IDecembermmunology 2018 | ISSN 1356-5559 (print) News
Immunology
transformations: An interview with our President, Peter Openshaw
Immunology Policy talk: China at 60: Immunology goes conversations: Celebrate our journal’s to Parliament Building collaborations continued success www.immunology.org 2 ADVERTISEMENTS
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Immunology News | December 2018 A WORD FROM THE EDITOR 3 ©Shutterstock Welcome to the December 2018 edition personnel. Firstly, we’re incredibly excited of Immunology News. The last few to welcome our new Chief Executive, months have been an incredibly busy Doug Brown, to the organisation. Doug time for the BSI, with a number of new has now been with us for a couple of initiatives starting. We attended the months and you can read more about European Congress of Immunology his first impressions and his plans for in Amsterdam, celebrated the 60th the future on page 4. At the end of the anniversary of our official journal, year, we also bid a fond farewell to our Immunology, and ran our first ever current President, Peter Openshaw, who parliamentary event! You can read more has led the organisation with vision and about all of these activities in this issue. drive for the last five years. You can read We recently conducted a membership an interview with Peter on his reflections survey to find out more about your of his time in office with us on page 14. thoughts on our work. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took Best wishes, the time to send us their views – you can read more about our findings on page 17. Jennie Evans We also have a number of changes of [email protected]
The Team Contents Editorial Advisory Board: FEATURES: Edd James (Southampton) 14 Louisa James (London) Interview with Donald Palmer (London) Peter Openshaw Mihil Patel (Cardiff) Ushani Srenathan (London) BSI goes to Parliament Managing Editor: 20 Jennie Evans Sub Editor: Rebecca Ramsden Design: Qube Design Associates
British Society for Immunology 34 Red Lion Square London WC1R 4SG Tel: +44(0)203 019 5901 Immunology at 60 4 Society news Email: [email protected] 22 www.immunology.org 25 Congratulations
Enquiries and correspondence: 26 Future Focus Jennie Evans: [email protected] 29 Around the BSI groups
Advertising queries: 30 Journal news Sarah Green: [email protected] Follow us: Registered charity 1043255 in England and Wales/SCD047367 in Scotland. britsocimm Registered in England and Wales as company 3009533. 26 China conversations britsocimm © 2018 British Society for Immunology britsocimm The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the britsocimm Society, nor can claims of advertisers be guarenteed. The Society, Editorial britishsocietyforimm Board and authors cannot accept liability for any errors or omissions. british-society-for-immunology
Immunology News | December 2018 4 SOCIETY NEWS
out about why you value membership changes to our Trustee team. Our VIEW FROM … and what the BSI can do to support you, President, Peter Openshaw, will step THE CHIEF and also to engage with some of our down at our AGM after 5 years in the most important stakeholders across role. Peter is the first clinician to lead the EXECUTIVE the UK and Europe. You can read more BSI and we owe him an enormous debt about the BSI’s time at ECI on page 6. of gratitude for his energy, vision and Later that week I was back in the office leadership (read Peter’s reflections on I’m delighted to and the hard work started in earnest. page 14). The AGM also sees two other be writing my The BSI is at the important halfway Trustees finish their terms of office – Anne first column for juncture in our current strategic plan Cooke, our Chair of Forum and Sheena Immunology News. and we felt that this was an appropriate Cruickshank, our Public Engagement Let me start off by time to review our activities, evaluate our Secretary. Our thanks go to both of them saying hello to you successes and where we could do better, for dedication, hard work and vision which all and thank you as well as checking that the organisation has allowed the BSI to hugely expand to everyone who is still on the right track for the future. its activities during their time in office. has made me feel In addition to conducting a membership We will also look forward to welcoming so welcome so survey (read the results on page 17), the our new appointees. Arne Akbar will join quickly. As we all know it’s such an exciting Trustees have been hard at work on this as our new President and, having spent time for immunology. From decades of review, which culminated in an away quite a bit of time with Arne in my first hard work we are now beginning to see day, with a particular focus on how our couple of months, I am incredibly excited the recognition that immunology deserves strategic plan holds up in the current about his vision for BSI and thoroughly through the recent Nobel prizes and external environment. You’ll be pleased looking forward to working with him. We the development of new immune-based to hear that our consensus was that we will also welcome Ann Ager as Chair of therapies, which are transforming the are on the right course, with our focus Forum, Divya Shah as Trustee, Emma treatment landscape and, quite literally, on membership, supporting careers Chambers as Early Careers Trustee and saving lives. As a previous immunology and driving change on multiple fronts Donald Davidson as Public Engagement researcher myself, I couldn’t be more including the public, science bodies and Secretary – again, I am looking forward excited about joining the BSI – immunology Government (including Brexit!). We will to working with all our new faces. is my first love! The role that BSI plays is bring you more news on these discussions Finally, we are holding our AGM at a vital one. Working with the Board and in the next issue of Immunology News. 13:00, Tuesday 11 December in London. the staff, it’s an honour to play my part I’ve been impressed with the number This is an important opportunity for all in creating the best scientific, political of ongoing projects delivered by the members to find out more about our and public environment for immunology team. An undoubted highlight is the work and a chance for you to ask us research to thrive, and for ensuring the BSI’s first ever parliamentary event (see questions about the Society’s activities. outputs of research are translated into page 20). The reception aimed to raise I hope to see many of you there. human and animal health benefits as awareness among parliamentarians of quickly as possible. I look forward to the importance of supporting immunology With best wishes working with you all to deliver our vision. research and its clinical application. I couldn’t have asked for a better start Increasing our profile in this way is key Doug Brown to the BSI than having my first day at the to the success of our future work and we Chief Executive, European Congress of Immunology in hope will be one area (of many!) that will British Society for Immunology Amsterdam! It was a fantastic opportunity make you proud to be a BSI member. Email: [email protected] to meet with so many members, finding The upcoming months see some
BSI Inflammation and Edinburgh Immunology Groups present Inflammation: from initiation to restoration 24 – 26 April 2019 | Edinburgh, UK www.immunology.org/inflammation-meeting
Immunology News | December 2018 SOCIETY NEWS 5
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We wish you all our readers a very Merry Christmas and happy new year!
Trustees update The end of this year sees a number of changes to our Board of Trustees. At our upcoming AGM, BSI President Peter Openshaw will step down after five years in the role – you can read more about his reflections on his time in office with us on page 14. Anne Cooke, our Vice- President and current Chair of Forum, and Sheena Cruickshank, our Public Engagement Secretary, will also finish their terms of office at our AGM in December. The BSI owes an enormous debt of gratitude to all three for the time, energy and care they have put Anne Cooke Sheena Cruickshank into bringing their expertise to bear to develop our strategy, guide our activities position of Chair of Forum. Additionally, statements from each person in the and ensure the BSI is run to the highest we look forward to welcoming Divya Shah members’ section of our website at standards. Thank you from all of us! as a Trustee and Emma Chambers as an www.immunology.org/new-committee- We will look forward to welcoming some Early Career Trustee. Donald Davidson members. We’re delighted to welcome new faces onto the Board in December. will also commence his term of office them all to the BSI and look forward Arne Akbar will take over as our new as Public Engagement Secretary. to working with them to provide a President and Ann Ager will take up the You can read the full candidate strong voice for immunology. New editors join BSI journals
Department of Immunology and Pathology in animal models and clinical cohorts. at Monash University, Melbourne. Originally Dr Florent Ginhoux joined Immunology from New Zealand, and completing his PhD in September. Florent is a senior Principal in Immunology at the Malaghan Institute Investigator at the Singapore Immunology of Medical Research and Otago University, Network (SIgN), A*STAR. He is also an he then spent 14 years in Switzerland split Adjunct Visiting Associate Professor in the between the ETH Zürich and the University Shanghai Immunology Institute, Jiao Tong of Lausanne. He now leads the Respiratory University, China. He received his PhD in Benjamin Marsland Florent Ginhoux Immunology laboratory, where the main 2004 from the University Pierre et Marie focus of research revolves around the CURIE, Paris VI. He has been a EMBO We are pleased to welcome two new microbiome in the gut, lung and skin and Young Investigator since 2013 and a Web Associate Editors to our journals. how it can influence respiratory diseases. of Science Highly Cited Researcher since Professor Benjamin Marsland joined In particular, his laboratory studies 2016. Both his laboratories are focusing Clinical & Experimental Immunology host–microbe interactions underlying on the ontogeny and differentiation of in March. Ben is a Professor in the allergy, asthma and tissue remodelling macrophages and dendritic cells.
Immunology News | December 2018 6 SOCIETY NEWS
SOCIETY NEWS BSI at ECI
The British Society for Immunology was delighted to attend the recent European Congress of Immunology (ECI) held in the beautiful city of Amsterdam on 2–5 September 2018. The flagship event of the European Federation of Immunological Societies (EFIS), this year’s conference was held in conjunction with local hosts the Dutch Society for Immunology and was a showcase of the best immunological research taking place in Europe and beyond. The event is held every three years at different venues around Europe and regularly attracts over 3,000 to enjoy the cutting-edge science, unrivalled networking opportunities and convivial atmosphere. The BSI team on our stand at ECI
The BSI always aims to have a strong presence at ECI and this year was no exception. We were particularly thrilled that our President, Professor Peter Openshaw, was invited to speak in the Opening Ceremony and present key findings from our recent ‘Careers in Immunology’ report, particularly focusing on the role that international collaborations play in forwarding immunologists’ careers. This was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the work of the BSI to a large international audience and we were particularly gratified by the number of delegates who stopped by the BSI stand throughout the week to find out more about our work. Peter followed up this presentation with another talk in the ‘Men and Women in Immunology’ steady stream of visitors dropping by to for the Society. I know Doug would like session, which focused on the findings find out more about our work, the benefits to thank all those who welcomed him so in our report regarding the different that BSI membership offers or just to say warmly to our immunological community. experiences of and perceptions by men and hello. The Monday of ECI also marked ECI is an excellent opportunity for women working in the immunology field. our new CEO, Doug Brown’s, first day in maintaining our connections on an This session generated an in-depth and the role – nothing like hitting the floor international level and we made sure that thoughtful debate, with many delegates running! The Congress proved an excellent we made the most of the chance to meet sharing their experiences and thoughts. opportunity for him to meet with many with representatives from other European Meanwhile, the BSI stand in the of our members face to face and find out immunology societies to find out more exhibition area was in full swing with a more about their hopes and expectations about each other’s work and possible areas ‘This was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the work of the BSI to a large international audience and we were particularly gratified by the number of delegates who stopped by the BSI stand throughout the week to find out more about our work.’
