Review
Immunology
Paul Curtiss, Amanda M. Walker, Benjamin F. Chong
Summary: This study reviewed patient cohorts and populations to investigate the progression of cutaneous lupus to systemic lupus. The study found variations in the progression rates between adult and pediatric groups, which were attributed to differences in patient populations, study design, diagnostic criteria, and follow-up time. Risk factors associated with the development of systemic lupus included positive anti-nuclear antibodies, hematologic abnormalities, and a higher number of lupus classification criteria at baseline.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Hilde Julie T. Lien, Tina T. Pedersen, Bente Jakobsen, Arnar Flatberg, Konika Chawla, Pal Saetrom, Mona H. Fenstad
Summary: The study compared cellular composition and peripheral blood gene expression in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and healthy pregnancies. The results showed distinct RA, SLE, and pregnancy signatures that were not attributed to medication or disease activity. The study supports the need for close postpartum follow-up of patients with SLE and highlights the importance of cell-type adjustment in gene expression analysis.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Qian Chen, Jie Wang, Mengmeng Xiang, Yilun Wang, Zhixiong Zhang, Jun Liang, Jinhua Xu
Summary: This review summarizes the potential links between ferroptosis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), elucidates the role of ferroptosis in SLE pathogenesis, and proposes a new therapeutic strategy for SLE.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Latanya N. Coke, Hongxiu Wen, Mary Comeau, Mustafa H. Ghanem, Andrew Shih, Christine N. Metz, Wentian Li, Carl D. Langefeld, Peter K. Gregersen, Kim R. Simpfendorfer
Summary: The study revealed that the SLE risk association in the DNASE1L3 locus is related to the polymorphism rs35677470, which results in reduced secretion of DNASE1L3 protein but does not eliminate its DNase enzyme function. The association of the DNASE1L3/PXK gene locus with SLE risk is dependent on the missense SNP rs35677470, highlighting the importance of this polymorphism in SLE susceptibility.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Swayanka Biswas, Katja Bieber, Rudolf Armin Manz
Summary: IL-10 is a cytokine that has pleiotropic effects on immune cells, including both suppressive and activating functions. It plays a dual role in Systemic lupus Erythematosus (SLE), inhibiting pro-inflammatory effector functions while also promoting extrafollicular antibody response. IL-10 is produced by B cells, myeloid cells, and certain T cell subsets, and it drives B cell responses, proliferation, class switching, and plasma cell formation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Jae Il Shin, Keum Hwa Lee, Seoyeon Park, Jae Won Yang, Hyung Ju Kim, Kwanhyuk Song, Seungyeon Lee, Hyeyoung Na, Yong Jun Jang, Ju Yun Nam, Soojin Kim, Chaehyun Lee, Chanhee Hong, Chohwan Kim, Minhyuk Kim, Uichang Choi, Jaeho Seo, Hyunsoo Jin, BoMi Yi, Se Jin Jeong, Yeon Ook Sheok, Haedong Kim, Sangmin Lee, Sangwon Lee, Young Soo Jeong, Se Jin Park, Ji Hong Kim, Andreas Kronbichler
Summary: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with various manifestations, including pleuropulmonary involvement. The precise mechanism of pleuropulmonary involvement in SLE is not well-understood, but type 1 interferons, immune complexes, and neutrophils likely play important roles. There are multiple types of pleuropulmonary involvement, and various diagnostic tools and immunosuppressive therapies are used. However, specific therapies for pleuropulmonary involvement in SLE remain limited.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
May Yee Choi, Ann Elaine Clarke, Murray Urowitz, John Hanly, Yvan St-Pierre, Caroline Gordon, Sang-Cheol Bae, Juanita Romero-Diaz, Jorge Sanchez-Guerrero, Sasha Bernatsky, Daniel J. Wallace, David Isenberg, Anisur Rahman, Joan T. Merrill, Paul R. Fortin, Dafna D. Gladman, Ian N. Bruce, Michelle Petri, Ellen M. Ginzler, Mary Anne Dooley, Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman, Susan Manzi, Andreas Jonsen, Graciela S. Alarcon, Ronald F. van Vollenhoven, Cynthia Aranow, Meggan Mackay, Guillermo Ruiz-Irastorza, Sam Lim, Murat Inanc, Ken Kalunian, Soren Jacobsen, Christine Peschken, Diane L. Kamen, Anca Askanase, Jill P. Buyon, Karen H. Costenbader, Marvin J. Fritzler
Summary: In a longitudinal analysis of a large international incident SLE cohort, three ANA assays demonstrated high positivity rates and commutability. However, over a 5-year follow-up, there was a modest variation in ANA assay performance.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
