Eduardo Davi Lima da Silva , Heloisa Isabela Leão , Ryan Cordeiro Silva , Nathália Tavares Ferreira , Amanda Pinheiro de Barros Albuquerque , André Machado de Siqueira , Michelly Cristiny Pereira , Michelle Melgarejo da Rosa , Moacyr Jesus Barreto de Melo Rêgo , Maira Galdino da Rocha Pitta
{"title":"Gal-9: A potential game-changer in COVID-19 severity assessment","authors":"Eduardo Davi Lima da Silva , Heloisa Isabela Leão , Ryan Cordeiro Silva , Nathália Tavares Ferreira , Amanda Pinheiro de Barros Albuquerque , André Machado de Siqueira , Michelly Cristiny Pereira , Michelle Melgarejo da Rosa , Moacyr Jesus Barreto de Melo Rêgo , Maira Galdino da Rocha Pitta","doi":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study investigates Galectin-9 (Gal-9) as a potential biomarker for COVID-19 severity, aiming to improve patient stratification and guide clinical management.</div></div><div><h3>Design and methods</h3><div>We analyzed Gal-9 levels (blood and saliva) in 112 mild, 57 severe COVID-19 patients, 93 symptomatic non-COVID-19 individuals, and 70 controls (healthy controls) using ELISA and RT-qPCR.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both mild and severe COVID-19 patients exhibited elevated Galectin-9 (Gal-9) levels, with severe cases showing significantly higher serum levels (mRNA and protein) compared to mild or healthy controls. This suggests Galectin-9 involvement in the acute phase, as levels declined within 15 days post-diagnosis. Fever and cough correlated with disease severity. ROC analysis demonstrated high accuracy in patient stratification. Furthermore, we detected elevated Galectin-9 protein in the saliva of individuals with mild COVID-19, highlighting its potential as a non-invasive biomarker for early disease detection.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study identifies Gal-9 as a promising biomarker for COVID-19 severity. Elevated Gal-9 levels hold potential for improved patient stratification and clinical management, highlighting the importance of biomarker research in understanding COVID-19 pathophysiology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100269,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Immunology Communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 64-71"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144068560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Deficiency of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist: Characterizing the molecular consequences of loss-of-function IL1RN variants from structural and biochemical evidence","authors":"Joshua Pillai , Spencer Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.05.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.05.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Deficiency of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA) is a rare autoinflammatory disease with neonatal onset defined by periostitis, pustulosis, and sterile osteomyelitis. DIRA is caused by biallelic loss-of-function mutations in the <em>IL1RN</em> gene, including 16 cytogenetic abnormalities to date. Due to the rarity of the condition, limited studies have evaluated the molecular basis and consequences of pathogenic <em>IL1RN</em> variants. Herein, we reviewed structural data from the crystal structure of IL-1Ra/IL-1R1 complex along with complementary experimental evidence from prior studies to characterize impacts on protein folding and binding affinity to IL-1R1. Furthermore, we define the hypomorphic R26X variant and suggest that genomic distance influences the ability of translation reinitiation in the context of DIRA, as another variant in the N-terminal did not undergo the same mechanism. Lastly, we provide a multiple-sequence alignment and structural template to better streamline analyses and reporting of novel <em>IL1RN</em> variants in the near future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100269,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Immunology Communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 72-78"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144084188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Susanna P.C. Höppener , Saskia R. Veldkamp , Mark C.H. de Groot , Saskia Haitjema , Julia Drylewicz , Jaap Jan Boelens , Caroline A. Lindemans , Joris van Montfrans , Annet van Royen-Kerkhof , Marc H.A. Jansen
{"title":"Persistent hypogammaglobulinemia after rituximab therapy in pediatric patients, prevalence and clinical outcomes","authors":"Susanna P.C. Höppener , Saskia R. Veldkamp , Mark C.H. de Groot , Saskia Haitjema , Julia Drylewicz , Jaap Jan Boelens , Caroline A. Lindemans , Joris van Montfrans , Annet van Royen-Kerkhof , Marc H.A. Jansen","doi":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.04.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hypogammaglobulinemia is a known side effect of rituximab (RTX) in adults, but its prevalence and persistence in children remain underexplored. This retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care center examines the prevalence and clinical outcomes of hypogammaglobulinemia in pediatric patients after RTX therapy. Patients aged ≤ 18 years treated with RTX for various indications between 2000 and 2020 were included. Patients were classified as having hypogammaglobulinemia when (1) IgG levels were <-2<em>SD</em> below reference for age, or (2) when they received immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT) for the indication hypogammaglobulinemia. Hypogammaglobulinemia after RTX treatment was observed in 74/134 patients (55.2 %). Persistent hypogammaglobulinemia (>6 months) was observed in 46/91 patients (50.5 %), of whom 9 patients remained hypogammaglobulinemic >5 years. Low baseline IgG and IgM levels were significantly associated with persistent hypogammaglobulinemia, while patients receiving RTX therapy for