Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tobias Lanz, R. Camille Brewer, Peggy P. Ho, Jae-Seung Moon, Kevin M. Jude, Daniel Fernandez, Ricardo A. Fernandes, Alejandro M. Gomez, Gabriel-Stefan Nadj, Christopher M. Bartley, Ryan D. Schubert, Isobel A. Hawes, Sara E. Vazquez, Manasi Iyer, J. Bradley Zuchero, Bianca Teegen, Jeffrey E. Dunn, Christopher B. Lock, Lucas B. Kipp, Victoria C. Cotham, Beatrix M. Ueberheide, Blake T. Aftab, Mark S. Anderson, Joseph L. DeRisi, Michael R. Wilson, Rachael J. M. Bashford-Rogers, Michael Platten, K. Christopher Garcia, Lawrence Steinman, William H. Robinson
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease where autoreactive lymphocytes attack the central nervous system. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been linked to MS, with molecular mimicry between EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and central nervous system protein GlialCAM. EBNA1 immunization exacerbates disease in MS mouse models and anti-EBNA1 and anti-GlialCAM antibodies are prevalent in MS patients, providing a mechanistic link between MS and EBV and guiding the development of new MS therapies.
Review
Virology
Yi Tian Png, Audrey Zhi Yi Yang, Mei Ying Lee, Magdalene Jahn May Chua, Chwee Ming Lim
Summary: The vast majority of the global population are asymptomatic carriers of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which can lead to EBV-related cancers like Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC). NPC is highly prevalent in Southern China and Southeast Asia, with a lack of effective treatment for recurrent disease in some patients. Research on the role of Natural Killer (NK) cells in clearing EBV-infected cells and evasion by EBV in NPC is crucial for developing more effective therapies.
Article
Immunology
Alda Saldan, Carlo Mengoli, Dino Sgarabotto, Marny Fedrigo, Annalisa Angelini, Giuseppe Feltrin, Antonio Gambino, Gino Gerosa, Luisa Barzon, Davide Abate
Summary: This study found an association between CMV and EBV infections and early-onset AMR, suggesting these viral infections as relevant risk factors.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Natalie Farha, Muhammad Salman Faisal, Daniela S. Allende, Joseph Sleiman, Ravi Shah, Nicole Farha, Pauline Funchain, Jessica R. Philpott
Summary: This article describes a case series of 25 patients who were diagnosed with gastritis following immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. The most common malignancies were non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma. Symptoms included nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and melena. Endoscopic findings showed erythema, edema, and friability. Most patients received acid suppression treatment and methylprednisolone. Approximately 64% of patients had complete resolution of symptoms within two months, and 52% were able to resume immunotherapy.
Article
Oncology
Yanxia He, Yan Gao, Liqin Ping, Haixia He, Cheng Huang, Bing Bai, Xiaoxiao Wang, Zhiming Li, Qingqing Cai, Yuhua Huang, Xueyi Pan, Wenbin Zeng, Yanan Liu, Huiqiang Huang
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of anti-PD-1 antibody-based treatment in patients with NK/T-LAHS. The results showed that the combination of anti-PD-1 antibody and chemotherapy improved the overall response rate and was well tolerated.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Massimiliano Castellazzi, Caterina Ferri, Alice Piola, Samantha Permunian, Gaia Buscemi, Michele Laudisi, Eleonora Baldi, Maura Pugliatti
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In this study, we investigated the effects of dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a first-line treatment for MS, on the quantity and quality of EBV-specific IgG in MS patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Manojkumar Gunasekaran, Andrea Difiglia, John Fitzgerald, Robert Hariri, William van der Touw, Tanel Mahlakoiv
Summary: Researchers have found that NK cells derived from human placental hematopoietic stem cells (CYNK) have strong antiviral effects against Influenza A virus (IAV) infection and can enhance the expression of NK cell activating ligands on respiratory epithelial cells. Co-culture of CYNK cells with IAV-infected cells showed increased degranulation and cytotoxicity against the virus.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yoshimi Enose-Akahata, Limin Wang, Fahad Almsned, Kory R. Johnson, Yair Mina, Joan Ohayon, Xin Wei Wang, Steven Jacobson
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), and the cause of MS remains unknown. This study investigated the antibody responses against various viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of MS patients, and found significant differences compared to healthy volunteers, as well as a pattern of antibody responses against multiple viruses, including Epstein-Barr virus. These findings indicate that virus-specific antibody signatures might reflect the disease-associated inflammatory milieu in the CSF of patients with neuroinflammatory diseases.
Article
Virology
Chathura D. Suraweera, Mark G. Hinds, Marc Kvansakul
Summary: Apoptosis is a defense mechanism used by multicellular organisms to counteract viral infection. Viruses have evolved various countermeasures to ensure cell viability and optimize their replication. In this study, the crystal structures of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded BHRF1 bound to proapoptotic proteins Bid and Puma were determined. BHRF1 engages with BH3 peptides using its Bcl-2 fold and mimics the canonical ionic interaction seen in host Bcl-2:BH3 complexes. Furthermore, Bid and Puma utilize a distinct hydrophobic interaction with BHRF1. These findings provide insights into EBV-mediated inhibition of host cell apoptosis and the flexibility of virus-encoded Bcl-2 proteins in mimicking key interactions from the host signaling pathways.
