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The specific binding activity of monoclonal IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) was examined through site-directed mutagenesis in conjunction with exon exchange. Three regions from heavy-chain constant-region domains (C (sub H) ) two and three comprised the IgG epitope that was recognized by the RFs. The important amino acid residues from C (sub H)2 were at positions 252 to 254 and at positions 309 to 311 while that of C (sub H)3 was located at position 435.

The major rheumatoid factor cross reactive idiotype (RCRI), defined by prototypic monoclonal rheumatoid factors (RFs), is expressed as a dominant idiotype by pokeweed mitogen induced plasma cells obtained from seropositive (RF+) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Some patients who meet clinical diagnostic criteria for RA set by the American Rheumatism Association fail to express RFs at any time during their clinical course. To determine if seronegative (RF-) patients with RA, so designated by the latex fixation, Rose-Waaler classic binding assays, or a RF enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), express the RCRI in the absence of detectable RFs we examined pokeweed mitogen plasma cells from these patients by indirect immunofluorescence. In addition, we used an inhibition ELISA to detect RCRI bearing molecules in the sera of RF- patients with RA. Five of 10 RF- patients with RA had a high prevalence of RCRI+ plasma cells (16-49% of total pokeweed mitogen plasma cells in culture). Six of 20 RF- patients with RA had high serum concentrations of molecules marked by the RCRI, equivalent to 21-110 micrograms/ml of RCRI+ reference monoclonal IgM RF. Four of five patients who expressed the RCRI in high prevalence in pokeweed mitogen plasma cells, also demonstrated high concentrations of RCRI in their sera detected by inhibition ELISA. There was significant concordance of RCRI expression determined by the two different assays. Four RF- patients with RA who expressed RCRI in their whole sera had hidden RFs detected in their 19S and, in one case, 7S serum fraction. Detection of RF related molecules in whole sera by the expression of RCRI in RF- patients with RA identifies a subgroup of RF- patients with RA who possess hidden RFs. Some RF- patients with RA can express the major RCRI in pokeweed mitogen plasma cells and in their sera and therefore are related to patients with prototypic Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia, who produce RCRI+ 19S IgM monoclonal RFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cells can communicate through the extracellular vesicles (EVs) they secrete. Pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), alter the biophysical and communicative properties of EVs released from cells, but the functional consequences of these changes are unknown. Characterization of keratinocyte-derived EVs after poly(I:C) treatment (poly(I:C)-EVs) showed slight differences in levels of EV markers TSG101 and Alix, a loss of CD63 and were positive for autophagosome marker LC3b-II and the cytokine IL36γ compared to EVs from unstimulated keratinocytes (control-EVs). Flagellin treatment (flagellin-EVs) led to an EV marker profile like control-EVs but lacked LC3b-II. Flagellin-EVs also lacked IL-36γ despite nearly identical intracellular levels. While poly(I:C) treatment led to the clear emergence of a > 200 nm diameter EV sub-population, these were not found in flagellin-EVs. EV associated IL-36γ colocalized with LC3b-II in density gradient analysis, equilibrating to 1.10 g/mL, indicating a common EV species. Poly(I:C), but not flagellin, induced intracellular vesicles positive for IL-36γ, LC3b-II, Alix and TSG101, consistent with fusion of autophagosomes and multivesicular bodies. Simultaneous rapamycin and flagellin treatment induced similar intracellular vesicles but was insufficient for the release of IL-36γ + /LC3b-II + EVs. Finally, a qRT-PCR array screen showed eight cytokine/chemokine transcripts were altered (p < 0.05) in monocyte-derived Langerhans cells (LCs) when stimulated with poly(I:C)-EVs while three were altered when LCs were stimulated with flagellin-EVs compared to control-EVs. After independent confirmation, poly(I:C)-EVs upregulated BMP6 (p = 0.035) and flagellin-EVs upregulated CXCL8 (p = 0.005), VEGFA (p = 0.018) and PTGS2 (p = 0.020) compared to control-EVs. We conclude that exogenous signals derived from pathogens can alter keratinocyte-mediated modulation of the local immune responses by inducing changes in the types of EVs secreted and responses in antigen presenting cells., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (RAC2), through interactions with reduced NAD phosphate oxidase component p67 phox , activates neutrophil superoxide production, whereas interactions with p21-activated kinase are necessary for fMLF-induced actin remodeling. We identified 3 patients with de novo RAC2[E62K] mutations resulting in severe T- and B-cell lymphopenia, myeloid dysfunction, and recurrent respiratory infections. Neutrophils from RAC2[E62K] patients exhibited excessive superoxide production, impaired fMLF-directed chemotaxis, and abnormal macropinocytosis. Cell lines transfected with RAC2[E62K] displayed characteristics of active guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound RAC2 including enhanced superoxide production and increased membrane ruffling. Biochemical studies demonstrated that RAC2[E62K] retains intrinsic GTP hydrolysis; however, GTPase-activating protein failed to accelerate hydrolysis resulting in prolonged active GTP-bound RAC2. Rac2 +/E62K mice phenocopy the T- and B-cell lymphopenia, increased neutrophil F-actin, and excessive superoxide production seen in patients. This gain-of-function mutation highlights a specific, nonredundant role for RAC2 in hematopoietic cells that discriminates RAC2 from the related, ubiquitous RAC1.

