Tetherin Promotes the Innate and Adaptive Cell-Mediated Immune Response against Retrovirus Infection In Vivo Investigators showed that Tetherin influences antiretroviral cell-mediated immune responses. In contrast to the direct antiviral effects of Tetherin, which are dependent on cell surface expression, the immunomodulatory effects are linked to the endocytosis of the molecule. [J Immunol] Abstract Lymphopenia Associated with Highly Virulent H5N1 Virus Infection Due to Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell-Mediated Apoptosis of T Cells Scientists found that lethal H5N1, but not nonlethal H5N1, virus infection in mice enhances Fas ligand expression on plasmacytoid dendritic cells, resulting in apoptosis of influenza-specific CD8+ T cells via a Fas-FasL-mediated pathway. [J Immunol] Abstract Eosinophils Are Recruited in Response to Chitin Exposure and Enhance Th2-Mediated Immune Pathology in Aspergillus fumigatus Infection CD4+ T cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of Af5517-aspirated mice displayed decreased interferon gamma secretion and increased interleukin-4 transcription. In addition, repeated aspirations of Af5517 induced lung transcription of the T helper 2 (Th2)-associated chemokines CCL11 (eotaxin) and CCL22 (macrophage-derived chemokine). [Infect Immun] Abstract An ENU-Induced Splicing Mutation Reveals a Role for Unc93b1 in Early Immune Cell Activation following Influenza A H1N1 Infection Scientists used Unc93b1Letr/Letr mice to study the role of Unc93b1 in the immune response to influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), an important global respiratory pathogen. During the early phase of infection, Unc93b1Letr/Letr mice had fewer activated exudate macrophages and decreased expression of CXCL10, interferon (IFN)-γ and type I IFN. [Genes Immun] Abstract A Neonatal Gnotobiotic Pig Model of Human Enterovirus 71 Infection and Associated Immune Responses Researchers report the development of a novel neonatal gnotobiotic pig model using the non-pig-adapted neurovirulent human enterovirus 71 strain BJ110, which has a C4 genotype. Porcine small intestinal epithelial cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and neural cells were infected in vitro. [Emerg Microbes Infect] Full Article HIV Early Development of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies in HIV-1-Infected Infants Findings suggest that, even in early life, there is sufficient B cell functionality to mount broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV-1. Additionally, the relatively early appearance of bNAbs in infants may provide a unique setting for understanding the pathways of B cell maturation leading to bNAbs. [Nat Med] Abstract Genome-Wide Analysis of Histone Modifications in Latently HIV-1 Infected T Cells The transcriptional silencing of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) provirus in latently infected cells is a major hurdle on the pathway to HIV-1 elimination. The epigenetic mechanisms established by histone modifications may affect the transcriptional silencing of HIV-1 and viral latency. [AIDS] Abstract Rational Design and Characterization of the Novel, Broad and Potent Bispecific HIV-1 Neutralizing Antibody iMabm36 Researchers designed and engineered a novel bispecific HIV-1 neutralizing antibody, iMabm36, for high potency and breadth against HIV. iMabm36 is composed of the anti-CD4 Ab ibalizumab linked to two copies of the single-domain Ab m36 which targets a highly conserved CD4-induced epitope. [JAIDS] Abstract Neutralizing Antibodies against AAV2, AAV5 and AAV8 in Healthy and HIV-1-Infected Subjects in China: Implications for Gene Therapy Using AAV Vectors To identify candidate adeno-associated viruses (AAV) vectors for therapeutic or prophylactic HIV vaccines, neutralizing antibodies against AAV2, AAV5 and AAV8 were screened in the sera of healthy individuals in China and 10 developed countries and an HIV-1-infected Chinese population. [Gene Ther] Abstract |