Immune Regulation News Volume 4.31 | Aug 17 2012

Cytomegalovirus and Tumor Stress Surveillance by Binding of a Human γδ T Cell Antigen Receptor to Endothelial Protein C Receptor
Researchers found that the T cell antigen receptors of a human Vγ4Vδ5 clone directly bound endothelial protein C receptor, which allowed γδ T cells to recognize both endothelial cells targeted by cytomegalovirus and epithelial tumors. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

The CD100 Receptor Interacts with its Plexin B2 Ligand to Regulate Epidermal γδ T Cell Function
γδ T cells respond rapidly to keratinocyte damage, providing essential contributions to the skin wound healing process. The molecular interactions regulating their response are unknown. Researchers identified a role for interaction of plexin B2 with the CD100 receptor in epithelial repair. In vitro blocking of plexin B2 or CD100 inhibited T cell activation. [Immunity] Abstract

Dynamic T Cell-APC Interactions Sustain Chronic Inflammation in Atherosclerosis
Researchers found that antigen presentation by APCs to CD4+ T cells in the arterial wall causes local T cell activation and production of proinflammatory cytokines, which promote atherosclerosis by maintaining chronic inflammation and inducing foam cell formation. [J Clin Invest] Abstract | Press Release

B Cells from Patients with Chronic GvHD Are Activated and Primed for Survival via BAFF Mediated Pathways
Since BAFF increases murine B cell metabolism, survival, and maintains autoreactive B cell clones, the authors performed ex vivo analyses of peripheral B cells from 51 patients who either had or did not have active chronic GvHD and were greater than one year from the time of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. [Blood] Abstract | Press Release

Nucleic Acid-Containing Amyloid Fibrils Potently Induce Type I Interferon and Stimulate Systemic Autoimmunity
The authors report that nucleic acid-containing amyloid fibrils can potently activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and enable type I IFN (IFN-I) production in response to self-DNA, self-RNA, and dead cell debris. pDCs can take up DNA-containing amyloid fibrils, which are retained in the early endosomes to activate TLR9, leading to high IFNα/β production. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Cytomegalovirus Infection Impairs Immune Responses and Accentuates T-Cell Pool Changes Observed in Mice with Aging
The authors present direct experimental evidence that mouse cytomegalovirus infection results in select T-cell subset changes associated with immune aging, namely the increase of relative and absolute counts of CD8 T-cells in the blood, with a decreased representation of the naïve and the increased representation of the effector memory blood CD8 T-cells. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article | Press Release

IL-9-Producing Invariant NKT Cells Protect against DSS-Induced Colitis in an IL-4-Dependent Manner
Researchers found that interleukin (IL)-9-producing invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells protect against dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis through interferon-γ and IL-17A suppression, but IL-10 and tumor growth factor-β enhancement, depending on the IL-4 production by iNKT cells. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Th17 Responses in Chronic Allergic Airway Inflammation Abrogate Regulatory T-Cell-Mediated Tolerance and Contribute to Airway Remodeling
Scientists demonstrated that both parenteral and mucosal allergen sensitization, followed by allergen inhalation, leads to T-helper type 17 (Th17)-biased lung immune responses. Unlike Th17 cells generated in vitro, lung Th17 cells did not produce tumor necrosis factor-α or interleukin interleukin-22. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Phase I Trial of a Multi-Epitope-Pulsed Dendritic Cell Vaccine for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma
Researchers evaluated the safety and immune responses to an autologous dendritic cell vaccine pulsed with class I peptides from tumor-associated antigens expressed on gliomas and overexpressed in their cancer stem cell population. [Cancer Immunol Immunother] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release 

Cancer Research Institute Awards $10 Million in Grants to Advance Immune-Based Treatments for Cancer
Cancer Research Institute, Inc. announced that it has committed more than $10 million in new funds to accelerate cancer immunology research and cancer immunotherapy clinical development at research centers worldwide. [Cancer Resarch Institute] Press Release

New Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial Applies Revolutionary Immunotherapy Approach That Genetically Modifies T Cells
The Lustgarten Foundation and the Cancer Research Institute are co-sponsoring a new approach to the treatment of pancreatic cancer. A new clinical trial led by Dr. Carl June and Dr. Gregory Beatty at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania will focus on altering and training a patient’s immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. [Cancer Research Institute] Press Release

Atreca, Inc. Licenses Transformational Immune Repertoire Capture^TM Technology from Stanford University
Atreca, Inc. announced that Stanford University has granted the company an exclusive license to transformational technology for harnessing the power of the immune response to generate a wide range of medical products. [Atreca, Inc.] Press Release

NEW Free CIRM Webinar – Immune Response in Stem Cell-Based Therapy: Presentations by the FDA and Leading Experts
September 27 10:00AM (PT in US)
Webinar

NEW World Immune Regulation Meeting-VII
March 13-16, 2013
Davos, Switzerland

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