Findings on serial thigh MRI can identify individuals with inflammatory myositis who recover sub-optimally: A 6-month follow-up study.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thigh is used in diagnosis of idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) diagnosis due to its high sensitivity in detecting muscle oedema and to localize the site for muscle biopsy. At the same time, dual energy absorptiometry (DXA) is an accepted method in clinical practice to measure muscle mass and change in body composition. In this longitudinal study of patients with active IIM we sought to correlate muscle findings on serial thigh MRI and body composition assessed using DXA with six-month clinical outcomes, we also studied correlation of thigh MRI scores with body composition parameters.

Functional characterization of complete and immunodominant epitopes of a novel pollen allergen from Parthenium hysterophorus.

Parthenium hysterophorus pollen induces chronic clinical conditions such as allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Among the plethora of proteins in the pollens, only few were reported to induce allergy. Currently sensitization to P.

Type I interferon gene expression signature as a marker to predict response to cyclophosphamide based treatment in proliferative lupus nephritis.

Objectives: To assess the longitudinal effect of cyclophosphamide (CYC) treatment on type-I interferon (IFN) signature in proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) and its role in predicting treatment response.

Methods: Fifty-four biopsy proven proliferative LN patients scheduled to receive high-dose (HD) or low-dose (LD) CYC were recruited and followed up for six months. At six months, patients were classified as clinical responders (CR) or non-responders (NR) to treatment, using the EULAR/EDTA criteria.

Rheumatoid arthritis autologous synovial fluid affects the plasticity and function of peripheral and induced T regulatory cells in vitro.

The synovial fluid (SF) microenvironment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may alter the stability and function of Tregs. In the present study, we assessed cytokine levels and percentage of Tregs, Tregs expressing CXCR3 (Th1-like Treg), CCR6 (Th17-like Treg) in RA peripheral blood (PB) and RA-SF using fluorescence cytometry. Effect of autologous SF on plasticity and function of RA-PB Tregs (pTregs; CD4CD25CD127) and induced vimentin-pulsed Tregs (iTregs) was assessed in vitro.

Low C4A copy numbers and higher HERV gene insertion contributes to increased risk of SLE, with absence of association with disease phenotype and disease activity.

Low copy numbers (CNs) of C4 genes are associated with systemic autoimmune disorders and affects autoantibody diversity and disease subgroups. The primary objective of this study was to characterize diversity of complement (C4) and C4-Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV) gene copy numbers in SLE. We also sought to assess the association of C4 and C4-HERV CNs with serum complement levels, autoantibodies, disease phenotypes and activity.

Conventional Tregs in treatment-naïve rheumatoid arthritis are deficient in suppressive function with an increase in percentage of CXCR3 and CCR6 expressing Tregs.

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), immune homeostasis is maintained by T regulatory cells (Tregs) that in an inflammatory milieu can change towards T-helper-like phenotypes (Th-like Tregs). Our aim was to examine the phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD4CD25CD127 Tregs, Th-like Tregs and T effector (Teff) cells in the peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of treatment-naïve early RA, as compared to osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy control (HC) peripheral blood. Frequencies of Tregs, CXCR3, CCR6 expressing Tregs (Th-like Tregs), and Teff cells were analyzed using flow cytometry in RA (n = 80), OA (n = 20), and HC (n = 40).

Kidney histopathology in predicting flares following drug withdrawal in proliferative lupus nephritis in clinical remission.

Residual renal histopathological activity at clinical remission in Proliferative Lupus Nephritis (PLN) can predict renal flare upon immunosuppression withdrawal. Data on the role of histological renal remission in predicting extra-renal flares is lacking. We assessed renal histopathology prior to drug withdrawal and the occurrence of renal and extra-renal flares over 52 weeks after drug withdrawal in PLN patients in long-term clinical remission.

Outcome of critically ill patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from a medical intensive care unit in Southern India.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has become the most prevalent autoimmune condition requiring admission in the intensive care units (ICU) in the last two decades. Here we analysed the clinical outcomes of SLE patients admitted to our ICU between 2011 and 2021, and studied the prognostic role of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and procalcitonin in those enrolled after August 2019.

