Successful Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis-related Pericarditis with Mycophenolate Mofetil and Low-dose Prednisolone.

We herein report a case of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related pericarditis successfully treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and low-dose prednisolone (PSL). The patient was a 72-year-old woman with anti-centromere antibody. Her clinical manifestations were Raynaud phenomenon, bilateral pleural effusion, pericardial effusion and skin tightness. Based on the findings of exudative pericardial effusion with the absence of pulmonary arterial hypertension from the results of the cardiac catheter and pericardiocentesis, she was diagnosed with SSc-related pericarditis and treated with PSL10 mg and MMF 1 g per day, leading to the complete resolution of pericarditis. These findings suggested that MMF and low-dose PSL were effective for SSc-related pericarditis.

Successful transition from intravenous epoprostenol to oral selexipag and inhaled iloprost in a case of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A 25-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE-PAH). Her mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 56 mmHg, and her SLE Disease Activity Index-2 K score was 14 on admission. In addition to a strong immunosuppressive regimen, which included steroid pulse therapy followed by high-dose oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg) and intravenous cyclophosphamide, an upfront combination of vasodilator therapy, including oral tadalafil, macitentan, and intravenous epoprostenol, was administered in the early phase. Two months later, her mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 29 mmHg, and her other haemodynamic markers showed significant improvement. She refused to start life-long intravenous epoprostenol therapy and so was switched to oral selexipag and inhaled iloprost. The transition was successful, and she has experienced no exacerbations of SLE-PAH during the 10 months since the onset of pulmonary arterial hypertension. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of intravenous epoprostenol being switched to alternative oral and inhaled therapy in a patient with SLE-PAH. In combination with adequate immunosuppressive therapy, it is probably easier to make this transition in patients with SLE-PAH than in those with pulmonary arterial hypertension of a different aetiology. Continuous infusion of epoprostenol can have potentially life-threatening complications and a detrimental effect on the quality of life. Our alternative treatment strategy was successful, and we hope that it will prove beneficial in other cases.

Association of elevated serum soluble CD226 levels with the disease activity and flares of systemic lupus erythematosus.

CD226 is an activating receptor expressed on the cell surface of natural killer cells and T cells. Although CD226 polymorphism is known to be involved in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the involvement of soluble CD226 (sCD226) in SLE is still unknown. In the present study, we measured serum sCD226 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 58 SLE patients and 33 healthy controls (HCs) and evaluated their associations with SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), clinical manifestations, laboratory data, and the cumulative probability of flare. Serum sCD226 levels showed no significant differences between SLE patients and HCs. However, sCD226 levels were significantly elevated in active SLE patients with a SLEDAI-2K score of ≥ 20 compared with HCs. In SLE patients, sCD226 levels were significantly correlated with SLEDAI-2K scores and anti-dsDNA antibody titers. Moreover, the cumulative probability of flare was markedly higher in patients with high sCD226 than in those with low sCD226. In patients with neuropsychiatric involvement, sCD226 levels were elevated and reflected neuropsychiatric disease activity. These findings indicate that serum sCD226 levels are associated with disease activity and flares of SLE. Thus, it may be a useful biomarker for SLE, and its monitoring allows for more precise SLE management.

Increased Proportion of CD226+ B Cells Is Associated With the Disease Activity and Prognosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background: CD226, an activating receptor expressed on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, is also seen on B cells and CD226 polymorphism is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Because the specific roles of CD226+ B cells in SLE are still unknown, we investigated the association of CD226+ B cells with SLE. Methods: We measured CD226 expression on B cells and its subsets using flow cytometry in 48 SLE patients and 24 healthy controls (HCs). We assessed the relationships between CD226+ B cells and SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), clinical manifestations, laboratory data, and prognosis after 12 months. Results: The proportions of CD226+ cells in whole B cells and all its subsets were significantly higher in SLE patients than HCs. In SLE patients, the proportions of CD226+ B cells and CD226+ switched-memory (SM) B cells were significantly correlated with SLEDAI-2K scores and anti-dsDNA antibody titers, and negatively correlated with serum complement levels. Moreover, basal percentages of CD226+ B cells and CD226+ SM B cells were low in patients who were in Lupus Low Disease Activity State after 12 months. In patients with renal involvement, the proportion of CD226+ B cells increased. Additionally, the proportion of CD226+ B cells was higher in patients who were not in complete renal remission after 12 months. Conclusions: Increased proportion of CD226+ B cells was associated with disease activity and prognosis of SLE. CD226+ B cells may be a useful biomarker for the management of SLE.

