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Frantz C, Cauvet A, Durand A, Gonzalez V, Pierre R, Do Cruzeiro M, Bailly K, Andrieu M, Orvain C, Avouac J, Ottaviani M, Thuillet R, Tu L, Guignabert C, Lucas B, Auffray C, Allanore Y. Driving Role of Interleukin-2-Related Regulatory CD4+ T Cell Deficiency in the Development of Lung Fibrosis and Vascular Remodeling in a Mouse Model of Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2022; 74:1387-1398. [PMID: 35255201 DOI: 10.1002/art.42111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a debilitating autoimmune disease characterized by severe lung outcomes resulting in reduced life expectancy. Fra-2-transgenic mice offer the opportunity to decipher the relationships between the immune system and lung fibrosis. This study was undertaken to investigate whether the Fra-2-transgenic mouse lung phenotype may result from an imbalance between the effector and regulatory arms in the CD4+ T cell compartment. METHODS We first used multicolor flow cytometry to extensively characterize homeostasis and the phenotype of peripheral CD4+ T cells from Fra-2-transgenic mice and control mice. We then tested different treatments for their effectiveness in restoring CD4+ Treg cell homeostasis, including adoptive transfer of Treg cells and treatment with low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2). RESULTS Fra-2-transgenic mice demonstrated a marked decrease in the proportion and absolute number of peripheral Treg cells that preceded accumulation of activated, T helper cell type 2-polarized, CD4+ T cells. This defect in Treg cell homeostasis was derived from a combination of mechanisms including impaired generation of these cells in both the thymus and the periphery. The impaired ability of peripheral conventional CD4+ T cells to produce IL-2 may greatly contribute to Treg cell deficiency in Fra-2-transgenic mice. Notably, adoptive transfer of Treg cells, low-dose IL-2 therapy, or combination therapy changed the phenotype of Fra-2-transgenic mice, resulting in a significant reduction in pulmonary parenchymal fibrosis and vascular remodeling in the lungs. CONCLUSION Immunotherapies for restoring Treg cell homeostasis could be relevant in SSc. An intervention based on low-dose IL-2 injections, as is already proposed in other autoimmune diseases, could be the most suitable treatment modality for restoring Treg cell homeostasis for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia Frantz
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, and Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Anne Cauvet
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Durand
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | | | - Rémi Pierre
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | | | - Karine Bailly
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Muriel Andrieu
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Cindy Orvain
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Avouac
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, and Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Mina Ottaviani
- INSERM UMR S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, and Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Raphaël Thuillet
- INSERM UMR S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, and Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Ly Tu
- INSERM UMR S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, and Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Guignabert
- INSERM UMR S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, and Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Lucas
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Cédric Auffray
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Yannick Allanore
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, and Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
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Manetti M, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Matucci-Cerinic M, Romano E. Decreased Serum Levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3 Correlate with Severity of Skin and Lung Fibrosis and Peripheral Microvasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051362. [PMID: 35268452 PMCID: PMC8910971 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a severe autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by widespread peripheral microvasculopathy, and progressive cutaneous and visceral fibrosis, leading to significant organ dysfunction. Sirtuins (SIRTs) are a family of NAD-dependent protein deacetylases with pleiotropic effects on a variety of biological processes, including metabolism, cell survival, and aging. In the last decades, increasing studies have explored the contribution of SIRTs to the pathogenesis of SSc, highlighting a significant antifibrotic effect of both SIRT1 and SIRT3. On these bases, the aim of this study was to measure circulating SIRT1 and SIRT3 levels by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay in a well-characterized cohort of SSc patients (n = 80) and healthy controls (n = 71), focusing on their possible association with disease clinical features, and their potential as biomarkers reflecting SSc activity and severity. Significantly decreased serum levels of both SIRT1 and SIRT3 were found in SSc patients compared to controls. In SSc, the reduction in circulating SIRT1 and SIRT3 associated with a greater extent of cutaneous fibrosis, presence of interstitial lung disease, and worse pulmonary function. Serum SIRT1 and SIRT3 decrease also correlated with the severity of nailfold microvascular damage, with SIRT3 levels being additionally related to the occurrence of digital ulcers. The levels of these two proteins showed a direct correlation with one another in the circulation of SSc patients. Of the two SIRTs, serum SIRT3 was found to better reflect disease activity and severity in a logistic regression analysis model. Our findings suggest that serum SIRT1 and SIRT3 may represent novel potential biomarkers of increased risk for a more severe, life-threatening SSc disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (B.S.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-055-2758073
| | - Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (B.S.F.)
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.R.); (B.S.F.)
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.M.-C.); (E.R.)
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.M.-C.); (E.R.)
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.M.-C.); (E.R.)
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Prevalence of Peripheral Eosinophilia and Clinical Associations in Systemic Sclerosis Patients. Am J Med Sci 2022; 363:519-525. [DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2021.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Kuley R, Stultz RD, Duvvuri B, Wang T, Fritzler MJ, Hesselstrand R, Nelson JL, Lood C. N-Formyl Methionine Peptide-Mediated Neutrophil Activation in Systemic Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2022; 12:785275. [PMID: 35069556 PMCID: PMC8766990 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.785275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exaggerated neutrophil activation and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc) but its involvement in SSc pathogenesis is not clear. In the present study we assessed markers of neutrophil activation and NET formation in SSc patients in relation to markers of inflammation and disease phenotype. Factors promoting neutrophil activation in SSc remain largely unknown. Among the neutrophil activating factors, mitochondrial-derived N-formyl methionine (fMet) has been reported in several autoinflammatory conditions. The aim of the current study is to assess whether SSc patients have elevated levels of fMet and the role of fMet in neutrophil-mediated inflammation on SSc pathogenesis. Markers of neutrophil activation (calprotectin, NETs) and levels of fMet were analyzed in plasma from two SSc cohorts (n=80 and n=20, respectively) using ELISA. Neutrophil activation assays were performed in presence or absence of formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) inhibitor cyclosporin H. Elevated levels of calprotectin and NETs were observed in SSc patients as compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001) associating with SSc clinical disease characteristics. Further, SSc patients had elevated levels of circulating fMet as compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001). Consistent with a role for fMet-mediated neutrophil activation, fMet levels correlated with levels of calprotectin and NETs (r=0.34, p=0.002; r=0.29, p<0.01 respectively). Additionally, plasma samples from SSc patients with high levels of fMet induced de novo neutrophil activation through FPR1-dependent mechanisms. Our data for the first time implicates an important role for the mitochondrial component fMet in promoting neutrophil-mediated inflammation in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runa Kuley
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ryan D Stultz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Bhargavi Duvvuri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Marvin J Fritzler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Roger Hesselstrand
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund University, Section of Rheumatology, Lund, Sweden
| | - J Lee Nelson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Christian Lood
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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De Luca G, Palmisano A, Campochiaro C, Vignale D, Cavalli G, Bruno E, Sartorelli S, Ferlito A, Peretto G, Sala S, Matucci-Cerinic M, Dagna L, Esposito A. Cardiac magnetic resonance in systemic sclerosis myocarditis: the value of T2 mapping to detect myocardial inflammation. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022; 61:4409-4419. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTARCT
Objectives
Myocarditis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with a poor prognosis. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is the non-invasive diagnostic modality of choice for SSc-myocarditis. Our study investigates the performance of the mapping techniques, included in the revised Lake Louise Criteria (LLC), for the identification of SSc-myocarditis.
Methods
CMR data (right and left ventricular function and morphology, early and late gadolinium enhancement [LGE], T2 ratio, and T1 mapping, extra-cellular volume [ECV] and T2 mapping) of SSc patients diagnosed with myocarditis were reviewed. Myocarditis was defined by the presence of symptoms of SSc-heart involvement with increased high-sensitive troponin T(hs-TnT) and/or NT-proBNP and at least an abnormality at 24 h-ECG-Holter and/or echocardiography and/or CMR. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results
19 patients (median age 54 [46–70] years; females 78.9%; diffuse SSc 52.6%; anti-Scl70 + 52.6%) were identified: 11(57.9%) had echocardiographic, and 8(42.8%) 24 h-ECG Holter abnormalities. All patients had at least one CMR abnormality: LGE in 18(94.7%), increased ECV in 10(52.6%), T2 mapping > 50ms in 15(78.9%). Median T1 and T2 mapping were 1085[1069–1110]ms and 53.1[52–54]ms, respectively. T1 mapping directly correlated with NT-proBNP(r = 0.620; p= 0.005), ESR(r = 0.601; p= 0.008), CRP(r = 0.685; p= 0.001) and skin score(r = 0.507; p= 0.027); ECV correlated with NT-proBNP serum levels(r = 0.702; p= 0.001). No correlations emerged between T2 mapping and other parameters. Ten patients satisfied the 2009 LLC, 17 the 2018 LLC. With the new criteria including T2-mapping, the sensitivity improved from 52.6% to 89.5%.
Conclusion
the CMR mapping techniques improve the sensitivity to detect myocardial inflammation in patients with SSc-heart involvement. The evaluation of T2 mapping increases diagnostic accuracy for the recognition of myocardial inflammation in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo De Luca
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Palmisano
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Radiology Unit, Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Corrado Campochiaro
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Vignale
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Radiology Unit, Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulio Cavalli
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Bruno
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Radiology Unit, Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Sartorelli
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Ferlito
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Peretto
- Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital and University, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Sala
- Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital and University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Dagna
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Esposito
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Radiology Unit, Experimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Karatas A, Oz B, Celik C, Akar ZA, Akkoc RF, Etem EO, Dagli AF, Koca SS. Tofacitinib and metformin reduce the dermal thickness and fibrosis in mouse model of systemic sclerosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2553. [PMID: 35169250 PMCID: PMC8847622 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06581-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway is important in the process of inflammation and fibrosis. The adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) enzyme can affect JAK/STAT pathway. Tofacitinib is a pan-JAK inhibitör. Metformin activates AMPK enzyme. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of tofacitinib and metformin on IL-17 and TGF-β cytokines, skin fibrosis and inflammation in mouse model of systemic sclerosis (SSc). 40 Balb/c female mice were divided into 4 groups: (control, sham (BLM), tofacitinib and metformin). The mice in the tofacitinib group received oral tofacitinib (20 mg/kg/daily) and mice in the metformin group received oral metformin (50 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. At the end of 4th week, all groups of mice were decapitated and tissue samples were taken for analysis. Histopathological analysis of skin tissue was performed, and mRNA expressions of collagen 3A, IL-17 and TGF-β were assessed by real-time PCR and ELISA. Repeated BLM injections had induced dermal fibrosis. Moreover, the tissue levels of collagen 3A, IL-17 and TGF-β were elevated in the BLM group. Tofacitinib and metformin mitigated dermal fibrosis. They reduced dermal thickness and tissue collagen 3A, IL-17 and TGF-β levels. Tofacitinib and metformin demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in the mouse model of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Karatas
- Department of Rheumatology, Firat University School of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey.
| | - Burak Oz
- Department of Rheumatology, Fethi Sekin City Hospital, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Cigdem Celik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gemlik State Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Zeynel Abidin Akar
- Department of Rheumatology, Gazi Yasargil Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | | | - Ebru Onalan Etem
- Department of Medical Biology, Firat University School of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Adile Ferda Dagli
- Department of Pathology, Firat University School of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey
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Diagnosis of Simultaneous Atrial and Ventricular Mechanical Performance in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11020305. [PMID: 35205171 PMCID: PMC8869228 DOI: 10.3390/biology11020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic connective tissue disorder with an inflammatory and autoimmune nature. The disease presents with microvascular changes, endothelial cell dysfunction, and fibrosis in visceral organs and tissues including lung, skin and heart. Cardiac involvement is a predictor of poor prognosis in this disease; therefore, early and pre-clinical diagnosis of cardiac involvement can be helpful in management of SSc. Two-dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (2D-STE) is a new method for the evaluation of myocardial strain in longitudinal, circumferential and radial planes. This study aimed at evaluating the mechanical performance of all cardiac chambers by using 2D-STE in patients with scleroderma, and its comparison with normal individuals. This study demonstrated that using 2D-STE can result in the diagnosis of impaired chamber mechanics and function in subclinical stages. Based on our findings, the simultaneous evaluation of all cardiac chambers by 2D-STE provides valuable information regarding myocardial involvement in patients with SSc. Abstract Objective: Cardiac involvement is a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc); therefore, preclinical diagnosis of heart involvement is crucial. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE), a method for evaluating the myocardial strain, could be helpful for the early diagnosis of cardiac mechanical function abnormalities. In this study, the simultaneous evaluation of all cardiac chambers was studied in patients with SSc, compared with normal individuals. Methods: The results of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and 2D-STE of 37 patients with SSc and 37 healthy individuals and the longitudinal strain (LS) of all chambers was precisely evaluated. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 16, and independent-sample t test and Chi-square test were used for comparison between the groups. Results: The mean ± SD of the participants’ age was 45.7 ± 11.54 (range of 17 to 68) years; most of them were women (75.7%). TTE showed higher left atrial (LA) volume (p < 0.001), right atrial (RA) area (p = 0.007), the severity of ventricular dysfunction (p < 0.05) and inferior vena cava diameter (p = 0.005), compared with the control group. Spectral and tissue Doppler echocardiography showed higher systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) and mitral A wave velocity, and lower E/A ratio, E’ velocity of left ventricular (LV) septal and lateral wall in the case group (p < 0.05). Color Doppler echocardiography showed a higher frequency of valvular regurgitation in the case group (p < 0.05). The results of 2D-STE showed lower LA roof LS (p < 0.001), LA average LS (p = 0.015), LA global LS (p = 0.028), and LA ejection fraction (LAEF) (p = 0.001), lower mean RA left wall (p = 0.048) and EF (p < 0.001), and higher RV global LS in the case group (p = 0.025). Conclusions: Simultaneous evaluation of all cardiac chambers by 2D-STE provides valuable information about the myocardial involvement in patients with SSc. Therefore, it is suggested to use this method for the early diagnosis of cardiac involvement in such patients.
