Protective Role of Optineurin Against Joint Destruction in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts.

Objective: Optineurin (OPTN) is an autophagy adaptor/receptor that acts as an intrinsic negative regulator of osteoclast differentiation. RANKL expressed by rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) is primarily responsible for the development of bone erosions in patients with RA. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of OPTN in the pathogenesis of joint destruction in RA.

Factor Xa inhibitors for preventing recurrent thrombosis in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome: a longitudinal cohort study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to clarify the efficacy and safety of factor Xa inhibitors for antiphospholipid syndrome patients in real world utilization.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study comprised of all consecutive patients with antiphospholipid syndrome in our department over a period of 28 years. Patients treated with factor Xa inhibitors were extracted from the cohort.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with rheumatic diseases: a real-world observational study in Japan.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the obstetric complications and the risk factors for these events in pregnant women with rheumatic diseases (RDs).

Methods: A single-center retrospective study of women with RDs at Hokkaido University Hospital between 2007 and 2016 was conducted. Clinical features and maternal and fetal outcomes were retrospectively collected.

Autophagy promotes citrullination of VIM (vimentin) and its interaction with major histocompatibility complex class II in synovial fibroblasts.

We aimed to investigate the involvement of macroautophagy/autophagy in autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through citrullination of VIM (vimentin) and its interaction with MHC class II in synovial fibroblasts (SFs). The cell surface expression of MHC class II and B7 costimulatory molecules on SFs was analyzed by flow cytometry after treatment with IFNG/IFN-γ (interferon gamma). Intracellular citrullinated autoantigens in SFs were analyzed by immunoblotting using serum from anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA)-positive patient as a primary antibody.

Right ventricular dimension index by cardiac magnetic resonance for prognostication in connective tissue diseases and pulmonary hypertension.

Objectives: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with CTD is a heterogeneous condition affected by left heart disease, chronic lung disease and thromboembolism as well as pulmonary vascular disease. Recent studies using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) have shown that right ventricular dysfunction is predictive for mortality in patients with PH, but limited to pulmonary arterial hypertension. This study aimed to analyse prognostic factors in PH-CTD.