Immune Regulation News Volume 6.10 | Mar 21 2014

Clec12a Is an Inhibitory Receptor for Uric Acid Crystals that Regulates Inflammation in Response to Cell Death
Scientists identified the inhibitory C-type lectin receptor Clec12a as a specific receptor for dead cells. Both human and mouse Clec12a could physically sense uric acid crystals (monosodium urate), which are key danger signals for cell-death-induced immunity. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Functional Analysis via Standardized Whole-Blood Stimulation Systems Defines the Boundaries of a Healthy Immune Response to Complex Stimuli
Researchers developed a suite of whole-blood, syringe-based assay systems that can be used to reproducibly assess induced innate or adaptive immune responses. By eliminating preanalytical errors associated with immune monitoring, they have defined the protein signatures induced by medically relevant bacteria, fungi, and viruses; agonists specific for defined host sensors; clinically employed cytokines; and activators of T cell immunity. [Immunity] Abstract | Press Release

T Cell-Derived Interleukin (IL)-21 Promotes Brain Injury following Stroke in Mice
Using a mouse model of transient focal brain ischemia, scientists report that IL-21 is highly up-regulated in the injured mouse brain after cerebral ischemia. IL-21-deficient mice have smaller infarcts, improved neurological function, and reduced lymphocyte accumulation in the brain within 24 hours of reperfusion. [J Exp Med]
Abstract | Press Release

FoxP3⁺ Regulatory T Cells Promote Influenza-Specific Tfh Responses by Controlling IL-2 Availability
Researchers tested the role of FoxP3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in controlling T follicular helper (Tfh) and germinal center B-cell responses to influenza. In contrast to the idea that Tregs suppress T-cell responses, they find that Treg depletion severely reduces the Tfh cell response to influenza virus. [Nat Commun] Abstract

CD31 Is a Key Coinhibitory Receptor in the Development of Immunogenic Dendritic Cells
Researchers showed that CD31 is a key coinhibitory receptor on stimulated dendritic cells (DCs), favoring the development of tolerogenic functions and finally resulting in T-cell tolerance. The disruption of CD31 signaling favored the immunogenic maturation and migration of resident DCs to the draining lymph nodes. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article

Antitumor Effects of Cisplatin Combined with Tecemotide Immunotherapy in a Human MUC1 Transgenic Lung Cancer Mouse Model
The authors aimed to define the effects of simultaneous cisplatin/ tecemotide therapy on tumor development in a human mucin 1 (MUC1) transgenic lung cancer mouse model; and examine the effects of radiation therapy on splenocytes, serum cytokines, and immune response to tecemotide. [Cancer Immunol Res]
Abstract | Press Release

Immune Privilege of the Central Nervous System Is Not the Consequence of Limited Antigen Sampling
To compare antigen sampling from immune-privileged or nonprivileged tissues, scientists created transgenic mice with oligodendrocyte or gut epithelial cell expression of an EGFP-tagged fusion protein containing ovalbumin (OVA) antigenic peptides and tested peripheral anti-OVA peptide-specific sentinel OT-I and OT-II T cell activation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the immune regulation field.

From our sponsor:
View immunology lectures, protocols and other resources on the Human Immunology Portal.

SillaJen Announces Completion of Jennerex, Inc. Acquisition
SillaJen, Inc. announced that it had completed the acquisition of San Francisco-based Jennerex, Inc. Privately-held Jennerex is a clinical-stage, biotherapeutics company recognized as a global leader in the development of best-in-class targeted oncolytic immunotherapies. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

Advaxis and UC San Francisco to Evaluate Cancer Immunotherapy Constructs in Prostate Cancer
Advaxis, Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement with the University of California (UC), San Francisco, under which Lawrence Fong, M.D. will evaluate several new immunotherapy constructs, in addition to ADXS-PSA, each built on the Advaxis proprietary technology. [Advaxis, Inc.] Press Release

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)

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the immune regulation community.

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Molecular Mechanisms of Leukemia Immune Evasion (San Raffaele Scientific Institute)

PhD Student – Immunometabolic Networks Regulating the Innate Immune Response (Radboud University Medical Center)

Staff Scientists – Immunology (GlaxoSmithKline)

Research Group Leader – Basic Mechanisms and Regulation of Inflammation (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf)

Professor – Cancer Research (Yale University School of Medicine)

Assistant/Associate Professors – Allergic Inflammation and Sensory Neurobiology (North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetic Regulation of Interleukin-12 Family Members (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

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

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

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.