Serum IFI16 and anti-IFI16 antibodies in psoriatic arthritis.

Nuclear interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) and anti-IFI16 antibodies have been detected in subjects with several rheumatic diseases, often correlating with disease severity, and in this study we investigated their prevalence and clinical associations in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared to psoriasis (Pso). We tested sera and synovial fluids of patients with PsA for IFI16 protein levels by capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and for anti-IFI16 immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA by ELISA, protein radio-immunoprecipitation and immunoprecipitation-Western blot of IgG. Sera from patients with Pso and healthy subjects were used as controls, and in a subgroup of patients with PsA we also studied sera after treatment with etanercept. IFI16 was detectable in the sera of 66% of patients with Pso, 46% with PsA and 19% of controls. Among PsA cases, 51% of IFI16-positive cases had elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) compared to 31% of patients with undetectable IFI16. Anti-IFI16 of both IgG and IgA isoforms were detected with significantly higher frequency in PsA and Pso compared to healthy controls, with higher IgG titres in patients with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) (P = 0·015). Immunoprecipitation confirmed the presence of anti-IFI16 IgG antibodies and these preferentially recognized epitopes outside the N-terminus of the protein. Lastly, IFI16 was detected in one of seven and anti-IFI16 in three of seven synovial fluids from patients with PsA. Therefore, IFI16 and anti-IFI16 are detectable in serum and synovial fluid of PsA patients, especially in cases of elevated CRP.

Synovial fluid levels of bradykinin correlate with biochemical markers for cartilage degradation and inflammation in knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the content of bradykinin (BK) and markers of cartilage degradation and inflammation in the synovial fluid (SF) of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to evaluate correlations with biomarkers or clinical parameters. METHODS: SFs were obtained from 30 patients with knee OA. Levels of basal and generated BK, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), interleukin (IL) 1, IL-6, IL-8 and matrix metalloprotease (MMP) 1, MMP-3, MMP-13 and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or colorimetric assays. RESULTS: The mean concentration of basal BK (in the presence of peptidase and protease inhibitors to avoid degradation and de novo formation of BK) was 422 pg/ml (95% confidence interval, CI, 281-563) whereas that of in vitro generated BK (in the presence of peptidase inhibitors SFs were incubated 60 min at 37°C to measure the potential capability to generate BK) was 3427 pg/ml (2591-4264). The content of MMP-13, IL-1α, and IL-1ß was under assay sensitivity. Basal BK levels positively correlated (Spearman's rank correlation) with GAGs (40 µg/ml, 26-54, r = 0.4834, P = 0.0308) and IL-6 (553 pg/ml, 171-935, r = 0.3946, P = 0.0377) similarly to the generated BK (GAGs, r = 0.4563, P = 0.0431; IL-6, r = 0.5605, P = 0.0019). Statistical analysis of basal BK and biomarkers was significant (P = 0.0483). When applying a stepwise logistic regression analysis considering biomarkers together with clinical parameters, results indicated that K/L radiographic OA grade and COMP improved the model (P = 0.0032). CONCLUSION: The presence of BK in the knee OA SF and its correlations with cartilage degradation and inflammation markers of OA support its participation in OA pathology.

Induced psoriasis after rituximab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a case report and review of the literature.

Rituximab is a human/murine monoclonal antibody targeting the CD20 antigen on B-lymphocytes surface. Although it has been licensed for treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, nowadays it is also a novel therapy for autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Despite the increasing evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of rituximab in these conditions, many cutaneous adverse events have been reported. Here, we describe the case of a 69-year-old patient, affected by rheumatoid arthritis, who developed psoriatic lesions on her trunk and arms, three months after the second course of rituximab. Similar cases appearing in the literature will also be briefly mentioned.

Serum proteome of patients with systemic sclerosis: molecular analysis of expression and prevalence of haptoglobin alpha chain isoforms.

Haptoglobin (Hpt) is an acute phase protein characterized by three major phenotypes (Hpt 1-1, Hpt 2-1 and Hpt 2-2). The Hpt 2-2 phenotype is associated with increased prevalence of various systemic diseases, including autoimmune disorders. Moreover, the Hpt 2-2 phenotype induces a shift from Th1 to Th2 response and increases fibrotic processes. On this basis, we performed serum proteomic analysis of patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), a connective tissue disorder associated with Th2-type immune response and characterized by interstitial and perivascular fibrosis due to different factors (including genetic, environmental, immunological and microchimeric factors). Serum of 23 SSc outpatients patients (4 males, 19 females, mean age 54+-5.3 years) diagnosed according to the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) criteria, were considered for the proteomic analysis and compared to serum of 21 control subjects. Serum depleted of HAP was analyzed by 2-DE, and Hpt chain spots were identified by WB. The expression frequency of each Hpt α chain in SSc patients and controls was compared and quantitative analysis of spot expression (percent Vol) was performed. Above all,, our study amplifies the limited data in the literature on proteomic analysis in SSc, also confirming previous data that revealed a significant increase of haptoglobin type 2-2 and a concomitant decrease of the 1-1 phenotype in SSc patients. Moreover, our results demonstrate that c spots are more prevalent in SSc patients than in controls (91.3% vs 55.5%, p<0.05), while the expression frequency of a and b spots does not change. In patients Hpt 2-1 or Hpt 1-1 e spot is less abundant. According to our results, the c and e spots can be considered markers for SSc and thus be of use for the early diagnosis of connective tissue disorders and in establishing appropriate treatment.