Immunology News | December 2018 SOCIETY NEWS 7
for collaboration. During the conference, won the Doctoral Prize in Immunology. and network with each other. The friendly there was also much anticipation on the Our journals, Immunology and Clinical and collegiate atmosphere really brought vote for the 2024 ECI Congress – our & Experimental Immunology, were also home what a wonderful community BSI is. congratulations go to the Irish Society for well represented at the Congress, both Our thanks go to EFIS and the Dutch Immunology, who it was announced will on the stand and in ‘An expert’s guide Society for hosting such a vibrant and host the event in Dublin in 2024. to publishing’ session sponsored by insightful meeting. We now look forward ECI is also a time to celebrate our publishers Wiley. The session saw to the next ECI, which is due to take excellence and we were delighted to Immunology Editor-in-Chief Danny place in 2021 in Belgrade, Serbia as a see that several UK-based researchers Altmann and BSI Journals Manager collaboration between the Serbian and were honoured. The EFIS–European Christine Fears provide their top tips on Turkish Societies for Immunology. Journal of Immunology (EJI) Ita Askonas how to navigate the peer-review process Award was presented to Katja Simon and maximise your chance of getting Jennie Evans (University of Oxford). This prize was your work published. The session proved Head of External Affairs, BSI established to acknowledge female group incredibly popular with delegates, with leaders in immunology who have run standing room only and an energetic an independent laboratory for 4–8 years and purposeful discussion section. and is one of the most prestigious prizes Attending the ECI was a fantastic awarded by EFIS – our congratulations experience for the BSI staff. We loved to Katja. In addition, the UK was well- meeting the many BSI members present represented in the ACTERIA (ACTing on and finding out more about your work. European Research in Immunology and The highlight of the Congress for me was Allergology) – EFIS awards. Muzlifah our networking session on the BSI stand Haniffa from Newcastle University won where we invited all delegates who were the Early Career Research Prize in members of BSI to join us for a drink. The Allergology while Eduardo Bonavita (Cancer turnout was fantastic with members from Research UK, Manchester and Humanitas all backgrounds and career grades coming Clinical and Research Centre, Milan) together to find out more about our work
Muzlifah Haniffa
Speakers at the publishing session: Petter Höglund, Danny Altmann, Christine Fears, Chair Nadja Bakocevic and Jürgen Wienands Katja Simon
Immunology News | December 2018 8 SOCIETY NEWS
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British Society for Immunology BSI Annual Review The BSI is pleased to publish our Annual our members and proved to be a well- Annual Review Review showcasing the activities and attended event, enjoyed by all. 2017 – 2018 achievements of the Society over the past None of these achievements would have 12 months. We are now half way through been possible without the support of our our current strategic plan and the past members. Be it through volunteering on 12 months have seen the organisation our committees and boards, editing our achieve some important milestones, both journals, running our Regional and Affinity in terms of the support and activities groups or helping us with media, policy that we provide for our members and our and public engagement activities, our work engaging with the wider world to put members are the lifeblood of the Society. immunology centre stage in the public We’re incredibly grateful to you all for your arena. help and support throughout the year. Highlights include the launch of You can download the full Annual Review our ‘Careers in Immunology’ report, from our website at www.immunology. the development of new initiatives for org/annual-review-2018 to discover more members such as our mentoring scheme about how the BSI has made a difference and an extension of our external activities for immunology in the last year. Print to represent immunology to the wider copies will also be available at upcoming world. In addition, our 2017 Congress Society events or on request from in Brighton brought together many of [email protected].
UPCOMING BSI MEETINGS We have lots of upcoming meetings covering a vast array of immunological topics. Find out more at www.immunology.org/events.
BSI meetings BSI Regional and BSI Edinburgh and West of Scotland Immunology Groups BSI WINTER SCHOOL Affinity Groups EIG AND WSIG JOINT 3–5 December 2018 BSI London Immunology Group SYMPOSIUM 2019 Nottingham, UK IMMUNOLOGICAL CROSS-TALK 7 February 2019 11 December 2018 Linlithgow, UK BSI EARLY CAREER TRAINING DAY London, UK 10 December 2018 BSI Immunometabolism Group London, UK BSI Comparative Veterinary FUELLING THE IMMUNE RESPONSE: Immunology Group UK IMMUNOMETABOLISM ©Shutterstock /PointImages NON-CONVENTIONAL T CELLS IN MEETING 2019 HEALTH & DISEASE 14–15 March 2019 11 January 2019 Newcastle upon Tyne, UK London, UK BSI Edinburgh & Inflammation ©NIAID Affinity Groups INFLAMMATION: FROM INITIATION TO RESTORATION 24–26 April 2019 Edinburgh, UK
BSI supported meetings BRITISH SOCIETY FOR RHEUMATOLOGY ANNUAL CONGRESS 2019 30 April – 2 May 2019 Birmingham, UK
Immunology News | December 2018 SOCIETY NEWS 9
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SOCIETY NEWS Make a difference for immunology!
The British Society for Immunology For the success of our organisation, it members from all backgrounds and is run for its members and by its is vital that we have Society members career grades. You don’t need to have members. Over the next six months, who are willing to stand for election and previous experience of sitting on a we have a number of vacancies that contribute their knowledge, expertise and committee but you do need lots of experience to ensure that we are doing enthusiasm and a willingness to get will become available on our various all we can to support our members and involved to help formulate our activities committees. the field of immunology as a whole. This and polices. Through serving on a is a fantastic opportunity for you to get Society committee, you will also increase involved in the work of the Society and your networks, widen your knowledge to make a real difference to immunology and gain many transferable skills. in the UK. We are looking for committee
BSI Congress committee vacancies: applications open now
The BSI is looking for a new member European Congress of Immunology and the to join its Congress Committee. We are International Congress of Immunology. seeking one General Member (at any stage Members sit on the committee for four of their career) to join the Committee years and are expected to attend quarterly from 2019. meetings, some of which are conducted by The primary responsibility of the teleconference. For more information and Congress Committee is to develop, oversee the full terms of reference, please visit the and deliver the scientific programme for BSI website. the BSI Congress. The committee reviews If you are interested in joining the Congress and approves proposed sessions and has Committee, please submit a summary of oversight over the abstract submission your studies/career and a statement of and review process. Congress Committee what you would bring to the committee (500 members are also involved in organising words maximum) to Fatima Rahman-Ali at and chairing specific sessions as required. [email protected] on Friday 11 There are additional opportunities for January 2019. You must be a BSI member to members of BSI Congress Committee to apply. Applications will be reviewed by Gary become involved in various elements of Entrican (Congress Secretary) and Doug major international meetings such as the Brown (CEO).
medicine, represent the wider clinical Forum Upcoming immunology and allergy community, reduce The following roles will be up for election: fragmentation and allow the community vacancies to speak with one voice, and to enhance • Clinical Representative communications between the scientific and • Early Career Representative In the new year, we will put out a call for clinical immunology communities. This nominations for the following positions: role is due to commence in January 2020. Both roles are due to commence in mid-2019. Board of Trustees Secretary roles Nominations for all these positions will Trustee – We will have one vacancy Education Secretary – The Education open in the new year. Appointment will be for a General Trustee position with Secretary works with the BSI to take decided by membership elections to be the term commencing mid-2019. forward our activities to support the held in late spring. education and careers of those working in Please consider putting your name Clinical Secretary – The Clinical Secretary the field of immunology (especially in the forward to get involved with our represents the clinical immunology UK). Taking their lead from our strategic committees. community on the Board of Trustees. priorities, the Education Secretary works to The role holder also chairs the BSI increase the support that the BSI provides Clinical Committee, which aims to foster to our members throughout their careers. excellence in the practice of immunological This role is due to commence in mid-2019.
Immunology News | December 2018 SOCIETY NEWS 11
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New Virtual Issues from the BSI journals
The journals presented two new ©Shutterstock/Juan Gaertner Virtual Issues in October. The first, ‘Nobel Prize 2018: Cancer Immunotherapy Collection’, celebrated the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology being awarded to James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation.
The immunotherapies developed from the discoveries made by Allison and Honjo have shown great potential against many cancers in humans and have caused a veritable revolution in the treatment of cancer. Although there are still hurdles to overcome in developing this knowledge into treatments for different cancer types, this represents one of the largest leaps forward in medical oncology in many years. The collection includes recent papers from Immunology and Clinical & Experimental Immunology (CEI) in cancer immunotherapy, many of which focus on The second collection was released in contribution of stromal cells and myeloid the role of CTLA-4 and PD-1. These include CEI to mark World Arthritis Day 2018. The cells in joint inflammation, the genetics of a review authored by James Allison on co- papers in this collection largely focus on arthritis, and recent insights into immune stimulatory agonists and co-inhibitory rheumatic forms of arthritis, which are modulation and intervention of arthritis. antagonists and a paper by Tasuku Honjo characterised by chronic inflammation and The World Arthritis Day collection addressing the regulation of B-1 cell a build-up of synovial tissue and fluid in can be found at www.immunology. activation and its autoantibody production the joints, which can ultimately result in org/world-arthritis-day-2018. by Lyn kinase-regulated signallings. the destruction of bone and cartilage. The The Cancer Immunotherapy Collection collection includes work on cytokines and Christine Fears can be found at www.immunology.org/ other immune mediators produced in the Journals Manager, BSI cancer-immunotherapy-collection. inflamed joints, antibody modification, the ©Shutterstock/prochasson frederic
All BSI members are welcome to join us for our Annual General Meeting, which is being held during Immunological Cross Talk, Annual General organised by the BSI London Immunology Group. Come along to find out about the work of the Society, what activities we have Meeting carried out in the last year and what our plans are to support members and represent immunology in the UK. 13:00–13:30, Tuesday 11 December 2018 Holiday Inn London – Regent’s Park We encourage as many members as possible to attend. If you have any queries, please contact Fatima Rahman-Ali at [email protected].