Methods: Systemic lupus erythematosus (ACR/SLICC 2012) were enrolled, 72 retrospectively and 30 prospectively.

Synovial-fluid-derived microparticles express vimentin and GRP78 in their surface and exhibit an in vitro stimulatory effect on fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To investigate the hypothesis that microparticles (MP) may be a source of autoantigens and drive disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium.

Methods: Synovial fluid (SF) was collected from the knee joints of 41 disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug-naive RA patients and 30 osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Samples were stained with either anti-vimentin-AlexaFluor-488 or anti-glucose-regulated protein-78-Dylight-488 (GRP78) and Annexin-V-allophycocyanin for flow cytometry analysis.

Performance of Clinical and Biochemical Parameters in Identifying Renal Histopathology and Predictors of One-Year Renal Outcome in Lupus Nephritis-A Single Centre Study from India.

Objectives: To assess the performance of clinical and biochemical parameters in identifying renal histopathology. To assess the performance of a combination of demographic, clinical, serological and histopathological parameters in determining renal response at one year. Methods: Data of biopsy-proven (ISN/RPS—2003 criteria) Lupus Nephritis (LN) were extracted from the institute database.

Association of HLA-G, HLA-E and HLA-B*27 with susceptibility and clinical phenotype of enthesitis related arthritis (ERA).

We studied the association of Enthesitis related arthritis (ERA) the most common variant of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in Asians, with HLA-G and -E polymorphisms. HLA-G (14 bp Ins/Del rs371194629, +3142 rs1063320, +3187 rs9380142) and HLA-E (rs1264457, and rs2844724) polymorphisms were analyzed in 127 patients with ERA and 381 ethnically matched healthy controls with TaqMan 5'-nuclease assay using allele-specific fluorogenic oligonucleotide probes. HLA-G and -E polymorphisms were not found to be associated with susceptibility to ERA.

Polymorphisms in Inflammatory Genes Modulate Clinical Complications in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD), the most common monogenic disease worldwide, is marked by a phenotypic variability that is, to date, only partially understood. Because inflammation plays a major role in SCD pathophysiology, we hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes encoding functionally important inflammatory proteins might modulate the occurrence of SCD complications. We assessed the association between 20 SNPs in genes encoding Toll-like receptors (TLR), NK cell receptors (NKG), histocompatibility leukocyte antigens (HLA), major histocompatibility complex class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), and the occurrence of six SCD clinical complications (stroke, acute chest syndrome (ACS), leg ulcers, cholelithiasis, osteonecrosis, or retinopathy).

Immunological biomarkers in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus: a comparative cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in South India.

Introduction: The prevalence of various immunological biomarkers in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) differs among various patients with varied neuropsychiatric manifestations and different populations. We studied the prevalence of these biomarkers; especially the neuron specific autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and compared them among patients with and without neuropsychiatric involvement.

Methodology: This is a comparative cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India.

Folyl polyglutamate synthethase (FPGS) gene polymorphisms may influence methotrexate adverse events in South Indian Tamil Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.

The aim of the study was to look for the association of FPGS 2752 G > A (rs1544105), FPGS 1994 A > G (rs10106), and GGH 452 C > T (rs 11545078), GGH -401C > T (rs 3758149) gene polymorphisms with methotrexate (MTX) treatment response and MTX-induced adverse events in South Indian Tamil patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Further the influence of these gene polymorphisms on MTX polyglutamate levels was analyzed. A total of 330 patients with RA were investigated.

HLA Polymorphism in Regressive and Non-Regressive Autism: A Preliminary Study.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprises heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions with symptom onset usually during infancy. However, about 10%-30% of affected cases experience a loss of language and social skills around 18-30 months, so-called regressive autism. In this subset with regression, immune dysfunctions including inflammation and autoimmunity have been proposed to be at risk factors.

A Toll-like receptor 2 genetic variant modulates occurrence of bacterial infections in patients with sickle cell disease.

