Immune Regulation News Volume 7.27 | Jul 24 2015

Phosphorylation Status Determines the Opposing Functions of Smad2/Smad3 as STAT3 Cofactors in T_H17 Differentiation
Investigators showed that the highly homologous transforming growth factor-β receptor-regulated Smads: Smad2 and Smad3 oppositely modify STAT3-induced transcription of interleukin-17A and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor, RORγt encoded by Rorc, by acting as a co-activator and co-repressor of STAT3, respectively. [Nat Commun] Full Article

MicroRNA-31 Negatively Regulates Peripherally Derived Regulatory T-Cell Generation by Repressing Retinoic Acid-Inducible Protein 3
Investigators showed that T-cell receptor signaling induces microRNA (miR)-31, which negatively regulates peripherally derived regulatory T (pT_reg)-cell generation. miR-31 conditional deletion results in enhanced induction of pT_reg cells, and decreased severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Adiponectin Regulates Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation by Suppressing IL-17 Production from γδ-T Cells
Scientists demonstrated that adiponectin regulates skin inflammation, especially IL-17-related psoriasiform dermatitis. Mice with adiponectin deficiency showed severe psoriasiform skin inflammation with enhanced infiltration of IL-17-producing dermal Vγ4+γδ-T cells. [Nat Commun] Abstract

Multiplex Genome Edited T-Cell Manufacturing Platform For “Off-The-Shelf” Adoptive T-Cell Immunotherapies
Researchers used a transcription activator-like effector nuclease-mediated editing approach to develop a process for the large-scale manufacturing of T-cells deficient in expression of both their T-cell receptor and CD52, a protein targeted by alemtuzumab, a chemotherapeutic agent. [Cancer Res] Abstract | Press Release

Regulatory B Cells Preferentially Accumulate in Tumor-Draining Lymph Nodes and Promote Tumor Growth
Investigators showed that phenotypic characterization of lymphocytes in mice bearing B16-F10 melanomas identifies preferential accumulation of T2-MZP B cells in the tumor-draining popliteal lymph. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Peripherally Induced Tolerance Depends on Peripheral Regulatory T Cells that Require Hopx To Inhibit Intrinsic IL-2 Expression
The authors report that homeodomain-only protein (Hopx)⁺ peripheral regulatory T cells converted by dendritic cells from Hopx-T cells are indispensible to sustain tolerance that prevents autoimmune responses directed at self-Ags during experimental acute encephalomyelitis. [J Immunol] Abstract

CCR4 Controls the Suppressive Effects of Regulatory T Cells on Early and Late Events during Severe Sepsis
Scientists investigated the role of CCR4, the CCL17/CCL22 chemokine receptor, in the innate and acquired immune responses during severe sepsis and the role of regulatory T cells in effecting the outcome. [PLoS One] Full Article

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Agenus Acquires Novel Antibodies to Immuno-Oncology Target CEACAM1
Agenus Inc. announced that it has acquired rights to antibodies targeting carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), a glycoprotein expressed on T cell and NK cell lymphocytes from Diatheva s.r.l. CEACAM1 that is overexpressed in melanoma, bladder, lung, colon, pancreas, and gastric cancers and has been shown to modulate innate and adaptive immune suppression in pre-clinical studies. [Agenus Inc.] Press Release

Molecular Partners Confirms Its Focus on Proprietary Oncology Pipeline – Discovery Alliance with Roche Discontinued
Molecular Partners AG reiterated its commitment to its un-partnered pipeline. This includes advancing the clinical and preclinical development pipeline and ramping up the activities in immuno-oncology. Following Molecular Partners’ expansion of its strategic ophthalmology partnership with Allergan, the company confirmed the discontinuation of the DARPin-toxin alliance with Roche. [Molecular Partners AG] Press Release

ZIOPHARM Announces Orphan Drug Designation for Ad-RTS-hIL-12 in the Treatment of Malignant Glioma
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Orphan Drug Designation for Ad-RTS-hIL-12 + veledimex in the treatment of patients with malignant glioma. Ad-RTS-hIL-12 is a novel gene therapy candidate for the controlled expression of IL-12, a critical protein for stimulating an anti-cancer T cell immune response. [ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Senior Research Associate – CRISPR-Based Therapeutics (Editas Medicine)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientific Marketing Specialist – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Assistant – Immunotherapy for HIV Infection (California Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Position – Translational Immunology (University of Utah School of Medicine)

PhD Studentship – Veterinary and Animal Sciences (University of Milan)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Tumorigenesis and Immune Response (Nationwide Children Hospital-Ohio)

Senior Scientist – Immunology (Valera LLC)

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

Associate Director/Director – Immunology (Valera)

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

Process Facilitator (Opexa Therapeutics)

Assistant Professor – Immunology (Northwestern University)

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