Identification of novel microRNA signatures linked to human lupus disease activity and pathogenesis: miR-21 regulates aberrant T cell responses through regulation of PDCD4 expression.

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the expression of genes involved in immune activation. A study was undertaken to characterise the miRNA signature and identify novel genes involved in the regulation of immune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: The expression of 365 miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with SLE and healthy controls was analysed using TaqMan Low Density Arrays.

Pulse cyclophosphamide treatment for severe refractory cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus includes a variety of lupus erythematosus specific skin lesions that, in some cases, can be disfiguring and refractory to conventional therapy. This short report describes our experience in treating six patients with severe, refractory subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with monthly cyclophosphamide pulses, followed by azathioprine as maintenance therapy. Significant clinical improvement of the subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus lesions was achieved in all patients, with four patients in complete remission and two in partial remission.

Takayasu arteritis: epidemiological, clinical, and immunogenetic features in Greece.

Objective: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is an uncommon disease with clinical heterogeneity across different ethnic groups. We aimed to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, and immuno-genetic features of TA in Greece.

Methods: Demographic, clinical, laboratory, angiographic, and therapeutic data of 42 patients from 4 large referral centers were retrieved.

Heart failure as presenting manifestation of cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Heart failure in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE ) is rare, and its long-term outcome is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyse the long-term outcome of six SLE patients with heart failure as first manifestation of cardiac involvement and to review previously reported cases.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of SLE patients from two tertiary referral centres who presented between 1999 and 2004 with clinical and echocardiographic signs of heart failure as their first manifestation of cardiac involvement.