Efficacy and safety of abatacept for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review assessed the efficacy and safety of abatacept in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: Studies published between 2000 and 2021 were searched using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Ichushi-Web and clinical trial registries. The risk of bias was assessed according to the manual for development clinical practice guidelines by Minds, a project to promote evidence-based medicine in Japan. RESULTS: Seven observational studies were included. American College of Rheumatology pediatric 30/50/70 responses at 3, 6 and 12 months were 64.8%/50.3%/27.9%, 85.7%/71.4%/42.9% and 80.0%/50.0%/40.0%, respectively. Outcomes on systemic symptoms, joint symptoms and activities of daily living were not obtained. No macrophage activation syndrome or infusion reaction occurred. Serious infection occurred in 2.6% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Abatacept improved the disease activity index. In addition, abatacept was as safe as interleukin-6 (IL -6) and IL-1 inhibitors. However, both the efficacy and safety data in this systematic review should be reviewed with caution because their quality of evidence is low or very low. Further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of abatacept for systemic JIA, especially its efficacy on joint symptoms.

Development and characterization of a dedicated dose monitor for ultrahigh-dose-rate scanned carbon-ion beams.

The current monochromatic beam mode (i.e., uHDR irradiation mode) of the scanned carbon-ion beam lacks a dedicated dose monitor, making the beam control challenging. We developed and characterized a dedicated dose monitor for uHDR-scanned carbon-ion beams. Furthermore, a simple measurable dose rate (dose rate per spot (DRspot)) was suggested by using the developed dose monitor and experimentally validating quantities relevant to the uHDR scanned carbon-ion beam. A large plane-parallel ionization chamber (IC) with a smaller electrode spacing was used to reduce uHDR recombination effects, and a dedicated operational amplifier was manufactured for the uHDR-scanned carbon-ion beam. The dose linearity of the IC was within ± 1% in the range of 1.8-12.3 Gy. The spatial inhomogeneity of the dose response of the IC was ± 0.38% inside the ± 40-mm detector area, and a systematic deviation of approximately 2% was measured at the edge of the detector. uHDR irradiation with beam scanning was tested and verified for different doses at the corresponding dose rates (in terms of both the average dose rate and DRspot). We confirmed that the dose monitor can highlight the characteristics (i.e., dose, dose rate, and dose profile) of uHDR-scanned carbon-ion beams at several dose levels in the monochromatic beam mode.

Successful treatment with tofacitinib for anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive juvenile dermatomyositis: case reports and review of the literature.

Although the clinical efficacy of tofacitinib has been reported in adult patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive (Ab+) dermatomyositis, data on its use in refractory juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) are scarce. We describe two female Japanese patients with anti-MDA5 Ab + JDM and rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease who achieved remission by adding tofacitinib to existing immunosuppressive drugs and present a literature review. While both patients received various immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory treatments for induction therapy, remission could not be achieved. Subsequently, tofacitinib was administered to reduce the Krebs von den Lungen-6 level 5 months after diagnosis in one patient; the other patient received tofacitinib 4 months after diagnosis to reduce ferritin levels and skin manifestations. Subsequently, both patients achieved remission, and prednisolone was withdrawn. Tofacitinib reduced the interferon signature associated with dermatomyositis/JDM disease progression and exerted a therapeutic effect on dermatomyositis/JDM. We found six published cases from five articles of tofacitinib for refractory anti-MDA5 Ab + JDM. Except for one case of herpes simplex meningitis, the other cases, including ours, had improved disease activity without severe adverse events, and steroids and immunosuppressive medicines could be tapered. Tofacitinib could be considered an available therapy for refractory anti-MDA5 Ab + JDM.

Downregulation of Mitochondrial Fusion Protein Expression Affords Protection from Canonical Necroptosis in H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts.