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Xu D, Bhattacharyya S, Wang W, Ifergan I, Chiang Wong MYA, Procissi D, Yeldandi A, Bale S, Marangoni RG, Horbinski C, Miller SD, Varga J. PLG nanoparticles target fibroblasts and MARCO+ monocytes to reverse multi-organ fibrosis. JCI Insight 2022; 7:151037. [PMID: 35104243 PMCID: PMC8983146 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.151037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic, multisystem orphan disease with a highly variable clinical course, high mortality rate, and a poorly understood complex pathogenesis. We have identified an important role for a subpopulation of monocytes and macrophages characterized by surface expression of the scavenger receptor macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) in chronic inflammation and fibrosis in SSc and in preclinical disease models. We show that MARCO+ monocytes and macrophages accumulate in lesional skin and lung in topographic proximity to activated myofibroblasts in patients with SSc and in the bleomycin-induced mouse model of SSc. Short-term treatment of mice with a potentially novel nanoparticle, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLG), which is composed of a carboxylated, FDA-approved, biodegradable polymer and modulates activation and trafficking of MARCO+ inflammatory monocytes, markedly attenuated bleomycin-induced skin and lung inflammation and fibrosis. Mechanistically, in isolated cells in culture, PLG nanoparticles inhibited TGF-dependent fibrotic responses in vitro. Thus, MARCO+ monocytes are potent effector cells of skin and lung fibrosis and can be therapeutically targeted in SSc using PLG nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Swati Bhattacharyya
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Wenxia Wang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Igal Ifergan
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Ming-Yi Alice Chiang Wong
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Daniele Procissi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Anjana Yeldandi
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Swarna Bale
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
| | - Roberta G Marangoni
- Northwestern Scleroderma Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Craig Horbinski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Stephen D Miller
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - John Varga
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States of America
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Shirai Y, Kawami N, Iwakiri K, Kuwana M. Use of vonoprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, for the treatment of proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux esophagitis in patients with systemic sclerosis. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2022; 7:57-61. [PMID: 35386943 PMCID: PMC8922677 DOI: 10.1177/23971983211021747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Objective Proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux esophagitis is one of the intractable conditions of systemic sclerosis for which new treatments are required. Vonoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker and has been shown to have several advantages over conventional proton pump inhibitors, including a long duration of gastric acid suppression. Methods To investigate the efficacy of vonoprazan for treating proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux esophagitis in patients with systemic sclerosis, 10 patients with proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux esophagitis who were switched to vonoprazan were selected from our systemic sclerosis database. Reflux esophagitis was evaluated by endoscopy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease-related symptoms were assessed by the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire before and after switching from proton pump inhibitor to vonoprazan at an average interval of 3.5 [2-5.5] months. Results After switching patients to vonoprazan, the endoscopic findings of reflux esophagitis were significantly improved (p = .033), and six patients (60%) achieved mucosal healing. The total frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease score was also significantly decreased (p = .043), mainly by improving the acid reflux score. Vonoprazan was well tolerated and was continued for 15.5 [11.25-23.75] months in all patients. Conclusion Vonoprazan is a potential treatment option for treating proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux esophagitis in systemic sclerosis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Shirai
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kawami
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Iwakiri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan,Masataka Kuwana, Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Sendagi 1-1-5, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8602, Japan.
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Park R, Nevskaya T, Baron M, Pope JE. Immunosuppression use in early systemic sclerosis may be increasing over time. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2022; 7:33-41. [PMID: 35386940 PMCID: PMC8922673 DOI: 10.1177/23971983211000971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Background Immunosuppression remains the main treatment for progressing skin involvement, interstitial lung disease and inflammatory joint or muscle disease in systemic sclerosis. This study investigated the pattern and trends in immunosuppressive agents used in early systemic sclerosis (diagnosed before and after 2007) to determine whether the changes in the preferred type, timing and combination of immunosuppression took place over the past decade. Methods In total, 397 Canadian Scleroderma Research Group database patients (183 diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis and 214 limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis) who had baseline and follow-up visits within 3 years (mean: 1.8 ± 0.8) after disease onset were included: 82% females, age at diagnosis 53 ± 13 years. Bivariate, chi-square, analysis of variance and adjusted regression analyses were used. Results In total, 115 diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients (63%) and 62 limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (29%) received immunosuppressive drugs, most commonly methotrexate, followed by mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide. In diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, immunosuppressants were prescribed after 2007 more often (74% vs 50%, p = 0.001), especially methotrexate (p = 0.02) and mycophenolate mofetil (p = 0.04), and earlier (peak at 2 years after onset). Immunosuppressive therapy was associated with male gender, interstitial lung disease, anti-Scl70 positivity, ACA negativity and inflammatory joint disease in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis and with ACA negativity and a higher modified Rodnan skin score in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the use of immunosuppressants after 2007 was predicted only by ACA negativity in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis and by younger age in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Conclusion Over the past decade, there has been a trend to prescribe immunosuppressants more often and earlier in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients, regardless of modified Rodnan skin score. Methotrexate is being more frequently used, and mycophenolate mofetil has gained favour over cyclophosphamide. Autoantibody status was the most consistent predictor of immunosuppressive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Park
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Tatiana Nevskaya
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, ON, Canada
| | - Murray Baron
- Division of Rheumatology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Janet E Pope
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, ON, Canada,Janet Pope, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, St. Joseph’s Health Care, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada.
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Bruni C, Buch MH, Furst DE, De Luca G, Djokovic A, Dumitru RB, Giollo A, Polovina M, Steelandt A, Bratis K, Suliman YA, Milinkovic I, Baritussio A, Hasan G, Xintarakou A, Isomura Y, Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Tofani L, Mavrogeni S, Gargani L, Caforio ALP, Tschöpe C, Ristic A, Klingel K, Plein S, Behr ER, Allanore Y, Kuwana M, Denton CP, Khanna D, Krieg T, Marcolongo R, Galetti I, Zanatta E, Tona F, Seferovic P, Matucci-Cerinic M. Primary systemic sclerosis heart involvement: A systematic literature review and preliminary data-driven, consensus-based WSF/HFA definition. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2022; 7:24-32. [PMID: 35386946 PMCID: PMC8922675 DOI: 10.1177/23971983211053246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis may cause morpho-functional and electrical cardiac abnormalities and is a common cause of death. The absence of a clear definition of primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis limits our understanding and ability to focus on clinical research. We aimed to create an expert consensus definition for primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis. Methods A systematic literature review of cardiac involvement and manifestations in systemic sclerosis was conducted to inform an international and multi-disciplinary task force. In addition, the nominal group technique was used to derive a definition that was then subject to voting. A total of 16 clinical cases were evaluated to test face validity, feasibility, reliability and criterion validity of the newly created definition. Results In total, 171 publications met eligibility criteria. Using the nominal group technique, experts added their opinion, provided statements to consider and ranked them to create the consensus definition, which received 100% agreement on face validity. A median 60(5-300) seconds was taken for the feasibility on a single case. Inter-rater agreement was moderate (mKappa (95% CI) = 0.56 (0.46-1.00) for the first round and 0.55 (0.44-1.00) for the second round) and intra-rater agreement was good (mKappa (95% CI) = 0.77 (0.47-1.00)). Criterion validity showed a 78 (73-84)% correctness versus gold standard. Conclusion A preliminary primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis consensus-based definition was created and partially validated, for use in future clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy,Cosimo Bruni, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Via delle Oblate 4, 50141 Florence, Italy.
| | - Maya H Buch
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Daniel E Furst
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy,Department Rheumatology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Giacomo De Luca
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology Allergy and Rare diseases, IRCSS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Aleksandra Djokovic
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Centre Bezanijska Kosa, Belgrade, Serbia,School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Raluca B Dumitru
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Alessandro Giollo
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marija Polovina
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Centre Bezanijska Kosa, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Alexia Steelandt
- Rheumatology Department, Paris University, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Kostantinos Bratis
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Yossra Atef Suliman
- Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University Hospital, Assuit, Arab Republic of Egypt
| | - Ivan Milinkovic
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Centre Bezanijska Kosa, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Anna Baritussio
- Cardiology and Cardio-Immunology Outpatient Clinic, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Ghadeer Hasan
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Yohei Isomura
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Lorenzo Tofani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sophie Mavrogeni
- Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Attica, Greece
| | - Luna Gargani
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alida LP Caforio
- Cardiology and Cardio-Immunology Outpatient Clinic, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy,European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Diseases of the Heart (ERN GUARD-Heart), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carsten Tschöpe
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arsen Ristic
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Centre Bezanijska Kosa, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Karin Klingel
- Institute for Pathology and Neuropathology, Cardiopathology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sven Plein
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Elijah R Behr
- Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St George’s University of London, London, UK,St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Yannick Allanore
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Dinesh Khanna
- University of Michigan Scleroderma Program, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Thomas Krieg
- Translational Matrix Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Renzo Marcolongo
- Cardiology and Cardio-Immunology Outpatient Clinic, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy,Haematology and Clinical Immunology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Ilaria Galetti
- Federation of European Scleroderma Associations (FESCA), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elisabetta Zanatta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Tona
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Petar Seferovic
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Centre Bezanijska Kosa, Belgrade, Serbia,School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia,Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy,Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology Allergy and Rare diseases, IRCSS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
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Boleto G, Avouac J, Allanore Y. The role of antifibrotic therapies in the treatment of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2022; 14:1759720X211066686. [PMID: 35111241 PMCID: PMC8801639 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x211066686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune condition with complex pathogenesis characterized by a heterogeneous presentation and different disease courses. Fibrosis of multiple organs including the lungs favored by inflammation and vasculopathy is the hallmark of SSc. SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is common and can be associated with poor outcomes, this complication being the leading cause of death in recent series. Because of its huge heterogeneity, SSc-ILD management can be very challenging. Immunosuppressive therapy has long been used to prevent SSc-ILD progression with modest effects in clinical trials. However, thanks to a better understating of SSc pathogenesis, innovative therapies including antifibrotics are increasingly being developed. The achievement of the Safety and Efficacy of Nintedanib in Systemic SClerosIS (SENSCIS) trial has led to the approval by drug agencies of the first antifibrotic drug for SSc-ILD. In parallel, other antifibrotics are being investigated as possible beneficial therapies in SSc-ILD. An important unmet need remains to clarify the positioning of the various strategies, such as the added value of combination of immunosuppressants and antifibrotic therapies in patients at high risk of progression. Indeed, irreversible lung injury or self-perpetuated progression highlights the concept of a window of opportunity in SSc-ILD patients. Herewith, we provide an overview of the most significant clinical trials with antifibrotic drugs developed in recent years for the management of SSc-ILD and a viewpoint about their positioning in treatment algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jérôme Avouac
- Department of Rheumatology, Université de Paris, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France; INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France
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Kuca-Warnawin E, Olesińska M, Szczȩsny P, Kontny E. Impact and Possible Mechanism(s) of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on T-Cell Proliferation in Patients With Rheumatic Disease. Front Physiol 2022; 12:749481. [PMID: 35095547 PMCID: PMC8793746 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.749481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) are chronic wasting, incurable rheumatic diseases of autoimmune background, in which T cells play a critical pathogenic role. Autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) may represent an alternative therapeutic option for SLE and SSc patients, but the biology of these cells is poorly understood. Methods: Herein, we evaluated the anti-proliferative impact of ASCs of healthy donors (HD/ASCs, 5 reference cell lines), SLE patients (n = 20), and SSc patients (n = 20) on T lymphocytes. To assess the direct and indirect pathway of ASCs action, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and purified CD4+ T cells of HD were activated and co-cultured in cell-to-cell contact (C-C) and transwell (T-W) conditions with untreated or cytokine (TNF + IFNΥ, TI)-licensed ASCs, then analyzed by flow cytometry to rate the proliferation response of CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cells. The concentrations of kynurenines, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) were measured from culture supernatants. Specific inhibitors of these factors (1-MT, indomethacin, and cytokine-neutralizing antibody) were used to assess their contribution to anti-proliferative ASCs action. Results: All tested ASCs significantly decreased the number of proliferating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, the number of division/proliferating cell (PI), and fold expansion (RI), and similarly upregulated kynurenines and PGE2, but not cytokine levels, in the co-cultures with both types of target cells. However, TI-treated SLE/ASCs and SSc/ASCs exerted a slightly weaker inhibitory effect on CD4+ T-cell replication than their respective HD/ASCs. All ASCs acted mainly via soluble factors. Their anti-proliferative effect was stronger, and kynurenine levels were higher in the T-W condition than the C-C condition. Blocking experiments indicated an involvement of kynurenine pathway in inhibiting the number of proliferating cells, PI, and RI values as well as PGE2 role in decreasing the number of proliferating cells. TGFβ did not contribute to ASCs anti-proliferative capabilities, while IL-10 seems to be involved in such activity of only SLE/ASCs. Conclusion: The results indicate that SLE/ASCs and SSc/ASCs retain their capability to restrain the expansion of allogeneic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and act by similar mechanisms as ASCs of healthy donors and thus may have therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Kuca-Warnawin
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marzena Olesińska
- Clinic of Connective Tissue Diseases, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Szczȩsny
- Clinic of Connective Tissue Diseases, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Kontny
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
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Philpott HT, Carter MM, Birmingham TB, Pinto R, Primeau CA, Giffin JR, Lanting BA, Appleton CT. Synovial tissue perivascular edema is associated with altered gait patterns in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2022; 30:42-51. [PMID: 34774789 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore mechanisms of mechanoinflammation, we investigated the association between the presence of knee synovial perivascular edema and gait biomechanics that serve as surrogate measures of knee load in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN Patients with symptomatic, radiographic knee OA and neutral to varus alignment undergoing total knee arthroplasty or high tibial osteotomy participated in this cross-sectional analysis. All participants underwent 3D gait analysis prior to surgery. Synovial biopsies were obtained during surgery for histopathological assessment. The association between the presence of synovial perivascular edema (predictor) and the external knee moment (outcome) in each orthogonal plane was analyzed using multivariate linear regression and polynomial mixed effects regression models, while adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and gait speed. RESULTS Ninety-two patients with complete gait and histopathological data were included. When fitted over 100% of stance, regression models indicated substantial differences between patients with and without synovial perivascular edema for knee moments in frontal, sagittal and transverse planes. The knee adduction moment was higher in patients with edema from 16 to 74% of stance, with the largest difference at 33% of stance (β = 6.87 Nm [95%CI 3.02, 10.72]); whereas the knee flexion-extension moment differed from 15 to 92% of stance, with the largest difference in extension at 60% of stance (β = -10.80 Nm [95%CI -16.20, -5.40]). CONCLUSIONS In patients with knee OA, the presence of synovial perivascular edema identified by histopathology is associated with aberrant patterns of knee loading throughout stance, supporting the link between biomechanics and synovial inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H T Philpott
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, N6G 1H1, ON, Canada; Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, London, N6A 5B5, ON, Canada.
