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Dias AL, Groarke EM, Hickstein D, Patel B. Role of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in VEXAS syndrome. Ann Hematol 2024:10.1007/s00277-024-05942-2. [PMID: 39168911 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05942-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) is a newly diagnosed syndrome comprising severe systemic inflammatory and hematological manifestations including myelodysplastic syndrome and plasma cell dyscrasia. Since its discovery four years ago, several groups have identified pleomorphic clinical phenotypes, but few effective medical therapies exist which include Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, interleukin inhibitors (IL-1 and IL-6), and hypomethylating agents. Prospective trials are lacking at this time and most patients remain corticosteroid dependent. VEXAS has a high morbidity from frequent life threatening inflammatory symptoms and risk of progression to hematological malignancies and has an overall survival of 50% at 10 years. Allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-HCT) is a curative option for this disease caused by somatic mutations in the UBA1 gene. Here we outline the role of allo-HCT in treating patients with VEXAS syndrome, highlighting the outcomes from several single-institution studies and case reports. Prospective trials will be required to precisely define the role of allo-HCT in the management of VEXAS syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajoy L Dias
- Immune Deficiency - Cellular Therapy Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Building 10 CRC/Room 3-3150, 10 Center Drive MSC 1102, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Emma M Groarke
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dennis Hickstein
- Immune Deficiency - Cellular Therapy Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Building 10 CRC/Room 3-3150, 10 Center Drive MSC 1102, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Bhavisha Patel
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Khitri MY, Hadjadj J, Mekinian A, Jachiet V. VEXAS syndrome: An update. Joint Bone Spine 2024; 91:105700. [PMID: 38307404 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 Enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) syndrome is a recently described autoinflammatory syndrome, mostly affecting men older than 50 years, caused by somatic mutation in the UBA1 gene, a X-linked gene involved in the activation of ubiquitin system. Patients present a broad spectrum of inflammatory manifestations (fever, neutrophilic dermatosis, chondritis, pulmonary infiltrates, ocular inflammation, venous thrombosis) and hematological involvement (macrocytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, vacuoles in myeloid and erythroid precursor cells, dysplastic bone marrow) that are responsible for a significant morbidity and mortality. The therapeutic management is currently poorly codified but is based on two main approaches: controlling inflammatory symptoms (by using corticosteroids, JAK inhibitor or tocilizumab) or targeting the UBA1-mutated hematopoietic population (by using azacitidine or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation). Supportive care is also important and includes red blood cell or platelet transfusions, erythropoiesis stimulating agents, thromboprophylaxis and anti-infectious prophylaxis. The aim of this review is to provide a current overview of the VEXAS syndrome, particularly focusing on its pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed-Yacine Khitri
- Service de médecine interne, AP-HP, hôpital Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne université, 184, rue du faubourg, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Hadjadj
- Service de médecine interne, AP-HP, hôpital Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne université, 184, rue du faubourg, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Arsène Mekinian
- Service de médecine interne, AP-HP, hôpital Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne université, 184, rue du faubourg, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Vincent Jachiet
- Service de médecine interne, AP-HP, hôpital Saint-Antoine, Sorbonne université, 184, rue du faubourg, 75012 Paris, France.
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Williams S, Stewart M, Fifi-Mah A, Dehghan N. VEXAS Syndrome: Clinical Case Series From a Canadian Cohort. J Rheumatol 2024; 51:734-737. [PMID: 38490666 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2022-0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Williams
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta;
| | - Mohan Stewart
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Aurore Fifi-Mah
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
| | - Natasha Dehghan
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Pankow A, Krusche M. [The most frequent febrile syndromes and autoinflammatory diseases in adulthood]. Z Rheumatol 2024; 83:363-375. [PMID: 38802504 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-024-01522-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Autoinflammatory diseases are characterized by inflammatory manifestations in various organ systems, whereby recurrent febrile episodes, musculoskeletal complaints, gastrointestinal and cutaneous symptoms frequently occur accompanied by serological signs of inflammation. Autoinflammatory diseases include rare monogenic entities and multifactorial or polygenic diseases, which can manifest as a variety of symptoms in the course of time. Examples of monogenic autoinflammatory diseases are familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) and the recently described VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‑linked, autoinflammatory and somatic) syndrome. For non-monogenically determined autoinflammatory diseases, the most important representatives in adulthood are adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and the Schnitzler syndrome, in which a polygenic susceptibility and epigenetic factors are more likely to play a role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Pankow
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Ambulanz für seltene entzündliche Systemerkrankungen mit Nierenbeteiligung, Abteilung für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
| | - Martin Krusche
- Nephrologie, Rheumatologie, Endokrinologie, III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Martinistr. 52, 20251, Hamburg, Deutschland
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Nakajima H, Kunimoto H. VEXAS syndrome. Int J Hematol 2024:10.1007/s12185-024-03799-9. [PMID: 38819628 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-024-03799-9] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
VEXAS syndrome is a recently identified, adult-onset autoinflammatory disease caused by somatic mutations in UBA1. UBA1 is an X-linked gene encoding E1 ubiquitin activating enzyme and its mutation in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells leads to their clonal expansion and myeloid-skewed differentiation. UBA1 mutations in VEXAS are clustered at the second methionine (p.Met41), eliminating UBA1b isoform translated from p.Met41. Loss of UBA1b impairs ubiquitination and activates innate immune pathways, leading to systemic autoinflammation manifested as recurrent fever, chondritis, pulmonary involvement, vasculitis, or neutrophilic dermatitis. VEXAS syndrome is frequently associated with hematological disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), plasma cell dyscrasia and venous thromboembolism. Macrocytic anemia/macrocytosis and vacuoles in myeloid/erythroid precursors are prominent features of VEXAS syndrome, and their presence in patients with autoinflammatory symptoms prompts physicians to screen for UBA1 variant. Treatment of VEXAS syndrome is challenging and no consistently effective therapies have been established. Anti-inflammation therapies including glucocorticoids and anti-interleukin-6 have shown limited efficacy, while azacytidine and JAK inhibitors such as ruxolitinib were found to induce favorable, mid-term responses. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only curative option for VEXAS and should be considered for younger, fit patients with poor prognostic factors or recalcitrant symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Nakajima
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fuku-Ura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan.
| | - Hiroyoshi Kunimoto
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-9 Fuku-Ura, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
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Adachi S, Kirino Y, Higashitani K, Hirahara L, Maeda A, Horita N, Takase-Minegishi K, Yoshimi R, Nakajima H. Targeting enhanced cell death represents a potential therapeutic strategy for VEXAS syndrome. Rheumatol Adv Pract 2024; 8:rkae065. [PMID: 38854419 PMCID: PMC11157137 DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkae065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To unravel the mechanisms underlying cell death in the vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome using peripheral blood samples and to assess the clinical value of this knowledge. Methods Nine patients undergoing treatment for VEXAS syndrome at Yokohama City University Hospital were included in this study. Monocytes and neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood and then monocytes were differentiated into polarized macrophages. Viable cell counts, cell death assays and measurements of various indicators such as high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) concentration, extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration, annexin V level and caspase 1, 3 and 7 activities were performed. Results Elevated cell death of monocytes and neutrophils was observed in VEXAS syndrome patients, as indicated by cultured cell counts and cell death assays. Annexin V assays and measurements of caspase 1, 3 and 7 activities suggested increased apoptosis and pyroptosis in these cells. Serum HMGB1 levels were significantly elevated in VEXAS syndrome patients and decreased after prednisolone (PSL) dose escalation. Monocytes and neutrophils from the VEXAS group exhibited heightened extracellular ATP secretion, which was significantly reduced by soluble PSL co-culture. Conclusion This study confirms increased cell death of monocytes and neutrophils and damage-associated molecular patterns in VEXAS syndrome, and these findings may be valuable for drug screening, therapeutic strategies and as biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soichiro Adachi
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yohei Kirino
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kana Higashitani
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Lisa Hirahara
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ayaka Maeda
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Horita
- Chemotherapy Center, Yokohama City University Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kaoru Takase-Minegishi
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Yoshimi
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
- Clinical Laboratory Department, Yokohama City University Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hideaki Nakajima
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
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Bellman P, Gonzalez-Lugo JD, Shahzad M, Amin MK, Khalid MF, Suleman N, Ahmed N, Singh AK, Yacoub A, Zhang D, McGuirk JP, Mushtaq MU. Successful treatment with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in a VEXAS syndrome patient with associated myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report and systematic review. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1383730. [PMID: 38665946 PMCID: PMC11043578 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1383730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Vacuoles, E1 syndrome, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects various organ systems. It is associated with hematologic malignancies and is generally refractory to therapies. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) may be considered for selected patients. We report a case wherein systemic and hematological manifestations completely resolved in a patient with VEXAS and associated myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), following the administration of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide as part of the preparation for allo-HSCT. We conducted a systematic literature review and included 86 patients with VEXAS syndrome and associated MDS. Most cases presented with musculoskeletal involvement (71%) and anemia (72%) with lower-risk MDS. Most patients responded to corticosteroids (CS) but had a recurrence of symptoms with CS taper and were refractory to other immunosuppressive agents. Hypomethylating agents and Janus kinase inhibitors achieved a complete response in some cases. Further research is needed to develop more effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Bellman
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Jesus D. Gonzalez-Lugo
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Moazzam Shahzad
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Muhammad Kashif Amin
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Muhammad Fareed Khalid
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Nahid Suleman
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Nausheen Ahmed
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Anurag K. Singh
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Abdulraheem Yacoub
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Da Zhang
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Joseph P. McGuirk
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Muhammad Umair Mushtaq
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
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Zeisbrich M, Schindler V, Krausz M, Proietti M, Mrovecova P, Voll RE, Glaser C, Röther F, Warnatz K, Venhoff N. [Macrocytic anemia and polychondritis: VEXAS syndrome]. Z Rheumatol 2024; 83:229-233. [PMID: 36735069 PMCID: PMC10973061 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-023-01318-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
An adult-onset autoinflammatory syndrome caused by somatic mutations in the UBA1 gene on the X chromosome was first reported in 2020. This VEXAS syndrome (acronym for vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‑linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) is characterized by an overlap of rheumatic inflammatory diseases with separate hematologic abnormalities. A substantial number of affected patients suffer from treatment refractory relapsing polychondritis and nearly always show signs of macrocytic anemia. This case report illustrates the diagnostic key points to recognizing patients with VEXAS syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Zeisbrich
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland.
