Despite the growing use of desensitization strategies, hyperimmune patients remain at high risk of antibody-mediated rejection suggesting that, even when donor-specific antibodies (DSA) are effectively depleted, anti-donor specific B cells persist. We included 10 highly sensitized recipients that underwent desensitization with plasmapheresis and B cell depletion prior to kidney transplantation. We quantified changes in DSA (luminex), total B-cell subsets (flow cytometry), anti-donor HLA B cells (fluorospot), and single-cell metabolism in serially collected samples before desensitization, at the time of transplant, and at 6 and 12 months thereafter.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Percutaneous thermal ablation (PTA) is a cornerstone in the management of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR) occurs in the majority of patients after PTA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune signature associated with very early IDR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the interplay between the virus and the host immune system is crucial in determining the pathogenesis of the disease. Patients who fail to mount a sufficient and sustained anti-viral immune response develop chronic hepatitis B (CHB). T cells and natural killer (NK) cells play decisive role in viral clearance, but they are defective in chronic HBV infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide and its incidence is rising. Percutaneous locoregional therapies, such as radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation, are widely used as curative treatment options for patients with small HCC, but their effectiveness remains restricted because of the associated high rate of recurrence, occurring in about 70% of patients at five years. These thermal ablation techniques have the particularity to induce immunomodulation by destroying tumours, although this is not sufficient to raise an effective antitumour immune response.
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