| | - M M Carter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, N6A 5C1, ON, Canada; Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, London, N6A 5B5, ON, Canada.
| | - T B Birmingham
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, N6G 1H1, ON, Canada; Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, London, N6A 5B5, ON, Canada.
| | - R Pinto
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, N6G 1H1, ON, Canada; Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, London, N6A 5B5, ON, Canada.
| | - C A Primeau
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, N6G 1H1, ON, Canada; Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, London, N6A 5B5, ON, Canada.
| | - J R Giffin
- Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, London, N6A 5B5, ON, Canada; Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, N6A 5C1, ON, Canada.
| | - B A Lanting
- Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, London, N6A 5B5, ON, Canada; Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, N6A 5C1, ON, Canada.
| | - C T Appleton
- Bone and Joint Institute, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, London, N6A 5B5, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, N6A 5C1, ON, Canada.
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OUP accepted manuscript. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022; 61:4491-4496. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Blockmans D, Betrains A, Van Laere K. PET Imaging in Rheumatic Diseases. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822960-6.00096-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Yomono K, Kuwana M. Outcomes in patients with systemic sclerosis undergoing early versus delayed intervention with potential disease-modifying therapies. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:3677-3685. [PMID: 34919668 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether early therapeutic intervention, compared with delayed intervention, is beneficial for patients with early systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of SSc patients who received cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, or tocilizumab for diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) or interstitial lung disease (ILD) within 6 years after disease onset. The patients were divided into early and delayed intervention groups based on the disease duration of ≤ 18 and >18 months at treatment introduction, respectively. Clinical worsening was defined as the development of any original or revised ACR Composite Response Index in Systemic Sclerosis (CRISS) step 1 event or progressive fibrosing ILD (PF-ILD). RESULTS There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the early (n = 25) and delayed (n = 21) intervention groups except forced vital capacity (FVC), which was better in the early vs delayed intervention groups. The early intervention group less frequently had stable pulmonary function over one year than did the late intervention group (odds ratio 0.087, 95% confidence interval 0.0079-0.51, p = 0.003). The active disease was significantly decreased from 79% to 42% in the early intervention group (p = 0.007), but the change in the delayed intervention group was not statistically significant (68% to 42%, p = 0.11). Cumulative rates free from clinical worsening events defined by revised ACR-CRISS and PF-ILD were significantly higher in the early vs delayed intervention groups (p = 0.03 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION A therapeutic "window of opportunity" might exist in SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keina Yomono
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Scleroderma/Myositis Center of Excellence, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Ruaro B, Baratella E, Confalonieri P, Confalonieri M, Vassallo FG, Wade B, Geri P, Pozzan R, Caforio G, Marrocchio C, Cova MA, Salton F. High-Resolution Computed Tomography and Lung Ultrasound in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: Which One to Choose? Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:2293. [PMID: 34943531 PMCID: PMC8700001 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11122293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Imaging plays a pivotal role in systemic sclerosis for both diagnosis management of pulmonary complications, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the most sensitive technique for the evaluation of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Indeed, several studies have demonstrated that HRCT helps radiologists and clinicians to make a correct diagnosis on the basis of recognised typical patterns for SSc-ILD. Most SSc patients affected by ILD have a non-specific interstitial pneumonia pattern (NISP) on HRCT scan, whilst a minority of cases fulfil the criteria for usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Moreover, several recent studies have demonstrated that lung ultrasound (LUS) is an emergent tool in SSc diagnosis and follow-up, although its role is still to be confirmed. Therefore, this article aims at evaluating the role of LUS in SSc screening, aimed at limiting the use of CT to selected cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ruaro
- Department of Pulmonology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.); (R.P.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Elisa Baratella
- Department of Radiology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Paola Confalonieri
- Department of Pulmonology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.); (R.P.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Department of Pulmonology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.); (R.P.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Fabio Giuseppe Vassallo
- Department of Pulmonology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), 34149 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Barbara Wade
- AOU City of Health and Science of Turin, Department of Science of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy;
| | - Pietro Geri
- Department of Pulmonology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.); (R.P.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Riccardo Pozzan
- Department of Pulmonology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.); (R.P.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Gaetano Caforio
- Department of Pulmonology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.); (R.P.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Cristina Marrocchio
- Department of Radiology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Maria Assunta Cova
- Department of Radiology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (E.B.); (C.M.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Francesco Salton
- Department of Pulmonology, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (P.G.); (R.P.); (G.C.); (F.S.)
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Bellando-Randone S, Del Galdo F, Lepri G, Minier T, Huscher D, Furst DE, Allanore Y, Distler O, Czirják L, Bruni C, Guiducci S, Avouac J, Cutolo M, Smith V, Matucci-Cerinic M. Progression of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon to systemic sclerosis: a five-year analysis of the European Scleroderma Trial and Research group multicentre, longitudinal registry study for Very Early Diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis (VEDOSS). THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2021; 3:e834-e843. [PMID: 38287630 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(21)00244-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preliminary criteria for the very early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (VEDOSS) have been previously proposed to identify signs and symptoms in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. Patients with all signs or symptoms of the VEDOSS criteria already fulfil the 2013 American College of Rheumatology-European League Against Rheumatism (ACR-EULAR) classification criteria for systemic sclerosis. However, prospective data for the evolution to fulfilling these criteria do not exist. We therefore aimed to determine the clinical value of the VEDOSS criteria to identify patients with Raynaud's phenomenon who progress to systemic sclerosis within 5 years. METHODS The VEDOSS project was a multicentre, longitudinal registry study done in 42 European Scleroderma Trial and Research group centres located in 20 countries in Europe, North America, and South America. Patients with Raynaud's phenomenon were eligible for enrolment. Those who had fulfilled the 1980 ACR or the 2013 ACR-EULAR classification criteria for systemic sclerosis, as well as of any other ACR or EULAR classification criteria for other definite connective tissue diseases at enrolment were excluded. Data were recorded each year during follow-up visits and included the four VEDOSS criteria (ie, positivity for antinuclear antibodies [ANAs], puffy fingers, systemic sclerosis-specific autoantibodies, and abnormal nailfold capillaroscopy). The primary endpoint was the fulfilment of the 2013 ACR-EULAR classification criteria for systemic sclerosis (ie, progression from enrolment to follow-up). Proportion of progressors and VEDOSS criteria interaction were reported descriptively. Predictors of progression of the distinct VEDOSS criteria interactions were determined based on the point prevalence at 5 years. To investigate the intermediate course of progression of the distinct VEDOSS criteria and their combinations, Kaplan-Meier analysis was done. RESULTS Between March 1, 2010, and Oct 4, 2018, we enrolled 1150 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon in the VEDOSS database. 764 (66·4%) of 1150 patients met the VEDOSS criteria for study inclusion. Of the 764 patients, 553 (72·4%) had at least one available follow-up visit and the median duration of follow-up was 3·6 years (IQR 1·7-5·8). The mean age was 45·9 years (SD 15·0), 507 (91·7%) of 553 participants were female, and the median time since the onset of Raynaud's phenomenon was 4·0 years (IQR 1·7-10·0). At baseline, 401 (73·7%) of 544 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon had detectable ANA, with 208 (39·5%) of 527 patients positive for systemic sclerosis-specific autoantibodies. Nailfold capillaroscopy abnormalities were present in 182 (36·0%) of 505 patients and puffy fingers were detected in 96 (17·8%) of 540 at baseline. 1885 follow-up visits were recorded. 254 (45·9%) of 553 patients completed the study with progression or a 5-year follow-up; of whom, 133 reached the primary endpoint, resulting in an overall progression rate of 52·4%. The absence of ANA at baseline was the factor most strongly associated with a lack of progression within 5 years, with only four (10·8%) of 37 ANA-negative patients progressing. Conversely, positivity at baseline for systemic sclerosis-specific autoantibodies and puffy fingers was the combination having the highest risk of progression (16 [94·1%] of 17). INTERPRETATION Our results from the VEDOSS project offers a useful tool for a stratified risk approach to patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. The absence of ANA is a strong protective factor that identifies patients with very low risk of developing systemic sclerosis whereas the presence of one or two VEDOSS criteria in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon confers a progressively higher risk for systemic sclerosis over time. This stratification tool can be used both for clinical management and to inform early interventional trials. FUNDING European Scleroderma Trial And Research and World Scleroderma Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy.
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Raynaud's and Scleroderma Programme, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, UK; Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, UK.
| | - Gemma Lepri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Tunde Minier
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Hungary
| | - Dörte Huscher
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel E Furst
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - László Czirják
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Hungary
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Jerome Avouac
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Division of Rheumatology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; Clinical Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Scleroderma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy; Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
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70
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Höppner J, Bruni C, Distler O, Robson SC, Burmester GR, Siegert E, Distler JHW. Purinergic signaling in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:2770-2782. [PMID: 34849624 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease that involves numerous organs and presents major management challenges. The histopathologic hallmarks of SSc include vasculopathy, fibrosis and autoimmune phenomena involving both innate and adaptive immune systems. Purinergic signalling is a pathway that may be implicated in the pathophysiology of several of these disease manifestations. Extracellular purines are potent signalling mediators, which have been shown to be dysregulated in SSc. As examples, purines can exacerbate vasculopathy and provoke platelet dysfunction; as well as contributing to immune dysregulation. Elements of purinergic signalling further promote organ and tissue fibrosis in several disease models. Here, we provide an overview of extracellular purine metabolism in purinergic signalling and link disorders of these to the molecular pathology of SSc. We also discuss targeting the purinergic signalling and explore the translational applications for new therapeutic options in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Höppner
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon C Robson
- Departments of Anesthesia and Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gerd R Burmester
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elise Siegert
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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71
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Caforio ALP, De Luca G, Baritussio A, Seguso M, Gallo N, Bison E, Cattini MG, Pontara E, Gargani L, Pepe A, Campochiaro C, Plebani M, Iliceto S, Peretto G, Esposito A, Tofani L, Moggi-Pignone A, Dagna L, Marcolongo R, Matucci-Cerinic M, Bruni C. Serum Organ-Specific Anti-Heart and Anti-Intercalated Disk Autoantibodies as New Autoimmune Markers of Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: Frequency, Clinical and Prognostic Correlates. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:2165. [PMID: 34829512 PMCID: PMC8625508 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11112165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart involvement (HInv) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) may relate to myocarditis and is associated with poor prognosis. Serum anti-heart (AHA) and anti-intercalated disk autoantibodies (AIDA) are organ and disease-specific markers of isolated autoimmune myocarditis. We assessed frequencies, clinical correlates, and prognostic impacts of AHA and AIDA in SSc. METHODS The study included consecutive SSc patients (n = 116, aged 53 ± 13 years, 83.6% females, median disease duration 7 years) with clinically suspected heart involvement (symptoms, abnormal ECG, abnormal troponin I or natriuretic peptides, and abnormal echocardiography). All SSc patients underwent CMR. Serum AHA and AIDA were measured by indirect immunofluorescence in SSc and in control groups of non-inflammatory cardiac disease (NICD) (n = 160), ischemic heart failure (IHF) (n = 141), and normal blood donors (NBD) (n = 270). AHA and AIDA status in SSc was correlated with baseline clinical, diagnostic features, and outcome. RESULTS The frequency of AHA was higher in SSc (57/116, 49%, p < 0.00001) than in NICD (2/160, 1%), IHF (2/141, 1%), or NBD (7/270, 2.5%). The frequency of AIDA was higher (65/116, 56%, p < 0.00001) in SSc than in NICD (6/160, 3.75%), IHF (3/141, 2%), or NBD (1/270, 0.37%). AHAs were associated with interstitial lung disease (p = 0.04), history of chest pain (p = 0.026), abnormal troponin (p = 0.006), AIDA (p = 0.000), and current immunosuppression (p = 0.01). AHAs were associated with death (p = 0.02) and overall cardiac events during follow-up (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS The high frequencies of AHA and AIDA suggest a high burden of underdiagnosed autoimmune HInv in SSc. In keeping with the negative prognostic impact of HInv in SSc, AHAs were associated with dismal prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alida Linda Patrizia Caforio
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (A.B.); (E.B.); (M.G.C.); (E.P.); (S.I.)