Despite adequate immunization and penicillin prophylaxis, bacterial infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Besides hyposplenism, inflammatory and genetic factors might modulate their susceptibility to bacterial infections. We performed a candidate gene association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes, encoding prominent molecules for innate immune responses, with the occurrence of bacterial infections in patients with SCD.

HLA genetics in bipolar disorder.

Objective: Bipolar Disorder (BD) is characterized by deregulated adaptive immune processes. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) implicate the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region in BD. The present study investigates the potential influence of variations in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) on BD risk and/or clinical presentations.

The HLA-G Genetic Contribution to Bipolar Disorder: A Trans-Ethnic Replication.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is frequently associated with immune dysfunctions. Studying the genetic diversity of the immuno-modulatory human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G locus in a French BD cohort, we previously reported an association between a functionally relevant 14 bp Ins/Del polymorphism and BD risk. The present study investigated the genetic and expression diversities of HLA-G in a geographically distinct South Indian population-group BD patients, as well as the influence of exposure to the neurotropic Toxoplasma gondii pathogen.

Association between CRP genetic diversity and bipolar disorder comorbid complications.

Background: Chronic low-grade inflammation is believed to contribute, at least in a subset of patients, to the development of bipolar disorder (BD). In this context, the most investigated biological marker is the acute phase response molecule, C-reactive protein (CRP). While the genetic diversity of CRP was amply studied in various pathological settings, little is known in BD.

IRAK2 is associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis.

This study was performed to investigate the association of the single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 2 (IRAK2) rs3844283 and rs708035 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IRAK2 rs3844283 and rs708035genotyping was determined by mutagenically separated PCR with specifically designed primers in a cohort of 222 (30 men, 192 women, mean age 49 years) adult RA patients and 224 matched controls. IRAK2 rs3844283 C allele was detected in 66% of RA patients and 74% of controls.

Association of MICA-129 polymorphism and circulating soluble MICA level with rheumatoid arthritis in a south Indian Tamil population.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a clinically heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by synovitis leading to joint destruction. Both genetic and environmental factors are involved in the pathogenesis of RA. Significant dysregulation of NKG2D, an activating receptor of natural killer and certain autoreactive T cells as well as its ligand major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA) has been implicated in perpetuating the pathology of RA.

Polymorphisms in the promoter region of iNOS predispose to rheumatoid arthritis in south Indian Tamils.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) catalyses the production of nitric oxide (NO) from L-Arginine, which participates in diverse biological processes including inflammation and apoptosis. Macrophages, chondrocytes, osteoblasts and osteoclasts express inducible NOS (iNOS) at the site of synovial inflammation. NO produced at the inflamed joint may contribute to peri-articular bone loss, mediate apoptosis and regulate Th1/Th2 balance in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Association of NKG2D gene variants with susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

NKG2D (KLRK1) is a C-type lectin receptor present on natural killer (NK) cells, γδ, CD8 and CD4 T cells. Upon ligand binding, NKG2D mediates activatory and co-stimulatory signals to NK cells and activated CD4 T cells, respectively. Polymorphisms in NKG2D predispose to infectious diseases, cancer, transplantation and autoimmune disorders.

HLA class II alleles influence rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility and autoantibody status in South Indian Tamil population.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex multifactorial autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory arthritis. The precise etiology and pathogenesis of RA remains elusive but evidence points towards stochastic interactions between genetic and environmental factors. This study investigated the distribution of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1/DQB1 alleles in South Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their influence on RA susceptibility and clinical phenotype.

ATIC 347C>G gene polymorphism may be associated with methotrexate-induced adverse events in south Indian Tamil rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: To find the association of ATIC 347C>G gene polymorphism with methotrexate (MTX) treatment response and MTX-induced adverse events in south Indian Tamil patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients & Methods: A total of 319 rheumatoid arthritis and 310 healthy controls were recruited for the study and ATIC 347C>G gene polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP method.

Results: The genotype and allele frequencies of ATIC 347 C>G SNP did not differ between good and nonresponders and hence this SNP was not found to be associated with MTX treatment response.