Immunology News | December 2018 12 SOCIETY NEWS
SOCIETY NEWS Connect Immune Research a new initiative to support autoimmune research
The British Society for Immunology is delighted to be a supporting partner of a brand new scientific initiative called Connect Immune Research. Along with our partners, JDRF, Versus Arthritis and MS Society, we aim to support research into the underlying causes of autoimmunity, and work together to allow research into autoimmune diseases to progress faster. Why autoimmune conditions? of diagnostics and treatments for the millions better understand the relationship between Four million people – almost one in every 16 of people living with different autoimmune interferon and autoimmunity. people in the UK – live with an autoimmune conditions. Collaborative effects condition causing them pain, difficulty, lost Dr Doug Brown, our Chief Executive, opportunities in work and in life, and in said: “Immunology is a vital branch Our aims through supporting Connect many cases placing them at risk of early of medical science in which the UK leads Immune Research are two-fold. Firstly, we death. There have been over 80 autoimmune the world with new discoveries. Connect hope that bringing together researchers conditions identified, each affecting different Immune Research will exploit this UK from different expertise areas to study the parts of the body. Furthermore, having one strength by bringing together the best brains mechanisms of autoimmunity in a non- autoimmune condition makes developing in immunology to study different autoimmune condition-specific way will lead to a change another more likely – up to a third of the four diseases together. This is just the start of a in the way autoimmune conditions are million people affected live with more than brand new approach to immunology research researched and understood. This is the first one condition. This can lead to health and and will, with even more support, lead to us time charities have joined forces in this way care needs that are more complex and lives transforming the lives of people living with and support from Wellcome and the Medical that are more challenging. autoimmune conditions.” Research Council (MRC) in the development To prove that this approach has the of Connect Immune Research, demonstrates Connect Immune Research potential we believe it does, Connect Immune the critical need for this work. Secondly, We hope our new collaboration – called Research has recently announced the we wish to increase comprehension of Connect Immune Research – will radically recipient of its first research grant. Professor autoimmunity itself amongst the public change how autoimmune conditions are Yanick Crow from the University of Edinburgh and policymakers, placing ourselves and researched and understood. By bringing and his team will work on a project titled immunologists at the forefront of both public together scientists with expertise in different ‘Precision type I interferon biomarkers for and scientific debate about treatment and conditions, we hope that we can facilitate the the stratification of autoimmune disease’ prevention of autoimmune conditions. faster progression of research, dramatically with the aim to measure interferon levels reducing costs and speeding up development in different autoimmune conditions to Jennie Evans Head of External Affairs, BSI ‘By bringing together scientists with expertise in different conditions, we Find out more: hope that we can facilitate the faster • Read the full press release: progression of research, dramatically https://bit.ly/2qj6zBi
reducing costs and speeding up • Read more information on the first grant funded through this initiative: development of diagnostics and https://bit.ly/2SxmPf8 • Read the previous article on Connect treatments for the millions of people living Immune Research in Immunology News online: https://bit.ly/2PuGLAq with different autoimmune conditions.’ Immunology News | December 2018 SOCIETY NEWS 13
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30709_BSI_Immunology_News_half_page_advert_August_2018_01_DRAFT.indd 1 06.08.18 10:51 Immunology NOW HIRING Applications are invited for the role of Editor-in-Chief
Visit www.immunology.org/ editor-in-chief for more details
Immunology News | December 2018 14 FEATURE ARTICLE An interview with... Peter Openshaw Professor Peter Openshaw is stepping down as President of the British Society for Immunology in December after five successful years at the helm, during which time he has overseen a series of major transformations of the Society. Amongst other things, it has grown both in membership and in scope, worked to an ambitious strategic plan, and engaged more actively with policymakers. Here, Professor Openshaw reflects on the changing face of the BSI, its crucial role in supporting immunologists at all stages of their careers, and on the challenges and opportunities facing both his successor and those in the field more widely going forward.
What do you see as the role of the BSI? designing a new vaccine has generally The UK has always excelled in immunological been a practical process needing little research, with UK-based immunologists theoretical input. However, in today’s amongst the global leaders. The BSI climate, vaccines are best developed by is therefore a crucial organisation for international, multi-skilled teams using encouraging and supporting research in the latest technology. In terms of policy the field, not only here in the UK, but also work, we wanted to focus on an area worldwide. The BSI is also increasingly clearly within our immunological remit; involved in efforts to apply immunological vaccination is something everyone is one of the most cost-effective measures knowledge to develop new treatments and aware of. Additionally, from a public health we have for improving health has been prevention techniques to benefit human standpoint, encouraging uptake of vaccines tremendously exciting. It’s hard to prove, and animal health. I am the first clinician is crucial for preventing the spread of but I believe our campaign resulted to lead the BSI, which was perhaps disease and is an area where, as a charity, in an extra £150 million being put into symptomatic of the membership being the BSI can really make an impact. strengthening vaccination infrastructure keen to extend our focus beyond the pursuit We’ve therefore focused on trying to get in the UK and to the MRC and BBSRC of immunology as a purely academic policymakers from Cabinet down to local setting up new vaccine networks. These discipline. Another shift during my time government to engage in appreciating the will have a huge effect over time. as President has been that we’ve moved importance of vaccination, the way vaccines from being a purely membership-focused work and the way there is so much more How else has the Society changed organisation to extending our horizons to that can be done by getting not only during your time as president? also lobby policymakers and funders. It’s hard existing vaccines rolled out more effectively to over-state the importance and potential of but by creating new vaccines. It’s an area We’ve certainly grown. We decided to immunology to transform health and wellbeing. in which the BSI has made great strides, review our membership database and not least because Jo Revill, our former website, both key tools to allow us to Could you give an example of CEO, really understood how government interact and engage with our membership that recent policy work? works. Knowing things like the right time and the wider world. As a result, we to land a letter on George Osborne’s desk have developed a new website and The main area we have campaigned on was crucial. Working at the very top level database, which are both more efficient so far has been vaccination. In the past, of UK politics to promote vaccination as and user-friendly to operate. We can
Peter with the BSI staff at BSI Congress 2017
Immunology News | December 2018 FEATURE ARTICLE 15 now communicate with our members in a more targeted manner and know that we have a little over 3,800 members. Last year membership grew by 11%, and slightly over half of our new members were female. Some have told me they had decided to join because of our commitment to improving equality and diversity. As well as the increased focus on engaging with policymakers, funders and the public, and the greater emphasis on the health benefits of immunology, the BSI has also built our internal capacity. We’ve made changes to our governance structures so that we can co-opt non-immunologists onto the Board of Trustees to contribute expertise in areas such as finance, governance, law, probity and education. Speaking at our 60th anniversary celebrations in 2016 We have also brought early-career immunologists onto the Board to ensure their voices are heard at the highest levels of our organisation, an initiative I’m very proud of. We have increased the number of people working in the office, with a greater focus on bringing in expertise in particular areas including journals, policy and careers work. We adhere to the highest standards of charity law and governance. The Board is proud to represent our immunological community and strives to make a real difference for our members.
Which aspect of your time as BSI president are you most proud of?
