High-throughput mRNA sequencing of human placenta shows sex differences across gestation

INTRODUCTION

Fetal sex affects fetal and maternal health outcomes in pregnancy, but this connection remains poorly understood. As the placenta is the route of fetomaternal communication and derives from the fetal genome, placental gene expression sex differences may explain these outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

We utilized next generation sequencing to study the normal human placenta in both sexes in first and third trimester to generate a normative transcriptome based on sex and gestation.

STUDY DESIGN

We analyzed 124 first trimester (T1, 59 female and 65 male) and 43 third trimester (T3, 18 female and 25 male) samples for sex differences within each trimester and sex-specific gestational differences.

RESULTS

Placenta shows more significant sexual dimorphism in T1, with 94 T1 and 26 T3 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The sex chromosomes contributed 60.6% of DEGs in T1 and 80.8% of DEGs in T3, excluding X/Y pseudoautosomal regions. There were 6 DEGs from the pseudoautosomal regions, only significant in T1 and all upregulated in males. The distribution of DEGs on the X chromosome suggests genes on Xp (the short arm) may be particularly important in placental sex differences. Dosage compensation analysis of X/Y homolog genes shows expression is primarily contributed by the X chromosome. In sex-specific analyses of first versus third trimester, there were 2815 DEGs common to both sexes upregulated in T1, and 3263 common DEGs upregulated in T3. There were 7 female-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T1, 15 female-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T3, 10 male-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T1, and 20 male-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T3.

DISCUSSION

This is the largest cohort of placentas across gestation from healthy pregnancies defining the normative sex dimorphic gene expression and sex common, sex specific and sex exclusive gene expression across gestation. The first trimester has the most sexually dimorphic transcripts, and the majority were upregulated in females compared to males in both trimesters. The short arm of the X chromosome and the pseudoautosomal region is particularly critical in defining sex differences in the first trimester placenta. As pregnancy is a dynamic state, sex specific DEGs across gestation may contribute to sex dimorphic changes in overall outcomes.

Alterations in genes associated with cytosolic RNA sensing in whole blood are associated with coronary microvascular disease in SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are 90% women and over three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than women in the general population. Chest pain with no obstructive cardiac disease is associated with coronary microvascular disease (CMD), where narrowing of the small blood vessels can lead to ischemia, and frequently reported by SLE patients. Using whole blood RNA samples, we asked whether gene signatures discriminate SLE patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) on cardiac MRI (n=4) from those without (n=7) and whether any signaling pathway is linked to the underlying pathobiology of SLE CMD. RNA-seq analysis revealed 143 differentially expressed (DE) genes between the SLE and healthy control (HC) groups, with virus defense and interferon (IFN) signaling being the key pathways identified as enriched in SLE as expected. We next conducted a comparative analysis of genes differentially expressed in SLE-CMD and SLE-non-CMD relative to HC samples. Our analysis highlighted differences in IFN signaling, RNA sensing and ADP-ribosylation pathways between SLE-CMD and SLE-non-CMD. This is the first study to investigate possible gene signatures associating with CMD in SLE, and our data strongly suggests that distinct molecular mechanisms underly vascular changes in CMD and non-CMD involvement in SLE.

Blood immunophenotyping identifies distinct kidney histopathology and outcomes in patients with lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a frequent manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, and fewer than half of patients achieve complete renal response with standard immunosuppressants. Identifying non-invasive, blood-based pathologic immune alterations associated with renal injury could aid therapeutic decisions. Here, we used mass cytometry immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 145 patients with biopsy-proven LN and 40 healthy controls to evaluate the heterogeneity of immune activation in patients with LN and to identify correlates of renal parameters and treatment response. Unbiased analysis identified 3 immunologically distinct groups of patients with LN that were associated with different patterns of histopathology, renal cell infiltrates, urine proteomic profiles, and treatment response at one year. Patients with enriched circulating granzyme B+ T cells at baseline showed more severe disease and increased numbers of activated CD8 T cells in the kidney, yet they had the highest likelihood of treatment response. A second group characterized primarily by a high type I interferon signature had a lower likelihood of response to therapy, while a third group appeared immunologically inactive by immunophenotyping at enrollment but with chronic renal injuries. Main immune profiles could be distilled down to 5 simple cytometric parameters that recapitulate several of the associations, highlighting the potential for blood immune profiling to translate to clinically useful non-invasive metrics to assess immune-mediated disease in LN.

α-Ketoglutarate-Dependent KDM6 Histone Demethylases and Interferon-Stimulated Gene Expression in Lupus

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the hypothesis that interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene (ISG) expression in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) monocytes is linked to changes in metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic regulation of ISG expression.

METHODS

Monocytes from healthy volunteers and patients with SLE at baseline or following IFNα treatment were analyzed by extracellular flux analysis, proteomics, metabolomics, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and gene expression. The histone demethylases KDM6A/B were inhibited using glycogen synthase kinase J4 (GSK-J4). GSK-J4 was tested in pristane and resiquimod (R848) models of IFN-driven SLE.

RESULTS

SLE monocytes had enhanced rates of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation compared to healthy control monocytes, as well as increased levels of isocitrate dehydrogenase and its product, α-ketoglutarate (α-KG). Because α-KG is a required cofactor for histone demethylases KDM6A and KDM6B, we hypothesized that IFNα may be driving "trained immune" responses through altering histone methylation. IFNα priming (day 1) resulted in a sustained increase in the expression of ISGs in primed cells (day 5) and enhanced expression on restimulation with IFNα. Importantly, decreased H3K27 trimethylation was observed at the promoters of ISGs following IFNα priming. Finally, GSK-J4 (KDM6A/B inhibitor) resulted in decreased ISG expression in SLE patient monocytes, as well as reduced autoantibody production, ISG expression, and kidney pathology in R848-treated BALB/c mice.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests long-term IFNα exposure alters the epigenetic regulation of ISG expression in SLE monocytes via changes in immunometabolism, a mechanism reflecting trained immunity to type I IFN. Importantly, it opens the possibility that targeting histone-modifying enzymes, such as KDM6A/B, may reduce IFN responses in SLE.

Multimorbidity phenotypes in ankylosing spondylitis and their association with disease activity and functional impairment: Data from the prospective study of outcomes in ankylosing spondylitis cohort

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association of multimorbidity phenotypes at baseline with disease activity and functional status over time in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS

Patient-reported AS morbidities (comorbidities, N = 28 and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations, EMMs, N = 3) within 3 years of enrollment with a prevalence ≥1 %, were included from the Prospective Study of Outcomes in Ankylosing Spondylitis (PSOAS) cohort. We defined multimorbidity as ≥2 morbidities (MM2+) and substantial multimorbidity as ≥5 morbidities (MM5+). Multimorbidity clusters or phenotypes were identified using K-median clustering. Disease activity (ASDAS-CRP) and functional status (BASFI) measures were collected every 6 months. Generalized estimating equation method was used to examine the associations of multimorbidity counts and multimorbidity clusters with measures of disease activity and functional status over time.

RESULTS

Among 1,270 AS patients (9,885 visits) with a median follow-up of 2.9 years (IQ range: 1.0-6.8 years), the prevalence of MM2+ and MM5+ was 49 % and 9 % respectively. We identified five multimorbidity clusters: depression (n = 321, 25 %), hypertension (n = 284, 22 %), uveitis (n = 274, 22 %), no morbidities (n = 238, 19 %), and miscellaneous (n = 153, 12 %). Patients in the depression cluster were more likely to be female and had significantly more morbidities and worse disease activity and functional status compared to those with no morbidities.

CONCLUSION

Approximately 49 % of AS patients in the PSOAS cohort had multimorbidity and five distinct multimorbidity phenotypes were identified. In addition to the number of morbidities, the type of morbidity appears to be important to longitudinal outcomes in AS. The depression cluster was associated with worse disease activity and function.

Reduced Left Ventricular Function on Cardiac MRI in SLE Patients Correlates with Measures of SLE Disease Activity and Inflammation

Background

Women with SLE have an elevated risk of CVD morbidity and mortality and frequently report chest pain in the absence of obstructive CAD. Echocardiographic studies often demonstrate reduced LV function, correlating with higher disease activity. We used cardiac MRI (cMRI) to investigate the relationship between SLE, related inflammatory biomarkers and cardiac function in female SLE patients.

Methods

Women with SLE reporting chest pain with no obstructive CAD (n=13) and reference controls (n=22) were evaluated using stress-rest cMRI to measure LV structure, function, tissue characteristics, and myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI). Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) was defined as MPRI <1.84. Serum samples were analyzed for inflammatory markers. Relationships between clinical and cMRI values of SLE subjects were assessed, and groups were compared.

Results

40% of SLE subjects had MPRI < 1.84 on cMRI. Compared to controls, SLE subjects had higher LV volumes and mass and lower LV systolic function. SLICC DI was related to worse cardiac function and higher T1. CRP was related to higher cardiac output and a trend to better systolic function, while ESR and fasting insulin were related to lower LV mass. Lower fasting insulin levels correlated with increased ECV.

