Association of Anti-Annexin A5 Antibody With Pregnancy Outcomes: A Cohort Study: Anti-annexin A5 antibody with pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the correlation between anti-annexin A5 (aANXA5) antibody in the blood and pregnancy outcomes . METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort study based on singleton pregnancies of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from May 2018 to December 2022. Baseline characteristics were collected from all participants. Logistic regression and interaction effect analyses were utilized to examine the risk impact of aANXA5 on pregnancy complications, adjusting for age, BMI, abortion, ANA, and aCL. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) and threshold effect analysis were applied to explore the relationship between aANXA5 levels and preterm birth (PTB), as well as pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). RESULTS: The study included 501 participants, with 51 (10.2%) testing positive for aANXA5 and 450 (89.8%) testing negative. The aANXA5 positive group exhibited higher rates of ANA and antibodies to thyroglobulin (TGAb), along with increased incidences of PTB and PIH. Positive aANXA5 status was independently linked to an elevated risk of PTB (OR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.30-4.94) and PIH (OR: 4.23, 95% CI: 1.54-11.62). Subsequent subgroup analysis indicated no significant interaction between the groups (p > 0.05). Threshold analysis revealed that the OR for PTB was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.03-1.39) in participants with aANXA5 levels ≥ 32.77 ng/mL, and the OR for PIH was 1.62 (95% CI: 1.15-2.28) in those with aANXA5 levels ≥ 33.20 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: AANXA5 is independently associated with an increased risk of PTB and PIH. The identified optimal predictive cutoff values are 32.77 ng/mL for PTB and 33.20 ng/mL for PIH.

Delivery of IL-2 to the T Cell Surface Through Phosphatidylserine Permits Robust Expansion of CD8 T Cells.

The phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) is naturally maintained on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane. Independent of apoptosis, PS is redistributed to the surface of CD8 T cells in response to TCR-mediated activation. Annexin V (AnnV) is a protein known to bind PS with high affinity and has been effectively utilized to anchor antigen to the surface of CD8 T cells. To expand these studies, we aimed to exploit TCR activation driven PS exposure as a target to deliver cytokine, namely interleukin-2 (IL-2), to the surface of CD8 T cells. This was accomplished using a novel chimeric fusion protein of annexin V and interleukin 2 (AnnV-IL2). In vitro analysis revealed that AnnV-IL2 is able to specifically bind PS on the T cell surface following TCR stimulation. Consequently, AnnV-IL2 proved to be significantly more effective at enhancing T cell activation compared to recombinant IL-2. In vivo, AnnV-IL2 promotes robust expansion of antigen-specific cells capable of interferon gamma (IFNγ) production when administered following peptide vaccination. Importantly, upon antigen rechallenge, AnnV-IL2 treatment mice demonstrated a stronger secondary expansion, indicating durability of AnnV-IL2 mediated responses. Our data supports the use of AnnV-IL2 to modulate antigen-specific T cell immunity and demonstrates that the PS-AnnV axis is a feasible mechanism to target diverse cargo to CD8 T cells.

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Value of Non-criteria Antibodies for Antiphospholipid Syndrome Patients in a Chinese Cohort.

Objective: Although specific anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPLs) have been used in the diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) for years, new biomarkers are required to increase its diagnostic and risk-predictive power. This study aimed to explore the value of several non-criteria aPLs in a Chinese cohort. Methods: A total of 312 subjects, namely, 100 patients diagnosed with primary APS, 51 with APS secondary to SLE, 71 with SLE, and 90 healthy controls, were recruited. Serum anticardiolipin (aCL) IgG/IgM/IgA, anti-ß2-glycoprotein I (aß2GPI) IgG/IgM/IgA, anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT) IgG/IgM, and anti-annexin A5 antibodies (aAnxV) IgG/IgM were tested using ELISA kits. Results: Of the total number of patients, 30.46% and 6.62% with APS were positive for aCL or aß2GPI IgA, respectively, while 39.07% and 24.50% were positive for aAnxV or aPS/PT for at least one antibody (IgG or IgM). The addition test of aCL IgA and aAnxV IgM assists in identifying seronegative APS patients, and IgG aPS/PT was linked to stroke. Conclusion: Detection of aCL IgA, aß2GPI IgA, aAnxV IgG/M, and aPS/PT IgG/M as a biomarker provides additive value in APS diagnosis and would help in risk prediction for APS patients in medical practice.