Our wonderful Trustees have worked very productively with the executive Peter with members of the Board of Trustees and the senior management team. The atmosphere of openness, determination the Society can be hugely helpful to the internationally competitive. Many people and shared commitment has been exciting. careers of immunologists at all levels. become disillusioned because it’s difficult It’s been a very happy and synergistic Over the 30 years I’ve had the opportunity to get those early project grants they need relationship. There are occasionally to act as a mentor to some great young to generate the data to, in turn, get the tensions, but those are productive and scientists who have started out with me programme grants needed to develop their have led to good debates from which we as technicians, research assistants and field and group, and progress academically. have all emerged feeling pleased with the PhD students. Quite a few are now group Universities are strapped for cash, and solutions reached. It’s also been gratifying leaders, professors or heads of institutes. appointing people to lecturer positions to see the BSI act as a springboard to It’s been wonderful to see their careers without giving them any research budget is allow committee members to develop grow. I think one of our most important becoming an all too common occurrence. their careers and take on other leading responsibilities is to pass on the support Immunology is an exciting, dynamic roles. I’ll be sorry to say goodbye to the we had when we were young to the next area of science, but it’s also crowded and conviviality and dynamism that has had generation. The BSI offers wonderful competitive with few unoccupied research such a transformative effect on the Society. ways of doing that through things like niches. Everyone who does a PhD in our mentorship scheme, travel grants immunology has already succeeded in Why should researchers get involved and the many meetings we’re able to overcoming many hurdles. It’s always been in learned societies like the BSI? support. The whole field, not only in the tough, but I think that maybe things are UK but worldwide, would be a much more worse today because of all the other things There is a lot of altruism in being heavily insular and lonely place without the BSI. pressing in on the current generation, involved in a learned society, but it’s like being able to find somewhere to live not a wholly altruist game. If you are How have the career prospects and afford the rent. We were able to focus contacted by the media, for example, we of early career immunologists more on our science back in the days when have some wonderful members of staff in the UK changed since you I was starting out and I think it’s crucial in the office who can rapidly provide you that the BSI is able to support early- to were in their shoes? with the facts and figures you need to mid-career investigators through the tough speak authoritatively. If you’re looking My heart goes out to people starting out times. This was underlined by our 2018 for funding sources for travel, or for in science today because it’s so difficult membership survey and our ‘Careers in support to set up a little conference, to develop a career and to commit Immunology’ report, published last year. the BSI can help. Getting involved in in the way you have to in order to be
Immunology News | December 2018 16 FEATURE ARTICLE
What stood out for you in particular from the Society’s careers survey and report? Up to PhD level and a little beyond, it’s pretty balanced in terms of gender, but there is a great drop-off among female immunologists in the mid-career stage. This means we’re losing some of our greatest talent. It’s not only an issue for women as there’s a new generation of dads who quite rightly want to spend more time with their kids. We have to make science more family-friendly, and think about how we do that without losing this intense Darwinian competitive element from which is forged the greatest 2016 BSI/NVVI Joint Congress: (L-R) with BSI Congress Secretary Leonie Taams, EFIS Vice-President science. In some countries scientists René Toes, Peter Openshaw, Keynote speaker Akiko Iwasaki and NVVI Congress Secretary Janneke Samsom are expected to work day and night. I don’t have the answer, but maybe we have scour the literature and the discipline to in animal experimentation, which I totally to sacrifice some of the rate of scientific find the very best speakers from around approve of. Coming originally from medicine, progress to allow researchers to have lives the world to speak at our Congress and going into very academic lab-based outside of science, which might be helpful spend considerable amounts of money immunology and then returning to applying in maintaining their work–life balance. flying them in so that our members knowledge to improving human health has The BSI’s careers report highlighted can benefit from the best science, from been a wonderfully rewarding experience. resilience as a skill that many felt was whichever quarter it comes. We’ve also important to allow them to succeed in had a number of really good partnerships What are the main challenges their career, and as a community, I think with other national immunology currently facing the BSI? we need to examine what we can do to organisations with whom we’ve organised alleviate the intense pressure that many some wonderful joint meetings. We are exceptional among immunology in our discipline feel. It’s important to societies in having a very healthy funding remember that there will still be questions How has the field of immunology stream from our journals, Immunology waiting to be answered even if you take changed since you did your PhD? and Clinical & Experimental Immunology. time out. Science has no end in sight. We’re grateful to our forebears who had When I started out in immunology research the foresight to found and set up those How does the BSI reach out to back in the mid-1980s, you had more scope journals in such a way as to provide us with immunologists beyond the UK? to be driven by curiosity. The potential that financial strength. One of the main for medical intervention was limited not things we need to make sure of is that this As with all top-level science, immunology only because the range of immunological happy position continues into the future. is very international. An idea that someone therapies on the market was limited, but We need to diversify our sources of income puts forward at a meeting in Tokyo gets also because we didn’t yet understand the and look for opportunities to build on our sent back to London, Boston, to Toronto, importance of the immune system to so present success. The problems that will within minutes. The rate of transfer of many diseases. Since then the scope of result from Brexit are very hard to predict. information is extraordinary. We all pick immunology has extended into every organ Changes in university funding could have big up each other’s ideas and run with them. and into every type of disease, with a much implications. We need to try and anticipate There are problems with that, but actually greater focus on translational studies. and preempt any potentially adverse effects. freedom of information exchange is good Today over 40% of the pipeline of new drugs for science. The BSI is absolutely on is immunologically-based. That’s quite What advice would you give board with that international agenda. We remarkable. Professor Arne Akbar, of University A big debate in the field back in the College London, as he takes over mid-80s was about whether we should use from you as the Society’s president? rats, hamsters or mice as the best animal model in which to study disease. We had I feel so pleased to be able to hand 15–20 years of amazing revelations based over the reins to Arne. He’s spent a lot on studying mice and technologies such of time getting up to speed with how as flow cytometry, which was an early we are organised. He has to run it as obsession of mine. However, the limitations he wishes to run it. I don’t want to give of animal models are increasingly evident I him any specific advice, other than to and a number of other opinion leaders and listen widely, think deeply, and then act I became convinced we had to find ways of decisively. In a university setting that’s doing human studies, either in patients or not so easy because there can be so healthy volunteers. many impediments to change. But you We found the regulatory environment in the can achieve a lot at an organisation UK was very supportive as were both patients like the BSI by deciding what you and the public. This fed into the agenda of want to do and making it happen. trying to introduce the principles of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) Interview by Nic Fleming
Immunology News | December 2018 FEATURE ARTICLE 17 BSI membership survey – the results Over the summer, the British Society for Immunology carried out a membership survey to allow us to better understand your thoughts on our work, how you value your BSI membership and what services you would like us to provide you with in the future. It was a particularly important time for us to hear your views on a wide range of topics as we are currently mid-way through our five-year strategic plan. Your input at this juncture is invaluable in helping us to better understand where we are succeeding, and what we could do better. In this article, we report on the main findings from the survey. Huge thanks goes to all of you who took the time to send us your views.
Overall satisfaction Response rates It is clear that membership of the British Society for Immunology responses were received, is hugely important to and valued by our members. There is representing a 13.6% response strong support for the Society’s overall work to achieve our rate, well above the industry mission. As far as membership benefits are concerned, these average of 6%. The survey was are widely valued with those that bring more personal benefit, completed by 77% of people. such as travel grants or reduced Congress fees, ranked high 488 alongside being part of our community with a strong voice to Survey breakdown represent immunology to the highest levels. However, we are always aware that we need to constantly innovate to ensure Gender: that we continue to serve our members in this changing world. Careers support is a particular area that our membership highlighted as wanting us to be more active in and we have a lot of ideas for further activities we can carry out in this sector. 49% 49% 2% 0.2% Female Male Prefer not Other to say To what extent overall are you satisfied with your BSI membership?
Country of work: UK 83%; Non-UK 17%
Sector of work: Academia 71%; Clinical/academia 9%; Healthcare/clinical 8%; Industry 5%; Other 6%; Prefer not to say 1%
29% Membership category: Full member 48%; Very satisfied Early career member 13%; Postgrad member 20%; Concessionary 4%; Undergraduate 4%; Don’t know 4%; Other 7%
51% ©Shutterstock/KreativKolors Fairly satisfied 15%
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 2% 2% Very dissatisfied Fairly disatisfied
Immunology News | December 2018 18 FEATURE ARTICLE
To what extent do you agree that the BSI represents its members effectively? How likely are you to recommend the British Society for Immunology as an organisation to your colleagues? 33% 44% 8.52 Agree strongly Agree somewhat Average score 2% 20% out of 10 Disagree Neither agree 2% somewhat or disagree Disagree strongly
A huge thank you to all of you who took the time to fill out this survey. Your responses are invaluable in helping us to better understand your thoughts on our work, where we are succeeding and what we could do better. Congratulations to the winners of our prize draw for one of four £150 Amazon vouchers: David Donaldson, Shamsul Gulam Ali, Caitlin McManus and Stefano Rossi.
Which BSI Do you think the membership benefits BSI needs to improve in are most important any of the following areas? to you? Respondents could select all that applied.
Representation across the 20% spectrum of immunology BSI Regional & Affinity Group activities Providing relevant 40% 20% membership benefits 42% Discounted rates to BSI Congress 24% Communications on membership benefits Being part of our community with a strong voice 48% to represent immunology to the highest levels 28% International links
49% Travel grants 41% Career support
Immunology News | December 2018 FEATURE ARTICLE 19
External representation Top four challenges for individual in next 12 months A key area of the BSI’s work is in promoting the value of immunology to external audiences such as policymakers, the public and the media. Many of our activities in this area are relatively new and so it was gratifying for us to see how New funding highly they are valued by members. It was clear that the 46% majority of BSI members are active in engaging with external audiences about immunology in one form or another. Another area high on our members’ priorities was international engagement, with respondents scoring the importance of these activities at 8.6/10. With the upcoming Publish work implementation of the UK’s decision to leave the European 40% Union close at hand, we recognise the importance of building international links for our community and this is something we will be looking at carefully going forwards.
How important is it to you that the BSI engages with the Workload following groups to increase understanding of immunology 37% and/or the immunology community’s viewpoint? (Average score out of five) 30% Work/life balance 4.35 4.56 4.40 Media Policymakers Public Top four challenges for immunology as a discipline in next 5 years
Funding How important is it to you that the BSI builds new 64% partnerships with the international immunology community?
8.62 59% Brexit Average score 28% Career structure out of 10 Academia-industry Challenges for the individual and the discipline 22% links We also wanted to find out about how you view the general health of the immunology sector at the moment and what you think What next? are the key challenges ahead both for you as an individual and for the discipline as a whole. Many of the results in this area The Trustees and staff have been carefully considering the findings reflects the findings of our ‘Careers in Immunology’ report last of this survey, in conjunction with an analysis of our current year. Our respondents rated the overall health of the immunology progress against our strategic aims, looking at what we can do profession at seven out of ten, with particular challenges for the to improve our offering to members. Overall, we are pleased with individual including gaining new funding and trying to get work the findings from this survey and that our membership feels that Representation across the spectrum of immunology published. Brexit featured high on challenges for the discipline we are representing them well. However, we will always strive to Providing relevant as a whole as did funding, and these are both areas which the BSI do better. Over the next couple of months, we will complete our membership benefits will continue to take a close interest in over the coming months, analysis and discussions on these findings and will bring you more something we will be looking at carefully going forwards. news on our future plans in the next issue of Immunology News.
International links
Immunology News | December 2018 20 FEATURE ARTICLE The BSI goes to Parliament On Tuesday 16 October, the British Society for Immunology co-hosted our first ever Parliamentary event. Along with our partners, National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), Bioindustry Association and AbbVie, we developed and presented our joint vision for ‘The Future of Immunology’. In this, we made a number of shared recommendations for the actions that need to be taken forward to continue the UK’s pioneering role in immunological research and patient care.
BSI President Peter Openshaw
Over a year ago, when the BSI team first sat down with our partner organisations, we all agreed quickly on a vision for the event – continued unparalleled success in immunological research for the benefit of patients living with immune- mediated inflammatory diseases. With all four partners bringing a unique perspective to the unifying vision, the underlying calls to action represented our individual priorities: research investment, patient experience, timely diagnosis and patient access to innovation.
