Efficacy and safety of baricitinib in Japanese patients with autoinflammatory type I interferonopathies (NNS/CANDLE, SAVI, And AGS).

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of baricitinib (Janus kinase-1/2 inhibitor), in adult and pediatric Japanese patients with Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome/chronic atypical neutrophilic dermatosis with lipodystrophy and elevated temperature (NNS/CANDLE), stimulator of interferon genes-associated vasculopathy with onset during infancy (SAVI), or Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS). METHODS: A Phase 2/3, multicenter, open-label study (NCT04517253) was conducted across 52 weeks. Primary efficacy endpoint assessed the change in mean daily diary score (DDS) from baseline to the end of primary treatment period. Other efficacy endpoints included change in mean DDS to the end of maintenance period, daily corticosteroid use, Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PGA) scores, and daily symptom-specific score (DSSS) from baseline to primary and maintenance treatment periods. All treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) that occurred postdosing were recorded. RESULTS: Overall, 9 patients (5 with NNS, 3 with SAVI, and 1 with AGS) were enrolled; 55.6% were females, mean age was 26 years, and mean corticosteroid use/weight was 0.2 mg/kg. At the end of primary treatment period, mean DDS decreased from baseline in patients with NNS/CANDLE (0.22) and SAVI (0.21) and increased in the patient with AGS (0.07). At the end of maintenance treatment period, mean DDS decreased from baseline in patients with NNS/CANDLE (0.18) and SAVI (0.27) and increased in the patient with AGS (0.04). Mean percent corticosteroid use decreased by 18.4% in 3 out of 5 patients with NNS/CANDLE and 62.9% in 1 out of 3 patients with SAVI. Mean PGA score decreased from baseline in patients with NNS/CANDLE (1.60), SAVI (1.33), and AGS (1.0), and mean DSSS improved from baseline. All patients reported ≥ 1 TEAE. Frequently reported AEs included BK polyomavirus detection (3; 33.3%), increased blood creatine phosphokinase (2; 22.2%), anemia (2; 22.2%), and upper respiratory tract infection (2; 22.2%). Three (33.3%) patients reported serious adverse events, 1 of which was related to study drug. One patient with SAVI died due to intracranial hemorrhage, which was not related to study drug. CONCLUSION: Baricitinib may offer a potential therapeutic option for patients with NNS/CANDLE, SAVI, and AGS, with a positive benefit/risk profile in a vulnerable patient population with multiple comorbidities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NLM clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04517253 . Registered 18 August 2020.

Autoimmunity in lipodystrophy syndromes.

Lipodystrophy syndromes are rare, heterogeneous disorders characterized by the complete or partial deficiency of adipose tissue and are classified according to the extent of fat loss in generalized or partial subtypes, or based on the pathogenic mechanisms in genetic or acquired. While in most cases of congenital forms of lipodystrophy a genetic alteration can be identified, the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for the acquired diseases are not fully clarified. Based on the evidence of a positive association between most acquired lipodystrophies and autoimmune disorders including immune mediated alterations in the adipose tissue of patients affected by acquired lipodystrophy, a reaction against white adipose tissue antigens is postulated. Recent acquisitions have shed new light on the possible pathogenic mechanisms and identified novel forms of acquired lipodystrophy which are possibly immune-mediated. The aim of this review is to give an update on acquired lipodystrophies describing pathogenic mechanisms involved and the relationships between acquired lipodystrophies and other autoimmune disorders. Larger studies based on international disease registries are needed to collect accurate information on the prevalence, risk factors, genetic predisposition, natural history, disease markers and treatment efficacy of these ultrarare disorders.

Immunological features of patients affected by Barraquer-Simons syndrome.