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland.
| | - Viktoria Schindler
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Máté Krausz
- Centrum für chronische Immundefizienz, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
- Biologische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Michele Proietti
- Centrum für chronische Immundefizienz, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Pavla Mrovecova
- Centrum für chronische Immundefizienz, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Reinhard E Voll
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Cornelia Glaser
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Fabian Röther
- Praxis für Rheumatologie in Donaueschingen, Sonnenhaldenstr. 2, 78166, Donaueschingen, Deutschland
| | - Klaus Warnatz
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
- Centrum für chronische Immundefizienz, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Nils Venhoff
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Vaskulitis-Zentrum Freiburg, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Deutschland
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Saad AJ, Patil MK, Cruz N, Lam CS, O'Brien C, Nambudiri VE. VEXAS syndrome: A review of cutaneous findings and treatments in an emerging autoinflammatory disease. Exp Dermatol 2024; 33:e15050. [PMID: 38469984 DOI: 10.1111/exd.15050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory and somatic mutation) syndrome is a novel autoinflammatory, late-onset, disorder first identified in 2020. It is caused by mutations in the UBA1 gene. The most prominent clinical features reported by VEXAS patients are cutaneous and haematological, having characteristic skin features reported as the initial presenting findings of the disease. VEXAS is a severe and treatment-resistant condition with high morbidity and mortality rates. Here, we examine all case reports and case series of VEXAS syndrome through March 2023 focusing on those presenting cutaneous manifestations. We discuss these manifestations and their reported treatment strategies. In many cases, it might be first suspected and diagnosed by dermatologists, highlighting their vital role in initiating timely multidisciplinary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis J Saad
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Transplant Research Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mihir K Patil
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Nicolas Cruz
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chloe S Lam
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Connor O'Brien
- Transplant Research Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vinod E Nambudiri
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Sánchez-Hernández BE, Calderón-Espinoza I, Martín-Nares E. Challenging the paradigm: a case of early-onset VEXAS syndrome. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024; 63:e99-e100. [PMID: 37740251 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz E Sánchez-Hernández
- Department of Pathology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Eduardo Martín-Nares
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
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Cardoneanu A, Rezus II, Burlui AM, Richter P, Bratoiu I, Mihai IR, Macovei LA, Rezus E. Autoimmunity and Autoinflammation: Relapsing Polychondritis and VEXAS Syndrome Challenge. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2261. [PMID: 38396936 PMCID: PMC10889424 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Relapsing polychondritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory condition characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation at the level of cartilaginous structures and tissues rich in proteoglycans. The pathogenesis of the disease is complex and still incompletely elucidated. The data support the important role of a particular genetic predisposition, with HLA-DR4 being considered an allele that confers a major risk of disease occurrence. Environmental factors, mechanical, chemical or infectious, act as triggers in the development of clinical manifestations, causing the degradation of proteins and the release of cryptic cartilage antigens. Both humoral and cellular immunity play essential roles in the occurrence and perpetuation of autoimmunity and inflammation. Autoantibodies anti-type II, IX and XI collagens, anti-matrilin-1 and anti-COMPs (cartilage oligomeric matrix proteins) have been highlighted in increased titers, being correlated with disease activity and considered prognostic factors. Innate immunity cells, neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, natural killer lymphocytes and eosinophils have been found in the perichondrium and cartilage, together with activated antigen-presenting cells, C3 deposits and immunoglobulins. Also, T cells play a decisive role in the pathogenesis of the disease, with relapsing polychondritis being considered a TH1-mediated condition. Thus, increased secretions of interferon γ, interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-2 have been highlighted. The "inflammatory storm" formed by a complex network of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines actively modulates the recruitment and infiltration of various cells, with cartilage being a source of antigens. Along with RP, VEXAS syndrome, another systemic autoimmune disease with genetic determinism, has an etiopathogenesis that is still incompletely known, and it involves the activation of the innate immune system through different pathways and the appearance of the cytokine storm. The clinical manifestations of VEXAS syndrome include an inflammatory phenotype often similar to that of RP, which raises diagnostic problems. The management of RP and VEXAS syndrome includes common immunosuppressive therapies whose main goal is to control systemic inflammatory manifestations. The objective of this paper is to detail the main etiopathogenetic mechanisms of a rare disease, summarizing the latest data and presenting the distinct features of these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Cardoneanu
- Discipline of Rheumatology, Medical Department II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (A.M.B.); (P.R.); (I.B.); (I.R.M.); (L.A.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ioana Irina Rezus
- Discipline of Radiology, Surgery Department II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alexandra Maria Burlui
- Discipline of Rheumatology, Medical Department II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (A.M.B.); (P.R.); (I.B.); (I.R.M.); (L.A.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Patricia Richter
- Discipline of Rheumatology, Medical Department II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (A.M.B.); (P.R.); (I.B.); (I.R.M.); (L.A.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ioana Bratoiu
- Discipline of Rheumatology, Medical Department II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (A.M.B.); (P.R.); (I.B.); (I.R.M.); (L.A.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ioana Ruxandra Mihai
- Discipline of Rheumatology, Medical Department II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (A.M.B.); (P.R.); (I.B.); (I.R.M.); (L.A.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Luana Andreea Macovei
- Discipline of Rheumatology, Medical Department II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (A.M.B.); (P.R.); (I.B.); (I.R.M.); (L.A.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Elena Rezus
- Discipline of Rheumatology, Medical Department II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.C.); (A.M.B.); (P.R.); (I.B.); (I.R.M.); (L.A.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
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12
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Kishtagari A, Corty RW, Visconte V. Clonal hematopoiesis and autoimmunity. Semin Hematol 2024; 61:3-8. [PMID: 38423847 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2024.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) has been associated with aging, occurring in about 10% of individuals aged >70 years, and immune dysfunction. Aged hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells exhibit pathological changes in immune function and activation of inflammatory pathways. CH clones commonly harbor a loss of function mutation in DNMT3A or TET2, which causes increased expression of inflammatory signaling genes, a proposed mechanism connected to CH and the development of age-related diseases. Additionally, inflammation may stress the hematopoietic compartment, driving the expansion of mutant clones. While the epidemiologic overlap between CH, hematologic malignancies, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases has been reported, the mechanisms linking these concepts are largely unknown and merit much further investigation. Here, we review studies highlighting the interplay between CH, inflamm-aging, the immune system, and the prevalence of CH in autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Kishtagari
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Robert W Corty
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Valeria Visconte
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
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13
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Koster MJ, Lasho TL, Olteanu H, Reichard KK, Mangaonkar A, Warrington KJ, Patnaik MM. VEXAS syndrome: Clinical, hematologic features and a practical approach to diagnosis and management. Am J Hematol 2024; 99:284-299. [PMID: 37950858 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.27156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) syndrome is a newly identified disease caused by somatic alterations in UBA1 which produce a recalcitrant inflammatory state along with hematologic disturbances. Patients with VEXAS can have a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms and providers should be familiar with the heterogeneity of associated clinical features. While hematologic parameters may be generally non-specific, peripheral blood features of macrocytosis, monocytopenia, and/or thrombocytopenia coupled with bone marrow vacuolization of erythroid or myeloid precursors should raise suspicion for this condition. Due to an increased mortality, prompt recognition and accurate diagnosis is paramount. Access to testing for confirmation of UBA1 variants is not yet universally available but clinicians should understand the current available options for genetic confirmation of this disease. Treatment options are limited due to lack of prospective clinical trials but cytokine directed therapies such as interleukin-6 inhibitors and JAK-STAT inhibitors as well as hypomethylating agents such as azacitidine have shown evidence of partial effect. Though cases are limited, allogeneic stem cell transplantation holds promise for durable response and potential cure. The intent of this review is to outline the pathophysiology of VEXAS syndrome and to provide a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Koster
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Terra L Lasho
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Horatiu Olteanu
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kaaren K Reichard
- Division of Hematopathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Abhishek Mangaonkar
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mrinal M Patnaik
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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14
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Kosmider O, Possémé C, Templé M, Corneau A, Carbone F, Duroyon E, Breillat P, Chirayath TW, Oules B, Sohier P, Luka M, Gobeaux C, Lazaro E, Outh R, Le Guenno G, Lifermann F, Berleur M, Le Mene M, Friedrich C, Lenormand C, Weitten T, Guillotin V, Burroni B, Boussier J, Willems L, Aractingi S, Dionet L, Tharaux PL, Vergier B, Raynaud P, Ea HK, Ménager M, Duffy D, Terrier B. VEXAS syndrome is characterized by inflammasome activation and monocyte dysregulation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:910. [PMID: 38291039 PMCID: PMC10828464 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44811-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Acquired mutations in the UBA1 gene were recently identified in patients with severe adult-onset auto-inflammatory syndrome called VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic). However, the precise physiological and clinical impact of these mutations remains poorly defined. Here we study a unique prospective cohort of VEXAS patients. We show that monocytes from VEXAS are quantitatively and qualitatively impaired and display features of exhaustion with aberrant expression of chemokine receptors. In peripheral blood from VEXAS patients, we identify an increase in circulating levels of many proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and IL-18 which reflect inflammasome activation and markers of myeloid cells dysregulation. Gene expression analysis of whole blood confirms these findings and also reveals a significant enrichment of TNF-α and NFκB signaling pathways that can mediate cell death and inflammation. This study suggests that the control of the nflammasome activation and inflammatory cell death could be therapeutic targets in VEXAS syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Kosmider
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France.
