Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ula Stok, Neza Stucin, Elizabeta Blokar, Ales Ambrozic, Snezna Sodin-Semrl, Sasa Cucnik, Polona Zigon
Summary: This study found that the surface adhesion molecule VLA4 was significantly increased on monocytes from APS patients, and the in vitro stimulation mimicking CAPS showed an even greater increase in VLA4. These results suggest that the surface adhesion profile of monocytes is altered in APS and CAPS, and may be involved in the thrombotic pathophysiology of the disease by enhancing monocyte adhesion.
Review
Hematology
Dorien M. Salet, Siroon Bekkering, Saskia Middeldorp, Lucas L. van den Hoogen
Summary: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) that cause thrombotic and obstetric complications. APS serves as a model for studying the mechanisms of thromboinflammation and the relationship between innate immune cells and thrombosis. Monocytes are activated by aPL to produce proinflammatory cytokines and tissue factor, while neutrophils generate neutrophil extracellular traps and interact with endothelial cells, leading to thrombosis. Platelets become procoagulant upon activation by aPL and increase interactions with leukocytes. Understanding these mechanisms provides potential therapeutic targets for APS and other thromboinflammatory diseases.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Tyler E. James, Leslie J. Martin, Theodore E. Warkentin, Mark A. Crowther
Summary: Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a rare condition characterized by sudden multiorgan dysfunction caused by thrombosis from antibodies. Treatment includes anticoagulation, corticosteroids, TPE, and IVIG. This case report is the first to document initial failure of IVIG treatment in a CAPS patient with subsequent success with TPE.
Article
Immunology
Daniel Alvarez, Diana M. Morales-Prieto, Angela P. Cadavid
Summary: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibodies targeting phospholipid-binding proteins. It manifests as vascular thrombosis and pregnancy-related complications, which may have different underlying mechanisms. Vascular APS is thought to be caused by endothelial dysfunction and activation leading to thrombosis, while obstetric APS is associated with trophoblast cell dysfunction and inflammation. This review explores the role of monocytes in APS, particularly their interactions with endothelial cells and the potential effects of antiphospholipid antibodies on their function.
AUTOIMMUNITY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Laura Perez-Sanchez, Alejandra M. Patino-Trives, M. Angeles Aguirre-Zamorano, Maria Luque-Tevar, M. Carmen Abalos-Aguilera, Ivan Arias-de La Rosa, Pedro Segui, Francisco Velasco-Gimena, Nuria Barbarroja, Alejandro Escudero-Contreras, Eduardo Collantes-Estevez, Carlos Perez-Sanchez, Chary Lopez-Pedrera
Summary: The study characterized distinctive gene expression and miRNA profiles in monocytes of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, identifying potential regulatory networks related to inflammatory, cardiovascular, and immune functions. The findings suggest that the molecular profiling of monocytes could help in identifying clinical phenotypes and optimizing personalized treatments for patients.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Ariadna Anunciacion-Llunell, Francesc Miro-Mur, Enrique Esteve-Valverde, Joana Marques-Soares, Josep Pardos-Gea, Jaume Alijotas-Reig
Summary: Identification of differentially expressed proteins in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) through proteomics research provides insights into the pathological mechanisms and potential clinical applications. Dysregulated proteins in APS patients are connected to cellular activation and thrombosis, highlighting the need for validation and targeted therapies for different clinical subtypes.Exploration of new autoantibodies and post-translational modifications also contribute to understanding the antigen-autoantibody recognition in APS.
AUTOIMMUNITY REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Brenda Lopez-Benjume, Ignasi Rodriguez-Pinto, Mary Carmen Amigo, Doruk Erkan, Yehuda Shoenfeld, Ricard Cervera, Gerard Espinosa
Summary: This study utilized data from the CAPS Registry to describe the real-world experience of eculizumab use in patients with catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS). Eculizumab can be considered as a first-line or rescue therapy for CAPS patients who have failed previous treatments.
