The differential crosstalk of the skin-gut microbiome axis as a new emerging actor in systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: We characterized the microbiota in SSc, focusing on the skin-oral-gut axis and the serum and faecal free fatty acid (FFA) profile. METHODS: Twenty-five SSc patients with ACA or anti-Scl70 autoantibodies were enrolled. The microbiota of faecal, saliva and superficial epidermal samples was assessed through next-generation sequencing analysis. GC-MS was used to quantify faecal and serum FFAs. Gastrointestinal symptoms were investigated with the University of California Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument (UCLA GIT-2.0) questionnaire. RESULTS: The ACA+ and anti-Scl70+ groups displayed different cutaneous and faecal microbiota profiles. The classes of cutaneous Sphingobacteriia and Alphaproteobacteria, the faecal phylum Lentisphaerae, the levels of the classes Lentisphaeria and Opitutae, and the genus NA-Acidaminococcaceae were significantly higher in faecal samples from the ACA+ patients than in samples from the anti-Scl70+ patients. The cutaneous Sphingobacteria and the faecal Lentisphaerae were significantly correlated (rho = 0.42; P = 0.03). A significant increase in faecal propionic acid was observed in ACA+ patients. Moreover, all levels of faecal medium-chain FFAs and hexanoic acids were significantly higher in the ACA+ group than in the anti-Scl70+ group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). In the ACA+ group, the analysis of the serum FFA levels showed an increasing trend in valeric acid. CONCLUSION: Different microbiota signatures and FFA profiles were found for the two groups of patients. Despite being in different body districts, the cutaneous Sphingobacteria and faecal Lentisphaerae appear interdependent.

Patients' unmet needs and treatment preferences concerning digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Digital ulcers (DUs) significantly impact on quality of life and function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of our survey was to explore patients' perspectives and their unmet needs concerning SSc-DUs. MATERIALS: SSc patients were invited through international patient associations and social media to participate in an online survey. RESULTS: 358 responses were obtained from 34 countries: US (65.6%), UK (11.5%) and Canada (4.5%). Recurrent DUs are common: >10 DUs (46.1%), 5-10 DUs (21.5%), 1-5 DUs (28.5%), 1 DU (3.9%). Fingertip DUs were most frequent (84.9%), followed by those overlying the interphalangeal joints (50.8%). The impact of DUs in patients is broad, from broad-ranging emotional impacts to impact on activities of daily living, and personal relationships. Half (51.7%) of respondents reported that they received wound/ulcer care, most often provided by non-specialist wound care clinics (63.8%). There was significant variation in local (wound) DU care, in particular the use of debridement and pain management. DU-related education was only provided to one-third of patients. One-quarter (24.6%) were 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' that the provided DU treatment(s) relieved their DU symptoms. Pain, limited hand function, and ulcer duration/chronicity were the main reasons for patients to consider changing DU treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that there is a large variation in DU treatment between countries. Patient access to specialist wound-care services is limited and only a small proportion of patients had their DU needs met. Moreover, patient education is often neglected. Evidence-based treatment pathways are urgently needed for DU management.

Efficacy of physiotherapy treatment in medium and long term in adults with fibromyalgia: an umbrella of systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVES: To summarise the available evidence and assess the effectiveness of medium and long-term physiotherapy treatment in adults with fibromyalgia (FM). METHODS: This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42023388356. The databases searched were MEDLINE, PEDro, Scopus, Cinhal, LatinIndex, and Cochrane, using the following keywords: "fibromyalgia", "physiotherapy", "treatment", "therapeutic exercise", "TENS", "laser therapy" and "manual therapy." The included articles analysed treatments with active or passive physiotherapy approaches in patients with FM. The variables included structural characteristics, such as: author, publication year, research question, and main outcome variables. The data on the findings of the articles comprised the following aspects: number of participants, intervention, follow-up, results, and principal conclusions. RESULTS: Thirty-three articles were analysed, with an overall PRISMA score of 18.63±3.36. The active treatment methods analysed were: movement and body awareness therapies (stretching, tai chi, yoga and Pilates); hydrotherapy; physical or aerobic exercise; and multidisciplinary therapy. The passive therapies analysed were: manual therapy; repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS); and other therapies (hyperbaric oxygen therapy, vibration therapy, virtual reality, transcutaneous electric nervous stimulation (TENS), pain neuroscience education, and acupuncture). Evidence was found on the positive effect of physiotherapy treatment on the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia, such as pain, impairment of physical capacity and worse quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of the active and passive therapies analysed in the management of the symptoms and signs of the disease was positive in most of the studies. However, more specific descriptions of the treatment protocol, frequency, intensity and treatment dose are required to reach a consensus, as well as primary studies for a more extended follow-up period to better evaluate long-term effects.