Conclusions

Among our female SLE cohort, 40% had CMD, and SLICC DI correlated with worse cardiac function and diffuse fibrosis. Higher inflammatory markers and low insulin levels may associate with LV dysfunction. Our findings underline the potential of non-invasive cMRI as a tool for monitoring cardiovascular function in SLE patients.

Interaction effects of significant risk factors on low bone mineral density in ankylosing spondylitis

Background

To analyze individually and interactively critical risk factors, which are closely related to low bone mineral density (BMD) in patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

A total of 249 AS patients who visited China-Japan Friendship Hospital were included in this training set. Patients with questionnaire data, blood samples, X-rays, and BMD were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify key risk factors for low BMD in different sites, and predictive accuracy was improved by incorporating the selected significant risk factors into the baseline model, which was then validated using a validation set. The interaction between risk factors was analyzed, and predictive nomograms for low BMD in different sites were established.

Results

There were 113 patients with normal BMD, and 136 patients with low BMD. AS patients with hip involvement are more likely to have low BMD in the total hip, whereas those without hip involvement are more prone to low BMD in the lumbar spine. Chest expansion, mSASSS, radiographic average grade of the sacroiliac joint, and hip involvement were significantly associated with low BMD of the femoral neck and total hip. Syndesmophytes, hip involvement and higher radiographic average grade of the sacroiliac joint increases the risk of low BMD of the femoral neck and total hip in an additive manner. Finally, a prediction model was constructed to predict the risk of low BMD in total hip and femoral neck.

Conclusions

This study identified hip involvement was strongly associated with low BMD of the total hip in AS patients. Furthermore, the risk of low BMD of the femoral neck and total hip was found to increase in an additive manner with the presence of syndesmophytes, hip involvement, and severe sacroiliitis. This finding may help rheumatologists to identify AS patients who are at a high risk of developing low BMD and prompt early intervention to prevent fractures.

Reduced left ventricular function on cardiac MRI of SLE patients correlates with measures of disease activity and inflammation

Background

Women with SLE have an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. Many women with SLE frequently report chest pain in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) due to coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), a form of ischemia with no obstructive CAD. Echocardiographic studies have shown that SLE patients have reduced left ventricular (LV) function, which may also correlate with higher SLE disease activity scores. As such, we used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) to investigate the relationship between SLE, related inflammatory biomarkers, and cardiac function in female SLE patients.

Methods

We performed stress cMRI in women with SLE and chest pain with no obstructive CAD (n=13, all met ACR 1997 criteria,) and reference controls (n=22) using our published protocol. We evaluated LV function, tissue characterization (T1 mapping, ECV), and delayed enhancement, using CV142 software (Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc, Calgary, AB, Canada). Myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI) was calculated using our published protocol. SLEDAI and SLICC Damage Index (DI) were calculated per validated criteria. Serum samples were analyzed for inflammatory markers and autoantibodies. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed on clinical values with CMD and no CMD SLE subjects, and on cMRI values with all SLE subjects and controls. Correlation analysis was done on clinical values, and cMRI values on all SLE subjects.

Results

Overall, 40% of SLE subjects had MPRI values < 1.84, consistent with CMD. Compared to controls, SLE subjects had significantly lower LVEF, and higher LVESVi and LVMi. Corresponding to this, radial, longitudinal, and circumferential strain were significantly lower in the SLE subjects. In correlation analysis of serum inflammatory biomarkers to cMRI values in the SLE subjects, SLICC DI was related to worse cardiac function (lower radial, circumferential and longitudinal strain) and higher T1 time. Additionally, fasting insulin and ESR were negatively correlated with LVMi. Fasting insulin also negatively correlated with ECV. CRP had a positive association with LVESV index and CI and a negative association with longitudinal strain.

Conclusions

Among women with SLE with chest pain and no obstructive CAD, 40% have CMD. While evaluations of known inflammatory markers (such as CRP and ESR) predictably correlated with decreased cardiac function, our study found that decreased fasting insulin levels as a novel marker of diminished LV function. In addition, low insulin levels were observed to correlate with increased LVMi and ECV, suggesting a cardioprotective effect of insulin in SLE patients. We also noted that SLICC DI, an assessment of SLE damage, correlates with cardiac dysfunction in SLE. Our findings underline the potential of non-invasive cMRI as a tool for monitoring cardiovascular function in SLE, particularly in patients with high SLICC DI, ESR and CRP and low fasting insulin levels.

Microvascular Aging and Eicosanoids-Women's Evaluation of Systemic Aging Tenacity ("You are never too old to become younger!") Specialized Center of Research Excellence on Sex Differences Career Enhancement Core: Building the Future

The objective of the National Institutes of Health Office of Research in Women's Health (NIH/ORWH) Specialized Center of Research and Career Enhancement (SCORE) program is to expedite the development and application of new knowledge that affect women, to learn more about the etiology of these diseases, and to foster improved approaches to treatment and/or prevention. Each SCORE has a Career Enhancement Core (CEC) that serves to meet the career enhancement needs of translational science in the study of sex differences. The Microvascular Aging and Eicosanoids-Women's Evaluation of Systemic aging Tenacity (MAE-WEST) ("You are never too old to become younger!") Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) on Sex Differences will study pro- and anti-inflammatory responses and small vessel aging traits. As part of our SCORE CEC, we have advanced several initiatives to embed consideration of sex as a biological variable (SABV) into the infrastructure of our two CEC institutions. Unlike other professions, ongoing physician education through continuing medical education (CME) activities is required and embedded in the practice of medicine. The MAE-WEST SCORE in collaboration with the CSMC Clinical Scholars Program, the Center for Research in Women's Health and Sex-differences and the CSMC CME Office requires SABV and as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion components in all CSMC CME programs. Clinical practice is also increasingly guided by evidence-based guidelines, with Class I recommendations resulting from clinical trials rather than expert consensus. It is essential that women be included in clinical trials proportionate to the prevalence and burden of disease. The MAE-WEST SCORE has developed our own unique CEC for providing novel educational, networking, funding opportunities, and translation to practice support. The developed best practices have found novel ways to enhance studies of women's health and SABV. We welcome visitors on-site and virtual to share with the broader academic and practicing community.

Socioeconomic Status, Reserve Capacity, and Depressive Symptoms Predict Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Examination of the Reserve Capacity Model

Background

Guided by the reserve capacity model, we examined the roles of socioeconomic status (SES), reserve capacity, and negative emotions as determinants of pain in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Methods

The study used cross-sectional baseline data from 106 adults in a clinical trial comparing behavioral treatments for RA. Structural equation modeling evaluated the direct effects of SES, reserve capacity (helplessness, self-efficacy, social support) and negative emotions (stress and depressive symptoms) on pain, and the indirect effects of SES as mediated by reserve capacity and negative emotions.

Results

Results showed that low SES contributed to greater pain, through lower reserve capacity and higher negative emotions. Mediational analyses showed that reserve capacity and negative emotions partially mediated the effect of SES on pain.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that interventions that target negative emotions in patients with low SES may facilitate better pain control with RA.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov NCT00072657; 02/2004.

Macrophage fumarate hydratase restrains mtRNA-mediated interferon production

Metabolic rewiring underlies the effector functions of macrophages1-3, but the mechanisms involved remain incompletely defined. Here, using unbiased metabolomics and stable isotope-assisted tracing, we show that an inflammatory aspartate-argininosuccinate shunt is induced following lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The shunt, supported by increased argininosuccinate synthase (ASS1) expression, also leads to increased cytosolic fumarate levels and fumarate-mediated protein succination. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic ablation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme fumarate hydratase (FH) further increases intracellular fumarate levels. Mitochondrial respiration is also suppressed and mitochondrial membrane potential increased. RNA sequencing and proteomics analyses demonstrate that there are strong inflammatory effects resulting from FH inhibition. Notably, acute FH inhibition suppresses interleukin-10 expression, which leads to increased tumour necrosis factor secretion, an effect recapitulated by fumarate esters. Moreover, FH inhibition, but not fumarate esters, increases interferon-β production through mechanisms that are driven by mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA) release and activation of the RNA sensors TLR7, RIG-I and MDA5. This effect is recapitulated endogenously when FH is suppressed following prolonged lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Furthermore, cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus also exhibit FH suppression, which indicates a potential pathogenic role for this process in human disease. We therefore identify a protective role for FH in maintaining appropriate macrophage cytokine and interferon responses.

eNAMPT/TLR4 inflammatory cascade activation is a key contributor to SLE Lung vasculitis and alveolar hemorrhage

Rationale

Effective therapies to reduce the severity and high mortality of pulmonary vasculitis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a serious unmet need. We explored whether biologic neutralization of eNAMPT (extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyl-transferase), a novel DAMP and Toll-like receptor 4 ligand, represents a viable therapeutic strategy in lupus vasculitis.

Methods

Serum was collected from SLE subjects (n = 37) for eNAMPT protein measurements. In the preclinical pristane-induced murine model of lung vasculitis/hemorrhage, C57BL/6 J mice (n = 5-10/group) were treated with PBS, IgG (1 mg/kg), or the eNAMPT-neutralizing ALT-100 mAb (1 mg/kg, IP or subcutaneously (SQ). Lung injury evaluation (Day 10) included histology/immuno-histochemistry, BAL protein/cellularity, tissue biochemistry, RNA sequencing, and plasma biomarker assessment.

