Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and other comorbidities in patients with psoriasis: baseline characteristics of patients in the AQUILES study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with psoriasis often have comorbidities, including other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), and cardiovascular risk factors. In this article we describe the baseline prevalence of comorbidities-including other IMIDs-in a cohort of patients with psoriasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: AQUILES was a prospective observational multicenter study of 3 patient cohorts (patients with psoriasis, spondyloarthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease) undertaken to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities, including other IMIDs, in these settings. The psoriasis cohort comprised patients aged at least 18 years who were seen in hospital dermatology clinics. A predefined protocol was used to collect demographic and clinical data. RESULTS: The study enrolled 528 patients with psoriasis (60.2% men and 39.8% women). Mean age was 46.7 years; 89.8% of the participants had plaque psoriasis, and the median Psoriasis Area Severity Index score (PASI) was 3.2 (1.5-7.4). Comorbid IMIDs were present in 82 (15.5%) of the patients (CI 95%, 12.7%-18.9%). Spondyloarthritis was observed in 14% of patients (95% CI, 11.3%-17.2%), mostly in the form of psoriatic arthritis, for which the overall prevalence was 13.1% (95% CI, 10.5%-16.2%). Inflammatory bowel disease was present in 1.3% (95% CI, 0.6%-2.7%) and uveitis in .2% (95% CI, 0.1%-1.4%). Psoriatic arthritis was associated with male sex (odds ratio, 1.75 [.98-2.98]) and a disease duration of over 8 years (OR, 4.17 [1.84-9.44] vs a duration of < 4 years). In 73.1%, at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor was identified: smoking (40.5%), obesity (26.0%), dyslipidemia (24.8%), hypertension (24.3%), and diabetes mellitus (12.3%). CONCLUSION: In patients with psoriasis the prevalence of other IMIDs was 15.5%, a level slightly higher than that found in the general population. Nearly three-quarters of these patients had at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor.

The effects of rituximab on the lipid profile of patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus: results from a nationwide cohort in Spain (LESIMAB).

INTRODUCTION: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased cardiovascular risk related to lipid changes induced by inflammatory activity, proteinuria and treatments. Our objective was to analyse lipid changes in a cohort of patients with SLE resistant to standard treatments who were treated with rituximab. METHODS: The study population comprised a retrospective multicentre, national cohort of patients with SLE resistant to standard treatments who were treated with rituximab. The basic lipid profile, concomitant treatment and disease activity were analysed at the start of the treatment, 24 weeks later, and at the end of the follow-up period. The effects of the main lupus variables and therapy on the lipid changes were analysed. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients with active lupus treated with rituximab were assessed during 149.3 patient-years. Prior to the treatment, 69% had dyslipidaemia. The most frequent abnormalities were a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level of ≥100 mg/dl (34%) and a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level of <50 mg/dl (27%). Baseline total cholesterol (TC) and LDL levels correlated with the degree of proteinuria, while the concentration of triglycerides (TGs) correlated with the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). TGs were reduced at short- and long-term follow-up after rituximab treatment. A multiple linear regression analysis identified that the reduction of the lupus inflammatory activity, particularly changes in proteinuria, was the only independent variable that was positively associated with the reduction in TGs after 24 weeks (p=0.001) and with TC (p=0.005) and TGs (p<0.001) at the end of the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that rituximab may improve the long-term lipid profile of patients with SLE refractory to standard treatment, mainly by reducing inflammatory activity.

