Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 3.06 | Feb 18 2015

DNA Damage Primes the Type I Interferon System via the Cytosolic DNA Sensor STING to Promote Anti-Microbial Innate Immunity
By analyzing ataxia telangiectasia (AT) patient samples and Atm^−/− mice, researchers found that unrepaired DNA lesions induced type I interferons, resulting in enhanced anti-viral and anti-bacterial responses in Atm^−/− mice. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

IL-33-Mediated Protection against Experimental Cerebral Malaria Is Linked to Induction of Type 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells, M2 Macrophages and Regulatory T Cells
Using the blood-stage PbA (Plasmodium berghei ANKA) model of infection, investigators show that administration of the pro-Th2 cytokine, IL-33, prevents the development of experimental cerebral malaria in C57BL/6 mice and reduces the production of inflammatory mediators IFN-γ, IL-12 and TNF-α. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

Dynamic Co-Evolution of Host and Pathogen: HCMV Downregulates the Prevalent Allele MICA*008 to Escape Elimination by NK Cells
A highly prevalent MICA allele, MICA*008, is considered to be an human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-resistant “escape variant” that confers advantage to human natural killer (NK) cells in recognizing infected cells. However, scientists show that HCMV uses its viral glycoprotein US9 to specifically target MICA*008 and thus escapes NKG2D attack. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Blockage Therapy Impairs Hepatitis B Viral Clearance and Enhances T-Cell Exhaustion in a Mouse Model
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) clearance and T-cell responses were analyzed in a HBV-transfected mouse model under anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockage therapy. Results demonstrated that under TNF-α blockage therapy, HBV viral clearance was impaired with persistent elevated HBV viral load in a dose- and temporal-dependent manner. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

HIV

Replicative Fitness of Transmitted HIV-1 Drives Acute Immune Activation, Proviral Load in Memory CD4⁺ T Cells, and Disease Progression
In an analysis of 127 acutely infected Zambians, scientists demonstrate a dramatic and early impact of viral replicative capacity on HIV-1 immunopathogenesis that is independent of viral load. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

HIV-1-Induced Impairment of Dendritic Cell Cross-Talk with γδ T Lymphocytes
Scientists investigated whether HIV-exposed dendritic cells (DC) could deliver aberrant signals to interacting γδ Τ cells. They report that the interaction of human γδ T lymphocytes with HIV-1-exposed autologous monocyte-derived DC, but not direct exposure to the virus, impairs lymphocyte expansion and IFN-γ production in response to phosphoantigens. [J Virol] Abstract

PDC and Functional HIV Gag p55-Specific T Cells before Treatment Interruption Can Inform Set-Point Plasma HIV Viral Load after Treatment Interruption in Chronically Suppressed HIV-1⁺ Subjects
Researchers investigated the relationship between set-point plasma HIV viral load during an antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption and innate/adaptive parameters prior or after interruption. [Immunology] Abstract

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Study to Begin on Developing Diagnostics for Deadly Mold Infection
A new grant will fund research to develop a diagnosis for mucormycosis fungal infections. Ashraf S. Ibrahim, PhD, a Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute lead investigator and founder of Vitalex Biosciences, will be conducting research to develop a rapid method for diagnosing mucormycosis. [Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute (EurekAlert!)] Press Release

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