Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Huimin Ji, Hongliang Dong, Yuejiao Lan, Yuqian Bi, Xuan Gu, Yongyue Han, Chongyang Yang, Minghan Cheng, Jian Gao
Summary: This study demonstrates that Metformin attenuates the progression of lung fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of fibroblasts through down-regulating S100A4 expression and STAT3 phosphorylation. It provides a potential clinical strategy for preventing pulmonary fibrosis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daphne N. Dorst, Arjan P. M. van Caam, Elly L. Vitters, Birgitte Walgreen, Monique M. A. Helsen, Christian Klein, Shreya Gudi, Tirza Wubs, Jyoti Kumari, Madelon C. Vonk, Peter M. van der Kraan, Marije I. Koenders
Summary: The study investigated the potential of using FAP-tPDT in treating fibrosis in SSc skin. The results demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity of FAP-tPDT in primary skin fibroblasts, and complete prevention of collagen plug contraction when seeded with primary SSc fibroblasts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Christopher W. Wasson, Rebecca L. Ross, Ruth Morton, Jamel Mankouri, Francesco Del Galdo
Summary: This study identified a novel role for CLIC4 in SSc myofibroblast activation, highlighting its similarities with cancer-associated fibroblasts. Inhibition of CLIC4 resulted in reduced expression of myofibroblast markers in SSc fibroblasts, indicating a direct role for CLIC4 in disease pathogenesis. CLIC4 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for SSc.
Article
Immunology
Dong Zhang, Xin-rui Qiao, Wen-Jing Cui, Jin-tao Zhang, Yun Pan, Xiao-fei Liu, Liang Dong
Summary: SDC-1 plays a crucial role in airway remodeling in chronic asthma by modulating the TGF beta 1/Smad3 pathway, affecting collagen I expression in airway epithelial cells and fibroblasts.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Javier Milara, Beatriz Ballester, M. J. Safont, Enrique Artigues, Juan Escriva, Esteban Morcillo, Julio Cortijo
Summary: This study demonstrated that MUC4 is overexpressed in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and promotes fibrotic processes in collaboration with the TGF-beta 1 canonical pathway, indicating that it could be an attractive druggable target for treating human IPF.
MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Wayne Carver, Ethan Fix, Charity Fix, Daping Fan, Mrinmay Chakrabarti, Mohamad Azhar
Summary: Studies have shown that emodin can attenuate TGF-beta 1-induced cardiac fibroblast activation and collagen accumulation, and it may function as an effective therapeutic agent for fibrosis through specific TGF-beta signaling pathways.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Nessrine Bellamri, Marie Lelong, Audrey Joannes, Erwan Le Tallec, Stephane Jouneau, Laurent Vernhet, Alain Lescoat, Valerie Lecureur
Summary: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune fibrotic disorder characterized by antinuclear autoantibody production and excessive apoptotic cells. This study investigated the potential of a JAK inhibitor, ruxolitinib, to improve efferocytosis and fibrosis in SSc. Results showed that ruxolitinib reduced dermal thickness, fibrosis, and caspase-3 positive cells in a SSc mouse model. Ruxolitinib also improved lung fibrosis and efferocytosis capacity of macrophages in vitro. Furthermore, ruxolitinib decreased TGF-beta activation and phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 and STAT3 in human lung fibroblasts. Overall, this study supports the anti-fibrotic properties of ruxolitinib in SSc.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Alicia Usategui, Cristina Municio, Elena G. Arias-Salgado, Maria Martin, Beatriz Fernandez-Varas, Manuel J. Del Rey, Patricia Carreira, Antonio Gonzalez, Gabriel Criado, Rosario Perona, Jose L. Pablos
Summary: Cell senescence is associated with telomere shortening in systemic sclerosis (SSc), especially in patients with lung disease or anti-topoisomerase I antibodies. Targeting DNA damage with the GSE4 peptide attenuates experimental skin fibrosis and reduces profibrotic factor expression in fibroblasts, suggesting a role for oxidative DNA damage in scleroderma.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abdolreza Esmaeilzadeh, Vahid Mohammadi, Reza Elahi
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by demyelination, neurodegeneration, and scar formation. Dysregulated immune response plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of MS. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a cytokine that has three isoforms with similar structures but potentially different functions.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiaokang Luo, Shiyang Song, Lei Qi, Chih-Liang Tien, Hui Li, Weiyi Xu, Theodore Lemuel Mathuram, Thomas Burris, Yuanbiao Zhao, Zheng Sun, Lilei Zhang
Summary: This study characterized the functional difference of REV-ERB in mouse embryonic fibroblasts and cardiac fibroblasts. The results demonstrated the essential cell-autonomous role of REV-ERB alpha/beta in maintaining cardiac fibroblasts in a healthy, quiescent state.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caroline Busatta Vaz de Paula, Seigo Nagashima, Vanessa Liberalesso, Mariana Collete, Felipe Paes Gomes da Silva, Alessandro Goncalves Gomes Oricil, Giovanna Silva Barbosa, Guilherme Vieira Cavalcante da Silva, David Batista Wiedmer, Felipe da Silva Deziderio, Lucia Noronha
