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COVID-19 shares the feature of autoantibody production with systemic autoimmune diseases. In order to understand the role of these immune globulins in the pathogenesis of the disease, it is important to explore the autoantibody spectra. Here we show, by a cross-sectional study of 246 individuals, that autoantibodies targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and RAS-related molecules associate with the clinical severity of COVID-19. Patients with moderate and severe disease are characterized by higher autoantibody levels than healthy controls and those with mild COVID-19 disease. Among the anti-GPCR autoantibodies, machine learning classification identifies the chemokine receptor CXCR3 and the RAS-related molecule AGTR1 as targets for antibodies with the strongest association to disease severity. Besides antibody levels, autoantibody network signatures are also changing in patients with intermediate or high disease severity. Although our current and previous studies identify anti-GPCR antibodies as natural components of human biology, their production is deregulated in COVID-19 and their level and pattern alterations might predict COVID-19 disease severity.

Since the 2015 to 2016 outbreak in America, Zika virus (ZIKV) infected almost 900,000 patients. This international public health emergency was mainly associated with a significant increase in the number of newborns with congenital microcephaly and abnormal neurologic development, known as congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). Furthermore, Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), a neuroimmune disorder of adults, has also been associated with ZIKV infection. Currently, the number of ZIKV-infected patients has decreased, and most of the cases recently reported present as a mild and self-limiting febrile illness. However, based on its natural history of a typical example of reemerging pathogen and the lack of specific therapeutic options against ZIKV infection, new outbreaks can occur worldwide, demanding the attention of researchers and government authorities. Here, we discuss the clinical spectrum and immunopathological mechanisms underlying ZIKV-induced neurological manifestations. Several studies have confirmed the tropism of ZIKV for neural progenitor stem cells by demonstrating the presence of ZIKV in the central nervous system (CNS) during fetal development, eliciting a deleterious inflammatory response that compromises neurogenesis and brain formation. Of note, while the neuropathology of CZS can be due to a direct viral neuropathic effect, adults may develop neuroimmune manifestations such as GBS due to poorly understood mechanisms. Antiganglioside autoantibodies have been detected in multiple patients with ZIKV infection–associated GBS, suggesting a molecular mimicry. However, further additional immunopathological mechanisms remain to be uncovered, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T15:20:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-05-24 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Ontario Research Fund Natural Sciences Research Council Canada Foundation for Innovation IBM Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Santander Universidades (Banco Santander Brasil S/A) The fact that the COVID-19 fatality rate varies by sex and age is poorly understood. Notably, the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infections mostly depends on the control of cytokine storm and the increasingly recognized pathological role of uncontrolled neutrophil activation. Here, we used an integrative approach with publicly available RNA-Seq data sets of nasopharyngeal swabs and peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with SARS-CoV-2, according to sex and age. Female and young patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 exhibited a larger number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared with male and elderly patients, indicating a stronger immune modulation. Among them, we found an association between upregulated cytokine/chemokine- and downregulated neutrophil-related DEGs. This was correlated with a closer relationship between female and young subjects, while the relationship between male and elderly patients was closer still. The association between these cytokine/chemokines and neutrophil DEGs is marked by a strongly correlated interferome network. Here, female patients exhibited reduced transcriptional levels of key proinflammatory/neutrophil-related genes, such as CXCL8 receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2), IL-1 beta, S100A9, ITGAM, and DBNL, compared with male patients. These genes are well known to be protective against inflammatory damage. Therefore, our work suggests specific immune-regulatory pathways associated with sex and age of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and provides a possible association between inverse modulation of cytokine/chemokine and neutrophil transcriptional signatures. Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Immunol, Inst Biomed Sci, Lineu Prestes Ave 1730, BR-05508 Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Clin & Toxicol Anal, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Freiburg, Fac Med, Dept Hematol & Oncol, Freiburg, Germany Haraldsplass Deaconess Hosp, Dept Internal Med, Bergen, Norway Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Biosci, Dept Struct & Funct Biol, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Microbiol, Vaccine Dev Lab, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Toronto, Krembil Res Inst, Univ Hlth Network, Toronto, ON, Canada Univ Toronto, Dept Med Biophys, Toronto, ON, Canada Univ Toronto, Dept Comp Sci, Toronto, ON, Canada Univ Washington, Sch Med, Dept Pediat, Seattle, WA 98195 USA Seattle Childrens Res Inst, Seattle, WA USA Universal Sci Educ & Res Network, Network Immun Infect Malignancy & Autoimmun, Sao Paulo, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Biosci, Dept Struct & Funct Biol, Botucatu, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 2017/05264-7 FAPESP: 2018/188869 FAPESP: 2020/01688-0 FAPESP: 2020/07069-0 FAPESP: 2020/07972-1 FAPESP: 2020/09146-1 FAPESP: 13/50343-1 CNPq: 311530/2019-2 Ontario Research Fund: 34876 Natural Sciences Research Council: 203475 Canada Foundation for Innovation: 29272 Canada Foundation for Innovation: 225404 Canada Foundation for Innovation: 33536 CAPES: 001