Infliximab for reversible dementia in acute onset of neuro-Behçet's disease: A case report and cytokine analysis.

We describe a 49-year-old female patient with neuro-Behçet's disease (NBD) with acute onset of fever and symptoms of dementia. High-dose glucocorticoid was partially effective for cognitive impairment, and infliximab, an anti-TNF-α antibody, gradually improved the symptoms. An analysis of cytokines showed that IP-10 in the cerebrospinal fluid was higher than that in the peripheral blood, and both decreased after treatment. This is the first known case of NBD wherein the patient with acute onset of dementia responded to a treatment with infliximab. In glucocorticoid-resistant patients, it is important to consider the introduction of infliximab to prevent irreversible brain dysfunction.

Human PD-1hiCD8+ T Cells Are a Cellular Source of IL-21 in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prototypical autoantibody-driven autoimmune disease in which T-B interactions play a critical role. Recent comprehensive analysis suggests that PD-1+CD8+ T cells as well as two distinct IL-21-producing PD-1+CD4+ T cell subsets, follicular helper T (Tfh) and peripheral helper T (Tph) cells, are involved in the pathogenesis of RA. Herein, we aimed to clarify a generation mechanism of IL-21-producing CD8+ T cells in humans, and to characterize this novel subset in patients with RA. Methods: CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of healthy control (HC) and patients with RA were subject to the analysis of IL-21 mRNA and protein. We evaluated the surface marker, cytokine and transcription profiles of IL-21-producing CD8+ T cells in HCPB, RAPB and RASF. Results: IL-21-producing CD8+ T cells were enriched in the CD45RA-(memory) PD-1+, especially PD-1hi subpopulation, and IL-12 and IL-21 synergistically induced IL-21 production by naïve CD8+ T cells. Memory PD-1hiCD8+ T cells in HCPB facilitated plasmablast differentiation and IgG production in an IL-21-dependent manner. In addition, PD-1hiCD8+ T cells in RASF and RAPB produced large amounts of IL-21 and were characterized by high levels of CD28, ICOS, CD69, HLA-DR, and CCR2 but not CXCR5. Furthermore, PD-1hiCD8+ T cells expressed high levels of transcripts of MAF and PRDM1, a feature observed in Tph cells. Conclusions: Identification of IL-21-producing PD-1hiCD8+ T cells expands our knowledge of T cell subsets with B helper functions in RA. Selective targeting of these subsets could pave an avenue for the development of novel treatment strategies for this disease.

Type 1 helper T cells generate CXCL9/10-producing T-bet+ effector B cells potentially involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Efficacy of B-cell depletion therapy highlights the antibody-independent effector functions of B cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Given type 1 helper T (Th1) cells abundant in synovial fluid (SF) of RA, we have determined whether Th1 cells could generate novel effector B cells. Microarray and qPCR analysis identified CXCL9/10 transcripts as highly expressed genes upon BCR/CD40/IFN-γ stimulation. Activated Th1 cells promoted the generation of CXCL9/10-producing T-bet+ B cells. Expression of CXCL9/10 was most pronounced in CXCR3+ switched memory B cells. Compared with peripheral blood, SFRA enriched highly activated Th1 cells that coexisted with abundant CXCL9/10-producing T-bet+ B cells. Intriguingly, anti-IFN-γ antibody and JAK inhibitors significantly abrogated the generation of CXCL9/10-producing T-bet+ B cells. B cell derived CXCL9/10 significantly facilitated the migration of CD4+ T cells. These findings suggest that Th1 cells generate the novel CXCL9/10-producing T-bet+ effector B cells that could be an ideal pathogenic B cell target for RA therapy.

Association of circulating SLAMF7+Tfh1 cells with IgG4 levels in patients with IgG4-related disease.

