| PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal) | Two-Photon Imaging of Phagocyte-Mediated T Cell Activation in the CNS To visualize T cell activation in the CNS, investigators introduced a truncated fluorescent derivative of nuclear factor of activated T cells as a real-time T cell activation indicator. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a rat model of multiple sclerosis, they tracked T cells interacting with structures of the vascular blood-brain barrier. [J Clin Invest] Full Article Amelioration of Arthritis through Mobilization of Peptide-Specific CD8+ Regulatory T Cells The murine MHC class Ib molecule Qa-1b (HLA-E in humans) exhibits limited polymorphisms and binds to two dominant self peptides: Hsp60p216 and Qdm. Investigators found that peptide-induced expansion of tetramer-binding CD8+ regulatory T cells that recognize Qa-1-Hsp60p216 but not Qa-1-Qdm strongly inhibited collagen-induced arthritis, an animal model of human rheumatoid arthritis. [J Clin Invest] Abstract | Press Release Essential Requirement for IRF8 and SLC15A4 Implicates Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in the Pathogenesis of Lupus Researchers created lupus-predisposed mice lacking the IFN regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) or carrying a mutation that impairs the peptide/histidine transporter solute carrier family 15, member 4 (SLC15A4). IRF8-deficient NZB mice, lacking plasmacytoid dendritic cells, showed almost complete absence of anti-nuclear, anti-chromatin, and anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies, along with reduced kidney disease. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release H-Y Antigen-Binding B Cells Develop in Male Recipients of Female Hematopoietic Cells and Associate with Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease The authors previously showed that IgG allo-antibodies recognize Y chromosome-encoded proteins (H-Y) and a dominant H-Y epitope, DEAD box protein (DBY-2) detectable 6-12 months after transplant in male patients who receive grafts from female donors (F→M) in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Here they present FACS studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected 6 months after transplant showing that 16 of 28 F→M HCT patients have circulating donor B cells that express B-cell receptor specific for DBY-2. The detection of these DBY-2 B cells 6 months after HCT are associated with chronic graft vs. host disease development. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release Functional Characterization of HLA-G+ Regulatory T Cells in HIV-1 Infection Researchers showed that non-classical HLA-G-expressing CD4 regulatory T cells are highly susceptible to HIV-1 infection and significantly reduced in persons with progressive HIV-1 disease courses. Moreover, the proportion of HLA-G+ CD4 and CD8 T cells was inversely correlated to markers of HIV-1 associated immune activation. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article Langerhans Cells Favor Skin Flora Tolerance through Limited Presentation of Bacterial Antigens and Induction of Regulatory T Cells Using monocyte-derived and skin-derived dendritic cells (DCs), scientists demonstrated that epidermal langerhans cells, the DCs in the most superficial layer of the skin, have a poor capacity to internalize bacteria because of low expression of FcγRIIa. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract TLR-2 Activation Induces Regulatory T Cells and Long-Term Suppression of Asthma Manifestations in Mice Researchers aimed to test whether long-term suppression of asthma manifestations can be achieved by locally expanding the T regulatory cell subset via intranasal administration of a TLR-2 agonist. [PLoS One] Full Article Rhamnogalacturonan II Is a Toll-Like Receptor 4 Agonist that Inhibits Tumor Growth by Activating Dendritic Cell-Mediated CD8+ T Cells The authors evaluated the effectiveness of rhamnogalacturonan II-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells vaccination on the induction of antitumor immunity in a mouse lymphoma model using EG7-lymphoma cells expressing ovalbumin. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article ZIP8 Regulates Host Defense through Zinc-Mediated Inhibition of NF-κB Previous studies suggest that zinc may regulate NF-κB activity during innate immune activation, but a mechanistic basis to support this has been lacking. Here scientists report that the zinc transporter SLC39A8 (ZIP8) is a transcriptional target of NF-κB and functions to negatively regulate proinflammatory responses through zinc-mediated down-modulation of IκB kinase activity in vitro. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release Autologous Lysate-Pulsed Dendritic Cell Vaccination followed by Adoptive Transfer of Vaccine-Primed Ex Vivo Co-Stimulated T Cells in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer The authors report a combinatorial approach encompassing dendritic cell-based autologous whole tumor vaccination and anti-angiogenesis therapy, followed by the adoptive transfer of autologous vaccine-primed CD3/CD28-co-stimulated lymphocytes. [OncoImmunology] Abstract | Press Release |
| REVIEWS | Circadian Control of the Immune System Circadian rhythms, which have long been known to play crucial roles in physiology, are emerging as important regulators of specific immune functions. This review summarizes the current knowledge of circadian rhythms in the immune system and provides an outlook on potential future implications. [Nat Rev Immunol] Abstract Dendritic Cells and the Promise of Antigen-Specific Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis The authors discuss the current understanding of autoantigens and their relationship to immunopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and emerging therapeutics that aim to leverage normal tolerance mechanisms for implementation of antigen-specific therapy in RA. [Arthritis Res Ther] Abstract Imaging Natural Killer T Cells in Action This review attempts to highlight some of the recent studies that use in vivo imaging technologies to address natural killer T cell responses in a variety of animal models. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract |
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