Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 1.28 | Sep 25 2013

Generation of Effector Memory T Cell-Based Mucosal and Systemic Immunity with Pulmonary Nanoparticle Vaccination
Many pathogens infiltrate the body and initiate infection via mucosal surfaces. Hence, eliciting cellular immune responses at mucosal portals of entry is of great interest for vaccine development against mucosal pathogens. The authors describe a pulmonary vaccination strategy combining Toll-like receptor agonists with antigen-carrying lipid nanocapsules, which elicit high-frequency, long-lived, antigen-specific effector memory T cell responses at multiple mucosal sites. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

RelA and RelB Cross-Talk and Function in Epstein-Barr Virus Transformed B-Cells
Scientists determined the respective roles of RelA and RelB NF-κB subunits in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformed B-cells. Using different EBV-immortalized B-cell models, they showed that only RelA activation increased both survival and cell growth. [Leukemia] Abstract

Defining CD8⁺ T Cell Determinants during Human Viral Infection in Populations of Asian Ethnicity
The authors evaluated the ability of NetMHCpan to predict antiviral CD8⁺ T cell epitopes that they identified with a traditional approach in patients of Asian ethnicity infected with Dengue virus, hepatitis B virus, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. [J Immunol] Abstract

IL-12-Based Vaccination Therapy Reverses Liver-Induced Systemic Tolerance in a Mouse Model of Hepatitis B Virus Carrier
Using a hepatitis B virus (HBV)-carrier mouse model, investigators report that IL-12-based vaccination therapy can efficiently reverse systemic tolerance toward HBV. HBV-carrier mice lost responsiveness to hepatitis B surface Ag vaccination, and IL-12 alone could not reverse this liver-induced immune tolerance. [J Immunol] Abstract

HIV

An HIV-1 Replication Pathway Utilizing Reverse Transcript Products that Fail to Integrate
Researchers found that infection of cytokine treated resting CD4+ T cells in the presence of raltegravir or with Integrase active site mutant HIV-1 yields de novo virus production following subsequent T cell activation. [J Virol] Abstract | Press Release

Immune Adaptor ADAP in T Cells Regulates HIV-1 Transcription and Cell-Cell Viral Spread via Different Co-Receptors
The authors showed that adhesion and degranulation-promoting adaptor protein (ADAP) and its binding to SLP-76 (SH2 domain-containing leukocyte protein of 76 kDa) regulate HIV-1 infection via two distinct mechanisms and co-receptors. siRNA down-regulation of ADAP, or expression of a mutant that is defective in associating to its binding partner SLP-76, inhibited the propagation of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) in T-cell lines and primary human T-cells. [Retrovirology] Abstract | Full Article

Drug-Induced Reactivation of Apoptosis Abrogates HIV-1 Infection
Scientists studied two globally used medicines, the topical antifungal ciclopirox and the iron chelator deferiprone, for their effect on apoptosis in HIV-infected H9 cells and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with clinical HIV-1 isolates. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

HIV-1 Infection of T Cells and Macrophages Are Differentially Modulated by Virion-Associated Hck: A Nef-Dependent Phenomenon
Experiments in HIV-1 infected macrophages confirmed the presence of a Nef:Hck complex which was dependent on the Nef proline repeat motif. The proline repeat motif of Nef also enhanced both HIV-1 infection and replication in macrophages, and was required for incorporation of Hck into viral particles. [Viruses] Abstract | Press Release

IL-17 Cytokines in Immunity and Inflammation
The authors summarize the recent findings in IL-17 biology and the progress towards understanding the regulatory mechanisms of IL-17 expression and signaling mechanisms. This knowledge will benefit the development of novel immune modulators that enhance immunity to various infections and reduce inflammatory damage in infected patients. [Emerging Microbes & Infections] Full Article

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UMB, MedImmune Form Partnership to Advance Biomedical Science and Innovation
MedImmune and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) have entered into a five-year, $6 million collaboration to drive novel bioscience research in Maryland. The research projects will focus on MedImmune’s core therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular and metabolic disease; oncology; respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity; and infectious disease. [University of Maryland] Press Release

NIH-Funded Pandemic Preparation: Baylor Investigates Bird Flu Vaccine
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, along with seven other Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units, will take part in studies to test vaccines to protect against the possibility of a bird flu pandemic. Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the study being conducted at Baylor will recruit up to 1,000 adults nationally who are 19 to 64 years old and in good health. [Baylor College of Medicine] Press Release

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Research Fellow – HIV-Associated Neurological Disorders (University of Texas Medical Branch)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (Emory University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 Infection (MGH – Harvard Medical School)

Residency in Infectious Diseases (University of Florida)

Postdoctoral Positions – AIDS Vaccine and Human Gene Therapy (GeneCure Biotechnologies)

PhD Position – Study of the Loading of Antigens and Immunomodulating Agents in Nanoparticles for Improved Delivery of Antigens in Mucosa (Universite Lille 2 Droit et Sante)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Culture Media & Matrices (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Quality Control Analyst – Media (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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