Systematic analysis of COVID-19 infection and symptoms in a systemic lupus erythematosus population: correlation with disease characteristics, hydroxychloroquine use and immunosuppressive treatments.

peer reviewe

Discovery of new rheumatoid arthritis biomarkers using the surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry ProteinChip approach.

peer reviewedOBJECTIVE: To identify serum protein biomarkers specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) technology. METHODS: A total of 103 serum samples from patients and healthy controls were analyzed. Thirty-four of the patients had a diagnosis of RA, based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. The inflammation control group comprised 20 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 9 with asthma, and 10 with Crohn's disease. The noninflammation control group comprised 14 patients with knee osteoarthritis and 16 healthy control subjects. Serum protein profiles were obtained by SELDI-TOF-MS and compared in order to identify new biomarkers specific for RA. Data were analyzed by a machine learning algorithm called decision tree boosting, according to different preprocessing steps. RESULTS: The most discriminative mass/charge (m/z) values serving as potential biomarkers for RA were identified on arrays for both patients with RA versus controls and patients with RA versus patients with PsA. From among several candidates, the following peaks were highlighted: m/z values of 2,924 (RA versus controls on H4 arrays), 10,832 and 11,632 (RA versus controls on CM10 arrays), 4,824 (RA versus PsA on H4 arrays), and 4,666 (RA versus PsA on CM10 arrays). Positive results of proteomic analysis were associated with positive results of the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide test. Our observations suggested that the 10,832 peak could represent myeloid-related protein 8. CONCLUSION: SELDI-TOF-MS technology allows rapid analysis of many serum samples, and use of decision tree boosting analysis as the main statistical method allowed us to propose a pattern of protein peaks specific for RA

Lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

peer reviewedRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease. Pulmonary manifestations are the most common extra-articular involvements and can impact all components of the respiratory system: parenchyma, pleura, vessels and airways, all complications that are briefly described in this article. Interstitial lung disease is the most common of these and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Its detection and monitoring are based on spirometry and thoracic imaging. Specific treatments are initiated in order to reduce the risk of disease flare up but may themselves in case of toxicity be associated with respiratory manifestations, either directly or by promoting infectious complications

SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS: CAN BREATHOMICS MONITOR INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation, blood vessel damage, and collagen deposition. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is common in SSc, leading to significant mortality. Early detection of SSc-ILD is crucial, but current biomarkers are limited. Our previous research identified distinct volatile organic compound (VOC) patterns in SSc patients' breath. This study aims to establish standardized breath analysis procedures, and assess VOCs' potential in predicting SSc-ILD. Two expert medical centers, the University Hospital of Liège (CHU), Belgium, and Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), the Netherlands, collaborated in studying and recruiting 21 SSc patients and 21 SSc-ILD patients. Nine VOCs were identified as discriminatory between SSc and SSc-ILD, outperforming traditional blood markers. The statistical model based on these markers achieved an AUC of 0.82, accuracy of 85%, sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 100% for indentifying ILD phenotype, comparable to traditional lung function tests. A correlation was also observed between the functional respiratory parameters (i.e., DLco and FVC% predicted value) and the VOCs. Additionally, our study confirmed the potential of four terpenes, observed in both studies, in distinguishing SSc patients. Methodological SOPs for multi-center studies were developed and validated. This study demonstrates the potential of breath analysis and in particular markers discovery in understanding SSc metabolic changes and could aid prompt ILD treatment. Future research will explore VOC changes in early-stage SSc-ILD and treatment response. This study paves the way for improved diagnosis and management of SSc-ILD

Breathomics to monitor interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis

peer reviewe

stromelysin-1 in inflammatory disease: significance, specificity, and regulation elements

Stromelysin-1 or matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) is a key enzyme of the degradation of the extracellular matrix in rheumatoid arthritis. MMP-3 is indeed induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines and may in turn activate other metalloproteinases. MMP-3 is a synovial parameter reflecting the local inflammatory reaction induced by inflammatory cytokines. It is not specific for rheumatoid arthritis nor for the erosive capacity of an arthropathy, which does not exclude its role in articular degradation. Serum MMP-3 is increased in diseases characterized by synovitis but also by steroid therapy. Although it is not disease-specific, serum MMP-3 could be useful as a synovial-derived marker of local inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, in parallel to CRP which is a systemic marker of inflammation. Furthermore, early determination of serum MMP-3 could constitute a new tool predictive of the disease activity and the therapeutic response in rheumatoid arthritis

Bone scintigraphy and positron emission tomography

editorial reviewe