Teunis Geijtenbeek

Autoantibodies against type I IFNs in patients with life-threatening COVID-19

Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Date: 23-10-2020

DOI: 10.1126/SCIENCE.ABD4585

Abstract: The immune system is complex and involves many genes, including those that encode cytokines known as interferons (IFNs). In iduals that lack specific IFNs can be more susceptible to infectious diseases. Furthermore, the autoantibody system d ens IFN response to prevent damage from pathogen-induced inflammation. Two studies now examine the likelihood that genetics affects the risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through components of this system (see the Perspective by Beck and Aksentijevich). Q. Zhang et al. used a candidate gene approach and identified patients with severe COVID-19 who have mutations in genes involved in the regulation of type I and III IFN immunity. They found enrichment of these genes in patients and conclude that genetics may determine the clinical course of the infection. Bastard et al. identified in iduals with high titers of neutralizing autoantibodies against type I IFN-α2 and IFN-ω in about 10% of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. These autoantibodies were not found either in infected people who were asymptomatic or had milder phenotype or in healthy in iduals. Together, these studies identify a means by which in iduals at highest risk of life-threatening COVID-19 can be identified. Science , this issue p. eabd4570 , p. eabd4585 see also p. 404

Langerhans Cells Sense Staphylococcus aureus Wall Teichoic Acid through Langerin To Induce Inflammatory Responses

Publisher: American Society for Microbiology

Date: 25-06-2019

DOI: 10.1128/MBIO.00330-19

Abstract: The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of skin infections and is also associated with the occurrence and severity of eczema. Langerhans cells (LCs), a specific subset of skin immune cells, participate in the immune response to S. aureus , but it is yet unclear how LCs recognize S. aureus . Therefore, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction between LCs and S. aureus . We identified that wall teichoic acid, an abundant polymer on the S. aureus surface, is recognized by langerin, a receptor unique to LCs. This interaction allows LCs to discriminate S. aureus from other related staphylococcal species and initiates a proinflammatory response similar to that observed in patients with eczema. Our data therefore provide important new insights into the relationship between S. aureus , LCs, and eczema.

University Of Amsterdam

Location: Netherlands

View Organisation

Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute

Location: Netherlands

View Organisation

Amsterdam UMC

Location: Netherlands

View Organisation