Research investment, patient experience, timely diagnosis, patient access to innovation
The event itself proved to be an Social Care select committee. In addition, the lives of patients living with a much enormous success, with over 100 guests we were pleased to work closely with wider range of diseases than previously from academia, industry, patients and Professor Sir Robert Lechler in his role believed to be immune-mediated. parliamentarians in attendance. Most as President of the Academy of Medical His words echoed the event’s speeches notably, we were particularly pleased to Sciences in the writing of the foreword for and subsequent dialogue with a focus on welcome Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister the materials handed out at the event. celebrating the past while also looking of State for Health & Social Care, Chi In his foreword, Professor Lechler to a future where different sectors come Onwurah MP, Shadow Secretary of emphasised the enormous progress that together to improve and build a greater State for BEIS and Sir Marc Feldman, immunology has made over the past 70 holistic bench-to-bedside landscape. discoverer of anti-TNF therapies, along years and how our understanding of innate with several members of the Health & immune processes continues to improve ‘Now is the moment to capitalise on this era of unprecedented opportunity to secure our position as a world leader in advanced therapeutics. This ambition is now within our grasp.’ Professor Sir Robert Lechler
Immunology News | December 2018 FEATURE ARTICLE 21 ‘BSI learned a lot from the unique perspectives and expertise of our partners, which demonstrates the success that larger scale collaborations
can have.’ (L-R) Melanie Onn MP, BSI President Peter Openshaw, NRAS CEO Ailsa Bosworth and AbbVie Vice President for Immunology Discovery & Research Dr Lisa Olson
We know that this is one of the activities our membership most values. This means representing views on all topics – from advocating for specific therapy areas – to research funding – to Brexit. One of the most effective ways of gaining parliamentary and ministerial support is by increasing visibility of an issue and events hosted in Parliament are one way to achieve such a profile. ‘The Future of Immunology’ event was the first event of this type for the BSI and will no doubt not be the last.
Shannon Lacombe Policy & Public Affairs Manager, BSI
Professor Sir Marc Feldman in discussion with Melanie Onn MP and incoming BSI President Arne Akbar
As MPs filed into the room, they all the power to drive the vision; this includes happily posed with our pledge card which MPs and guests who were unable to stated ‘Shaping the future of immunology attend our event. Of particular interest for together to support patients in the UK’. The us is of course the request for increased support in the room for a positive future research investment and to get a clear for immunology was undeniable. Our host, understanding from Ministers about their Melanie Onn MP, provided a heartfelt roadmap to 2.4% GDP for research by 2027. welcome to attendees, framing the A central part of the BSI’s strategy is importance of investment in immunology to forge new partnerships in line with research and clinical practice from the our mission. This includes working more patient perspective. This was followed by closely with patients and with industry short talks from BSI President Professor for mutual benefit. This event was the Peter Openshaw, NRAS CEO Ailsa BSI Public Affairs team’s first major Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister of State for Health & Social Bosworth and AbbVie Vice President for partnership project and moreover our Care, supporting our call to action Immunology Discovery & Research Dr Lisa first experience working with industry Olson. This provided the perfect starting and a large patient charity. On reflection, point for facilitating discussion among the BSI learned a lot from the unique Find out more: the many stakeholders who joined us. perspectives and expertise of our partners, To ensure that actions are indeed which demonstrates the success that Read our full booklet from the event: taken forward, we must strike while the larger scale collaborations can have. www.immunology.org/sites/default/ iron is hot. As a first step, we will ensure We are committed to representing files/Future_of_Immunology_ the message for a positive future of our members’ views to the most senior booklet.pdf immunology gets to all those who have stakeholders, including policymakers.
Immunology News | December 2018 22 FEATURE ARTICLE
Immunology at 60
We wish the British Society for Immunology’s official journal,Immunology , a happy 60th birthday, and reflect on some of the journal’s achievements since its launch in 1958.
The British Society for Immunology is of the journal to the advancement of immensely proud of its two official journals, immunological knowledge over the past 60 Immunology and Clinical & Experimental years by focusing on some highlights – past Immunology. They are two of the longest- and present – and look to the future as standing and most respected journals in Immunology continues to seek and publish our field, and remain at the cutting edge of the best work at the cutting edge of the field. immunology research to this day. This year, we are celebrating the 60th Transplantation
anniversary of the elder of these two In the very first edition ofImmunology , 3.358 IMPACT FACTOR journals, Immunology. Launched in 1958 the editors selected two papers by under the leadership of John Marrack, with Peter Medawar, the ‘father of modern ISSN 0019-2805 key figures from the world of immunology transplantation’, on adrenal cortical such as Av Mitchison, Philip Gell and grafts in mice2 and skin homografts in Immunology Robin Coombs on the editorial board, rats.3 Medawar was a pioneer in the field The Journal of cells, molecules, systems and technologies Immunology sought to provide a home for and went on to win the Nobel Prize in
immunological research: the first edition Physiology or Medicine in 1960 for the Editor: Daniel Altmann opened with the questions ‘What shall we discovery of acquired immunological Volume 155 ASSOCIATE Number 3 EDITORS call the house?’ and ‘How much should we tolerance (jointly with Frank Macfarlane November 2018 A. Gallimore F. Ginhoux 1 A. Goldrath include in it?’ The name, Immunology, was Burnett). K. McCoy F. Quintana easy enough. Setting the outer boundaries Immunology continues its work in Classical monocyte of such a vibrant field was a little harder: publishing strong papers which address i) Depletion Tumour-associated macrophage (TAM) they concluded that the ‘lines that divide renewed questions around tolerance, Treg + Immunology from Physical and Colloid rejection and other issues our advances ii) Reprogramming CD8 T NK
Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics and in transplantation immunology have Immune iii) Molecular targeting activating 4-6 macrophage Zoology must remain indefinite’. raised. We think Medawar might have Cancer cells Marrack’s ‘indefinite’ lines endure to this been gratified and even amused to see day, reflecting the highly interdisciplinary the field of transplantation immunology wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/imm nature of modern immunological study. now extended to include work on the The journal has published over 13,900 practicalities and possibilities of faecal papers in its lifetime, each advancing our transplants. Developing tools and techniques understanding of immunology and related To successfully study the workings of the C. Shi sciences. Here, we explore the contribution immune system, immunologists rely on REFERENCES innovation in scientific techniques as well of HSCs continuously exit to the bloodstream during a MSCs promote emigration of Ly6Chi monocytes 47,48 2. Medawar & Russell 1958 Adrenal homografts in haemostatic state. Circulating HSCs survey peripheral by expressing CCL2 as advances in our understanding of the tissues and replenish peripheral haematopoietic cells mice, with special reference to `immunological science itself. The most highly cited paper through in situ differentiation, and some of them eventu- adrenalectomy’. Immunology 1 1–12 https://bit. in the journal’s history, with an enormous 49 hi TLR ligands ally home to the bone marrow. The release of HSCs Ly6C monocytes ly/2ADuSQB 2,742 citations, describes an early iteration into the bloodstream is negatively correlated with the 3. Medawar & Woodruff 1958 The induction of tolerance of direct plaque forming cell (PFC) assay.7 expression of CXCL12 in the bone marrow and is regu- by skin homografts on newborn rats. Immunology 1 Another Nobel laureate, Rodney Porter, lated by clock-controlled signals transmitted from the MSCs brain to the bone marrow via the sympathetic nervous 27–35 https://bit.ly/2DdOOfd published work on performing effective in system.50 Nestin+ MSCs, which are enriched in CXCL12 4. Shi 2012 Recent progress toward understanding the vitro assays on the reaginic antibodies of CCR2 expression and can directly respond to signals from the infections physiological function of bone marrow mesenchymal human serum in Immunology in the late sympathetic nervous system, are proposed to regulate the stem cells. Immunology 136 133–138 1960s.8 trafficking of HSCs. Indeed, depletion of Nestin+ MSCs Type I IFN http://bit.ly/2SUia73 Older readers may be able to remember leads to increased HSC egress and reduced homing of haematopoietic progenitors to the bone marrow.6 5. Gajardo et al. 2015 Exogenous interleukin-33 targets the transformative period during which Mesenchymal stem cells also regulate the trafficking of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and generates immunologists worked to unravel the Model 1 Model 2 immune cells in the bone marrow. A recent study on periphery-induced Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in skin‐ diversity and meaning of lymphocyte 44 hi monocyte recruitment provides some insights. Ly6C transplanted mice. Immunology 146 81–88 subsets. Arguably the initiating paper CCL2 monocytes are a subset of circulating monocytes that are CCL2 http://bit.ly/2SSzbyB in this decades-long process was the essential for host defence against a variety of infections.51 6. Brent 2016 Transplantation tolerance – a historical Immunology publication in which Martin They are generated in the bone marrow, and can be rap- idly recruited to the peripheral tissues during infection or introduction. Immunology 147 267–268 Raff first used fluorescence microscopy to hi an inflammatory response. The release of Ly6C mono- GAGs http://bit.ly/2OzJZOC describe what would come to be known as cytes from the bone marrow is mediated by CCR2, which T cells and B cells.9 responds to chemokine CCL2. Local production of CCL2 Figure 3. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) promote emigration of hi in the bone marrow can be induced by circulating TLR Ly6CImmunologymonocytes from News the bone | marrow December followinginfection. 2018 MSC ligands. Using CCL2 reporter mice, CCL2-expressing cells responds to circulating Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands and secrete were identified at the perivascular sites with morphology CCL2. Two models are proposed for the emigration of monocytes following CCL2 expression by MSCs. In the first model, CCL2 pro- similar to pericytes. These cells seem to attract monocytes duction in the bone marrow increases monocyte chemokinesis, to the abluminal aspect of the endothelium where they thereby increasing the likelihood that monocytes will come into con- subsequently gain access to the circulation. Ex vivo char- tact with blood vessels and subsequently cross the fenestrated endo- acterization of these CCL2-expressing cells has revealed thelium. In the second model, CCL2 produced in proximity to their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes vascular sinuses binds to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and forms a and chondrocytes, indicating that CCL2-expressing cells chemokine gradient, which attracts monocytes to the abluminal in the bone marrow are MSCs. These cells express TLRs, aspect of the endothelium and further guides their transmigration and they are enriched in CXCL12. Taking advantage of into the circulation. IFN, interferon. the fact that bone marrow MSCs are Nestin+, CCL2 was specifically deleted from MSCs using Nestin-Cre. The deletion of CCL2 from MSCs resulted in diminished During infection, immune cells, such as monocytes, are monocyte emigration from the bone marrow, and conse- recruited to sites of infection and become activated in the quently an impaired immune response against infection.44 peripheral tissues. The activated monocytes not only con- This study has demonstrated that bone marrow MSCs trol infection but also cause tissue damage. As the bone can detect microbial products in the circulation and marrow is rarely a site harbouring infectious pathogens, orchestrate innate immune responses by promoting the the destructive activity of immune cells there should be emigration of monocytes (Fig. 3). These results are con- kept in check. It is speculated that MSCs, which are sistent with the fact that MSCs express TLRs and CCL2 located in close proximity to the sinusoid, attract mono- in vitro. This is the first in vivo study showing that MSCs cytes to the abluminal aspect of the endothelium by are a relevant source of CCL2 in the bone marrow and expressing CCL2, and, at the same time, secret regulatory control the emigration of immune cells. cytokines to suppress the activity of these cells temporally The observation that MSCs produce pro-inflammatory before they traffic to infection sites. It can be expected chemokines appears to be contradictory to their immuno- that these features might have different consequences suppressive effects. However, the ability of MSCs to when MSCs are found in the periphery or when they are secrete CCL2 together with other immunomodulatory infused into the circulation and subsequently home to factors actually provides a unique advantage for MSCs to injured tissues. For instance, instead of promoting orchestrate an immune response in the bone marrow. recruitment, intravenously infused murine MSCs inhibit