Low prevalence of antiannexin A5 antibodies in unprovoked venous thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity, and the detection in the blood of at least one of three antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant, or anticardiolipin or anti-ß2 -glycoprotein I antibodies). Diagnosing APS is important so that secondary prophylaxis may be administered to reduce risk of recurrent thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity. In addition to APS-defining antibodies, there may be additional autoantibodies that have a role in thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity. Furthermore, some patients have clinical manifestations highly suggestive of APS but are persistently negative for the APS-defining antibodies ("seronegative APS") and instead, have other autoantibodies. Antiannexin A5 (aANXA5) autoantibodies have been associated with increased risk of thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity; levels are also reportedly higher in patients with venous thrombosis compared with healthy controls. The prevalence of aANXA5 among patients with unprovoked venous thrombosis is not well-documented and determination of the frequency of aANXA5 is the objective of this study. METHODS: We analysed sera from 148 patients with unprovoked venous thrombosis who had undergone routine laboratory testing for the present APS-defining antibodies. RESULTS: aANXA5 IgG and IgM were present in 6% and 1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of these antibodies in unprovoked venous thrombosis is comparable with frequencies reported in healthy individuals and is far lower than the prevalence in women with pregnancy morbidity. This may indicate lack of association with venous thrombosis, however, adequately powered case-control studies will be required to resolve this and prevalence data from this study will assist in the design of such studies.

Annexin A5 is essential for PKCθ translocation during T-cell activation.

T-cell activation is a critical part of the adaptive immune system, enabling responses to foreign cells and external stimulus. In this process, T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) activation stimulates translocation of the downstream kinase PKCθ to the membrane, leading to NF-κB activation and thus transcription of relevant genes. However, the details of how PKCθ is recruited to the membrane remain enigmatic. It is known that annexin A5 (ANXA5), a calcium-dependent membrane-binding protein, has been reported to mediate PKCδ activation by interaction with PKCδ, a homologue of PKCθ, which implicates a potential role of ANXA5 involved in PKCθ signaling. Here we demonstrate that ANXA5 does play a critical role in the recruitment of PKCθ to the membrane during T-cell activation. ANXA5 knockout in Jurkat T cells substantially inhibited the membrane translocation of PKCθ upon TCR engagement and blocked the recruitment of CARMA1-BCL10-MALT1 signalosome, which provides a platform for the catalytic activation of IKKs and subsequent activation of canonical NF-κB signaling in activated T cells. As a result, NF-κB activation was impaired in ANXA5-KO T cells. T-cell activation was also suppressed by ANAX5 knockdown in primary T cells. These results demonstrated a novel role of ANXA5 in PKC translocation and PKC signaling during T-cell activation.

Anti-annexin V autoantibodies and vascular abnormalities in systemic sclerosis: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Annexins are a group of conserved proteins which exert several regulatory functions on various cellular activities. Increased frequency and levels of antibodies against annexin V have already been observed in several autoimmune diseases including systemic sclerosis (SSc), but their role as a vascular biomarker is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels and the dynamical behavior of anti-annexin V antibodies over a 24 months follow-up in patients with SSc. METHODS: In this bicentric cross-sectional study, 70 patients with SSc were consecutively selected from March 2016 to April 2017. Demographic and clinical features, including the presence of active DUs, were collected. Serum anti-annexin V IgG and IgM antibodies were measured at baseline and after 6, 12 and 24 months of follow-up. Videocapillaroscopy was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Among the 70 SSc patients included anti-annexin V IgG was found in 11 patients (15.7%) (range of 15.88-39.48 U/mL) and anti-annexin V IgM in 10 patients (14.3%) (range of 14.16-22.69 U/mL) at baseline. During follow-up, the number of patients who were positive for anti-annexin V IgG and IgM remained stable over 24 months. Among the patients with positive anti-annexin V IgG at baseline the frequency of patients with necrosis or amputation of extremities, forced vital capacity less than 70% and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was significantly higher than in patients with negative anti-annexin V IgG antibodies. Patients with anti-annexin V IgG had also a higher Raynaud's Condition Score and a higher Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) than patients without these antibodies at baseline. Patients with positive anti-annexin V IgM at baseline presented a higher frequency of PAH, compared to those with negative anti-annexin V IgM at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-annexin V antibodies are stable and do not change their positivity during a 24 month follow-up in SSc patients. Anti-annexin V IgG was associated with more severe interstitial lung involvement and digital microangiopathy, and patients with anti-annexin V IgG or IgM had a higher occurrence of PAH indicating an association of these biomarker with more severe disease.

