R. Brink

Self-reactive B cells traverse a perfect storm of somatic mutagenesis to cause a virus-induced autoimmune disease

The paper traces the evolution of autoantibodies in HCV-CV patients, revealing convergent somatic mutations and compromised solubility in pathogenic B cells.

Increased core body temperature exacerbates defective protein prenylation in mouse avatars of mevalonate kinase deficiency

This study shows that increased body temperature worsens protein prenylation defects in mouse models of mevalonate kinase deficiency, suggesting temperature as a trigger for inflammation.

STAT3 gain-of-function mutations connect leukemia with autoimmune disease by pathological dysregulation of NKG2Dhi CD8 killer T cells

This study shows that STAT3 gain-of-function mutations in leukemia drive autoimmune pathology by causing NKG2Dhi CD8 T cell oligoclonal expansion and cytotoxic activity.

IL-21 has a critical role in establishing germinal centers by amplifying early B cell proliferation

The paper shows IL-21 accelerates B cell proliferation and GC formation by enhancing cell cycle progression and entry, increasing plasma cell output.

Overactive STAT3 drives accumulation of disease-associated CD21low B cells

This study shows that overactive STAT3 leads to the accumulation of disease-associated CD21low B cells in both humans and mice.

Potent SARS-CoV-2 binding and neutralization through maturation of iconic SARS-CoV-1 antibodies

This paper explores antibody maturation strategies to enhance the neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 using SARS-CoV-1 antibodies, finding that some variants show potent neutralization with IC50 of 160 ng/ml.

Loss-of-function of Fbxo10, encoding a post-translational regulator of BCL2 in lymphomas, has no discernible effect on BCL2 or B lymphocyte accumulation in mice

This study shows that loss-of-function mutations in Fbxo10 do not increase BCL2 or B lymphocyte numbers in mice, suggesting redundant regulation of BCL2 by other ubiquitin ligases.

Phospho-tuning immunity through Denisovan, modern human, and mouse TNFAIP3 gene variants

The paper identifies TNFAIP3 variants in humans, Denisovans, and mice that modulate A20 phosphorylation, revealing a genetic mechanism for balancing immunity and microbial tolerance.