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Justiz-Vaillant A, Gopaul D, Soodeen S, Unakal C, Thompson R, Pooransingh S, Arozarena-Fundora R, Asin-Milan O, Akpaka PE. Advancements in Immunology and Microbiology Research: A Comprehensive Exploration of Key Areas. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1672. [PMID: 39203514 PMCID: PMC11357253 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12081672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunology and microbiology research has witnessed remarkable growth and innovation globally, playing a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of immune mechanisms, disease pathogenesis, and therapeutic interventions. This manuscript presents a comprehensive exploration of the key areas in immunology research, spanning from the utilisation of bacterial proteins as antibody reagents to the intricate realms of clinical immunology and disease management. The utilisation of bacterial immunoglobulin-binding proteins (IBPs), including protein A (SpA), protein G (SpG), and protein L (SpL), has revolutionised serological diagnostics, showing promise in early disease detection and precision medicine. Microbiological studies have shed light on antimicrobial resistance patterns, particularly the emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), guiding antimicrobial stewardship programmes and informing therapeutic strategies. Clinical immunology research has elucidated the molecular pathways underlying immune-mediated disorders, resulting in tailored management strategies for conditions such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), etc. Additionally, significant efforts in vaccine development against tuberculosis and HIV are highlighted, underscoring the ongoing global pursuit of effective preventive measures against these infectious diseases. In summary, immunology and microbiology research have provided significant contributions to global healthcare, fostering collaboration, innovation, and improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Justiz-Vaillant
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (S.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Darren Gopaul
- Port of Spain General Hospital, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago;
| | - Sachin Soodeen
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (S.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Chandrashekhar Unakal
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (S.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Reinand Thompson
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (S.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Shalini Pooransingh
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (S.P.); (P.E.A.)
| | - Rodolfo Arozarena-Fundora
- Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs 00000, Trinidad and Tobago;
- Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago
| | | | - Patrick Eberechi Akpaka
- Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago; (S.S.); (C.U.); (R.T.); (S.P.); (P.E.A.)
- Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, North Central Regional Health Authority, Champs Fleurs 00000, Trinidad and Tobago;
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Park S, Sonoda M, Eguchi K, Adachi S, Kinoshita K, Semba Y, Ishimura M, Ohga S. Epstein-Barr virus monitoring for preemptive re-hematopoietic cell transplantation in CD3δ-deficient siblings. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e31119. [PMID: 38837545 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.31119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sungyeon Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Motoshi Sonoda
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Katsuhide Eguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shunichi Adachi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keishiro Kinoshita
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Semba
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masataka Ishimura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shouichi Ohga
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Therrell BL, Padilla CD, Borrajo GJC, Khneisser I, Schielen PCJI, Knight-Madden J, Malherbe HL, Kase M. Current Status of Newborn Bloodspot Screening Worldwide 2024: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Activities (2020-2023). Int J Neonatal Screen 2024; 10:38. [PMID: 38920845 PMCID: PMC11203842 DOI: 10.3390/ijns10020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) began in the early 1960s based on the work of Dr. Robert "Bob" Guthrie in Buffalo, NY, USA. His development of a screening test for phenylketonuria on blood absorbed onto a special filter paper and transported to a remote testing laboratory began it all. Expansion of NBS to large numbers of asymptomatic congenital conditions flourishes in many settings while it has not yet been realized in others. The need for NBS as an efficient and effective public health prevention strategy that contributes to lowered morbidity and mortality wherever it is sustained is well known in the medical field but not necessarily by political policy makers. Acknowledging the value of national NBS reports published in 2007, the authors collaborated to create a worldwide NBS update in 2015. In a continuing attempt to review the progress of NBS globally, and to move towards a more harmonized and equitable screening system, we have updated our 2015 report with information available at the beginning of 2024. Reports on sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, missing in 2015, have been included. Tables popular in the previous report have been updated with an eye towards harmonized comparisons. To emphasize areas needing attention globally, we have used regional tables containing similar listings of conditions screened, numbers of screening laboratories, and time at which specimen collection is recommended. Discussions are limited to bloodspot screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradford L. Therrell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- National Newborn Screening and Global Resource Center, Austin, TX 78759, USA