| | - Giacomo De Luca
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (G.D.L.); (C.C.); (L.D.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Anna Baritussio
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (A.B.); (E.B.); (M.G.C.); (E.P.); (S.I.)
| | - Mara Seguso
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (M.S.); (N.G.); (M.P.)
| | - Nicoletta Gallo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (M.S.); (N.G.); (M.P.)
| | - Elisa Bison
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (A.B.); (E.B.); (M.G.C.); (E.P.); (S.I.)
| | - Maria Grazia Cattini
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (A.B.); (E.B.); (M.G.C.); (E.P.); (S.I.)
| | - Elena Pontara
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (A.B.); (E.B.); (M.G.C.); (E.P.); (S.I.)
| | - Luna Gargani
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Radiology, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy;
| | - Corrado Campochiaro
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (G.D.L.); (C.C.); (L.D.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Mario Plebani
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (M.S.); (N.G.); (M.P.)
| | - Sabino Iliceto
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (A.B.); (E.B.); (M.G.C.); (E.P.); (S.I.)
| | - Giovanni Peretto
- Unit of Arrhythmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Antonio Esposito
- Clinical and Experimental Radiology Unit, Expirimental Imaging Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Ospedale San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Tofani
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine AOUC, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy; (L.T.); (C.B.)
| | - Alberto Moggi-Pignone
- Division of Internal Medicine Unit IV AOUC, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Dagna
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (G.D.L.); (C.C.); (L.D.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Renzo Marcolongo
- Haematology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy;
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (G.D.L.); (C.C.); (L.D.); (M.M.-C.)
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine AOUC, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy; (L.T.); (C.B.)
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine AOUC, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy; (L.T.); (C.B.)
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72
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De Angelis R, Giuggioli D, Bajocchi G, Dagna L, Zanframundo G, Foti R, Cacciapaglia F, Cuomo G, Ariani A, Rosato E, Guiducci S, Girelli F, Riccieri V, Zanatta E, Bosello S, Cavazzana I, Ingegnoli F, Santis MD, Murdaca G, Abignano G, Romeo N, Della Rossa A, Caminiti M, Iuliano A, Ciano G, Beretta L, Bagnato G, Lubrano E, De Andres I, Giollo A, Saracco M, Agnes C, Lumetti F, Spinella A, Magnani L, Campochiaro C, De Luca G, Codullo V, Visalli E, Masini F, Gigante A, Bellando-Randone S, Pellegrino G, Pigatto E, Dall'Ara F, Lazzaroni MG, Generali E, Mennillo G, Barsotti S, Mariano GP, Calabrese F, Furini F, Vultaggio L, Parisi S, Peroni CL, Risa AM, Rozza D, Zanetti A, Carrara G, Landolfi G, Scirè CA, Bianchi G, Fusaro E, Sebastiani GD, Govoni M, D'Angelo S, Cozzi F, Doria A, Iannone F, Salvarani C, Matucci-Cerinic M, Ferri C. Sex-related Differences in Systemic Sclerosis: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study From the National Registry of the Italian Society for Rheumatology. J Rheumatol Suppl 2021; 49:176-185. [PMID: 34782448 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.210794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is still a great deal to learn about the influence of sex in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this respect, national registries provide large and homogeneous patient cohorts for analytical studies. We therefore investigated a wide-ranging and well-characterized SSc series with the aim of identifying sex differences in disease expression, with a special focus on demographic, clinical, and serological characteristics. METHODS A multicenter SSc cohort of 2281 patients, including 247 men, was recruited in the Italian Systemic sclerosis PRogression INvestiGation (SPRING) registry. Demographic data, disease manifestations, serological profile, and internal organ involvement were compared. RESULTS The overall female/male ratio was 8.2:1. Female/male ratios for limited cutaneous SSc, diffuse cutaneous SSc, and SSc sine scleroderma subsets were 8.7:1, 4.9:1, and 10.7:1, respectively. A shorter time from onset of Raynaud phenomenon to SSc diagnosis, an increased prevalence of the diffuse cutaneous subset, renal crisis, and digital ulcers were found in males, whereas a significantly higher percentage of sicca syndrome, serum antinuclear antibodies, antiextractable nuclear antigens, anti-La/SSB, and anticentromere protein B was detected in the female group. Males exhibited lower left ventricular ejection fraction, as well as higher prevalence of conduction blocks, arrhythmias, ground glass, and honeycombing. Moreover, forced vital capacity and total lung capacity were medially lower in men than in women. Finally, males were more frequently treated with immunosuppressive drugs. CONCLUSION Our study further supports the presence of several sex-related differences in patients with SSc. These differences were pronounced in the severity of cutaneous, peripheral vascular, and cardiopulmonary involvement for male patients, whereas an increased prevalence of sicca syndrome and a specific autoantibody profile characterized the female sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella De Angelis
- R. De Angelis, MD, A.M. Risa, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona;
| | - Dilia Giuggioli
- D. Giuggioli, MD, F. Lumetti, MD, A. Spinella, MD, C. Ferri, MD, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - Gianluigi Bajocchi
- G. Bajocchi, MD, L. Magnani, MD, C. Salvarani, MD, Rheumatology Unit, S. Maria Hospital-USL, IRCCS Institute, Reggio Emilia
| | - Lorenzo Dagna
- L. Dagna, MD, C. Campochiaro, MD, G. De Luca, MD, Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan
| | - Giovanni Zanframundo
- G. Zanframundo, MD, V. Codullo, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia
| | - Rosario Foti
- R. Foti, MD, E. Visalli, MD, AOU Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, Catania
| | - Fabio Cacciapaglia
- F. Cacciapaglia, MD, F. Iannone, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergency Surgery and Organ Transplantations, University of Bari, Bari
| | - Giovanna Cuomo
- G. Cuomo, MD, F. Masini, MD, Luigi Vanvitelli University, Naples
| | - Alarico Ariani
- A. Ariani, MD, Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Parma, Parma
| | - Edoardo Rosato
- E. Rosato, MD, A. Gigante, MD, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Serena Guiducci
- S. Guiducci, MD, S. Bellando-Randone, MD, Department of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence
| | - Francesco Girelli
- F. Girelli, MD, Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Ospedale GB Morgagni-L Pierantoni, Forlì
| | - Valeria Riccieri
- V. Riccieri, MD, G. Pellegrino, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
| | - Elisabetta Zanatta
- E. Zanatta, MD, A. Doria, MD, Department of Rheumatology, University of Padua, Padova
| | - Silvia Bosello
- S. Bosello, MD, Institute of Rheumatology and Affine Sciences, Division of Rheumatology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome
| | - Ilaria Cavazzana
- I. Cavazzana, MD, F. Dall'Ara, MD, M.G. Lazzaroni, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia
| | - Francesca Ingegnoli
- F. Ingegnoli, MD, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini, Dept. of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, Research Center for Environmental Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan
| | - Maria De Santis
- M. De Santis, MD, E.Generali, MD, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Milan
| | | | - Giuseppina Abignano
- G. Abignano, MD, G. Mennillo, MD, S. D'Angelo, MD, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
| | | | - Alessandra Della Rossa
- A. Della Rossa, MD, S. Barsotti, MD, Department of Rheumatology, University of Pisa, Pisa
| | - Maurizio Caminiti
- M. Caminiti, MD, G. Pagano Mariano, MD, F. Calabrese, MD, Departmental Rheumatology Unit, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria
| | - Annamaria Iuliano
- A. Iuliano, MD, G.D. Sebastiani, MD, Rheumatology Unit, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome
| | | | - Lorenzo Beretta
- L. Beretta, MD, Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan
| | - Gianluca Bagnato
- G. Bagnato, MD, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina
| | - Ennio Lubrano
- E. Lubrano, MD, Department of Rheumatology, University of Molise, Campobasso
| | - Ilenia De Andres
- I. De Andres, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale ed Alta Specializzazione Garibaldi, Catania
| | - Alessandro Giollo
- A. Giollo, MD, Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona
| | - Marta Saracco
- M. Saracco, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Mauriziano-Umberto I Hospital, Turin
| | | | - Federica Lumetti
- D. Giuggioli, MD, F. Lumetti, MD, A. Spinella, MD, C. Ferri, MD, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - Amelia Spinella
- D. Giuggioli, MD, F. Lumetti, MD, A. Spinella, MD, C. Ferri, MD, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
| | - Luca Magnani
- G. Bajocchi, MD, L. Magnani, MD, C. Salvarani, MD, Rheumatology Unit, S. Maria Hospital-USL, IRCCS Institute, Reggio Emilia
| | - Corrado Campochiaro
- L. Dagna, MD, C. Campochiaro, MD, G. De Luca, MD, Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan
| | - Giacomo De Luca
- L. Dagna, MD, C. Campochiaro, MD, G. De Luca, MD, Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan
| | - Veronica Codullo
- G. Zanframundo, MD, V. Codullo, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia
| | - Elisa Visalli
- R. Foti, MD, E. Visalli, MD, AOU Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, Catania
| | - Francesco Masini
- G. Cuomo, MD, F. Masini, MD, Luigi Vanvitelli University, Naples
| | - Antonietta Gigante
- E. Rosato, MD, A. Gigante, MD, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- S. Guiducci, MD, S. Bellando-Randone, MD, Department of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence
| | - Greta Pellegrino
- V. Riccieri, MD, G. Pellegrino, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
| | - Erika Pigatto
- E. Pigatto, MD, F. Cozzi, MD, Department of Medicine, Villa Salus Hospital, Venice
| | - Francesca Dall'Ara
- I. Cavazzana, MD, F. Dall'Ara, MD, M.G. Lazzaroni, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia
| | - Maria Grazia Lazzaroni
- I. Cavazzana, MD, F. Dall'Ara, MD, M.G. Lazzaroni, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia
| | - Elena Generali
- M. De Santis, MD, E.Generali, MD, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS, Milan
| | - Gianna Mennillo
- G. Abignano, MD, G. Mennillo, MD, S. D'Angelo, MD, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Simone Barsotti
- A. Della Rossa, MD, S. Barsotti, MD, Department of Rheumatology, University of Pisa, Pisa
| | - Giuseppa Pagano Mariano
- M. Caminiti, MD, G. Pagano Mariano, MD, F. Calabrese, MD, Departmental Rheumatology Unit, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria
| | - Francesca Calabrese
- M. Caminiti, MD, G. Pagano Mariano, MD, F. Calabrese, MD, Departmental Rheumatology Unit, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano, Reggio Calabria
| | - Federica Furini
- F. Furini, MD, L. Vultaggio, MD, M. Govoni, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara and Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria S. Anna di Ferrara, Ferrara
| | - Licia Vultaggio
- F. Furini, MD, L. Vultaggio, MD, M. Govoni, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara and Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria S. Anna di Ferrara, Ferrara
| | - Simone Parisi
- S. Parisi, MD, C.L. Peroni, MD, E. Fusaro, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin
| | - Clara Lisa Peroni
- S. Parisi, MD, C.L. Peroni, MD, E. Fusaro, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin
| | - Anna Maria Risa
- R. De Angelis, MD, A.M. Risa, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona
| | - Davide Rozza
- D.Rozza, MS, A. Zanetti, MS, G. Carrara, MS, G. Landolfi, MS, Epidemiology Unit, Italian Society for Rheumatology, Milan
| | - Anna Zanetti
- D.Rozza, MS, A. Zanetti, MS, G. Carrara, MS, G. Landolfi, MS, Epidemiology Unit, Italian Society for Rheumatology, Milan
| | - Greta Carrara
- D.Rozza, MS, A. Zanetti, MS, G. Carrara, MS, G. Landolfi, MS, Epidemiology Unit, Italian Society for Rheumatology, Milan
| | - Giampiero Landolfi
- D.Rozza, MS, A. Zanetti, MS, G. Carrara, MS, G. Landolfi, MS, Epidemiology Unit, Italian Society for Rheumatology, Milan
| | - Carlo Alberto Scirè
- C.A. Scirè, MD, Epidemiology Unit, Italian Society for Rheumatology, Milan, and Rheumatology Unit, University of Ferrara-S. Anna Hospital, Ferrara
| | - Gerolamo Bianchi
- G. Bianchi, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Musculoskeletal Sciences, Local Health Trust 3, La Colletta Hospital, Genoa
| | - Enrico Fusaro
- S. Parisi, MD, C.L. Peroni, MD, E. Fusaro, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin
| | | | - Marcello Govoni
- F. Furini, MD, L. Vultaggio, MD, M. Govoni, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara and Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria S. Anna di Ferrara, Ferrara
| | - Salvatore D'Angelo
- G. Abignano, MD, G. Mennillo, MD, S. D'Angelo, MD, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Franco Cozzi
- E. Pigatto, MD, F. Cozzi, MD, Department of Medicine, Villa Salus Hospital, Venice
| | - Andrea Doria
- E. Zanatta, MD, A. Doria, MD, Department of Rheumatology, University of Padua, Padova
| | - Florenzo Iannone
- F. Cacciapaglia, MD, F. Iannone, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergency Surgery and Organ Transplantations, University of Bari, Bari
| | - Carlo Salvarani
- G. Bajocchi, MD, L. Magnani, MD, C. Salvarani, MD, Rheumatology Unit, S. Maria Hospital-USL, IRCCS Institute, Reggio Emilia
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- M. Matucci-Cerinic, MD, Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, and Department of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Clodoveo Ferri
- D. Giuggioli, MD, F. Lumetti, MD, A. Spinella, MD, C. Ferri, MD, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena
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Scleroderma-like Impairment in the Network of Telocytes/CD34 + Stromal Cells in the Experimental Mouse Model of Bleomycin-Induced Dermal Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212407. [PMID: 34830288 PMCID: PMC8620338 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable evidence accumulated over the past decade supports that telocytes (TCs)/CD34+ stromal cells represent an exclusive type of interstitial cells identifiable by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or immunohistochemistry in various organs of the human body, including the skin. By means of their characteristic cellular extensions (telopodes), dermal TCs are arranged in networks intermingled with a multitude of neighboring cells and, hence, they are thought to contribute to skin homeostasis through both intercellular contacts and releasing extracellular vesicles. In this context, fibrotic skin lesions from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) appear to be characterized by a disruption of the dermal network of TCs, which has been ascribed to either cell degenerative processes or possible transformation into profibrotic myofibroblasts. In the present study, we utilized the well-established mouse model of bleomycin-induced scleroderma to gain further insights into the TC alterations found in cutaneous fibrosis. CD34 immunofluorescence revealed a severe impairment in the dermal network of TCs/CD34+ stromal cells in bleomycin-treated mice. CD31/CD34 double immunofluorescence confirmed that CD31-/CD34+ TC counts were greatly reduced in the skin of bleomycin-treated mice compared with control mice. Ultrastructural signs of TC injury were detected in the skin of bleomycin-treated mice by TEM. The analyses of skin samples from mice treated with bleomycin for different times by either TEM or double immunostaining and immunoblotting for the CD34/α-SMA antigens collectively suggested that, although a few TCs may transition to α-SMA+ myofibroblasts in the early disease stage, most of these cells rather undergo degeneration, and then are lost. Taken together, our data demonstrate that TC changes in the skin of bleomycin-treated mice mimic very closely those observed in human SSc skin, which makes this experimental model a suitable tool to (i) unravel the pathological mechanisms underlying TC damage and (ii) clarify the possible contribution of the TC loss to the development/progression of dermal fibrosis. In perspective, these findings may have important implications in the field of skin regenerative medicine.
