Output-Driven Feedback System Control Platform Optimizes Combinatorial Therapy of Tuberculosis Using a Macrophage Cell Culture Model Scientists used an optimization platform, feedback system control methodology, to identify improved drug–dose combinations for tuberculosis (TB) treatment using a fluorescence-based human macrophage cell culture model of TB, in which macrophages are infected with isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside-inducible green fluorescent protein-expressing Mycobacterium tuberculosis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release Regulatory T Cells Are Essential to Promote Proper CD4 T-Cell Priming upon Mucosal Infection Following herpes simplex virus-2 infection, mice lacking regulatory T cells (Tregs) fail to control viral replication, pointing to a role for Tregs in facilitating productive immune responses. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract Curcumin Enhances Human Macrophage Control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection An in vitro human macrophage infection model was used to determine the effects of curcumin on M. tuberculosis (MTB) survival. Researchers found that curcumin enhanced the clearance of MTB in differentiated THP-1 human monocytes and in primary human alveolar macrophages. [Respirology] Abstract | Press Release A Novel Approach for Emerging and Antibiotic Resistant Infections: Innate Defense Regulators as an Agnostic Therapy Researchers showed that the lead clinical innate defense regulator, SGX94, has broad-spectrum activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial infections caused by intracellular or extracellular bacteria and also complements the actions of standard of care antibiotics. [J Biotechnol] Full Article | Press Release HIV Multiplexed Affinity-Based Separation of Proteins and Cells Using Inertial Microfluidics The authors present a method for rapid and multiplexed, yet inexpensive, affinity-based isolation of both proteins and cells, using a size-coded mixture of multiple affinity-capture microbeads and an inertial microfluidic particle sorter device. They used the technique to isolate low abundance antibodies specific to different HIV antigens and rare HIV-specific cells from blood obtained from HIV+ patients. [Sci Rep] Full Article HIV-1-Mediated BAFF Secretion in Macrophages Does Not Require Endosomal TLRs, Type-I IFN, and Nef, but Depends on the Cellular Phenotype Status Researchers investigated the ability of fully competent HIV-1 to induce BAFF production by monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). They demonstrated that HIV-1 drives BAFF production in MDMs in a type-I IFN– and TLR-independent manner. [J Immunol] Abstract HIV Protease Inhibitor–Induced Cathepsin Modulation Alters Antigen Processing and Cross-Presentation Investigators showed that HIV protease inhibitors prescribed to HIV-infected persons variably modulate cathepsin activities in human APCs, dendritic cells and macrophages, and CD4 T cells, three cell subsets infected by HIV. [J Immunol] Abstract FOXP3+Helios+ Regulatory T Cells, Immune Activation and Advancing Disease in HIV Infected Children Scientists evaluated regulatory T cells (Tregs) subsets by FOXP3 co-expressed with either CD25 or Helios and their association with HIV disease progression in perinatally-infected HIV positive children. Identifying Tregs by FOXP3 coexpression with Helios rather than CD25 revealed markedly higher Treg frequencies, particularly in HIV+ children. [J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr] Abstract Subscribe to our sister publications: Human Immunology News and Immune Regulation News! |