Quantification of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) for newborn screening for SCID has advanced the diagnosis of severe combined immune deficiency (SCID). However, it has led to the identification of infants with T cell lymphopenia without known cause. The clinical characteristics, appropriate laboratory monitoring, and outcomes of patients remain unclear. We performed a retrospective review of clinical and laboratory studies for 26 infants collected from 7 New York State referral centers from 2010 to 2016 with low TRECs (mean, 70copies/μl) and subnormal CD3 counts (mean, 1150/cubicmm). Over time absolute CD3 counts increased in 17 and decreased in 9; 22 (85%) have done well clinically regardless of absolute T cell values. Additional infants with TCL will continue to be identified in newborn screening panels. While most patients seem to do well clinically, parameters for diagnosis and monitoring have yet to be formalized, and additional information needs to be collected, causes and outcomes reported., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

An emerging paradigm for the treatment of primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD) with immunoglobulin (IgG) replacement therapy emphasizes the tailoring of treatments to each patient with the goal of preventing infections and minimizing side effects. Increasing evidence shows that the IgG dose needed to prevent infection varies with each patient, and both intravenous immunoglobulin (IGIV) and subcutaneous immunoglobulin (IGSC) have emerged as feasible modes of delivery. Although IGIV is currently the routine treatment, IGSC is increasingly being chosen as the preferred route of delivery due to greater flexibility and reduced side effects.

Background: As the indications and use of rituximab continue to expand, the reports of long-term effects of anti-CD20--mediated B-cell depletion on the immune system accumulate., Objective: We report a group of patients with immunodeficiency who were treated with rituximab and present their immunologic data., Methods: A retrospective chart review identified patients with immunodeficiency who received rituximab for treatment of their primary disease and required immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT). Pre-IGRT immunoglobulins, specific antibodies, B-cells, and B-cell phenotype were recorded and analyzed., Results: We identified 11 patients with immunodeficiency who received rituximab and required IGRT. Two of these patients were diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency before rituximab treatment. Nine other patients had hypogammaglobulinemia and did not achieve an adequate response to polysaccharide vaccine. There was a significant delay in B-cell recovery. B-cell phenotypes identified predominantly naive B cells in the blood of these patients with significant decrease in switched and memory B cells., Conclusion: There are patients with persistent B-cell dysfunction long after rituximab treatment was discontinued. Some of these patients required IGRT. These patients should be distinguished from patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. Routine baseline B-cell numbers and serum immunoglobulin levels before starting immunomodulatory therapy are required to help distinguish primary immunodeficiency diseases from secondary rituximab-induced, transient, and, at times, prolonged immune suppression. Periodic monitoring is prudent to identify immune recovery. Post-rituximab B-cell phenotyping may help identify the patients who will develop persistent immune dysfunction caused by an unidentified underlying disease or the prolonged effect of rituximab treatment., (Copyright © 2014 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)