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Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells have important functions in immune responses against pathogens and in diseases, but mechanisms controlling MAIT cell development and effector lineage differentiation remain unclear. Here, we report that IL-2/IL-15 receptor β chain and inducible costimulatory (ICOS) not only serve as lineage-specific markers for IFN-γ-producing MAIT1 and IL-17A-producing MAIT17 cells, but are also important for their differentiation, respectively. Both IL-2 and IL-15 induce mTOR activation, T-bet upregulation, and subsequent MAIT cell, especially MAIT1 cell, expansion. By contrast, IL-1β induces more MAIT17 than MAIT1 cells, while IL-23 alone promotes MAIT17 cell proliferation and survival, but synergizes with IL-1β to induce strong MAIT17 cell expansion in an mTOR-dependent manner. Moreover, mTOR is dispensable for early MAIT cell development, yet pivotal for MAIT cell effector differentiation. Our results thus show that mTORC2 integrates signals from ICOS and IL-1βR/IL-23R to exert a crucial role for MAIT17 differentiation, while the IL-2/IL-15R-mTORC1-T-bet axis ensures MAIT1 differentiation. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are key in immunity and diseases, but how their effector polarization is controlled is still unclear. Here, the authors show that an IL-1β/IL-23/mTORC2 axis is essential for the induction of IL-17-producing MAIT17, while an IL-2/IL-15/mTORC1 axis is important for the homeostasis of IFN-γ-producing MAIT1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Regulatory B cells that inhibit immune responses through interleukin-10 (IL-10) secretion (B10 cells) have been characterized in adult subjects with autoimmune disease. The aim of this study was to characterize B10 cells in individuals across the entire age range of normal human development and changes in their frequency and numbers in children with autoimmunity. Methods The phenotype and numbers of B10 cells in blood were examined in healthy individuals and children with autoimmunity, using flow cytometry. B10 cell function was assessed by measuring the effect of B cell-derived IL-10 on interferon-γ (IFNγ) expression by CD4+ T cells. Serum cytokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The frequency of B10 cells transiently increased during childhood, when up to 30% of B cells were competent to produce IL-10, compared with the low frequencies in healthy newborns (3-4%) and adults (7-9%). The surface phenotype of B10 cells in children revealed age-dependent variability. B10 cells from children were distinct from proinflammatory cytokine-producing B cells and down-regulated IFNγ production by CD4+ T cells in vitro. Compared with age-matched healthy controls, children with autoimmunity had lower numbers and frequencies of B10 cells (decreased by 39% and 48%, respectively), higher IFNγ levels, and lower IL-21 levels in serum. IFNγ inhibited, whereas IL-21 promoted, B cell IL-10 competence in vitro. Conclusion B10 cells, a functionally defined cell subset with a variable surface phenotype reflective of overall B cell development, transiently expand during childhood. B10 cell frequencies and numbers were decreased in children with autoimmunity, which may be explained in part by alterations in serum IFNγ and IL-21 that differentially regulate B10 cell development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which is a protein developed by the liver that helps in innate immunity by tagging the surface of microbes focused on opsonization. It mentions that mannose-binding lectin is related to oligosaccharide structures on the surface of microbial pathogens.

The tolerability of L-proline-stabilized Privigen®, a new 10% liquid immunoglobulin for intravenous administration, was assessed at high infusion rates in a Phase III, open-label, single-arm, multicenter study in 45 patients with primary immune deficiencies. Maximum infusion rates were not assigned prospectively. For analysis, patients were grouped according to maximum infusion rate in a low infusion rate group (8 mg/kg/min) and high infusion rate group (12 mg/kg/min). Twenty-three patients, selected at the investigators’ discretion for the high infusion rate group based on their good tolerability, tolerated Privigen® at 12 mg/kg/min with no increase in temporally associated adverse events (AEs) above the level they had experienced at 8 mg/kg/min. The proportion of infusions with temporally associated AEs in these patients was 0.079 [97.5% confidence interval (CI) 0.114] compared to 0.211 (97.5% CI 0.267) in the low infusion rate group. The most frequent AE was headache. Thus, selected patients tolerate Privigen® at high infusion rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Macrophages provide an interface between innate and adaptive immunity and are important long-lived reservoirs for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 (HIV-1). Multiple genetic networks involved in regulating signal transduction cascades and immune responses in macrophages are coordinately modulated by HIV-1 infection. Methodology/Principal Findings: To evaluate complex interrelated processes and to assemble an integrated view of activated signaling networks, a systems biology strategy was applied to genomic and proteomic responses by primary human macrophages over the course of HIV-1 infection. Macrophage responses, including cell cycle, calcium, apoptosis, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and cytokines/chemokines, to HIV-1 were temporally regulated, in the absence of cell proliferation. In contrast, Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways remained unaltered by HIV-1, although TLRs 3, 4, 7, and 8 were expressed and responded to ligand stimulation in macrophages. HIV-1 failed to activate phosphorylation of IRAK-1 or IRF-3, modulate intracellular protein levels of Mx1, an interferon-stimulated gene, or stimulate secretion of TNF, IL-1β, or IL- 6. Activation of pathways other than TLR was inadequate to stimulate, via cross-talk mechanisms through molecular hubs, the production of proinflammatory cytokines typical of a TLR response. HIV-1 sensitized macrophage responses to TLR ligands, and the magnitude of viral priming was related to virus replication. Conclusions/Significance: HIV-1 induced a primed, proinflammatory state, M1HIV, which increased the responsiveness of macrophages to TLR ligands. HIV-1 might passively evade pattern recognition, actively inhibit or suppress recognition and signaling, or require dynamic interactions between macrophages and other cells, such as lymphocytes or endothelial cells. HIV-1 evasion of TLR recognition and simultaneous priming of macrophages may represent a strategy for viral survival, contribute to immune pathogenesis, and provide important targets for therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]