- Hematology Laboratory, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris Cité, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France.
| | - Céline Possémé
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, Translational Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Marie Templé
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
- Hematology Laboratory, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris Cité, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Aurélien Corneau
- Sorbonne Université, Faculté de Médecine, UMS037, PASS, Plateforme de Cytométrie de la Pitié-Salpêtrière CyPS, Paris, France
| | - Francesco Carbone
- Université de Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Inflammatory Responses and Transcriptomic Networks in Diseases, Atip-Avenir Team, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
- Labtech Single-Cell@Imagine, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Eugénie Duroyon
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
- Hematology Laboratory, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris Cité, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Paul Breillat
- Université de Paris Cité, INSERM, U970, PARCC, F-, Paris, France
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Reference Center for Rare Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, AP-HP, APHP-CUP, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | | | - Bénédicte Oules
- Department of Pathology, AP-HP, APHP-CUP, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Sohier
- Department of Pathology, AP-HP, APHP-CUP, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Marine Luka
- Université de Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Inflammatory Responses and Transcriptomic Networks in Diseases, Atip-Avenir Team, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
- Labtech Single-Cell@Imagine, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Camille Gobeaux
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris Cité, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Estibaliz Lazaro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bordeaux University Hospital-Haut-Lévêque, Pessac, France
| | - Roderau Outh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | - Guillaume Le Guenno
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Marie Berleur
- Department of Internal Medicine, AP-HP, APHP-NUP, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France
| | - Melchior Le Mene
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
- Hematology Laboratory, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris Cité, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Chloé Friedrich
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
- Hematology Laboratory, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris Cité, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Cédric Lenormand
- Université de Strasbourg, Department of Dermatology, CHRU Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thierry Weitten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre Hospitalier (CHICAS), Gap, France
| | - Vivien Guillotin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bordeaux University Hospital-Saint-André, Bordeaux, France
| | - Barbara Burroni
- Department of Pathology, AP-HP, APHP-CUP, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Jeremy Boussier
- Sorbonne University - 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hopital, Paris, France
| | - Lise Willems
- Université de Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, Paris, France
- Hematology Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris Cité, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Selim Aractingi
- Dermatology Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris Cité, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Léa Dionet
- Université de Paris Cité, INSERM, U970, PARCC, F-, Paris, France
| | | | - Béatrice Vergier
- Pathology Department, Bordeaux University Hospital-Haut-Lévêque, Pessac, France
| | - Pierre Raynaud
- Pathology Department, Centre Hospitalier de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | - Hang-Korng Ea
- Université de Paris Cité, INSERM, UMR-S 1132 BIOSCAR, Paris, France
- Rheumatology Department, AP- HP, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Mickael Ménager
- Université de Paris Cité, Imagine Institute, Laboratory of Inflammatory Responses and Transcriptomic Networks in Diseases, Atip-Avenir Team, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
- Labtech Single-Cell@Imagine, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Darragh Duffy
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris Cité, Translational Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Benjamin Terrier
- Université de Paris Cité, INSERM, U970, PARCC, F-, Paris, France.
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Reference Center for Rare Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, AP-HP, APHP-CUP, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France.
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15
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Kanagal-Shamanna R, Beck DB, Calvo KR. Clonal Hematopoiesis, Inflammation, and Hematologic Malignancy. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 19:479-506. [PMID: 37832948 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-051222-122724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Somatic or acquired mutations are postzygotic genetic variations that can occur within any tissue. These mutations accumulate during aging and have classically been linked to malignant processes. Tremendous advancements over the past years have led to a deeper understanding of the role of somatic mutations in benign and malignant age-related diseases. Here, we review the somatic mutations that accumulate in the blood and their connection to disease states, with a particular focus on inflammatory diseases and myelodysplastic syndrome. We include a definition of clonal hematopoiesis (CH) and an overview of the origins and implications of these mutations. In addition, we emphasize somatic disorders with overlapping inflammation and hematologic disease beyond CH, including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and aplastic anemia, focusing on VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome. Finally, we provide a practical view of the implications of somatic mutations in clinical hematology, pathology, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Kanagal-Shamanna
- Department of Hematopathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - David B Beck
- Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katherine R Calvo
- Hematology Section, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA;
- Myeloid Malignancies Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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16
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Loeza-Uribe MP, Hinojosa-Azaola A, Sánchez-Hernández BE, Crispín JC, Apodaca-Chávez E, Ferrada MA, Martín-Nares E. VEXAS syndrome: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment. REUMATOLOGIA CLINICA 2024; 20:47-56. [PMID: 38160120 DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) syndrome is an adult-onset autoinflammatory syndrome characterized by somatic mutations in the UBA1 gene and is considered the prototype of hematoinflammatory diseases. Patients with VEXAS syndrome exhibit inflammatory and hematological manifestations that can lead to clinical diagnoses such as relapsing polychondritis, polyarteritis nodosa, Sweet syndrome, and myelodysplastic syndrome. Diagnosis requires bone marrow evaluation to identify cytoplasmic vacuoles in myeloid and erythroid precursors. However, genetic confirmation of mutations in UBA1 is necessary. Treatment is challenging and often involves glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants with variable responses. Hypomethylating agents and allogenic haemopoietic stem cell transplant are considered promising therapies. Prognosis is influenced by genetic and clinical factors. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, treatment, and prognosis of VEXAS syndrome for the Latin American medical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Patricia Loeza-Uribe
- Departamento de Inmunología y Reumatología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Andrea Hinojosa-Azaola
- Departamento de Inmunología y Reumatología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Beatriz E Sánchez-Hernández
- Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - José C Crispín
- Departamento de Inmunología y Reumatología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elia Apodaca-Chávez
- Departamento de Hematología y Oncología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marcela A Ferrada
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
| | - Eduardo Martín-Nares
- Departamento de Inmunología y Reumatología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico.
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17
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Padureanu V, Marinaș CM, Bobirca A, Padureanu R, Patrascu S, Dascalu AM, Bobirca F, Tribus L, Alexandru C, Serboiu C, Dumitrascu C, Musetescu A. Clinical Manifestations in Vacuoles, E1 Enzyme, X-Linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic (VEXAS) Syndrome: A Narrative Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e53041. [PMID: 38410307 PMCID: PMC10895688 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The newly identified refractory adult-onset autoinflammatory syndrome known as VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is brought on by somatic mutations in the ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) gene in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells that change the expression of the UBA1 isoform. As a result, patients have a variety of hematologic and systemic inflammatory symptoms. All types of medical professionals should treat VEXAS syndrome seriously due to the high fatality rate. To better comprehend the condition and enhance the prognosis for VEXAS syndrome, this review article describes the essential traits and clinical signs of the condition. The discussion of future directions in the study of systemic inflammatory disorders brought on by somatic mutations concludes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vlad Padureanu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Emergency County Hospital of Craiova, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, ROU
| | | | - Anca Bobirca
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Rodica Padureanu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, ROU
| | - Stefan Patrascu
- Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, ROU
| | - Ana Maria Dascalu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Florin Bobirca
- Department of General Surgery, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Laura Tribus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Oral Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Cristina Alexandru
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Crenguta Serboiu
- Department of Histology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Catalin Dumitrascu
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, ROU
| | - Anca Musetescu
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, ROU
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18
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Bonnekoh H, Krusche M, Feist E, Wagner AD, Pankow A. [Autoinflammatory syndromes]. Z Rheumatol 2023; 82:678-687. [PMID: 37672064 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-023-01428-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The concept of autoinflammation includes a heterogeneous group of monogenic and polygenic diseases. These are characterized by excessive activation of the innate immune system without antigen-specific T cells or autoantibodies. The diseases are characterized by periodic episodes of fever and increased inflammation parameters. Monogenic diseases include familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and the newly described VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‑linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome. Heterogeneous diseases include adult-onset Still's disease and Schnitzler syndrome. Treatment is aimed at preventing the excessive inflammatory reaction in order to avoid long-term damage, such as amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Bonnekoh
- Institut für Allergieforschung, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 27, 12203, Berlin, Deutschland
- Allergologie und Immunologie, Fraunhofer-Institut für Translationale Medizin und Pharmakologie (ITMP), Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Martin Krusche
- III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik für Nephrologie, Rheumatologie und Endokrinologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Eugen Feist
- Klinik für Rheumatologie, Helios Fachklinik Vogelsang-Gommern, Sophie-von-Boetticher-Straße 1, 39245, Vogelsang, Deutschland
| | - Annette Doris Wagner
- Ambulanz für seltene entzündliche Systemerkrankungen mit Nierenbeteiligung, Abteilung für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Anne Pankow
- Ambulanz für seltene entzündliche Systemerkrankungen mit Nierenbeteiligung, Abteilung für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
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19
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Abstract
VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is a newly defined refractory adult-onset autoinflammatory syndrome caused by somatic mutations in the ubiquitin-like modifier-activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) gene in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, resulting in a shift in UBA1 isoform expression. Thus, patients develop a spectrum of systemic inflammatory manifestations and hematologic symptoms. To date, patients respond poorly to immune suppressive drugs, except high-dose glucocorticoids, and no treatment guidelines have been established. Given the high mortality rate, VEXAS syndrome needs to be taken seriously by physicians in all specialties. This article aims to describe the key features, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of VEXAS syndrome to better understand the targeted treatment and improve the prognosis of VEXAS syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Hematology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xifeng Dong
