Signaling via interleukin-4, receptor alpha chain is required for successful vaccination against schistosomiasis in BALB/c mice

Radiation-attenuated (RA) schistosome larvae are potent stimulators of innate immune responses at the skin site of exposure (pinna) that are likely to be important factors in the development of Th1-mediated protective immunity. In addition to causing an influx of neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells (DCs) into the dermis, RA larvae induced a cascade of chemokine and cytokine secretion following in vitro culture of pinna biopsy samples. While macrophage inflammatory protein 1 and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were produced transiently within the first few days, the Th1-promoting cytokines IL-12 and IL-18 were secreted at high levels until at least day 14. Assay of C3H/HeJ mice confirmed that IL-12 secretion was not due to lipopolysaccharide contaminants binding Toll-like receptor 4. Significantly, IL-12 p40 secretion was sustained in pinnae from vaccinated mice but not in those from nonprotected infected mice. In contrast, IL-10 was produced from both vaccinated and infected mice. This cytokine regulates IL-12-associated dermal inflammation, since in vaccinated IL-10/ mice, pinna thickness was greatly increased concurrent with elevated levels of IL-12 p40. A significant number of IL-12 p40 cells were detected as emigrants from in vitro-cultured pinnae, and most were within a population of rare large granular cells that were Ia, consistent with their being antigen-presenting cells. Labeling of IL-12 cells for CD11c, CD205, CD8, CD11b, and F4/80 indicated that the majority were myeloid DCs, although a proportion were CD11c F4/80, suggesting that macrophages were an additional source of IL-12 in the skin

Targeting HIV-1 Env gp140 to LOX-1 Elicits Immune Responses in Rhesus Macaques.

Improved antigenicity against HIV-1 envelope (Env) protein is needed to elicit vaccine-induced protective immunity in humans. Here we describe the first tests in non-human primates (NHPs) of Env gp140 protein fused to a humanized anti-LOX-1 recombinant antibody for delivering Env directly to LOX-1-bearing antigen presenting cells, especially dendritic cells (DC). LOX-1, or 1ectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1, is expressed on various antigen presenting cells and endothelial cells, and is involved in promoting humoral immune responses. The anti-LOX-1 Env gp140 fusion protein was tested for priming immune responses and boosting responses in animals primed with replication competent NYVAC-KC Env gp140 vaccinia virus. Anti-LOX-1 Env gp140 vaccination elicited robust cellular and humoral responses when used for either priming or boosting immunity. Co-administration with Poly ICLC, a TLR3 agonist, was superior to GLA, a TLR4 agonist. Both CD4+ and CD8+ Env-specific T cell responses were elicited by anti-LOX-1 Env gp140, but in particular the CD4+ T cells were multifunctional and directed to multiple epitopes. Serum IgG and IgA antibody responses induced by anti-LOX-1 Env gp140 against various gp140 domains were cross-reactive across HIV-1 clades; however, the sera neutralized only HIV-1 bearing sequences most similar to the clade C 96ZM651 Env gp140 carried by the anti-LOX-1 vehicle. These data, as well as the safety of this protein vaccine, justify further exploration of this DC-targeting vaccine approach for protective immunity against HIV-1

P17-04. Targeting HIV peptides to human dendritic cells via CD40 elicits expansion of multi-epitope polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in HIV patients

International audiencen.

S04-04 OA. HIV-specific responses induced by anti-CD40 targeting antibodies

International audiencen.

