Immune Regulation News Volume 9.13 | Apr 7 2017

TOP STORY

IL-33 Contributes to Sepsis-Induced Long-Term Immunosuppression by Expanding the Regulatory T Cell Population

Investigators showed that IL-33 has a major function in the induction of immunosuppression. Mice deficient in ST2 develop attenuated immunosuppression in cases that survive sepsis, whereas treatment of naive wild-type mice with IL-33 induces immunosuppression. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

The Transcription Factor Foxo1 Controls Germinal Center B Cell Proliferation in Response to T Cell Help

Scientists demonstrated that ablation of Foxo1 after germinal center (GC) development led to the loss of the dark zone GC B cells and disruption of the GC architecture. [J Exp Med] Abstract

Anti-Apoptotic Proteins BCL-2, MCL-1 and A1 Summate Collectively to Maintain Survival of Immune Cell Populations both In Vitro and In Vivo

Researchers examined the survival requirements of multiple immune cell subsets in vitro and in vivo, using both genetic and pharmacological approaches. Their findings support a model in which survival is determined by quantitative participation of multiple anti-apoptotic proteins rather than by a single anti-apoptotic protein. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Local Inflammatory Cues Regulate Differentiation and Persistence of CD8⁺ Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells

Intestinal proinflammatory microenvironments had elevated interferon-β and interleukin-12 (IL-12), which regulated tissue-resident memory T (Trm) markers, including CD103. Type I interferon-receptor- or IL-12-receptor-deficient T cells functioned similarly to wild-type cells during infection; however, the inability of T cells to respond to inflammation resulted in defective differentiation of CD103⁻CD69⁺ Trm cells and reduced Trm persistence. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

The Lysine Deacetylase Sirtuin 1 Modulates the Localization and Function of the Notch1 Receptor in Regulatory T Cells

Scientists showed that sirtuin 1, which is an nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide–dependent lysine deacetylase that inhibits Notch1 intracellular domain (NIC)-dependent gene transcription, stabilized NIC proximal to the plasma membrane to promote the survival and function of activated regulatory T cells. [Sci Signal] Abstract

Neonatal Mice Possess Two Phenotypically and Functionally Distinct Lung-Migratory CD103⁺ Dendritic Cell Populations following Respiratory Infection

Investigators demonstrated that the dependence on CD103⁺ dendritic cells (DCs) for stimulation of RSV-specific T cells is both epitope and age-dependent. CD103⁺ DCs in neonatal mice develop two phenotypically and functionally distinct populations following respiratory infection. [Mucosal Immunol] Full Article

MKRN2 Is a Novel Ubiquitin E3 Ligase for the p65 Subunit of NF-κB and Negatively Regulates Inflammatory Responses

Researchers identified MKRN2, a RING finger domain-containing protein that belongs to the makorin ring finger protein gene family, as a novel p65 ubiquitin E3 ligase. MKRN2 knockdown in dendritic cells resulted in larger amounts of nuclear p65 and augmented production of proinflammatory cytokines in responses to innate stimuli. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Phosphodiesterase 4B Negatively Regulates Endotoxin-Activated Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Responses in Macrophages

The authors demonstrated that type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitors enhance the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) secretion in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages, and this response was regulated at the transcriptional level rather than an increased IL-1Ra mRNA stability. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Superagonistic CD28 Protects against Renal Ischemic Injury by Expansion of Regulatory T-Cell

Scientists tested the protection and discovered the mechanisms of CD28 superagonist (CD28sa) treatment against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. CD28sa treatment alone significantly increased the percentage of regulatory T cells in the spleen, peripheral blood, and kidney of C57BL/6N mice six days after the administration. [Am J Nephrol] Abstract

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Diversity and Functions of Intestinal Mononuclear Phagocytes

The authors discuss the function of intestinal conventional dendritic cells and monocyte-derived mononuclear phagocytes, highlighting how these subsets play several non-redundant roles in the regulation of intestinal immune responses. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Molecular Checkpoints Controlling Natural Killer Cell Activation and their Modulation for Cancer Immunotherapy

Natural killer (NK) cells have gained considerable attention as promising therapeutic tools for cancer therapy due to their innate selectivity against cancer cells over normal healthy cells. With an array of receptors evolved to sense cellular alterations, NK cells provide early protection against cancer cells by producing cytokines and chemokines and exerting direct cytolytic activity. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

CD8 T Cell Regulation by T Regulatory Cells and the PD-1 Pathway

The author discusses various features of immune regulatory pathways and what important aspects must be considered in the next generation of therapies to reverse immune exhaustion, understanding that this process is a natural mechanism to prevent the host from destroying itself. [Immunology] Full Article

Transforming Growth Factor β: A Master Regulator of the Gut Microbiota and Immune Cell Interactions

The authors define the functional impact of transforming growth factor-beta through its modulation of the activity of local regulatory T cells, type 17 helper cells, innate lymphoid cells and B cells. [Clin Transl Immunol] Full Article

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

OSE Immunotherapeutics Presented New Data on OSE-172 (Effi-DEM), Company’s Checkpoint Inhibitor Blocking Suppressive Myeloid Cells and Inducing Antitumoral Potent T Memory Response

