Antibody Pattern: Correlation of Age and Gender in ANA and Anti-ds-DNA Prevalence

The study was designed to find the prevalence of ANA antibodies and anti-dsDNA antibodies in samples tested at AFIP Rawalpindi and their correlation with age and gender and to find positive and negative predictive values of ANA antibodies.For this purpose,twelve thousand nine hundred sixty-seven(12,967)patients were analyzed for ANA with four hundred sixty-eight(468)healthy samples tested as control and four thousand seven hundred three(4,703)patients tested for ds-DNA antibodies.Retrospective data of all samples tested by indirect immunofluorescence(IF)for ANA antibodies and dsDNA antibodies was collected.To address positive and negative predictive values another control group(autoimmunity not suspected)of serum samples was taken from the healthy population.For the first group,age,gender,ANA antibodies and ds-DNA antibodies results(both tests performed by IIF)data was collected from a computer record cell;for the second control group,ANA antibodies were performed by IIF.12,967 and 4,703 samples(Group 1)were tested for ANA antibodies and dsDNA antibodies,respectively,during this period.1,119(9%)and 99(2%)were found positive for ANA antibodies and ds DNA antibodies.Among these positive samples,850(76%)and 73(74%)were females respectively.Gender predisposition towards autoimmunity(ANA)was found significant with a P value of(P=0.001).Relation of age was also found significant with anti-ANA antibodies with a P value of(P=0.001).This study shows a negative correlation between age(P=0.025)and gender(P=0.001)with anti-dsDNA which is also significant.High prevalence was found below the mean age of 38 years(SD±16.635)for ANA antibodies and the mean age of 35 years(SD±15.066)for ds-DNA antibodies.The age of ANA antibodies and dsDNA antibodies positive patients ranged from 1 year old to 98 years old and 2 years old to 95 years old respectively.In the second(autoimmunity-free)control group,a total of 468 samples were tested for ANA antibodies and 9(2%)were found positive.Positive predictive value(PPV)was 8.6%and negative predictive value(NPV)was 98%.ANA is a sensitive test for autoimmunity and it is significantly related to female gender and increasing age.The low prevalence of ANA antibodies among clinically suspected cases suggests that rationalization of test prescriptions is needed.Anti-ds-DNA is also a sensitive test for diagnosis of SLE and it is significantly related to female gender and increasing age.

Contribution of Anti-p63 Antibodies in the Interpretation of Benign Label Prostatic Biopsies

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. The diagnosis is most often based on the prostate biopsies’ analysis and on histological criteria recognizable on standard coloring. In some cases, the use of immunohistochemistry is important. Objectives: This paper aims to specify the p63 phenotypic profile of lesions diagnosed benign, with minimal suspect foci, difficult to interpret, HGPIN (high grade intraepithelial neoplasia) and LGPIN (low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia) and evaluate the manual technique of p63 immunohistochemistry. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective, descriptive study of prostate biopsies recorded in the PAC service of the HALD from January 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2018. It was completed by a manual immunohistochemical study of the blocks enrolled from November 19th to December 4th, 2020 in the PAC department of the HPD. The studied parameters were: registry number, age, clinical stage, prostate volume, PSA level, microscopic appearance and p63 immunohistochemical profile. Results: Our study included 60 prostate biopsies. The ages of our patients varied from 45 to 77 years, with an average of 64.2 years and a standard deviation of 6.2. The majority of patients were at clinical stage cT2b (33%) with a prostate volume varying between 33.15 and 169.4 cc. The minimum value of PSA in our series is 5 ng/ml, the maximum being 100 ng/ml with an average level of 24.1 ng/ml and a standard deviation of 21.2. Our series included 50 adenomyomatous hyperplasias, 7 adenomyomatous hyperplasias associated with chronic prostatitis, 2 HGPIN and 1 LGPIN. After re-reading we found 5 discordant cases, which corresponded to minimal suspect foci (kappa = 0.5098). The p63 marking was informative in 53 cases, i.e. 88%, and non-informative in 7 cases, i.e. 12%. Among the uninformative markings, 2 were due to lack of tissue adhesion to the slides. Among the informative markings, 11 were negative. p63 immunohistochemistry was useful in all suspected foci and detected 6 other minimal foci of adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: The immunostaining with the anti-p63 antibody in the prostate cancer diagnosis is of considerable benefit. It made it possible to correct 11.3% of benign diagnosis in minimal malignant focus in our context. Despite the difficulties associated with the manual technique, it is possible to have an informative rate, similar to the automatic technique.