May Yee Choi, Irene Chen, Ann Elaine Clarke, Marvin J. Fritzler, Katherine A. Buhler, Murray Urowitz, John Hanly, Yvan St-Pierre, Caroline Gordon, Sang-Cheol Bae, Juanita Romero-Diaz, Jorge Sanchez-Guerrero, Sasha Bernatsky, Daniel J. Wallace, David Alan Isenberg, Anisur Rahman, Joan T. Merrill, Paul R. Fortin, Dafna D. Gladman, Ian N. Bruce, Michelle Petri, Ellen M. Ginzler, Mary Anne Dooley, Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman, Susan Manzi, Andreas Jonsen, Graciela S. Alarcon, Ronald F. van Vollenhoven, Cynthia Aranow, Meggan Mackay, Guillermo Ruiz-Irastorza, Sam Lim, Murat Inanc, Kenneth Kalunian, Soren Jacobsen, Christine Peschken, Diane L. Kamen, Anca Askanase, Jill P. Buyon, David Sontag, Karen H. Costenbader
Summary: A novel longitudinal clustering technique was used to analyze comprehensive autoantibody data from a large, well-characterised, multinational inception SLE cohort, in order to determine predictive profiles of clinical outcomes.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xirui Guo, Xuerong Yang, Qi Li, Xiaoyan Shen, Huiyun Zhong, Yong Yang
Summary: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic diffuse connective tissue illness characterized by multisystem and multiorgan involvement. Intake of probiotics alters the composition of the gut microbiome, contributing to prevent the progression of SLE and alleviate symptoms in animal models. Probiotics supplementation may serve as a potentially novel approach in the treatment of SLE.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Jehan J. El-Jawhari, Yasser El-Sherbiny, Dennis McGonagle, Elena Jones
Summary: The pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatological diseases such as RA and SLE is complex, involving various immune cell populations. MSCs may play a dual role in RA and SLE, having both pro-inflammatory effects and immunomodulatory potential. Although safety and proof of concept studies exist, robust phase 3 clinical trial data in therapy-resistant RA and SLE is still lacking.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Madhu Ramaswamy, Raj Tummala, Katie Streicher, Andre Nogueira da Costa, Philip Z. Brohawn
Summary: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents a challenging treatment landscape due to its multifaceted etiology and complex immunopathogenesis. While targeting the B-cell pathway has limitations, recent approval of anifrolumab, a type I interferon-blocking antibody, highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting the dysregulated interferon pathway in SLE patients. Further research into the pleiotropic biology of interferons and their intersection with SLE disease pathology will be crucial for the development of effective targeted therapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Rheumatology
Mary K. Crow
Summary: Research has identified type I interferon (IFN-I) and autoantibodies targeting nucleic acids and nucleic acid-binding proteins as fundamental contributors to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This review summarizes recent genetic analyses of SLE patients and current studies on innate and adaptive immune function, which contribute to sustained IFN-I pathway activation, immune activation, autoantibody production, inflammatory mediator generation, and tissue damage. The goal of these studies is to understand disease mechanisms, identify therapeutic targets, and develop better treatments for patients.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Morgane Humbel, Florence Bellanger, Alice Horisberger, Madeleine Suffiotti, Natalia Fluder, Mariko Makhmutova, Amandine Mathias, Renaud Du Pasquier, Craig Fenwick, Camillo Ribi, Denis Comte
Summary: This study identified an immune signature for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on the expression of signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family (SLAMF) receptors on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The frequency of SLAMF1+ B cells, SLAMF4+ monocytes, and SLAMF4+ NK showed correlations with disease activity. Consensus clustering analysis also identified two cell clusters, SLESMB and SLEcTFH, which were significantly increased in SLE compared to controls.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Daniele Mauro, Sotiria Manou-Stathopoulou, Felice Rivellese, Elisabetta Sciacca, Katriona Goldmann, Victoria Tsang, Isabelle Lucey-Clayton, Sara Pagani, Farah Alam, Debasish Pyne, Ravindra Rajakariar, Patrick A. Gordon, James Whiteford, Michele Bombardieri, Costantino Pitzalis, Myles J. Lewis
Summary: Study finds that UBE2L3 plays a critical role in TLR7-mediated NF-??B activation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Inhibition of UBE2L3 by Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) can effectively suppress TLR7-induced NF-??B activation, B cell differentiation, and autoantibody production in SLE. This suggests that UBE2L3 inhibition could be a potential therapeutic strategy for SLE by repurposing DMF.
JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNITY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Wei Sun, Pengchong Li, Jianping Cai, Jie Ma, Xuan Zhang, Yong Song, Yudong Liu
Summary: This article summarizes the altered lipid metabolism and its role in the pathogenesis and progression of SLE. Dysregulated lipid metabolism has complex effects on specific cell types, and may serve as a potential therapeutic target.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Charalampos Papagoras, George E. Fragoulis, Nikoleta Zioga, Theodora Simopoulou, Kleopatra Deftereou, Eleni Kalavri, Evangelia Zampeli, Nafsika Gerolymatou, Evangelia Kataxaki, Konstantinos Melissaropoulos, Stylianos Panopoulos, Kalliopi Fragiadaki, Gerasimos Evangelatos, Vasiliki-Kalliopi Bournia, Aikaterini Arida, Anastasios Karamanakos, Maria Pappa, Alexandros Panagiotopoulos, Christos Koutsianas, Georgia Mparouta, Theodoros Dimitroulas, Stamatis-Nick Liossis, Maria G. Tektonidou, Evrydiki Kravvariti, Nikolaos Kougkas, Panagiotis Georgiou, Paraskevi Voulgari, Antonia Elezoglou, Dimitrios P. Bogdanos, Dimitrios Vassilopoulos, Petros P. Sfikakis
Summary: Vaccinated patients with systemic rheumatic diseases who experience breakthrough COVID-19 have better outcomes compared to unvaccinated patients with similar disease characteristics. This highlights the importance of COVID-19 vaccination in vulnerable populations like those with SRDs.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dimitra T. Stefanou, Vassilis L. Souliotis, Roubini Zakopoulou, Michalis Liontos, Aristotelis Bamias
Summary: Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women worldwide, and the current treatment involves surgery and chemotherapy. Resistance to platinum-based drugs remains a major challenge, and the functionality of DNA repair pathways significantly impacts tumor response to treatment. Therefore, studying novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers related to DNA repair is of great importance for the treatment and prognosis of ovarian cancer.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Javier Zurita, Hitesh V. Motwani, Leopold L. Ilag, Vassilis L. Souliotis, Soterios A. Kyrtopoulos, Ulrika Nilsson, Margareta Tornqvist
Summary: Electrophilic diol epoxide metabolites play a role in the carcinogenicity of benzo[a]pyrene. We propose an HPLC-MS method to measure stable blood protein adducts of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide at low levels, which is difficult to achieve using current analytical methods. This method has the potential to improve risk assessment related to exposure to benzo[a]pyrene.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Nikolaos Vlachogiannis, Kenneth F. Baker, Georgios Georgiopoulos, Charalampos Lazaridis, Ina Schim van der Loeff, Aidan T. Hanrath, Kateryna Sopova, Simon Tual-Chalot, Aikaterini Gatsiou, Ioakim Spyridopoulos, Kimon Stamatelopoulos, Christopher J. A. Duncan, Konstantinos Stellos
Summary: This study aims to identify predictors of early vs. late mortality in COVID-19 patients. The findings suggest that late mortality in COVID-19 patients is more strongly associated with premorbid clinical frailty than with severity of the acute infection phase.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dimitra T. Stefanou, Marousa Kouvela, Dimitris Stellas, Konstantinos Voutetakis, Olga Papadodima, Konstantinos Syrigos, Vassilis L. Souliotis
Summary: The deregulated DNA damage response network is associated with the onset and progression of lung cancer. This study found that lung cancer patients have higher levels of endogenous DNA damage, which may be caused by oxidative stress and defective DNA repair mechanisms. The findings suggest that oxidative stress and DDR-related aberrations contribute to the accumulation of endogenous DNA damage in lung cancer patients.
Article
Biology
Petros P. Sfikakis, Nikolaos Vlachogiannis, Panagiotis A. Ntouros, Sophie Mavrogeni, Thomas G. Maris, Apostolos H. Karantanas, Vassilis L. Souliotis
Summary: Microvascular wall abnormalities in systemic sclerosis can lead to iron microhemorrhages, which may induce fibrosis. Iron induces endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which can be reversed by reactive oxygen species scavengers. In vitro and in vivo studies show that iron induces oxidative stress and DNA damage in fibroblasts and mononuclear cells. Magnetic resonance imaging also reveals increased iron deposition in the fingers of a patient with early systemic sclerosis. This study suggests that iron may be a pathogenetic link between microvasculopathy and fibrosis, as well as a mechanism for increased oxidative stress in systemic sclerosis.
Review
Immunology
Christina Papanikolaou, Vasiliki Rapti, Dimitris Stellas, Dimitra T. Stefanou, Konstantinos Syrigos, George N. Pavlakis, Vassilis L. Souliotis
Summary: COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and can vary greatly in severity. Certain individuals, such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions, are at a higher risk of severe illness. Cancer patients face direct consequences of the pandemic, including increased susceptibility to infection and severe complications, as well as indirect effects like delayed diagnosis and treatment. Abnormal immune responses and activation of the DNA damage response network may contribute to COVID-19 complications.