Lung vascular changes as biomarkers of severity in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVES: It has recently become possible to assess lung vascular and parenchymal changes quantitatively in thoracic CT images using automated software tools. We investigated the vessel parameters of patients with SSc, quantified by CT imaging, and correlated them with interstitial lung disease (ILD) features. METHODS: SSc patients undergoing standard of care pulmonary function testing and CT evaluation were retrospectively evaluated. CT images were analysed for ILD patterns and total pulmonary vascular volume (PVV) extents with Imbio lung texture analysis. Vascular analysis (volumes, numbers and densities of vessels, separating arteries and veins) was performed with an in-house developed software. A threshold of 5% ILD extent was chosen to define the presence of ILD, and commonly used cut-offs of lung function were adopted. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients [52 women, 40 ILD, mean age 56.2 (s.d. 14.2) years, total ILD extent 9.5 (10.7)%, PVV/lung volume % 2.8%] were enrolled. Vascular parameters for total and separated PVV significantly correlated with functional parameters and ILD pattern extents. SSc-associated ILD (SSc-ILD) patients presented with an increased number and volume of arterial vessels, in particular those between 2 and 4 mm of diameter, and with a higher density of arteries and veins of <6 mm in diameter. Considering radiological and functional criteria concomitantly, as well as the descriptive trends from the longitudinal evaluations, the normalized PVVs, vessel numbers and densities increased progressively with the increase/worsening of ILD extent and functional impairment. CONCLUSION: In SSc patients CT vessel parameters increase in parallel with ILD extent and functional impairment, and may represent a biomarker of SSc-ILD severity.

Persistence of remission after lengthening of golimumab in inflammatory joint diseases.

OBJECTIVES: In refractory inflammatory joint diseases (IJDs) biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) may achieve remission. EULAR recommends bDMARD tapering when remission persists. However, guidelines on tapering modalities and criteria for patient selection are lacking. We aimed to evaluate remission persistency after lengthening the time between injections of golimumab in patients affected by IJD and to identify any patient or disease characteristics associated to flare after lengthening. METHODS: Patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treated with golimumab were enrolled in a retrospective observational study. Demographic data, ESR, cRP, DAS28/ BASDAI, were collected at baseline and during the follow-up (T1- defined as a medical check-up after 1 year of treatment or, for patients with longerg exposure, the first medical check-up in 2016, when at our unit we began to experience drug tapering- and T2- 12 months after the lengthening was started). In 22/80 patients in remission at T1, injection time was lengthened. RESULTS: Eighty patients were enrolled, 34 AS, 33 PsA, 9RA and 4 JIA. At baseline, all had an active disease. At T1, 60/80 patients reached remission and 22/60 patients started tapering. At T2, 20/22 pts (91%) were in remission. At T1 BASDAI was higher (2.2, SD 0.28 vs. 0.58, SD 0.47; p<0.001) in patients who lost remission at T2.Patients who flared recovered remission once taken back to a 28-day interval. 4/38 patients maintained at the standard dose flared up and switched/swapped bDMARD. The difference in retention rate toward patients on reduced dose was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that golimumab lengthening is safe and successfully maintains remission. In patients who experienced a flare after lengthening, the standard regimen promptly restored remission.

Insights into molecular and clinical characteristics of very early systemic sclerosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The early heterogenous presentation of systemic sclerosis (SSc), in particular without skin involvement, has been a confounding factor delaying early diagnosis. In fact, early signs of SSc as Raynaud's phenomenon and puffy fingers, are also typical of other connective tissue diseases (CTDs) such as mixed CTD and undifferentiated CTD. In the last decade, a significant effort has been dedicated in defining molecular characteristics that could be used as early SSc biomarkers. In this narrative review, we address the present situation where several clinical scenarios are in search of a correct positioning into the prescleroderma (pre-SSc) phase as well as in the very early phase of SSc. RECENT FINDINGS: Literature data showed that a part of patients classified as sine scleroderma SSc (ssSSc), mixed CTD and undifferentiated CTD may already belong to the very early phase of SSc, thus having a different pattern of progression to SSc. Recently, the very early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (VEDOSS) criteria has been validated. SUMMARY: while the area of pre-SSc still remains fuzzy, the VEDOSS study has shown that a 'window of opportunity' does exist also for SSc. In the very next future, this may allow to start the treatment to prevent the disease progression to a more advanced fibrotic stage.