| | - Carmencita D. Padilla
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, Philippines;
| | - Gustavo J. C. Borrajo
- Detección de Errores Congénitos—Fundación Bioquímica Argentina, La Plata 1908, Argentina;
| | - Issam Khneisser
- Jacques LOISELET Genetic and Genomic Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Peter C. J. I. Schielen
- Office of the International Society for Neonatal Screening, Reigerskamp 273, 3607 HP Maarssen, The Netherlands;
| | - Jennifer Knight-Madden
- Caribbean Institute for Health Research—Sickle Cell Unit, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica;
| | - Helen L. Malherbe
- Centre for Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa;
- Rare Diseases South Africa NPC, The Station Office, Bryanston, Sandton 2021, South Africa
| | - Marika Kase
- Strategic Initiatives Reproductive Health, Revvity, PL10, 10101 Turku, Finland;
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Sonoda M, Ishimura M, Inoue H, Eguchi K, Ochiai M, Sakai Y, Doi T, Suzuki K, Inoue T, Mizukami T, Nakamura K, Takada H, Ohga S. Non-conditioned cord blood transplantation for infection control in athymic CHARGE syndrome. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30809. [PMID: 38078568 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE CHARGE syndrome is a congenital malformation syndrome caused by heterozygous mutations in the CHD7 gene. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) arises from congenital athymia called CHARGE/complete DiGeorge syndrome. While cultured thymus tissue implantation (CTTI) provides an immunological cure, hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an alternative option for immuno-reconstitution of affected infants. We aimed to clarify the clinical outcomes of patients with athymic CHARGE syndrome after HCT. METHODS We studied the immunological reconstitution and outcomes of four patients who received non-conditioned unrelated donor cord blood transplantation (CBT) at Kyushu University Hospital from 2007 to 2022. The posttransplant outcomes were compared with the outcomes of eight reported patients. RESULTS Four index cases received CBT 70-144 days after birth and had no higher than grade II acute graft-versus-host disease. One infant was the first newborn-screened athymic case in Japan. They achieved more than 500/μL naïve T cells with balanced repertoire 1 month post transplant, and survived more than 12 months with home care. Twelve patients including the index cases received HCT at a median 106 days after birth (range: 70-195 days). One-year overall survival rate was significantly higher in patients who underwent non-conditioned HCT than in those who received conditioned HCT (100% vs. 37.5%, p = .02). Nine patients died, and the major cause of death was cardiopulmonary failure. CONCLUSIONS Athymic infants achieved a prompt reconstitution of non-skewing naïve T cells after non-conditioned CBT that led to home care in infancy without significant infections. Non-conditioned CBT is a useful bridging therapy for newborn-screened cases toward an immunological cure by CTTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoshi Sonoda
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masataka Ishimura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hirosuke Inoue
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Katsuhide Eguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ochiai
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Research Center for Environment and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yasunari Sakai
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takehiko Doi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kyoko Suzuki
- Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University, Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takeshi Inoue
- Division of Neonatology, Perinatal Center, Kumamoto City Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Mizukami
- Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Organization Kumamoto Medical Center, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kimitoshi Nakamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Takada
- Department of Child Health, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shouichi Ohga
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Lev A, Somech R, Somekh I. Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency and inborn errors of immunity. Curr Opin Pediatr 2023; 35:692-702. [PMID: 37707504 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) is the most devastating genetic disease of the immune system with an unfavorable outcome unless diagnosed early in life. Newborn screening (NBS) programs play a crucial role in facilitating early diagnoses and timely interventions for affected infants. RECENT FINDINGS SCID marked the pioneering inborn error of immunity (IEI) to undergo NBS, a milestone achieved 15 years ago through the enumeration of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) extracted from Guthrie cards. This breakthrough has revolutionized our approach to SCID, enabling not only presymptomatic identification and prompt treatments (including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation), but also enhancing our comprehension of the global epidemiology of SCID. SUMMARY NBS is continuing to evolve with the advent of novel diagnostic technologies and treatments. Following the successful implementation of SCID-NBS programs, a call for the early identification of additional IEIs is the next step, encompassing a broader spectrum of IEIs, facilitating early diagnoses, and preventing morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atar Lev
