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Sahinoglu M, Sargin G, Yavasoglu I, Senturk T. The relationship between peripheral T follicular helper cells and disease severity in systemic sclerosis. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:19. [PMID: 38280030 PMCID: PMC10822004 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01286-9] [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: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the association between follicular T helper cells (Tfh) and disease severity in systemic sclerosis (SSc), a chronic connective tissue disease characterized by progressive fibrosis. While Tfh cells have been extensively studied in other autoimmune diseases, their role in SSc remains poorly understood. A cohort of 50 SSc patients, diagnosed based on the ACR/EULAR 2013 classification criteria, was included in the study. Patient data, including demographic information, comorbidities, treatment history and organ involvement, were collected. Disease severity was assessed using the modified Rodnan skin score and Medsger disease severity index. Statistical analyses were performed, considering a p value of < 0.05 as statistically significant. 38% had SSc with limited skin involvement, while 62% had SSc with extensive skin involvement. However, there were no statistically significant differences observed in the levels of CD4+ CXCR5+ , CD4+ ICOS+ , CD4+ CD40L+ and CD4+ PD+ lymphocytes between the two groups. Notably, SSc patients with Raynaud's phenomenon, digital ulcer and lung involvement exhibited higher levels of CD4+ CXCR5+ lymphocytes compared to those without these manifestations. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between CD4+ CXCR5+ lymphocyte levels and the severity of lung disease according to the Medsger disease severity index. Based on these findings, we conclude that elevated levels of Tfh cells are associated with lung involvement in SSc and there is a significant correlation between Tfh cell levels and the severity of lung disease. These observations suggest a potential role for Tfh cells in the pathogenesis of lung involvement in SSc and may guide the development of targeted therapies for this aspect of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melek Sahinoglu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Sargin
- Department of Rheumatology, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey.
| | - Irfan Yavasoglu
- Department of Hematology, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Taskin Senturk
- Department of Rheumatology, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
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Marongiu F, Ruberto MF, Marongiu S, Matucci Cerinic M, Barcellona D. A journey to vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis: focus on haemostasis and thrombosis. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:4057-4064. [PMID: 37914967 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01222-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] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem connective tissue disease, characterized by endothelial autoimmune activation, along with tissue and vascular fibrosis leading to vasculopathy and to a progressive loss of angiogenesis. This condition further deranges the endothelial barrier favouring the opening of the endothelial junctions allowing the vascular leak in the surrounding tissues: this process may induce cell detachment which allows the contact between platelets and collagen present in the exposed subendothelial layer. Platelets first adhere to collagen via glycoprotein VI and then, immediately aggregate because of the release of von Willebrand factor which is a strong activator of platelet aggregation. Activated platelets exert their procoagulant activity, exposing on their membrane phospholipids and phosphatidylserine, enabling the adsorption of clotting factors ready to form thrombin which in turn drives the amplification of the coagulative cascade. An essential role in the activation of blood coagulation is the tissue factor (TF), which triggers blood coagulation. The TF is found abundantly in the subendothelial collagen and is also expressed by fibroblasts providing a haemostatic covering layer ready to activate coagulation when the endothelial injury occurs. The aim of this review is to focus the attention on the underlying mechanisms related to haemostasis and thrombosis pathophysiology which may have a relevant role in SSc as well as on a possible role of anticoagulation in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Marongiu
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Thrombosis and Haemostasis Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Filomena Ruberto
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Silvia Marongiu
- Internal Medicine Unit, SS Trinità Hospital of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci Cerinic
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Doris Barcellona
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
- Thrombosis and Haemostasis Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
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Hu Q, Saleem K, Pandey J, Charania AN, Zhou Y, He C. Cell Adhesion Molecules in Fibrotic Diseases. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1995. [PMID: 37509634 PMCID: PMC10377070 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071995] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are critical in fibrotic progression in many organs, including lung, kidney, skin, and liver. CAMs promote cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions to maintain tissue architecture and normal function in homeostasis. However, dysregulated expression and function of CAMs can lead to chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis. The major families of CAMs include integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulins. Here, we review the role of the CAMs in fibrosis development across various organs with a focus on integrins and cadherins, and discuss their respective roles in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianjiang Hu