BACKGROUND: Follicular helper CD4+ T (Tfh) cells have a critical role in IgG4 production by B cells in IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). Recent studies including ours showed that SLAMF7+CD4+ T cells are an important pathological driver of IgG4-RD. In this study, we have sought to elucidate a relationship between helper CD4+ T (Th), particularly Tfh, cells and SLAMF7+ CD4+ T cells in IgG4-RD. RESULTS: The patients with IgG4-RD enrolled in this study were aged 66 ± 12 years and their titers of serum IgG4 were 372 ± 336 mg/dl. Th1 cells, activated circulating Tfh1 (cTfh1), and activated cTfh2 cells increased in IgG4-RD. SLAMF7 was mainly expressed on Th1 and cTfh1, but not cTfh2, cells in the patients. SLAMF7+ cTfh1 cells were PD-1/CD28 double-positive, whereas SLAMF7+ Th1 cells were CD28 negative. Positive correlations were noted between serum IgG4 levels and the number of activated cTfh2 cells and SLAMF7+ cTfh1 cells, but not SLAMF7+ Th1 cells. Intriguingly, among cTfh1 cells, activated SLAMF7+ cTfh1 cells were high producers of IL-10 along with IL-21. Blimp-1, but not Bcl-6, mRNA was expressed at high levels in activated SLAMF7+ cTfh1 cells. In addition to CD4+ T cells, the frequency of SLAMF7+ fraction was higher in memory B cells than naïve B cells in patients with IgG4RD. Finally, upon stimulation via B-cell receptor and CD40, Tfh1-associated cytokines, IL-21 and IFN-γ, most significantly induced SLAMF7 expression in memory B cells. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these results suggest that circulating SLAMF7+ Tfh1 cells, along with Tfh2 cells, play a pathologic role in IgG4 production in IgG4-RD.

Current cigarette smoking is a reversible cause of elevated white blood cell count: Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.

While cigarette smoking is a well-recognized cause of elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, studies on longitudinal effect of smoking cessation on WBC count are limited. We attempted to determine causal relationships between smoking and elevated WBC count by retrospective cross-sectional study consisting of 37,972 healthy Japanese adults who had a health check-up between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009 and longitudinal study involving 1730 current smokers who had more than four consecutive annual health check-ups between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2012. In the cross-sectional study, younger age, male gender, increased body mass index, no alcohol habit, current smoking, and elevated C-reactive protein level were associated with elevated WBC count. Among these factors, current smoking had the most significant association with elevated WBC count. In subgroup analyses by WBC differentials, smoking was significantly associated with elevated counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Ex-smoking was not associated with elevated WBC count. In the longitudinal study, both WBC and neutrophil counts decreased significantly in one year after smoking cessation and remained down-regulated for longer than next two years. There was no significant change in either WBC or neutrophil count in those who continued smoking. These findings clearly demonstrated that current smoking is strongly associated with elevated WBC count and smoking cessation leads to recovery of WBC count in one year, which is maintained for longer than subsequent two years. Thus, current smoking is a significant and reversible cause of elevated WBC count in healthy adults.

Ascites Retention during Mogamulizumab Treatment in a Patient with Adult T-cell Leukemia/lymphoma.

A 74-year-old woman with refractory adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) received three courses of mogamulizumab. Despite obtaining complete remission, she thereafter presented with progressive ascites. An analysis of the ascites and laboratory tests revealed no evidence of ATLL invasion, infectious disease, or liver cirrhosis. The mogamulizumab concentrations were maintained in the ascites at approximately 10-15% of that in the plasma. Mogamulizumab was considered to be a plausible pathogenesis of her ascites. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report suggesting mogamulizumab-induced ascites.

Renal Insufficiency in Concert with Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone Inhibition Is a Major Risk Factor for Hyperkalemia Associated with Low-dose Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Low-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is commonly used to prevent pneumocystis pneumonia in daily practice. Previous reports have shown a relationship between high- or standard-dose of TMP-SMX and hyperkalemia, however it remains unclear whether this is true for low-dose TMP-SMX. In this study we sought to determine the risk factors for hyperkalemia associated with low-dose TMP-SMX. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 186 consecutive adult patients who received TMP-SMX as prophylaxis for pneumocystis pneumonia from January 2014 to January 2015 were evaluated. Data on the patients' age, gender, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), baseline serum potassium, maximum serum potassium, duration reaching the maximal serum potassium level, dosage, and concomitant use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), ß-blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and potassium-sparing diuretics were retrospectively collected. Hyperkalemia was defined as a serum potassium level ≥5 mEq/L. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 66 years and 51.1% were men. Hyperkalemia associated with low-dose TMP-SMX was observed in 32 patients (17.2%). The median duration to reach the maximal serum potassium level was 12 days. The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified renal insufficiency to be a major risk factor for hyperkalemia associated with low-dose TMP-SMX (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), adjusted OR 4.62). Moreover, in the subpopulation of patients with renal insufficiency, ACEi/ARB use was considered to be a major risk factor for hyperkalemia (adjusted OR 3.96). CONCLUSION: Renal insufficiency in concert with ACEi/ARB use is a major risk factor for hyperkalemia induced by low-dose TMP-SMX.

