Simultaneous development of IgA vasculitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis (IgAV) is a small vessel vasculitis presenting cutaneous purpura, arthralgias and/or arthritis, acute enteritis and glomerulonephritis caused by deposition of the IgA1-mediated immune complex. Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) characterised by eosinophil-rich and granulomatous inflammation in small to medium-sized vessels. Both IgAV and EGPA are classified as autoimmune systemic vasculitis, but the pathogenesis of immune complex-mediated IgAV and that of pauci-immune EGPA are different. Here we report a rare case of simultaneous development of IgAV and EGPA presenting palpable purpura and numbness in a patient with a history of asthma. Histological examination revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis with deposition of IgA, IgM and C3 in the upper dermis and necrotising vasculitis with eosinophilic infiltration and granulomatous formation in the lower dermis and subcutaneous fat, indicating the existence of IgAV and EGPA. Our case provides evidence of concurrent development of two different types of vasculitis, which may affect disease-associated complications, therapeutic strategy and prognosis.

Risk Factors for Chronic Damage Accumulation Across Different Onset Eras in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-sectional Analysis of a Lupus Registry of Nationwide Institutions (LUNA).

Chronic damage accumulation affects not only mortality but also quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Risk factors for chronic damage were explored in SLE through different onset eras. Two hundred forty-five patients at Okayama University Hospital and Showa University Hospital were divided into three groups based on the onset era: a past-onset group (onset before 1995; n=83), middle-onset group (1996-2009; n=88), and recent-onset group (after 2010; n=74). The mean Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) score as an index of chronic damage was 1.93, 1.24, and 0.53 in the past-, middle-, and recent-onset groups, respectively. In the pastonset group, the total SDI score was significantly associated with glucocorticoid monotherapy by linear regression analysis (ß-coefficient [ß]=0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-1.05) and C-reactive protein levels (ß=0.67; 95% CI, 0.27-1.07). In the middle-onset group, the total SDI score was significantly associated with the SLE Disease Activity Index at registration (ß=0.09; 95% CI, 0.03-0.12). Reducing the accumulation of chronic damage in SLE patients might be possible with the concomitant use of immunosuppressants and tight control of disease activity.

Thrombocytosis as a prognostic factor in polymyalgia rheumatica: characteristics determined from cluster analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the clinical subgroups of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) using cluster analysis and compare the outcomes among the identified subgroups. METHODS: We enrolled patients with PMR who were diagnosed at Okayama University Hospital, Japan between 2006 and 2017, met the 2012 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology provisional classification criteria for PMR, and were treated with glucocorticoids. Hierarchical cluster analysis using variables selected by principal component analysis was performed to identify the clusters. Subsequently, the outcomes among the identified clusters were compared in the study. The primary outcome was treatment response at 1 month after commencement of treatment. The secondary outcome was refractory clinical course, which was defined as the requirement of additional treatments or relapse during a 2-year observational period. RESULTS: A total of 61 consecutive patients with PMR were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 71 years, and 67% were female. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three distinct subgroups: cluster 1 (n = 14) was characterized by patients with thrombocytosis (all patients showed a platelet count of >45 × 104/µl), cluster 2 (n = 38), by patients without peripheral arthritis, and cluster 3 (n = 9), by patients with peripheral arthritis. The patients in cluster 1 achieved treatment response less frequently than those in cluster 2 (14% versus 47%, p = 0.030). Refractory cases were more frequent in cluster 1 than in cluster 2; however, no significant difference was noted (71% versus 42%, p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombocytosis could predict the clinical course in patients with PMR.

Risk factors for cytomegalovirus infection in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

AIMS: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection under immunosuppression sometimes causes death. This study aimed to elucidate risk factors for CMV infection in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). METHODS: Patients with AAV who underwent remission induction treatment at Okayama University Hospital between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was the development of CMV infection within 3 months. RESULTS: Of the 111 patients, 13 (11.7%) patients developed CMV infection. Patients with CMV infection were older (p = 0.030) and had a higher body mass index (p = 0.029) in comparison to those without CMV infection. A higher proportion had a severe form (p = 0.001) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (p = 0.001), as well as a higher Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (p = 0.018) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.018) levels at baseline. Using logistic regression analysis, severe form and GPA were independent risk factors (odds ratio [OR] = 9.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.92-60.23, and OR = 7.46, 95% CI = 1.46-47.60, respectively). In addition, patients with CMV infection were more likely than those without infection to be glucocorticoid-related diabetes mellitus (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: Our study highlights disease severity and subgroups of AAV as risk factors for CMV infection.

Regulation of Cathepsin E gene expression by the transcription factor Kaiso in MRL/lpr mice derived CD4+ T cells.

