Immune Regulation News Volume 5.48 | Dec 13 2013

Regulatory T Cell Proliferative Potential Is Impaired in Human Autoimmune Disease
Investigators report that proliferation of regulatory T cells after T cell receptor stimulation is impaired in subjects with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis because of altered interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion and IL-2 receptor-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 signaling. [Nat Med] Abstract

Therapeutic Activation of Macrophages and Microglia to Suppress Brain Tumor-Initiating Cells
Scientists examined whether the microglia and macrophages that are abundant in gliomas alter brain tumor initiating cell (BTIC) growth. They found that microglia derived from non-glioma human subjects markedly mitigated the sphere-forming capacity of glioma patient-derived BTICs in culture by inducing the expression of genes that control cell cycle arrest and differentiation. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

Diverting T Helper Cell Trafficking through Increased Plasticity Attenuates Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Investigators used an autoimmune encephalomyelitis model and found that Th17 cells deficient in the transcription factor BCL11B upregulated the Th2-associated proteins GATA3 and IL-4 without decreasing RAR-related orphan receptor γ, IL-17, and GM-CSF levels. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

CD4⁺ T Cells from IPEX Patients Convert into Functional and Stable Regulatory T Cells by FOXP3 Gene Transfer
The authors showed that when CD4⁺ T cells are converted into regulatory T cells after lentivirus-mediated forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) gene transfer, the resulting CD4^FOXP3 T cell population displays stable phenotype and suppressive function, especially when naïve T cells are converted. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Genetic Disruption of CD8⁺ Treg Activity Enhances the Immune Response to Viral Infection
Researchers studied a cellular interaction that may enhance the antiviral immune response and constrain immunopathology. They analyzed the contribution of Qa-1-restricted CD8⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells to antiviral immunity after infection by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Gene Trap Mice Reveal an Essential Function of Dusp16/MKP-7 in Perinatal Survival and Regulation of TLR-Induced Cytokine Production
Scientists investigated the function of dual specificity phosphatase 16 (Dusp16)/MKP-7 in the innate immune system. The Dusp16 isoforms A1 and B1 were inducibly expressed in macrophages and DC following TLR stimulation. [J Biol Chem]
Abstract | Full Article

Foxp3⁺ T_reg Cells in Humoral Immunity
Scientists discuss the effects of regulatory T (T_reg) cells on humoral immunity and the mechanisms by which they exert their regulatory function. [Int Immunol] Abstract

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MacroGenics Announces Presentation of Pre-Clinical Data on DART(R) Molecule Targeting CD123-Positive Leukemic Stem Cells
MacroGenics, Inc. announced the presentation of pre-clinical data for its proprietary DART® molecule, MGD006. These data demonstrate activity of MGD006, a bispecific molecule that redirects T cells against CD123-positive leukemic cells and results in the clearance of acute myeloid leukemia blasts in vitro and in vivo. [Press release from MacroGenics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), New Orleans] Press Release

Novartis Highlights Research on Investigational, Personalized T Cell Therapy CTL019 in Patients with Forms of Acute and Chronic Leukemia
Novartis is highlighting new research from members of the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine on the investigational chimeric antigen receptor therapy, CTL019. [Press release from Novartis AG discussing research presented at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), New Orleans] Press Release

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LifeSci Advisors Initiates Coverage of Immune Pharmaceuticals
LifeSci Advisors, LLC announced that it has initiated coverage of Immune Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing antibody therapeutics for inflammatory diseases and cancer. Immune Pharmaceuticals’ lead development program is bertilimumab, currently in Phase II clinical trials for treatment of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and bullous pemphigoid, an orphan, autoimmune dermatological condition. [Marketwire L.P.] Press Release

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Chief Medical Officer – Novel Therapeutics in Oncology and Autoimmune Disease (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Clinical MD – Clinical Development Program for Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Research Position – Immunology (SANOFI R&D)

PhD Studentship – Systems Biology and Lymphocyte Activation (University of Oxford)

Research Studentship – Imaging Membrane Lipid in Activating T Cells (King’s College London)

PhD Research Position – Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Immune Tolerance and Autoimmunity (Weizmann Institute of Science)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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