Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 2.32 | Aug 20 2014

Strain-Specific Properties and T Cells Regulate the Susceptibility to Papilloma Induction by Mus musculus Papillomavirus 1
Challenge with 1×10¹² virions in the absence of immunosuppression induced small transient papillomas in Cr:ORL SENCAR but not in C57BL/6 mice. Antibody-induced depletion of CD3⁺ T cells permitted efficient virus replication and papilloma formation in both strains, providing experimental proof for the crucial role of T cells in controlling papillomavirus infection and associated disease. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

Cellular Visualization of Macrophage Pyroptosis and IL1β Release in a Viral Hemorrhagic Infection in Zebrafish Larvae
Scientists used zebrafish larvae to study viral hemorrhagic diseases, focusing on the interaction between viruses and host cells. Cellular processes, such as transendothelial migration of leukocytes, viral-induced pyroptosis of macrophages and Il1β release, could be observed in individual cells, providing a deeper knowledge of the immune mechanisms implicated in the disease. [J Virol] Abstract

Depletion of Regulatory T Cells Augments a Vaccine-Induced T Effector Cell Response against the Liver-Stage of Malaria but Fails to Increase Memory
Regulatory T cells (Treg) have been shown to restrict vaccine-induced T cell responses in different experimental models. To obtain more insights in the specific function of Treg during vaccination, investigators used mice transgenic for a bacterial artificial chromosome expressing a diphtheria toxin receptor-eGFP fusion protein under the control of the foxp3 gene locus. [PLoS One] Full Article

Identification of Novel Virus-Specific Antigens by CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T Cells from Asymptomatic HSV-2 Seropositive and Seronegative Donors
Investigators hypothesized that herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infected asymptomatic individuals have acquired T cell responses to specific HSV-2 antigen(s) that may be an important factor in controlling their recurrent disease symptoms. Their proteomic screening technology, ATLAS™, was used to characterize the antigenic repertoire of T cell responses in infected and virus-exposed seronegative subjects. [Virology] Abstract

HIV

Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies and Viral Inducers Decrease Rebound from HIV-1 Latent Reservoirs in Humanized Mice
Using humanized mice, scientists show that broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) can interfere with establishment of a silent reservoir by Fc-FcR-mediated mechanisms. In established infection, bNAbs or bNAbs plus single inducers are ineffective in preventing viral rebound. However, bNAbs plus a combination of inducers that act by independent mechanisms synergize to decrease the reservoir as measured by viral rebound. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

HIV-1 Envelope gp41 Antibodies Can Originate from Terminal Ileum B Cells that Share Cross-Reactivity with Commensal Bacteria
Monoclonal antibodies derived from blood plasma cells of acute HIV-1-infected individuals are predominantly targeted to the HIV Env gp41 and cross-reactive with commensal bacteria. To understand this phenomenon, researchers examined anti-HIV responses in ileum B cells using recombinant antibody technology and probed their relationship to commensal bacteria. [Cell Host Microbe] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

TIM-Family Proteins Inhibit HIV-1 Release
Investigators report that the T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (TIM)-family proteins strongly inhibit HIV-1 release, resulting in diminished viral production and replication. TIM-1 inhibits HIV-1 replication in CD4-positive Jurkat cells, despite its capability of up-regulating CD4 and promoting HIV-1 entry. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Impair the Elimination of HIV-Infected Cells by Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes
Recently, it has been demonstrated that the low levels of viral gene expression induced by a candidate histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) may be insufficient to cause the death of infected cells by viral cytopathic effects, necessitating their elimination by immune effectors, such as cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Investigators studied the impact of three HDACis in clinical development on T-cell effector functions. [PLoS Pathog]
Full Article | Press Release

High Frequencies of Polyfunctional CD8⁺ NK Cells in Chronic HIV-1 Infection Are Associated with Slower Disease Progression
In a longitudinal, retrospective study of 117 untreated HIV-infected subjects investigators show that higher frequencies of natural killer (NK) cells as well as absolute numbers of CD8⁺CD3^– lymphocytes are linked to delayed HIV-1 disease progression. [J Virol] Abstract

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Pfizer Announces FDA Acceptance of and Priority Review Designation for Biologics License Application for Investigational Meningococcal B Vaccine
Pfizer Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the Biologics License Application for bivalent recombinant LP2086, the company’s vaccine candidate for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B in 10 through 25 year olds. [Pfizer Inc.] Press Release

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NEW PhD Candidate – Infection Biology and Immunology (ZIBI Graduate School Berlin)

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