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:44:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2017-12-15 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Background. Mutations in genes affecting interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) immunity have contributed to understand the role of IFN-gamma in protection against intracellular pathogens. However, inborn errors in STAT4, which controls interleukin-12 (IL-12) responses, have not yet been reported. Our objective was to determine the genetic defect in a family with a history of paracoccidioidomycosis. Methods. Genetic analysis was performed by whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing. STAT4 phosphorylation (pSTAT4) and translocation to the nucleus, IFN-gamma release by patient lymphocytes, and microbicidal activity of patient monocytes/macrophages were assessed. The effect on STAT4 function was evaluated by site-directed mutagenesis using a lymphoblastoid B cell line (B-LCL) and U3A cells. Results. A heterozygous missense mutation, c.1952 A > T (p.E651V) in STAT4 was identified in the index patient and her father. Patient's and father's lymphocytes showed reduced pSTAT4, nuclear translocation, and impaired IFN-gamma production. Mutant B-LCL and U3A cells also displayed reduced pSTAT4. Patient's and father's peripheral blood mononuclear cells and macrophages demonstrated impaired fungicidal activity compared with those from healthy controls that improved in the presence of recombinant human IFN-gamma, but not rhIL-12. Conclusion. Our data suggest autosomal dominant STAT4 deficiency as a novel inborn error of IL-12-dependent IFN-gamma immunity associated with susceptibility to paracoccidioidomycosis. Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Immunol, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Lubeck, Dept Rheumatol & Clin Immunol, Lubeck, Germany Univ Washington, Sch Med, Dept Pediat, Seattle, WA 98195 USA Seattle Childrens Res Inst, Seattle, WA USA Rockefeller Univ, St Giles Lab Human Genet Infect Dis, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10021 USA Sao Paulo State Univ, Botucatu Med Sch, Trop Dis Area, Sao Paulo, Brazil Butantan Inst, Lab Biochem & Biophys, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Human Genome & Stem Cell Res Ctr, Sao Paulo, Brazil Paris Descartes Univ, Imagine Inst, Paris, France Necker Hosp Sick Children, Lab Human Genet Infect Dis, Paris, France Necker Hosp Sick Children, Ctr Study Primary Immunodeficiencies, Paris, France Necker Hosp Sick Children, Pediat Hematol Immunol Unit, Paris, France Rockefeller Univ, Howard Hughes Med Inst, New York, NY 10021 USA Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Trop Med, Sao Paulo, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Botucatu Med Sch, Trop Dis Area, Sao Paulo, Brazil FAPESP: 2011/2507-1 FAPESP: 2/51745-3 FAPESP: 13/50303-0