Necroptosis, a form of necrosis, and alterations in mitochondrial dynamics, a coordinated process of mitochondrial fission and fusion, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to determine the role of mitochondrial morphology in canonical necroptosis induced by a combination of TNFα and zVAD (TNF/zVAD) in H9c2 cells, rat cardiomyoblasts. Time-course analyses of mitochondrial morphology showed that mitochondria were initially shortened after the addition of TNF/zVAD and then their length was restored, and the proportion of cells with elongated mitochondria at 12 h was larger in TNF/zVAD-treated cells than in non-treated cells (16.3 ± 0.9% vs. 8.0 ± 1.2%). The knockdown of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and fission 1, fission promoters, and treatment with Mdivi-1, a Drp-1 inhibitor, had no effect on TNF/zVAD-induced necroptosis. In contrast, TNF/zVAD-induced necroptosis was attenuated by the knockdown of mitofusin 1/2 (Mfn1/2) and optic atrophy-1 (Opa1), proteins that are indispensable for mitochondrial fusion, and the attenuation of necroptosis was not canceled by treatment with Mdivi-1. The expression of TGFß-activated kinase (TAK1), a negative regulator of RIP1 activity, was upregulated and the TNF/zVAD-induced RIP1-Ser166 phosphorylation, an index of RIP1 activity, was mitigated by the knockdown of Mfn1/2 or Opa1. Pharmacological TAK1 inhibition attenuated the protection afforded by Mfn1/2 and Opa1 knockdown. In conclusion, the inhibition of mitochondrial fusion increases TAK1 expression, leading to the attenuation of canonical necroptosis through the suppression of RIP1 activity.

Periostin in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression by Enhancing Cancer and Stromal Cell Migration.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment are involved in the progression of various cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). CAF-like cells were generated through direct co-culture of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, one of CAF origins, with ESCC cells. Periostin (POSTN) was found to be highly expressed in CAF-like cells. After direct co-culture, ESCC cells showed increased malignant phenotypes, such as survival, growth, and migration, as well as increased phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk). Recombinant human POSTN activated Akt and Erk signaling pathways in ESCC cells, enhancing survival and migration. The suppression of POSTN in CAF-like cells by siRNA during direct co-culture also suppressed enhanced survival and migration in ESCC cells. In ESCC cells, knockdown of POSTN receptor integrin ß4 inhibited Akt and Erk phosphorylation, and survival and migration increased by POSTN. POSTN also enhanced mesenchymal stem cell and macrophage migration and endowed macrophages with tumor-associated macrophage-like properties. Immunohistochemistry showed that high POSTN expression in the cancer stroma was significantly associated with tumor invasion depth, lymphatic and blood vessel invasion, higher pathologic stage, CAF marker expression, and infiltrating tumor-associated macrophage numbers. Moreover, patients with ESCC with high POSTN expression exhibited poor postoperative outcomes. Thus, CAF-secreted POSTN contributed to tumor microenvironment development. These results indicate that POSTN may be a novel therapeutic target for ESCC.

Possible correlation between serum interleukin-8 levels and the activity of myositis in anti-NXP2 antibody-positive dermatomyositis.

Anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 (NXP2) antibody-positive dermatomyositis (DM) is characterized by extensive and severe myositis. In this study, we evaluated which cytokines/chemokines involved with the activity of the myositis. We performed quantitative immunoassays using the MILLIPLEX® Multiplex Assays Using Luminex to evaluate serum levels of interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p40, and tumor necrosis factor-α in samples collected over time from a 9-year-old female with anti-NXP2 antibody-positive DM. In our case, the serum level of IL-8 was elevated when the myositis worsened, and decreased in accordance with the improvement of myositis, suggesting that the serum IL-8 levels were correlated with the myositis activity. Serum levels of IL-8 in samples from five patients with anti-NXP2 antibody-positive DM and five patients with anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1γ (TIF1γ) antibody-positive DM without both interstitial lung disease (ILD) and malignancy before starting treatments, along with five healthy controls, were also evaluate by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum IL-8 levels were significantly elevated in anti-NXP2 or anti-TIF1γ antibody-positive DM patients with myositis but not ILD, than healthy controls. It was suggested that serum levels of IL-8 correlate with the activity of myositis in DM including anti-NXP2 antibody-positive DM.

Clinical Characteristics of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome and Long-Term Real-World Efficacy and Tolerability of Canakinumab in Japan: Results of a Nationwide Survey.