Burst release of encapsulated annexin A5 in tumours boosts cytotoxic T-cell responses by blocking the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.

Cancer immunotherapies, particularly therapeutic vaccination, do not typically generate robust anti-tumour immune responses. Here, we show that the intratumoral burst release of the protein annexin A5 from intravenously injected hollow mesoporous nanoparticles made of diselenide-bridged organosilica generates robust anti-tumour immunity by exploiting the capacity of primary tumours to act as antigen depots. Annexin A5 blocks immunosuppressive apoptosis and promotes immunostimulatory secondary necrosis by binding to the phagocytic marker phosphatidylserine on dying tumour cells. In mice bearing large established tumours, the burst release of annexin A5 owing to diselenide-bond cleavage under the oxidizing conditions of the tumour microenvironment and the reducing intracellular conditions of tumour cells induced systemic cytotoxic T-cell responses and immunological memory associated with tumour regression and the prevention of relapse, and led to complete tumour eradication in about 50% of mice with orthotopic breast tumours. Reducing apoptosis signalling via in situ vaccination could be a versatile strategy for the generation of adaptive anti-tumour immune responses.

Annexin-A5 resistance and non-criteria antibodies for the diagnosis of seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome.

In this study, we aimed to analyze the value of annexin-A5 anticoagulant ratio (A5R) and non-criteria antibodies for the diagnosis of APS in patients with clinical seronegative APS. Three groups were defined, including 21 seronegative APS patients with unexplained obstetrical adverse events or thrombosis history, 15 confirmed APS patients with triple aPL positivity, and a control group of 20 healthy patients without any history of thrombosis or pregnancy complications. Seronegative APS patients have similar levels of A5R in comparison to healthy controls (202% [171%-238%] versus 191% [178%-221%]; p = 0.65), whereas triple-positive APS patients have significantly more reduced A5R in comparison to both seronegative and healthy patients (149% [138%-158%] versus 202% [171%-238%] and 191% [178%-221%], respectively, p < 0.001). The non-criteria aPL were found in 24% of seronegative APS: anti-PE IgM in 3 cases (14%) and anti-PS/PT IgG and anti-PS/PT IgM in 1 (5%) case each. The frequency of non-criteria APL was significantly more frequent in comparison to healthy controls (p = 0.048). All triple-positive APS patients have at least one non-criteria aPL, and the non-criteria aPL were significantly more frequent in these patients compared to seronegative APS and healthy controls (p < 0.001). Whereas A5R levels do not allow to discriminate seronegative APS from healthy controls, our results demonstrate that non-criteria aPL can help to APS diagnosis in clinical seronegative APS.Key points• Annexin-A5 resistance testing does not help for the diagnosis of seronegative APS.• The non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies can contribute to APS diagnosis in patients without conventional antibodies.

Annexin V expression on CD4+ T cells with regulatory function.

