Elevated interleukin-8 expression by skin fibroblasts as a potential contributor to pain in women with Fabry disease.

Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder of X-linked inheritance. Mutations in the α-galactosidase A gene lead to cellular globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) depositions and triggerable acral burning pain in both sexes as an early FD symptom of unknown pathophysiology. We aimed at elucidating the link between skin cells and nociceptor sensitization contributing to FD pain in a sex-associated manner. We used cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts of 27 adult FD patients and 20 healthy controls. Epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts were cultured and immunoreacted to evaluate Gb3 load. Gene expression analysis of pain-related ion channels and pro-inflammatory cytokines was performed in dermal fibroblasts. We further investigated electrophysiological properties of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived sensory-like neurons of a man with FD and a healthy man and incubated the cells with interleukin 8 (IL-8) or fibroblast supernatant as an in vitro model system. Keratinocytes displayed no intracellular, but membrane-bound Gb3 deposits. In contrast, fibroblasts showed intracellular Gb3 and revealed higher gene expression of potassium intermediate/small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel 3.1 (KCa 3.1, KCNN4) in both, men and women with FD compared to controls. Additionally, cytokine expression analysis showed increased IL-8 RNA levels only in female FD fibroblasts. Patch-clamp studies revealed reduced rheobase currents for both iPSC neuron cell lines incubated with IL-8 or fibroblast supernatant of women with FD. We conclude that Gb3 deposition in female FD patient skin fibroblasts may lead to increased KCa3.1 activity and IL-8 secretion. This may result in cutaneous nociceptor sensitization as a potential mechanism contributing to a sex-associated FD pain phenotype.

Distinguishing fibromyalgia syndrome from small fiber neuropathy: a clinical guide.

Introduction: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and small fiber neuropathy (SFN) are distinct pain conditions that share commonalities and may be challenging as for differential diagnosis. Objective: To comprehensively investigate clinical characteristics of women with FMS and SFN to determine clinically applicable parameters for differentiation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 158 women with FMS and 53 with SFN focusing on pain-specific medical and family history, accompanying symptoms, additional diseases, and treatment. We investigated data obtained using standardized pain, depression, and anxiety questionnaires. We further analyzed test results and findings obtained in standardized small fiber tests. Results: FMS patients were on average ten years younger at symptom onset, described higher pain intensities requiring frequent change of pharmaceutics, and reported generalized pain compared to SFN. Pain in FMS was accompanied by irritable bowel or sleep disturbances, and in SFN by paresthesias, numbness, and impaired glucose metabolism (P < 0.01 each). Family history was informative for chronic pain and affective disorders in FMS (P < 0.001) and for neurological disorders in SFN patients (P < 0.001). Small fiber pathology in terms of skin denervation and/or thermal sensory threshold elevation was present in 110/158 (69.7 %) FMS patients and 39/53 (73.6 %) SFN patients. FMS patients mainly showed proximally reduced skin innervation and higher corneal nerve branch densities (p<0.001) whereas SFN patients were characterized by reduced cold detection and prolonged electrical A-delta conduction latencies (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our data show that FMS and SFN differ substantially. Detailed pain, drug and family history, investigating blood glucose metabolism, and applying differential small fiber tests may help to improve diagnostic differentiation and targeted therapy.

Endothelial Cell Dysfunction and Hypoxia as Potential Mediators of Pain in Fabry Disease: A Human-Murine Translational Approach.