autoimmune diseases were less frequently affected. CD19<sup>+</sup> <em>B</em> cells reconstituted in a median of 11 months (<em>IQR</em>=[7.3–18.0]), while CD19<sup>+</sup>CD27<sup>+</sup>IgG<sup>+</sup> switched memory B cells took significantly longer, with a median of 1.8 years (<em>IQR</em>=[1.0–2.9]). Three patients developed class-switch recombination-deficiencies and never recovered. Recurrent infections, of which two fatal, were recorded in 18 patients and were significantly more prevalent in those with persistent hypogammaglobulinemia. In conclusion, over half of children had low IgG levels and/or required IGRT for hypogammaglobulinemia following RTX therapy. Persistent hypogammaglobulinemia was associated with low pre-RTX IgG and/or IgM levels. Children with hypogammaglobulinemia after RTX are often IGRT-dependent, experience recurrent (and sometimes fatal) infections, and may develop secondary immunoglobulin class-switch defects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100269,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Immunology Communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 55-63"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143943645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Expansion of SARS-CoV-2 mutations in patient with B-cell lymphoma and rare combination of ACE2, TLR4, DDX58 and IFIH1 variations: A retrospective analysis of the virus-host interplay","authors":"Angelina Trifonova , Adelina Yosifova , Atanas Syarov , Andrey Velichkov , Martin Pasev , Svetlomir Takov , Kalina Madarzhieva , Krassimir Angelov , Radoslava Vazharova , Velislava Terzieva","doi":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lessons from the COVID-19 outbreak suggest a highly variable individual clinical course of infection and unpredictable outcomes among infected individuals. In this retrospective study, we examined the intra-host viral evolution in an immunocompromised patient with B-cell lymphoma, severe COVID-19, and a two-stage, long-lasting in-hospital period with lethal outcome. The whole-genome sequencing profile demonstrated a dynamic accumulation of new viral mutations in the entire viral genome, mainly in S1-RBD and Nsp12, against the background of antiviral treatment and convalescent plasma transfusion. Long range-PCR and nanopore sequencing of <em>ACE2, TLR7, TLR8, TLR4, DDX58,</em> and <em>IFIH1</em> genes revealed single nucleotide substitutions in the ACE2, TLR4, DDX58, IFIH1, and TLR7 receptors, negatively affecting the disease course from the onset. Our results demonstrate that genetic variations in host innate immunity and impaired adaptive immunity facilitate the accumulation of viral mutations that overcome antiviral treatment and passive antibody transfer, affecting the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100269,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Immunology Communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 47-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143577284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrea Monjo , Tania Rodríguez-Ramos , Mark R. Bruder , Nguyen T.K. Vo , Mark Oremus , Kevin J. Stinson , Brian Dixon , Marc G Aucoin
{"title":"Serological responses to SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals: A Canadian study","authors":"Andrea Monjo , Tania Rodríguez-Ramos , Mark R. Bruder , Nguyen T.K. Vo , Mark Oremus , Kevin J. Stinson , Brian Dixon , Marc G Aucoin","doi":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>COVID-19 severity has been correlated with older age, male sex, and the presence of comorbidities; it is hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses are also correlated.159 unvaccinated patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections were assessed for IgA, IgG, and IgM titers, which were compared with disease severity, age, sex, presence of comorbidities, and time since infection. Anti-S and anti-Nucleocapsid (N) IgG responses were compared between unvaccinated and vaccinated SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. Anti-S IgA and IgM were better indicators of disease severity than IgG. IgG responses were more likely for patients over 60 years old. Female patients over 60 were more likely to have an antibody response than female patients under 60. Vaccinated patients had a stronger IgG response against S protein than against N protein likely due to immune imprinting. Disease severity was correlated with anti-S antibody responses and comorbidities in unvaccinated patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100269,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Immunology Communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 39-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Muhammad Adnan Zaman , Tahlyn Miller , Warsha Korani , Mina Jilani
{"title":"Fever of unknown origin in a dialysis patient: A case report of dialyzer membrane allergy","authors":"Muhammad Adnan Zaman , Tahlyn Miller , Warsha Korani , Mina Jilani","doi":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clicom.2025.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fever following hemodialysis presents a diagnostic challenge, often raising concerns about infection. However, non-infectious causes, such as allergic reactions to dialysis membranes, must also be considered. Dialyzer-related reactions, particularly to synthetic membranes like polysulfone, are increasingly recognized as contributors to post-dialysis fever. Although modern dialysis technology has improved biocompatibility by eliminating acetate buffers and sterilizing ethylene oxide, acute hypersensitivity reactions still occur. These reactions are classified into Type A (anaphylactic) and Type B (non-anaphylactic), each with distinct symptoms. Proper identification of these reactions is essential for management, as switching to a more biocompatible membrane is often required. This case report describes a 38-year-old male who developed a fever after hemodialysis in a prison facility. Initial workup ruled out infection, with negative blood cultures and elevated IgE levels suggesting a hypersensitivity reaction to the polysulfone membrane. The patient's symptoms resolved following a switch to a hypoallergenic dialyzer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100269,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Immunology Communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 34-38"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143167299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Venkata Yeramilli , Michael Harper , Riadh Cheddadi , Colin Martin
