Host-Directed Therapy of Tuberculosis Based on Interleukin-1 and Type I Interferon Crosstalk Researchers demonstrate that interleukin-1 (IL-1) confers host resistance through the induction of eicosanoids that limit excessive type I interferon (IFN) production and foster bacterial containment. They showed that, in infected mice and patients, reduced IL-1 responses and/or excessive type I IFN induction are linked to an eicosanoid imbalance associated with disease exacerbation. [Nature] Abstract Immunization with a Functional Protein Complex Required for Erythrocyte Invasion Protects against Lethal Malaria Scientists provide evidence that immunization with an apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1)-RON2 peptide complex, but not with AMA1 alone, provided complete protection against a lethal Plasmodium yoelii challenge in mice. Significantly, IgG from mice immunized with the complex transferred protection. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release Artesunate versus Chloroquine Infection-Treatment-Vaccination Defines Stage-Specific Immune Responses Associated with Prolonged Sterile Protection against Both Pre-Erythrocytic and Erythrocytic Plasmodium yoelii Infection Researchers used the different effects of antimalarial drugs chloroquine and artesunate on blood stage parasites to dissect the stage-specific immune responses in mice immunized with P. yoelii sporozoites (spz) under either drug, as well as their ability to protect mice against challenge with spz or infected RBCs. [J Immunol] Abstract | Full Article The Transcription Factor Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells c3 Modulates the Function of Macrophages in Sepsis Investigators showed that transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c3 regulates expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. NFATc3 KO mice subjected to sepsis show that NFATc3 is necessary for bacterial clearance in mouse lungs during sepsis. [J Innate Immun] Abstract | Press Release Protective Role of TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-2 in Mice Infected with the Oshima Strain of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Researchers investigated the roles of the TNF-α, IL-10 and other cytokines in appropriate KO mice following infection with Oshima and Sofjin strains of tick-borne encephalitis virus. [Sci Rep] Full Article HIV Glycosphingolipid-Functionalized Nanoparticles Recapitulate CD169-Dependent HIV-1 Uptake and Trafficking in Dendritic Cells Ganglioside GM3, a host-derived glycosphingolipid incorporated in the membrane of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) viral particles, mediates interactions between HIV-1 and Siglec1/CD169, a protein expressed on dendritic cells. [Nat Commun] Abstract HIV Infection and Incidence of Ischemic Stroke Scientists aimed to determine the association of HIV infection and immunodeficiency with incidence of ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke incidence in HIV-positive individuals with high CD4 or low HIV RNA is similar to that of HIV-negative individuals. [AIDS] Abstract | Press Release Incomplete Recovery of Pneumococcal CD4 T Cell Immunity after Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected Malawian Adults HIV-infected adults were followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months after initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). Pneumococcal-specific CD4 T-cell immunity was assessed by IFN-γ ELISpot, proliferation assay, CD154 expression and intracellular cytokine assay. [PLoS One] Full Article Improved Flow-Based Method for HIV/SIV Envelope-Specific Memory B-Cell Evaluation in Rhesus Macaques Scientists developed an improved flow cytometry-based method for the rapid and efficient identification of gp120-specific memory B cells in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and mucosal tissues which allows their direct staining without the need for prior cell sorting or enrichment. They demonstrate staining of both HIV and SIV envelope-specific memory B cells in PBMC, bone marrow, and rectal tissue of vaccinated and infected rhesus macaques. [J Immunol Methods] Abstract |