Fabry disease (FD) is caused by α-galactosidase A (AGAL) enzyme deficiency, leading to globotriaosylceramide accumulation (Gb3) in several cell types. Pain is one of the pathophysiologically incompletely understood symptoms in FD patients. Previous data suggest an involvement of hypoxia and mitochondriopathy in FD pain development at dorsal root ganglion (DRG) level. Using immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT PCR), we investigated patient-derived endothelial cells (EC) and DRG tissue of the GLA knockout (KO) mouse model of FD. We address the question of whether hypoxia and mitochondriopathy contribute to FD pain pathophysiology. In EC of FD patients (P1 with pain and, P2 without pain), we found dysregulated protein expression of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) 1a and HIF2 compared to the control EC (p < 0.01). The protein expression of the HIF downstream target vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA, p < 0.01) was reduced and tube formation was hampered in the P1 EC compared to the healthy EC (p < 0.05). Tube formation ability was rescued by applying transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) inhibitor SB-431542. Additionally, we found dysregulated mitochondrial fusion/fission characteristics in the P1 and P2 EC (p < 0.01) and depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential in P2 compared to control EC (p < 0.05). Complementary to human data, we found upregulated hypoxia-associated genes in the DRG of old GLA KO mice compared to WT DRG (p < 0.01). At protein level, nuclear HIF1a was higher in the DRG neurons of old GLA KO mice compared to WT mice (p < 0.01). Further, the HIF1a downstream target CA9 was upregulated in the DRG of old GLA KO mice compared to WT DRG (p < 0.01). Similar to human EC, we found a reduction in the vascular characteristics in GLA KO DRG compared to WT (p < 0.05). We demonstrate increased hypoxia, impaired vascular properties, and mitochondrial dysfunction in human FD EC and complementarily at the GLA KO mouse DRG level. Our data support the hypothesis that hypoxia and mitochondriopathy in FD EC and GLA KO DRG may contribute to FD pain development.

Local Inflammatory Mediators Involved in Neuropathic Pain.

Polyneuropathy (PNP) is a term to describe diseases of the peripheral nervous system, 50% of which present with neuropathic pain. In some types of PNP, pain is restricted to the skin distally in the leg, suggesting a local regulatory process leading to pain. In this study, we proposed a pro-inflammatory pathway mediated by NF-κB that might be involved in the development of pain in patients with painful PNP. To test this hypothesis, we have collected nerve and skin samples from patients with different etiologies and levels of pain. We performed RT-qPCR to analyze the gene expression of the proposed inflammatory pathway components in sural nerve and in distal and proximal skin samples. In sural nerve, we showed a correlation of TLR4 and TNFα to neuropathic pain, and an upregulation of TNFα in patients with severe pain. Patients with an inflammatory PNP also presented a lower expression of TRPV1 and SIRT1. In distal skin, we found a reduced expression of TLR4 and miR-146-5p, in comparison to proximal skin. Our findings thus support our hypothesis of local inflammatory processes involved in pain in PNP, and further show disturbed anti-inflammatory pathways involving TRPV1 and SIRT1 in inflammatory PNP.

Patient reported quality of life and medication adherence in Fabry disease patients treated with migalastat: A prospective, multicenter study.

AIMS: Chaperone therapy with migalastat is a novel therapy option in Fabry disease (FD). In contrast to biweekly intravenous enzyme-replacement-therapy in a healthcare setting, oral delivery of migalastat every other day relies on the patient self-administration. Therapy adherence to migalastat and patient reported outcomes have not yet been studied in a real-world scenario. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective multicenter 'MigALastat Therapy Adherence among FABRY patients' (MALTA-FABRY) study examined therapy adherence and patient-reported outcomes including quality of life in FD-patients receiving migalastat. Outcome measurements were elicited by the 'Medication Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ)', 'SF-36' and 'Fabry Pain Questionnaire' over a follow-up period of 24 months. Therapy adherence was graded as high (MAQ score of 4), medium (score of 2-3) or low (score 0-1). Within the recruitment period between 2017 and 2021, 40 patients (19 females) from 3 German FD-centers were included in the study. Nearly all patients (n = 37, 92.5%) showed good therapy adherence (MAQ6Mmean:3.93, MAQ12Mmean:3.71 and MAQ24Mmean:3.7). Only one patient fulfilled criteria for low adherence. Patient reported outcomes with completed SF-36 questionnaires were available in 28 patients (14 females). Over 24 months, significant improvement of pain and life role limitations due to physical activity was reported (Pain: change from baseline: 8.57 points, 95%-CI: 1.32-15.82, p = 0.022; role limitations physical: change from baseline: 13.39 points, 95%-CI: 0.61-23.2, p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Migalastat therapy adherence in FD-patients was high and remained high over a follow-up period of 2 years. Patient reported quality of life remained mostly stable, while pain and physical limitations improved over time.