Regulatory T (Treg) cells induce immunologic tolerance by suppressing effector functions of conventional lymphocytes in the periphery. On the other hand, immune silencing is mediated by recognition of phosphatidylserine (PS) on apoptotic cells by phagocytes. Here we describe expression of the PS-binding protein Annexin V (ANXA5) in CD4+  CD25hi Treg cells at the mRNA and protein levels. CD4+  ANXA5+ T cells constitute about 0·1%-0·6% of peripheral blood CD3+ T cells, exhibit co-expression of several Treg markers, such as Forkhead box P3, programmed cell death protein-1, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and CD38. In vitro, ANXA5+ Treg cells showed enhanced adhesion to PS+ endothelial cells. Stimulated by anti-CD3 and PS+ syngeneic antigen-presenting cells CD4+  ANXA5+ T cells expanded in the absence of exogenous interleukin-2. CD4+  ANXA5+ T cells suppressed CD4+  ANXA5- T-cell proliferation and mammalian target of rapamycin phosphorylation, partially dependent on cell contact. CD4+  ANXA5+ T-cell-mediated suppression was allo-specific and accompanied by an increased production of anti-inflammatory mediators. In vivo, using a model of delayed type hypersensitivity, murine CD4+  ANXA5+ T cells inhibited T helper type 1 responses. In conclusion, we report for the first time expression of ANXA5 on a subset of Treg cells that might bridge classical regulatory Treg function with immune silencing.

Serum Annexin V and Anti-Annexin V levels and their relationship with metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the serum annexin V and anti-annexin V levels and their relationship with metabolic parameters in patients recently diagnosed type 2 diabetic. METHODS: A total of 143 patients recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 133 control subjects were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI), hs-CRP, HOMA-IR, carotid intima-media thickness, and serum levels of annexin V and anti-annexin V were investigated. RESULTS: HOMA-IR, serum hs-CRP, and carotid intima-media thickness were found to be statistically significant. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between the carotid intima-media thickness and the annexin V level (r=0.29, p=0.006*). A statistically significant positive relationship was also detected between the Annexin V level and level of serum hs-CRP (r=0.29 p=0.006*). CONCLUSION: A positive relationship was observed between the carotid intima-media thickness and annexin V at the end of our investigation. In this regard, we also believe that serum levels of annexin V may be increased for cardiovascular protection in the elevation of carotid intima-media thickness.

Serum Annexin V and Anti-Annexin V levels and their relationship with metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes

SUMMARY BACKGROUND We investigated the serum annexin V and anti-annexin V levels and their relationship with metabolic parameters in patients recently diagnosed type 2 diabetic. METHODS A total of 143 patients recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 133 control subjects were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI), hs-CRP, HOMA-IR, carotid intima-media thickness, and serum levels of annexin V and anti-annexin V were investigated. RESULTS HOMA-IR, serum hs-CRP, and carotid intima-media thickness were found to be statistically significant. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between the carotid intima-media thickness and the annexin V level (r=0.29, p=0.006*). A statistically significant positive relationship was also detected between the Annexin V level and level of serum hs-CRP (r=0.29 p=0.006*). CONCLUSION A positive relationship was observed between the carotid intima-media thickness and annexin V at the end of our investigation. In this regard, we also believe that serum levels of annexin V may be increased for cardiovascular protection in the elevation of carotid intima-media thickness.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Investigar os níveis séricos de anexina V e antianexina V e sua relação com os parâmetros metabólicos em pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 recém-diagnosticados. MÉTODOS Foram incluídos no estudo 143 pacientes e 133 controles com diabetes tipo 2 recém-diagnosticado. O índice de massa corporal (IMC), PCR-as, Homa-IR, espessura íntima média carotídea e níveis séricos de anexina V e antianexina V foram investigados. RESULTADOS O Homa-IR, a PCR-s do soro e a espessura média da carótida foram estatisticamente significantes. A análise de correlação de Pearson revelou uma relação positiva estatisticamente significante entre a espessura média da carótida e anexina V (r=0,29; p=0,006 *). Foi também detectada uma relação positiva estatisticamente significativa entre o nível de anexina V e o nível sérico de PCR-as (r=0,29, p=0,006*). CONCLUSÃO Também foi observada uma relação positiva entre a espessura média da carótida e anexina V no final da nossa investigação. A esse respeito, também pensamos que os níveis séricos de anexina V podem ser aumentados para proteção cardiovascular na elevação da espessura média da carótida.

HIV-1 infection modulates IL-24 expression which contributes to cell apoptosis in vitro.