Immunoglobulins in systemic sclerosis management. A large multicenter experience.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) given in routine care to patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: A retrospective multicenter observational study was conducted in SSc patients treated with IVIG. We collected data on epidemiological parameters and clinical outcomes. Firstly, we assessed changes in organ manifestations during IVIG treatment. Secondly, we analyzed the frequency of adverse effects. The following parameters were collected from baseline to the last follow-up: the patient's weight, modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), modified manual muscle strength scale (MRC), laboratory test(creatine kinase(CK), hemoglobin and protein levels), The University of California Los Angeles Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium gastrointestinal tract 2.0 (UCLA GIT 2.0) questionnaire, pulmonary function tests, and echocardiography. RESULTS: Data were collected on 78 patients (82% females; 59% with diffuse SSc). Inflammatory idiopathic myopathy was the most frequent concomitant overlap disease (41%). The time since Raynaud's phenomenon and SSc onset were 8.8 ± 18 and 6.2 ± 6.7 years respectively. The most frequent IVIG indication was myositis (38/78), followed by gastrointestinal (27/78) and cutaneous (17/78) involvement. The median number of cycles given were 5. 54, 53 and 9 patients have been treated previously with glucocorticoids, synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic therapies respectively. After IVIG use we found significant improvements in muscular involvement (MRC ≥ 3/5 92% IVIG, p = 0.001 and CK levels from 1149 ± 2026 UI to 217 ± 224 UI, p = 0.02), mRSS (15 ± 12.4 to 13 ± 12.5, p = 0.015) and improvement in total score of UCLA GIT 2.0 (p = 0.05). None Anti-RNA polymerase III patients showed an adequate response in gastrointestinal involvement (0/7) in comparison with other antibodies (0 vs. 25, p = 0,039). Cardiorespiratory involvement remained stable. A total of 12 adverse events were reported with only one withdrawn due to serious adverse effect. CONCLUSIONS: this study suggest that IVIG may improve myositis, gastrointestinal and skin involvement in SSc patients treated in routine care and seems to have a good safety profile.

Multicenter longitudinal study of B-lymphocyte depletion in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus: the LESIMAB study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of single and repeated courses of rituximab in patients with refractory lupus. METHODS: LESIMAB is a multicenter, retrospective, longitudinal study of lupus patients who have not responded to standard therapy and have been treated with rituximab. Response rates at six months and at follow-up were defined as efficacy outcomes. Complete response was defined as a SELENA-SLEDAI score ≤ two and a SELENA-SLEDAI Flare Index of zero. Partial response was defined as a reduction in the SELENA-SLEDAI score of ≥four points with no new or worsening of symptoms. Adverse events were collected. RESULTS: Seventy-three (62.9%) of 116 patients achieved a response at six months (complete in 22 and partial in 51). Ninety-seven (77.6%) of 128 patients achieved a response after a mean follow-up of 20.0 ± 15.2 months (complete in 50 and partial in 47). High baseline SLEDAI score, previous treatment with ≥100 mg/day prednisone, and no history of severe hematologic flare were associated with response after the first treatment course. The median time to response was 6.5 months (95% CI, 5.0-8.0). Thirty-seven patients (38.1%) relapsed after the first infusion. The flare was severe in seven cases and mild to moderate in 29 cases. Serious infection rate was 12.6/100 patient-years. A schedule of four weekly doses was associated with more serious infections. Six patients died: two of infection and four of lupus complications. CONCLUSION: Rituximab can be an effective treatment option for patients who have refractory lupus with severe or life-threatening disease with an acceptable tolerance profile.

Are the C-reactive protein values and erythrocyte sedimentation rate equivalent when estimating the 28-joint disease activity score in rheumatoid arthritis?

UNLABELLED: A formula for calculating disease activity score with 28 joint counts (DAS28) with C-reactive protein (CRP) instead of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) has been proposed. OBJECTIVE: Here we analyze the factors that contribute to the differences in the DAS28 when calculated using either the ESR (DAS28-ESR) or the CRP values (DAS28-CRP). METHODS: We analyzed the data from 587 visits made by 220 patients with early arthritis. The age at the onset of the disease was 51+/-16 years old and 76.3% of the patients were women. The disease evolution at the first visit was 5 months and at each visit information related to several variables was collected, including that necessary to calculate the DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP. We defined a new variable DIFDAS=DAS28-ESR-DAS28-CRP to analyze which independent variables account for differences between the two indexes. RESULTS: There was a correlation between the two indexes of 0.91 (p<0.0001), although the DAS28-ESR value obtained was higher than that of DAS28-CRP at approximately 90% of the visits. Significantly, the difference between both indexes was higher than 0.6 in 44% of the visits studied. A multivariate analysis showed that female gender and disease duration were associated with the higher values obtained for DAS28-ESR when compared to those of DAS28-CRP. CONCLUSION: Our data show that DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP are not fully equivalent, because the former usually produces higher values. This finding is particularly relevant in females and patients with a long disease duration.