The role of chest CT in deciphering interstitial lung involvement: systemic sclerosis versus COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the main CT features that may help in distinguishing a progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) secondary to SSc from COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: This multicentric study included 22 international readers grouped into a radiologist group (RADs) and a non-radiologist group (nRADs). A total of 99 patients, 52 with COVID-19 and 47 with SSc-ILD, were included in the study. RESULTS: Fibrosis inside focal ground-glass opacities (GGOs) in the upper lobes; fibrosis in the lower lobe GGOs; reticulations in lower lobes (especially if bilateral and symmetrical or associated with signs of fibrosis) were the CT features most frequently associated with SSc-ILD. The CT features most frequently associated with COVID- 19 pneumonia were: consolidation (CONS) in the lower lobes, CONS with peripheral (both central/peripheral or patchy distributions), anterior and posterior CONS and rounded-shaped GGOs in the lower lobes. After multivariate analysis, the presence of CONs in the lower lobes (P < 0.0001) and signs of fibrosis in GGOs in the lower lobes (P < 0.0001) remained independently associated with COVID-19 pneumonia and SSc-ILD, respectively. A predictive score was created that was positively associated with COVID-19 diagnosis (96.1% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity). CONCLUSION: CT diagnosis differentiating between COVID-19 pneumonia and SSc-ILD is possible through a combination of the proposed score and radiologic expertise. The presence of consolidation in the lower lobes may suggest COVID-19 pneumonia, while the presence of fibrosis inside GGOs may indicate SSc-ILD.

A candidate gene study reveals association between a variant of the SRp55 splicing factor gene and systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the possible implication of the mRNA-binding protein serine/arginine protein 55 (SRp55, also known as SRSF6) rs2235611 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the genetic predisposition to systemic sclerosis (SSc) susceptibility and clinical phenotype. METHODS: A total population of 872 white Italian individuals (414 SSc patients, 458 controls) was studied. SSc patients were assessed for limited and diffuse cutaneous subsets and the presence of autoantibodies, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) abnormalities. The SRp55 rs2235611 SNP was genotyped by TaqMan real-time PCR. RESULTS: SRp55 rs2235611 genotype distribution and allele frequency were similar in SSc and healthy controls, though a trend toward significance was observed for genotype distribution (p=0.07). The SRp55 rs2235611 AA genotype significantly influenced the predisposition to SSc (p= 0.03). The SRp55 rs2235611 A minor allele and AA genotype showed a significant risk association with susceptibility to SSc-related ILD (A allele: p=0.046; AA genotype: p=0.007). A significant association of the AA genotype with SSc late NVC pattern was also found (p=0.006). After Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, the risk association of the SRp55 rs2235611 AA genotype with SSc-related ILD and late NVC pattern remained significant (padj=0.049 and padj=0.042, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The SRp55 rs2235611 AA genotype significantly influences the susceptibility to SSc, and specifically associates with the presence of SSc-related ILD and late NVC pattern. Further in-depth studies on the SRp55 gene locus will hopefully contribute to extend our knowledge of the genetic predisposition to major SSc-related manifestations such as pulmonary fibrosis and peripheral microvasculopathy.