Cytokine expression profiles in white blood cells of patients with small fiber neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: The role of cytokines in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prognosis of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is incompletely understood. We studied expression profiles of selected pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in RNA from white blood cells (WBC) of patients with a medical history and a clinical phenotype suggestive for SFN and compared data with healthy controls. METHODS: We prospectively recruited 52 patients and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Study participants were characterized in detail and underwent complete neurological examination. Venous blood was drawn for routine and extended laboratory tests, and for WBC isolation. Systemic RNA expression profiles of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF) were analyzed. Protein levels of IL-2, IL-8, and TNF were measured in serum of patients and controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-curve analysis was used to determine the accuracy of IL-2, IL-8, and TNF in differentiating patients and controls. To compare the potential discriminatory efficacy of single versus combined cytokines, equality of different AUCs was tested. RESULTS: WBC gene expression of IL-2, IL-8, and TNF was higher in patients compared to healthy controls (IL-2: p = 0.02; IL-8: p = 0.009; TNF: p = 0.03) and discriminated between the groups (area under the curve (AUC) ≥ 0.68 for each cytokine) with highest diagnostic accuracy reached by combining the three cytokines (AUC = 0.81, sensitivity = 70%, specificity = 86%). Subgroup analysis revealed the following differences: IL-8 and TNF gene expression levels were higher in female patients compared to female controls (IL-8: p = 0.01; TNF: p = 0.03). The combination of TNF with IL-2 and TNF with IL-2 and IL-8 discriminated best between the study groups. IL-2 was higher expressed in patients with moderate pain compared to those with severe pain (p = 0.02). Patients with acral pain showed higher IL-10 gene expression compared to patients with generalized pain (p = 0.004). We further found a negative correlation between the relative gene expression of IL-2 and current pain intensity (p = 0.02). Serum protein levels of IL-2, IL-8, and TNF did not differ between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: We identified higher systemic gene expression of IL-2, IL-8, and TNF in SFN patients than in controls, which may be of potential relevance for diagnostics and patient stratification.

Reduced midbrain raphe echogenicity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The pathogenesis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is unclear. Transcranial ultrasonography revealed anechoic alteration of midbrain raphe in depression and anxiety disorders, suggesting affection of the central serotonergic system. Here, we assessed midbrain raphe echogenicity in FMS. METHODS: Sixty-six patients underwent transcranial sonography, of whom 53 were patients with FMS (27 women, 26 men), 13 patients with major depression and physical pain (all women), and 14 healthy controls (11 women, 3 men). Raphe echogenicity was graded visually as normal or hypoechogenic, and quantified by digitized image analysis, each by investigators blinded to the clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: Quantitative midbrain raphe echogenicity was lower in patients with FMS compared to healthy controls (p<0.05), but not different from that of patients with depression and accompanying physical pain. Pain and FMS symptom burden did not correlate with midbrain raphe echogenicity as well as the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: We found reduced echogenicity of the midbrain raphe area in patients with FMS and in patients with depression and physical pain, independent of the presence or severity of pain, FMS, and depressive symptoms. Further exploration of this sonographic finding is necessary before this objective technique may enter diagnostic algorithms in FMS and depression.

Proinflammatory profile in the skin of Parkinson's disease patients with and without pain.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson`s disease (PD), however, its pathomechanism remains elusive. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the local gene expression of selected proinflammatory mediators in patients with PD and correlated our data with patients`pain phenotype. METHODS: We recruited 30 patients with PD and 30 healthy controls. Pain intensity of patients was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and patients were stratified into PD pain (NRS≥4) and PD No Pain (NRS<4) subgroups. Skin punch biopsies were immunoassayed for protein-gene product 9.5 as a pan-neuronal marker and intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IEFND). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis was performed to assess the gene expression of inflammatory mediators in the skin compared to controls. RESULTS: Patients with PD had lower distal IENFD compared to healthy controls. In skin samples, IL-2 (p<0.001) and TNF-α (p<0.01) were expressed higher in PD patients compared to controls. IL-1ß (p<0.05) was expressed higher in the PD pain group compared to healthy controls. PD patients with pain receiving analgesics had a lower expression of TNF-α (p<0.05) in the skin compared to those not receiving treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest the occurrence of a local, peripheral inflammatory response in the skin in PD, but do not support this being a relevant factor contributing to pain in PD.

