Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 5.08 | Mar 1 2017

TOP STORY

Attenuated PfSPZ Vaccine Induces Strain-Transcending T Cells and Durable Protection against Heterologous Controlled Human Malaria Infection

The authors conducted an open-label trial with Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite vaccine (PfSPZ) at a dose of 9.0 × 10⁵ PfSPZ administered i.v. three times at eight-week intervals to 15 malaria-naive adults. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

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Analysis of the T Cell Response to Zika Virus and Identification of a Novel CD8⁺ T Cell Epitope in Immunocompetent Mice

Investigators evaluated the activation of several innate immune cell types, and studied the kinetics, phenotype, and functionality of T cell responses to Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. They demonstrated that ZIKV infection is mild in wild-type immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice, resulting in minimal morbidity. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article | Press Release

Hepatitis C Virus Infection Inhibits a Src-Kinase Regulatory Phosphatase and Reduces T Cell Activation In Vivo

Researchers found that Src-kinase regulatory phosphatase levels were significantly reduced in liver tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from hepatitis C virus-infected humans compared to uninfected controls. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

Novel Role for IL-22 in Protection during Chronic Mycobacterium tuberculosis HN878 Infection

Scientists addressed the functional role for the IL-22 pathway in immunity to emerging M. tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates, using W-Beijing lineage member, Mtb HN878 as a prototype. They showed that Mtb HN878 stimulates IL-22 production in TLR2 dependent manner and IL-22 mediates protective immunity during chronic stages of Mtb HN878 infection in mice. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Cynomolgus Macaques Naturally Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi-I Exhibit an Overall Mixed Pro-Inflammatory/Modulated Cytokine Signature Characteristic of Human Chagas Disease

Flow cytometry and systems biology approaches were used to characterize the ex vivo and in vitro T. cruzi-specific functional cytokine signature of circulating leukocytes from TcI-T. cruzi naturally infected cynomolgus macaques. [PLoS Negl Trop Dis] Full Article

YopE Specific CD8⁺ T Cells Provide Protection against Systemic and Mucosal Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Infection

Researchers tested the hypothesis that CD8⁺ T cells reactive to the natural Yersinia antigen YopE would be more effective at providing mucosal protection. They confirmed that immunization with the attenuated ksgA^– strain of Y. pseudotuberculosis generated YopE-specific CD8⁺ T cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

CD137 Is a Useful Marker for Identifying CD4⁺ T Cell Responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Scientists evaluated the accuracy of CD137 for identifying M. tuberculosis (Mtb)-reactive CD4⁺ T cells in the peripheral blood of infected individuals by flow cytometry and to investigate the characteristics of these CD137⁺CD4⁺ T cells. [Scand J Immunol] Abstract

HIV

Elevated Pre-ART CD39⁺CD8⁺ T-Cell Frequency Is Associated with Early Mortality in Advanced HIV/TB

The authors investigated the association between expression of CD39, a novel immune exhaustion marker, and early mortality in HIV/tuberculosis co-infected patients. [Clin Infect Dis] Abstract

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From Dendritic Cells to B Cells Dysfunctions during HIV-1 Infection: Tfh at the Cross Road

The authors summarize the recent advance in the understanding of T follicular helper (Tfh)-cell dynamics during HIV/SIV infection. [Immunology] Abstract

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Astellas and Affinivax Announce Worldwide Partnership for MAPS Vaccine Targeting Pneumococcal Disease

Affinivax, Inc. and Astellas Pharma Inc. announced they have entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement to develop and commercialize a vaccine targeting Streptococcus pneumoniae. [Affinivax, Inc.] Press Release

In First Phase III Trial, Merck’s Investigational Inactivated Varicella Zoster Virus Vaccine (V212) Reduced the Incidence of Confirmed Herpes Zoster Cases by an Estimated 64 Percent in Immunocompromised Subjects

Merck announced the first Phase III study results for V212, the company’s investigational inactivated varicella zoster virus vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster or HZ, also known as shingles, in immunocompromised patients. [Merck & Co., Inc.] Press Release

ABIVAX Has Discovered Novel Antiviral Molecules with Potential for Dengue Virus Treatment

ABIVAX is currently screening its targeted library of small molecules to discover and develop antiviral therapeutic candidates against dengue fever. The company recently discovered several molecules that are active against the virus in vitro, some of which could be developed as therapeutic drug-candidates. [ABIVAX] Press Release

Arsanis and Adimab Enter into License Agreement to Target Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) with Monoclonal Antibodies

Arsanis, Inc. and Adimab, LLC announced they have entered into an agreement under which Arsanis has secured the exclusive, worldwide license to antibodies targeting RSV that were discovered by Adimab. [Arsanis, Inc.] Press Release

Senior Republican Lawmaker Has Some Advice for U.S. Science Marchers

The chairman of a congressional spending panel that oversees a wide swath of U.S. science agencies has some unusual advice for scientists planning to march on 22 April: Don’t talk about research. Instead, demand that Congress find a way to cut mandatory spending programs. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Trump’s 2018 Budget Will Squeeze Civilian Science Agencies

The chunk of the federal budget that includes most of the U.S. government’s spending on basic science would shrink by 10.5% in 2018 under a plan outlined by President Donald Trump and administration officials. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cellular Immunology (Lund University)

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PhD Opportunities – Infection Research (Helmholtz Association)

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