Effects of Baricitinib on Lipid, Apolipoprotein, and Lipoprotein Particle Profiles in a Phase IIb Study of Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To assess the effects of baricitinib on lipid profiles in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: Treatment with once-daily doses of baricitinib (1, 2, 4, or 8 mg) or placebo was studied in 301 randomized patients. Changes in lipid profile and lipoprotein particle size and particle number were assessed at weeks 12 and 24, and associations with clinical efficacy were evaluated.

Virus-encoded ectopic CD74 enhances poxvirus vaccine efficacy.

Vaccinia virus (VV) has been used globally as a vaccine to eradicate smallpox. Widespread use of this viral vaccine has been tempered in recent years because of its immuno-evasive properties, with restrictions prohibiting VV inoculation of individuals with immune deficiencies or atopic skin diseases. VV infection is known to perturb several pathways for immune recognition including MHC class II (MHCII) and CD1d-restricted antigen presentation.

Cutting edge: NADPH oxidase modulates MHC class II antigen presentation by B cells.

Phagocyte NADPH oxidase plays a key role in pathogen clearance via reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Defects in oxidase function result in chronic granulomatous disease with hallmark recurrent microbial infections and inflammation. The oxidase's role in the adaptive immune response is not well understood.

Autophagy and adaptive immunity.

Autophagy plays an important role in maintaining intracellular homeostasis by promoting the transit of cytoplasmic material, such as proteins, organelles and pathogens, for degradation within acidic organelles. Yet, in immune cells, autophagy pathways serve an additional role in facilitating intracellular surveillance for pathogens and changes in self. Autophagy pathways can modulate key steps in the development of innate and adaptive immunity.

LAMP-2-deficient human B cells exhibit altered MHC class II presentation of exogenous antigens.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules present antigenic peptides derived from engulfed exogenous proteins to CD4(+) T cells. Exogenous antigens are processed in mature endosomes and lysosomes where acidic proteases reside and peptide-binding to class II alleles is favoured. Hence, maintenance of the microenvironment within these organelles is probably central to efficient MHC class II-mediated antigen presentation.