X-chromosomal inactivation patterns in women with Fabry disease.

BACKGROUND: Although Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the α-galactosidase A gene (GLA), women may develop severe symptoms. We investigated X-chromosomal inactivation patterns (XCI) as a potential determinant of symptom severity in FD women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 95 women with mutations in GLA (n = 18 with variants of unknown pathogenicity) and 50 related men, and collected mouth epithelial cells, venous blood, and skin fibroblasts for XCI analysis using the methylation status of the androgen receptor gene. The mutated X-chromosome was identified by comparison of samples from relatives. Patients underwent genotype categorization and deep clinical phenotyping of symptom severity. RESULTS: 43/95 (45%) women carried mutations categorized as classic. The XCI pattern was skewed (i.e., ≥75:25% distribution) in 6/87 (7%) mouth epithelial cell samples, 31/88 (35%) blood samples, and 9/27 (33%) skin fibroblast samples. Clinical phenotype, α-galactosidase A (GAL) activity, and lyso-Gb3 levels did not show intergroup differences when stratified for X-chromosomal skewing and activity status of the mutated X-chromosome. CONCLUSIONS: X-inactivation patterns alone do not reliably reflect the clinical phenotype of women with FD when investigated in biomaterial not directly affected by FD. However, while XCI patterns may vary between tissues, blood frequently shows skewing of XCI patterns.

Dysregulation of Immune Response Mediators and Pain-Related Ion Channels Is Associated with Pain-like Behavior in the GLA KO Mouse Model of Fabry Disease.

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare life-threatening disorder caused by deficiency of the alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) enzyme with a characteristic pain phenotype. Impaired GLA production or function leads to the accumulation of the cell membrane compound globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in the neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of FD patients. Applying immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT PCR) analysis on DRG tissue of the GLA knockout (KO) mouse model of FD, we address the question of how Gb3 accumulation may contribute to FD pain and focus on the immune system and pain-associated ion channel gene expression. We show a higher Gb3 load in the DRG of young (<6 months) (p < 0.01) and old (≥12 months) (p < 0.001) GLA KO mice compared to old wildtype (WT) littermates, and an overall suppressed immune response in the DRG of old GLA KO mice, represented by a reduced number of CD206+ macrophages (p < 0.01) and lower gene expression levels of the inflammation-associated targets interleukin(IL)1b (p < 0.05), IL10 (p < 0.001), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (p < 0.05), and leucine rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) (p < 0.01) in the DRG of old GLA KO mice compared to old WT. Dysregulation of immune-related genes may be linked to lower gene expression levels of the pain-associated ion channels calcium-activated potassium channel 3.1 (KCa3.1) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 channel (TRPA1). Ion channel expression might further be disturbed by impaired sphingolipid recruitment mediated via the lipid raft marker flotillin-1 (FLOT1). This impairment is represented by an increased number of FLOT1+ DRG neurons with a membranous expression pattern in old GLA KO mice compared to young GLA KO, young WT, and old WT mice (p < 0.001 each). Further, we provide evidence for aberrant behavior of GLA KO mice, which might be linked to dysregulated ion channel gene expression levels and disturbed FLOT1 distribution patterns. Behavioral testing revealed mechanical hypersensitivity in young (p < 0.01) and old (p < 0.001) GLA KO mice compared to WT, heat hypersensitivity in young GLA KO mice (p < 0.001) compared to WT, age-dependent heat hyposensitivity in old GLA KO mice (p < 0.001) compared to young GLA KO mice, and cold hyposensitivity in young (p < 0.001) and old (p < 0.001) GLA KO mice compared to WT, which well reflects the clinical phenotype observed in FD patients.

Treatment of Fabry Disease management with migalastat-outcome from a prospective 24 months observational multicenter study (FAMOUS).

