune® T-cell vaccine than those on placebo. [Circassia Ltd]
Press Release

Opexa Therapeutics Executes Strategic Service Agreement with Pharmaceutical Research Associates to Manage Clinical Trial
Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the Company has executed an agreement with Pharmaceutical Research Associates, Inc. to provide contract research organization services to support Opexa’s upcoming Phase IIb clinical trial for Tovaxin, a novel T-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), in patients with secondary progressive MS. [Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

AACR Calls for Letters of Intent for a New Stand Up To Cancer-Cancer Research Institute Cancer Immunology Translational Research Dream Team
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), along with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), call upon the cancer research community to submit Letters of Intent for a new Dream Team – the SU2C-CRI Cancer Immunology Translational Research Dream Team. [American Association for Cancer Research] Press Release

Intellect Neurosciences Receives Notice of Allowance from United States Patent and Trademark Office for its ANTISENILIN® Alzheimer’s Disease Immunotherapy Technology Platform
Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. announced that it received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for patent claims covering the company’s ANTISENILIN® monoclonal antibody platform technology for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. [Intellect Neurosciences, Inc.] Press Release

TG Therapeutics Completes Licensing Agreement with LFB Biotechnologies for the Development of Ublituximab
TG Therapeutics, Inc. announced an agreement with two LFB Group companies, LFB Biotechnologies S.A.S and GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc., to license the worldwide commercial rights to Ublituximab, a novel, third generation chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting a unique epitope on the CD20 antigen found on B lymphocytes. [TG Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Immortality for Immunology Nobelist
Jules Hoffman, one of last year’s Nobel prize winners for physiology or medicine, was selected to become an immortal yesterday. That is the moniker given to the 40 members of the French Academy, a body established in 1635 to define the French language and ensure that its standards are maintained. [ScienceInsider] 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 Canadian Blood and Marrow Transplant Group – 13th Annual Conference
April 11-14, 2012
Toronto, Canada

NEW World Vaccine Congress Asia 2012
June 11-14, 2012
Singapore, Singapore

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

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (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 Fellow (Medical Research Council)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Transplant Immunology (Regensburg Center of Interventional Immunology)


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