Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 2.28 | Jul 23 2014

c-Myc-Induced Transcription Factor AP4 Is Required for Host Protection Mediated by CD8⁺ T Cells
Scientists identified AP4 as the transcription factor that was induced by c-Myc and sustained activation of antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells. Mice lacking AP4 specifically in CD8⁺ T cells showed enhanced susceptibility to infection with West Nile virus. [Nat Immunol] Abstract

Effects of Developmental Activation of the AhR on CD4⁺ T-Cell Responses to Influenza Virus Infection in Adult Mice
Scientists determined whether maternal exposure to an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand directly alters CD4⁺ T cell differentiation and function later in life. CD4⁺ T cell activation and differentiation into distinct effector populations was measured in adult offspring that were infected with influenza A virus. [Environ Health Perspect] Abstract | Full Article

T-bet Modulates the Antibody Response and Immune Protection during Murine Malaria
Investigators used Tbx21^−/− mice deficient for T-bet a regulator of Th1 CD4⁺ T-cell differentiation to examine the effect of Th1 CD4⁺ T cells on the immune protection to nonlethal murine malaria Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

HIV

Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin for Hepatitis C in Patients with HIV Coinfection
Researchers determined the rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication and adverse events in patients with HCV-HIV coinfection receiving sofosbuvir and ribavirin treatment. [JAMA] Full Article | Press Release | Video

Antiretroviral-Free HIV-1 Remission and Viral Rebound after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: Report of 2 Cases
Investigators characterized HIV-1 reservoirs in blood and tissues and performed analytic antiretroviral treatment interruptions to determine the potential for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to lead to sustained, antiretroviral-free HIV-1 remission. [Ann Intern Med] Abstract

RNA-Directed Gene Editing Specifically Eradicates Latent and Prevents New HIV-1 Infection
Scientists identified highly specific targets within the HIV-1 LTR U3 region that were efficiently edited by Cas9/guide RNA, inactivating viral gene expression and replication in latently infected microglial, promonocytic, and T cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release | Video

T-bet and Eomes Are Differentially Linked to the Exhausted Phenotype of CD8⁺ T Cells in HIV Infection
Two key transcription factors governing CD8⁺ T cell differentiation, T-bet and Eomesodermin, have previously been shown in mice to differentially regulate T cell exhaustion in part through direct modulation of PD-1. Researchers examined the relationship between these transcription factors and the expression of several inhibitory receptors, functional characteristics and memory differentiation of CD8⁺ T cells in chronic and treated HIV infection. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article | Press Release

Dynamic Regulation of Host Restriction Factor Expression over the Course of HIV-1 Infection In Vivo
Scientists investigated the expression levels of host restriction factors in six untreated HIV-1-positive patients over the course of infection. They found that the host restriction factor gene expression profile consistently increased over time and significantly associated with CD4⁺ T cell activation and viral load. [J Virol] Abstract

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New Research Finds a Way to Predict which HIV Patients Will Respond Better to Future Therapeutic Vaccine
A new study suggests that HIV patients with a higher level of a particular biomarker, or a measurable indicator found in the blood, may respond more favorably to an experimental immune activating vaccine. [Press release from St. George’s, University of London discussing research presented at the 20^th International AIDS Conference, Melbourne] Press Release

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£1.3 Million Wellcome Award to Boost Immune System Research
A University of Dundee researcher has been awarded a £1.3 million grant to boost research into the workings of the immune system. [The University of Dundee] Press Release

Genocea Commences Phase II Dose Optimization Trial for GEN-003 HSV-2 Immunotherapy
Genocea Biosciences, Inc. announced the start of a Phase II dose optimization trial for GEN-003, the Company’s immunotherapy candidate against herpes simplex-type 2 (HSV-2). [Genocea Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

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