Immune Regulation News Volume 4.27 | Jul 20 2012

HVEM Signalling at Mucosal Barriers Provides Host Defence Against Pathogenic Bacteria
The authors report an important role for epithelial herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) in innate mucosal defence against pathogenic bacteria. HVEM enhances immune responses by NF-κB-inducing kinase-dependent Stat3 activation, which promotes the epithelial expression of genes important for immunity. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

Combination Delivery of TGF-β Inhibitor and IL-2 by Nanoscale Liposomal Polymeric Gels Enhances Tumour Immunotherapy
Researchers observed that nanoscale liposomal polymeric gels releasing transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) inhibitor and interleukin-2 (IL-2) significantly delayed tumour growth, increased survival of tumour-bearing mice, and increased the activity of natural killer cells and of intratumoral-activated CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration. [Nat Mater] Abstract

TLR13 Recognizes Bacterial 23S rRNA Devoid of Erythromycin Resistance-Forming Modification
Scientists showed that the orphan receptor Toll-like receptor 13 (TLR13) in mice recognizes a conserved 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence that is the binding site of macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin group antibiotics (including erythromycin) in bacteria. [Science] Abstract | Press Release

Modeling an Autism Risk Factor in Mice Leads to Permanent Immune Dysregulation
Researchers report that offspring of immune-activated mothers display altered immune profiles and function, characterized by a systemic deficit in CD4⁺ TCRβ⁺ Foxp3⁺ CD25⁺ T regulatory cells, increased IL-6 and IL-17 production by CD4⁺ T cells, and elevated levels of peripheral Gr-1⁺ cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]
Abstract | Press Release

Cross-Dressed CD8α⁺/CD103⁺ Dendritic Cells Prime CD8⁺ T Cells following Vaccination
Researchers demonstrated that cross-dressing is a robust pathway of antigen presentation following vaccination, capable of efficiently activating both naïve and memory CD8⁺ T cells, and requires CD8α⁺/CD103⁺ dentritic cells. Significantly, immune responses induced exclusively by cross-dressing were as strong as those induced exclusively through cross-presentation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Rapid Evolution of HIV-1 to Functional CD8⁺ T Cell Responses in Humanized BLT Mice
Researchers infected humanized BLT (bone marrow, liver, thymus) mice with HIV-1 as a model pathogen and characterized HIV-1–specific immune responses and viral evolution during the acute phase of infection. HIV-1–specific CD8⁺ T cell responses in these mice were found to closely resemble those in humans in terms of their specificity, kinetics, and immunodominance. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract | Press Release

Prevention of Type 1 Diabetes through Infection with an Intestinal Nematode Parasite Requires IL-10 in the Absence of a Th2-Type Response
Results indicated that Heligmosomoides polygyrus infection induces non-T-regulatory cells to produce interleukin (IL)-10 independently of STAT6 signaling and that in this Th2-deficient environment IL-10 is essential for type 1 diabetes inhibition. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

TSLP Promotes Influenza-Specific CD8+ T-Cell Responses by Augmenting Local Inflammatory Dendritic Cell Function
Comparing the immune responses of wild-type and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) receptor-deficient mice, researchers showed that TSLP was required for the expansion and activation of virus-specific effector CD8+ T cells in the lung, but not the lymph node. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Unexpected Role for MHC II-Peptide Complexes in Shaping CD8 T-Cell Expansion and Differentiation In Vivo
The authors found that, compared with CD8 T cells from WT mice, CD8 T cells isolated from MHC II^−/− mice hyperproliferated under lymphopenic conditions, differentiated into effector cells producing proinflammatory cytokines, and mediated more severe tissue inflammation. The elevated responses of MHC II^−/− CD8 T cells were due to the absence of MHC II, but not CD4, T cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Duke Receives New Grant for AIDS Vaccine Research
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a new grant to Duke University Medical Center for work developing vaccines that can induce IgA antibodies for preventing HIV-1 infection. [Duke University]
Press Release

NOVAVAX, CPL Biologicals and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Announce Collaboration to Develop New Malaria Vaccine with Funding from Government of India
This unique public-private partnership will combine the advanced vaccine technology of Novavax with the malaria vaccine research capabilities of ICGEB and vaccine manufacturing capability of CPLB, to develop a new and effective malaria vaccine. [Novavax, Inc.] Press Release

Regeneus Validates Therapeutic Benefits of Stem Cell Secretions Platform
Regeneus has completed a successful trial validating the efficacy of the company’s adipose-derived stem cell secretion therapy using a well-established mouse model for rheumatoid arthritis. [Regeneus Ltd]
Press Release

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Grants Support BCM Childhood Cancer Researchers
Three Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) researchers received support totaling $500,000 from the nonprofit organization Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for their work to find more effective treatments for childhood cancer. The grant funding to Goodell will support her research on the role the gene LYL1 plays in T-Cell ALL, one of the most frequent types of childhood leukemia. [Baylor College of Medicine]
Press Release

EU Commission Backs Open-Access Science Publishing
The European Commission has backed calls for free access to publicly funded research in a move that could force a major change in the business model for publishers such as Reed Elsevier. [European Commission, Europe] Press Release

Drastic Cuts at Italian Institutes Infuriate Researchers
Italian scientists are up in arms over proposed budget cuts at over a dozen national research institutes as part of a spending review that will strike €26 billion from the national government’s budget. [Italian Government, Italy] Press Release

Italian Scientists Fight Tightened Rules on Animal Testing
Italy may soon become the European country with the most restrictive legislation on animal experimentation, if a draft law due for discussion in the Senate is approved in its current form. The Italian government says that it considers the draft “a good balance point”, but scientists fear that the restrictions would hamper biomedical research and damage the country’s pharmaceutical industry. [Italian Government, Italy]
Press Release

Egypt’s President ‘to Link Science to Society’
Egypt’s newly elected president, Mohamed Morsi, has ambitious plans for science and is committed to linking research to local needs and boosting private sector science funding, officials say. [Egyptian President, Egypt] Press Release

UK Funders Seek Integrity Upgrade
The major science funders in the United Kingdom are to introduce a set of principles on research integrity as a condition for receiving their grants. [Universities UK, United Kingdom] 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 38th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics
October 8-12, 2012
San Juan, Peurto Rico

NEW The Third International Conference on Regulatory T Cells and T Helper Cell Subsets and Clinical Application in Human Disease
October 13-16, 2012
Shanghai, China

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

Have we missed an important article or publication in Immune Regulation News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.