Review
Immunology
Laura Macca, Lucia Peterle, Manuela Ceccarelli, Ylenia Ingrasciotta, Giuseppe Nunnari, Claudio Guarneri
Summary: An increasing number of cases of new-onset or worsening vitiligo have been reported following COVID-19 vaccination, suggesting a potential autoimmune trigger.
Article
Immunology
Azam Safary, Kamal Esalatmanesh, Amir Taher Eftekharsadat, Mohammad -Reza Jafari Nakjavani, Alireza Khabbazi
Summary: Vaccination against COVID-19 is important for achieving herd immunity and controlling the pandemic. However, a small number of people may develop autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) as a rare adverse reaction to the vaccines. This study identifies individuals who developed de-novo ARDs after COVID-19 vaccination, with a higher prevalence among those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent irreversible organ damage.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Jerzy Swierkot, Marta Madej, Magdalena Szmyrka, Lucyna Korman, Renata Sokolik, Iga Andrasiak, Ewa Morgiel, Agata Sebastian
Summary: This study evaluated the prevalence of autoimmune antibodies before and after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in healthcare professionals. The findings showed no significant increase in the prevalence of certain antibodies or autoimmune diseases after vaccination. However, there was an association between the severity of vaccine adverse events and ANA titre.
Article
Immunology
Chutima Seree-aphinan, Yanisa Ratanapokasatit, Poonkiat Suchonwanit, Ploysyne Rattanakaemakorn, Pichaya O-Charoen, Prapaporn Pisitkun, Thanitta Suangtamai, Chavachol Setthaudom, Sonphet Chirasuthat, Kumutnart Chanprapaph
Summary: This study aimed to determine the optimal time for COVID-19 vaccination in patients with immune-mediated dermatologic diseases (IMDD) who have been exposed to rituximab. The results showed that waiting for 9 months after rituximab treatment before vaccination maximizes the immunological benefits while avoiding unnecessary delay.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Paola Ghanem, Joseph C. Murray, Kristen A. Marrone, Susan C. Scott, Josephine L. Feliciano, Vincent K. Lam, Christine L. Hann, David S. Ettinger, Benjamin P. Levy, Patrick M. Forde, Ami A. Shah, Christopher Mecoli, Julie Brahmer, Laura C. Cappelli
Summary: Lung cancer patients with concomitant autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) have different tumor characteristics and clinical outcomes compared to those without ARD. Patients with ARD are more likely to be diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer and have a longer overall survival (OS).
Article
Rheumatology
Amanthi Nadira Arumahandi de Silva, Leonie Maria Frommert, Fredrik N. Albach, Jens Klotsche, Veronika Scholz, Lara Maria Jeworowski, Tatjana Schwarz, Alexander ten Hagen, Jan Zernicke, Victor Max Corman, Christian Drosten, Gerd-Ruediger Burmester, Robert Biesen
Summary: This study found that methotrexate (MTX) reduces the humoral immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD), and discontinuing MTX for at least 10 days significantly improves antibody response in patients over 60 years old.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Yue Chen, Zhiwei Xu, Peng Wang, Xiao-Mei Li, Zong-Wen Shuai, Dong-Qing Ye, Hai-Feng Pan
Summary: Autoimmune manifestations have been reported in response to certain COVID-19 vaccines, but it is still unclear whether there is a causal relationship. These reports can help guide the clinical assessment and management of autoimmune manifestations after vaccination.
Article
Immunology
Ming Guo, Xiaoxiao Liu, Xiangmei Chen, Qinggang Li
Summary: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in more than 670 million infections and almost 7 million deaths globally. Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has become dominant due to its high infectivity and immune evasion. COVID-19 vaccination may lead to new-onset autoimmune diseases, but the causal relationship is yet to be established. This review provides evidence of vaccination-induced autoimmunity and possible mechanisms, aiming to raise awareness about the potential risks while emphasizing the overall benefits of vaccination.
