Objective: To study the role of B lymphocytes in systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Methods: Peripheral B cell subpopulations and the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) were analyzed using flow cytometry and multiplex assay. The fibroblast proliferation rate upon incubation with supernatants from B cells isolated from SSc patients or healthy controls was assessed using XTT, bromodeoxyuridine, and Ki-67. Collagen production was assessed using a collagen assay.
Results: Ninety untreated patients (12 males) fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria for SSc (23 with diffuse cutaneous SSc [dcSSc] and 67 with limited cutaneous SSc [lcSSc]) and 30 healthy controls were recruited. Increased proportions of B cells expressing CD69 and CD95 were identified among the patients with SSc. B lymphocytes from dcSSc patients versus lcSSc patients and healthy controls expressed increased proportion of cells positive for CD5 (mean ± SD 24.12 ± 7.93% versus 14.09 ± 6.58% [P = 0.03] and 14.21 ± 5.34% [P = 0.01]), CD86 (39.89 ± 22.11% versus 17.72 ± 13.98% [P = 0.0007] and 11.68 ± 11.09% [P < 0.001]), IL-6 receptor (IL-6R; 33.64 ± 23.12% versus 17.91 ± 13.62% [P < 0.0001] and 12.08 ± 8.68% [P = 0.0009]), or IL-21R (32.55 ± 20.19% versus 5.76 ± 4.40% [P < 0.0001] and 5.93 ± 3.29% [P < 0.0001]). In addition, the levels of IL-6 (mean ± SD 314.3 ± 317.8 pg/ml versus 6.10 ± 2.58 pg/ml; P = 0.0007) and TGFβ (mean ± SD 1,020 ± 569 pg/ml versus 163.8 ± 98.69 pg/ml; P = 0.001) secreted by B lymphocytes from patients with SSc were increased compared to healthy controls. Fibroblast proliferation and collagen production were also significantly increased in the presence of B cell supernatant from SSc patients as compared to healthy controls.
Conclusion: The numbers of activated B cells were increased in SSc patients, and the up-regulation of CD5, CD86, IL-6R, and IL-21R discriminated between patients with dcSSc and those with lcSSc. Peripheral B lymphocytes from SSc patients secreted both IL-6 and TGFβ, and they activated fibroblasts in vitro.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/art.40016 | DOI Listing |
JMIR Diabetes
January 2025
Center for Evaluation and Survey Research, HealthPartners Institute, Bloomington, MN, United States.
Background: Food choices play a significant role in achieving glycemic goals and optimizing overall health for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can provide a comprehensive look at the impact of foods and other behaviors on glucose in real time and over the course of time. The impact of using a nutrition-focused approach (NFA) when initiating CGM in people with T2D is unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHum Reprod
January 2025
Institute of Genomics, Estonian Genome Centre, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Study Question: Do polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menstrual cycle phases, and ovulatory status affect reproductive tract (RT) microbiome profiles?
Summary Answer: We identified microbial features associated with menstrual cycle phases in the upper and lower RT microbiome, but only two specific differences in the upper RT according to PCOS status.
What Is Known Already: The vaginal and uterine microbiome profiles vary throughout the menstrual cycle. Studies have reported alterations in the vaginal microbiome among women diagnosed with PCOS.
PLoS One
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Sports Engineering of General Administration of Sport of China, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
Purpose: Previous studies have demonstrated significant biomechanical differences between individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and healthy controls during the Y-balance test. This study aimed to examine the effects of kinesio taping (KT) on lower limb biomechanical characteristics during the Y-balance anterior reach task in individuals with CAI.
Methods: A total of 30 participants were recruited, comprising 15 individuals with CAI and 15 healthy controls.
PLoS One
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Purpose: A relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) is a characteristic clinical sign of optic neuritis (ON). Here, we systematically evaluated ultrasound pupillometry (UP) for the detection of an RAPD in patients with ON, including a comparison with infrared video pupillometry (IVP), the gold standard for objective pupillometry.
Materials And Methods: We enrolled 40 patients with acute (n = 9) or past (n = 31) ON (ON+), 31 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) without prior ON, and 50 healthy controls (HC) in a cross-sectional observational study.
J Proteome Res
January 2025
University of Santo Amaro (UNISA), Rua Isabel Schmidt 349, São Paulo 04743-030, Brazil.
Background: Peri-implantitis is characterized as a pathological change in the tissues around dental implants. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provides molecular information from optical phenomena observed by the vibration of molecules, which is used in biological studies to characterize changes and serves as a form of diagnosis.
Aims: this case-control study evaluated the peri-implant disease by using FTIR spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance in the fingerprint region.
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