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Measurement of anti-pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides (anti-PnPs) IgG titers is an important tool in the immunologic assessment of patients with suspected immunodeficiency disorders (ID) to reduce the morbi-mortality and minimize severe infections. Retrospectively, we studied the relationship among anti-PnPs IgG response to 3 doses of Prevenar®13, levels of immune system components, leukocyte populations, and clinical data in children with ID. Serum samples were collected at least 4 weeks post vaccination. Subsequently, multi-serotype enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed. Eighty-seven children (under 12 years) were enrolled. Primary immunodeficiency disorder (PID) was the most common disorder (45) followed by possible immunodeficiency disorder (POID) (19), secondary immunodeficiency disorder (SID) (15), and mixed immunodeficiency disorder (MID) (8). The median age was 3 (1.50–5.33) years, 65% of patients were male. Deficient production of anti-PnPs IgG (titer ≤ 50 mg/L) was detected in 47 patients (54%), especially in the MID group, all of them under immunosuppressive therapy. In PCV13 responders, the mean of leukocyte population levels was higher with statistically significance differences in CD4 + /CD8 + T lymphocytes (p = 0.372, p = 0.014) and CD56 + /CD16 + NK (p = 0.016). Patients with previous bone marrow transplantation were the worst PCV13 responders. Pneumococcal IgG antibody titers (post-vaccination) along with clinical and analytical markers represented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has been linked to immunological and inflammatory response dysregulations. The aim of this study was to find endotypes of FSGS patients using a cluster (CL) analysis based on inflammatory and immunological variables, and to analyse whether a certain endotype is associated with response to treatment with corticosteroids. Methods This prospective observational study included patients with idiopathic FSGS diagnosed by kidney biopsy. Serum levels of soluble interleukin (IL)-1 receptor, tumoural necrosis factor alpha, Interferon gamma (IFNγ), IL-6, IL-17, IL-12, IL-23, IL-13, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, haemopexin (Hx), haptoglobin (Hgl), soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and urinary CD80 (uCD80) were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or nephelometry. T-helper lymphocyte populations and T-regulatory lymphocytes were analysed by flow cytometry. A factorial analysis followed by a k -means CL analysis was performed. Results A total of 79 FSGS patients were included. Three CLs were identified. CL1 (27.8%) included IL-12, IL-17, IL-23 and a T helper 17 (Th17) pattern. CL2 (20.2%) included IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, immunoglobulin E and Th2 pattern. CL3 (51.8%) included IL-6, Hx, Hgl, suPAR and uCD80. There were no differences in age, gender, kidney function, albumin or proteinuria among CLs. About 42/79 patients (53.1%) showed cortico-resistance. The prevalence of cortico-resistance was significantly lower in CL2 (4/16, 25%) than in CL1 (16/26, 72.7%) and CL3 (22/41, 53.7%) (P = 0.018), with no significant differences between CLs 1 and 3 (P = 0.14). Conclusions Patients with FSGS and indistinguishable clinical presentation at diagnosis were classified in three distinct CLs according to predominant Th17, Th2 and acute inflammatory responses that display differences in clinical response to treatment with corticosteroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an umbrella term for seven distinct chronic immune-mediated diseases. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) are used to treat the underlying joint inflammation as well as extra-articular manifestations. Immunosuppression is a considerable side effect of the drugs. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effect of different JIA therapies on leukocyte subpopulations, which play a role in immune-defense. Three study groups were established. The first group consisted of JIA patients treated with methotrexate solely, the second one received a combination of methotrexate (MTX) and adalimumab (ADA). The control group was made up of the patients' healthy siblings. A total of 63 children were recruited. Fourty-one children with JIA and 22 healthy controls were included in the study. The absolute number of CD3+ T-cells was significantly elevated in patients treated with biological therapy compared to healthy controls (p2 = 0.017). In contrast, the number of CD56+ natural killer cells was significantly lower in children receiving biological therapy in comparison with healthy donors (p2 = 0.039). A significant alteration was also demonstrated between patients treated with MTX and MTX/ADA group concerning CD 19+ B-cells (p3 = 0.042). This is the first study that demonstrates significant alterations in the number of B-cells and T-cells with a relative decrease of NK-cell ratios in JIA patients receiving different DMARD therapy.Clinical Trial Registration:NCT03833271. 21.01.2019.

