Baseline data of a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (STEP study).

Aim: Research has shown that preventative intervention in individuals at ultra-high risk of psychosis (UHR) improves symptomatic and functional outcomes. The staged treatment in early psychosis (STEP) trial aims to determine the most effective type, timing and sequence of interventions in the UHR population by sequentially studying the effectiveness of (1) support and problem solving, (2) cognitive-behavioural case management and (3) antidepressant medication with an embedded fast-fail option of (4) omega-3 fatty acids or low-dose antipsychotic medication. This paper presents the recruitment flow and baseline clinical characteristics of the sample.

Staged Treatment in Early Psychosis: A sequential multiple assignment randomised trial of interventions for ultra high risk of psychosis patients.

Aim: Previous research indicates that preventive intervention is likely to benefit patients "at risk" of psychosis, in terms of functional improvement, symptom reduction and delay or prevention of onset of threshold psychotic disorder. The primary aim of the current study is to test outcomes of ultra high risk (UHR) patients, primarily functional outcome, in response to a sequential intervention strategy consisting of support and problem solving (SPS), cognitive-behavioural case management and antidepressant medication. A secondary aim is to test biological and psychological variables that moderate and mediate response to this sequential treatment strategy.

In vivo regulation of the allergic response by the IL-4 receptor alpha chain immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif.

Background: Signaling by IL-4 and IL-13 through the IL-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4Ralpha) plays a critical role in the pathology of allergic diseases. The IL-4Ralpha is endowed with an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) centered on tyrosine 709 (Y709) in the cytoplasmic domain that binds a number of regulatory phosphatases. The function of the ITIM in the in vivo regulation of IL-4 receptor signaling remains unknown.

ERK signaling is a molecular switch integrating opposing inputs from B cell receptor and T cell cytokines to control TLR4-driven plasma cell differentiation.

Differentiation of B cells into plasma cells represents a critical immunoregulatory checkpoint where neutralizing Abs against infectious agents must be selected whereas self-reactive Abs are suppressed. Bacterial LPS is a uniquely potent bacterial immunogen that can bypass self-tolerance within the T cell repertoire. We show here that during LPS-induced plasma cell differentiation, the ERK intracellular signaling pathway serves as a pivotal switch integrating opposing inputs from Ag via BCR and from the two best characterized B cell differentiation factors made by T cells, IL-2 and IL-5.

Resistance to CpG DNA-induced autoimmunity through tolerogenic B cell antigen receptor ERK signaling.

CpG sequences in self-DNA are an important potential trigger for autoantibody secretion in systemic lupus and other systemic autoimmune disorders. It is not known how this ubiquitous threat may be controlled by active mechanisms for maintaining self tolerance. Here we show that two distinct mechanisms oppose autoantibody secretion induced by CpG DNA in anergic B cells that are constantly binding self-antigen.

Analysis of an ethylnitrosourea-generated mouse mutation defines a cell intrinsic role of nuclear factor kappaB2 in regulating circulating B cell numbers.

The number of circulating follicular B lymphocytes is normally kept within a precise range despite their dispersion through the body and daily overproduction of precursors in the bone marrow. By establishing a genome wide recessive mutation screen in C57BL/6 mice to identify critical components of immune system regulation, we identified a mutant strain with selective deficiency in recirculating B cells but not immature or peritoneal B1 cells. Analysis of mixed bone marrow chimeras established that the mutation affects a cell autonomous process within B cells that is required for their accumulation after emigrating to peripheral lymphoid organs.