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Weng HR. Emerging Molecular and Synaptic Targets for the Management of Chronic Pain Caused by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3602. [PMID: 38612414 PMCID: PMC11011483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073602] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) frequently experience chronic pain due to the limited effectiveness and safety profiles of current analgesics. Understanding the molecular and synaptic mechanisms underlying abnormal neuronal activation along the pain signaling pathway is essential for developing new analgesics to address SLE-induced chronic pain. Recent studies, including those conducted by our team and others using the SLE animal model (MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice), have unveiled heightened excitability in nociceptive primary sensory neurons within the dorsal root ganglia and increased glutamatergic synaptic activity in spinal dorsal horn neurons, contributing to the development of chronic pain in mice with SLE. Nociceptive primary sensory neurons in lupus animals exhibit elevated resting membrane potentials, and reduced thresholds and rheobases of action potentials. These changes coincide with the elevated production of TNFα and IL-1β, as well as increased ERK activity in the dorsal root ganglion, coupled with decreased AMPK activity in the same region. Dysregulated AMPK activity is linked to heightened excitability in nociceptive sensory neurons in lupus animals. Additionally, the increased glutamatergic synaptic activity in the spinal dorsal horn in lupus mice with chronic pain is characterized by enhanced presynaptic glutamate release and postsynaptic AMPA receptor activation, alongside the reduced activity of glial glutamate transporters. These alterations are caused by the elevated activities of IL-1β, IL-18, CSF-1, and thrombin, and reduced AMPK activities in the dorsal horn. Furthermore, the pharmacological activation of spinal GPR109A receptors in microglia in lupus mice suppresses chronic pain by inhibiting p38 MAPK activity and the production of both IL-1β and IL-18, as well as reducing glutamatergic synaptic activity in the spinal dorsal horn. These findings collectively unveil crucial signaling molecular and synaptic targets for modulating abnormal neuronal activation in both the periphery and spinal dorsal horn, offering insights into the development of analgesics for managing SLE-induced chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Rong Weng
- Department of Basic Sciences, California Northstate University College of Medicine, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA
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Sloan M, Andreoli L, Zandi MS, Harwood R, Pitkanen M, Sloan S, Barrere C, Massou E, Wincup C, Bosley M, Naughton F, Ubhi M, Jayne D, Leschziner G, Brimicombe J, Diment W, Middleton K, Gordon C, D'Cruz D, Pollak TA. Attribution of neuropsychiatric symptoms and prioritisation of evidence in the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric lupus: mixed methods analysis of patient and clinician perspectives from the international INSPIRE study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023:kead685. [PMID: 38105443 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) is challenging to diagnose. Many neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as headache and hallucinations, cannot be verified by tests or clinician assessment. We investigated prioritisations of methods for diagnosing NPSLE and attributional views. METHODS Thematic and comparative analyses were used to investigate how clinicians prioritise sources of evidence from a 13-item list, and explore discordances in clinician and patient perspectives on attribution. RESULTS We identified high levels of variability and uncertainty in clinicians' assessments of neuropsychiatric symptoms in SLE patients. In attributional decisions, clinicians (surveys n = 400, interviews n = 50) ranked clinicians' assessments above diagnostic tests (many of which they reported were often unenlightening in NPSLE). Clinicians ranked patient opinion of disease activity last, and 46% of patients reported never/rarely having been asked if their SLE was flaring, despite experienced patients often having "attributional insight". SLE Patients (surveys n = 676, interviews n = 27) estimated higher attributability of neuropsychiatric symptoms to the direct effects of SLE on the nervous system than clinicians (p < 0.001 for all symptoms excluding mania), and 24% reported that their self-assessment of disease activity was never/rarely concordant with their clinicians. Reports of misattributions were common, particularly of non-verifiable diffuse symptoms. Terminology differed between clinicians and influenced attribution estimates. CONCLUSION NPSLE diagnostic tests and clinician assessments have numerous limitations, particularly in detecting diffuse neuropsychiatric symptoms that can be directly attributable and benefit from immunosuppression. Our findings suggest that incorporating patient attributional insights-although also subject to limitations-may improve attribution decision-making. Consensus regarding terminology and interpretations of "direct attributability" is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Sloan
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Laura Andreoli
- Unit of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, ASST Spedali Civili; Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Michael S Zandi
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Mervi Pitkanen
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation trust, London, UK
| | - Sam Sloan
- Brighton and Sussex Medical school, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Efthalia Massou
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Chris Wincup
- Department of Rheumatology, Kings College Hospital London, London, UK
| | | | - Felix Naughton
- Behavioural and Implementation Science Group, School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Mandeep Ubhi
- Rheumatology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - David Jayne
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Guy Leschziner
- Department of Neurology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - James Brimicombe
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Caroline Gordon
- Rheumatology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - David D'Cruz
- The Louise Coote Lupus Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Thomas A Pollak
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation trust, London, UK
