Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 3.02 | Jan 21 2015

A PfRH5-Based Vaccine Is Efficacious against Heterologous Strain Blood-Stage Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Aotus Monkeys
Scientists demonstrate that protein homolog 5 (PfRH5)-based vaccines can protect Aotus monkeys against a virulent vaccine-heterologous P. falciparum challenge and show that such protection can be achieved by a human-compatible vaccine formulation. [Cell Host Microbe] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Pathogen-Expanded CD11b⁺ Invariant NKT Cells Feedback Inhibit T Cell Proliferation via Membrane-Bound TGF-β1
Investigators identified CD11b⁺ invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells as a new subset of regulatory NKT cells in mouse models with infection. [J Autoimmun] Abstract

Deficiency of Antigen-Specific B Cells Results in Decreased Trypanosoma cruzi Systemic but Not Mucosal Immunity Due to CD8 T Cell Exhaustion
Despite their initial hypothesis that mucosal Abs would be important, scientists show that B cells are critical for systemic, but not mucosal, T. cruzi protective immunity. [J Immunol] Abstract

HIV

A Long-Acting Integrase Inhibitor Protects Female Macaques from Repeated High-Dose Intravaginal SHIV Challenge
Researchers examined the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of long-acting GSK1265744 as preexposure prophylaxis against repeat high-dose intravaginal SHIV (simian-human immunodeficiency virus) challenge in female rhesus macaques treated with Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate), which promotes viral transmission vaginally. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Expanded Cytotoxic T-Cell Lymphocytes Target the Latent HIV Reservoir
Enhanced HIV-specific immunity may be required for HIV eradication. Administration of autologous, ex vivo expanded, virus-specific, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes derived from HIV infected patients on suppressive antiretroviral therapy were studied. [J Infect Dis] Abstract

HIV-2 Infects Resting CD4⁺ T Cells but Not Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Scientists investigated human immunodeficiency virus-type 2 (HIV-2) replication in primary CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, both activated and non-activated, as well as in monocyte-derived dendritic cells. [Retrovirology] Abstract | Full Article

Long-Term SIV Control in Cynomolgus Macaques Not Associated with Efficient SIV-Specific CD8 T-Cell Responses
The contribution of the CD8 T-cell response to maintaining long-term viral control remains unclear. To address this question, researchers transiently depleted CD8 T cells from five simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected cynomolgus macaques with long-term viral control and weak CD8 T-cell responses. [J Virol] Abstract

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Johnson & Johnson Announces Formation of Ebola Vaccine Development Consortia, Gains Funding from Innovative Medicines Initiative
Johnson & Johnson announced the formation of consortia with leading global research institutions and non-government organizations to work in conjunction with Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies to accelerate the development of its Ebola vaccine regimen. [Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.] Press Release

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals and OnCore Biopharma Announce Merger Agreement to Create Leading Global Hepatitis B Virus Company
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation and OnCore Biopharma, Inc. announced that they have agreed to merge to create a new leading global hepatitis B virus company focused on developing a curative regimen for hepatitis B patients by combining multiple therapeutic approaches. [Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation] Press Release

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NEW PhD Position – Infection Biology and Innate Immunity (Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research)

NEW PhD Studentship – Defining Innate Phenotypes Associated with Enhanced Immunity to Johne’s Disease (Teagasc)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Innate Immune Signaling in Pathogen Infection (Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanisms of HIV-1 Immune Control and Dendritic Cell Immunopathology in HIV-1 Infection (Massachusetts General Hospital)

PhD Position – Immunology (University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf)

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Postdoctoral Position – Vaccines for Animal Parasites (Ghent University)

Postdoctoral Position – Group B Streptococcus Interaction in Neonatal Sepsis (Institut Pasteur)

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

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

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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