CD279 mediates the homeostasis and survival of regulatory T cells by enhancing T cell and macrophage interactions

Application of methylation in the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, mainly characterized by perifibrocartilage osteitis of the sacroiliac joints and spinal enthesitis. To date, the exact pathogenesis of AS remains elusive. It is generally believed that AS is a multifactorial disease involving genetics, infection, environment, and immunity. Among them, genetic factors are the primary determinants of disease risk and severity. In recent years, epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation have been extensively surveyed with respect to the pathogenesis of AS. This review summarizes the latest research progress of methylation in AS, from whole-genome sequencing to individual differentially methylated gene. And finally, the role of methylase in AS inflammation, autophagy, and osteogenic differentiation was explored. In summary, the results of this review attempt to explain the role of methylation in the occurrence and development of AS and point out the shortcomings of current methylation research, providing directions for subsequent methylation research in AS.

An observational study investigating soluble immune checkpoints as indicators of severe COVID-19

This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory behavior of soluble immune checkpoints (sICPs) and other biomarkers in the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study included 59 adult participants, 43 of whom tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Patients were divided into three cohorts: those with moderate disease (n = 16), recovered patients with severe disease (n = 13), and deceased patients with severe disease (n = 16). In addition, 16 participants were pre-pandemic subjects negative for SARS-CoV-2. The relative activity of neutralizing antibodies (rNAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 and the values of 14 sICPs in peripheral blood were compared between the four groups. Because the increase of markers values of inflammation [NLR > 12; CRP > 150 mg/L] and venous thromboembolism [D-dimer > 0.5 mg/L] has been associated with mortality from COVID-19, the total and differential leukocyte counts, the NLR, and CRP and D-dimer values were obtained in patients with severe disease. No differences in rNAbs were observed between the cohorts. Only the levels of five sICPs, sCD27, sHVEM sTIM-3, sPD-1, and sPDL-1, were significantly higher in patients with severe rather than moderate disease. The sPDL-2 level and NLR were higher in deceased patients than in recovered patients. However, there was no difference in CRP and D-dimer values between the two groups. Of the five soluble biomarkers compared among patients with severe disease, only sPDL-2 was higher in deceased patients than in recovered patients. This suggests that immuno-inhibitory sICPs might be used as indicators for severe COVID-19, with sPDL-2 used to assess individual risk for fatality.IMPORTANCECOVID-19, the disease caused by a SARS-CoV-2 infection, generates a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms, progressing to multiorgan failure in the most severe cases. As activation of the immune system is pivotal to eradicating the virus, future research should focus on identifying reliable biomarkers to efficiently predict the outcome in severe COVID-19 cases. Soluble immune checkpoints represent the function of the immune system and are easily determined in peripheral blood. This research could lead to implementing more effective severity biomarkers for COVID-19, which could increase patients' survival rate and quality of life.

Long-term outcomes and immune profiling in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C)

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Existing follow-up data after MIS-C is limited.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

to investigate the long-term consequences in children who have undergone MIS-C.

METHODS

The retrospective study included 93 children. The identified changes were divided into the following periods: occurred within first 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and more than 2 years after MIS-C. Besides, 31 children underwent prospective immunophenotyping of peripheral blood and the determination of cytokines during the acute period of the disease and after discharge.

RESULTS

Outpatient monitoring events included pneumonia (9.6%), somatic disorder syndrome (11.8%), visual impairment (7.5%), joint damage (6.6%), weight changes (2.2%), and MIS-C recurrence (2.2%). A study of the cardiovascular system showed a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of the right and left heart dilatation, left ventricular dysfunction, pericarditis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, coronaritis, mitral regurgitation. But at the same time an increase in pulmonary and tricuspid valve regurgitation and arrhythmias compared with the acute period was detected. Most of the changes took place within first year of observation. Immune profiling showed reconstitution of CD3, CD4 T-lymphocytes, NK-cells, maintenance of a high relative value of CD8, reduction of CD19+ B-cells, expression of CD3-HLA-DR+, CD25, CD279, CD95.

CONCLUSIONS

After the history of MIS-C, children in the long-term follow-up had various somatic disorders and disease recurrence. Most patients (64.1%) showed subclinical signs of myocardial involvement within first year of observation. Low expression of CD95 may justify an certain role in the pathogenesis of the disease.