Immunology of Infectious Disease News Volume 7.40 | Oct 16 2019

TOP STORY

A Molecular Signature in Blood Reveals a Role for p53 in Regulating Malaria-Induced Inflammation

Researchers conducted a prospective systems biology study of children who differed in their ability to control parasitemia and fever following Plasmodium falciparum infection. [Immunity] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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Type I Interferon-Driven Susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Is Mediated by IL-1Ra

Researchers found that enhanced production of type I interferons was responsible for the susceptibility of B6.Sst1^S mice to M. tuberculosis. [Nat Microbiol] Abstract

Oligomeric State of the ZIKV E Protein Defines Protective Immune Responses

Investigators produced stable recombinant E protein homodimers that are recognized by strongly neutralizing Zika specific monoclonal antibodies. In mice, the dimeric antigen stimulated strongly neutralizing antibodies that target epitopes that are similar to epitopes recognized by human antibodies following natural Zika virus infection. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Single-Dose Combination Nanovaccine Induces Both Rapid and Long-Lived Protection against Pneumonic Plague

A combination nanovaccine was designed that comprised F1-V-loaded nanoparticles combined with the cyclic dinucleotide, dithio-R_P,R_P-cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate, to induce rapid and long-lived protective immunity against pneumonic plague. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

MR1-Independent Activation of Human Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells by Mycobacteria

The authors sought to determine whether bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination activated mycobacteria-specific mucosal-associated invariant T cell responses in humans. They analyzed whole blood samples from M. tuberculosis-infected South African adults who were revaccinated with BCG after a six-month course of isoniazid preventative therapy. [J Immunol] Abstract | Full Article

TLR2 and TLR4 Mediate IgA Immune Response Induced by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

Scientists found that the levels of IgA in the peripheral blood serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, trachea, hilar lymph nodes and lung tissues of pigs increased significantly after infection with M. hyopneumoniae. [Infect Immun] Abstract

Early Growth Response 1 Deficiency Protects Host against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infection

Investigators characterized the role of early growth response 1 (Egr-1) in host defense against P. aeruginosa infection in a mouse model of acute bacterial pneumonia. Egr-1 expression was rapidly and transiently induced in response to P. aeruginosa infection. [Infect Immun] Abstract

Hepatitis B Virus-Triggered PTEN/β-Catenin/c-Myc Signaling Enhances PD-L1 Expression to Promote Immune Evasion

The authors observed significant decrease in the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), and increase in β-catenin/PD-L1 expression in liver tissues from chronic hepatitis B patients and mice subjected to pHBV1.3 hydrodynamic injection. [Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol] Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv0426c Promotes Recombinant Mycobacteria Intracellular Survival via Manipulating Host Inflammatory Cytokines and Suppressing Cell Apoptosis

To investigate the potential role played by Rv0426c, researchers constructed recombinant M. smegmatis strains with heterologous expression of Rv0426c. They observed that Rv0426c recombinants became more susceptible to various stresses by increasing cell wall permeability, however with elevated early survival rate within macrophages. [Infect Genet Evol] Abstract

A Leishmania donovani Dominant Negative Mutant for eIF2α Kinase LdeK1 Elicits Host‐Protective Immune Response

An insight into the immune response of mice infected with mutant parasite showed enhanced pro‐inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide levels but reduced T_H2 and Treg population. [Parasite Immunol] Abstract

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Fast and Fierce versus Slow and Smooth: Heterogeneity in Immune Responses to Plasmodium in the Controlled Human Malaria Infection Model

Controlled human malaria infection is an established model in clinical malaria research. Upon exposure to Plasmodium falciparum parasites, malaria‐naive volunteers differ in dynamics and composition of their immune profiles and subsequent capacity to generate protective immunity. [Immunol Rev] Full Article

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Vaxess and GC Pharma to Collaborate on Development of Highly Effective Influenza Vaccine Smart Release Patch

GC Pharma and Vaxess have partnered to commercialize a highly effective, painless, and refrigeration-free flu vaccine in a new, convenient patch format. [GC Pharma (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Novavax Initiates Pivotal Phase III Clinical Trial of NanoFlu Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults

Novavax, Inc. announced the initiation of a pivotal Phase III clinical trial for NanoFlu™, its recombinant quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine candidate, in adults aged 65 and over. [Novavax, Inc.] Press Release

ViiV Healthcare Submits Supplemental New Drug Application to US FDA for Use of Dovato in Virologically Suppressed Adults with HIV-1

ViiV Healthcare with Pfizer Inc. and Shionogi Limited as shareholders, announced the submission of a supplemental New Drug Application to the FDA for Dovato as a switch treatment for HIV-1 infection in virologically suppressed adults on a stable antiretroviral regimen with no treatment failure. [ViiV Healthcare (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Canadian Election Leaves Scientists Hanging — No Matter Who Wins

Canada’s two main political parties are running neck and neck in the lead-up to the country’s general election on 21 October. It’s unclear which party will come out on top, and that uncertainty extends to how science will fare in the next government. [Nature News] Editorial

Thousands of Grant Peer Reviewers Share Concerns in Global Survey

Researchers spend around ten days every year reviewing other academics’ funding proposals, according to the largest ever survey of grant peer review. The Grant Review In Focus report — based on a survey of 4,700 researchers worldwide — also found that recognition is an important incentive for reviewers. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Antibodies as Drugs: From B Cell Biology to New Treatments
February 2-6, 2020
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – HIV (Tulane University)

NEW Postdoctoral Position/PhD Student – Infectious Diseases, Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immunology (Purdue University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Lung Inflammation (The University of Georgia)

Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor – Virology (The University of Melbourne)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Flavivirus Infection (Pasteur Institute of Cambodia)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Immunology (University of Massachusetts)

Faculty Position – Life Sciences (University of Michigan)

Staff Clinician – Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology (The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Assistant Professor – Microbiology and Immunology (Stanford University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Respiratory Pathogens (Massachusetts General Hospital)

Senior Investigator and Laboratory Chief – Infectious Diseases (The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

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