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Komal Saleem
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jyotsana Pandey
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Arzoo N. Charania
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Yong Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Chao He
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Fioretto BS, Rosa I, Matucci-Cerinic M, Romano E, Manetti M. Current Trends in Vascular Biomarkers for Systemic Sclerosis: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044097. [PMID: 36835506 PMCID: PMC9965592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a multifaceted rare connective tissue disease whose pathogenesis is dominated by immune dysregulation, small vessel vasculopathy, impaired angiogenesis, and both cutaneous and visceral fibrosis. Microvascular impairment represents the initial event of the disease, preceding fibrosis by months or years and accounting for the main disabling and/or life-threatening clinical manifestations, including telangiectasias, pitting scars, periungual microvascular abnormalities (e.g., giant capillaries, hemorrhages, avascular areas, ramified/bushy capillaries) clinically detectable by nailfold videocapillaroscopy, ischemic digital ulcers, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and scleroderma renal crisis. Despite a variety of available treatment options, treatment of SSc-related vascular disease remains problematic, even considering SSc etherogenity and the quite narrow therapeutic window. In this context, plenty of studies have highlighted the great usefulness in clinical practice of vascular biomarkers allowing clinicians to assess the evolution of the pathological process affecting the vessels, as well as to predict the prognosis and the response to therapy. The current narrative review provides an up-to-date overview of the main candidate vascular biomarkers that have been proposed for SSc, focusing on their main reported associations with characteristic clinical vascular features of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Advances in Systemic Sclerosis: From Pathogenetic Pathways toward Novel Therapeutic Targets. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020513. [PMID: 36836870 PMCID: PMC9961552 DOI: 10.3390/life13020513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, or scleroderma) is a multifaceted rare connective tissue disease [...].
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D’Alessandro R, Garcia Gonzalez E, Falsetti P, Conticini E, d’Alessandro M, Selvi E, Bellisai F, Berlengiero V, Vallifuoco G, Pata AP, Bardelli M, Baldi C, Cantarini L, Bargagli E, Frediani B. Peripheral Macrovascular Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: A Cohort Study by Color and Spectral Doppler Ultrasonography. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020487. [PMID: 36836844 PMCID: PMC9962179 DOI: 10.3390/life13020487] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease characterized by diffuse sclerosis of skin and organs and small vessel vasculopathy. Despite it, large vessels can also be involved with ulnar artery vasculopathy, revealing as a more frequent feature of SSc. The aim of this paper is to assess the macrovascular involvement of SSc patients through an ultrasound (US) evaluation of radial and ulnar arteries. METHODS Radial and ulnar resistance indices (RIs) and peak systolic velocity (PV) (cm/s) together with clinical features of SSc patients were evaluated. Raynaud phenomenon (RP) and healthy control (HC) groups were used for comparison. RESULTS Forty-three SSc patients were evaluated. Twelve patients (28%) had ulnar artery occlusions (UAOs). In nine cases (75%), UAOs were bilateral. A high UAO prevalence (42%) was found in SSc patients with late nailfold-video-capillaroscopy (NVC) pattern (p = 0.0264). Patients with UAOs had digital ulcers (DUs) in 10 cases (83.3%). Radial and ulnar PVs were lower in SSc and RP patients than the HC group. Radial and ulnar RIs were higher in SSc and RP patients than the HC group. A decision tree analysis led to the classification of 70% of SSc patients with an ulnar RI > 0.82 and ulnar PV > 2.8 cm/s. The most influential variables on UAO development were interstitial lung disease (ILD) (p = 0.002) and NVC pattern (p = 0.002). A positive correlation was shown between modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and ILD (p = 0.283; r = 0.033), mRSS and DU (r = 0.344; p = 0.012) and DU and ILD (r = 0.303; p = 0.024). Male sex was associated with increased UAO frequency (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS UAO is a peculiar feature of severe SSc present in 28% of the cases, particularly associated with the presence of ILD and late NVC pattern. In 75% of the cases, UAOs are bilateral. DUs are very frequent in patients with UAOs (83%). The RI evaluated by US could be useful to distinguish SSc from HC patients. US could be a useful tool for assessing high-risk DU development in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto D’Alessandro
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Estrella Garcia Gonzalez
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Falsetti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Edoardo Conticini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Miriana d’Alessandro
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Enrico Selvi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Bellisai
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Virginia Berlengiero
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Vallifuoco
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Pata
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Bardelli
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Caterina Baldi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Cantarini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Bargagli
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Bruno Frediani
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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