Immune Regulation News Volume 8.26 | Jul 22 2016

TOP STORY

Go-Between Immune Cell is Key to Priming the Body’s Fight Against Cancer

Using advanced imaging technology that allowed them to spy on interactions among cells in the lymph nodes of living mice, scientists have identified a cell that is a key player in mounting the immune system’s defense against cancer. [Press release from University of California, San Francisco discussing online prepublication in Cancer Cell] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

The ER Membrane-Anchored Ubiquitin Ligase Hrd1 Is a Positive Regulator of T-Cell Immunity

Scientists showed that genetic deletion of Hrd1 in mice inhibits T-cell proliferation, production of interleukin-2 (IL-2), and differentiation of helper T (Th)1 and Th17 cells, and consequently protects mice from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Netrin-1 Augments Chemokinesis in CD4⁺ T Cells In Vitro and Elicits a Proinflammatory Response In Vivo

The ability of Netrin-1 to interact with lymphocytes and its in-depth effects on leukocyte migration are poorly understood. Researchers profiled the mRNA and protein expression of known Netrin-1 receptors on human CD4⁺ T cells. [J Immunol] Abstract

Amphiregulin Confers Regulatory T Cell Suppressive Function and Tumor Invasion via the EGFR/GSK-3β/Foxp3 Axis

Scientists showed that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway play a role in regulation of Treg cells in cancer patients. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Purity of Transferred CD8⁺ T Cells Is Crucial for Safety and Efficacy of Combinatorial Tumor Immunotherapy in the Absence of SHP-1

Researchers combined adoptive cell transfer with ablation of the checkpoint protein Src homology 2-domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP-1). [Immunol Cell Biol] Full Article

Improved Anti-Treg Vaccination Targeting Foxp3 Efficiently Decreases Regulatory T Cells in Mice

Scientists used the chimeric FoxP3-Fc(IgG) fusion construct/protein to effectively stimulate the immune responses against regulatory T cells. [J Immunother] Abstract

Ex Vivo Expanded Regulatory T Cells CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺CD127^Low Develop Strong Immunosuppressive Activity in Patients with Remitting-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by defect in regulatory function of CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells. Investigators demonstrated difference in proportion of regulatory T cells CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺CD127^low within the same patients’ relapse and remission. [Autoimmunity] Abstract

Effects of Active Bufadienolide Compounds on Human Cancer Cells and CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Regulatory T Cells in Mitogen-Activated Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

The growth inhibitory effects of bufadienolide compounds were investigated in two intractable cancer cells, a human glioblastoma cell line U-87 and a pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

PD-1⁺ and Foxp3⁺ T Cell Reduction Correlates with Survival of HCC Patients after Sorafenib Therapy

Based on preclinical and human studies, researchers hypothesized that, in addition to its antiangiogenic properties, sorafenib may beneficially reduce the extent of the immunosuppressive network in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. [JCI Insight] Full Article | Press Release

Subscribe to our sister publications: Human Immunology News & Immunology of Infectious Disease News.

Hydrogen Sulfide Regulates Homeostasis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regulatory T Cells

The growing number of diverse targets for which hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) serves as a gasotransmitter has been extensively reviewed elsewhere. The authors discuss current emerging evidence that H₂S regulates mesenchymal stem cell and T-cell functions. [J Dent Res] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the immune regulation research field.

ZIOPHARM Announces Plans for Phase I Clinical Trial with CD33 CAR-T Cell Therapy Targeting Acute Myeloid Leukemia

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. announced plans for a Phase I adoptive cellular therapy clinical trial utilizing autologous T cells transduced with lentivirus to express a CD33-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia. [ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.] Press Release

VAXIMM Initiates Phase I Translational Study in Glioblastoma with Oral T-Cell Immunotherapy, VXM01

VAXIMM AG announced the treatment and successful operation of the first patient in a Phase I clinical trial. [VAXIMM AG] Press Release

Targazyme Enrolls First Patient in Phase I/II Study of TZ101 Fucosylated Regulatory T Cells to Treat and Prevent Graft vs Host Disease in the Transplant Setting

Targazyme, Inc. announced that it has enrolled the first patient in a Phase I/II TZ 101-treated regulatory T cell clinical study. This Phase I/II clinical study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of TZ101-treated regulatory T cells in the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic graft-versus-host-disease in stem cell transplants. [Targazyme, Inc. (Marketwired)] Press Release

Three Leaders in Lupus Merge to Form the Lupus Research Alliance

The Alliance for Lupus Research, the Lupus Research Institute, and the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation announced the merger of the three organizations to form the Lupus Research Alliance. [The Alliance for Lupus Research] Press Release

Hansa Medical Acquires Rights to Cancer Immunotherapy Using Antibody-Modulating Enzymes

Hansa Medical AB announced the acquisition of UK based Immago Biosystems Ltd, a University of Oxford-spinout focused on the enhancement of antibody based cancer therapies using antibody-modulating enzymes. [Hansa Medical AB] Press Release

Drugs Watchdog Thwarting UK Progress in Stem Cell Therapy, Report Says

Britain’s hopes of leading the world in revolutionary therapies that regenerate damaged body parts are under threat because the NHS drugs watchdog cannot properly evaluate them, a report says. [The Guardian] Editorial | Report

Science’s Status Shifts in New Brexit Government

Three weeks after UK voters chose to leave the European Union, the country has a new prime minister, Theresa May — and a revamped administration that is poised to change science’s place in government. [Nature News] Editorial

Science Under Siege: How Venezuela’s Economic Crisis Is Affecting Researchers

The political and economic crisis in Venezuela continues to worsen. As the price of oil — the country’s major export — has fallen, Venezuela has struggled to pay for imported goods while maintaining socialist economic policies put in place by former president Hugo Chávez. [Nature News] Editorial

Younger Researchers Win NIH Grants at Rates Similar to Their Elders

Younger biomedical researchers—those between 35 and 39—are about as likely to win funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as their elders, according to a study published in Cell Stem Cell. This finding seems to upend the widespread impression that older scientists have higher success rates than their juniors in the competition for grants. [Science Careers] Editorial | Article

Bill to Reform U.S. Skilled Worker Visa Programs Is Effort to ‘Build Momentum’

Lawmakers don’t usually acknowledge that the bills they introduce in Congress have little chance of passage in the near future, but that’s what Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr., (D-NJ) did in a phone press conference to discuss the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2016, which he introduced in the House of Representatives. Still, “we’re trying to build momentum” and raise awareness of the need to reform these high-skill guest worker visa programs, he said. [Science Careers] Editorial

NEW Cancer Vaccines 2016
September 21-22, 2016
London, United Kingdom

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the immune regulation community.

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Inserm)

Technical Sales Representative (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology and Cancer Immunology (Fox Chase Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular/Cellular Immunology (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Senior Faculty Leadership Position – Immunology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität)

Assistant or Associate Professor – Cancer Immunology (University of Virginia)

Research Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Immunology/Cell Signaling (Baylor Scott & White Health)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Novel Immune Modulating Drugs (Celentyx)

Postdoctoral Research – Fellow Thymic and Immune Regeneration (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Immune Regulation News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.