AUTOIMMUNITY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Sebastian Eduardo Sattui, Jean W. Liew, Kevin Kennedy, Emily Sirotich, Michael Putman, Tarin T. Moni, Akpabio Akpabio, Deshire Alpizar-Rodriguez, Francis Berenbaum, Inita Bulina, Richard Conway, Aman Dev Singh, Eimear Duff, Karen L. Durrant, Tamer A. Gheita, Catherine L. Hill, Richard A. Howard, Bimba F. Hoyer, Evelyn Hsieh, Lina El Kibbi, Adam Kilian, Alfred Hyoungju Kim, David F. L. Liew, Chieh Lo, Bruce Miller, Serena Mingolla, Michal Nudel, Candace A. Palmerlee, Jasvinder A. Singh, Namrata Singh, Manuel Francisco Ugarte-Gil, John Wallace, Kristen J. Young, Suleman Bhana, Wendy Costello, Rebecca Grainger, Pedro M. Machado, Philip C. Robinson, Paul Sufka, Zachary S. Wallace, Jinoos Yazdany, Carly Harrison, Maggie Larche, Mitchell Levine, Gary Foster, Lehana Thabane, Lisa G. Rider, Jonathan S. Hausmann, Julia F. Simard, Jeffrey A. Sparks
Summary: Among adults with systemic rheumatic disease who received COVID-19 vaccination, most patients were willing to temporarily discontinue disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to improve vaccine efficacy. Patient-reported adverse events were typical of those reported in the general population, and the relatively low frequency of rheumatic disease flare requiring medication changes was reassuring.
Review
Immunology
Nardeen Shafik, Jennifer E. Akpo, Kristie C. Waterfield, William A. Mase
Summary: As COVID-19 vaccination guidelines were issued, each state and clinical provider had different implementation and education policies for high-risk populations, including people with autoimmune diseases. However, the adherence to these policies varied, affecting vaccine hesitancy and low vaccination rates. It is important to address this issue and provide tailored vaccination campaigns for this vulnerable population.
Review
Immunology
Han Zheng, Ting Zhang, Yiyao Xu, Xin Lu, Xinting Sang
Summary: Cases of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) after COVID-19 vaccination have been reported, suggesting a potential autoimmune reaction. This study summarizes 27 cases of AIH, providing emerging evidence of such autoimmune phenomena in response to COVID-19 vaccines. Factors such as molecular mimicry, adjuvants, epitope spreading, and bystander activation may contribute to the development of AIH. Corticosteroids appear to be effective in treating post-vaccination AIH, but further research is needed to determine the exact mechanism and causality.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bjorn Goldenbogen, Stephan O. Adler, Oliver Bodeit, Judith A. H. Wodke, Ximena Escalera-Fanjul, Aviv Korman, Maria Krantz, Lasse Bonn, Rafael Moran-Torres, Johanna E. L. Haffner, Maxim Karnetzki, Ivo Maintz, Lisa Mallis, Hannah Prawitz, Patrick S. Segelitz, Martin Seeger, Rune Linding, Edda Klipp
Summary: This article analyzes the effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and vaccination strategies on COVID-19 epidemiology using a detailed community-specific agent-based model (ABM). The authors find that the threshold for population immunity depends on the vaccination strategy, with prioritizing highly interactive people reducing the risk of infection and prioritizing the elderly minimizing fatalities. The article also highlights the importance of adaptive combination of NPIs and targeted vaccination in controlling COVID-19 outbreaks.
Article
Rheumatology
Felix Kartnig, Daniel Mrak, Elisabeth Simader, Selma Tobudic, Helga Radner, Peter Mandl, Lisa Goeschl, Nikolaus Hommer, Margareta Mayer, Philipp Hofer, Thomas Hummel, Thomas Deimel, Irina Gessl, Antonia Puchner, Andreas Kerschbaumer, Renate Thalhammer, Alessandra Handisurya, Renate Kain, Stefan Winkler, Josef S. Smolen, Karin Stiasny, Thomas Perkmann, Helmuth Haslacher, Judith H. Aberle, Daniel Aletaha, Leonhard X. Heinz, Daniela Sieghart, Michael Bonelli
Summary: This clinical trial evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a third COVID-19 vaccination in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). The results showed that the third vaccination had good immunogenicity and safety in these patients, but the effects of immunomodulatory therapy should be considered.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
R. Naveen, Ioannis Parodis, Mrudula Joshi, Parikshit Sen, Julius Lindblom, Vishwesh Agarwal, James B. Lilleker, Ai Lyn Tan, Arvind Nune, Samuel Katsuyuki Shinjo, Babur Salim, Nelly Ziade, Tsvetelina Velikova, Abraham Edgar Gracia-Ramos, Miguel A. Saavedra, Jessica Day, Ashima Makol, Oliver Distler, Hector Chinoy, Vikas Agarwal, Rohit Aggarwal, Latika Gupta, Elena Nikiphorou
Summary: The COVAD study aimed to assess short-term adverse events (AEs) related to COVID-19 vaccination in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The study found that all COVID-19 vaccines were well tolerated in RA patients, with similar rates of AEs compared to healthy controls.