AIMS: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase A (GLA/AGAL), resulting in the lysosomal accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). Patients with amenable GLA mutations can be treated with migalastat, an oral pharmacological chaperone increasing endogenous AGAL activity. In this prospective observational multicentre study, safety as well as cardiovascular, renal, and patient-reported outcomes and disease biomarkers were assessed after 12 and 24 months of migalastat treatment under 'real-world' conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 54 patients (26 females) (33 of these [61.1%] pre-treated with enzyme replacement therapy) with amenable mutations were analysed. Treatment was generally safe and well tolerated. A total of 153 events per 1000 patient-years were detected. Overall left ventricular mass index decreased after 24 months (all: -7.5 ± 17.4 g/m2, P = 0.0118; females: -4.6 ± 9.1 g/m2, P = 0.0554; males: -9.9 ± 22.2 g/m2, P = 0.0699). After 24 months, females and males presented with a moderate yearly loss of estimated glomerular filtration rate (-2.6 and -4.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year; P = 0.0317 and P = 0.0028, respectively). FD-specific manifestations/symptoms remained stable (all P > 0.05). A total of 76.9% of females and 50% of males suffered from pain, which has not improved under treatment. FD-specific disease scores (Disease Severity Scoring System and Mainz Severity Score Index) remained stable during treatment. AGAL activities and plasma lyso-Gb3 values remained stable, although some male patients presented with increasing lyso-Gb3 levels over time. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with migalastat was generally safe and resulted in most patients in an amelioration of left ventricular mass. However, due to the heterogeneity of FD phenotypes, it is advisable that the treating physician monitors the clinical response regularly.

CNS imaging characteristics in fibromyalgia patients with and without peripheral nerve involvement.

We tested the hypothesis that reduced skin innervation in fibromyalgia syndrome is associated with specific CNS changes. This prospective case-control study included 43 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome and 40 healthy controls. We further compared the fibromyalgia subgroups with reduced (n = 21) and normal (n = 22) skin innervation. Brains were analysed for cortical volume, for white matter integrity, and for functional connectivity. Compared to controls, cortical thickness was decreased in regions of the frontal, temporal and parietal cortex in the fibromyalgia group as a whole, and decreased in the bilateral pericalcarine cortices in the fibromyalgia subgroup with reduced skin innervation. Diffusion tensor imaging revealed a significant increase in fractional anisotropy in the corona radiata, the corpus callosum, cingulum and fornix in patients with fibromyalgia compared to healthy controls and decreased FA in parts of the internal capsule and thalamic radiation in the subgroup with reduced skin innervation. Using resting-state fMRI, the fibromyalgia group as a whole showed functional hypoconnectivity between the right midfrontal gyrus and the posterior cerebellum and the right crus cerebellum, respectively. The subgroup with reduced skin innervation showed hyperconnectivity between the inferior frontal gyrus, the angular gyrus and the posterior parietal gyrus. Our results suggest that the subgroup of fibromyalgia patients with pronounced pathology in the peripheral nervous system shows alterations in morphology, structural and functional connectivity also at the level of the encephalon. We propose considering these subgroups when conducting clinical trials.

Distinct CholinomiR Blood Cell Signature as a Potential Modulator of the Cholinergic System in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a heterogeneous chronic pain syndrome characterized by musculoskeletal pain and other key co-morbidities including fatigue and a depressed mood. FMS involves altered functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS, PNS) and immune system, but the specific molecular pathophysiology remains unclear. Anti-cholinergic treatment is effective in FMS patient subgroups, and cholinergic signaling is a strong modulator of CNS and PNS immune processes. Therefore, we used whole blood small RNA-sequencing of female FMS patients and healthy controls to profile microRNA regulators of cholinergic transcripts (CholinomiRs). We compared microRNA profiles with those from Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with pain as disease controls. We validated the sequencing results with quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and identified cholinergic targets. Further, we measured serum cholinesterase activity in FMS patients and healthy controls. Small RNA-sequencing revealed FMS-specific changes in 19 CholinomiRs compared to healthy controls and PD patients. qRT-PCR validated miR-182-5p upregulation, distinguishing FMS patients from healthy controls. mRNA targets of CholinomiRs bone morphogenic protein receptor 2 and interleukin 6 signal transducer were downregulated. Serum acetylcholinesterase levels and cholinesterase activity in FMS patients were unchanged. Our findings identified an FMS-specific CholinomiR signature in whole blood, modulating immune-related gene expression.

