Antigen Extraction and B Cell Activation Enable Identification of Rare Membrane Antigen Specific Human B Cells.

Determining antigen specificity is vital for understanding B cell biology and for producing human monoclonal antibodies. We describe here a powerful method for identifying B cells that recognize membrane antigens expressed on cells. The technique depends on two characteristics of the interaction between a B cell and an antigen-expressing cell: antigen-receptor-mediated extraction of antigen from the membrane of the target cell, and B cell activation. We developed the method using influenza hemagglutinin as a model viral membrane antigen, and tested it using acetylcholine receptor (AChR) as a model membrane autoantigen. The technique involves co-culturing B cells with adherent, bioorthogonally labeled cells expressing GFP-tagged antigen, and sorting GFP-capturing, newly activated B cells. Hemagglutinin-specific B cells isolated this way from vaccinated human donors expressed elevated CD20, CD27, CD71, and CD11c, and reduced CD21, and their secreted antibodies blocked hemagglutination and neutralized viral infection. Antibodies cloned from AChR-capturing B cells derived from patients with myasthenia gravis bound specifically to the receptor on cell membrane. The approach is sensitive enough to detect antigen-specific B cells at steady state, and can be adapted for any membrane antigen.

Detection and kinetics of persistent neutralizing anti-interferon-beta antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis. Results from the ABIRISK prospective cohort study.

Two validated assays, a bridging ELISA and a luciferase-based bioassay, were compared for detection of anti-drug antibodies (ADA) against interferon-beta (IFN-ß) in patients with multiple sclerosis. Serum samples were tested from patients enrolled in a prospective study of 18 months. In contrast to the ELISA, when IFN-ß-specific rabbit polyclonal and human monoclonal antibodies were tested, the bioassay was the more sensitive to detect IFN-ß ADA in patients' sera. For clinical samples, selection of method of ELISA should be evaluated prior to the use of a multi-tiered approach. A titer threshold value is reported that may be used as a predictor for persistently positive neutralizing ADA.

Dimethyl fumarate influences innate and adaptive immunity in multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: The mode of action of dimethyl fumarate (DMF), an immunomodulatory treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), has not yet been fully elucidated. While in-vitro experiments and animal studies suggest effects on immune cell survival, proliferation, migration and oxidative stress response, corresponding observations from human studies are lacking. This study aims to characterize ex-vivo and in-vivo effects in a cohort of DMF treated RRMS patients. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from twenty well-characterized RRMS patients at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months of DMF treatment and an age- and gender-matched cohort of 20 healthy individuals at 0 and 3 months. Leukocyte subpopulations, immunoglobulin levels and cytokine secretion were measured. T cells were assessed for their levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), metabolic status and their proliferative capacity. Levels of antioxidants were determined in serum by mass spectrometry. Responses of monocyte activation markers as well as NFkB and MAPK pathways to DMF were analysed. RESULTS: Upon DMF treatment, all lymphocyte subpopulations dropped significantly over the course of 12 months with cytotoxic and effector T cells being affected most significantly. DMF induced cell death and inhibited proliferation of T cells in-vitro. Interestingly, this anti-proliferative effect decreased under treatment. In-vivo DMF treatment led to decreased T cell glycolysis and higher turn-over of antioxidants. In line with these results a significant increase of cytosolic ROS levels after 3 months treatment was detected in T cells. In-vitro DMF treatment reduced NFkB (p65) translocation to the nucleus and MAPK (p38) levels decreased upon stimulation with monomethyl fumarate (MMF) in-vitro and ex-vivo. Consequently, the expression of co-stimulatory molecules like CD40 and CD150 was decreased in antigen presenting cells both in-vitro and ex-vivo. CONCLUSION: This study translates knowledge from in-vitro and animal studies on DMF into the clinical setting. Our data suggest that DMF not only alters lymphocyte composition, but also has profound effects on proliferation and induces oxidative stress in T cells. It also acts on innate immunity by reducing the activation status of antigen presenting cells (APCs) via NFkB and MAPK inactivation.

Cocapture of cognate and bystander antigens can activate autoreactive B cells.

Autoantibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) are associated with autoimmune central nervous system diseases like acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). For ADEM, it is speculated that a preceding infection is the trigger of the autoimmune response, but the mechanism connecting the infection to the production of MOG antibodies remains a mystery. We reasoned that the ability of B cells to capture cognate antigen from cell membranes, along with small quantities of coexpressed "bystander" antigens, might enable B-cell escape from tolerance. We tested this hypothesis using influenza hemagglutinin as a model viral antigen and transgenic, MOG-specific B cells. Using flow cytometry and live and fixed cell microscopy, we show that MOG-specific B cells take up large amounts of MOG from cell membranes. Uptake of the antigen from the membrane leads to a strong activation of the capturing B cell. When influenza hemagglutinin is also present in the membrane of the target cell, it can be cocaptured with MOG by MOG-specific B cells via the B-cell receptor. Hemagglutinin and MOG are both presented to T cells, which in turn are activated and proliferate. As a consequence, MOG-specific B cells get help from hemagglutinin-specific T cells to produce anti-MOG antibodies. In vivo, the transfer of MOG-specific B cells into recipient mice after the cocapture of MOG and hemagglutinin leads to the production of class-switched anti-MOG antibodies, dependent on the presence of hemagglutinin-specific T cells. This mechanism offers a link between infection and autoimmunity.

Natalizumab-induced POU2AF1/Spi-B upregulation: A possible route for PML development.

OBJECTIVES: To assess messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of POU2AF1 and Spi-B and their potential regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) in natalizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis and in therapy-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). METHODS: Expression of POU2AF1/Spi-B was analyzed by using real-time reverse transcription PCR assays on isolated B/CD8(+) T lymphocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cohorts of untreated and natalizumab-treated patients with and without PML. Longitudinal expression analysis was performed on CD4(+), CD8(+) T and B cells from 14 patients who interrupted natalizumab therapy for 8 weeks. The miRNA profiling was conducted in PBMCs from 5 untreated and 5 natalizumab-treated patients using low-density arrays followed by validation with single miRNAs assays in untreated and natalizumab-treated patients. RESULTS: POU2AF1 and Spi-B mRNAs were upregulated in B and CD8(+) T cells from natalizumab-treated patients, which was validated in PBMCs from different cohorts of natalizumab-treated patients with and without PML, with a noteworthy higher expression of Spi-B in patients with PML. In contrast, downregulation of POU2AF1/Spi-B expression was measured in B and CD8(+) T cells after natalizumab discontinuation. Seventeen differentially expressed miRNAs including miR-10b, a regulator of POU2AF1 mRNA, were identified in long-term natalizumab-treated patients compared with untreated ones. CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of POU2AF1 and Spi-B, known transactivators of the JC virus, the causative agent for PML, and its association with occurrence of PML in natalizumab-treated patients, corroborates POU2AF1/Spi-B as potential biomarkers for PML risk, which merits further evaluation.

Cytokine profiles show heterogeneity of interferon-ß response in multiple sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum cytokine profiles for their utility to determine the heterogeneous responses to interferon (IFN)-ß treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) or clinically isolated syndrome receiving de novo IFN-ß treatment were included in this prospective, observational study. Number of relapses and changes in disability were assessed 2 years prior to and 2 years after initiation of treatment. Sera were collected at baseline and after 3 months on therapy. Cytokine levels in sera were assessed by Luminex multiplex assays. Baseline cytokine profiles were grouped by hierarchical clustering analysis. Demographic features, changes in cytokines, and clinical outcome were then assessed in the clustered patient groups. RESULTS: A total of 157 patients were included in the study and clustered into 6 distinct subsets by baseline cytokine profiles. These subsets differed significantly in their clinical and biological response to IFN-ß therapy. Two subsets were associated with patients who responded poorly to therapy. Two other subsets, associated with a good response to therapy, showed a significant reduction in relapse rates and no worsening of disability. Each subset also had differential changes in cytokine levels after 3 months of IFN-ß treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There is heterogeneity in the immunologic pathways of the RRMS population, which correlates with IFN-ß response.

Efficacy and Safety of Fingolimod in an Unselected Patient Population.

BACKGROUND: Fingolimod is a first in class oral compound approved for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and neuroradiological responses to fingolimod as well as the safety and tolerability in RR-MS patients in clinical practice. In addition, a panel of pro-inflammatory serum cytokines was explored as potential biomarker for treatment response. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, non-randomized, open-label, observational study in 105 patients with RR-MS and measured cytokines in longitudinal serum samples. RESULTS: Compared to the year before fingolimod start the annualized relapse rate was reduced by 44%. Also, the percentage of patients with a worsening of the EDSS decreased. Accordingly, the fraction of patients with no evidence of disease activity (no relapse, stable EDSS, no new active lesions in MRI) increased from 11% to 38%. The efficacy and safety were comparable between highly active patients or patients with relevant comorbidities and our general patient population. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy in reducing relapses was comparable to that observed in the phase III trials. In our cohort fingolimod was safe and efficacious irrespective of comorbidities and previous treatment.