Article
Immunology
Nikolaos I. Vlachogiannis, Panagiotis A. Ntouros, Maria Pappa, Kleio-Maria Verrou, Aikaterini Arida, Vassilis L. Souliotis, Petros P. Sfikakis
Summary: This study found that the deregulated DNA damage response contributes to the proinflammatory environment in Behcet's disease. Reduced expression of NEIL1 is associated with increased DNA damage accumulation.
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nikolaos I. Vlachogiannis, Panagiotis A. Ntouros, Maria Pappa, Evrydiki Kravvariti, Evangelia Georgia Kostaki, Georgios E. Fragoulis, Christina Papanikolaou, Dimitra Mavroeidi, Vasiliki-Kalliopi Bournia, Stylianos Panopoulos, Katerina Laskari, Aikaterini Arida, Vassilis G. Gorgoulis, Maria G. Tektonidou, Dimitrios Paraskevis, Petros P. Sfikakis, Vassilis L. Souliotis
Summary: Aging is characterized by the progressive deregulation of homeostatic mechanisms causing the accumulation of macromolecular damage, affecting organ function and leading to chronic diseases. In this study, the relationship between chronological age and DNA damage response (DDR) signals in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals was investigated. The results showed that DNA damage levels in PBMCs were only marginally correlated with age until 50 years, but a linear relationship was observed after 50 years. Furthermore, individuals older than 50 years exhibited higher levels of endogenous double-strand breaks (DSBs), oxidative stress, apurinic/apyrimidinic sites, and decreased DSBs repair capacity compared to those younger than 50 years. Prospective studies are needed to confirm DNA damage accumulation as a biomarker of aging and determine the relevant age threshold.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Maria Pappa, Alexandros Panagiotopoulos, Konstantinos Thomas, Antonis Fanouriakis
Summary: The current state of knowledge regarding COVID-19 in patients with SLE is summarized in this review, focusing on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination uptake, immunogenicity and safety, as well as outcomes of COVID-19 and risk factors for adverse sequelae in SLE patients. Safety of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in SLE patients has been confirmed in numerous studies, despite concerns about post-vaccination side effects. Humoral immunogenicity is generally achieved in SLE, although it is affected by the use of immunosuppressive drugs, particularly rituximab. Rituximab has also been associated with adverse COVID-19 outcomes in SLE, including hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and death.
CURRENT RHEUMATOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Nikolaos Kougkas, Konstantina Magiouf, Chrysoula G. Gialouri, Gerasimos Evangelatos, Maria Pappa, Aikaterini Dimouli, Alexios Iliopoulos, Anastasios Karmanakos, Theodoros Dimitroulas, Maria G. Tektonidou, Petros P. Sfikakis, George E. Fragoulis
Summary: This study examined the risk factors predicting uveitis development in spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients. It found that HLA-B27 and peripheral arthritis were risk factors for uveitis in axSpA patients, while family history of SpA, axial disease at diagnosis, and disease duration were risk factors for uveitis in PsA patients. The recurrence rate of uveitis was similar between axSpA and PsA patients. The study also found that ocular damage occurred more often in PsA patients than axSpA patients.
RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
G. E. Fragoulis, M. Pappa, G. Evangelatos, A. Iliopoulos, P. P. Sfikakis, M. G. Tektonidou
Summary: This study compared the demographic, radiologic, and clinical characteristics of PsA and AS with axial involvement. The results showed certain clinical and radiologic differences between the two groups, while comorbidities were comparable, except for a higher prevalence of depression in axial-PsA patients.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Chrysoula G. Gialouri, Gerasimos Evangelatos, Maria Pappa, Anastasios Karamanakos, Alexios Iliopoulos, Maria G. Tektonidou, Petros P. Sfikakis, George E. Fragoulis
Summary: Normal C-reactive protein (CRP) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients is commonly seen in real-world settings and should not be used as a surrogate marker of remission or low/MDA.
THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maria P. Yavropoulou, Maria G. Filippa, Aimilia Mantzou, Fotinie Ntziora, Maria Mylona, Maria G. Tektonidou, Nikolaos I. Vlachogiannis, Dimitrios Paraskevis, Gregory A. Kaltsas, George P. Chrousos, Petros P. Sfikakis
Summary: This study investigated the cortisol secretion in COVID-19 patients and found higher levels of evening and nocturnal cortisol secretion, but no significant difference in morning cortisol levels. The study also observed a strong correlation between IL-6 levels and nocturnal cortisol levels in patients.
