Immune Regulation News Volume 4.12 | Mar 30 2012

Exploiting a Natural Conformational Switch to Engineer an Interleukin-2 ‘Superkine’
Compared to interleukin-2 (IL-2), the engineered IL-2 superkine induced superior expansion of cytotoxic T cells, leading to improved antitumor responses in vivo, and elicited proportionally less expansion of T regulatory cells and reduced pulmonary edema. [Nature] Abstract

Bidirectional Regulation of Neutrophil Migration by Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
Investigators found that two mitogen-activated protein kinases had opposing roles in neutrophil trafficking. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

NOD2 Triggers an Interleukin-32-Dependent Human Dendritic Cell Program in Leprosy
In the human mycobacterial infection leprosy, researchers found that activation of monocytes via nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) by its ligand muramyl dipeptide preferentially induced differentiation into dendritic cells, which was dependent on a previously unknown interleukin-32-dependent mechanism. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

Commensal Bacteria-Derived Signals Regulate Basophil Hematopoiesis and Allergic Inflammation
Researchers find that deliberate alteration of commensal bacterial populations via oral antibiotic treatment resulted in elevated serum IgE concentrations, increased steady-state circulating basophil populations and exaggerated basophil-mediated T helper type 2 cell responses and allergic inflammation. [Nat Med] Abstract

Interleukin-2 Inhibits Germinal Center Formation by Limiting T Follicular Helper Cell Differentiation
Researchers’ data demonstrate that interleukin-2 is a critical factor that regulates successful T follicular helper (Tfh) and B cell responses in vivo and regulates Tfh cell development. [Immunity] Abstract

The Adaptor Protein Crk Controls Activation and Inhibition of Natural Killer Cells
Researchers imaged primary natural killer (NK) cells over lipid bilayers carrying IgG1 Fc to stimulate CD16 and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E to inhibit through receptor CD94-NKG2A. HLA-E alone induced Crk phosphorylation in NKG2A⁺ NK cells. [Immunity] Abstract

Prostaglandin E2 Suppresses Antifungal Immunity by Inhibiting Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 Function and Interleukin-17 Expression in T Cells
Researchers show that IRF4 was required for IL-17 expression but inhibited IL-22 expression, highlighting the potential for discordant regulation of these two cytokines in T helper 17 cells. [Immunity] Abstract

The CD47-Signal Regulatory Protein Alpha (SIRPα) Interaction Is a Therapeutic Target for Human Solid Tumors
CD47 is a ligand for SIRPα, a protein expressed on macrophages and dendritic cells. In vitro, blockade of CD47 signaling using targeted monoclonal antibodies enabled macrophage phagocytosis of tumor cells that were otherwise protected. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Efficacy of Vaccination with Recombinant Vaccinia and Fowlpox Vectors Expressing NY-ESO-1 Antigen in Ovarian Cancer and Melanoma Patients
Researchers conducted two parallel phase II clinical trials of recombinant vaccinia-NY-ESO-1, followed by booster vaccinations with recombinant fowlpox-NY-ESO-1 in 25 melanoma and 22 epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients with advanced disease who were at high risk for recurrence/progression. Integrated NY-ESO-1-specific antibody and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells were induced in a high proportion of melanoma and EOC patients. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Severe Immune Dysregulation Affects CD4⁺CD25^hiFoxP3⁺ Regulatory T-Cells in HIV-Infected Patients with Low-Level CD4 T-Cell Repopulation Despite Suppressive HAART
Researchers hypothesized that CD4⁺CD25^hiFoxP3⁺ regulatory T-cells could be involved in the high immune activation existing in patients with low-level CD4 repopulation under suppressive HAART. [J Infect Dis] Abstract

Celtic Therapeutics Launches $50 Million Antibody Drug Conjugates Development Company with Ten ADC Development Programs
Celtic Therapeutics Management L.L.L.P. has announced a significant commitment to Antibody-Drug-Conjugate (ADC) products, with the launch of a new Switzerland-based company. ADC Therapeutics Sarl has been formed with a pipeline of ten proprietary ADC oncology development programs, targeting multiple major cancers, including prostate, renal, breast, lung and blood cancers and an initial budget of $50 million. [Celtic Therapeutics Management L.L.L.P.] Press Release

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Gains Rights to Target EphA2 from University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh has licensed to ImmunoCellular Therapeutics intellectual property surrounding EphA2, a tyrosine kinase receptor that is reportedly highly expressed by ovarian cancer and other advanced and metastatic malignancies. The agreement grants a worldwide, exclusive license for ovarian and pancreatic cancers and a worldwide, nonexclusive license for brain cancer. [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News] Press Release

Wellcome Trust to Launch £200 Million Investment Business for Healthcare and Life Sciences
The Board of Governors of the Wellcome Trust approved the creation of a new business that will invest in emerging businesses and technologies in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. [Wellcome Trust]
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 16th International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshop (IHIW)
May 28-June 3, 2012
Liverpool, United Kingdom

NEW Frontiers in Immunology Research 2012 International Conference
July 1-4, 2012
Salzburg, Austria

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

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

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Hematology (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC (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 (Medical Research Council)

Postdoctoral Position in Molecular Immunology (Karmanos Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow Cellular Immunology (Erasmus MC – University Medical Center Rotterdam)


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