Results

SLE subjects showed highly significant increases in blood NAMPT mRNA expression and eNAMPT protein levels compared to healthy controls. Preclinical pristane-exposed mice studies showed significantly increased NAMPT lung tissue expression and increased plasma eNAMPT levels accompanied by marked increases in alveolar hemorrhage and lung inflammation (BAL protein, PMNs, activated monocytes). In contrast, ALT-100 mAb-treated mice showed significant attenuation of inflammatory lung injury, alveolar hemorrhage, BAL protein, tissue leukocytes, and plasma inflammatory cytokines (eNAMPT, IL-6, IL-8). Lung RNA sequencing showed pristane-induced activation of inflammatory genes/pathways including NFkB, cytokine/chemokine, IL-1β, and MMP signaling pathways, each rectified in ALT-100 mAb-treated mice.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the role of eNAMPT/TLR4-mediated inflammatory signaling in the pathobiology of SLE pulmonary vasculitis and alveolar hemorrhage. Biologic neutralization of this novel DAMP appears to serve as a viable strategy to reduce the severity of SLE lung vasculitis.

High incidence of proliferative and membranous nephritis in SLE patients with low proteinuria in the Accelerating Medicines Partnership

OBJECTIVE

Delayed detection of LN associates with worse outcomes. There are conflicting recommendations regarding a threshold level of proteinuria at which biopsy will likely yield actionable management. This study addressed the association of urine protein:creatinine ratios (UPCR) with clinical characteristics and investigated the incidence of proliferative and membranous histology in patients with a UPCR between 0.5 and 1.

METHODS

A total of 275 SLE patients (113 first biopsy, 162 repeat) were enrolled in the multicentre multi-ethnic/racial Accelerating Medicines Partnership across 15 US sites at the time of a clinically indicated renal biopsy. Patients were followed for 1 year.

RESULTS

At biopsy, 54 patients had UPCR <1 and 221 had UPCR ≥1. Independent of UPCR or biopsy number, a majority (92%) of patients had class III, IV, V or mixed histology. Moreover, patients with UPCR <1 and class III, IV, V, or mixed had a median activity index of 4.5 and chronicity index of 3, yet 39% of these patients had an inactive sediment. Neither anti-dsDNA nor low complement distinguished class I or II from III, IV, V or mixed in patients with UPCR <1. Of 29 patients with baseline UPCR <1 and class III, IV, V or mixed, 23 (79%) had a UPCR <0.5 at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

In this prospective study, three-quarters of patients with UPCR <1 had histology showing class III, IV, V or mixed with accompanying activity and chronicity despite an inactive sediment or normal serologies. These data support renal biopsy at thresholds lower than a UPCR of 1.

Biological treatment usage in patients with HIV and rheumatic disease, 2003-2021: long-term safety and follow-up

Objective

This study examined the safety and efficacy of biological agents, especially tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, for HIV-positive rheumatology patients refractory to standard therapy.

Methods

This study is a retrospective case series including patients derived from a community HIV clinic as well as from two academic centres. Initial visit data collected included: sociodemographic characteristics, CD4 counts, HIV viral load and medication use. Patients with persistent disease activity despite standard conservative therapy were begun on biological agents. The main outcomes were patient and physician global assessment of treatment response and medication side effects in patients with rheumatological disorders treated with biological medications over time.

Results

Seventeen patients were seen from 2003 to 2021, including eight from our previous cohort published in 2008 and nine seen since then, five of whom taking TNF blockers for more than 10 years. Three (17.7%) had rheumatoid arthritis, five (29.4%) psoriatic arthritis, four (23.5%) axial spondyloarthritis and the rest (29.4%) peripheral spondyloarthritis. Antiretroviral therapy had been used in 15. All but one had at least a partial response to biological therapy. There were no major infectious episodes necessitating the discontinuation of medications with only one patient discontinuing treatment due to rising HIV viral load. Patients not on antiretroviral therapy reported no adverse side effects from biological therapy. Four patients were switched to ustekinumab, secukinumab, tocilizumab or upadacitinib from anti-TNF therapy without complications.

Conclusions

These data suggest that biological therapy, especially anti-TNF agents are safe and well tolerated in HIV positive individuals even over several years.

OP0154 COMORBIDITY CLUSTERS IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH DISEASE ACTIVITY AND FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT: DATA FROM THE PSOAS COHORT

Background

Comorbidities in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) occur more frequently than in the general population and are associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Some comorbidities may occur together, making one more likely in the presence of another, and different combinations of comorbidities may have differential considerations for AS management and outcomes.

Objectives

To examine the association of baseline comorbidities with disease activity and functional status in AS.

Methods

We used baseline data from the Prospective Study Of Ankylosing Spondylitis (PSOAS) cohort, a multicenter, prospective cohort from five centers (4 in the US, 1 in Australia). AS patients ≥ 18 years fulfilling mNY criteria for AS (2002-20) were included. Patient-reported AS comorbidities (N=28) and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations (EMMs, N=2) within 3 years of enrollment (prespecified on the baseline case-report form) and only those occurring in ≥1% were included. Undocumented comorbidities were assumed to be absent if missing in <15% of patients, and those missing in >50% of patients were excluded. Comorbidity clusters were identified using K-median clustering. The optimal number of clusters was determined using scree plot of the sum of squared errors and “elbow” on the graph line. Baseline characteristics of the clusters were compared, and associations of with disease activity and functional status measures (primary outcomes: ASDAS-CRP and BASFI) were examined using linear regression adjusted for age and sex.

Results

There were 1,270 AS patients included with a mean age of 44.6 ±14.3 years, 74.4% males, and 81.2% whites. Mean AS symptom duration was 20.6±5.6 years, 81.6% HLA-B27 positive, and CRP elevated in 27.5% of patients at baseline. Depression was the most prevalent comorbidity (31.4%) followed by hypertension (26.1%); uveitis was the most common EMM (30.4%). The five clusters identified included depression (27%), no comorbidities (22%), hypertension (21%), uveitis (20%), and asthma/low bone mass (10%) (Figure 1). The cluster with no comorbidities was significantly younger, with lower symptom duration (p<0.001). Females had higher odds of being in the depression (OR=2.00, 95% CI 1.38- 2.90) and uveitis (OR=2.09, 95% CI 1.41-3.11) clusters compared to the cluster with no comorbidities. The number of comorbidities and clusters with depression and hypertension were significantly associated with worse disease activity and functional status (Table 1).

Table 1.

Age and sex adjusted associations between comorbidity clusters, compared to cluster 3, and baseline disease activity/ functional status measures in ankylosing spondylitis based on Linear regression models.

Cluster 1 (depression)Cluster 3 (hypertension)Cluster 4 (uveitis)Cluster 5 (asthma, low bone mass)OutcomesCoef (95% CI)Coef (95% CI)Coef (95% CI)Coef (95% CI)ASDAS-CRP0.98 (0.78-1.18)0.43 (0.18-0.68)0.04 (-0.19-0.27)0.16 (-0.12-0.44)BASFI (0-10)1.92 (1.51-2.34)1.00 (0.53-1.48)-0.03 (-0.49-0.42)0.64 (0.076-1.20)Enthesitis count1.17 (0.73-1.61)0.73 (0.19-1.26)0.18 (-0.32-0.68)0.48 (-0.13-1.08)Swollen joint count (0-44)0.27 (-0.08-0.62)0.43 (-0.01-0.86)0.31 (-0.09-0.71)-0.95 (-0.58-0.39)Tender joint count (0-46)1.24 (0.59-1.88)0.44 (-0.34-1.23)0.56 (-0.18-1.29)0.34 (-0.55-1.23)BASDAI (0-10)2.30 (1.88-2.71)0.88 (0.36-1.40)0.30 (-0.17-0.78)0.61 (0.03-1.19)Patient Global (0-10)2.25 (1.82-2.68)0.76 (0.21-1.30)-0.22 (-0.71-0.27)0.29 (-0.31-0.89)Patient Pain (0-10)2.45 (1.95-2.94)1.00 (0.37-1.62)0.19 (-0.38-0.75)0.16 (-0.54-0.85)Spinal pain (0-10)2.40 (1.89-2.91)1.05 (0.41-1.70)0.43 (-0.16-1.01)0.76 (0.04-1.47)Figure 1.

Comorbidity clusters in PSOAS cohort at baseline

Conclusion

Distinct comorbidity clusters were identified in AS patients in the PSOAS cohort. In addition to the number of comorbidities, the type of comorbidity seems to be important. Depression and hypertension clusters seem to be associated with worse disease activity and function.

