Booster dose of mRNA vaccine augments waning T cell and antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2.

A gradual decay in humoral and cellular immune responses over time upon SAR1S-CoV-2 vaccination may cause a lack of protective immunity. We conducted a longitudinal analysis of antibodies, T cells, and monocytes in 25 participants vaccinated with mRNA or ChAdOx1-S up to 12 weeks after the 3 (booster) dose with mRNA vaccine. We observed a substantial increase in antibodies and CD8 T cells specific for the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination.

Platelets and Sera from Donors of Convalescent Plasma after Mild COVID-19 Show No Procoagulant Phenotype.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is associated with increased thromboembolic complications. Long-term alteration in coagulation system after acute COVID-19 infection is still a subject of research. Furthermore, the effect of sera from convalescent subjects on platelets is not known.

Closer to Nature: The Role of MSCs in Recreating the Microenvironment of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche in vitro.

Background: The stem cell niche in human bone marrow provides scaffolds, cellular frameworks and essential soluble cues to support the stemness of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). To decipher this complex structure and the corresponding cellular interactions, a number of in vitro model systems have been developed. The cellular microenvironment is of key importance, and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) represent one of the major cellular determinants of the niche.

Pooled human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells with defined trophic factors cargo promote dermal wound healing in diabetic rats by improved vascularization and dynamic recruitment of M2-like macrophages.

Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (hMSCs) are a promising source for cell-based therapies. Yet, transition to phase III and IV clinical trials is remarkably slow. To mitigate donor variabilities and to obtain robust and valid clinical data, we aimed first to develop a manufacturing concept balancing large-scale production of pooled hMSCs in a minimal expansion period, and second to test them for key manufacture and efficacy indicators in the clinically highly relevant indication wound healing.

Case Studies Exemplifying the Transition to Animal Component-free Cell Culture.

Cell culture techniques are strongly connected with modern scientific laboratories and production facilities. Thus, choosing the most suitable medium for the cells involved is vital, not only directly to optimise cell viability but also indirectly to maximise the reliability of the experiments performed with the cells. Fetal bovine or calf serum (FBS or FCS, respectively) is the most commonly used cell culture medium supplement, providing various nutritional factors and macromolecules essential for cell growth.

Human platelet lysate-derived extracellular vesicles enhance angiogenesis through miR-126.

Objectives: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key biological mediators of several physiological functions within the cell microenvironment. Platelets are the most abundant source of EVs in the blood. Similarly, platelet lysate (PL), the best platelet derivative and angiogenic performer for regenerative purposes, is enriched of EVs, but their role is still too poorly discovered to be suitably exploited.

Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Do Not Cause Radioprotection of Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Radiotherapy of head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) can cause considerable normal tissue injuries, and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been shown to aid regeneration of irradiation-damaged normal tissues. However, utilization of MSC-based treatments for HNSCC patients undergoing radiotherapy is hampered by concerns regarding potential radioprotective effects. We therefore investigated the influence of MSCs on the radiosensitivity of HNSCCs.

Noninferior Red Cell Concentrate Quality after Repeated Air Rescue Mission Transport for Prehospital Transfusion.

Background: Transfusion of red cell concentrates (RCCs) is an integral therapy after severe hemorrhage or trauma. Prehospital transfusion offers an immediate intervention in emergency cases. Air ambulance-based prehospital transfusion, already used in different countries, is currently established in Germany.

Loss-of-function variant in chymotrypsin like elastase 3B (CELA3B) is associated with non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Genetic alterations in digestive enzymes have been associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Recently, chymotrypsin like elastase 3B (CELA3B) emerged as a novel risk gene. Thus, we evaluated CELA3B in two European cohorts with CP.

Biomarkers and 3D models predicting response to immune checkpoint blockade in head and neck cancer (Review).

Immunotherapy has evolved into a powerful tool in the fight against a number of types of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Although checkpoint inhibition (CPI) has definitely enriched the treatment options for advanced stage HNSCC during the past decade, the percentage of patients responding to treatment is widely varying between 14‑32% in second‑line setting in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with a sporadic durability. Clinical response and, consecutively, treatment success remain unpredictable in most of the cases.

