Targeting NF-κB signaling in B cells as a potential new treatment modality for ANCA-associated vasculitis.

B lineage cells are critically involved in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), evidenced by alterations in circulating B cell subsets and beneficial clinical effects of rituximab (anti-CD20) therapy. This treatment renders a long-term, peripheral B cell depletion, but allows for the survival of long-lived plasma cells. Therefore, there is an unmet need for more reversible and full B lineage cell targeting approaches. To find potential novel therapeutic targets, RNA sequencing of CD27+ memory B cells of patients with active AAV was performed, revealing an upregulated NF-κB-associated gene signature. NF-κB signaling pathways act downstream of various B cell surface receptors, including the BCR, CD40, BAFFR and TLRs, and are essential for B cell responses. Here we demonstrate that novel pharmacological inhibitors of NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK, non-canonical NF-κB signaling) and inhibitor-of-κB-kinase-ß (IKKß, canonical NF-κB signaling) can effectively inhibit NF-κB signaling in B cells, whereas T cell responses were largely unaffected. Moreover, both inhibitors significantly reduced B cell proliferation, differentiation and production of antibodies, including proteinase-3 (PR3) autoantibodies, in B lineage cells of AAV patients. These findings indicate that targeting NF-κB, particularly NIK, may be an effective, novel B lineage cell targeted therapy for AAV and other autoimmune diseases with prominent B cell involvement.

Kv1.3 blockade by ShK186 modulates CD4+ effector memory T-cell activity of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

OBJECTIVES: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a chronic relapsing systemic autoimmune vasculitis. Current treatment of GPA is unsatisfactory, as it relies on strong immunosuppressive regimens, with either CYC or rituximab, which reduce the immunogenicity of several vaccines and are risk factors for a severe form of COVID-19. This emphasizes the need to identify new drug targets and to develop treatment strategies with less harmful side effects. Since CD4+ effector memory T cells (TEM) play a key role in the pathogenesis of GPA, we aimed in this study to modulate CD4+TEM cell activity via Kv1.3 blockade using the specific peptide inhibiter, ShK-186. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from 27 patients with GPA in remission and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were pre-incubated in vitro in the presence or absence of ShK-186, followed by stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate, calcium ionophore and brefeldin-A. The effect of ShK-186 on the cytokine production (IFNγ, TNFα, IL-4, IL-17, IL-21) within total and subsets of CD4+ T helper (CD4+TH) cells were assessed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: ShK-186 reduced the expression level of IFNγ, TNFα, IL-4, IL-17 and IL-21 in CD4+TH cells from patients with GPA in vitro. Further analysis performed on sorted CD4+T cell subsets, revealed that ShK-186 predominantly inhibited the cytokine production of CD4+TEM cells. ShK-186 treatment reduced the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines to the level seen in CD4+ TH cells from HCs. CONCLUSIONS: Modulation of cellular effector function by ShK-186 may constitute a novel treatment strategy for GPA with high specificity and less harmful side effects.

Oxalate nephropathy in an elderly patient with newly diagnosed celiac disease - a case report.

Oxalate nephropathy, due to secondary hyperoxaluria has widely been described in gastrointestinal diseases. However, reports of oxalate nephropathy in newly diagnosed celiac disease are rare. A 72-year-old Caucasian male presented to the hospital with abdominal discomfort and acute renal insufficiency with a creatinine of 290 µmol/L. The clinical course, laboratory results and urinalysis were suspect for tubular injury. Renal biopsy showed calcium oxalate depositions. Elevated plasma and urine oxalate levels established the diagnosis oxalate nephropathy. The abdominal complaints with steatorrhea and positive anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies were diagnosed as celiac disease, which was confirmed after duodenal biopsies. Treatment with prednisone, and gluten-free, low oxalate and normal calcium diet, lowered the plasma oxalate levels and improved his renal function. Decreased absorption of free fatty acids can lead to increased free oxalate in the colon due to the binding of free fatty acids to calcium, preventing the formation of the less absorbable calcium oxalate in the colon. Oxalate dispositions in the kidney can lead to acute tubular injury and chronic renal insufficiency. Celiac disease is therefore one of the intestinal diseases that can lead to hyperoxaluria and oxalate nephropathy.

CD163 and CD206 expression define distinct macrophage subsets involved in active ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis.

