Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 7.25 | Jul 3 2019

TOP STORY

A Connective Tissue Mast-Cell-Specific Receptor Detects Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Molecules and Mediates Antibacterial Immunity

Scientists report that mouse mast-cell-specific G-protein-coupled receptor Mrgprb2 and its human homolog MRGPRX2 are receptors for Gram-positive quorum-sensing molecules, including competence-stimulating peptide (CSP)-1. CSP-1 activated Mrgprb2 and MRGPRX2, triggering mast cell degranulation, which inhibited bacterial growth and prevented biofilm formation. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Heterogeneous Antiretroviral Drug Distribution and HIV/SHIV Detection in the Gut of Three Species

The authors measured drug concentrations in proximity to CD3⁺ T cells that are targeted by HIV, as well as expression of HIV or SHIV RNA and expression of the MDR1 drug efflux transporter in gut tissue from HIV-infected humanized mice, SHIV-infected macaques, and HIV-infected humans treated with combination antiretroviral drug therapy. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

CFTR-PTEN-Dependent Mitochondrial Metabolic Dysfunction Promotes Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection

Researchers demonstrated that the combined effect of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) dysfunction stimulated mitochondrial activity, resulting in excessive release of succinate and reactive oxygen species. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Structural Basis for Influenza Virus NS1 Protein Block of mRNA Nuclear Export

The authors demonstrated that a mutant influenza virus deficient in binding nuclear RNA export factor 1-nuclear transport factor 2-related export protein 1 did not block host mRNA export and was attenuated. This attenuation was marked by the release of mRNAs encoding immune factors from the nucleus. [Nat Microbiol] Abstract

Sequential LASER ART and CRISPR Treatments Eliminate HIV-1 in a Subset of Infected Humanized Mice

Sequential long-acting slow-effective release antiviral therapy (LASER ART) and CRISPR-Cas9 demonstrated viral clearance in latent infectious reservoirs in HIV-1 infected humanized mice. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

Difficult-to-Neutralize Global HIV-1 Isolates Are Neutralized by Antibodies Targeting Open Envelope Conformations

Researchers showed that select third variable (V3) region macaque antibodies elicited by HIV-1 envelope (Env) vaccination can neutralize 26% of otherwise tier 2 HIV-1 isolates in standardized virus panels. The V3 antibodies only bound to Env in its open conformation. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Microbiota-Driven Tonic Interferon Signals in Lung Stromal Cells Protect from Influenza Virus Infection

Using models of physiological and dysregulated IFNα/β receptor (IFNAR1) surface expression, researchers showed that IFNAR1-dependent signals set the steady-state IFN signature in both hematopoietic and stromal cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Infectious Particle Identity Determines Dissemination and Disease Outcome for the Inhaled Human Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus

Mice infected with spores harbored Cryptococcus in their lung draining lymph nodes as early as one day after infection, whereas mice infected with yeast did not. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article | Editorial

Human Antimicrobial RNases Inhibit Intracellular Bacterial Growth and Induce Autophagy in Mycobacteria-Infected Macrophages

Researchers found that the Mycobacterium aurum aurum infection of human THP1 macrophages modulated the expression of endogenous RNase3 and RNase6, suggesting a function in vivo. [Front Immunol] Full Article

A Subset of Mycobacteria-Specific CD4⁺ IFN-γ⁺ T Cell Expressing Naive Phenotype Confers Protection against Tuberculosis Infection in the Lung

Scientists describe a novel, Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific IFN-γ⁺CD4⁺ T cell population expressing surface markers characteristic of naive-like memory T cells, which were induced in both human and murine systems in response to mycobacteria. [J Immunol] Abstract

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

Synergy between Th1 and Th2 Responses during Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection: A Review of Current Understanding

In this review, current data from both animal and human studies that support mixed Th1 and Th2 responses that are protective against M. tuberculosis and other pathogens are presented. [Int Rev Immunol] Abstract

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

Emergex Signs an R&D Agreement with IMCB to Develop a Vaccine for the Emerging Threat of Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited announced that it has signed an R&D agreement with the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) in Singapore to develop a fully synthetic vaccine against human viruses that cause Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. [Emergex Vaccines Holding Limited] Press Release

Novavax Confirms Accelerated Approval Pathway Available for Licensure of NanoFlu^™

Novavax, Inc. announced it will utilize the accelerated approval pathway for licensure for NanoFlu^™, its nanoparticle seasonal influenza vaccine candidate. [Novavax, Inc.] Press Release

NIH Funds Creation of New Lab Model for TB/HIV Research

When people suffer from both HIV and TB, it creates “one of the biggest health problems in the world,” according to Texas Biomed Assistant Professor Smita Kulkarni, Ph.D. Now, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is funding a two-year study by Texas Biomed scientists developing a lab model that mimics the early stages of the co-infection of these two diseases. [Texas Biomedical Research Institute] Press Release

ViiV Healthcare Receives EU Marketing Authorisation for Dovato (Dolutegravir/Lamivudine), a New Once-Daily, Single-Pill, Two-Drug Regimen for the Treatment of HIV-1 Infection

ViiV Healthcare announced that the European Commission has granted Marketing Authorisation for Dovato for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents above twelve years of age weighing at least 40 kg, with no known or suspected resistance to the integrase inhibitor class, or lamivudine. [ViiV Healthcare] Press Release

Presidential Candidates Should Be Ready to Discuss Plans for Infectious Diseases

As the legion of Democratic presidential candidates face off, they will be addressing an audience that ranks health as a leading concern. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll of Democrats and independents leaning towards Democrats published earlier this month found that health care tops the issues they want to hear about. [STAT News] Editorial

The US Opioid Epidemic Is Driving a Spike in Infectious Diseases

Public-health officials are worried about a surge in bacterial and viral infections linked to opioid misuse that threatens to compound the crisis. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW International Conference on Cellular Therapies: Focus on Immune Based Therapeutic Concepts
September 20-22, 2019
Mandelieu, France

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

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Infectious Disease (The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine)

NEW Scientist – Infectious Diseases (Genentech, Inc.)

NEW Research Associate – Immunology (Evotec)

Postdoctoral Position – Computational Biology (Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research)

Postdoctoral Position – Innate Immune Signaling in Spirochetal Diseases (UConn Health)

PhD Position – Chronic Viral Infections (Research Center for Molecular Medicine)

Research Associate – Vaccines (University of Bristol)

Postdoctoral Associate Positions – Infectious Diseases (University of Minnesota)

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – Computational Biology, Virology, and Glycoproteomics (University of Missouri-Columbia)

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Reader/Professor – Vaccinology and Immunotherapy (University of Bristol)

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.