Circulating Levels of Low-Density Granulocytes and Cell-Free DNA as Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease and Bone Deterioration in SLE Patients.

Objective:  The present work evaluates the predictive value of low-density granulocytes (LDGs) for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or bone deterioration (BD) in a 6-year prospective study in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Considering the high SLE-LDG capacity to form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), circulating levels of total cell-free DNA (cirDNA) and relative amounts of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (mtDNA and nDNA, respectively) were tested as LDG-associated biomarkers to identify SLE patients at risk of CVD and BD.

Material And Methods:  The frequency of total blood LDGs, as well as the CD16CD14 (nLDG) and CD16CD14 (pLDG) subsets, was quantified by flow cytometry in 33 controls and 144 SLE patients.

Humoral responses against HDL are linked to lipoprotein traits, atherosclerosis, inflammation and pathogenic pathways during early arthritis stages.

Objective: Chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation are crucial mechanisms for atherosclerosis in RA. Recent evidence suggests a link via humoral responses against high-density lipoproteins (HDL). This study aimed to characterize the specificity, clinical relevance and emergence of humoral responses against HDL along disease course, especially during the earliest phases of arthritis.

GlycA Levels during the Earliest Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Potential Use as a Biomarker of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease.

This study aimed at evaluating the clinical relevance of glycoprotein profiles during the earliest phases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as biomarkers of cardiovascular (CV) risk and treatment response. Then, GlycA and GlycB serum levels were measured using 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance in 82 early RA patients, 14 clinically-suspect arthralgia (CSA), and 28 controls. Serum glycosyltransferase activity was assessed by a colorimetric assay.

Low-density granulocytes and monocytes as biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the most relevant cell populations involved in vascular homeostasis as potential biomarkers of SLE-related cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: Low-density granulocytes (LDGs), monocyte subsets, endothelial progenitor cells, angiogenic T (Tang) cells, CD4+CD28null and Th1/Th17 lymphocytes and serum cytokine levels were quantified in 109 SLE patients and 33 controls in relationship to the presence of subclinical carotid atheromatosis or cardiovascular disease. A second cohort including 31 recent-onset SLE patients was also included.

Perrault syndrome with neurological features in a compound heterozygote for two TWNK mutations: overlap of TWNK-related recessive disorders.

Background: Perrault syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that is characterized by the association of sensorineural hearing impairment and ovarian dysgenesis in females, whereas males have only hearing impairment. In some cases, patients present with a diversity of neurological signs. To date, mutations in six genes are known to cause Perrault syndrome, but they do not explain all clinically-diagnosed cases.

IgM anti-phosphorylcholine antibodies associate with senescent and IL-17+ T cells in SLE patients with a pro-inflammatory lipid profile.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate whether T cell subsets and the lipid profile could be linked to the cardioprotective effect of IgM anti-phosphorylcholine (PC) antibodies in SLE.

Methods: Anti-PC antibodies were quantified by ELISA in 197 patients and 99 controls and analysed in relationship to clinical features, treatments and serum lipids. Carotid atheromatosis was evaluated by ultrasonography; Th1, Th17, Treg and CD4+CD28null cells by flow cytometry; and cytokine serum levels by immunoassays, in a subgroup of 120 SLE patients and 33 controls.

Serum Levels of Anti-PON1 and Anti-HDL Antibodies as Potential Biomarkers of Premature Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

The present study aimed to evaluate the possible role of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) as possible biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To this end, levels of these autoantibodies, PON1 activity and total antioxidant capacity were quantified in serum samples from 198 SLE patients, 100 healthy controls (HC) and 42 non-autoimmune individuals with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. PON1 rs662 polymorphism was analysed in a subgroup of patients and controls.

Prevalence of cranial autonomic parasympathetic symptoms in chronic migraine: Usefulness of a new scale.

Background: Cranial autonomic symptoms (CAS) seem to appear in around half of migraine patients.

Objective: Our aim was to analyse the prevalence and profile of CAS, mainly of cranial autonomic parasympathetic symptoms (CAPS), in a series of patients with chronic migraine (CM) according the new criteria for autonomic symptoms in the current IHS classification.

Patients And Methods: We recruited consecutive CM patients attending our headache clinic.