联合检测ANuA、Anti-ds-DNA、anti-P和Anti-sm在SLE伴肾损害患者中的诊断价值

目的 探究抗核小体(ANuA)、抗双链DNA(Anti-ds-DNA)、抗核糖体P蛋白(anti-P)和抗Sm抗体(Anti-sm)联合检测在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)伴肾损害患者中的诊断价值。方法 选取2019年1月至2022年4月黄山市人民医院收治的SLE患者163例为研究对象,根据患者是否合并肾损害分为SLE组(n=55)与SLE伴肾损害组(n=108)。收集两组患者血清进行ANuA、Anti-ds-DNA、anti-P和Anti-sm检测,比较两组上述抗体单一及联合检测的阳性率,并绘制ROC曲线分析上述抗体指标对SLE伴肾损害的诊断价值。结果 SLE组Anti-ds-DNA、Anti-sm抗体单一及联合检测阳性率均高于SLE伴肾损害组,差异均具有统计学意义(χ^(2)=18.360、10.513、8.010,P<0.05);SLE组ANuA、anti-P检测阳性率均低于SLE伴肾损害组,差异均具有统计学意义(χ^(2)=7.094、4.281,P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,ANuA(β=2.284,OR=9.816)、Anti-ds-DNA(β=0.749,OR=2.115)、anti-P(β=1.386,OR=3.999)和Anti-sm(β=0.475,OR=1.608)是SLE伴肾损害的独立影响因素(P<0.05)。ROC曲线显示,ANuA、Anti-ds-DNA、anti-P和Anti-sm四者联合检测时,预测SLE伴肾损害的AUC为0.911,敏感性、特异性分别为89.0%、92.6%,优于单一检测(P<0.05)。结论 ANuA、Anti-ds-DNA、anti-P和Anti-sm都与SLE伴肾损害有关,联合检测ANuA、Anti-ds-DNA、anti-P和Anti-sm对于提高SLE伴肾损害的诊断准确性具有重要价值。

Waning of Anti-Spike IgG Antibody Titer after COVID-19 Vaccination: Myth or Reality?

This observational prospective study was conducted on 25 patients who had received a full 3-dose COVID-19 vaccination scheme with a follow-up ranging from 12 to 19 months after the last injection. The aim of the study was focused on a single biological indicator the anti-spike IgG antibody titer. The age of the patients ranged from 51 to 85 years old. 15 out 25 patients (60%) presented a comorbidity. Our data showed a persistent positive anti-spike IgG antibodies titer ranging from 105 to 5680 BAU/mL (mean: 2661 BAU/mL) in all patients. In view of these results, systematic administration of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster is questionable and should be individually tailored according to the patient medical condition and the anti-spike IgG antibody level.

血清anti-β2GPI、FSTL1、PD-1对系统性红斑狼疮免疫功能、疾病活动度的影响

目的探究血清抗β2糖蛋白I抗体(anti-β2GPI)、卵泡抑素样蛋白(FSTL1)、程序性死亡受体1(PD-1)对系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者免疫功能、疾病活动度的影响。方法选取我院2019年1月~2022年6月SLE患者113例作为观察组,另选取同期健康体检者105例作为对照组。比较两组、不同疾病活动度患者血清anti-β2GPI、FSTL1、PD-1水平,评价各血清指标与疾病活动度的关系,并根据观察组血清表达水平分为高表达者、低表达者,对比两者免疫功能(CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+),分析各血清指标与免疫功能相关性。结果观察组血清anti-β2GPI、FSTL1、PD-1高于对照组(P<0.05);血清anti-β2GPI、FSTL1、PD-1高表达患者CD4+、CD4+/CD8+低于低表达患者,CD8+高于低表达患者(P<0.05);血清anti-β2GPI、FSTL1、PD-1与CD4+、CD4+/CD8+呈负相关,与CD8+呈正相关(P<0.05);血清anti-β2GPI、FSTL1、PD-1水平随疾病活动度增加呈升高趋势,且重度活动患者>中度活动患者>轻度活动患者>病情稳定患者(P<0.05);血清anti-β2GPI、FSTL1、PD-1与疾病活动度显著相关(P<0.05)。结论血清anti-β2GPI、FSTL1、PD-1高表达可能参与SLE患者细胞免疫功能紊乱、疾病活动度加重的发生过程。