The interleukin (IL)-12/interferon(IFN)γ axis plays an important role in the control of mycobacterial diseases as demonstrated by the increased susceptibility to mycobacterial species in patients with an inborn error of the IL-12-dependent IFNγ immunity. Here, we report a novel mutation in the IL-12Rβ1 gene in a female Pakistani patient who was born in a consanguineous marriage and developed severe bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) infection and recurrent tuberculosis. After reviewing the patient’s clinical records, she was investigated for IL-12/IFNγ defects using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry, and DNA genetic Sanger sequencing. Quantification of secretory cytokines from the patient’s peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) revealed significantly reduced IFNγ production. Flow cytometric analysis revealed no surface expression of IL-12Rβ1 on PHA-activated T lymphocytes. In addition, IL-12-induced impaired STAT4 phosphorylation in the patient’s lymphocytes when compared with those from five healthy controls. The genetic analysis of IL-12Rβ1 gene identified a novel nonsense mutation c.199G>T/p.E67* within exon 3, which encodes part of the cytokine-binding region (CBR). In silico analysis indicates that this novel nonsense mutation generates a truncated protein with an apparent inactivating effect. Our data expand the genetic spectrum of IL-12Rβ1 deficiency. Moreover, our findings highlight the need for developing newborn screening for patients with primary immunodeficiency associated with mycobacterial infections in areas where BCG vaccination is mandatory in order to improve the treatment of patients, and consequently their quality of life.

Several studies reported a central role of the endothelin type A receptor (ETAR) in tumor progression leading to the formation of metastasis. Here, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of the FDA-approved ETAR antagonist, Ambrisentan, which is currently used to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. In vitro, Ambrisentan inhibited both spontaneous and induced migration/invasion capacity of different tumor cells (COLO-357 metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, OvCar3 ovarian carcinoma, MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma, and HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia). Whole transcriptome analysis using RNAseq indicated Ambrisentan’s inhibitory effects on the whole transcriptome of resting and PAR2-activated COLO-357 cells, which tended to normalize to an unstimulated profile. Finally, in a pre-clinical murine model of metastatic breast cancer, treatment with Ambrisentan was effective in decreasing metastasis into the lungs and liver. Importantly, this was associated with a significant enhancement in animal survival. Taken together, our work suggests a new therapeutic application for Ambrisentan in the treatment of cancer metastasis.

Autoantibodies have been associated with autoimmune diseases. However, studies have identified autoantibodies in healthy donors (HD) who do not develop autoimmune disorders. Here we provide evidence of a network of immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) in HD compared to patients with systemic sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and ovarian cancer. Sex, age and pathological conditions affect autoantibody correlation and hierarchical clustering signatures, yet many of the correlations are shared across all groups, indicating alterations to homeostasis. Furthermore, we identify relationships between autoantibodies targeting structurally and functionally related molecules, such as vascular, neuronal or chemokine receptors. Finally, autoantibodies targeting the endothelin receptor type A (EDNRA) exhibit chemotactic activity, as demonstrated by neutrophil migration toward HD-IgG in an EDNRA-dependent manner and in the direction of IgG from EDNRA-immunized mice. Our data characterizing the in vivo signatures of anti-GPCR autoantibodies thus suggest that they are a physiological part of the immune system., Autoantibodies are implicated in autoimmunity, but may also be present in healthy individuals. Here the authors find that the autoantibody specificity signatures against various G protein-coupled receptors are associated with multiple parameters, including disease states, to imply a physiological function in maintaining immune homeostasis.

Background Patients with X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome caused by CD40 ligand (CD40L) deficiency often present with episodic, cyclic, or chronic neutropenia, suggesting abnormal neutrophil development in the absence of CD40L-CD40 interaction. However, even when not neutropenic and despite immunoglobulin replacement therapy, CD40L-deficient patients are susceptible to life-threatening infections caused by opportunistic pathogens, suggesting impaired phagocyte function and the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Objectives We sought to analyze whether peripheral neutrophils from CD40L-deficient patients display functional defects and to explore the in vitro effects of recombinant human IFN-γ (rhIFN-γ) on neutrophil function. Methods We investigated the microbicidal activity, respiratory burst, and transcriptome profile of neutrophils from CD40L-deficient patients. In addition, we evaluated whether the lack of CD40L in mice also affects neutrophil function. Results Neutrophils from CD40L-deficient patients exhibited defective respiratory burst and microbicidal activity, which were improved in vitro by rhIFN-γ but not soluble CD40L. Moreover, neutrophils from patients showed reduced CD16 protein expression and a dysregulated transcriptome suggestive of impaired differentiation. Similar to CD40L-deficient patients, CD40L knockout mice were found to have impaired neutrophil responses. In parallel, we demonstrated that soluble CD40L induces the promyelocytic cell line HL-60 to proliferate and mature by regulating the expression of genes of the same Gene Ontology categories (eg, cell differentiation) when compared with those dysregulated in peripheral blood neutrophils from CD40L-deficient patients. Conclusion Our data suggest a nonredundant role of CD40L-CD40 interaction in neutrophil development and function that could be improved in vitro by rhIFN-γ, indicating a potential novel therapeutic application for this cytokine.

