Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 6.45 | Nov 14 2018

TOP STORY

Cross-Reactive Dengue Virus Antibodies Augment Zika Virus Infection of Human Placental Macrophages

Investigators found that dengue virus antibodies increased Zika virus infection of placental macrophages from 10% to over 80% and enhanced infection of human placental explants. [Cell Host Microbe] Full Article | Editorial | Graphical Abstract

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MAIT Cells Contribute to Protection against Lethal Influenza Infection In Vivo

Using murine experimental challenge with two strains of influenza A virus, scientists showed that mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells accumulated and were activated early in infection, with upregulation of CD25, CD69 and Granzyme B, peaking at five days post-infection. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Genotype Specific Pathogenicity of Hepatitis E Virus at the Human Maternal-Fetal Interface

Researchers modeled hepatitis E virus-1 infection ex vivo at the maternal-fetal interface using the decidua basalis and fetal placenta, and compared its effects to the less-pathogenic genotype 3. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Relationship between Intact HIV-1 Proviruses in Circulating CD4⁺ T Cells and Rebound Viruses Emerging during Treatment Interruption

To determine whether intact proviruses amplified from DNA are more closely related to rebound viruses than those obtained from viral outgrowth assays, the authors assayed 12 individuals who underwent analytical treatment interruption after infusion of a combination of two monoclonal anti–HIV-1 antibodies. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

DNA-PK Is Targeted by Multiple Vaccinia Virus Proteins to Inhibit DNA Sensing

Vaccinia virus protein C4 was shown to antagonize DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) by binding to Ku and blocking Ku binding to DNA, leading to a reduced production of cytokines and chemokines in vivo and a diminished recruitment of inflammatory cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Microanatomic Distribution of Myeloid Heme Oxygenase-1 Protects against Free Radical-Mediated Immunopathology in Human Tuberculosis

Using freshly resected human tuberculosis (TB) lung tissue, researchers examined the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) within the cellular and pathological spectrum of TB. Flow cytometry and histopathological analysis of human TB lung tissues showed that HO-1 was expressed primarily in myeloid cells and that HO-1 levels in these cells were directly proportional to cytoprotection. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Intestinal Helminth Infection Promotes IL-5- and CD4⁺ T Cell-Dependent Immunity in the Lung against Migrating Parasites

Scientists found that migrating Nippostrongylus brasiliensis larvae were killed in the lungs of Heligmosomoides polygyrus-infected mice by a process involving IL-33-activated CD4⁺ T cells that released IL-5 and recruited activated eosinophils. [Mucosal Immunol] Full Article | Press Release

Bacterial Superantigens Expand and Activate, Rather than Delete or Incapacitate, Preexisting Antigen-Specific Memory CD8⁺ T Cells

Researchers employed a human peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture system and a non-transgenic mouse model in which the impact of stimulation by two fundamentally distinct superantigens, staphylococcal enterotoxin B and Mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen, on influenza- and/or cytomegalovirus-specific memory CD8⁺ T cells could be monitored. [J Infect Dis] Abstract

Multiplexed FluoroSpot for the Analysis of Dengue Virus- and Zika Virus–Specific and Cross-Reactive Memory B Cells

The authors developed a novel multifunction FluoroSpot assay using fluorescently labeled dengue virus and Zika virus (FLVs) that measures the cross-reactivity of Abs secreted by single B cells. Conjugation efficiency and recognition of FLVs by virus-specific Abs were confirmed by flow cytometry. [J Immunol] Abstract

Infection and Functional Modulation of Human Monocytes and Macrophages by Varicella Zoster Virus

Investigators demonstrated that blood derived human monocytes were permissive to Varicella zoster virus (VZV) replication in vitro. VZV infected monocytes exhibited each temporal class of VZV gene expression as evidenced by immunofluorescent staining. [J Virol] Abstract

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Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Interactions with the Host Immune System: Opportunities for Nanoparticle Based Immunotherapeutics and Vaccines

The authors present a comprehensive review of M. tuberculosis and how the bacterium modulates the host immune system. They found that current work suggests great promise of nanoparticle based immunotherapeutics as novel treatments and vaccination systems. [Pharm Res] Abstract

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

GeoVax and Virometix to Collaborate on Immunotherapy Program for HPV Infections and Related Cancers

GeoVax Labs, Inc. and Virometix AG announced the start of a collaboration to develop a therapeutic vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. [GeoVax Labs, Inc.] Press Release

Ebola Clinical Trial to Begin Amid Outbreak in DRC

Health officials in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are planning to launch a clinical trial of four Ebola treatments. The experimental drugs include an antiviral medicine and three monoclonal antibodies. [The Scientist] Press Release

First Universal Flu Vaccine to Enter Phase III Trial

“A universal flu vaccine is often referred to as ‘The Holy Grail’ of influenza research, and like the Holy Grail, it is challenging to achieve,” Tamar Ben-Yedidia, chief scientific officer of BiondVax, whose universal flu vaccine is now in Phase III clinical trials. [The Scientist] Press Release

Indonesian ‘Vaccine Fatwa’ Sends Measles Immunization Rates Plummeting

As the bell rang on a recent morning at an elementary school here and pupils filled the classrooms, anxious adults crowded the corridors outside. It was vaccination day, but many parents in this North Sumatra village did not want their children immunized with a new measles-rubella vaccine. Some told the teacher their children were at home, not feeling well. Others were there to make sure their kids didn’t get the jab. They whispered the reason with disgust: The vaccine “contains elements of pork.” By the time the vaccination team left, only six out of 38 students had been immunized. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

With Democrats in Control of U.S. House, Science Panel Gets Fresh Start

The results of divisive midterm elections, with Democrats reclaiming control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Republicans likely strengthening their hold on the Senate, have allowed both parties to claim victory. U.S. scientists are also experiencing mixed emotions. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

In the Palestinian Territories, Science Struggles Against All Odds

Travel restrictions and paltry funding hamper researchers, who are trying to build a scientific base. After decades of conflict, many embittered Palestinians from the occupied territories boycott any form of economic or cultural activities with Israel — including research. But higher education is an exception. [Nature News] Editorial

Africa’s Science ‘Millionaires’: Survey Spotlights Top-Funded Researchers

Africa’s research funding system has created few winners: only 2% or so of scientists from just a handful of countries and fields report receiving million-dollar grants, while almost half say they don’t receive any research funding. [Nature News] Editorial

How Facebook and Twitter Could Be the Next Disruptive Force in Clinical Trials

Participants in medical research are more empowered than ever to influence the design and outcomes of experiments. Now, researchers are trying to keep up. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW World Vaccine Congress Washington 2019
April 14-17, 2019
Washington, D.C., United States

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

NEW Research Scientist – Virology (ViraTherapeutics GmbH)

Research Technologist – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Inflammation during Infection and Sterile Inflammatory Disease (The Francis Crick Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Bacterial Infection (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Host Cell-Mediated Immunity against HIV Infection (Temple University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Infection Biology (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Modeling Infection (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Position – Vaccines and Immunity (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Position – Innate Immunity, Virology (Technical University of Munich)

Research Fellow – Cellular Immunology (A*STAR)

Research Fellow – Immunology (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

Assistant Professor – Immunology (Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard)

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