Purification and Bioassay of Mouse β NGF Antibody

Anti β NGF antiserum was prepared by immunizing rabbits with purified mouse β NGF. It presented immunopositivity to β NGF on Western blot, resulting in a single band approximately at the molecular weight of 14 kDa. The antiserum was further purified into anti β NGF IgG by affinity chromatography. Chicken embryonic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were cultured to test the biological activities of β NGF and its antibody.

Primary biliary cirrhosis:What do autoantibodies tell us?

Primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) is a chronic,progressive,cholestatic,organ-specific autoimmune disease of unknown etiology.It predominantly affects middle-aged women,and is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of small-and medium-size intrahepatic bile ducts,portal inflammation and progressive scarring,which without proper treatment can ultimately lead to fibrosis and hepatic failure.Serum autoantibodies are crucial tools for differential diagnosis of PBC.While it is currently accepted that antimitochondrial antibodies are the most important serological markers of PBC,during the last five decades more than sixty autoantibodies have been explored in these patients,some of which had previously been thought to be specific for other autoimmune diseases.

Peri-nuclear antibodies correlate with survival in Greek primary biliary cirrhosis patients

AIM:To investigate possible associations of anti-nuclear envelope antibody(ANEA)with disease severity and survival in Greek primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC)patients.METHODS:Serum samples were collected at diagnosis from 147 PBC patients(85%female),who were followed-up for a median 89.5 mo(range 1-240).ANEA were detected with indirect immunofluorescence on 1% formaldehyde fixed Hep2 cells,and anti-gp210 antibodies were detected using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Findings were correlated with clinical data,histology,and survival.RESULTS:ANEA were detected in 69/147(46.9%) patients and 31/147(21%)were also anti-gp210 positive.The ANEA positive patients were at a more advanced histological stage(Ⅰ-Ⅱ/Ⅲ-Ⅳ56.5%/43.5% vs 74.4%/25.6%,P=0.005)compared to the ANEA negative ones.They had a higher antimitochondrial antibodies(AMA)titer(≤1:160/>1:160 50.7%/49.3%vs 71.8%/28.2%,P=0.001)and a lower survival time(91.7 ±50.7 mo vs 101.8±55 mo,P=0.043).Moreover,they had more advanced fibrosis,portal inflammation,interface hepatitis,and proliferation of bile ductules(P =0.008,P=0.008,P=0.019,and P=0.027,respectively).They also died more frequently of hepatic failure and/or hepatocellular carcinoma(P=0.016).ANEA positive,anti-gp210 positive patients had a difference in stage(Ⅰ-Ⅱ/Ⅲ-Ⅳ54.8%/45.2%vs 74.4%/25.6%,P= 0.006),AMA titer(≤1:160/>1:160 51.6%/48.4%vs 71.8%/28.2%,P=0.009),survival(91.1±52.9 mo vs 101.8±55 mo,P=0.009),and Mayo risk score(5.5 ±1.9 vs 5.04±1.3,P=0.04)compared to the ANEA negative patients.ANEA positive,anti-gp210 negative patients had a difference in AMA titer(≤1:160/>1:160 50%/50%vs 71.8%/28.2%,P=0.002),stage(Ⅰ-Ⅱ/Ⅲ -Ⅳ57.9%/42.1%vs 74.4%/25.6%,P=0.033),fibrosis(P=0.009),portal inflammation(P=0.018),interface hepatitis(P=0.032),and proliferation of bile ductules(P=0.031).Anti-gp210 positive patients had a worse Mayo risk score(5.5±1.9 vs 4.9±1.7,P=0.038)than the anti-gp210 negative ones.CONCLUSION:The presence of ANEA and anti-gp210 identifies a subgroup of PBC patients with advanced disease severity and poor prognosis.

