Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 7.08 | Mar 6 2019

TOP STORY

Shaping of Infant B Cell Receptor Repertoires by Environmental Factors and Infectious Disease

Scientists sequenced antibody repertoires in longitudinal blood samples in a birth cohort from infancy through the first three years of life and found that, whereas immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA showed linear increases in mutational maturation with age, IgM and IgD mutations were more closely tied to pathogen exposure. [Sci Transl Med] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Social Evolution of Innate Immunity Evasion in a Virus

Researchers demonstrated that viral escape from interferon (IFN)-based innate immunity is a social process in which IFN-stimulating viruses determine the fitness of neighboring viruses. [Nat Microbiol] Abstract

Proteomic Profiling of HIV-1 Infection of Human CD4⁺ T Cells Identifies PSGL-1 as an HIV Restriction Factor

The authors identified P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) as an HIV-1 restriction factor downregulated by HIV-1 Vpu, which binds to PSGL-1 and induces its ubiquitination and degradation through the ubiquitin ligase SCF^β-TrCP2. [Nat Microbiol] Abstract

A Small Secreted Protein Triggers a TLR2/4-Dependent Inflammatory Response during Invasive Candida albicans Infection

Scientists report that C. albicans upregulated expression of a small secreted cysteine-rich protein Sel1 upon encountering limited nitrogen and abundant serum. Sel1 activated NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, leading to expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Nonspecific Effects of Oral Vaccination with Live-Attenuated Salmonella typhi Strain Ty21a

The authors describe the nonspecific immunological impact of oral vaccination with live-attenuated S. typhi strain Ty21a. They vaccinated healthy adults with Ty21a and assessed aspects of innate and adaptive immunity over the course of six months. [Sci Adv] Full Article

Maternal Immunity and Antibodies to Dengue Virus Promote Infection and Zika Virus-Induced Microcephaly in Fetuses

Investigators showed that dengue virus-specific antibodies in Zika virus (ZIKV)-infected pregnant mice enhanced vertical ZIKV transmission and resulted in a severe microcephaly-like syndrome, which was dependent on the neonatal Fc receptor, FcRN. [Sci Adv] Full Article

TIM-Mediated Inhibition of HIV-1 Release Is Antagonized by Nef but Potentiated by SERINC Proteins

Researchers showed that the Nef proteins of HIV-1 and other lentiviruses antagonized T cell Ig and mucin domain (TIM)-mediated restriction. TIM-1 more potently inhibited the release of Nef-deficient relative to Nef-expressing HIV-1, and ectopic expression of Nef relieved restriction. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Development of T Cell Immunity to Norovirus and Rotavirus in Children under Five Years of Age

Scientists investigated development of cell-mediated immunity to norovirus (NoV) in early childhood. Immune responses to NoV GI.3 and GII.4 virus-like particles and rotavirus VP6 were determined in longitudinal blood samples of ten healthy children from three months to four years of age. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Immunogenicity of OMP31 Peptides and Its Protection against Brucella melitensis Infection in Mice

Peptide containing both T-cell and B-cell epitopes of OMP31 was synthesized and used to immunize mice by nasal administration. The protective efficacy was evaluated. Mice immunized with the B epitope or TB epitope peptides of OMP31 had higher levels of IgG1 and IgG2a in the serum. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Subscribe to our sister publications: Human Immunology News & Immune Regulation News.

The Human Antibody Response to Influenza A Virus Infection and Vaccination

The author reviews the differences between natural infection and vaccination in terms of the antibody responses they induce and how these responses protect against future infection. [Nat Rev Immunol] Abstract

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

GeoVax and Leidos Expand Collaboration to Malaria Vaccines

GeoVax Labs, Inc. announced that it has expanded its collaboration activities with Leidos, Inc. to develop malaria vaccine candidates. [GeoVax Labs, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Grants Rolling Review for CytoDyn’s Planned BLA for Investigational HIV Therapy Leronlimab (PRO 140)

CytoDyn Inc. announced that the FDA has reviewed and accepted CytoDyn’s request and plan to submit on a rolling basis its planned Biologics License Application (BLA). Leronlimab is a humanized IgG4 mAb that is subcutaneously injected to block HIV-1 from entering and infecting immune cells. [CytoDyn Inc.] Press Release

Novavax Announces Topline Results from Phase III Prepare™ Trial of ResVax™ for Prevention of RSV Disease in Infants via Maternal Immunization

Novavax, Inc. announced results from Prepare™, a global Phase III clinical trial using ResVax, an aluminum adjuvanted respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion protein recombinant nanoparticle vaccine. ResVax is being developed to protect infants via maternal immunization against RSV disease. [Novavax, Inc.] Press Release

Pfizer Announces Serotypes Included in 20-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Candidate Being Investigated for the Prevention of Invasive Disease and Pneumonia in Adults Aged 18 Years and Older

Pfizer Inc. announced the new serotypes included in its 20-Valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine candidate, PF-06482077, being investigated for the prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes covered in the vaccine in adults aged 18 years and older. [Pfizer Inc.] Press Release

Head of US Food and Drug Agency Resigns

Scott Gottlieb, the head of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), resigned on 5 March and will depart the agency in one month. [Nature News] Editorial | Opinion

Trump Threatens to Cut Federal Research Funding Over Free Speech

At the Conservative Political Action Conference, President Donald Trump promised to sign an executive order cutting off funds to colleges and universities that do not maintain free speech. The president said “it will be very costly” if institutions don’t comply, but he did not give many details about the possible executive order or who would decide if schools were adequately protecting free speech. [The Scientist] Editorial

China Creating National Medical Ethics Committee to Oversee High-Risk Clinical Trials

A powerful new national medical ethics committee, which will approve all clinical trials involving high-risk biomedical technologies, is at the center of a regulatory shakeup Chinese authorities are planning in the aftermath of the widely condemned “CRISPR babies” experiment. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW 4^th Asia-Pacific AIDS & Co-Infections Conference (APACC)
June 27-29, 2019
Hong Kong, China

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

NEW Staff Scientist – Infection Biology and Immunity (Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens)

NEW Professor Position – Infection, Inflammation or Cancer Epigenetics (Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd.)

Research Technologist – Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Professor – Basic Research in Biology of Infectious Diseases of Poverty (University of Basel)

PhD Position – Cellular Immune Responses to Latent and Persistent CMV Infection (Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research)

Postdoctoral Positions – Human Immunology (University of California, San Francisco)

Research Chairs – Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (University of Ottawa)

Postdoctoral Position – Bacterium-Host Interaction (Universitätsklinikum Münster)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Virology/Cell Biology (Feinberg School of Medicine)

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor – Virology (University of Maryland at Baltimore)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Immunology of Infectious Disease News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.