Germline homozygosity and allelic imbalance of HLA-I are common in esophagogastric adenocarcinoma and impair the repertoire of immunogenic peptides.

Background: The individual HLA-I genotype is associated with cancer, autoimmune diseases and infections. This study elucidates the role of germline homozygosity or allelic imbalance of HLA-I loci in esophago-gastric adenocarcinoma (EGA) and determines the resulting repertoires of potentially immunogenic peptides.

Methods: HLA genotypes and sequences of either (1) 10 relevant tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) or (2) patient-specific mutation-associated neoantigens (MANAs) were used to predict good-affinity binders using an in silico approach for MHC-binding (www.

Impact of the blood group on postoperative CRP and leukocyte levels after primary total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP)- and leukocyte levels are common parameters to evaluate the inflammatory response after orthopaedic surgery and rule out infectious complications. Nevertheless, both parameters are vulnerable to disturbing biases and therefore leave room for interpretation.

Objective: Since blood groups are repeatedly discussed to influence inflammatory response, our aim was to observe their impact on CRP and leukocyte levels after total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA).

Oncogenic role and target properties of the lysine-specific demethylase KDM1A in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), epigenetic alterations are considered to centrally shape the transcriptional signatures that drive disease evolution and underlie its biological and clinical subsets. Characterizations of epigenetic regulators, particularly histone-modifying enzymes, are very rudimentary in CLL. In efforts to establish effectors of the CLL-associated oncogene T-cell leukemia 1A (TCL1A), we identified here the lysine-specific histone demethylase KDM1A to interact with the TCL1A protein in B cells in conjunction with an increased catalytic activity of KDM1A.

Microvascular perfusion, perfused boundary region and glycocalyx shedding in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: results from the GlycoScore III study.

Background: Vascular abnormalities and endothelial dysfunction are part of the spectrum of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The mechanisms behind these manifestations, including potential effects on the endothelial surface layer (ESL) and glycocalyx integrity, remain unknown.

Methods: Forty-five ambulatory adult patients with ADPKD were enrolled in this prospective, observational, cross-sectional, single-centre study.

Immune responses against shared antigens are common in esophago-gastric cancer and can be enhanced using CD40-activated B cells.

Background: Specific immune response is a hallmark of cancer immunotherapy and shared tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are important targets. Recent advances using combined cellular therapy against multiple TAAs renewed the interest in this class of antigens. Our study aims to determine the role of TAAs in esophago-gastric adenocarcinoma (EGA).

Tripartite antigen-agnostic combination immunotherapy cures established poorly immunogenic tumors.

Background: Single-agent immunotherapy has shown remarkable efficacy in selected cancer entities and individual patients. However, most patients fail to respond. This is likely due to diverse immunosuppressive mechanisms acting in a concerted way to suppress the host anti-tumor immune response.

Production and Quality Assurance of Human Polyclonal Hyperimmune Immunoglobulins Against SARS-CoV-2.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the potential therapeutic value of early passive polyclonal immunotherapy using high-titer convalescent plasma (CCP). Human polyclonal hyperimmune immunoglobulin (HIG) has several advantages over CCP. Unlike CCP, HIG can provide standardized and controlled antibody content.

Noncanonical Function of AGO2 Augments T-cell Receptor Signaling in T-cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia.

Unlabelled: T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a chemotherapy-refractory T-cell malignancy with limited therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. Current disease concepts implicate TCL1A oncogene-mediated enhanced T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling and aberrant DNA repair as central perturbed pathways. We discovered that recurrent gains on chromosome 8q more frequently involve the argonaute RISC catalytic component 2 (AGO2) gene than the adjacent MYC locus as the affected minimally amplified genomic region.

No substantial preexisting B cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in healthy adults.

Preexisting immunity against SARS-CoV-2 may have critical implications for our understanding of COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. The presence and clinical relevance of a preexisting B cell immunity remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of the B cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in unexposed individuals.

Plasma exchange with COVID-19 convalescent plasma in a patient with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis and COVID-19 pneumonia after rituximab therapy.

The combination of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and pulmonary-renal syndrome due to ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) poses diagnostic uncertainty and a therapeutic dilemma. According to current limited knowledge of COVID-19, the application of commonly used drugs in AAV, cyclophosphamide (CYC) and rituximab (RTX), must be weighed carefully in active COVID-19 infection. We report a case of a 52-year-old male patient with concurrent severe COVID-19 pneumonia and acute relapse of pulmonary-renal syndrome due to AAV after recent RTX maintenance dose.