Impact of preformed donor-specific antibodies against HLA class Ⅰ on kidney graft outcomes:Comparative analysis of exclusively anti-Cw vs anti-A and/or-B antibodies

AIM To analyze the clinical impact of preformed antiH LA-Cw vs antiH LA-A and/or-B donor-specific antibodies(DSA) in kidney transplantation.METHODS Retrospective study, comparing 12 patients transplanted with DSA exclusively antiH LA-Cw with 23 patients with preformed DSA antiH LA-A and/or B.RESULTS One year after transplantation there were no differencesin terms of acute rejection between the two groups(3 and 6 cases, respectively in the DSA-Cw and the DSA-A-B groups; P = 1). At one year, eG FR was not significantly different between groups(median 59 mL /min in DSA-Cw group, compared to median 51 mL /min in DSA-A-B group, P = 0.192). Moreover, kidney graft survival was similar between groups at 5-years(100% in DSA-Cw group vs 91% in DSA-A-B group, P = 0.528). The sole independent predictor of antibody mediated rejection(AMR) incidence was DSA strength(HR = 1.07 per 1000 increase in MFI, P = 0.034). AMR was associated with shortened graft survival at 5-years, with 75% and 100% grafts surviving in patients with or without AMR, respectively(Log-rank P = 0.005).CONCLUSION Our data indicate that DSA-Cw are associated with an identical risk of AMR and impact on graft function in comparison with "classical" class I DSA.

Autoimmune liver disease-related autoantibodies in patients with biliary atresia

AIM To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of autoimmune liver disease(ALD)-related autoantibodies in patients with biliary atresia(BA).METHODS Sera of 124 BA patients and 140 age-matched non-BA controls were assayed for detection of the following autoantibodies: ALD profile and specific anti-nuclear antibodies(ANAs), by line-blot assay; ANA and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA), by indirect immunofluorescence assay; specific ANCAs and antiM2-3 E, by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Associations of these autoantibodies with the clinical features of BA(i.e., cytomegalovirus infection, degree of liver fibrosis, and short-term prognosis of Kasai procedure) were evaluated by Spearman's correlation coefficient.RESULTS The overall positive rate of serum autoantibodies in preoperative BA patients was 56.5%. ALD profile assay showed that the positive reaction to primary biliary cholangitis-related autoantibodies in BA patients was higher than that to autoimmune hepatitis-related autoantibodies. Among these autoantibodies, anti-BPO was detected more frequently in the BA patients than in the controls(14.8% vs 2.2%, P < 0.05). Accordingly, 32(25.8%) of the 124 BA patients also showed a high positive reaction for anti-M2-3 E. By comparison, the controls had a remarkably lower frequency of anti-M2-3 E(P < 0.05), with 6/92(8.6%) of patients with other liver diseases and 2/48(4.2%) of healthy controls. The prevalence of ANA in BA patients was 11.3%, which was higher than that in disease controls(3.3%, P < 0.05), but the reactivity to specific ANAs was only 8.2%. The prevalence of ANCAs(ANCA or specific ANCAs) in BA patients was also remarkably higher than that in the healthy controls(37.9% vs 6.3%, P < 0.05), but showed no difference from that in patients with other cholestasis. ANCA positivity was closely associated with the occurrence of postoperative cholangitis(r = 0.61, P < 0.05), whereas none of the autoantibodies showed a correlation to cytomegalovirus infection or the stages of liver fibrosis.CONCLUSION High prevalence of autoantibodies in the BA developmental process strongly reveals the autoimmunemediated pathogenesis. Serological ANCA positivity may be a useful predictive biomarker of postoperative cholangitis.

Anti-pancreatic antibody in Turkish patients with inflammatory bowel disease and first-degree relatives

AIM: To identify the role of anti-pancreatic antibody (PAB) in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) among Turkish patients, and its frequency in firstdegree relatives.METHODS: PAB and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCA) were examined in serum samples of 214 subjects including patients with Crohn's disease (CD, n = 64), ulcerative colitis (UC, n = 63), first-degree relatives of patients with CD (n = 25), first-degree relatives of patients with UC (n = 28),and a control group with gastrointestinal symptoms other than (IBD) (n = 34) by indirect immunofluorescence Positivity of PAB and ASCA was compared in terms of Vienna classification, disease activity and medications used.RESULTS: In terms of PAB positivity, no difference was found between patients with CD (14.1%) and UC (7.9%) however, significant difference was observed between patients with CD and subjects in the control group (P < 0.05). No difference was found between patients with CD and their relatives in terms of ASCA positivity, whereas a significant difference was found between other groups (P < 0.001). Compared to ASCA, the sensitivity of the PAB was 19% (7/37), its specificity was 93% (25/27), positive predictive value was 77% (7/9) and negative predictive value was 45% (25/55). ASCA was found with significantly higher prevalence in patients with CD activity index > 150 (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: PAB is valuable in the diagnosis of IBD rather than CD, but cannot be used alone for diagnostic purposes. PAB is not superior to ASCA in CD diagnosis and in detecting CD among relatives of patients with CD.