- Department of Hematology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Huaquan Wang
- Department of Hematology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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20
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Kobak S. VEXAS syndrome: Current clinical, diagnostic and treatment approaches. Intractable Rare Dis Res 2023; 12:170-179. [PMID: 37662628 PMCID: PMC10468411 DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2023.01020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
VEXAS syndrome, is a hemato-inflammatory chronic disease characterized with predominantly rheumatic and hematologic systemic involvement. It was first described in 2020 by a group of researchers in the United States. VEXAS syndrome is a rare condition that primarily affects adult males and is caused by a mutation in the UBA1 gene located on the X chromosome. Its pathogenesis is related to the somatic mutation affecting methionine-41 (p.Met41) in UBA1, the major E1 enzyme that initiates ubiquitylation. Mutant gene lead to decreased ubiquitination and activated innate immune pathways and systemic inflammation occur. The specific mechanism by which the UBA1 mutation leads to the clinical features of VEXAS syndrome is not yet fully understood. VEXAS is a newly define adult-onset inflammatory syndrome manifested with treatment-refractory fevers, arthritis, chondritis, vasculitis, cytopenias, typical vacuoles in hematopetic precursor cells, neutrophilic cutaneous and pulmonary inflammation. Diagnosing VEXAS syndrome can be challenging due to its rarity and the overlap of symptoms with other inflammatory conditions. Genetic testing to identify the UBA1 gene mutation is essential for definitive diagnosis. Currently, there is no known cure for VEXAS syndrome, and treatment mainly focuses on managing the symptoms. This may involve the use of anti-inflammatory medications, immunosuppressive drugs, and supportive therapies tailored to the individual patient's needs. Due to the recent discovery of VEXAS syndrome, ongoing research is being conducted to better understand its pathogenesis, clinical features, and potential treatment options. In this review article, the clinical, diagnostic and treatment approaches of VEXAS syndrome were evaluated in the light of the latest literature data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senol Kobak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Istinye University Faculty of Medicine, Liv Hospital, WASOG Sarcoidosis Clinic, Istanbul,Turkey
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21
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Ripke A, Münchau A, von Bubnoff N, Jendrek S, Kopelke S, Kümpers C, Parschke P, Schinke S, Khandanpour C. [B symptoms in unexplained mediastinal lymphadenopathy : Case report of a 72-year-old male patient with VEXAS syndrome]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023:10.1007/s00108-023-01543-9. [PMID: 37336829 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01543-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The case of a 72-year-old male patient who presented to our centre for rare diseases with recurrent fever, night sweats and weight loss with initially confirmed mediastinal lymphadenopathy is reported. Investigation of lymph node material was unrevealing. As an additional finding, the patient had a myelodysplastic syndrome. VEXAS syndrome (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‑linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) could be confirmed on the basis of a bone marrow biopsy and genetic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ripke
- Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen Lübeck, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland.
| | - A Münchau
- Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen Lübeck, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - N von Bubnoff
- Klinik für Hämatologie und Onkologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - S Jendrek
- Klinik für Rheumatologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - S Kopelke
- Klinik für Hämatologie und Onkologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - C Kümpers
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - P Parschke
- Klinik für Pneumologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - S Schinke
- Klinik für Rheumatologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - C Khandanpour
- Klinik für Hämatologie und Onkologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
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22
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Kobak S. What the genes tell us in the VEXAS syndrome? A rheumatologist's perspective. Int J Rheum Dis 2023; 26:827-830. [PMID: 37126393 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.14646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Senol Kobak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Istinye University Faculty of Medicine, Liv Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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23
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Aluri J, Cooper MA. Somatic mosaicism in inborn errors of immunity: Current knowledge, challenges, and future perspectives. Semin Immunol 2023; 67:101761. [PMID: 37062181 PMCID: PMC11321052 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are a diverse group of monogenic disorders of the immune system due to germline variants in genes important for the immune response. Over the past decade there has been increasing recognition that acquired somatic variants present in a subset of cells can also lead to immune disorders or 'phenocopies' of IEI. Discovery of somatic mosaicism causing IEI has largely arisen from investigation of seemingly sporadic cases of IEI with predominant symptoms of autoinflammation and/or autoimmunity in which germline disease-causing variants are not detected. Disease-causing somatic mosaicism has been identified in genes that also cause germline IEI, such as FAS, and in genes without significant corresponding germline disease, such as UBA1 and TLR8. There are challenges in detecting low-level somatic variants, and it is likely that the extent of the somatic mosaicism causing IEI is largely uncharted. Here we review the field of somatic mosaicism leading to IEI and discuss challenges and methods for somatic variant detection, including diagnostic approaches for molecular diagnoses of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahnavi Aluri
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Megan A Cooper
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Bonnekoh H, Krusche M, Feist E, Wagner AD, Pankow A. [Autoinflammatory syndromes]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 64:442-451. [PMID: 37115240 PMCID: PMC10140729 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01505-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The concept of autoinflammation includes a heterogeneous group of monogenic and polygenic diseases. These are characterized by excessive activation of the innate immune system without antigen-specific T cells or autoantibodies. The diseases are characterized by periodic episodes of fever and increased inflammation parameters. Monogenic diseases include familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and the newly described VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‑linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome. Heterogeneous diseases include adult-onset Still's disease and Schnitzler syndrome. Treatment is aimed at preventing the excessive inflammatory reaction in order to avoid long-term damage, such as amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Bonnekoh
- Institut für Allergieforschung, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 27, 12203, Berlin, Deutschland
- Allergologie und Immunologie, Fraunhofer-Institut für Translationale Medizin und Pharmakologie (ITMP), Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Martin Krusche
- III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik für Nephrologie, Rheumatologie und Endokrinologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - Eugen Feist
- Klinik für Rheumatologie, Helios Fachklinik Vogelsang-Gommern, Sophie-von-Boetticher-Straße 1, 39245, Vogelsang, Deutschland
| | - Annette Doris Wagner
- Ambulanz für seltene entzündliche Systemerkrankungen mit Nierenbeteiligung, Abteilung für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - Anne Pankow
- Ambulanz für seltene entzündliche Systemerkrankungen mit Nierenbeteiligung, Abteilung für Nieren- und Hochdruckerkrankungen, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Deutschland.
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Rheumatologie und klinische Immunologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
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25
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Bruno A, Gurnari C, Alexander T, Snowden JA, Greco R. Autoimmune manifestations in VEXAS: Opportunities for integration and pitfalls to interpretation. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:1204-1214. [PMID: 36948992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) is a novel entity manifesting with a multiplicity of clinical features. Somatic mutations of the UBA1 gene in hematopoietic stem cells constitute the genetic basis of VEXAS. As an X-linked disorder, most cases occur in men, classically developing symptoms during the fifth to sixth decade of life. Considering its multidisciplinary nature involving numerous branches of internal medicine, VEXAS has elicited a wide medical interest and several medical conditions have been associated with this disease. Even so, its recognition in everyday clinical practice is not necessarily straightforward. Close collaboration between different medical specialists is mandatory. Patients with VEXAS may manifest a range of features from manageable cytopenias to disabling and life-threatening autoimmune phenomena with limited responses to therapy, with the potential for progression to hematological malignancies. Diagnostic and treatment guidelines are exploratory and include a range of rheumatological and supportive care treatments. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is potentially curative, but its risks are significant and its position in the treatment algorithm is yet to be defined. Herein, we present the variegated manifestations of VEXAS, provide practice criteria for diagnostic testing of UBA1, and discuss potential treatment options, including allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, current evidence, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Bruno
- Unit of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmelo Gurnari
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Tobias Alexander
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - John A Snowden
- Sheffield Blood & Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Programme, Department of Haematology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Raffaella Greco
- Unit of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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Hines AS, Mohandesi NA, Lehman JS, Koster MJ, Cantwell HM, Alavi A, Warrington KJ, Mangaonkar AA, Go RS, Patnaik MM, Sartori-Valinotti JC. Cutaneous involvement in VEXAS syndrome: clinical and histopathologic findings. Int J Dermatol 2023. [PMID: 36890121 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is an autoinflammatory disease with frequent cutaneous manifestations. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of all patients with genetically confirmed VEXAS syndrome seen at our institution. Available clinical photographs and skin biopsy slides were reviewed. RESULTS Cutaneous manifestations developed in 22/25 (88%) patients with VEXAS syndrome. From this group, 10/22 (45%) developed skin involvement before or at the time of other clinical features of VEXAS. Twenty distinct dermatologic presentations of VEXAS from 14 patients were reviewed, and histopathologic patterns were classified as follows: neutrophilic urticarial dermatosis (n = 5, 25%), leukocytoclastic/urticarial vasculitis (n = 4, 20%), urticarial tissue reaction (n = 4, 20%), neutrophilic dermatosis (n = 3, 15%), neutrophilic panniculitis (n = 2, 10%), and nonspecific chronic septal panniculitis (n = 2, 10%). Common systemic findings included macrocytic anemia (96%), fever (88%), thrombocytopenia (76%), weight loss (76%), ocular inflammation (64%), pulmonary infiltrates (56%), deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (52%), and inflammatory arthritis (52%). CONCLUSIONS Cutaneous involvement is a common feature of VEXAS syndrome, and histopathologic findings exist on a spectrum of neutrophilic inflammatory dermatoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julia S Lehman
- Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Afsaneh Alavi
- Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Ronald S Go
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Yoon JG, Lee S, Kim S, Kim MJ, Chang YH, Park JK, Shin DY, Moon J. The First Korean Case of VEXAS Syndrome Caused by a UBA1 Somatic Variant. Ann Lab Med 2023; 43:217-220. [PMID: 36281520 PMCID: PMC9618899 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2023.43.2.217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jihoon G. Yoon
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seungbok Lee
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sheehyun Kim
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Man Jin Kim
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon Hwan Chang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Kyun Park
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Yeop Shin
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jangsup Moon
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea,Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea,Corresponding author: Jangsup Moon, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Genomic Medicine and Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongro-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea Tel: +82-2-2072-4265, Fax: +82-2-765-7920 E-mail:
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28
