Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 7.06 | Feb 20 2019

TOP STORY

Human CD8⁺ T Cell Cross-Reactivity across Influenza A, B and C Viruses

Researchers identified immunodominant CD8⁺ T cell epitopes from influenza B viruses that were protective in mice and found memory CD8⁺ T cells directed against universal and influenza-virus-type-specific epitopes in the blood and lungs of healthy humans. [Nat Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

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Influenza Virus Vaccination Elicits Poorly Adapted B Cell Responses in Elderly Individuals

Investigators examined factors contributing to reduced influenza vaccine efficacy in the elderly and uncovered a dramatic reduction in the accumulation of de novo immunoglobulin gene somatic mutations upon vaccination. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract | Editorial | Graphical Abstract

Persistent Antibody Clonotypes Dominate the Serum Response to Influenza over Multiple Years and Repeated Vaccinations

Given the recent prevalence of influenza H1N1 A/California/7/2009 (CA09), scientists examined the clonal composition and dynamics of CA09 hemagglutinin-reactive IgG repertoire over five years in a donor with multiple influenza exposures. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

PD-1 Blockade Potentiates HIV Latency Reversal Ex Vivo in CD4⁺ T Cells from ART-Suppressed Individuals

Using CD4⁺ T cells from HIV-infected individuals, the authors showed that the engagement of PD-1 inhibits viral production at the transcriptional level and abrogates T-cell receptor-induced HIV reactivation in latently infected cells. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

Outcomes of Controlled Human Malaria Infection after BCG Vaccination

Scientists present the results of a randomized, controlled Phase I clinical trial in 20 healthy male and female volunteers to evaluate the induction of immunity and protective efficacy of the anti-tuberculosis Bacillus-Calmette Guérin (BCG) vaccine against a controlled human malaria infection. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Egg-Based Influenza Split Virus Vaccine with Monoglycosylation Induces Cross-Strain Protection against Influenza Virus Infections

Investigators produced monoglycosylated inactivated split H1N1 virus vaccine from chicken eggs by the N-glycosylation process inhibitor kifunensine and the endoglycosidase Endo H, and intramuscularly immunized mice to examine its efficacy. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

High Ambient Temperature Dampens Adaptive Immune Responses to Influenza A Virus Infection

Researchers demonstrated that exposure of mice to the high ambient temperature of 36°C impaired adaptive immune responses against infection with viral pathogens, influenza, Zika, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome phlebovirus. Following influenza virus infection, the high heat-exposed mice failed to stimulate inflammasome-dependent cytokine secretion and respiratory dendritic cell migration to lymph nodes. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Intestinal Dysbiosis Compromises Alveolar Macrophage Immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Treatment of mice with the pro-M. tuberculosis (Mtb) drugs isoniazid (INH) and pyrazinamide (PYZ), but not rifampicin, prior to Mtb infection resulted in an increased bacterial burden, an effect that was reversible by fecal transplantation from untreated animals. Mechanistically, susceptibility of INH/PYZ-treated mice was associated with impaired metabolism of alveolar macrophages and defective bactericidal activity. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Selective Delipidation of Mycobacterium bovis BCG Enables Direct Pulmonary Vaccination and Enhances Protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Researchers showed that selective chemical treatment of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) with petroleum ether removes inflammatory lipids from the bacterial surface while keeping BCG viable. Pulmonary vaccination using this modified BCG attenuated inflammatory responses, prevented immunopathology of the lung, and significantly increased protection against M.tb infection in mice. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Intranasal and Epicutaneous Administration of Toll-Like Receptor 7 (TLR7) Agonists Provides Protection against Influenza A Virus-Induced Morbidity in Mice

The authors examined the effect of intranasal delivery of the TLR7 agonist, imiquimod or its topical formulation Aldara, on the inflammation and pathogenesis caused by influenza A virus infection. In mice, daily intranasal delivery of imiquimod prevented peak viral replication, bodyweight loss, airway and pulmonary inflammation, and lung neutrophils. [Sci Rep] Full Article

NapM Enhances the Survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis under Stress and in Macrophages

As a DnaA antagonist, NapM inhibits the mycobacterial DNA synthesis in vitro and in vivo in M. tuberculosis. Scientists showed that NapM contributes to the survival of M. tuberculosis under stress and within macrophages during infection. [Commun Biol] Full Article

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Unraveling the Host’s Immune Response to Infection: Seeing Is Believing

Researchers discuss the advances in vivo intravital microscopy has brought to the study of host‐pathogen interactions, focusing primarily on bacterial infections and innate immunity. [J Leukoc Biol] Full Article

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Inovio Announces First Subject Dosed with Its DNA-Encoded Monoclonal Antibody (dMAb™) in First-Ever Human Trial

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in collaboration with The Wistar Institute and the University of Pennsylvania, announced that the first subject was dosed as part of the first-ever human study of Inovio’s dMAb™ technology. Funded fully by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this trial’s focus is on evaluating the dMAb’s ability to prevent or treat Zika virus infection. [Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Emergex Secures State-of-the-Art R&D Facility and Hires a Chief Scientific Officer to Drive Development of Its Vaccines

Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited announced that it has successfully secured a state-of-the-art-research and development facility at Milton Park, Oxfordshire. [Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited] Press Release

Ebola Vaccine Will Be Provided to Women Who Are Pregnant, Marking Reversal in Policy

Women who are pregnant and lactating, as well as children under the age of one, will be offered access to an experimental Ebola vaccine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, officials said, marking the reversal of a controversial policy that had drawn fire from public health experts. [STAT News] Editorial

This Nigerian Doctor Might Just Prevent the Next Deadly Pandemic

As leader of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Chikwe Ihekweazu works to protect the nation — and the world — from devastating outbreaks. [Nature News] Editorial

Facebook’s Controversies Now Extend to Health and Medicine Issues

The Facebook controversies have come to the world of health and medicine. After last year’s scandals involving Cambridge Analytica and Russian trolls, this time the controversies concern anti-vaccine information and health privacy. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Helminths: New Insights from Immunity to Global Health
December 8-12, 2019
Cape Town, South Africa

NEW Keystone Symposia: Tuberculosis: Immunity and Immune Evasion
January 16-20, 2020
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

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