Article
Pathology
Sudipta Samanta, Muthukaruppan Swaminathan, Jianing Hu, Khai Tuck Lee, Ajitha Sundaresan, Chuan Keng Goh, Chor Hiang Siow, Kwok Seng Loh, Soh Ha Chan, Joshua K. Tay, Ian Cheong
Summary: The use of immunofluorescence assay for detecting serum Epstein-Barr virus antibodies is the gold standard screening test for nasopharyngeal cancer in high-risk populations. This study demonstrates that integrating deep learning with automated fuzzy inference can improve the scalability and accuracy of NPC detection.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Xiaobing Duan, Haiwen Chen, Xiang Zhou, Pingjuan Liu, Xiao Zhang, Qian Zhu, Ling Zhong, Wanlin Zhang, Shanshan Zhang, Xinyu Zhang, Yanhong Chen, Yan Zhou, Chaopin Yang, Qisheng Feng, Yi-Xin Zeng, Miao Xu, Tong Xiang
Summary: This study reveals a mechanism by which EBV-associated epithelial malignancies escape NK-cell-mediated immune surveillance, providing a new target for improving NK-cell immunotherapy.
Article
Immunology
Olga S. Fedyanina, Anna E. Filippova, Olga Demina, Olga A. Zhuliabina, Dmitry S. Tikhomirov, Alexander Filatov, Tatiana A. Chebotareva, Sofya A. Kuznetsova
Summary: Atypical mononuclear cells (AM) appear in significant numbers in peripheral blood of patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated infectious mononucleosis (IM), primarily consisting of CD8(+) T cells and a small fraction of CD19(+) B lymphocytes. The AM population amount is significantly higher in children with mononucleosis caused by primary EBV infection compared to other viral infections, and the recovery from classic IM associated with primary EBV infection is correlated with the percentage of CD8(+) AM.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Archana Panikkar, Katie E. Lineburg, Jyothy Raju, Keng Yih Chew, George R. Ambalathingal, Sweera Rehan, Srividhya Swaminathan, Pauline Crooks, Laetitia Le Texier, Leone Beagley, Shannon Best, Matthew Solomon, Katherine K. Matthews, Sriganesh Srihari, Michelle A. Neller, Kirsty R. Short, Rajiv Khanna, Corey Smith
Summary: Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy has shown promising results in treating viral complications, especially in immunocompromised patients. Expanding T cells from healthy individuals provides a new approach to antiviral immunotherapy with rapid and customized treatment options. Recent research indicates that SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells play a crucial role in protecting against COVID-19, suggesting the potential of using HLA-matched virus-specific T cells for treating active COVID-19 or at-risk patients.
Article
Hematology
Hannes Vietzen, Philippe L. Furlano, Jan J. Cornelissen, Georg A. Boehmig, Peter Jaksch, Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stoeckl
Summary: This study found that nonclassic human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E)-restricted immune responses have a significant impact on the development of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) diseases in the individual host. The highly expressed HLA-E*0103/0103 genotype is protective against infectious mononucleosis (IM) by inducing potent EBV BZLF1-specific HLA-E-restricted CD8(+) T-cell responses. Variations in the inhibitory NKG2A/LMP-1/HLA-E axis are associated with the risk of symptomatic EBV reactivations in both immunocompetent individuals and immunocompromised transplant recipients.