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Borie R, Debray MP, Guedon AF, Mekinian A, Terriou L, Lacombe V, Lazaro E, Meyer A, Mathian A, Ardois S, Vial G, Moulinet T, Terrier B, Jamilloux Y, Heiblig M, Bouaziz JD, Zakine E, Outh R, Groslerons S, Bigot A, Flamarion E, Kostine M, Henneton P, Humbert S, Constantin A, Samson M, Bertrand NM, Biscay P, Dieval C, Lobbes H, Jeannel J, Servettaz A, Adelaide L, Graveleau J, de Sainte-Marie B, Galland J, Guillotin V, Duroyon E, Templé M, Bourguiba R, Georgin Lavialle S, Kosmider O, Audemard-Verger A, Pha M, Hie M, Meghit K, Rondeau-Lutz M, Weber JC. Pleuropulmonary Manifestations of Vacuoles, E1 Enzyme, X-Linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic (VEXAS) Syndrome. Chest 2023; 163:575-585. [PMID: 36272567 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is a newly identified autoinflammatory disorder related to somatic UBA1 mutations. Up to 72% of patients may show lung involvement. RESEARCH QUESTION What are the pleuropulmonary manifestations in VEXAS syndrome? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS One hundred fourteen patients were included in the French cohort of VEXAS syndrome between November 2020 and May 2021. Each patient included in the study who had an available chest CT scan was discussed in an adjudication multidisciplinary team and classified as showing potentially pleuropulmonary-specific involvement of VEXAS syndrome or others. RESULTS Fifty-one patients had a CT scan available for review and 45 patients (39%) showed pleuropulmonary abnormalities on chest CT scan that were considered related to VEXAS syndrome after adjudication. Most patients were men (95%) with a median age 67.0 years at the onset of symptoms. Among these 45 patients, 44% reported dyspnea and 40% reported cough. All 45 patients showed lung opacities on chest CT scan (including ground-glass opacities [87%], consolidations [49%], reticulation [38%], and septal lines [51%]) and 53% of patients showed pleural effusion. Most patients showed improvement with prednisone, but usually required > 20 mg/d. The main clinical and biological features as well the median survival did not differ between the 45 patients with pleuropulmonary involvement and the rest of the cohort, suggesting that the prevalence of pleuropulmonary involvement might have been underdiagnosed in the rest of the cohort. INTERPRETATION Pulmonary manifestations are frequent in VEXAS syndrome, but rarely are at the forefront. The initial outcome is favorable with prednisone and does not seem to lead to pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Borie
- Service de Pneumologie A, Hôpital Bichat, APHP, Paris, France; INSERM, Unité 1152, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Marie Pierre Debray
- Service de Radiologie, Hôpital Bichat, APHP, Paris, France; INSERM, Unité 1152, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Alexis F Guedon
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital St. Antoine, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Arsene Mekinian
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital St. Antoine, APHP, Paris, France
| | | | - Valentin Lacombe
- Service de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Estibaliz Lazaro
- Médecine Interne et Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Haut l'Evêque, CHU de Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Aurore Meyer
- Service d'Immunologie Clinique et Médecine Interne, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, CHU Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alexis Mathian
- Service de Médicine Interne 2, Hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Samuel Ardois
- Service de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, Hôpital Pontchaillou, Renne, France
| | - Guillaume Vial
- Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, Hôpital Saint André, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Thomas Moulinet
- Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, CHU Nancy, UMR 7365, IMoPA, University of Lorraine, CNRS, Nancy, France
| | - Benjamin Terrier
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Cochin, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Yvan Jamilloux
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier de Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, Lyon, France
| | - Mael Heiblig
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital de la Croix Rousse, Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier de Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, Lyon, France
| | | | - Eve Zakine
- Service de Dermatologie, Hopital St. Louis, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Roderau Outh
- Service de Médecine Interne, CHG Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | | | - Adrien Bigot
- Service de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, CHU Bretonneau, Tours, France
| | - Edouard Flamarion
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, APHP-Centre, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Marie Kostine
- Service de Rhumatologie, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierrick Henneton
- Service de Médecine Vasculaire, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Arnaud Constantin
- Department of Rheumatology, Pierre-Paul Riquet University Hospital, and Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France
| | - Maxime Samson
- Service de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, CHU de Dijon, Dijon, France
| | | | - Pascal Biscay
- Clinique Mutualiste Pessac Médecine Interne, Pessac, France
| | - Celine Dieval
- Service de Médecine Interne, CHU Rochefort, Rochefort, France
| | - Herve Lobbes
- Service de Médecine Interne, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Hôpital Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Juliette Jeannel
- Service de Médecine Interne, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, CHU Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Amelie Servettaz
- Service de Médecine Interne, Maladies Infectieuses, Immunologie Clinique, CHU de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Leo Adelaide
- Service de Médecine Interne, CHU Lucien Hussel, Vienne, France
| | - Julie Graveleau
- Service de Médecine Interne, CHU Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Nazaire, France
| | | | - Joris Galland
- Service de Médecine Interne, Centre Hospitalier de Bourg-en-Bresse, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
| | - Vivien Guillotin
- Médecine Interne et Maladies Infectieuses, Hôpital Haut l'Evêque, CHU de Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Eugénie Duroyon
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Cochin, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Marie Templé
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Cochin, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Rim Bourguiba
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Tenon, APHP, Paris, France
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Cherniawsky H, Friedmann J, Nicolson H, Dehghan N, Stubbins RJ, Foltz LM, Leitch HA, Sreenivasan GM, Ambler KLS, Nevill TJ, McGinnis E, Wilson L, Beck DB, Chen LYC, Marcon KM. VEXAS syndrome: A review of bone marrow aspirate and biopsies reporting myeloid and erythroid precursor vacuolation. Eur J Haematol 2023; 110:633-638. [PMID: 36788756 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Myeloid and erythroid precursor vacuolation is a common dysplastic finding associated with myeloid malignancies, toxins, drug, and nutritional deficiencies. It has been described as a core morphologic feature in VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome. We sought to determine the number of cases attributable to VEXAS syndrome in bone marrow biopsies and aspirates (BAMB) reporting myeloid precursor vacuolation. We reviewed 1318 individual BAMB reports from January 2020 to July 2021 where "vacuole(s)," "vacuolation," or "vacuolated" was reported. Bone marrow biopsies with vacuolation confined to blasts or those completed as routine workup prior to stem cell transplant or post induction chemotherapy for AML (acute myeloid leukemia) were excluded. Myeloid and erythroid precursor vacuolation was noted in 219 reports representing 210 patients. The most common etiology was myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (38.6%), AML (16.7%), lymphoproliferative disorders and multiple myeloma (7.6%), drug or toxin exposure (5.2%) myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) or MPN/MDS overlap syndrome (4.3%). VEXAS syndrome was determined to be the etiology in 2.9% of patients. Two additional cases of VEXAS syndrome with bone marrow biopsies reported in the specified time frame did not explicitly report myeloid or erythroid precursor vacuolation but were identified based on clinical suspicion and repeat BAMB review. Myeloid and erythroid precursor vacuolation is a dysplastic feature attributable to VEXAS syndrome in at least 2.9% of cases. Standardized reporting of vacuolization, triaging of molecular sequencing and optimal treatment of this disorder are critical issues facing those seeing patients with suspected VEXAS syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Cherniawsky
- Leukemia/BMT Program of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jordan Friedmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Hamish Nicolson
- Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Natasha Dehghan
- Division of Rheumatology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ryan J Stubbins
- Leukemia/BMT Program of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lynda M Foltz
- Division of Hematology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Heather A Leitch
- Division of Hematology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | | | - Thomas J Nevill
- Leukemia/BMT Program of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Eric McGinnis
- Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - David B Beck
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA.,Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Luke Y C Chen
- Division of Hematology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Krista M Marcon
- Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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30
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is a recently described, late-onset, acquired autoinflammatory disorder caused by mutations in the UBA1 gene. The various clinical manifestations of VEXAS broadly divided into inflammatory or haematological. VEXAS defines a new disease category - the hematoinflammatory disorders triggered by somatic mutations restricted to blood but causing systemic inflammation with multi-organ involvement and associated with aberrant bone marrow status. VEXAS causes significant morbidity and reduced life expectancy, but the optimum standard of care remains undefined. AREAS COVERED This review describes the discovery of VEXAS, relevant genetic causes and immunopathology of the disease. A detailed account of its various clinical manifestations and disease mimics is provided. Current treatment and management options are discussed. EXPERT OPINION New rare variants in UBA1 and VEXAS-like UBA1 negative cases are reported. Consensus diagnostic criteria might be required to define VEXAS and its related disorders. Investigation of sporadic, VEXAS-like cases will require the application of deep sequencing using DNA obtained from various cellular or tissue locations. Prospective studies are needed to define the optimal supportive and treatment options for patients with varying disease severity and prognosis. VEXAS-specific hematopoietic stem cell transplant selection criteria also require development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Al-Hakim
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Sinisa Savic
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM), School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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31
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Yamaguchi H, Kobayashi D, Nakamura G, Aida R, Horii Y, Okamoto T, Murakami S, Kondo D, Tsuchida N, Uchiyama Y, Maeda A, Kirino Y, Matsumoto N, Kurosawa Y, Hasegawa E, Wakamatsu A, Narita I. Acute heart failure due to left common iliac arteriovenous fistula: A case of VEXAS syndrome. Mod Rheumatol Case Rep 2023; 7:327-333. [PMID: 36264203 DOI: 10.1093/mrcr/rxac082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We describe the case of a 78-year-old man presenting with multiple oedematous erythemas, fever, and arthralgia who subsequently developed neutrophil infiltration into the cartilage of the bilateral auricularis, consistent with relapsing polychondritis. A skin biopsy of the erythema on his right arm showed dense neutrophilic infiltration into the dermis, while a bone marrow aspirate revealed myelodysplastic syndromes with characteristic vacuoles in myeloid precursor cells. Although the patient achieved remission with high-dose oral prednisolone, the inflammatory symptoms relapsed, and he was resistant to colchicine and cyclosporine. The patient spontaneously developed left leg oedema and high-output cardiac failure caused by an arteriovenous fistula with a common iliac artery aneurysm. We successfully performed a two-stage surgery using internal iliac artery coil embolisation and endovascular aortic repair of the iliac aneurysm. We assumed the patient was suffering from large-vessel vasculitis such as giant cell arteritis or Takayasu's arteritis. We treated him with tocilizumab in addition to prednisolone, and the febrile events and elevated C-reactive protein levels improved. One year later, sequencing of ubiquitylation-initiating E1 enzyme using peripheral blood leucocytes revealed somatic variants (c.121A>C p.Met41Leu), confirming the diagnosis of vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome. This case suggests that arteriovenous fistula could be a complication of VEXAS syndrome with large-vessel vasculitis, and adequate surgical intervention and prompt diagnosis are essential for rescue. Although arteriovenous fistula is a rare complication of VEXAS syndrome, physicians should be aware of this complication to ensure prompt diagnosis and timely surgical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Yamaguchi
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata City General Hospital, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Health Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Daisuke Kobayashi
