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.

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.

Autoimmune Liver Diseases and Rheumatoid Arthritis-Is There an Etiopathogenic Link?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune-mediated disease that, in addition to the articular involvement, can have extra-articular manifestations. Even though liver damage in RA is not very common, associated autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) may occur. The most common AILD associated with RA is primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), followed by autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Autoimmunity and Autoinflammation: Relapsing Polychondritis and VEXAS Syndrome Challenge.

Relapsing polychondritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory condition characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation at the level of cartilaginous structures and tissues rich in proteoglycans. The pathogenesis of the disease is complex and still incompletely elucidated. The data support the important role of a particular genetic predisposition, with HLA-DR4 being considered an allele that confers a major risk of disease occurrence.

Evaluation of Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Diagnostic Tools in the Assessment of Histological Healing.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two types of chronic intestinal disorders: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In long-standing ulcerative colitis disease activity, histological persistent inflammation has been linked to an increased risk of relapse, and long-term corticosteroid use, even when endoscopic remission is reached. In Crohn's disease, the discontinuous nature of lesions and transmural inflammation have limited the standardized histological assessment.

Cytokines in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Focus on TNF-α and IL-17.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder known for its complex pathogenesis, in which cytokines play an essential role. It seems that the modulation of these cytokines may impact disease progression, being considered potential biomarkers. Thus, TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α and IL (interleukin)-17 are molecules of great interest in SLE.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease as a Paradoxical Reaction to Anti-TNF-α Treatment-A Review.

TNF-α inhibitors (TNFis) have revolutionized the treatment of certain chronic immune-mediated diseases, being widely and successfully used in rheumatic inflammatory diseases, and have also proved their efficacy in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, among the side effects of these agents are the so-called paradoxical effects. They can be defined as the appearance or exacerbation of a pathological condition that usually responds to this class of drug while treating a patient for another condition.

Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: Pathogenic Mechanisms Involving the Cartilage and Subchondral Bone, and Potential Therapeutic Strategies for Joint Regeneration.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a specialized synovial joint that is crucial for the movement and function of the jaw. TMJ osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) is the result of disc dislocation, trauma, functional overburden, and developmental anomalies. TMJ OA affects all joint structures, including the articular cartilage, synovium, subchondral bone, capsule, ligaments, periarticular muscles, and sensory nerves that innervate the tissues.

Correlations between clinics, dermoscopy and histopathology in a female with two dermatofibromas - a case report.

Dermatofibromas are benign fibrohistiocytic tumors that involve the dermis. They have often a polymorphous clinical aspect, being frequently confused with other lesions varying from vascular tumors to melanoma. An important tool in diagnosis is represented by dermoscopy, which facilitates the recognition of dermatofibromas' characteristic structures such as central white patch and peripheral pigment network.

An animal model of peripheral nerve regeneration after the application of a collagen-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold and mesenchymal stem cells.

Extensive nerve injuries often leading to nerve gaps can benefit, besides the gold standard represented by autologous nerve grafts, by the inciting field of tissue engineering. To enhance the role of biomaterials in nerve regeneration, the nerve conduits are associated with Schwann or Schwann-like cells. In this study, we evaluated rat sciatic nerve regeneration, by using a biodegradable nerve guide composed of Collagen (COL) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), associated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC).

Case-control study to evaluate the link between immunosuppression and Candida spp. infection.

Candidiasis is one of the fungal infections with the highest incidence in the immunosuppressed host. The evolution of infection and the increase of antifungal medical drugs resistance could both contribute to the mortality attributable to Candida infection in the immunosuppressed host. Even though the data from international studies are well known, few studies have been published in Romania on this subject.