Effect of Anti-Cardiac Myosin Antibody on Prognosis of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Summary: To study whether there was an anti-cardiac myosin antibody (AMA) in serum of pa- tients with myocardial infarction (AMI), relationship between AMA and the prognosis in patients with AMI was investigated. In 67 patients with acute AMI, AMA was assayed by ELISA and left ventricular structure and cardiac function were examined by echocardiography at the end of the first week after infarction and during a 6-month follow-up. The patients with AMI were divided into AMA-positive group and AMA-negative group. The parameters of left ventricular end-dias- tolic function and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results showed that the AMA was positive in 18 patients with AMI, with a positive rate of 26. 87 %, while it was negative in 20 health donors. The locations of myocardial infarction in the two groups were similar. There were significant differences in Killip class I (22. 22 % vs 55. 10 %, P<0. 05), decreasing of wall motion and ventricular aneurysm (92. 85 % vs 37. 5 %, P<0.01) between the positive group and the negative group. During a 6-month follow-up, the mortality was higher in AMA positive group than in AMA negative group (38. 89% vs 10. 20 %, P<0. 05). It is concluded that AMA can be detected in serum of patients with AMI and can serve as an important autoimmune marker. The autoimmune response might take place in AMI. AMA was associated with the left ventricular re- modeling and the prognosis of AMI.

Clinical utility of anti-p53 auto-antibody: Systematic review and focus on colorectal cancer

Mutation of the p53 gene is a key event in the carcinogenesis of many different types of tumours. These can occur throughout the length of the p53 gene. Anti-p53 auto-antibodies are commonly produced in response to these p53 mutations. This review firstly describes the various mechanisms of p53 dysfunction and their association with subsequent carcinogenesis. Following this, the mechanisms of induction of anti-p53 auto-antibody production are shown, with various hypotheses for the discrepancies between the presence of p53 mutation and the presence/absence of anti-p53 auto-antibodies. A systematic review was performed with a descriptive summary of key findings of each anti-p53 auto-antibody study in all cancers published in the last 30 years. Using this, the cumulative frequency of anti-p53 autoantibody in each cancer type is calculated and then compared with the incidence of p53 mutation in each cancer to provide the largest sample calculation and correlation between mutation and anti-p53 auto-antibody published to date. Finally, the review focuses onthe data of anti-p53 auto-antibody in colorectal cancer studies, and discusses future strategies including the potentially promising role using anti-p53 auto-antibody presence in screening and surveillance.

Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy of pancreatic cancer using an indocyanine green-labeled anti-tissue factor antibody