Disclosure of Interests

Paras Karmacharya: None declared, Cynthia S. Crowson: None declared, Dilli Poudel: None declared, John M Davis III Consultant of: Dr. Davis has received consulting fees and/or honoraria from AbbVie and Sanofi-Genzyme (less than $10,000 each), Grant/research support from: Dr. Davis has received research support from Pfizer., Alexis Ogdie Consultant of: Dr. Ogdie has served as a consultant for AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Corrona, Gilead, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB (less than 10,000 each), Grant/research support from: Dr. Ogdie has received grants from Novartis and Pfizer to Penn and from Amgen to Forward (grants more than 10,000)., Jean Liew Grant/research support from: Dr. Liew received grant/research support from Pfizer (> $10,000), Michael Ward: None declared, Mariko Ishimori: None declared, Michael Weisman Consultant of: Dr. Weisman received consulting fees for Novartis, UCB, Gilead, and GSK (< $10,000)., Matthew Brown: None declared, Mohammad Rahbar: None declared, Mark Hwang: None declared, John D Reveille Consultant of: JDR received consulting fees for UCB (< $10,000), Grant/research support from: Dr. Reveille received research support from Lilly and Janssen unrelated to this work., Lianne S. Gensler Consultant of: Dr. Gensler has received consulting fees for AbbVie, Eli Lilly, GSK, Gilead, Pfizer (< $10,000)., Grant/research support from: Dr. Gensler received grant/research support from UCB and Novartis (> $10,000).

Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Chest Pain

Chest pain is a common symptom in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease that is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. While chest pain mechanisms can be multifactorial and often attributed to non-coronary or non-cardiac cardiac etiologies, emerging evidence suggests that ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is a prevalent condition in patients with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease. Coronary microvascular dysfunction is reported in approximately half of SLE patients with suspected INOCA. In this mini review, we highlight the cardiovascular risk assessment, mechanisms of INOCA, and diagnostic approach for patients with SLE and suspected CMD.

Neutrophils Contribute to ER Stress in Lung Epithelial Cells in the Pristane-Induced Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Mouse Model

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), although rare, is a life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Little is known about the pathophysiology of DAH in humans, although increasingly neutrophils, NETosis and inflammatory monocytes have been shown to play an important role in the pristane-induced model of SLE which develops lung hemorrhage and recapitulates many of the pathologic features of human DAH. Using this experimental model, we asked whether endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress played a role in driving the pathology of pulmonary hemorrhage and what role infiltrating neutrophils had in this process. Analysis of lung tissue from pristane-treated mice showed genes associated with ER stress and NETosis were increased in a time-dependent manner and reflected the timing of CD11b⁺Ly6G⁺ neutrophil accumulation in the lung. Using precision cut lung slices from untreated mice we observed that neutrophils isolated from the peritoneal cavity of pristane-treated mice could directly induce the expression of genes associated with ER stress, namely Chop and Bip. Mice which had myeloid-specific deletion of PAD4 were generated and treated with pristane to assess the involvement of PAD4 and PAD4-dependent NET formation in pristane-induced lung inflammation. Specific deletion of PAD4 in myeloid cells resulted in decreased expression of ER stress genes in the pristane model, with accompanying reduction in IFN-driven genes and pathology. Lastly, coculture experiments of human neutrophils and human lung epithelial cell line (BEAS-2b) showed neutrophils from SLE patients induced significantly more ER stress and interferon-stimulated genes in epithelial cells compared to healthy control neutrophils. These results support a pathogenic role of neutrophils and NETs in lung injury during pristane-induced DAH through the induction of ER stress response and suggest that overactivation of neutrophils in SLE and NETosis may underlie development of DAH.

Development of radiographic classification criteria for hand osteoarthritis: a methodological report (Phase 2)

OBJECTIVES

In Phase 1 of developing new hand osteoarthritis (OA) classification criteria, features associated with hand OA were identified in a population with hand complaints. Radiographic findings could better discriminate patients with hand OA and controls than clinical examination findings. The objective of Phase 2 was to achieve consensus on the features and their weights to be included in three radiographic criteria sets of overall hand OA, interphalangeal OA and thumb base OA.

METHODS

Multidisciplinary, international expert panels were convened. Patient vignettes were used to identify important features consistent with hand OA. A consensus-based decision analysis approach implemented using 1000minds software was applied to identify the most important features and their relative importance influencing the likelihood of symptoms being due to hand OA. Analyses were repeated for interphalangeal and thumb base OA. The reliability and validity of the proposed criteria sets were tested.

RESULTS

The experts agreed that the criteria sets should be applied in a population with pain, aching or stiffness in hand joint(s) not explained by another disease or acute injury. In this setting, five additional criteria were considered important: age, morning stiffness, radiographic osteophytes, radiographic joint space narrowing and concordance between symptoms and radiographic findings. The reliability and validity were very good.

CONCLUSION

Radiographic features were considered critical when determining whether a patient had symptoms due to hand OA. The consensus-based decision analysis approach in Phase 2 complemented the data-driven results from Phase 1, which will form the basis of the final classification criteria sets.

Core outcome measurement instrument selection for physical function in hand osteoarthritis using the OMERACT Filter 2.1 process

OBJECTIVE

Physical function is one of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) core outcome domains for hand osteoarthritis studies. Our aim was to select appropriate instrument(s) to measure this domain, as part of the development of a core outcome measurement set.

METHODS

Following the OMERACT Filter 2.1 instrument selection process, the (function subscale of) the Australian/Canadian Hand Osteoarthritis Index (AUSCAN), Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis (FIHOA) and Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) were assessed for domain match, feasibility, truth and discrimination. Data gathered from available literature, working group and patient surveys, and additional analyses in two hand osteoarthritis cohorts were used to inform a consensus process. Results were summarized in Summary of Measurements Properties tables and reviewed by the OMERACT technical advisory group.

RESULTS

MHQ passed the assessment of domain match and feasibility by the working group and patient research partners. For AUSCAN important limitations in feasibility were noted, but domain match was good. FIHOA did not pass the assessment and was not taken through the follow-up assessment. Based on published literature, reliability and construct/longitudinal validity of both MHQ and AUSCAN fulfilled OMERACT standards. While clinical trial discrimination and thresholds of meaning were good for AUSCAN, results for MHQ were ambiguous.

CONCLUSION

MHQ was provisionally endorsed as OMERACT core outcome measure for the core domain physical function. While AUSCAN may have better metric properties than MHQ, it received provisional endorsement as a second measure of function due to important feasibility issues. A research agenda to merit full endorsement was set.

Safety of procuring research tissue during a clinically indicated kidney biopsy from patients with lupus: data from the Accelerating Medicines Partnership RA/SLE Network

Objectives

In lupus nephritis the pathological diagnosis from tissue retrieved during kidney biopsy drives treatment and management. Despite recent approval of new drugs, complete remission rates remain well under aspirational levels, necessitating identification of new therapeutic targets by greater dissection of the pathways to tissue inflammation and injury. This study assessed the safety of kidney biopsies in patients with SLE enrolled in the Accelerating Medicines Partnership, a consortium formed to molecularly deconstruct nephritis.

Methods

475 patients with SLE across 15 clinical sites in the USA consented to obtain tissue for research purposes during a clinically indicated kidney biopsy. Adverse events (AEs) were documented for 30 days following the procedure and were determined to be related or unrelated by all site investigators. Serious AEs were defined according to the National Institutes of Health reporting guidelines.

Results

34 patients (7.2%) experienced a procedure-related AE: 30 with haematoma, 2 with jets, 1 with pain and 1 with an arteriovenous fistula. Eighteen (3.8%) experienced a serious AE requiring hospitalisation; four patients (0.8%) required a blood transfusion related to the kidney biopsy. At one site where the number of cores retrieved during the biopsy was recorded, the mean was 3.4 for those who experienced a related AE (n=9) and 3.07 for those who did not experience any AE (n=140). All related AEs resolved.

Conclusions

Procurement of research tissue should be considered feasible, accompanied by a complication risk likely no greater than that incurred for standard clinical purposes. In the quest for targeted treatments personalised based on molecular findings, enhanced diagnostics beyond histology will likely be required.

Home-based virtual reality for chronic pain: protocol for an NIH-supported randomised-controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Chronic pain is highly prevalent and associated with a large burden of illness; there is a pressing need for safe, home-based, non-pharmacological, interventions. Virtual reality (VR) is a digital therapeutic known to be effective for acute pain, but its role in chronic pain is not yet fully elucidated. Here we present a protocol for the National Institute of Health (NIH) Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) VR trial that evaluates the effectiveness of three forms of VR for patients with chronic lower back pain (cLBP), a highly prevalent form of chronic pain.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The NIH BACPAC VR trial will randomise 360 patients with cLBP into one of three arms, each administered through a head-mounted display: 1) skills-based VR, a program incorporating principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, mindful meditation and physiological biofeedback therapy using embedded biometric sensors; 2) distraction-based VR, a program using 360-degree immersive videos designed to distract users from pain; and 3) sham VR, a non-immersive program using two-dimensional videos within a VR headset. Research participants will be monitored for 12 weeks using a combination of patient-reported outcomes administered via REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), wearable sensor data collected via Fitbit Charge 4 and electronic health record data. The primary outcome will be the NIH Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference scale. Secondary outcomes will include PROMIS Anxiety, PROMIS Sleep Disturbance, opioid prescription data and Pain Catastrophizing Scale Short Form. A subgroup analysis will explore patient level predictors for VR efficacy.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Cedars-Sinai Health System in April 2020. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04409353.

POS0904 FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SWITCHING FROM ONE ANTI-TNF AGENT TO ANOTHER ANTI-TNF, OR IL17 AGENT IN PATIENT WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Background:

A recent study examining Commercial Claims Insurance database found that many patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) do not remain on their initial TNF inhibitor two years after initiation, particularly women and those taking opioids.

