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The effects of RelB deficiency on lymphocyte development and function.

September 20, 2015 By Manish Butte

The effects of RelB deficiency on lymphocyte development and function.

J Autoimmun. 2015 Sep 15;

Authors: Sharfe N, Merico D, Karanxha A, Macdonald C, Dadi H, Ngan B, Herbrick JA, Roifman CM

Abstract
Multiple receptors that control cell growth and inflammation activate the NFκB pathway that comprises of two pathways. Dysfunction of the classical pathway leads to impaired adaptive and innate immunity in humans. In contrast the exact role of the alternative NFκB pathway mediated by RelB in humans remains largely elusive. We have recently identified deleterious mutations in RelB in patients with combined immunodeficiency and autoimmunity. We studied here the biological effects of RelB deficiency on the immune system. We show that the thymus in this patient is dysplastic and consequently new thymus emigrants are rare and there is an accumulation of CD45 RO(+) T cells with an increase in CD62L(+) central memory cells. The TCR repertoire of these cells appears skewed with selective clonal expansion. In vitro responses to T cell mitogens were markedly depressed and so were PHA induced IL2 and IFNγ production. In addition, the TH1 promoting T bet and STAT1 were reduced. In contrast, hyper-activation was seen in response to anti-CD3 and CD28. T cell dependent antibody responses were low to absent in all patients. We found that BAFF-R was reduced and CD40 signaling aberrant. Critically, CD27(+) memory cells were absent. We have shown here for the first time the role of RelB on lymphocyte development in humans. In the absence of RelB, B cells development is arrested, resulting in poor production of immunoglobulins and specific antibodies. T cell maturation in the thymus appears altered with reduced output and production of a skewed T cell repertoire with expansion of clones which are likely the cause of the autoimmune features observed in these patients.

PMID: 26385063 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Management of adverse events in the treatment of patients with immunoglobulin therapy: A review of evidence.

September 20, 2015 By Manish Butte

Management of adverse events in the treatment of patients with immunoglobulin therapy: A review of evidence.

Autoimmun Rev. 2015 Sep 15;

Authors: Cherin P, Marie I, Michallet M, Pelus E, Dantal J, Crave JC, Delain JC, Vaillard JF

Abstract
Immunoglobulin (IG) therapy is actually used for a broad range of diseases including primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders, and autoimmune diseases. This therapy is available for intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) administration. The efficacy of the IG therapy has been demonstrated in numerous studies and across different diseases. Generally, IG infusions are well tolerated; however some well-known adverse reactions, ranging from mild to severe, are associated with the therapy. The most common adverse reactions including headache, nausea, myalgia, fever, chills, chest discomfort, skin and anaphylactic reactions, could arise immediately during or after the infusion. Delayed events could be more severe and include migraine headaches, aseptic meningitis, haemolysis renal impairment and thrombotic events. This paper reviews all the potential adverse events related to the IG therapy and establishes a comprehensive guideline for the management of these events. Moreover it resumes the opinions and clinical experience of expert endorsers on the utilisation of the treatment. Published data were classified into levels of evidence and the strength of the recommendation was given for each intervention according to the GRADE system.

PMID: 26384525 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Modeling the prevalence of immunodeficiency-associated long-term vaccine-derived poliovirus excretors and the potential benefits of antiviral drugs.

September 19, 2015 By Manish Butte

Modeling the prevalence of immunodeficiency-associated long-term vaccine-derived poliovirus excretors and the potential benefits of antiviral drugs.