OBJECTIVE: We assess the clinical characteristics of patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) in Japan and evaluate the real-world efficacy and safety of interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibitors, primarily canakinumab. METHODS: Clinical information was collected retrospectively, and serum concentrations of canakinumab and cytokines were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included, with 86 and 15 carrying heterozygous germline and somatic mosaic mutations, respectively. We identified 39 mutation types, and the common CAPS-associated symptoms corresponded with those in previous reports. Six patients (5.9% of all patients) died, with four of the deaths caused by CAPS-associated symptoms. Notably, 73.7% of patients (100%, 79.6%, and 44.4% of familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, Muckle-Wells syndrome, and chronic infantile neurological cutaneous articular syndrome/neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease, respectively) achieved complete remission with canakinumab, and early therapeutic intervention was associated with better auditory outcomes. In some patients, canakinumab treatment stabilized the progression of epiphysial overgrowth and improved height gain, visual acuity, and renal function. However, 23.7% of patients did not achieve inflammatory remission with crucial deterioration of organ damage, with two dying while receiving high-dose canakinumab treatment. Serological analysis of canakinumab and cytokine concentrations revealed that the poor response was not related to canakinumab shortage. Four inflammatory nonremitters developed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-unclassified during canakinumab treatment. Dual biologic therapy with canakinumab and anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents was effective for IBD- and CAPS-associated symptoms not resolved by canakinumab monotherapy. CONCLUSION: This study provides one of the largest epidemiologic data sets for CAPS. Although early initiation of anti-IL-1 treatment with canakinumab is beneficial for improving disease prognosis, some patients do not achieve remission despite a high serum concentration of canakinumab. Moreover, IBD may develop in CAPS after canakinumab treatment.

Cancer Pain Management in Patients Receiving Inpatient Specialized Palliative Care Services.

CONTEXT: Cancer pain is a common complication that is frequently undertreated in patients with cancer. OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at assessing the time needed to achieve cancer pain management goals through specialized palliative care (SPC). METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal study of inpatients with cancer pain who received SPC. Patients were continuously followed up until they considered cancer pain management successful, and we estimated this duration using the Kaplan-Meier method. We investigated the effectiveness of pain management using multiple patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and quantitative measures, including pain intensity change in the Brief Pain Inventory. A paired-sample t-test was used to compare the pain intensity at the beginning and end of the observation period. RESULTS: Cancer pain management based on the PROs was achieved in 87.9% (385/438) of all cases. In 94.5% (364/385) of these cases, cancer pain management was achieved within 1 week, and the median time to pain management was 3 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 2-3). The mean worst pain intensity in the last 24 h at the start and end of observation were 6.9 ± 2.2 and 4.0 ± 2.3, respectively, with a difference of -2.9 (95% CI, -3.2 to -2.6; p < 0.01). Overall, 81.6% of the patients reported satisfaction with cancer pain management, and 62 adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: SPC achieved cancer pain management over a short period with a high level of patient satisfaction resulting in significant pain reduction and few documented adverse events.

Clinical Usefulness of T-Cell Receptor Vß Repertoire Analysis for Differentiating Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Japanese Children From Toxic Shock Syndrome and Kawasaki Disease.

The specific expansion of T-cell receptor ß chain variable region (TCR-Vß21.3 + ) CD4 + and CD8 + T cells was observed in Japanese patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. In contrast, these findings were not observed in patients with toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease. T-cell receptor ß chain variable region repertoire analysis to detect specific expansion of Vß21.3 + T cells might be useful for differentiating multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children from toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease.

Prevalence of opioid-induced adverse events across opioids commonly used for analgesic treatment in Japan: a multicenter prospective longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: Although opioids have been shown to be effective for cancer pain, opioid-induced adverse events (AEs) are common. To date, little is known about the differences in risks of AEs by opioid type. This study was performed to compare the prevalence of AEs across opioids commonly used for analgesic treatment in Japan. METHODS: This study was conducted as a preplanned secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective longitudinal study of inpatients with cancer pain who received specialized palliative care for cancer pain relief. We assessed daily AEs until termination of follow-up. We rated the severity of AEs based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. We computed adjusted odds ratios for each AE (constipation, nausea and vomiting, delirium, and drowsiness) with the following variables: opioid, age, sex, renal dysfunction, and primary cancer site. RESULTS: In total, 465 patients were analyzed. Based on the descriptive analysis, the top four most commonly used opioids were included in the analysis: oxycodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, and tramadol. With respect to the prevalence of AEs among all analyzed patients, delirium (n = 25, 6.3%) was the most frequent, followed by drowsiness (n = 21, 5.3%), nausea and vomiting (n = 19, 4.8%), and constipation (n = 28, 4.6%). The multivariate logistic analysis showed that no single opioid was identified as a statistically significant independent predictor of any AE. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of AEs among oxycodone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, and tramadol, which are commonly used for analgesic treatment in Japan.