Article
Rheumatology
Anja Strangfeld, Martin Schafer, Milena A. Gianfrancesco, Saskia Lawson-Tovey, Jean W. Liew, Lotta Ljung, Elsa F. Mateus, Christophe Richez, Maria J. Santos, Gabriela Schmajuk, Carlo A. Scire, Emily Sirotich, Jeffrey A. Sparks, Paul Sufka, Thierry Thomas, Laura Trupin, Zachary S. Wallace, Sarah Al-Adely, Javier Bachiller-Corral, Suleman Bhana, Patrice Cacoub, Loreto Carmona, Ruth Costello, Wendy Costello, Laure Gossec, Rebecca Grainger, Eric Hachulla, Rebecca Hasseli, Jonathan S. Hausmann, Kimme L. Hyrich, Zara Izadi, Lindsay Jacobsohn, Patricia Katz, Lianne Kearsley-Fleet, Philip C. Robinson, Jinoos Yazdany, Pedro M. Machado
Summary: Factors associated with COVID-19-related death in people with rheumatic diseases include age, sex, comorbidities, disease activity, and specific medications. Adequate disease control with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) without increasing glucocorticoid dosages is important, while caution may be required with certain medications such as rituximab and sulfasalazine.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Malcolm Risk, Chen Shen, Salim S. Hayek, Lynn Holevinski, Elena Schiopu, Gary Freed, Cem Akin, Lili Zhao
Summary: During the post-Delta variant period, recipients of the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines had a lower risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 compared to Ad26.COV2.S recipients. Those vaccinated with the mRNA-1273 vaccine also had a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and higher protection against the Delta variant than Ad26.COV2.S recipients.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Alexi Vasbinder, Elizabeth Anderson, Husam Shadid, Hanna Berlin, Michael Pan, Tariq U. Azam, Ibrahim Khaleel, Kishan Padalia, Chelsea Meloche, Patrick O'Hayer, Erinleigh Michaud, Tonimarie Catalan, Rafey Feroze, Pennelope Blakely, Christopher Launius, Yiyuan Huang, Lili Zhao, Lynn Ang, Monica Mikhael, Kara Mizokami-Stout, Subramaniam Pennathur, Matthias Kretzler, Sven H. Loosen, Athanasios Chalkias, Frank Tacke, Evangelos J. Giamarellos-Bourboulis, Jochen Reiser, Jesper Eugen-Olsen, Eva L. Feldman, Rodica Pop-Busui, Salim S. Hayek
Summary: Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for severe COVID-19, and the association between diabetes and COVID-19 outcomes may be largely mediated by inflammation as assessed by suPAR levels. Hyperglycemia, independent of inflammation, also plays a role in COVID-19 outcomes.
