Neurodegenerative disease (ND) incidence has recently increased due to improved life expectancy. Alzheimer's (AD) or Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most prevalent NDs. Both diseases are poly genetic, multifactorial and heterogenous. Preventive medicine, a healthy diet, exercise, and controlling comorbidities may delay the onset. After the diseases are diagnosed, therapy is needed to slow progression. Recent studies show that local, peripheral and age-related inflammation accelerates NDs' onset and progression. Patients with autoimmune disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) could be at higher risk of developing AD or PD. However, no increase in ND incidence has been reported if the patients are adequately diagnosed and treated. Autoantibodies against abnormal tau, β amyloid and α- synuclein have been encountered in AD and PD and may be protective. This discovery led to the proposal of immune-based therapies for AD and PD involving monoclonal antibodies, immunization/ vaccines, pro-inflammatory cytokine inhibition and anti-inflammatory cytokine addition. All the different approaches have been analysed here. Future perspectives on new therapeutic strategies for both disorders are concisely examined.

• Klíčová slova
• Alzheimer's disease (AD), Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), Parkinson's disease (PD), autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, tau, therapy, vaccines., α-synuclein, β-amyloid,
• MeSH
• alfa-synuklein MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• autoimunita MeSH
• autoimunitní nemoci * MeSH
• cytokiny MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neurodegenerativní nemoci * terapie   MeSH
• Parkinsonova nemoc * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• zánět MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alfa-synuklein MeSH
• cytokiny MeSH

Since its discovery, Aire has been the topic of numerous studies in its role as a transcriptional regulator in the thymus where it promotes the "promiscuous" expression of a large repertoire of tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) that are normally expressed only in the immune periphery. This process occurs in specialized medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and mediates the elimination of self-reactive T cells or promotes their conversion to the Foxp3+ regulatory T cell lineage, both of which are required for the prevention of autoimmunity. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the role of extrathymic Aire expression in peripheral organs. The focus has primarily been on the identification of the cellular source(s) and mechanism(s) by which extrathymic AIRE affects tolerance-related or other physiological processes. A cadre of OMICs tools including single cell RNA sequencing and novel transgenic models to trace Aire expression to perform lineage tracing experiments have shed light on a phenomenon that is more complex than previously thought. In this chapter, we provide a deeper analysis of how extrathymic Aire research has developed and progressed, how cellular sources were identified, and how the function of AIRE was determined. Current data suggests that extrathymic AIRE fulfills a function that differs from what has been observed in the thymus and strongly argues that its main purpose is to regulate transcriptional programs in a cell content-dependent manner. Surprisingly, there is data that also suggests a non-transcriptional role of extrathymic AIRE in the cytoplasm. We have arrived at a potential turning point that will take the field from the classical understanding of AIRE as a transcription factor in control of TRA expression to its role in immunological and non-immunological processes in the periphery.

• Klíčová slova
• AIRE, Fertility, Immune periphery, Non-immune function, RORγt+ eTACs, Sertoli cells, Th17 responses, Transcription function, eTACs, mTECs,
• MeSH
• antigeny MeSH
• autoimunita MeSH
• epitelové buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese * MeSH
• thymus MeSH
• transkripční faktory * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antigeny MeSH
• transkripční faktory * MeSH

BACKGROUND: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 8700:2 positively affect the fecal bacteriome in children with celiac disease autoimmunity after 6 months of supplementation. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 8700:2 on the single-cell parasitome, with a primary focus on Blastocystis. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 78 Swedish children with celiac disease autoimmunity participating in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to either receive a mixture of supplementation with L. plantarum HEAL9 and L. paracasei 8700:2 (n = 38) or placebo (n = 40). A total of 227 stool samples collected at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of intervention, respectively, were retrospectively analyzed for Blastocystis by quantitative real-time PCR and subtyped by massively parallel amplicon sequencing. Other single-cell parasites were detected by untargeted 18S rDNA amplicon sequencing and verified by real-time PCR. The relation between the parasites and the bacteriome community was characterized by using 16S rDNA profiling of the V3-V4 region. RESULTS: Three different single-cell protists were identified, of which the highest prevalence was found for Dientamoeba fragilis (23.1%, 18/78 children), followed by Blastocystis (15.4%, 12/78) and Entamoeba spp. (2.6%, 2/78). The quantity of the protists was stable over time and not affected by probiotic intervention (P = 0.14 for Blastocystis, P = 0.10 for D. fragilis). The positivity of the protists was associated with increased bacteriome diversity (measured by multiple indices, P < 0.03). Bacterial composition was influenced by the presence of the protists: positivity of Blastocystis was inversely associated with Akkermansia (at the levels of the genus as well as its family, order, class and phylum); P < 0.002), Faecalibacterium (P = 0.003) and Romboutsia (P = 0.029); positivity of D. fragilis was inversely associated with families Enterobacteriaceae (P = 0.016) and Coriobacteriaceae (P = 0.022) and genera Flavonifractor (P < 0.001), Faecalibacterium (P = 0.009), Lachnoclostridium (P = 0.029), Ruminococcus (P < 0.001) and Granulicatella (P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of single-cell protists is low in children with celiac disease autoimmunity. The colonization was stable regardless of the probiotic intervention and associated with increased diversity of the fecal bacteriome but inversely associated with some beneficial bacteria.