Generation of the induced pluripotent stem cell line UKWNLi005-A derived from a patient with the GLA mutation c.376A > G of unknown pathogenicity in Fabry disease.

Human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) were obtained by skin punch biopsy from a 51-year old man with suspected Fabry disease (FD), carrying the hemizygous c.376A > G variant in the α-galactosidase A gene (GLA). Cultured HDF were reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) using a non-modified RNA-based transfection protocol. GLA-S126G-iPSC exhibit typical embryonic stem cell-like morphology, normal karyotype, expression of all tested pluripotency markers, and three germ layer differentiation potential. We provide a novel patient-specific cell line that can be used to investigate a genetic variation of yet unknown significance.

Gene variants of unknown significance in Fabry disease: Clinical characteristics of c.376A>G (p.Ser126Gly).

BACKGROUND: Anderson-Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder with varying organ involvement and symptoms, depending on the underlying mutation in the alpha-galactosidase A gene (HGNC: GLA). With genetic testing becoming more readily available, it is crucial to precisely evaluate pathogenicity of each genetic variant, in order to determine whether there is or might be not a need for FD-specific therapy in affected patients and relatives at the time point of presentation or in the future. METHODS: This case series investigates the clinical impact of the specific GLA gene variant c.376A>G (p.Ser126Gly) in five (one heterozygous and one homozygous female, three males) individuals from different families, who visited our center between 2009 and 2021. Comprehensive neurological, nephrological and cardiac examinations were performed in all cases. One patient received a follow-up examination after 12 years. RESULTS: Index events leading to suspicion of FD were mainly unspecific neurological symptoms. However, FD-specific biomarkers, imaging examinations (i.e., brain MRI, heart MRI), and tissue-specific diagnostics, including kidney and skin biopsies, did not reveal evidence for FD-specific symptoms or organ involvement but showed normal results in all cases. This includes findings from 12-year follow-up in one patient with renal biopsy. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that p.Ser126Gly represents a benign GLA gene variant which per se does not cause FD. Precise clinical evaluation in individuals diagnosed with genetic variations of unknown significance should be performed to distinguish common symptoms broadly prevalent in the general population from those secondary to FD.

Subepidermal Schwann cell counts correlate with skin innervation - an exploratory study.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Schwann cell clusters have been described at the murine dermis-epidermis border. We quantified dermal Schwann cells in the skin of patients with small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) compared with healthy controls to correlate with the clinical phenotype. METHODS: Skin punch biopsies from the lower legs of 28 patients with SFN (11 men, 17 women; median age, 54 [range, 19-73] years) and 9 healthy controls (five men, four women, median age, 34 [range, 25-69] years) were immunoreacted for S100 calcium-binding protein B as a Schwann cell marker, protein-gene product 9.5 as a pan-neuronal marker, and CD207 as a Langerhans cell marker. Intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) and subepidermal Schwann cell counts were determined. RESULTS: Skin samples of patients with SFN showed lower IENFD (P < .05), fewer Schwann cells per millimeter (P < .01), and fewer Schwann cell clusters per millimeter (P < .05) than controls. When comparing SFN patients with reduced (n = 13; median age, 53 [range, 19-73] years) and normal distal (n = 15, median age, 54 [range, 43-68] years) IENFD, the number of solitary Schwann cells per millimeter (p < .01) and subepidermal nerve fibers associated with Schwann cell branches (P < .05) were lower in patients with reduced IENFD. All three parameters correlated positively with distal IENFD (P < .05 to P < .01), whereas no correlation was found between Schwann cell counts and clinical pain characteristics. DISCUSSION: Our data raise questions about the mechanisms underlying the interdependence of dermal Schwann cells and skin innervation in SFN. The temporal course and functional impact of Schwann cell presence and kinetics need further investigation.

