B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptors' expression in pediatric nephrotic syndrome is associated with worse prognosis.

Aim: Immune pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome (NS) is not completely understood. We aimed to evaluate the expression of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptors in renal samples from pediatric NS patients and its relationship with renal function survival.

Materials And Methods: We conducted an ambispective study on 33 patients with pediatric NS.

Biological Effects of Animal Venoms on the Human Immune System.

Venoms are products of specialized glands and serve many living organisms to immobilize and kill prey, start digestive processes and act as a defense mechanism. Venoms affect different cells, cellular structures and tissues, such as skin, nervous, hematological, digestive, excretory and immune systems, as well as the heart, among other structures. Components of both the innate and adaptive immune systems can be stimulated or suppressed.

Association of Antiribosomal P Antibody with Neurological and Systemic Manifestations in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Southwestern Colombia.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous pathogenesis, various clinical manifestations, and a broad spectrum of autoantibodies which recognize different cellular components. This study examines the clinical significance and serological associations of serum antiribosomal P antibodies (anti-P) derived from SLE patients in a population from southwestern Colombia.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 66 SLE patients.

Expression of BAFF, APRIL, and cognate receptor genes in lupus nephritis and potential use as urinary biomarkers.

Background: B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), and their receptors BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI are crucial factors for the survival of B lymphocytes. Recent evidence has also demonstrated the importance of BAFF/APRIL signaling in lupus nephritis (LN). This study evaluated the relationships between LN clinical characteristics and the urinary expression levels of BAFF, APRIL, and cognate receptors to assess their potential value as disease biomarkers.

Prevalence of anti-DFS70 autoantibodies in a Latin American cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and without autoimmune diseases.

Introduction/objectives: Anti-dense fine speckled 70 (DFS70) autoantibodies were reported to be more prevalent in healthy individuals than those with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We determined anti-DFS70 autoantibody prevalence in a Latin American cohort of patients with SLE and healthy individuals.

Methods: This study included 127 individuals with anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs; > 1:160) suggesting the presence of anti-DFS70, including 64 patients with SLE and 63 healthy controls.

CRISPR/Cas: from adaptive immune system in prokaryotes to therapeutic weapon against immune-related diseases.

CRISPR/Cas evolved as an adaptive immune system in bacteria and archaea to inactivate foreign viral and plasmid DNA. However, the capacities of various CRISPR/Cas systems for precise genome editing based on sequence homology also allow their use as tools for genomic and epigenomic modification in eukaryotes. Indeed, these genetic characteristics have proven useful for disease modeling and testing the specific functions of target genes under pathological conditions.

Mechanisms of action and historical facts on the use of intravenous immunoglobulins in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The current existing therapies for severe cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are still limited. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIGs), which are purified from the plasma of thousands of healthy human donors, have been profiled as efficacious and life-saving options for SLE patients refractory to conventional therapy. The specific mechanism of action by which IVIGs generate immunomodulation in SLE is not currently understood.

Profiling gene expression of antimony response genes in Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis and infected macrophages and its relationship with drug susceptibility.

The mechanisms of Leishmania resistance to antimonials have been primarily determined in experimentally derived Leishmania strains. However, their participation in the susceptibility phenotype in field isolates has not been conclusively established. Being an intracellular parasite, the activity of antileishmanials is dependent on internalization of drugs into host cells and effective delivery to the intracellular compartments inhabited by the parasite.

Treatment failure and miltefosine susceptibility in dermal leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania subgenus Viannia species.

Treatment failure and parasite drug susceptibility in dermal leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) species are poorly understood. Prospective evaluation of drug susceptibility of strains isolated from individual patients before drug exposure and at clinical failure allows intrinsic and acquired differences in susceptibility to be discerned and analyzed. To determine whether intrinsic susceptibility or loss of susceptibility to miltefosine contributed to treatment failure, we evaluated the miltefosine susceptibility of intracellular amastigotes and promastigotes of six Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and six Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis strains isolated sequentially, at diagnosis and treatment failure, from two children and four adults ≥55 years old with concurrent conditions.