BMC Infect Dis. 2015;15(1):379

Authors: Duintjer Tebbens RJ, Pallansch MA, Thompson KM

Abstract
BACKGROUND: A small number of individuals with B-cell-related primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) may exhibit long-term (prolonged or chronic) excretion of immunodeficiency-associated vaccine-derived polioviruses (iVDPVs) following infection with oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). These individuals pose a risk of live poliovirus reintroduction into the population after global wild poliovirus eradication and subsequent OPV cessation. Treatment with polio antiviral drugs may potentially stop excretion in some of these individuals and thus may reduce the future population risk.
METHODS: We developed a discrete event simulation model to characterize the global prevalence of long-term iVDPV excretors based on the best available evidence. We explored the impact of different assumptions about the effectiveness of polio antiviral drugs and the fraction of long-term excretors identified and treated.
RESULTS: Due to the rarity of long-term iVDPV excretion and limited data on the survival of PID patients in developing countries, uncertainty remains about the current and future prevalence of long-term iVDPV excretors. While the model suggests only approximately 30 current excretors globally and a rapid decrease after OPV cessation, most of these excrete asymptomatically and remain undetected. The possibility that one or more PID patients may continue to excrete iVDPVs for several years after OPV cessation represents a risk for reintroduction of live polioviruses after OPV cessation, particularly for middle-income countries. With the effectiveness of a single polio antiviral drug possibly as low as 40 % and no system in place to identify and treat asymptomatic excretors, the impact of passive use of a single polio antiviral drug to treat identified excretors appears limited. Higher drug effectiveness and active efforts to identify long-term excretors will dramatically increase the benefits of polio antiviral drugs.
CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to develop a second polio antiviral compound to increase polio antiviral effectiveness and/or to maximize the identification and treatment of affected individuals represent important risk management opportunities for the polio endgame. Better data on the survival of PID patients in developing countries and more longitudinal data on their exposure to and recovery from OPV infections would improve our understanding of the risks associated with iVDPV excretors and the benefits of further investments in polio antiviral drugs.

PMID: 26382043 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Human Immunodeficiencies Related to Defective APC/T Cell Interaction.

September 18, 2015 By Manish Butte

Human Immunodeficiencies Related to Defective APC/T Cell Interaction.

Front Immunol. 2015;6:433

Authors: Kallikourdis M, Viola A, Benvenuti F

Abstract
The primary event for initiating adaptive immune responses is the encounter between T lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells (APCs) in the T cell area of secondary lymphoid organs and the formation of highly organized intercellular junctions referred to as immune synapses (IS). In vivo live-cell imaging of APC-T cell interactions combined to functional studies unveiled that T cell fate is dictated, in large part, by the stability of the initial contact. Immune cell interaction is equally important during delivery of T cell help to B cells and for the killing of target cells by cytotoxic T cells and NK cells. The critical role of contact dynamics and synapse stability on the immune response is well illustrated by human immune deficiencies in which disease pathogenesis is linked to altered adhesion or defective cross-talk between the synaptic partners. The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a severe primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp), a scaffold that promotes actin polymerization and links TCR stimulation to T cell activation. Absence or mutations in WASp affects intercellular APC-T cell communications by interfering with multiple mechanisms on both sides of the IS. The warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome is caused by mutations in CXCR4, a chemokine receptor that in mutant form leads to impairment of APC-T cell interactions. Present evidences suggest that other recently characterized primary immune deficiencies caused by mutation in genes linked to actin cytoskeletal reorganization, such as WIP and DOCK8, may also depend on altered synapse stability. Here, we will discuss in details the mechanisms of disturbed APC-T cell interactions in WAS and WHIM. Moreover, we will summarize the evidence pointing to a compromised conjugate formation in WIP, DOCK8, and X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome.

PMID: 26379669 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Therapeutic Immunoglobulin Selected for High Antibody Titer to RSV also Contains High Antibody Titers to Other Respiratory Viruses.

September 18, 2015 By Manish Butte

Therapeutic Immunoglobulin Selected for High Antibody Titer to RSV also Contains High Antibody Titers to Other Respiratory Viruses.

Front Immunol. 2015;6:431

Authors: Orange JS, Du W, Falsey AR

Abstract
Specific antibodies against infections most relevant to patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases are not routinely evaluated in commercial polyclonal immunoglobulin preparations. A polyclonal immunoglobulin prepared from plasma of donors having high neutralizing antibody titers to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was studied for the presence of antibody titers against seven additional respiratory viruses. While donors were not selected for antibody titers other than against RSV, the immunoglobulin preparation had significantly higher titers to 6 of 7 viruses compared to those present in 10 commercially available therapeutic immunoglobulin products (p ≤ 0.01 to p ≤ 0.001). To consider this as a donor-specific attribute, 20 random donor plasma samples were studied individually and identified a significant correlation between the RSV antibody titer and other respiratory virus titers: donors with high RSV titers were more likely to have higher titers to other respiratory viruses. These findings suggest either some humoral antiviral response bias or more frequent viral exposure of certain individuals.