{"title":"Maternal prenatal stress modulates antibody levels in offspring","authors":"Venkata Yeramilli , Michael Harper , Riadh Cheddadi , Colin Martin","doi":"10.1016/j.clicom.2024.12.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clicom.2024.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maternal stress is a risk factor for preterm birth and is associated with adverse birth outcomes and immune adaptations in the baby. In this study, we used a murine model of prenatal stress and measured serum immunoglobulin levels in the dams and offspring following stress. We found a significant decrease in the levels of all IgG subclasses in dams following stress. In contrast, we observed an increase in the levels of IgG1, IgG2b and IgG3 in the offspring derived from stressed dams compared to unstressed controls. We made similar observations in offspring that were fed corticosterone in drinking water during gestation indicating that these changes in immunoglobulin (Ig) levels are mediated by excess cortisol. Overall, the results from these studies will help better understand the casual link between prenatal maternal stress and compromised neonatal immunity and will help develop optimal vaccination strategies to protect both the pregnant women and infant.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100269,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Immunology Communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 27-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143167298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Involvement of β-glucan receptors on the antitumor activity of β-glucans","authors":"Atsushi Iwai","doi":"10.1016/j.clicom.2024.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clicom.2024.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>β-glucans consisting of β-(1,3)-linked glucose as the main chain (hereafter simply called “β-glucan”) are suggested to have the potential for many beneficial effects on health. Among known beneficial effects, the most notable effect of β-glucan would be the antitumor effect. The antitumor effect of β-glucan has been known since the mid-twentieth century. In current cancer treatments where immune checkpoint inhibitors are attracting attention, it is expected that the combined administration of β-glucan will exhibit a greater therapeutic effect. The antitumor effect of β-glucan is believed to be closely linked to the receptors that recognize β-glucan. On the other hand, it has been clarified that there are many receptors for the recognition of β-glucan, in addition to CR3 (complement receptor 3) and dectin-1 (dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1), the well-known β-glucan receptors. This review focused on various β-glucan receptors reported previously and discusses the molecular mechanisms through which β-glucans exhibit antitumor effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100269,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Immunology Communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143167300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Role of skin antimicrobial peptides in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurative: Highlights on dermcidin","authors":"José E Belizário","doi":"10.1016/j.clicom.2024.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clicom.2024.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diverse classes of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced by keratinocytes, sebocytes, epithelial cells of apocrine and eccrine sweat glands and innate immune cells are continually released in the skin tissue layers. Together they exert the fine homeostatic control of the host immune cells-skin microbiome interactions, inhibiting bacterial overgrowth and skin barrier disruption. Under a variety of pathological conditions, up or down regulation of AMP expression can contribute to microbial diversity imbalance or dysbiosis, which can initiate or worsen the most common cutaneous diseases. This review updates on the roles of dermcidin, defensins, cathelicidins and S100 proteins as modulators of microbiomes, inflammation and recurrent bacterial infections in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa. The top most significant disease-immune signaling pathways mediated by the cytokines IL-1, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23 and IL-33 are also reviewed. Current studies suggest that raising and lowering of host cell- and bacterial-derived AMPs may directly affect microbiome and immunity homeostasis at local body sites. Molecular genetics and microbiome studies should help us to investigate the bacterial species and AMPs synergistic or harmful interactions with causal gene variants, harnessing their potential clinical application in the journey of skin disease patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100269,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Immunology Communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 18-26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143167297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}