Publications by authors named "M Maerz"
T cells express a T-cell receptor (TCR) heterodimer that is the product of germline rearrangement and junctional editing resulting in immense clonotypic diversity. The generation of diverse TCR repertoires enables the recognition of pathogen-derived peptide antigens presented by polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. However, T cells also recognize nonpeptide antigens through nearly monomorphic antigen-presenting systems, such as cluster of differentiation 1 (CD1), MHC-related protein 1 (MR1) and butyrophilins (BTNs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe mucosal origins hypothesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) proposes a central role for mucosal immune responses in the initiation or perpetuation of the systemic autoimmunity that occurs with disease. However, the connection between the mucosa and systemic autoimmunity in RA remains unclear. Using dual immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG family plasmablast-derived monoclonal autoantibodies obtained from peripheral blood of individuals at risk for RA, we identified cross-reactivity between RA-relevant autoantigens and bacterial taxa in the closely related families and .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Different therapeutics targeting IL-6 and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) are currently in clinical use, but their immunological effects are not fully understood.
- Short-term interventions using anti-IL-6 (siltuximab) and anti-IL-6R (tocilizumab) in type 1 diabetes patients showed that the type of intervention can significantly influence T cell function and behavior.
- Tocilizumab decreased certain T cell markers and signaling, while siltuximab enhanced T cell responses and cytokine production, suggesting that the specific target of IL-6 blockade leads to distinct outcomes that could affect treatment effectiveness.
Elevated levels and enhanced sensing of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) are key features of many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. To better understand how IL-6 signaling may influence human T cell fate, we investigated the relationships between levels of components of the IL-6R complex, pSTAT responses, and transcriptomic and translational changes in CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets from healthy individuals after exposure to IL-6. Our findings highlight the striking heterogeneity in mbIL-6R and gp130 expression and IL-6-driven pSTAT1/3 responses across T cell subsets.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Total body irradiation (TBI) in extended source surface distance (SSD) is a common treatment technique before hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The lungs are organs at risk, which often are treated with a lower dose than the whole body.
Methods: This can be achieved by the application of blocks.