Relationship between natural and infection-induced antibodies in systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD): SLE, SSc and RA
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
Authors: Borocz, K.; Simon, D.; Erdo-Bonyar, S.; Kovacs, K. T.; Tuba, E.; Czirjak, L.; Nemeth, P.; Berki, T.
Abstract
Infection or vaccine-induced T cell-dependent immune response and the subsequent high-affinity neutralizing antibody production have been extensively studied, while the connection between natural autoantibodies (nAAbs) and disease-specific antibodies has not been thoroughly investigated. Our goal was to find the relationship between immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG isotype nAAbs and infection or vaccine-induced and disease-related autoantibody levels in systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD). A previously described indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used for detection of IgM/IgG nAAbs against citrate synthase (anti-CS) and F4 fragment (anti-F4) of DNA topoisomerase I in 374 SAD samples, with a special focus on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 92), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 73) and systemic sclerosis (n = 157) disease groups. Anti-measles IgG and anti-dsDNA IgG/IgM autoantibodies were measured using commercial and in-house indirect ELISA tests. In all SAD groups the anti-measles IgG-seropositive cases showed significantly higher anti-CS IgG titers (P = 0 center dot 011). In anti-dsDNA IgG-positive SLE patients, we detected significantly higher levels of anti-CS and anti-F4 IgG nAAbs (P = 0 center dot 001 and < 0 center dot 001, respectively). Additionally, we found increased levels of IgM isotypes of anti-CS and anti-F4 nAAbs in anti-dsDNA IgM-positive SLE patients (P = 0 center dot 002 and 0 center dot 016, respectively). The association between IgG isotypes of pathogen- or autoimmune disease-related antibodies and the IgG nAAbs may underscore the immune response-inducible nature of the diseases investigated. The relationship between protective anti-dsDNA IgM and the IgM isotype of anti-F4 and anti-CS may provide immunoserological evidence for the beneficial roles of nAAbs in SLE patients.
Incidence of CMV Replication and the Role of Letermovir Primary/Secondary Prophylaxis in the Early Phase After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - A Single Centre Study
ANTICANCER RESEARCH
Authors: Studer, Ursina; Khanna, Nina; Leuzinger, Karoline; Hirsch, Hans H.; Heim, Dominik; Lengerke, Claudia; Tsakiris, Dimitrios A.; Halter, Joerg; Gerull, Sabine; Passweg, Jakob; Medinger, Michael; Gwerder, Malena
Abstract
Background/Aim: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication may cause life-threatening complications after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The aim of the study was to characterize CMV events, and the outcome of letermovir (LTV) CMV prophylaxis. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective analysis of patients treated with an allo-HSCT between 2010 and 2020, we determined plasma CMV events, as well as associated risk factors. Results: We identified 423 patients who had undergone allo-HSCT between 2010 and 2020. CMV DNAemia was found in 130/423 (30.7%) of patients. CMV reactivation rate was significantly higher in patients with acute graft-versus-host disease, HLA mismatch, and CMV IgG seropositivity of donors and recipients. Among 42 patients receiving LTV prophylaxis those, 5 (11.9%) showed CMV DNAemia under LTV versus 87/353 (24.6%) in a control group. Conclusion: Despite the development of better approaches with weekly monitoring and early treatment initiation, CMV reactivations play an important role after allo-HSCT.