Heterozygous mutations in the C-terminal domain of COPA underlie a complex autoinflammatory syndrome

Mutations in the N-terminal WD40 domain of coatomer protein complex subunit α (COPA) cause a type I interferonopathy, typically characterized by alveolar hemorrhage, arthritis, and nephritis. We described 3 heterozygous mutations in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of COPA (p.C1013S, p.R1058C, and p.R1142X) in 6 children from 3 unrelated families with a similar syndrome of autoinflammation and autoimmunity. We showed that these CTD COPA mutations disrupt the integrity and the function of coat protein complex I (COPI). In COPAR1142X and COPAR1058C fibroblasts, we demonstrated that COPI dysfunction causes both an anterograde ER-to-Golgi and a retrograde Golgi-to-ER trafficking defect. The disturbed intracellular trafficking resulted in a cGAS/STING-dependent upregulation of the type I IFN signaling in patients and patient-derived cell lines, albeit through a distinct molecular mechanism in comparison with mutations in the WD40 domain of COPA. We showed that CTD COPA mutations induce an activation of ER stress and NF-κB signaling in patient-derived primary cell lines. These results demonstrate the importance of the integrity of the CTD of COPA for COPI function and homeostatic intracellular trafficking, essential to ER homeostasis. CTD COPA mutations result in disease by increased ER stress, disturbed intracellular transport, and increased proinflammatory signaling.

A Narrative Review of the Neurological Manifestations of Human Adenosine Deaminase 2 Deficiency

Deficiency of human adenosine deaminase type 2 (DADA2) is a complex systemic autoinflammatory disorder characterized by vasculopathy, immune dysregulation, and hematologic abnormalities. The most notable neurological manifestations of DADA2 are strokes that can manifest with various neurological symptoms and are potentially fatal. However, neurological presentations can be diverse. We here present a review of the neurological manifestations of DADA2 to increase clinical awareness of DADA2 as the underlying diagnosis. We reviewed all published cases of DADA2 from 1 January 2014 until 19 July 2022 found via PubMed. A total of 129 articles describing the clinical features of DADA2 were included in the analysis. Six hundred twenty-eight patients diagnosed with DADA2 were included in the review. 50.3% of patients had at least signs of one reported neurological event, which was the initial or sole manifestation in 5.7% and 0.6%, respectively. 77.5% of patients with neurological manifestations had at least signs of one cerebrovascular accident, with lacunar strokes being the most common and 35.9% of them having multiple stroke episodes. There is a remarkable predilection for the brain stem and deep gray matter, with 37.3% and 41.6% of ischemic strokes, respectively. Other neurological involvement included neuropathies, focal neurological deficits, ophthalmological findings, convulsions, and headaches. In summary, neurological manifestations affect a significant proportion of patients with DADA2, and the phenotype is broad. Neurological manifestations can be the first and single manifestation of DADA2. Therefore, stroke, encephalitis, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, mononeuropathy and polyneuropathy, and Behçet's disease-like presentations should prompt the neurologist to exclude DADA2, especially but not only in childhood.

Incuding behavioral determinants of vaccine demand and acceptance in the EU policy-making process

Vaccination is one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health measures developed in the 20th century, and remains the main tool for primary prevention of communicable diseases. Yet, in spite of the overall benefits of vaccination, a number of key challenges still remain to ensure sustainable, equitable and effective vaccination programmes in all EU Member States, and to secure that the added benefits of vaccinations are not lost.

The overall purpose of the research programme presented is to facilitate and execute research on vaccine confidence, identifying behavioural determinants of vaccine hesitancy across different subgroups of the population (including disadvantaged and socially excluded groups) and healthcare workers, for specific categories of vaccines in a number of Member States of the European Union (MS of EU).

The research group has facilitated and executed a preliminary research (consisting of a set of focus groups and an experimental survey) on vaccine confidence, for specific categories of vaccines in a number of MS of EU (Spain, Portugal, Romania, Italy, Poland, French). The outcome of the preliminary study will support the identification of the most promising areas of implementation of behavioural insights to improve vaccine confidence. At the time of writing of this abstract, the results are under collection, and will be ready by the end of June 2020.

During the policy design and preparation phase, supported by a behavioural mixed methodology study, a number of behavioural determinants of vaccination demand and acceptance have been identified. This is crucial for policy making at the EU level, especially since the principle of subsidiary limits the possibilities for direct EU action over choice architecture. This requires further coordination with national health authorities

Key messages

During the policy design and preparation phase, supported by a behavioural mixed methodology study, a number of behavioural determinants of vaccination demand and acceptance have been identified. In the policymaking at EU level, including behavioural insight at the design and preparation stage is crucial for effective delivery of policy objectives.

Exact correlation functions in SU(2) N=2 superconformal QCD

We report an exact solution of 2- and 3-point functions of chiral primary fields in SU(2) N=2 super-Yang-Mills theory coupled to four hypermultiplets. It is shown that these correlation functions are nontrivial functions of the gauge coupling, obeying differential equations which take the form of the semi-infinite Toda chain. We solve these equations recursively in terms of the Zamolodchikov metric that can be determined exactly from supersymmetric localization on the four-sphere. Our results are verified independently in perturbation theory with a Feynman diagram computation up to 2 loops. This is a short version of a companion paper that contains detailed technical remarks, additional material, and aspects of an extension to the SU(N) gauge group.

Production of different morphologies of biocompatible polymeric materials by supercritical CO(2) antisolvent techniques

High-value biocompatible-polymers have been processed with supercritical antisolvent techniques to produce solid structures of different shape and size. In particular, a class of hyaluronic acid-derived polymers (Hyaff11-p100, Hyaff11-p80, Hyaff11-p75, Hyaff 302) have been used to obtain various morphologies such as microspheres, threads, fibers, networks, and sponges. The effect of thermodynamic variables on precipitation were highlighted in some preliminary batch experiments. Then, different products were obtained by tuning the values of operating parameters. Threads and fibers were the result of a continuous supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process where a concentrated polymer solution was pumped through a micrometric nozzle: The threads showed a reticular internal structure with an adjustable type of cavity. For production of networks and sponges, the concentration of polymer plays the key role. Below a critical value it was not possible to obtain a continuous network, while above it, a structure similar to that of the natural bone with three types of internal microporosity were obtained. Again, by tuning pressure and polymer concentration, the internal porosity could be controlled. Microparticles were also produced by the SAS process, and a control of their morphology was achieved by varying the concentration of the polymer in the starting solution and the density of organic solvent-CO(2) mixtures. All the products obtained by SAS have negligible content of residual solvent. A qualitative interpretation of experimental results is presented.