Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 4.29 | Jul 27 2016

TOP STORY

Vaccine-Induced Antibodies that Neutralize Group 1 and Group 2 Influenza A Viruses

From subjects enrolled in an H5N1 DNA/MIV-prime-boost influenza vaccine trial, researchers sorted hemagglutinin cross-reactive memory B cells and identified three antibody classes, each capable of neutralizing diverse subtypes of group 1 and group 2 influenza A viruses. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Somatically Hypermutated Plasmodium-Specific IgM⁺ Memory B Cells Are Rapid, Plastic, Early Responders upon Malaria Rechallenge

To clarify functional roles for distinct memory B cells (MBC) subsets during malaria infection, the authors generated tetramers that identify Plasmodium-specific MBCs in both humans and mice. Long-lived murine Plasmodium-specific MBCs consisted of three populations: somatically hypermutated immunoglobulin M⁺ (IgM⁺) and IgG⁺ MBC subsets and an unmutated IgD⁺ MBC population. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Pathogenic Chikungunya Virus Evades B Cell Responses to Establish Persistence

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the failure of immune clearance of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), the authors studied mice infected with an attenuated CHIKV strain and the pathogenic parental strain, which differ by five amino acids. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Distinct Metabolic Requirements of Exhausted and Functional Virus-Specific CD8 T Cells in the Same Host

Researchers postulated that differences in metabolic reprogramming would shape the efficacy of CD8 T cells mounted against persistent viral infections. They found that the poorly functional PD-1^hi T cell response against hepatitis B virus had upregulated the glucose transporter, Glut1, an effect recapitulated by oxygen deprivation to mimic the intrahepatic environment. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

RIG-I Signaling Is Critical for Efficient Polyfunctional T Cell Responses during Influenza Virus Infection

Scientists demonstrated that retinoic acid inducible gene-I (RIG-I) signaling plays a crucial role in restricting influenza A virus (IAV) tropism and regulating host immune responses. Mice deficient in the RIG-I-MAVS pathway showed defects in migratory dendritic cell activation, viral antigen presentation, and priming of CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cell responses during IAV infection. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

Competition within the Virus-Specific CD4 T-Cell Pool Limits the T Follicular Helper Response after Influenza Infection

Researchers used adoptive transfer of OTII T-cell receptor transgenic CD4 T cells, followed by infection with recombinant influenza A virus, as a means of identifying and tracking virus-specific CD4⁺ T-cell responses. [Immunol Cell Biol] Abstract

HIV

Multiple Origins of Virus Persistence during Natural Control of HIV Infection

Scientists tracked HIV replication and the persistence of infected CD4 T cells in individuals with natural virologic control by sequencing viruses, T cell receptor genes, HIV integration sites, and cellular transcriptomes. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Epithelium-Innate Immune Cell Axis in Mucosal Responses to SIV

Investigators systematically analyzed the cellular events and chemoattractant profiles in cervical tissues that precede CD4 T-cell recruitment. They showed that vaginal exposure to the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) inoculum rapidly induces chemokine expression in cervical epithelium including CCL3, CCL20, and CXCL8. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Association of Lymph-Node Antigens with Lower Gag-Specific Central-Memory and Higher Env-Specific Effector-Memory CD8⁺ T-Cell Frequencies in a Macaque AIDS Model

Scientists investigated target antigen specificity of CD8⁺ T cells in lymph nodes (LNs) in a macaque AIDS model. Analysis of virus antigen-specific CD8⁺ T-cell responses in the inguinal LNs obtained from twenty rhesus macaques in the chronic phase of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection showed an inverse correlation between viral loads and frequencies of CD8⁺ T cells with CD28⁺ CD95⁺ central memory phenotype targeting the N-terminal half of SIV core antigen. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Non-Human TRIM5 Variants Enhance Recognition of HIV-1–Infected Cells by CD8⁺ T Cells

The authors investigated whether the expression of two non-human tripartite motif-containing protein 5 (TRIM5) orthologs, rhesus TRIM5α and TRIM-cyclophilin A, both of which are potent restrictors of HIV-1, could enhance immune recognition of infected cells by CD8⁺ T cells. [J Virol] Abstract

HIV and Decreased Risk of Multiple Sclerosis: Role of Low CD4⁺ Lymphocyte Count and Male Prevalence