- Pediatric Department A and the Immunology Service, Jeffrey Modell Foundation Center; Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Fujiyoshi J, Inoue H, Sawano T, Mushimoto Y, Motomura Y, Nishiyama K, Kaku N, Nagata H, Yamamura K, Ishimura M, Koga Y, Ochiai M, Sakai Y, Tajiri T, Ohga S. Critical diseases in neonates after discharge home from birth hospital: A retrospective study from a tertiary hospital in Japan. Early Hum Dev 2023; 186:105869. [PMID: 37774632 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2023.105869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To establish actionable neonatal screening during the first month of life, we investigated critical diseases in seemingly healthy newborns discharged from birth hospitals. METHODS This retrospective study enrolled previously healthy full-term infants who visited our hospital, a tertiary hospital in Japan, from home between 5 and 28 days after birth from 2009 to 2018. Infants with known perinatal or congenital diseases, positive newborn screening results, or accidental injuries were excluded. Data were collected from electronic medical records, including principal diagnosis, clinical details, and prognosis at 18 months of age. RESULTS Ninety-seven (58 %) of 168 eligible neonates were admitted to the hospital, and 71 (42 %) were not. The median admission rate in patients with disease onset at ≤14 days after birth (80 %) was significantly higher than that in patients with disease onset at ≥15 days (42 %). Among 45 patients who received intensive medical care, 5 died and 10 developed neurodevelopmental sequelae. Four of 5 patients died by 100 days. Among 25 diseases treated in intensive care unit, 17 (68 %) diseases had a prevalence of <1 per 2000 live births. The commonly used diagnostic methods were imaging (n = 58, 35 %) and physical examination (n = 34, 20 %). CONCLUSION Critical diseases due to rare and heterogeneous causes in ostensibly healthy newborns occurred predominantly in the first two weeks of life. Optimal newborn screening and health check-up protocols may benefit from the wide spectrum of life-threatening diseases occurring in home after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Fujiyoshi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Comprehensive Maternity and Perinatal Care Center, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hirosuke Inoue
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Comprehensive Maternity and Perinatal Care Center, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Toru Sawano
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Comprehensive Maternity and Perinatal Care Center, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuichi Mushimoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshitomo Motomura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kei Nishiyama
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kaku
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Emergency & Critical Care Center, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hazumu Nagata
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Yamamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; Department of Perinatal and Pediatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masataka Ishimura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuhki Koga
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ochiai
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yasunari Sakai
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Tajiri
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shouichi Ohga
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Blom M, Bredius RGM, van der Burg M. Efficient screening strategies for severe combined immunodeficiencies in newborns. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2023; 23:815-825. [PMID: 37599592 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2244879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is one of the most severe forms of inborn errors of immunity (IEI), affecting both cellular and humoral immunity. Without curative treatment such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or gene therapy, affected infants die within the first year of life. Due to the severity of the disease, asymptomatic status early in life, and improved survival in the absence of pretransplant infections, SCID was considered a suitable candidate for newborn screening (NBS). AREAS COVERED Many countries have introduced SCID screening based on T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) detection in their NBS programs. Screening an entire population is a radical departure from previous paradigms in the field of immunology. Efficient screening strategies are cost-efficient and balance high sensitivity while preventing high numbers of referrals. NBS for SCID is accompanied by (actionable) secondary findings, but many NBS programs have optimized their screening strategy by adjusting algorithms or including second-tier tests. Harmonization of screening terminology is of great importance for international shared learning. EXPERT OPINION The expansion of NBS is driven by the development of new test modalities and treatment options. In the near future, other techniques such as next-generation sequencing will pave the way for NBS of other IEI. Exciting times await for population-based screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maartje Blom
- Laboratory for Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert G M Bredius
- Department of Pediatrics, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Miriam van der Burg