OSE Immunotherapeutics SA announced that the company presented significant results in the field of myeloid/macrophage suppressive cells, an abundant immune cell type infiltrating many tumors and often associated with a poor prognosis. [Press release from OSE Immunotherapeutics SA discussing research presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017, Washington, D.C.] Press Release

Eleven Biotherapeutics Presents New Preclinical Data Supporting the Potential of the Company’s Locally- and Systematically-Administered Drug Candidates

Eleven Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced new preclinical data with VB4-845, the active pharmaceutical ingredient used to formulate Vicinium™ and Proxinium™, and deBouganin, the de-immunized payload used in the company’s systemically-administered drug candidates. [Press release from Eleven Biotherapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017, Washington, D.C.] Press Release | Poster

Kite Presents Ongoing Response Rate in Plenary Session from Its Pivotal CAR-T Trial of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel in Patients with Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Kite Pharma, Inc. announced two plenary presentations of positive data from the primary analysis of ZUMA-1 for its lead CAR-T candidate, axicabtagene ciloleucel, in patients with refractory aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. [Press release from Kite Pharma, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017, Washington, D.C.] Press Release

Oncodesign Presents its Latest Scientific Developments

Oncodesign presented four scientific posters on the radiotracer’s preclinical results, and on the latest developments designed to promote new drug discoveries. [Press release from Oncodesign discussing research presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017, Washington, D.C.] Press Release

Siamab Therapeutics Presents New Preclinical Data for Its Novel Anti-STn Antibodies, Antibody-Drug Conjugates, and Anti-STn Bispecific Antibodies

Siamab Therapeutics, Inc. announced the presentation of two posters featuring new preclinical data for its novel anti-Sialyl-Tn (STn) antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and anti-STn, anti-CD3 bispecific antibodies. [Press release from Siamab Therapeutics, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.) discussing research presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017, Washington, D.C.] Press Release

Nektar Therapeutics Presents New Preclinical Data for Its Immuno-Oncology Programs

Nektar Therapeutics announced five preclinical data presentations for its immuno-oncology programs. [Press release from Nektar Therapeutics discussing research presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017, Washington, D.C.] Press Release

Halozyme’s PEGPH20 Increases Immune Response and Effectiveness of Immunotherapies in Preclinical Cancer Models

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. demonstrated in preclinical models that its investigational drug PEGPH20 increases the number of cancer-fighting white blood cells accumulating in the tumor and the effectiveness of immunotherapies. [Press release from Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017, Washington, D.C.] Press Release

OncoSec Presents Preclinical Data Demonstrating Improved Systemic Anti-Tumor Response following Modifications to IL-12 Gene Delivery Therapy

OncoSec Medical Incorporated presented a poster that included preclinical data demonstrating the latest developments of OncoSec’s gene delivery platform in a murine melanoma model. [Press release from OncoSec Medical Incorporated discussing research presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017, Washington, D.C.] Press Release | Abstract

IsoPlexis Collaboration Offers Breakthrough Insights into Detecting and Predicting Patient Response to T-Cell Therapy

Data captured by IsoCode, IsoPlexis Corporation’s single-cell precision engineering platform, detected a statistically significant association between the potency of CAR-T cell product prior to treatment and objective response of cancer patients post-treatment. [Press release from Isoplexis Corporation (PR Newswire Association LLC.) discussing research presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2017, Washington, D.C.] Press Release

Immune-Onc Therapeutics, Inc. Announces Partnership with University of Texas to Develop Novel Cancer Immunotherapy

Immune-Onc Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has entered into an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, two member institutions of The University of Texas System. [Immune-Onc Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Agenus Commences Phase I Trial with Neoantigen Cancer Vaccine AutoSynVax™

Agenus Inc. announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase I clinical trial of AutoSynVax™, Agenus’ neoantigen vaccine. [Agenus Inc.] Press Release

Japanese Scientists Call for Boycott of Military Research

The Science Council of Japan, an advisory body to the cabinet, representing some 850,000 Japanese scientists, released a statement calling on scientists to boycott military research and for universities and research organizations to evaluate the threats posed by such work. [Nature News] Editorial

Initiative Aims to Break Science’s Citation Paywall

The Initiative for Open Citations (I4OC) aims to allow anyone to access science papers’ reference lists and to build analytical services on top of that raw data. Started by the Wikimedia Foundation in San Francisco, California and five other partner organizations, I4OC announced at its official launch that 29 organizations, including some of the world’s largest scientific publishers, have now agreed to openly release citation data. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML)
June 14-17, 2017
Lugano, Switzerland

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

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Innate Immune Biology in Cirrhosis (The Foundation for Liver Research)

NEW Research Assistant – Immunology (University of Cambridge)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation & Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow Position – Translational Immunology (The University of Utah)

Postdoctoral Positions – Computational Biology (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Translational Immunology (German Cancer Research Center)

PhD Student Position – Mucosal Immunology (Karolinska Institutet)

Principal Scientist – Immuno Oncology (Celgene Corporation)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Development of Immune System (Lund University)

Research Investigator – Immuno-Oncology (Bristol-Meyers Squibb)

Assistant Associate or Full Member – Cancer Immunology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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