136 Ó 2012 The Author. Immunology Ó 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Immunology, 136, 133–138 FEATURE ARTICLE 23
Today, immunologists are developing 16. Kennedy et al. 2016 The composition of immune Immunotherapy bioinformatics tools to help analyse the cells serves as a predictor of adaptive immunity in The Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology huge datasets10 generated during research. a cohort of 50- to 74-year-old adults. Immunology this year was awarded to James P. Allison Earlier this year, we published a review 148 266–275 https://bit.ly/2QcreTa and Tasuku Honjo for their discovery of article by Damien Chaussabel and Darawan cancer therapy by inhibition of negative Rinchai11 on the importance of training Immunometabolism immune regulation, throwing immunology the next generation of immunologists in Another emerging field of research and immunotherapies into the public bioinformatics skills, and how these new reflected in the pages ofImmunology is eye. The award, of course, represents the skills could change the way we approach immunometabolism. This is a perfect tip of the iceberg; the result of years of scientific research. example of how the basic, molecular meticulous work by international teams in science Immunology excels in publishing academic labs and industry. can be harnessed to address public health Immunology has played its part in REFERENCES problems on a larger scale. Particularly publishing this work, including an early 7. Cunningham & Szenberg 1968 Further noteworthy is a 2004 research paper from paper by Tasuku Honjo addressing improvements in the plaque technique for detecting Eva Pålsson-McDermott and Luke O’Neill the regulation of B-1 cell activation single antibody-forming cells. Immunology on the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its autoantibody production by Lyn 14 599–600 https://bit.ly/2OfJGZe signal transduction during septic shock.17 kinase-regulated signallings,22 studies 8. Chan & Porter 1967 In vitro assay of reaginic More recently, the journal has published on the PD-1 and CTLA-4 proteins which antibodies to horse serum albumin. Immunology significant studies on the role of diet, the Honjo and Allison were able to harness so 13 633–640 https://bit.ly/2zjI6Qm importance of the microbiome for health, effectively,23–24 and investigations into other 9. Raff 1970 Two distinct populations of peripheral and the interactions of immune cells and elements of anti-tumour immunity and lymphocytes in mice distinguishable by adipose cells in visceral adipose tissue possible immunotherapies.25–26 immunofluorescence. Immunology 19 637–50 in metabolic syndrome.18–21 While there https://bit.ly/2Okysmf is much yet to be understood, the strong 10. Jensen et al. 2018 Improved methods for predicting research published in the journal could REFERENCES peptide binding affinity to MHC class II molecules. reveal useful insights into the mechanisms 22. Ochi et al. 1999 Regulation of B-1 cell activation and Immunology 154 394–406 doi: 10.1111/imm.12889 underpinning chronic conditions such as its autoantibody production by Lyn kinase-regulated 11. Chaussabel & Rinchai 2018 Using ‘collective omics obesity, inflammation and type 2 diabetes, signallings. Immunology 98 595–603 data’ for biomedical research training. Immunology making this a worthy, relevant field of http://bit.ly/2DVqT5l 155 18–23 doi:10.1111/imm.12944 research. 23. Jelinek, et al. 2017 PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in haematological malignancies: update 2017. Immunosenescence Immunology 152 357–371 http://bit.ly/2DSP5W1 Over the past 20 years, the phenomenon REFERENCES 24. Zhang, et al. 2018 ImmTAC/Anti-PD-1 antibody of large ageing populations has become 17. Pålsson-McDermott & O’Neill 2004 Signal combination to enhance killing of cancer a central public health challenge for transduction by the lipopolysaccharide receptor, cells by reversing regulatory T-cell-mediated scientists, policymakers and medical Toll-like receptor-4. Immunology 113 153–162 immunosuppression. Immunology 155 238–250 professionals alike and immunologists https://bit.ly/2ACRSiz http://bit.ly/2P7ecWt have a key role to play in the discussion. 18. Erny et al. 2017 Communicating systems in the 25. Ahrends & Borst. 2018 The opposing roles of CD4+ Investigating how we can ‘age well’ to body: how microbiota and microglia cooperate. T cells in anti-tumour immunity. Immunology 154 extend healthy lifespan in the older Immunology 150 7–15 https://bit.ly/2DclUMA 582–592 http://bit.ly/2y9jB7V population and the role that the loss of 26. Want, et al. 2018 Nature of tumour rejection immune function plays in ageing and our antigens in ovarian cancer. Immunology 155 well-being are growing fields of study. 202–210 http://bit.ly/2RmjAX9 Immunology has led the way by publishing strong research and reviews We hope you have enjoyed this glance into into how age affects our immune systems the publishing history of the journal, and and health.12–16 Through the years, we’ve encourage you to submit your next paper to published work in this area by our incoming us here at Immunology: not only will you be President, Arne Akbar.14–15 supporting the ongoing work of the BSI, but you’ll find yourself in pretty good company, archived with Nobel laureates and many REFERENCES other stars. 12. Lazuardi et al. 2005 Age-related loss of naïve T cells and dysregulation of T-cell/B-cell interactions Christine Fears in human lymph nodes. Immunology 114 37–43 19. Oliveira et al. 2017 Intestinal dysbiosis and probiotic Journals Manager, BSI https://bit.ly/2Pr3Rbh applications in autoimmune diseases. Immunology Email: [email protected] 13. Aw et al. 2007 Immunosenescence: emerging 152 1–12 https://bit.ly/2Ddm9qE challenges for an ageing population. Immunology 20. Eijkeren et al. 2018 Endogenous lipid antigens 120 435–446 https://bit.ly/2Qe9G8Q for invariant natural killer T cells hold the reins ADDITIONAL REFERENCES 14. Henson et al. 2012 Reversal of functional defects in in adipose tissue homeostasis. Immunology 153 1. Marrack 1958 Immunology 1 p. ii. highly differentiated young and old CD8 T cells by 179–189 https://bit.ly/2OZMEq1 https://bit.ly/2SvWyh9 PDL blockade. Immunology 135 355–363 21. Russo & Lumeng 2018 Properties and functions of http://bit.ly/2zBjFxX adipose tissue macrophages in obesity. Immunology 15. Riddell et al. 2015 Multifunctional cytomegalovirus doi: 10.1111/imm.13002 https://bit.ly/2zfcVpw (CMV)-specific CD8+ T cells are not restricted by telomere-related senescence in young or old adults. Immunology 144 549–560 http://bit.ly/2JOCWku
Immunology News | December 2018 24 ADVERTISEMENTS
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Immunology News | December 2018 MEMBERS’ ACHIEVEMENTS 25
Travel grant success The following members were recently Congratulations awarded BSI travel grants: This is the section of the magazine where we celebrate the Laura Alonso Herranz, Emanuele Andreano, Michael Boswell, Alice achievements of our members. Our congratulations to all who Burton, Joshua Casulli, Daniel are mentioned here. Crooks, Alicia Derrac Soria, Emily Edwards, Hester Franks, Cecilia Johansson, Fernanda Kyle Cezar, Moi Communicating Claire Pearson and Samuel Bullers Lau, John Leech, Rebecca Leyland, Immunology Grants (University of Oxford) were funded for their Orla McMahon, Richard Morter, project ‘You’re never alone… Immune- Laura Pallett, James Pearson, Aoife The BSI was delighted to fund two projects in bacterial interactions in the gut’, which Maria Rodgers, Grigory Ryzhakov, our recent grant round. aims to educate schoolchildren about Nathalie Schmidt, Danijela Tatovic, Umme Aysha and Daniel Pennington the importance of microorganisms in the Javier Uceda Fernandez, Lauren (Queen Mary University of London) received intestine and how they interact with and are Webb and Meredyth Wilkinson. a grant to develop ‘Invasion! Infection and controlled by immune cells, by using a giant Immunity’, a hands-on school workshop interactive board and plush toys to illustrate for GCSE and A level pupils at the Centre the processes that occur. of the Cell. The workshop will have content about human defence systems, vaccination, The next grant deadline is 15 January 2019. antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies and For more details, visit www.immunology.org/ antimicrobial resistance, as well as a ‘Meet grants-and-prizes. an Immunologist’ activity. Undergraduate achievement award
Jane Brooks received her BSI Undergraduate Achievement Award 2018 in recognition of her academic excellence in Immunology over the duration of her 3-year BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science programme in the University of Plymouth, which culminated in an excellent dissertation The next application deadline is midday, project and achieving a first-class honours 1 February 2019. More information at degree. www.immunology.org/grants-and- Jane can be seen receiving her BSI prizes/travel-awards. award from Dr Andrew Foey, Associate Professor of Immunology, at graduation on Plymouth Hoe in the final throws Congratulations of storm Ali! “Jane is an outstanding student who immediately impressed in Many congratulations to BSI member her immunology performances from Duncan Hannant (University of year 1 right through to her final year. Nottingham) who has been awarded a She reliably informs me that she wishes DSc by Bangor University for research and to pursue her interests in immunology collected publications deemed to have through her career as she is currently made a significant contribution to the starting medicine at the Peninsula Medical advancement of knowledge in the subject School. We are extremely grateful to the area of ‘Advances in equine immunology: BSI for the opportunity to award the 2018 contributions to the rational development Undergraduate Prize in recognition of of vaccines, improved equine health and Jane Brooks receives her award from Andrew Foey academic excellence in immunology.” welfare’. He was also recently elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. Placement award scheme We would love to hear from This BSI scheme supports PhD students The next application deadline is you about your achievements. and medical students to conduct an 1 December 2018. You can find out Have you or a colleague recently extended placement. more at: received grant funding, passed A recent award was given to Ross Porter www.immunology.org/grants-and- your PhD viva or accepted a new (University of Aberdeen) to study ‘The role prizes/summer-placement-award- appointment? If so, let us know by of LL-37 in maintaining mucosal barrier scheme. emailing [email protected]. integrity in colonic carcinogenesis’.