• Klíčová slova
• Blastocystis, Celiac disease, Dientamoeba fragilis, Gut microbiome, Probiotics,
• MeSH
• autoimunita MeSH
• Bacteria MeSH
• Blastocystis * genetika   MeSH
• celiakie * MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dvojitá slepá metoda MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• Lacticaseibacillus MeSH
• Lactobacillus paracasei * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• probiotika * terapeutické užití   farmakologie   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• ribozomální DNA MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ribozomální DNA MeSH

STAT1 gain-of-function (GOF) mutations cause an inborn error of immunity with diverse phenotype ranging from chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) to various non-infectious manifestations, the most precarious of which are autoimmunity and vascular complications. The pathogenesis centers around Th17 failure but is far from being understood. We hypothesized that neutrophils, whose functions have not been explored in the context of STAT1 GOF CMC yet, might be involved in the associated immunodysregulatory and vascular pathology. In a cohort of ten patients, we demonstrate that STAT1 GOF human ex-vivo peripheral blood neutrophils are immature and highly activated; have strong propensity for degranulation, NETosis, and platelet-neutrophil aggregation; and display marked inflammatory bias. STAT1 GOF neutrophils exhibit increased basal STAT1 phosphorylation and expression of IFN stimulated genes, but contrary to other immune cells, STAT1 GOF neutrophils do not display hyperphosphorylation of STAT1 molecule upon stimulation with IFNs. The patient treatment with JAKinib ruxolitinib does not ameliorate the observed neutrophil aberrations. To our knowledge, this is the first work describing features of peripheral neutrophils in STAT1 GOF CMC. The presented data suggest that neutrophils may contribute to the immune pathophysiology of the STAT1 GOF CMC.

• Klíčová slova
• Neutrophils, STAT1 GOF, autoimmunity, candidiasis, platelets, ruxolitinib,
• MeSH
• aktivační mutace * MeSH
• autoimunita MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• fosforylace MeSH
• kandidóza chronická mukokutánní * farmakoterapie   genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neutrofily metabolismus   MeSH
• transkripční faktor STAT1 * metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• STAT1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktor STAT1 * MeSH

Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by recurrent infections, low levels of serum immunoglobulins, and impaired vaccine responses. Autoimmune manifestations are common, but B cell central and peripheral selection mechanisms in CVID are incompletely understood. Here, we find that receptor editing, a measure of central tolerance, is increased in transitional B cells from CVID patients and that these cells have a higher immunoglobulin κ:λ ratio in CVID patients with autoimmune manifestations than in those with infection only. Contrariwise, the selection pressure in the germinal center on CD27bright memory B cells is decreased in CVID patients with autoimmune manifestations. Finally, functionally, T cell-dependent activation showed that naive B cells in CVID patients are badly equipped for activation and induction of mismatch repair genes. We conclude that central tolerance is functional whereas peripheral selection is defective in CVID patients with autoimmune manifestations, which could underpin the development of autoimmunity.

• Klíčová slova
• CD27(bright) memory B cells, CP: Immunology, common variable immunodeficiency, immunoglobulin sequencing, naive B cells, peripheral B cell selection, receptor editing, transcriptomic analysis,
• MeSH
• autoimunita MeSH
• B-lymfocyty MeSH
• běžná variabilní imunodeficience * genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prekurzorové B-lymfoidní buňky MeSH
• zárodečné centrum lymfatické uzliny MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is caused by a loss of hypocretin/orexin transmission. Risk factors include pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A infection and immunization with Pandemrix®. Here, we dissect disease mechanisms and interactions with environmental triggers in a multi-ethnic sample of 6,073 cases and 84,856 controls. We fine-mapped GWAS signals within HLA (DQ0602, DQB1*03:01 and DPB1*04:02) and discovered seven novel associations (CD207, NAB1, IKZF4-ERBB3, CTSC, DENND1B, SIRPG, PRF1). Significant signals at TRA and DQB1*06:02 loci were found in 245 vaccination-related cases, who also shared polygenic risk. T cell receptor associations in NT1 modulated TRAJ*24, TRAJ*28 and TRBV*4-2 chain-usage. Partitioned heritability and immune cell enrichment analyses found genetic signals to be driven by dendritic and helper T cells. Lastly comorbidity analysis using data from FinnGen, suggests shared effects between NT1 and other autoimmune diseases. NT1 genetic variants shape autoimmunity and response to environmental triggers, including influenza A infection and immunization with Pandemrix®.

