Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine can prime SARS-CoV-2 cross-reactive T cells.

Vaccines containing tetanus-diphtheria antigens have been postulated to induce cross-reactive immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which could protect against coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In this work, we investigated the capacity of Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine to prime existing T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2. To that end, we first collected known SARS-CoV-2 specific CD8 T cell epitopes targeted during the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans and identified as potentially cross-reactive with Td vaccine those sharing similarity with tetanus-diphtheria vaccine antigens, as judged by Levenshtein edit distances (≤ 20% edits per epitope sequence).

Grass pollen allergoids conjugated with mannan for subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy: a dose-finding study.

Background: Polymerized allergoids conjugated with mannan represent a novel approach of allergen immunotherapy targeting dendritic cells. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimal dose of mannan-allergoid conjugates derived from grass pollen ( and ) administered via either the subcutaneous or sublingual route.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a double-dummy design was conducted, involving 162 participants across 12 centers in Spain.

Activated gut-homing CD8 T cells for coeliac disease diagnosis on a gluten-free diet.

Background: The diagnosis of coeliac disease (CD) in individuals that have started a gluten-free diet (GFD) without an adequate previous diagnostic work-out is a challenge. Several immunological assays such as IFN-γ ELISPOT have been developed to avoid the need of prolonged gluten challenge to induce the intestinal damage. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of activated gut-homing CD8 and TCRγδ T cells in blood after a 3-day gluten challenge and to compare it with the performance of IFN-γ ELISPOT in a HLA-DQ2.

Characterization of Conserved and Promiscuous Human Rhinovirus CD4 T Cell Epitopes.

Human rhinovirus (RV) is the most common cause of upper respiratory infections and exacerbations of asthma. In this work, we selected 14 peptides (6 from RV A and 8 from RV C) encompassing potential CD4 T cell epitopes. Peptides were selected for being highly conserved in RV A and C serotypes and predicted to bind to multiple human leukocyte antigen class II (HLA II) molecules.

Prediction of unconventional protein secretion by exosomes.

Motivation: In eukaryotes, proteins targeted for secretion contain a signal peptide, which allows them to proceed through the conventional ER/Golgi-dependent pathway. However, an important number of proteins lacking a signal peptide can be secreted through unconventional routes, including that mediated by exosomes. Currently, no method is available to predict protein secretion via exosomes.

Identification of CD8 T cell epitopes through proteasome cleavage site predictions.

Background: We previously introduced PCPS (Proteasome Cleavage Prediction Server), a web-based tool to predict proteasome cleavage sites using n-grams. Here, we evaluated the ability of PCPS immunoproteasome cleavage model to discriminate CD8 T cell epitopes.

Results: We first assembled an epitope dataset consisting of 844 unique virus-specific CD8 T cell epitopes and their source proteins.

PCPS: A Web Server to Predict Proteasomal Cleavage Sites.

The proteasome complex is mainly responsible for proteolytic degradation of cytosolic proteins, generating the C-terminus of MHC I-restricted peptide ligands and CD8 T cell epitopes. Therefore, prediction of proteasomal cleavage sites is relevant for anticipating CD8 T-cell epitopes. There are two different proteasomes, the constitutive proteasome, expressed in all types of cells, and the immunoproteasome, constitutively expressed in dendritic cells.

Naturally presented HLA class I-restricted epitopes from the neurotrophic factor S100-β are targets of the autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the destruction of pancreatic β-cells by the immune system, and CD8 T lymphocytes are critical actors in this autoimmune response. Pancreatic islets are surrounded by a mesh of nervous cells, the peri-insular Schwann cells, which are also targeted by autoreactive T lymphocytes and express specific antigens, such as the neurotrophic factor S100-β. Previous work has shown increased proliferative responses to whole S100-β in both human T1D patients and the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model.

Fundamentals and Methods for T- and B-Cell Epitope Prediction.

Adaptive immunity is mediated by T- and B-cells, which are immune cells capable of developing pathogen-specific memory that confers immunological protection. Memory and effector functions of B- and T-cells are predicated on the recognition through specialized receptors of specific targets (antigens) in pathogens. More specifically, B- and T-cells recognize portions within their cognate antigens known as epitopes.

The novel oral glucan synthase inhibitor SCY-078 shows in vitro activity against sessile and planktonic Candida spp.

Objectives: We studied the antifungal activity of SCY-078 (an orally bioavailable 1,3-β -d- glucan synthesis inhibitor), micafungin and fluconazole against the planktonic and sessile forms of 178 Candida and non- Candida isolates causing fungaemia in patients recently admitted to a large European hospital.

Methods: The in vitro activity of SCY-078, micafungin and fluconazole against the planktonic form of the isolates was assessed using EUCAST EDef 7.3 and CLSI M27-A3.

Biofilm Production and Antibiofilm Activity of Echinocandins and Liposomal Amphotericin B in Echinocandin-Resistant Yeast Species.

The echinocandins and liposomal amphotericin B are active against biofilm produced by echinocandin-susceptible Candida strains. However, few data have been reported on the production of biofilm by echinocandin-resistant isolates and their antifungal susceptibility. We studied the production of biofilm by fks mutant Candida strains and intrinsically echinocandin-resistant non-Candida isolates and the susceptibility of both entities to liposomal amphotericin B and echinocandins.