Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 2.40 | Oct 15 2014

A Novel TLR2 Agonist from Bordetella pertussis Is a Potent Adjuvant that Promotes Protective Immunity with an Acellular Pertussis Vaccine
The authors report the identification and characterization of novel Toll-like receptor (TLR)-activating lipoproteins from B. pertussis. These proteins contain a characteristic N-terminal signal peptide that is unique to Gram-negative bacteria and they demonstrate that one of these lipoproteins, BP1569, activates murine dendritic cells and macrophages and human mononuclear cells via TLR2. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

CD4⁺ T Cells Promote Antibody Production but Not Sustained Affinity Maturation during Borrelia burgdorferi Infection
Researchers evaluated the induction and functionality of B. burgdorferi (Bb) infection-induced CD4 T_FH cells. They report that CD4 T cells were effectively primed and T_FH cells induced after Bb infection. [Infect Immun] Abstract

Intestine-Derived Clostridium leptum Induces Murine Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells and Regulatory T Cells In Vitro
To investigate whether infection with the C. leptum sp. can specifically induce regulatory T cells (Tregs) and/or tolerogenic dendritic cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells were cultured in the presence or absence of C. leptum then co-cultured with CD4⁺CD25⁻ Tregs or not. [Hum Immunol] Abstract

HIV

Vaginal Challenge with a SIV-Based Dual Reporter System Reveals that Infection Can Occur throughout the Upper and Lower Female Reproductive Tract
Using a high dose of a single round non-replicating SIV-based vector containing a novel dual reporter system, scientists determined the sites of infection by the inoculum using the rhesus macaque vaginal transmission model. JRFL enveloped virions infect diverse CD4 expressing cell types, with T cells resident throughout the female reproductive tract representing the primary target. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article | Editorial

Early HIV-1 Infection Is Associated with Reduced Frequencies of Cervical Th17 Cells
The impact of early HIV infection on cervical CD4⁺ T cell populations in humans remains poorly described. Researchers analyzed cytobrush-derived immune cells by flow cytometry and cytokines in cervicovaginal lavage from participants in early HIV, chronic HIV, and HIV uninfected controls. [J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr] Abstract

Sulfonation Pathway Inhibitors Block Reactivation of Latent HIV-1
Investigators show that chemical inhibitors of the sulfonation pathway prevent virus reactivation, both in latently infected J-Lat and U1 cell lines and in a primary human CD4⁺ T cell model of latency. [Virology] Abstract

The Role of Extended-Release Niacin on Immune Activation and Neurocognition in HIV-Infected Patients Treated with Antiretroviral Therapy: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Investigators designed a crossover proof-of-concept study to assess supplementation with an extended-release form of niacin in combination with antiretroviral therapy, compared to antiretroviral therapy alone, on T-cell immune activation as defined by changes in the percentage of CD8⁺CD38⁺HLA-DR⁺ T-cells. [Trials]
Abstract | Full Article

Identification of an Env-Defective HIV-1 Mutant Capable of Spontaneous Reversion to a Wild-Type Phenotype in Certain T-Cell Lines
Scientists demonstrate that an HIV-1 variant containing a G367R substitution within the CD4 binding site of gp120 was non-infectious as free virus in culture but was infectious when infected cells were co-cultured with certain T cell lines or when cells were transfected by a relevant proviral plasmid. [Virol J] Abstract | Full Article

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Presents Data from Multiple New Studies Showcasing Continued Innovation in Virology
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced that ten abstracts have been accepted for presentation. The breadth of data presented highlights Bristol-Myers Squibb’s commitment to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over chronic viral diseases. [Press release from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discussing research presented at IDWeek 2014™, Philadelphia] Press Release

Durata Therapeutics Presents New Data for Dalvance™
Durata Therapeutics announced a summary of presentation data from its recently launched product, Dalvance™ (dalbavancin) for injection. [Press release from Durata Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at IDWeek 2014™, Philadelphia] Press Release

MOLOGEN AG Presents EnanDIM: A New Generation of Immunomodulators
MOLOGEN has presented preclinical data on its EnanDIM technology. Potential applications include the fields of anti-tumor and anti-infective therapies. [Press release from MOLOGEN AG discussing research presented at the 10^th Annual Meeting of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society (OTS), San Diego] Press Release

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Johns Hopkins Pediatrician Wins NIH Transformative Research Award
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center infectious disease specialist Sanjay Jain, M.D., has earned a Transformative Research Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his ongoing work to design a new noninvasive imaging method that can rapidly identify a wide variety of bacterial infections and monitor their response to treatment in real time. [Johns Hopkins University] Press Release

Auspherix and Domainex Announce Collaboration to Develop New Drugs to Treat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Infection
Domainex Ltd. and Auspherix Pty Ltd announced a collaboration that will progress Auspherix’s novel anti-infective drug discovery program towards the nomination of a clinical candidate. [Domainex Ltd.] Press Release

Shantha’s Investigational Rotavirus Vaccine Enters Phase III Clinical Trials in India
Sanofi Pasteur announced the start of a Phase III clinical trial in India for its investigational rotavirus vaccine, developed and manufactured by its affiliate Shantha Biotechnics. [Sanofi Pasteur SA] Press Release

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NEW PhD Position – Childhood Respiratory Virus Infections and Development of Asthma (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

NEW Research Fellow – Gene Expression of Immune Cells in Response to Infection (The University of Nottingham)

PhD Position – Innate Immunity / Microscopy (University Duisburg-Essen)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Parasitology (Institut Pasteur)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immune and Pathogenic Mechanisms during Alphavirus Infections (Singapore Immunology Network A*STAR)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology of Human Enteric Infections (University of Utah)

PhD Studentship – Immune Activation in Human Retroviral Pathologies (KU Leuven)

Scientist – Recombinant Molecules and Antibodies (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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