Although interleukin-24 (IL-24) has been extensively explored in the immunopathologies of autoimmune diseases, neoplasms, and infections, its role in HIV-1 infection has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the gene and protein expressions of IL-24 at the initial moments of HIV infection in PBMCs. Due to the pro-apoptotic role of IL-24, we evaluated the protein expression of caspase-3, as well as Annexin V/Propidium Iodide flow cytometry and phosphorylation of ERK, which may induce an apoptotic signal block when phosphorylated. The results of this study demonstrated that HIV-1 infection had an impact on the gene and protein expressions of IL-24 and ERK. Annexin V/Propidium Iodide assay demonstrated decrease in the mechanisms of apoptosis in infected cells after incubation of IL-24 neutralizing antibody. Studies on how HIV-1 regulates IL-24 expression may play a role in characterizing viral persistence mechanisms and designing antiretroviral strategies.

Anti-annexin A5 antibodies and 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol in female patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Vascular antiphospholipid syndrome (VAPS) and obstetric (OAPS) are different entities because some patients only develop thrombosis (without recurrent pregnancy losses) and vice versa. Only two articles have reported that low 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol (vitamin D3, VD3) levels were not correlated with the presence of conventional antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL Abs: anticardiolipin (aCL), anti-beta2glycoprotein I (aß2gpI), and lupus anticoagulant (LA)), but no article analyzed the association of VD3 and anti-annexin A5 (aanxA5) Abs. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between VD3, multiple positivity of conventional aPL and aanxA5 Abs levels only in female OAPS vs. VAPS. Our study included 62 consecutive female PAPS patients. Concentrations of Abs were measured by ELISA, while VD3 levels were determined by immunochemiluminescence. Only 10/62 (16.13%) had sufficient (≥ 30 ng/ml) VD3 levels, while 48/62 (77.42%) and 4/62 (6.45%) had insufficiency and VD3 deficiency, respectively. Statistically significant VD3 deficiency was noticed in VAPS (vs. OAPS, P = 0.013). A negative correlation between VD3 levels and the age of patients was noticed (r = - 0.493, P = 0.032) only in VAPS subgroup. Multiple positivity of aPL and aanxA5 Abs was not associated with VD3 deficiency. Newly emerging aPL Abs, such as aanxA5 Abs, or their combinations with classical aPL Abs are not associated with VD3 deficiency in neither OAPS nor VAPS patients. Due to its immunomodulatory roles in B-Ly homeostasis, supplementation with VD3 should be considered in APS, at least in subgroup with severe form of the disease, i.e., VAPS.

Programmed self-assembly of peptide-major histocompatibility complex for antigen-specific immune modulation.

A technology to prime desired populations of T cells in the body-particularly those that possess low avidity against target antigen-would pave the way for the design of new types of vaccination for intractable infectious diseases or cancer. Here, we report such a technology based on positive feedback-driven, programmed self-assembly of peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) directly on the membrane of cognate T cells. Our design capitalizes on the unique features of the protein annexin V (ANXA5), which-in a concerted and synergistic manner-couples the early onset of TCR signaling by cognate pMHC with a surge in pMHC-TCR affinity, with repeated pMHC encounters, and with widespread TCR cross-linking. In our system, ANXA5 is linked to pMHC and firmly engages the plasma membrane of cognate T cells upon (and only upon) the early onset of TCR signaling. ANXA5, in turn, exerts a mechanical force that stabilizes interactions at the TCR-pMHC interface and facilitates repeated, serial pMHC encounters. Furthermore, ANXA5 quickly arranges into uniform 2D matrices, thereby prompting TCR cross-linking. Fusion of ANXA5 to pMHC augments lymphocyte activation by several orders of magnitude (>1,000-fold), bypasses the need for costimulation, and breaks tolerance against a model self-antigen in vivo. Our study opens the door to the application of synthetic, feedback-driven self-assembly platforms in immune modulation.

