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We assessed the feasibility of a highly sensitive immunoassay method based on single molecule array (Simoa) technology to detect IgG and IgA antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) in saliva from individuals with natural or vaccine-induced COVID-19 immunity. The performance of the method was compared to a laboratory-developed SARS-CoV-2 RBD total antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Paired serum and saliva specimens were collected from individuals (n = 40) prior to and 2 weeks after receiving an initial prime COVID-19 vaccine dose (Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 or Moderna mRNA-1273). Saliva was collected using a commercially available collection device (OraSure Inc.) and SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG antibodies were measured by an indirect ELISA using concentrated saliva samples and a Simoa immunoassay using unconcentrated saliva samples. The IgG results were compared with paired serum specimens that were analyzed for total RBD antibodies using the ELISA method. The analytical sensitivity of the saliva-based Simoa immunoassay was five orders of magnitude higher than the ELISA assay: 0.24 pg/mL compared to 15 ng/mL. The diagnostic sensitivity of the saliva ELISA method was 90% (95% CI 76.3–97.2%) compared to 91.7% (95% CI 77.5–98.2%) for the Simoa immunoassay without total IgG-normalization and 100% (95% CI 90.3–100%) for the Simoa immunoassay after total IgG-normalization when compared to the serum ELISA assay. When analyzed using the SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG antibody ELISA, the average relative increase in antibody index (AI) between the saliva of the post- and pre-vaccinated individuals was 8.7 (AI post/pre ). An average relative increase of 431 pg/mL was observed when the unconcentrated saliva specimens were analyzed using the Simoa immunoassay (SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG post/pre ). These findings support the suitability of concentrated saliva specimens for the measurement of SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG antibodies via ELISA, and unconcentrated saliva specimens for the measurement of SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG and IgA using an ultrasensitive Simoa immunoassay.

People living with HIV infection (PLWH) often have attenuated responses to infections and vaccination. This study aimed to better understand how HIV-associated inflammation and chronic T-cell activation influenced the immune responses to mRNA vaccination or neutralization assay analyses. PLWH on ART or healthy donor controls were analyzed using systems serology and viral T-cell phenotyping to Spike or HIV-1 Gag peptide stimulation after primary mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Neutralization assays using a lentiviral pseudovirus construct were compromised by the presence of integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) drugs in plasma from HIV + subjects taking certain ART. This combination of lentiviral pseudovirus reporter assays and INSTIs led to false positive neutralization results. Spike-specific IgG1, IgG3, IgA1, IgA2, and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) were altered post-vaccination in PLWH compared to controls. Network and multivariate analyses revealed post-vaccination outcomes were strongly correlated to CD4 immunodeficiency and Gag-specific T-cells, including effector CD8 T-cells and Th1 CD4 T-cells. Given the growing use of pseudovirus neutralization assays for serological evaluation and mRNA technology in novel vaccines that could be recommended for PLWH Pseudovirus neutralization assays need to be carefully selected to prevent ART drugs in patient samples from impacting results. Spike-specific antibody and CD4 T-cell phenotypes are influenced by both CD4 immunodeficiency and Gag-specific T-cell effector populations. This work has clinical relevance beyond COVID, with future considerations of pseudovirus assay evaluations and mRNA vaccine design for chronically infected hosts.

Cystatin C is becoming an increasingly popular biomarker for estimating glomerular filtration rate, and accurate measurements of cystatin C concentrations are necessary for accurate estimates of glomerular filtration rate. To assess the accuracy of cystatin C concentration measurements in laboratories participating in the College of American Pathologists CYS Survey. Two fresh frozen serum pools, the first from apparently healthy donors and the second from patients with chronic kidney disease, were prepared and distributed to laboratories participating in the CYS Survey along with the 2 usual processed human plasma samples. Target values were established for each pool by using 2 immunoassays and ERM DA471/IFCC international reference material. For the normal fresh frozen pool (ERM-DA471/IFCC-traceable target of 0.960 mg/L), the all-method mean (SD, % coefficient of variation [CV]) reported by all of the 123 reporting laboratories was 0.894 mg/L (0.128 mg/L, 14.3%). For the chronic kidney disease pool (ERM-DA471/IFCC-traceable target of 2.37 mg/L), the all-method mean (SD, %CV) was 2.258 mg/L (0.288 mg/L, 12.8%). There were substantial method-specific biases (mean milligram per liter reported for the normal pool was 0.780 for Siemens, 0.870 for Gentian, 0.967 for Roche, 1.061 for Diazyme, and 0.970 for other/not specified reagents; and mean milligram per liter reported for the chronic kidney disease pool was 2.052 for Siemens, 2.312 for Gentian, 2.247 for Roche, 2.909 for Diazyme, and 2.413 for other/not specified reagents). Manufacturers need to improve the accuracy of cystatin C measurement procedures if cystatin C is to achieve its full potential as a biomarker for estimating glomerular filtration rate.