Immunology News | December 2018 26 EDUCATION & CAREERS FUTURE FOCUS China conversations: building international collaborations
As part of our strategy to work with international partners to promote excellence in immunology research, the BSI has been developing links with the Chinese Society for Immunology (CSI), examining areas we can collaborate on to reach common goals. As part of this, three BSI Early Career Members, Calum Bain, Laura Pallett and Ryan Thwaites, recently attended the CSI’s Annual Congress. Here, they report on their experiences.
On 7–10 November 2018, the Chinese Society for Immunology (CSI) invited three BSI Early Career Researchers (ECR) to their annual Congress in Shanghai. The CSI boasts in excess of 10,000 BSI President, Peter Openshaw, speaks at the opening ceremony members, making it one of the largest national societies for immunologists, with ambitious plans for continued expansion. International collaboration and early career support are just two of the focal themes of the BSI, as stated by CEO, Doug Brown, “[Our aim] is broadly two-fold; firstly, to maintain and enhance connections with the CSI’s ever-growing membership to foster future partnerships; and, secondly, to provide BSI ECRs the opportunity to build personal scientific
‘The CSI boasts in Calum, Ryan and Laura with their Chinese counterparts at the Key National Laboratory of Medical Immunology
excess of 10,000 networks while broadening research treated to a spectacular opening ceremony perspectives with respect to Chinese and banquet. Individual groups within the members, making research.” CSI provided entertainment in the form of This year commemorated the 30th music, dancing, poems and short plays – anniversary of the foundation of the CSI. many with an immunological theme! it one of the largest This special occasion was marked in A number of the plenary sessions suitable style in the Shanghai International focused on two central pillars of Chinese national societies Convention Centre, on the banks of the immunological research: innate immunity Huangpu river among the bright lights and tumour immunology. Talks, including for immunologists, of the Pudong New district, Shanghai. data on the biology and signalling of The conference attracted over 2,300 checkpoint inhibitors, were particularly with ambitious attendees, with plenary sessions held in well received, capturing the post-Nobel the cavernous central banqueting hall. enthusiasm for this topic. The president of The conference began with 1,000 the CSI, Professor Xuetao Cao, presented plans for continued attendees, including the presidents of recent data on the signalling of the IFNγ the British, German, American, Japanese receptor (IFNγR) in macrophages, where expansion.’ and Australian societies for immunology, E-selectin signalling drove translocation of
Immunology News | December 2018 EDUCATION & CAREERS 27
IFNγR to the plasma membrane from the Golgi, enhancing IFNγ sensitivity, a real tour de force of macrophage signalling. ‘Talks, including data on the biology and Having seen the results of the Cao group, we were invited to tour their signalling of checkpoint inhibitors, were laboratory at the Key National Laboratory of Medical Immunology (Second Military particularly well received, capturing the Medical University), 30 minutes from central Shanghai. BSI members would post-Nobel enthusiasm for this topic.’ be familiar with much of their lab – flow cytometers, confocal microscopes and tissue culture rooms – though the We were each given the opportunity Upon returning to the UK, we reflected surrounding military school may be less to present our work on tissue-residency on the trip, and the relative opportunities familiar. Having discussed ongoing projects in the human liver (Laura Pallett), available to BSI and CSI ECRs. Our in a variety of viral infection and innate Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Ryan freedom, and support, to develop immunity models, we were invited to Thwaites) and macrophage biology independent ideas and research proposals another banquet in the nearby hotel – more (Calum Bain) in the ‘International Young was perhaps the greatest single difference commonly frequented by visiting Chinese Immunologists’ session – one of few we observed. In addition, the ability to gain military personnel than early career sessions conducted in English – alongside independent feedback by presenting at immunologists. This gave us an opportunity ECRs from the American, Australian and conferences and through discussion with to discuss the relative benefits of the German Societies for Immunology. This international collaborators appeared more British and Chinese methods of funding gave us further opportunity to network restricted for our Chinese counterparts. and performing immunological research, with members from these societies and As the BSI recently celebrated its 60th and the career opportunities available to explore shared interests, as well as the anniversary, we hope to contribute to the young immunologists in our countries. wider audience. continued growth and development of our Though many differences were apparent, We did of course also get some relatively younger counterpart society. a common passion, commitment and opportunity to explore the city and the We are enormously grateful to our enthusiasm emerged. The most notable local culture – including a spectacular wonderful hosts and the British and difference was the working hours of ECRs, river cruise and local delicacies, such as Chinese Societies for Immunology for with our Chinese counterparts putting in a chicken claws and boiled pigeon soup – sponsoring the trip. We look forward to 7-day, 91-hour working week! and only one upset stomach! welcoming ECR delegates from China on their visit to our BSI Congress in December 2019 in Liverpool.
Laura Pallett University College London Twitter: @ljpally19
Ryan Thwaites Imperial College London Twitter: @InThwaiteImmune
Calum Bain University of Edinburgh Twitter: @bainlab Speakers at the International Young Immunologists session
Immunology News | December 2018 28 EDUCATION & CAREERS 9 FUTURE FOCUS BSI launch immunology educator profiles
The BSI has recently launched a new section of our website consisting of profiles for some of the leading immunology teachers working in UK higher education. The Immunology Educator pages can be accessed at www.immunology.org/immunology- educators and contain details of the teaching topics and methods used by immunologists, providing insight for others wishing to pursue a career in the field. These pages are only available to BSI members within the membership section of our website and represent one of the benefits of joining the Society.
The Immunology Educator pages have been set up to provide a summary of the techniques used in higher education immunology teaching. Members can view pages to get an overview of teaching methods used and subject areas taught, and each profile contains a list of resources available from the educator. Contact details are provided for all profiles, meaning you can get in touch with individual educators to gain further information or insight about a particular area of teaching mentioned in the profile. Profiles can be searched according to name, research area, teaching method or affiliation, allowing specific information to be found efficiently. Alternatively, all profiles can be browsed online, with short summaries of each person provided to make viewing profiles quick and easy to access. We hope that having this information readily available will strengthen immunology teaching amongst the immunology community. been working towards this through the can be included on the BSI website. We The initiative has been led by BSI launch of our new Immunology Teaching are still looking for more profiles from Education Secretary Helen Collins who Excellence Award as well as putting individuals to add to the site, so if you’re had this to say about the profiles: “In together an online group of immunology interested in including your profile, please addition to raising the profile of educators educators. It is through this immunology email our Education & Careers Officer, among the society membership, the educators’ group that many of the Glyn Jones at [email protected]. online teacher profile pages will provide Immunology Educator Profiles have been a unique and valuable database for all provided and we would like to thank all Glyn Jones those involved in immunology education, those who have put forward a profile that Education & Careers Officer, BSI providing an excellent resource for members seeking advice and practical help with aspects of immunology Further information: education.” You can access the Immunology Educator Profiles at www.immunology.org/ The BSI wants to continue to raise the immunology-educators. This section of our website is only accessible to BSI members profile of immunology teaching and has via our membership portal.
Immunology News | December 2018 BSI REGIONAL AND AFFINITY GROUPS 29 Fuelling the immune response: introducing the BSI Immunometabolism Group ©Aronowski lab, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston and NIH, CC-BY In the run up to our inaugural meeting ‘Fuelling the immune response: UK Immunometabolism meeting 2019’, which will take place on 14–15 March 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, we were asked by the BSI to give you a bit of background on our motives for establishing the new Immunometabolism Affinity Group – a request we are more than happy to meet, with the hope we might pique your interest.