Global DNA hypomethylation in CD4+ cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was suggested to play a key role in the pathogenesis. To identify new methylation-sensitive genes, we integrated genome-wide DNA methylation and mRNA profiling data in CD4+ cells of MRL/lpr (MRL) and C57BL6/J (B6) mice. We identified Cathepsin E (Ctse), in which 13 methyl-CpGs within 583 bp region of intron 1 were hypomethylated, and Ctse mRNA upregulated in MRL compared with B6 mice. One of methyl-CpGs, mCGCG was 93.3 ± 2.05% methylated in B6 mice, while 80.0 ± 6.2% methylated and mutated to CGGG in MRL mice. Kaiso is known to bind to mCGCG and we hypothesized that it represses expression of Ctse in B6 mice. The binding of Kaiso to mCGCG site in B6 mice was reduced in MRL mice revealed by ChIP-PCR. EL4 cells treated with 5-azaC and/or Trichostatin A showed the suppression of binding of Kaiso to mCGCG motif by ChIP-PCR and the overexpression of Ctse was demonstrated by qPCR. Ctse gene silencing by siRNA in EL4 cells resulted in reduction of IL-10 secretion. The hypomethylation of mCGCG motif, reduced recruitment of Kaiso, and increased expression of Ctse and Il-10 in CD4+ cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Cluster Analysis Using Anti-Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases and SS-A/Ro52 antibodies in Patients With Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis.

OBJECTIVE: Although several autoantibodies have been identified for polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) diagnosis, the clinical impact of these antibodies is yet to be elucidated. METHODS: Patients with PM/DM at Okayama University Hospital from 2012 to 2016 were historically enrolled, and antibody profiles were analyzed using line immunoassay. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed based on serological analysis of anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibodies, including anti-Jo-1, PL-7, PL-12, EJ, OJ, and SS-A/Ro-52 antibodies. Clinical symptoms and relapse proportions were compared among these clusters. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were enrolled in this study: 28 were diagnosed with PM, and 33 were diagnosed with DM. The following 3 clusters were determined: 1 (n = 10), anti-Jo-1 and anti-SS-A/Ro-52 antibodies double positive (10/10, 100%); 2 (n = 24), anti-SS-A/Ro-52 antibody positive (20/24, 83%), anti-Jo-1 antibody negative (24/24, 100%), and anti-ARS antibodies (excluding anti-Jo-1 antibody) positive (15/24, 63%); and 3 (n = 27), anti-Jo-1 and anti-SS-A/Ro52 antibodies double negative (26/27, 96%). The proportion of patients who relapsed was significantly lower in cluster 3 than it was in clusters 1 and 2 (risk ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.83; p = 0.026 and risk ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.89; P = 0.019, respectively). There was no difference in the proportion of relapsed patients between clusters 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our cluster analysis shows that anti-SS-A/Ro52 or any anti-ARS antibodies or both might be relevant to clinical outcomes.

An open-label pilot study on preventing glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus with linagliptin.

BACKGROUND: Numerous patients develop diabetes in response to glucocorticoid therapy. This study explored the efficacy, safety, and preventive potential of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, linagliptin (TRADJENTA®), in the development of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus. METHODS: From December 2014 to November 2015, we recruited non-diabetic Japanese patients scheduled for treatment with daily prednisolone ≥20 mg. Enrolled patients had at least one of following risk factors for glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus: estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤ 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2; age ≥ 65 years; hemoglobin A1c > 6.0%. A daily dose of 5 mg of linagliptin was administered simultaneously with glucocorticoid therapy. The primary outcome was the development of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus. Additional orally administered hypoglycemic medications and/or insulin injection therapy was initiated according to the blood glucose level. RESULTS: Four of five patients developed glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus within 1 week of glucocorticoid treatment. For 12 weeks, two of the four patients with glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus required orally administered medications, but no patients required insulin. Blood glucose levels before breakfast and lunch tended to decrease with time; the median glucose levels before breakfast were 93 and 79.5 mg/dL at 1 and 3 weeks, respectively. Two patients experienced mild hypoglycemia around 2 weeks. Glucose levels after lunch remained high throughout all 4 weeks despite decreasing the glucocorticoid dosage. CONCLUSIONS: Linagliptin may be insufficient to prevent the development of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus but has the potential to reduce the requirement for insulin injection therapy. Treatment of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus was continued for at least 1 month and fasting hypoglycemia in early morning should be monitored after 2 weeks. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered 02 November 2014 with UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (no. 000015588 ).

Pseudolipomatosis of the Colon and Cecum Followed by Pneumatosis Intestinalis.

