Immune Regulation News Volume 7.23 | Jun 26 2015

CD8α^– Dendritic Cells Induce Antigen-Specific T Follicular Helper Cells Generating Efficient Humoral Immune Responses
Researchers showed that CD8α^– dendritic cells localized at the interfollicular zone play a pivotal role in the induction of antigen-specific T follicular helper cells by upregulating the expression of Icosl and Ox40l through the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Hyperlipidemia Alters Regulatory T Cell Function and Promotes Resistance to Tolerance Induction through Costimulatory Molecule Blockade
Scientists showed that hyperlipidemia affects FoxP3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Hyperlipidemia promotes the development of Tregs that express low levels of CD25. Hyperlipidemia also promotes a decrease in central Tregs and an increase in effector Tregs that appears to account for the increase in the frequency of CD25^low Tregs. [Am J Transplant] Abstract | Press Release

Regulatory Rebound in IL-12-Treated Tumors Is Driven by Uncommitted Peripheral Regulatory T Cells
The adjuvant activity of IL-12 is short-lived due to regulatory T cell (Treg) reinfiltration. Quantitative analysis of Treg kinetics in IL-12–treated tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes revealed a transient loss followed by a rapid four-fold expansion of tumor Treg between days three and ten. [J Immunol] Abstract

Preliminary Evaluation of a Bunyavirus Vector for Cancer Immunotherapy
Scientists demonstrated that nonspreading Rift Valley fever virus (NSR)-infected human dendritic cells can activate CD8⁺ T-cells in vitro, and that prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination of mice with NSR encoding a tumor associated CD8 peptide can control outgrowth of lymphoma cells in vivo. [J Virol] Abstract

Reconstitution Models to Evaluate Natural Killer T Cell Function in Tumor Control
Investigators developed protocols to expand functional natural killer T (NKT) cells and stably reconstitute them in Jα18^−/− mice. In vivo delivery of α-galactosylceramide-loaded dendritic cells expanded NKT cells in wild-type mice without skewing CD4 or TCR Vβ expression profiles. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract

Interleukin-6 Controls Uterine Th9 Cells and CD8⁺ T Regulatory Cells to Accelerate Parturition in Mice
Scientists investigated whether IL6 influences the number or phenotypes of T cells or other leukocytes in uterine decidual tissue at the maternal-fetal interface. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract

Enhanced T-Cell Activation and Differentiation in Lymphocytes from Transgenic Mice Expressing Ubiquitination-Resistant 2KR LAT Molecules
To investigate the role of linker for activation of T cells (LAT) ubiquitination in vivo, researchers generated transgenic mice expressing WT and ubiquitin-defective linker for activation of T cells LAT lysines with arginines (2KR LAT). Enhanced cytolytic activity as well as T-helper responses were observed on LAT expression, which were further elevated by 2KR LAT expression. [Gene Ther] Abstract

In Vivo Induction of Functionally Suppressive Induced Regulatory T Cells from CD4⁺CD25^– T Cells Using an Hsp70 Peptide
Researchers set out to determine whether natural regulatory T cells (Tregs), or induced Tregs were targeted after Hsp70-peptide immunization. They showed that immunization induced CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells in the periphery, and that these cells were suppressive in vitro. [PLoS One] Full Article

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Regulatory Immune Cells in Regulation of Intestinal Inflammatory Response to Microbiota
Scientists discuss the recent progress reported in studies of distinct types of regulatory immune cells in the gut, including intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes, Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells, regulatory B cells, alternatively activated macrophages, dendritic cells, and innate lymphoid cells, and how dysfunction of this immune regulatory system contributes to intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

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Immunovaccine Collaborates with Incyte to Evaluate Novel Immunotherapy Combination for Patients with Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer
Immunovaccine Inc. announced that it has entered into a non-exclusive clinical trial collaboration with Incyte Corporation to evaluate the combination of Immunovaccine’s novel T cell activating immunotherapy, DPX-Survivac, with Incyte’s investigational oral indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 inhibitor, epacadostat. [Immunovaccine Inc.] Press Release

NantCell Acquires VivaBioCell to Develop Automated “GMP-in-a-Box” for Next Generation Large Scale Cell Culture Immunotherapy and Tissue Engineering
NantCell announced that VBC Holdings, LLC has completed the acquisition of privately held VivaBioCell SpA. VivaBioCell’s automated “GMP-in-a-Box” medical devices enable safe, efficacious, standardized and affordable medical treatments by creating a next generation tissue engineering manufacturing capability. [NantHealth LLC] Press Release

A-State Professor Receives $1.7 Million National Institutes of Health R01 Research Award
Dr. Shiguang Yu, assistant professor of immunology in the Arkansas Biosciences Institute at Arkansas State University, has been awarded a $1.7 million research grant from the National Institutes of Health to study mechanisms leading to development of autoimmune diseases. [Arkansas State University] Press Release

Brain Inflammation Targeted in First Project from Dementia Consortium
Funding worth nearly half a million pounds will unite academics at the University of Southampton with drug discovery experts at the medical research charity MRC Technology, to target the immune system in the hunt for new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. [University of Southampton] Press Release

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientific Marketing Specialist – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology Discovery (Genentech, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Antibody Engineering/Immuno-Oncology (California Institute for Biomedical Research)

Associate Director/Director – Immunology (Valera)

PhD Position – Molecular Immunology (VIB – Ghent University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immune Reconstitution in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (Stanford University)

Process Facilitator (Opexa Therapeutics)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immune Tolerance (Stanford University)

Assistant Professor – Immunology (Northwestern University)

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