Summary: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) followed by lung remodeling is observed in COVID-19, which can lead to pulmonary fibrosis. Therapy with TGF-beta inhibitors may mitigate the development of pulmonary fibrosis and its consequences for post-COVID-19 life quality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Alpana Mukhuty, Chandrani Fouzder, Rakesh Kundu
Summary: The hepato-adipokine Fetuin-A is associated with lipid-mediated islet inflammation and beta-cell death, potentially through toll like receptor 4. Excess lipid and circulatory Fetuin-A can lead to deterioration of islet architecture and reduced insulin secretion. Fetuin-A release by beta-cells can induce apoptosis in MIN6 cells, highlighting the role of Fetuin-A in beta-cell dysfunction and apoptosis under hyperlipidemic conditions.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Su Woong Jung, Su-Mi Kim, Arum Kim, Seon Hwa Park, Ju-Young Moon, Sang-Ho Lee
Summary: The midbody plays a crucial role in the transition of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts by mediating TGF-beta/Smad signaling. The pathway related to microtubules is implicated in kidney fibrosis, and blocking microtubule dynamics can improve kidney fibrosis.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Xiaokang Ye, Chunlai Yin, Xinxin Huang, Yifan Huang, Lu Ding, Minli Jin, Zhen Wang, Jing Wei, Xia Li
Summary: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related disease where cellular senescence plays a key role, with SOX4 potentially contributing to the pathogenesis by affecting FLS cell senescence. This study suggests that SOX4 could be a novel therapeutic target and early diagnostic marker for OA.
EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Lei Yang, Xichen Dong, Zheng Liu, Jinjing Tan, Xiaoxi Huang, Tao Wen, Hao Qu, Zhenjun Wang, Caigang Liu
Summary: This study identifies a long noncoding RNA called VPS9D1-AS1, which enhances the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC) by increasing the expression of TGF-beta and ISG. It also inhibits lymphocyte infiltration. VPS9D1-AS1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Review
Cell Biology
Aneta Pekacova, Jiri Baloun, Xiao Svec, Ladislav Senolt
Summary: This review presents current knowledge on the role of non-coding RNAs in the development, prediction, and treatment of osteoarthritis. Research has found that non-coding RNAs play a crucial role in intracellular signaling pathways and biological processes.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Andrea Martina Aegerter, Manja Deforth, Thomas Volken, Venerina Johnston, Hannu Luomajoki, Holger Dressel, Julia Dratva, Markus Josef Ernst, Oliver Distler, Beatrice Brunner, Gisela Sjogaard, Markus Melloh, Achim Elfering
Summary: This study investigated the effect of a multi-component intervention on neck pain-related work productivity loss among Swiss office workers. The results showed that the intervention had a significant reduction in neck pain-related work productivity loss, with implications for employers, employees, and policy makers.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Rheumatology
Marion Thomas, Jerome Avouac
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Vincent Di Martino, Delphine Weil Verhoeven, Frank Verhoeven, Francois Aubin, Jerome Avouac, Lucine Vuitton, Frederic Liote, Thierry Thevenot, Daniel Wendling
Summary: Methotrexate is an important treatment for inflammatory rheumatic diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Liver toxicity is a concern for long-term methotrexate therapy, particularly in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Understanding the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity and liver fibrosis is crucial for pretreatment screening and long-term monitoring in patients with chronic liver disease.
NATURE REVIEWS RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
J. Baloun, A. Pekacova, X. Svec, T. Kropackova, V. Horvathova, H. Hulejova, K. Prajzlerova, O. Ruzickova, O. Sleglova, J. Gatterova, M. Tomcik, M. Filkova, J. Vencovsky, K. Pavelka, L. Senolt
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in the plasma of patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA) compared to healthy control subjects. Three miRNAs were found to be associated with hand OA symptoms and may serve as candidate biomarkers.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Alexandru Garaiman, Farhad Nooralahzadeh, Carina Mihai, Nicolas Perez Gonzalez, Nikitas Gkikopoulos, Mike Oliver Becker, Oliver Distler, Michael Krauthammer, Britta Maurer
Summary: The study aims to evaluate the performance of a vision transformer-based deep-learning model in identifying microangiopathy in NFC images of SSc patients and compare it with the performance of rheumatologists. The results show that the ViT performs well in identifying different microangiopathic changes, but there is still room for improvement in terms of reliability compared to rheumatologists.