A 74-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with pseudolipomatosis of the cecum and ascending colon. Colonoscopy was performed, which revealed the presence of slightly elevated white lesions, while a magnifying observation showed microbubbles within the mucosa. A month after colonoscopy, the patient was diagnosed with pneumatosis intestinalis. Although the exact pathogenesis is unclear, pneumatosis intestinalis may arise secondary to pseudolipomatosis. This case also indicates that a magnifying observation during colonoscopy may aid in the diagnosis of pseudolipomatosis of the large intestine, since it shows microbubbles within the mucosa, which may be a distinctive feature reflecting the pathology of this disease.

Role of Lgals9 Deficiency in Attenuating Nephritis and Arthritis in BALB/c Mice in a Pristane-Induced Lupus Model.

OBJECTIVE: In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease associated with multiple organ involvement, the development of lupus nephritis determines prognosis, and arthritis impairs quality of life. Galectin 9 (Gal-9, Lgals9) is a ß-galactoside-binding lectin that has been used for clinical application in autoimmune diseases, since recombinant Gal-9, as a ligand for T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3), induces apoptosis of activated CD4+TIM-3+ Th1 cells. This study was undertaken to investigate whether deficiency of Lgals9 has beneficial or deleterious effects on lupus in a murine model. METHODS: Gal-9+/+ and Gal-9-/- female BALB/c mice were injected with pristane, and the severity of arthritis, proteinuria, and levels of autoantibody production were assessed at several time points immediately following injection. At 7 months after pristane injection, renal pathologic features, the severity of joint inflammation, and formation of lipogranulomas were evaluated. Subsets of inflammatory cells in the spleen and peritoneal lavage were characterized, and expression levels of cytokines from peritoneal macrophages were analyzed. RESULTS: Lgals9 deficiency protected against the development of immune complex glomerulonephritis, arthritis, and peritoneal lipogranuloma formation in BALB/c mice in this murine model of pristane-induced lupus. The populations of T cell subsets and B cells in the spleen and peritoneum were not altered by Lgals9 deficiency in pristane-injected BALB/c mice. Furthermore, Lgals9 deficiency protected against pristane-induced lupus without altering the Toll-like receptor 7-type I interferon pathway. CONCLUSION: Gal-9 is required for the induction and development of lupus nephritis and arthritis in this murine model of SLE. The results of the current investigation provide a potential new strategy in which antagonism of Gal-9 may be beneficial for the treatment of nephritis and arthritis in patients with SLE through targeting of activated macrophages.

Anti-SS-A/Ro antibody positivity as a risk factor for relapse in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to elucidate predictors of relapse in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM). METHODS: Fifty PM/DM patients who achieved disease stabilization at Okayama University Hospital in 2004-2014 were enrolled retrospectively. Candidate predictors such as demographic factors, clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and treatment status were compared. RESULTS: The mean age of enrolled patients was 58 years; 34 were female. The patient groupings were as follows: 21 with PM, 27 with DM, and two with clinically amyopathic DM. During a mean observation period of 685 d, 5 patients (10%) died and 20 (40%) relapsed. The relapsed patients displayed baseline muscle weakness less frequently (85% versus 100%, p = .03) and anti-SS-A/Ro antibody more frequently (65% versus 27%, p = .007). Anti-SS-A/Ro-positive patients exhibited a higher relapse rate than anti-SS-A/Ro-negative patients (log-rank test, p = .03). Anti-SS-A/Ro-positive patients also exhibited higher anti-Jo-1 antibody positivity and lower levels of serum complement. After adjusting anti-Jo-1 antibody positivity, age, sex, CK <500 IU/L, and lung involvement, anti-SS-A/Ro positivity was still an independent risk factor for higher relapse-rate (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-25.1). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-SS-A/Ro antibody positivity may be a useful biomarker for prediction of relapse.

Occurrence of Dermatomyositis Immediately after Mastectomy Subsequent to Severe Chemotherapeutic Drug Eruption.

We herein report a patient with breast cancer who developed dermatomyositis (DM) immediately after mastectomy. She had a history of severe drug eruption during neoadjuvant chemotherapy six months previously. Within a month after the operation, myalgia and rash, including Gottron's papules, developed, and skeletal-muscle enzymes elevated, so she was diagnosed with probable DM according to the Bohan and Peter criteria. In many neoplastic DM cases, the course of the disease parallels the course of the malignancy. Possible mechanisms were suggested to explain the development of DM in the present case and offer new insight into autoimmune diseases.

Alternative to Rituximab Therapy for a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis Who Was Unable to Continue Anti-TNF Therapy.

We herein present a case of a 38-year-old man who had bamboo spine and severe sacroiliitis and who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Infliximab (IFX) markedly improved the axial symptom but was discontinued due to the side effect of peripheral neuropathy. Switching from IFX to etanercept worsened the side effect. Rituximab (RTX) administration elicited a good response without side effects. RTX might be a suitable option for AS therapy when TNF inhibitors are difficult to use.