Upregulated expression and function of VLA-4 fibronectin receptors on human activated T cells in rheumatoid arthritis.

The VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29) integrin is a cell surface receptor involved in the interaction of lymphoid cells with both extracellular matrix (ECM) and endothelial cells. We have investigated the expression and function of VLA-4 fibronectin (FN) receptors on T cells localized in the inflammed synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A high proportion of T cells in both synovial membrane (SM) and synovial fluid (SF) expressed the activation antigens AIM (CD69) and gp95/85 (Ea2) as well as an increased number of VLA-4 alpha and beta 1 adhesion molecules, as compared with peripheral blood (PB) T cells from the same patients. Furthermore, the majority of these activated SF T cells were able to adhere to a 38-kD FN proteolytic fragment containing the connecting segment-1 (CS-1) specifically through VLA-4 receptors, whereas a significantly lower proportion of PB T cells displayed this capacity. Therefore, our results show that activated T cells selectively localize at sites of tissue injury in RA disease and provide evidence for the in vivo regulation of the expression and function of the VLA-4 integrin. This regulatory mechanism may enable T cells either to facilitate migration or to persist at sites of inflammation.

Increased binding of synovial T lymphocytes from rheumatoid arthritis to endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1).

The infiltration of the synovial membrane (SM) by mononuclear cells, mostly T cells, is a typical histopathological feature associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The entry of T lymphocytes into the SM is believed to be mediated by a number of molecules in the endothelium that are induced in response to a series of inflammatory mediators. In this study, we have investigated the adhesion of synovial T cells from RA patients to two endothelial ligands: endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1), the only selectin known to function as a vascular addressin for T cells, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), the cellular ligand of VLA-4. Our results clearly demonstrate that synovial T cells isolated from both SM and synovial fluid (SF), bearing an activated and memory phenotype, displayed an enhanced capacity to interact with these two endothelial molecules as compared with T cells from peripheral blood (PB) either of the same RA patients or healthy donors. A further enhancement of VLA-4-mediated T cell binding to VCAM-1 and fibronectin could be observed when already in vivo-activated synovial T cells were stimulated in vitro with phorbol esters, suggesting the existence of several cellular affinity levels for both very late activation-4 (VLA-4) ligands. Moreover, both PB and synovial T cells from RA patients exhibited strong proliferative responses when they were cultured with either fibronectin or VCAM-1 in combination with submitogenic doses of anti-CD3 mAb. This increased endothelial binding ability of synovial T lymphocytes together with their proliferation in response to the interaction with VCAM-1 and fibronectin may represent important mechanisms in the regulation of T cell penetration and persistence in the chronically inflamed SM of RA.

Biomarkers predicting a need for intensive treatment in patients with early arthritis.

The heterogeneous nature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicates early recognition and treatment. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated that intervention during the window of opportunity can improve the response to treatment and slow- or even stop-irreversible structural changes. Advances in therapy, such as biologic agents, and changing approaches to the disease, such as the treat to target and tight control strategies, have led to better outcomes resulting from personalized treatment to patients with different prognostic markers. The various biomarkers identified either facilitate early diagnosis or make it possible to adjust management to disease activity or poor outcomes. However, no single biomarker can bridge the gap between disease onset and prescription of the first DMARD, and traditional biomarkers do not identify all patients requiring early aggressive treatment. Furthermore, the outcomes of early arthritis cohorts are largely biased by the treatment prescribed to patients; therefore, new challenges arise in the search for prognostic biomarkers. Herein, we discuss the value of traditional and new biomarkers and suggest the need for intensive treatment as a new surrogate marker of poor prognosis that can guide therapeutic decisions in the early stages of RA.