Article
Rheumatology
Barbora Hermankova, Maja Spiritovic, Sabina Oreska, Hana Storkanova, Herman Mann, Karel Pavelka, Ladislav Senolt, Jiri Vencovsky, Radim Becvar, Michal Tomcik
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of an 8-week tailored physiotherapy program on the sexual health of women with SSc and IIM. The results showed significant improvements in the total scores of FSFI and BISF-W, as well as some domains, functional status, and physical component of quality of life in the intervention group compared to the control group.
RHEUMATOLOGY AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Adela Navratilova, Viktor Becvar, Hana Hulejova, Michal Tomcik, Lucie Stolova, Herman Mann, Olga Ruzickova, Olga Sleglova, Jakub Zavada, Karel Pavelka, Jiri Vencovsky, Ladislav Senolt, Lucie Andres Cerezo
Summary: IL-40 is up-regulated in seropositive ERA and decreases after conventional therapy. Neutrophils are an important source of IL-40 in RA, and its release is potentiated by cytokines and NETosis. IL-40 may play a role in ERA.
Article
Rheumatology
Jerome Avouac, Anne Cauvet, Cindy Orvain, Morgane Boulch, Francoise Tilotta, Ly Tu, Raphael Thuillet, Mina Ottaviani, Christophe Guignabert, Philippe Bousso, Yannick Allanore
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of two B cell depletion strategies, including CD19-targeted CAR T cells, in a preclinical model of severe lung damages observed in systemic sclerosis. The study evaluated B cell depletion strategies in Fra-2 Tg mice. The results showed that CD19-targeted CAR-T cells in combination with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody achieved deeper B cell depletion compared to anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody alone in both peripheral blood and lesional lungs of Fra-2 Tg mice. However, CAR-T cell infusion worsened the clinical score and increased mortality in Fra-2 Tg mice. CAR-T cell infusion also resulted in increased lung collagen content, histological fibrosis score, and right ventricular systolic pressure. CAR-T cells accumulated in lesional lungs and promoted T activation and inflammatory cytokine production. On the other hand, treatment with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody alone had no impact on lung inflammation-driven fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Rheumatology
Sabina Oreska, Hana Storkanova, Jaroslav Kudlicka, Vladimir Tuka, Ondrej Mikes, Zdislava Krupickova, Martin Satny, Eva Chytilova, Maja Spiritovic, Barbora Hermankova, Petr Cesak, Marian Rybar, Karel Pavelka, Ladislav Senolt
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Rheumatology
Sabina Oreska, Hana Storkanova, Maja Spiritovic, Barbora Hermankova, Michal Vrablik, Karel Pavelka, Ladislav Senolt, Herman Mann, Jiri Vencovsky, Michal Tomcik
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Rheumatology
Sabina Oreska, Hana Storkanova, Maja Spiritovic, Barbora Hermankova, Michal Vrablik, Karel Pavelka, Ladislav Senolt, Herman Mann, Jiri Vencovsky, Michal Tomcik
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Rheumatology
Barbora Hermankova, Sabina Oreska, Maja Spiritovic, Hana Storkanova, Karel Pavelka, Ladislav Senolt, Jiri Vencovsky, Radim Becvar, Michal Tomcik
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Tea Gegenava, Federico Fortuni, Nina Marijn van Leeuwen, Anders H. Tennoe, Anna-Maria Hoffmann-Vold, Ruxandra Jurcut, Adrian Giuca, Laura Groseanu, Felix Tanner, Oliver Distler, Jeroen J. Bax, Jeska De Vries-Bouwstra, Nina Ajmone Marsan
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of sex differences on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The results showed that male SSc patients had a higher incidence of cardiovascular events, and the adjusted left ventricular global longitudinal strain may explain this gender difference in outcomes.
Letter
Rheumatology
Paola Vidal-Montal, Marion Thomas, Alice Combier, Alexia Steelandt, Corinne Miceli-Richard, Anna Molto, Javier Narvaez, Joan Miquel Nolla, Yannick Allanore, Jerome Avouac
