The Cytokines Interleukin 27 and Interferon-γ Promote Distinct Treg Cell Populations Required to Limit Infection-Induced Pathology Researchers found that interferon-γ and interleukin-27 (IL-27) have different roles in regulatory T (Treg) cell biology and IL-27 is a key cytokine that promotes the development of Treg cells specialized to control T helper 1 cell-mediated immunity at local sites of inflammation. [Immunity] Abstract Tet2 Facilitates the Derepression of Myeloid Target Genes during CEBPα-Induced Transdifferentiation of Pre-B Cells Researchers’ observations indicated that Tet2 helps CEBPα rapidly derepress myeloid genes during the conversion of pre-B cells into macrophages. [Mol Cell] Abstract Outer Membrane Vesicles of a Human Commensal Mediate Immune Regulation and Disease Protection Investigators revealed that Bacteroides fragilis releases polysaccharide (PSA) in outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that induce immunomodulatory effects and prevent experimental colitis. Dendritic cells sense OMV-associated PSA through TLR2, resulting in enhanced regulatory T cells and anti-inflammatory cytokine production. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract Mutant Huntingtin Fragmentation in Immune Cells Tracks Huntington’s Disease Progression Peripheral immune cells have been implicated in Huntington’s disease (HD) pathogenesis, but huntingtin (HTT) levels in these cells have not been quantified before. A recently described time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer immunoassay was used to quantify mutant and total HTT protein levels in leukocytes from patients with HD. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | Press Release TAp73 Is Required for Macrophage-Mediated Innate Immunity and the Resolution of Inflammatory Responses Scientists investigated whether TAp73 contributes to innate immunity and septic shock. Their data indicated that TAp73 has a role in macrophage polarization and innate immunity, enhancing the action field of this important regulatory molecule. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract Cell-Intrinsic Abrogation of TGF-β Signaling Delays but Does Not Prevent Dysfunction of Self/Tumor-Specific CD8 T Cells in a Murine Model of Autochthonous Prostate Cancer Researchers used a model of autochthonous murine prostate cancer to evaluate the effect of cell-intrinsic abrogation of TGF-β signaling in self/tumor-specific CD8 T cells used in adoptive T cell therapy to target the tumor in situ. [J Immunol] Abstract B7x in the Periphery Abrogates Pancreas-Specific Damage Mediated by Self-Reactive CD8 T Cells Results suggest that B7x in nonlymphoid organs prevents peripheral autoimmunity partially through inhibiting proliferation of tissue-specific CD8 T cells, and that local overexpression of B7x on pancreatic β cells is sufficient to abolish CD8 T cell-induced diabetes. [J Immunol] Abstract Airway Epithelial Cells Condition Dendritic Cells to Express Multiple Immune Surveillance Genes Findings suggest that airway epithelial cell conditioning facilitates the capacity of dendritic cells to react to danger signals, to enhance leukocyte recruitment, especially of Th1 effector cells, and to interact with other immune cell populations while minimizing the risks of excessive inflammation leading to tissue damage. [PLoS One] Full Article Toll-Like Receptor 3 Activation Differentially Regulates Phagocytosis of Bacteria and Apoptotic Neutrophils by Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages Researchers found that Toll-like receptor 3 activation promotes bacterial uptake through the activation of interferon-regulating factor 3 and inhibits phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils through the activation of nuclear factor-κB by mouse peritoneal macrophages. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract |