COVID-19 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 induces autoantibodies against type I interferons in a healthy woman.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus is associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations, including autoimmune features and autoantibody production in a small subset of patients. Pre-exiting neutralizing autoantibodies against type I interferons (IFNs) are associated with COVID-19 disease severity. In this case report, plasma levels of IgG against type I interferons (IFNs) were increased specifically among the 103 autoantibodies tested following the second shot of COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2 compared to pre-vaccination and further increased following the third shot of BNT162b2 in a healthy woman.

Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan (PGN) induces pathogenic autoantibody production via autoreactive B cell receptor clonal selection, implications in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: There is an intricate interplay between the microbiome and the immune response impacting development of normal immunity and autoimmunity. However, we do not fully understand how the microbiome affects production of natural-like and pathogenic autoantibodies. Peptidoglycan (PGN) is a component of the bacterial cell wall which is highly antigenic.

Risk factors for serious infections in inpatients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: To investigate the risk factors for serious infections among hospitalized systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and to provide the advice for preventing serious infections in SLE patients.

Methods: Information of SLE patients hospitalized from March 2017 to February 2019 at the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University was obtained. The patients were assigned into a serious infection group and a non-serious infection group.

Prognosis and Characterization of Immune Microenvironment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Through Identification of an Autophagy-Related Signature.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common hematopoietic malignancies that has an unfavorable outcome and a high rate of relapse. Autophagy plays a vital role in the development of and therapeutic responses to leukemia. This study identifies a potential autophagy-related signature to monitor the prognoses of patients of AML.

Hypothyroidism and its Association with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross Sectional Study in Chinese Patients.

Background: Specific factors correlated with hypothyroidism in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients remain unclear. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in Chinese patients with SLE and the relationship between clinical hypothyroidism and SLE.

Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study of the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in 672 patients with SLE and 605 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Expression of inflammasomes NLRP1, NLRP3 and AIM2 in different pathologic classification of lupus nephritis.

Objectives: Lupus nephritis (LN) is an immune-complex mediated nephritis with complicated pathogenesis. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether inflammasomes are activated in the renal pathology of LN patients and analyse the association of inflammasome activation in different classes of LN renal tissues with the disease activity.

Methods: A total of 86 patients with renal biopsy-proven chronic kidney disease admitted in Xiangya Hospital from January 2015 to August 2018 were enrolled in the present study.

Fluorofenidone inhibits apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in rats with renal interstitial fibrosis.

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) in treating renal interstitial fibrosis in rats with unilateral urinary obstruction (UUO). Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, UUO, UUO + enalapril, and UUO + AKF-PD groups. All rats, except sham, underwent left urethral obstruction surgery to establish the animal model.

[Effect of enalapril on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in renal interstitial fibrosis in rats].

To observe the effect of enalapril on the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in renal interstitial fibrosis rats and to explore the mechanism of enalapril on renal interstitial fibrosis.
 Methods: Twenty-four SD male rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group and an enalapril group (n=8 in each group). The rats in the model group and the enalapril group underwent the operation of left urethral obstruction to establish the animal model of unilateral urethral obstruction (UUO).

Serious Coronary Thrombosis and Pulmonary Artery Thrombosis Revealing Behçet's Disease.

Behçet's disease is a multisystem inflammatory disorder. Cardiovascular involvement is rare but may present with various manifestations, resulting in high mortality. In this article, we report a young male who had chest pain accompanied by systemic involvement, and was diagnosed of Behçet's disease with serious pulmonary artery and coronary thrombosis by systemic check-up.

Mortality trend of inpatients with connective tissue diseases: 2005-2014.

To analyze the trend relevant factors leading to death and their patterns over a 10-year period in inpatients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs).
 Methods: All clinical data about death in inpatients with CTDs were retrospectively reviewed between 2005 and 2014 at the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.
 Results: In the 10-year time period, the overall hospital mortality was 15.

Relatives' quality of life and psychological disturbance: a new concern of SLE management.

It is known that the quality of life (QOL) and psychological status of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are severely impaired. However, a few reports have assessed the QOL and psychological status in relatives of these patients. This study aimed to assess the QOL and psychological status in relatives of patients with SLE and their impact on patients.

Comparison of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in distinguishing concurrent bacterial infection from idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.

The aim of the study was to measure the diagnostic values of biomarkers of bacterial infection in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients. The serum and clinical data of 82 IIM patients with/without bacterial infection were collected. Concentrations of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (sTREM-1), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in IIM patients and healthy controls.

Investigation into the cause of mortality in 49 cases of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy: A single center study.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic muscle weakness and myositis with unknown etiology. IIM may affect the function of multiple organs and has a poor prognosis. In the present study, the causes of mortality in patients with IIM admitted to the Xiangya Hospital during the last 14 years were investigated.