BACKGROUND: Composition of pericardial fluid (PF) may reveal immunological processes influencing oxidative stress and microcirculation of different tissues of the heart and may play a role in the course of myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and aortic stenosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated lymphocyte populations, cardiovascular markers and immunoglobulin composition in PF and blood samples of patients undergoing CABG operation and compared them to those who had aortic valve surgery. RESULTS: The amount of CD8 + T, NK, memoT and activated T-cytotoxic cells were elevated in PF compared to blood, but naiveT and activated T-helper cell ratio were lower in PF. Amount of activated T-helper cells and regulatory T-lymphocytes were elevated in CABG participants in both PF and blood. INKT cells represented the only regulatory lymphocyte population reaching significantly higher concentration in PF than in blood. IL-6 and MCP1 level were elevated in PF compared to blood and MCP1 plasma level was markedly elevated in CABG group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study describes a comprehensive immunological analysis of PF in humans for the first time. We showed that the investigated lymphocyte populations and cardiovascular markers in PF have significantly different distribution compared to blood, and lymphocyte populations show different compartmentization in coronary disease and aortic stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We studied immunogenicity of two recombinant proteins FR.9 and FR.11-3 created on the basis of fragments of the primary structure of N. meningitidis IgA1 protease with different molecular weights containing different sets of T and B epitopes. The proteins actively protect animals infected with live virulent culture of meningococci, serogroups A, B, and C. Analysis of CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ lymphocyte populations in mouse blood showed predominant contribution of different cell populations to the formation of immune response to different proteins. Injection of FR.11-3 protein to animals did no affect the immunoregulatory index, hence, this protein can be used for creation of immunologically safe vaccine preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • No biological markers related to Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) have been identified. • PCC patients have increased CD8, Th1 CD4 and complement C3 in peripheral blood. • CD8, Th1 CD4 and C3 are potential markers for PCC diagnosis and therapeutics. Biological markers associated to post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) have not been clearly identified. Eighty-two patients attending our post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic were recruited and classified as fully recovered (40.2%) or presenting with PCC (59.8%). Clinical and radiological data, laboratory markers, cytokines, and lymphocyte populations were analyzed. Median number of days after hospitalization was 78.5 [p25-p75: 60–93] days. PCC was significantly more frequent in women, in patients with a previously critical COVID-19, and in those with two or more comorbidities. No differences were found in lymphocyte counts, ferritin, C-reactive protein, D-dimer or sCD25, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-6, CXCL8, IL-17A, IL-18, IL-22, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 cytokines levels. PCC patients showed significantly higher levels of complement factor C3 than fully recovered patients: median C3 128 mg/dL [p25-p75:107–135] vs 111 mg/dL [p25-p75: 100–125] (p =.005), respectively. In the flow cytometry assessment of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, PCC patients showed significantly increased CD8 populations compared to fully recovered patients: median CD8: 529 [p25-p75: 384–683] vs 370/mm3 [p25-p75:280–523], p =.007. When type 1, 2, 17/22, and 17.1 helper and follicular T lymphocyte subpopulations were analyzed, the frequency of Th1 was significantly higher in PCC patients compared to fully recovered patients (30% vs 38.5%, p =.028). Patients with a post-COVID-19 condition showed significantly increased immunological parameters of inflammation (complement factor C3 and CD8 and Th1 T lymphocyte populations) compared to fully recovered patients. These parameters could be used as biological markers of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous work we described the decline in the number of splenocytes of mice which during pregnancy and lactation were fed Rhodiola kirilowii. In this work we present the size of individual subpopulations of splenic lymphocytes in these