No evidence for a putative involvement of platelet-activating factor in systemic lupus erythematosus without active nephritis.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) seems to be implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with associated renal diseases. AIMS: In this study, we ensured the role of PAF in SLE patients without renal complications. METHODS: Blood PAF and acetylhydrolase activity, plasma soluble phospholipase A(2), and the presence of antibodies against PAF were investigated in 17 SLE patients without active nephritis and in 17 healthy controls. RESULTS: Blood PAF levels were not different (p=0.45) between SLE patients (6.7+/-2.8 pg/ml) and healthy subjects (9.6+/-3.1 pg/ml). Plasma acetylhydrolase activity (the PAF-degrading enzyme) was significantly (p=0.03) elevated in SLE patients (57.8+/-6.4 nmol/min/ml) as compared with controls (37.9+/-2.6 nmol/min/ml). Plasma soluble phospholipase A(2) (the key enzyme for PAF formation) was not different (p=0.6) between SLE patients (59.1+/-5.1 U/ml) and controls (54.7+/-2.4 U/ml). Antibodies against PAF were detected only in 3/17 SLE patients. Flow cytometry analysis did not highlight PAF receptors on circulating leukocytes of SLE patients. CONCLUSION: This clinical study highlights no evidence for a putative important role of PAF in SLE patients without active nephritis

Use of high-plex data provides novel insights into the temporal artery processes of giant cell arteritis

ObjectiveTo identify the key coding genes underlying the biomarkers and pathways associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA), we performed an in situ spatial profiling of molecules involved in the temporal arteries of GCA patients and controls. Furthermore, we performed pharmacogenomic network analysis to identify potential treatment targets.MethodsUsing human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded temporal artery biopsy samples (GCA, n = 9; controls, n = 7), we performed a whole transcriptome analysis using the NanoString GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler. In total, 59 regions of interest were selected in the intima, media, adventitia, and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (fold-change > 2 or < −2, p-adjusted < 0.01) were compared across each layer to build a spatial and pharmacogenomic network and to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of GCA.ResultsMost of the transcriptome (12,076 genes) was upregulated in GCA arteries, compared to control arteries. Among the screened genes, 282, 227, 40, and 5 DEGs were identified in the intima, media, adventitia, and PVAT, respectively. Genes involved in the immune process and vascular remodeling were upregulated within GCA temporal arteries but differed across the arterial layers. The immune-related functions and vascular remodeling were limited to the intima and media.ConclusionThis study is the first to perform an in situ spatial profiling characterization of the molecules involved in GCA. The pharmacogenomic network analysis identified potential target genes for approved and novel immunotherapies

ARTERITE DES MEMBRES SUPERIEURS AU COURS DE LA MALADIE DE HORTON

LIMOGES-BU Médecine pharmacie (870852108) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Pronostic et suivi de l'artérite giganto-cellulaire (analyse sur 387 cas)

LIMOGES-BU Médecine pharmacie (870852108) / SudocSudocFranceF

Maladie de Horton (formes oedémateuses)

LIMOGES-BU Médecine pharmacie (870852108) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Interleukin-1 blockade in refractory giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis is a primary large-vessel vasculitis characterized by an arterial wall inflammation associated with intimal hyperplasia leading to arterial occlusion. Glucocorticoids remain the mainstay of giant cell arteritis treatment. However, relapses and glucocorticoid-related complications are frequent and therapeutic options for refractory giant cell arteritis are quite limited. Like tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, interleukin-1β is also highly expressed in inflamed arterial walls of patients with giant cell arteritis and may contribute in the pathogenesis of this disease. We report treatment of three cases of refractory giant cell arteritis successfully treated with anakinra, an interleukin-1 blockade therapy. Anakinra was effective for all patients, yielding improvement in their inflammation biomarkers and/or in their symptoms, as well as a disappearance of arterial inflammation in PET/CT for two of them

Immune-Mediated Diseases Following COVID-19 Vaccination: Report of a Teaching Hospital-Based Case-Series

The occurrence and course of immune-mediated diseases (IMDs) following COVID-19 vaccination has been little explored so far. We retrieved, among adult patients hospitalized at the Internal Department of a French university hospital up to May 2022, all those who had developed, or relapsed to, an IMD less than 3 weeks following COVID-19 vaccination, without other triggers. Twenty-seven (24 new-onset) post-COVID-19 vaccine IMDs were recorded. They comprised giant cell arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica (n = 16, HLA-DRB1*04 in 58% of 12 assessed GCA cases), immune-mediated necrotizing myositis or acute rhabdomyolysis, systemic vasculitis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, rheumatoid arthritis, anti-synthetase syndrome, and adult-onset Still’s disease. The causative vaccines were mRNA-based (20 cases) or viral vector-based (7 cases). The IMD typically occurred after the first vaccine dose, with an average delay of 8 (5 SD) days. The patients’ mean age was 67 years, and 58% were women. The IMDs had protracted courses in all but three of the patients and typically required high-dose glucocorticoids, in combination with immunomodulators in 13 patients. One patient died of intractable rhabdomyolysis, whereas five suffered permanent damage from IMDs. Eleven patients with well-controlled IMDs completed their COVID-19 vaccination schedule, and two suffered mild IMD relapses. There is a risk of IMDs, notably GCA/PMR, and muscle disorders, following COVID-19 vaccination. Such adverse reactions typically occurred after the first dose, raising concern about subsequent COVID-19 vaccinations. However, early re-challenge in well-controlled IMDs appeared safe

Prognosis of acquired hemophilia in older people.

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