Association of silent infarcts in sickle cell anemia with decreased annexin A5 resistance.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is characterized by abnormally shaped, adhesive RBCs that interact with white blood cells and the endothelium, leading to chronic hemolysis, vasculopathy and a prothrombotic state. About 10% of subjects with a thrombotic event in the general population will have an associated antiphospholipid (aPL) antibody. One proposed mechanism for the thrombophilic nature of aPL antibodies is the disruption of the potent anticoagulant annexin A5 or Annexin A5 resistance (A5R). We designed a pilot study assessing the presence of aPL antibodies and disruption of A5R in pediatric sickle cell subjects. METHODS: 39 subjects with SCA participated in this study. A5R, DRVVT, anti-ß2GP1, anti-ß2GP1, anti-phosphatidylserine and anti-cardiolipin antibody assays were performed. RESULTS: There was a high prevalence of abnormal A5R despite a low prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed an association with silent infarcts (p=0.015), lower hemoglobin (p=0.037), older age (p=0.047) and abnormal A5R. CONCLUSION: We report an association between annexin A5 resistance and presence of silent infarct, low hemoglobin, and older age in a subgroup of SCA subjects. A potential role for perturbed A5R in the pathophysiology of SCA needs to be evaluated further.

Reduction of annexin A5 anticoagulant ratio identifies antiphospholipid antibody-positive patients with adverse clinical outcomes.

Essentials Annexin A5 resistance is a mechanism for antiphospholipid (aPL) syndrome. 750 patients with history of thrombosis, pregnancy complications and controls were tested. Reduced annexin A5 anticoagulant ratios (A5R) correlate with aPL antibody multipositivity. Reduced A5R may identify patients with a propensity for thrombosis or pregnancy complications. Click to hear an ISTH Academy presentation on antiphospholipid antibody syndrome by Drs de Laat and Bertolaccini SUMMARY: Background Annexin A5 (A5) is a potent anticoagulant protein that shields anionic phospholipids from coagulation reactions. Previous studies showed that antibodies from patients with antiphospholipid (aPL) syndrome (APS) interfere with annexin A5 crystallization and anticoagulant activity. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate whether reduced values in the annexin A5 anticoagulant ratio (A5R) assay (i.e. 'annexin A5 resistance') are associated with adverse clinical events in aPL antibody-positive patients. Patients/Methods In an initial discovery phase, a group of 679 patient samples from a 'real-world' tertiary care hospital population were tested for A5R. This was followed by a validation-phase cohort of 71 asymptomatic patients with aPL antibodies and no prior history of an adverse clinical event whose baseline samples were tested for A5R then subsequently observed for up to 4 years. Results In the discovery-phase group, we found a reduction of A5R in aPL antibody-positive patients with thrombosis and/or pregnancy complications compared with aPL antibody-negative patients and controls. In addition, reduced A5R values in both the discovery-phase group and validation-phase cohort correlated with the extent of multi-positivity for standard APS tests, which has also been shown to be associated with a risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Conclusion Reduced A5R values were associated with a multi-positivity profile in aPL antibody-positive patients within both groups and with the development of adverse clinical events.

Interleukin 15 activates Akt to protect astrocytes from oxygen glucose deprivation-induced cell death.

Astrocytes play a pivotal role in neuronal survival under the condition of post-ischemic brain inflammation, but the relevant astrocyte-derived mediators of ischemic brain injury remain to be defined. IL-15 supports survival of multiple lymphocyte lineages in the peripheral immune system, but the role of IL-15 in inflammatory disease of the central nervous system is not well defined. Recent research has shown an increase of IL-15-expressing astrocytes in the ischemic brain. Since astrocytes promote neuron survival under cerebral ischemia by buffering excess extracellular glutamate and producing growth factors, recovery of astrocyte function could be of benefit for stroke therapy. Here, we report that IL-15 is the pro-survival cytokine that prevents astrocyte death from oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced damage. Astrocytes up-regulate expression of the IL-15/IL-15Rα complex under OGD, whereas OGD down-regulates the levels of pSTAT5 and pAkt in astrocytes. IL-15 treatment ameliorates the decline of pAkt, decreases the percentage of annexin V+ cells, inhibits the activation of caspase-3, and activates the Akt pathway to promote astrocyte survival in response to OGD. We further identified that activation of Akt, but not PKCα/ßI, is essential for astrocyte survival under OGD. Taken together, this study reveals the function of IL-15 in astrocyte survival via Akt phosphorylation in response to OGD-induced damage.

