Immune Regulation News Volume 6.11 | Mar 28 2014

Epigenetic Plasticity of Cd8a Locus during CD8⁺ T-Cell Development and Effector Differentiation and Reprogramming
Modulation of CD8 coreceptor levels can profoundly affect T-cell sensitivity to antigen. Investigators showed that the heritable downregulation of CD8 during type 2 polarization of murine CD8⁺ effector T cells in vitro and in vivo is associated with CpG methylation of several regions of the Cd8a locus. [Nat Commun] Full Article

T Cells Down-Regulate Macrophage TNF Production by IRAK1-Mediated IL-10 Expression and Control Innate Hyperinflammation
Scientists reported that T cells are shown to interact with macrophages at the early stage of enodotoxemia and to prolong survival of mice through controlling TNF and IL-10 levels by macrophage CD40 stimulation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Persistence of Skin-Resident Memory T Cells within an Epidermal Niche
Investigators demonstrated prolonged persistence of epidermal tissue-resident memory T cells (T_RM) preferentially at the site of prior infection despite sustained migration. Formation of T_RM involved a concomitant local reduction in dendritic epidermal γδ T-cell numbers in the epidermis, indicating that these populations persist in mutual exclusion and may compete for local survival signals. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

p57 Regulates T Cell Development and Prevents Lymphomagenesis by Balancing p53 Activity and Pre-TCR Signaling
Researchers showed that mice with T cell-specific deficiency of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p57 manifest a differentiation block at the early stage of T cell maturation. [Blood] Abstract

Engagement of SLAMF2/CD48 Prolongs the Time Frame of Effective T Cell Activation by Supporting Mature Dendritic Cell Survival
Investigators found that cytosolic DNA-activated dendritic cells (DCs) upregulate the expression of signaling lymphocyte activation molecule family (SLAMF)2 molecules. Using anti-SLAMF2 Ab and SLAMF4 recombinant protein, they found that SLAMF2 engagement activates immature DCs and, more interestingly, prolongs the survival of DNA-activated DCs by inhibiting IFN-β production and IFN-β-induced apoptosis and promotes the production of the granzyme B inhibitor protease inhibitor-9. [J Immunol] Abstract

Regulatory CD4⁺ T Cells Promote B Cell Anergy in Murine Lupus
Researchers previously reported that CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) can directly suppress autoantibody-producing autoreactive B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus. Here they showed that Tregs can also reduce the production of autoantibodies in (NZB × NZW)F₁ mouse lupus B cells by promoting B cell anergy, both in vitro and in vivo. [J Immunol] Abstract

Direct T Cell Activation via CD40 Ligand Generates High Avidity CD8⁺ T Cells Capable of Breaking Immunological Tolerance for the Control of Tumors
Two tumor-associated antigen animal models, p53-based and GP100-based, were utilized to examine the ability of CD40-CD40 ligand to improve antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated antitumor immune responses. [PLoS One] Full Article

IL-15 Trans-Presentation Regulates Homeostasis of CD4⁺ T Lymphocytes
Researchers described a hitherto unreported role of interleukin-15 (IL-15) in regulating homoeostasis of naive CD4⁺ T cells. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

Comparison of the Innate Immune Responses of Porcine Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells and Splenic Dendritic Cells Stimulated with LPS
The authors investigated the activation and maturation of porcine monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and splenic DCs subpopulations following LPS stimulation. [Innate Immun] Abstract

Phenotypic Alterations, Clinical Impact and Therapeutic Potential of Regulatory T Cells in Cancer
The authors systematically review the clinical impact of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in cancer and their potential as a therapeutic target, with a focus on tumor-infiltrating Tregs. [Expert Opin Biol Ther] Abstract

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Medigene’s Dendritic Cell Vaccines Program Strengthened by Issued US Patent
Medigene AG announced that the US Patent Office has issued patent No. 8,679,840 “Composition for the preparation of mature dendritic cells”, relating to the manufacturing of mature dendritic cells developed by Medigene’s wholly owned subsidiary Trianta Immunotherapies. [Medigene AG] Press Release

Cellular Biomedicine Group Releases Positive Results from Phase I Clinical Trial for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc. announced positive results from its Phase I clinical trial, which evaluated the safety of Tumor Stem Cell Specific Dendritic Cell therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer. [Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc.] Press Release

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Senior Scientist – Tumor Immunotherapy (Bayer Pharma AG)

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.)

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