The role of adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by infiltration of mononuclear cells, mainly T lymphocytes, into the synovial membrane (SM). The interaction of peripheral blood T cells with the different components of the rheumatoid synovium is mediated by cell surface proteins such as selectins, integrins, members of the immunoglobulin superfamily and homing receptors. T lymphocytes infiltrating the rheumatoid SM show an activated phenotype and display an increased avidity of their adhesion receptors that results in an enhanced interaction of these cells with both extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) and cellular ligands (VCAM-1, ICAMs). The interaction of T cell integrins with their ligands, besides an additional antigenic stimulus, could trigger a mitogenic response on these cells, a phenomenon that can contribute to increased cellularity observed into the rheumatoid SM. Moreover, cell attachment to ECM through integrins induces the secretion of several proteases that can contribute to the tissue damage observed in RA. The increased knowledge about the role of adhesion receptors in the pathogenesis of RA and other inflammatory diseases will allow the introduction of a new therapeutic approach by: the use of specific blocking reagents designed to interfere with the function of adhesion molecules.

Increased serum levels of interleukin-15 in rheumatoid arthritis with long- term disease.

OBJECTIVE: To study the serum levels of IL-15 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SSd) and healthy donors. METHODS: The IL-15 serum levels were measured by ELISA in sera from 50 RA patients, 30 patients with SLE, 30 patients with SSd and 30 healthy donors. In RA patients, several clinical and demographic parameters were also obtained at the time of sample collection. IL-15 levels were compared in different RA subpopulations (positive or negative rheumatoid factor [RF], long term or recent onset disease, high or low disease activity). In addition, the possible association with other demographic and clinical parameters (gender, age, disease duration, etc) was also analysed. RESULTS: RA patients had significantly higher serum levels of IL-15 (102.4 +/- 150 pg/ml; p = 0.0001) than SLE patients (9.8 +/- 15.3 pg/ml), SSd patients (7.9 +/- 14.6 pg/ml) and healthy donors' (5.2 +/- 11.6 pg/ml). RA patients with a disease evolution less than 2 years showed lower IL-15 levels (33.7 +/- 62.2 pg/ml) than those with long-term disease (152.4 +/- 64.6 pg/ml; p = 0.004). In addition, a significant correlation between IL15 in serum and the number of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) prescribed was detected in RA patients (r = 0.42; p = 0.002). No association between IL-15 levels and age, gender, RF or disease activity was observed in this group. CONCLUSION: IL-15 is elevated in RA patients, specially in those with long term disease, compared to other rheumatic disorders. This finding supports that IL-15 is involved in the perpetuation of RA synovitis.

Primary solitary Echinococcosis in cervical spine. Postsurgical successful outcome after long-term albendazole treatment.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of a young man with isolated cervical hydatidosis treated postoperatively with sustained cyclical albendazole therapy for 9 years of follow-up. OBJECTIVES: To communicate the efficacy and safety of prolonged albendazole treatment in the postoperative management of spinal hydatid disease, and recommend therapeutic regimes for preventing its recurrence. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: Bone involvement in hydatid disease is uncommon and the cervical region of the spine is rarely affected. Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice but high rates of postoperative recurrence have highlighted the importance of adjuvant anthelmintic therapy. The selection of the drug(s) and the duration of the medical treatment is still controversial. METHODS: The patient described herein presented with isolated bone lesions, in an unusual cervical location, and without coincidental visceral involvement. Therefore, diagnosis was delayed and surgical debridement was carried out without any preoperative anthelmintic therapy. To prevent late recurrences, therapy with intermittent courses of albendazole has been maintained for nine years and is still ongoing. Response and toxicity related to therapy has been closely monitored by clinical, biochemical and radiological follow up. RESULTS: After surgery the patient has remained asymptomatic without sequelae or evidence of relapses. No clinically relevant side effects has been observed. CONCLUSION: Prolonged albendazole treatment appears to be safe and effective in the prevention of late recurrences after spine hydatidosis surgery. Long-term chemotherapeutic schedules should be considered after surgical excision of spine or bone lesions.

