T Cells from Autoimmune Patients Display Reduced Sensitivity to Immunoregulation by Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Role of IL-2 Scientists investigated the ability of healthy donor derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to inhibit the proliferation of T cells from two pathophysiologically different autoimmune diseases (AIDs): Multiple Sclerosis and Myasthenia Gravis. They showed that MSC-induced inhibition of interferon-γ production and surface expression of the CD3, CD4 and CD28 receptors by activated lymphocytes was similar in the AID patients and healthy controls. [Autoimmun Rev] Abstract The Majority of Patients with Long-Duration Type 1 Diabetes Are Insulin Microsecretors and Have Functioning Beta Cells Recently developed ultrasensitive assays capable of detecting C-peptide under 5 pmol/l now allow very low levels of C-peptide to be detected in patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes. It is not known whether this low-level endogenous insulin secretion responds to physiological stimuli. The authors aimed to assess how commonly low-level detectable C-peptide occurs in long-duration type 1 diabetes and whether it responds to a meal stimulus. [Diabetologia] Full Article | Press Release Epstein-Barr Virus Co-Infection in Children Boosts Cytomegalovirus-Induced Differentiation of Natural Killer Cells Scientists found that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) co-infection selectively influenced the natural killer (NK)-cell compartment of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive (CMV+) children. Co-infected children had significantly higher proportions of peripheral-blood NKG2C+ NK cells than CMV+EBV– children. [J Virol] Abstract Activation of Human Basophils by Combined Toll-Like Receptor- and FcεRI-Triggering Can Promote T Helper 2 Skewing of Naive T Helper Cells The activation of basophils via Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in combination with activation via IgE was studied, as well as its effect on T helper cell skewing. Using quantitative PCR, the authors demonstrated the presence of mRNA for TLRs 1-8 in humanan basophils. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract IVIg Immune Reconstitution Treatment Alleviates the State of Persistent Immune Activation and Suppressed CD4 T Cell Counts in CVID Researchers addressed the hypothesis that poor antibody-mediated immune control of infections may result in substantial perturbations in the T cell compartment. Newly diagnosed common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) patients were sampled before, and 6-12 months after, initiation of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy. [PLoS One] Full Article Persistent Changes in Circulating and Intestinal γδ T Cell Subsets, Invariant Natural Killer T Cells and Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells in Children and Adults with Celiac Disease Investigators used multi-color flow cytometry to determine the number and frequency of γδ T cells (Vδ1, Vδ2 and Vδ3 subsets), natural killer cells, CD56+ T cells, invariant NKT cells, and mucosal associated invariant T cells, in blood and duodenum from adults and children with celiac disease and healthy matched controls. [PLoS One] Full Article Cutting Edge: IL-10-Producing Regulatory B Cells in Early Human Pregnancy The function of IL-10 producing regulatory B cells during gestation is unknown. Here, the authors aimed to understand their participation in early pregnancy. CD19+CD24hiCD27+B cell frequency, measured by flow cytometry, increased with pregnancy onset but not in the case of spontaneous abortions. [Am J Reprod Immunol] Abstract DNA Methylation Modulates HRES1/p28 Expression in B Cells from Patients with Lupus Since previous studies have demonstrated that CD4+ T cells and B cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients are defective in their ability to methylate their DNA upon antigen stimulation, scientists investigated whether DNA demethylation affects the transcription of HRES-1 in B cells. [Autoimmunity] Abstract High Degree of Correlation between Whole Blood and PBMC Expression Levels of miR-155 and miR-146a in Healthy Controls and Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Researchers sought to determine whether microRNA (miRNA) levels detected in whole blood samples correlated with those detected in simultaneously isolated peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the same individuals, thus establishing the feasibility of using whole blood as a viable clinical material for monitoring miRNA expression in rheumatoid arthritis and other disorders. [J Immunol Methods] Abstract |