De novo subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus-like eruptions in the setting of programmed death-1 or programmed death ligand-1 inhibitor therapy: clinicopathological correlation.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) may cause eruptions resembling cutaneous autoimmune diseases. There are six cases of immunotherapy-associated subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) in the literature. We present details of five patients referred to the Skin Toxicity Program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center who developed de novo immunotherapy-associated SCLE-like eruptions, along with clinicopathological correlation and highlight potential mechanistic features and important diagnostic points. Two patients were maintained on topical corticosteroids, antihistamines and photoprotection. One had complete clearance and two had improvement with addition of hydroxychloroquine. Four patients continued their immunotherapy uninterrupted, while one had immunotherapy suspended for a month before restarting at full dose. Histopathologically, this series illustrates the temporal evolution of ICI-induced immune cutaneous reactions with SCLE subtype. Looking beyond the universally present lichenoid infiltrate, features of evolving SCLE were evident. We hypothesize that programmed death-1 blockade may induce immunological recognition of previously immunologically tolerated drug antigens, leading to epitope spreading and the SCLE phenotype.

Codominant Role of Interferon-γ- and Interleukin-17-Producing T Cells During Rejection in Full Facial Transplant Recipients.

Facial transplantation is a life-changing procedure for patients with severe composite facial defects. However, skin is the most immunogenic of all transplants, and better understanding of the immunological processes after facial transplantation is of paramount importance. Here, we describe six patients who underwent full facial transplantation at our institution, with a mean follow-up of 2.7 years. Seum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and skin biopsy specimens were collected prospectively, and a detailed characterization of their immune response (51 time points) was performed, defining 47 immune cell subsets, 24 serum cytokines, anti-HLA antibodies, and donor alloreactivity on each sample, producing 4269 data points. In a nonrejecting state, patients had a predominant T helper 2 cell phenotype in the blood. All patients developed at least one episode of acute cellular rejection, which was characterized by increases in interferon-γ/interleukin-17-producing cells in peripheral blood and in the allograft's skin. Serum monocyte chemotactic protein-1 level was significantly increased during rejection compared with prerejection time points. None of the patients developed de novo donor-specific antibodies, despite a fourfold expansion in T follicular helper cells at 1 year posttransplantation. In sum, facial transplantation is frequently complicated by a codominant interferon-γ/interleukin-17-mediated acute cellular rejection process. Despite that, medium-term outcomes are promising with no evidence of de novo donor-specific antibody development.

Transformation of Face Transplants: Volumetric and Morphologic Graft Changes Resemble Aging After Facial Allotransplantation.

Facial allotransplantation restores normal anatomy to severely disfigured faces. Although >30 such operations performed worldwide have yielded promising short-term results, data on long-term outcomes remain scarce. Three full-face transplant recipients were followed for 40 months. Severe changes in volume and composition of the facial allografts were noted. Data from computed tomography performed 6, 18 and 36 months after transplantation were processed to separate allograft from recipient tissues and further into bone, fat and nonfat soft tissues. Skin and muscle biopsies underwent diagnostic evaluation. All three facial allografts sustained significant volume loss (mean 19.55%) between 6 and 36 months after transplant. Bone and nonfat soft tissue volumes decreased significantly over time (17.22% between months 6 and 18 and 25.56% between months 6 and 36, respectively), whereas fat did not. Histological evaluations showed atrophy of muscle fibers. Volumetric and morphometric changes in facial allografts have not been reported previously. The transformation of facial allografts in this study resembled aging through volume loss but differed substantially from regular aging. These findings have implications for risk-benefit assessment, donor selection and measures counteracting muscle and bone atrophy. Superior long-term outcomes of facial allotransplantation will be crucial to advance toward future clinical routine.

The management of antibody-mediated rejection in the first presensitized recipient of a full-face allotransplant.

We report on the management of the first full-face transplantation in a sensitized recipient with a positive preoperative crossmatch and subsequent antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). The recipient is a 45-year-old female who sustained extensive chemical burns, with residual poor function and high levels of circulating anti-HLA antibodies. With a clear immunosuppression plan and salvage options in place, a full-face allotransplant was performed using a crossmatch positive donor. Despite plasmapheresis alongside a standard induction regimen, clinical signs of rejection were noted on postoperative day 5 (POD5). Donor-specific antibody (DSA) titers rose with evidence of C4d deposits on biopsy. By POD19, biopsies showed Banff Grade III rejection. Combination therapy consisting of plasmapheresis, eculizumab, bortezomib and alemtuzumab decreased DSA levels, improved clinical exam, and by 6 months postop she had no histological signs of rejection. This case is the first to demonstrate evidence and management of AMR in face allotransplantation. Our findings lend support to the call for an update to the Banff classification of rejection in vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA) to include AMR, and for further studies to better classify the histology and mechanism of action of AMR in VCA.

Long-term dietary sodium restriction increases adiponectin expression and ameliorates the proinflammatory adipokine profile in obesity.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Obesity is associated with changes in adiponectin and pro-inflammatory adipokines. Sodium intake can affect adipokine secretion suggesting a role in cardiovascular dysfunction. We tested if long-term dietary sodium restriction modifies the expression of adiponectin and ameliorates the pro-inflammatory profile of obese, diabetic mice. METHODS/RESULTS: Db/db mice were randomized to high sodium (HS 1.6% Na+, n = 6) or low sodium (LS 0.03% Na+, n = 8) diet for 16 weeks and compared with lean, db/+ mice on HS diet (n = 8). Insulin levels were 50% lower in the db/db mice on LS diet when compared with HS db/db (p < 0.05). LS diet increased cardiac adiponectin mRNA levels in db/db mice by 5-fold when compared with db/db mice on HS diet and by 2-fold when compared with HS lean mice (both p < 0.01). LS diet increased adiponectin in adipose tissue compared with db/db mice on HS diet, achieving levels similar to those of lean mice. MCP-1, IL-6 and TNF-α expression were reduced more than 50% in adipose tissue of db/db mice on LS diet when compared with HS db/db mice (all p < 0.05), to levels observed in the HS lean mice. Further, LS db/db mice had significantly reduced circulating MCP-1 and IL-6 levels when compared with HS db/db mice (both p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In obese-diabetic mice, long-term LS diet increases adiponectin in heart and adipose tissue and reduces pro-inflammatory factors in adipose tissue and plasma. These additive mechanisms may contribute to the potential cardioprotective benefits of LS diet in obesity-related metabolic disorders.