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Gen Nakamura
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata City General Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Ryo Aida
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yosuke Horii
- Department of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Okamoto
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Shuichi Murakami
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata City General Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kondo
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata City General Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Naomi Tsuchida
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Rare Disease Genomics, Yokohama City University Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuri Uchiyama
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Rare Disease Genomics, Yokohama City University Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ayaka Maeda
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yohei Kirino
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Naomichi Matsumoto
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kurosawa
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Eriko Hasegawa
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Ayako Wakamatsu
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Ichiei Narita
- Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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Khider L, Templé M, Bally C, Spaeth A, Darnige L, Sanchez O, Planquette B, Mortelette H, Messas E, Smadja DM, Emmerich J, Mirault T, Kosmider O, Gendron N. Systematic search for the UBA1 mutation in men after a first episode of venous thromboembolism: A monocentric study. J Thromb Haemost 2022; 20:2697-2699. [PMID: 36002395 PMCID: PMC9826241 DOI: 10.1111/jth.15858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Khider
- Vascular Medicine DepartmentAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
| | - Marie Templé
- Hematology Department, Cochin HospitalAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
| | - Cécile Bally
- Hematology Department, Necker – Enfants Malades HospitalAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
| | - Agathe Spaeth
- Hematology Department, Cochin HospitalAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
| | - Luc Darnige
- Hematology Department, Hôpital européen Georges PompidouAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
- Innovative Therapies in Haemostasis, INSERMUniversité Paris CitéParisFrance
- Biosurgical Research Lab (Carpentier Foundation), Hôpital européen Georges PompidouAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
| | - Olivier Sanchez
- Innovative Therapies in Haemostasis, INSERMUniversité Paris CitéParisFrance
- Biosurgical Research Lab (Carpentier Foundation), Hôpital européen Georges PompidouAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
- Respiratory Medicine DepartmentAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
- F‐CRIN INNOVTESaint‐ÉtienneFrance
| | - Benjamin Planquette
- Innovative Therapies in Haemostasis, INSERMUniversité Paris CitéParisFrance
- Biosurgical Research Lab (Carpentier Foundation), Hôpital européen Georges PompidouAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
- Respiratory Medicine DepartmentAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
- F‐CRIN INNOVTESaint‐ÉtienneFrance
| | - Hélène Mortelette
- Vascular Medicine DepartmentAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
| | - Emmanuel Messas
- Vascular Medicine DepartmentAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
| | - David M. Smadja
- Hematology Department, Hôpital européen Georges PompidouAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
- Innovative Therapies in Haemostasis, INSERMUniversité Paris CitéParisFrance
- Biosurgical Research Lab (Carpentier Foundation), Hôpital européen Georges PompidouAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
- F‐CRIN INNOVTESaint‐ÉtienneFrance
| | - Joseph Emmerich
- Vascular Medicine DepartmentGroupe Hospitalier Paris Saint‐JosephParisFrance
- INSERM CRESS UMR 1153Université Paris CitéParisFrance
- Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016Université Paris CitéParisFrance
| | - Tristan Mirault
- Vascular Medicine DepartmentAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
| | - Olivier Kosmider
- Hematology Department, Cochin HospitalAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
- Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016Université Paris CitéParisFrance
| | - Nicolas Gendron
- Hematology Department, Hôpital européen Georges PompidouAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
- Innovative Therapies in Haemostasis, INSERMUniversité Paris CitéParisFrance
- Biosurgical Research Lab (Carpentier Foundation), Hôpital européen Georges PompidouAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris‐Centre Université Paris Cité (APHP‐CUP)ParisFrance
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Ferrada MA, Savic S, Cardona DO, Collins JC, Alessi H, Gutierrez-Rodrigues F, Kumar DBU, Wilson L, Goodspeed W, Topilow JS, Paik JJ, Poulter JA, Kermani TA, Koster MJ, Warrington KJ, Cargo C, Tattersall RS, Duncan CJA, Cantor A, Hoffmann P, Payne EM, Bonnekoh H, Krause K, Cowen EW, Calvo KR, Patel BA, Ombrello AK, Kastner DL, Young NS, Werner A, Grayson PC, Beck DB. Translation of cytoplasmic UBA1 contributes to VEXAS syndrome pathogenesis. Blood 2022; 140:1496-1506. [PMID: 35793467 PMCID: PMC9523373 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022016985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic mutations in UBA1 cause vacuoles, E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory somatic (VEXAS) syndrome, an adult-onset inflammatory disease with an overlap of hematologic manifestations. VEXAS syndrome is characterized by a high mortality rate and significant clinical heterogeneity. We sought to determine independent predictors of survival in VEXAS and to understand the mechanistic basis for these factors. We analyzed 83 patients with somatic pathogenic variants in UBA1 at p.Met41 (p.Met41Leu/Thr/Val), the start codon for translation of the cytoplasmic isoform of UBA1 (UBA1b). Patients with the p.Met41Val genotype were most likely to have an undifferentiated inflammatory syndrome. Multivariate analysis showed ear chondritis was associated with increased survival, whereas transfusion dependence and the p.Met41Val variant were independently associated with decreased survival. Using in vitro models and patient-derived cells, we demonstrate that p.Met41Val variant supports less UBA1b translation than either p.Met41Leu or p.Met41Thr, providing a molecular rationale for decreased survival. In addition, we show that these 3 canonical VEXAS variants produce more UBA1b than any of the 6 other possible single-nucleotide variants within this codon. Finally, we report a patient, clinically diagnosed with VEXAS syndrome, with 2 novel mutations in UBA1 occurring in cis on the same allele. One mutation (c.121 A>T; p.Met41Leu) caused severely reduced translation of UBA1b in a reporter assay, but coexpression with the second mutation (c.119 G>C; p.Gly40Ala) rescued UBA1b levels to those of canonical mutations. We conclude that regulation of residual UBA1b translation is fundamental to the pathogenesis of VEXAS syndrome and contributes to disease prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela A Ferrada
- National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NHS), Bethesda, MD
| | - Sinisa Savic
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela Ospina Cardona
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
- Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NY, NY
| | | | - Hugh Alessi
- National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NHS), Bethesda, MD
| | | | | | - Lorena Wilson
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Wendy Goodspeed
- National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NHS), Bethesda, MD
| | - James S Topilow
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Julie J Paik
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - James A Poulter
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Tanaz A Kermani
- Division of Rheumatology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Matthew J Koster
- Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN
| | - Catherine Cargo
- Haematological Malignancy Diagnostic Service, Leeds Cancer Centre, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel S Tattersall
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals National Institutes of Health (NHS) Foundation, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J A Duncan
- Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Cantor
- Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NY, NY
| | - Patrycja Hoffmann
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Elspeth M Payne
- Research Department of Hematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)/University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Clinical Research Facility, University College London Hospitals National Institutes of Health (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hanna Bonnekoh
- Institute of Allergology, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Allergology and Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- Autoinflammation Reference Center Charite (ARC2), Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Karoline Krause
- Institute of Allergology, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), Allergology and Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- Autoinflammation Reference Center Charite (ARC2), Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Edward W Cowen
- National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NHS), Bethesda, MD
| | - Katherine R Calvo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; and
| | - Bhavisha A Patel
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Amanda K Ombrello
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Daniel L Kastner
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Neal S Young
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Achim Werner
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and
| | - Peter C Grayson
- National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NHS), Bethesda, MD
| | - David B Beck
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
- Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NY, NY
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NY, NY
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Rasch MNB, Szabados F, Jensen JMB, Nielsen KO, Hauge EM, Troldborg A. Patients with VEXAS diagnosed in a Danish tertiary rheumatology setting have highly elevated inflammatory markers, macrocytic anaemia and negative autoimmune biomarkers. RMD Open 2022; 8:e002492. [PMID: 38967099 PMCID: PMC9462080 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) is an autoinflammatory condition with overlapping features of rheumatology and haematology caused by somatic mutations in the UBA1 gene. Patients present with highly variable symptoms and their path towards diagnosis are often complicated and characterised by extensive examinations. It is, therefore, pivotal that clinicians become familiar with the clinical presentation of VEXAS to advance identification of patients with the disease. OBJECTIVES We aimed to (1) characterise patients diagnosed with VEXAS in a tertiary rheumatology referral centre, (2) identify common rheumatological biomarkers that may distinguish VEXAS from other rheumatic diseases and (3) suggest which clinical findings should motivate genetic testing for VEXAS. METHODS Patients were identified and diagnosed at the department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital (AUH), Denmark. Blood samples were examined for VEXAS-associated UBA1 variants by Sanger sequencing at the department of Clinical Immunology, AUH. Clinical and biochemical data were retrieved from the hospital electronic patient chart. RESULTS Eleven male patients with clinical suspicion of VEXAS underwent sequencing. Five of these carried known VEXAS-associated variants. Median age at diagnosis was 84 (75-87) years. All patients had significantly elevated inflammatory markers with a median C-reactive protein (CRP) of 297 (196-386) mg/L and macrocytic anaemia. None of the patients presented common biomarkers for autoimmunity. CONCLUSION Danish patients with VEXAS syndrome are men with persistent inflammation, constitutional symptoms and heterogeneous clinical presentations. Shared features for all patients in this study were highly elevated inflammatory markers, macrocytic anaemia and negative autoimmune biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fruzsina Szabados
- Rheumatology, Sygehus Vendsyssel i Hjørring, Hjorring, Nordjylland, Denmark
| | - Jens Magnus Bernth Jensen
- Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Ellen-Margrethe Hauge
- Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Troldborg
- Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Paradigm shift in monogenic autoinflammatory diseases and systemic vasculitis: The VEXAS syndrome. Med Clin (Barc) 2022; 159:489-496. [PMID: 36049972 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2022.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
VEXAS syndrome was described by the end of 2020 as an autoinflammatory disease caused by post-zygotic variants in the UBA1 gene. VEXAS syndrome occurs in adult males with recurrent fever, arthralgia/arthritis, ear/nose chondritis, neutrophilic dermatosis, lung inflammation, venous thrombosis, and different types of vasculitis. Common laboratory changes include raised acute phase reactants and macrocytic anemia. The coexistence of myelodysplasia is frequent, and bone marrow vacuolization of myeloid and erythroid precursors is characteristic. Glucocorticoids are effective at medium-high doses, but the remaining immunosuppressive drugs, either conventional or biological, have showed limited or absent efficacy. Azacitidine has been associated with a good response, especially in patients with accompanying myelodysplastic syndrome. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation appears to be the only curative therapy by now. VEXAS syndrome has become a paradigm shift in the diagnosis and treatment of autoinflammatory diseases and systemic vasculitis.
