Immune Regulation News Volume 6.28 | Aug 1 2014

Zinc Transporter SLC39A10/ZIP10 Facilitates Antiapoptotic Signaling during Early B-Cell Development
Scientists investigated ZIP10, a Zinc (Zn) transporter expressed in the early B-cell developmental process. Genetic ablation of Zip10 in early B-cell stages resulted in significant reductions in B-cell populations, and the inducible deletion of Zip10 in pro-B cells increased the caspase activity in parallel with a decrease in intracellular Zn levels. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Plasminogen Promotes Macrophage Phagocytosis in Mice
Investigators used apoptotic thymocytes and immunoglobulin opsonized bodies to show that plasminogen exerts a profound effect on macrophage-mediated phagocytosis in vitro and in vivo. [Blood] Abstract

TIR-Domain-Containing Adapter-Inducing Interferon-β (TRIF) Regulates Th17-Mediated Intestinal Immunopathology in Colitis
Although functional heterogeneity and dynamic plasticity of Th17 cells appear to be involved in chronic inflammatory disorders, how their plasticity is regulated in intestinal mucosa is unknown. Researchers show that innate TRIF signaling regulates intestinal Th17-cell generation and plasticity during colitis. [Mucosal Immunol] Full Article

Generation of Effector Cells That Localize to Mucosal Tissues and Form Resident Memory CD8 T Cells Is Controlled by mTOR
The authors report that, despite enhancing the formation of memory CD8 T cells in secondary lymphoid tissues, rapamycin inhibits the formation of resident memory CD8 T cells in the intestinal and vaginal mucosa. [J Immunol] Abstract

IL-2 Protects Lupus-Prone Mice from Multiple End-Organ Damage by Limiting CD4^–CD8^– IL-17-Producing T Cells
Using an inducible recombinant adeno-associated virus vector, researchers investigated the effect of low systemic levels of IL-2 in lupus-prone MRL/Fas^lpr/lpr mice. They noted a significant decrease of IL-17-producing CD3⁺CD4⁻CD8⁻ double-negative T cells and an increase in CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ immunoregulatory T cells in the periphery. [J Immunol] Abstract

Direct Detection of FoxP3 Expression in Thymic Double-Negative CD4^–CD8^– Cells by Flow Cytometry
Scientists examined Foxp3 expression in double-negative CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cell precursors in the thymus by flow cytometry. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Active Metabolite of Spleen Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Fostamatinib Abrogates the CD4⁺ T Cell-Priming Capacity of Dendritic Cells
Fostamatinib, a small molecule spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown evidence of ameliorating inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Scientists sought to understand how the active metabolite of fostamatinib, R406, affects the inflammatory response at the cellular level. [Rheumatology] Abstract

Survivin as a Potential Mediator to Support Autoreactive Cell Survival in Myasthenia Gravis: A Human and Animal Model Study
Researchers evaluated the role of survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, in humans and in two animal models. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

Ex Vivo Expanded Autologous Polyclonal Regulatory T Cells Suppress Inhibitor Formation in Hemophilia
Adoptive cell therapy utilizing ex vivo expanded polyclonal CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells is in use in clinical trials for the treatment of type 1 diabetes and prevention of graft versus host disease in bone marrow transplantation. Researchers sought to evaluate this approach in the treatment of inherited protein deficiencies, i.e., hemophilia, which is often complicated by antibody formation against the therapeutic protein. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Full Article

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Regulatory T Cells and Immune Regulation of Allergic Diseases: Roles of IL-10 and TGF-β
Regulatory T cells and regulatory B cells together have a role in suppression of IgE and induction of IgG4 isotype allergen-specific antibodies particularly mediated by interleukin (IL)-10. Other cell types such as subsets of dendritic cells, NK-T cells and natural killer cells producing high levels of IL-10 may also contribute to the generation of healthy immune responses to allergens. [Genes Immun] Abstract

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Taconic Announces New Agreement to Distribute Next Generation NOG Mouse Models
Taconic announced it has finalized a distribution and licensing agreement with the Central Institute for Experimental Animals and In-Vivo Science International Inc. that grants Taconic exclusive rights to commercialize up to thirty strains of next generation NOG mice models in the United States, Europe and Australia. [Taconic] Press Release

Cellectis Sells Its Swedish Subsidiary, Cellectis AB, to the Japanese Company Takara Bio Inc.
Cellectis announced the sale of its subsidiary Cellectis AB to Takara Bio Inc. The company now concentrates its activities in the field of oncology through the development of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy products [Cellectis] Press Release

Immune Pharmaceuticals Commences Patient Screening for Bertilimumab Phase II Clinical Trial in Bullous Pemphigoid, a Rare Auto-Immune Disease of the Skin
Immune Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced it has initiated the screening of patients for a Phase II proof of concept clinical trial exploring the safety and efficacy of bertilimumab in the treatment of moderate to severe bullous pemphigoid. [Immune Pharmaceuticals Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Macrophages Functions (Cochin Institute)

NEW PhD Studentship – Regulation of Metabolism and Inflammation in Innate Immune Cells (Goethe-University Frankfurt)

NEW PhD Studentship – Cancer Immunology (Cardiff University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Virology (Cardiff University)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Heart Transplantation Immunology (Columbia University)

Principal Investigator Positions – Systems & Synthetic Biology (Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Immune Focused In Vitro Analytics (Celentyx Ltd.)

Scientist – Recombinant Molecules and Antibodies (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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