Loss of function of XBP1 splicing activity of IRE1α favors B cell tolerance breakdown.

Anti-nuclear antibodies are the hallmark of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and scleroderma. However, the molecular mechanisms of B cell tolerance breakdown in these pathological contexts are poorly known. The study of rare familial forms of autoimmune diseases could therefore help to better describe common biological mechanisms leading to B cell tolerance breakdown.

A novel competition ELISA for the rapid quantification of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in convalescent plasma.

Background: COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) ideally contains high titers of (neutralizing) anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Several scalable immunoassays for CCP selection have been developed. We designed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that measures neutralizing antibodies (of all isotypes) in plasma by determining the level of competition between CCP and a mouse neutralizing antibody for binding to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2.

Glucocorticoid receptor DNA methylation and childhood trauma in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Objective: Although the precise mechanisms are not yet understood, previous studies have suggested that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation and trauma in early childhood. Consistent with findings suggesting that early life stress-induced DNA methylation changes may underlie dysregulation of the HPA axis, we previously found evidence for the involvement of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene (NR3C1) methylation in whole blood of CFS patients.

Methods: In the current study, we assessed NR3C1-1F region DNA methylation status in peripheral blood from a new and independent sample of 80 female CFS patients and 91 female controls.

Hemoglobin screening in blood donors: a prospective study assessing the value of an invasive and a noninvasive point-of-care device for donor safety.

Background: Low hemoglobin (Hb) levels are a common reason for whole blood donor deferral. As some of the deferred donors do not return to donate blood later, the development of accurate tools to reliably detect low Hb levels is therefore important for donor safety and retention.

Study Design And Methods: In a prospective study, 1483 whole blood donors were enrolled in three study arms.

Evaluation of the intercept oral specimen collection device with HIV assays versus paired serum/plasma specimens.

Oral fluid has many advantages over blood-based techniques: it is less invasive, eliminates the occupational risk associated with needle stick accidents and collection can be self-administrated. Each individual test is packaged with a corresponding collection device. This study tested the suitability of the Intercept Oral Specimen Collection Device for different HIV diagnostic tests: three different rapid HIV tests and two adapted ELISAs, which were evaluated and compared with a gold standard on blood.