Depletion of B cells induces remission of autoimmune hepatitis in mice through reduced antigen presentation and help to T cells.

Unlabelled: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is known as a T cell-mediated disease. However, AIH patients refractory to conventional treatment have been successfully treated with anti-CD20-mediated B-cell depletion. The aim of this project was to understand the immunological changes underlying the AIH remission caused by B-cell depletion in an experimental model of AIH.

Low-dose anti-CD3 antibody induces remission of active autoimmune hepatitis in xenoimmunized mice.

Background: Some patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), despite appropriate treatment, progress towards cirrhosis and liver failure, requiring transplantation. New biological agents targeting immune cell subtypes have been developed, with better specificity and longer-lasting effects than conventional wide-spectrum immunosuppressive drugs.

Aims: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of low dose of αCD3 targeting therapy in a model of type 2 AIH.

Central nervous system recruitment of effector memory CD8+ T lymphocytes during neuroinflammation is dependent on α4 integrin.

Clonally expanded CD8(+) T lymphocytes are present in multiple sclerosis lesions, as well as in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, CD8(+) T lymphocytes are found in spinal cord and brainstem lesions. However, the exact phenotype of central nervous system-infiltrating CD8(+) T lymphocytes and the mechanism by which these cells cross the blood-brain barrier remain largely unknown.

Mutations in the spike glycoprotein of human coronavirus OC43 modulate disease in BALB/c mice from encephalitis to flaccid paralysis and demyelination.

The etiology of most neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system remains unknown and likely involves a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental triggering factors. Given that exposure to numerous infectious pathogens occurs during childhood, and that some viral infections can lead to neurodegeneration and demyelination, it is conceivable that some viruses may act as triggering factors in neuropathogenesis. We have previously shown that the prototype OC43 strain of the common cold-associated human respiratory coronavirus has the capacity to infect human neuronal and glial cells and does persist in human brains.

Titration of human coronaviruses using an immunoperoxidase assay.

Determination of infectious viral titers is a basic and essential experimental approach for virologists. Classical plaque assays cannot be used for viruses that do not cause significant cytopathic effects, which is the case for prototype strains 229E and OC43 of human coronavirus (HCoV).Therefore, an alternative indirect immunoperoxidase assay (IPA) was developed for the detection and titration of these viruses and is described herein.

Titration of human coronaviruses, HcoV-229E and HCoV-OC43, by an indirect immunoperoxidase assay.

Calculation of infectious viral titers represents a basic and essential experimental approach for virologists. Classical plaque assays cannot be used for viruses that do not cause significant cytopathic effects, which is the case for strains 229E and OC43 of human coronavirus (HCoV). An alternative indirect immunoperoxidase assay (IPA) is herein described for the detection and titration of these viruses.

LKM1 autoantibodies in chronic hepatitis C infection: a case of molecular mimicry?

Anti-liver-kidney microsome type 1 (LKM1) autoantibodies directed against the cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) are considered specific markers of type 2 autoimmune hepatitis, but are also found in 5% of sera from patients chronically infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Molecular mimicry between HCV proteins and CYP2D6 has been proposed to explain the emergence of these autoantibodies. Anti-LKM1 autoantibodies from hepatitis C-infected patients were affinity-purified against immobilized CYP2D6 protein and used to screen a phage display library.

Anti-soluble liver antigen (SLA) antibodies in chronic HCV infection.

Hepatitis C infection is associated with autoimmune disorders, such as the production of autoantibodies. Anti-LKM1 and anti-LC1, immunomarkers of type 2 autoimmune hepatitis, have been previously associated with a HCV infection. Anti-Soluble-Liver-Antigen autoantibodies (SLA) are specifically associated with type 1 and type 2 autoimmune hepatitis and more closely related to patients who relapse after steroid therapy.

Anti-LC1 autoantibodies in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Unlabelled: Various autoantibodies have been reported in patients chronically infected by hepatitis C virus. 2% to 10% of theses patients have anti-liver-kidney microsome type 1 (anti-LKM1) autoantibodies. In type 2 autoimmune hepatitis, anti-LKM1 autoantibodies are frequently associated with anti-liver-cytosol type 1 (anti-LC1) autoantibodies.