Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 4.13 | Apr 6 2016

Diversification of the Antigen-Specific T Cell Receptor Repertoire after Varicella Zoster Vaccination
Researchers examined the T cell receptor diversity of varicella zoster virus (VZV)-reactive CD4 T cells in individuals older than 50 years by studying three identical twin pairs and three unrelated individuals before and after vaccination with live attenuated VZV. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Type III Interferons Produced by Human Placental Trophoblasts Confer Protection against Zika Virus Infection
Investigators discovered that primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells from full-term placentas are refractory to Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. PHT cells constitutively release the type III interferon (IFN) IFNλ1, which functions in both a paracrine and autocrine manner to protect trophoblast and non-trophoblast cells from ZIKV infection. [Cell Host Microbe] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Longitudinal Characterization of Dysfunctional T Cell-Activation during Human Acute Ebola Infection
Researchers evaluated the kinetics and functionality of T-cell subsets, as well as the expression of activation, autophagy, apoptosis and exhaustion markers during the acute phase of Ebola virus disease until recovery. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

HIV

Bacteroides Are Associated with GALT iNKT Cell Function and Reduction of Microbial Translocation in HIV-1 Infection
Researchers showed that invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are found at a higher frequency in gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) compared with blood, particularly in HIV-1 elite controllers. [Mucosal Immunol] Full Article

The Plasma Levels of Soluble ST2 as a Marker of Gut Mucosal Damage in Early HIV Infection
Investigators assessed the relationship between the interleukin-33/ST2 axis and markers of gut mucosal damage in patients with early and chronic HIV infection and elite controllers. [AIDS] Abstract

Quantitation of Productively Infected Monocytes and Macrophages of SIV-Infected Macaques
To assess the contribution of productively infected monocytes and macrophages to HIV and SIV infected cells in vivo, researchers developed a quantitative virus outgrowth assay based on similar assays used to quantitate CD4⁺ T cell latent reservoirs in antiretroviral therapy suppressed HIV- and SIV-infected individuals. [J Virol] Abstract | Full Article

CCR5 Interaction with HIV-1 Env Contributes to Env-Induced Depletion of CD4 T Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Scientists investigated CD4 T cell depletion mechanisms caused by the Env of a highly pathogenic CXCR4/CCR5 dual-tropic HIV-1 isolate R3A. They report that R3A infection induced depletion of both infected and uninfected “bystander” CD4 T cells, and treatment with CCR5 antagonist TAK-779 inhibited R3A-induced bystander CD4 T cell depletion without affecting virus replication. [Retrovirology] Full Article

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DNA Immunization as a Technology Platform for Monoclonal Antibody Induction
The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of the literature describing the use of DNA immunization to produce highly functional monoclonal antibodies, in particular, those against emerging infectious diseases. [Emerg Microbes Infect] Full Article

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Janssen to Unveil New Hepatitis B and C Data
Janssen Sciences Ireland UC announced it will present thirteen abstracts featuring new data on an investigational regimen for treatment of hepatitis B virus and approved and investigational regimens for the treatment of hepatitis C virus. [Press release from Janssen Sciences Ireland UC discussing research to be presented at the International Liver Congress™ 2016 of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), Barcelona] Press Release

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Vedanta Biosciences Announces License Agreement with RIKEN and Other Japanese Institutions for New Immune Boosting Microbiome Technology
Vedanta Biosciences announced a license agreement with RIKEN, the University of Tokyo and Azabu University for technology developed by RIKEN Team Leader and Vedanta Co-founder and Scientific Advisory Board Member, Kenya Honda, M.D., Ph.D. The new technology has potential clinical applications in infectious disease, vaccine design and immuno-oncology. [Vedanta Biosciences (Business Wire)] Press Release

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

Postdoctoral Positions – Human Immune System-Microbiota Crosstalk (Karolinska Institutet)

Research Associate – Susceptibility and Resistance to Helminth Infection (University of Glasgow)

Professorship – Medical Microbiology (Jena University Hospital)

Postdoctoral Position – Hepatitis B Virus Infection (University of Strasbourg)

Postdoctoral Position – Dendritic Cells in Inflammation and Infection (Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille Luminy)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard)

Principal Scientist – Infectious Disease (Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V.)

Principal Investigators – Infectious Diseases (CCID)

Administrative Head – Vaccine and Infectious Disease (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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

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