Immune Regulation News Volume 4.23 | Jun 22 2012

Human α-Defensin 6 Promotes Mucosal Innate Immunity through Self-Assembled Peptide Nanonets
The authors report that human α-defensin (HD6) affords protection against invasion by enteric bacterial pathogens in vitro and in vivo. After stochastic binding to bacterial surface proteins, HD6 undergoes ordered self-assembly to form fibrils and nanonets that surround and entangle bacteria. [Science]
Abstract | Press Release

Hepatitis B Virus-Induced Lipid Alterations Contribute to Natural Killer T Cell-Dependent Protective Immunity
Using primary human and mouse hepatocytes and mouse models of transgenic and adenoviral hepatitis B virus (HBV) expression, researchers showed that HBV-expressing hepatocytes produce endoplasmic reticulum-associated endogenous antigenic lipids including lysophospholipids that are generated by HBV-induced secretory phospholipases and that lead to activation of natural killer T cells. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

Altered BCR Signalling Quality Predisposes to Autoimmune Disease and a Pre-Diabetic State
The authors found that kinase replacement severely compromised Erk1/2-mediated survival and proper selection of developing B cells at central and peripheral checkpoints, demonstrating critical dependence on BCR signalling quality. [EMBO J] Abstract

Delayed but Effective Induction of Mucosal Memory Immune Responses Against Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 in the Absence of Secondary Lymphoid Organs
Researchers found that, even in the absence of secondary lymphoid organs, intravaginal immunization generates effector memory immune responses at genital mucosa that can provide antiviral protection against subsequent viral exposures. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Reduced Severity of Peanut-Induced Anaphylaxis in TLR9-Deficient Mice Is Associated with Selective Defects in Humoral Immunity
The results demonstrated that toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9) on an unknown cell type is required for the development of IgE-producing B cells, concluding that TLR9 signaling indirectly shapes the immune response for optimal immunoglobulin E production. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Intestinal CD103^– Dendritic Cells Migrate in Lymph and Prime Effector T Cells
Researchers demonstrated, for the first time, the presence of two distinct CD103^– dendritic cell (DC) subsets in intestinal lymph. Similar to CD103⁺ DCs, these intestine-derived CD103^– DCs are responsive to Flt3 and they efficiently prime and confer a gut-homing phenotype to naive T cells. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Regulatory T Cells in γ Irradiation-Induced Immune Suppression
Scientists investigated the effects of sublethal total body γ irradiation on T cell memory responses to gain insight into the potential for loss of vaccine immunity following such exposure. [PLoS One] Full Article

TLR9 Agonists Induced Cell Death in Burkitt’s Lymphoma Cells Is Variable and Influenced by TLR9 Polymorphism
Researchers elaborated an initial assessment of the impact of toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9) triggering on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive and EBV-negative B-cell lymphoma using Burkitt’s lymphoma cell lines as an in vitro model. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

InnaVirVax Strengthens Patent Protection of VAC-3S Immunotherapy
The Company reached a new stage of development with the filing of a new European patent application for VAC-3S aimed at protecting the immune system of patients infected with HIV-1. [InnaVirVax] Press Release

Innovimmune Biotherapeutics Receives NIH Grant for Development of Novel Automimmune Compounds
Innovimmune Biotherapeutics, Inc. has been awarded a $600,000 Advanced Technology Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant will be used to fund the development of its proprietary oral small molecule macrophage migration inhibitory factor inhibitors for the potential treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. [Innovimmune Biotherapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

TeSR™-E8™ and STEMdiff™: New Products to Advance Research on Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
STEMCELL Technologies Inc. announced its plans to release a series of new products to advance research and translational applications for human pluripotent stem cells. [STEMCELL Technologies 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)

NEW Cell Symposia Human Immunity
August 19-21, 2012
Lisbon, Portugal

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