Selective Inhibition of the p38 Alternative Activation Pathway in Infiltrating T Cells Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Progression Researchers showed that the growth of mouse pancreatic tumors was inhibited by genetic ablation of the alternative p38 pathway, and transfer of wild-type CD4+ T cells, but not those lacking the alternative pathway, enhanced tumor growth in T cell–deficient mice. [Nat Med] Abstract Hair Follicle–Derived IL-7 and IL-15 Mediate Skin-Resident Memory T Cell Homeostasis and Lymphoma Scientists demonstrated that CD4+ and CD8+ skin-resident memory T cells (TRM cells), which are responsible for long-term skin immunity, reside predominantly within the hair follicle epithelium of the unperturbed epidermis. Hair follicle expression of IL-15 was required for CD8+ TRM cells, and IL-7 for CD8+ and CD4+ TRM cells, to exert epidermotropism. [Nat Med] Abstract Dietary Fatty Acids Directly Impact Central Nervous System Autoimmunity via the Small Intestine Investigators report that long-chain fatty acids (FAs) enhanced differentiation and proliferation of T helper 1 (Th1) and/or Th17 cells and impaired their intestinal sequestration via p38-MAPK pathway. Alternatively, dietary short-chain FAs expanded gut T regulatory cells by suppression of the JNK1 and p38 pathway. [Immunity] Full Article | Press Release Leptin Deficiency Shifts Mast Cells toward Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Protects Mice from Obesity and Diabetes by Polarizing M2 Macrophages Mechanistic studies showed that leptin-deficient mast cells polarize macrophages from M1 to M2 functions because of impaired cell signaling and an altered balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, but do not affect T cell differentiation. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Oct1 and OCA-B Are Selectively Required for CD4 Memory T Cell Function Scientists found that the transcription factor Oct1 and its cofactor OCA-B are selectively required for the in vivo generation of CD4+ memory T cells. More importantly, the memory cells that are formed do not respond properly to antigen reencounter. [J Exp Med] Abstract | Press Release BAX Inhibitor-1 Is a Ca2+ Channel Critically Important for Immune Cell Function and Survival Researchers suggest that BAX (BCL2-associated X protein) inhibitor-1 has a major role in the functioning of the adaptive immune system by regulating intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in lymphocytes. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract Apoptosis of Tumor Infiltrating Effector TIM-3+CD8+ T Cells in Colon Cancer The authors report apoptosis of IFN-γ competent TIM-3+ population of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells in colon cancer. Both the TIM-3+ and TIM-3– cancer tissue-resident CD8+ T cells secrete IFN-γ of comparable levels, although apoptotic cells are more in TIM-3+ compared to TIM-3– population. [Sci Rep] Full Article Systemic IL-12 Burst Expands Intestinal T Lymphocyte Subsets Bearing the α4β7 Integrin in Mice Using hydrodynamic shear of IL-12 cDNA to achieve systemic expression of IL-12 in mice, scientists evaluated the effect of a transient burst of this cytokine on the activation status of T cells from Peyer’s patches, mesenteric lymph nodes and colonic lamina propria. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract Don’t forget to subscribe to Human Immunology News and Immunology of Infectious Disease News! |