Article
Immunology
Li Wu, Xuhui Fang, Fangting Lu, Yu Zhang, Yanshi Wang, Joanne Kwak-Kim
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of anticardiolipin (aCL) and/or anti-beta 2-glycoprotein-I (a beta 2GPI) antibodies, known as antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. The results showed that infertile women with aPL had worse outcomes in terms of oocyte quality, embryo quality, and implantation capacity. Imbalanced T cell subset ratios and elevated levels of certain cytokines were noticed in these women compared to controls.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Suresh Kumar, John Wulf II, Katherine Basore, Nicola Pozzi
Summary: This study reveals that circulating β2-glycoprotein I is elongated and capable of binding to pathogenic anti-domain I antibodies. The binding is driven by the interaction with negatively charged phospholipids, which increases the local concentration of the antigen rather than dramatically changing its conformation.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Gabor Szabo, Ildiko Beke Debreceni, Tunde Tarr, Pal Soltesz, Bjarne Osterud, Janos Kappelmayer
Summary: Anti-beta(2)GPI autoantibodies exert multi-faceted effects in both normal and thrombophilic plasmas, prolonging Lag Time and increasing Peak Thrombin. The prolonging effect is more remarkable in plasma with inherited thrombophilic mutations.
THROMBOSIS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Antonella Capozzi, Simona Truglia, Brigitta Buttari, Serena Recalchi, Gloria Riitano, Valeria Manganelli, Silvia Mancuso, Cristiano Alessandri, Agostina Longo, Vincenzo Mattei, Elisabetta Profumo, Tina Garofalo, Roberta Misasi, Fabrizio Conti, Maurizio Sorice
Summary: The study identifies Carb-beta(2)-GPI as a new autoantigen in APS, which may be a significant marker for SN-APS patients.
Article
Developmental Biology
Enrique Esteve-Valverde, Jaume Alijotas-Reig, Cristina Belizna, Joana Marques-Soares, Ariadna Anunciacion-Llunell, Carlos Feijoo-Masso, Luis Saez-Comet, Arsene Mekinian, Raquel Ferrer-Oliveras, Elmina Lefkou, Stephanie Morales-Perez, Ariel Hoxha, Angela Tincani, Cecilia Nalli, Josep Pardos-Gea, Luca Marozio, Aldo Maina, Gerard Espinosa, Ricard Cervera, Sara De Carolis, Omar Latino, Sebastian Udry, Elisa Llurba, Carmen Garrido-Gimenez, Laura Trespidi, Maria Gerosa, Cecilia B. Chighizola, Patrizia Rovere-Querini, Valentina Canti, Karoline Mayer-Pickel, Sara Tabacco, Anna Arnau, Francesc Miro-Mur
Summary: This study analyzed a cohort of 1048 women with OAPS and found that 21.3% of women had low complement levels during pregnancy. Compared to women with normal complement levels, those with low complement levels had shorter pregnancy length, lower neonatal survival rate, higher fetal loss rate, and some placental vasculopathies. Therefore, proper treatment can improve adverse pregnancy outcomes related to low complement levels.
Article
Immunology
Savino Sciascia, Massimo Radin, Mario Bazzan, Barbara Montaruli, Domenico Cosseddu, Claudio Norbiato, Maria Tiziana Bertero, Renato Carignola, Beatrice Bacco, Silvia Gallo Cassarino, Dario Roccatello
Summary: The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in COVID-19 patients may contribute to a pro-coagulant state, but differs from patients with overt APS. Therefore, caution is needed in interpreting and generalizing the role of aPL in the management of COVID-19 patients. Additional well-designed clinical studies are necessary before introducing aPL testing as routine in COVID-19 patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Suresh Kumar, Mathivanan Chinnaraj, William Planer, Xiaobing Zuo, Paolo Macor, Francesco Tedesco, Nicola Pozzi
Summary: The study reveals the distinct roles of the two disulfide bonds, C32-C60 and C288-C326, in regulating the structure and function of β(2)GPI. While the C32-C60 bond plays a structural role, the C288-C326 bond functions as an allosteric switch controlling the protein's physiological functions in a redox-dependent manner.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Tessa Noordermeer, Jessica E. Molhoek, Roger E. G. Schutgens, Silvie A. E. Sebastian, Sandra Drost-Verhoef, Annet C. W. van Wesel, Philip G. de Groot, Joost C. M. Meijers, Rolf T. Urbanus
Summary: Anti-beta 2GPI and anti-prothrombin antibodies cause lupus anticoagulant (LA) through different mechanisms: anti-beta 2GPI antibodies interfere with FV activation by FXa through a direct interaction, while anti-prothrombin antibodies compete with FXa for phospholipid binding sites.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Siting Li, Yina Bai, Jingjing Meng, Qian Wang, Xinping Tian, Mengtao Li, Xiaofeng Zeng, Jiuliang Zhao, Chaojun Hu
Summary: This study aimed to examine the diagnostic value of a set of non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and their relevance with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS)-related criteria and extra-criteria manifestations. The results showed that the detection of non-criteria aPLs could assist in the diagnosis of APS and the positivity of certain aPLs was statistically associated with APS clinical manifestations.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Rohan Willis, Thomas C. R. McDonnell, Charis Pericleous, Emilio B. Gonzalez, Alvaro Schleh, Zurina Romay-Penabad, Ian P. Giles, Anisur Rahman