Characteristics of the Cardiosplenic Axis in Patients with Fatal Myocardial Infarction.

Myocardial ischemia triggers neurohumoral activation of the cardiosplenic axis. In rodents, adverse outcomes occur upon prolonged entrance of mononuclear cells from the spleen into myocardial tissue. The purpose of this study is to assess the features of spleen structure in patients with fatal myocardial infarction (MI), the dynamics of macrophage infiltration of the spleen and its relationship with cardiac macrophage infiltration and unfavorable outcomes.

Correlation of the Imbalance in the Circulating Lymphocyte Subsets With C-Reactive Protein and Cardio-Metabolic Conditions in Patients With COVID-19.

The immune system is severely compromised in patients with COVID-19. The representative group of 43 patients were selected from the cohort of 342 patients with COVID-19 and pneumonia. This group of 43 patients was examined for the levels of C-reactive protein, biomarker of systemic inflammation, and for the subsets of adaptive immune cells.

AMPLIFY-NEOVAC: a randomized, 3-arm multicenter phase I trial to assess safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of IDH1-vac combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting programmed death-ligand 1 in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutant gliomas.

Introduction: Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations are disease-defining mutations in IDH-mutant astrocytomas and IDH-mutant and 1p/19q-codeleted oligodendrogliomas. In more than 80% of these tumors, point mutations in IDH type 1 (IDH1) lead to expression of the tumor-specific protein IDH1R132H. IDH1R132H harbors a major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII)-restricted neoantigen that was safely and successfully targeted in a first-in human clinical phase 1 trial evaluating an IDH1R132H 20-mer peptide vaccine (IDH1-vac) in newly diagnosed astrocytomas concomitant to standard of care (SOC).

Effect of Early-Stage Human Breast Carcinoma on Monocyte Programming.

Circulating monocytes are a major source of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs in human breast cancer (BC) support primary tumor growth and metastasis. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is a commonly used treatment for BC patients.

Macrophages of the "Heart-Kidney" Axis: Their Dynamics and Correlations with Clinical Data and Outcomes in Patients with Myocardial Infarction.

Changes in the macrophage infiltration of kidneys in rodents under ischemic conditions may affect cardiac macrophages and lead to development of adaptive cardiac remodeling. The aim of our study was to translate experimental findings into clinically relevant applications and assess the features of macrophage infiltration of the kidney and its correlations with changes in macrophage infiltration of the myocardium and with clinical data in patients who experienced a fatal myocardial infarction (MI). We examined fragments of both organs taken from patients ( = 30) who suffered from fatal MI.

Dopamine D1/D5 Receptor Signaling Is Involved in Arrhythmogenesis in the Setting of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Previous studies suggested involvement of non-ß-adrenoceptors in the pathogenesis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC). This study was designed to explore possible roles and underlying mechanisms of dopamine D1/D5 receptor coupled signaling in arrhythmogenesis of TTC.

Methods: Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) were challenged by toxic concentration of epinephrine (Epi, 0.

Hyperglycemia Induces Inflammatory Response of Human Macrophages to CD163-Mediated Scavenging of Hemoglobin-Haptoglobin Complexes.

Hyperglycemia, a hallmark of diabetes, can induce inflammatory programming of macrophages. The macrophage scavenger receptor CD163 internalizes and degrades hemoglobin-haptoglobin (Hb-Hp) complexes built due to intravascular hemolysis. Clinical studies have demonstrated a correlation between impaired scavenging of Hb-Hp complexes via CD163 and diabetic vascular complications.

Reactive Magnetron Plasma Modification of Electrospun PLLA Scaffolds with Incorporated Chloramphenicol for Controlled Drug Release.

Surface modification with the plasma of the direct current reactive magnetron sputtering has demonstrated its efficacy as a tool for enhancing the biocompatibility of polymeric electrospun scaffolds. Improvement of the surface wettability of materials with water, as well as the formation of active chemical bonds in the near-surface layers, are the main reasons for the described effect. These surface effects are also known to increase the release rate of drugs incorporated in fibers.