INTRODUCTION: Macrophages are key players in the immunopathology of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) mediated-vasculitis (AAV) with glomerulonephritis (ANCA GN). Different macrophage phenotypes are expected to play distinct roles in ANCA GN. Macrophages expressing CD163 and CD206 are found in lesions associated with ANCA GN. Hence, we aimed to investigate the clinicopathological significance of CD206 and CD163 in ANCA GN in a multicenter retrospective cohort study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, with clinical data, serum and urine samples were included from three cohorts. Serum soluble CD206 (ssCD206) and urinary soluble CD163 (usCD163) levels were measured. Human kidney tissue samples (n = 53) were stained for CD206 and CD163 using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and findings were correlated with clinical and pathological data. RESULTS: In total, 210 patients were included (i.e., ANCA GN, n = 134; AAV without GN, n = 24; AAV in remission n = 52). Increased levels of both ssCD206 and usCD163 were seen in ANCA GN. High levels of ssCD206 declined after reaching remission, however, ssCD206 did not improve the accuracy of usCD163 to detect ANCA GN. Soluble markers correlated with histopathological findings. CD163+CD206- macrophages were found in the glomerulus and may play pivotal roles in glomerulonephritis, whereas CD206+CD163- and CD206+CD163+ macrophages were located tubulointerstitially and likely play a more prominent role in ANCA-associated tubulointerstitial inflammation. In ANCA GN patients increasing levels of ssCD206 increased the risk for end-stage renal disease and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm and extend the notion that CD206+ and CD163+ macrophages are prominent components of the cellular infiltrate in ANCA GN. We found distinct macrophage phenotypes that may play distinct roles in the immunopathology of ANCA GN and elaborate on a potential mechanism underlying the findings of this study. usCD163 remains an excellent marker to detect active ANCA GN, whereas ssCD206 seems a more prominent marker for risk prediction.

Predictors of renal flares and long-term renal outcome in patients with lupus nephritis: results from daily clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To describe renal outcomes of the lupus nephritis (LN) population of the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) in the Netherlands and to identify predictors for renal flares and long-term renal outcome in daily clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of biopsy-proven LN patients with induction and maintenance treatment in the UMCG between 1982 and 2016 was performed. Data were collected at time of diagnosis, after 6 months and every year up to 10 years after diagnosis. Outcome measures were renal relapse (biopsy proven), progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 or 4 and chronic renal replacement therapy. The ability of serum creatinine, proteinuria, creatinine clearance, serum anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies, serum complement 3 (C3) and serum complement 4 (C4), as well as biographic data and histopathological class to predict long-term renal outcome was assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were included, with median follow-up of 120 months (IQR 48-120 months). During follow-up - up to 10 years - twenty-one (30%) patients experienced at least one relapse. Eleven (15%) patients had CKD stage 3 or 4, of whom eight showed persistent CKD since baseline and two (3%) patients required chronic renal replacement therapy. At baseline, low levels of serum C3 were a significant predictor of renal relapse. Low levels of C3 and C4 at 6 and 12 and proteinuria and high levels of anti-dsDNA at 12 months were significant predictors of renal relapse. At baseline, 6 months and 12 months serum creatinine and creatinine clearance were significant predictors for persistent or newly developed CKD 3 or 4, and need for chronic renal replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one-third of LN patients experience at least one renal relapse during long-term follow up, but only 3% need chronic renal replacement therapy. Our data suggests that early serological remission is associated with a low risk of renal relapse. Decreased renal function at onset and the first year after diagnosis is predictive for decreased renal function at a later stage.

Longitudinal monitoring of BKPyV miRNA levels in kidney transplant recipients with BKPyV-related pathology reflects viral DNA levels and remain high in viremia patients after clearance of viral DNA.

INTRODUCTION: It is unclear whether polyomavirus BK (BKPyV) microribonucleic acid (miRNA) measurement has additional diagnostic and predictive value in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) as compared to current methods of monitoring BKPyV DNA loads. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, longitudinal study was performed in 30 KTR with BKPyV viruria (n = 10), BKPyV viremia (n = 10), or BKPyV-associated neuropathy (BKPyVAN) (n = 10). Bkv-miR-B1-3p and 5p and BKPyV DNA load were measured in urine and plasma and compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Levels of Bkv-miR-B1-3p and 5p and BKPyV DNA correlated strongly. Overall, mostly analog courses of urinary and plasma miRNA and DNA loads were observed. Areas under the ROC curves were not significantly different between miRNAs and DNA. Only, in contrast to BKPyV DNA load, BKPyV miRNA levels increased from 6 to 12 months in the viremia group, while in the BKPyVAN group, a decline was seen in both DNA and miRNA. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we could not demonstrate an additional value of BKPyV miRNA detection compared to BKPyV DNA monitoring in the early phase after kidney transplantation. We did observe significant differences between the viremia and the BKPyVAN groups during follow-up. This study was performed with a small number of patients and therefore results should be verified in a larger patient cohort. Furthermore, future studies with larger patient groups are necessary to elucidate final clinical value of these data.

