Human Immunology News Volume 4.23 | Jun 14 2016

TOP STORY

Human Memory T Cells with a Naive Phenotype Accumulate with Aging and Respond to Persistent Viruses

Scientists describe a previously unknown subset of phenotypically naive human CD8⁺ T cells that rapidly secreted multiple cytokines in response to persistent viral antigens but differed transcriptionally from memory and effector T cells. [Nat Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

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T-Cell Therapy Using Interleukin-21–Primed Cytotoxic T-Cell Lymphocytes Combined with Cytotoxic T-Cell Lymphocyte Antigen-4 Blockade Results in Long-Term Cell Persistence and Durable Tumor Regression

Researchers reasoned that concurrent cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte antigen-4 checkpoint blockade might enhance the antitumor activity of adoptively transferred cytotoxic T cells. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract | Press Release

Anti-TNF Drives Regulatory T Cell Expansion by Paradoxically Promoting Membrane TNF-TNF-RII Binding in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Scientists showed that the therapeutic anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody adalimumab, but not the soluble TNF receptor etanercept, paradoxically promoted the interaction between monocytes and regulatory T cells isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. [J Exp Med] Abstract

Phase I Study of Tabalumab, a Human Anti-B-Cell Activating Factor Antibody, and Bortezomib in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Researchers report on a Phase I study of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients in which the primary objective was to identify a tolerable and potentially efficacious dose of tabalumab when combined with bortezomib. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

CD4⁺CD25⁺ T Cells in Primary Malignant Hypertension Related Kidney Injury

Investigators measured the number of CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells in patients with primary malignant hypertension related kidney injury, to explore the molecular pathogenesis of this disease. [Sci Rep] Full Article

FHR3 Blocks C3d-Mediated Coactivation of Human B Cells

Because factor H-related (FHR)3 and FHR1 bind to C3d and inactivated C3b, which are ligands for complement receptor type 2, researchers examined whether FHR3-C3d or FHR1-C3d complexes modulate B cell activation. [J Immunol] Abstract

Exposure of Human CD4 T Cells to IL-12 Results in Enhanced TCR-Induced Cytokine Production, Altered TCR Signaling, and Increased Oxidative Metabolism

The authors examined if exposure to IL-12 alters human CD4 T cell responses to subsequent TCR stimulation. They found that IL-12 pretreatment increased TCR-induced IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-13, IL-4 and IL-10 production. [PLoS One] Full Article

Reduction of Arachidonate Is Associated with Increase in B Cell Activation Marker in Infants: A Randomized Trial

Scientists aimed to determine if arachidonic acid (ARA) intake or fatty acid desaturase polymorphisms alter ARA levels of lymphocytes, plasma and red blood cells in term infants fed infant formula. [J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr] Abstract

Increased RANKL Expression in Peripheral T Cells Is Associated with Decreased Bone Mineral Density in Patients with COPD

The functional expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells and Th17 cells, and the potential role of these cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-associated bone loss was investigated. [Int J Mol Med] Abstract

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How Antigen Specificity Directs Regulatory T-Cell Function: Self, Foreign and Engineered Specificity

The authors focus on the effects of the T-cell receptor and its antigen specificity on regulatory T cell (Treg) biology. The role of Tregs with specificity for self-antigen has primarily been studied in the context of autoimmune disease, although recent studies have focused on their role in steady-state conditions. [HLA] Abstract

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

Fate Therapeutics Announces Preclinical Data from Immuno-Regulatory CD34⁺ Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases

Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it will present preclinical data for ToleraCyte™, its programmed CD34⁺ immuno-regulatory cell product candidate for autoimmune diseases [Press release from Fate Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at American Diabetes Association’s 76^th Scientific Sessions, New Orleans] Press Release

BLINCYTO^® (Blinatumomab) Improved Overall Survival in Patients with B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Amgen announced new data from a prespecified interim analysis of the Phase III TOWER study, in which BLINCYTO^® (blinatumomab) demonstrated an almost two-fold increase in median overall survival compared to standard of care. [Press release from Amgen discussing research presented at the 21^st Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA), Copenhagen] Press Release

Kite Pharma to Highlight Key Data from CAR T-Cell Therapy Pipeline

Kite Pharma, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing engineered autologous T-cell therapy (eACT™) products for the treatment of cancer, announced three oral presentations [Press release from Kite Pharma discussing research presented at the 21^st Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA), Copenhagen] Press Release

TxCell and the Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology Launch Collaboration to Develop CAR-Tregs in Bullous Pemphigoid

TxCell SA announces the signature of a strategic R&D collaboration agreement with the Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, part of the University of Lübeck in Germany. This specific collaboration agreement covers the development of a CAR-Treg-based cellular immunotherapy for bullous pemphigoid, a rare, potentially fatal autoimmune disease characterized by tense inflammatory skin blisters and in some patients, erosions on mucous membranes [TxCell SA] Press Release

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Treats First Patient in ICT-107 Phase III Registrational Trial in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. announced that the first patient has been treated in the Phase III registrational trial of ICT-107, the company’s lead cancer immunotherapy product candidate, in newly diagnosed glioblastoma. ICT-107 is a patient-specific, dendritic cell-based immunotherapy targeting multiple tumor-associated antigens on glioblastoma stem cells. [ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.] Press Release

NEW 23^rd International Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus and Related Viruses
October 11-15, 2016
Kyoto, Japan

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

NEW Senior Faculty Leadership Position – Immunology (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine (Stanford University School of Medicine)

Research Associate – Immunology and Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Technical Sales Representative (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – T Cell Immunology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Senior Scientist – Immunology and Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Group Leader – Immunology (Academic Medical Center)

Research Associate – Molecular and Cellular Biology of Inflammation (King’s College London)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Immune Focused In Vitro Research (King’s College London)

PhD Position or Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immunology with Focus on Autoimmunity (University of Oslo)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Thymic and Immune Regeneration (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Immunology (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Saarland University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Allergy and Immunology (Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Immunology (Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immunology (Tongji Medical College)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology (Technische Universität München)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Biology & Cancer Immunology (Fox Chase Cancer Center)

Faculty Positions – Microbiology and Immunology (National University of Singapore)

Postdoctoral Researchers – Tumor Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy (University of California, Los Angeles)

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