[Heart transplantation in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Trasplante cardíaco en un paciente con artritis reumatoide.

A 56 year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. She developed progressive heart failure that was refractory to conventional medical management. Heart transplantation was performed bearing in mind the controversy that surrounds its use in patients with a systemic disease. Transplant and rheumatoid arthritis were favorable at 33 month evolution. The immunosuppressive therapy required for the transplant helped the control of her articular disease.

Psychosis leading to the diagnosis of unrecognized systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report.

We present the case of a woman whose psychiatric clinical picture was the major manifestation of SLE with unrecognized secondary antiphospholipid syndrome. The atypical onset and the subsequent clinical course of the psychiatric manifestations led to the diagnosis. This case demonstrates the heterogeneous progress of SLE, the increasing relevance of the antiphospholipid antibodies in the central nervous system and the difficulty in making an early diagnosis.

Enfermedades inflamatorias mediadas por inmunidad y otras comorbilidades en pacientes con psoriasis. Características basales de la cohorte de pacientes con psoriasis del estudio AQUILES / Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases and Other Comorbidities in Patients With Psoriasis: Baseline Characteristics of Patients in the AQUILES Study

Introducción y objetivos: Los pacientes con psoriasis presentan con frecuencia comorbilidades, incluyendo otras enfermedades inflamatorias mediadas por inmunidad (EIMI) y factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV). El objetivo de este trabajo es describir la prevalencia basal de otras EIMI y comorbilidades en una cohorte de pacientes con psoriasis. Pacientes y métodos: AQUILES es un estudio observacional prospectivo multicéntrico de 3 cohortes de pacientes (psoriasis, espondiloartritis y enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal [EII]), para evaluar la coexistencia de EIMI y otras comorbilidades. En la cohorte con psoriasis se incluyeron pacientes ≥ 18 años atendidos en consultas hospitalarias de dermatología. Se recogió información sobre datos demográficos y clínicos de acuerdo a un protocolo preespecificado. Resultados: Se incluyeron 528 pacientes con psoriasis (edad media: 46,7 años; 60,2% hombres; 39,8% mujeres; 89,8% psoriasis en placas; mediana de PASI 3,2 [1,5-7,4]). Presentaron otra EIMI 82 pacientes (15,5% [IC 95%: 12,7-18,9]). El 14,0% (IC 95%: 11,3-17,2) presentó espondiloartritis (la mayoría de estos artritis psoriásica [prevalencia 13,1%, IC 95%: 10,5-16,2), el 1,3% EII (IC 95%: 0,6-2,7) y el 0,2% uveítis (IC 95%: 0,1-1,4). La presencia de artritis psoriásica se asoció al sexo masculino (OR: 1,75 [0,98-2,98]) y a la duración de la psoriasis > 8 años (OR: 4,17; [1,84- 9,44]) respecto a < 4 años. El 73,1% presentó al menos un FRCV: tabaquismo (40,5%); obesidad (26,0%); dislipidemia (24,8%); hipertensión arterial (24,3%) y diabetes mellitus (12,3%). Conclusión: Los pacientes con psoriasis presentaron una prevalencia del 15,5% de otras EIMI, discretamente superior a la de población general. Casi tres cuartas partes tuvieron al menos un FRCV (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Patients with psoriasis often have comorbidities, including other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), and cardiovascular risk factors. In this article we describe the baseline prevalence of comorbidities----including other IMIDs----in a cohort of patients with psoriasis. Patients and methods: AQUILES was a prospective observational multicenter study of 3 patient cohorts (patients with psoriasis, spondyloarthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease) undertaken to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities, including other IMIDs, in these settings. The psoriasis cohort comprised patients aged at least 18 years who were seen in hospital dermatology clinics. A predefined protocol was used to collect demographic and clinical data. Results: The study enrolled 528 patients with psoriasis (60.2% men and 39.8% women). Mean age was 46.7 years; 89.8% of the participants had plaque psoriasis, and the median Psoriasis Area Severity Index score (PASI) was 3.2 (1.5-7.4). Comorbid IMIDs were present in 82 (15.5%) of the patients (CI 95%, 12.7%-18.9%). Spondyloarthritis was observed in 14% of patients (95% CI, 11.3%-17.2%), mostly in the form of psoriatic arthritis, for which the overall prevalence was 13.1% (95% CI, 10.5%-16.2%). Inflammatory bowel disease was present in 1.3% (95% CI, 0.6%-2.7%) and uveitis in .2% (95% CI, 0.1%-1.4%). Psoriatic arthritis was associated with male sex (odds ratio, 1.75 [.98-2.98]) and a disease duration of over 8 years (OR, 4.17 [1.84-9.44] vs a duration of < 4 years). In 73.1%, at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor was identified: smoking (40.5%), obesity (26.0%), dyslipidemia (24.8%), hypertension (24.3%), and diabetes mellitus (12.3%). Conclusion: In patients with psoriasis the prevalence of other IMIDs was 15.5%, a level slightly higher than that found in the general population. Nearly three-quarters of these patients had at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor (AU)

