Specific and Polyfunctional T Cell Response Against -Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor in an Autoantibody-Mediated Encephalitis Model.

Background: Anti--Methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) autoimmune encephalitis (NMDAR AE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by severe psychiatric and neurological symptoms. While the pathogenic role of antibodies (Abs) directed against the GluN1 subunit of NMDAR is well described in this disease, the immune mechanisms involved in the generation of the autoimmune B cell response, especially the role of T helper cells, are poorly understood. Previously, we developed a B-cell-mediated mouse model of NMDAR AE by immunization with a GluN1 peptide that drives a series of symptoms that recapitulate AE such as anxiety behaviour and spatial memory impairment.

Characterisation of the HLA-DQ alpha eplet 52SK targeting the DQA1*01 alleles family.

Eplet 52SK is unique in the HLA eplet registry as targeting the whole family of DQA1*01 alleles. It is proposed as an antibody-verified eplet but has not been validated enough to deserve this label. Especially, confusion can occur with reactivity targeting the 52PQ eplet which is present on the DQB1*05 and DQB1*06 alleles families, as DQ molecule stability imposes DQA1*01 to selectively associate with these DQ-β families only.

Separating the Wheat from the Chaff among HLA-DQ Eplets.

In transplantation, anti-HLA Abs, especially targeting the DQ locus, are well-known to lead to rejection. These Abs identified by Luminex single Ag assays recognize polymorphic amino acids on HLA, named eplets. The HLA Eplet Registry included 83 DQ eplets, mainly deduced from amino acid sequence alignments, among which 66 have not been experimentally verified.

Tissue-plasminogen activator effects on the phenotype of splenic myeloid cells in acute inflammation.

Tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) is a serine protease well known for its fibrinolytic function. Recent studies indicate that tPA could also modulate inflammation via plasmin generation and/or by receptor mediated signalling in vitro. However, the contribution of tPA in inflammatory processes in vivo has not been fully addressed.

Targeting NMDA Receptors at the Neurovascular Unit: Past and Future Treatments for Central Nervous System Diseases.

The excitatory neurotransmission of the central nervous system (CNS) mainly involves glutamate and its receptors, especially N-methyl-D-Aspartate receptors (NMDARs). These receptors have been extensively described on neurons and, more recently, also on other cell types. Nowadays, the study of their differential expression and function is taking a growing place in preclinical and clinical research.