Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 2.49 | Dec 17 2014

A Critical Role for the TLR Signaling Adapter Mal in Alveolar Macrophage-Mediated Protection against Bordetella pertussis
Researchers examined the role of Toll-like receptor (TLR) adapter protein Mal in the control of B. pertussis infection in the lungs. Macrophages from Mal^−/− mice were defective in an early burst of pro-inflammatory cytokine production and in their ability to kill or constrain intracellular growth of B. pertussis. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

CpG DNA Assists the Whole Inactivated H9N2 Influenza Virus in Crossing the Intestinal Epithelial Barriers via Transepithelial Uptake of Dendritic Cell Dendrites
Investigators report both in vitro and in vivo that CpG DNA combined with H9N2 whole inactivated influenza virus was capable of recruiting additional dendritic cells to the intestinal epithelial cells to form transepithelial dendrites for luminal viral uptake. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

The α-Tocopherol Form of Vitamin E Reverses Age-Associated Susceptibility to Streptococcus pneumoniae Lung Infection by Modulating Pulmonary Neutrophil Recruitment
Investigators tested whether the α-tocopherol form of vitamin E, a regulator of immunity, could modulate neutrophil responses as a preventive strategy to mitigate the age-associated decline in resistance to S. pneumoniae. [J Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients with a Vitamin D Deficiency Demonstrate Low Local Expression of the Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 but Enhanced FoxP3⁺ Regulatory T Cells and IgG-Secreting Cells
Researchers demonstrate that pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients with a vitamin D deficiency had significantly reduced local levels of the vitamin D-inducible antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in granulomatous lesions compared to distal parenchyma from the infected lung. Instead, TB lesions were abundant in CD3⁺ T cells and FoxP3⁺ regulatory T cells as well as IgG-secreting CD20⁺ B cells, particularly in sputum-smear positive patients with cavitary TB. [Clin Immunol] Full Article

HIV

Initiation of ART during Early Acute HIV Infection Preserves Mucosal Th17 Function and Reverses HIV-Related Immune Activation
While intact during Fiebig (F) stage I/II, depletion of mucosal Th17 cell numbers and function was observed during FIII correlating with local and systemic markers of immune-activation. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiated at FI/II prevented loss of Th17 cell numbers and function, while initiation at FIII restored Th17 cell numbers but not their polyfunctionality. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

Lentiviral Nef Proteins Manipulate T Cells in a Subset-Specific Manner
Investigators analyzed the effect of Nef proteins differing in their TCR-CD3 downmodulation function in HIV infected human lymphoid aggregate cultures and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. They found that Nef efficiently downmodulates TCR-CD3 in naïve and memory CD4⁺ T cells and protects the latter against apoptosis. [J Virol] Abstract

Rosuvastatin Reduces Vascular Inflammation and T Cell and Monocyte Activation in HIV-Infected Subjects on Antiretroviral Therapy
Despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART), increased levels of immune activation persist in HIV-infected subjects. Statins have anti-inflammatory effects and may reduce immune activation in HIV disease. Researchers assessed the effect of rosuvastatin on markers of cardiovascular risk and immune activation in ART-treated patients. [J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr] Abstract

Profound Loss of Intestinal T_regs in Acutely SIV-Infected Neonatal Macaques
Large numbers of FoxP3⁺ T cells were found in all tissues in newborn macaques, which coexpressed high levels of CD25 and CD4, indicating that they were T_regs. After SIV infection, a significant loss of T_regs was detected in the intestine compared with age-matched normal infants. [J Leukoc Biol] Abstract

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Enemy Attraction: Bacterial Agonists for Leukocyte Chemotaxis Receptors
The importance of leukocyte chemotaxis in host defense is highlighted by the fact that some bacterial pathogens produce chemotaxis inhibitors. How the various chemoattractants, receptors and antagonists shape antibacterial host defense represents an important topic for future research. [Nat Rev Microbiol] Abstract

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HIV/AIDS Immunovirologist Dr. Doug Nixon Selected for 2014 National Academy of Inventors Fellowship
Douglas Nixon, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine and Walter G. Ross Professor of Basic Science Research at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science, was named a 2014 National Academy of Inventors Fellow. [George Washington University (Newswise, Inc.)] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Position – Innate Immunity and Susceptibility to Infection (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Position – Mucosal Immunology (Karolinska Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Respiratory Immunology, Biology, and Drug Discovery Research (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Mechanisms of Pathogen Infection-Associated Colon Inflammation and Tumorigenesis (Johns Hopkins University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Innate Immune Responses to Virus Infection or Autoimmune Diseases (Houston Methodist Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Universal Influenza Vaccine Development (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Postdoctoral Position – Viral Pathogenesis (The Scripps Research Institute)

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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