Balthasar A. Heesters
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View article: Local complement inhibition by selective precision-targeted therapies
Local complement inhibition by selective precision-targeted therapies Open
Excessive complement activation represents a major pathogenic mechanism for a range of serious human diseases. Complement-inhibitory therapeutics have been approved for a number of rare and ultra-rare conditions, with several others in cli…
View article: Fusion of Complement Fragment C3d Enhances Germinal Center Responses to HIV-1 Envelope Glycoproteins
Fusion of Complement Fragment C3d Enhances Germinal Center Responses to HIV-1 Envelope Glycoproteins Open
Eliciting sustained germinal center (GC) responses is critical for the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine, yet HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) immunogens often fail to elicit GC responses required for the maturation of cognate B c…
View article: Uniting education, research, healthcare, and society to advance women’s heart health
Uniting education, research, healthcare, and society to advance women’s heart health Open
Complex health challenges require professionals to operate across disciplines and to better connect with society. Here, we showcase a community-engaged and challenge-based educational model in which undergraduate students conduct transdisc…
View article: Human CD127 negative ILC2s show immunological memory
Human CD127 negative ILC2s show immunological memory Open
ILC2s are key players in type 2 immunity and contribute to maintaining homeostasis. ILC2s are also implicated in the development of type 2 inflammation–mediated chronic disorders like asthma. While memory ILC2s have been identified in mous…
View article: The follicular dendritic cell: At the germinal center of autoimmunity?
The follicular dendritic cell: At the germinal center of autoimmunity? Open
Autoimmune diseases strain healthcare systems worldwide as their incidence rises, and current treatments put patients at risk for infections. An increased understanding of autoimmune diseases is required to develop targeted therapies that …
View article: Human CD127 negative ILC2s show immunological memory
Human CD127 negative ILC2s show immunological memory Open
SUMMARY Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILC2s) serve as key players in type 2 immunity and contribute significantly to maintaining homeostasis and responding to inflammation. Notably, ILC2s are closely implicated in the development of aller…
View article: Protocol for the isolation and purification of human follicular dendritic cells for functional assays
Protocol for the isolation and purification of human follicular dendritic cells for functional assays Open
In this protocol, we detail how to isolate and purify human follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) from lymphoid tissues. FDCs play a vital role in antibody development by presenting antigens to B cells in germinal centers. The assay involves e…
View article: SARS-CoV-2 Spike N-Terminal Domain Engages 9- <i>O</i> -Acetylated α2–8-Linked Sialic Acids
SARS-CoV-2 Spike N-Terminal Domain Engages 9- <i>O</i> -Acetylated α2–8-Linked Sialic Acids Open
SARS-CoV-2 viruses engage ACE2 as a functional receptor with their spike protein. The S1 domain of the spike protein contains a C-terminal receptor binding domain (RBD) and an N-terminal domain (NTD). The NTD of other coronaviruses include…
View article: Modeling resistance of colorectal peritoneal metastases to immune checkpoint blockade in humanized mice
Modeling resistance of colorectal peritoneal metastases to immune checkpoint blockade in humanized mice Open
Background The immunogenic nature of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) underlies their responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). However, resistance to ICB is commonly observed, and i…
View article: The SARS-CoV-2 spike N-terminal domain engages 9-<i>O</i>-acetylated α2-8-linked sialic acids
The SARS-CoV-2 spike N-terminal domain engages 9-<i>O</i>-acetylated α2-8-linked sialic acids Open
SARS-CoV-2 viruses engage ACE2 as a functional receptor with their spike protein. The S1 domain of the spike protein contains a C-terminal receptor-binding domain (RBD) and an N-terminal domain (NTD). The NTD of other coronaviruses include…
View article: Characterization of human FDCs reveals regulation of T cells and antigen presentation to B cells
Characterization of human FDCs reveals regulation of T cells and antigen presentation to B cells Open
Stromal-derived follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) are essential for germinal centers (GCs), the site where B cells maturate their antibodies. FDCs present native antigen to B cells and maintain a CXCL13 gradient to form the B cell follicle…
View article: Identification of human cytotoxic ILC3s
Identification of human cytotoxic ILC3s Open
Human ILCs are classically categorized into five subsets; cytotoxic CD127 − CD94 + NK cells and non‐cytotoxic CD127 + CD94 − , ILC1s, ILC2s, ILC3s, and LTi cells. Here, we identify a previously unrecognized subset within the CD127 + ILC po…
View article: Correction: KLRG1 and NKp46 discriminate subpopulations of human CD117+CRTH2− ILCs biased toward ILC2 or ILC3
Correction: KLRG1 and NKp46 discriminate subpopulations of human CD117+CRTH2− ILCs biased toward ILC2 or ILC3 Open
JEM regrets that in the original version of this paper, panels E-G were mistakenly omitted from Fig. 4 due to a production error. The corrected and complete Fig. 4 appears on the following page. The online and print versions of this articl…
View article: KLRG1 and NKp46 discriminate subpopulations of human CD117+CRTH2− ILCs biased toward ILC2 or ILC3
KLRG1 and NKp46 discriminate subpopulations of human CD117+CRTH2− ILCs biased toward ILC2 or ILC3 Open
Recently, human ILCs that express CD117 and CD127 but lack CRTH2 and NKp44 have been shown to contain precursors of ILC1, ILC2, and ILC3. However, these ILCs have not been extensively characterized. We performed an unbiased hierarchical st…
View article: Maturing Human CD127+ CCR7+ PDL1+ Dendritic Cells Express AIRE in the Absence of Tissue Restricted Antigens
Maturing Human CD127+ CCR7+ PDL1+ Dendritic Cells Express AIRE in the Absence of Tissue Restricted Antigens Open
Expression of the Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) outside of the thymus has long been suggested in both humans and mice, but the cellular source in humans has remained undefined. Here we identify AIRE expression in human tonsils and extensivel…
View article: ZFP521 regulates murine hematopoietic stem cell function and facilitates MLL-AF9 leukemogenesis in mouse and human cells
ZFP521 regulates murine hematopoietic stem cell function and facilitates MLL-AF9 leukemogenesis in mouse and human cells Open
Key Points ZFP521 regulates HSC self-renewal and differentiation. ZFP521 facilitates leukemogenesis in an MLL-AF9–mediated leukemia model.