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74
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Farutin V, Kurtagic E, Pradines JR, Capila I, Mayes MD, Wu M, Manning AM, Assassi S. Multiomic study of skin, peripheral blood, and serum: is serum proteome a reflection of disease process at the end-organ level in systemic sclerosis? Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:259. [PMID: 34654463 PMCID: PMC8518248 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02633-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum proteins can be readily assessed during routine clinical care. However, it is unclear to what extent serum proteins reflect the molecular dysregulations of peripheral blood cells (PBCs) or affected end-organs in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We conducted a multiomic comparative analysis of SSc serum profile, PBC, and skin gene expression in concurrently collected samples. METHODS Global gene expression profiling was carried out in skin and PBC samples obtained from 49 SSc patients enrolled in the GENISOS observational cohort and 25 unaffected controls. Levels of 911 proteins were determined by Olink Proximity Extension Assay in concurrently collected serum samples. RESULTS Both SSc PBC and skin transcriptomes showed a prominent type I interferon signature. The examination of SSc serum profile revealed an upregulation of proteins involved in pro-fibrotic homing and extravasation, as well as extracellular matrix components/modulators. Notably, several soluble receptor proteins such as EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB3, VEGFR2, TGFBR3, and PDGF-Rα were downregulated. Thirty-nine proteins correlated with severity of SSc skin disease. The differential expression of serum protein in SSc vs. control comparison significantly correlated with the differential expression of corresponding transcripts in skin but not in PBCs. Moreover, the differentially expressed serum proteins were significantly more connected to the Well-Associated-Proteins in the skin than PBC gene expression dataset. The assessment of the concordance of between-sample similarities revealed that the molecular profile of serum proteins and skin gene expression data were significantly concordant in patients with SSc but not in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS SSc serum protein profile shows an upregulation of profibrotic cytokines and a downregulation of soluble EGF and other key receptors. Our multilevel comparative analysis indicates that the serum protein profile in SSc correlates more closely with molecular dysregulations of skin than PBCs and might serve as a reflection of disease severity at the end-organ level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Farutin
- Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, 301 Binney St, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Elma Kurtagic
- Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, 301 Binney St, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
| | | | | | - Maureen D Mayes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin, MSB 5.270, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Minghua Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin, MSB 5.270, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Anthony M Manning
- Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, 301 Binney St, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Shervin Assassi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin, MSB 5.270, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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75
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Szabo I, Muntean L, Crisan T, Rednic V, Sirbe C, Rednic S. Novel Concepts in Systemic Sclerosis Pathogenesis: Role for miRNAs. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9101471. [PMID: 34680587 PMCID: PMC8533248 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease with heterogeneous clinical phenotypes. It is characterized by the pathogenic triad: microangiopathy, immune dysfunction, and fibrosis. Epigenetic mechanisms modulate gene expression without interfering with the DNA sequence. Epigenetic marks may be reversible and their differential response to external stimuli could explain the protean clinical manifestations of SSc while offering the opportunity of targeted drug development. Small, non-coding RNA sequences (miRNAs) have demonstrated complex interactions between vasculature, immune activation, and extracellular matrices. Distinct miRNA profiles were identified in SSc skin specimens and blood samples containing a wide variety of dysregulated miRNAs. Their target genes are mainly involved in profibrotic pathways, but new lines of evidence also confirm their participation in impaired angiogenesis and aberrant immune responses. Research approaches focusing on earlier stages of the disease and on differential miRNA expression in various tissues could bring novel insights into SSc pathogenesis and validate the clinical utility of miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulia Szabo
- Department of Rheumatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.S.); (C.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Laura Muntean
- Department of Rheumatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.S.); (C.S.); (S.R.)
- Department of Rheumatology, County Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Tania Crisan
- Department of Medical Genetics, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Voicu Rednic
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Gastroenterology II, “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor” Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Claudia Sirbe
- Department of Rheumatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.S.); (C.S.); (S.R.)
| | - Simona Rednic
- Department of Rheumatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (I.S.); (C.S.); (S.R.)
- Department of Rheumatology, County Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Matucci-Cerinic M, Hughes M, Taliani G, Kahaleh B. Similarities between COVID-19 and systemic sclerosis early vasculopathy: A "viral" challenge for future research in scleroderma. Autoimmun Rev 2021; 20:102899. [PMID: 34274540 PMCID: PMC8280663 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review similarities between COVID-19 and systemic sclerosis (SSc) early vasculopathy to provide novel insights into both diseases. METHODS A narrative review of the literature supplemented with expert opinion. RESULTS There is clear evidence that the endothelium is at the centre stage in SSc and COVID-19, with endothelial cell activation/injury and dysfunction creating the crucial evolving step in the pathogenesis of both diseases. The angiotensin system has also been implicated in the early stages of both COVID-19 and SSc. Autoptic studies provide novel insights into the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the endothelium. Normal endothelium and endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 and SSc are discussed. It is debated whether SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers autoimmunity with production of autoantibodies which is of mechanistic interest because other viral illnesses are potentially involved in endothelial dysfunction and in SSc pathogenesis. CONCLUSION COVID-19 is due to a direct assault of SARS-CoV-2 on the vascular system as an acute infection, whereas SSc remains a chronic/sub-acute autoimmune disease of largely unknown etiology Further study and exploration of the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenic mechanisms might provide further useful milestones in the understanding of the early SSc pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy; Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
| | - Michael Hughes
- Department of Rheumatology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Gloria Taliani
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Bashar Kahaleh
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, USA
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77
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Karalilova RV, Batalov ZA, Sapundzhieva TL, Matucci-Cerinic M, Batalov AZ. Tofacitinib in the treatment of skin and musculoskeletal involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis, evaluated by ultrasound. Rheumatol Int 2021; 41:1743-1753. [PMID: 34313812 PMCID: PMC8390399 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-021-04956-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, autoimmunity-driven damage and vasculopathy. The current approved disease-modifying treatments have limited efficacy, and treatment is guided toward alleviating organ complications. Thus, there is an unmet need for discovering new effective treatment options. There is recent evidence that the JAK/STAT signaling pathway is markedly activated in SSc patients. To assess the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib (TOF) on skin and musculoskeletal involvement as compared to methotrexate (MTX) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this 52-week pilot study, 66 patients with SSc were enrolled: 33 patients received 5 mg of oral TOF twice a day; 33 received 10 mg of MTX weekly. The proportion of dcSSc and lcSSc patients was similar (dcSSc: 42% TOF group and 36% MTX group; lcSSc: 58% TOF group and 64% MTX group). The primary outcome was the change in the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS). Secondary outcomes included ultrasound (US) skin thickness and musculoskeletal involvement (US10SSc score). Digital ulcers (DUs) and adverse events (AEs) were documented through the treatment. Both groups had similar characteristics and medians on the outcome measures at baseline. At week 52, the TOF median mRSS was significantly lower than the MTX (p < 0.001) with a mean reduction of 13 points versus MTX 2.57. The mean percent improvement in the TOF group was 44% higher than in the MTX group. TOF median US skin thickness was significantly lower than MTX (p < 0.001), with a mean reduction of 0.31 mm versus 0.075 mm in the MTX group. The US10SSc median score was significantly lower in the TOF group (p = 0.002); mean reduction of 10.21 versus 5.27 in the MTX group. Healing of DUs with no new occurrences was observed in the TOF group. There was no significant difference between the groups in the number of AEs from baseline to week 52. TOF showed greater efficacy than MTX in reducing mRSS, skin thickness and musculoskeletal involvement in SSc and a satisfactory safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rositsa Valerieva Karalilova
- Department of Internal Diseases, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Rheumatology Clinic, University Hospital “Kaspela”, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Zguro Anastasov Batalov
- Department of Internal Diseases, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Rheumatology Clinic, University Hospital “Kaspela”, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Tanya Lyubomirova Sapundzhieva
- Department of Internal Diseases, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Rheumatology Clinic, University Hospital “Kaspela”, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Rheumatology Section, Florence, Italy
| | - Anastas Zgurov Batalov
- Department of Internal Diseases, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Rheumatology Clinic, University Hospital “Kaspela”, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Abignano G, Green L, Eng S, Emery P, Del Galdo F. Nailfold Microvascular Imaging by Dynamic Optical Coherence Tomography in Systemic Sclerosis: A Case-Controlled Pilot Study. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1050-1057. [PMID: 34571001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.08.436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In systemic sclerosis, outcome measures of skin microvasculopathy are needed for both clinical trials and practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether dynamic-optical coherence tomography (D-OCT) is able to provide information on microvasculopathy compared with the current gold standard, nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), in patients with systemic sclerosis. This case-controlled study included (i) 40 patients with systemic sclerosis, classified by NVC pattern in four age- and sex-matched groups (normal/nonspecific, early, active, late); (ii) a fifth group of 10 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent NVC and D-OCT. D-OCT images were compared with the corresponding NVC images. Reliability was assessed. D-OCT images visualized the corresponding NVC patterns. D-OCT microvascular flow density was different across the five NVC pattern groups (P = 0.0114) with a significant trend test (P = 0.0006). Microvascular flow density correlated with the NVC semiquantitative score (r = -0.7, P < 0.0001), number of abnormal shapes/mm (r = ‒0.3, P = 0.0264), and number of capillaries/mm (r = 0.6, P < 0.0001). Reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.9). In conclusion, in patients with systemic sclerosis, D-OCT provided qualitative and quantitative information on nailfold microvasculopathy, showing a correlation between microvascular flow density and NVC scores. The development of D-OCT as a standardized imaging technique could provide a quantitative outcome measure in clinical trials and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Abignano
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom; Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL) and Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Regional Hospital, Potenza, Italy.
