Epigenetic Changes Induced by Maternal Factors during Fetal Life: Implication for Type 1 Diabetes.

Organ-specific autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, are believed to result from T-cell-mediated damage of the target tissue. The immune-mediated tissue injury, in turn, is known to depend on complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Nevertheless, the mechanisms whereby environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases remain elusive and represent a major untapped target to develop novel strategies for disease prevention.

Extracellular Vesicles Released by Enterovirus-Infected EndoC-βH1 Cells Mediate Non-Lytic Viral Spread.

While human enteroviruses are generally regarded as a lytic virus, and persistent non-cytolytic enterovirus infection in pancreatic beta cells has been suspected of playing a role in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis. However, it is still unclear how enteroviruses could exit the pancreatic beta cell in a non-lytic manner. This study aimed to investigate the role of beta cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the non-lytic enteroviral spread and infection.

Critical parameters in blood processing for T-cell assays: validation on ELISpot and tetramer platforms.

Assays detecting antigen (Ag)-specific T-cell responses in immune-mediated processes are increasingly employed to understand disease pathogenesis and immune staging. The quantity and quality of starting peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) preparations are important factors in the performance of such assays. We therefore compared final PBMC yield and function by modifying parameters at the blood drawing, storage and processing steps.