BACKGROUND: C3 hypocomplementemia and the presence of C3 nephritic factor (C3NeF), an autoantibody causing complement system over-activation, are common features among most patients affected by Barraquer-Simons syndrome (BSS), an acquired form of partial lipodystrophy. Moreover, BSS is frequently associated with autoimmune diseases. However, the relationship between complement system dysregulation and BSS remains to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive immunological analysis of the complement system status, autoantibody signatures and HLA profile in BSS. Thirteen subjects with BSS were recruited for the study. The circulating levels of complement components, C3, C4, Factor B (FB) and Properdin (P), as well as an extended autoantibody profile including autoantibodies targeting complement components and regulators were assessed in serum. Additionally, HLA genotyping was carried out using DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: C3, C4 and FB levels were significantly reduced in patients with BSS as compared with healthy subjects. C3NeF was the most frequently found autoantibody (69.2% of cases), followed by anti-C3 (38.5%), and anti-P and anti-FB (30.8% each). Clinical data showed high prevalence of autoimmune diseases (38.5%), the majority of patients (61.5%) being positive for at least one of the autoantibodies tested. The HLA allele DRB1*11 was present in 54% of BSS patients, and the majority of them (31%) were positive for *11:03 (vs 1.3% in the general population). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the association between BSS, autoimmunity and C3 hypocomplementemia. Moreover, the finding of autoantibodies targeting complement system proteins points to complement dysregulation as a central pathological event in the development of BSS.

Phenotypic Expansion in Nasu-Hakola Disease: Immunological Findings in Three Patients and Proposal of a Unifying Pathogenic Hypothesis.

Nasu-Hakola disease (NHD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by progressive presenile dementia and bone cysts, caused by variants in either TYROBP or TREM2. Despite the well-researched role of TREM2 and TYROBP/DAP12 in immunity, immunological phenotypes have never been reported in NHD patients. We initially diagnosed an Italian patient, using whole exome sequencing, with classical NHD clinical sequelae who additionally showed a decrease in NK cells and autoimmunity features underlined by the presence of autoantibodies. Based on this finding, we retrospectively explored the immunophenotype in another two NHD patients, in whom a low NK cell count and positive autoantibody serology were recorded. Accordingly, Trem2-/- mice show abnormal levels of circulating proinflammatory cytokines and the dysfunction of immune cells, whereas knockout mice for Tyrobp, encoding the adapter for TREM2, exhibit increased levels of autoantibodies and defective NK cell activity. Our findings tend to redefine NHD as a multisystem "immunological" disease, considering that osteoclasts are derived from the fusion of mononuclear myeloid precursors, whereas neurological anomalies in NHD are directly caused by microglia dysfunction.

An overview of lipodystrophy and the role of the complement system.

The complement system is a major component of innate immunity playing essential roles in the destruction of pathogens, the clearance of apoptotic cells and immune complexes, the enhancement of phagocytosis, inflammation, and the modulation of adaptive immune responses. During the last decades, numerous studies have shown that the complement system has key functions in the biology of certain tissues. For example, complement contributes to normal brain and embryonic development and to the homeostasis of lipid metabolism. However, the complement system is subjected to the effective balance between activation-inactivation to maintain complement homeostasis and to prevent self-injury to cells or tissues. When this control is disrupted, serious pathologies eventually develop, such as C3 glomerulopathy, autoimmune conditions and infections. Another heterogeneous group of ultra-rare diseases in which complement abnormalities have been described are the lipodystrophy syndromes. These diseases are characterized by the loss of adipose tissue throughout the entire body or partially. Complement over-activation has been reported in most of the patients with acquired partial lipodystrophy (also called Barraquer-Simons Syndrome) and in some cases of the generalized variety of the disease (Lawrence Syndrome). Even so, the mechanism through which the complement system induces adipose tissue abnormalities remains unclear. This review focuses on describing the link between the complement system and certain forms of lipodystrophy. In addition, we present an overview regarding the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, classification, and management of patients with lipodystrophy associated with complement abnormalities.

Case Report of Acquired Generalized Lipodystrophy Associated With Common Variable Immunodeficiency.

Context: Acquired generalized lipodystrophy (AGL), a rare disorder characterized by loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue, is estimated to occur in association with autoimmune diseases in ~25% of the cases. Common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) is a condition known for its strong association with autoimmune diseases often occurring with negative autoantibodies. To the best of our knowledge, we describe the first known case of AGL in a patient with CVI. Case Description: A 24-year-old man was referred to our center with hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatomegaly, and a clear pattern of generalized fat loss. AGL had been diagnosed on the basis of the clinical and laboratory findings. Because of the presence of associated hypogammaglobulinemia, a diagnosis of CVI was subsequently established. Conclusions: We propose that AGL be added to the list of possible diseases associated with CVI and, owing to the similar clinical presentation with type 1 diabetes mellitus, be included in the differential diagnosis of this condition, which is present in 1.5% of patients with CVI.