| | - Lorraine Green
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Sookhoe Eng
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Emery
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
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79
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Syed Gaggatur N, Sange AH, Srinivas N, Sarnaik MK, Modi S, Pisipati Y, Vaidya S, Sange I. Systemic Sclerosis: Highlighting Respiratory Complications and Significance of Early Screening. Cureus 2021; 13:e17291. [PMID: 34552830 PMCID: PMC8448757 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease that leads the patient to have a diverse clinical presentation encompassing several systems and a worse prognosis, mainly when complications arise. Most SSc-related deaths are caused by pulmonary hypertension (PH) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). This article focuses on pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and ILD as pulmonary consequences of SSc. We examined the grave effects regarding SSc's respiratory complications, which are concealed by the disease's clinical heterogeneity. In this article, we briefly reviewed the discussion of clinical features and management and the mortality associated with the sequelae. We further addressed the benefits and significance of screening for the disease and associated respiratory complications in SSc patients in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aliya H Sange
- Research, K. J. Somaiya Medical College, Mumbai, IND
| | - Natasha Srinivas
- Research, B. G. S. Global Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, IND
| | | | - Srimy Modi
- Research, K. J. Somaiya Medical College, Mumbai, IND
| | - Yasaswi Pisipati
- Internal Medicine, M. S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, IND
| | - Sarayoo Vaidya
- Internal Medicine, M. S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, IND
| | - Ibrahim Sange
- Research, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA.,Medicine, K. J. Somaiya Medical College, Mumbai, IND
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80
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Leong E, Bezuhly M, Marshall JS. Distinct Metalloproteinase Expression and Functions in Systemic Sclerosis and Fibrosis: What We Know and the Potential for Intervention. Front Physiol 2021; 12:727451. [PMID: 34512395 PMCID: PMC8432940 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.727451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic debilitating idiopathic disorder, characterized by deposition of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen which leads to fibrosis of the skin and other internal organs. During normal tissue repair and remodeling, the accumulation and turnover of ECM proteins are tightly regulated by the interaction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). SSc is associated with dysregulation of the activity of these proteolytic and inhibitory proteins within the tissue microenvironment, tipping the balance toward fibrosis. The resultant ECM accumulation further perpetuates tissue stiffness and decreased function, contributing to poor clinical outcomes. Understanding the expression and function of these endogenous enzymes and inhibitors within specific tissues is therefore critical to the development of therapies for SSc. This brief review describes recent advances in our understanding of the functions and mechanisms of ECM remodeling by metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the skin and lungs affected in SSc. It highlights recent progress on potential candidates for intervention and therapeutic approaches for treating SSc fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Leong
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Michael Bezuhly
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jean S Marshall
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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81
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Derrett-Smith E, Clark KEN, Shiwen X, Abraham DJ, Hoyles RK, Lacombe O, Broqua P, Junien JL, Konstantinova I, Ong VH, Denton CP. The pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor reduces development of lung fibrosis and attenuates cardiorespiratory manifestations in a transgenic mouse model of systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:234. [PMID: 34488870 PMCID: PMC8419933 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02592-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The TβRII∆k-fib transgenic (TG) mouse model of scleroderma replicates key fibrotic and vasculopathic complications of systemic sclerosis through fibroblast-directed upregulation of TGFβ signalling. We have examined peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway perturbation in this model and explored the impact of the pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor on the cardiorespiratory phenotype. Methods PPAR pathway gene and protein expression differences from TG and WT sex-matched littermate mice were determined at baseline and following administration of one of two doses of lanifibranor (30 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) or vehicle administered by daily oral gavage up to 4 weeks. The prevention of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and SU5416-induced pulmonary hypertension by lanifibranor was explored. Results Gene expression data were consistent with the downregulation of the PPAR pathway in the TβRII∆k-fib mouse model. TG mice treated with high-dose lanifibranor demonstrated significant protection from lung fibrosis after bleomycin and from right ventricular hypertrophy following induction of pulmonary hypertension by SU5416, despite no significant change in right ventricular systolic pressure. Conclusions In the TβRII∆k-fib mouse strain, treatment with 100 mg/kg lanifibranor reduces the development of lung fibrosis and right ventricular hypertrophy induced by bleomycin or SU5416, respectively. Reduced PPAR activity may contribute to the exaggerated fibroproliferative response to tissue injury in this transgenic model of scleroderma and its pulmonary complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Derrett-Smith
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, Rowland Hill St., London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Kristina E N Clark
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, Rowland Hill St., London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Xu Shiwen
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, Rowland Hill St., London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - David J Abraham
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, Rowland Hill St., London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Voon H Ong
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, Rowland Hill St., London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Christopher P Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, Rowland Hill St., London, NW3 2PF, UK.
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Bellando-Randone S, Della-Torre E, Balanescu A. The role of interleukin-17 in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis: Pro-fibrotic or anti-fibrotic? JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2021; 6:227-235. [DOI: 10.1177/23971983211039421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is characterized by widespread fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, vascular impairment, and dysregulation of innate and adaptive immune system. Growing evidence indicates that T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion play a major role in the initiation of systemic sclerosis, but the role of T helper 17 cells and of interleukin-17 cytokines in the development and progression of the disease remains controversial. In particular, an equally distributed body of literature supports both pro-fibrotic and anti-fibrotic effects of interleukin-17, suggesting a complex and nuanced role of this cytokine in systemic sclerosis pathogenesis that may vary depending on disease stage, target cells in affected organs, and inflammatory milieu. Although interleukin-17 already represents an established therapeutic target for several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, more robust experimental evidence is required to clarify whether it may become an attractive therapeutic target for systemic sclerosis as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Emanuel Della-Torre
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andra Balanescu
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, “Sf. Maria” Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
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83
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Luquez-Mindiola A, Atuesta AJ, Gómez-Aldana AJ. Gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic sclerosis: An updated review. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:6201-6217. [PMID: 34434988 PMCID: PMC8362561 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i22.6201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by vascular disease, fibrosis of the skin, and internal organ dysfunction. Gastrointestinal involvement is the most frequent complication of internal organs, impacting up to 90% of patients. Gastrointestinal involvement can affect any region of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, with a predominance of disorders being observed at the level of the upper digestive tract. The gastrointestinal involvement primarily involves the esophagus, small bowel, and rectum. The severity of gastrointestinal involvement affects quality of life and is a marker of worse prognosis and mortality in these patients. In this review, we describe the current findings regarding gastrointestinal involvement by this entity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexis Javier Atuesta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota 11711, Colombia
| | - Andres Jose Gómez-Aldana
- Department of Endoscopy, Santa Fe Foundation of Bogotá (Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá), Bogotá 11711, Colombia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota 11711, Colombia
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84
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Hesselstrand R, Distler JHW, Riemekasten G, Wuttge DM, Törngren M, Nyhlén HC, Andersson F, Eriksson H, Sparre B, Tuvesson H, Distler O. An open-label study to evaluate biomarkers and safety in systemic sclerosis patients treated with paquinimod. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:204. [PMID: 34330322 PMCID: PMC8325221 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02573-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To evaluate the changes in disease-related biomarkers and safety of paquinimod, an oral immunomodulatory compound, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods In this open-label, single-arm, multicenter study, SSc patients with a rapidly progressive disease received paquinimod for 8 weeks. Blood and skin biopsies were collected at baseline, during treatment, and at follow-up for the analyses of type I interferon (IFN) activity, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), and the number of myofibroblasts. The safety of paquinimod was evaluated throughout the study. Results Nine SSc patients were enrolled and completed the study treatment with paquinimod at 3 mg/day for 8 weeks. After the treatment, a reduction of type I IFN activity in the plasma from one patient with elevated baseline IFN activity was recorded. A trend towards reduced IFN activity in the skin after treatment was also observed in patients. The serum level of CCL2 was reduced in 7 of 9 patients after paquinimod treatment. There was a median reduction of 10% of the number of myofibroblasts in skin biopsies at week 8 compared to baseline. No change in modified Rodnan skin score and quality of life was detected in the study. Reported adverse events (AEs) were mild to moderate and expected with the most common being arthralgia (n = 3) and headache (n = 3), and C-reactive protein (CRP) increase. Conclusions Analysis of biomarkers before and after treatment suggest reduced type I IFN activity and reduced number of myofibroblasts in lesional skin. Paquinimod was overall well tolerated with mild to moderate and expected AEs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01487551. Registered on 7 September 2011 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-021-02573-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Hesselstrand
- Department of Rheumatology, Skåne University Hospital and Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | | | | | - Dirk M Wuttge
- Department of Rheumatology, Skåne University Hospital and Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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85
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Kuwana M, Gil-Vila A, Selva-O’Callaghan A. Role of autoantibodies in the diagnosis and prognosis of interstitial lung disease in autoimmune rheumatic disorders. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2021; 13:1759720X211032457. [PMID: 34377160 PMCID: PMC8320553 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x211032457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been recognized as a frequent manifestation associated with a substantial morbidity and mortality burden in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disorders. Serum autoantibodies are considered good biomarkers for identifying several subsets or specific phenotypes of ILD involvement in these patients. This review features the role of several autoantibodies as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker linked to the presence ILD and specific ILD phenotypes in autoimmune rheumatic disorders. The case of the diverse antisynthetase antibodies in the antisynthease syndrome or the anti-melanoma differentiation-associated 5 protein (MDA5) antibodies as a marker of a severe condition such as rapidly progressive ILD in patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis are some of the associations herein reported in the group of myositis spectrum disorders. Specific autoantibodies such as the well-known anti-topoisomerase I (anti-Scl70) or the anti-Th/To, anti-U11/U12 ribonucleoprotein, and anti-eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) antibodies seems to be specifically linked to ILD in patients with systemic sclerosis. Overlap syndromes between systemic sclerosis and myositis, also have good ILD biomarkers, which are the anti-PM/Scl and anti-Ku autoantibodies. Lastly, other not so often reported disorders as being associated with ILD but recently most recognized as is the case of rheumatoid arthritis associated ILD or entities herein included in the miscellaneous disorders section, which include anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated interstitial lung disease, Sjögren's syndrome or the mixed connective tissue disease, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine; Scleroderma/Myositis Center of Excellence (SMCE) Nippon Medical School Hospital, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Albert Gil-Vila
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Vall d’Hebron General Hospital, Medicine Dept, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Selva-O’Callaghan
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Vall d’Hebron General Hospital, Medicine Dept, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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86
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Bolourani S, Sari E, Brenner M, Wang P. Extracellular CIRP Induces an Inflammatory Phenotype in Pulmonary Fibroblasts via TLR4. Front Immunol 2021; 12:721970. [PMID: 34367191 PMCID: PMC8342891 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.721970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP), a new damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), has been recently shown to play a critical role in promoting the development of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Although fibroblast activation is a critical component of the fibrotic process, the direct effects of eCIRP on fibroblasts have never been examined. We studied eCIRP’s role in the induction of inflammatory phenotype in pulmonary fibroblasts and its connection to bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. We found that eCIRP causes the induction of proinflammatory cytokines and differentially expression-related pathways in a TLR4-dependent manner in pulmonary fibroblasts. Our analysis further showed that the accessory pathways MD2 and Myd88 are involved in the induction of inflammatory phenotype. In order to study the connection of the enrichment of these pathways in priming the microenvironment for pulmonary fibrosis, we investigated the gene expression profile of lung tissues from mice subjected to bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis collected at various time points. We found that at day 14, which corresponds to the inflammatory-to-fibrotic transition phase after bleomycin injection, TLR4, MD2, and Myd88 were induced, and the transcriptome was differentially enriched for genes in those pathways. Furthermore, we also found that inflammatory cytokines gene expressions were induced, and the cellular responses to these inflammatory cytokines were differentially enriched on day 14. Overall, our results show that eCIRP induces inflammatory phenotype in pulmonary fibroblasts in a TLR4 dependent manner. This study sheds light on the mechanism by which eCIRP induced inflammatory fibroblasts, contributing to pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Bolourani
- Center for Immunology and Inflammation, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States.,Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Manhasset, NY, United States.,Department of Surgery, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Ezgi Sari
- Center for Immunology and Inflammation, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Max Brenner
- Center for Immunology and Inflammation, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States.,Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Manhasset, NY, United States.,Department of Surgery, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Ping Wang
- Center for Immunology and Inflammation, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States.,Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, Manhasset, NY, United States.,Department of Surgery, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
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87
