Increased apoptosis of CD20+ IgA + B cells is the basis for IgA deficiency: the molecular mechanism for correction in vitro by IL-10 and CD40L.

IgA deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency in humans. Comparative analysis of gene expression in PBMC from IgA-deficient (IgAd) and normal donors using functional multiplex panels showed overexpression of the Caspase-1 (CASP-1) gene. Cells from all the IgAd donors (n=7) expressed 4-10-fold caspase-1 mRNA over normal controls (n=5).

Low-dose total body irradiation followed by allogeneic lymphocyte infusion may induce remission in patients with refractory hematologic malignancy.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is curative for certain cancers, but the high doses of chemotherapy/radiotherapy lead to toxicity. Here, we treat patients with refractory cancer with 100 cGy total body irradiation (TBI) followed by infusion of nonmobilized pheresed allogeneic peripheral blood cells. Twenty-five patients, with a median age of 47 years, with refractory cancers were enrolled.

Benefits of chronic plasmapheresis and intravenous heme-albumin in erythropoietic protoporphyria after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is characterized by a deficiency of ferrochelatase the final enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway. Patients with EPP may overproduce protoporphyrin IX, chiefly in developing erythrocytes. In some, protoporphyrin accumulates and causes toxicity, particularly to the skin and liver.