Generation mechanism of RANKL(+) effector memory B cells: relevance to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of B cell-depleting therapies for rheumatoid arthritis underscores antibody-independent functions of effector B cells such as cognate T-B interactions and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) is a key cytokine involved in bone destruction and is highly expressed in synovial fluid B cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In this study we sought to clarify the generation mechanism of RANKL(+) effector B cells and their impacts on osteoclast differentiation. METHODS: Peripheral blood and synovial fluid B cells from healthy controls and patients with rheumatoid arthritis were isolated using cell sorter. mRNA expression of RANKL, osteoprotegerin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and Blimp-1 was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Levels of RANKL, CD80, CD86, and CXCR3 were analyzed using flow cytometry. Functional analysis of osteoclastogenesis was carried out in the co-culture system using macrophage RAW264 reporter cells. RESULTS: RANKL expression was accentuated in CD80(+)CD86(+) B cells, a highly activated B-cell subset more abundantly observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Upon activation via B-cell receptor and CD40, switched-memory B cells predominantly expressed RANKL, which was further augmented by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) but suppressed by interleukin-21. Strikingly, IFN-γ also enhanced TNF-α expression, while it strongly suppressed osteoprotegerin expression in B cells. IFN-γ increased the generation of CXCR3(+)RANKL(+) effector B cells, mimicking the synovial B cell phenotype in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Finally, RANKL(+) effector B cells in concert with TNF-α facilitated osteoclast differentiation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Our current findings have shed light on the generation mechanism of pathogenic RANKL(+) effector B cells that would be an ideal therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis in the future.

[Bilateral Granulomatous Renal Masses after Intravesical BCG Therapy for Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer and Carcinoma in Situ of the Upper Urinary Tract: A Case Study].

Bacillus Calmette-Guèrin (BCG) is commonly used not only as an infant vaccination, but also as a treatment of and prophylaxis to prevent recurrence in the management of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. However, the use of "live" BCG is sometimes complicated by associated infection. We present a case study of a 77-year-old man who developed bilateral renal masses after intravesical BCG therapy was initiated in November 2013, following transurethral resection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. After four courses of BCG (Japan strain, 80 mg per treatment) instillations, a computed tomography examination for febrile episodes showed multiple bilateral renal masses, accompanied by a histological finding of a granulomatous reaction. An acid fast bacterium was cultured from only urine among blood, urine, and microscopic samples. Using the cultured strain, BCG infection was confirmed by the specific gene deletion pattern based on allele-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis. Anti-tuberculosis treatment, including isoniazid (300 mg/day), rifampicin (600 mg/day), and ethambutol (1,000 mg/day), was started for the BCG-related renal granuloma in February 2014. After 3 months, antibiotic therapy was discontinued owing to severe appetite loss, though the masses remained solid. No rapid growth has been detected after anti-BCG therapy. Intravesical BCG therapy is recommended worldwide as one of standard treatments for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. We should closely observe patients undergoing this approach for emerging BCG complications.

Successful Treatment of Lupus Cerebrovascular Disease with Mycophenolate Mofetil.

We report a case of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus successfully treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). The patient was a 40-year-old female who maintained with 7 mg of prednisolone plus 100 mg of azathioprine (AZ) per day. According to transient ischemic attack that occurred repeatedly and an elevated level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in spinal fluid, she was diagnosed as having neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). Initial increase in doses of prednisolone and AZ to 20 mg and 150 mg per day, respectively, was ineffective. After switching from AZ to MMF, her symptoms of NPSLE completely resolved with marked improvement of the IL-6 level in her spinal fluid, suggesting that MMF was effective.

A Case of Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease with Extensive Multiorgan Involvements.

We report a case of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) with multiple ten-organ involvement. This case showed many clinical findings, such as bilateral swelling of salivary and lacrimal glands, autoimmune pancreatitis, interstitial nephritis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, periaortitis, systemic swelling of lymph nodes, pulmonary lesions, splenomegaly, and jejunal lesions. He was suspected as having SLE or malignant lymphoma but diagnosed as having IgG4-RD by the elevated serum IgG4 level and histological findings from kidney and lymph node. We report a case of IgG4-RD with multiple ten-organ involvement that was successfully treated with prednisolone therapy.