AIM To investigate near-infrared photoimmunotherapeutic effect mediated by an anti-tissue factor(TF) antibody conjugated to indocyanine green(ICG) in a pancreatic cancer model.METHODS Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy(NIR-PIT) is a highly selective tumor treatment that utilizes an antibody-photosensitizer conjugate administration, followed by NIR light exposure. Anti-TF antibody 1849-ICG conjugate was synthesized by labeling of rat IgG2 b anti-TF monoclonal antibody 1849(anti-TF 1849) to a NIR photosensitizer,ICG. The expression levels of TF in two human pancreatic cancer cell lines were examined by western blotting. Specific binding of the 1849-ICG to TF-expressing BxPC-3 cells was examined by fluorescence microscopy. NIR-PITinduced cell death was determined by cell viability imaging assay. In vivo longitudinal fluorescence imaging was used to explore the accumulation of 1849-ICG conjugate in xenograft tumors. To examine the effect of NIRPIT, tumor-bearing mice were separated into 5 groups:(1) 100 μg of 1849-ICG i.v. administration followed by NIR light exposure(50 J/cm2) on two consecutive days(Days 1 and 2);(2) NIR light exposure(50 J/cm2) only on two consecutive days(Days 1 and 2);(3) 100 μg of 1849-ICG i.v. administration;(4) 100 μg of unlabeled antiTF 1849 i.v. administration; and(5) the untreated control. Semiweekly tumor volume measurements, accompanied with histological and immunohistochemical(IHC) analyses of tumors, were performed 3 d after the 2nd irradiation with NIR light to monitor the effect of treatments. RESULTS High TF expression in BxPC-3 cells was observed via western blot analysis, concordant with the observed preferential binding with intracellular localization of 1849-ICG via fluorescence microscopy. NIR-PIT-induced cell death was observed by performing cell viability imaging assay. In contrast to the other test groups, tumor growth was significantly inhibited by NIR-PIT with a statistically significant difference in relative tumor volumes for 27 d after the treatment start date [2.83 ± 0.38(NIR-PIT) vs 5.42 ± 1.61(Untreated), vs 4.90 ± 0.87(NIR), vs 4.28 ±1.87(1849-ICG), vs 4.35 ± 1.42(anti-TF 1849), at Day 27, P < 0.05]. Tumors that received NIR-PIT showed evidence of necrotic cell death-associated features upon hematoxylin-eosin staining accompanied by a decrease in Ki-67-positive cells(a cell proliferation marker) by IHC examination.CONCLUSION The TF-targeted NIR-PIT with the 1849-ICG conjugate can potentially open a new platform for treatment of TF-expressing pancreatic cancer.

Effect of Anti-KDR Antibody on the Proliferation of Hemangioma Vascular Endothelial Cells in vitro

The suppressive effect of anti-KDR antibody against VEGF on proliferation of hemangioma-derived vascular endothelial cells （HVECs） was investigated. HVECs from one case of hemangioma in proliferative phase were cultured. Both primary culture and sub-culture were conducted in M199 medium. The HVECs of passage 3 were divided into 4 groups based on the concentrations of anti-KDR antibody. Cell count was performed and inhibitory rate of HVECs was measured before and 9 days after interference. The results showed that the number of HVECs in the anti-KDR anti- body-treated groups was significantly decreased and the inhibitory rate of HVECs by anti-KDR antibody （50, 10 and 2 μg/mL） was 84%, 63% and 39% respectively at 9th day after interference, with the difference being significant. In the control group, the number of HVECs was increased significantly. In was concluded that the anti-KDR antibody could suppress the activity of VEGF through blocking the KDR, indicating the potential clinical applications of anti-KDR antibody in the treatment of hemangioma.

Prevalence, significance and predictive value of antiphospholipid antibodies in Crohn's disease

AIM: To assess the prevalence and stability of different antiphospholipid antibodies(APLAs) and their association with disease phenotype and progression in inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD) patients.METHODS: About 458 consecutive patients [Crohn's disease(CD): 271 and ulcerative colitis(UC): 187] were enrolled into a follow-up cohort study in a tertiary IBD referral center in Hungary. Detailed clinical phenotypes were determined at enrollment by reviewing the patients' medical charts. Disease activity, medical treatment and data about evolvement of complications or surgical interventions were determined prospectively during the follow-up. Disease course(development f complicated disease phenotype and need for surgery),occurrence of thrombotic events, actual state of diseaseactivity according to clinical, laboratory and endoscopic scores and accurate treatment regime were recorded during the follow-up,(median, 57.4 and 61.6 mo for CD and UC). Sera of IBD patients and 103 healthy controls(HC) were tested on individual anti-β2-Glycoprotein-I(anti-β2-GPI IgA/M/G), anti-cardiolipin(ACA IgA/M/G)and anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin(anti-PS/PT IgA/M/G) antibodies and also anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies(ASCA IgA/G) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). In a subgroup of CD(n = 198) and UC patients(n = 103), obtaining consecutive samples over various arbitrary timepoints during the disease course, we evaluated the intraindividual stability of the APLA status. Additionally,we provide an overview of studies, performed so far, in which significance of APLAs in IBD were assessed.RESULTS: Patients with CD had significantly higher prevalence of both ACA(23.4%) and anti-PS/PT(20.4%) antibodies than UC(4.8%, p < 0.0001 and10.2%, p = 0.004) and HC(2.9%, p < 0.0001 and15.5%, p = NS). No difference was found for the prevalence of anti-β2-GPI between different groups(7.2%-9.7%). In CD, no association was found between APLA and ASCA status of the patients.Occurrence of anti-β2-GPI, ACA and anti-PS/PT was not different between the group of patients with active vs inactive disease state according to appropriate clinical, laboratory and endoscopic scores in CD as well as in UC patients. All subtypes of anti-β2-GPI and ACA IgM status were found to be very stable over time, in contrast ACA IgG and even more ACA IgA status showed significant intraindividual changes.Changes in antibody status were more remarkable in CD than UC(ACA IgA: 49.9% vs 23.3% and ACA IgG:21.2% vs 5.8%). Interestingly, 59.1% and 30.1% of CD patients who received anti-TNF therapy showed significant negative to positive changes in ACA IgA and IgG antibody status respectively. APLA status was not associated with the clinical phenotype at diagnosis or during follow-up, medical therapy, or thrombotic events and it was not associated with the probability of developing complicated disease phenotype or surgery in a Kaplan-Meier analysis.CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated enhanced formation of APLAs in CD patients. However,presence of different APLAs were not associated with the clinical phenotype or disease course.

