STAT3 gain-of-function mutations connect leukemia with autoimmune disease by pathological NKG2D CD8 T cell dysregulation and accumulation.

The association between cancer and autoimmune disease is unexplained, exemplified by T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGL) where gain-of-function (GOF) somatic STAT3 mutations correlate with co-existing autoimmunity. To investigate whether these mutations are the cause or consequence of CD8 T cell clonal expansions and autoimmunity, we analyzed patients and mice with germline STAT3 GOF mutations. STAT3 GOF mutations drove the accumulation of effector CD8 T cell clones highly expressing NKG2D, the receptor for stress-induced MHC-class-I-related molecules.

Human transitional and IgM mature naïve B cells preserve permissive B-cell receptors.

The level of immunoglobulin M (IgM) displayed on the surface of peripheral blood B cells exhibits a broad dynamic range and has been associated with both development and selection. To determine whether IgM surface expression associates with distinct immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IGH) repertoire properties, we performed deep IgM sequencing of peripheral blood transitional and mature naïve B cells in the upper and lower quartiles of surface IgM expression for 12 healthy donors. Mature naïve B cells within the lowest quartile for surface IgM expression displayed more diverse IGH features including increased complementarity-determining region 3 length, IGHJ6 segment usage and aromatic amino acids compared with mature naïve B cells with high surface IgM.

Genome-wide association studies of 74 plasma metabolites of German shepherd dogs reveal two metabolites associated with genes encoding their enzymes.

Introduction: German shepherd dogs (GSDs) are a popular breed affected by numerous disorders. Few studies have explored genetic variations that influence canine blood metabolite levels.

Objectives: To investigate genetic variants affecting the natural metabolite variation in GSDs.