AUTOIMMUNITY REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Xue Peng, Xi Tan, Aiyun Xing
Summary: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent thrombosis and pregnancy complications. Obstetrical APS (OAPS) specifically refers to APS in pregnant women. The classification criteria for OAPS have generated discussion due to the possibility of excluding certain patients. This article presents two cases of non-criteria OAPS with severe complications and discusses the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of this unusual antenatal event. It also provides an overview of the pathogenetic mechanisms and clinical features of OAPS.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Max Wacker, Anna Ball, Hans-Dietmar Beer, Ingo Schmitz, Katrin Borucki, Faranak Azizzadeh, Maximilian Scherner, George Awad, Jens Wippermann, Priya Veluswamy
Summary: Multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) is characterized by chronic vascular inflammation and occlusion in the coronary arteries. This study aimed to investigate the inflammation levels and cytokine production in preoperative and postoperative CAD patients, and to intervene with selenium to reduce inflammation. It was found that postoperative CAD patients had higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CCR1(high) monocytes. In vitro intervention with selenium demonstrated mitigating effects on IL-6/STAT-3 axis and reduced IL-1 beta production and caspase-1 activity. However, selenium had no obvious effect on the TNF-alpha/NF-kappa B axis. Overall, selenium could be used to reduce systemic inflammation and protect bypass grafts during the post-surgical period.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Hematology
Shruti Chaturvedi, Evan M. Braunstein, Robert A. Brodsky
Summary: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired thromboinflammatory disorder characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and an increased risk of venous or arterial thrombosis, with a severe form known as catastrophic APS (CAPS). Complement activation via antiphospholipid antibodies can cause cellular injury and promote coagulation, leading to a potential increase in risk for development of severe thrombotic APS and CAPS in a subset of patients with germline variants in genes crucial for complement regulation. Complement inhibition may be a promising therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2021)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Christopher J. Patriquin, Vincent Laroche, Rita Selby, Jacob Pendergrast, David Barth, Benoit Cote, Nathalie Gagnon, Guillaume Roberge, Marc Carrier, Lana A. Castellucci, Dimitrios Scarvelis, Johnathan P. Mack
Summary: Therapeutic plasma exchange was effective in treating refractory VITT in three patients, who showed poor response to initial therapy with anticoagulants and intravenous immune globulin. Their conditions improved and they were discharged from the hospital after the treatment.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ula Stok, Sasa Cucnik, Snezna Sodin-Semrl, Polona Zigon
Summary: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by thromboembolism and obstetric complications. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a key role in intercellular communication and are found to be increased, particularly in APS patients with a history of thrombotic events. The studies suggest that EVs in APS activate endothelial cells, exhibit proinflammatory and procoagulant effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ariela Hoxha, Daniela Tormene, Elena Campello, Paolo Simioni
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review on the additional treatments used in refractory and high-risk antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) pregnancies. The results showed that combination therapy with IVIG and PEX achieved a 100% live birth rate in refractory APS pregnancies, while Pravastatin, IA, and PEX showed higher live birth rates in high-risk APS pregnancies.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Fahad Faqihi, Abdulrahman Alharthy, Salman Abdulaziz, Abdullah Balhamar, Awad Alomari, Zohair AlAseri, Hani Tamim, Saleh A. Alqahtani, Demetrios J. Kutsogiannis, Peter G. Brindley, Dimitrios Karakitsos, Ziad A. Memish
Summary: The study concluded that adding TPE to standard ICU therapy for critically-ill COVID-19 patients led to faster clinical recovery without increasing 35-day mortality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Alina-simona Bereanu, T. E. O. F. I. L. Pisaltu, R. A. R. E. S. Bereanu, B. O. G. D. A. N. Vintila, I. O. A. N. A. Codru, L. I. A. N. A. Chicea, O. V. I. D. I. U. Crisan, C. A. L. I. N. Cainap, S. I. M. O. N. A. Cainap, M. I. H. A. I. Sava
Summary: Prompt initiation of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is crucial for a favorable outcome in patients with catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This case report highlights the successful multidisciplinary approach and the importance of early TPE in achieving clinical and biological improvement in a CAPS patient.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katerina Sikorova, Su-Jin Moon, Hee-Young Yoon, Adam Strnad, Jin Woo Song, Martin Petrek
Summary: This study used next-generation sequencing to investigate the role of HLA variation in Korean sarcoidosis patients. The results identified HLA variants associated with sarcoidosis risk and protection in Koreans. This first study provides important data for future meta-analyses on the role of HLA variation in sarcoidosis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Szergej Capec, Martin Petrek, Gabriella Capec, Roman Yaremkevych, Yuriy Andrashko
Summary: Chronic itch is a complex psychophysiological sensation that significantly affects the quality of life in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Patients with chronic itch often experience sleep disorders, irritability, and nervous system depletion, leading to disruptions in social relationships and mental health. Psychological interventions can positively impact the mechanisms of itch and scratching and improve social functioning. Among these interventions, family constellation seminars have been found to be effective in reducing itch intensity, improving sleep, and performance.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Gayane Manukyan, Eva Kriegova, Ludek Slavik, Zuzana Mikulkova, Jana Ulehlova, Anush Martirosyan, Tomas Papajik