Objectives:

To examine factors associated with switching from one TNF inhibitor (i)agent to either another TNFi, IL-17i or JAKi over time (at <2years and >2 years) in a longitudinal cohort of AS patients.

Methods:

Patients enrolled in the Prospective Study of Outcomes in AS (PSOAS), an observational longitudinal study of predictors of AS severity operative since 2002-2020 including over 1250 patients meeting modified New York criteria. Data collected included age, gender, ethnicity, HLA-B27 status, disease activity (BASDAI or ASDAS), erythocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), disease severity,(functional (BASFI) or radiographic (mSASSS)), comorbidities, smoking, exercise, disease duration, depression (either by self report or by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and other medication usage (NSAIDs, including the NSAID index, nonbiologic DMARDs, opioids, anti-depressants, anxiolytics and hypnotics). Logistic regression models were built to identify clinical and sociodemographic characterstics associated with medication switching to another TNFi, IL-17i, or other biologic therapy (another TNFi, Il-17i, or JAKi) within 2 years and after 2 years of initiation).

Results:

Of those patients in PSOAS who had at least two years of follow-up, 496 were prescribed anti-TNF, 34 anti-IL-17 and 3 anti-JAK agents. According to the multinomial logistic regression analysis, patients who switched from their original TNFito another TNFi, IL-17i or JAKi within two years after initiating their original TNFi were more likely to be older, have higher baseline subjective disease activity (BASDAI), less radiographic severity by MSASSS, exercise > 120 minutes/week and less likely to be currently smoking. Patients who switched after two years were less likely be depressed, had shorter disease duration, had greater subjective disease activity, were more likely to be exercising > 120 minutes/week, and had more comorbidities.

Conclusion:

Different factors were encountered in AS patients who switched from their initial TNFi to another TNFi, IL-17i or JAKi within 2 years versus after 2 years of treatment.

Table 1.

Factors Associated With Switching From One TNFi To A Second TNFi or IL-17i or JAKi Before or After Two Years Based On Multinomial Logistic Regression Model (N=496 Patients)

VariableSwitched within 2 years vs. not switchedp-value*Switched after 2 years vs. not switchedp-value*Gender (Male vs. Female)0.99(0.637, 1.549)0.980.95 (0.528, 1.719)0.87HLA-B27_(+ vs. -)0.99 (0.639, 1.523)0.950.66 (0.365, 1.192)0.17Depression (CESD≥ 16 or self-report)(Yes vs. No)0.99 (0.676, 1.445)0.950.35 (0.182, 0.672)0.002Disease duration at baseline (≥20 vs. <20 years)0.72 (0.485, 1.062)0.100.27 (0.146, 0.491)<0.001Age at baseline (≥40 vs. <40) (years)2.00 (1.291, 3.101)0.0021.23 (0.693, 2.193)0.48CRP (≥0.8 vs. <0.8)1.94 (1.230, 3.056)0.0040.90 (0.454, 1.789)0.77BASFI (≥40 vs. <40)1.34 0.852, 2.118)0.200.87 (0.450, 1.688)0.68BASDAI (≥4 vs. <4)1.73 (1.064, 2.797)0.032.31 (1.202, 4.427)0.01NSAID index (≥50 vs. <50)1.32 (0.822, 2.128)0.250.83 (0.437, 1.586)0.58NSAIDs used (Yes vs. No)0.84 (0.534, 1.309)0.430.85 (0.479, 1.510)0.58Exercise (≥120 vs. <120) (minutes/week)1.95 (1.396, 2.731)<0.0011.66(1.057, 2.613)0.03ASDAS (≥3 vs. <3)0.78 (0.454, 1.356)0.391.07 (0.478, 2.399)0.87Number of comorbidities (≥2 vs. <2)1.40 (0.997, 1.951)0.051.63 (1.029, 2.575)0.04mSASSS (≥4, vs. <4)0.63 (0.421, 0.957)0.030.81(0.474, 1.392)0.03Current smoker (Yes vs No)0.69 (0.385, 1.225)<0.0010.79 (0.297, 2.076)0.20

*p-values calculated based on multinomial logistic regression model when switching is defined as being prescribed a second TNFi or taking IL-17i or JAKi before or after 2 years from first TNFi initiation

Disclosure of Interests:

Mark Hwang Consultant of: UCB, Novartis, Michael Weisman Consultant of: Novartis, GSK, UCB, Lilly, Lianne S. Gensler Consultant of: AbbVie, GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Amirali Tahanan: None declared, Mariko Ishimori: None declared, Theresa Hunter Employee of: Eli Lilly, Rebecca Bolce Employee of: Eli Lilly, Jeffrey Lisse Employee of: Eli Lilly, Mohammad Rahbar: None declared, Minyang Shan Employee of: Eli Lilly, John D Reveille Consultant of: UCB, Grant/research support from: Eli Lilly

Repeated Spinal Mobility Measures and Their Association With Radiographic Damage in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objective

We sought to explore the relationship between changes in repeated mobility measures and spinal structural progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) over time.

Methods

We studied patients with AS from the PSOAS (Prospective Study of Outcomes in AS) cohort and performed longitudinal multivariable regression modeling to assess the relationship of structural damage measured by their regional (cervical or lumbar) modified Stoke AS Spinal Score(mSASSS) and selected cervical (eg, cervical rotation, lateral bending, and occiput‐to‐wall distance) and lumbar spinal mobility measures (eg, Schöber’s test and lumbar lateral bending) that were collected at least every 2 years from 2003 to 2019.

Results

The median length of follow‐up for our 518 patients with cervical mSASSS measurements and 573 with lumbar mSASSS measurements was 4.08 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.25‐6.67) and 4.17 (IQR 2.25‐6.67) years, respectively. Among the mobility measures, based on multivariable regression models adjusting for clinical/demographic variables and C‐reactive protein, we did not observe meaningful associations between changes in spinal mobility with their respective regional mSASSS. Baseline mSASSS, male sex, increased C‐reactive protein (CRP), and longer disease duration were associated with increased longitudinal mSASSS in all analyses.

Conclusion

Our study shows that 2‐year changes in individual spinal mobility measures are not reliably associated with increased, longitudinal, AS‐related spinal structural progression. We also confirmed the relationship of baseline mSASSS, sex, CRP, and disease duration with AS‐related structural spinal progression over time.

Low levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) 3.1 associated with diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis

Our aim was to investigate the newest generation anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody 3.1 assay in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with other autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases. We performed a retrospective observational chart review of patients with a positive CCP level over a one-year period at a single academic institution and assessed the associated diagnoses after at least six-months of follow-up. Of the 281 CCP positive patients during that period, 48% had a diagnosis of RA. The positive predictive value of RA in patients with a high CCP 3.1 assay was 0.619 compared to 0.248 with a low positive CCP 3.1 assay (P < .0001). Overall, there was a lower than expected positive predictive value of CCP 3.1 level with an RA diagnosis, though the likelihood of having an RA diagnosis was higher with a higher CCP level.

Chronic back pain in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with ankylosing spondylitis: predictive value of HLA-B27 and persistence of inflammatory back pain over time

Background/Purpose

First-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) may be at high risk of spondyloarthritis. We examined the frequency, characteristics of chronic back pain (CBP), associated features, persistence of symptoms, and HLA-B27 allele frequency in FDRs of AS patients, also comparing those FDRs with participants in NHANES 2009–2010 with CBP.

Methods

399 FDRs of AS probands were divided into: (1) No CBP (subjects >40 years old at study visit without CBP) (n=162); (2) NICBP (non-inflammatory CBP) (n=82), and (3) CIBP (inflammatory CBP) (n=155). White FDRs with CBP were compared with 772 participants in NHANES 2009–2010 with CBP. FDRs were invited to return for reassessment.

Results

FDRs with CIBP had earlier onset of CBP than those with NICBP (p<0.001) and had higher frequency of heel pain than those without CBP (p=0.002). HLA-B27 occurred in 57% of FDRs with CIBP vs 39.6% of those without CBP (p=0.005, OR=1.9). Of 23 patients with CIBP at baseline re-evaluated 67.04±31.02 months later, 16 (73%) still had CIBP, whereas 4 (31%) of 13 NICBP patients seen 61.23±31.84 months later remained symptomatic.

Conclusion

CIBP in FDRs of AS patients is HLA-B27-associated, has earlier onset and tends to persist compared to NICBP.