Rheumatoid disease resembling lung neoplasia.

We describe a 67-year-old man with severe rheumatoid arthritis of long duration. He developed a peculiar extraarticular rheumatoid complication consisting of localized lung consolidation with a pathological costal fracture, together with an abrupt systemic reaction that occurred in the course of immunosuppressive treatment. The diagnosis first proposed was lung cancer with costal metastases. However exhaustive studies performed in the search of malignancy were systematically negative and pathologic studies finally demonstrated bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) as responsible for parenchymal lung consolidation with a rheumatoid nodule eroding bone at the level of the rib fracture. These findings, after long followup of the patient, attest to the rheumatoid origin of his bizarre manifestations and definitely rule out a neoplastic etiology.

Expression and functional significance of an activation-dependent epitope of the beta 1 integrins in chronic inflammatory diseases.

The avidity of VLA integrins for their ligands can be increased by their transition to an active conformational state. This conformational change can be detected with a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb), termed 15/7, that recognizes an activation-dependent conformational epitope on the common beta 1 polypeptide of different VLA alpha beta 1 integrins. In an attempt to understand the possible role of the active conformational state of beta 1 integrins in vivo, we first investigated the expression of 15/7 epitope on T lymphocytes from patients with chronic inflammatory joint diseases. An enhanced expression of the 15/7 epitope was found in the synovial fluid (SF) T lymphocytes from these patients as compared to their peripheral blood (PB) T cells. The effect of different cytokines on the appearance of the 15/7 activation epitope in PB T lymphocytes was subsequently analyzed; interferon-gamma, interleukin-2 and, to a lower extent, tumor necrosis factor-alpha were able to induce an increased expression of the 15/7 epitope. This enhanced 15/7 expression correlated with a higher binding ability to fibronectin of cytokine-activated T cells. The presence of this activation epitope was detected in a small proportion of T lymphocytes scattered within inflammatory foci of synovial membrane from rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid glands from Hashimoto's chronic thyroiditis. We then analyzed the possible role of 15/7 epitope expression on cell adhesion in vitro. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the 15/7 epitope displayed a spot-like distribution, selectively decorating adhesive contacts of U-937 myelomonocytic cells attached to the 80 kDa proteolytic fragment of fibronectin (FN80). Furthermore, the anti-beta 1 15/7 mAb was able to induce both T lymphocyte, Jurkat and U-937 cellular binding and spreading on FN80. Altogether these results indicate that an activated conformation of beta 1 integrins is detected in vivo in lymphocyte infiltrates from chronic inflammatory conditions. The active conformations of beta 1 integrins are regulated by physiologic mediators such as cytokines, play an important role in cellular attachment and spreading, and appear to be involved in the development of inflammatory processes.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and tetrasomy-X.

An 18-year-old woman with tetrasomy-X (48,XXXX karyotype) who developed systemic lupus erythematosus is described. This is, to our knowledge, the first recorded case of this association. The occurrence of autoimmune disorders in patients with chromosomal aberrations is discussed.