Gene variants and treatment outcomes in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

The introduction of immunosuppressive therapy for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) has greatly improved outcomes, though patients now accumulate damage from vasculitis activity and adverse effects of treatment. Prediction of treatment outcomes using gene variants might help reduce this damage by allowing for personalized treatment. Several studies have studied genetic polymorphisms in relation to treatment outcomes of AAV. This review gives an overview of these studies, discussing both gene polymorphisms associated with inflammatory pathways (potentially influencing disease outcomes such as activity, severity, and relapse risk) and pharmacogenetics (potentially influencing drug metabolism and/or drug response). Subsequently, potential benefits of testing genetic variants for AAV and the steps needed for its implementation in clinical practice are discussed. The conclusion of this review is that measurement of most polymorphisms is currently not indicated in clinical practice.

Circulating CD24hiCD38hi regulatory B cells correlate inversely with the ThEM17 cell frequency in granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there is a direct relation between expanded proportions of Th17 effector memory (ThEM17) cells and regulatory B cells (Bregs) in peripheral blood of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) patients. METHODS: Frequencies of Bregs and ThEM17 cells, as well as ThEM1 cells, were determined by flow cytometry in blood samples from 42 GPA patients in remission and 18 matched healthy controls (HCs). The Breg frequency was defined as CD24hiCD38hiCD19+ cells. ThEM17 cells were defined as CCR6+CXCR3-CCR4+ cells and ThEM1 cells as CCR6-CXCR3+CCR4- cells within the CD3+CD4+CD45RO+CCR7- population. In addition, CD3+CD4+ Th cells from 9 GPA patients were co-cultured in vitro with either total B cells or a Breg-depleted B cell fraction. Cultured cells were stimulated with Staphylococcus Enterotoxin B (SEB) and CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN). Th17- (IL-17+) and Th1 cell (IFNγ+) frequencies were determined at baseline and day 5 upon restimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and Ca-I. RESULTS: A decreased Breg frequency was found in treated GPA patients, whereas an increased ThEM17 cell frequency was observed in treated and untreated GPA patients compared with HCs. Additionally, a decreased ThEM1 cell frequency was seen in untreated GPA patients compared with HCs. In untreated GPA patients circulating Breg frequencies correlated negatively with ThEM17 cells (r = -0.533; P = 0.007) and positively with ThEM1 cells (r = -0.473; P = 0.015). The co-culture experiments revealed a significant increase in the frequency of IL-17+ Th cells in Breg-depleted samples (median: 3%; range: 1-7.5%) compared with Breg-undepleted samples (P = 0.002; undepleted samples median: 2.1%; range: 0.9-6.4%), whereas no difference in the frequency of IFNγ+ Th cells in Breg-depleted cultures was observed (undepleted median: 11.8%; range: 2.8-21% vs Breg-depleted median: 12.2%; range: 2.6-17.6%). CONCLUSION: Bregs modulate ThEM17 responses in GPA patients. Future studies should elaborate on clinical and therapeutical implications of the Breg-Th17 interaction in GPA patients.

