Immune Regulation News Volume 4.37 | Sep 28 2012

Pregnancy Imprints Regulatory Memory that Sustains Anergy to Fetal Antigen
The authors showed that pregnancy selectively stimulates the accumulation of maternal FOXP3⁺ CD4 cells with fetal specificity using tetramer-based enrichment that allows the identification of rare endogenous T cells. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

Foxp3 Exploits a Pre-Existent Enhancer Landscape for Regulatory T Cell Lineage Specification
In a late cellular differentiation process, Foxp3 defines regulatory T cell functionality in an “opportunistic” manner by largely exploiting the preformed enhancer network instead of establishing a new enhancer landscape. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

The Cell-Cycle Regulator c-Myc Is Essential for the Formation and Maintenance of Germinal Centers
Researchers identified c-Myc⁺ B cell subpopulations in immature and mature germinal centers (GCs) and found, by genetic ablation of Myc, that they had indispensable roles in the formation and maintenance of GCs. [Nat Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

The Transcription Factors Egr2 and Egr3 Are Essential for the Control of Inflammation and Antigen-Induced Proliferation of B and T Cells
Scientists found that Egr2 and Egr3 regulate B and T cell function in adaptive immune responses and homeostasis by promoting antigen receptor signaling and controlling inflammation. [Immunity] Abstract

Subsets of Nonclonal Neighboring CD4⁺ T Cells Specifically Regulate the Frequency of Individual Antigen-Reactive T Cells
After an immune response, the expanded population of antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells contract to steady state levels. Investigators found that the contraction is neither cell-autonomous nor mediated by competition for generic trophic factors, but regulated by relatively rare subsets of neighboring CD4⁺ T cells not necessarily of a conventional regulatory T cell lineage. [Immunity] Abstract

Enhanced Production of Early Lineages of Monocytic and Granulocytic Cells in Mice with Colitis
Using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to induce colitis in mice, researchers identified significant changes in the bone marrow. Cells of the monocytic and granulocytic lineages increased nearly 60% and 80%, respectively. The early lineages of B and T cells declined in the marrow and thymus with particularly large losses observed among pre-B and pre-T cells with heightened levels of apoptosis noted among CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymocytes from DSS-treated mice. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

cAMP Response Element Modulator α Controls IL2 and IL17A Expression during CD4 Lineage Commitment and Subset Distribution in Lupus
The authors concluded that cAMP response modulator α mediates epigenetic remodeling of the IL2 and IL17A gene during T-cell differentiation in favor of effector memory T cells in health and disease. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Can Peripheral Blood γδ T Cells Predict Osteonecrosis of the Jaw? An Immunological Perspective on the Adverse Drug-Effects of Aminobisphosphonate Therapy
Researchers aimed to determine the fate of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in osteoporotic patients on nitrogen-bisphosphonate (n-BP) therapy as a function of time and type of therapy. They also evaluated the proportion of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in patients who had recently experienced n-BP-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw. [J Bone Miner Res] Abstract

Methods to Improve Adoptive T-Cell Therapy for Melanoma: IFN-γ Enhances Anticancer Responses of Cell Products for Infusion
Scientists provided evidence that antitumor reactivity of both CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells could be enhanced in most tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte products by autologous melanoma sensitization by pretreatment with low-dose IFN-γ. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Prolonged Production of Reactive Oxygen Species in Response to B Cell Receptor Stimulation Promotes B Cell Activation and Proliferation
Results indicated that the production of reactive oxygen species downstream of the B cell receptor (BCR) is derived from at least two distinct cellular sources and plays a critical role at the later stages of B cell activation by promoting sustained BCR signaling via the PI3K pathway, which is needed for effective B cell responses to Ag. [J Immunol] Abstract

HEVs, Lymphatics and Homeostatic Immune Cell Trafficking in Lymph Nodes
Investigators reviewed current understanding of the functions of high endothelial venules (HEVs), stroma and lymphatics in the entry, positioning and exit of immune cells in lymph nodes during homeostasis, and highlighted the unexpected role of dendritic cells in the control of lymphocyte homing through HEVs. [Nat Rev Immunol] Abstract

Basic Principles of Tumor-Associated Regulatory T Cell Biology
Researchers reviewed recent advances in understanding of the fundamental biology of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and discussed the implications of these findings for current models of tumor-associated Treg biology. [Trends Immunol] Abstract

Power of the Dream Ventures Acquires Genetic Immunity
Power of the Dream Ventures, Inc. announced the acquisition of Genetic Immunity, Inc. a Phase III clinical stage biotech company with experimental nanomedicines that will lead to the next generation of immunotherapies in a market that is projected to reach $11.00 billion by 2018. [Genetic Immunity, Inc.]
Press Release

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Launches Unprecedented Moon Shots Program
The University of Texas (UT) MD Anderson Cancer Center announced the launch of the Moon Shots Program, an unprecedented effort to dramatically accelerate the pace of converting scientific discoveries into clinical advances that reduce cancer deaths. [The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center] Press Release

Immunovative, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Mr. Bruce Harmon as Chief Financial Officer Effective Immediately
Immunovative, Inc. announced that it has appointed Mr. Bruce Harmon as its Chief Financial Officer. [Immunovative, 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)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Research and Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Product Manager – Hematopoietic (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (San Raffaele Scientific Institute)

Postdoctoral Positions – Immunity and Inflammation (CNRS & University of Toulouse, France)

Research Associate – Quality Assurance (University of California)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Singapore Immunology Network [A*STAR])

Postdoctoral & PhD Student Positions – NK Cell-Based Anti-Cancer Immunotherapies (Medical University of Vienna)

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