Immune Regulation News Volume 8.00 | Jan 8 2016

Interleukin-23-Induced Transcription Factor Blimp-1 Promotes Pathogenicity of T Helper 17 Cells
Researchers identified the transcription factor Blimp-1 as a key interleukin-23-induced factor that drove the inflammatory function of T helper 17 (Th17) cells. In contrast to thymic deletion of Blimp-1, which causes T cell development defects and spontaneous autoimmunity, peripheral deletion of this transcription factor resulted in reduced Th17 activation and reduced severity of autoimmune encephalomyelitis. [Immunity] Abstract

Interleukin-2-Dependent Allergen-Specific Tissue-Resident Memory Cells Drive Asthma
Scientists generated reagents to understand how endogenous CD4⁺ T cells specific for a house dust mite allergen form and function. Experimental blockade of lymphocyte migration demonstrated that lung-resident cells were sufficient to induce airway hyper-responsiveness, which depended upon CD4⁺ T cells. [Immunity] Abstract

The Transcription Factor BACH2 Promotes Tumor Immunosuppression
Investigators demonstrated that BACH2 is required to establish immunosuppression within tumors. Tumor growth was markedly impaired in Bach2-deficient mice and coincided with intratumoral activation of both innate and adaptive immunity. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

Stepwise B-Cell-Dependent Expansion of T Helper Clonotypes Diversifies the T-Cell Response
The authors report that clonal selection of CD4⁺ T cells is extrinsically regulated by B cells. Clonal expansion of lower-avidity T-cell clonotypes depends on availability of MHC II-expressing B cells, in turn influenced by B-cell activation. [Nat Commun] Full Article

IL-7 Signaling Represses Bcl-6 and the T_FH Gene Program
Scientists demonstrated that in response to decreased IL-2 signaling, T helper 1 cells upregulate Bcl-6 and co-initiate CD4⁺ T follicular helper (T_FH) – and central memory T-like gene programs, including expression of the cytokine receptors IL-6Rα and IL-7R. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

T Cell Help Amplifies Innate Signals in CD8⁺ DCs for Optimal CD8⁺ T Cell Priming
Investigators showed that CD8⁺ T cell priming upon HSV-1 skin infection depended on DCs receiving stimulation from both IFN-α/β and CD4⁺ T cells to provide IL-15. They also observed that increased innate stimulation reversed the helper dependence of CD8⁺ T cell priming and that the innate stimulus, rather than the CD4⁺ T cells themselves, determined how “help” was integrated into the priming response by DCs. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Mast Cells Contribute to Autoimmune Diabetes by Releasing Interleukin-6 and Failing to Acquire a Tolerogenic IL-10⁺ Phenotype
Researchers demonstrated that mast cells (MCs) play a crucial role in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis so that their selective depletion in conditional MC knockout non-obese diabetic mice protects them from the disease. [Clin Immunol] Abstract

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Humanized Hemato-Lymphoid System Mice
The authors review the achievements, most recent developments, and the remaining challenges in the generation of pre-clinically-predictive systems for human hematology and immunology, closely resembling the human situation in a xenogeneic mouse environment. [Haematologica] Full Article

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Celsion Reports Translational Research Data from Its Phase Ib Study of GEN-1 Immunotherapy in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
The new data demonstrate that intraperitoneally-administered GEN-1 produces an immunologically distinct IL-12 protein that is localized at the tumor site and lasts for up to one week after a single treatment. [Celsion Corporation] Press Release

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MD Anderson and Kymab Announce Research and Development Strategic Partnership in Immuno-Oncology
Kymab and The University of Texas MD Anderson Oncology Research for Biologics and Immunotherapy Translation unit announced a strategic cancer drug discovery and development alliance. The alliance seeks to discover and develop novel human therapeutic antibodies to treat a variety of cancers. [The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center] Press Release

OncoResponse and Oregon Health & Science University Collaborate to Identify Novel Immuno-Oncology Targets
OncoResponse and the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University announced a collaboration to identify antibodies against novel targets in elite responders to cancer immunotherapy. [OncoResponse Inc.] Press Release

NCCN Awarded $2 Million in Research Funding from Peregrine Pharmaceuticals to Study Bavituximab in Various Cancers
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®) Oncology Research Program has been awarded a $2-million grant from Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to study bavituximab, a first-in-class treatment approach for various cancers. [National Comprehensive Cancer Network^®] Press Release

Transgene Announces First Patient Randomized in Multinational Phase III Trial for Pexa-Vec Oncolytic Immunotherapy in Advanced Liver Cancer
Transgene S.A. announced the initiation of a multinational, randomized Phase III open label study with the oncolytic immunotherapy, Pexa-Vec, in patients with advanced liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma. [Transgene S.A.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Indiana University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (Victoria University of Wellington)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (VIB)

PhD Position – Immunology (VIB)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Immunity (Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunotherapy Targeting Cancer Stem Cells (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Immunotherapy (Bayer HealthCare AG)

Researchers – Immunotherapy (ISPIC Consortium Members)

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