Glycolysis-derived acidic microenvironment as a driver of endothelial dysfunction in systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: SSc is an autoimmune disease characterized by peripheral vasculopathy and skin and internal organ fibrosis. Accumulating evidence underlines a close association between a metabolic reprogramming of activated fibroblasts and fibrosis. This prompted us to determine the metabolism of SSc dermal fibroblasts and the effect on the vasculopathy characterizing the disease. METHODS: A Seahorse XF96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer was used to evaluate SSc fibroblast metabolism. In vitro invasion and capillary morphogenesis assays were used to determine the angiogenic ability of endothelial cells (ECs). Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and real-time PCR techniques provided evidence of the molecular mechanism behind the impaired vascularization that characterizes SSc patients. RESULTS: SSc fibroblasts, compared with controls, showed a boosted glycolytic metabolism with increased lactic acid release and subsequent extracellular acidification that in turn was found to impair EC invasion and organization in capillary-like networks without altering cell viability. A molecular link between extracellular acidosis and endothelial dysfunction was identified as acidic ECs upregulated MMP-12, which cleaves and inactivates urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, impairing angiogenesis in SSc. Moreover, the acidic environment was found to induce the loss of endothelial markers and the acquisition of mesenchymal-like features in ECs, thus promoting the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition process that contributes to both capillary rarefaction and tissue fibrosis in SSc. CONCLUSION: This study showed the relationship of the metabolic reprogramming of SSc dermal fibroblasts, extracellular acidosis and endothelial dysfunction that may contribute to the impairment and loss of peripheral capillary networks in SSc disease.

The clinical phenotype of systemic sclerosis patients with anti-PM/Scl antibodies: results from the EUSTAR cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical associations of anti-PM/Scl antibodies in patients with SSc in a multicentre international cohort, with particular focus on unresolved issues, including scleroderma renal crisis (RC), malignancies, and functional outcome of interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: (1) Analysis of SSc patients from the EUSTAR database: 144 anti-PM/Scl+ without SSc-specific autoantibodies were compared with 7202 anti-PM/Scl-, and then to 155 anti-Pm/Scl+ with SSc-specific antibodies. (2) Case-control study: additional data were collected for 165 anti-PM/Scl+ SSc patients (85 from the EUSTAR registry) and compared with 257 anti-PM/Scl- SSc controls, matched for sex, cutaneous subset, disease duration and age at SSc onset. RESULTS: Patients with isolated anti-PM/Scl+, as compared with anti-Pm/Scl-, had higher frequency of muscle involvement, ILD, calcinosis and cutaneous signs of DM, but similar frequency of SRC and malignancies (either synchronous with SSc onset or not). The presence of muscle involvement was associated with a more severe disease phenotype. Although very frequent, ILD had a better functional outcome in cases than in controls. In patients with both anti-PM/Scl and SSc-specific antibodies, a higher frequency of typical SSc features than in those with isolated anti-PM/Scl was observed. CONCLUSION: The analysis of the largest series of anti-PM/Scl+ SSc patients so far reported helps to delineate a specific clinical subset with muscle involvement, cutaneous DM, calcinosis and ILD characterized by a good functional outcome. SRC and malignancies do not seem to be part of this syndrome.

Quantitative analysis of pulmonary vasculature in systemic sclerosis at spirometry-gated chest CT.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively investigate whether differences in pulmonary vasculature exist in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and how they are distributed in patients with different pulmonary function. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with SSc undergoing chest CT scan for interstitial lung disease (ILD) screening or follow-up were prospectively enrolled. A thorough clinical, laboratory and functional evaluation was performed the same day. Chest CT was spirometry gated at total lung capacity and images were analysed by two automated software programs to quantify emphysema, ILD patterns (ground-glass, reticular, honeycombing), and pulmonary vascular volume (PVV). Patients were divided in restricted (FVC% <80, DLco%<80), isolated DLco% reduction (iDLco- FVC%≥80, DLco%<80) and normals (FVC%≥80, DLco%≥80). Spearman ρ, Mann-Whitney tests and logistic regressions were used to assess for correlations, differences among groups and relationships between continuous variables. RESULTS: Absolute and lung volume normalised PVV (PVV/LV) correlated inversely with functional parameters and positively with all ILD patterns (ρ=0.75 with ground glass, ρ=0.68 with reticular). PVV/LV was the only predictor of DLco at multivariate analysis (p=0.007). Meanwhile, the reticular pattern prevailed in peripheral regions and lower lung thirds, PVV/LV prevailed in central regions and middle lung thirds. iDLco group had a significantly higher PVV/LV (2.2%) than normal (1.6%), but lower than restricted ones (3.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Chest CT in SSc detects a progressive increase in PVV/LV as DLco decreases. Redistribution of perfusion to less affected lung regions rather than angiogenesis nearby fibrotic lung may explain the results. Further studies to ascertain whether the increase in PVV/LV reflects a real increase in blood volume are needed.