In recent years a new chapter in the immunometabolism will be speaking, thriving field of immunology has begun, alongside younger PIs who have just namely that of immunometabolism. embarked on their journey and are going The importance of metabolism to to excite us with their work. We have also cellular biology has been understood allowed for two sessions, modelled on the since the TCA cycle was discovered and Bright Sparks in Immunology, to encourage Otto Warburg first described aerobic PhD students and postdocs to contribute glycolysis in the 1950s. More recently, the and present their data. Transitioning to importance of metabolism beyond simply independence and establishing yourself as ‘providing energy’ but also in driving and a new PI can feel daunting and we know supporting cell phenotype has started how vital it is to link up with your peers. to be understood – particularly in the We, as a committee, officially formed over context of cancer. However, it has been a glass of wine at the BSI Congress in 2017. somewhat ignored by immunologists We are young, enthusiastic immunologists and often considered as an afterthought. from across the UK and hope to provide a Even in 2017, the term ‘metabolism’ supportive platform to foster networking, hadn’t yet made it into the index of the the exchange of ideas, and the formation 9th edition Janeway’s Immunobiology. of new collaborations and friendships. So here we are on a quest to change Therefore, we absolutely welcome and this. Sarah Dimeloe, Secretary of the encourage participation from all within Immunometabolism Focus Group the immunometabolism community with a Committee, highlights the importance special focus on early career researchers. of the relationship between metabolism Please do get involved and participate and immunity: “Immunometabolism in our inaugural meeting in Newcastle BSI Immunometabolism provides the link to explain how dynamic – we hope to see you there! Affinity Group present fundamental cellular processes underpin the vast diversity and flexibility of immune Anna Schurich cell behaviours, which we know protect on behalf of the Immunometabolism us throughout our lifetime from many Affinity Group committee Fuelling different kinds of threat. Importantly, understanding this link is already enabling the Immune discovery of novel therapeutic targets Immunometabolism in infection, cancer and immunological Response: diseases as well as helping us understand Affinity Group the pathology of these diseases.” www.immunology.org/ UK Immunometabolism There is so much exciting research immunometabolism-group Meeting 2019 and scientific interest in the field out there, but we felt that there wasn’t really @BSI_immunomet a dedicated forum to bring researchers 14–15 March 2019 working on immunometabolism in the Newcastle upon Tyne UK together on a regular basis. So, this is what we hope to establish. Register online at: We will be starting by inviting you all www.immunology.org/ to our meeting in March. It will be a fuelling-the-immune-response great opportunity to network and present your findings. Some of the big names in
Immunology News | December 2018 30 JOURNAL NEWS Immune Update The BSI A round-up of new research published in the British Society for Immunology’s official journalsImmunology and Clinical & Experimental Immunology. Members journals can access these journals free of charge at www.immunology.org/journals.
Immunology Updates on Th17 immunity in respiratory disease IL-17-producing cells play a critical cells include γδ T-cells, NK cells, group 3 that may be acquired over time or elicited role in mucosal immunity including the ILCs and Th17s. There have been recent by mucosal immunisation, which provide respiratory tract. This review highlights advances in understanding these cell the host with enhanced immunity against recent advances in our understanding of populations in the lung as well as emerging certain pathogens. these cells in mucosal immunity in the lung data on how these cells are regulated in as well as their potential pathogenic roles the lung. Moreover, Th17 cells may be a key Iwanaga & Kolls 2018 Immunology in respiratory diseases. IL-17-producing component of tissue-resident memory cells doi:10.1111/imm.13006 https://bit.ly/2yH5ZBV
Impact of sex hormones on immune function and multiple sclerosis development Multiple sclerosis (MS) is more common in the impact of sex hormones on MS and women (in whom incidence has been rising), attempt to elucidate the hormonal and than in men. Gender differences include immunological mechanisms underlying earlier disease onset and more frequent these changes. Understanding these relapses in women, and faster progression molecular mechanisms may contribute and worse outcomes in men. Hormone- to the development of new and safer related physiological conditions in women treatments for both men and women. also exert significant influence on disease prevalence and on outcomes. Hormonal Ysrraelit & Correale 2018 and/or genetic factors are therefore Immunology doi:10.1111/imm.13004 believed to be involved in regulating the https://bit.ly/2JpDY60 course of disease. In this review, Ysrraelit and Correale discuss clinical evidence for Clinical & Experimental Immunology Exosomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) plasma as surrogate markers of tumour progression and immune competence to photodynamic therapy had increased ADA Exosomes in plasma of HNSCC patients investigated. The highest level of CD39/CD73 levels in CD3(+) exosomes with no increase in comprise subsets of vesicles derived from ectoenzymes and of adenosine production CD3(–) exosomes. The opposite roles of CD3(+) various cells. Theodoraki et al. separated was found in CD3(–) exosomes in patients ADA+CD26+ and CD3(–)CD44v3+ adenosine- CD3(+) from CD3(–) exosomes by immune with stage III/IV HNSCCs. Consistently, CD26 producing exosomes in early versus advanced capture. CD3(–) exosomes were largely and adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels HNSCC suggest that these exosomes serve as tumour-derived (CD44v3+). Both subsets were higher in CD3(+) than CD3(–) exosomes. surrogates of immune suppression in cancer. carried immunosuppressive proteins and ADA and CD26 levels in CD3(+) exosomes inhibited functions of human immune were significantly higher in patients with Theodoraki et al. 2018 Clinical & Experimental cells. The role of these subsets in immune early stage than advanced stage disease. Immunology 194 67–78 doi:10.1111/ cell reprogramming by the tumour was HNSCC patients receiving and responding cei.13157 https://bit.ly/2JqAvEp
NLRP3 inflammasome activation contributes to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis INOD-like receptor family, NLRP3 tissues from RA and osteoarthritis patients In conclusion, NLRP3 inflammasome gene polymorphism was reported to be were assessed by Western blot. Active is involved in the pathogenesis of RA. associated with susceptibility, disease caspase-1 in synovia was stained by a FAM- Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome with activity or anti-TNF treatment response FLICA caspase-1 probe. Mice with collagen- a small molecule inhibitor might be a in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, induced arthritis were treated with MCC950, novel therapeutic strategy for RA. the roles of NLRP3 inflammasome in a selective NLRP3 inhibitor, or vehicle for the development of RA have not yet been 2 weeks. The clinical score of arthritis, Guo et al. 2018 Clinical & Experimental elucidated fully. Guo et al. aimed to study synovial inflammation and cartilage Immunology 194 231–243 doi:10.1111/ the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in RA. erosion were assessed. Proinflammatory cei.13167 https://bit.ly/2SwgSij NLRP3 inflammasome activation in synovial cytokines were measured by ELISA.
Immunology News | December 2018 JOURNAL NEWS 31
Around the A summary of some of the latest papers from the world of immunology. journals
B cells: the key APC in viral immunisation ACE inhibitors may protect against lupus-mediated Nanoparticles, such as virus-like particles ©Shutterstock/Kateryna Kon (VLPs) present a useful vaccine and drug cognitive impairment delivery method and are used as vaccines Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is against human papilloma virus (HPV) and an autoimmune condition characterised hepatitis B. Traditionally, dendritic cells by the production of anti-nuclear (DCs) are seen as the ‘professional’ antigen antibodies which bind to self-DNA. presenting cells (APCs) of the immune 40–90% of SLE patients display cognitive system and the key drivers of naive CD4+ T impairment which can occur independent cell responses to pathogens and vaccines. In of disease activity. These symptoms are this study, Hong and colleagues challenged associated with the presence of a subset this dogma by showing that B cells were of DNA-binding antibodies, termed the dominant APCs involved in initiating DNARAbs, in the brain and spinal fluid of naïve CD4+ T cells responses to VLPs. immunisation with inactivated influenza SLE patients – however, a mechanism for Furthermore, B cells were able to induce virus. This research sheds new light on the this association is unclear. T follicular-helper cell activity – important role of B cells in antigen presentation and Previous studies show that DNARAbs in antibody production – in the absence of has implications for the future rationale cross-react with the neuronal N-methyl- DCs. The authors then went on to show of vaccine design using nanoparticles. d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and that antigen-specific B cells were involved enhance NMDAR signalling. In mice, this in driving CD4+ T cell responses following Hong et al. 2018 Immunity 49 695–708 excess signalling results in the pathology
and loss of neurons, followed by changes Molecular mechanism behind ©Shutterstock/LightSpring to neuronal integrity and spatial memory impairment. In this study, Nestor and microbial induction of Tregs colleagues show that activated microglia elucidated and the complement protein C1q were critical mediators of neuronal damage in Intestinal dysbiosis is linked to inflammatory DNARAb+ mice. Angiotensin-converting conditions such as inflammatory bowel enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been disease (IBD), characterised by reduced shown to suppress microglial activity and immunosuppressive capabilities of normally reduce neuronal loss in murine models tolerogenic FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). of Alzheimer’s disease. Accordingly, the Commensal bacteria have been associated authors administered ACE inhibitors to with the generation and maintenance of DNARAb+ mice, and found that microglial Tregs, however, until now, the molecular activation was reduced with neuronal mechanisms underlying this association have structure and, importantly, cognitive been unclear. A study led by Dr Ravi Verma function being preserved. This study indicates that specific cell surfaceβ -glucan/ 2-mediated fashion. Furthermore, during therefore suggests that ACE inhibition is galactan polysaccharides (CSSG) found on experimental colitis, a model for human IBD, an exciting target for clinical trials aimed the surface of the probiotic Bifidobacterium Tregs induced by either B. bifidum or CSSG at reducing cognitive impairment in SLE bifidum are a key component in the were shown to be consistently suppressive. patients. induction of Tregs. Verma and colleagues Taken together, these findings outline the showed that CSSG isolated from B. bifidum highly immunodulatory potential of CSGG and Nestor et al. 2018 Journal of recapitulated the tolerogenic effects of the CSGG-expressing microbes in the intestine. Experimental Medicine 215 2554–2566 whole bacterium. Mechanistically, Tregs were induced by CSSG via tolerogenic Verma et al. 2018 Science Immunology dendritic cells in a partially Toll-like receptor 3 doi: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aat6975
New potential checkpoint blockade target for multiple myeloma Multiple myeloma (MM) is a largely that inhibits lymphocyte activity and has of MM patient-derived CD8+ T cells and incurable cancer resulting from the recently been identified as a target for restricted MM development. Overall, aberrant expansion of malignant checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. this study highlights TIGIT as an exciting plasma B cells. Checkpoint blockade Here, Guillerey et al. show that TIGIT new target for checkpoint blockade immunotherapy, whereby the expression is increased on the cytotoxic immunotherapy for patients with MM. immunological ‘brakes’ that reduce the CD8 T cells of mice and humans with efficacy of cancer-attacking T cells are MM and is associated with reduced Guillerey et al. 2018 Blood 132 1689–1694 blocked, has thus far been ineffective in effector function of these cells against this type of cancer. T cell immunoglobulin myeloma antigen. Blocking TIGIT activity and ITIM domains (TIGIT) is a molecule resulted in increased effector function
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