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36
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Watanabe R, Kiji M, Hashimoto M. Vasculitis associated with VEXAS syndrome: A literature review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:983939. [PMID: 36045928 PMCID: PMC9420898 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.983939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vasculitis is an inflammatory disorder of the blood vessels that causes damage to a wide variety of organs through tissue ischemia. Vasculitis is classified according to the size (large, medium, or small) of the blood vessels. In 2020, VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome, a novel autoinflammatory syndrome, was described. Somatic mutations in methionine-41 of UBA1, the major E1 enzyme that initiates ubiquitylation, are attributed to this disorder. This new disease entity connects seemingly unrelated conditions: inflammatory syndromes (relapsing chondritis, Sweet's syndrome, or neutrophilic dermatosis) and hematologic disorders (myelodysplastic syndrome or multiple myeloma). Notably, such patients sometimes develop vasculitis, such as giant cell arteritis and polyarteritis nodosa, and fulfill the corresponding classification criteria for vasculitis. Thus, vasculitis can be an initial manifestation of VEXAS syndrome. In this research topic exploring the link between autoinflammatory diseases and vasculitis, we first provide an overview of the disease mechanisms and clinical phenotypes of VEXAS syndrome. Then, a literature review using the PubMed database was performed to delineate the clinical characteristics of vasculitis associated with VEXAS syndrome. Finally, the therapeutic options and unmet needs of VEXAS syndrome are discussed.
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Gurnari C, McLornan DP. Update on VEXAS and role of allogeneic bone marrow transplant: Considerations on behalf of the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of the EBMT. Bone Marrow Transplant 2022; 57:1642-1648. [PMID: 35941354 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-022-01774-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
VEXAS (acronym for Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) is a fascinating new entity encompassing a variety of clinical manifestations, spanning from auto-inflammatory symptoms to hematologic disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes and plasma cell dyscrasias. Genetically defined by somatic mutations of the X-linked gene UBA1 in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, VEXAS typically manifests in males during the fifth/sixth decade of life. Since its discovery, several groups have documented pleomorphic clinical phenotypes, in addition to a plethora of therapeutic options (e.g., JAK inhibitors, hypomethylating agents, and allogeneic stem cell transplant, allo-HCT) in retrospective case series. However, no treatment guidelines have been validated to date, VEXAS patients are typically steroid-dependent and may manifest life-threatening inflammatory symptoms refractory to multiple lines of therapy. To date, the only curative option appears to be allo-HCT in suitable individuals. Nonetheless, this procedure carries an inherent risk of morbidity and mortality that must be judiciously evaluated against a phenotypically diverse disorder where the optimal therapeutic algorithm remains ill-defined. Herein, we provide an overview of the current VEXAS data/ therapeutic evidence and discuss the curative potential of allo-HCT whilst highlighting the efforts required for generation of robust data able to inform therapeutic decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Gurnari
- Translational Hematology and Oncology Research Department, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA.,Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, PhD in Immunology, Molecular Medicine and Applied Biotechnology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Donal P McLornan
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Haematology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
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Alcedo PE, Gutierrez-Rodrigues F, Patel BA. Somatic mutations in VEXAS Syndrome and Erdheim-Chester Disease: Inflammatory Myeloid Diseases. Semin Hematol 2022; 59:156-166. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Templé M, Kosmider O. VEXAS Syndrome: A Novelty in MDS Landscape. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:1590. [PMID: 35885496 PMCID: PMC9315795 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12071590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fever, inflammation and vacuoles in hematopoietic cells represent the main features associated with VEXAS syndrome, a new prototype of autoinflammatory disorders genetically characterized by somatic mutation of the UBA1 gene which encodes the enzyme1-activating enzyme (E1) required for ubiquitin signaling. Described very recently, patients with VEXAS syndrome present a systemic autoinflammatory syndrome associated with hematological impairments, especially cytopenias whose pathophysiology is mainly non-elucidated. Initially diagnosed in elderly male patients, VEXAS syndrome was frequently associated with a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) leading the medical community to first consider VEXAS syndrome as a new subtype of MDS. However, since the first description of VEXAS patients in 2021, it appears from the multitude of case reports that MDS associated with VEXAS are different from the classically described MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Templé
- Cochin Hospital, Université de Paris, F-75006 Paris, France;
| | - Olivier Kosmider
- Institut Cochin, Université de Paris Cité, CNRS UMR8104, INSERM U1016, F-75014 Paris, France
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40
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Kunishita Y, Kirino Y, Tsuchida N, Maeda A, Sato Y, Takase-Minegishi K, Yoshimi R, Nakajima H. Case Report: Tocilizumab Treatment for VEXAS Syndrome With Relapsing Polychondritis: A Single-Center, 1-Year Longitudinal Observational Study In Japan. Front Immunol 2022; 13:901063. [PMID: 35769485 PMCID: PMC9234115 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.901063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is an autoinflammatory disease caused by somatic variants in the UBA1 gene that lead to severe systemic inflammation and myelodysplastic syndrome. Although no standard therapy has been established yet, azacitidine and bone marrow transplantation have been reported to be promising possibilities; however, the indications for these treatments are problematic and not necessarily applicable to all patients. We previously reported the results of short-term treatment with tocilizumab (TCZ) and glucocorticoids in three patients with VEXAS syndrome. In this paper, we report that the combination of TCZ and glucocorticoids allowed the patients to continue treatment for at least one year without significant disease progression. Glucocorticoids were able to be reduced from the start of TCZ. Adverse events were herpes zoster, skin ulceration after cellulitis, and decreased blood counts. The results suggest the significance of this treatment as a bridge therapy for the development of future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Kunishita
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yohei Kirino
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yohei Kirino,
| | - Naomi Tsuchida
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Rare Disease Genomics, Yokohama City University Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ayaka Maeda
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Sato
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kaoru Takase-Minegishi
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Yoshimi
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hideaki Nakajima
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
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41
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Beck DB, Werner A, Kastner DL, Aksentijevich I. Disorders of ubiquitylation: unchained inflammation. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2022; 18:435-447. [PMID: 35523963 PMCID: PMC9075716 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-022-00778-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitylation is an essential post-translational modification that regulates intracellular signalling networks by triggering proteasomal substrate degradation, changing the activity of substrates or mediating changes in proteins that interact with substrates. Hundreds of enzymes participate in reversible ubiquitylation of proteins, some acting globally and others targeting specific proteins. Ubiquitylation is essential for innate immune responses, as it facilitates rapid regulation of inflammatory pathways, thereby ensuring sufficient but not excessive responses. A growing number of inborn errors of immunity are attributed to dysregulated ubiquitylation. These genetic disorders exhibit broad clinical manifestations, ranging from susceptibility to infection to autoinflammatory and/or autoimmune features, lymphoproliferation and propensity to malignancy. Many autoinflammatory disorders result from disruption of components of the ubiquitylation machinery and lead to overactivation of innate immune cells. An understanding of the disorders of ubiquitylation in autoinflammatory diseases could enable the development of novel management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Beck
- Inflammatory Disease Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Center for Human Genetics and Genomics, New York University, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Achim Werner
- Stem Cell Biochemistry Unit, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Daniel L Kastner
- Inflammatory Disease Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ivona Aksentijevich
- Inflammatory Disease Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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42
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Abstract
The VEXAS syndrome is a recently identified autoinflammatory systemic disease. The acronym VEXAS stands for Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‑linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic. The disease is due to an acquired somatic mutation of the UBA1 gene, which encodes for the E‑1 enzyme, which in turn is responsible for the ubiquitination of proteins. Due to its location on the X chromosome, the disease predominantly affects men (in the second half of life). The patients present with a plethora of inflammatory clinical symptoms, often with overlap of hematologic, dermatologic, and rheumatologic syndromes. In particular, the presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles in the bone marrow is characteristic. In this article we report the clinical case of a VEXAS patient and give an overview of the pathophysiology, clinical symptoms and diagnostics of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zeeck
- Sektion für Rheumatologie und Entzündliche Systemerkrankungen, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Bad Bramstedt, Deutschland
| | - I Kötter
- Sektion für Rheumatologie und Entzündliche Systemerkrankungen, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Immunologie, Bad Bramstedt, Deutschland
| | - M Krusche
- Sektion für Rheumatologie und Entzündliche Systemerkrankungen, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.