Herein, we review established clinical use cases for SARS-CoV-2 antibody measures, which include diagnosis of recent prior infection, isolating high titer convalescent plasma, diagnosing multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), and booster dosing in the immunosuppressed and other populations. We then address whether an antibody correlate of protection (CoP) for SARS-CoV-2 has been successfully defined with the following considerations: Antibody responses in the immunocompetent, vaccine type, variants, use of binding antibody tests vs. neutralization tests, and endpoint measures. In the transition from the COVID-19 pandemic to endemic, there has been much interest in defining an antibody CoP. Due to the high mutability of respiratory viruses and our current knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 variants defining a CoP for prevention of infection is unrealistic. However, a CoP may be defined for prevention of severe disease requiring hospitalization and/or death. Most SARS-CoV-2 CoP research has focused on neutralization measurements. However, there can be significant differences in neutralization test methods, and disparate responses to new variants depending on format. Furthermore, neutralization assays are often impractical for high throughput applications (e.g., assessing humoral immune response in populations or large cohorts). Nevertheless, CoP studies using neutralization measures are reviewed to determine where there is consensus. Alternatively, binding antibody tests could be used to define a CoP. Binding antibody assays tend to be highly automatable, high throughput, and therefore practical for large population applications. Again, we review studies for consensus on binding antibody responses to vaccines, focusing on standardized results. Binding antibodies directed against the S1 receptor binding domain (S1-RBD) of the viral spike protein can provide a practical, indirect measure of neutralization. Initially, a response for S1-RBD antibodies may be selected that reflects the peak response in immunocompetent populations and may serve as a target for booster dosing in the immunocompromised. From existing studies reporting peak S1-RBD responses in standardized units, an approximate range of 1372–2744 BAU/mL for mRNA and recombinant protein vaccines was extracted that could serve as an initial CoP target. This target would need to be confirmed and potentially adjusted for updated vaccines, and almost certainly for other vaccine formats (i.e., viral vector). Alternatively, a threshold or response could be defined based on outcomes over time (i.e., prevention of severe disease). We also discuss the precedent for clinical measurement of antibodies for vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., hepatitis B). Lastly, cellular immunity is briefly addressed for its importance in the nature and durability of protection.

Stress tolerance of the heart requires high-fidelity metabolic sensing by ATP-sensitive potassium (K ATP ) channels that adjust membrane potential–dependent functions to match cellular energetic demand. Scanning of genomic DNA from individuals with heart failure and rhythm disturbances due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy identified two mutations in ABCC9 , which encodes the regulatory SUR2A subunit of the cardiac K ATP channel. These missense and frameshift mutations mapped to evolutionarily conserved domains adjacent to the catalytic ATPase pocket within SUR2A. Mutant SUR2A proteins showed aberrant redistribution of conformations in the intrinsic ATP hydrolytic cycle, translating into abnormal K ATP channel phenotypes with compromised metabolic signal decoding. Defective catalysis-mediated pore regulation is thus a mechanism for channel dysfunction and susceptibility to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Use of cystatin C for glomerular filtration rate estimation (eGFR) has garnered heightened interest as a means to avoid race-based medicine, since eGFRcys equations do not require specification of race. Before considering more widespread use of cystatin C, it is important to confirm that assays provide accurate measurements of cystatin C concentration, to ensure accurate GFR estimates. To determine if the accuracy of cystatin C measurements in laboratories participating in the College of American Pathologists' (CAP) Cystatin C (CYS) survey has improved since 2014. Two fresh frozen serum pools, the first from healthy donors without chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the second from patients with CKD, along with a synthetically prepared elevated cystatin C pool, were sent to laboratories participating in the 2019 CYS-A survey. Target values were established by using 2 immunoassays and a bracketed 2-point calibration with diluted ERM-DA471/IFCC reference material. For the healthy donor fresh frozen pool (ERM-DA471/IFCC-traceable target of 0.725 mg/L), the all-method mean (standard deviation, coefficient of variation) was 0.731 mg/L (0.071, 9.7%). For the CKD pool (ERM-DA471/IFCC-traceable target of 2.136 mg/L), the all-method mean was 2.155 mg/L (0.182, 8.4%). For the synthetically spiked pool (ERM-DA471/IFCC-traceable target of 1.843 mg/L), the all-method mean was 1.886 mg/L (0.152, 8.1%). This represents marked improvement in accuracy and between-method agreement compared to the 2014 CAP survey. Manufacturers have markedly improved accuracy and between-method agreement of cystatin C measurement procedures since 2014, which allows for greater confidence in estimated GFR relying on cystatin C.

