Autoantibody Recognition of Natural and Homocysteinylated Alpha-1 Antitrypsin: Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Quantification in Sera.

In this chapter, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to quantitatively measure autoantibodies directed to human natural and homocysteinylated alpha-1 antitrypsin (anti-AATA and anti-HAATA, respectively) in serum are described. The illustrated ELISA protocols are slightly different, since the two protein forms have different biochemical features and, consequently, different affinity for the matrix (polystyrene microplate wells), so that specific experimental conditions have to be performed for the quantification of the serum antibody recognition.These procedures can be carried out to evaluate the anti-AATA and the anti-HAATA levels, testing serum samples, for research use.

Does Patisiran Reduce Ocular Transthyretin Synthesis? A Pilot Study of Two Cases.

Background: Variant transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR-v) is a well-characterized disease affecting the neurologic and cardiovascular systems. Patisiran has been approved for neurologic involvement as it reduces hepatic synthesis of transthyretin (TTR). Eye involvement is a lateonset feature increasing the risk of glaucoma and cataracts in patients.

Erosive arthritis in systemic lupus erythematosus: application of cluster analysis.

Objectives: In the present study, we applied cluster analysis (CA) in SLE patients with joint involvement to identify which disease subset most commonly develops erosive damage.

Methods: We collected clinical and laboratory data of SLE patients with a clinical history of joint involvement (arthritis/arthralgia). Ultrasonographic assessment was performed at level of MCPs and PIPs joints, to identify erosive arthritis, defined as the presence of erosions in at least one joint.

The Prostacyclin Analogue Iloprost Modulates CXCL10 in Systemic Sclerosis.

The prostacyclin analogue iloprost is used to treat vascular alterations and digital ulcers, the early derangements manifesting in systemic sclerosis (SSc), an autoimmune disease leading to skin and organ fibrosis. Bioindicator(s) of SSc onset and progress are still lacking and the therapeutic approach remains a challenge. The T helper 1 (Th1) chemokine interferon (IFN)γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10) associates with disease progression and worse prognosis.

Autophagy Hijacking in PBMC From COVID-19 Patients Results in Lymphopenia.

Autophagy is a homeostatic process responsible for the self-digestion of intracellular components and antimicrobial defense by inducing the degradation of pathogens into autophagolysosomes. Recent findings suggest an involvement of this process in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, the role of autophagy in the immunological mechanisms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathogenesis remains largely unexplored.