Monogenic interferonopathies: Phenotypic and genotypic findings of CANDLE syndrome and its overlap with C1q deficient SLE.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical and genetic features of the first cases of chronic atypical neutrophilic dermatosis with lipodystrophy and elevated temperature (CANDLE) syndrome in an Arab population and to compare them with patients of C1q deficient systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of patients with CANDLE syndrome and C1q deficient SLE seen at a single tertiary hospital. Medical records were reviewed for demographic data, clinical and laboratory features, histopathology and imaging findings, and response to therapeutic intervention. Descriptive data were summarized. RESULTS: Three patients from unrelated families fulfilled the clinical manifestations of CANDLE syndrome. The disease onset was within the first 4 months of age. Two patients had uncommon features including uveitis, pulmonary involvement, aseptic meningitis and global delay. Skin biopsy showed heterogeneous findings. Genomic DNA screening was homozygous for mutation in PSMB8, (NM_004159.4:c.212C>T, p.T71M) in one patient and inconclusive for the other two patients. The comparison group was three patients with familial C1q deficient SLE from three unrelated families, who were born to consanguineous parents with at least one affected sibling. They presented with extensive mucocutaneous lesions, discoid rash and scarring alopecia. They required frequent admissions due to infections. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of CANDLE syndrome in an Arab population; our patients had heterogeneous phenotypic and genetic features with overlap manifestations with C1q deficient SLE. Both are monogenic interferonopathies. However, C1q deficient SLE had more systemic inflammatory disease.

Acquired partial lipodystrophy and C3 glomerulopathy: Dysregulation of the complement system as a common pathogenic mechanism. / Lipodistrofia parcial adquirida y glomerulopatía C3: la desregulación del sistema del complemento como mecanismo común.

The activation of the alternative pathway of the complement is involved in the development of several renal diseases, such as atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome and C3 glomerulopathy. In C3 glomerulopathy, a high percentage of patients have circulating levels of the autoantibody called C3NeF, which causes systemic dysregulation of the complement system. In some cases, the presence of this antibody has been related with abnormalities of adipose tissue, causing acquired partial lipodystrophy (Barraquer-Simons syndrome). Acquired partial lipodystrophy is an extremely rare disorder affecting the distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue and that mainly onsets during childhood. These patients, in addition to possibly presenting with all the metabolic disorders associated with the adipose tissue defect, present with C3 hypocomplementemia and C3NeF and 25% have developed C3 glomerulopathy. Although it has been known for some time how the dysregulation of the complement system affects the kidneys, it remains unknown how it exactly affects adipose tissue; nevertheless, the relationship is quite clear. In this paper, we describe the connection between the complement system with the biology of the adipose tissue and its pathogenesis reflected from acquired partial lipodystrophy.

Lipodystrophy and obesity are associated with decreased number of T cells with regulatory function and pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In lipodystrophy (LD) adipose tissue function to store lipids is impaired, leading to metabolic syndrome, similar to that found in obesity. Emerging evidence links dysmetabolism with disorders of the immune system. Our aim is to investigate whether T-cell populations with regulatory function and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) are affected by LD and obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Blood was collected from 16 LD, 16 obese (OB, BMI>30 kg m-2) and 16 healthy normal-weight women (CNT). Physical parameters, plasma lipid profile, glucose, HbA1c, leptin levels were determined. Flow cytometry was employed to assess the number of circulating CD4+/CD25hi regulatory T cells (Tregs) and invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. Characterization of MDMs included: 1. morphological/oil-Red-O staining analyses to define two morphotypes: lipid laden (LL) and spindle-like (sp) MDM; 2. gene expression studies; 3. use of conditioned medium from MDMs (MDMs CM) on human SGBS cells. RESULTS: As compared to CNT, LD and, to a lesser extent, obesity were associated with reduced Tregs and iNKTs (P<0.001 and P<0.01 for LD and OB, respectively), higher number of LL-MDMs (P<0.001 and P<0.01 for LD and OB, respectively), lower number of sp-MDMs (P<0.001 for both LD and OB), which correlated with increased paracrine stimulation of lipid accumulation in cells (P<0.001 and P<0.01 for LD and OB, respectively). LD MDMs showed decreased and increased expression for anti-inflammatory (IL10 and CD163) and pro-inflammatory (CD68 and CCL20) marker genes, respectively. Analysis of correlation indicated that Tregs are directly related with HDL (P<0.01) and inversely related with LL-MDM (P<0.001) and that LL-MDM are directly related with triglycerides (P<0.01) and oxidized LDL (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: LD and obesity are associated with changes in the immune system: a significant reduction in the number of T cells with regulatory function and a shift of MDM towards lipid accumulation. Lipid profile of the patients correlates with these changes.