mice. Experiments were performed on adult inbred female Balb/c mice, 8-9 weeks old, 20-22 g b.m., mated with adult males from the same strain. Females, from when the copulatory plug was noted up to the28TH day after delivery, were supplemented daily with lyophilized aqueous (RKW ) or 50% hydro-ethanolic (RKW -A) extract (20 mg/kg b.m.) dissolved in distilled water. Then, mice were euthanized, spleens dissected, cells counted and the total numbers of CD 3+, CD 19+, CD 4+, CD 8+ and CD 335+ splenic lymphocytes were evaluated by cytometry. The number of CD 3+ lymphocytes per 1 g of splenic tissue was higher in RKW -A than in RKW spleens and did not differ from the control. The number of CD 3+ lymphocytes in RKW spleens was lower than in the controls. The number of CD 19+ and CD 4+ cells was lower in both experimental groups than in the controls. The number of CD 335+(NK ) cells was lower in RKW spleens than in the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selskyy P. R., Furdela M. Ya., Selskyy B. P. Нарушение клеточного звена общего иммунитета у больных с различными видами эндоцервикоза = Violation of the total cellular immunity in patients with different types of endocervicosis. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2016;6(4):31-38. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.49393 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/3444 The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 755 (23.12.2015). 755 Journal of Education, Health and Sport eISSN 2391-8306 7 © The Author (s) 2016; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 05.03.2016. Revised 20.03.2016. Accepted: 05.04.2016. Нарушение клеточного звена общего иммунитета у больных с различными видами эндоцервикоза П. Р. Сельський, М. Я. Фурдела, Б. П. Сельський Государственное высшее учебное заведение “Тернопольский государственный медицинский университет имени И.Я. Горбачевского МОЗ Украины”, Тернополь, Украина Резюме Проведено иммунологическое исследование 51 больной с эндоцервикозом. В первую группу вошли все больные с эндоцервикозом, вторую – только с простым эндоцервикозом (31,4 %), в третью (37,2 %) – с заживающим эндоцервикозом, а четвертая группа (31,4 %) охватывала женщин с прогрессирующим эндоцервикозом. Анализ клеточного звена иммунитета проводился с помощью моноклональных антител к антигенам лимфоцитов CD3, CD4, CD8 и CD19. Содержание большинства фенотипов лимфоцитов крови обследованных женщин с эндоцервикозом отличалось от нормальных. У больных с эндоцервикозом наблюдалось значительное угнетение клеточного звена иммунитета. Средний уровень CD3-лимфоцитов составил – (46,0±0,7) % против (64,5±2,8) % в контрольной группе (р

Abstract: The present work characterises how selection for reproduction (by comparing two generations – 16th and 36th – of the V line selected for litter size at weaning) or foundation for reproductive longevity (the LP line) can affect the blood lymphocytes populations of reproductive rabbit does under normal [conventional housing, average daily minimum and maximum temperatures of 14°C and 20°C, respectively] and heat stress conditions [climatic chamber, 25°C and 36°C] from the first to the second parturition. Housing under heat stress conditions significantly reduced the B lymphocytes counts in female rabbits (−34×106/L; P <0.05). The highest lymphocytes population value in blood (total, T CD5+, CD4+ and CD8+) was noted at the first parturition, while the B lymphocytes count was significantly lower at the second parturition (−61×106/L; P <0.05). Selection for litter size at weaning (V females) reduced the average counts of total and B lymphocytes in blood (−502 and −60×106/L, respectively; P <0.01), mainly because these populations in V36 females continuously lowered from the first to the second parturition under normal housing conditions. Thus, more selected females (V36) at the second parturition showed significantly lower counts in blood for total, T CD5+ and CD25+ lymphocytes (−1303, −446 and −33×106/L, respectively; P <0.05). The main differences in blood counts between V36 and V16 females disappeared when housed under heat stress conditions, except for T CD5+ and CD25+, which significantly increased (T CD5+: +428×106/L; CD25+: +41×106/L; P <0.01) in the V16 vs. V36 females on day 10 post-partum. Under normal conditions, no differences between LP and V36 females were found for most lymphocyte populations; only higher counts were noted in CD25+ (+20×106/L; P <0.05) for LP females. However, the lymphocytes counts [especially total (+1327×106/L; P <0.01) and T CD5+ (+376×106/L; P <0.10)] of LP females increased under heat vs. normal conditions when lymphocytes populations