• MeSH
• autoimunita genetika   MeSH
• autoimunitní nemoci * epidemiologie   genetika   MeSH
• chřipka lidská * epidemiologie   genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• narkolepsie * chemicky indukované   genetika   MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• virus chřipky A, podtyp H1N1 * genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH

STAT1 gain-of-function (GOF) mutations underlie an inborn error of immunity hallmarked by chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC). Beyond the fungal susceptibility, attributed to Th17 failure, over half of the reported patients suffer from autoimmune manifestations, mechanism of which has not been explained yet. We hypothesized that the STAT1 mutations would affect dendritic cells' (DCs) properties and alter their inflammatory and tolerogenic functions. To test the hypothesis, we generated monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) and tolerogenic DCs (tDCs). Functional and signaling studies, co-culture experiments and RNA sequencing demonstrated that STAT1 GOF DCs were profoundly altered in their phenotype and functions, characterized by loss of tolerogenic functions, proinflammatory skew and decreased capacity to induce Th17. Cytokine signaling, autophagy and metabolic processes were identified as the most prominently altered cellular processes. The results suggest that DCs are directly involved in STAT1 GOF-associated immune pathology, possibly contributing to both autoimmune manifestations and the failure of antifungal defense.

• Klíčová slova
• Autophagy, CMC, Candidiasis, Dendritic cells, Ruxolitinib, STAT1, Tolerogenic,
• MeSH
• aktivační mutace * MeSH
• autoimunita genetika   MeSH
• dendritické buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• kandidóza chronická mukokutánní * genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• transkripční faktor STAT1 MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• STAT1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktor STAT1 MeSH

Autoantibodies to neuronal antigens are viewed as potential biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. Increasing evidence, however, suggests a dissociation of the neurodegenerative process in the central nervous system and dynamics of neuronal proteins in peripheral circulation with the prevalence of a wide variety of immunoglobulins reactive to neuronal antigens reported also in the blood of healthy subjects, including children. Recently discovered physiological turnover of neurons in enteric nervous system with release of neuronal proteins in peripheral circulation may account for this conundrum and provide a new perspective on molecular biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases and immunotherapy.

• Klíčová slova
• adult neurogenesis, autoimmunity, biomarkers, enteric nervous system, neurodegenerative disease, tau,
• MeSH
• autoimunita MeSH
• biologické markery metabolismus   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neurodegenerativní nemoci * metabolismus   MeSH
• neurogeneze fyziologie   MeSH
• střevní nervový systém * metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologické markery MeSH

Recent evidence indicates that targeting IL-6 provides broad therapeutic approaches to several diseases. In patients with cancer, autoimmune diseases, severe respiratory infections [e.g. coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] and wound healing, IL-6 plays a critical role in modulating the systemic and local microenvironment. Elevated serum levels of IL-6 interfere with the systemic immune response and are associated with disease progression and prognosis. As already noted, monoclonal antibodies blocking either IL-6 or binding of IL-6 to receptors have been used/tested successfully in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, many cancer types, and COVID-19. Therefore, in the present review, we compare the impact of IL-6 and anti-IL-6 therapy to demonstrate common (pathological) features of the studied diseases such as formation of granulation tissue with the presence of myofibroblasts and deposition of new extracellular matrix. We also discuss abnormal activation of other wound-healing-related pathways that have been implicated in autoimmune disorders, cancer or COVID-19.

• Klíčová slova
• Cancer stroma, Granulation tissue, IL-6, Inflammation, Myofibroblast, Peripheral nerve injury, Rheumatoid arthritis, SARS-CoV-2, Wound healing,
• MeSH
• autoimunita MeSH
• autoimunitní nemoci * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• COVID-19 * MeSH
• hojení ran MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové mikroprostředí MeSH
• nádory * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• zánět MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Male infertility affects approximately 14% of all European men, of which ~44% are characterized as idiopathic. There is an urgency to identify the factors that affect male fertility. One such factor, Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE), a protein found in the thymus, has been studied in the context of central tolerance functioning as a nuclear transcription modulator, responsible for the expression of tissue-restricted antigens in specialized thymic cells that prevent autoimmunity. While its expression in the testes remains enigmatic, we recently observed that sterility in mice correlates with the absence of Aire in the testes, regardless of the deficient expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells or cells of the hematopoietic system. By assessing the Aire transcript levels, we discovered that Sertoli cells are the exclusive source of Aire in the testes, where it most likely plays a non-immune role, suggesting an unknown mechanism by which testicular Aire regulates fertility. Here, we discuss these results in the context of previous reports which have suggested that infertility observed in Aire deficient mice is of an autoimmune aetiology. We present an alternative point of view for the role of Aire in testes in respect to fertility altering the perspective of how Aire's function in the testes is currently perceived.

• Klíčová slova
• Aire 1, Sertoli cells 5, autoimmunity 2, spermatogenesis 6, sterility 3, testis 4,
• MeSH
• autoimunita * MeSH
• buněčné jádro MeSH
• epitelové buňky * metabolismus   MeSH
• fertilita MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH