Publications by authors named "Biagio Didona"

Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) and mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) are rare autoimmune blistering disorders characterized by autoantibodies (autoAbs) targeting dermo-epidermal junction components such as BP180 and BP230. The differential diagnosis, based on both the time of appearance and the extension of cutaneous and/or mucosal lesions, is crucial to distinguish these diseases for improving therapy outcomes and delineating the correct prognosis; however, in some cases, it can be challenging. In addition, negative results obtained by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with BP and MMP sera, especially from patients with ocular involvement, often delay diagnosis and treatment, leading to a greater risk of poor outcomes.

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Background: Monoallelic damaging variants in (MIM*612870), encoding the Pleckstrin Homology Domain Interacting Protein, have been associated with a novel neurodevelopmental disorder, also termed Chung-Jansen syndrome (CHUJANS, MIM#617991). Most of the described individuals show developmental delay (DD)/intellectual disability (ID), obesity/overweight, and variable congenital anomalies, so the condition can be considered as an ID-overweight syndrome.

Case Description: We evaluated a child presenting with DD/ID and a craniofacial phenotype reminiscent of a Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS)-like condition.

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Article Synopsis
  • Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a prevalent autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against hemidesmosomal components, specifically BP180 and BP230.
  • Despite studies indicating no direct link between COVID-19 vaccines and BP, there have been over 90 reported cases of vaccine-associated BP since the start of mass vaccinations.
  • An investigation involving 64 BP patients revealed a significant proportion developed the condition shortly after vaccination, suggesting that the vaccine might act as an accelerating factor for BP in genetically susceptible individuals.
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Background: Non-photosensitive trichothiodystrophies (TTDs) are a diverse group of genodermatoses within the subset of conditions known as "sulphur-deficient brittle hair" syndromes. A part of them has only recently been identified, revealing novel causative genes and very rare phenotypes of these genetic skin disorders. At the same time, the molecular basis of previously published and unresolved cases has been revealed through the introduction of innovative genetic techniques.

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  • Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a rare autoimmune skin disorder, becoming more frequent with associations noted with certain diabetes medications called gliptins.
  • A study analyzed 30 idiopathic bullous pemphigoid (IBP) patients and 86 gliptin-associated BP (GABP) patients to explore genetic risk factors.
  • The research found a significant link between the HLA-DQB1*03:01 allele and both IBP and GABP, suggesting genetic markers that could indicate susceptibility to BP, particularly in individuals who have taken gliptins.
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Pemphigus is a life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease affecting skin and mucous membranes. Despite its etiopathogenesis remains largely unknown, several trigger and predisposing factors have been reported. Pemphigus is caused by autoantibodies that target desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3, impacting desmosome function.

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The neurodevelopmental disorder known as Helsmoortel-van der Aa syndrome (HVDAS, MIM#616580) or ADNP syndrome (Orphanet, ORPHA:404448) is a multiple congenital anomaly (MCA) condition, reported as a syndrome in 2014, associated with deleterious variants in the ADNP gene (activity-dependent neuroprotective protein; MIM*611386) in several children. First reported in the turn of the century, ADNP is a protein with crucial functions for the normal development of the central nervous system and with pleiotropic effects, explaining the multisystemic character of the syndrome. Affected individuals present with striking facial dysmorphic features and variable congenital defects.

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Importance: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a rare but potentially fatal drug hypersensitivity reaction. To our knowledge, there is no international consensus on its severity assessment and treatment.

Objective: To reach an international, Delphi-based multinational expert consensus on the diagnostic workup, severity assessment, and treatment of patients with DRESS.

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This geoepidemiological study, performed in Italy and France, shows that Erdheim-Chester disease is increasingly diagnosed and cases cluster in specific geographic areas, namely southern Italy and central France. Disease frequency inversely correlates with the Human Development Index.

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Autoimmune bullous diseases are a heterogeneous group of rare conditions clinically characterized by the presence of blisters and/or erosions on the skin and the mucous membranes. Practically, they can be divided into two large groups: the pemphigoid group and the pemphigus group, depending on the depth of the autoimmune process on the skin. A family history of autoimmune diseases can often be found, demonstrating that genetic predisposition is crucial for their development.