Immunologic monitoring during a phase 2a trial of the GNbAC1 antibody in patients with MS.

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the systemic immune responses of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) under treatment with GNbAC1, a monoclonal antibody against the envelope protein of the MS- associated retrovirus, during a phase 2a trial. METHODS: We analyzed the composition of immune cell subsets and the activation level of monocytes by flow cytometry and the response against viral and vaccine antigens by ELISpot. RESULTS: None of the endpoints measured revealed any immunosuppressive effect of the therapeutic antibody. Activation of monocytes slightly decreased during treatment as predicted by the hypothesized mechanism of action of GNbAC1. CONCLUSION: These results support the conclusion that the antibody is safe for use in patients with MS. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that in patients with MS GNbAC1 does not significantly affect several biomarkers of systemic immune response.

Anti-MOG antibodies are present in a subgroup of patients with a neuromyelitis optica phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) have been identified in a subgroup of pediatric patients with inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and in some patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The aim of this study was to examine the frequency, clinical features, and long-term disease course of patients with anti-MOG antibodies in a European cohort of NMO/NMOSD. FINDINGS: Sera from 48 patients with NMO/NMOSD and 48 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) were tested for anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and anti-MOG antibodies with a cell-based assay. Anti-MOG antibodies were found in 4/17 patients with AQP4-seronegative NMO/NMOSD, but in none of the AQP4-seropositive NMO/NMOSD (n = 31) or RR-MS patients (n = 48). MOG-seropositive patients tended towards younger disease onset with a higher percentage of patients with pediatric (<18 years) disease onset (MOG+, AQP4+, MOG-/AQP4-: 2/4, 3/31, 0/13). MOG-seropositive patients presented more often with positive oligoclonal bands (OCBs) (3/3, 5/29, 1/13) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions during disease course (2/4, 5/31, 1/13). Notably, the mean time to the second attack affecting a different CNS region was longer in the anti-MOG antibody-positive group (11.3, 3.2, 3.4 years). CONCLUSIONS: MOG-seropositive patients show a diverse clinical phenotype with clinical features resembling both NMO (attacks mainly confined to the spinal cord and optic nerves) and MS with an opticospinal presentation (positive OCBs, brain lesions). Anti-MOG antibodies can serve as a diagnostic and maybe prognostic tool in patients with an AQP4-seronegative NMO phenotype and should be tested in those patients.

Unraveling natalizumab effects on deregulated miR-17 expression in CD4+ T cells of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of noncoding RNAs that play critical roles in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. Accumulating evidence supports their involvement in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we compare miR-17 expressions in CD4+ T cells from relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients treated with natalizumab versus untreated patients. miR-17 was downregulated under natalizumab treatment and upregulated during relapse, therefore supporting a possible role of miR-17 in MS immunopathogenesis. Downregulation of miR-17 was associated with upregulation of PTEN, BIM, E2F1, and p21 target genes. In vitro miR-17 inhibition was associated with upregulation of the same targets and resulted in impaired CD4+ T cell activation and proliferation. We further describe deregulated TGFBR2 expression in untreated patients versus healthy volunteers (HVs) and confirm in vitro the link between miR-17 and TGFBR2 expressions. These findings support an effect of natalizumab on expression of specific miRNA and subsequent expression of genes involved in proliferation and control of the cell cycle.

MiR-126: a novel route for natalizumab action?

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a family of post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that mediate diverse aspects of immunity. MiRNA dysregulation has been found in multiple sclerosis (MS), reflecting the growing need to identify disease-specific miRNA expression signatures. Our previous low-density array studies reveal differential miR-126 expression in the CD4(+)T cells of untreated relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients. Here, we investigated miR-126 expression in natalizumab-treated patients. METHODS: We isolated CD4(+) T cells from untreated (n = 12) and natalizumab-treated MS patients (n = 24), and from healthy volunteers (n = 12). We analyzed the expression of miRNAs and potential targets by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We assessed specific inhibition of miR-126, in vitro. RESULTS: MiR-126 was down-regulated in cells of patients under natalizumab treatment and up-regulated during relapse, supporting a regulatory role in MS immunopathogenesis. MiR-126 expression correlated with the expression of POU2AF1, a regulator of Spi-B that binds to the promoter/enhancer sequences of JC virus (JCV), the pathogen of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare complication of natalizumab treatment. The same trend was found for Spi-B. Strong up-regulation of both genes appeared to be treatment duration-dependent. Specific inhibition experiments supported the link between the expression of miR-126 and POU2AF1/Spi-B. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provided deeper insight into the mode of action of natalizumab, with possible implications for understanding both the effects of natalizumab on MS activity and its specific adverse event profile.

