Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 4.40 | Oct 12 2016

TOP STORY

Epitope-Specific Vaccination Limits Clonal Expansion of Heterologous Naive T Cells during Viral Challenge

Investigators showed that secondary expansion of epitope-specific memory CD8⁺ T cells primed by prior infection with recombinant pathogens limits the primary expansion of naive CD8⁺ T cells with specificity to new heterologous antigens, dampening protective immunity against subsequent pathogen challenge. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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PB1 as a Potential Target for Increasing the Breadth of T-Cell Mediated Immunity to Influenza A

Researchers envisioned the use of a cocktail of adenovectors targeting different internal proteins of influenza A virus. Consequently, they investigated the possibility of using PB1 as a target for an adenovector-based vaccine against influenza A. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A Chimeric Protein-Based Malaria Vaccine Candidate Induces Robust T Cell Responses against Plasmodium vivax MSP1₁₉

Scientists described a P. vivax recombinant modular chimera based on merozoite surface protein 1 that includes defined T cell epitopes genetically fused to P. vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP1₁₉). This vaccine candidate preserved structural elements of the native PvMSP1₁₉ and elicited cytophilic antibody responses, and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells capable of recognizing PvMSP1₁₉. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Antigen Presentation by B Cells Guides Programming of Memory CD4⁺ T-Cell Responses to a TLR4-Agonist Containing Vaccine in Mice

Scientists sought to determine the role of B cells in the induction of T helper 1 CD4⁺ T cells upon vaccination with a tuberculosis antigen combined with a TLR4 agonist. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

Plasmodium vivax VIR Proteins Are Targets of Naturally-Acquired Antibody and T Cell Immune Responses to Malaria in Pregnant Women

The authors investigated the immunogenic properties of five VIR proteins and two long synthetic peptides containing conserved VIR sequences in the context of the PregVax cohort study including women from five malaria endemic countries: Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, India and Papua New Guinea at different timepoints during and after pregnancy. [PLoS Negl Trop Dis] Full Article

Discovery of Immunodominant T-Cell Epitopes Reveals Penton Protein as a Second Immunodominant Target in Human Adenovirus Infection

The human adenovirus (HAdV)-derived protein hexon has been recognized as a major immunodominant target across HAdV species. Researchers identified further targets of protective anti-HAdV immune response and characterizing immunogenic epitopes. [J Transl Med] Full Article

Timing of In Utero Malaria Exposure Influences Fetal CD4 T Cell Regulatory versus Effector Differentiation

Investigators evaluated the effect of malaria exposure during pregnancy on fetal immune tolerance and effector responses. Using cord blood samples from a cohort of mother-infant pairs followed from early in pregnancy until delivery, flow cytometry analysis was completed to assess the relationship between pregnancy-associated malaria and fetal cord blood CD4 and dendritic cell phenotypes. [Malar J] Full Article

TGF-β1 and Contact Mediated Suppression by CD4⁺CD25⁺CD127⁻ T Regulatory Cells of Patients with Self-Limiting Hepatitis E

Scientists identified beneficial involvement of hepatitis E virus (HEV) specific, functional regulatory T cells (Tregs) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) as the regulatory molecule responsible for enhancement of Tregs in self-limiting HEV infection. [Hum Immunol] Abstract

HIV

Follicular Regulatory CD8 T Cells Impair the Germinal Center Response in SIV and Ex Vivo HIV Infection

Scientists showed CXCR5^hiCD44^hiCD8 T cells are a regulatory subset differing from conventional CD8 T cells, and constitute the majority of CD8 T cells in the follicle. This subset, CD8 follicular regulatory T cells, expand in chronic SIV infection, exhibit enhanced expression of Tim-3 and IL-10, and express less perforin compared to conventional CD8 T cells. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

Inflammatory Function of CX3CR1⁺ CD8 T Cells in Treated HIV Infection Is Modulated by Platelet Interactions

Investigators identified a population of circulating memory CD8 T cells in HIV infection that may home to endothelium, can be activated by clot-forming elements, and are susceptible to platelet-mediated regulation. [J Infect Dis] Abstract

SIV-Producing Cells in Follicles Are Partially Suppressed by CD8⁺ Cells In Vivo

The authors found that follicular simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-specific CD8⁺ T cells were able to migrate throughout follicular areas including germinal centers. Many expressed PD-1, indicating they may have been exhausted. A small subset was in direct contact with and likely inhibited by Foxp3⁺ cells and a few were themselves Foxp3⁺. [J Virol] Abstract

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Envelope-Specific Antibodies and Antibody-Derived Molecules for Treating and Curing HIV Infection

Recent innovations in antibody engineering have resulted in novel immunotherapeutics such as bispecific dual-affinity re-targeting molecules and other bi- and trispecific antibody designs that can recognize HIV-1 envelope and recruit cytotoxic effector cells to kill CD4⁺ T cells latently infected with HIV-1. The authors review these immunotherapies, which are designed with the goal of curing HIV-1 infection. [Nat Rev Drug Discov] Abstract

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

Six Researchers at UC San Diego Receive $5 Million from NIH for Transformative Research

Four biologists, a nanoengineer and a biophysicist at UC San Diego received a total of more than $5 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health to pursue innovative and transformative research projects. [UC San Diego] Press Release

IDRI Receives NIH Grant to Develop RNA-Based Zika Virus Vaccine

IDRI (Infectious Disease Research Institute) has been awarded a $491,000, two-year grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, to rapidly develop a novel, safe and effective Zika vaccine by designing and formulating new RNA-based vaccine candidates. [Infectious Disease Research Institute] Press Release

FDA Approves Flublok^® Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine

Protein Sciences Corporation announced that the FDA has approved its quadrivalent formulation of Flublok^® influenza vaccine. [Protein Sciences Corporation (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Grant Awards: Diversity Boost

A recruitment and retention program launched by the Howard Hughes Medical Institution in Chevy Chase, Maryland, aims to reduce barriers for women and under-represented minorities who seek academic-research careers in the life sciences. [Nature Careers] Editorial

Investors Flee as Firm Scraps RNA-Interference Drug Candidate

A prominent developer of drugs that use RNA interference has abandoned one of its leading candidates amid safety concerns — sending a fresh wave of worry through a field that has long struggled to bring treatments to market. [Nature News] Editorial

The Many Shades of European Postdoc Funding

Finding the right grant or fellowship to fund a postdoc can be a challenge, and the situation is all the more complex in Europe, where academic systems, career prospects, and living costs vary widely among countries. [Science Careers] Editorial

Brexit Government’s Anti-Immigration Stance Spooks UK Scientists

UK scientists say they’re dismayed by their new government’s toughened stance on curbing immigration, including ideas to restrict the flow of foreign students and workers. [Nature News] Editorial

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