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Dermatomyositis (DM) is an autoimmune disorder, which belongs to a group of rare autoimmune dermatoses characterized by different skin features and variable muscle involvement. We recognize four main variants of DM: classic DM, clinically amyopathic DM, paraneoplastic DM, and juvenile DM. Clinically, patients show several skin features, but heliotrope rash, and violaceous papules located at the interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal joints (Gottron's papules) are the most frequently observed.

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Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune-blistering disease, clinically characterized by erythematous urticarial plaques, blisters, and intense pruritus, induced by autoantibodies against two proteins of the dermo-epidermal junction, BP180 and BP230. A large number of autoimmune diseases are reported in the literature as BP comorbidities, such as multiple sclerosis, but only a few cases are in association with scleroderma and none in association with both.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 68-year-old woman affected by multiple sclerosis and scleroderma who developed severe bullous pemphigoid with a bullous pemphigoid disease area index of 60 and high titers of anti-BP180 and anti-BP230 autoantibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

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Background: Scant data are currently available on the allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E sensitization profile in primary immunodeficiencies with hyper IgE. Netherton syndrome (NS, OMIM 266500) is an extremely rare form of congenital ichthyosis characterized by congenital scaly erythroderma, hair abnormalities, and deregulated IgE reactivity associated with severe atopic manifestations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of a multiplex proteomic approach in the detection of specific IgE in NS.

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Autoimmune response to cutaneous basement membrane components superimposed on a genetic skin fragility disease, hereditary epidermolysis bullosa (EB), has been described, but its effects on disease course remain unclear. We report a 69-year-old individual with congenital skin fragility and acral trauma-induced blistering that had suddenly worsened with the onset of severe itch and diffuse spontaneous inflammatory blisters. Next-generation sequencing identified compound heterozygous null and missense mutations, allowing the diagnosis of recessive dystrophic EB.

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Article Synopsis
  • RSPO proteins are crucial for reproductive organ development and cancer prevention through Wnt signaling, and mutations in RSPO1 are linked to conditions like palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) and increased cancer risk.* -
  • Keratinocytes from a patient with RSPO1 mutations displayed impaired differentiation and features similar to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, indicating aggressive behavior and higher proliferation rates, particularly in skin affected by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).* -
  • Despite the presence of normal fibroblasts or treatment with RSPO1 protein, the invasive and abnormal growth characteristics of keratinocytes from PPK patients persisted, suggesting that mutated RSP01 fibroblasts contribute to a cancer-like environment.*
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Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune bullous disease caused by circulating autoantibodies toward the hemidesmosomal antigens BP180 and BP230. Cases of BP have been described following vaccinations against tetanus, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, influenza, pneumococcus, meningococcus, hepatitis B and rabies. The putative mechanism by which COVID-19-vaccines may induce BP has not been clarified.

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Background: Recently, several case-control studies demonstrated an association between gliptins and bullous pemphigoid (BP) occurrence. However, data on the clinical and immunologic features of gliptin-associated bullous pemphigoid (GABP) are controversial.

Objective: This study aimed to clinically and immunologically characterize a large cohort of GABP patients to get an insight into the pathophysiology of this emerging drug-induced variant of BP.

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Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) belongs to the group of autoimmune blistering diseases. PV can affect not only mucous membranes, but also the skin and it is characterized by serum IgG autoantibodies against desmoglein 1 and 3, two major components of desmosomes. The introduction of glucocorticoids improved dramatically the prognosis of patients affected by PV.

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Article Synopsis
  • Epidermal development relies on a delicate balance between cell growth and specialization; disruptions can lead to skin-related disorders, including cancer and ectodermal dysplasias.
  • This study focuses on two new mutations in the RIPK4 gene found in siblings with a specific ectodermal disorder, highlighting similarities with other disorders caused by different genetic factors.
  • Findings suggest that defective RIPK4 affects epithelial cell differentiation and adhesion, impacting the expression of key proteins and altering cellular structures crucial for skin integrity, linking it to broader regulatory mechanisms in skin development and disease.
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