1. Anti–IFN-γ autoantibodies in adults with disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are associated with HLA-DRB1*16:02 and HLA-DQB1*05:02 and the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus infection
by Chih-Yu Chi, Chen-Chung Chu, Jing-Pei Liu, Chia-Hao Lin, Mao-Wang Ho, Wen-Jyi Lo, Po-Chang Lin, Hung-Jen Chen, Chia-Huei Chou, Jia-Yih Feng, Chang-Phone Fung, Yuh-Pyng Sher, Chi-Yuan Li, Jen-Hsien Wang, and Cheng-Lung Ku
Blood
Volume 121(8):
February 21, 2013
©2013 by American Society of Hematology

2. Anti–IFN-γ autoantibodies with high inhibitory activity in patients with dNTM infections.
Anti–IFN-γ autoantibodies with high inhibitory activity in patients with dNTM infections. (A) IFN-γ was barely detected in the WB of patients with dNTM infections when stimulated with live BCG or BCG + IL-12. (B) In the absence of patient plasma, the production of IFN-γ was detectable. (C) Patient plasma was serially diluted and incubated with 100 pg/mL of IFN-γ. Plasma from healthy donors (control) and patients with isolated pulmonary NTM infection (isoNTM) showed minimal blocking activity for the detection of IFN-γ. However, plasma from patients with dNTM infections at dilutions of up to 1/106 inhibited the detection of IFN-γ. The data from 2 independent experiments with similar results were combined. (D) Anti–IFN-γ autoantibodies were identified as IgG antibodies. IFN-γ was immobilized by capture antibodies on an ELISA plate and plasma samples from patients and controls were added to the wells. Antibodies to human IgG were added to measure the binding of human IgG autoantibodies to human IFN-γ.
Chih-Yu Chi et al. Blood 2013;121:
©2013 by American Society of Hematology

3. Inhibition of IL-12 production in patients with dNTM infections.
Inhibition of IL-12 production in patients with dNTM infections. (A) In the presence of patient plasma, the IFN-γ–dependent up-regulation of IL-12 production was significantly inhibited. (B) When the plasma was removed (PMBCs only), the IFN-γ–dependent up-regulation of IL-12 production recovered.
Chih-Yu Chi et al. Blood 2013;121:
©2013 by American Society of Hematology