Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 6.05 | Feb 7 2018

TOP STORY

A Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor-Producing γδ T Cell Subset Prevents Malarial Parasitemic Recurrence

During murine malaria induced by Plasmodium chabaudi infection and in human P. falciparum infection, investigators found that γδ T cells expanded rapidly after resolution of acute parasitemia, in contrast to αβ T cells that expanded at the acute stage and then declined. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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TLR7 Agonist Increases Responses of HBV-Specific T Cells and Natural Killer Cells in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Treated with Nucleos(T)Ide Analogues

The oral TLR7 agonist GS-9620 has anti-viral effects in woodchuck and chimpanzee models of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Researchers investigated in a clinical trial the capacity of this agent to reconstitute protective immunity in patients with chronic HBV infection. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

Endogenous Cellular MicroRNAs Mediate Antiviral Defense against Influenza A Virus

Scientists systematically screened 297 cellular miRNAs from human and mouse epithelial cells and identified five inhibitory miRNAs that efficiently inhibited influenza virus replication in vitro and in vivo. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Full Article

Il-33 Induces Immunosuppressive Neutrophils via a Type 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell/IL-13/STAT6 Axis and Protects the Liver Against Injury in LCMV Infection-Induced Viral Hepatitis

By using a mouse model of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection-induced viral hepatitis, investigators observed increased neutrophil recruitment in the liver accompanied by enhanced CD8⁺ T-cell responses. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

Microparticles Produced by Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E7-Expressing Cells Impair Antigen Presenting Cell Function and the Cytotoxic T Cell Response

Scientists found increased numbers of microparticles were shed from human or mouse keratinocytes expressing the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein, compared with control keratinocytes. Co-culture of Langerhans cells with microparticles from E7-expressing cells suppressed the cytotoxic T cell response. [Sci Rep] Full Article

An Accord of Nuclear Receptor Expression in M. tuberculosis Infected Macrophages and Dendritic Cells

The authors performed detailed expression analysis and identified key nuclear receptors (NRs) getting differentially regulated in murine macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) upon infection with H37Rv. The murine macrophages and DCs infected with H37Rv entailed overlapping changes in the expression of certain NRs which reflect upon the possibility that both cells might utilize similar transcriptional programs upon M. tuberculosis infection. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Differential Virus-Specific CD8⁺ T-Cell Epitope Repertoire in Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 versus 4

Researchers analyzed whether known hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD8⁺ T-cell epitopes are also recognized in HCV genotype 4-infected patients and set out to identify the first HCV genotype 4-specific CD8⁺ T-cell epitopes. [J Viral Hepat] Abstract

Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy Followed by cART Interruption during HIV-1 Infection Induces Plasma Protein Markers of Cellular Immunity and Neutrophil Recruitment

Scientists found evidence for the involvement of thyroxine-binding globulin and neutrophils in the response to dendritic cell-vaccination in the setting of HIV-infection. [PLoS One] Full Article

CD1b Tetramers Identify T Cells that Recognize Natural and Synthetic Diacylated Sulfoglycolipids from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The authors designed a novel hybrid synthesis of a naturally occurring sulfoglycolipid (SGL), generated CD1b tetramers loaded with natural or synthetic SGL analogs, and studied the molecular requirements for TCR binding and T cell activation. [Cell Chem Biol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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The Evolution of HIV-1 Entry Phenotypes as a Guide to Changing Target Cells

The most abundant form of HIV-1 uses CCR5 as the coreceptor and requires a high density of CD4 for efficient entry, defining its target cell as the CD4+ memory T cell. When CD4+/CCR5+ T cells become limiting the virus evolves to use alternative target cells to support viral replication. [J Leukoc Biol] Full Article

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GeoVax and CaroGen to Collaborate On Development of Therapeutic Hepatitis B Vaccine

GeoVax Labs, Inc. announced that it is collaborating with CaroGen Corporation on the development of a combination immunotherapy treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus infection. [GeoVax Labs, Inc.] Press Release

SAB Capra Awarded $225K from NIH to Broaden Novel Immunotherapy Platform

SAB Capra, LLC has been awarded a $225,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance its novel immunotherapy platform targeting pandemic influenza in collaboration with Utah State University. [SAB Capra, LLC (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Case Western Reserve and Sangamo Therapeutics Announce $11 Million NIH Grant for Study of Gene-Edited T Cells for Viral Eradication of HIV

Case Western Reserve University and Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. announced the award of an $11 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for a planned study of gene-edited T cells designed to eradicate persistent HIV infection in patients receiving anti-retroviral therapy, a combination of medicines that slows the rate at which HIV replicates. [Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Vaccibody Expands Human Clinical Trial of HPV Vaccine

PharmaJet^®, the maker of innovative, needle-free injection technology, announced that Vaccibody AS is expanding their human clinical trial for the study of a vaccine to treat HPV disease using the PharmaJet Stratis^® needle-free injection system. [PharmaJet] Press Release

Vaxart Announces Its Oral Flu Vaccine Significantly Reduced Rate of Influenza Infection in Phase II Challenge Study

Vaxart, Inc. announced that its investigational H1 influenza oral tablet vaccine demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the rate of influenza infection compared with placebo, and compared favorably with the market-leading injectable quadrivalent influenza vaccine in a Phase II challenge trial. [Vaxart, Inc.] Press Release

Health Officials Push for Vaccine against Neglected Tropical Virus

Advocates seek ways to hasten the development of a chikungunya vaccine. [Nature News] Editorial

Breakthrough in Budget Negotiations Could Raise Spending for Science

Top lawmakers in Congress announced a budget agreement that could produce substantial spending increases for research at key U.S. science agencies—and avoid a partial government shutdown on Friday. But the deal must still clear a few hurdles before it is finalized. [Science Insider] Editorial

Restore Justice in Turkey

Peace is a dangerous cause to fight for in Turkey right now. In the latest blow to academics, 11 members of the Turkish Medical Association, including its president, Raşit Tükel, were arrested in early-morning raids. [Nature News] Editorial

Japanese Researchers Say Science-Budget Hike Isn’t Enough

Japan will sharply increase funding for science and technology in 2018 after years of stagnant support for the sector. But some scientists and policy experts worry the boost is too little to make up for more than a decade of lackluster science funding. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity
July 8-13, 2018
Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – HIV Research (Massachuesetts General Hospital)

NEW Staff Clinician Position – Infectious and Immunologic Diseases (National Institute of Health)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Microbiology & Immunology (Johns Hopkins University)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Microbiology and Immunology (SUNY Upstate Medical University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Malaria and Other Chronic Infectious Diseases (James Cook University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Clinical Vaccine Development (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Immunology (The Infectious Disease Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology/Infection Biology/Vaccinology (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Molecular Immunology and Infection Biology (CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences)

Postdoctoral Training Opportunity – Infection and Immunity (Institut Pasteur of Shanghai – Chinese Academy of Sciences)

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