Alveolar haemorrhage in ANCA-associated vasculitis: Long-term outcome and mortality predictors.

INTRODUCTION: Alveolar haemorrhage (AH) is considered an important cause of morbidity and early mortality in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of outcome in patients with AH-AAV and to evaluate outcome and causes of death in this subset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted in 29 Italian Centers. Clinicians were asked to recruit all patients diagnosed with AAV-associated AH during the last 10 years, from 2007 to 2016. Univariate and multivariable analysis were performed. RESULTS: One-hundred and six patients were included (median age at onset of 55 years [IQR 42-67]). The majority were ANCA-positive (PR3 57.1%, MPO 33.7%) and 72.6% had also renal involvement. At presentation, anaemia was shown in 97 (92.4%) patients, hemoptysis in 54 (51.9%), respiratory failure in 68 (66.7%), of whom 48 (70.6%), requiring respiratory support. At the end of the 37 months [IQR 13-77] follow-up, 19/106 (17.9%) patients were dead. The main causes of death were active disease and infections. By stepwise regression analysis, age >65 years (HR 3.66 [95% CI 1.4-9.51], p = 0.008) and the need for respiratory support (HR 4.58 [95% CI 1.51-13.87], p = 0.007) at AH onset were confirmed to be predictive of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of outcome in AAV-AH were determined. Factors related to the patient's performance status and the severity of the lung involvement strongly influenced the outcome. Balancing harms and benefits for the individual patient in induction and maintenance treatment strategies is crucial.

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis in rheumatic autoimmune diseases: a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVES: Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is characterized by predominantly upper lobe pleural and subjacent parenchymal fibrosis; PPFE features were described in patients with rheumatic autoimmune diseases (RAID). A systematic literature review was performed to investigate the prevalence, prognosis and potential association of PPFE with previous immunosuppression in RAID. METHODS: EMBASE, Web of Science and PubMed databases were questioned from inception to 1 September 2019. Articles published in English and addressing PPFE in patients with RAID were selected. RESULTS: Twenty out of 794 papers were selected with a total of 76 cases of RAID-PPFE patients (20 SSc, 9 RA, 6 IIM6 primary SS, 5 overlap syndromes, 3 ANCA-associated vasculitides, 2 granulomatosis with polyangiitis, 1 microscopic polyangiitis, 1 UCTD, 1 SLE, 1 GCA and 21 patients with non-specified RAID). Dyspnoea was the most frequently reported symptom (37/48 patients, 77%). Patients frequently presented with a restrictive pattern and decline in diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide. During the follow-up, 7/12 patients had progression at imaging, 22/39 presented a generic clinical worsening, 19/38 had a functional deterioration and 15/43 remained stable. CONCLUSION: The present systematic literature review confirms that PPFE features are present in RAID. Rheumatologists should be aware of this new radiological pattern that holds a bad prognosis.

Enthesopathy and involvement of synovio-entheseal complex in systemic sclerosis: an ultrasound pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: SSc is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the skin and multiple internal organs. Articular involvement is one of the main features of SSc, and typical hallmarks of SpA have been found in SSc patients. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of entheseal and synovio-entheseal complex (SEC) alterations in a cohort of SSc patients. METHODS: One hundred SSc patients and 25 healthy subjects were included in this cross-sectional study. The enthesis sites of lateral epicondylar common extensor tendons (CET) and the enthesis of the Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesis Scoring System were evaluated. SEC involvement was evaluated only at CET enthesis. RESULTS: In SSc, the Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesis Scoring System score was significantly higher (median 4.0, interquartile range 2.0-7.0) than in controls (median 1.0, interquartile range 0.0-3.0) (P < 0.0001). CET enthesis of SSc patients showed more frequent US B-mode alterations than that of controls (χ2 = 11.47, P = 0.0007 for size; χ2 = 13.79, P = 0.0002 for cortical irregularity, χ2 = 5.24, P = 0.022 for calcification/enthesophytes). Power Doppler US signal at CET enthesis was significantly more frequent in SSc patients than in healthy controls (χ2 = 9.11, P = 0.0025), as was the concomitant SEC involvement (χ2 = 8.52, P = 0.0035). CONCLUSION: These data show that SSc patients frequently present US features of enthesopathy. Moreover, CET enthesopathy was correlated with SEC inflammation, suggesting that entheseal inflammation in SSc may share the same micro-anatomical targets as found in SpA.