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Ike RW, McCoy SS, Kalunian KC. What Bedside Skills Could the Modern Rheumatologist Possess? Part II. "Certain Technical Procedures". J Clin Rheumatol 2023:00124743-990000000-00172. [PMID: 37983677 DOI: 10.1097/rhu.0000000000002022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Rheumatologists have never been reluctant to adopt procedures that might enhance their diagnostic or therapeutic powers. Their propensity to penetrate the joints of the patients they were treating set them apart from the general internist. Since the 1980s, when a chance to look inside the joints they were treating attracted a few rheumatologists, other things that could be done at the bedside emerged with now an array of bedside procedures that could be part of a rheumatologist's skill set. Besides gains in diagnosis and/or therapy, each constitutes a chance to restore the physical contact between physician and patient, riven by factors of the last decade, such as electronic medical records and COVID. With such contact so important to satisfaction of the patient and physician alike, acquisition of proficiency in certain technical procedures described herein offers one path to begin restoring rheumatology to the richly fulfilling practice it once was.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Ike
- From the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Sara S McCoy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Kenneth C Kalunian
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA
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Sonkodi B, Marsovszky L, Csorba A, Balog A, Kopper B, Nagy ZZ, Resch MD. Neural Regeneration in Dry Eye Secondary to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Is Also Disrupted like in Rheumatoid Arthritis, but in a Progressive Fashion. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10680. [PMID: 37445856 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310680] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Our objective in this study was to analyze the aberrant neural regeneration activity in the cornea by means of in vivo confocal microscopy in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with concurrent dry eye disease. We examined 29 systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 29 age-matched healthy control subjects. Corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD, the number of fibers/mm2) and peripheral Langerhans cell morphology were lower (p < 0.05) in systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared to the control group. Interestingly, corneal nerve branch density, corneal nerve fiber length, corneal nerve fiber total branch density, and corneal nerve fiber area showed a negative correlation with disease duration. A negative correlation was also demonstrated between average corneal nerve fiber density and central Langerhans cell density. This is in line with our hypothesis that corneal somatosensory terminal Piezo2 channelopathy-induced impaired Piezo2-Piezo1 crosstalk not only disrupts regeneration and keeps transcription activated, but could lead to Piezo1 downregulation and cell activation on Langerhans cells when we consider a chronic path. Hence, Piezo2 containing mechanosensory corneal nerves and dendritic Langerhans cells could also be regarded as central players in shaping the ocular surface neuroimmune homeostasis through the Piezo system. Moreover, lost autoimmune neuroinflammation compensation, lost phagocytic self-eating capacity, and lost transcription regulation, not to mention autoantibodies against vascular heparin sulfate proteoglycans and phospholipids, could all contribute to the progressive fashion of dry eye disease in systemic lupus erythematosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Sonkodi
- Department of Health Sciences and Sport Medicine, Hungarian University of Sports Science, 1123 Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Marsovszky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anita Csorba
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Balog
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bence Kopper
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, 1123 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Zsolt Nagy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miklós D Resch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
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Comparison of cutaneous silent period parameters in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome with the healthy population and determination of ıts relationship with clinical parameters. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:355-362. [PMID: 36048188 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-022-05198-x] [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: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is one of the main neurological manifestations in primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS). For the detection of SFN, cutaneous silent period (CSP) measurement is gaining popularity recently due to its non-invasiveness and practical application. Evaluating SFN involvement in patients with pSS using CSP and evaluating its relationship with clinical parameters. Patients with a diagnosis of pSS and healthy volunteers demographically homogeneous with the patient group were included in the study. The CSP responses were recorded over the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. The latency and duration values of the responses were obtained. In patient group, EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) and Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) were applied for the evaluation of symptom severity, mood, quality of life, presence of neuropathic pain and central sensitization, respectively. The mean CSP latency was significantly longer in patient group compared to control group (p < 0.001). Mean CSP duration was also significantly shorter in patient group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in CSP parameters according to patients' neuropathic pain or central sensitization profile. There were significant correlations of CSP parameters (latency and duration, respectively) with ESSPRI dryness (ρ = 0.469, p = 0.004; ρ = -0.553, p < 0.001), fatigue (ρ = 0.42, p = 0.011; ρ = -0.505, p = 0.002), pain (ρ = 0.428, p = 0.009; ρ = -0.57, p < 0.001) subscores and mean ESSPRI score (ρ = 0.631, p < 0.001; ρ = -0.749, p < 0.001). When SF-36 subscores and CSP parameters were investigated, a significant correlation was found only between "bodily pain" subscore and CSP duration (ρ = -0.395, p = 0.017). In HADS, LANSS and CSI evaluations, a significant correlation was found only between HADS anxiety score and the CSP duration (ρ = 0.364, p = 0.02). As indicated by CSP measurement, SFN is more prominent in patients with pSS than in the healthy population. It is important to investigate the presence of SFN because of its correlation with the leading symptoms in the clinical spectrum of pSS.