Clinical outcome in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis and gene variants of 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and the glucocorticoid receptor.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate whether five potential functional haplotypes of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene and a single-nucleotide polymorphism of 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1) are associated with clinical outcome in ANCA-associated vasculitis. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis (n = 241) were genotyped for five polymorphisms of the GR gene and one polymorphism of the HSD11B1 gene. GR gene haplotypes were predicted based on genotyping results. Relapse-free survival, mortality, renal survival, metabolic adverse events and infections were compared between carriers and non-carriers of GR haplotypes and the HSD11B1 genotype. RESULTS: Carriers of haplotype 4 (ER22/23EK + 9ß+TthIII1) of GR had a significantly higher 5-year mortality risk [hazard ratio (HR) 4.5 (95% CI 1.6, 12.8)] and had a higher risk of developing end-stage renal disease [HR 7.4 (95% CI 1.9, 28.7)]. Carriers of a minor variant of HSD11B1 more frequently experienced relapse [HR 2.5 (95% CI 1.5, 4.1)] except if they also carried haplotype 1 (BclI) of GR. Homozygous carriers of haplotype 1 had a higher risk of developing dyslipidaemia [HR 4.1 (95% CI 1.8, 9.6)]. The occurrence of infections did not differ between GR haplotypes and HSD11B1 genotypes. CONCLUSION: Haplotypes 1 and 4 of GR and a polymorphism of the HSD11B1 gene were associated with clinically relevant inflammatory and metabolic outcomes in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Evidence for enhanced Bruton's tyrosine kinase activity in transitional and naïve B cells of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) protein and phosphorylation levels in B cell subsets of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) patients and to investigate the effect of BTK blockade on in vitro B cell cytokine production, subset distribution and (auto)antibody production. METHODS: BTK protein and phosphorylation levels were determined by flow cytometry in peripheral blood B cells of 29 untreated GPA patients [9 active and 20 remission GPA patients (10 ANCA- and 10 ANCA+)], 9 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) and 9 untreated active RA patients. The effect of BTK blockade on in vitro B cell cytokine production, subset distribution and (auto)antibody production was determined in the same donors in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures. RESULTS: BTK protein levels were significantly increased in transitional and naïve B cells of active GPA and RA patients compared with remission GPA patients and HCs. Both B cell subsets of active patients were more sensitive to B cell receptor stimulation, as BTK and phospholipase Cγ2 phosphorylation were increased in these patients. In vitro BTK blockade had profound effects on B cell cytokine production, plasma cell formation and (auto)antibody production in both GPA patients and HCs. Interestingly, the effect of BTK blockade was less pronounced in active GPA patients, possibly due to increased activation of B cells. CONCLUSION: We show that BTK protein and phosphorylation levels are most profoundly increased in newly emerging B cells of active GPA patients compared with remission patients. BTK blockade greatly inhibits in vitro B cell effector functions in GPA patients and HCs. These promising data identify BTK as an interesting novel therapeutic target in the treatment of GPA.

Urinary and serum soluble CD25 complements urinary soluble CD163 to detect active renal anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis: a cohort study.

Background: Early detection of renal involvement in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is of major clinical importance to allow prompt initiation of treatment and limit renal damage. Urinary soluble cluster of differentiation 163 (usCD163) has recently been identified as a potential biomarker for active renal vasculitis. However, a significant number of patients with active renal vasculitis test negative using usCD163. We therefore studied whether soluble CD25 (sCD25), a T cell activation marker, could improve the detection of renal flares in AAV. Methods: sCD25 and sCD163 levels in serum and urine were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 72 patients with active renal AAV, 20 with active extrarenal disease, 62 patients in remission and 18 healthy controls. Urinary and blood CD4+ T and CD4+ T effector memory (TEM) cell counts were measured in 22 patients with active renal vasculitis. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were generated and recursive partitioning was used to calculate whether usCD25 and serum soluble CD25 (ssCD25) add utility to usCD163. Results: usCD25, ssCD25 and usCD163 levels were significantly higher during active renal disease and significantly decreased after induction of remission. A combination of usCD25, usCD163 and ssCD25 outperformed all individual markers (sensitivity 84.7%, specificity 95.1%). Patients positive for sCD25 but negative for usCD163 (n = 10) had significantly higher C-reactive protein levels and significantly lower serum creatinine and proteinuria levels compared with the usCD163-positive patients. usCD25 correlated positively with urinary CD4+ T and CD4+ TEM cell numbers, whereas ssCD25 correlated negatively with circulating CD4+ T and CD4+ TEM cells. Conclusion: Measurement of usCD25 and ssCD25 complements usCD163 in the detection of active renal vasculitis.

Endothelial heparan sulfate deficiency reduces inflammation and fibrosis in murine diabetic nephropathy.