presented the lowest values (second parturition), while V36 females’ counts remained invariable. Positive correlations were found between feed intake (r =+0.51; P <0.001) and females’ perirenal fat thickness (r =+0.40; P <0.001) with B lymphocytes counts in the blood of primiparous rabbit females in the week 2 of lactation. These results indicate that selection for litter size at weaning might diminish their immune system''s response and adaptation capacity, while the foundation for reproductive longevity criteria leads to more robust rabbit females as they present greater modulation under heat stress conditions when the immune system is affected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We evaluated immune recovery in 67 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a median age of 40 years (4–69) following allo-SCT after reduced ( n = 35) or myeloablative ( n = 32) conditioning. The following lymphocyte populations were determined on days +30, +90, +180, +270, and +365 by flow associated cell sorting: CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratio, CD3−CD56+, and CD19+ cells. Peripheral blast count >5% was related to lower number of CD3+CD4+ (day +30) and NK cells (day +180; p = 0.02). Intensity of conditioning did not have any significant impact on the kinetics of immune recovery. Patients with normal CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratio (day +30) and NK cell count (day +90; p <0.05) experienced better survival than those with decreased parameters. Post-transplant sepsis/severe infections impaired CD3+CD8+ (day +90; p = 0.015) and CD19+ (day +90; p = 0.02) recovery. Relapse in patients following allo-SCT showed an association with decreased numbers of CD19+ (day +270) and NK cells (day +365). Acute GvHD (II–IV) was accompanied by reduced CD19+ and CD3+CD4+ cells. Thus, the evaluation of post-transplant immune reconstitution in patients with AML might improve risk stratification concerning either relapse or TRM and remains to be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Changing immune parameters during pregnancy have previously been reported in humans and cattle, and have been suggested to contribute to increased susceptibility to infections. However, data regarding immune parameters during pregnancy in sows are rare. In this study, we investigated the peripartal immune status of sows using phenotypical (FACS analysis) as well as functional (proliferation assays, cytokine analysis) parameters of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in pregnant sows. In previous studies, we reported a modulation of the immune system after feed supplementation of the probiotic Bacillus cereus var. toyoi in piglets [Schierack, P., Wieler, L.H., Taras, D., Herwig, V., Tachu, B., Hlinak, A., Schmidt, M.F., Scharek, L., 2007. Bacillus cereus var. toyoi enhanced systemic immune response in piglets. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 118, 1–11]. Here, we extended these previous studies to include investigations of possible probiotic effects on the peripartal immune status of sows and their reproductivity. We show that immune parameters of sows change during pregnancy, the proliferative response of PBMCs to several bacterial antigens in control animals decreased from days 90 to 30 ante partum. Relative numbers (%) of CD3+CD8+, CD4+, cytotoxic T, CD14+ and CD21+ cells were reduced compared to non-pregnant sows. In contrast, the proliferative response of PBMCs of probiotic-treated sows increased during pregnancy. Bacterial antigens primarily stimulated the proliferation of naïve CD21+ cells and the relative CD21+ cell numbers were elevated in the probiotic group in the absence of effects on other immune cell populations. The clinical and microbial status of both control and probiotic sows was similar, excluding pre-existing health problems or infections as responsible for the immunological changes, and feed supplementation also had no significant effects on reproductivity. The results suggest that the probiotic B. cereus var. toyoi can alter the proliferative response of lymphocytes and affects the immune cell population ratios of pregnant sows. How and to what extent this may affect health and reproductivity should be the focus of further studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Objective: It was the purpose of this study to examine the relationship between periodontal diseases and melatonin level. Material and Methods: Forty-six patients with periodontal disease, together with 26 age- and gender-matched healthy controls, were included. Periodontal status was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index. Plasma and