Nuclear Energy: The Key to Sustainable Power for AI and Emerging Technologies

Skeptics question whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be powered sustainably. Nuclear may just be the best option. AI is transforming various spaces, from cybersecurity to accessibility, by enhancing the detection and prevention of fraud and phishing attacks to improving real-time services like subtitle generation, and supporting language translation. AI\u27s impact also extends to applications like handwriting and speech recognition, streamlining processes and increasing accessibility for individuals with disabilities. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, the increasing demand for its computational power raises concerns about energy consumption. By researching datacenter power demands empirically and comparing nuclear options as opposed to traditional power solutions, we can determine appropriate solutions poised towards the future. For example, approximating current energy cost (wherever it may come from) versus nuclear energy as a primary energy source. In recent events, many companies have inquired to purchase and refurbish nuclear facilities to enable their AI to the fullest with Constellation partnering with Microsoft in purchasing Three Mile Island Unit 1 for AI. Addressing these challenges requires sustainable and cost-effective solutions. The Stargate Project aims to invest 500-billion-dollars into AI, and TSMC is investing a total of 165-billion-dollars in domestic chip manufacturing further accelerating AI at the forefront. Through our findings, it is believed that nuclear power is the solution for powering the future of this industry. By choosing nuclear, it will provide a higher energy density than traditional renewable sources such as solar and wind energy. Nuclear power also can generate more power in a smaller footprint especially with Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This approach offers an opportunity to balance technological progress with environmental sustainability by reducing dependence on inefficient and intermittent energy sources. The end goal is to bolster nuclear energy and enhance industries with better power solutions and ultimately improve everyday people’s lives

P19-26. Directing macaque immune responses with an anti-dendritic cell HIV Gag p24 fusion protein vaccine

International audiencen.

A shared role for RBF1 and dCAP-D3 in the regulation of transcription with consequences for innate immunity

Previously, we discovered a conserved interaction between RB proteins and the Condensin II protein CAP-D3 that is important for ensuring uniform chromatin condensation during mitotic prophase. The Drosophila melanogaster homologs RBF1 and dCAP-D3 co-localize on non-dividing polytene chromatin, suggesting the existence of a shared, non-mitotic role for these two proteins. Here, we show that the absence of RBF1 and dCAP-D3 alters the expression of many of the same genes in larvae and adult flies. Strikingly, most of the genes affected by the loss of RBF1 and dCAP-D3 are not classic cell cycle genes but are developmentally regulated genes with tissue-specific functions and these genes tend to be located in gene clusters. Our data reveal that RBF1 and dCAP-D3 are needed in fat body cells to activate transcription of clusters of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes. AMPs are important for innate immunity, and loss of either dCAP-D3 or RBF1 regulation results in a decrease in the ability to clear bacteria. Interestingly, in the adult fat body, RBF1 and dCAP-D3 bind to regions flanking an AMP gene cluster both prior to and following bacterial infection. These results describe a novel, non-mitotic role for the RBF1 and dCAP-D3 proteins in activation of the Drosophila immune system and suggest dCAP-D3 has an important role at specific subsets of RBF1-dependent genes

First-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab with two cycles of chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone (four cycles) in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: CheckMate 9LA 2-year update

Inmunoterapia dual; Ipilimumab; NivolumabImmunoteràpia dual; Ipilimumab; NivolumabDual immunotherapy; Ipilimumab; NivolumabBackground To further characterize survival benefit with first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab with two cycles of chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone, we report updated data from the phase III CheckMate 9LA trial with a 2-year minimum follow-up. Patients and methods Adult patients were treatment naïve, with stage IV/recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer, no known sensitizing EGFR/ALK alterations, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤1. Patients were randomized 1 : 1 to nivolumab 360 mg every 3 weeks plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks with two cycles of chemotherapy, or four cycles of chemotherapy. Updated efficacy and safety outcomes are reported, along with progression-free survival (PFS) after next line of treatment (PFS2), treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) by treatment cycle, and efficacy outcomes in patients who discontinued all treatment components in the experimental arm due to TRAEs. Results With a median follow-up of 30.7 months, nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy continued to prolong overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy. Median OS was 15.8 versus 11.0 months [hazard ratio 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.61-0.86)]; 2-year OS rate was 38% versus 26%. Two-year PFS rate was 20% versus 8%. ORR was 38% versus 25%, respectively; 34% versus 12% of all responses were ongoing at 2 years. Median PFS2 was 13.9 versus 8.7 months. Improved efficacy outcomes in the experimental versus control arm were observed across most subgroups, including by programmed death-ligand 1 and histology. No new safety signals were observed; onset of grade 3/4 TRAEs was mostly observed during the first two treatment cycles in the experimental arm. In patients who discontinued all components of nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy treatment due to TRAEs (n = 61) median OS was 27.5 months; 56% of responders had an ongoing response ≥1 year after discontinuation. Conclusions With a 2-year minimum follow-up, nivolumab plus ipilimumab with two cycles of chemotherapy provided durable efficacy benefits over chemotherapy with a manageable safety profile and remains an efficacious first-line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.This work was supported by Bristol Myers Squibb (Princeton, New Jersey) (no grant number). Authors received no financial support or compensation for publication of this manuscript

Nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: final, 6-year outcomes from CheckMate 9LA

Chemotherapy; Nivolumab; Non-small-cell lung cancerQuimioteràpia; Nivolumab; Càncer de pulmó de cèl·lules no petitesQuimioterapia; Nivolumab; Cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñasBackground The phase III CheckMate 9LA study demonstrated durable overall survival (OS) benefit with nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we report final, 6-year efficacy and safety outcomes. Patients and methods Treatment-naive adults with stage IV/recurrent NSCLC and no sensitizing EGFR/ALK alterations were randomized to nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy (n = 361) or chemotherapy (n = 358). Assessments included OS, progression-free survival, objective response rate, and duration of response (DOR) in all randomized patients and subgroups, and OS by select somatic mutation status (KRAS, STK11, KEAP1, and TP53). Results With 68.6 months' minimum follow-up, nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy demonstrated continued OS benefit versus chemotherapy (hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.63-0.87, 6-year OS rates 16% versus 10%), regardless of tumor programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression (PD-L1 <1%, 20% versus 7%; PD-L1 ≥1%, 15% versus 10%) and histology (squamous, 14% versus 5%; non-squamous, 17% versus 12%). The 6-year DOR rate was 19% with nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy; all patients in the chemotherapy arm were censored or stopped responding before this timepoint. Trends toward improved OS were observed with nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy over chemotherapy regardless of KRAS, STK11, KEAP1, or TP53 mutation status. No new safety signals were observed. Conclusions These final analyses demonstrate the durable, long-term OS and response benefit with first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy over chemotherapy in patients with metastatic NSCLC, regardless of tumor PD-L1 expression, histology, or select somatic mutation status, further supporting this regimen as a standard-of-care treatment option.This work was supported by Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA (no grant number)

\u3ci\u3eStaphylococcus aureus\u3c/i\u3e Hyaluronidase Is a CodY-Regulated Virulence Factor

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen that causes a diverse range of bacterial infections. Invasive S. aureus strains secrete an extensive arsenal of hemolysins, immunomodulators, and exoenzymes to cause disease. Our studies have focused on the secreted enzyme hyaluronidase (HysA), which cleaves the hyaluronic acid polymer at the β-1,4 glycosidic bond. In the study described in this report, we have investigated the regulation and contribution of this enzyme to S. aureus pathogenesis. Using the Nebraska Transposon Mutant Library (NTML), we identified eight insertions that modulate extracellular levels of HysA activity. Insertions in the sigB operon, as well as in genes encoding the global regulators SarA and CodY, significantly increased HysA protein levels and activity. By altering the availability of branched-chain amino acids, we further demonstrated CodY-dependent repression of HysA activity. Additionally, through mutation of the CodY binding box upstream of hysA, the repression of HysA production was lost, suggesting that CodY is a direct repressor of hysA expression. To determine whether HysA is a virulence factor, a ΔhysA mutant of a community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) USA300 strain was constructed and found to be attenuated in a neutropenic, murine model of pulmonary infection. Mice infected with this mutant strain exhibited a 4-log-unit reduction in bacterial burden in their lungs, as well as reduced lung pathology and increased levels of pulmonary hyaluronic acid, compared to mice infected with the wild-type, parent strain. Taken together, these results indicate that S. aureus hyaluronidase is a CodY-regulated virulence factor