Inflammation plays a vital role in the development of diabetic nephropathy, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms are only partially understood. Our previous studies demonstrated that, during acute inflammation, endothelial heparan sulfate (HS) contributes to the adhesion and transendothelial migration of leukocytes into perivascular tissues by direct interaction with L-selectin and the presentation of bound chemokines. In the current study, we aimed to assess the role of endothelial HS on chronic renal inflammation and fibrosis in a diabetic nephropathy mouse model. To reduce sulfation of HS specifically in the endothelium, we generated Ndst1 f/f Tie2Cre + mice in which N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase-1 (Ndst1), the gene that initiates HS sulfation modifications in HS biosynthesis, was expressly ablated in endothelium. To induce diabetes, age-matched male Ndst1 f/f Tie2Cre - (wild type) and Ndst1 f/f Tie2Cre + mice on a C57Bl/6J background were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg) on five consecutive days (N = 10-11/group). Urine and plasma were collected. Four weeks after diabetes induction the animals were sacrificed and kidneys were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Compared to healthy controls, diabetic Ndst1 f/f Tie2Cre - mice showed increased glomerular macrophage infiltration, mannose binding lectin complement deposition and glomerulosclerosis, whereas these pathological reactions were prevented significantly in the diabetic Ndst1 f/f Tie2Cre + animals (all three p < 0.01). In addition, the expression of the podocyte damage marker desmin was significantly higher in the Ndst1 f/f Tie2Cre - group compared to the Ndst1 f/f Tie2Cre + animals (p < 0.001), although both groups had comparable numbers of podocytes. In the cortical tubulo-interstitium, similar analyses show decreased interstitial macrophage accumulation in the diabetic Ndst1 f/f Tie2Cre + animals compared to the diabetic Ndst1 f/f Tie2Cre - mice (p < 0.05). Diabetic Ndst1 f/f Tie2Cre + animals also showed reduced interstitial fibrosis as evidenced by reduced density of αSMA-positive myofibroblasts (p < 0.01), diminished collagen III deposition (p < 0.001) and reduced mRNA expression of collagen I (p < 0.001) and fibronectin (p < 0.001). Our studies indicate a pivotal role of endothelial HS in the development of renal inflammation and fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy in mice. These results suggest that HS is a possible target for therapy in diabetic nephropathy.

Towards precision medicine in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is characterized by inflammation and destruction of small and medium-sized vessels. Current management strategies for AAV have been validated in large groups of patients. However, recent insights indicate that distinct patient subsets may actually exist within AAV, thereby justifying the development of more personalized treatment strategies. In this review, we discuss current evidence for a better classification of AAV based on ANCA type. We describe how thus defined categories of AAV patients may differ in genetic background, clinical presentation, immune pathology, response to treatment and disease outcome. We also explore how these insights may provide a rationale for targeted treatments in different categories of AAV patients. Finally, we provide recommendations on how to further establish precision medicine in AAV.

Kidney histopathology in lethal human sepsis.

PURPOSE: The histopathology of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients remains an understudied area. Previous studies have identified that acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is not the only driver of sepsis-AKI. The focus of this study was to identify additional candidate processes that may drive sepsis-AKI. To do this we immunohistochemically characterized the histopathological and cellular features in various compartments of human septic kidneys. METHODS: We studied the following histopathological features: leukocyte subsets, fibroblast activation, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and fibrin deposition in the glomerulus and the tubulointerstitium in human post-mortem kidney biopsy tissue. Biopsy tissue samples from 27 patients with sepsis-AKI were collected 33 min (range 24-150) after death in the ICU. The unaffected part of the kidneys from 12 patients undergoing total nephrectomy as a result of renal carcinoma served as controls. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of more neutrophils and macrophages in the glomeruli and more neutrophils in the tubulointerstitium of renal tissue from patients with sepsis compared to control renal tissue. Type II macrophages were predominant, with some macrophages expressing both type I and type II markers. In contrast, there were almost no macrophages found in control kidneys. The number of activated (myo)fibroblasts was low in the glomeruli of sepsis-AKI kidneys, yet this was not observed in the tubulointerstitium. Cell proliferation and fibrin deposition were more pronounced in the glomeruli and tubulointerstitium of sepsis-AKI than in control kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: The extensive heterogeneity of observations among and within patients emphasizes the need to thoroughly characterize patients with sepsis-AKI in a large sample of renal biopsy tissue from patients with sepsis.