Oxidative DNA Damage Accelerates Skin Inflammation in Pristane-Induced Lupus Model

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in which type I interferons (IFN) play a key role. The IFN response can be triggered when oxidized DNA engages the cytosolic DNA sensing platform cGAS-STING, but the repair mechanisms that modulate this process and govern disease progression are unclear. To gain insight into this biology, we interrogated the role of oxyguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1), which repairs oxidized guanine 8-Oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), in the pristane-induced mouse model of SLE. Ogg1 ^-/- mice showed increased influx of Ly6C^hi monocytes into the peritoneal cavity and enhanced IFN-driven gene expression in response to short-term exposure to pristane. Loss of Ogg1 was associated with increased auto-antibodies (anti-dsDNA and anti-RNP), higher total IgG, and expression of interferon stimulated genes (ISG) to longer exposure to pristane, accompanied by aggravated skin pathology such as hair loss, thicker epidermis, and increased deposition of IgG in skin lesions. Supporting a role for type I IFNs in this model, skin lesions of Ogg1 ^-/- mice had significantly higher expression of type I IFN genes (Isg15, Irf9, and Ifnb). In keeping with loss of Ogg1 resulting in dysregulated IFN responses, enhanced basal and cGAMP-dependent Ifnb expression was observed in BMDMs from Ogg1 ^-/- mice. Use of the STING inhibitor, H151, reduced both basal and cGAMP-driven increases, indicating that OGG1 regulates Ifnb expression through the cGAS-STING pathway. Finally, in support for a role for OGG1 in the pathology of cutaneous disease, reduced OGG1 expression in monocytes associated with skin involvement in SLE patients and the expression of OGG1 was significantly lower in lesional skin compared with non-lesional skin in patients with Discoid Lupus. Taken together, these data support an important role for OGG1 in protecting against IFN production and SLE skin disease.

Examining Treatment Decision-Making Among Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis: Insights From a Conjoint Analysis Survey

Objective

The number of therapies for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is increasing. Thus, it has become more challenging for patients and physicians to navigate the risk‐benefit profiles of the various treatment options. In this study, we used conjoint analysis—a form of trade‐off analysis that elucidates how people make complex decisions by balancing competing factors—to examine patient decision‐making surrounding medication options for axSpA.

Methods

We conducted an adaptive choice‐based conjoint analysis survey for patients with axSpA to assess the relative importance of medication attributes (eg, chance of symptom improvement, risk of side effects, route of administration, etc) in their decision‐making. We also performed logistic regression to explore whether patient demographics and disease characteristics predicted decision‐making.

Results

Overall, 397 patients with axSpA completed the conjoint analysis survey. Patients prioritized medication efficacy (importance score 26.8%), cost (26.3%), and route of administration (13.9%) as most important in their decision‐making. These were followed by risk of lymphoma (9.5%), dosing frequency (7.2%), risk of serious infection (6.0%), tolerability of side effects (5.3%), and clinic visit and laboratory test frequency (4.8%). In regression analyses, there were few significant associations between patients’ treatment preferences and sociodemographic and axSpA characteristics.

Conclusions

Treatment decision‐making in axSpA is highly individualized, and demographics and baseline disease characteristics are poor predictors of individual preferences. This calls for the development of online shared decision‐making tools for patients and providers, with the goal of selecting a treatment that is consistent with patients’ preferences.

Development of classification criteria for hand osteoarthritis: comparative analyses of persons with and without hand osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES

Further knowledge about typical hand osteoarthritis (OA) characteristics is needed for the development of new classification criteria for hand OA.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional multi-centre international study, a convenience sample of patients from primary and secondary/tertiary care with a physician-based hand OA diagnosis (n = 128) were compared with controls with hand complaints due to inflammatory or non-inflammatory conditions (n = 70). We examined whether self-reported, clinical, radiographic and laboratory findings were associated with hand OA using logistic regression analyses. Discrimination between groups was assessed by calculating the area under receiver operating curves (AUC).

RESULTS

Strong associations with hand OA were observed for radiographic osteophytes (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.88) and joint space narrowing (JSN) (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.82) in the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints with excellent discrimination (AUC = 0.82 for both). For osteophytes and JSN, we found acceptable discrimination between groups in the proximal interphalangeal joints (AUC = 0.77 and 0.78, respectively), but poorer discrimination in the first carpometacarpal joints (AUC = 0.67 and 0.63, respectively). Painful DIP joints were associated with hand OA, but were less able to discriminate between groups (AUC = 0.67). Age and family history of OA were positively associated with hand OA, whereas negative associations were found for pain, stiffness and soft tissue swelling in metacarpophalangeal joints, pain and marginal erosions in wrists, longer morning stiffness, inflammatory biomarkers and autoantibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in symptoms, clinical findings, radiographic changes and laboratory tests were found in patients with hand OA versus controls. Radiographic OA features, especially in DIP joints, were best suited to discriminate between groups.

2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee

OBJECTIVE

To develop an evidence-based guideline for the comprehensive management of osteoarthritis (OA) as a collaboration between the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation, updating the 2012 ACR recommendations for the management of hand, hip, and knee OA.

METHODS

We identified clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, outcomes questions and critical outcomes in OA. A Literature Review Team performed a systematic literature review to summarize evidence supporting the benefits and harms of available educational, behavioral, psychosocial, physical, mind-body, and pharmacologic therapies for OA. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was used to rate the quality of the evidence. A Voting Panel, including rheumatologists, an internist, physical and occupational therapists, and patients, achieved consensus on the recommendations.

RESULTS

Based on the available evidence, either strong or conditional recommendations were made for or against the approaches evaluated. Strong recommendations were made for exercise, weight loss in patients with knee and/or hip OA who are overweight or obese, self-efficacy and self-management programs, tai chi, cane use, hand orthoses for first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint OA, tibiofemoral bracing for tibiofemoral knee OA, topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for knee OA, oral NSAIDs, and intraarticular glucocorticoid injections for knee OA. Conditional recommendations were made for balance exercises, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, kinesiotaping for first CMC OA, orthoses for hand joints other than the first CMC joint, patellofemoral bracing for patellofemoral knee OA, acupuncture, thermal modalities, radiofrequency ablation for knee OA, topical NSAIDs, intraarticular steroid injections and chondroitin sulfate for hand OA, topical capsaicin for knee OA, acetaminophen, duloxetine, and tramadol.

CONCLUSION

This guideline provides direction for clinicians and patients making treatment decisions for the management of OA. Clinicians and patients should engage in shared decision-making that accounts for patients' values, preferences, and comorbidities. These recommendations should not be used to limit or deny access to therapies.

2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee

OBJECTIVE

To develop an evidence-based guideline for the comprehensive management of osteoarthritis (OA) as a collaboration between the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation, updating the 2012 ACR recommendations for the management of hand, hip, and knee OA.

METHODS

We identified clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, outcomes questions and critical outcomes in OA. A Literature Review Team performed a systematic literature review to summarize evidence supporting the benefits and harms of available educational, behavioral, psychosocial, physical, mind-body, and pharmacologic therapies for OA. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was used to rate the quality of the evidence. A Voting Panel, including rheumatologists, an internist, physical and occupational therapists, and patients, achieved consensus on the recommendations.

RESULTS

Based on the available evidence, either strong or conditional recommendations were made for or against the approaches evaluated. Strong recommendations were made for exercise, weight loss in patients with knee and/or hip OA who are overweight or obese, self-efficacy and self-management programs, tai chi, cane use, hand orthoses for first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint OA, tibiofemoral bracing for tibiofemoral knee OA, topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for knee OA, oral NSAIDs, and intraarticular glucocorticoid injections for knee OA. Conditional recommendations were made for balance exercises, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy, kinesiotaping for first CMC OA, orthoses for hand joints other than the first CMC joint, patellofemoral bracing for patellofemoral knee OA, acupuncture, thermal modalities, radiofrequency ablation for knee OA, topical NSAIDs, intraarticular steroid injections and chondroitin sulfate for hand OA, topical capsaicin for knee OA, acetaminophen, duloxetine, and tramadol.

CONCLUSION

This guideline provides direction for clinicians and patients making treatment decisions for the management of OA. Clinicians and patients should engage in shared decision-making that accounts for patients' values, preferences, and comorbidities. These recommendations should not be used to limit or deny access to therapies.

Patient Concerns and Perceptions Regarding Biologic Therapies in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Insights From a Large-Scale Survey of Social Media Platforms

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have examined ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients' concerns about and perceptions of biologic therapies, apart from traditional surveys. In this study, we used social media data to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of AS patients regarding biologic therapies.

METHODS

We collected posts published on 601 social media sites between January 1, 2016 and April 26, 2017. In each post, both an AS keyword and a biologic were mentioned. To explore themes within the collection of posts in an unsupervised manner, a latent Dirichlet allocation topic model was fit to the data set. Each discovered topic was represented as a discrete distribution over the words in the collection, similar to a word cloud. The topics were manually reviewed to identify themes, which were confirmed using thematic data analysis.

RESULTS

We examined 27,416 social media posts and identified 112 themes. The majority of themes (n = 67 [60%]) focused on discussions related to AS treatment. Other themes, including the psychological impact of AS, reporting of medical literature, and AS disease consequences, accounted for the remaining 40% (n = 45). In discussions regarding AS treatment, most topics involved biologics, and most subthemes involved side effects (e.g., fatigue, allergic reactions), biologic treatment attributes (e.g., dosing, frequency), and concerns about use of biologics (e.g., increased cancer risk). Additional implicit patient needs (e.g., support) were identified using qualitative analyses.

CONCLUSION

Social media revealed a dynamic range of themes governing AS patients' experience with and choice of biologic agents. The complexity of selecting biologics from among many such agents and navigating their risk/benefit profiles suggests the merit of creating online tools tailored to support patients' decision-making with regard to biologic therapies for AS.