Cardiac magnetic resonance predicts ventricular arrhythmias in scleroderma: the Scleroderma Arrhythmia Clinical Utility Study (SAnCtUS).

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac rhythm disturbances constitute the most frequent cardiovascular cause of death in SSc. However, electrocardiographic findings are not a part of risk stratification in SSc. We aimed to translate 24 h Holter findings into a tangible risk prediction score using cardiovascular magnetic resonance. METHODS: The Scleroderma Arrhythmia Clinical Utility Study (SAnCtUS) was a prospective multicentre study including 150 consecutive SSc patients from eight European centres, assessed with 24 h Holter and cardiovascular magnetic resonance, including ventricular function, oedema (T2 ratio) and late gadolinium enhancement (%LGE). Laboratory/clinical parameters were included in multivariable corrections. A combined endpoint of sustained ventricular tachycardia requiring hospitalization and sudden cardiac death at a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 1 (1.0-1.4) year was generated. RESULTS: Only T2 ratio and %LGE were significant predictors of ventricular rhythm disturbances, but not of supraventricular rhythm disturbances, after multivariable correction and adjustment for multiple comparisons. Using decision-tree analysis, we created the SAnCtUS score, a four-category scoring system based on T2 ratio and %LGE, for identifying SSc patients at high risk of experiencing ventricular rhythm disturbance at baseline. Increasing SAnCtUS scores were associated with a greater disease and arrhythmic burden. All cases of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (n = 7) occurred in patients with the highest SAnCtUS score (=4). Having a score of 4 conveyed a higher risk of reaching the combined endpoint in multivariable Cox regression compared with scores 1/2/3 [hazard ratio (95% CI): 3.86 (1.14, 13.04), P = 0.029] independently of left ventricular ejection fraction and baseline ventricular tachycardia occurrence. CONCLUSION: T2 ratio and %LGE had the greatest utility as independent predictors of rhythm disturbances in SSc patients.

Systemic sclerosis Progression INvestiGation (SPRING) Italian registry: demographic and clinico-serological features of the scleroderma spectrum.

OBJECTIVES: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe multiple-organ disease characterised by unpredictable clinical course, inadequate response to treatment, and poor prognosis. National SSc registries may provide large and representative patients cohorts required for descriptive and prognostic studies. Therefore, the Italian Society for Rheumatology promoted the registry SPRING (Systemic sclerosis Progression INvestiGation). METHODS: The SPRING is a multi-centre rheumatological cohort study encompassing the wide scleroderma spectrum, namely the primary Raynaud's phenomenon (pRP), suspected secondary RP, Very Early Diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis (VEDOSS), and definite SSc. Here we describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of a population of 2,028 Italian patients at the initial phase of enrolment, mainly focusing on the cohort of 1,538 patients with definite SSc. RESULTS: Definite SSc showed a significantly higher prevalence of digital ulcers, capillaroscopic 'late' pattern, oesophageal and cardio-pulmonary involvement compared to VEDOSS, as expected on the basis of the followed classification criteria. The in-depth analysis of definite SSc revealed that male gender, diffuse cutaneous subset, and anti-Scl70 seropositivity were significantly associated with increased prevalence of the most harmful disease manifestations. Similarly, patients with very short RP duration (≤1 year) at SSc diagnosis showed a statistically increased prevalence of unfavourable clinico-serological features. CONCLUSIONS: Nationwide registries with suitable subsetting of patients and follow-up studies since the prodromal phase of the disease may give us valuable insights into the SSc natural history and main prognostic factors.

Systemic Sclerosis Serum Significantly Impairs the Multi-Step Lymphangiogenic Process: in Vitro Evidence.

