Why current quantitative serology is not quantitative and how systems immunology could provide solutions

Determination of the presence of antibodies against infectious agents, self-antigens, allogeneic antigens and environmental antigens is the goal of medical serology. Along with the standardization of these tests the community also started to use the expression “quantitative serology,” referring to the fact that arbitrary units are used for the expression of results. In this review I will argue against the use of the term quantitative serology for current tests. Because each test and each antibody isotype determination uses its own references, the term semiquantitative better describes these methods. The introduction of really quantitative serology could both benefit from and drive forward systems immunological approach to immunity.

Regulatory mechanisms for natriuretic peptide signalling in sheep granulosa cells

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) have been reported to have critical roles in follicular development and oocyte maturation in rodents. This study aimed to extend our current understanding of NP-mediated signalling pathways and mechanisms of action in the follicles of a monovulatory species. Ovine granulosa cells (GCs) and theca cells (TCs) were cultured under conditions designed to allow gonadotrophin-stimulated cell differentiation. Gene expression analysis was performed by qualitative (q)PCR for NPs and NPRs (between 16 and 96 h of culture) and VEGF120 and VEGF164 (between 16 and 144 h of culture). A qualitative analysis of the production of NP/NPR family members and NP ligand/receptor associations was carried out utilising a highly sensitive immunological approach known as ‘proximity ligation assay’ (PLA). All NPRs were observed in GCs, while NPRA was absent in TCs. In GCs, gene expression of NPRA, NPRB and NPRC was apparent but only active BNP and CNP and not ANP, were detected. Also in GCs, ANP but not CNP was able to significantly (P < 0.05) reduce oestradiol and increase (P < 0.05) progesterone. Inhibition of VEGF164 by ANP and CNP (P < 0.01) after 48 h of culture preceded up-regulation of VEGF120 by ANP (P < 0.01) after 144 h, but not CNP. Taken together, these findings appear to demonstrate that NP responsiveness in the GC compartment of sheep follicles is multi-facilitated, utilising both autocrine and paracrine stimulation pathways.

Possible Mechanisms Explaining the Association between Zika Virus and Guillain-barre Syndrome: An Immunological Approach

After the outbreak in French Polynesia, Zika virus (ZIKV) explosive pandemic occurred in 2015, reports that ZIKV was linked to other diseases, especially neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), also burst in almost every continent, thereby turning into an international concern. In South America, the highest incidence occurred in Venezuela with approximately 680 cases of GBS after ZIKV infection. Currently, the main roots of this association remain unknown. In this regard, it is thought that the immune system plays a central role in such association through the host protection or even improving ZIKV establishment and progression. Nonneutralizing auto-antibodies, the complement system, self-reactive T cells, inflammation, the “cytokine storm”, prior exposures to other arboviruses such as dengue virus and chikungunya virus, the age and genetic susceptibility of the patient, and the biology of the vector are the main determinant factors, which perhaps, are involved in the pathological relationship: ZIKV and GBS. On the other hand, more multidisciplinary studies are required to provide means to develop effective therapeutics against this new global health threat that represents an emerging danger that can increase again and trigger other neurological disorders.

Integrated transcriptomic and functional immunological approach for assessing the invasiveness of bivalve alien species

Biological invasions started when humans moved species beyond their normal geographic limits. Bivalves are the most notoriously invasive species in subtidal aquatic environments. Next-generation sequencing technologies are applied to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the invasion. The ecological immunology focuses on the role of immunity in invasion, and its magnitude could help to predict the invasiveness of alien species. A remarkable case of invasion has been reported in the Ría de Vigo (Spain) by the black pygmy mussel Xenostrobus securis. In Galicia, the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is the predominant cultured bivalve species. Can we predict the invasiveness of alien bivalve species by analyzing their immune response? Can X. securis represent a risk for the autochthonous mussel? We evaluated the suitability of the immune-related hypotheses in our model by using an integrated transcriptomic and functional immunological approach. Our analysis suggests lower immune capabilities in X. securis compared to M. galloprovincialis, probably due to the relocation of energetic resources from the immune response to vital physiological processes to cope with salinity stress. This multidisciplinary approach will help us understand how the immune response can be influenced by the adaptive process and how this immune response can influence the invasion process.

Dendritic Cells/Macrophages-Targeting Feature of Ebola Glycoprotein and its Potential as Immunological Facilitator for Antiviral Vaccine Approach

In the prevention of epidemic and pandemic viral infection, the use of the antiviral vaccine has been the most successful biotechnological and biomedical approach. In recent times, vaccine development studies have focused on recruiting and targeting immunogens to dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages to induce innate and adaptive immune responses. Interestingly, Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein (GP) has a strong binding affinity with DCs and macrophages. Shreds of evidence have also shown that the interaction between EBOV GP with DCs and macrophages leads to massive recruitment of DCs and macrophages capable of regulating innate and adaptive immune responses. Therefore, studies for the development of vaccine can utilize the affinity between EBOV GP and DCs/macrophages as a novel immunological approach to induce both innate and acquired immune responses. In this review, we will discuss the unique features of EBOV GP to target the DC, and its potential to elicit strong immune responses while targeting DCs/macrophages. This review hopes to suggest and stimulate thoughts of developing a stronger and effective DC-targeting vaccine for diverse virus infection using EBOV GP.