Article
Virology
Ting Shi, Linlin Huang, Ling Luo, Qiuyao Yu, Jianmei Tian
Summary: In this study, it was found that plasma EBV-DNA test has a higher diagnostic value than VCA-IgG avidity test in different age stages and over the course of the disease. Peripheral lymphocyte test and plasma EBV-DNA test are suitable for the early stage of the disease, while the VCA-IgG avidity test is suitable for after 7 days of the disease.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Anna Puiggros, Gonzalo Blanco, Aura Muntasell, Maria Rodriguez-Rivera, Lara Nonell, Mireia Altadill, Eulalia Puigdecanet, Magdalena Arnal, Xavier Calvo, Eva Gimeno, Eugenia Abella, Pau Abrisqueta, Francesc Bosch, Jose Yelamos, Ana Ferrer, Miguel Lopez-Botet, Blanca Espinet
Summary: Reduced percentages of CD94/NKG2C(+) NK cells were observed in CLL and MBL patients independently of HCMV serostatus and NKG2C zygosity, particularly in CLL patients with increased lymphocytosis, which could potentially be related to the exposure to tumor cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Michelle Ataya, Dolores Redondo-Pachon, Laura Llinas-Mallol, Jose Yelamos, Elisenda Alari-Pahissa, Maria J. Perez-Saez, Mireia Altadill, Dalia Raich-Regue, Carlos Vilches, Julio Pascual, Marta Crespo, Miguel Lopez-Botet
Summary: Human CMV infection is common in kidney transplant recipients, with pretransplant Ag-specific T cells and adaptive NKG2C(+) NK cells being associated with reduced infection rates. Increases in NKG2C(+) NK, CD8+, and TcR gamma delta T cells were observed posttransplant in CMV+ KTR, especially in those with viremia. After resolution of viremia, higher proportions of adaptive NKG2C(+) NK cells, along with increased CD8+ and TcR gamma delta T cells, were found, suggesting their role in restoring CMV replication control.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Mariona Cabo, Sara Santana-Hernandez, Marcel Costa-Garcia, Anna Rea, Roberto Lozano-Rodriguez, Michelle Ataya, Francesc Balaguer, Manel Juan, Maria C. Ochoa, Silvia Menendez, Laura Comerma, Ana Rovira, Pedro Berraondo, Joan Albanell, Ignacio Melero, Miguel Lopez-Botet, Aura Muntasell
Summary: This study demonstrates that CD137 costimulation can overcome TGFβ-mediated inhibition of NK cell antitumor responses, promoting NK cell proliferation and function, as well as enhancing direct and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity against tumors.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Michela Falco, Raffaella Meazza, Claudia Alicata, Paolo Canevali, Aura Muntasell, Cristina Bottino, Lorenzo Moretta, Daniela Pende, Miguel Lopez-Botet
Summary: This study characterized the specificity of an anti-KIR monoclonal antibody and identified the amino acids relevant for its recognition. The antibody exclusively reacted with KIR2DL1 and bound to a conformational epitope including M44, which is crucial for HLA-C K80 recognition by KIR2DL1. The findings of this study provide valuable information for further understanding the specificity of the antibody and its reactivity.
Article
Cell Biology
Raffaella Meazza, Michela Falco, Paolo Canevali, Fabrizio Loiacono, Natalia Colomar-Carando, Aura Muntasell, Anna Rea, Maria Cristina Mingari, Franco Locatelli, Lorenzo Moretta, Miguel Lopez-Botet, Daniela Pende
Summary: Phenotypic identification of NK cell subsets allows for a more detailed characterization of KIR repertoire and function, which is of potential interest in KIR and disease association studies. HP-DM1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) is a unique reagent that specifically recognizes KIR2DL1 and can accurately identify different KIR+ NK cell subsets. It can also block KIR2DL1 recognition of C2(+) HLA-C.
Article
Cell Biology
Judit Asenjo, Manuela Moraru, Karima Al-Akioui-Sanz, Mireia Altadill, Aura Muntasell, Miguel Lopez-Botet, Carlos Vilches
Summary: NK cells monitor alterations in tumors and infected cells through a diverse array of receptors. The NKG2C gene diversity may play a potential role in immune function.
Article
Surgery
Anna Buxeda, Laura Llinas-Mallol, Javier Gimeno, Dolores Redondo-Pachon, Carlos Arias-Cabrales, Carla Burballa, Adrian Puche, Miguel Lopez-Botet, Jose Yelamos, Carlos Vilches, Maarten Naesens, Maria Jose Perez-Saez, Julio Pascual, Marta Crespo
Summary: Isolated microvascular inflammation (iMVI) is a rare phenotype that cannot be classified as antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) in recent Banff classifications because it lacks HLA donor-specific antibodies or C4d deposition. In this study, we compared peripheral blood leukocyte distribution and inflammatory infiltrates in kidney transplant biopsies among ABMR, iMVI, and normal cases. We found that iMVI had fewer lymphocytes and peripheral T cells compared to ABMR and normal cases, but more NKG2A+ NK cells. iMVI also showed decreased plasma cell infiltration and increased cytotoxic T cell infiltration compared to ABMR.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Miguel Lopez-Botet, Andrea De Maria, Aura Muntasell, Mariella Della Chiesa, Carlos Vilches
Summary: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has a broad impact on the immune system. It triggers the differentiation and expansion of a mature NK cell subset with a distinctive phenotype and functional profile characterized by the presence of the HLA-E-specific CD94/NKG2C activating receptor. In this article, we provide an overview of the adaptive features of NKG2C+ NK cells, discussing the mechanisms and influence of viral and host factors, the presence of other NKG2C-NK cell subsets with adaptive features, the role of adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells in the response to HCMV in transplant patients, their relation with other viral infections, particularly HIV-1, and their potential use in adoptive immunotherapy of cancer.
SEMINARS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ilias Moraitis, Jordi Guiu, Josep Rubert
Summary: Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, causing nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Radiotherapy is commonly used for its anticancer effects, but it also leads to healthy tissue toxicity. In cases of abdominal and pelvic malignancies, the healthy bowel is unavoidably exposed to radiation, resulting in radiation-induced enteritis and significant impact on the gut microbiome. This review provides a critical analysis of the factors influencing the gut microenvironment in homeostasis, disease, and injury, focusing on the role of gut microbial metabolites and microorganisms in epithelial regeneration after radiation injury.
TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2023)