Kidney Involvement in Systemic Calcitonin Amyloidosis Associated With Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

A 52-year-old woman with widely disseminated medullary thyroid carcinoma developed nephrotic syndrome and slowly decreasing kidney function. A kidney biopsy was performed to differentiate between malignancy-associated membranous glomerulopathy and tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Surprisingly, the biopsy specimen revealed diffuse glomerular deposition of amyloid that was proved to be derived from the calcitonin hormone (Acal), produced by the medullary thyroid carcinoma. This amyloid was also present in an abdominal fat pad biopsy. Although local ACal deposition is a characteristic feature of medullary thyroid carcinoma, the systemic amyloidosis involving the kidney that is presented in this case report has not to our knowledge been described previously and may be the result of long-term high plasma calcitonin levels. Our case illustrates that systemic calcitonin amyloidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of proteinuria in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Auto-antibodies to double-stranded DNA as biomarker in systemic lupus erythematosus: comparison of different assays during quiescent and active disease.

Objective: Auto-antibodies directed to dsDNA (anti-dsDNA) are used in diagnosis and follow-up for SLE. However, multiple assays are used. The objective of this study was to determine the best-performing assays, especially in prediction of exacerbations. Methods: Seven assays were compared during LN (n = 58). The two assays with the most frequent positive results during active nephritis were selected and tested in 152 SLE patients with quiescent disease, 40 with active disease and 214 disease controls. Furthermore, longitudinal samples of SLE patients with and without exacerbations were examined to determine the positive predictive value of an increase for an exacerbation. Results: Of seven assays, results of the Farr (Siemens) and enzyme-labelled anti-isotype assay (EliA) (ThermoFisherScientific) were foremost associated with active nephritis (both 95%). Sensitivity in active SLE was equal using Farr or EliA (95 vs 93%). In quiescent disease, the specificity of EliA was higher (Farr: 53% vs EliA: 91%). In longitudinal analyses, a 25% increase of anti-dsDNA preceded an exacerbation in 75 vs 69% (Farr vs EliA). In SLE patients without exacerbations (n = 42), a rise was seen in 10 vs 12%. Increases in anti-dsDNA occurred more often prior to nephritis (n = 17) compared with non-nephritic flares (n = 17), which was not different between both assays (Farr: 82 and 66%, respectively; EliA: 93 and 43%, respectively). Conclusion: Anti-dsDNA is most frequently positive using Farr and EliA during active nephritis, with comparable sensitivity. Both assays performed equally during exacerbations. However, EliA had higher specificity in quiescent disease and had several advantages, including no use of radioactive materials and less time required.

Long term azathioprine maintenance therapy in ANCA-associated vasculitis: combined results of long-term follow-up data.

Objective: We studied whether in ANCA-associated vasculitis patients, duration of AZA maintenance influenced relapse rate during long-term follow-up. Methods: Three hundred and eighty newly diagnosed ANCA-associated vasculitis patients from six European multicentre studies treated with AZA maintenance were included; 58% were male, median age at diagnosis 59.4 years (interquartile range: 48.3-68.2 years); granulomatosis with polyangiitis, n = 236; microscopic polyangiitis, n = 132; or renal limited vasculitis, n = 12. Patients were grouped according to the duration of AZA maintenance after remission induction: ⩽18 months, ⩽24 months, ⩽36 months, ⩽48 months or > 48 months. Primary outcome was relapse-free survival at 60 months. Results: During follow-up, 84 first relapses occurred during AZA-maintenance therapy (1 relapse per 117 patient months) and 71 after withdrawal of AZA (1 relapse/113 months). During the first 12 months after withdrawal, 20 relapses occurred (1 relapse/119 months) and 29 relapses >12 months after withdrawal (1 relapse/186 months). Relapse-free survival at 60 months was 65.3% for patients receiving AZA maintenance >18 months after diagnosis vs 55% for those who discontinued maintenance ⩽18 months (P = 0.11). Relapse-free survival was associated with induction therapy (i.v. vs oral) and ANCA specificity (PR3-ANCA vs MPO-ANCA/negative). Conclusion: Post hoc analysis of combined trial data suggest that stopping AZA maintenance therapy does not lead to a significant increase in relapse rate and AZA maintenance for more than 18 months after diagnosis does not significantly influence relapse-free survival. ANCA specificity has more effect on relapse-free survival than duration of maintenance therapy and should be used to tailor therapy individually.