Inhibiting Notch-1 reduces the expression of Toll-like receptor 9 in BABL/C-lpr mouse kidneys and improves glucocorticoid sensitivity.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease, characterized by the development of a pathogenic autoantibodies. Lupus nephritis is a major cause of mortality in patients with SLE. Glucocorticoids are used for the treatment of lupus, however, corticosteroids have no effect on the expression of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), which may limit response to corticosteroids in certain patients with SLR.

Fluorofenidone suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the expression of connective tissue growth factor via inhibiting TGF-beta/Smads signaling in human proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate the potential effects and mechanism of fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) on transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1)-induced tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in human proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Methods: HK-2 cells were pretreated with AKF-PD, pirfenidone (PFD), Losartan, and SB431542 (an inhibitor of TGF-beta type I receptor). The pretreated HK-2 cells were subsequently co-treated with TGF-beta1 (5 ng/ml).

Fluorofenidone attenuates tubulointerstitial fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β(1)-induced fibroblast activation.

Background: Novel therapeutic agents are urgently needed to combat renal fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to assess, using complete unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats, whether fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) [1-(3-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(1H)-pyridone] inhibits renal fibrosis, and to determine whether it exerts its inhibitory function on renal fibroblast activation.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation, UUO and UUO/AKF-PD (500 mg/kg/day).

Fluorofenidone inhibits Ang II-induced apoptosis of renal tubular cells through blockage of the Fas/FasL pathway.

Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effects of fluorofenidone on Ang II-induced apoptosis in renal tubular cells and the related signaling pathway.

Methods: Rat proximal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) were used to examine the anti-apoptosis effects of fluorofenidone. Cell proliferation was assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay.

Fluorofenidone protects mice from lethal endotoxemia through the inhibition of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta release.

The pathogenesis of sepsis is mediated in part by bacterial endotoxin, which stimulates macrophages/monocytes to sequentially release proinflammatory factors like TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. Fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) is a novel pyridone agent, which exerts a strong antifibrotic effect. In this work, we showed that AKF-PD also exert an inhibitory effect on acute systemic inflammatory response.

Fluorofenidone inhibits TGF-beta1 induced CTGF via MAPK pathways in mouse mesangial cells.

Objectives: The development of novel antifibrotic agent candidates for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. The present study was designed to investigate the potential mechanism of fluorofenidone involving the downregulation of CTGF expression induced by TGF-beta1 and the related signaling pathway in mouse mesangial cells (MMCs).

Methods: Mouse mesangial cells were applied to explore the involvement of MAPK in TGF-beta1 signal pathway to CTGF, and the regulation of fluorofenidone.

Fluorofenidone attenuates collagen I and transforming growth factor-beta1 expression through a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-dependent way in NRK-52E cells.

Aim: Fluorofenidone (1-(3-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(1H)-pyridone) is a novel pyridone agent. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of fluorofenidone on angiotensin (Ang)II-induced fibrosis and the involved molecular mechanism in rat proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Methods: NRK-52E cells, a rat proximal tubular epithelial cell line, were incubated with medium containing AngII, with or without nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium (DPI), losartan, fluorofenidone (2, 4 and 8 mmol/L) and pirfenidone (8 mmol/L) for 24 h.

[Losartan inhibits high glucose-induced CTGF expression via ERK1/2 MAPK pathways in mouse mesangial cells].

Aim: To investigate the effects and mechanism of losartan on expression of CTGF induced by high glucose.

Methods: Mouse mesangial cells (MMCs) were cultured in vitro, initially, MMCs were stimulated by high glucose(25 mmol/L glucose) for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was assessed by Western blot. Then MMCs were randomly divided into 5 groups: (1) Low glucose group (5.

[Expression of HIF-1alpha in 5/6-nephrectomized rat models of chronic kidney fibrosis].

Objective: To determine the expression and effect of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in chronic kidney fibrosis, and to observe the effect of perindopril on its expression.

Methods: The rat models of chronic kidney fibrosis were induced by 5/6 nephrectomy, and 11 successful 5/6-nephrectomized rats were randomly assigned to 2 groups: a surgery group (n=6) and a treatment group (perindopril, n=5). A control group was induced by sham operation.

[Dynamic observation of enalapril on the expression of TGF-beta1, CTGF, Smad7 and alpha-SMA in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction].

Objective: To dynamically observe the effect of enalapril on the expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), and Smad7 in the obstructed kidney after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats, and to investigate the effect of enalapril on transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells.

Methods: The model rats were induced by ligating the left ureter. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into a normal control (sham-surgery) group, a model group, and a treatment group (enalapril 10 mg/ (kg * d) by gastric gavage from 24 h before the obstruction day).

[Effect of enalapril on the expression of TGF-beta1, p-Smad2/3 and Smad7 in renal interstitial fibrosis in rats].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of enalapril for renal interstitial fibrosis by observing the effect of enalapril on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-beta1), p-Smad2/3 and Smad7 in renal tissuess of unilateral urethral obstruction (UUO) rat model.

Methods: Thirty female Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly subdivided into a sham-operated group, a model group and an enalapril treated group. UUO model was induced by ligating the left ureter of rats.