Can Calprotectin Show Subclinical Inflammation in Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients?

BACKGROUND: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease that has self-limiting inflammatory attacks during polyserositis. Hepcidin is a protein, and interleukin-6 stimulation increases hepcidin levels. Calprotectin (CLP) is a recently defined cytokine released from monocytes and neutrophils in response to tissue trauma and inflammation. There are studies in the literature showing that it can be used as a biomarker in rheumatic diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we compared the levels of hepcidin and CLP in healthy individuals and FMF patients during an attack-free period and show its relation to genetic mutations. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Between July 2017 and December 2017, 60 patients diagnosed with FMF an admitted to the Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology as well as 60 healthy volunteers without any rheumatic, systemic, or metabolic diseases were enrolled in this study. Blood was collected from a peripheral vein to measure serum CLP and hepcidin levels. Blood tests were examined by ELISA; the study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee. RESULTS: Median serum hepcidin level was 468.1 (210.3-807.8) pg/mL in FMF group and 890.0 (495.0-1,716.9) pg/mL in the healthy control (HC) group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). The median serum levels of CLP in the FMF group were measured as 1,331.4 (969.3-1,584.6 pg/mL and 73.8(45.0-147.9) pg/mL in the HC group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the sensitivity was 66.7% and the specificity was 71.7% at serum hepcidin < 581.25 pg/mL (P < 0.05); the sensitivity was 96.7% and specificity was 100% at CLP > 238 pg/mL (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between serum hepcidin and CLP levels in FMF patients with M694V homozygous and M694V heterozygous (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum hepcidin levels between FMF patients with and without arthritis, proteinuria, and amyloidosis (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between laboratory findings, gender, age, and serum CLP and hepcidin levels (P > 0.05, r < 0.25). CONCLUSION: Serum CLP levels in FMF patients during an attack-free period are significantly higher than in the HC groups. Serum hepcidin levels in FMF patients are significantly lower than in the HC group. Low levels of hepcidin may be explained by including FMF patients during an attack-free period in the study. CLP may be an important biomarker in FMF. A better understanding of the role of these biomarkers in the diagnosis of FMF is needed to evaluate the results in a more comprehensive way.

Assessment of effectiveness of anakinra and canakinumab in patients with colchicine-resistant/unresponsive familial Mediterranean fever.

INTRODUCTION: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary auto-inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent fever and serosal inflammation. Anti-interleukin-1 (Anti-IL-1) treatments are recommended in colchicine resistant and/or intolerant FMF patients. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of anakinra and canakinumab in FMF patients that are resistant/intolareted to colchicine or complicated with amyloidosis. METHODS: Between January 2014 and March 2019, 65 patients following-up at Sivas Cumhuriyet University (Medical Faculty Rheumatology-Internal Medicine Department) who were diagnosed with FMF according to the criteria of Tel-Hashomer were included in the study. The laboratory values and clinical features of patients and disease activities were recorded at least every 3 months, and these data were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-one (63.1%) patients used anakinra (100 mg/day) and 24 (36.9%) patients used canakinumab (150 mg/8 week). The median duration of anti-IL-1 agents use was 7 months (range, 3-30). Fifteen (23.1%) cases were complicated with amyloidosis. Seven (10.8%) patients had renal transplantation. Overall, the FMF 50 score response was 96.9%. In the group that had a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 60 ml/min/m2, the median proteinuria decreased from 2390 mg/day (range, 1400-7200) to 890 mg/day (range, 120-2750) (p = 0.008). No serious infections were detected, except in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-IL-1 agents are effective and safe in the treatment of FMF patients. These agents are particularly effective at reducing proteinuria in patients with GFR ≥ 60 ml/min/m2, but less effective in cases with FMF associated with arthritis and sacroiliitis. Large and long follow-up studies are now needed to establish the long-term effects of these treatments.

The Effects of Tofacitinib-Mediated Janus Kinase/Signal Transducers and Activators of the Transcription Signal Pathway Inhibition on Collagen Biosynthesis in Hepatic and Skin Fibroblast Cell Culture.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effects of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of the transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway inhibition on collagen biosynthesis in fibroblast cell culture by tofacitinib. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BJ-CRL-1474® (skin) and BRL3A® (hepatic) fibroblast cell cultures were proliferated in a suitable medium. Tofacitinib was administered to fibroblast cells proliferating in 96-well flasks at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 nM. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1), and hydroxyproline levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: Tofacitinib showed cytotoxic effect on skin and liver cell culture. The cytotoxic effect of tofacitinib started at 100 nM (p<0.05). The highest effect was obtained at 800 nM. The time-dependent cytotoxic effect of tofacitinib was significantly higher at all concentrations after 72 hours than at 24 and 48 hours (p<0.05). The level of TGF-ß1 was significantly lower even at a tofacitinib concentration of 25 nM (p<0.05). There were significant decreases in MMP-3, TIMP-1, and hydroxyproline levels after tofacitinib administration (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tofacitinib inhibited fibroblast cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner in a fibroblast cell culture. However, further extensive animal and human studies are necessary to determine the clinical significance of this effect.