Preserved antigen-specific immune response in patients with multiple sclerosis responding to IFNß-therapy.

BACKGROUND: Interferon-beta (IFNß) regulates the expression of a complex set of pro- as well as anti-inflammatory genes. In cohorts of MS patients unstratified for therapeutic response to IFNß, normal vaccine-specific immune responses have been observed. Data capturing antigen-specific immune responses in cohorts of subjects defined by response to IFNß-therapy are not available. OBJECTIVE: To assess antigen-specific immune responses in a cohort of MS patients responding clinically and radiologically to IFNß. METHODS: In 26 MS patients, clinical and MRI disease activity were assessed before and under treatment with IFNß. Humoral and cellular immune response to influenza vaccine was prospectively characterized in these individuals, and 33 healthy controls by influenza-specific Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Enzyme Linked Immuno Spot Technique (ELISPOT). RESULTS: Related to pre-treatment disease activity, IFNß reduced clinical and radiological MS disease-activity. Following influenza vaccination, frequencies of influenza-specific T cells and concentrations of anti-influenza A and B IgM and IgG increased comparably in MS-patients and in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: By showing in a cohort of MS-patients responding to IFNß vaccine-specific immune responses comparable to controls, this study indicates that antigen-specific immune responses can be preserved under successful IFNß-therapy.

T-cell response against varicella-zoster virus in fingolimod-treated MS patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the immune response against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in patients with multiple sclerosis before and during fingolimod therapy. METHODS: The VZV-specific immune response was studied using interferon (IFN)-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay, proliferation assays, and upregulation of T-cell activation markers in patients before (n = 38) and after 3 months of fingolimod therapy (n = 34), in untreated (n = 33) and IFN-ß-treated (n = 25) patients with multiple sclerosis, and in healthy controls (n = 22). Viral replication was analyzed by using real-time PCR in 76 peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples and 146 saliva samples. RESULTS: Treatment with fingolimod led to a marked reduction of CD3(+) T cells with a relative decrease of naive and central memory T cells and an increase of effector memory T cells. Expression of the activation markers CD137 and CD69 upon VZV stimulation was unaltered by fingolimod. However, the absolute number of cells proliferating upon VZV stimulation was reduced in the blood of patients treated with fingolimod. Also, VZV-specific and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific IFN-γ-producing cells were reduced after fingolimod therapy. Seven of the 35 patients treated with fingolimod showed signs of VZV or EBV reactivation in saliva compared with 3 of the 111 controls. None of the 76 tested samples showed signs of viral reactivation in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with fingolimod show a slightly reduced antiviral T-cell response. This reduced response is accompanied by a subclinical reactivation of VZV or EBV in the saliva of 20% of patients treated with fingolimod.

Altered microRNA expression in B lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis: towards a better understanding of treatment effects.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. We compared the expression of 1059 miRNAs in B lymphocytes from untreated and natalizumab treated relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients and healthy volunteers (HV). Forty nine miRNAs were down-regulated in untreated MS patients compared with HV. A distinct pattern of 10 differentially expressed miRNAs was found in natalizumab treated patients compared with untreated patients. Two clusters, i.e. miR-106b-25 and miR-17-92, were particularly deregulated. MiRNA-mRNA interaction analysis revealed B cell receptor, phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphatase and tensin homology (PTEN) signaling being the key affected pathways. We discovered deregulated viral miRNAs in untreated patients as compared with HV and natalizumab treated patients, a novel finding that may be related to latency and activation of viruses in MS. Our findings provide first insights into miRNA dependent regulation of B cell function in MS and the impact of a therapy not primarily targeting B cells on this regulation.

Neurofilament heavy chain and heat shock protein 70 as markers of seizure-related brain injury.