Anti-Ku antibody-positive systemic sclerosis and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies overlap syndrome in children: a report of two cases and a review of the literature.

The occurrence of anti-Ku antibody-positive idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) in pediatric patients is rare, and therefore, the clinical phenotypes of this disease in such patients remain obscure. We herein report two cases of Japanese female pediatric patients with anti-Ku antibody-positive IIM. One case was unique in that it was complicated by pericardial effusion. Another patient had severe and refractory myositis with immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy. In addition, we reviewed literatures involving a total of 11 pediatric patients with anti-Ku antibody-positive IIM. The median age of the patients was 11 years, and most of them were girls. Skin rash, including erythematous nodules, malar rash, multiple brownish plaques, butterfly rash, heliotrope rash, periorbital edema, and Gottron's papules, was observed in 54.5% of the patients, scleroderma in 81.8%, and skin ulcer in 18.2%. Their serum creatine kinase level ranged from 504 to 10,840 IU/L. Furthermore, joint involvement was observed in 91% of the patients, interstitial lung disease in 18.2%, and esophageal involvement in 9.1%. All patients were treated with corticosteroids in combination with immunosuppressants. Pediatric patients with anti-Ku antibody-positive IIM had unique characteristics compared to adult patients. Skin manifestations, joint involvement and elevation of serum CK levels were more common in children than in adults. In contrast, ILD and esophageal involvement were less common in children than in adults. Although pediatric cases of anti-Ku antibody-positive IIM are rare, patients with IIM need to be tested for the presence of anti-Ku antibodies.

Identification of small-sized intrachromosomal segments at the ends of INV-DUP-DEL patterns.

The mechanism of chromosomal rearrangement associated with inverted-duplication-deletion (INV-DUP-DEL) pattern formation has been investigated by many researchers, and several possible mechanisms have been proposed. Currently, fold-back and subsequent dicentric chromosome formation has been established as non-recurrent INV-DUP-DEL pattern formation mechanisms. In the present study, we analyzed the breakpoint junctions of INV-DUP-DEL patterns in five patients using long-read whole-genome sequencing and detected 2.2-6.1 kb copy-neutral regions in all five patients. At the end of the INV-DUP-DEL, two patients exhibited chromosomal translocations, which are recognized as telomere capture, and one patient showed direct telomere healing. The remaining two patients had additional small-sized intrachromosomal segments at the end of the derivative chromosomes. These findings have not been previously reported but they may only be explained by the presence of telomere capture breakage. Further investigations are required to better understand the mechanisms underlying this finding.

Clinical significance of serum cytokine profiles for differentiating between Kawasaki disease and its mimickers.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical significance of serum cytokine profiles for differentiating between Kawasaki disease (KD) and its mimickers. METHODS: Patients with KD, including complete KD, KD shock syndrome (KDSS), and KD with macrophage activation syndrome (KD-MAS), and its mimickers, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, toxic shock syndrome, and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection, were enrolled. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (sTNF-RII), IL-10, IL-18, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared them with clinical manifestations. RESULTS: Serum IL-6, sTNF-RII, and IL-10 levels were significantly elevated in patients with KDSS. Serum IL-18 levels were substantially elevated in patients with KD-MAS. Patients with KD-MAS and KD mimickers had significantly elevated serum CXCL9 levels compared with those with complete KD. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that serum IL-6 was the most useful for differentiating KDSS from the others, IL-18 and CXCL9 for KD-MAS from complete KD, and CXCL9 for KD mimickers from complete KD and KD-MAS. CONCLUSION: Serum cytokine profiles may be useful for differentiating between KD and its mimickers.