Lipophagic Panniculitis of Childhood: A Case Report and Comprehensive Review of the Literature.

Lipophagic panniculitis of childhood is a rare condition notable clinically for an inflammatory panniculitis followed by the development of permanent lipoatrophy. In this regard, the term lipoatrophic panniculitis has been used synonymously with lipophagic panniculitis. Additional designations include lipophagic lipoatrophic panniculitis and annular lipoatrophic panniculitis of the ankles. Although lipophagic panniculitis has been associated with a number of autoimmune phenomena, a paucity of reports and limited pathological analyses to date renders this disease an elusive one whose pathogenesis is not yet established. We describe the clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings in a case of lipophagic panniculitis of childhood in a 7-year-old boy and present it in the context of a comprehensive review of the literature. Furthermore, we offer a hypothesis regarding the pathogenetic basis of lipophagic panniculitis of childhood, suggesting cellular immunity targeting the adipocyte at the crux of its pathogenesis.

[Clinical aspects and genetics of proteasome-associated autoinflammatory syndromes (PRAAS)]. / Klinik und Genetik bei Proteasomen-assoziierten autoinflammatorischen Syndromen (PRAAS).

Functional disorders of the proteasome can have a severe impact on the innate immune system. Characterized by an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, this novel type of interferonopathy is considered to be a spectrum of diseases of proteasome-associated autoinflammatory syndromes (PRAAS). Accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and the induction of type I interferon (IFN) genes seem to play a role in the pathogenesis. The typical clinical manifestations are lipodystrophy, skin, joint and muscle involvement accompanied by a remarkable variability of other associated symptoms. This article provides an overview on currently known molecular alterations as well as clinical similarities and differences of PRAAS. Furthermore, the reported effects of the immunosuppressive therapy approaches used so far are summarized.

The Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2: A Molecular Link of Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM) 2 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of receptors and mediates signaling in immune cells via engagement of its co-receptor DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa (DAP12). Homozygous mutations in TREM2 or DAP12 cause Nasu-Hakola disease, which is characterized by bone abnormalities and dementia. Recently, a variant of TREM2 has also been associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer disease. The selective expression of TREM2 on immune cells and its association with different forms of dementia indicate a contribution of this receptor in common pathways of neurodegeneration.

Lymphoma in acquired generalized lipodystrophy.

Acquired generalized lipodystrophy (AGL) is a rare disease thought to result from autoimmune destruction of adipose tissue. Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) has been reported in two AGL patients. We report five additional cases of lymphoma in AGL, and analyze the role of underlying autoimmunity and recombinant human leptin (metreleptin) replacement in lymphoma development. Three patients developed lymphoma during metreleptin treatment (two PTCL and one ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma), and two developed lymphomas (mycosis fungoides and Burkitt lymphoma) without metreleptin. AGL is associated with high risk for lymphoma, especially PTCL. Autoimmunity likely contributes to this risk. Lymphoma developed with or without metreleptin, suggesting metreleptin does not directly cause lymphoma development; a theoretical role of metreleptin in lymphoma progression remains possible. For most patients with AGL and severe metabolic complications, the proven benefits of metreleptin on metabolic disease will likely outweigh theoretical risks of metreleptin in lymphoma development or progression.