Researcher perspectives on embedding community stakeholders in T1-T2 research: A potential new model for full-spectrum translational research

Effective community engagement in T3-T4 research is widespread, however, similar stakeholder involvement is missing in T1-T2 research. As part of an effort to embed community stakeholders in T1-T2 research, an academic community partnered team conducted discussion groups with researchers to assess perspectives on (1) barriers/challenges to including community stakeholders in basic science, (2) skills/training required for stakeholders and researchers, and (3) potential benefits of these activities. Engaging community in basic science research was perceived as challenging but with exciting potential to incorporate "real-life" community health priorities into basic research, resulting in a new full-spectrum translational research model.

Mock Recruitment for the Study of Antimalarials in an Incomplete Lupus Erythematosus Trial

OBJECTIVE

Recruitment to randomized clinical trials is expensive and often falls short of goals, limiting achievement of measurable outcomes. To prepare for a trial in patients with incomplete forms of lupus, a mock recruitment protocol was carried out at 4 proposed study sites. The objective was to determine levels of interest in patients and to uncover potential barriers to enrollment.

METHODS

After obtaining institutional review board approval, study coordinators approached individuals who generally fit proposed criteria for the trial. A standardized script was followed in a structured interview. Levels of interest were determined and any reasons for concerns were collected with an open-ended format.

RESULTS

A total of 45 subjects were interviewed, of which 73% expressed an interest in the trial, and 64% said they were likely to enroll. Concerns of those who were not interested included risk of hydroxychloroquine, desire not to receive placebo, and lack of time for participation.

CONCLUSION

The mock recruitment suggests that the trial will be attractive to suitable patients. The concerns raised support other data indicating that provision of information is crucial to achieving enrollment goals. Mock recruitment of potential investigators should be considered also to address referral concerns.

IL-16/miR-125a axis controls neutrophil recruitment in pristane-induced lung inflammation

Severe lung inflammation and alveolar hemorrhage can be life-threatening in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients if not treated early and aggressively. Neutrophil influx is the driver key of this pathology, but little is known regarding the molecular events regulating this recruitment. Here, we uncover a role for IL-16/mir-125a in this pathology and show not only that IL-16 is a target for miR-125a but that reduced miR-125a expression in SLE patients associates with lung involvement. Furthermore, in the pristane model of acute "SLE-like" lung inflammation and alveolar hemorrhage, we observed reduced pulmonary miR-125a and enhanced IL-16 expression. Neutrophil infiltration was markedly reduced in the peritoneal lavage of pristane-treated IL-16-deficient mice and elevated following i.n. delivery of IL-16. Moreover, a miR-125a mimic reduced pristane-induced IL-16 expression and neutrophil recruitment and rescued lung pathology. Mechanistically, IL-16 acts directly on the pulmonary epithelium and markedly enhances neutrophil chemoattractant expression both in vitro and in vivo, while the miR-125a mimic can prevent this. Our results reveal a role for miR-125a/IL-16 in regulating lung inflammation and suggest this axis may be a therapeutic target for management of acute lung injury in SLE.

MicroRNA-302d targets IRF9 to regulate the IFN-induced gene expression in SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex disease targeting multiple organs as a result of overactivation of the type I interferon (IFN) system, a feature currently being targeted by multiple biologic therapies against IFN-α. We have identified an estrogen-regulated microRNA, miR-302d, whose expression is decreased in SLE patient monocytes and identify its target as interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-9, a critical component of the transcriptional complex that regulates expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). In keeping with the reduced expression of miR-302d in SLE patient monocytes, IRF9 levels were increased, as was expression of a number of ISGs including MX1 and OAS1. In vivo evaluation revealed that miR-302d protects against pristane-induced inflammation in mice by targeting IRF9 and hence ISG expression. Importantly, patients with enhanced disease activity have markedly reduced expression of miR-302d and enhanced IRF9 and ISG expression, with miR-302d negatively correlating with IFN score. Together these findings identify miR-302d as a key regulator of type I IFN driven gene expression via its ability to target IRF9 and regulate ISG expression, underscoring the importance of non-coding RNA in regulating the IFN pathway in SLE.

Altered soluble mediator levels and systemic lupus erythematosus-specific Connective Tissue Disease Screening Questionnaire (CSQ) scores differentiate unaffected relatives of lupus patients from healthy individuals with no family history of SLE (CCR4P.214)

Identifying populations at risk of SLE who remain unaffected would provide insights for potential disease prevention. Using a unique resource of SLE patient family members, first degree relatives (FDRs) of SLE patients (n = 154) with plasma samples available from previous genetic studies and who remained unaffected at follow-up evaluation (mean time = 6.8 years) were matched to healthy individuals unrelated to SLE patients (Controls). FDRs and Controls provided clinical and demographic information, and completed screening questionairres at baseline (BL) and follow-up (FU). BL and FU plasma samples were assessed for autoantibody production and soluble mediators. FDRs had significantly higher BL and FU CSQ scores (p&lt;0.0001), but no difference in the number of positive autoantibodies compared to Controls. FDRs had significant (p &lt; 0.01) increases in 38 (of 52) soluble mediators at BL and FU, including IFN-associated chemokines, TNFR ligands, and regulatory mediators (p&lt;0.002). Levels of MIP-1α (p=0.008), MIG (p=0.019), GROα (p=0.001), ICAM-1 (p=0.007), and VEGF (p=0.004), along with CSQ scores (p=0.010), best distinguished FDRs from Controls in logistic regression models. These alterations are present despite lack of progression to classified SLE, suggesting that multiple perturbations in immune-mediated inflammatory processes present in FDRs of SLE patients may be offset by inhibitory factors.

Soluble mediators and clinical features predict transition to systemic lupus erythematosus classification in previously unaffected relatives of SLE patients (HUM3P.243)

Healthy relatives of lupus patients have an increased risk of developing SLE, but predictors and mechanisms of disease transition are unknown. Unaffected relatives of SLE patients (n=409) were enrolled in this follow-up study to identify factors associated with transition to SLE. Participants provided detailed demographic and clinical information, including the Connective Tissue Disease Screening Questionnaire (CSQ). Medical records were reviewed for ACR classification criteria. Plasma samples were tested for the presence of autoantibodies and soluble mediators. Forty-five relatives (11%) transitioned to classified SLE during follow-up (mean time = 6.4 years) who had more autoantibodies (p&lt;0.0001) and higher pre-classification (baseline) CSQ scores (p&lt;0.0001). Relatives who transitioned also had elevated baseline levels of inflammatory mediators, including BLyS, SCF, and IFN-associated chemokines (p&lt;0.05), with concurrent decreased regulatory mediators, including TGF-β and IL-10 (p&lt;0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that baseline ACR and CSQ scores (but not autoantibodies), and baseline plasma levels of SCF and TGF-β were significant and independent predictors of SLE transition. Thus, perturbations in immune-mediated processes precede SLE clinical classification and can help identify unaffected relatives at highest risk of future SLE classification for early intervention studies.

Pain and depression predict self-reported fatigue/energy in lupus

This study examined the contribution of pain and psychological distress to fatigue.

METHODS

One-hundred and twenty-five adult Caucasian and Hispanic lupus patients participated in this study. Demographic data, patient- and physician-reported disease activity, as well as psychological functioning, were collected. Fatigue, pain, and vitality were measured using visual analogue scales as well as a subscale of the SF-36 questionnaire. Linear and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. In the regression analysis, ethnicity was entered at the first step, followed by age, income and education at step 2, pain and disease activity measures at step 3, and psychological measurements at step 4.

RESULTS

In the linear regression analysis, Caucasians reported more fatigue. Fatigue positively correlated with income, education, pain, patient-reported disease activity, helplessness, and depression, and negatively with internality, and the energy analysis mirrored the results of the fatigue analysis. In the first regression analysis, fatigue was the dependent variable. At step 1, Caucasians reported more fatigue. At step 2, no other demographic variables were significant. At step 3, pain and disease activity measures were significant when entered as a block; however, pain independently explained a large amount of variance. At step 4, psychological factors were significant as a block, with depression being the strongest predictor. In the second analysis, energy was the dependent variable. At step 1, Hispanics reported more energy. At step 2, demographic variables were not significant. At step 3, pain and disease activity were significant when entered as a block; however, only pain uniquely predicted energy. At step 4, psychological factors were significant as a block, with depression as the major contributor.

CONCLUSIONS

Both pain and depression were found to be strong predictors of fatigue, and negatively correlated with energy. Disease activity did not appear to play a significant role in lupus fatigue. These findings support the importance of managing depression and pain in order to reduce fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in systemic lupus erythematosus

Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) have been shown to rise in acute illnesses such as infections and some autoimmune diseases, but not in flares of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our goal was to investigate the high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) response to infection versus disease flare in patients with SLE, and to compare this with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) response in these patients. We aimed to determine the hsCRP level that distinguishes between infection and flare in SLE, and investigated the correlation between hsCRP and organ involvement in SLE. We reviewed electronic medical records of all patients with SLE admitted to Cedars Sinai Medical Center between 28 August 2001 and 27 April 2008. Patients were divided into three groups based on the reason for hospitalization: 1) lupus flare; 2) active infection; and 3) both lupus flare and active infection. Data were collected on patient demographics, medication use, microbial culture results, organ involvement in lupus flare, ESR and CRP levels. Data were collected on 85 eligible patients, of whom 54 had a lupus flare, 22 had active infection and eight had both. While the ESR levels did not differ significantly between patients with disease flare and active infection, the hsCRP level was significantly lower in the lupus flare group than in the infection group. Most patients in the lupus flare group who had a significantly high hsCRP level had serositis. We found that at a cut-off of above 5 mg/dl, hsCRP level was correlated with infection with a specificity of 80%. At a cut-off of above 6 mg/dl, hsCRP correlated with infection with a specificity of 84%. hsCRP level was found to be significantly higher in patients with pulmonary involvement than without. hsCRP levels are significantly lower in SLE patients with disease flare than in those with active infection. Elevated hsCRP levels can be used as a predictor of active infection in SLE patients with a high specificity. We review the relationship between IL-6 and hsCRP production in lupus patients.