Summary: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by vascular thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity. The current treatment options have limitations, and there is a need for more targeted therapies. Researchers developed a modified protein variant using site-specific chemical addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG), which effectively inhibited thrombus formation caused by pathogenic antibodies. These findings provide further evidence supporting the potential efficacy of PEG-modified protein as a treatment option for APS.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Xiangjun Liu, Lei Zhu, Hongjiang Liu, Qingmeng Cai, Zelin Yun, Feng Sun, Yuan Jia, Jianping Guo, Chun Li
Summary: Non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies have a high prevalence in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, and their inclusion can improve the diagnostic accuracy of APS. APhL IgG, aPS/PT, and aPS IgG may serve as potential biomarkers for predicting thrombotic risk in APS patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Michael A. Cole, Gloria F. Gerber, Shruti Chaturvedi
Summary: Complement is a major driver of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and a promising therapeutic target. Reliable, rapid-turnaround biomarkers are needed in APS to predict adverse clinical outcomes and determine who will benefit most from complement inhibition. Current studies highlight the inconsistencies in testing, suggesting that cell-based testing or multiplex panels may be most clinically relevant.
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Laura Naranjo, Ljudmila Stojanovich, Aleksandra Djokovic, Laura Andreoli, Angela Tincani, Maria Mslinska, Savino Sciascia, Maria Infantino, Sara Garcinuno, Kinga Kostyra-Grabczak, Mariangela Manfredi, Francesca Regola, Natasa Stanisavljevic, Milomir Milanovic, Jovica Saponjski, Dario Roccatello, Irene Cecchi, Massimo Radin, Maurizio Benucci, Daniel Pleguezuelo, Manuel Serrano, Yehuda Shoenfeld, Antonio Serrano
Summary: The aim of this multicenter, cross-sectional and observational study was to evaluate the association between the presence of circulating immune complexes (CIC) formed by beta-2-glycoprotein-I (B2GP1) and anti-B2GP1 antibodies (B2-CIC) and clinical manifestations in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The results showed that patients with thrombotic events and positive for B2-CIC had lower platelet count and complement levels, suggesting a greater degree of platelet activation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Martina Frodlund, Tomas Walhelm, Charlotte Dahle, Christopher Sjowall
Summary: In patients with recent-onset SLE, a substantial percentage tested positive for at least one aPL isotype or the lupus anticoagulant test over time. Levels of all six aPL isotypes numerically decreased from inclusion to last follow-up. The presence of IgG aCL was significantly associated with myocardial infarction and miscarriage, while IgG/IgA anti-beta 2GPI was linked to miscarriage.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mirna S. Yacoub, Justin Khine, Ali Najar, Sri Yadlapalli
Summary: The pathogenesis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) involves the action of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) against Beta-2 glycoprotein-I (beta(2)GPI). The association of IgA isotypes with APS and thrombosis is controversial.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Letter
Rheumatology
Xavier Bossuyt, Walter Fierz, Pier Luigi Meroni
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Agostinis, Miriam Toffoli, Andrea Balduit, Alessandro Mangogna, Hadida Yasmin, Chiara Ragazzon, Silvia Pegoraro, Giuseppina Campisciano, Guglielmo Stabile, Gabriella Zito, Uday Kishore, Manola Comar, Federica Scrimin, Roberta Bulla, Giuseppe Ricci
Summary: Although only a small percentage of SARS-CoV-2 infections occur in children aged 0-9, pneumonia remains the leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. Vaccinated breastfeeding mothers produce antibodies against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, which can activate the complement pathway and potentially protect breastfed newborns against infection. A study involving vaccinated healthcare and school workers found that anti-S IgG antibodies were present in the serum and breast milk, capable of activating complement.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Roberta Bulla, Lucrezia Rossi, Giovanni Furlanis, Chiara Agostinis, Miriam Toffoli, Andrea Balduit, Alessandro Mangogna, Marco Liccari, Giorgia Morosini, Uday Kishore, Paolo Manganotti
