Review
Allergy
Julia Borowczyk, Maria Shutova, Nicolo Costantino Brembilla, Wolf-Henning Boehncke
Summary: IL-25, a unique cytokine of the IL-17 family, predominantly derived from epithelial cells, plays a significant role in various organ systems' physiology and pathology. It may lead to inflammatory disorders and helps maintain the balance in regulating immune responses.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Xuefen Wu, Bingxia Ming, Tong Wu, Rongfen Gao, Peng Hu, Jungen Tang, Jixin Zhong, Fang Zheng, Lingli Dong
Summary: IL-33/ST2 axis plays a crucial role in the fibrotic disorder of SSc by promoting fibroblast activation, and IL-33/ST2 blockade could be a potential novel strategy to inhibit fibrosis progression in SSc patients.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Barbara Russo, Julia Borowczyk, Pietro Cacialli, Philippe Moguelet, Marie-Elise Truchetet, Ali Modarressi, Nicolo C. Brembilla, Julien Bertrand, Wolf-Henning Boehncke, Carlo Chizzolini
Summary: IL-25 plays a role in regulating skin fibrosis, and its decreased expression in systemic sclerosis may contribute to the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix and progress of fibrosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jingjing Huang, Hydia Puente, Nancy E. E. Warening, Minghua Wu, Maureen D. D. Mayes, Harry Karmouty-Quintana, Shervin Assassi, Tingting W. W. Mills
Summary: This study found that phosphorylation of STAT6 increased in fibrotic skin samples from SSc patients and bleomycin-injected mice. Knockout of Stat6 in mice suppressed fibrotic cytokines expression and reduced collagen and fibronectin production. STAT6 inhibition also attenuated skin fibrosis in mice. Co-culture experiments further demonstrated the role of STAT6 in cytokine and fibrotic marker expression in skin epithelial cells and fibroblasts.
Article
Immunology
Naoko Takamura, Ludivine Renaud, Willian Abraham da Silveira, Carol Feghali-Bostwick
Summary: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy and excessive fibrosis, with limited treatment options available. Research suggests that abnormal regulation of MCHR1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of SSc, and inhibiting MCHR1 could be a novel therapeutic strategy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Lanxuan Wei, David Abraham, Voon Ong
Summary: IL-17 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in host defense. It activates transcription and stabilizes mRNAs through multiple pathways, mainly acting on stromal cells to promote the secretion of other immunomodulatory factors and support the growth and differentiation of immune cells. IL-17 has a dual role in immune reactions and inflammatory diseases, and it also plays a significant role in autoimmune diseases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anca Cardoneanu, Alexandra Maria Burlui, Luana Andreea Macovei, Ioana Bratoiu, Patricia Richter, Elena Rezus
Summary: Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by cutaneous and systemic clinical manifestations. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a critical role in the development of vascular damage and fibrosis in SS. Tocilizumab, an anti-IL-6 therapy, shows promising results in improving skin and lung damage in SS patients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hana Storkanova, Lenka Storkanova, Adela Navratilova, Viktor Becvar, Hana Hulejova, Sabina Oreska, Barbora Hermankova, Maja Spiritovic, Radim Becvar, Karel Pavelka, Jiri Vencovsky, Joerg H. W. Distler, Ladislav Senolt, Michal Tomcik
Summary: This study demonstrates the crucial role of Hsp90 in the pathophysiology of SSc and identifies it as a potential target for fibrosis treatment. Treatment with the Hsp90 inhibitor 17-DMAG effectively prevents and reverses dermal fibrosis, showing significant anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Margarita Barriga, Raquel Benitez, Gema Robledo, Marta Caro, Francisco O'Valle, Jenny Campos-Salinas, Mario Delgado
Summary: This study investigates the role of the neuropeptide cortistatin in scleroderma. The findings suggest that cortistatin acts as an endogenous regulator of skin inflammation and fibrosis. Deficiency in cortistatin may indicate a poor prognosis for scleroderma and its associated complications. Cortistatin-based therapies may be potential treatments for severe systemic sclerosis and for managing fibrosis-related side effects in oncology patients receiving bleomycin chemotherapy.
NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giffin Werner, Anwesha Sanyal, Emily Mirizio, Theresa Hutchins, Tracy Tabib, Robert Lafyatis, Heidi Jacobe, Kathryn S. Torok
Summary: Localized scleroderma (LS) is an autoimmune disease that leads to abnormal collagen deposition in the skin and underlying tissue, causing disfigurement and disability. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified fibroblast subclusters in LS with inflammatory gene expression. Furthermore, we found a unique CXCL2/IRF1 cluster in LS, which exhibited a robust inflammatory gene signature and was influenced by macrophages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Liping Chen, Jinjun Zhao, Yapeng Chao, Adhiraj Roy, Wenjing Guo, Jiabi Qian, Wanfu Xu, Robyn T. Domsic, Robert Lafyatis, Binfeng Lu, Fan Deng, Q. Jane Wang
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the role of protein kinase D2 (PKD2) in inflammation-induced dermal fibrosis. They found that PKD2 promotes dermal fibrosis by regulating immune cell infiltration, cytokine production, and downstream activation of Akt in lesional skin. Genetic ablation or pharmacologic inhibition of PKD2 activity significantly blocked inflammation-induced dermal fibrosis, suggesting that PKD2 may be a potential therapeutic target for this condition.
LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Irene Soffritti, Maria D'Accolti, Clara Maccari, Francesca Bini, Eleonora Mazziga, Maria-Cristina Arcangeletti, Elisabetta Caselli
Summary: Tissue fibrosis, a common cause of organ malfunction, is not well understood. This study investigates the impact of HCMV/HHV-6A coinfection on the expression of pro-fibrotic miRNAs. The results suggest a synergistic effect of the two viruses in inducing enhanced miRNA-driven fibrosis and the potential use of virus-induced miRNAs as biomarkers for SSc.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soichiro Sawamura, Katsunari Makino, Maho Ide, Shuichi Shimada, Ikko Kajihara, Takamitsu Makino, Masatoshi Jinnin, Satoshi Fukushima
Summary: In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), the levels of alpha 2(I) collagen are higher than alpha 1(I) collagen in fibroblasts. Further investigation of the overall regulatory mechanisms of type I collagen may help to understand the aberrant collagen metabolism in SSc.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Qian Wang, Wenjing Ye, Fangfang Chen, Minrui Liang, Weiguo Wan, Wenyu Guo, Hejian Zou, Yu Xue
Summary: The study suggests that inhibiting the IL-6 transmitter signal with TJ301 may be a novel approach to treat systemic sclerosis (SSc).
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL REGULATORS AND HOMEOSTATIC AGENTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Irene Soffritti, Maria D'Accolti, Clara Maccari, Francesca Bini, Eleonora Mazziga, Flora de Conto, Adriana Calderaro, Maria-Cristina Arcangeletti, Elisabetta Caselli
Summary: Coinfection of human cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus 6A may cooperate in inducing cell fibrosis, supporting their joint role in systemic sclerosis. Further research is needed to definitively establish the causal relationship between these viruses and the disease.
Article
Rheumatology
Francesca Pregnolato, Maria Gerosa, Maria Gabriella Raimondo, Chiara Comerio, Francesca Bartoli, Paola A. Lonati, Maria Orietta Borghi, Barbara Acaia, Manuela Wally Ossola, Enrico Ferrazzi, Laura Trespidi, Pier Luigi Meroni, Cecilia B. Chighizola
Summary: This study investigates the impact of aPL positivity at different titres on pregnancy morbidity, finding that low-titre aPL and aPL fulfilling classification criteria significantly impact the risk of PM. The combination of LDASA and LMWH can significantly reduce the probability of PM in all women with low-titre aPL and criteria aPL.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Claudia Grossi, Carolina Artusi, PierLuigi Meroni, Maria Orietta Borghi, Laura Neglia, Paola Adele Lonati, Marco Oggioni, Francesco Tedesco, Maria-Grazia De Simoni, Stefano Fumagalli
Summary: Beta-2 Glycoprotein I plays a role in brain injury following ischemic stroke by triggering hepatic production, enhancing vascular inflammation, interacting with mannose-binding lectin, and binding stressed neurons for clearance by phagocytosis.
JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Letter
Rheumatology
Xavier Bossuyt, Walter Fierz, Pier Luigi Meroni
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Silvia Cavalli, Paola Adele Lonati, Maria Gerosa, Roberto Caporali, Rolando Cimaz, Cecilia Beatrice Chighizola
Summary: The complement system has a significant role in various rheumatologic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Sjogren syndrome, systemic sclerosis, vasculitides, and dermatomyositis. Complement deposition is associated with disease severity, and serum complement levels may serve as potential markers for evaluating disease activity. In pregnancy, the complement system also plays a crucial role, and alterations in complement levels may be associated with pregnancy complications.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Chloe Alberto, Christine Deffert, Nathalie Lambeng, Gautier Breville, Angele Gayet-Ageron, Patrice Lalive, Laurence Toutous Trellu, Lionel Fontao
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of an antibody index (Al) for diagnosing neurosyphilis (NS) using two different definitions. The Al test showed high specificity and positive predictive values for NS diagnosis, showing promise as a new tool in the diagnosis of the disease.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Paola Adele Lonati, Caterina Bodio, Mariangela Scavone, Giuliana Martini, Elisa Pesce, Alessandra Bandera, Andrea Lombardi, Maria Gerosa, Franco Franceschini, Angela Tincani, Gianmarco Podda, Sergio Abrignani, Renata Grifantini, Marco Cattaneo, Maria Orietta Borghi, Pier Luigi Meroni
Summary: The study found that COVID-19 vaccination does not affect the production of anti-PF4 antibodies and their ability to cause platelet activation in aPL-positive patients.