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Stöcker JK, Schouffoer AA, Spierings J, Schriemer MR, Potjewijd J, de Pundert L, van den Hoogen FHJ, Nijhuis-van der Sanden MWG, Staal JB, Satink T, Vonk MC, van den Ende CHM. Evidence and consensus-based recommendations for non-pharmacological treatment of fatigue, hand function loss, Raynaud's phenomenon, and digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:1476-1486. [PMID: 34260723 PMCID: PMC8996778 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic sclerosis is a complex connective tissue disease affecting mental and physical health. Fatigue, hand function loss, and Raynaud's phenomenon are the most prevalent disease-specific symptoms of systemic sclerosis. This study aimed to develop consensus and evidence-based recommendations for non-pharmacological treatment of these symptoms. METHODS A multidisciplinary task force was installed comprising 20 Dutch experts. After agreeing on the method for formulating the recommendations, clinically relevant questions about patient education and treatments were inventoried. During a face-to-face task force meeting, draft recommendations were generated through a systematically structured discussion, following the nominal group technique. To support the recommendations, an extensive literature search was conducted in MEDLINE and six other databases until September 2020, and 20 key systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and published recommendations were selected. Moreover, 13 Dutch medical specialists were consulted on non-pharmacological advice regarding Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers. For each recommendation the level of evidence and the level of agreement was determined. RESULTS Forty-one evidence and consensus-based recommendations were developed, and 34, concerning treatments and patient education of fatigue (12), hand function loss (8), and Raynaud's phenomenon/digital ulcers-related problems (14), were approved by the task force. CONCLUSIONS These 34 recommendations provide guidance on non-pharmacological treatment of three of the most frequently described symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis. The proposed recommendations can guide referrals to health professionals, inform the content of non-pharmacological interventions, and can be used in the development of national and international postgraduate educational offerings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane K Stöcker
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Research, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,HAN University of Applied Sciences, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research group, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud university medical center, Department of Rheumatic diseases, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne A Schouffoer
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Rheumatology, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Haga Teaching Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Julia Spierings
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Royal Free and University College London, Department of Inflammation, Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marisca R Schriemer
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Research, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,National Association for people with Lupus, Systemic Sclerosis, Antiphospholipid syndrome, and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Judith Potjewijd
- Maastricht University Medical Center, Department of Clinical immunology, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lian de Pundert
- Haga Teaching Hospital, Department of physical therapy, The Hague, The Netherlands.,University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sport, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank H J van den Hoogen
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Research, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud university medical center, Department of Rheumatic diseases, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - J Bart Staal
- HAN University of Applied Sciences, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research group, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ Healthcare, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ton Satink
- HAN University of Applied Sciences, Research group Neuro Rehabilitation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,European Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Madelon C Vonk
- Radboud university medical center, Department of Rheumatic diseases, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia H M van den Ende
- Sint Maartenskliniek, Department of Research, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Radboud university medical center, Department of Rheumatic diseases, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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88
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Simon D, Balogh P, Erdő-Bonyár S, Böröcz K, Minier T, Czirják L, Berki T. Increased Frequency of Activated Switched Memory B Cells and Its Association With the Presence of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis Patients. Front Immunol 2021; 12:686483. [PMID: 34276673 PMCID: PMC8278062 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.686483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease-associated, high-affinity pathological autoantibody production is a well-described consequence of immune dysregulation affecting B cells in systemic sclerosis (SSc), including the distribution of B-cell subsets. We have previously shown that the increased relative frequency of CD19+CD27+IgD- switched memory B cells is associated with the severe form of SSc. This study sought to analyze memory B cell subsets using an extended range of markers for further subdivision based on CD19, IgD, CD27, CD38 and CD95 phenotype, to define relationship between the alterations of memory B cell subsets and the clinical features of SSc. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 21 SSc patients, including 14 diffuse (dcSSc) and 7 limited (lcSSc) cutaneous SSc patients, with disease duration of 2.7 ( ± 1.6) years. After purification of CD19+ B cells, multiparametric flow cytometry was performed and the frequencies of CD19+IgD-CD27-CD38+ double negative (DN) 1, CD19+IgDloCD27+CD38+ unswitched, CD19+IgD-CD27+CD38+CD95- resting switched and CD19+IgD-CD27+CD38-CD95+ activated switched memory (ASM) B cells were determined, and correlated with clinical features of SSc. The dcSSc patients had a higher frequency of ASM B cells (p = 0.028) compared to lcSSc patients. The percentage of ASM B cells was elevated in anti-Scl-70 (anti-topoisomerase I) antibody positive patients compared to negative patients (p = 0.016). Additionally, the frequency of ASM B cells was also increased in patients with pulmonary fibrosis (p = 0.003) suggesting that patients with severe form of SSc have higher ASM B cell ratios. Furthermore, the ratio of DN1 B cells was decreased (p = 0.029), while the level of anti-citrate synthase IgG natural autoantibody was elevated (p = 0.028) in patients with active disease. Our observations on the increase of ASM B cells in dcSSc and in patients with pulmonary fibrosis may point to the association of this alteration with the severe form of the disease. Functionally the correlation of ASM B cells as effector memory-plasma cell precursors with anti-topoisomerase I antibody positivity could reflect their contribution to pathological autoantibody production, whereas the decrease of memory precursor DN B cells and the increase of anti-citrate synthase IgG autoantibody may have potential significance in the assessment of disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diána Simon
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Péter Balogh
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Szabina Erdő-Bonyár
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Katalin Böröcz
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tünde Minier
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - László Czirják
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tímea Berki
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
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89
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Gigante A, Villa A, Rosato E. Laser speckle contrast analysis predicts major vascular complications and mortality of patients with systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:1850-1857. [PMID: 33141226 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of study was to evaluate peripheral blood perfusion and the proximal-distal gradient (PDG) of the hands as biomarkers of SSc major vascular complications (digital ulcers, pulmonary arterial hypertension, scleroderma renal crisis) and mortality by laser speckle contrast analysis. METHODS In this retrospective observational study, 176 SSc patients [158 female, median age 53 (51-57) years] and 142 healthy controls [115 female, median age 53 (48-55) years] were enrolled. Clinical data were collected at baseline and annually through 5 years of follow-up. Hand dorsum perfusion images were divided into three regions of interest (ROI): ROI1 included the second, third, and fourth fingers distal to the proximal interphalangeal finger joint; ROI2 included the area between the proximal interphalangeal finger joint and the metacarpophalangeal joint; ROI3 included the hand dorsum. PDG was identified when the perfusion mean difference between ROI1 and ROI2 was >30 perfusion units. RESULTS Median peripheral blood perfusion was significantly lower for SSc patients than healthy controls. PDG was present in 51.5% of SSc patients and in 98.6% of healthy controls. Using the final multivariate model, nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) pattern [hazard ratio (HR) 0.065 (0.015-0.283), P <0.0001] and PDG [HR 0.376 (0.194-0.727), P <0.01] were found to be risk factors for major vascular complications. By multivariate analysis, age [HR 1.051 (1.014-1.088), P <0.01), NVC pattern [HR 0.001 (0.000-3.111), P >0.05], and PDG [HR 0.207 (0.073-0.589), P <0.01] were found to be risk factors for 5-year SSc mortality. CONCLUSION PDG predicts major vascular complication and 5-year mortality of SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Gigante
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Villa
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Rosato
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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90
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M. New Insights into Profibrotic Myofibroblast Formation in Systemic Sclerosis: When the Vascular Wall Becomes the Enemy. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:610. [PMID: 34202703 PMCID: PMC8307837 DOI: 10.3390/life11070610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In systemic sclerosis (SSc), abnormalities in microvessel morphology occur early and evolve into a distinctive vasculopathy that relentlessly advances in parallel with the development of tissue fibrosis orchestrated by myofibroblasts in nearly all affected organs. Our knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying such a unique relationship between SSc-related vasculopathy and fibrosis has profoundly changed over the last few years. Indeed, increasing evidence has suggested that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a process in which profibrotic myofibroblasts originate from endothelial cells, may take center stage in SSc pathogenesis. While in arterioles and small arteries EndoMT may lead to the accumulation of myofibroblasts within the vessel wall and development of fibroproliferative vascular lesions, in capillary vessels it may instead result in vascular destruction and formation of myofibroblasts that migrate into the perivascular space with consequent tissue fibrosis and microvessel rarefaction, which are hallmarks of SSc. Besides endothelial cells, other vascular wall-resident cells, such as pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, may acquire a myofibroblast-like synthetic phenotype contributing to both SSc-related vascular dysfunction and fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the differentiation of myofibroblasts inside the vessel wall provides the rationale for novel targeted therapeutic strategies for the treatment of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
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91
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Koçak A, Köken Avşar A, Harmancı D, Akdoğan G, Birlik AM. A preliminary study of possible fibrotic role of meprin metalloproteases in scleroderma patients. Arch Rheumatol 2021; 36:510-517. [PMID: 35382369 PMCID: PMC8957771 DOI: 10.46497/archrheumatol.2021.8581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives
This study aims to investigate the possible fibrotic role of meprin metalloproteases and possible fibrotic effects of activator protein-1 (AP-1) in scleroderma patients. Patients and methods
Between April 2018 and April 2019, a total of 85 scleroderma patients (9 males, 76 females; mean age: 54.9 years; range, 22 to 80 years) who met the 2013 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria and 80 healthy control individuals (10 males, 70 females; mean age 42.9 years; range, 19 to 65 years) were included. Patients’ data and blood samples were collected. Messenger ribonucleic acid expressions of interleukin (IL)-6, AP-1 subunits, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum meprin alpha and beta protein levels were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results
Meprin alpha and meprin beta protein levels increased in scleroderma patients. The AP-1 subunits (c-Fos, c-Jun), IL-6, and TNF-α increased in scleroderma patients, compared to controls. Conclusion
Our results provide evidence showing that increased meprins levels may be related to AP-1 levels and increased meprins levels may responsible for increased inflammatory TNF-α and IL-6 levels. All these data suggest meprins as promising therapeutic targets to restore the balance between inflammation and extracellular matrix deposition in scleroderma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe Koçak
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aydan Köken Avşar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Duygu Harmancı
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gül Akdoğan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir, Turkey
| | - A. Merih Birlik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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92
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Korlepara V, Kumar N, Banerjee S. Gut Microbiota And Inflammatory Disorders. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 23:156-169. [PMID: 34165407 DOI: 10.2174/1389450122666210623125603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The gut has been colonized with bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, eukarya. The human and bacterial cells are found in a 1:1 ratio, while the variance in the diversity of gut microbiota may result in Dysbiosis. Gut dysbiosis may result in various pathological manifestations. Beneficial gut microbiota may synthesize short-chain fatty acids like acetate, butyrate, propionate, while -gram-negative organisms are the primary source of LPS, a potent pro-inflammatory mediator. Both gut microbiota and microbial products may be involved in immunomodulation as well as inflammation. Prebiotics and probiotics are being explored as therapeutic agents against various inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Here we discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in gut bacteria-mediated modulation of various inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vamsi Korlepara
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Sugato Banerjee
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
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93
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Ota Y, Kuwana M. Updates on genetics in systemic sclerosis. Inflamm Regen 2021; 41:17. [PMID: 34130729 PMCID: PMC8204536 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-021-00167-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disease, in which an interaction of genetic and environmental factors plays an important role in its development and pathogenesis. A number of genetic studies, including candidate gene analysis and genome-wide association study, have found that the associated genetic variants are mainly localized in noncoding regions in the expression quantitative trait locus and influence corresponding gene expression. The gene variants identified as a risk for SSc susceptibility include those associated with innate immunity, adaptive immune response, and cell death, while there are only few SSc-associated genes involved in the fibrotic process or vascular homeostasis. Human leukocyte antigen class II genes are associated with SSc-related autoantibodies rather than SSc itself. Since the pathways between the associated genotype and phenotype are still poorly understood, further investigations using multi-omics technologies are necessary to characterize the complex molecular architecture of SSc, identify biomarkers useful to predict future outcomes and treatment responses, and discover effective drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Ota
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603-8582, Japan
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603-8582, Japan.
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94
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Melchiorre D, Ceccherini MT, Romano E, Cometi L, El-Aoufy K, Bellando-Randone S, Roccotelli A, Bruni C, Moggi-Pignone A, Carboni D, Guiducci S, Lepri G, Tofani L, Pietramellara G, Matucci-Cerinic M. Oral Lactobacillus Species in Systemic Sclerosis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1298. [PMID: 34203626 PMCID: PMC8232208 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In systemic sclerosis (SSc), the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) plays a central role in the patient's quality of life. The microbiome populates the GIT, where a relationship between the Lactobacillus and gastrointestinal motility has been suggested. In this study, the analysis of oral Lactobacillus species in SSc patients and healthy subjects using culture-independent molecular techniques, together with a review of the literature on microbiota and lactobacilli in SSc, has been carried out. Twenty-nine SSc female patients (mean age 62) and twenty-three female healthy subjects (HS, mean age 57.6) were enrolled and underwent tongue and gum swab sampling. Quantitative PCR was conducted in triplicate using Lactobacillus specific primers rpoB1, rpoB1o and rpoB2 for the RNA-polymerase β subunit gene. Our data show significantly (p = 0.0211) lower LactobacillusspprpoB sequences on the tongue of patients with SSc compared to HS. The mean value of the amount of Lactobacillus ssprpoB gene on the gumsofSSc patients was minor compared to HS. A significant difference between tongue and gums (p = 0.0421) was found in HS but not in SSc patients. In conclusion, our results show a lower presence of Lactobacillus in the oral cavity of SSc patients. This strengthens the hypothesis that Lactobacillus may have both a protective and therapeutic role in SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Melchiorre
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Maria Teresa Ceccherini
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI)-University ofFirenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy; (M.T.C.); (A.R.); (G.P.)