O uso de Modelos de Equações Estruturais na análise dos principais mecanismos de desenvolvimento de lipodistrofia em pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS / The use of Structural Equation Modeling analysis of main lipodystrophy development mechanisms in people living with HIV / AIDS

A tese tem por objetivo identificar diferentes padrões: resposta imunológica através das trajetórias da carga viral, CD4 e os regimes de tratamento com antirretrovirais e verificar associação com o desenvolvimento de lipodistrofia (LD). Estudou-se uma coorte prospectiva de 912 pacientes, durante cinco anos, com mensurações repetidas de CD4 e carga viral. Utilizou-se análise de equações estruturais com uso de classes latentes para identificar o modelo com o melhor número de trajetórias de CD4, carga viral, regime tratamento e drogas antirretrovirais com base em parâmetros estatísticos, e a associação dessas trajetórias com o desenvolvimento de LD por meio de regressão logística. A prevalência da LD na primeira reavaliação foi 40,6%, chegando a 77,6%. As trajetórias déficit imunológico temporário, déficit imunológico mantido e carga viral alta mostraram associação com o desenvolvimento de LD na análise univariada; depois de controladas pelos fatores de confusão, apenas déficit imunológico mantido e carga viral alta permaneceram associadas. As variáveis compostas proxy da reconstituição imunológica e da imunodeficiência, apresentaram forte associação com a LD. Agrupando essas duas últimas variáveis em uma categoria, encontra-se uma forte associação com a LD. Na análise do tratamento antirretroviral observou-se que os regimes Inibidor de Transcriptase Reversa análogos de Nucleosídeos (ITRN)+ Inibidor de Transcriptase Reversa não análogos de Nucleosídeos (ITRNN) estavam associados ao desenvolvimento da LD e não havia diferença entre os indivíduos tratados e não tratados. Entre as classes latentes verificou-se associação com o desenvolvimento da LD dos regimes ITRN+ITRNN e das drogas Lamivudina (3TC)+Zidovudina (AZT)+Nevirapina (NVP) e 3TC+Tenofovir (TDF)+Efavirenz (EFV). O uso das trajetórias permitiu identificar padrões de resposta imunológica e o envolvimento do regime ITRNN associados à LD, e esta pode ocorrer devido à exposição à TARV ou apenas pela exposição ao HIV. Os modelos de equações estruturais mostraram superar as ferramentas tradicionais que, apesar de eficientes, muitas vezes não são sensíveis suficiente para detectar possíveis características ou comportamentos implícitos

The thesis aims to identify different patterns: immune response through the paths of viral load and CD4, treatment regimens and antiretroviral drug combinations and verify association with the development of lipodystrophy (LD).This was a cohort of 912 patients followed up over a period of 5years, with repeated CD4 count and viral load measurements. A structural equation analysis was conducted to identify the model with the bestnumber of CD4, viral load, treatment regimen and antiretroviral drugstrajectories, based on statistical parameters (entropy and bic), and through logistic regression, the association of these trajectories with the development of lipodystrophy. The prevalence of LD on the first visit after baseline assessment of cohort was 40.6% reaching 77.6%. The trajectories temporary immune gap, sustainedimmune gapand high viral load were associated with the development of LD in the univariate analysisand, after control for confounders, only sustained immune gap and high viral load remained associated. Composite proxy variables of immune reconstitution and immunodeficiency, suggesting the underlying inflammation, demonstratedanassociation with the LD, despite the wide confidence interval. Grouping the twolastvariables into one category, we encountereda strong association with LD. In the analysisof antiretroviral treatment (ART), it was observed that the Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) +Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI)regimens were associated with the development of the LD and there was no difference between treated and untreated individuals. Among the latent classes found an association of the NRTI+NNRTI regimens and combination of drugs lamivudine (3TC) +zidovudine (AZT) +nevirapine (NVP)and tenofovir (TDF) +3TC+efavirenz (EFV)with the development of LD. The use of trajectories allowed us to identifythe immunologicalresponse patterns and the involvement of NNRTI regimeassociated with the LD and that LD can occur due to ART exposure or just by HIV virus exposure. The structural equation modeling showed to overcome the traditional tools which although effective, are often not sensitive enough to detect possible features or implied behavior.

Additive loss-of-function proteasome subunit mutations in CANDLE/PRAAS patients promote type I IFN production.

