Shift in perspective: autoimmunity protecting against rheumatoid arthritis
A hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the increased levels of autoantibodies preceding the onset and contributing to the classification of the disease. These autoantibodies, mainly anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor, have been assumed to be pathogenic and many attempts have been made to link them to the development of bone erosion, pain and arthritis. We and others have recently discovered that most cloned ACPA protect against experimental arthritis in the mouse. In addition, we have identified suppressor B cells in healthy individuals, selected in response to collagen type II, and these ...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - April 11, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: He, Y., Aoun, M., Xu, Z., Holmdahl, R. Tags: ARD Reviews Source Type: research
Goodbye to the term 'ankylosing spondylitis, hello 'axial spondyloarthritis: time to embrace the ASAS-defined nomenclature
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is the historic term used for decades for the HLA-B27-associated inflammatory disease affecting mainly the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) and spine. Classification criteria for AS have radiographic sacroiliitis as a dominant characteristic. However, with the availability of MRI of SIJ, it could be demonstrated that the disease starts long before definite SIJ changes become visible on radiographs. The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society, representing a worldwide group of experts reached consensus on changes in the nomenclature pertaining to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), such as the ...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - April 11, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: van der Heijde, D., Molto, A., Ramiro, S., Braun, J., Dougados, M., van Gaalen, F. A., Gensler, L. S., Inman, R. D., Landewe, R. B. M., Marzo-Ortega, H., Navarro-Compan, V., Phoka, A., Poddubnyy, D., Protopopov, M., Reveille, J., Rudwaleit, M., Sampaio-Ba Tags: ARD Viewpoint Source Type: research
Correction: Lupus low disease activity state attainment in the phase 3 TULIP trials of anifrolumab in active systemic lupus erythematosus
Morand EF, Abreu G, Furie RA, et al. Lupus low disease activity state attainment in the phase 3 TULIP trials of anifrolumab in active systemic lupus erythematosus. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2023;82:639-645. This note aims to correct an error in the DORIS (Definition of Remission in SLE) data in the Morand E, et al. (2023) article. In the version of this article initially published, analyses of DORIS remission excluded all laboratory parameters in the calculation of clinical SLEDAI-2K (cSLEDAI-2K), consistent with the cSLEDAI-2K definition in the TULIP protocols. The updated analysis aligns with the published DORIS r...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - April 11, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Tags: ARD Correction Source Type: research
Third-generation CD19.CAR-T cell-containing combination therapy in Scl70+ systemic sclerosis
No effective treatment of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) exists. Numerous evidences support the importance of adaptive immunity in SSc-ILD. A basket trial showed higher efficacy of mycophenolate when combined with rituximab in non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), the most frequent pattern in SSc-ILD.1 Deep B-cell depletion outperforms rituximab in connective tissue diseases,2 3 prompting us to combine these principles in SSc-ILD. We here report on a 38-year-old woman suffering from Scl70+SSc with rapid progressive NSIP in which we added CD19.CAR-T-cells to a pre-existing therapy wi...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Merkt, W., Freitag, M., Claus, M., Kolb, P., Falcone, V., Röhrich, M., Rodon, L., Deicher, F., Andreeva, I., Tretter, T., Tykocinski, L.-O., Blank, N., Watzl, C., Schmitt, A., Sauer, T., Müller-Tidow, C., Polke, M., Heussel, C. P., Dreger, Tags: Open access, ARD Letter Source Type: research
