DOCK8 Regulates Protective Immunity by Controlling the Function and Survival of ​RORγt+ ILCs ​Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt-positive (​RORγt+) innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) produce ​interleukin (IL)-22 and ​IL-17, which are critical for protective immunity against enteric pathogens. Investigators show that ​dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (​DOCK8), a scaffolding protein involved in cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell migration, is essential for the protective immunity against Citrobacter rodentium. [Nat Commun] Abstract Surface Expression of the hRSV Nucleoprotein Impairs Immunological Synapse Formation with T Cells Although several mouse- and human cell-based studies have shown that human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) infection prevents naïve T-cell activation by antigen-presenting cells, the mechanism underlying such inhibition remains unknown. Researchers show that the hRSV nucleoprotein could be at least partially responsible for inhibiting T-cell activation during infection by this virus. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Antigen Export during Liver Infection of the Malaria Parasite Augments Protective Immunity Scientists systematically characterized the contribution of protein export to the magnitude of antigen-specific T-cell responses against Plasmodium berghei liver-stage parasites in C57BL/6 mice. Immunization with live attenuated transgenic sporozoites revealed that antigen export was not critical for CD8+ T-cell priming but enhanced CD8+ T-cell proliferation in the liver. [MBio] Full Article Mast Cells Are Crucial in the Resistance against Toxoplasma gondii Oral Infection Investigators addressed the role of mast cells (MCs), which are mainly located in mucosa during oral infection with T. gondii, using MC-deficient (W/Wv) mice. They show that in the absence of MCs the resistance of W/Wv mice to oral infection was considerably reduced. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract HIV Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Suppress HIV-1 Replication but Contribute to HIV-1 Induced Immunopathogenesis in Humanized Mice Researchers developed a monoclonal antibody that specifically depletes human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) in all lymphoid organs in humanized mice. Interestingly, the cell death induced by the highly pathogenic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolate was severely reduced in pDC-depleted mice. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article Humanized PA14 (A Monoclonal CCR5 Antibody) for Treatment of People with HIV Infection PRO 140 (a humanized form of the PA14 antibody) inhibits CCR5-tropic type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Scientists assessed the efficacy, safety, clinical disease progression and immunologic and virologic markers of PRO 140 for HIV-infected patients in randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials. [Cochrane Database Syst Rev] Abstract Inhibition of Two Temporal Phases of HIV-1 Transfer from Primary Langerhans Cells to T Cells: The Role of Langerin Scientists examined HIV replication and langerin-mediated viral transfer by authentic immature epidermal Langerhans cells (eLCs) and model Mutz-3 LCs. Two successive phases of HIV viral transfer to T cells via cave/vesicular trafficking and de novo replication were observed with eLCs as previously described in monocyte-derived or blood dendritic cells, but only first phase transfer was observed with Mutz-3 LCs. [J Immunol] Abstract MicroRNAs Differentially Present in the Plasma of HIV Elite Controllers Reduce HIV Infection In Vitro As microRNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of gene expression and some of them modulate HIV infection, researchers studied the miRNA profile in plasma from HIV elite controllers and chronically infected individuals and compared against healthy donors. Several miRNAs correlate with CD4+ T cell count or with the known time of infection. [Sci Rep] Full Article Early Skewed Distribution of Total and HIV-Specific CD8+ T-Cell Memory Phenotypes during Primary HIV Infection Is Related to Reduced Antiviral Activity and Faster Disease Progression An immunophenotypic analysis (in terms of memory markers and programmed cell death 1 expression) of the CD8+ T-cell subset found in primary HIV infection was performed. Investigators sought for associations with functional properties of the CD8+ T-cell subsets, viral control and subsequent disease progression. [PLoS One] Full Article Don’t forget to subscribe to our sister publications: Human Immunology News and Immune Regulation News! |