Summary: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune thrombophilia characterized by thrombosis and obstetric complications in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Our study aimed to investigate the role of natural killer (NK) cells in early pregnancy loss in APS. We found that aPL can recruit antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of NK cells, with differences observed between aPL containing antiB2GPI domain 1 (anti-beta 2GPI-D1) antibodies (aPL+/D1+) and those that do not (aPL+/D1-). This suggests that NK cells may play a role in APS-related obstetric complications.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Joanne J. van der Vis, Antje Prasse, Elisabetta A. Renzoni, Carmel J. W. Stock, Canay Caliskan, Toby M. Maher, Francesco Bonella, Raphael Borie, Bruno Crestani, Martin Petrek, Wim A. Wuyts, Anne E. Wind, Philip L. Molyneaux, Jan C. Grutters, Coline H. M. van Moorsel
Summary: The minor T-allele of the MUC5B promoter polymorphism rs35705950 is strongly associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Our study found that MUC5B minor allele carriers have a better median transplant-free survival in European IPF patients aged over 56 years.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
K. Sikorova, K. Osoegawa, L. Kocourkova, A. Strnad, J. Petrkova, M. A. Fernandez-Vina, M. Doubkova, M. Petrek
Summary: This study identifies several HLA variants associated with sarcoidosis in Czech patients and explores the relationship between HLA and different clinical phenotypes of the disease. The results suggest that HLA-DQB1*06:04 is a risk factor, while HLA-DRB1*01:01, HLA-DQA1*03:01, and HLA-DQB1*03:02 are protective factors. Additionally, the 8.1 ancestral haplotype may serve as a predictor for better prognosis in sarcoidosis.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Amit Kishore, Katerina Sikorova, Lenka Kocourkova, Jana Petrkova, Martina Doubkova, Petr Jakubec, Krzysztof Rebala, Anna Dubaniewicz, Martin Petrek
Summary: This study confirms the association of ANXA11 rs1049550 with sarcoidosis and extends its impact on different clinical manifestations. It also validates the association of several other gene variants with sarcoidosis. These findings contribute to the understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships in sarcoidosis.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sandra Freitag-Wolf, Jonas C. Schupp, Bjoern C. Frye, Annegret Fischer, Raihanatul Anwar, Robert Kieszko, Violeta Mihailovic-Vucinic, Janusz Milanowski, Dragana Jovanovic, Gernot Zissel, Elena Bargagli, Paola Rottoli, Dragos Bumbacea, Rene Jonkers, Ling-Pei Ho, Karoline I. Gaede, Anna Dubaniewicz, Ben G. Marshall, Andreas Guenther, Martin Petrek, Michael P. Keane, Sigridur O. Haraldsdottir, Francesco Bonella, Christian Grah, Tatjana Peros-Golubicic, Zamir Kadija, Stefan Pabst, Christian Grohe, Janos Strausz, Martina Safrankova, Ann Millar, Jiri Homolka, Wim A. Wuyts, Lisa G. Spencer, Michael Pfeifer, Dominique Valeyre, Venerino Poletti, Hubertus Wirtz, Antje Prasse, Stefan Schreiber, Astrid Dempfle, Joachim Mueller-Quernheim
Summary: This study investigated the association of genetic markers with different phenotypes using meta-analysis. The results showed no significant genetic association in the overall cohort, but confirmed the association of acute onset with TNF and reported a new association with HLA polymorphism in the Serbian sub-cohort. The study also suggested that gene-environment interactions may influence the clinical phenotype and different geographic regions may have distinct genetic links and environmental factors.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cell Biology
Katerina Sikorova, Martina Doubkova, Adam Strnad, Lenka Kocourkova, Jana Petrkova, Kazutoyo Osoegawa, Marcelo A. Fernandez-Vina, Martin Petrek
Meeting Abstract
Respiratory System
K. Sikorova, H. Yoon, A. Strnad, L. Kocourkova, S. Moon, J. W. Song, M. Petrek
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Respiratory System
J. van der Vis, A. Prasse, E. Renzoni, C. Stock, C. Caliskan, T. Maher, F. Bonella, R. Borie, B. Crestani, M. Petrek, W. Wuyts, A. Wind, P. Molyneaux, J. Grutters, C. Van Moorsel
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Zdenka Navratilova, Karolina Vagaska, Eva Kominkova, Martin Petrek, Jaromir Zatloukal
Summary: This study assessed the expression of TGFB signaling pathway-associated genes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and chronic bronchitis. The results showed no significant differences in the expression of these genes among different pathological conditions. However, further research should investigate the correlation between these genes and advanced airway obstruction and emphysematous changes.
BRATISLAVA MEDICAL JOURNAL-BRATISLAVSKE LEKARSKE LISTY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Cell Biology
Jose Manuel Nunes, Da Di, Pascale Gerbault, Ndeye K. Faye, Wassim Almawi, Marco Andreani, Esteban Arrieta-Bolanos, Roberto Diaz Pena, Selma D'Silva, Valerie Dubois, Gehad Eltayeb Elghazali, Clara Gorodezky, Zorana Grubic, Ali Hajeer, Milena Ivanova, Aashish Jha, Uma Kanga, Meri Kirijas, William Lemieux, Tobias Lenz, Maria Loginova, Nadia Mahfoudh, Narinder Mehra, Martin Petrek, Lucie Richard, Dave L. Roelen, Nicoletta Sacchi, Bisu Singh, Meenakshi Singh, Katerina Tarassi, Christelle Vangenot, Blanka Vidan-Jeras, Linda Vigilant, Emily Wroblewski, Stephane Buhler, Jean Villard, Natasja De Groot, Alicia Sanchez-Mazas
Meeting Abstract
Cell Biology
Katerina Sikorova, Adriana Gavronova, Jana Petrkova, Lenka Kocourkova, Kazutoyo Osoegawa, Marcelo A. Fernandez-Vina, Martin Petrek
Meeting Abstract
Respiratory System
Katerina Sikorova, Veronika Zizkova, Lenka Kocourkova, Adam Strnad, Martina Doubkova, Martin Petrek, Martin Petrek
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2021)