Hyper-IgM (HIGM) syndrome is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by normal or elevated serum IgM levels associated with absent or decreased IgG, IgA and IgE. Here we summarize data from the HIGM syndrome Registry of the Latin American Society for Immunodeficiencies (LASID). Of the 58 patients from 51 families reported to the registry with the clinical phenotype of HIGM syndrome, molecular defects were identified in 37 patients thus far. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, immunological and molecular data from these 37 patients. CD40 ligand (CD40L) deficiency was found in 35 patients from 25 families and activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) deficiency in 2 unrelated patients. Five previously unreported mutations were identified in the CD40L gene (CD40LG). Respiratory tract infections, mainly pneumonia, were the most frequent clinical manifestation. Previously undescribed fungal and opportunistic infections were observed in CD40L-deficient patients but not in the two patients with AID deficiency. These include the first cases of pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens orAspergillus sp. and diarrhea caused by Microsporidium sp. or Isospora belli. Except for four CD40L-deficient patients who died from complications of presumptive central nervous system infections or sepsis, all patients reported in this study are alive. Four CD40L-deficient patients underwent successful bone marrow transplantation. This report characterizes the clinical and genetic spectrum of HIGM syndrome in Latin America and expands the understanding of the genotype and phenotype of this syndrome in tropical areas. Fil: Cabral Marques, Otavio. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Klaver, Stefanie. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Schimke, Lena F. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Ascendino, Évelyn H. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Khan, Taj Ali. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Pereira, Paulo Vítor Soeiro. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Falcai, Angela. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Vargas Hernández, Alexander. Instituto Politécnico de México; México Fil: Santos-Argumedo, Leopoldo. Instituto Politécnico de México; México Fil: Bezrodnik, Liliana. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños ; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Moreira, Ileana. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños ; Argentina Fil: Seminario, Gisela. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños ; Argentina Fil: Di Giovanni, Daniela. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños ; Argentina Fil: Raccio, Andrea Gómez. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños ; Argentina Fil: Porras, Oscar. Hospital Nacional de Niños, “Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera”; Costa Rica Fil: Weber, Cristina Worm. Pediatric Allergy & Immunology Clinic; Brasil Fil: Ferreira, Janaíra Fernandes. Albert Sabin Hospital; Brasil Fil: Tavares, Fabiola Scancetti. Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal; Brasil Fil: de Carvalho, Elisa. Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal; Brasil Fil: Valente, Claudia França Cavalcante. Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal; Brasil Fil: Kuntze, Gisele. Integrated Center of Pediatric Specialties; Brasil Fil: Galicchio, Miguel. Hospital de Niños ; Argentina Fil: King, Alejandra. Hospital ; Chile Fil: Rosário Filho, Nelson Augusto. Universidade Federal do Paraná; Brasil Fil: Grota, Milena Baptistella. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: dos Santos Vilela, Maria Marluce. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: Di Gesu, Regina Sumiko Watanabe. Conceição Children’s Hospital; Brasil Fil: Lima, Simone. Childrens Hospital ; Brasil Fil: de Souza Moura, Leiva. Childrens Hospital ; Brasil Fil: Talesnik, Eduardo. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile Fil: Mansour, Eli. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: Roxo Junior, Pérsio. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Aldave, Juan Carlos. Hospital Nacional ; Perú Fil: Goudouris, Ekaterine. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil Fil: Pinto Mariz, Fernanda. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil Fil: Berrón Ruiz, Laura. Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; México Fil: Staines Boone, Tamara. Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad #25; México Fil: Calderón, Wilmer O. Córdova. Clínica Montefiori; Perú Fil: del Carmen Zarate Hernández, María. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León; México Fil: Grumach, Anete S.. Universidade Federal do ABC; Brasil Fil: Sorensen, Ricardo. Children’s Hospital of New Orleans; Estados Unidos Fil: Durandy, Anne. Inserm; Francia Fil: Torgerson, Troy R.. University of Washington; Estados Unidos Fil: Carvalho, Beatriz Tavares Costa. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Espinosa Rosales, Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; México Fil: Ochs, Hans D.. University of Washington; Estados Unidos Fil: Condino Neto, Antonio. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil

Background Hyper-IgE syndromes (HIES) are primary immunodeficiency disorders characterized by Staphylococcus aureus abscesses, recurrent pneumonia, increased serum IgE levels, and eczema. The association of heterozygous signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mutations with autosomal dominant (AD)–HIES allows the differentiation of AD-HIES from disorders associated with eczema and increased serum IgE levels, such as other primary immunodeficiencies and atopic dermatitis. Objective To facilitate early diagnosis of AD-HIES to initiate appropriate therapy. Methods The clinical phenotype (suggested by a National Institutes of Health [NIH] score of ≥40 points), STAT3 genotype, and T H 17 cell counts were compared in a cohort of 78 patients suspected of having HIES. Results Heterozygous STAT3 missense mutations and in-frame deletions were identified in 48 patients, all but 2 with an NIH score ≥40 points. Patients with STAT3 mutations with HIES showed significantly lower T H 17 cell counts compared with patients with wild-type STAT3 and control subjects. Only 1 patient with wild-type STAT3 had both an NIH score ≥40 points and abnormal T H 17 cell counts (≤0.2% of CD4 + cells), with this exception being identified with a homozygous dedicator of cytogenesis 8 protein (DOCK8) mutation. Pathologic shedding of primary teeth was present in 3 patients with wild-type STAT3 and 33 patients with STAT3 mutations. Internal abscesses and severe infections were exclusively seen in patients with STAT3 mutations, who also had increased pneumatocele formation and skeletal or connective tissue manifestations compared with patients with wild-type STAT3 . Conclusion We expanded the number of STAT3 mutations and validated that the NIH score sensitively identifies patients with HIES. Based on our patient cohort, we propose key findings that, when combined with T H 17 cell numbers, predict patients with AD-HIES with STAT3 mutations, supporting early diagnosis of AD-HIES.

Background Hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES) is a rare, autosomal-dominant immunodeficiency characterized by eczema, Staphylococcus aureus skin abscesses, pneumonia with pneumatocele formation, Candida infections, and skeletal/connective tissue abnormalities. Recently it was shown that heterozygous signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mutations cause autosomal-dominant HIES. Objective To determine the spectrum and functional consequences of heterozygous STAT3 mutations in a cohort of patients with HIES. Methods We sequenced the STAT3 gene in 38 patients with HIES (National Institutes of Health score >40 points) from 35 families, quantified T H 17 cells in peripheral blood, and evaluated tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3. Results Most STAT3 mutations in our cohort were in the DNA-binding domain (DBD; 22/35 families) or Src homology 2 (SH2) domain (10/35) and were missense mutations. We identified 2 intronic mutations resulting in exon skipping and in-frame deletions within the DBD. In addition, we identified 2 mutations located in the transactivation domain downstream of the SH2 domain: a 10–amino acid deletion and an amino acid substitution. In 1 patient, we were unable to identify a STAT3 mutation. T H 17 cells were absent or low in the peripheral blood of all patients who were evaluated (n = 17). IL-6–induced STAT3-phosphorylation was consistently reduced in patients with SH2 domain mutations but comparable to normal controls in patients with mutations in the DBD. Conclusion Heterozygous STAT3 mutations were identified in 34 of 35 unrelated HIES families. Patients had impaired T H 17 cell development, and those with SH2 domain mutations had reduced STAT3 phosphorylation.