Longitudinal relationships between rheumatoid factor and cytokine expression by immunostimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis: New insights into B-cell activation

Exploring the therapeutic potential of layered double hydroxides and transition metal dichalcogenides through the convergence of rheumatology and nanotechnology using generative adversarial network

Two-dimensional Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are highly used in the biomedical domain due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, controlled drug loading and release capabilities, and improved cellular permeability. The interaction of LDHs with biological systems could facilitate targeted drug delivery and make them an attractive option for various biomedical applications. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) requires targeted drug delivery for optimum therapeutic outcomes. In this study, stacked double hydroxide nanocomposites with dextran sulphate modification (LDH-DS) were developed while exhibiting both targeting and pH-sensitivity for rheumatological conditions. This research examines the loading, release kinetics, and efficiency of the therapeutics of interest in the LDH-based drug delivery system. The mean size of LDH-DS particles (300.1 ± 8.12 nm) is -12.11 ± 0.4 mV. The encapsulation efficiency was 48.52%, and the loading efficacy was 16.81%. In vitro release tests indicate that the drug's discharge is modified more rapidly in PBS at pH 5.4 compared to pH 5.6, which later reached 7.3, showing the case sensitivity to pH. A generative adversarial network (GAN) is used to analyze the drug delivery system in rheumatology. The GAN model achieved high accuracy and classification rates of 99.3% and 99.0%, respectively, and a validity of 99.5%. The second and third administrations resulted in a significant change with p-values of 0.001 and 0.05, respectively. This investigation unequivocally demonstrated that LDH functions as a biocompatible drug delivery matrix, significantly improving delivery effectiveness.

Cell-Free DNA in the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Non-Infectious Inflammations and Tumors

The basic function of the immune system is the protection of the host against infections, along with the preservation of the individual antigenic identity. The process of self-tolerance covers the discrimination between self and foreign antigens, including proteins, nucleic acids, and larger molecules. Consequently, a broken immunological self-tolerance results in the development of autoimmune or autoinflammatory disorders. Immunocompetent cells express pattern-recognition receptors on their cell membrane and cytoplasm. The majority of endogenous DNA is located intracellularly within nuclei and mitochondria. However, extracellular, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can also be detected in a variety of diseases, such as autoimmune disorders and malignancies, which has sparked interest in using cfDNA as a possible biomarker. In recent years, the widespread use of liquid biopsies and the increasing demand for screening, as well as monitoring disease activity and therapy response, have enabled the revival of cfDNA research. The majority of studies have mainly focused on the function of cfDNA as a biomarker. However, research regarding the immunological consequences of cfDNA, such as its potential immunomodulatory or therapeutic benefits, is still in its infancy. This article discusses the involvement of various DNA-sensing receptors (e.g., absent in melanoma-2; Toll-like receptor 9; cyclic GMP-AMP synthase/activator of interferon genes) in identifying host cfDNA as a potent danger-associated molecular pattern. Furthermore, we aim to summarize the results of the experimental studies that we recently performed and highlight the immunomodulatory capacity of cfDNA, and thus, the potential for possible therapeutic consideration.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common autoimmune disease, is characterized by symmetrical synovial inflammation of multiple joints with the infiltration of pro-inflammatory immune cells and increased cytokines (CKs) levels. In the past few years, numerous studies have indicated that several factors could affect RA, such as mutations in susceptibility genes, epigenetic modifications, age, and race. Recently, environmental factors, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have attracted increasing attention in RA pathogenesis. Therefore, exploring the specific mechanisms of PAHs in RA is vitally critical. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of PAHs and aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHRs) in RA. Additionally, the development of therapeutic drugs that target AHR is also reviewed. Finally, we discuss the challenges and perspectives on AHR application in the future.

The Impact of Cigarette Smoking on Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Narrative Review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation and subsequent proliferation of synovial tissues, which eventually leads to cartilage and bone destruction without effective treatments. Anti-citrullinated cyclic peptide/protein antibody (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) are two main characteristic autoantibodies found in RA patients and are associated with unfavorable disease outcomes. Although etiologies and causes of the disease have not been fully clarified yet, it is likely that interactive contributions of genetic and environmental factors play a main role in RA pathology. Previous works have demonstrated several genetic and environmental factors as risks of RA development and/or autoantibody productions. Among these, cigarette smoking and HLA-DRB1 are the well-established environmental and genetic risks, respectively. In this narrative review, we provide a recent update on genetic contributions to RA and the environmental risks of RA with a special focus on cigarette smoking and its impacts on RA pathology. We also describe gene–environmental interaction in RA pathogenesis with an emphasis on cigarette smoking and HLA-DRB1.