High prolidase levels in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF).

INTRODUCTION: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease. Prolidase is a specific imidodipeptidase that plays a role in collagen degradation, and an important role in inflammation and wound healing. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1) is an important protein in the regulation of immunological response, hemostasis, vascularization. The aim of the study was to compare serum prolidase and HIF-1α levels in patients with FMF in attack-free period and healthy control group. METHODS: Between August 2017 and December 2017, sixty patients diagnosed with FMF according to the criteria of the Tel-hashomer and admitted to Sivas Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty, Internal Medicine Rheumatology Department and sixty healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Median serum prolidase levels were 72.1 (25.1-114.9) ng/ml in FMF group and 30.7 (21.3-86.2) ng/mL in healthy control (HC) group (p = 0.018). ROC analysis showed that the sensitivity was 65% and the specificity was 68.3% at serum prolidase levels 54.03 ng/mL (p < 0.05). The median serum levels of HIF-1α in the FMF group was 482.0 (292.0-3967.0) pg/mL and 632.0 (362.0-927.0) pg/mL in the HC group (p > 0.05). There was no significant correlation between laboratory findings, sex, age, and prolidase (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum prolidase enzyme levels in FMF patients with attack-free period were significantly higher than in the HC group. However, the role of prolidase and HIF1-α in the FMF disease needs to be clarified with more extensive and comprehensive studies.

Assessment of effectiveness of anakinra and canakinumab in patients with colchicine-resistant/unresponsive familial Mediterranean fever

Abstract İntroduction: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary auto-inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent fever and serosal inflammation. Anti-interleukin-1 (Anti-IL-1) treatments are recommended in colchicine resistant and/or intolerant FMF patients. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of anakinra and canakinumab in FMF patients that are resistant/intolareted to colchicine or complicated with amyloidosis. Methods: Between January 2014 and March 2019, 65 patients following-up at Sivas Cumhuriyet University (Medical Faculty Rheumatology-Internal Medicine Department) who were diagnosed with FMF according to the criteria of Tel-Hashomer were included in the study. The laboratory values and clinical features of patients and disease activities were recorded at least every 3 months, and these data were analyzed. Results: Forty-one (63.1%) patients used anakinra (100 mg/day) and 24 (36.9%) patients used canakinumab (150 mg/8 week). The median duration of anti-IL-1 agents use was 7 months (range, 3-30). Fifteen (23.1%) cases were complicated with amyloidosis. Seven (10.8%) patients had renal transplantation. Overall, the FMF 50 score response was 96.9%. In the group that had a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥ 60 ml/min/m2, the median proteinuria decreased from 2390 mg/day (range, 1400-7200) to 890 mg/day (range, 120-2750) (p = 0.008). No serious infections were detected, except in one patient. Conclusions: Anti-IL-1 agents are effective and safe in the treatment of FMF patients. These agents are particularly effective at reducing proteinuria in patients with GFR ≥ 60 ml/min/m2, but less effective in cases with FMF associated with arthritis and sacroiliitis. Large and long follow-up studies are now needed to establish the long-term effects of these treatments.

Low levels of pannexin-1 in Behçet's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a chronic, multisystemic and inflammatory syndrome. In our study, we aimed to compare the initiator, effector and inflammatory caspases and pannexin channel protein, which is thought to have an activity in inflammation, in the inflammatory process of BS, with healthy subjects, to investigate their level in patients and their relationship with the clinical findings. METHOD: Forty-six patients who were under follow-up for BS in the Sivas Cumhuriyet University Medical Faculty Department of Internal Diseases, Rheumatology Unit, between January 2017 and June 2017 and 44 healthy controls (HC) who did not have any rheumatic, systemic or metabolic diseases, were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: The mean serum pannexin-1 level was 6.36 (4.21-527.2) pg/mL in the BS group and 255.8 (5.38-2000) pg/mL in the HC group. Serum pannexin-1 levels were statistically significantly lower in the BS group (P < 0.0001). The measured mean serum caspase-3 level was 12.04 (11.25-43.69) pg/mL in the group with BS and 12.1 (11.19-484.3) pg/mL in the HC group (P = 0.143), mean serum caspase-9 level was 22 (5.14-29.33) pg/mL in the BS group and 22.01 (11.23-850) pg/mL in the HC group (P = 0.593), mean serum caspase-14 level was 6 (5.2-8.21) pg/mL in the BS group and 6.15 (5.7-353) pg/mL in the HC group (P = 0.053). CONCLUSION: Comparison of serum caspase-3, caspase-9 and caspase-14 levels in subjects with BS and in the HC group did not reveal any statistically significant differences. On the other hand, serum pannexin-1 levels were statistically significantly lower in the BS group.