DOCK8 Regulates Protective Immunity by Controlling the Function and Survival of RORγt+ ILCs
Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt-positive (RORγt+) innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) produce interleukin (IL)-22 and IL-17, which are critical for protective immunity against enteric pathogens. Investigators show that dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8), a scaffolding protein involved in cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell migration, is essential for the protective immunity against Citrobacter rodentium. [Nat Commun] Abstract
Surface Expression of the hRSV Nucleoprotein Impairs Immunological Synapse Formation with T Cells
Although several mouse- and human cell-based studies have shown that human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) infection prevents naïve T-cell activation by antigen-presenting cells, the mechanism underlying such inhibition remains unknown. Researchers show that the hRSV nucleoprotein could be at least partially responsible for inhibiting T-cell activation during infection by this virus. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract
Antigen Export during Liver Infection of the Malaria Parasite Augments Protective Immunity
Scientists systematically characterized the contribution of protein export to the magnitude of antigen-specific T-cell responses against Plasmodium berghei liver-stage parasites in C57BL/6 mice. Immunization with live attenuated transgenic sporozoites revealed that antigen export was not critical for CD8+ T-cell priming but enhanced CD8+ T-cell proliferation in the liver. [MBio] Full Article
Mast Cells Are Crucial in the Resistance against Toxoplasma gondii Oral Infection
Investigators addressed the role of mast cells (MCs), which are mainly located in mucosa during oral infection with T. gondii, using MC-deficient (W/Wv) mice. They show that in the absence of MCs the resistance of W/Wv mice to oral infection was considerably reduced. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract
Humanized PA14 (A Monoclonal CCR5 Antibody) for Treatment of People with HIV Infection
PRO 140 (a humanized form of the PA14 antibody) inhibits CCR5-tropic type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Scientists assessed the efficacy, safety, clinical disease progression and immunologic and virologic markers of PRO 140 for HIV-infected patients in randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials. [Cochrane Database Syst Rev] Abstract
Inhibition of Two Temporal Phases of HIV-1 Transfer from Primary Langerhans Cells to T Cells: The Role of Langerin
Scientists examined HIV replication and langerin-mediated viral transfer by authentic immature epidermal Langerhans cells (eLCs) and model Mutz-3 LCs. Two successive phases of HIV viral transfer to T cells via cave/vesicular trafficking and de novo replication were observed with eLCs as previously described in monocyte-derived or blood dendritic cells, but only first phase transfer was observed with Mutz-3 LCs. [J Immunol] Abstract
Dendritic Cells, Monocytes and Macrophages: A Unified Nomenclature Based on Ontogeny
The mononuclear phagocyte system has historically been categorized into monocytes, dendritic cells and macrophages on the basis of functional and phenotypical characteristics. The authors suggest that these cells can be classified primarily by their ontogeny and secondarily by their location, function and phenotype. [Nat Rev Immunol] Editorial
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Can the Tobacco Plant be the Key to HIV Prevention?
Researchers from the University of Louisville will lead an international effort to utilize tobacco plants to develop a gel containing a specific protein that will prevent the transmission of HIV. The project is being funded by a five-year, $14.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. [University of Louisville] Press Release
Biota Reports Top-Line Data from Its Phase II “IGLOO” Trial of Laninamivir Octanoate
Biota Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced top-line data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm Phase II clinical trial comparing the safety and efficacy of a 40 mg and 80 mg dose of laninamivir octanoate to placebo (for treatment of influenza A or B virus). [Biota Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release
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