Immune Regulation News Volume 4.40 | Oct 19 2012

Regulatory B Cells Control T-Cell Autoimmunity through IL-21-Dependent Cognate Interactions
Using a mouse model for multiple sclerosis, researchers showed that human and mouse regulatory B cell (B10 cell) maturation into functional interleukin-10 (IL-10)-secreting effector cells that inhibit in vivo autoimmune disease requires IL-21 and CD40-dependent cognate interactions with T cells. Moreover, the ex vivo provision of CD40 and IL-21 receptor signals can drive B10-cell development and expansion by four-million-fold, and generate B10 effector cells producing IL-10 that markedly inhibit disease symptoms when transferred into mice with established autoimmune disease. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

Systemic Delivery of a TLR7 Agonist in Combination with Radiation Primes Durable Anti-Tumor Immune Responses in Mouse Models of Lymphoma
Researchers reported that intravenous administration of the TOLL-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist, R848 in combination with radiation therapy (RT) leads to the long standing clearance of tumor in T and B cell lymphoma bearing mice. In combination, TLR7 / RT therapy leads to the expansion of tumor antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells and improved survival. [Blood] Abstract | Press Release

Human Basophils Interact with Memory T Cells to Augment Th17 Responses
Findings revealed a previously unappreciated function for basophils that augmented Th17 and Th17/Th1 cytokine expression in memory CD4 T cells. [Blood] Abstract

p27^Kip1 Negatively Regulates the Magnitude and Persistence of CD4 T Cell Memory
Researchers ascribed a novel role for the cell cycle regulator p27^Kip1 as a prominent negative regulator of the establishment and long-term maintenance of Th1 CD4 T cell memory. They demonstrated that p27^Kip1 might restrict the differentiation and survival of memory precursors by increasing the T-bet/Bcl-6 ratio in effector CD4 T cells. [J Immunol] Abstract

Protein Kinase C-θ Clustering at Immunological Synapses Amplifies Effector Responses in NK Cells
Results provide a cell biological basis for the role of protein kinase C-θ clustering during NK cell activation, and highlight the importance of subcellular compartmentalization for lymphocyte signal transduction. [J Immunol] Abstract

Restoration of Regulatory and Effector T Cell Balance and B Cell Homeostasis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients through Vitamin D Supplementation
Scientists evaluated the safety and the immunological effects of vitamin D supplementation in 20 systemic lupus erythematosus patients with hypovitaminosis D. Vitamin D was well tolerated and induced a preferential increase of naive CD4+ T cells, an increase of regulatory T cells and a decrease of effector Th1 and Th17 cells. Vitamin D also induced a decrease of memory B cells and anti-DNA antibodies. [Arthritis Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Efficacy of Adoptive Cell Transfer of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes after Lymphopenia Induction for Metastatic Melanoma
A single-institution pilot clinical trial was performed combining nonmyeloablative chemotherapy and the adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with interleukin-2 in patients with metastatic melanoma. [J Immunother] Abstract | Press Release

Microparticles Released by Listeria monocytogenes-Infected Macrophages Are Required for Dendritic Cell-Elicited Protective Immunity
Investigators identified an intrinsic antigen transfer program between macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) during Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) infection, and emphasized that macrophages also play an essential role in DC-elicited Lm-specific T-cell responses. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

Selective Pharmacological Inhibition of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase p110delta Opposes the Progression of Autoimmune Diabetes in Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) Mice
During the progression of autoimmune diabetes, T cells and macrophages infiltrate the pancreas, disrupt islet function, and destroy insulin-producing beta cells. Because innate-like B cells are particularly sensitive to inhibition of p110δ activity, and p110δ inhibitors also suppress pro-inflammatory functions of other cell types that contribute to autoimmunity, investigators tested whether a p110δ inhibitor could delay the onset or reduce the incidence of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. [Autoimmunity] Abstract

Nerve-Langerhans Cell Interactions in Diabetes and Aging
Researchers’ findings support the hypothesis that diabetes substantially impacts Langerhans cell proliferation and maturation independent of effects on cutaneous innervation. [Histol Histopathol] Abstract

Transcriptional Control of Effector and Memory CD8⁺ T Cell Differentiation
The signaling pathways and transcriptional programs that regulate the formation of heterogeneous populations of effector and memory CD8⁺ T cells have started to be characterized, and this review discusses the major advances in these areas. [Nat Rev Immunol] Abstract

Innate Lymphoid Cell Interactions with Microbiota: Implications for Intestinal Health and Disease
This review discusses reciprocal interactions between intestinal commensal bacteria and innate lymphoid cells in the context of health and disease. [Immunity] Abstract

Kite Pharma Partners with the National Cancer Institute to Develop Novel Cellular Immunotherapy Clinical Products
Kite Pharma, Inc. announced that it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the National Cancer Institute for the development and commercialization of novel engineered peripheral blood autologous T cell therapeutics for the treatment of multiple cancer indications. [Kite Pharma, Inc.] Press Release

DBV Technologies and Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML) Enter in a Collaboration Agreement
DBV Technologies announced a partnership with Dr. Bernard Malissen who is working at the CIML. His team is studying immune cells involved in allergic reactions. DBV Technologies and CIML have decided to collaborate to improve their knowledge of recruitment and mechanisms of actions involved in the epicutaneous treatment of allergies by the EPIT^® (Epicutaneous Immunotherapy) method. [DBV Technologies] Press Release

Lymphoma SPORE Grant Renewed through Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Cell and Gene Therapy
The Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital has received an $11.5 million, five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to continue advancing translational lymphoma research by developing and testing new forms of T-cell immunotherapies to fight the disease. The grant is awarded through the NCI’s Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) funding, which was established to promote collaborative, interdisciplinary translational cancer research. [Baylor College of Medicine] Press Release

UH Engineering Professor Receives $2.1 Million Grant to Study Cancer-Fighting Cells
A professor with the University of Houston (UH) Cullen College of Engineering has won a $2.1 million grant to study the best ways to modify human immune cells to fight against cancer. Navin Varadarajan won the grant from the National Institutes of Health and its National Cancer Institute to conduct this immunotherapy study. [University of Houston] 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)

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

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Product Manager – Hematopoietic (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

Research Fellowship in Immune Cell Biology (Imperial College London)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Penn State University College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

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