Review
Oncology
Alexander M. Balinski, Alexi L. Vasbinder, Connor C. Kerndt, Tonimarie C. Catalan, Nathan P. Parry, Rafey A. Rehman, Pennelope Blakely, Raymond Y. Yeow, Monika J. Leja, Christopher D. Lao, Leslie A. Fecher, Salim S. Hayek
Summary: Cardiac metastasis of melanoma is rare and occurs in less than 2% of patients with metastatic melanoma. It can affect all cardiac structures and is associated with various cardiovascular complications and high mortality rates.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Patrick J. O'Hayer, Alexi Vasbinder, Elizabeth Anderson, Tonimarie Catalan, Brayden Bitterman, Ibrahim Khaleel, Grace Erne, Annika Tekumulla, Caroline Tilley, Feriel Presswalla, Namratha Nelapudi, Jiazi Chen, Medha Tripathi, Matthew Rochlen, Loni Rambo, Noor Sulaiman, Pennelope Blakely, Yiyuan Huang, Lili Zhao, Rodica Pop-Busui, Salim S. Hayek
Summary: The study found that COVID-19 patients in different stages had different characteristics and treatment approaches. The burden of comorbidities and inflammation decreased over time, leading to improved clinical outcomes.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Malcolm Risk, Heidi Miao, Gary Freed, Chen Shen
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine and booster dose in adolescents aged 12-17 years, as well as investigate the impact of school reopening and the Omicron variant on SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in adolescents. The results showed that two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine provided significant protection against Omicron infection in the first three months after the second dose, but this protection waned over time. Receiving a booster dose reduced the risk of infection and restored efficacy to a similar level. There was a significant increase in infection risk for adolescents compared to adults during the Omicron-dominant period.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Salim S. Hayek, Ayman Samman Tahhan, Yi-An Ko, Ayman Alkhoder, Shuai Zheng, Ravila Bhimani, Joy Hartsfield, Jonathan Kim, Peter Wilson, Leslee Shaw, Changli Wei, Jochen Reiser, Arshed A. Quyyumi
Summary: The study found that suPAR levels were higher in patients with HF compared to non-HF patients, and were strongly predictive of death, cardiovascular death, and hospitalization for HF. Additionally, the combination of suPAR and BNP improved risk prediction.
JOURNAL OF CARDIAC FAILURE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Christian Nusshag, Changli Wei, Eunsil Hahm, Salim S. Hayek, Jing Li, Beata Samelko, Christoph Rupp, Roman Szudarek, Claudius Speer, Florian Kaelble, Matthias Schaier, Florian Uhle, Felix C. F. Schmitt, Mascha O. Fiedler, Ellen Krautkraemer, Yanxia Cao, Ricardo Rodriguez, Uta Merle, Jesper Eugen-Olsen, Martin Zeier, Markus A. Weigand, Christian Morath, Thorsten Brenner, Jochen Reiser
Summary: A study on 200 critically ill patients meeting Sepsis-3 criteria found that serum levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) can effectively determine the severity and progression of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SI-AKI), providing improved prediction of renal replacement therapy and mortality compared to traditional kidney biomarkers. Experiments on mice demonstrated that suPAR deficiency protects against SI-AKI, while suPAR overexpression leads to more severe kidney damage and poorer survival, accompanied by increased chemotactic factors and T cell infiltration in the kidneys. Therefore, suPAR allows for an immune-derived and kidney function-independent staging of SI-AKI and offers improved longitudinal risk stratification.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charlotte Fenioux, Baptiste Abbar, Samia Boussouar, Marie Bretagne, John R. Power, Javid J. Moslehi, Paul Gougis, Damien Amelin, Agnes Dechartres, Lorenz H. Lehmann, Pierre-Yves Courand, Jennifer Cautela, Joachim Alexandre, Adrien Procureur, Antoine Rozes, Sarah Leonard-Louis, Juan Qin, Remi Cheynier, Benedicte Charmeteau-De Muylder, Alban Redheuil, Florence Tubach, Jacques Cadranel, Audrey Milon, Stephane Ederhy, Thomas Similoswki, Douglas B. Johnson, Ian Pizzo, Toniemarie Catalan, Olivier Benveniste, Salim S. Hayek, Yves Allenbach, Michelle Rosenzwajg, Charles Dolladille, Joe-Elie Salem
Summary: Thymic alterations are associated with increased risk and severity of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) myotoxicities. Thymic epithelial tumors are more likely to develop ICI myotoxicities, and the presence of anti-acetylcholine-receptor antibodies may serve as a biomarker for ICI-induced myocarditis.