The B cell in systemic lupus erythaematosus: a rational target for more effective therapy

Current treatment options for systemic lupus erythaematosus (SLE) are diverse and poorly defined, and aggressive therapy can be associated with serious toxicity and tolerability issues. There is, therefore, a need for new and improved treatments to be studied thoroughly in well-designed controlled trials. B Cell dysfunction has emerged as a key pathophysiological component of SLE and is a prime target for the development of new agents for a wide range of lupus severity, including advanced disease. Although many current drugs appear to modify B cell function, the advent of new, targeted therapies offers the hope of improved efficacy and a better long-term tolerability profile.

Differences in dietary habits, serum fatty acid compositions and other coronary risk characteristics between freshmen and fourth-year male university students

Westernization of lifestyles among Japanese, in particular among young generations, is a matter of concern for future increase in coronary heart disease. We surveyed a total of 349 male university students to examine changes in lifestyles and coronary risk factors in campus life. We compared dietary habits and serum fatty acid compositions as well as other coronary risk characteristics between freshmen (n=171) and fourth-year (senior) students (n=178). Serum fatty acid compositions and dietary intakes of selected foods as well as serum lipids, blood pressures and physical characteristics were examined at the 1996 and 1997 annual health examinations.Compared to freshmen, senior students had a lower frequency of fish, vegetable, milk and egg intake, and a higher frequency of oil and fat intake. The proportions of serum saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were significantly higher among senior students than among freshmen, whereas the proportion of serum polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly lower among senior students than among freshmen. Senior students also had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures, percent body fat, smoking rate and alcohol usage than freshmen. Mean body weight and mean body mass index were not different between the two groups.Senior students generally showed Westernized dietary habits and higher coronary risk profiles than freshmen as indicated by the change of serum fatty acid compositions. Modification of these dietary habits and lifestyles may be important for the prevention of future CHD among Japanese young adults.

Morning granulocytopenia in a case of Graves' disease

A 65-year-old woman with Graves' disease presented marked diurnal changes in white blood cell (WBC) and granulocyte counts. Granulocyte count was low and sometimes decreased to 0.2-0.3 x 10(9)/l in the early morning and increased in the afternoon irrespective of her thyroid status. She did not develop sore throat or fever during the investigation period. The present study indicates that these unusual diurnal changes in WBC and granulocyte counts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of agranulocytosis in Graves' disease patients treated with an antithyroid drug.

Serum IgE response to orally ingested antigen: a novel IgE response model with allergen-specific T-cell receptor transgenic mice

BACKGROUND

The mechanism by which orally ingested allergens elicit an IgE response remains unclear because there are few animal models available for investigation of this response.

OBJECTIVE

We tried to develop a murine model suitable for investigation of the IgE response to orally ingested allergens, which would allow us to identify T cells that could promote IgE production.

METHODS

Ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T-cell receptor transgenic mice were fed a diet containing OVA, and both the serum antibody response and cytokine production by splenocytes were examined.

RESULTS

Oral administration of OVA to transgenic mice led to an increase in the levels of both antigen-specific IgE and total IgE in the sera. Subsequent intravenous challenge of OVA-fed transgenic mice with OVA resulted in anaphylactic shock. Analysis of cytokine production by splenocytes revealed that high IL-4-producing T cells appeared in the spleen 1 week after the start of feeding the OVA diet. T cells from these mice were found to promote IgE secretion by BALB/c B cells in vitro. This helper activity and the levels of IL-4 secretion were diminished after long-term feeding. These findings suggest the possibility that the orally ingested antigen elicited a response by a subpopulation of T cells that produce high levels of T(H2)-type cytokines and that promote IgE secretion, and these same T cells were tolerized by the orally ingested antigen.

CONCLUSION

This experimental model with transgenic mice may be a useful tool for further studies of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the T-cell and IgE responses to orally ingested antigens.

Effects of long-term interferon-alpha treatment on glucose tolerance in patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Interferon-a has been reported to acutely induce insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. The effects of long-term treatment with interferon-a on glucose metabolism remain unclear.

METHODS

Thirty-two Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C were given interferon-a (6x10(6)U/day) daily for 2 weeks and thereafter 3 times weekly up to 6 months. The patients received a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test before the treatment. Fifteen patients also had an intravenous glucose tolerance test for an assessment of insulin sensitivity with Bergman's minimal model. These tests were repeated 3 months after the treatment.

RESULTS

Insulin sensitivity was not affected by the treatment (5.7+/-3.8 vs 5.2+/-3.8 10(-4) x min(-1) x mU(-1) x l , not significant) and a statistically significant but minimum decrease in area under the curve of plasma glucose (1012+/-332 vs 928+/-282 mmol x l(-1) x min, p<0.01) in a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was noted. Acute insulin response to intravenous glucose tolerance tests (214+/-275 vs 294+/-334 mU x l(-1) x min, p<0.05) increased slightly.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to the known acute metabolic effects, interferon-a therapy for 3 months in patients with chronic hepatitis C did not have deleterious effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.

Pharmacological treatments for GH-induced insulin resistance

Troglitazone (T) and d-chiroinositol (DCI) have been reported to improve insulin resistance associated with obesity and NIDDM. We tested whether these compounds counteract the insulin antagonistic effects of recombinant human GH. Male Wistar rats were allocated to 4 different treatment groups, rhGH (n=8), rhGH+T (n=7), rhGH+DCI (n=8) and control (saline, n=8). rhGH (2 IU/100 g/day) was injected sc twice daily for 2 days. T and DCI were given (20 mg/day) po for 5 days preceding and 2 days along with rhGH. Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp studies were done to assess the hepatic glucose output (HGO) and glucose disappearance rate (GDR). Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, serum FFA and basal HGO were similar in all 4 treatment groups. During the hyperinsulinemic clamp which raised plasma insulin levels to 7.2 +/- 0.4 ng/ml, HGO was suppressed in the control and rhGH+T treated rats but not in the rats treated with rhGH and rhGH+DCI. GDR decreased in the rats which received rhGH (18.1 +/- 5.8 vs 30.3 +/- 5.2 mg/kg/min) compared to the control rats. The rats given either T (24.7 +/- 2.7) or DCI (31.4 +/- 2.7) along with rhGH showed comparable GDR to the control rats. These results indicated that rhGH induced hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance. Troglitazone counteracted the insulin-antagonistic action of rhGH both in the liver and the peripheral tissues. DCI was effective in offsetting peripheral insulin resistance but without any effect on hepatic insulin resistance associated with rhGH treatment.

Adjuvant activities of pyrene, anthracene, fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene in production of anti-IgE antibody to Japanese cedar pollen allergen in mice

We have previously demonstrated that pyrene in diesel-exhaust particles (DEP) has an adjuvant activity on immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody production in mice immunized with Japanese cedar pollen allergen (JCPA) or ovalbumin (OA) intraperitoneally. The present study is concerned with the adjuvant activity in IgE antibody production against JCPA of pyrene or DEP inoculated intranasally in mice. We show that anthracene, fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene in DEP have the ability to enhance anti-JCPA IgE antibody production in mice by intranasal immunization. Mice were grouped, immunized with 10 micrograms of JCPA plus 400 micrograms of pyrene, 10 micrograms of JCPA plus 100 micrograms of DEP, 10 micrograms of JCPA plus 2 mg of aluminum hydroxide and 10 micrograms of JCPA alone intranasally 7 times at 2 week intervals. Mice were also grouped, and immunized with JCPA (10 micrograms) plus 40 micrograms of anthracene, JCPA (10 micrograms) plus 400 micrograms of fluoranthene, JCPA (10 micrograms) plus 40 micrograms of benzo(a)pyrene, and JCPA (10 micrograms) plus 400 micrograms of pyrene and JCPA (10 micrograms) alone. We found that the IgE antibody responses to JCPA in mice immunized with JCPA plus pyrene, JCPA plus DEP or JCPA plus the three chemical organic compounds mentioned above were significantly enhanced compared with those immunized with JCPA alone. In addition, when the intraperitoneal macrophages obtained from the normal mice (unimmunized mice) were incubated with pyrene, anthracene, fluoranthene or benzo(a)pyrene in vitro, an enhanced chemiluminescence (CI) response and interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) production of the macrophages was observed in each instance. These results suggest that in the production of IgE antibody to JCPA the adjuvancy of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in DEP may be important in an attack of Japanese cedar pollinosis.