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UBA1 gene mutation in giant cell arteritis. Clin Rheumatol 2022; 41:1257-1259. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-06022-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Loschi M, Roux C, Sudaka I, Ferrero-Vacher C, Marceau-Renaut A, Duployez N, Passeron T, Cluzeau T. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation as a curative therapeutic approach for VEXAS syndrome: a case report. Bone Marrow Transplant 2022; 57:315-318. [PMID: 34999727 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-021-01544-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
TO THE EDITOR VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is a newly described entity linked to somatic mutation of UBA1, encompassing inflammatory disorders and hematological malignancies. Patients experiments symptoms related to inflammatory manifestations on the skin, joints, lungs. Most patients are refractory to usual anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive treatments. Half of them will develop hematological diseases, mostly myelodysplastic syndromes. VEXAS patients with hematological malignancies have a poor outcome and no curative option has been described so far. Because in the first reported cohort of VEXAS patients the UBA1 mutation was only found in hematopoietic stem cells but not in fibroblasts, we hypothesized that bone marrow transplantation would provide a cure for the disease. Here we report the case of a VEXAS patient who successfully received an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a curative option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Loschi
- Hematology Department, Nice University Medical Center, Cote d'Azur University, Nice, France. .,Cote d'Azur University, INSERM U1065, C3M, Nice, France.
| | - Christian Roux
- Rheumatology Department, Nice University Medical Center, Nice, France.,University Côte d'Azur, LAMHESS, INSERM, iBV, U1091, Nice, France
| | - Isabelle Sudaka
- Laboratoire d'hématologie, CHU de Nice, Hospital Pasteur, Nice, France
| | | | - Alice Marceau-Renaut
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut de Recherche contre le Cancer de Lille, UMR9020-UMR-S 1277-Canther-Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Duployez
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut de Recherche contre le Cancer de Lille, UMR9020-UMR-S 1277-Canther-Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Thierry Passeron
- Cote d'Azur University, INSERM U1065, C3M, Nice, France.,Department of Dermatology, CHU Nice, University Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Thomas Cluzeau
- Hematology Department, Nice University Medical Center, Cote d'Azur University, Nice, France.,Cote d'Azur University, INSERM U1065, C3M, Nice, France
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Sikora KA, Wells KV, Bolek EC, Jones AI, Grayson PC. Somatic Mutations in Rheumatologic Diseases: VEXAS Syndrome and Beyond. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:3149-3160. [PMID: 34888629 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Discovery of the VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome demonstrates that somatic mutations in hematologic precursor cells can cause adult-onset, complex inflammatory disease. Unlike germline mutations, somatic mutations occur throughout the lifespan, are restricted to specific tissue types, and may play a causal role in non-heritable rheumatologic diseases, especially conditions that start in later life. Improvements in sequencing technology have enabled researchers and clinicians to detect somatic mutations in various tissue types, especially blood. Understanding the relationships between cell-specific acquired mutations and inflammation is likely to yield key insights into causal factors that underlie many rheumatologic diseases. The objective of this review is to detail how somatic mutations are likely to be relevant to clinicians who care for patients with rheumatologic diseases, with particular focus on the pathogenetic mechanisms of the VEXAS syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Sikora
- National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kristina V Wells
- National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ertugrul Cagri Bolek
- National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Adrianna I Jones
- National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter C Grayson
- National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Kao RL, Jacobsen AA, Billington CJ, Yohe SL, Beckman AK, Vercellotti GM, Pearson DR. A case of VEXAS syndrome associated with EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2021; 93:102636. [PMID: 34864445 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2021.102636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Vacuoles, E1, X-linked, autoimmunity, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is characterized by a pathogenic mutation in UBA1, which leads to protean complications including autoimmunity and myelodysplasia. A 56-year-old man with steroid-dependent, later steroid-refractory cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa and Sweet syndrome developed recurrent daily fever, macrocytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute hypoxic respiratory failure, and anasarca. He was eventually diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viremia and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). He improved clinically with rituximab, ruxolitinib, and increased glucocorticoids before expiring from Pseudomonas sepsis. UBA1 exon 3 mutational analysis in myeloid enriched peripheral blood revealed a c.122T>C (p.Met41Thr) pathogenic variant, consistent with VEXAS syndrome. We describe the first case of EBV-associated HLH in a patient diagnosed with VEXAS syndrome. Early identification of this syndrome will be important in order to offer potential therapies before life-threatening complications arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy L Kao
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Audrey A Jacobsen
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Charles J Billington
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sophia L Yohe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Amy K Beckman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Gregory M Vercellotti
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David R Pearson
- Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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Abstract
VEXAS syndrome, an autoinflammatory syndrome due to a Ubiquitin Like Modifier Activating Enzyme 1 (UBA1) somatic mutation, has a high thrombotic burden. We report a case of a 69-year-old male that was diagnosed with VEXAS syndrome who developed venous thromboembolism (VTE). Review of literature of existing VEXAS syndrome cases showed a high thrombotic burden, with the reported incidence of VTE (36.4%) being markedly higher than arterial thrombosis (1.6%), with deep vein thrombosis being more common than pulmonary embolism. Somatic mutation in the UBA1 gene results in decreased ubiquitylation which is a key driver in the development of thrombosis in VEXAS syndrome, due to chronic inflammation and cytokine release from abnormal crosstalk between the intrinsic effector mechanism of innate immune cells, platelets and endothelium resulting in dysregulated haemostasis and endothelial dysfunction. Targeting endothelial dysfunction and reducing inflammatory milieu causing hypercoagulability with immunosuppressants and immunomodulatory agents, together with anticoagulation may be the strategy to prevent recurrent thrombotic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thet Mon Oo
- Department of General Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jie Tian Jeanette Koay
- Department of Haematology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jln Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | - Siew Fen Lee
- Department of General Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shang Ming Samuel Lee
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xin Rong Lim
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bingwen Eugene Fan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Haematology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jln Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
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Patel BA, Ferrada MA, Grayson PC, Beck DB. VEXAS syndrome: An inflammatory and hematologic disease. Semin Hematol 2021; 58:201-203. [PMID: 34802540 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bhavisha A Patel
- Hematology Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD.
| | - Marcela A Ferrada
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Peter C Grayson
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - David B Beck
- Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Inflammatory Disease Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Patel N, Dulau-Florea A, Calvo KR. Characteristic bone marrow findings in patients with UBA1 somatic mutations and VEXAS syndrome. Semin Hematol 2021; 58:204-211. [PMID: 34802541 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) is a newly characterized syndrome with underlying somatic UBA1 mutations in myeloid cells linking hematologic disease with autoinflammatory rheumatologic disorders. Hematologic abnormalities, particularly peripheral blood cytopenia(s) may prompt bone marrow evaluation in patients with known or unrecognized VEXAS syndrome. This review highlights key findings and diagnostic considerations encountered during bone marrow examination in patients with this disorder. Frequently reported hematologic changes include macrocytic anemia, cytoplasmic vacuoles in myeloid and erythroid precursors, marrow hypercellularity, and varying degrees of dysplasia. Myelodysplastic syndrome and plasma cell neoplasms have been diagnosed in patients with VEXAS syndrome. Macrophage activation syndrome and/or hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis have also been reported. The bone marrow is a target organ in VEXAS syndrome. Heightened awareness of the bone marrow features and hematologic complications may aid in identifying individuals with VEXAS who may benefit from increased disease surveillance or alternative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Patel
- Hematology Section, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Alina Dulau-Florea
- Hematology Section, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Katherine R Calvo
- Hematology Section, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
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Poulter JA, Savic S. Genetics of somatic auto-inflammatory disorders. Semin Hematol 2021; 58:212-217. [PMID: 34802542 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Systemic autoinflammatory disorders (SAIDs) encompass a heterogeneous group of monogenic disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of systemic and organ-specific inflammation. Genetic studies have facilitated the identification of Mendelian forms of SAIDs but many patients still remain without a diagnosis. Recent studies have uncovered that somatic (acquired) mutations can cause later-onset SAIDs. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge surrounding the genetics of these acquired auto-inflammatory disorders (AAIDs), with a focus on VEXAS, NLRP3-associated AAIDs and Schnitzler's syndrome and provide suggestions for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Poulter
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, UK
| | - Sinisa Savic
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatological and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, UK.
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