Baricitinib Attenuates Autoimmune Phenotype and Podocyte Injury in a Murine Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: Baricitinib, a selective inhibitor for janus kinase (JAK) 1 and JAK2, is approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is recently regarded as a potential candidate targeted by JAK inhibitors because of the relationship between its pathogenesis and JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway-mediated cytokines such as type I interferons. The objective of this study was to determine whether baricitinib could effectively ameliorate SLE using a murine model.

Soluble siglec-5 is a novel salivary biomarker for primary Sjogren's syndrome.

Despite advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis, disease-specific biomarkers have not been included in the classification criteria for Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). Based on a microarray of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), we aimed to investigate whether soluble sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (siglec)-5 in saliva might be a biomarker for pSS. The concentration of siglec-5 in saliva and sera was determined by ELISA.

JAK-1 Inhibition Suppresses Interferon-Induced BAFF Production in Human Salivary Gland: Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Objective: To examine whether a JAK inhibitor regulates functional responses of human salivary gland epithelial cells (SGECs) and disease parameters in an animal model of Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods: Common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed among peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with primary SS and other data sets, using blood and SG tissue. Validation of expression in SGs was analyzed by focus score.

Fraxinellone Attenuates Rheumatoid Inflammation in Mice.

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of fraxinellone on inflammatory arthritis and identify the underlying mechanisms. Fraxinellone (7.5 mg/kg) or a vehicle control was injected into mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

Ethyl pyruvate ameliorates inflammatory arthritis in mice.

Objectives: Ethyl pyruvate (EP) is the ethyl ester of pyruvate and has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of EP in inflammatory arthritis and to identify the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were treated with the vehicle control or EP at 20mg/kg, and clinical and histological analyses were performed on the animals.

Anthocyanin Extracted from Black Soybean Seed Coats Prevents Autoimmune Arthritis by Suppressing the Development of Th17 Cells and Synthesis of Proinflammatory Cytokines by Such Cells, via Inhibition of NF-κB.

Introduction: Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Anthocyanin is a plant antioxidant. We investigated the therapeutic effects of anthocyanin extracted from black soybean seed coats (AEBS) in a murine model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and explored possible mechanisms by which AEBS might exert anti-arthritic effects.

The Interleukin 33/ST2 axis in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome: expression in serum and salivary glands, and the clinical association.

Objective: To evaluate the expression of interleukin 33 (IL-33) and its receptor in sera and salivary tissues of patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), and to investigate the association with clinical profiles.

Methods: Serum IL-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) of 55 patients with pSS and 48 controls were determined by ELISA and assessed for clinical correlation. The expression of IL-33/ST2 in salivary tissues was investigated by immunohistochemical staining and was further characterized by confocal microscopy.

Role of fractalkine in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren syndrome: increased serum levels of fractalkine, its expression in labial salivary glands, and the association with clinical manifestations.

Objective: To investigate the expression of fractalkine and identify the clinical effects of fractalkine and its receptor (CX3CR1) in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS).

Methods: Serum fractalkine levels were determined by ELISA. Immunohistochemical staining was done to compare the expression of fractalkine and CX3CR1 between salivary glands (SG) of patients with SS and controls.

Ursolic acid ameliorates autoimmune arthritis via suppression of Th17 and B cell differentiation.

Aim: Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in most plant species, which has been shown anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. In this study, we examined the effects of UA on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice, and to identify the mechanisms underlying the effects.

Methods: CIA was induced in mice.

Halofuginone ameliorates autoimmune arthritis in mice by regulating the balance between Th17 and Treg cells and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.

Objective: The small molecule halofuginone has been shown to inhibit fibrosis, angiogenesis, and tumor progression. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of halofuginone in preventing autoimmune arthritis in mice.

Methods: The effects of halofuginone on joint diseases were assessed by clinical scoring and histologic analysis.

Serum level of interleukin-33 and soluble ST2 and their association with disease activity in patients with Behcet's disease.

Interleukin (IL)-33 is an important mediator of innate immunity. Behcet's disease (BD) is an autoinflammatory disorder characterized by hyperactivity of the innate immune response. We measured serum levels of IL-33 and its receptor soluble ST2 (sST2) in patients with BD to investigate their association with disease activity.