T and B Cell Responses in Autoimmune Diseases

Exclusion Criteria

• •1\. For healthy donors:
• •a. Individuals who are unable or unwilling to donate blood samples b. Individuals with self-reported chronic metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance or morbid obesity c. Individuals with self-reported acute infection (respiratory or others) or chronic infection (such as HIV,hepatitis B or -C) d. Individuals with self-reported immune-mediated diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, primary immunodeficiency e. Individuals with self-reported current or prior history of malignancy f. Individuals who are currently pregnant (self-report) g. Corticosteroid therapy equivalent to \>/= 10 mg/day of prednisone within the last 4 weeks h. Immunosuppressive therapy at any time prior to enrollment (such as Cyclophosphamide, Mitoxantrone, Imuran, Cellcept, Methotrexate, Rituximab, Alemtuzumab)
• •2\. For all subjects with an autoimmune disease:
• •a. Pregnant patients b. Pediatric patients unable to donate at least 51 mL of blood per NIH guidelines (no more than 5 mL/kg in a single day and no more than 9.5 mL/kg over any 8 week period) c. Patients with current substance abuse or alcoholism (self-report) d. Patients diagnosed with more than one autoimmune and/or inflammatory disease, exception - asthma is permissible e. Corticosteroid therapy equivalent to \> 10 mg/day of prednisone within the last 4 weeks f. Immunomodulatory therapies within the last 12 months (such as Interferon, Glatiramer Acetate, Natalizumab, Fingolimod) g. Immunosuppressive medication at any time prior to enrollment (such as Cyclophosphamide, Mitoxantrone, Imuran, Cellcept, Methotrexate, Rituximab, Alemtuzumab) h. Any prior or current Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatments i. Any prior or current use of experimental drugs tested in Phase I, II, or III clinical trials
• •3\. Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or indeterminate colitis
• •4\. Pustular psoriasis, isolated palmoplantar psoriasis, isolated inverse psoriasis and isolated sebopsoriasis.