- Laboratory for Pediatric Immunology, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Clinical and Genetic Characterization of Patients with Artemis Deficiency in Japan. J Clin Immunol 2023; 43:585-594. [PMID: 36385359 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-022-01405-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Artemis is an exonuclease essential for V(D)J recombination and repair of DNA double-stranded breaks. Pathogenic variants in DCLRE1C encoding Artemis cause T-B-NK+ severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), and patients with Artemis-deficient SCID (ART-SCID) require definitive therapy with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Here we describe the clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with ART-SCID who were diagnosed in Japan from 2003 to 2022. METHODS Clinical data of ART-SCID patients who were diagnosed between 2003 and 2022 in Japan were collected from their physicians using a questionnaire. RESULTS ART-SCID diagnosis was made in eight patients from seven families with severe infections within 6 months of life. Two patients had missense variants, five patients had large genomic deletions, and one patient was compound heterozygous for a missense variant and large genomic deletion. All eight underwent allogeneic HCT within 4 months after the diagnosis, 7 receiving a conditioning regimen containing alkylating agents, and one patient without conditioning due to uncontrolled infection. Two patients with poor performance status (PS) died of complications 410 days and 32 days post-HCT, respectively. Of the six surviving patients with a median follow-up time of 8.3 (0.5-17.9) years, three patients had growth retardation. The patients with PS of 0-2 showed a tendency for better overall survival than those with PS 3-4. CONCLUSION Large deletions were the most common genetic cause of ART-SCID in Japan. To improve HCT outcome, early diagnosis with newborn screening for SCID is urgently needed.
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Bosticardo M, Notarangelo LD. Human thymus in health and disease: Recent advances in diagnosis and biology. Semin Immunol 2023; 66:101732. [PMID: 36863139 PMCID: PMC10134747 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is the crucial tissue where thymocytes develop from hematopoietic precursors that originate from the bone marrow and differentiate to generate a repertoire of mature T cells able to respond to foreign antigens while remaining tolerant to self-antigens. Until recently, most of the knowledge on thymus biology and its cellular and molecular complexity have been obtained through studies in animal models, because of the difficulty to gain access to thymic tissue in humans and the lack of in vitro models able to faithfully recapitulate the thymic microenvironment. This review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of human thymus biology in health and disease obtained through the use of innovative experimental techniques (eg. single cell RNA sequencing, scRNAseq), diagnostic tools (eg. next generation sequencing), and in vitro models of T-cell differentiation (artificial thymic organoids) and thymus development (eg. thymic epithelial cell differentiation from embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marita Bosticardo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Luigi D Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Chien YH, Hwu WL. The modern face of newborn screening. Pediatr Neonatol 2023; 64 Suppl 1:S22-S29. [PMID: 36481189 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Newborn screening (NBS) has been developed for years to identify newborns with severe but treatable conditions. Taiwan's NBS system, after the initial setup for a total coverage of newborns in 1990s, was later optimized to ensure the timely return of results in infants with abnormal results. Advancements in techniques such as Tandem mass spectrometry enable the screening into a multiplex format and increase the conditions to be screened. Furthermore, advances in therapies, such as enzyme replacement therapy, stem cell transplantation, and gene therapy, significantly expand the needs for newborn screening. Advances in genomics and biomarkers discovery improve the test accuracy with the assistance of second-tier tests, and have the potential to be the first-tier test in the future. Therefore, challenge of NBS now is the knowledge gap, including the evidence of the long-term clinical benefits in large cohorts especially in conditions with new therapies, phenotypic variations and the corresponding management of some screened diseases, and cost-effectiveness of extended NBS programs. A short-term and a long-term follow-up program should be implemented to gather those outcomes better especially in the genomic era. Ethical and psychosocial issues are also potentially encountered frequently. Essential education and better informed consent should be considered fundamental to parallel those new tests into future NBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Hsiu Chien
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Wuh-Liang Hwu
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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Kumagai N, Funato Y, Wakamatsu M, Muramatsu H, Mizuno H. Japanese siblings with cartilage-hair hypoplasia exhibiting different severity. Pediatr Int 2023; 65:e15557. [PMID: 37365876 DOI: 10.1111/ped.15557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Naonori Kumagai
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yusuke Funato
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Manabu Wakamatsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hideki Muramatsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Haruo Mizuno
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
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