An alternative method to isoenzyme profile for cell line identification and interspecies cross-contaminations: cytochrome b PCR-RLFP analysis.

One of the major risks in cell culture laboratories is the misidentification and cross-contamination of cell lines. Several methods have been used to authenticate cell lines, including isoenzyme profiling, the test suggested by European Farmacopeia, which is performed at the Tissue Culture Centre in Brescia. However, this method displays several disadvantages, such as high variability and low reproducibility, and it is time consuming and requires high cell concentrations to be performed.

A novel immunodeficiency characterized by the exclusive presence of transitional B cells unresponsive to CpG.

The objective of this study was to describe a novel form of primary immune disorder characterized by circulating B cells with the exclusive transitional phenotype which fail to respond to CpG stimulation. The 12-year-old male patient suffered from recurrent bacterial infections since infancy. The immunological studies were based on extensive B cell immunophenotyping, humoral in vivo response to different vaccine antigens, and in vitro proliferation and immunoglobulin production after CpG stimulation.

Mutational analysis of human BLyS in patients with common variable immunodeficiency.

BLyS, a TNF family member, is crucial for B cell proliferation and differentiation by acting through its three receptors, TACI, BCMA and BAFF-R. The knock out model for BLyS is characterized by an immunological phenotype reminiscent of the human phenotype of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). CVID is characterized by a defective B cell compartment, evidencing the putative importance of BLyS in its pathogenesis.

Mutational analysis of human BAFF receptor TNFRSF13C (BAFF-R) in patients with common variable immunodeficiency.

BAFF receptor (BAFF-R/BR3/TNFRSF13C) is a recently identified molecule that specifically binds BLyS, a protein belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, and is involved in survival and maturation of B cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that mice defective in BAFF-R gene exhibit an altered profile of the B cell pool, a phenotype observed in BLyS knockout mice as well. These features suggest that mutations in this gene may result in humoral immunodeficiency.

A novel activation-induced cytidine deaminase gene mutation in a Tunisian family with hyper IgM syndrome.

Unlabelled: Mutations in activation-induced cytidine deaminase can cause an autosomal recessive form of hyper-IgM syndrome. We have examined a Tunisian family composed of six members: two healthy parents, their two healthy daughters and two affected sons. We found a homozygous transversion G to T in the two sons while heterozygosity for the mutation was found in all other family members.