Article
Cell Biology
Ke Zhu, Kamalika Mukherjee, Changli Wei, Salim S. Hayek, Agnieszka Collins, Changkyu Gu, Kristin Corapi, Mehmet M. Altintas, Yong Wang, Sushrut S. Waikar, Antonio C. Bianco, Alexander Koch, Frank Tacke, Jochen Reiser, Sanja Sever
Summary: D2D3 protein is associated with kidney diseases and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It impairs the function of pancreatic beta cells and the kidneys, and targeting this protein could potentially provide a therapy.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Alexi Vasbinder, Anis Ismail, Joe-Elie Salem, Salim S. Hayek
Summary: This review discusses the clinical challenge of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related myocarditis and the role of blood-based biomarkers in its management. Non-cardiac biomarkers, particularly creatinine phosphokinase, can act as screening biomarkers for ICI-related myocarditis. Combined elevations in cardiac troponins and non-cardiac biomarkers improve the diagnostic confidence of ICI myocarditis. Biomarker-based algorithms for monitoring and diagnosing ICI-related myocarditis are proposed.
CURRENT CARDIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Claudia Sommerer, Sandra Mueller-Krebs, Jennifer Nadal, Ulla T. Schultheiss, Nele Friedrich, Matthias Nauck, Matthias Schmid, Christian Nusshag, Jochen Reiser, Kai-Uwe Eckardt, Martin Zeier, Salim S. Hayek
Summary: In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), suPAR levels are associated with mortality and cardiovascular outcomes independently of kidney function, indicating its independent role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
(2023)
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charlotte Fenioux, Baptiste Abbar, Samia Boussouar, Marie Bretagne, John R. Power, Javid J. Moslehi, Paul Gougis, Damien Amelin, Agnes Dechartres, Lorenz H. Lehmann, Pierre-Yves Courand, Jennifer Cautela, Joachim Alexandre, Adrien Procureur, Antoine Rozes, Sarah Leonard-Louis, Juan Qin, Nausheen Akhter, Nazanin Aghel, Kingsley Amidi, Elizabeth Anderson, Dimitri Arangalage, Mandar Aras, Aarti Asnani, Lauren A. Baldassarre, Rocio Barovila, Ana Sofia Barroso, Wendy Bottinor, Anissa Bouali, Eve Cariou, Wei-Ting Chang, Richard K. Cheng, Shanthini M. Crusz, Anita Deswal, Pierre-Yves Dietrich, Grace Dy, Clemence Docq, Steven Ewer, Suran Fernando, Danette L. Flint, Roberta Florido, Satoshi Fukushima, Elena Galli, Elizabeth Gaughan, Manhal Habib, Andrew Haydon, Lucie Heinzerling, Osnat Itzhaki Ben Zadok, Nahema Issa, Anja Karlstaedt, Kazuo Kitagawa, Michael Layoun, Michal Laufer-Perl, Carrie Lenneman, Darryl Leong, Chloe Lesiuk, Joshua Levenson, Teresa Lopez-Fernandez, Yan Liu, Kristen Machado, Pedro Moliner, Ryota Morimoto, Michel Obeid, Anna Narezkina, Nicolas Palaskas, Giovanni Peretto, Nicolas Piriou, Juan Carlos Plana, Peter P. Rainer, Maxime Robert-Halabi, Fanny Rocher, Eugenia Rota, Francois Roubille, Theresa Ruf, Shahneen Sandhu, Francis Sanjeev, Nobuhiko Seki, Kazuko Tajiri, Yuichi Tamura, Franck Thuny, Romain Tresorier, Isik Turker, Ellen Warner, Vlad Zaha, Han Zhu, Remi Cheynier, Benedicte Charmeteau-De Muylder, Alban Redheuil, Florence Tubach, Jacques Cadranel, Audrey Milon, Stephane Ederhy, Thomas Similowski, Douglas B. Johnson, Ian Pizzo, Toniemarie Catalan, Olivier Benveniste, Salim S. Hayek, Yves Allenbach, Michelle Rosenzwajg, Charles Dolladille, Joe-Elie Salem
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Anis Ismail, Salim S. Hayek
Summary: This review summarizes the role of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its potential as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target. Clinical and experimental evidence supports suPAR's role in atherosclerosis and its association with increased cardiovascular risk. Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating therapies targeting suPAR signaling.
CURRENT CARDIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Letter
Urology & Nephrology
Alexi Vasbinder, Laura Marie Raffield, Yan Gao, Gunnar Engstrom, Arshed Ali Quyyumi, Alexander Paul Reiner, Jochen Reiser, Salim Salim Hayek
JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)