Exploring the Genetic Association Between Connective Tissue Diseases and the Risk of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

This study aimed to explore the potential causal link between genetic predisposition to various connective tissue diseases (CTDs), namely systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome (SS), polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), systemic sclerosis (SSc), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) utilizing Mendelian randomization (MR). Employing a two-sample MR approach, genetic variants associated with CTDs served as instrumental variables to investigate the exposure-outcome relationship, with GWAS data sourced from the FinnGen Biobank. Comprehensive statistical analyses, including the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, were conducted, alongside heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and sensitivity tests to ensure the robustness and validity of findings.

Identifying the genetic association between rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Epidemiological and observational studies have indicated an association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, consistent conclusions have not been reached due to various limitations. In order to determine whether RA and PAH are causally related, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study with two samples.

Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease risk prediction in anti-MDA5 positive dermatomyositis: the CROSS model.

Background: The prognosis of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 positive dermatomyositis (anti-MDA5DM) is poor and heterogeneous. Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) is these patients' leading cause of death. We sought to develop prediction models for RP-ILD risk in anti-MDA5DM patients.

Association of disease activity with depression and anxiety in systemic lupus erythematosus: A comparison of SLEDAI-2K and SLE-DAS.

Objective: To explore the association of disease activity, as evaluated by both the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Score (SLE-DAS) and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index-2000 (SLEDAI-2K), with depression and anxiety in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 85 Chinese patients with SLE. Disease activity was measured using SLEDAI-2K and SLE-DAS scoring systems.

Association of anti-Ro52 antibody with depression and anxiety in patients with connective tissue diseases: an observational, single-centre, cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To explore the risk factors of anxiety and depression, especially their association with serum autoantibodies, in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs).

Methods: Three hundred and fifty-two inpatients with CTDs were recruited and their demographic, serological and imaging data were collected through the medical record system. Depression and anxiety were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale (GAD-7) respectively.

Gender differences in patients with anti-MDA5-positive dermatomyositis: a cohort study of 251 cases.

Objective: To investigate the impact of sex differences on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5-positive dermatomyositis (MDA5 DM).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 251 patients with MDA5 DM, including 71 in the male group and 180 in the female group. A multivariate logistic regression model was built to analyze independent risk factors for RPILD in each group.

Time-dependent changes in RPILD and mortality risk in anti-MDA5+ DM patients: a cohort study of 272 cases in China.

Objectives: Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 positive (anti-MDA5+) DM has a close relationship with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RPILD) and is associated with high mortality. However, data regarding the time-dependent risk of RPILD and deaths during disease progression are limited. We conducted this study to investigate whether the risk of RPILD and death were time-dependent or not in anti-MDA5+ DM.

Identification of Three Different Phenotypes in Anti-Melanoma Differentiation-Associated Gene 5 Antibody-Positive Dermatomyositis Patients: Implications for Prediction of Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease.

Objective: There is substantial heterogeneity among the phenotypes of patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive (anti-MDA5+) dermatomyositis (DM), hindering disease assessment and management. This study aimed to identify distinct phenotype groups in patients with anti-MDA5+ DM and to determine the utility of these phenotypes in predicting patient outcomes.

Methods: A total of 265 patients with anti-MDA5+ DM were retrospectively enrolled in the study.

Coexistence of Anti-Ro52 Antibodies in Anti-MDA5 Antibody-Positive Dermatomyositis Is Highly Associated With Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease and Mortality Risk.

Objective: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common extramuscular complication contributing to significant morbidity and mortality in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) who are positive for antimelanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5+). We conducted this study to investigate the association of anti-Ro52 antibodies with clinical characteristics and prognosis in patients with anti-MDA5+ DM.

Methods: We assessed a cohort of 246 patients with anti-MDA5+ DM.

Increased interleukin-11 associated with disease activity and development of interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To investigate the association of serum interleukin-11 (IL-11) with disease activity and occurrence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: One hundred and six RA patients were included, including 31 with ILD. All patients were divided into two groups according to the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28), active-disease group (DAS28>3.

Febuxostat in the treatment of gout patients with low serum uric acid level: 1-year finding of efficacy and safety study.

To retrospectively analyze the efficacy and safety of febuxostat on gout patients with low serum uric acid level. A study was conducted in Nanjing First Hospital from October 2015 to September 2016. Thirty nine acute gouty arthritis patients from the emergency and outpatient department were included.

Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells inhibited T follicular helper cell generation in rheumatoid arthritis.

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells provide help for antigen-specific B cells. We have previously shown that Tfh cell frequency was increased and associated with auto-antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting a possible involvement of Tfh cells in its pathogenesis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising alternative cell therapy for RA by modulating T and B cell activation and proliferation.

Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells inhibit the differentiation of circulating T follicular helper cells in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome through the secretion of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) on circulating T follicular helper (cTfh) cells in primary SS (pSS) patients.