PMID: 26379667 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Practice parameter for the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiency.

September 16, 2015 By Manish Butte

Practice parameter for the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiency.

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Sep 11;

Authors: Bonilla FA, Khan DA, Ballas ZK, Chinen J, Frank MM, Hsu JT, Keller M, Kobrynski LJ, Komarow HD, Mazer B, Nelson RP, Orange JS, Routes JM, Shearer WT, Sorensen RU, Verbsky JW, Bernstein DI, Blessing-Moore J, Lang D, Nicklas RA, Oppenheimer J, Portnoy JM, Randolph CR, Schuller D, Spector SL, Tilles S, Wallace D, Bonilla FA, Khan DA, Bernstein DI, Blessing-Moore J, Khan D, Lang D, Nicklas RA, Oppenheimer J, Portnoy JM, Randolph CR, Schuller D, Spector SL, Tilles S, Wallace D, Bonilla FA, Ballas ZK, Chinen J, Frank MM, Hsu JT, Keller M, Kobrynski LJ, Komarow HD, Mazer B, Nelson RP, Orange JS, Routes JM, Shearer WT, Sorensen RU, Verbsky JW

Abstract
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) have jointly accepted responsibility for establishing the “Practice parameter for the diagnosis and management of primary immunodeficiency.” This is a complete and comprehensive document at the current time. The medical environment is a changing environment, and not all recommendations will be appropriate for all patients. Because this document incorporated the efforts of many participants, no single individual, including those who served on the Joint Task Force, is authorized to provide an official AAAAI or ACAAI interpretation of these practice parameters. Any request for information about or an interpretation of these practice parameters by the AAAAI or ACAAI should be directed to the Executive Offices of the AAAAI, the ACAAI, and the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. These parameters are not designed for use by pharmaceutical companies in drug promotion.

PMID: 26371839 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

An 8 minute colorimetric paper-based reverse phase vertical flow serum microarray for screening of hyper IgE syndrome.

September 15, 2015 By Manish Butte

An 8 minute colorimetric paper-based reverse phase vertical flow serum microarray for screening of hyper IgE syndrome.

Analyst. 2015 Sep 14;

Authors: Reuterswärd P, Gantelius J, Andersson Svahn H

Abstract
Reverse phase microarrays are useful tools for affinity-based detection in hundreds of samples simultaneously. However, current methods typically require long assay times and fluorescent detection. Here we describe a paper-based Vertical Flow Microarray (VFM) assay as a rapid 8-minute colorimetric alternative for reverse phase microarray analysis. The VFM platform was optimized for detection of IgE with a detection limit of 1.9 μg mL(-1) in whole serum. Optimized conditions were then used to screen 113 serum samples simultaneously for hyper IgE syndrome (hIgE), a rare primary immunodeficiency characterized by elevated levels of IgE. The same set of samples were then analysed with a conventional planar microarray with fluorescent detection for head-to-head testing. Both assays found elevated levels in three out of four hIgE patient samples, whereas no control samples displayed elevated levels in either method. The comparison experiments showed a good correlation between the two assays, as determined from a linear correlation study (Pearson’s r = 0.76). Further, the assay-time reduction and reproducibility (intra assay CV = 12.4 ± 4.11%) demonstrate the applicability of the VFM platform for high throughput reverse phase screening.

PMID: 26365343 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Adaptive immune defects in a patient with leukocyte adhesion deficiency type III with a novel mutation in FERMT3.

September 12, 2015 By Manish Butte

Adaptive immune defects in a patient with leukocyte adhesion deficiency type III with a novel mutation in FERMT3.

Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2015 Sep 11;

Authors: Suratannon N, Yeetong P, Srichomthong C, Amarinthnukrowh P, Chatchatee P, Sosothikul D, van Hagen PM, van der Burg M, Wentink M, Driessen GJ, Suphapeetiporn K, Shotelersuk V

Abstract
Leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disease characterized by impairment of phagocyte adhesion. Three subtypes have been classified by distinct phases of the adhesion cascade. LAD-III is caused by defects in signaling pathways used for integrin activation in all hematopoietic cell types leading to recurrent infections with poor platelet aggregation resembling Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia. Mutations in FERMT3 have been identified to underlie LAD-III. FERMT3 encodes kindlin-3, one of the focal adhesion proteins which contain a FERM domain located at the carboxyl terminus binding to β-integrin cytoplasmic tails. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 26359933 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATING PEDIATRICIANS ABOUT PRIMARY IMMUNODEFICIENCY DISORDERS: A TERTIARY HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE.

