Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 1.19 | Jul 24 2013

Negative Regulation of Type I IFN Expression by OASL1 Permits Chronic Viral Infection and CD8⁺ T-Cell Exhaustion
Researchers explored whether 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase-like 1 (OASL1), a recently defined interferon (IFN)-I negative regulator, plays a key role in the virus-specific T-cell response and viral defense against chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

A Mouse Model for Human Norovirus
The authors found that human norovirus (HuNoV) replication in BALB/c Rag-γc-deficient mice is dependent on the immune-deficient status of the host but not on the presence of human immune cells and provides the first genetically manipulable small-animal model for studying HuNoV infection. [mBio]
Abstract | Press Release

Human Cytomegalovirus Viral IL-10 Polarizes Monocytes towards a Deactivated M2c Phenotype to Repress Host Immune Responses
Skewing of polarization towards an M2 subset may benefit a virus by limiting the pro-inflammatory responses to infection and so the authors determined whether human cytomegalovirus encoded viral interleukin (IL)-10 influenced monocyte polarization. Recombinant viral IL-10 protein polarized CD14⁺ monocytes towards an anti-inflammatory M2 subset with an M2c phenotype, as demonstrated by high expression of CD163 and CD14, and suppression of MHC class II. [J Virol] Abstract

HIV

Bispecific Antibodies Directed to CD4 Domain 2 and HIV Envelope Exhibit Exceptional Breadth and Picomolar Potency against HIV-1
Currently, no single broadly neutralizing Ab (bNAb) or combination of bNAbs neutralizes all HIV-1 strains at practically achievable concentrations in vivo. To address this problem, investigators created bispecific Abs that combine the HIV-1 inhibitory activity of ibalizumab, a humanized mAb directed to domain 2 of human CD4, with that of anti-gp120 bNAbs. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Antiretroviral Therapy Initiated within Six Months of HIV Infection Is Associated with Lower T-Cell Activation and Smaller HIV Reservoir Size
Researchers investigated whether very early antiretroviral therapy initiation is associated with lower on-therapy immune activation and HIV persistence. [J Infect Dis] Abstract

Vaccine-Induced Gag-Specific T Cells Are Associated with Reduced Viremia after HIV Infection
Scientists assessed whether vaccine-induced T-cell immunity, or expression of certain HLA alleles, impacted HIV control post-infection in the Step MRKAd5/HIV-1 gag/pol/nef Study. [J Infect Dis] Abstract

CCL19 and CCL28 Augment Mucosal and Systemic Immune Responses to HIV-1 gp140 by Mobilizing Responsive Immunocytes into Secondary Lymph Nodes and Mucosal Tissue
Scientists investigated whether plasmid codelivery of cytokines APRIL, CCL19, or CCL28 can enhance Ag-induced immune responses to HIV-1 gp140. Their results demonstrated that pCCL19 and pCCL28, but not pAPRIL, significantly enhanced Ag-specific systemic and mucosal Ab responses. [J Immunol] Abstract

HIV-1 Vpr Modulates Macrophage Metabolic Pathways: A SILAC-Based Quantitative Analysis
The authors aimed to use a stable-isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) coupled with mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach to characterize the Vpr response in macrophages. Cultured human monocytic cells, U937, were differentiated into macrophages and transduced with adenovirus construct harboring the Vpr gene. [PLoS One] Full Article

Adipose Tissue and Immune Function: A Review of Evidence Relevant to HIV Infection
Relationships between body composition and lymphocyte populations, cellular immune activation, and immune reconstitution in HIV infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy suggest that adipose tissue may also affect cellular immune function. This is further supported by in vitro studies demonstrating the effect of adipocytes and adipokines on lymphocyte proliferation, differentiation, and activation. [J Infect Dis] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the infectious disease research field.

NIMBioS at the University of Tennessee Wins $18 Million Renewal Award from National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation has awarded $18.6 million to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) to continue its interdisciplinary efforts in developing new mathematical approaches to problems across biology, from the level of the genome to individuals to entire ecosystems. [National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis] Press Release

MBio Diagnostics, Inc. Receives NIH Award for POC HIV Device
MBio Diagnostics, Inc. announced that it has received an award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to develop a low-cost, point-of-care (POC), HIV antigen/antibody combination diagnostic device. The two-year, $1.4 million award will continue work from a Phase I NIH project in which research and development of a POC antigen/antibody combination diagnostic device met or exceeded technical milestones. [MBio Diagnostics, Inc.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Fellow – Pathogenesis of AIDS (Ulm University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Virus Host Interactions (CIBIO – University of Trento)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Humoral Responses against HIV (Seattle BioMed)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

Research Scientist/Senior Research Officer – Monoclonal Antibodies (Bioprocessing Technology Institute/A*STAR)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immune Responses against HIV (HIV Pathogenesis Program/University KwaZulu Natal & Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard)

Junior or Senior Group Leader – Immunology/Infection/Inflammation (Center of Pathophysiology of Toulouse Purpan)

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