Antiphospholipid and antioangiogenic activity in females with recurrent miscarriage and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Background Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombosis, fetal losses and thrombocytopenia associated to antiphospholipid antibodies. They are directed to phospholipids, such as cardiolipins (anticardiolipin) and lupus anticoagulant or to complexes formed by phospholipids and protein cofactors, such as ß2 glycoprotein 1 (a-ß2GP1) and annexin V (a-annexin V). These auto-antibodies may be considered as a family of antibodies involved in thrombotic events and antiphospholipid activity. On the other hand, some proangiogenic factors are involved in the normal development of placental vasculature, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor. Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor in its soluble form (sVEGFR-1) has been associated to a higher antiangiogenic activity. Our aim was to analyse the association between anticardiolipin, lupus anticoagulant, a-ß2GP1, a-annexin V and sVEGFR-1 with recurrent miscarriage before week 10 of gestation in females with antiphospholipid syndrome. Methods We studied 24 females (primary or secondary antiphospholipid syndrome), who were divided into two groups: females with recurrent miscarriage before week 10 of gestation (M; n = 12) and females with no history of fetal loss (NM; n = 12). Anticardiolipin, a-ß2GP1, a-annexin V and sVEGF-R1 concentrations were assessed by ELISA, while lupus anticoagulant was assessed by screening and confirmatory tests. Results A significant association was observed between the number of positive biomarkers and the belonging group ( P < 0.05). Besides, a positive result for lupus anticoagulant and a-ß2GP1 was found to be significantly associated to the M group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Lupus anticoagulant and a-ß2GP1 may be implicated in pregnancies complicated by recurrent miscarriage in females with antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antibodies directed against annexin A2 and obstetric morbidity.

Acquired and inherited thrombophilia have both been reported to be associated with an increased risk of obstetric complications in early or later stages of pregnancy. Annexin A2 (ANXA2) is strongly expressed in vascular and placental tissues and plays a crucial role in fibrinolysis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies directed against ANXA2 in patients with recurrent miscarriage or obstetric complications. Anti-ANXA2 antibodies (aANXA2) were detected by ELISA in the sera from 46 women with obstetric morbidity, mainly recurrent miscarriage. The cut-off value for positivity was defined as 3 standard deviations above the mean optical density (OD) obtained in the sera from 42 female blood donors. The prevalence of aANXA2 in patients and healthy individuals was 15.2% and 2.3%, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in terms of aANXA2 IgG titers (p=0.01). The highest aANXA2 levels were observed in sera from 2 patients with recurrent miscarriage and one patient with preeclampsia. aANXA2 could play a role in thrombotic mechanisms leading to recurrent pregnancy loss and placental vascular disease. Further studies are needed to determine whether ANXA2 is critical for maintenance of placental integrity.

The IgG and IgM isotypes of anti-annexin A5 antibodies: relevance for primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by the presence of thromboses and/or recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL). The persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL Abs): IgG and/or IgM isotypes of the anticardiolipin and/or anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies and lupus anticoagulant is mandatory for the laboratory diagnosis of APS. Due to the heating debate on the relevance of the IgM isotype of aPL Abs as a laboratory criterion defining APS, the focus of this article was to analyze whether both the IgG and IgM isotype of anti-annexin A5 Abs have equal relevance for clinical and serological features of patients with primary APS (PAPS). The IgG isotype of anti-annexin A5 Abs is associated with RPL in PAPS patients, although it is not elucidated whether these Abs are the cause or the consequence of RPL in PAPS. No data that could substantiate the association of the IgG and/or the IgM isotypes of anti-annexin A5 Abs with the presence of arterial and/or venous thromboses and/or their main complications in PAPS is available so far. However, the presence of clinical manifestations of the PAPS is increasing with the multiple positivity for aPL Abs and the IgM isotype of anti-annexin A5 Abs. The importance of the IgM isotype of anti-annexin A5 Abs in PAPS needs further elucidation due to the facts that majority of the available articles did not differentiate between both isotypes or only investigated the IgG isotype of anti-annexin A5 Abs.