PURPOSE: Status epilepticus (SE) has deleterious effects on brain tissue, but whether brief recurrent seizures may also damage neurons represents a matter of controversy. Therefore, it remains a central area of epilepsy research to identify individuals at risk where disease progression can be potentially prevented. Biomarkers may serve as tools for such identification. Thus the present study aimed at analyzing the levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70, also designated as HSPA1A) and neurofilament heavy chain protein (NfH(SMI35) ) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with seizures of different severity. METHODS: Forty-one patients were included, of whom 20 patients had a single generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) episode (SS), 11 had repetitive GTCS (RS), and 10 experienced convulsive SE. The control group consisted of 18 subjects. HSP-70 levels were measured using a conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas the NfH(SMI35) protein levels were detected by an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay. KEY FINDINGS: Patients with SE (p < 0.001) and RS (p < 0.05) had significantly higher NfH(SMI35) levels than controls, and SE was associated with increased concentrations when compared with SS (p < 0.001). NfH(SMI35) levels in SS did not differ from controls. Patients with SE had significantly raised HSP-70 levels compared to RS (p < 0.05), SS (p < 0.05), and controls (p < 0.001). SS and RS did not differ from each or from controls. Levels of NfH(SMI35) and HSP-70 showed a significant correlation (r = 0.34; p = 0.007) in the group of all study subjects, which was not apparent when controls and patients with seizures were considered separately. The correlation between NfH(SMI35) and HSP-70 tended to be inverse in patients with SE, but it did not reach statistical significance (r = -0.3; p > 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: Studying biochemical markers as additional quantitative tools for the measurement of neuronal damage (especially subclinical), complementary to available techniques of imaging, and clinical assessment might prove useful for identifying patients at risk of accumulating neuronal injury resulting from uncontrolled seizures. NfH(SMI35) and HSP-70 are of potential value as sensitive and specific biomarkers of seizure-related pathologic events. Future longitudinal studies are needed to monitor such patients by correlating biochemical, neuroimaging, and clinical methods of assessment.

Monoclonal antibodies and recombinant immunoglobulins for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and degenerative disease leading to demyelination and axonal damage in the CNS. Autoimmunity plays a central role in MS pathogenesis. Per definition, monoclonal antibodies are recombinant biological compounds with a well defined target, thus carrying the promise of targeting pathogenic cells or molecules with high specificity, avoiding undesired off-target effects. Natalizumab was the first monoclonal antibody to be approved for the treatment of MS. Several other monoclonal antibodies are in development and have demonstrated promising efficacy in phase II studies. They can be categorized according to their mode of action into compounds targeting (i) leukocyte migration into the CNS (natalizumab); (ii) cytolytic antibodies (rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, alemtuzumab); or (iii) antibodies and recombinant proteins targeting cytokines and chemokines and their receptors (daclizumab, ustekinumab, atacicept, tabalumab [Ly-2127399], secukinumab [AIN457]). In this review, we discuss the specific molecular targets, clinical efficacy and safety of these compounds and discuss criteria to anticipate the position of monoclonal antibodies in the diversifying armamentarium of MS therapy in the coming years.

Antigen-specific adaptive immune responses in fingolimod-treated multiple sclerosis patients.

T cells exit secondary lymphoid organs along a sphingosine1-phosphate (S1P) gradient and, accordingly, are reduced in blood upon fingolimod-mediated S1P-receptor (S1PR)-blockade. Serving as a model of adaptive immunity, we characterized cellular and humoral immune responses to influenza vaccine in fingolimod-treated patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in untreated healthy controls. Although the mode of action of fingolimod might predict reduced immunity, vaccine-triggered T cells accumulated normally in blood despite efficient S1PR-blockade. Concentrations of anti-influenza A/B immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG also increased similarly in both groups. These results indicate that fingolimod-treated individuals can mount vaccine-specific adaptive immune responses comparable to healthy controls.

Anabolic and catabolic responses of human articular chondrocytes to varying oxygen percentages.