September 12, 2015 By Manish Butte

THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATING PEDIATRICIANS ABOUT PRIMARY IMMUNODEFICIENCY DISORDERS: A TERTIARY HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE.

Georgian Med News. 2015 Sep;(246):66-72

Authors: Adeli M, Hendaus M, Imam L, Alhammadi A

Abstract
Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) are several genetic disorders that alter the essential components of the immune system leading to errors in differentiation, function or both of these components.There are more than 200 reported different PID diseases with more than 140 identified gene mutations, affecting almost six million individuals globally, but only 27,000-60,000 have being diagnosed.Early diagnosis of PIDs can markedly reduce morbidity and mortality via proper intervention The aim of the study was to estimate the knowledge and attitude of pediatric residents of PIDs.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that targets resident physicians in the field of PIDs. A prospective and cross-sectional study was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation, the only tertiary care, academic and teaching hospital in the state of Qatar. The study took place between January, 2014 and April 30, 2014. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 68 pediatric residents (post-graduate year 1-4). In all, 68 eligible resident physicians were included in the study. Out of the 68 questionnaires distributed, 59 (86.7%) were returned by the end of the study. Among the participants, 18 (30.5%) were post-graduate year-1 (PGY-1), 18 (30.5%) PGY-2, 11 (18.6%) PGY-3, and 12 (20.3%) PGY-4.The mean overall score was 58.5 %. The mean score in the clinical presentation was 67.5%, in associated syndromes and diseases was 59%, in screening laboratory work up 55.3%, and in the section of laboratory investigations that suggest PIDs 52%. There is a significant lack of knowledge of PIDs among pediatric residents. In addition, a large number of pediatric physicians in training do not feel comfortable in diagnosing and managing young children with PIDs. Pediatric residency working hours rule restrict the luxury of having an allergy/immunology rotation during residency. A mutual effort in sharing diagnosis and management of patients with PIDs between pediatric residents and attending immunologists can ameliorate the lack of knowledge and improve the trainee’s confidence when facing such cases.

PMID: 26355318 [PubMed – in process]

Genomic Investigations unmask Mycoplasma amphoriforme, a new respiratory pathogen.

September 12, 2015 By Manish Butte

Genomic Investigations unmask Mycoplasma amphoriforme, a new respiratory pathogen.

Clin Infect Dis. 2015 Feb 1;60(3):381-8

Authors: Gillespie SH, Ling CL, Oravcova K, Pinheiro M, Wells L, Bryant JM, McHugh TD, Bébéar C, Webster D, Harris SR, Seth-Smith HM, Thomson NR

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma amphoriforme has been associated with infection in patients with primary antibody deficiency (PAD). Little is known about the natural history of infection with this organism and its ability to be transmitted in the community.
METHODS: The bacterial load was estimated in sequential sputum samples from 9 patients by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The genomes of all available isolates, originating from patients in the United Kingdom, France, and Tunisia, were sequenced along with the type strain. Genomic data were assembled and annotated, and a high-resolution phylogenetic tree was constructed.
RESULTS: By using high-resolution whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data, we show that patients can be chronically infected with M. amphoriforme manifesting as a relapsing-remitting bacterial load, interspersed by periods when the organism is undetectable. Importantly, we demonstrate transmission of strains within a clinical environment. Antibiotic resistance mutations accumulate in isolates taken from patients who received multiple courses of antibiotics.
CONCLUSIONS: Mycoplasma amphoriforme isolates form a closely related species responsible for a chronic relapsing and remitting infection in PAD patients in the United Kingdom and from immunocompetent patients in other countries. We provide strong evidence of transmission between patients attending the same clinic, suggesting that screening and isolation may be necessary for susceptible patients. This work demonstrates the critical role that WGS can play in rapidly unraveling the biology of a novel pathogen.

PMID: 25344534 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]