Summary: Brain fog, a constellation of neurological and psychiatric symptoms, can occur in the post-acute phase of COVID-19. It is characterized by inattention, short-term memory loss, and reduced mental acuity, which can impact cognition, concentration, and sleep. This study found that levels of Mannan-binding lectin (MBL), an important component of the complement system, were significantly lower in COVID-19 patients experiencing brain fog compared to recovered patients. These findings suggest that MBL deficiency may contribute to the development of long COVID-associated brain fog.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Andrea Balduit, Romana Vidergar, Paola Zacchi, Alessandro Mangogna, Chiara Agostinis, Micaela Grandolfo, Cristina Bottin, Francesco Salton, Paola Confalonieri, Andrea Rocca, Fabrizio Zanconati, Marco Confalonieri, Uday Kishore, Berhane Ghebrehiwet, Roberta Bulla
Summary: In the malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) tumor microenvironment, the interaction between complement component C1q and hyaluronic acid (HA) enhances malignant cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. This interaction also affects the degradation of HA and the upregulation of HYAL2. The co-localization and interaction between HYAL2 and gC1qR suggest a potential regulatory role of gC1qR within the HA-C1q macromolecular complex.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Andrea Balduit, Anna Monica Bianco, Alessandro Mangogna, Anna Maria Zicari, Lucia Leonardi, Bianca Laura Cinicola, Martina Capponi, Alberto Tommasini, Chiara Agostinis, Adamo Pio d'Adamo, Roberta Bulla
Summary: Primary complement system (C) deficiencies are rare but associated with an increased risk of infections. This study presented a case of a ten-year-old boy infected by Neisseria meningitidis B and with reduced C activity, and identified two pathogenetic variants in the C7 gene.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Roberta E. Gualtierotti, Sharon Fox, Fernanda Da Silva Lameira, Andrea Giachi, Luca Valenti, Maria Orietta Borghi, Pier Luigi Meroni, Massimo Cugno, Flora Peyvandi
Summary: Nailfold videocapillaroscopic alterations were observed in COVID-19 patients, and these alterations were correlated with biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial perturbation. Nailfold histopathology analysis revealed microvascular damage and microthrombi in some cases. These findings suggest the possibility of non-invasively demonstrating microangiopathy in COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Roman Vuerich, Elena Groppa, Simone Vodret, Nadja Annelies Ruth Ring, Chiara Stocco, Fleur Bossi, Chiara Agostinis, Matteo Cauteruccio, Andrea Colliva, Mohammad Ramadan, Francesca Simoncello, Federica Benvenuti, Anna Agnelli, Franca Dore, Flavia Mazzarol, Massimo Moretti, Alice Paulitti, Silvia Palmisano, Nicolo De Manzini, Mattia Chiesa, Manuel Casaburo, Angela Raucci, Daniela Lorizio, Giulio Pompilio, Roberta Bulla, Giovanni Papa, Serena Zacchigna
Summary: Nonhealing wounds have a negative impact on the quality of life for patients and health systems. Skin substitutes have been used, but have limited efficacy due to inadequate vascularization. The use of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from adipose tissue shows promise in overcoming this limitation, but additional research is needed to determine its precise mechanism of action.
NPJ REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Andrea Balduit, Romana Vidergar, Paola Zacchi, Alessandro Mangogna, Chiara Agostinis, Micaela Grandolfo, Cristina Bottin, Francesco Salton, Paola Confalonieri, Andrea Rocca, Fabrizio Zanconati, Marco Confaloneri, Uday Kishore, Berhane Ghebrehiwet, Roberta Bulla
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Andrea Balduit, Alessandro Mangogna, Valentina Vaira, Chiara Agostinis, Paola Rafaniello Raviele, Cristina Bottin, Francesco Salton, Francesco Nesa, Nicola Fusco, Stefano Ferrero, Fabrizio Zanconati, Marco Confalonieri, Roberta Bulla
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Hadida Yasmin, Chiara Agostinis, Miriam Toffoli, Tamali Roy, Silvia Pegoraro, Andrea Balduit, Giuseppe Ricci, Taruna Madan, Uday Kishore, Roberta Bulla
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Andrea Balduit, Alessandro Mangogna, Chiara Agostinis, Francesco Salton, Miriam Toffoli, Gabriella Zito, Federico Romano, Roberto Verardo, Marco Confalonieri, Giuseppe Ricci, Roberta Bulla
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Pia Adorni, Bianca Papotti, Maria Orietta Borghi, Elena Raschi, Francesca Zimetti, Franco Bernini, Pier Luigi Meroni, Nicoletta Ronda
Summary: This study investigates the direct effects of tofacitinib on macrophage cholesterol metabolism, finding that it can increase cholesterol efflux, decrease cholesterol uptake and synthesis, and have a favorable impact on macrophage cholesterol metabolism. These findings are important for understanding the impact of tofacitinib on cardiovascular risk.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
