Hybrid immunity by two COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations and one breakthrough infection provides a robust and balanced cellular immune response as basic immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

This longitudinal prospective controlled multicenter study aimed to monitor immunity generated by three exposures caused by breakthrough infections (BTI) after COVID-19-vaccination considering pre-existing cell-mediated immunity to common-corona-viruses (CoV) which may impact cellular reactivity against SARS-CoV-2. Anti-SARS-CoV-2-spike-IgG antibodies (anti-S-IgG) and cellular reactivity against Spike-(S)- and nucleocapsid-(N)-proteins were determined in fully-vaccinated (F) individuals who either experienced BTI (F+BTI) or had booster vaccination (F+Booster) compared to partially vaccinated (P+BTI) and unvaccinated (U) from 1 to 24 weeks post PCR-confirmed infection. High avidity anti-S-IgG were found in F+BTI compared to U, the latter exhibiting increased long-lasting pro-inflammatory cytokines to S-stimulation. CoV was associated with higher cellular reactivity in U, whereas no association was seen in F. The study illustrates the induction of significant S-specific cellular responses in F+BTI building-up basic immunity by three exposures. Only U seem to benefit from pre-existing CoV immunity but demonstrated inflammatory immune responses compared to F+BTI who immunologically benefit from enhanced humoral and cellular immunity after BTI. This study demonstrates that individuals with hybrid immunity from COVID-19-vaccination and BTI acquire a stable humoral and cellular immune response that is maintained for at least 6 months. Our findings corroborate recommendations by health authorities to build on basic immunity by three S-protein exposures.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protects from nonmelanoma epidermal tumors by regulating the number of antigen-presenting cells in skin.

The response of the skin to harmful environmental agents is shaped decisively by the status of the immune system. Keratinocytes constitutively express and secrete the chemokine-like mediator, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), more strongly than dermal fibroblasts, thereby creating a MIF gradient in skin. By using global and epidermis-restricted Mif-knockout (Mif-/- and K14-Cre+/tg; Miffl/fl) mice, we found that MIF both recruits and maintains antigen-presenting cells in the dermis/epidermis. The reduced presence of antigen-presenting cells in the absence of MIF was associated with accelerated and increased formation of nonmelanoma skin tumors during chemical carcinogenesis. Our results demonstrate that MIF is essential for maintaining innate immunity in skin. Loss of keratinocyte-derived MIF leads to a loss of control of epithelial skin tumor formation in chemical skin carcinogenesis, which highlights an unexpected tumor-suppressive activity of MIF in murine skin.-Brocks, T., Fedorchenko, O., Schliermann, N., Stein, A., Moll, U. M., Seegobin, S., Dewor, M., Hallek, M., Marquardt, Y., Fietkau, K., Heise, R., Huth, S., Pfister, H., Bernhagen, J., Bucala, R., Baron, J. M., Fingerle-Rowson, G. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protects from nonmelanoma epidermal tumors by regulating the number of antigen-presenting cells in skin.

[Hydrophobic AcrySof lenses or heparin-modified PMMA lenses in combined vitrectomy surgery -- results of a four-year study]. / Hydrophobe Acryllinsen (AcrySof) oder heparinmodifizierte PMMA-Linsen bei kombinierten Vitrektomieeingriffen -- Ergebnisse einer 4-Jahres-Studie.

BACKGROUND: Combining pars plana vitrectomy with phacoemulsification and implantation of an intracapsular IOL provides many advantages and is performed as a routine operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a period of 3 years we compared foldable acrylic lenses AcrySof (Alcon) to heparin-modified PMMA lenses (Pharmacia) in a prospective study. The last implanted lenses had a follow-up period of at least 1 year. Out of 396 eyes from 329 patients we implanted 182 AcrySof lenses and 214 heparin-modified lenses. RESULTS: Both a smaller scleral tunnel incision and a lower rate of secondary cataract are advantages of foldable AcrySof lenses. Higher vulnerability of an AcrySof lens and a less stable lens-iris-diaphragm are of disadvantage. Heparin-modified PMMA lenses do not show these disadvantages, however, in consequence of using them you have to accept the wider scleral tunnel incision and a higher adhesion to cells. Furthermore, we found slightly more posterior synechiae with these lenses. CONCLUSIONS: In all, both types of intraocular lenses are suitable for combined surgery. We recommend using heparin-modified PMMA lenses in case of pre-existent instability of the lens-iris diaphragm or of patients' inability to maintain the prone position.