BACKGROUNDWe investigated residual β cell function in Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study participants with an average 35-year duration of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).METHODSSerum C-peptide was measured during a 4-hour mixed-meal tolerance test. Associations with metabolic outcomes and complications were explored among nonresponders (all C-peptide values after meal <0.003 nmol/L) and 3 categories of responders, classified by peak C-peptide concentration (nmol/L) as high (>0.2), intermediate (>0.03 to ≤0.2), and low (≥ 0.003 to ≤0.03).RESULTSOf the 944 participants, 117 (12.4%) were classified as responders. Residual C-peptide concentrations were associated with higher DCCT baseline concentrations of stimulated C-peptide (P value for trend = 0.0001). Residual C-peptide secretion was not associated with current or mean HbA1c, HLA high-risk haplotypes for T1DM, or the current presence of T1DM autoantibodies. The proportion of subjects with a history of severe hypoglycemia was lower with high (27%) and intermediate (48%) residual C-peptide concentrations than with low (74%) and no (70%) residual C-peptide concentrations (P value for trend = 0.0001). Responders and nonresponders demonstrated similar rates of advanced microvascular complications.CONCLUSIONβ Cell function can persist in long-duration T1DM. With a peak C-peptide concentration of >0.03 nmol/L, we observed clinically meaningful reductions in the prevalence of severe hypoglycemia.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT00360815 and NCT00360893.FUNDINGDivision of Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DP3-DK104438, U01 DK094176, and U01 DK094157).

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development of decentralized clinical trials (DCT). DCT’s are an important and pragmatic method for assessing health outcomes yet comprise only a minority of clinical trials, and few published methodologies exist. In this report, we detail the operational components of COVID-OUT, a decentralized, multicenter, quadruple-blinded, randomized trial that rapidly delivered study drugs nation-wide. The trial examined three medications (metformin, ivermectin, and fluvoxamine) as outpatient treatment of SARS-CoV-2 for their effectiveness in preventing severe or long COVID-19. Decentralized strategies included HIPAA-compliant electronic screening and consenting, prepacking investigational product to accelerate delivery after randomization, and remotely confirming participant-reported outcomes. Of the 1417 individuals with the intention-to-treat sample, the remote nature of the study caused an additional 94 participants to not take any doses of study drug. Therefore, 1323 participants were in the modified intention-to-treat sample, which was the a priori primary study sample. Only 1.4% of participants were lost to follow-up. Decentralized strategies facilitated the successful completion of the COVID-OUT trial without any in-person contact by expediting intervention delivery, expanding trial access geographically, limiting contagion exposure, and making it easy for participants to complete follow-up visits. Remotely completed consent and follow-up facilitated enrollment.

Though the microbiome’s impact on immune system homeostasis is well documented, the effect of circulating T cells on the gut microbiome remains unexamined. We analyzed data from 50 healthy volunteers in a pilot trial of aspirin, using immunophenotyping and 16S rRNA sequencing to evaluate the effect of baseline T cells on microbiome changes over 6 weeks. We employed an unsupervised sparse canonical correlation analysis (sCCA) and used multivariable linear regression models to evaluate the association between selected T cell subsets and selected bacterial genera after adjusting for covariates. In the cross-sectional analysis, percentages of naïve CD4+ T cells were positively associated with a relative abundance of Intestinimonas, and the percentage of activated CD8+ T cells was inversely associated with Cellulosibacter. In the longitudinal analysis, the baseline percentages of naïve CD4+ T cells and activated CD4+ T cells were inversely associated with a 6-week change in the relative abundance of Clostridium_XlVb and Anaerovorax, respectively. The baseline percentage of terminal effector CD4+ T cells was positively associated with the change in Flavonifractor. Notably, the microbiome taxa associated with T cell subsets exclusively belonged to the Bacillota phylum. These findings can guide future experimental studies focusing on the role of T cells in impacting gut microbiome homeostasis.

BackgroundLiterature examining the relationship of circulating omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids [n-3(ω-3) and n-6 (ω-6) PUFAs] and arterial elasticity in large cohort-based populations are lacking. We investigated the association of circulating ω-3and ω-6 PUFAs with large artery elasticity (LAE) and small artery elasticity (SAE) in participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).MethodsA total of 6124 participants (mean age 61.9; 52% female; 38% White, 27% Black, 22% Hispanic, and 13% Chinese-American) with plasma phospholipid PUFAs and arterial elasticity measured at baseline were included. LAE and SAE were derived from pulse contour analysis of the radial artery in all subjects in a supine position using tonometry. Linear regression models were used to determine associations for levels of (1) each circulating fatty acid, (2) total ω-3PUFAs, and (3) total ω-6 PUFAs with log-transformed LAE and SAE.ResultsEach standard deviation (SD) increment in circulating levels of total ω-3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid were associated with a 0.017 ml/mmHg, 0.017 ml/mmHg, and 0.015 ml/mmHg higher LAE respectively (p values all <0.01). No significant trends were observed for ω-3 PUFAs levels with SAE.22 Similarly, no significant trends were observed for ω-6 PUFA levels with either LAE or SAE.ConclusionsIn a multi-ethnic cohort of individuals free of baseline cardiovascular disease, higher plasma levels of total and individual ω-3 PUFAs were associated with an increased LAE. Further understanding into differential associations of ω-6 PUFAs with LAE and SAE is needed.