Immune Regulation News Volume 9.36 | Sep 22 2017

TOP STORY

Intestinal Epithelial and Intraepithelial T Cell Crosstalk Mediates a Dynamic Response to Infection

Investigators observed that TCRγδ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes exhibited unique microbiota-dependent location and movement patterns in the epithelial compartment. This behavioral pattern quickly changed upon exposure to different enteric pathogens, resulting in increased interepithelial cell scanning, expression of antimicrobial genes, and glycolysis. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

The Kinase mTORC1 Promotes the Generation and Suppressive Function of Follicular Regulatory T Cells

Scientists examined the impact of mTOR, a serine/threonine protein kinase that senses and integrates diverse environmental cues, on the differentiation and functional competency of follicular regulatory T cells in response to protein immunization or viral infection. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Controls Monocyte Differentiation into Dendritic Cells versus Macrophages

Using an in vitro culture model yielding human monocyte-derived (mo)-dendritic cells (DCs) and mo-macrophages (Macs) closely resembling those found in vivo in ascites, the authors showed that IRF4 and MAFB were critical regulators of monocyte differentiation into mo-DCs and mo-Macs, respectively. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Combined OX40L and mTOR Blockade Controls Effector T Cell Activation while Preserving T_reg Reconstitution after Transplant

Researchers used the nonhuman primate graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) model to probe the efficacy of combinatorial immunomodulation with sirolimus and the OX40L-blocking antibody KY1005. They demonstrated significant biologic activity of KY1005 alone, as well as marked, synergistic control of GvHD with KY1005 + sirolimus, which was associated with potent control of both TH/TC1 and TH/TC17 activation. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Agonist Immunotherapy Restores T Cell Function following MEK Inhibition Improving Efficacy in Breast Cancer

The authors showed that α-4-1BB and α-OX-40 T-cell agonist antibodies rescued the adverse effects of MEK inhibition on T cells in both mouse and human T cells, which resulted in augmented anti-tumor effects in vivo. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy Reshapes the High-Dimensional Phenotypic Heterogeneity of Murine Intratumoral Neoantigen-Specific CD8⁺ T Cells

Scientists showed that mass cytometry with multiplex combinatorial tetramer staining can identify and characterize neoantigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells in mice bearing T3 methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas that are susceptible to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Interleukin-17A Negatively Regulates Lymphangiogenesis in T Helper 17 Cell-Mediated Inflammation

Researchers showed that interleukin-17A, secreted from T helper type 17 (T_H17) cells, is a negative regulator of lymphangiogenesis during the resolution phase of T_H17-mediated immune responses. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Immunotherapy Changes the T-Regulatory Cell Activity

Investigators determined whether Tregs generated by D. pteronissinus-subcutaneous specific immunotherapy can switch the allergic response to tolerant and studied the involvement of suppressive cytokines on it. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Adjuvant IL-7 Potentiates Adoptive T Cell Therapy by Amplifying and Sustaining Polyfunctional Antitumor CD4⁺ T Cells

The authors report that lymphodepleting chemotherapy by cyclophosphamide (CTX) does not lead to increased availability of the endogenous IL-7 in mice. Despite of a paucity of IL-7 in the immune milieu, CTX preconditioning allowed adoptively transferred naïve tumor-specific CD4⁺ T cells to undergo effector differentiation and regain IL-7Rα expression, giving rise to IL-7-responsive polyfunctional CD4⁺ effector cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Control of Immune Cell Homeostasis and Function by lncRNAs

Scientists review how long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) control the function and homeostasis of cell populations during immune responses, emphasizing the diverse molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs tune highly contextualized transcriptional programs. They discuss the new challenges faced in interrogating lncRNA mechanisms and function in the immune system. [Trends Immunol] Abstract

Functional Heterogeneity of Gut-Resident Regulatory T Cells

Treg cells provide an important layer of intestinal defense by suppressing immune responses against innocuous food and commensal-derived antigens. Recent functional studies suggest that Treg cells are also involved in several other processes such as controlling microbial diversity in the gut, immunoglobulin A selection and supporting tissue repair in response to intestinal tissue damage. [Clin Transl Immunology] Full Article

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

AbbVie and Bristol-Myers Squibb Announce Clinical Research Collaboration to Evaluate a Therapeutic Regimen in Advanced Solid Tumors

AbbVie and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced a clinical trial collaboration to evaluate the combination of AbbVie’s investigational antibody drug conjugate ABBV-399 and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s immunotherapy Opdivo in c-Met overexpressing non-small cell lung cancer. [AbbVie Inc.] Press Release

Soligenix Announces $1.5 Million NCI SBIR Grant Award Supporting the Pivotal Phase III Clinical Trial of SGX301 for the Treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Soligenix, Inc. announced that the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded Soligenix a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant of approximately $1.5 million over two years to support the conduct of its pivotal, Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating SGX301 as a treatment for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. [Soligenix, Inc.] Press Release

CEL-SCI Announces $1.5 Million NIH SBIR Grant to Support Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis Vaccine

CEL-SCI Corporation announced that it has been awarded a new Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases entitled “Preclinical studies of PG70 LEAPS peptide vaccine for rheumatoid arthritis”. [CEL-SCI Corporation] Press Release

Karus Therapeutics Announces First Cancer Patients Dosed with KA2507, a Small Molecule HDAC6-Selective Inhibitor, in a Phase I Clinical Trial

Karus Therapeutics Ltd announced that the first patients have been dosed with its histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitor, KA2507, in a Phase I clinical study. [Karus Therapeutics Ltd] Press Release

ABIVAX Receives French Regulatory Approval to Begin Clinical Trial of ABX464 in Ulcerative Colitis

ABIVAX announced that the French National Regulatory Authority has approved the ABX464-101 Phase IIa “Proof-of-Concept” study of its lead product candidate ABX464 in patients with moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis. [ABIVAX] Press Release

United Kingdom Sees Dip in European Research Applications after Brexit Vote

The number of researchers applying for Europe-funded Marie Curie fellowships in the United Kingdom has dipped slightly since the country’s vote to leave the European Union, data released to Nature show. But there is no evidence yet of a sharp collapse in interest, which some scientists had feared in the wake of the Brexit referendum. [Nature News] Editorial

A Far-Right Party Is About to Enter the German Parliament. What Does that Mean for Science?

Angela Merkel will likely remain chancellor after the German elections, but the voting will shake up German federal politics in another way. Polls predict that the far-right Alternative for Germany will get close to 10% of the vote, winning seats in the federal legislature, the Bundestag, for the first time. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

HHMI’s Own Brand of Diversity in the Life Sciences

One of Erin O’Shea’s first moves as Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) president was committing $25 million a year to support postdocs from underrepresented groups. Her hope was that they would eventually change the color—and culture—of their departments as they moved into leadership positions, in addition to serving as role models for the next generation of scientists. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Immunological Memory: Innate, Adaptive and Beyond
February 25-March 1, 2018
Austin, Texas, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (University of California, Los Angeles)

Research Technologist – Immunotherapy (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Scientist – Immuno-Oncology (Kymab Ltd)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Development of Immune System (Lund University)

Assistant Professor – Protective Immunity (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Mega Proteins to Control T Cell Signaling (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Training Fellows – Cell Death & Inflammation (Institute of Cancer Research)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immunology (University of Georgia)

Postdoctoral Research Fellows – Systems Immunology (University of Oslo)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Regulation of Immune Responses (University of Iowa)

Postdoctoral Fellowships – Immune Signaling and Metabolism (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Research Fellow Position – Immunology Research (ShanghaiTech University)

Mouse Scientist – T Cell-Based Therapy (Tessa Therapeutics Pte Ltd.)

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