Antibody profiling reveals gender differences in response to SARS-COVID-2 infection

<abstract> <p>The recent emergence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to an ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and public health crisis. Detailed study of human immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection is the important topic for a successful treatment of this disease. Our study was aimed to characterize immune response on the level of antibody profiling in convalescent plasma of patients in Georgia. Antibodies against the following SARS-CoV-2 proteins were studied: nucleocapsid and various regions of spike (S) protein: S1, S2 and receptor binding domain (RBD). Convalescent plasma of patients 6–8 weeks after initial confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection were tested. Nearly 80% out of 162 patients studied showed presence of antibodies against nucleocapsid protein. The antibody response to three fragments of S protein was significantly less and varied in the range of 20–30%. Significantly more females as compared to males were producing antibodies against S1 fragment, whereas the difference between genders by the antibodies against nucleocapsid protein and RBD was statistically significant only by one-tailed Fisher exact test. There were no differences between the males and females by antibodies against S2 fragment. Thus, immune response against some viral antigens is stronger in females and we suggest that it could be one of the factors of less female fatality after SARS-CoV-2 infection.</p> </abstract>

The complex functions of microRNA-150 in allergy, autoimmunity and immune tolerance

<abstract> <p>At present, special efforts are being made to develop the strategies allowing for activation of long-lasting antigen-specific immune tolerance in therapy of allergic and autoimmune diseases. Some of these therapeutic approaches are aimed at modulating cell functions at genetic level by using miRNA-based and miRNA-targeting treatments. Simultaneously, the crucial role of extracellular vesicles as natural miRNA conveyors is highlighted for induction of antigen-specific immune tolerance, especially that they appear to be easily manipulatable for therapeutic applications. Among other immune-related miRNAs, miR-150 is getting special attention as it is differently expressed by immune cells at various stages of their maturation and differentiation. In addition, miR-150 is involved in different signaling cascades orchestrating humoral and cell-mediated mechanisms of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Therefore, miR-150 is considered a master regulator of immunity in mammals. Currently, physiological miR-150-dependent regulatory circuits and causes of their malfunctioning that underlie the pathogenesis of allergic and autoimmune disorders are being unraveled. Thus, present review summarizes the current knowledge of the role of miR-150 in the pathogenesis and complications of these diseases. Furthermore, the involvement of miR-150 in regulation of immune responses to allergens and self-antigens and in induction of antigen-specific immune tolerance is discussed with the special emphasis on the therapeutic potential of this miRNA.</p> </abstract>

A universal CAR-NK cell approach for HIV eradication

<abstract> <p>No therapeutic drug has been able to completely eradicate HIV-infection so far, even after decades of research. A major challenge in HIV drug development is its immense diversity. NK cells are well-known for their anti-viral and anti-tumor functions. Since recently, NK cells have gained interest of researchers as they have paved the way for novel approaches in controlling HIV-infection supported by promising results observed in cancer immunotherapy trials. Here we report an anti-DNP CAR-NK cell approach introduced by Lim et al. capable of recognizing 2,4-dinitrophenyl tagged to anti-gp160 antibodies, which seemingly provides an effective solution to counteract HIV variability.</p> </abstract>