JAK2-V617F is a negative regulation factor of SHIP1 protein and thus influences the AKT signaling pathway in patients with Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN).

Background: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are a group of chronic haematological disorders. At the molecular level of MPN cells, the gain-of-function mutation V617F of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) leads to a constitutive activation of the downstream signaling cascade and is a conventional criteria for diagnosis. Here, the functional role of the tumor suppressor SHIP1 (SH2 domain containing inositol-5 phosphatase 1) in the pathogenesis of MPNs was investigated.

Performance of International AIDS Vaccine Initiative African clinical research laboratories in standardised ELISpot and peripheral blood mononuclear cell processing in support of HIV vaccine clinical trials.

Background: Standardisation of procedures for performing cellular functional assays across laboratories participating in multicentre clinical trials is key for generating comparable and reliable data.

Objective: This article describes the performance of accredited laboratories in Africa and Europe on testing done in support of clinical trials.

Methods: For enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISpot) proficiency, characterised peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from 48 HIV-negative blood donors in Johannesburg, South Africa, were sent to participating laboratories between February 2010 and February 2014.

Acceptability and tolerability of repeated intramuscular electroporation of Multi-antigenic HIV (HIVMAG) DNA vaccine among healthy African participants in a phase 1 randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Intramuscular electroporation (IM/EP) is a vaccine delivery technique that improves the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. We evaluated the acceptability and tolerability of electroporation among healthy African study participants.

Methods: Forty-five participants were administered a DNA vaccine (HIV-MAG) or placebo by electroporation at three visits occurring at four week-intervals.

Safety and immunogenicity of a parenteral trivalent P2-VP8 subunit rotavirus vaccine: a multisite, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: A monovalent, parenteral, subunit rotavirus vaccine was well tolerated and immunogenic in adults in the USA and in toddlers and infants in South Africa, but elicited poor responses against heterotypic rotavirus strains. We aimed to evaluate safety and immunogenicity of a trivalent vaccine formulation (P2-VP8-P[4],[6],[8]).

Methods: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation, phase 1/2 study was done at three South African research sites.