salivary melatonin levels were determined using specific commercial radioimmunoassays, whereas lymphocyte subpopulations (e.g. CD3, CD4, CD8, C19 and natural killer cells) were analyzed using flow cytometry. Results: Patients with periodontal disease had significantly ( p < 0.001) lower plasma (9.46 ± 3.18 pg/mL) and saliva (2.55 ± 0.99 pg/mL) melatonin levels than healthy control patients (14.33 ± 4.05 and 4.22 ± 0.87 pg/mL, respectively). A biphasic relationhip was observed between plasma melatonin levels and Community Periodontal Indices. The plasma melatonin level was reduced in patients with a lower Community Periodontal Index value (1 or 2) and increased in patients with a higher Community Periodontal Index value (3 or 4). Salivary melatonin parallels the changes of plasma melatonin. The higher the Community Periodontal Index, the older the patient and the higher the total lymphocyte counts. CD4 concentrations also increased as the disease worsened. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study suggest that melatonin could act as a protective function in fighting periodontal infection. However, further studies in this area are encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The infection with blood stages of Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi (AS) was followed in BALB/c and DBA/2 mice. Both strains show a peak parasitemia by 7–9 days after infection, display splenic hypercellularity of T and B cells, thymic atrophy, nearly complete depletion of B cells in the bone marrow, and mount comparable polyclonal IgM and IgG responses in the serum. In contrast, these strains diverge in some aspects of the immune response and susceptibility to infection: while BALB/c survive, 70–80% of DBA/2 die within 2 weeks; BALB/c but not DBA/2 show marked increases in the levels of splenic γ/δ and regulatory T cells, dendritic cells and macrophages and parasite-specific IgM and IgG levels; however, lower levels of TNF-α and IL-12 were observed. These results suggest the relevance of different cell populations that are known to participate/regulate specific antibody responses and cytokine production in the susceptibility to infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background/Aim: Although clinical and immunological findings in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) favor an immunopathogenesis, many issues remain unsolved. Comprehensive studies analyzing cellular and humoral immunity in SSNS are scarce, and few studies addressed the effect of steroids on immunological factors. Methods: We therefore performed a cross-sectional study of T and B lymphocyte populations in 89 children during the different stages of the disease and related the findings to parameters of humoral immunity and treatment with steroids. Results: In untreated relapse, an increase in the proportion of activated CD3+ lymphocytes with a concomitant reduction of CD19+ B cells was noted compared to healthy controls. Conversely, patients with steroid dependency, relapsing on alternate-day steroids, showed a decline of the absolute numbers as well as proportion of CD4+ lymphocytes but a relative increase in CD19+ B cells, compared to healthy controls. Also untreated remission was characterized by an absolute and relative decrease in CD4+ lymphocytes compared to healthy controls which was accompanied by a significant increase in the proportion of CD8+ and also activated CD3+ lymphocytes. Steroid-induced remission resulted in suppression of absolute and relative CD4+, while absolute and relative B cells were upregulated in this group compared to untreated remission. Summary and Conclusion: Alterations of lymphocyte populations in SSNS are not limited to relapse but seem to be more pronounced in remission and show a different profile with steroid treatment. Changes of lymphocyte populations do not only affect T but also B lymphocytes, which may be of relevance in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-fifth of all in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients suffer from idiopathic infertility. A low fertilization rate is one of the most characteristic features of IVF in this group, probably caused by oocyte dysfunction. We speculate that an altered lymphocyte profile in follicular fluid (FF) may affect oocyte function and thus play a role in idiopathic infertility. Therefore, we compared levels of lymphocyte populations present in FF of 11 patients with idiopathic infertility (study group) with 29 patients in the control group, i.e. severe male factor infertility (n=17) or tubal factor infertility (n=12). Triple color flow cytometry was used to discriminate between T cells and NK