In this retrospective case-control study, scientists compared the number of circulating lymphocyte subsets among 31 healthy controls, 18 naïve and 40 antiretroviral-treated HIV patients, 28 untreated and 18 treated relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. [J Neurovirol] Abstract

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Innate Immune Cell Responses in Non Pathogenic versus Pathogenic SIV Infections

Researchers summarize the similarities and differences of various types of innate immune responses in natural hosts compared to pathogenic HIV/SIV mac infections. [Curr Opin Virol] Abstract

The Human Immune Response to HIV and Its Impact in the Potential Development of an Inactivated HIV Vaccine

The authors review two aspects that deserve consideration in light of recent developments concerning HIV transmission and vaccine development: vaccines directed against transmitted/founder viruses, and a reconsideration of inactivation as a viable means to obtain a preventive HIV vaccine. [AIDS Rev] Abstract

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

Nanobio to Present Intranasal Pertussis Vaccine Data at the Mucosal Immunology Course & Symposium Meeting

NanoBio Corporation announced that the company will present key data demonstrating the advantages of its intranasal nanoemulsion adjuvant for use in the development of vaccines for pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. [Press release from NanoBio Corporation discussing research to be presented at Mucosal Immunology Course & Symposium Meeting (MICS), Toronto] Press Release

Merck Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA and PRIME Status from EMA for Investigational Ebola Zaire Vaccine (V920)

Merck announced two regulatory milestones for the company’s investigational vaccine for Ebola Zaire, V920: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the vaccine candidate Breakthrough Therapy Designation, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) status. [Merck & Co., Inc.] Press Release

FluGen Initiates a Phase I Clinical Trial of the RedeeFlu™ Universal Influenza Vaccine in Healthy Subjects

FluGen Inc. announced the initiation of the first Phase I clinical trial of its RedeeFlu™ universal influenza vaccine. The trial is a randomized, blinded, dose-ranging Phase I study of the H3N2 RedeeFlu™ influenza vaccine in 96 healthy adult subjects between 18 and 49 years of age. [FluGen Inc.] Press Release

Countering the Zika Epidemic in Latin America

As evidence grew for a causal link between Zika infection and microcephaly and other serious congenital anomalies, the World Health Organization declared the Latin American Zika epidemic a public health emergency of international concern in February 2016. [Science] Editorial

Trump vs Clinton: Worlds Apart on Science

Science is slowly coming into focus in the US presidential campaign. Although neither Republican Donald Trump nor Democrat Hillary Clinton has emphasized core research issues, the candidates — and their parties — are beginning to flesh out their positions on climate change, education, biomedical research and other topics that involve the scientific community. [Nature News] Editorial

Public Is Wary of Using Technologies to Enhance Human Performance, Survey Finds

A new poll finds that Americans have serious questions about the use of new technologies to enhance the lives of healthy people. Those with strong religious beliefs are especially troubled by the prospect of such enhancements, seeing them as meddling with nature. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Scientific Literature: Information Overload

Recent bibliometrics show that the number of published scientific papers has climbed by 8–9% each year over the past several decades. In the biomedical field alone, more than 1 million papers pour into the PubMed database each year — about two papers per minute. For researchers who are already overwhelmed by bench and field work, grant-writing, publishing and other time-eaters, trying to navigate the growing deluge of data has become a second job. [Nature Careers] Editorial

Science Advice for Europe

Exactly 1 month after Britain’s momentous decision to leave the European Union, around 4500 scientists and friends of science will assemble in Manchester, UK, for the opening of the EuroScience Open Forum, Europe’s largest interdisciplinary research conference. [Science] Editorial

NEW 1^st Cold Spring Harbor Asia Conference on Systems Medicine Approach to Global Infectious Diseases
October 28-31, 2016
Suzhou, China

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Quantitative Infectious Disease Methods (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

NEW Postdoctoral or Research Fellow/Staff Scientist – Humoral Immune Response to HIV-1 (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

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

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Senior Researcher – Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (El Colegio de la Frontera Sur)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Infectious Disease (Metabiota)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Malaria Genetics (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute)

Research in HIV-Host DNA Repair Interactions – HIV-1 Infection of Macrophages and Monocytes (Johns Hopkins University)

Two Postdoctoral Positions – Viral Hepatitis (Inserm)

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

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – HIV Vaccine Research (Universitätsklinikum Essen)

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

Principal Investigators – Infectious Diseases (CCID)

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