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Laura Cometi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Khadija El-Aoufy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Angela Roccotelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI)-University ofFirenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy; (M.T.C.); (A.R.); (G.P.)
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Alberto Moggi-Pignone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Davide Carboni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Gemma Lepri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Lorenzo Tofani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Giacomo Pietramellara
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI)-University ofFirenze, 50144 Firenze, Italy; (M.T.C.); (A.R.); (G.P.)
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Firenze, 50124 Firenze, Italy; (E.R.); (L.C.); (K.E.-A.); (S.B.-R.); (C.B.); (A.M.-P.); (D.C.); (S.G.); (G.L.); (L.T.); (M.M.-C.)
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95
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Maddali Bongi S, Passalacqua M, Landi G, Mikhaylova S, Tofani L, Del Rosso A, El Aoufy K, Baccini M, Matucci-Cerinic M, Melchiorre D. Rehabilitation of the face and temporomandibular joint in systemic sclerosis. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2021; 13:1759720X211020171. [PMID: 34163540 PMCID: PMC8191075 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x211020171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) alterations of the face and of the mouth cause aesthetic modifications and disability, impairing self-esteem and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to verify the effects of two rehabilitation protocols on facial mimic and mouth opening. METHODS A total of 47 SSc patients (40 females and 7 males, mean age ± SD 59.08 ± 10.31 years), were consecutively selected: 22 were randomly assigned to protocol 1 [home exercises for temporomandibular joint (TMJ), mimic, masticatory and cervical spine muscles] and 25 to protocol 2 (home exercises and combined physiotherapeutic procedures performed by a physiotherapist). Each treatment had a duration of 12 weeks with a follow up of 8 weeks. TMJ dysfunction, orofacial involvement, disability, QoL, and safety were assessed at enrollment (T0), at the end of the treatment (T1), and at follow up (T2). RESULTS Both Protocol 1 and Protocol 2 induced significant improvements of some clinical and clinimetric parameters, but better results were obtained with Protocol 2. In the comparison between the effects of Protocol 1 and Protocol 2 at T1 and T2, a significant difference was observed only for Mouth Handicap in SSc [MHISS; Total (p = 0.00178] and for MHISS Mouth opening (p = 0.0098) at T1. No significant difference of indices of short-form 36 was observed. CONCLUSION The present data suggest that TMJ involvement in SSc may be managed by rehabilitation treatments. The action of a physiotherapist prescribing and personalizing exercises may induce better therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mauro Passalacqua
- AMURR, Associazione Multidisciplinare Riabilitazione Reumatologica, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanna Landi
- AMURR, Associazione Multidisciplinare Riabilitazione Reumatologica, Florence, Italy
| | - Svetlana Mikhaylova
- Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Toscana, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tofani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Angela Del Rosso
- AMURR, Associazione Multidisciplinare Riabilitazione Reumatologica, Florence, Italy
| | - Khadija El Aoufy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Baccini
- AMURR, Associazione Multidisciplinare Riabilitazione Reumatologica, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Melchiorre
- Researcher in Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Florence, 50134, Italy
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96
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Gigante A, Pellicano C, Leodori G, Napodano C, Vantaggio L, Gulli F, Marino M, Visentini M, Rosato E, Basile U. Serum and urine free light chains measurements in patients with systemic sclerosis: novel biomarkers for disease activity. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 205:135-141. [PMID: 33934349 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating free light chains (FLCs), considered biomarkers of B cell activity, are frequently elevated in patients affected by systemic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. As the systemic sclerosis (SSc) clinical course can be variable, this study is aimed at evaluating FLCs levels in affected individuals as biomarkers of disease activity. We assessed FLC levels in serum and urine of 72 SSc patients and 30 healthy controls (HC). Results were analyzed in comparison with overall clinical and laboratory findings, disease activity index (DAI) and disease severity scale (DSS). SSc patients displayed increased levels of κ and λ FLC in serum significantly higher than HC (p = 0.0001) alongside the mean values of free κ/λ ratio and κ + λ sum (p = 0.0001). SSc patients showed increased free κ in urine with a κ/λ higher than HC (p = 0.0001). SSc patients with increased κ + λ in serum showed that erythro-sedimentation rate (p = 0.034), C-reactive protein (p = 0.003), DAI (p = 0.024) and DSS (p = 0.015) were higher if compared to SSc patients with normal levels of FLC. A positive linear correlation was found between serum levels of free κ and DAI (r = 0.29, p = 0.014). In addition, SSc patients with increased free κ in urine had higher DAI (p = 0.048) than SSc patients with normal κ levels. Our results strengthen the role of serum FLC as useful biomarker in clinical practice to early diagnosis and monitor disease activity, showing for the first time that also urine FLC levels correlated with disease activity in SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Gigante
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Pellicano
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Leodori
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Napodano
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario 'A. Gemelli' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Vantaggio
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gulli
- Laboratorio di Patologia Clinica, Ospedale Madre Giuseppina Vannini, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariapaola Marino
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario 'A. Gemelli' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Visentini
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Rosato
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Basile
- Area Diagnostica di Laboratorio, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario 'A. Gemelli', IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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97
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De Luca R, Maresca M, Orlandi M, Bruni C, Solanki K, Wang Y, Lepri G, Guiducci S, Melchiorre D, Moggi-Pignone A, Rossi W, De Paulis A, Dzhus M, Matucci-Cerinic M, Bellando-Randone S. The Emerging Challenge of Pain in Systemic Sclerosis: Similarity to the Pain Experience Reported by Sjőgren's Syndrome Patients. RHEUMATOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2021; 2:113-119. [PMID: 36465974 PMCID: PMC9524780 DOI: 10.2478/rir-2021-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In order to evaluate the importance of pain in systemic sclerosis (SSc), the characteristics of pain reported by patients with SSc were analyzed and compared with the characteristics of pain reported by patients with primary Sjőgren's syndrome (pSS). Pain was reported by 56 patients (80%) in a group of 70 patients with SSc and by 25 patients (78%) in a group of 32 patients with pSS. Pain severity was assessed by the Pain Rating Index (PRI) and the Present Pain Intensity (PPI) of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and by values obtained by a visual analog scale (VAS) indicating the intensity of pain felt in the moment of the examination and the intensity of pain felt in the week preceding the moment of the examination. No significant difference was detected in the comparison of mean values of pain indices between patients with SSc and patients with pSS and in the comparison among subgroups of patients with SSc. The data indicate that pain is a frequent and important cause of suffering in SSc as in other chronic diseases. The association of different methods may be especially useful to obtain a careful evaluation of pain in clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella De Luca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Maresca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Martina Orlandi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Kamal Solanki
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
- Department of Rheumatology, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Yukai Wang
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Gemma Lepri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Melchiorre
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Alberto Moggi-Pignone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
| | - Wanda Rossi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Amato De Paulis
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marta Dzhus
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, O. Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Bellando-Randone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence, Italy
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98
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Csonka V, Bódis B, Kovács D, Farkas N, Kálmán E, Czirják L, Varjú C. Screening for the presence of scleroedema adultorum of Buschke in patients with diabetes mellitus: newly diagnosed patients had a high prevalence of dyslipidaemia. Lipids Health Dis 2021; 20:47. [PMID: 33952255 PMCID: PMC8101242 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-021-01473-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scleroedema adultorum of Buschke is a rare disorder characterized by fibromucinous thickening of the dermis that manifests mainly at the nape of the neck and on the upper back and shoulders. This study screened patients with diabetes mellitus for skin hardening caused by scleroedema adultorum of Buschke and characterized the clinical and laboratory findings in patients with newly identified cases, with a focus on lipid metabolism abnormalities and vascular complications. Methods Out of 113 consecutive patients with diabetes, 11 (9.7%) new scleroedema patients, all with type 2 diabetes, were found. Their clinical and laboratory data were compared to those of the rest of the screened patients and to those of a cohort of 15 patients with scleroedema and diabetes who were already being treated in a tertiary clinical centre at the University of Pécs. Results Higher proportions of patients with dyslipidaemia, hypertriglyceridemia (P < 0.05) and increased mean levels of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) were found (P < 0.01) in both scleroedema groups than in the group without scleroedema. Stroke and venous thromboembolism (VTE) were more frequently found in the histories of both the newly identified scleroedema group (each 3/11; 27.3%) and the treated cohort (each 6/15; 40.0%) than in the group without scleroedema (6/102; 5.9% in cases of stroke P = 0.021, P < 0.001; and 14/102; 13.7%; P < 0.05 in cases of VTE, respectively). Based on binary logistic regression, a high non-HDL-C level (odds ratio (OD): 3.338, confidence interval (CI): 1.77–6.28; P < 0.001) and insulin treatment (OR 7.64, CI 1.9–29.3; P = 0.003) were independent predictors of scleroedema in patients with diabetes mellitus. Conclusions Diabetes patients with scleroedema had more severe dyslipidaemia and higher occurrence of vascular complications compared to those without scleroedema. In addition to poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus requiring insulin treatment, high non-HDL-C levels may be another contributing factor to the development of scleroedema. Trial registration NCT04335396.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktória Csonka
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Akác u. 1, Pécs, H-7632, Hungary.,Department of Internal Medicine, Teaching Hospital Mór Kaposi, Kaposvár, Hungary
| | - Beáta Bódis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dániel Kovács
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Nelli Farkas
- Institute of Bioanalysis, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Endre Kálmán
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - László Czirják
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Akác u. 1, Pécs, H-7632, Hungary
| | - Cecília Varjú
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Akác u. 1, Pécs, H-7632, Hungary.
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99
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Chuealee W, Foocharoen C, Mahakkanukrauh A, Suwannaroj S, Pongchaiyakul C, Nanagara R. Prevalence and predictive factors of osteoporosis in Thai systemic sclerosis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9424. [PMID: 33941800 PMCID: PMC8093198 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88792-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease and several SSc-associated factors may increase the risk of osteoporosis and its related fractures. To determine the prevalence and predictive factors of osteoporosis in Thai SSc, a cross-sectional study was designed in adult SSc patients at Scleroderma clinic, Khon Kaen University Hospital. The prevalence of osteoporosis with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined and the odds ratio (OR) with 95%CI were assessed the clinical association with osteoporosis. A total of 205 SSc patients were recruited with the female to male ratio of 2.7:1. The majority of cases were diffuse SSc subset (83.4%) with a disease duration < 5 years (62.9%). The overall prevalence of osteoporosis was 29.3% (95%CI 23.1-36.0). After an age adjusted analysis, the respective prevalence of osteoporosis at lumbar spine (LS) in women and men was 26.3% and 10%, while the prevalence of osteoporosis at the femoral neck (FN) in women and men was 11% and 2.1%. Low BMI (≤ 18.5 kg/m2) and menopause were associated with osteoporosis at both the LS and FN. Using multivariate analysis, low BMI and menopause were associated with osteoporosis at LS (OR 7.78 and 5.32, respectively), while low BMI was also associated with osteoporosis at LS in pre-menopausal women. In conclusion, the prevalence of osteoporosis in Thai SSc was 29.3%. Osteoporosis at the LS is more common than FN in both men and women. Low BMI was associated with osteoporosis in overall SSc and pre-menopausal women, while only menopause was associated with osteoporosis at the FN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiriya Chuealee
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Chingching Foocharoen
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Ajanee Mahakkanukrauh
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Siraphop Suwannaroj
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Chatlert Pongchaiyakul
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand
| | - Ratanavadee Nanagara
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.
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100
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Bruni C, Cometi L, Gigante A, Rosato E, Matucci-Cerinic M. Prediction and primary prevention of major vascular complications in systemic sclerosis. Eur J Intern Med 2021; 87:51-58. [PMID: 33551291 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2021.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), vasculopathy is the background of major vascular complications (MVCs), like digital ulcers (DUs), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). We aimed to identify the predictors and to test the primary preventive effect of vasoactive/vasodilating drugs (VVD) for the development of MVCs in SSc MVCs-naïve patients. METHODS patients fulfilling the ACR/EULAR 2013 classification criteria for SSc without history of MVCs were eligible. Data about clinical manifestations, laboratory and instrumental assessments and treatments were retrospectively collected at baseline and latest available follow-up. RESULTS 134 SSc patients were enrolled (mean age 56.5 years ± 14.2, females 88.1%, limited subset 61.9%, ACA positivity 60.4%). In a mean of 43 ± 19 months of follow-up 12 (9.0%) patients developed at least 1 MVC (10 DU, 2 PAH and 1 SRC). Dyspnoea and arthritis at baseline were independent predictors for MVCs development (p = 0.012, and p = 0.002 respectively). No primary preventive effect of VVD on MVCs development was found. However, sildenafil reduced the renal resistive index increase (p = 0.042) and alprostadil slowed the DLco decline (p = 0.029). Both iloprost and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) delayed MVCs development, while angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) determined an earlier onset of such MCVs. CONCLUSIONS in SSc patients, our data confirm the role of arthritis and dyspnea as independent predictors of major vascular complications, in particular in MVCs-naïve patients. Prostanoids, sildenafil and ARBs, even in absence of a primary preventive action, might help in slowing disease progression and postponing the onset of MVCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosimo Bruni
- Div. Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Laura Cometi
- Div. Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Antonietta Gigante
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Rosato
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Div. Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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