Distinct roles of IL-18 and IL-1ß in murine model of macrophage activation syndrome.

BACKGROUND: IL-18 and IL-1ß play a central role in the pathogenesis of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and its life-threatening complication, macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to clarify the role of IL-18 and IL-1ß in the pathogenesis of MAS. METHODS: We developed a mouse model to evaluate the role of each cytokine with Toll-like receptor 9 stimulation after continuous infusion with IL-18, IL-1ß, and a combination of both for 7 days. The symptoms and laboratory findings were compared among the IL-18, IL-1ß, and combination (IL-18+IL-1ß) groups. RESULTS: Body weight was significantly decreased in the IL-1ß and combination groups. Splenomegaly was observed in all groups, whereas hepatomegaly was noted in the IL-18 group only. Decreased T-cell numbers, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were observed in the combination group. IFN-γ, CXCL9, and IL-12A mRNA levels were upregulated and IL-10 mRNA levels in the spleen were downregulated in the IL-18 group. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in the IL-18 group were observed in a dose-dependent manner. TNF-α, CXCL9, and IL-12A mRNA levels were upregulated only in those mice with extremely elevated plasma IL-18 levels. CONCLUSION: IL-18 and IL-1ß have distinct roles in the pathogenesis of MAS. Dual blockade of IL-18 and IL-1ß might be necessary to treat MAS.

Relationship of cerebral blood volume with arterial and venous flow velocities in extremely low-birth-weight infants.

Unstable cerebral blood flow is theorised to contribute to the occurrence of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs), which can be caused by increased arterial flow, increased venous pressure, and impaired autoregulation of brain vasculature. As a preliminary step to investigate such instability, we aimed to check for correlations of cerebral blood volume (CBV), as measured using near-infrared spectroscopy, with the flow velocities of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and internal cerebral vein (ICV), as measured using Doppler ultrasonography. Data were retrospectively analysed from 30 ELBWIs uncomplicated by symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus, which can influence ACA velocity, and severe IVH (grade ≥ 3), which can influence ICV velocity and CBV. The correlation between tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) and mean blood pressure was also analysed as an index of autoregulation. CBV was not associated with ACA velocity; however, it was significantly correlated with ICV velocity (Pearson R = 0.59 [95% confidence interval: 0.29-0.78], P = 0.00061). No correlation between StO2 and mean blood pressure was observed, implying that autoregulation was not impaired.    Conclusion: Although our findings are based on the premise that cerebral autoregulation was unimpaired in the ELBWIs without complications, the same result cannot be directly applied to severe IVH cases. However, our results may aid future research on IVH prediction by investigating the changes in CBV when severe IVH occurs during ICV velocity fluctuation. What is Known: • The pathogenesis of IVH includes unstable cerebral blood flow affected by increased arterial flow, increased venous pressure, and impaired cerebral autoregulation. • The approaches that can predict IVH are under discussion. What is New: • ACA velocity is not associated with CBV, but ICV velocity is significantly correlated with CBV. • CBV measured using NIRS may be useful in future research on IVH prediction.

Treatment for macrophage activation syndrome associated with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify how pediatric rheumatologists treat systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s-JIA) associated macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in the real world and to assess the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone palmitate (DEX-P) in the treatment of s-JIA-associated MAS. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted at 13 pediatric rheumatology institutes in Japan. This study included 28 patients with s-JIA-associated MAS. Clinical findings, such as treatment details and adverse events, were evaluated. RESULTS: Methylprednisolone (mPSL) pulse therapy was selected as the first-line treatment in more than half of the patients with MAS. Cyclosporine A (CsA) was used as first-line therapy in combination with corticosteroids in half of the patients with MAS. DEX-P and/or CsA were selected as the second-line therapy in 63% of patients with corticosteroid-resistant MAS. Plasma exchange was selected as the third-line therapy for DEX-P and CsA-resistant MAS. All patients improved and there were no characteristically severe adverse events associated with DEX-P. CONCLUSIONS: The first-line treatment for MAS in Japan is mPSL pulse therapy and/or CyA. DEX-P could be an effective and safe therapeutic option for patients with corticosteroid-resistant MAS.

Downregulation of extramitochondrial BCKDH and its uncoupling from AMP deaminase in type 2 diabetic OLETF rat hearts.