Incidence and outcome of BK polyomavirus infection in a multicenter randomized controlled trial with renal transplant patients receiving cyclosporine-, mycophenolate sodium-, or everolimus-based low-dose immunosuppressive therapy.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether overall degree of immunosuppression or specific effects of individual immunosuppressive agents are causal for increased occurrence of BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection in renal transplant recipients (RTR). METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, open-label randomized controlled trial in 361 de novo RTR was performed. A total of 224 RTR were randomized at 6 months into three treatment groups with dual therapy consisting of prednisolone (Pred) plus either cyclosporine (CsA), mycophenolate sodium (MPS), or everolimus (EVL). Primary outcomes were incidence of BK viruria, BK viremia, and BKPyV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN). RESULTS: From 6 months, incidence of BK viruria in the MPS group (43.6%) was significantly higher than in the other groups (CsA: 16.9%, EVL: 19.8%) (P=.003). BKVAN was diagnosed in 3 patients, all treated with MPS (7.8%, P=.001). Longitudinal data analysis showed a lower BKPyV load and a significantly faster clearance of BK viruria in the CsA group compared to the MPS group (P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with MPS was associated with an increased incidence of BK viruria. Dual immunosuppressive therapy with CsA and Pred was associated with the lowest rate of BKPyV replication and the fastest clearance of the virus.

Efficacy of remission-induction regimens for ANCA-associated vasculitis.

BACKGROUND: The 18-month efficacy of a single course of rituximab as compared with conventional immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide followed by azathioprine in patients with severe (organ-threatening) antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is unknown. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, noninferiority trial, we compared rituximab (375 mg per square meter of body-surface area administered once a week for 4 weeks) followed by placebo with cyclophosphamide administered for 3 to 6 months followed by azathioprine for 12 to 15 months. The primary outcome measure was complete remission of disease by 6 months, with the remission maintained through 18 months. RESULTS: A total of 197 patients were enrolled. As reported previously, 64% of the patients in the rituximab group, as compared with 53% of the patients in the cyclophosphamide-azathioprine group, had a complete remission by 6 months. At 12 and 18 months, 48% and 39%, respectively, of the patients in the rituximab group had maintained the complete remissions, as compared with 39% and 33%, respectively, in the comparison group. Rituximab met the prespecified criteria for noninferiority (P<0.001, with a noninferiority margin of 20%). There was no significant difference between the groups in any efficacy measure, including the duration of complete remission and the frequency or severity of relapses. Among the 101 patients who had relapsing disease at baseline, rituximab was superior to conventional immunosuppression at 6 months (P=0.01) and at 12 months (P=0.009) but not at 18 months (P=0.06), at which time most patients in the rituximab group had reconstituted B cells. There was no significant between-group difference in adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis, a single course of rituximab was as effective as continuous conventional immunosuppressive therapy for the induction and maintenance of remissions over the course of 18 months. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and others; RAVE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00104299.)

Toll-like receptor 9 activation enhances B cell activating factor and interleukin-21 induced anti-proteinase 3 autoantibody production in vitro.

OBJECTIVES: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a relapsing small-vessel vasculitis characterized by circulating ANCA against PR3. The mechanisms that trigger PR3-ANCA production are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether endogenous factors [B cell activating factor (BAFF) and IL-21] and exogenous factors [oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG-ODN)] synergize in stimulating PR3-ANCA production in GPA patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from GPA patients and healthy controls (HCs) were cultured in the presence of BAFF and IL-21, with or without CpG-ODN, for 12 days. PR3-ANCA production in culture supernatants was quantified by Phadia EliA. Phenotypic characterization and the influence of CpG-ODN treatment on IL-21 receptor (IL-21R), transmembrane activator and calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) and BAFF receptor (BAFF-R) expression on B cells was analysed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Stimulation with BAFF and IL-21 significantly increased ANCA production in patient samples, which could be augmented further by addition of CpG-ODN. Stimulation with CpG-ODN increased the percentage of IL-21R(+) and TACI(+) B cells but did not affect BAFF-R expression. GPA patients had an increased percentage of circulating IL-21R(+) and a decreased percentage of TACI(+) circulating memory B cells when compared with HCs. Additionally, patients had decreased expression of BAFF-R on B cells, which was inversely correlated with BAFF concentrations in plasma. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that endogenous and exogenous factors can synergize to promote PR3-ANCA production. Mechanistically, CpG-ODN up-regulated IL-21R and TACI expression on B cells, possibly sensitizing these cells for IL-21- and BAFF-mediated signals. Agents inhibiting Toll-like receptor 9, BAFF and IL-21 signalling pathways may serve as potential therapeutics for intervention in GPA patients.