Article
Immunology
Maria Orietta Borghi, Mauro Bombaci, Caterina Bodio, Paola Adele Lonati, Andrea Gobbini, Mariangela Lorenzo, Erminio Torresani, Antonella Dubini, Ilaria Bulgarelli, Francesca Solari, Francesca Pregnolato, Alessandra Bandera, Andrea Gori, Gianfranco Parati, Sergio Abrignani, Renata Grifantini, Pier Luigi Meroni
Summary: Molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and human proteins may result in autoimmunity during COVID-19. Vaccination does not induce early autoimmune response but occasionally leads to low levels of autoantibodies.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Massimo Cugno, Pier Luigi Meroni, Dario Consonni, Samantha Griffini, Elena Grovetti, Cristina Novembrino, Adriana Torri, Gloria Griffante, Marisa Gariglio, Luca Varani, Flora Peyvandi
Summary: This study found that high levels of antibodies to pre-existing coronaviruses are associated with mild disease in patients with COVID-19. This finding suggests that the measurement of pre-existing coronavirus antibodies could be important in predicting disease severity.
Article
Immunology
Pier Luigi Meroni, Stefania Croci, Paola Adele Lonati, Francesca Pregnolato, Lucia Spaggiari, Giulia Besutti, Martina Bonacini, Ilaria Ferrigno, Alessandro Rossi, Geir Hetland, Ivana Hollan, Massimo Cugno, Francesco Tedesco, Maria Orietta Borghi, Carlo Salvarani
Summary: COVID-19 can cause a multi-organ disease with hyperinflammation and prothrombotic response. The activation of complement is associated with disease severity and outcome.
AUTOIMMUNITY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Marta Brambilla, Paola Canzano, Patrizia Della Valle, Alessia Becchetti, Maria Conti, Mariangela Alberti, Arianna Galotta, Maria Luisa Biondi, Paola Adele Lonati, Fabrizio Veglia, Alice Bonomi, Nicola Cosentino, Pier Luigi Meroni, Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti, Armando D'Angelo, Marina Camera
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of four COVID-19 vaccines on platelet activation, coagulation, and inflammation. It found that vaccination did not induce platelet activation and microvesicle release. Although there were minor changes in clotting activation and endothelial function, these could potentially explain the rare venous thromboembolic complications of COVID-19 vaccination at a population level.
THROMBOSIS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Roberta E. Gualtierotti, Sharon Fox, Fernanda Da Silva Lameira, Andrea Giachi, Luca Valenti, Maria Orietta Borghi, Pier Luigi Meroni, Massimo Cugno, Flora Peyvandi
Summary: Nailfold videocapillaroscopic alterations were observed in COVID-19 patients, and these alterations were correlated with biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial perturbation. Nailfold histopathology analysis revealed microvascular damage and microthrombi in some cases. These findings suggest the possibility of non-invasively demonstrating microangiopathy in COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Pia Adorni, Bianca Papotti, Maria Orietta Borghi, Elena Raschi, Francesca Zimetti, Franco Bernini, Pier Luigi Meroni, Nicoletta Ronda
Summary: This study investigates the direct effects of tofacitinib on macrophage cholesterol metabolism, finding that it can increase cholesterol efflux, decrease cholesterol uptake and synthesis, and have a favorable impact on macrophage cholesterol metabolism. These findings are important for understanding the impact of tofacitinib on cardiovascular risk.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
A. Zanetti, G. Carrara, G. Landolfi, D. Rozza, C. B. Chighizola, A. Alunno, L. Andreoli, R. Caporali, R. Gerli, G. D. Sebastiani, G. Valesini, L. Sinigaglia, B. Raffeiner, C. Lomater, M. Caprioli, M. Fredi, N. Romeo, G. Cuomo, M. Vadacca, C. A. Scire
Summary: This study investigated the differences in COVID-19 mortality between patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) and the general population in Italy. The results showed that patients with RMD had a higher risk of death compared to the general population, especially among younger patients and women.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Toby M. Maher, Arnaud Bourdin, Elizabeth R. Volkmann, Serena Vettori, Jorg H. W. Distler, Margarida Alves, Christian Stock, Oliver Distler
Summary: This study compared FVC values in SSc-ILD patients with hypothetical healthy references and found that there was a significant decline in FVC over 52 weeks in the patients. Nintedanib was able to slow down the decline in FVC, highlighting its clinical relevance in treating SSc-ILD patients.
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Emanuele Nicastri, Franco Marinangeli, Emanuele Pivetta, Elena Torri, Francesco Reggiani, Giuseppe Fiorentino, Laura Scorzolini, Serena Vettori, Carolina Marsiglia, Elizabeth Marie Gavioli, Andrea R. Beccari, Giuseppe Terpolilli, Maria De Pizzol, Giovanni Goisis, Flavio Mantelli, Francesco Vaia, Marcello Allegretti
Summary: Raloxifene showed evidence of effect in reducing viral shedding in early mild to moderate COVID-19 patients, but did not significantly affect the need for supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation. The drug was well tolerated at both doses.