Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 4.00 | Jan 6 2016

Microbiota Regulate the Ability of Lung Dendritic Cells to Induce IgA Class-Switch Recombination and Generate Protective Gastrointestinal Immune Responses
Researchers showed that lung CD103⁺ and CD24⁺CD11b⁺ dendritic cells induced IgA class-switch recombination by activating B cells through T cell–dependent or –independent pathways. [J Exp Med]
Abstract | Press Release

Severe Malaria Infections Impair Germinal Center Responses by Inhibiting T Follicular Helper Cell Differentiation
Using mouse models, scientists showed that severe malaria infection inhibits the establishment of germinal centers in the spleen. They demonstrated that infection induces high frequencies of T follicular helper cell precursors but results in impaired Tfh cell differentiation. [Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Treponema pallidum (Syphilis) Antigen TpF1 Induces Angiogenesis through the Activation of the IL-8 Pathway
The authors report that one of the major antigens of T. pallidum, the TpF1 protein, has growth factor-like activity on primary cultures of human endothelial cells and activates specific T cells able to promote tissue factor production. [Sci Rep] Full Article

HIV

Virologic Effects of Broadly Neutralizing Antibody VRC01 Administration during Chronic HIV-1 Infection
Scientists assessed the impact of VRC01, a potent human monoclonal antibody targeting the HIV-1 CD4 binding site, on antiretroviral therapy-treated and untreated HIV-1–infected subjects. [Sci Transl Med]
Abstract | Press Release

Structural Constraints of Vaccine-Induced Tier-2 Autologous HIV Neutralizing Antibodies Targeting the Receptor-Binding Site
Researchers showed that immunization with transmitted/founder (TF) mutant Envs gp140 oligomers induced high-titer, V5-dependent plasma neutralization for a Tier-2 autologous TF evolved mutant virus. Structural analysis of autologous neutralizing antibody (nAb) DH427 revealed binding to V5, demonstrating the source of narrow nAb specificity and explaining the failure to acquire breadth. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

A Dendritic Cell Targeted Vaccine Induces Long-Term HIV-Specific Immunity within the Gastrointestinal Tract
Studies focusing on early transmission events, including the observation that there is a profound loss of gastrointestinal CD4⁺ T cells during acute HIV-1 infection, highlight the importance of inducing HIV-specific immunity within the gut. Investigators report on the generation of cellular and humoral immune responses in the intestines by a mucosally administered, dendritic cell targeted vaccine. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Particular Activation Phenotype of T Cells Expressing HLA-DR but Not CD38 in GALT from HIV-Controllers Is Associated with Immune Regulation and Delayed Progression to AIDS
Researchers evaluated the following parameters in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) samples from 11 HIV-controllers and 15 HIV-progressors: frequency and activation phenotype of T cells; expression of transcription factors associated with immune response profiles; and frequency of apoptotic cells. [Immunol Res] Abstract

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Cempra Enters into a CRADA with the NIAID and Expands the Phase III Solithromycin Clinical Trial in Urogenital Gonorrhea to Include Additional Female Patients and Adolescents
Cempra, Inc. announced it has successfully completed enrollment of 250 patients in the United States and Australia for its Phase III trial in urogenital gonorrhea. The Phase III trial has been amended to include up to an additional 60 patients, consisting of women and adolescents with culture-proven gonorrhea. [Cempra, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Immune Interaction with Aspergillus fumigatus (University Clinics Würzburg)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Innate Immunity (Umeå University)

Senior Scientist – Immunology and Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Group Leader – Infection and Immunity (Monash University)

PhD Studentship – School of Pathology (University of Oxford)

Professor – Molecular Biology (Umeå University)

Research Technician I – HIV Vaccine Trials (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Faculty Position – Microbiology and Physiological Systems (University of Massachusetts Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology/Vaccinology/Bioinformatics (Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

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