Antiphospholipid Antibodies as Key Players in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Relationship with Cytokines and Immune Dysregulation.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by an overproduction of cytokines, such as interleukins and interferons, contributing to systemic inflammation and tissue damage. Antiphospholipid syndrome is a thrombo-inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting a third of SLE patients. We performed an in-depth analysis of the available literature, and we highlighted the complex interplay between immunity, inflammation, and thrombosis, the three major pathogenic pathways that are trapped in a mutually reinforcing destructive loop.

Preventive effects of early immunosuppressive treatment on the development of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis.

Background: Hypothesizing that early treatment yields improved prognosis, we aimed to investigate how the timing of immunosuppressive treatment relates to interstitial lung disease (ILD) development and the course of pulmonary function in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: A cohort was created using data from the EUSTAR database and Nijmegen Systemic Sclerosis cohort, including adult patients who started their first immunosuppressive treatment (ie mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, tocilizumab or rituximab) after SSc diagnosis, and no signs of ILD on high-resolution CT. ILD-free survival and the course of forced vital capacity % predicted (ppFVC) were assessed for up to 5 years follow-up comparing patients who started early (disease duration ≤ 3 years) vs late with immunosuppression.

Paradoxical Psoriasis in Patients Receiving Therapy with Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors: Potential Pathogenic Mechanisms and the Role of Genetic Factors.

TNF inhibitors (TNFi) have revolutionized the therapeutic management of various chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Despite their known benefits, these therapies are related to paradoxical adverse effects (PAEs), including paradoxical psoriasis (PP). Although the underlying mechanism remains somewhat unclear, some theories suggest that genetic factors, particularly certain single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), may play an important role.

The Lung in Rheumatoid Arthritis-Friend or Enemy?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition frequently found in rheumatological patients that sometimes raises diagnosis and management problems. The pathogenesis of the disease is complex and involves the activation of many cells and intracellular signaling pathways, ultimately leading to the activation of the innate and acquired immune system and producing extensive tissue damage. Along with joint involvement, RA can have numerous extra-articular manifestations (EAMs), among which lung damage, especially interstitial lung disease (ILD), negatively influences the evolution and survival of these patients.