Anti-P-selectin lectin-EGF domain monoclonal antibody inhibits the maturation of human immature dendritic cells

Dendritic cells(DCs) are professinal antigen-presenting cells with the ability to initiate primary Tcell responses. While it iswell known that inflammatory stimuli induce the functional maturation of immature DCs, whether adhesion molecule selectins regulate DCmaturation is poorly understood. Using anti-P-selectin lectin-EGF domain monoclonal antibody (PsL-EGFmAb) that blocks the adhesionof P-, E-, and L-selectin, we demonstrate herein that selectins play important role in stimulating functional maturation of immature DCs.Immature DCs are generated from human cord blood CD34+hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells that were cultured in the presence of stemcell factor, Fms-like tyrosine-kinase-3 ligand, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, and transform growth factor-β1. Whenstimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), immature DCs differentiated into mature DCs, producing increased levels of costim-ulatory molecules and interleukin (IL)-12 and obtaining the ability to potently activate naive Tcells. Interestingly, in contrast to matureDCs derived from TNF-α-induced immature DC cultures without PsL-EGFmAb, immature DCs treated with PsL-EGFmAb for7 days werecompletely blocked their maturation, as evidenced by decreased expression of costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, and CD83, inhibi-ted production of IL-12, and inability to activate naive Tcellsin vitro. Thus, blockade of selectins using PsL-EGFmAb will prove to bea valuable tool for the study of the molecuar mechanisms of DC maturation, as well as for the prevention and treatment of DC-mediated au-toimmunity.

Phase I study of chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody in Chinese patients with CD20-positive non-Hodgkin＇s lymphoma

Objective： This study was designed to determine the safety, pharmacokinetics and biologic effects of a humanmouse chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody （SCT400） in Chinese padents with CD20-positive B-cell non- Hodgkin＇s lymphoma （CD20 B-cell NHL）. SCT400 has an identical amino acid sequence as rituximab, with the exception of one amino acid in the CH1 domain of the heavy chain, which is common in Asians. Methods： Fifteen patients with CD20＋ B-cell NHL received dose-escalating SCT400 infusions （250 mg/m2： n=3; 375 mg/m2： n=9; 500 mg/m2： n=3） once weekly for 4 consecutive weeks with a 24-week follow-up period. The data of all patients were collected for pharmacoklnetics and pharmacodynamics analyses. Results： No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Most drug-related adverse events were grade 1 or 2. Two patients had grade 3 or 4 ncutropenia. Under premedication, the drug-related infusion reaction was mild. A rapid, profound and durable depletion of circulating B cells was observed in all dose groups without significant effects on T cell count, natural killer （NK） cell count or immunoglobulin levels. No patient developed anti- SCT400 antibodies during the course of the study. SCT400 serum half-life （Tin）, maximum concentration （Cmax and area under the curve （AUC） generally increased between the first and fourth infusions （P〈0.05）. At the 375 mg/m2 dose, the T1/2 was 122.5±46.7 h vs. 197.0,75.0 11, respectively, and the Cmax was 200.6±20.2 pg/mL vs. 339.1±71.0 ng/mL, respectively. From 250 mg/m2 to 500 mg/m2, the Cmax and AUC increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner （P〈0.05）. Patients with a high tumor burden had markedly lower serum SCT400 concenmations compared with those without or with a low tumor burden. Of the 9 assessable patients, 1 achieved complete response and 2 achieved partial responses. Conclusions; SCT400 is well-tolerated and has encouraging preliminary efficacy in Chinese patients with CD20＋ B-cell NHL.

