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Benfaremo D, Agarbati S, Mozzicafreddo M, Paolini C, Svegliati S, Moroncini G. Skin Gene Expression Profiles in Systemic Sclerosis: From Clinical Stratification to Precision Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12548. [PMID: 37628728 PMCID: PMC10454358 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612548] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma or SSc, is a condition characterized by significant heterogeneity in clinical presentation, disease progression, and response to treatment. Consequently, the design of clinical trials to successfully identify effective therapeutic interventions poses a major challenge. Recent advancements in skin molecular profiling technologies and stratification techniques have enabled the identification of patient subgroups that may be relevant for personalized treatment approaches. This narrative review aims at providing an overview of the current status of skin gene expression analysis using computational biology approaches and highlights the benefits of stratifying patients upon their skin gene signatures. Such stratification has the potential to lead toward a precision medicine approach in the management of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devis Benfaremo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (D.B.); (S.A.); (M.M.); (C.P.); (S.S.)
- Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine, Marche University Hospital, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Silvia Agarbati
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (D.B.); (S.A.); (M.M.); (C.P.); (S.S.)
| | - Matteo Mozzicafreddo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (D.B.); (S.A.); (M.M.); (C.P.); (S.S.)
| | - Chiara Paolini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (D.B.); (S.A.); (M.M.); (C.P.); (S.S.)
| | - Silvia Svegliati
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (D.B.); (S.A.); (M.M.); (C.P.); (S.S.)
- Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine, Marche University Hospital, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Gianluca Moroncini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (D.B.); (S.A.); (M.M.); (C.P.); (S.S.)
- Clinica Medica, Department of Internal Medicine, Marche University Hospital, 60126 Ancona, Italy
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Szczepanik-Kułak P, Michalak-Stoma A, Krasowska D. Usefulness of Dermoscopy in Localized Scleroderma (LoS, Morphea) Diagnosis and Assessment-Monocentric Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030764. [PMID: 35160216 PMCID: PMC8836985 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030764] [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: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphea, also known as localized scleroderma (LoS), is a chronic autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. The clinical picture of LoS distinguishes between active and inactive lesions. Sometimes the clinical findings are challenging to identify, and therefore, the need for additional methods is emphasized. Our study aimed to demonstrate the characteristic dermoscopic features in morphea skin lesions, focusing on demonstrating features in active and inactive lesions. In our patients (n = 31) with histopathologically proven LoS, we performed clinical evaluation of lesions (n = 162): active/inactive and according to both disease activity (modified localized scleroderma severity index, mLoSSI) and damage (localized scleroderma skin damage index, LoSDI) parameters. In addition, we took into account compression locations to determine whether skin trauma, a known etiopathogenetic factor in LoS, affects the dermoscopic pattern of the lesions. We performed a dermoscopy of the lesions, categorizing the images according to the severity within the observed field. We showed that within the active lesions (clinically and with high mLoSSI), white clouds and linear branching vessels had the highest severity. These features decreased within the observed field in inactive lesions and with high LoSDI. Brownish structureless areas were most intense in inactive lesions with high LoSDI. Erythematous areas, linear branching vessels, dotted vessels, and crystalline structures were statistically significant for pressure locations. We have shown dermoscopy is a valuable tool to assess the activity or inactivity of lesions, which translates into appropriate therapeutic decisions and the possibility of monitoring the patient during and after therapy for possible relapse.
