Rheumatoid factor positivity is associated with increased joint destruction and upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and cathepsin k gene expression in the peripheral blood in rheumatoid arthritic patients treated with methotrexate.

We evaluated changes in gene expression of mTOR, p21, caspase-3, ULK1, TNF α , matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and cathepsin K in the whole blood of rheumatoid arthritic (RA) patients treated with methotrexate (MTX) in relation to their rheumatoid factor status, clinical, immunological, and radiological parameters, and therapeutic response after a 24-month follow-up. The study group consisted of 35 control subjects and 33 RA patients without previous history of MTX treatment. Gene expression was measured using real-time RT-PCR.

Single center study on ethnic and clinical features of Behcet's disease in Moscow, Russia.

For the purpose of investigating Behcet's disease (BD) in Russia, 250 consecutive patients (177 men and 73 women) diagnosed with BD between 1990 and 2010 at the Research Institute of Rheumatology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow were enrolled in this study. The ethnic backgrounds of the patients were reported as follows: 23.2% (58 cases) from Russia, 12.

The effect of anti-B-cell therapy on the development of atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Accelerated development of atherosclerosis (AT) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stems from common immune-inflammatory mechanisms underlying the diseases. While the key role of activation of the T-cell immune system component is considered to be proved, the role of B-lymphocytes has been investigated insufficiently. Earlier experimental models demonstrated the "atheroprotective" role of B-cells.

Efficacy and safety of belimumab in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease that is associated with B-cell hyperactivity, autoantibodies, and increased concentrations of B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). The efficacy and safety of the fully human monoclonal antibody belimumab (BLyS-specific inhibitor) was assessed in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods: Patients (aged ≥18 years) who were seropositive with scores of at least 6 on the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) were enrolled in a multicentre phase 3 study, which was done in Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and eastern Europe.