Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 4.35 | Sep 7 2016

TOP STORY

TGF-β Receptor Maintains CD4 T Helper Cell Identity during Chronic Viral Infections

Scientists used inducible and CD4 T cell–specific deletion of the gene encoding the TGF-β receptor during chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection in mice, and determined that TGF-β signaling restricted proliferation and terminal differentiation of antiviral CD4 T cells. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Mammalian Innate Immune Response to a Leishmania-Resident RNA Virus Increases Macrophage Survival to Promote Parasite Persistence

Upon investigating the mammalian host’s response to Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1), researchers found that miR-155 was singularly and strongly upregulated in macrophages infected with LRV1⁺ Leishmania guyanensis (L.g) when compared to LRV1⁻ L.g. LRV1-driven miR-155 expression was dependent on TLR-3/TRIF signaling. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Inhibition of ROS and Upregulation of Inflammatory Cytokines by FoxO3a Promotes Survival against Salmonella typhimurium

Scientists showed the role of the forkhead transcription factor FoxO3a during infection of mice with Salmonella typhimurium (ST). Although FoxO3a signaling does not affect the development of CD8⁺ T cell responses to ST, FoxO3a has an important protective role, particularly during the chronic stage of infection, by limiting the persistence of oxidative stress. [Nat Commun] Full Article

HSV-1-Induced Activation of NF-κB Protects U937 Monocytic Cells against both Virus Replication and Apoptosis

To resolve the intricate interplay among nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling, apoptosis and permissiveness to herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 in monocytic cells, the authors utilized U937 monocytic cells in which NF-κB activation was inhibited by expressing a dominant-negative IκBα. Surprisingly, viral production was increased in monocytic cells in which NF-κB was inhibited. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

TRIM14 Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus Infection by SPRY Domain-Dependent Targeted Degradation of the Viral NS5A Protein

Researchers demonstrated that enforced expression of tripartite motif 14 (TRIM14) could potently inhibit the infection and replication of HCV in hepatocytes, whereas TRIM14 knockout cells became more susceptible to HCV infection. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Modulation of the Immune Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis during Malaria/M. tuberculosis Co-Infection

The authors investigated the cytokine response to purified protein derivative in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from tuberculosis patients co-infected with HIV or malaria and compared it to that of malaria- and HIV-free TB patients. [Clin Exp Immunol] Abstract

Sequential Immunization with gp140 Boosts Immune Responses Primed by Modified Vaccinia Ankara or DNA in HIV-Uninfected South African Participants

The safety and immunogenicity of SAAVI DNA-C2, SAAVI MVA-C and Novartis V2-deleted subtype C gp140 with MF59 adjuvant in various vaccination regimens was evaluated in HIV-uninfected adults in South Africa. [PLoS One] Full Article

HIV

CD4⁺ T-Cell–Independent Mechanisms Suppress Reactivation of Latent Tuberculosis in a Macaque Model of HIV Coinfection

Nonhuman primates were coinfected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), recapitulating human coinfection. A majority of animals exhibited rapid reactivation of Mtb replication, progressing to disseminated TB and increased SIV-associated pathology. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Preservation of Lymphopoietic Potential and Virus Suppressive Capacity by CD8⁺ T Cells in HIV-2–Infected Controllers

The authors studied the production of CD8⁺ T cells and their capacity for viral control in HIV-2 controllers from the French ANRS CO5 HIV-2 cohort. HIV-2 controllers display a robust capacity to support long-term renewal of the CD8⁺ T cell compartment by preserving immune resources, including hematopoietic progenitors and thymic activity, which could contribute to the long-term maintenance of the CD8⁺ T cell response and the avoidance of premature immune aging. [J Immunol] Abstract

Impaired B Cells Survival upon Production of Inflammatory Cytokines by HIV-1 Exposed Follicular Dendritic Cells

Scientists exposed primary follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) cell lines to HIV-1 strains in vitro and studied changes in the chemo-attractive properties of FDCs and release of inflammatory cytokines. [Retrovirology] Full Article

Subscribe to our sister publications: Human Immunology News & Immune Regulation News.

HIV Infection: Focus on the Innate Immune Cells

The authors describe the frequency and the subtypes of infected cells such as of monocytes, DCs, neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells/basophils, NK cells, NKT cells and γδ T cells, and they discuss the possibility of cell-targeting strategies. They consolidate the existing knowledge of the interaction between HIV and cells that constitute the innate immune response. [Immunol Res] Abstract

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

Takeda Initiates Global Phase III Clinical Trial (TIDES) of Dengue Vaccine Candidate (TAK-003)

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced that it has vaccinated the first subject in the Tetravalent Immunization against Dengue Efficacy Study (TIDES), a Phase III double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial of its live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine candidate. [Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited] Press Release

Takeda to Develop Zika Vaccine with up to $312 Million in Funding from US Government

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced that BARDA, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, has selected Takeda’s Vaccine Business Unit to develop a vaccine to support the Zika response in the US and affected regions around the world. [Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited] Press Release

Moderna Announces Funding Award from BARDA for $8 Million with Potential of up to $125 Million to Accelerate Development of Zika Messenger RNA (mRNA) Vaccine

Moderna Therapeutics announced a funding award of $8 million with the potential of up to $125 million from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to accelerate development of a novel Zika mRNA vaccine. [Moderna Therapeutics] Press Release

In Wake of Attacks, German Science Bodies Fend for Animal Research

Germany’s major research institutes have teamed up to publicly defend “responsible” animal testing as a necessary part of biomedical science. [Science News] Editorial

Boom in Unproven Cell Therapies Intensifies Regulatory Debate

Controversial US guidelines attempt to rein in rogue stem-cell clinics. [Nature News] Editorial

New Vaccine Coalition Aims to Ward Off Epidemics

A new public-private coalition that aims to derail epidemics by speeding development of vaccines has now hung its shingle with the backing of the Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposium: Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses
December 4-8, 2016
Santa Fe, United States

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

NEW Faculty Positions – Microbiology (University of Pennsylvania)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Postdoctoral Position – B Regulatory Cells (Inserm)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Translational Immunology (University of Eastern Finland)

Clinical Lecturer – Pediatric Emergency Medicine with Infectious Diseases (University of Bristol)

Postdoctoral Fellow(s) – Biomedical Diagnostics and Global Health Technologies (Cornell University)

Faculty Position – Immunology (Vanderbilt University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mucosal Immunology (University of Utah)

Research Chair – Immunology and Infectious Disease (University of Edinburgh)

Scientist – Infectious Disease (Infectious Disease Research Institute)

PhD Positions – Infection Biology and Immunology (ZIBI Graduate School)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Infectious Disease (Metabiota)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Immunology of Infectious Disease News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.