cell subpopulations. In the idiopathic infertility group, a shift from T to NK cells was observed in FF as compared to the control group, caused mainly by a significant higher level of NK cells—20.3 and 13.6% (P<0.05), respectively. This high level of NK cells was due to a rise of the CD16+CD56dim NK cell subset. In peripheral blood, the NK cell levels showed a similar although not significant trend (P=0.08). As the CD16+CD56dim NK cell subpopulation is known for its cytotoxic properties, this subpopulation may negatively affect folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation, reflected by a diminished fertilization rate in the idiopathic infertility group. An altered lymphocyte profile in FF could therefore influence fertility in these patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry percentages and absolute number of lymphocyte populations and T cell subsets were enumerated in peripheral blood collected between 8.00 and 10.00 a.m. from 210 healthy adults. Although absolute numbers of total lymphocytes did not differ depending on age and sex, the numbers of T (Leu-4+) and natural killer (Leu-7+) cells as well as their percentages showed negative and positive correlations, respectively, with age. In Leu-7+ cells, the percentage was male-dominant irrespective of age, and the absolute number was male-dominant only in older subjects. Absolute numbers of suppressor/cytotoxic T (Leu-2a+) and helper/inducer T (Leu-3a+) cells and percentages of Leu-2a+ cells were negatively correlated with age in females. In males, only the percentage of Leu-2a+ cells was age-dependent. Leu-3a/Leu-2a was positively correlated with age in females, and was female-dominant depending on age. These results indicate that peripheral lymphocyte populations and T cell subsets vary remarkably in healthy adults even at a fixed time of day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral blood lymphocyte populations and subpopulations of 154 hemophiliacs treated with factor VIII concentrates were studied. The patients had significantly increased percentages of leukocytes and lymphocytes and also absolute numbers of the lymphocyte populations in cells/mm. The increases in cell counts in the two major T cell subpopulations (T4 and T8) were unbalanced, leading to a significant decrease in the T4/T8 ratio. There was no correlation between the T4/T8 ratio and the consumption of factor VIII during the year prior to the study. The values of these T cell subpopulations and of the T4/T8 ratio significantly correlated with the patients' age. There were no analytical or clinical data for any of the patients indicating AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has been linked to immunological and inflammatory response dysregulations. The aim of this study was to find endotypes of FSGS patients using a cluster (CL) analysis based on inflammatory and immunological variables, and to analyse whether a certain endotype is associated with response to treatment with corticosteroids., Methods: This prospective observational study included patients with idiopathic FSGS diagnosed by kidney biopsy. Serum levels of soluble interleukin (IL)-1 receptor, tumoural necrosis factor alpha, Interferon gamma (IFNγ), IL-6, IL-17, IL-12, IL-23, IL-13, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, haemopexin (Hx), haptoglobin (Hgl), soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and urinary CD80 (uCD80) were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or nephelometry. T-helper lymphocyte populations and T-regulatory lymphocytes were analysed by flow cytometry. A factorial analysis followed by a k -means CL analysis was performed., Results: A total of 79 FSGS patients were included. Three CLs were identified. CL1 (27.8%) included IL-12, IL-17, IL-23 and a T helper 17 (Th17) pattern. CL2 (20.2%) included IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, immunoglobulin E and Th2 pattern. CL3 (51.8%) included IL-6, Hx, Hgl, suPAR and uCD80. There were no differences in age, gender, kidney function, albumin or proteinuria among CLs. About 42/79 patients (53.1%) showed cortico-resistance. The prevalence of cortico-resistance was significantly lower in CL2 (4/16, 25%) than in CL1 (16/26, 72.7%) and CL3 (22/41, 53.7%) (P = 0.018), with no significant differences between CLs 1 and 3 (P = 0.14)., Conclusions: Patients with FSGS and indistinguishable clinical presentation at diagnosis were classified in three distinct CLs according to predominant Th17, Th2 and acute inflammatory responses that display differences in clinical response to treatment with corticosteroids., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA.)