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Wong LS, Lee CH, Yen YT. Increased Epidermal Nerve Growth Factor without Small-Fiber Neuropathy in Dermatomyositis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169030. [PMID: 36012289 PMCID: PMC9408946 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of some types of autoimmune connective tissue diseases. SFN with a reduction in epidermal nerve fibers might affect sensory fibers and cause neuropathic symptoms, such as pruritus and pain, which are common in both dermatomyositis (DM) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been recognized as important in nociception by regulating epidermal nerve fiber density and sensitizing the peripheral nervous system. The present study aimed to investigate whether SFN was associated with the cutaneous manifestations of DM and CLE. We also investigated the relationship between SFN and axon guidance molecules, such as NGF, amphiregulin (AREG), and semaphorin (Sema3A) in DM and CLE. To explore the molecular signaling, interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-31, which have been implicated in the cutaneous manifestation and neuropathic symptoms in DM, were examined in keratinocytes. Our results revealed that intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) was unchanged in patients with DM, but significantly reduced in IENFD in patients with CLE compared with healthy control. Increased epidermal expression of NGF and decreased expression of Sema3A were demonstrated in patients with DM. Furthermore, IL-18 and IL-31 both induced the production of NGF from keratinocytes. Taken together, IL-18 and IL-31 mediated epidermal NGF expression might contribute to the cutaneous neuropathic symptoms in DM, while SFN might be important for CLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai-San Wong
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hung Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ta Yen
- Department of Dermatology, Fooyin University Hospital, Pingtung 928, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-8-8323146; Fax: +886-7-7337612
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Wong LS, Yen YT. Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases-Related Pruritus: Proper Diagnosis and Possible Mechanisms. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12071772. [PMID: 35885674 PMCID: PMC9317505 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12071772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pruritus is a well-known bothersome symptom among skin disorders, especially inflammatory skin disorders. Lately, a high prevalence of pruritus in patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTDs) has been revealed. Patients with ACTDs may suffer from varying degrees of pruritus, which affect their quality of life. However, it is rarely recognized both by patients and physicians. Meanwhile, pruritus is not only a symptom but is also related to the disease severity of some ACTDs. The pathophysiology of ACTD related pruritus is ambiguous. This review summarizes the features and possible mechanisms of ACTD-related pruritus, which might lead to proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai-San Wong
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Ta Yen
- Department of Dermatology, Fooying University Hospital, Pentong 928, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 80420, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-8-8323146
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Bitirgen G, Kucuk A, Ergun MC, Baloglu R, Gharib MH, Al Emadi S, Ponirakis G, Malik RA. Subclinical Corneal Nerve Fiber Damage and Immune Cell Activation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Corneal Confocal Microscopy Study. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:10. [PMID: 34905000 PMCID: PMC8684301 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.14.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) in identifying small nerve fiber damage and immune cell activation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods This cross-sectional comparative study included 39 consecutive patients with SLE and 30 healthy control participants. Central corneal sensitivity was assessed using a Cochet-Bonnet contact corneal esthesiometer and a laser scanning CCM (Heidelberg, Germany) was used to quantify corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), nerve branch density (CNBD), nerve fiber length (CNFL), and Langerhans cell (LC) density. Results Age was comparable among patients with SLE (33.7 ± 12.7) and controls (35.0 ± 13.7 years, P = 0.670) and the median duration of disease was 3.0 years (2.0–10.0 years). CNBD (P = 0.003) and CNFL (P = 0.019) were lower and mature LC density (P = 0.002) was higher, but corneal sensitivity (P = 0.178) and CNFD (P = 0.198) were comparable in patients with SLE compared with controls. The SELENA-SLEDAI score correlated with CNFD (ρ = −0.319, P = 0.048) and CNFL (ρ = −0.373, P = 0.019), and the total and immature LC densities correlated with CNBD (ρ = −0.319. P = 0.048, and ρ = −0.328, P = 0.041, respectively). Immature LC density was higher (P = 0.025), but corneal sensitivity and nerve fiber parameters were comparable between patients with (33%) and without neuropsychiatric symptoms and SLE. Conclusions Corneal confocal microscopy identifies distal corneal nerve fiber loss and increased immune cell density in patients with SLE and corneal nerve loss was associated with disease activity. Translational Relevance Corneal confocal microscopy may enable the detection of subclinical corneal nerve loss and immune cell activation in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulfidan Bitirgen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Adem Kucuk
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Cagri Ergun
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Ruveyda Baloglu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Miral H Gharib
- Rheumatology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Samar Al Emadi
- Rheumatology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Georgios Ponirakis
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Research Division, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Research Division, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.,Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiac Centre, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester and NIHR Clinical Research Facility, Manchester, UK
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