Induction of interleukin 21 receptor expression via enhanced intracellular metabolism in B cells and its relevance to the disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To elucidate the association between the changes in intracellular metabolism in the early stage of B cell activation and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis.

Methods: CD19 or CD19CD27 (naïve) cells from the peripheral blood of healthy controls and lupus patients were cultured under different stimuli. The changes in intracellular metabolism and signalling pathways in these cells were evaluated.

Impaired coagulation parameters in early RA are restored by effective antirheumatic therapy: a prospective pilot study.

Objectives: To assess the effect of treatment on haemostatic parameters in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed RA started methotrexate and were randomised to additional conventional treatment, certolizumab pegol, abatacept or tocilizumab. Several biomarkers for haemostasis were analysed including parameters of the two global haemostatic assays-overall haemostatic potential (OHP) and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), as well as single haemostatic factors-fibrinogen, prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), D-dimer, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) and clot lysis time (CLT) in 24 patients at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks after the start of the treatment.

Systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with inflammatory arthritis and a history of cancer.

Background: Targeted therapies have been associated with potential risk of malignancy, which is a common concern in daily rheumatology practice in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and a history of cancer.

Objectives: To perform a systematic literature review to inform a Task Force formulating EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with IA and a history of cancer.

Methods: Specific research questions were defined within the Task Force before formulating the exact research queries with a librarian.

2024 EULAR points to consider on the initiation of targeted therapies in patients with inflammatory arthritis and a history of cancer.

Background: Potential associations between targeted therapies and a new cancer in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and a previous malignancy are a frequent concern in daily rheumatology practice.

Objectives: To develop points to consider (PTC) to assist rheumatologists when initiating a targeted therapy in the context of a previous malignancy.

Methods: Following EULAR standardised operating procedures, a task force met to define the research questions for a systematic literature review and to formulate the overarching principles (OPs) and the PTC.

Zymosan-Treated SKG Mice: Assessing Effects of Systemic Inflammation on the Temporomandibular Joint.

Objectives: The effects of systemic inflammation on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are poorly understood. This study aimed to establish a mouse model to study the effects of systemic inflammation on the TMJ.

Materials And Methods: SKG mice, a BALB/c strain with spontaneous onset of rheumatoid arthritis-like symptoms due to a spontaneous point mutation (W163C) in the gene encoding the SH2 domain of ZAP-70, were treated with zymosan (β-1,3-glucan).

C3 deficiency promotes pulmonary inflammation in AT1R-induced mouse model for systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: Autoantibody-mediated complement activation plays an essential role in a variety of autoimmune disorders. However, the role of complement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) remains largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of complement C3 in the development of a recently described SSc mouse model based on autoimmunity to angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R).

Quantitative ultrasound imaging reveals distinct fracture-associated differences in tibial intracortical pore morphology and viscoelastic properties in aged individuals with and without diabetes mellitus - an exploratory study.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that increases fragility fracture risk. Conventional DXA-based areal bone mineral density (aBMD) assessments often underestimate this risk. Cortical Backscatter (CortBS) ultrasound, a radiation-free technique, non-invasively analyzes cortical bone's viscoelastic and microstructural properties.

Thymidine phosphorylase participates in platelet activation and promotes inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

The elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated with inflammatory rheumatic diseases has long been recognized. Patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a higher mortality rate compared to the general population due to abnormal platelet activation. Thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP) plays a crucial role in platelet activation and thrombosis, following bridging the link between RA and CVD.

Risk prediction of new-onset thrombocytopenia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a multicenter prospective cohort study based on Chinese SLE treatment and research group (CSTAR) registry.

Background: Thrombocytopenia (TP) is a hematological manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is associated with unfavorable prognostic outcomes. This study aimed to develop a risk prediction model for new-onset TP in SLE patients.

Methods: Based on the multicenter prospective Chinese SLE Treatment and Research Group (CSTAR) registry, newly diagnosed SLE patients without TP at registration were enrolled.

Distinct pathophysiological pathways support stratification of Sjögren's disease based on symptoms, clinical, and routine biological data.

Objective: Recently, three distinct phenotypes of Sjögren's disease (SjD) patients have been described, based on cluster analysis: B-cell active with low symptoms (BALS), high systemic activity (HSA), and low systemic activity with high symptoms (LSAHS). We aimed to assess whether these clusters were associated with distinct biomarkers and the prognostic value of IFN signature.

Methods: The ASSESS cohort is a 20-year prospective cohort of SjD patients.

Microphysiological System-Generated Physiological Shear Forces Reduce TNF-α-Mediated Cartilage Damage in a 3D Model of Arthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability, often resulting from overuse or injury, but inactivity can also contribute to cartilage degeneration. Conventional in vivo models struggle to isolate and study the specific effects of mechanical stress on cartilage health. To address this limitation, a microphysiological system (MPS) is established to examine how varying levels of shear stress impact cartilage homeostasis.

Recent developments in connective tissue disease associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Connective tissue disease associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH) has benefited from the major treatment advances that have occurred within pulmonary hypertension over the past three decades. Inclusion of CTD-PAH cases in pivotal clinical trials led to regulatory approval and drug availability. This has improved outcomes but there are additional challenges for management.