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an umbrella term for seven distinct chronic immune-mediated diseases. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) are used to treat the underlying joint inflammation as well as extra-articular manifestations. Immunosuppression is a considerable side effect of the drugs. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effect of different JIA therapies on leukocyte subpopulations, which play a role in immune-defense. Three study groups were established. The first group consisted of JIA patients treated with methotrexate solely, the second one received a combination of methotrexate (MTX) and adalimumab (ADA). The control group was made up of the patients' healthy siblings. A total of 63 children were recruited. Fourty-one children with JIA and 22 healthy controls were included in the study. The absolute number of CD3+ T-cells was significantly elevated in patients treated with biological therapy compared to healthy controls (p2 = 0.017). In contrast, the number of CD56+ natural killer cells was significantly lower in children receiving biological therapy in comparison with healthy donors (p2 = 0.039). A significant alteration was also demonstrated between patients treated with MTX and MTX/ADA group concerning CD 19+ B-cells (p3 = 0.042). This is the first study that demonstrates significant alterations in the number of B-cells and T-cells with a relative decrease of NK-cell ratios in JIA patients receiving different DMARD therapy. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03833271. 21.01.2019., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Nagy, Mosdosi, Simon, Dergez and Berki.)

Introduction: In newborns, dramatic changes occur in the blood and bone marrow during the first hours; there are rapid fluctuations in the quantities of leukocytes populations. In this work, we investigated leukocytes subsets counts in two types of blood samples (cord blood and capillary blood) extracted from healthy newborns., Methods: Blood samples from Mexican neonates were collected by Instituto Nacional de Pediatría with written informed consent. For all samples we determined leukocytes populations; neutrophils, monocytes, total lymphocytes, and populations: T CD3+ cells, TCD4+ cells, T CD8+ cells, B CD19+ cells and NK CD16+56 cells by flow cytometry. We used the Mann-Whitney U test to compare leukocytes of cord and capillary blood; also to analyze the differences between gender and we obtained reference values of the cord and capillary blood in neonates., Results: We observed higher absolute counts and frequencies of total lymphocyte in capillary blood compared with cord blood. In absolute numbers, the capillary blood showed significant differences in neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, T CD3+ cells, T CD4+ cells, T CD8+ cells, B CD19+ cells, and NK cells; no significant differences were observed between genders., Discussion: Our data contribute to newborn Mexican reference values for all these populations of leukocytes. We found that the dispersal range differs between the two types of blood, suggesting a different fate in the immune response. Immunophenotyping of the blood cell population to identify these cells is an essential tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of neonates with immunodeficiencies and other immune disorders., (Copyright © 2020 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

We studied immunogenicity of two recombinant proteins FR.9 and FR.11-3 created on the basis of fragments of the primary structure of N. meningitidis IgA1 protease with different molecular weights containing different sets of T and B epitopes. The proteins actively protect animals infected with live virulent culture of meningococci, serogroups A, B, and C. Analysis of CD4 + , CD8 + , and CD19 + lymphocyte populations in mouse blood showed predominant contribution of different cell populations to the formation of immune response to different proteins. Injection of FR.11-3 protein to animals did no affect the immunoregulatory index, hence, this protein can be used for creation of immunologically safe vaccine preparation.

In 36 patients representing different clinical stages of multiple sclerosis (MS) (9 patients with acute exacerbations; 21 patients in remission; 5 patients with chronic progressive MS) determinations of T lymphocyte populations using monoclonal antibodies against surface antigens (OKT3 (pan T cells), OKT4 (helper T cells), OKT8 (cytotoxic/suppressor T cells)) were performed. Compared to the control group (40 healthy individuals) a clear elevation of the T4/T8 ratio was found in acute exacerbations and to a lesser degree in patients with inactive phases of MS. Patients with chronic progressive disease did not show increased T4/T8 ratios. Serial determination of lymphocyte populations after corticosteroid therapy in 10 selected patients revealed no significant changes which could be attribted to this therapeutic modality. Pathogenetic and clinical implications of the shifts in surface antigen expression of T lymphocyte populations mirroring the clinical course of MS are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]