Autosomal recessive mutations in proteasome subunit ß 8 (PSMB8), which encodes the inducible proteasome subunit ß5i, cause the immune-dysregulatory disease chronic atypical neutrophilic dermatosis with lipodystrophy and elevated temperature (CANDLE), which is classified as a proteasome-associated autoinflammatory syndrome (PRAAS). Here, we identified 8 mutations in 4 proteasome genes, PSMA3 (encodes α7), PSMB4 (encodes ß7), PSMB9 (encodes ß1i), and proteasome maturation protein (POMP), that have not been previously associated with disease and 1 mutation in PSMB8 that has not been previously reported. One patient was compound heterozygous for PSMB4 mutations, 6 patients from 4 families were heterozygous for a missense mutation in 1 inducible proteasome subunit and a mutation in a constitutive proteasome subunit, and 1 patient was heterozygous for a POMP mutation, thus establishing a digenic and autosomal dominant inheritance pattern of PRAAS. Function evaluation revealed that these mutations variably affect transcription, protein expression, protein folding, proteasome assembly, and, ultimately, proteasome activity. Moreover, defects in proteasome formation and function were recapitulated by siRNA-mediated knockdown of the respective subunits in primary fibroblasts from healthy individuals. Patient-isolated hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells exhibited a strong IFN gene-expression signature, irrespective of genotype. Additionally, chemical proteasome inhibition or progressive depletion of proteasome subunit gene transcription with siRNA induced transcription of type I IFN genes in healthy control cells. Our results provide further insight into CANDLE genetics and link global proteasome dysfunction to increased type I IFN production.

A Report of Three Cases With Acquired Generalized Lipodystrophy With Distinct Autoimmune Conditions Treated With Metreleptin.

CONTEXT: Acquired generalized lipodystrophy (AGL) is associated with leptin deficiency as a result of adipose tissue loss and hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. It may coexist with other autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, hemolytic anemia, and chronic active hepatitis. Metreleptin therapy has been shown to improve metabolic abnormalities in lipodystrophy, but the effect on AGL patients with active autoimmune disease is unknown. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report 3 cases of pediatric patients with AGL and distinct active autoimmune diseases who were treated with metreleptin over a period of 4-6 years. Case 1 is a 9-year-old girl with active juvenile dermatomyositis, who was successfully treated with leptin with no worsening of her dermatomoysitis. Case 2 is a 16-year-old female with Graves' disease, who could discontinue all her antidiabetic medication completely with improved triglyceride levels. Case 3 is an 11-year-old boy with active autoimmune hepatitis and chronic urticaria, whose hyperphagia has resolved and his liver enzymes and hepatosplenomegaly have improved. CONCLUSION: Metreleptin therapy is of considerable clinical benefit to reduce insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia and did not appear to alter the clinical course of autoimmune disease nor clinical efficacy of immunosuppressive treatments. Our observations suggest that risk or presence of autoimmune disease should not lead to withholding of metreleptin treatment from patients with AGL, but should prompt close clinical follow up in light of cautionary preclinical data.

Insulin-induced localized lipoatrophy preceded by shingles (herpes zoster): a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Localized involutional lipoatrophy of subcutaneous adipose tissue may develop due to subcutaneous injection of pharmaceutical preparations. The pathogenesis of this adverse drug reaction is unknown. The progression of localized involutional lipoatrophy ceases and occasionally it resolves after withdrawing the inducing agent. In case of localized involutional lipoatrophy due to subcutaneous insulin therapy, low-dose systemic corticosteroids may be curative despite ongoing insulin administration. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a recurrence of insulin-induced localized involutional lipoatrophy at the abdominal wall in a 57-year-old Caucasian woman with type-1 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. The first episode of insulin-induced localized involutional lipoatrophy two years previously had been cured by oral prednisone. The recurrence was treated immediately with 10mg prednisone once daily for five months, and was cured thereafter. The insulin analog preparation (Humalog™) and the insulin pump equipment (Accu-Chek Spirit™) applied were the same during both episodes. Both episodes were preceded by a temporary disturbance of the immune balance (the first episode by vaccination, the second episode through shingles). CONCLUSIONS: This case confirms that insulin-induced localized involutional lipoatrophy in type-1 diabetes can occur again, and can be cured by systemic corticosteroids. We suggest that temporary disturbance of the immune balance may trigger this transitory idiosyncratic reaction in a susceptible individual.