MPO-ANCA-positive eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis complicated by alveolar hemorrhage treated with mepolizumab as an induction therapy: Case report.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic vasculitis preceded by bronchial asthma or allergic sinusitis and accompanied by peripheral blood eosinophilia. Immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclophosphamide in addition to high-dose glucocorticoids, are recommended for induction of remission in patients with severe EGPA. Although mepolizumab is widely recognized as remission induction therapy in non-fatal/non-organ disabling or relapsed/refractory EGPA, its efficacy and safety in induction of remission for severe cases have been ambiguous.

Efficacy of CTLA-4 checkpoint therapy is dependent on IL-21 signaling to mediate cytotoxic reprogramming of PD-1CD8 T cells.

The mechanisms underlying the efficacy of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) therapy are incompletely understood. Here, by immune profiling responding PD-1CD8 T (T) cell populations from patients with advanced melanoma, we identified differential programming of T cells in response to combination therapy, from an exhausted toward a more cytotoxic effector program. This effect does not occur with anti-PD-1 monotherapy.

Investigating the link between Helicobacter pylori infection and psoriatic disease: an immunological study.

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) has been postulated as an infectious trigger of psoriatic disease, namely psoriasis (Ps) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but meticulous antibody (ab) reactivity against all dominant and subdominant Hp antigens in demographically matched PsA and Ps patients and healthy controls has not been performed so far. IgG anti-Hp ab testing was performed by combining immunoblotting and line assays in 263 serum samples from 89 patients with PsA, 114 patients with Ps, and 60 demographically matched healthy controls (HCs). Anti-Hp positivity did not differ between PsA, Ps, and HCs (P > 0.

Neutrophil extracellular traps and oxidative stress in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with and without renal involvement.

Objectives: To investigate the levels of plasma neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and free thiols, the latter reflecting systemic oxidative stress (OS), and to explore the relationship between NETs and OS in quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with and without renal involvement.

Methods: Plasma levels of NETs and free thiols were measured cross-sectionally in 100 SLE patients with low disease activity (SLEDAI < 5), of whom 73 patients had no renal involvement (non-LN) and 27 patients had lupus nephritis (LN). Additionally, 22 healthy controls (HCs) were included.

Poor prognostic factors for relapse of interstitial lung disease in microscopic polyangiitis: the Japanese multicentre REVEAL cohort study.

Background: This study investigated poor prognostic factors for the relapse of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) after remission induction therapy.

Methods: We enrolled patients diagnosed with MPA complicated by ILD according to the Chapel Hill Consensus definition from 2001 to 2023 in multiple institutions in the REVEAL cohort. All patients who were treated with immunosuppressive therapy were followed up, and those who relapsed with ILD were extracted in this study.

Quantitative F-FDG PET-CT can assess presence and extent of interstitial lung disease in early severe diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.

Background: This study aimed to assess the quantitative uptake of F-FDG PET-CT in the lungs of patients with early severe diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc) with and without interstitial lung disease (ILD), compared to controls. In patients with SSc-ILD, F-FDG uptake was correlated to high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters.

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 15 patients with SSc-ILD, 5 patients with SSc without ILD, and 7 controls without SSc.

Non-negligible prevalence of focal lymphocytic sialadenitis in minor salivary glands of non-Sjögren's disease individuals.

Objectives: Focal lymphocytic sialadenitis (FLS) in minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) has long been regarded as a histologic hallmark of Sjögren's disease (SjD), but it can also occur in non-SjD individuals. This study aimed to define the prevalence of FLS in labial minor salivary glands of non-SjD individuals via both an autopsy study and a meta-analysis.

Methods: A total of 214 genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) volunteers was included in the autopsy study, and FLS in labial minor salivary gland was evaluated.

Reliability of colour Doppler ultrasonography of the major salivary glands in Sjögren's disease.

Objectives: To analyse intraobserver and interobserver reliability of colour Doppler (CD) ultrasonography of the major salivary glands (SGUS) in patients clinically suspected of Sjögren's disease (SjD).

Methods: One hundred consecutive outpatients visiting the University Medical Center Groningen for a diagnostic trajectory because of a suspicion of SjD were evaluated using CD ultrasonography of the submandibular and parotid salivary glands. All images were independently assessed by four observers (two experienced observers, one lesser experienced resident, one inexperienced trainee) in two sessions using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) CD scoring system (scale 0-3).

Abatacept use for 24 weeks has a limited effect on salivary gland inflammation in Sjögren's disease patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess (1) effects of abatacept on salivary gland histology of Sjögren's disease (SjD) patients, (2) the predictive value of salivary gland histopathological characteristics at baseline for clinical response to abatacept treatment.

Methods: Patients (n=41) who participated in the Dutch ASAP-II and ASAP-III trials and international abatacept trial (IM101603) from whom a labial (n=13) or parotid (n=28) salivary gland biopsy was obtained at baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment with abatacept were included. Biopsies were analysed for SjD related histopathological features before and after abatacept (n=25) or placebo (n=16) treatment.