Immune Regulation News Volume 7.01 | Jan 16 2015

Selective NFAT Targeting in T Cells Ameliorates GvHD while Maintaining Antitumor Activity
Investigators explored the specific contribution of individual nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) factors in donor T cells in animal models of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and graft-versus-leukemia. Ablation of NFAT1, NFAT2, or a combination of both resulted in ameliorated GvHD, due to reduced proliferation, target tissue homing, and impaired effector function of allogenic donor T cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Autophagy-Independent Functions of UVRAG Are Essential for Peripheral Naïve T-Cell Homeostasis
Scientists generated T-cell-specific UV radiation resistance-associated gene (UVRAG)-deficient mice that lacked UVRAG expression specifically in T cells. UVRAG-deficient T-cells exhibited normal mitochondrial clearance and activation-induced autophagy, suggesting that UVRAG has an autophagy-independent role that is critical for peripheral naive T-cell homeostatic proliferation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article

CD11b Is Protective in Complement-Mediated Immune Complex Glomerulonephritis
Researchers found experimental immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis is associated with accumulation of M1 macrophages and CD4⁺ T cells in kidneys and functional renal insufficiency. [Kidney Int] Full Article

Interleukin (IL)-21 Promotes Intestinal IgA Response to Microbiota
Investigators found that intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) was impaired in mice deficient in IL-17 or IL-21 signaling. IL-21, but not IL-17, is able to augment B-cell differentiation to IgA⁺ cells as mediated by transforming growth factor β1 and accelerate IgA class switch recombination. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Homeostatic Control of Memory Cell Progenitors in the Natural Killer Cell Lineage
Investigators show that memory natural killer (NK) cells predominantly arise from killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1)-negative NK cell progenitors, whereas KLRG1-positive NK cells have limited capacity for expansion during infection with mouse cytomegalovirus. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Endues Monocytes with Immune Suppressive Ability to Inhibit Inflammation in the Intestine
Researchers investigated the mechanism by which insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) modulates monocyte (Mo) properties to inhibit immune inflammation in the intestine. IGF1-primed Mos showed the immune suppressive effect on inhibiting the immune inflammation in the mouse colon. [Sci Rep] Full Article

ROR Inverse Agonist Suppresses Insulitis and Prevents Hyperglycemia in a Mouse Model of Type 1 Diabetes
To investigate the roles and therapeutic potential for targeting retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors (RORs) in type 1 diabetes, scientists administered SR1001, a selective RORα/γ inverse agonist, to non-obese diabetic mice. SR1001 reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, particularly T_H17-mediated cytokines, reduced autoantibody production, and increased the frequency of CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ T regulatory cells. [Endocrinology] Abstract | Full Article

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New Approach, New Hope: State Investment Will Fast-Track Innovative Roswell Park Research in Ovarian Cancer
Researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute have received a prestigious grant of nearly $12 million from the New York State Stem Cell Science Program to develop new therapies for advanced ovarian cancer. Using an approach known as adoptive T-cell therapy, the Roswell Park team will take stem cells from patients’ blood, re-engineer them and infuse the reprogrammed cells back into those patients. [Roswell Park Cancer Institute] Press Release

Boehringer Ingelheim and Yale University Collaborate to Investigate Novel Immunotherapy Targets across Several Therapeutic Areas
Boehringer Ingelheim announced a collaboration with Yale University with the goal of researching novel therapeutic targets in the field of immune-modulation. [Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH] Press Release

Academia-Industry Alliance towards Autoimmune Disease
Monash University announced that it has signed a research collaboration agreement with Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd. The collaboration, facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Asia Pacific, will focus on ground-breaking research at Monash University to develop potential new medicines to treat autoimmune diseases and disorders. [Monash University] Press Release

Kymab Partners with Cancer Immunotherapy Expert on Anti-Cancer Therapeutics
Kymab and Dr. Stephen Gillies will collaborate in the development of new immunocytokine-based drugs that seek to exploit the synergistic potential of combining antibodies directed against immuno-oncology drug targets with the proven anti-tumor activity of selected cytokine molecules. [Kymab Ltd.] Press Release

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NEW Director (California Institute for Regenerative Medicine)

NEW Senior Scientist – Immuno-Oncology (Merus B.V.)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Inserm)

Postdoctoral Position – HIV and Ebolavirus (University of Missouri)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Hospital for Special Surgery)

Faculty Position – Immunology (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (The University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Blood Research Institute, Blood Center of Wisconsin)

Product Manager Global Marketing – Autoimmunity (Thermo Fisher Scientific)

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.)

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