High prevalence of hepatitis B-antibody loss and a case report of de novo hepatitis B virus infection in a child after living-donor liver transplantation

AIM To assess the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus(HBV) immunity among previously vaccinated pediatric liver transplant recipients and present a case report of de novo hepatitis B infection after liver transplantation.METHODS This study focused on children with chronic liver diseases who received primary hepatitis B immunization and had a complete dataset of anti-HBs before and after liver transplantation between May 2001 and June 2017. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for potential factors relating to HBV immunity loss. RESULTS In total, 50 children were recruited. The mean time from liver transplantation to anti-HBs testing was 2.53 ± 2.11 years. The mean anti-HBs levels before and after liver transplantation were 584.41 ± 415.45 and 58.56 ± 6.40 IU/L, respectively. The rate of nonimmunity(anti-HBs < 10 IU/L) in the participants was 46%(n = 26) at one year, 57%(n = 7) at two years and 82%(n = 17) at > three years following liver transplantation. The potential factors relating to HBV immunity loss after liver transplantation were identified as anti-HBs(P = 0.002), serum albumin(P = 0.04), total bilirubin(P = 0.001) and direct bilirubin(P = 0.003) before liver transplantation. A five-year-old boy with biliary cirrhosis received 4 doses of HBV vaccine with an anti-HBs titer of > 1000 IU/L and underwent liver transplantation; his anti-HBc-negative father was the donor. After liver transplantation, the boy had stenosis of the hepatic artery up to the inferior vena cava anastomosis and underwent venoplasty three times. He also received subcutaneous injections of enoxaparin for 5 mo and 20 transfusions of blood components. Three years and ten months after the liver transplantation, transaminitis was detected with positive tests for HBs Ag, HBe Ag, and anti-HBc(2169.61, 1706 and 8.45, respectively; cutoff value: < 1.00) and an HBV viral load of 33212320 IU/mL.CONCLUSION The present study showed that loss of hepatitis B immunity after liver transplantation is unexpectedly common. In our case report, despite high levels of antiHBs prior to transplantation, infection occurred at a time when, unfortunately, the child had lost immunity to hepatitis B after liver transplantation.

Antibodies Against Annexin V and Prothrombin,Their Correlation with Other Anti-phospholipid Antibodies in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Objective To study the findings of serum antibodies against annexin V, prothrombin, ph-inositol, ph-acid, ph-ethanolamine, ph-serine, ph-glycerol, cardiolipin, and beta2-glycoprotein I and analyze the trophoblast annexin V receptors Methods Sera from 156patients aged 26-41 years with recurrent pregnancy loss （3-7 times） were investigated. Eighty-four fertile healthy women aged 24-38 years were included in a control group. ELISA methods were used for detecting a panel of sera anti-phospholipid antibodies. Immunolocalization of annexin V receptors in 143 trophoblast specimens of 156 patients was investigated by the immunofluorescence technique using Annexin V-FITC, Apoptosis and Annexin V-CY3 commercial kits. Results Positivity for anti-phospholipid antibodies mainly against ph-serine, ph- ethanolamine, and ph-inositol was found together in 80. 8%（126 out of 156 patients）, anti-prothrombin antibodies in 12% （18）, and anti-annexin V antibodies in 13. 5% （21） women. No significant levels of anti-phospholipid antibodies were found in 6 controls. Placenta immunohistopathology also exhibited some changes manifested by the presence of apoptotic and necrotic cells in trophoblast, and very few microthrombotization in some intervillous spaces. Conclusion Our detailed study demonstrated the prevalence of majority of antiphospholipid antibodies as a high risk factor for repeated reproductive failure. Very low microthrombosis in placentas could be explained by the changes of haemocoagulation properties out of uterus.