Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 4.22 | Jun 8 2016

TOP STORY

Study Describes a Better Animal Model to Improve HIV Vaccine Development

Rhesus monkeys are primates whose immune system is much closer to that of humans, but HIV cannot infect or replicate in monkeys. To overcome this obstacle, researchers developed chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency viruses, genetically engineered viruses containing the envelope of HIV but with other viral components from simian immunodeficiency virus, which naturally infects monkeys [Press release from The University of Pennsylvania discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

The IFITMs Inhibit Zika Virus Replication

Scientists showed that interferon-inducible transmembrane protein-1 (IFITM1) and IFITM3 inhibit Zika virus infection early in the viral life cycle. Moreover, IFITM3 can prevent Zika-virus-induced cell death. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Enhancement of Anti-STLV-1/HTLV-1 Immune Responses through Multimodal Effects of Anti-CCR4 Antibody

Using simian T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (STLV-1) infected Japanese macaques, researchers analyzed the immune responses to viral antigens and the dynamics of virus-infected cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Multiple Inhibitory Pathways Contribute to Lung CD8⁺ T Cell Impairment and Protect against Immunopathology during Acute Viral Respiratory Infection

Investigators found that human metapneumovirus infection induces virus-specific lung CD8⁺ T cells that fail to produce effector cytokines or degranulate late postinfection, with minimally increased function even in the absence of PD-1 signaling. [J Immunol] Abstract

Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV)-1-Induced Overexpression of Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM) Facilitates Trafficking of Infected Lymphocytes through the Blood-Brain Barrier

The authors explored the role of ALCAM/CD166, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, in the crossing of the blood-brain barrier by HTLV-1-infected lymphocytes. They demonstrated that ALCAM is overexpressed on the surface of HTLV-1-infected lymphocytes, both in chronically-infected cell lines and primary infected CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. [J Virol] Abstract

Distinct TLR-Mediated Cytokine Production and Immunoglobulin Secretion in Human Newborn Naive B Cells

Scientists characterized the expression of TLRs in circulating B cells from newborns and adults, and evaluated TLR- and CD40-mediated naive B-cell class-switch recombination and cytokine production. [Innate Immun] Abstract

The B Cell Response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Cattle following Vaccination and Live-Virus Challenge

Researchers used a FMDV O-serotype vaccination and live virus challenge to investigate the homologous and heterologous B cell response in cattle following both vaccination and live virus challenge. [J Gen Virol] Abstract

HIV

Human Galectin-9 Is a Potent Mediator of HIV Transcription and Reactivation

Scientists report that the administration of a recombinant, stable form of galectin-9 potently reverses HIV latency in vitro in the J-Lat HIV latency model. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

Thiazolides Elicit Anti-Viral Innate Immunity and Reduce HIV Replication

Because natural resistance to HIV-1 infection in HIV-exposed seronegative individuals is suggested to be associated with strong innate immune responses, researchers verified whether tizoxanide and RM-4848 could reduce the in vitro infectiousness of HIV-1. [Sci Rep] Full Article

T-cell Receptor Transfer for Boosting HIV-1-Specific T-Cell Immunity in HIV-1-Infected Patients

To assess the efficiency of T-cell receptor (TCR)-transfer by mRNA electroporation and the functionality of reprogrammed T-cells in HIV-1-infected patients, researchers performed an in vitro analysis of TCR-transfer into T-cells from HIV-1-infected patients in various stages of disease and from healthy controls. [AIDS] Abstract

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The Gut Microbiome in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

The authors review alterations and discuss their potential local and systemic effects on the HIV-positive host, as well as potential roles of novel microbiota-targeting treatments in modulating HIV progression and associated adverse systemic manifestations. [BMC Med] Full Article

Functional Role of Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells in HIV Infection

The authors review some of the important mechanisms associated with depletion and functional loss of MAIT cells and also suggest potential immunotherapeutic strategies to restore MAIT cell functions, including the use of IL-7 to restore effector functions in HIV disease. [J Leukoc Biol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the immunology of infectious disease research field.

GeoVax Developing Vaccine to Treat Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

GeoVax Labs, Inc. announced the launch of a program to develop a vaccine for treatment of chronic Hepatitis B infections. The GeoVax vaccine will be based upon the company’s novel MVA-VLP vector platform, which has been proven safe in multiple human clinical trials of GeoVax’s preventive HIV vaccine. [GeoVax Labs, Inc.] Press Release

Professor Receives International ‘Humanity in Science Award’

Waseem Asghar, Ph.D. received the prestigious “2016 Humanity in Science Award,” established by Phenomenex and The Analytical Scientist. He received the award for his work on developing a new paper and flexible material-based diagnostic biosensing platform that could be used to remotely detect and determine treatment options for HIV, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureas and other pathogens. [Florida Atlantic University] Press Release

NEW 23^rd International Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus and Related Viruses
October 11-15, 2016
Kyoto, Japan

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the immunology of infectious disease community.

NEW Research Associate – Molecular and Cellular Biology of Inflammation (King’s College London)

NEW Postdoctoral Scientist – Immune Focused In Vitro Research (King’s College London)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – HIV Vaccine Research (Universitätsklinikum Essen)

Research Associate – Immunology and Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientific Communications and Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – T Cell Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Pharmacologist/Toxicologist (The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Immune Response to Infection (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunity and Pathogenesis (Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute)

Principal Investigators – Infectious Diseases (CCID)

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