Low plasma belimumab levels as an indicator of poor adherence to belimumab in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Non-adherence is a significant issue in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), associated with the risks of disease flare, early damage and 5-year mortality as demonstrated for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).1 It is important for clinicians to objectively assess adherence to treatments, especially in cases of resistance to standard of care treatment. For this purpose, serum, plasma or blood measurements of drugs with long elimination half-lives can help clinicians to identify patients with very low adherence to treatments, as previously shown for HCQ.2 Intravenous and subcutaneous belimumab (BLM) is an effective tr...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Trefond, L., Zahr, N., Lhote, R., Pha, M., Hie, M., Miyara, M., Papo, M., Moyon, Q., Hausfater, P., Chasset, F., Haroche, J., Cohen-Aubart, F., Mathian, A., Amoura, Z. Tags: ARD Letter Source Type: research
Subclinical inflammation and joint damage progression in patients with early RA fulfilling 2011 vs 2022 ACR/EULAR Boolean remission criteria: data from the ARCTIC study
Remission has become an achievable goal for a large proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1 In 2022, ACR and EULAR proposed a new version of their Boolean remission criteria, allowing patients to achieve remission with a higher level of patient global assessment (PGA). In the updated version, the threshold for PGA (0–10 cm) is 2 (Boolean 2.0), compared with the original threshold of 1 (Boolean 1.0).2 3 We aimed to investigate subclinical inflammation according to ultrasound and MRI, as well as radiographic progression, in patients with early RA fulfilling ACR/EULAR Boolean 2011 and 2022 remission crit...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Melokhina, V., Paulshus Sundlisaeter, N., Sexton, J., Sundin, U., Aga, A.-B., Kjorholt, K. E., Nordberg, L. B., van der Heijde, D., Haavardsholm, E., Lillegraven, S. Tags: ARD Letter Source Type: research
IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis
A 73-year-old man with previous cerebral infarction, diabetes mellitus and IgG4-related disease had received rituximab treatment 2 years prior. He reported poor appetite for a week and was found to have grade I pitting oedema on both legs on physical examination. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed multiple low-density lesions in both kidneys (figure 1), dilatation of the common bile duct and intrahepatic ducts, diffuse enlargement of the pancreas and diffuse thickening of the retroperitoneum. Laboratory data showed elevated serum IgG4, hypocomplementemia, negative anti-phospholipase A2 receptor antibody, non-nephrotic range pro...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Tsai, M.-K., Chen, Y.-L., Chen, H.-C., Liu, F.-C., Chang, D.-M., Lu, C.-C. Tags: ARD, Images in rheumatology Source Type: research
Randomised trial of genetic testing and targeted intervention to prevent the development and progression of Pagets disease of bone
Conclusions
Genetic testing for pathogenic SQSTM1 variants coupled with intervention with ZA is well tolerated and has favourable effects on the progression of early PDB.
Trial registration number
ISRCTN11616770. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Phillips, J., Subedi, D., Lewis, S. C., Keerie, C., Cronin, O., Porteous, M., Moore, D., Cetnarskyj, R., Ranganath, L., Selby, P. L., Turgut, T., Hampson, G., Chandra, R., Ho, S., Tobias, J., Young-Min, S., McKenna, M. J., Crowley, R. K., Fraser, W. D., T Tags: Open access, ARD, Miscellaneous Source Type: research
Bona fide dendritic cells are pivotal precursors for osteoclasts
Conclusion
Taken together, we identify DCs as important OC precursors in bone homeostasis and inflammation, which might open new avenues for therapeutic interventions in OC-mediated diseases. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Puchner, A., Simader, E., Saferding, V., Hofmann, M., Kieler, M., Brunner, J., Pfeifle, R., Niederreiter, B., Krönke, G., Schabbauer, G., Georgel, P., Diehl, G., Steiner, G., Hayer, S., Redlich, K., Smolen, J. S., Aletaha, D., Blüml, S. Tags: ARD, Animal models Source Type: research
Clonal haematopoiesis across the age spectrum of vasculitis patients with Takayasus arteritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis and giant cell arteritis
Conclusions
Age was more strongly associated with CH prevalence than inflammation in systemic vasculitis. Clonal profile was dominated by DNMT3A mutations which were associated with relapse in GCA. CH is not likely a primary causal factor in systemic vasculitis but may contribute to inflammation. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Gutierrez-Rodrigues, F., Wells, K. V., Jones, A. I., Hironaka, D., Rankin, C., Gadina, M., Sikora, K. A., Alemu, L., Calado, R. T., Quinn, K. A., Patel, B., Young, N. S., Grayson, P. C. Tags: ARD, Vasculitis Source Type: research
CD19-targeting CAR T cells protect from ANCA-induced acute kidney injury
Conclusion
Our proof-of-principle study may encourage further exploration of CAR T cells as a treatment for ANCA-vasculitis patients with the goal of drug-free remission. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Lodka, D., Zschummel, M., Bunse, M., Rousselle, A., Sonnemann, J., Kettritz, R., Höpken, U. E., Schreiber, A. Tags: Open access, ARD, Vasculitis Source Type: research
CD7 activation regulates cytotoxicity-driven pathology in systemic sclerosis, yielding a target for selective cell depletion
Conclusion
Together, the findings imply costimulatory molecules as key regulators of cytotoxicity-driven pathology in systemic autoimmune disease, yielding CD7 as a novel target for selective depletion of pathogenic cells. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Papadimitriou, T. I., Singh, P., van Caam, A., Walgreen, B., Gorris, M. A. J., Vitters, E. L., van Ingen, I. L., Koenders, M. I., Smeets, R. L., Vonk, M., de Vries, J. M., van der Kraan, P. M., van Oosterhout, Y., Huynen, M. A., Koenen, H. J. P. M., Thurl Tags: Open access, ARD, Systemic sclerosis Source Type: research
Telitacicept in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus: results of a phase 2b, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Conclusions
This phase 2b clinical trial met the primary endpoint. All telitacicept groups showed a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving an SRI-4 response than the placebo group at week 48, and all doses were well tolerated. These results support further investigations of telitacicept in clinical trials involving more diverse populations and larger sample sizes.
Trial registration number
ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT02885610). (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Wu, D., Li, J., Xu, D., Merrill, J. T., van Vollenhoven, R. F., Liu, Y., Hu, J., Li, Y., Li, F., Huang, C., Wang, G., Li, X., Zhao, J., Zhao, D., Huang, C., Liu, H., Wei, W., Shi, G., Lu, F., Zuo, X., Bi, L., Li, Z., Wang, X., Zhang, M., Tie, N., Li, J., Tags: Open access, ARD, Systemic Lupus erythematosus Source Type: research
Pragmatic targets for moderate/severe SLE and their implications for clinical care and trial design: sustained DORIS or LLDAS for at least 6 months is sufficient while their attainment for at least 24 months ensures high specificity for damage-free progression
Conclusions
In moderate-to-severe SLE, sustained DORIS/LLDAS for at least 6 months is sufficient, while attainment for at least 24 months ensures higher specificity for damage-free progression, thus facilitating treat-to-target strategies and clinical trials. Arthritis and skin disease represent unmet therapeutic needs that could benefit from novel biologics. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Pitsigavdaki, S., Nikoloudaki, M., Garantziotis, P., Silvagni, E., Repa, A., Marangoni, A., Flouri, I., Avgoustidis, N., Parperis, K., Fanouriakis, A., Govoni, M., Sidiropoulos, P., Boumpas, D. T., Bortoluzzi, A., Bertsias, G. Tags: Open access, ARD, Systemic Lupus erythematosus Source Type: research
Male patients with inflammatory joint diseases are less likely than controls to be childless: results from a Norwegian population-based cohort study of 10 865 patients
Conclusion
In this large cohort study we found that patients with IJD have a higher number of children and are less likely to be childless compared with controls. Factors associated with developing or having an IJD might influence fertility and this requires further investigation. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - March 12, 2024 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Sigmo, G. D., Hauge, S., Hufthammer, K. O., Wallenius, M., Salvesen, K. A., Daltveit, A. K. N., Bakland, G., Fevang, B.-T. S. Tags: Open access, Press releases, ARD Lay summaries, ARD, Inflammatory arthritis Source Type: research