Kinetics and correlates of the neutralizing antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans.

Understanding antibody-based SARS-CoV-2 immunity is critical for overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic and informing vaccination strategies. We evaluated SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics over 10 months in 963 individuals who predominantly experienced mild COVID-19. Investigating 2,146 samples, we initially detected SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 94.

Establishment of transfusion-relevant bacteria reference strains for red blood cells.

Background And Objectives: Red blood cell concentrates (RBCC) are susceptible to bacterial contamination despite cold storage. A reliable evaluation of strategies to minimize the risk of RBCC-associated bacterial transmission requires the use of suitable reference bacteria. Already existing Transfusion-Relevant Bacteria Reference Strains (TRBRS) for platelet concentrates fail to grow in RBCC.

Immediate effects of whole blood donation on the endothelial surface layer and glycocalyx shedding.

Background: The endothelium plays a pivotal role in regulating microvascular function, especially in situations associated with acute blood loss. Whether blood donation and the associated volume loss affects the dimensions of the endothelial surface layer (ESL) and glycocalyx integrity remains unknown.

Materials And Methods: This study was designed to determine real-time ESL and perfusion measurements of the sublingual microcirculation using sidestream dark field imaging performed in healthy subjects shortly before and after a donation of 500 mL whole blood.

Detection of systemic immunosuppressants in autologous serum eye drops (ASED) in patients with severe chronic ocular graft versus host disease.

Purpose: Chronic graft versus host disease is a major consequence after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and has great impact on patients' morbidity and mortality. Besides the skin, liver, and intestines, the eyes are most commonly affected, manifesting as severe ocular surface disease. Treatment protocols include topical steroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and ASED.

The effect of serum pretreatment regimens for the detection of HLA class I antibodies in platelet-refractory patients.

Background: Single antigen bead (SAB) assays are used to identify human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in patients with platelet refractoriness due to HLA Class I alloimmunization. Some laboratories use serum pretreatment regimens to eliminate interference from immunoglobulin M antibodies and complement. These modifications may contribute to interlaboratory variability, which is a recognized problem with the SAB assay.

Transfusion of Uncrossmatched Group O Erythrocyte-containing Products Does Not Interfere with Most ABO Typings.

Background: Group O erythrocytes and/or whole blood are used for urgent transfusions in patients of unknown blood type. This study investigated the impact of transfusing increasing numbers of uncrossmatched type O products on the recipient's first in-hospital ABO type.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Tumor-associated B cells and humoral immune response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

B lymphocytes are important players in immune responses to cancer. However, their composition and function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been well described. Here, we analyzed B cell subsets in HNSCC (n = 38), non-cancerous mucosa (n = 14) and peripheral blood from HNSCC patients (n = 38) and healthy controls (n = 20) by flow cytometry.

B cells in esophago-gastric adenocarcinoma are highly differentiated, organize in tertiary lymphoid structures and produce tumor-specific antibodies.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are correlated to prognosis of several kinds of cancer. Most studies focused on T cells, while the role of tumor-associated B cells (TABs) has only recently gained more attention. TABs contain subpopulations with distinct functions, potentially promoting or inhibiting immune responses.

Probability of success in the search for a related bone marrow donor in Cologne, Germany using HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 haplotype frequencies.

Between 2004 and 2013, 603 patients and their relatives (n = 1297) were typed as part of the search for a suitable HLA-matched donor in their nuclear and extended families at the central service provider for transfusion medicine at the University Hospital of Cologne. The high success rate in finding donors over the years at our center (38.1%) led us to examine our database retrospectively in order to evaluate the donor search and haplotype frequencies (HFs) in the sample.

Familial acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in siblings - no immunogenetic link with associated human leucocyte antigens.

Acquired immunoglobulin G (IgG)-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has not yet been described in non-twin siblings. We report two cases of acquired TTP in Caucasian sisters with inactive ADAMTS13 metalloprotease due to ADAMTS13 autoantibodies suggesting a role of genetic determinants in this life-threatening disease. However, human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II types presumably associated with acquired TTP were not identified in the patients, indicating that HLA class II typing may not be useful in acquired TTP risk assessment of family members.