Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in lupus nephritis and beyond.

Objectives: To study neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in peripheral blood in SLE, and to propose a mechanism by which neutrophils secrete NGAL on stimulation with immune complexes (IC).

Methods: NGAL was measured by ELISA in two independent Swedish SLE cohorts acting as exploratory and validation cohort (n=124 and n=308, respectively), disease controls (n=38) and healthy controls (n=77). NGAL levels were measured in supernatant from IC-stimulated neutrophils in the presence or absence of a toll-like receptor 8 inhibitor (TLR8i).

Association between maternal systemic lupus erythematosus and infant infection: a population-based cohort study in Sweden.

Objectives: The objectives of the study are to investigate infection risk in offspring born to women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with offspring born to women without SLE and examine the mediating role of preterm birth.

Design: This is a register-based cohort study.

Setting: Liveborn singletons born in Sweden, 2006-2021, were included in the study.

Autoantibodies against a subunit of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I in inclusion body myositis.

Background: Autoantibodies are found in up to 80 % of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and are associated with distinct clinical phenotypes. Autoantibodies targeting cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase 1A (anti-NT5C1A) are currently the only known serum biomarker for the subgroup inclusion body myositis (IBM), although detected even in other autoimmune diseases. The aim of the study was to identify new autoimmune targets in IIM.

Does Periodontitis Increase the Risk for Future Cardiovascular Events? Long-Term Follow-Up of the PAROKRANK Study.

Background And Aim: The study 'Periodontitis and Its Relation to Coronary Artery Disease' (PAROKRANK) reported an association between periodontitis (PD) and the first myocardial infarction (MI). This follow-up study aims to test the hypothesis that those with PD-compared to periodontally healthy individuals-are at increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events and death.

Methods: A total of 1587 participants (age <75 years; females 19%) had a dental examination including panoramic radiographs between 2010 and 2014.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination among patients living with SLE in Sweden: Coverage and clinical effectiveness.

Objectives: To describe the uptake of anti-SARS-CoV2 vaccination in 2021 and investigate vaccine effectiveness in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in Sweden.

Methods: The cumulative incidence of first anti-SARS-CoV2 vaccination was estimated among SLE patients from the Swedish National Patient Register and matched comparators living in Sweden on January 1, 2021. To assess vaccine effectiveness, we included the individuals who received two doses of anti-SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccines before year 2022, with no COVID-19 diagnosis code before the 2nd vaccine dose.

Plasma interferon-alpha protein levels during pregnancy are associated with lower birth weight in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Adverse pregnancy outcomes are more common in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with healthy women, but we lack prognostic biomarkers. Plasma interferon alpha (IFNα) protein levels are elevated in a subgroup of pregnant women with SLE, but whether this is associated with pregnancy outcomes is unknown. We investigated the relationship between IFNα, adverse pregnancy outcomes and the presence of autoantibodies in SLE pregnancy.

Sick leave and disability pension following delivery in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To investigate sickness benefits following delivery in mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mothers without SLE.

Method: SLE and non-SLE mothers, matched by age and month of delivery, with a singleton liveborn (2004-2008), were identified from the Swedish Lupus Linkage cohort. Work loss (sum of sick leave and disability pension) was studied from 1 year prenatally to 3 years postpartum.

Regional European genetic ancestry predicts type I interferon level and risk of severe viral infection.

Background: Viral infection outcomes vary widely between individuals, ranging from mild symptoms to severe organ failure and death, and it is clear that host genetic factors play a role in this variability. Type I interferon (IFN) is a critical anti-viral cytokine, and we have previously noted differences in type I IFN levels between world populations.

Methods: In this study, we investigate the interrelationship between regional European genetic ancestry, type I IFN levels and severe viral infection outcomes.

Hydroxychloroquine in lupus or rheumatoid arthritis pregnancy and risk of major congenital malformations: a population-based cohort study.

Objectives: To assess the infant risk of major congenital malformations (MCM) associated with first-trimester exposure to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) among mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: This population-based cohort study utilized Swedish nationwide registers and included all singleton births (2006-2021) among individuals with prevalent SLE or RA in Sweden. The exposure was filling ≥1 HCQ prescription during the first trimester.