INTRODUCTION: Oxygen is a critical parameter proposed to modulate the functions of chondrocytes ex-vivo as well as in damaged joints. This article investigates the effect of low (more physiological) oxygen percentage on the biosynthetic and catabolic activity of human articular chondrocytes (HAC) at different phases of in vitro culture. METHODS: HAC expanded in monolayer were cultured in pellets for two weeks (Phase I) or up to an additional two weeks (Phase II). In each Phase, cells were exposed to 19% or 5% oxygen. Resulting tissues and culture media were assessed to determine amounts of produced/released proteoglycans and collagens, metalloproteinases (MMPs), collagen degradation products and collagen fibril organization using biochemical, (immuno)-histochemical, gene expression and scanning electron microscopy analyses. In specific experiments, the hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) inhibitor cadmium chloride was supplemented in the culture medium to assess the involvement of this pathway. RESULTS: Independent from the oxygen percentage during expansion, HAC cultured at 5% O(2) (vs 19% O(2)) during Phase I accumulated higher amounts of glycosaminoglycans and type II collagen and expressed reduced levels of MMP-1 and MMP-13 mRNA and protein. Switching to 19% oxygen during Phase II resulted in reduced synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen, increased release of MMPs, accumulation of type II collagen fragments and higher branching of collagen fibrils. In contrast, reducing O(2) during Phase II resulted in increased proteoglycan and type II collagen synthesis and reduced expression and release of MMP-13 mRNA and protein. Supplementation of cadmium chloride during differentiation culture at 5% O(2) drastically reduced the up-regulation of type II collagen and the down-regulation of MMP-1 mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: The application of more physiologic oxygen percentage during specific phases of differentiation culture enhanced the biosynthetic activity and reduced the activity of catabolic enzymes implicated in cartilage breakdown. Modulation of the oxygen percentage during HAC culture may be used to study pathophysiological events occurring in osteoarthritis and to enhance properties of in vitro engineered cartilaginous tissues.

A highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for the neurofilament heavy chain protein.

BACKGROUND: The loss of neurological function is closely related to axonal damage. Neurofilament subunits are concentrated in neurons and axons and have emerged as promising biomarkers for neurodegeneration. Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) based assays are known to be of superior sensitivity and require less sample volume than conventional ELISAs. METHODS: We developed an ECL based solid-phase sandwich immunoassay to measure the neurofilament heavy chain protein (NfH(SMI35)) in CSF. We employed commercially available antibodies as previously used in a conventional ELISA (Petzold et al., 2003; Petzold and Shaw, 2007). The optimised and validated assay was applied in a reference cohort and defined patient groups. RESULTS: Analytical sensitivity (background plus three SD) of our assay was 2.4 pg/ml. The mean intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) was 4.8% and the inter-assay CV 8.4%. All measured control and patient samples produced signals well above background. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) (median 46.2 pg/ml, n=95), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (160.1 pg/ml, n=50), mild cognitive impairment/Alzheimer's disease (MCI/AD) (65.6 pg/ml, n=20), Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) (91.0 pg/ml, n=20) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (345.0 pg/ml, n=20) had higher CSF NfH(SMI35) values than the reference cohort (27.1 pg/ml, n=73, p<0.0001 for each comparison). CONCLUSION: The new ECL based assay for NfH(SMI35) in CSF is superior in terms of sensitivity, precision and accuracy to previously published methods (Petzold et al., 2003; Shaw et al., 2005; Teunissen et al., 2009). The improved performance and small sample volume requirement qualify this method in experimental settings and clinical trials designed to perform a number of tests on limited amounts of material.

Learning from nature: pregnancy changes the expression of inflammation-related genes in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is associated with reduced activity of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the biological mechanisms underlying this pregnancy-related decrease in disease activity are poorly understood. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a genome-wide transcription analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 12 women (7 MS patients and 5 healthy controls) followed during their pregnancy. Samples were obtained before, during (i.e. at the third, sixth, and ninth month of gestation) and after pregnancy. A validation of the expression profiles has been conducted by using the same samples and an independent group of 25 MS patients and 11 healthy controls. Finally, considering the total group of 32 MS patients, we compared expression profiles of patients relapsing during pregnancy (n = 6) with those of relapse-free patients (n = 26). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Results showed an altered expression of 347 transcripts in non-pregnant MS patients with respect to non-pregnant healthy controls. Complementary changes in expression, occurring during pregnancy, reverted the previous imbalance particularly for seven inflammation-related transcripts, i.e. SOCS2, TNFAIP3, NR4A2, CXCR4, POLR2J, FAM49B, and STAG3L1. Longitudinal analysis showed that the overall deregulation of gene expression reverted to "normal" already within the third month of gestation, while in the post-partum gene expressions rebounded to pre-pregnancy levels. Six (18.7%) of the 32 MS patients had a relapse during pregnancy, mostly in the first trimester. The latter showed delayed expression profiles when compared to relapse-free patients: in these patients expression imbalance was reverted later in the pregnancy, i.e. at sixth month. CONCLUSIONS: Specific changes in expression during pregnancy were associated with a decrease in disease activity assessed by occurrence of relapses during pregnancy. Findings might help in understanding the pathogenesis of MS and may provide basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.