Methods: The percentage of CXCR5(+)PD-1(+)CD4(+) T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was analysed by flow cytometry. PBMCs were co-cultured with UC-MSCs by cell-to-cell contact or in a trans-well system.

TL1A increased the differentiation of peripheral Th17 in rheumatoid arthritis.

The interaction between TNF-like protein 1A (TL1A) and its receptors, death receptor-3 (DR3) may be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through the regulation of Th17. Our data here showed that TL1A could significantly promote Th17 differentiation and RORc mRNA expression from naive T cells and enhance IL-17A level in cell supernatant in RA patients. Anti-TNF-α treatment had suppressive effects on TL1A-mediated Th17 differentiation and RORc mRNA expression.

Possible novel biomarkers of organ involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by excessive production of various autoantibodies, which play important roles in the pathogenesis of SLE. Apart from classical autoantibodies such as anti-double stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA), anti-Smith antibody (anti-Sm), and anti-phospholipid antibody (APL), recent studies focus on some novel autoantibodies including anti-complement (C) 1q antibody (anti-C1q), which is closely correlated with lupus nephritis; anti-N-methyl-D-asparate receptor antibody (NMDAR), which mediates neuropsychiatric manifestations in SLE to some extent; anti-galectin, which is involved in secondary anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) in SLE; and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), which represents a more specific biomarker for subclinical ovarian damage caused by the disease itself or cytotoxic drugs in SLE patients. Correlation of these autoantibodies with disease activity and organ involvement of SLE may help to evaluate disease severity, efficacy of treatment, and long-term prognosis.

(99) Tc-methylene diphosphonate improves rheumatoid arthritis disease activity by increasing the frequency of peripheral γδ T cells and CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs.

Aim: γδ T cells exhibit important functions in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In recent years, numerous studies harnessed the γδ T cell-activating capacity of aminobiphosphonates for the treatment of malignant tumors. As (99) Tc-methylene diphosphonate ((99) Tc-MDP) has long been widely used for the treatment of RA in China with good efficacy, we are interested in whether this drug exerts its therapeutic effect on RA by modulating peripheral γδ T cells of RA patients.

Elevated apoptosis and impaired proliferation contribute to downregulated peripheral γ δ T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To investigate the frequency of peripheral γ δ T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its correlation with disease activity and to analyze the apoptotic status, proliferation ability, and intracellular cytokine profile of these cells.

Methods: Flow cytometry was performed to detect the percentage and intracellular cytokine expression of peripheral γ δ T cells from SLE patients. Annexin-V/PI double staining was applied to determine the proportion of apoptotic γ δ and CD3(+) T cells.

High-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy upregulated FcγRIIb expression on B cells in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients with thrombocytopenia.

Abnormalities in B cell are characteristic feature of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). As FcγRIIb is a key regulator of B cells, the objective of this study is to investigate the role of the inhibitory receptor FcγRIIb in B cells from pSS patients, and whether glucocorticoid can affect B cell subpopulations or FcγRIIb expression. Thirty pSS patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.

Roles of γδ T cells in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

γδ T cells are a minor population of T cells that express the TCR γδ chains, mainly distributed in the mucosal and epithelial tissue and accounting for less than 5% of the total T cells in the peripheral blood. By bridging innate and adaptive immunity, γδ T cells play important roles in the anti-infection, antitumor, and autoimmune responses. Previous research on γδ T cells was primarily concentrated on infectious diseases and tumors, whereas their functions in autoimmune diseases attracted much attention.

A regulatory effect of IL-21 on T follicular helper-like cell and B cell in rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Interleukin (IL)-21 is a member of type I cytokine family. Recent studies indicate that IL-21 can promote T follicular helper (Tfh) cell differentiation and survival, a specialized T cell subset which provides help for B cell. It can also regulate the activation, proliferation and differentiation of human B cell and immunoglobulin (Ig) production as well as isotype switching of plasma cell.

Roles of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of SLE.

SLE is an autoimmune inflammatory disease in which various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including TGF-β, IL-10, BAFF, IL-6, IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-23, play crucial pathogenic roles. Virtually, all these cytokines can be generated by both innate and adaptive immune cells and exert different effects depending on specific local microenvironment. They can also interact with each other, forming a complex network to maintain delicate immune homeostasis.

Mycophenolic acid inhibits SLE-associated cytokine expression and promotes apoptosis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Aim: To investigate the effect of the novel immunosuppressant mycophenolic acid (MPA) on cytokine production and apoptosis of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: The levels of IL-10, IL-12, IFN-gamma, sFas and sFasL in the supernatants of cultured PBMC from 41 SLE patients was determined by the ABC-ELISA method. The percentage of IFN-gamma(+)IL-10(-), IFN-gamma(-)IL-10(+), and IFN-gamma(+)IL-10(+) subsets in CD4+ cells were detected by three-color flow cytometry.