Systemic branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism is dysregulated in cardiometabolic diseases. We previously demonstrated that upregulated AMP deaminase 3 (AMPD3) impairs cardiac energetics in a rat model of obese type 2 diabetes, Otsuka Long-Evans-Tokushima fatty (OLETF). Here, we hypothesized that the cardiac BCAA levels and the activity of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH), a rate-limiting enzyme in BCAA metabolism, are altered by type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and that upregulated AMPD3 expression is involved in the alteration. Performing proteomic analysis combined with immunoblotting, we discovered that BCKDH localizes not only to mitochondria but also to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it interacts with AMPD3. Knocking down AMPD3 in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) increased BCKDH activity, suggesting that AMPD3 negatively regulates BCKDH. Compared with control rats (Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka [LETO] rats), OLETF rats exhibited 49% higher cardiac BCAA levels and 49% lower BCKDH activity. In the cardiac ER of the OLETF rats, BCKDH-E1α subunit expression was downregulated, while AMPD3 expression was upregulated, resulting in an 80% lower AMPD3-E1α interaction compared to LETO rats. Knocking down E1α expression in NRCMs upregulated AMPD3 expression and recapitulated the imbalanced AMPD3-BCKDH expressions observed in OLETF rat hearts. E1α knockdown in NRCMs inhibited glucose oxidation in response to insulin, palmitate oxidation, and lipid droplet biogenesis under oleate loading. Collectively, these data revealed previously unrecognized extramitochondrial localization of BCKDH in the heart and its reciprocal regulation with AMPD3 and imbalanced AMPD3-BCKDH interactions in OLETF. Downregulation of BCKDH in cardiomyocytes induced profound metabolic changes that are observed in OLETF hearts, providing insight into mechanisms contributing to the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Adenosine monophosphate deaminase in the endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria interface promotes mitochondrial Ca2+ overload in type 2 diabetes rat hearts.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: We previously showed that upregulation of myocardial adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMPD) is associated with pressure overload-induced diastolic dysfunction in type 2 diabetes hearts. Here, we examined involvement of AMPD localized in the endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria interface in mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and its pathological significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used type 2 diabetes Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats (OLETF) and non-diabetes Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka Fatty rats (LETO) as well as AMPD3-overexpressing H9c2 cells and human embryonic kidney 293 cells. RESULTS: OLETF, but not LETO, showed diastolic dysfunction under the condition of phenylephrine-induced pressure overload. The levels of 90-kDa AMPD3 in outer mitochondrial membranes/endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane (MAM) fractions were significantly higher in OLETF than in LETO. The area of the MAM quantified by electron microscopic analysis was 57% larger, mitochondrial Ca2+ level under the condition of pressure overload was 47% higher and Ca2+ retention capacity in MAM-containing crude mitochondria isolated before the pressure overloading was 21% lower in OLETF than in LETO (all P-values <0.05). Transfection of FLAG-AMPD3 in cells resulted in significant enlargement of the MAM area, and impairment in pyruvate/malate-driven adenosine triphosphate-stimulated and uncoupler-stimulated mitochondrial respiration compared with those in control cells. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that 90-kDa AMPD3 localized in the endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria interface promotes formation of the MAM, inducing mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and dysfunction in type 2 diabetes hearts.

The dynamics of laboratory markers reflecting cytokine overproduction in macrophage activation syndrome complicated with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the correlation between laboratory markers reflecting disease activity of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and serum cytokine levels and identify the valuable laboratory markers that change over time for a prompt MAS diagnosis. METHODS: Serum cytokine levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared with laboratory markers reflecting MAS disease activity.The changes in values were evaluated from the acute phase of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (s-JIA) to MAS diagnosis. RESULTS: CXCL9 was significantly correlated with aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D dimer, and urine ß2 microglobulin levels. sTNF-RII was significantly correlated with platelet counts, AST, LDH, D dimer, and ferritin levels. Significant changes in platelet count, LDH, and D dimer levels were observed. Decreased platelet counts were the most valuable indicator for MAS diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Monitoring the laboratory markers that change over time, particularly decreased platelet counts, was valuable for the prompt MAS diagnosis in s-JIA.