Protein Kinase CK2 Enables Regulatory T Cells to Suppress Excessive TH2 Responses In Vivo Through the use of regulatory T cell-specific gene targeting, investigators found that the suppression of allergic immune responses in the lungs mediated by T helper type 2 (TH2) cells was dependent on the activity of the protein kinase CK2. [Nat Immunol] Abstract Anticancer Immunotherapy by CTLA-4 Blockade: Obligatory Contribution of IL-2 Receptors and Negative Prognostic Impact of Soluble CD25 Investigators show that neutralization of IL-2 or blocking the α and β subunits of the IL-2 receptor (CD25 and CD122, respectively) abolished the antitumor effects and the accompanying improvement of the ratio of intratumoral T effector versus regulatory cells, which were otherwise induced by cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) blockade in preclinical mouse models. [Cell Res] Full Article Commensal Microbiota Influence Systemic Autoimmune Responses Using mice deficient in lymphotoxin and Hox11, scientists report that approximately 25% of mice lacking secondary lymphoid organs spontaneously develop specific antinuclear antibodies. They demonstrate antinuclear antibody production is influenced by the presence of commensal gut flora, in particular increased colonization with segmented filamentous bacteria, and IL-17 receptor signaling. [EMBO J] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release PD-L1hi B Cells Are Critical Regulators of Humoral Immunity Researchers show that regulatory B cells play a critical role in regulating humoral immunity mediated by ​CD4+​CXCR5+​PD-1+ follicular helper T cells, and can suppress inflammation in autoimmune disease through elevated expression of ​PD-L1. [Nat Commun] Abstract Autophagy Enhances NFκB Activity in Specific Tissue Macrophages by Sequestering ​A20 to Boost Antifungal Immunity Scientists report a role of autophagy in an early host antifungal response by enhancing NFκB activity through ​A20 sequestration. Enhancement of NFκB activation is achieved by autophagic depletion of ​A20, an NFκB inhibitor, in ​F4/80hi macrophages in the spleen, peritoneum and kidney. [Nat Commun] Abstract | Press Release Cyclic AMP Concentrations in Dendritic Cells Induce and Regulate Th2 Immunity and Allergic Asthma Scientists show that deletion of Gnas, the gene that encodes Gαs in mouse CD11c+ cells, and the accompanying decrease in cAMP provoke Th2 polarization and yields a prominent allergic phenotype, whereas increases in cAMP inhibit these responses. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release Mannose 6 Phosphorylation of Lysosomal Enzymes Controls B Cell Functions Researchers show that mice deficient in the formation of mannose 6-phosphate residues exhibit significant loss of cathepsin proteases in B cells, leading to lysosomal dysfunction with accumulation of storage material, impaired antigen processing and presentation, and subsequent defects in B cell maturation and antibody production. [J Cell Biol] Abstract | Press Release | Editorial Macrophage Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Deficiency Delays Skin Wound Healing through Impairing Apoptotic Cell Clearance in Mice Scientists observed that macrophage peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression was upregulated during skin wound healing. Wound macrophages produced higher levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha in PPARγ-knock out mice compared with control. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Oncolytic HSV Virotherapy in Murine Sarcomas Differentially Triggers an Antitumor T-Cell Response in the Absence of Virus Permissivity Multiple studies have indicated that in addition to direct oncolysis, virotherapy promotes an antitumor cytotoxic T cell response important for efficacy. To study this phenomenon further, investigators tested three syngeneic murine sarcoma models that displayed varied degrees of permissiveness to oncolytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) replication and cytotoxicity in vitro, with the most permissive being comparable to some human sarcoma tumor lines. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Full Article | Press Release Subscribe to our sister publications: Human Immunology News and Immunology of Infectious Disease News! |