Immune Regulation News Volume 6.14 | Apr 25 2014

Selective Uptake of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Circulating Monocytes for Enhanced Tumor Delivery
Researchers showed that, in addition to conventional nanoparticle-uptake mechanisms, single-walled carbon nanotubes are almost exclusively taken up by a single immune cell subset, Ly-6C^hi monocytes (almost 100% uptake in Ly-6C^hi monocytes, below 3% in all other circulating cells), and delivered to the tumor in mice. [Nat Nanotechnol] Abstract | Press Release

The AGC Kinase SGK1 Regulates T_H1 and T_H2 Differentiation Downstream of the mTORC2 Complex
Researchers found that after activation by mTORC2, SGK1 promoted T helper type 2 (T_H2) differentiation by negatively regulating degradation of the transcription factor JunB mediated by the E3 ligase Nedd4-2. [Nat Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

Immunosuppression in Acutely Decompensated Cirrhosis Is Mediated by Prostaglandin E₂
Researchers observed elevated circulating concentrations (more than seven times as high as in healthy volunteers) of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis. Plasma from these and patients with end-stage liver disease suppressed macrophage proinflammatory cytokine secretion and bacterial killing in vitro in a PGE₂-dependent manner via the prostanoid type E receptor-2, effects not seen with plasma from patients with stable cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score grade A). [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

Cholinergic Neurotransmission Links Solitary Chemosensory Cells to Nasal Inflammation
Investigators tested whether activation of nasal solitary chemosensory cells can trigger similar local inflammatory responses, specifically mast cell degranulation and plasma leakage. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Low TCR Signal Strength Induces Combined Expansion of Th2 and Regulatory T Cell Populations that Protect Mice from the Development of Type 1 Diabetes
Weak stimulation of CD4⁺ T cells with dendritic cells and low-dose antigen expands a combination of antigen-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs), T helper (Th) 2 and type 1 regulatory cells that prevent autoimmunity, without the need to target or purify specific Treg populations. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Constitutive Expression of Murine c-FLIP_R Causes Autoimmunity in Aged Mice
To investigate the functional role of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein-Raji (c-FLIP_R) in the immune system, researchers used the vavFLIP_R mouse model constitutively expressing murine c-FLIP_R in all hematopoietic compartments. They identified reduced levels of T cells and slightly higher levels of B cells in 1-year-old vavFLIP_R mice compared with wild-type littermates. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article | Press Release

Chemerin Suppresses Murine Allergic Asthma by Inhibiting CCL2 Production and Subsequent Airway Recruitment of Inflammatory Dendritic Cells
The authors demonstrated that chemerin plays a protective role in allergic asthma by suppressing airway recruitment of inflammatory CD11c⁺CD11b⁺ dendritic cells through the inhibition of CCL2 secretion by active lung epithelial cells. [Allergy] Abstract

Ezh2 Regulates Transcriptional and Posttranslational Expression of T-bet and Promotes Th1 Cell Responses Mediating Aplastic Anemia in Mice
To elucidate whether Ezh2 mediates pathogenic Th1 responses in aplastic anemia (AA) and the mechanism of Ezh2 action in regulating Th1 cells, researchers studied the effects of Ezh2 inhibition in CD4⁺ T cells using a mouse model of human AA. [J Immunol] Abstract

The Mucosal Adjuvant Cyclic di-AMP Exerts Immune Stimulatory Effects on Dendritic Cells and Macrophages
Investigators report on the identification of dendritic cells and macrophages as target cells of cyclic di-nucleotide bis-(3′,5′)-cyclic dimeric adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP). They showed that c-di-AMP induces the cell surface up-regulation of T cell co-stimulatory molecules as well as the production of interferon-β. [PLoS One] Full Article

Role of Interleukin-6 in Regulation of Immune Responses to Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction
This review focuses on the role of interleukin-6 that dominates cell-mediated immunity, especially on neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts. In addition, the authors also briefly discuss other inflammatory cytokines involved in this process within the paper. [Heart Fail Rev] Abstract

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

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For an Immune Cell, Microgravity Mimics Aging
Certain cells of the immune system tend to misbehave with age, leaving the elderly more vulnerable to illness. Because these cells are known to misbehave similarly during spaceflight, researchers are studying the effects of microgravity on immune cells to better understand how our immune systems change as we age. [NASA]
Press Release

New Center Aims to Use Immune System to Fight Cancer, Other Diseases
A new center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will help scientists use the power of the immune system to fight infections and cancers. The Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs is part of BioMed21, the university’s initiative to accelerate basic science discoveries into improved diagnosis and treatment for patients. [Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis] 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.

Postdoctoral Researcher – Immune Reactions to Biomedical Devices, Implants and Transplant (National University of Ireland, Galway)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuro-Immune Interactions (ICM Foundation – Brain and Spinal Cord Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Infection and Immunity (University College London)

Postdoctoral Associate – Immunology (Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (University of Pittsburgh)

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

Professor – Cancer Research (Yale University School of Medicine)

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (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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