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Lymphocytes are white blood cells that have important immune functions. The main populations of lymphocytes are B cells, T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. They are typically (although not exclusively) associated with adaptive immune responses. Populations of novel innate-like lymphocytes were first described in 2010.
Improved understanding of CD8+ T cell function during HIV infection is vital to designing an HIV cure. We have identified a subset of lymph node CD8+ T cells that demonstrate simultaneous stem-like and effector properties and are strongly associated with viral control during SIV and HIV infection.
The developmental relationship between natural killer (NK) cells and other innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) has been a subject of scrutiny in recent years. Two studies now identify an early precursor committed to the NK cell lineage.
The transcription factor GATA3 is enhanced in innate lymphoid type 2 cells (ILC2). Here the authors characterize the super enhancer regions of GATA3 and show that these enhancers are required to drive GATA3 expression and stage specific ILC2 development.
Lucas and colleagues show that differentiating B cells switch expression of PI3Kδ to PI3Kγ and that this switch is required for optimal T cell-dependent IgG antibody production in both mice and humans.
CD4+ T cells are known to be important in Plasmodium infection. Here the authors use mouse models to track antigen-experienced TCR transgenic and polyclonal CD4+ T cells during Plasmodium re-infection, and show different T cell phenotypes and varied responses in different areas of the spleen.
Improved understanding of CD8+ T cell function during HIV infection is vital to designing an HIV cure. We have identified a subset of lymph node CD8+ T cells that demonstrate simultaneous stem-like and effector properties and are strongly associated with viral control during SIV and HIV infection.
The developmental relationship between natural killer (NK) cells and other innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) has been a subject of scrutiny in recent years. Two studies now identify an early precursor committed to the NK cell lineage.
An adoptive cellular therapy based on γδ T cells, which were engineered to secrete a tumour-targeting opsonin as well as an IL-15 superagonist, controlled tumour growth in a mouse model of patient-derived osteosarcoma.
The bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) blinatumomab showed promising clinical efficacy in a pilot study of six patients with multidrug-resistant rheumatoid arthritis.