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Hong KR, Hong JY, Chung EH, Lee SH, Lee SW, Kim JE. Monoclonal Gammopathy-Associated Scleredema Adultorum of Buschke in a Patient with Diabetes Mellitus Successfully Treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B Phototherapy: A Case Report. Ann Dermatol 2021; 33:586-588. [PMID: 34858014 PMCID: PMC8577905 DOI: 10.5021/ad.2021.33.6.586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kyu Rak Hong
- Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Jeong Yeon Hong
- Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Euy Hyun Chung
- Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Sul Hee Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Sung Won Lee
- Department of Rheumatology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Jung Eun Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
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De Pieri A, Korman BD, Jüngel A, Wuertz-Kozak K. Engineering Advanced In Vitro Models of Systemic Sclerosis for Drug Discovery and Development. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000168. [PMID: 33852183 PMCID: PMC8717409 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex multisystem disease with the highest case-specific mortality among all autoimmune rheumatic diseases, yet without any available curative therapy. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic antifibrotic strategies that effectively decrease skin and organ fibrosis is needed. Existing animal models are cost-intensive, laborious and do not recapitulate the full spectrum of the disease and thus commonly fail to predict human efficacy. Advanced in vitro models, which closely mimic critical aspects of the pathology, have emerged as valuable platforms to investigate novel pharmaceutical therapies for the treatment of SSc. This review focuses on recent advancements in the development of SSc in vitro models, sheds light onto biological (e.g., growth factors, cytokines, coculture systems), biochemical (e.g., hypoxia, reactive oxygen species) and biophysical (e.g., stiffness, topography, dimensionality) cues that have been utilized for the in vitro recapitulation of the SSc microenvironment, and highlights future perspectives for effective drug discovery and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Pieri
- Dr. A. De Pieri, Prof. K. Wuertz-Kozak, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), 106 Lomb Memorial Rd., Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Benjamin D Korman
- Prof. B. D. Korman, Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Astrid Jüngel
- Prof. A. Jüngel, Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University Clinic of Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, 8008, Switzerland
- Prof. A. Jüngel, Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8008, Switzerland
| | - Karin Wuertz-Kozak
- Dr. A. De Pieri, Prof. K. Wuertz-Kozak, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), 106 Lomb Memorial Rd., Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
- Prof. K. Wuertz-Kozak, Schön Clinic Munich Harlaching, Spine Center, Academic Teaching Hospital and Spine Research Institute of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg (Austria), Munich, 81547, Germany
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Sapra A, Dix R, Bhandari P, Mohammed A, Ranjit E. A Case of Extensive Debilitating Generalized Morphea. Cureus 2020; 12:e8117. [PMID: 32542170 PMCID: PMC7292686 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.8117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphea, also known as localized scleroderma, is an uncommon idiopathic inflammatory disorder leading to the development of sclerotic plaques in the skin. The disorder preferentially affects females. The pathogenesis of morphea is not well-understood. The disorder is likely to have an autoimmune basis; environmental and genetic factors may also play a role in its etiology. Morphea has a variety of clinical presentations. Lesions of morphea typically begin as inflammatory plaques or patches that evolve into firm sclerotic lesions. Involvement may be limited to the dermis or may extend to underlying subcutaneous fat, muscle, or bone. The identification of characteristic clinical findings is often sufficient for the diagnosis of morphea. A biopsy can be a useful tool when the diagnosis is in question or to obtain information on the depth and intensity of the disease, and it should always extend at least into the subcutaneous fat. Morphea may cause joint contractures and other impairments secondary to tissue sclerosis and can be very debilitating cosmetically and functionally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Sapra
- Family Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, USA
| | - Rebecca Dix
- Family Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, USA
| | - Priyanka Bhandari
- Family Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, USA
| | - Asiya Mohammed
- Family Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, USA
| | - Eukesh Ranjit
- Family Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, USA
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Mitchell DC, Agnihothri R, Scott GA, Korman B, Richardson CT. A case of concurrent systemic sclerosis and scleredema. JAAD Case Rep 2019; 5:940-942. [PMID: 31687459 PMCID: PMC6820239 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Drew C Mitchell
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Ritesh Agnihothri
- Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Glynis A Scott
- Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.,Department of Pathology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Benjamin Korman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Christopher T Richardson
- Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.,Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
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Schulz JN, Plomann M, Sengle G, Gullberg D, Krieg T, Eckes B. New developments on skin fibrosis - Essential signals emanating from the extracellular matrix for the control of myofibroblasts. Matrix Biol 2018; 68-69:522-532. [PMID: 29408278 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Many different diseases are associated with fibrosis of the skin. The clinical symptoms can vary considerably with a broad range from isolated small areas to the involvement of the entire integument. Fibrosis is triggered by a multitude of different stimuli leading to activation of the immune and vascular system that then initiate fibroblast activation and formation of matrix depositing and remodeling myofibroblasts. Ultimately, myofibroblasts deposit excessive amounts of extracellular matrix with a pathological architecture and alterations in growth factor binding and biomechanical properties, which culminates in skin hardening and loss of mobility. Treatment depends certainly on the specific type and cause of the disease, for the autoimmune driven localized and systemic scleroderma therapeutic options are still limited, but recent research has pointed out diverse molecular targets and mechanisms that can be exploited for the development of novel antifibrotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Markus Plomann
- Center for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gerhard Sengle
- Center for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Donald Gullberg
- Department of Biomedicine, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Thomas Krieg
- Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany; Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Beate Eckes
- Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany.
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