In systemic sclerosis (SSc), the possible involvement of lymphatic microcirculation and lymphangiogenesis has traditionally been overshadowed by the greater emphasis placed on dysfunctional blood vascular system and angiogenesis. In the present in vitro study, we explore for the first time whether the SSc microenvironment may interfere with lymphangiogenesis, a complex, multi-step process in which lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells (LMVECs) sprout, migrate, and proliferate to generate new lymphatic capillaries. Normal human adult dermal LMVECs from three donors were treated with serum from SSc patients (n = 8), serum from healthy individuals (n = 8), or recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C as a positive control for lymphangiogenesis. Cell proliferation, Boyden chamber Matrigel chemoinvasion, wound healing capacity, and lymphatic capillary morphogenesis on Geltrex were assayed. VEGF-C serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene and protein expression levels of the lymphangiogenic orchestrators VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3)/Flt-4 and neuropilin-2 (NRP-2) were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Conditioning with SSc serum significantly inhibited LMVEC proliferation, Matrigel invasion, and wound healing capacity with respect to healthy serum. The ability of LMVECs to form lymphatic tubes on Geltrex was also severely compromised in the presence of SSc serum. VEGF-C levels were comparable in SSc and healthy sera. Treatment with SSc serum resulted in a significant downregulation of both VEGFR-3/Flt-4 and NRP-2 mRNA and protein levels. In SSc, the pathologic environment severely hampers every lymphangiogenesis step, likely through the reduction of pro-lymphangiogenic VEGFR-3/NRP-2 co-receptor signaling. The impairment of the lymphangiogenic process opens a new scenario underlying SSc vascular pathophysiology, which is worth investigating further.

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition contributes to endothelial dysfunction and dermal fibrosis in systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) features multiorgan fibrosis orchestrated predominantly by activated myofibroblasts. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is a transdifferentiation by which endothelial cells (ECs) lose their specific morphology/markers and acquire myofibroblast-like features. Here, we determined the possible contribution of EndoMT to the pathogenesis of dermal fibrosis in SSc and two mouse models. METHODS: Skin sections were immunostained for endothelial CD31 or vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin in combination with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) myofibroblast marker. Dermal microvascular ECs (dMVECs) were prepared from SSc and healthy skin (SSc-dMVECs and H-dMVECs). H-dMVECs were treated with transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGFß1) or SSc and healthy sera. Endothelial/mesenchymal markers were assessed by real-time PCR, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Cell contractile phenotype was assayed by collagen gel contraction. RESULTS: Cells in intermediate stages of EndoMT were identified in dermal vessels of either patients with SSc or bleomycin-induced and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR)-deficient mouse models. At variance with H-dMVECs, SSc-dMVECs exhibited a spindle-shaped appearance, co-expression of lower levels of CD31 and VE-cadherin with myofibroblast markers (α-SMA+ stress fibres, S100A4 and type I collagen), constitutive nuclear localisation of the EndoMT driver Snail1 and an ability to effectively contract collagen gels. Treatment of H-dMVECs either with SSc sera or TGFß1 resulted in the acquisition of a myofibroblast-like morphology and contractile phenotype and downregulation of endothelial markers in parallel with the induction of mesenchymal markers. Matrix metalloproteinase-12-dependent uPAR cleavage was implicated in the induction of EndoMT by SSc sera. CONCLUSIONS: In SSc, EndoMT may be a crucial event linking endothelial dysfunction and development of dermal fibrosis.

Long-term treatment of scleroderma-related digital ulcers with iloprost: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Raynaud's phenomenon and chronic/recurrent digital ulcers (DU) are main features of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Their treatment includes both systemic (i.e., iloprost) and local therapies. We report the therapeutic effects of iloprost in a cohort of SSc patients during a long-lasting follow-up period. METHODS: Fifty consecutive SSc patients (M/F 7/43, age at SSc diagnosis 43.5±12.7SD years) received iloprost infusions for 10±4.2SD years. Iloprost schedule consisted in monthly infusion at 0.8-1 ng/kg body weight/min (average cumulative dose 25 µg), according to patients' tolerance. For recalcitrant cases, continuous infusion of iloprost (3 days, average 0.2 mg) was administered. RESULTS: 31/50 (62%) patients showed DU at the beginning of iloprost therapy: among them, 22 (71%) resolved during the follow-up, while the other 9 presented recurrent or chronic DU, despite the treatment. With regards the 19/50 patients without DU at baseline, only one developed skin lesions at the end of 10-year follow-up, when severe pulmonary hypertension developed, which lead to exitus. Considering the 31 patients with DU at baseline, a diffuse skin subset was present in 3/22 patients with healed DU, and in 5/9 who did not (13.6% vs. 55.5%; p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Iloprost is a long-term effective treatment to achieve healing and prevention in SSc-related DU. Besides the possible problems concerning patients' tolerability or clinical management, iloprost therapy may be considered of great help in the therapeutic strategy of SSc-related ischaemic manifestations.