Clinical and apparative investigation of large and small nerve fiber impairment in mixed cohort of ATTR-amyloidosis: impact on patient management and new insights in wild-type.

INTRODUCTION: Neuropathy in transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis is frequently underdiagnosed, delaying effective treatment. Early detection of large- and small-nerve fiber damage via a comprehensive diagnostic algorithm impacts on clinical management. METHODS: A mixed cohort of patients with ATTR amyloidosis (wild type-wt, hereditary-v and TTR gene mutation carriers) of the Interdisciplinary Amyloidosis Centre of Northern Bavaria underwent clinical examination, nerve conduction studies (NCS), quantitative sensory testing (QST), sympathetic skin response (SSR), quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing (QSART), and skin punch biopsies. RESULTS: Out of 30 study participants (7 ATTRv/asymptomatic gene carriers, 23 ATTRwt) large-fiber neuropathy was found in 43% patients with ATTRv and 70% with ATTRwt. QST revealed a mixed small and large fiber impairment in all ATTRv/asymptomatic gene carriers and in 78% of ATTRwt. Autonomic tests were pathological in the majority of ATTRv and over 50% of ATTRwt patients. Skin biopsies (sampled from 19 patients) showed reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) in all ATTRv/asymptomatic gene carriers and over 80% of ATTRwt. Two ATTRwt patients had a pure small fiber neuropathy. After reviewing for relevant co-morbidities, 44% of ATTRwt patients exhibited neuropathy (large and/or small fiber) without evidence of any other underlying cause. Disease manifestation in the peripheral nervous system was newly diagnosed in three ATTR gene mutation carriers, thereby influencing clinical management. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive test program gives new insights regarding the presence of neuropathy in ATTRv and ATTRwt, which impact on patient management.

Relevance of Religiosity for Coping Strategies and Disability in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Coping strategies are essential for the outcome of chronic pain. This study evaluated religiosity in a cohort of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), its effect on pain and other symptoms, on coping and FMS-related disability. A total of 102 FMS patients were recruited who filled in questionnaires, a subgroup of 42 patients participated in a face-to-face interview, and data were evaluated by correlation and regression analyses. Few patients were traditionally religious, but the majority believed in a higher existence and described their spirituality as "transcendence conviction". The coping strategy "praying-hoping" and the ASP dimension "religious orientation" (r = 0.5, P < 0.05) showed a significant relationship independent of the grade of religiosity (P < 0.05). A high grade of belief in a higher existence was negatively associated with the choice of ignoring as coping strategy (r = - 0.4, P < 0.05). Mood and affect-related variables had the highest impact on disability (b = 0.5, P < 0.05). In this cohort, the grade of religiosity played a role in the choice of coping strategies, but had no effects on health and mood outcome.

Profile of the single-use, multiple-pass protein A adsorber column in immunoadsorption.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Immunoadsorptions (IA) are used to remove autoantibodies from the plasma in autoimmune disorders. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a single-use, recombinant staphylococcal protein A-based immunoadsorber on blood composition of the patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cohort of patients with myasthenia gravis or stiff-person syndrome, essential parameters of blood cell count, coagulation, clinical chemistry or plasma proteins and immunoglobulins (Ig) were measured before and after IA (n = 11). RESULTS: In average, IA reduced the levels of total IgG, IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 by approximately 60%, the acetylcholine receptor autoantibody levels by more than 70%. IgG3, IgA or IgM were diminished to a lower extent. In contrast to fibrinogen or other coagulation factors, the column markedly removed vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X by approximately 40%-70%. Accordingly, international normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time were increased after IA by 59.1% and 32.7%, respectively. Coagulation tests almost returned to baseline values within 24 h. Blood cell count, electrolytes, total protein or albumin were not essentially affected. No clinical events occurred. CONCLUSION: The single-use, multiple-pass protein A adsorber column is highly efficient to remove IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 or specific acetylcholine receptor autoantibodies from the plasma. Coagulation parameters should be monitored, since the column has the capacity to largely reduce vitamin K-dependent factors.