Attenuation of CD4+ T-cell function by human adenovirus type 35 is mediated by the knob protein.

The complement-regulatory protein CD46 is the primary receptor for human adenovirus type 35 (HAdV-35) and can regulate human immune-cell activation. CD4(+) T-cells are critical for initiating and maintaining adaptive immunity elicited by infection or vaccination. It was reported previously that HAdV-35 can bind these cells and suppress their activation.

Evaluation of safety and pharmacokinetics of sodium 2,2 dimethylbutyrate, a novel short chain fatty acid derivative, in a phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose, and repeat-dose studies in healthy volunteers.

Pharmacologic induction of fetal globin synthesis is an accepted therapeutic strategy for treatment of the beta hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias, as even small increases in hemoglobin F (HbF) levels reduce clinical severity in sickle cell disease (SCD) and reduce anemia in beta thalassemia. Prior generation short chain fatty acid therapeutics, arginine butyrate (AB), and phenylbutyrate, increased fetal and total hemoglobin levels in patients, but were limited by high doses or intravenous (IV) infusion. A fetal globin-inducing therapeutic with convenient oral dosing would be an advance for these classic molecular diseases.

Fetal globin gene inducers: novel agents and new potential.

Inducing expression of endogenous fetal globin (gamma-globin) gene expression to 60-70% of alpha globin synthesis produces beta-thalassemia trait globin synthetic ratios and can reduce anemia to a mild level. Several classes of therapeutics have induced gamma-globin expression in beta-thalassemia patients and subsequently raised total hemoglobin levels, demonstrating proof-of-concept of the approach. Butyrate treatment eliminated transfusion requirements in formerly transfusion-dependent patients with treatment for as long as seven years.

Pleiotrophin produced by multiple myeloma induces transdifferentiation of monocytes into vascular endothelial cells: a novel mechanism of tumor-induced vasculogenesis.

Enhanced angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer. Pleiotrophin (PTN) is an angiogenic factor that is produced by many different human cancers and stimulates tumor blood vessel formation when it is expressed in malignant cancer cells. Recent studies show that monocytes may give rise to vascular endothelium.

Factors affecting human T cell engraftment, trafficking, and associated xenogeneic graft-vs-host disease in NOD/SCID beta2mnull mice.

Objective: Graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Models of immunodeficient mice that consistently and efficiently reconstitute with xenoreactive human T cells would be a valuable tool for the in vivo study of GVHD, as well as other human immune responses.

Materials And Methods: We developed a consistent and sensitive model of human GVHD by retro-orbitally injecting purified human T cells into sublethally irradiated nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID)-beta2m(null) recipients.

In vitro engagement of CD3 and CD28 corrects T cell defects in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the accumulation of leukemic B cells concomitant with immunological abnormalities and depressed immune responses. The T cell abnormalities found in CLL patients are thought to increase the risk of infection and hamper immune recognition and elimination of leukemic cells. We evaluated whether providing signals through CD3 and CD28 would correct some of these T cell defects.

Optimization of human T-cell expansion ex vivo using magnetic beads conjugated with anti-CD3 and Anti-CD28 antibodies.

T-cell receptor engagement and accompanying costimulatory signals control the level of activation and functional potential of individual T cells. The authors previously developed a novel technology in which human T cells are activated and expanded in culture ex vivo using anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies covalently linked to superparamagnetic beads (Xcyte Dynabeads). In this study the addition of N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC) to the cultures markedly increased the expansion of T cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells without diminishing cell function.

A phase I trial of CD3/CD28-activated T cells (Xcellerated T cells) and interleukin-2 in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Xcellerated T Cells (Xcyte Therapies, Seattle, WA) are autologous T cells that have been activated and expanded ex vivo using antibodies to CD3 and CD28 coimmobilized on magnetic beads. This study assessed the safety, immunostimulatory effects, and antitumor activity of Xcellerated T Cells and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Experimental Design: Twenty-six patients with measurable metastatic RCC after prior nephrectomy underwent leukapheresis.