Central Diabetes Insipidus in Refractory Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis.

We herein describe two cases of refractory antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) complicated with diabetes insipidus (DI) possibly related to hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP). One patient had microscopic polyangiitis and HP, which were refractory to cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and mizoribine. Remission was finally achieved with the use of etanercept, but DI occurred 5 years later. The other patient had granulomatosis with polyangiitis, which that was refractory to cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, MMF, and rituximab. DI subsequently developed, but was successfully treated with etanercept. Dura mater hypertrophy was macroscopically observed in the latter case.

Azathioprine Intolerance in Japanese Patients with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis.

Objective To assess the safety of azathioprine (AZA) in Japanese patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Methods We retrospectively enrolled 67 consecutive AAV patients who had initiated AZA treatment from January 2006 to August 2014 at Okayama University Hospital. We evaluated the development of severe adverse events (AEs), AZA discontinuation due to total AEs (severe AEs included) within 1 year, and AZA-associated risk factors. Results The patients' median age was 70 years old. Forty-nine women and 18 men participated at the initiation of the study. Fifty-eight (87%) patients experienced AEs, and 36 experienced severe AEs (21 hepatic and 11 cytopenic severe AEs). Thirty-one (46%) patients discontinued treatment because of AEs. Abnormal hepatic laboratory test results at the treatment initiation were more frequent in patients with hepatic severe AEs and were associated with treatment discontinuation. The leukocyte and neutrophil counts at the treatment initiation were lower in the patients who discontinued treatment because of cytopenic AEs than in those who continued treatment. Only two patients experienced flare-ups during treatment. Conclusion The AE-associated AZA discontinuation rate in Japanese AAV patients was relatively high. AZA use warrants caution in patients with abnormal hepatic laboratory test results or low leukocyte or neutrophil counts.

A retrospective observational study of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus with IgA nephropathy treated with tonsillectomy plus methylprednisolone pulse therapy.

AIMS: To evaluate the incidence of GC-DM among patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) and to confirm the risk factors for the development of GC-DM. METHODS: The medical records of patients with IgAN newly treated with the protocol of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy were reviewed. The primary outcome was the development of GC-DM within the hospitalization period and during one year of follow-up. RESULTS: During hospitalization, 19 of the 95 patients developed GC-DM (20.0%), and the patients with GC-DM were significantly older and had a higher rate of family history of diabetes and higher HbA1c levels. The prevalence of hypertension was higher and the eGFR was numerically lower in patients with GC-DM than in those without. Older age (≥45 years) and a family history of diabetes emerged as independent risk factors for the development of GC-DM (odds ratio [OR], 6.3 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-27.6; OR, 4.4 and 95% CI, 1.2-16.6, respectively). No patients were newly diagnosed with GC-DM during 1-year observation period at out-patient clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients with IgAN, 20% developed GC-DM during the hospitalization period, confirming the family history of diabetes is clinically necessary before starting GC therapy.

The Successful Treatment of Refractory Polyarteritis Nodosa Using Infliximab.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), characterized by arteritis of medium-sized blood vessels, is usually treated with a combination of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants; however, some cases are refractory to these treatments. We herein report the case of a man with PAN that was refractory to various immunosuppressive treatments, including cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and rituximab. After infliximab (IFX) treatment was initiated, his symptoms improved dramatically and remission was maintained. IFX is considered to be an effective alternative treatment for PAN which proves to be refractory to several immunosuppressive treatments.

Prognostic factors of methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders associated with rheumatoid arthritis and plausible application of biological agents.

OBJECTIVES: To determine prognostic factors of methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD) and evaluate the efficacy and safety of biological therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated with MTX-LPD. METHODS: Thirty RA patients who developed MTX-LPD were investigated in this study. We compared the clinical and laboratory parameters of patients who achieved regression of LPD by MTX withdrawal with those who required chemotherapy and evaluated the clinical course of RA after LPD development. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (76.7%) achieved regression of LPD by MTX withdrawal. Chemotherapy-free patients had a tendency of shorter RA duration (13.1 vs. 22.0 years, p = 0.108) and higher doses of MTX at LPD diagnosis (8.0 vs. 5.3 mg/w, p = 0.067) than patients who required chemotherapy. A significantly higher positive rate of peripheral blood Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA was observed in the chemotherapy-free group (9/9 vs. 0/3, p = 0.0002). Of 15 patients that received biological agents after LPD development, 14 patients (93.3%) demonstrated an improved disease activity of RA and persistent remission of LPD, whereas only one patient experienced relapse of LPD during tocilizumab therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral blood EBV-DNA positivity is a potential prognostic marker of better outcome in MTX-LPD. Biological agents could be an option for the treatment of RA patients with MTX-LPD.