Immunochemistry & Immunopathology

Introduction: Autoantibody testing, including against Centromere Proteins (CENP), is important in the identification of autoimmune diseases. Test methods may be manual, slow, labor-intensive and/or fragmented. Development of highly automated tools is needed. We aimed to evaluate the performance of MosaiQ® CENP-B (CENP-B-MA), a planar microarray immunoassay designed for use with the fully automated, continuous random access, high-throughput MosaiQ System, for the qualitative serological detection of anti-CENP-B autoantibodies (ACA-B) as an aid in the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis.

Methods: A comparator study was performed at Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France using anonymized serum samples, characterized as ACA-B non-reactive or reactive with CE-marked devices. Reproducibility and repeatability evaluations were also performed.

Results: After resolver testing, CENP-B-MA identified 96/99 samples characterized as reactive and all 199 non-reactive samples: positive percent agreement: 97% (95% CI, 91.4%, 99.4%), negative percent agreement: 100% (95% CI, 98.2%, 100%), overall percent agreement: 99% (95% CI, 97.1%, 99.8%). Reproducibility and repeatability evaluation showed, respectively, overall agreement of 99.7% (95% CI, 99.4%, 99.9%) and 100%.

Conclusion: Performance of CENP-B-MA shows high concordance with other CE-marked assays for detecting ACA-B, with a high degree of reproducibility and repeatability.

The relentless pursuit of effective treatments for Adult T-Cell Leukemia-Lymphoma (ATLL) has led to the exploration of innovative immunotherapeutic strategies. This study delves into the development of a novel approach, namely, the utilization of innate immune cells as a foundation for immunotherapy against ATLL. Harnessing the potent capabilities of these immune effectors, particularly Natural Killer (NK) cells and macrophages, offers a promising avenue for targeted and sustainable ATLL treatment. The research outlines the engineering and optimization of innate immune cells to enhance their specificity and cytotoxicity against ATLL cells while minimizing off-target effects. In-depth preclinical investigations demonstrate the efficacy of this immunotherapeutic strategy, highlighting its potential as a next-generation treatment modality for ATLL patients. The findings presented herein not only contribute to the evolving landscape of cancer immunotherapy but also pave the way for clinical translation, opening new doors for personalized and potent interventions in ATLL.

Cross-presentation, a fundamental process in immunology, plays a pivotal role in the adaptive immune response by presenting extracellular antigens on Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I (MHC-I) molecules. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate molecular characteristics, functional definitions and regulatory mechanisms governing cross-presentation. The exploration encompasses the diverse cellular players involved in this process, emphasizing the central role of antigen-presenting cells, particularly dendritic cells. The review outlines the molecular machinery responsible for the generation of MHC-I/peptide complexes from exogenous antigens, shedding light on the precise mechanisms that orchestrate cross-presentation. Furthermore, the regulatory checkpoints governing the efficiency and specificity of cross-presentation are dissected, providing insights into the dynamic interplay between the immune system and its surrounding microenvironment. This comprehensive analysis serves to enhance our understanding of cross-presentation, offering a foundation for future research and potential therapeutic interventions that leverage this critical immunological process.

In the era of advanced proteomic methodologies, the convergence of peptidomic analysis with single-cell proteomics represents a groundbreaking approach that unveils the intricacies of cellular processes at unparalleled resolutions. This review explores the synergistic potential of peptidomic analysis within the context of single-cell proteomics, elucidating the dynamic landscape of cellular peptides and their functional implications. By integrating these techniques, researchers gain unprecedented insights into cellular heterogeneity, signaling pathways and disease mechanisms. This comprehensive analysis not only enhances our understanding of the cellular peptidome but also offers a powerful tool for personalized medicine and innovative therapeutic strategies. This integrated approach, combining peptidomic analysis and single-cell proteomics, offers a multifaceted perspective on diverse scientific disciplines. From cancer research and neurobiology to virology, the comprehensive exploration of the cellular peptidome at the single-cell level enhances our ability to discern subtle nuances in cellular responses, identify disease-specific peptide signatures and uncover novel therapeutic targets. As technological advancements propel these methodologies forward, the era of peptidomic analysis in the age of single-cell proteomics emerges as a transformative force, reshaping the landscape of biomedical research and ushering in new possibilities for precision medicine and therapeutic interventions.