Genetic causal association between gut microbiota and sepsis: Evidence from a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Sepsis is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulated host response and organ dysfunction. The causal relationship between intestinal microbiota and sepsis is unclear.

Methods: A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to proxy the causal association between gut microbiota and sepsis.

IL-33/ST2 axis contributes to the dermal fibrosis of systemic sclerosis via promoting fibroblasts activation.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic immune-mediated rheumatic disease that is characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) has been recently implicated in several autoimmune diseases through its receptor ST2.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of IL-33/ST2 axis in the fibrotic disorder of SSc.

The aberrant levels of decorin induce damages of human salivary gland epithelial cells and polarization of macrophages.

Objectives: This study aimed to preliminarily address the levels of decorin (DCN, a critical component of extracellular matrix) and its potential roles in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: DCN levels were determined in the salivary glands of experimental SS (ESS) mice and pSS patients by RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, or immunohistochemical staining. Its correlation with interested genes and co-localization with a putative receptor was studied in pSS patients.

Gut Microbiota Aberration in Patients of Systemic Sclerosis and Bleomycin-Induced Mice Model.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an immune-mediated systemic autoimmune disease with unknown etiology, which has high morbidity and mortality. Current treatments to dispose of this disorder are limited. And there are still no ideal animal models that can fully replicate the four basic pathophysiological features of SSc, including vascular lesions, fibrosis, inflammation, and autoimmunity, let alone animal models specifically designed to study gastrointestinal lesions.

Intratracheal Poly(I:C) Exposure Accelerates the Immunological Disorder of Salivary Glands in Sjogren's-Like NOD/ShiLtJ Mice.

Evidences have suggested that Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is associated with viral infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of respiratory viral poly(I:C) in the pathogenesis of SS and potential mechanisms using a SS-like NOD/ShiLtJ (NOD) mouse model. 5-week female NOD mice were intratracheally administered poly(I:C) every other day for 5 times to mimic viral infection.

The immunology of COVID-19: is immune modulation an option for treatment?

In December, 2019, an outbreak of COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China and quickly spread globally. As of May 7, 2020, there were 3 672 238 confirmed infections and 254 045 deaths attributed to COVID-19. Evidence has shown that there are asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 who can transmit the disease to others.

The Increased Ratio of Blood CD56 NK to CD56 NK Is a Distinguishing Feature of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the subsets of circulating CD56 NK cells in pSS patients and their potential value in the diagnosis and/or prediction of prognosis in patients with pSS.

Methods: We included 52 pSS patients fulfilling the 2002 AECG criteria or 2012 ACR criteria and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. The frequency and absolute number of NK cells and CD56 NK cell subsets in peripheral blood samples were detected by flow cytometry.

Similar Transition Processes in Synovial Fibroblasts from Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis: A Single-Cell Study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are common rheumatic disorders that primarily involve joints. The inflammation of the synovium can be observed in both of the two diseases. Synovial fibroblasts (SFs) play an important role in the inflammatory process of the synovium.

Biomarkers in IgG4-related disease: A systematic review.

Objective: ImmunoglobulinG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently recognized disease and, as such, there is a pressing need to identify biomarkers for diagnosis, monitoring disease activity, and predicting prognosis and response to therapy. Here, we review the recent development and identification of biomarkers for IgG4-RD.

Methods: Through extensive literature review and analysis, we updated the biomarkers for IgG4-RD and further put forward our own viewpoints.

Sphingomyelin synthase 1 enhances BCR signaling to promote lupus-like autoimmune response.

Background: Sphingomyelin synthase 1 (SMS1) has been reported to participate in hepatitis and atherosclerosis. However, its role in autoimmune response is not clear. This study investigates the possible involvement of SMS1 in B-cell activation and lupus-like autoimmunity.

Blau syndrome with good Reponses to Tocilizumab: A case report and focused literature review.

Objectives: Blau syndrome (BS), a rare auto-inflammatory granulomatous disease, is a progressive disorder. Usually the maintenance dose of glucocorticoid may not be tapered below 15 mg per day while immunosuppressives is used. There has been some experience with biologic agents in refractory BS patients.