Endoparasite infracommunities of Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Pimelodidae) of the Baía River, Upper Parana River floodplain, Brazil: specific composition and ecological aspects.

Parasites of 136 specimens of Hemisorubim platyrhynchos, popularly called jurupoca, were analyzed. Fourteen parasite species were recorded: four digeneans (Crocodilicola pseudostoma, one Gorgoderidae species, Sanguinicola platyrhynchi, and Sphincterodiplostomum sp.); three cestodes (Goezeella paranaensis, Spatulifer maringaensis, and Mariauxiella piscatorum); five nematodes (Contracaecum Type 1 larvae of Moravec, Kohn, & Fernandes, 1993; Contracaecum Type 2 larvae of Moravec, Kohn, & Fernandes, 1993; Cucullanus (Cucullanus) zungaro; Eustrongylides ignotus; and Goezia sp.); one acanthocephalan (Quadrigyrus machadoi), and one pentastomid (Sebekia sp.). Most of the helminth specimens were found in larval stages, confirming that H. platyrhynchos is a significant source of their transmission. No dominance was reported. With the exception of Contracaecum Type 2 (featuring random dispersion), the species had a clumped pattern of dispersion in the host sample. Evidence of competition among parasite species was not reported. Several species of parasites were correlated with host size and sex. This fact may be explained by increase in food content and possible behavioral modifications of male and female hosts. Infracommunity diversity was not related to host size or sex.

Endoparasite infracommunities of Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Pimelodidae) of the Baía River, upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil: specific composition and ecological aspects

Parasites of 136 specimens of Hemisorubim platyrhynchos, popularly called jurupoca, were analyzed. Fourteen parasite species were recorded: four digeneans (Crocodilicola pseudostoma, one Gorgoderidae species, Sanguinicola platyrhynchi, and Sphincterodiplostomum sp.); three cestodes (Goezeella paranaensis, Spatulifer maringaensis, and Mariauxiella piscatorum); five nematodes (Contracaecum Type 1 larvae of Moravec, Kohn, & Fernandes, 1993; Contracaecum Type 2 larvae of Moravec, Kohn, & Fernandes, 1993; Cucullanus (Cucullanus) zungaro; Eustrongylides ignotus; and Goezia sp.); one acanthocephalan (Quadrigyrus machadoi), and one pentastomid (Sebekia sp.). Most of the helminth specimens were found in larval stages, confirming that H. platyrhynchos is a significant source of their transmission. No dominance was reported. With the exception of Contracaecum Type 2 (featuring random dispersion), the species had a clumped pattern of dispersion in the host sample. Evidence of competition among parasite species was not reported. Several species of parasites were correlated with host size and sex. This fact may be explained by increase in food content and possible behavioral modifications of male and female hosts. Infracommunity diversity was not related to host size or sex

Sanguinicola platyrhynchi n. sp. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) parasite of visceral cavity of Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Pimelodidae) from the floodplain of the upper Paraná River, Brazil

A new species is of the genus Sanguinicola Plehn, 1905 described, Sanguinicola platyrhynchi n. sp., digenetic parasite of visceral cavity of Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Valenciennes, 1840) from the floodplain of the upper Paraná River, Brazil. The species has been thus included because of the presence of separate dorsal genital pores, while differing from other species of the same genus mainly in digestive apparatus features, genital pore position, and infection site. Emendation of generic diagnosis is included

Sanguinicola platyrhynchi n. sp. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae) parasite of visceral cavity of Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Pimelodidae) from the floodplain of the upper Paraná River, Brazil.

A new species is of the genus Sanguinicola Plehn, 1905 described, Sanguinicola platyrhynchi n. sp., digenetic parasite of visceral cavity of Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Valenciennes, 1840) from the floodplain of the upper Paraná River, Brazil. The species has been thus included because of the presence of separate dorsal genital pores, while differing from other species of the same genus mainly in digestive apparatus features, genital pore position, and infection site. Emendation of generic diagnosis is included.