The deficiency of DNASE1L3 does not affect systemic sclerosis pathogenesis in two inducible murine models of the disease.

We induced systemic sclerosis (SSc)-like disease in both wild-type and Dnase1l3-deficient mice using two distinct approaches involving bleomycin and hypochlorous acid injections. Our observations revealed that the deficiency in DNASE1L3 did not affect tissue fibrosis or inflammation caused by these treatments. Despite the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in humans with SSc pathogenesis, our study demonstrates that DNASE1L3 is dispensable in two inducible murine models of SSc-like pathogenesis.

Systematic Aetiological Assessment of Myocarditis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Myocarditis is commonly diagnosed in the intensive care cardiology unit (ICCU). No current recommendation nor guideline aids exist for aetiological assessments. METHODS: From September 2021 to October 2023, 84 patients with acute myocarditis underwent thorough and systematic serum and blood cell panel evaluations to determine the most common causes of myocarditis. RESULTS: Of the 84 patients (median age 34 years, range 22-41 years, 79% male), 16 presented with complicated myocarditis. The systematic aetiological assessment revealed that 36% of patients were positive for lupus anticoagulant, 12% for antinuclear antibodies, 8% for anti-heart antibodies, and 12% for anti-striated muscle antibodies. Viral serology did not yield any significant results. After the aetiological assessment, one patient was diagnosed with an autoimmune inflammatory disorder (Still's disease). T-cell subset analyses indicated that myocarditis severity tended to increase with the T-cell lymphopenia status. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive, systematic aetiological assessment was of limited value in terms of predicting the clinical or therapeutic outcomes in myocarditis patients presenting to the ICCU.