Anti-histone and anti-nucleosome rather than anti-dsDNA antibodies associate with IFN-induced biomarkers in Sudanese and Swedish Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients.

Objectives: In SLE, anti-dsDNA can co-occur with autoantibodies against other chromatin components, like histones and nucleosomes. These antibodies induce type-1 interferon production, a hallmark of SLE. We measured antinuclear antibody (ANA) sub-specificities and investigated their associations to inflammatory biomarkers including interferon-regulated chemokines.

Low CD4 + T cell count is related to specific anti-nuclear antibodies, IFNα protein positivity and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancy.

Background: Lymphopenia, autoantibodies and activation of the type I interferon (IFN) system are common features in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We speculate whether lymphocyte subset counts are affected by pregnancy and if they relate to autoantibody profiles and/or IFNα protein in SLE pregnancy.

Methods: Repeated blood samples were collected during pregnancy from 80 women with SLE and 51 healthy controls (HC).

Systemic lupus erythematosus and damage: What has changed over the past 20 years?

The young age of onset and chronic/relapsing nature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) make SLE patients prone to develop and accrue organ damage as a result of long-standing disease activity and side effects of treatment. There is a growing interest in objectifying damage and identifying its risk factors. Still, the lack of therapeutic alternatives has led to difficulties in avoiding immunosuppressives particularly corticosteroids, which have been implicated in a large spectrum of organ damage in SLE patients.

EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus: 2023 update.

Objectives: To update the EULAR recommendations for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on emerging new evidence.

Methods: An international Task Force formed the questions for the systematic literature reviews (January 2018-December 2022), followed by formulation and finalisation of the statements after a series of meetings. A predefined voting process was applied to each overarching principle and recommendation.

The expression of antibodies to Z-DNA in the blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Relationship to autoantibodies to B-DNA.

To explore the antibody response to Z-DNA, a DNA conformation with a zig-zag structure, blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and otherwise healthy individuals (NHS) were assayed by ELISA using brominated poly(dGdC), a synthetic Z-DNA antigen. These studies showed that SLE patients commonly express antibodies to Z-DNA; NHS also had binding in this assay. In SLE blood, levels of antibodies to Z-DNA were related to those to B-DNA using calf thymus DNA as a source of B-DNA; cross-reactivity was demonstrated by adsorption experiments using DNA cellulose.

Urinary aberrations in systemic lupus erythematosus not always indicative of lupus nephritis: a cross-sectional cohort study.

Introduction: Kidney biopsy is the reference tool for diagnosing and guiding treatment strategies in inflammatory renal diseases, such as lupus nephritis (LN). We investigated the histopathological findings in first-time kidney biopsies from a large cohort of SLE patients. We focused on the occurrence and type of histopathological findings other than LN, and fulfillment of renal criteria in established SLE classification systems were analyzed.

Low-density granulocytes are related to shorter pregnancy duration but not to interferon alpha protein blood levels in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: An increased risk of pregnancy complications is seen in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the specific immunopathological drivers are still unclear. Hallmarks of SLE are granulocyte activation, type I interferon (IFN) overproduction, and autoantibodies. Here we examined whether low-density granulocytes (LDG) and granulocyte activation increase during pregnancy, and related the results to IFNα protein levels, autoantibody profile, and gestational age at birth.

Mer-tyrosine kinase: a novel susceptibility gene for SLE related end-stage renal disease.

Objective: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a common and severe manifestation of SLE. The genetic risk for nephritis and progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with LN remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to identify novel genetic associations with LN, focusing on subphenotypes and ESRD.

Interleukin (IL) 16: a candidate urinary biomarker for proliferative lupus nephritis.

Objective: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The pathogenesis is incompletely understood and diagnostic biomarkers are scarce. We investigated interleukin (IL) 16 as a potential biomarker for LN in a well-characterised cohort of patients with SLE.

Long-term prognosis after a first myocardial infarction: eight years follow up of the case-control study PAROKRANK.

To explore long-term cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in patients after a first myocardial infarction (MI) compared with matched controls in a contemporary setting. . During 2010-2014 the Swedish study PAROKRANK recruited 805 patients <75 years with a first MI and 805 age-, gender-, and area-matched controls.