Type I interferon associated epistasis may contribute to early disease-onset and high disease activity in juvenile-onset lupus.

Pathologic type I interferon (T1IFN) expression is a key feature in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that associates with disease activity. When compared to adult-onset disease, juvenile-onset (j)SLE is characterized by increased disease activity and damage, which likely relates to increased genetic burden. To identify T1IFN-associated gene polymorphisms (TLR7, IRAK1, miR-3142/miR-146a, IRF5, IRF7, IFIH1, IRF8, TYK2, STAT4), identify long-range linkage disequilibrium and gene:gene interrelations, 319 jSLE patients were genotyped using panel sequencing. Coupling phenotypic quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis identified 10 jSLE QTL that associated with young age at onset (<12 years; IRAK1 [rs1059702], TLR7 [rs3853839], IFIH1 [rs11891191, rs1990760, rs3747517], STAT4 [rs3021866], TYK2 [rs280501], IRF8 [rs1568391, rs6638]), global disease activity (SLEDAI-2 K >10; IFIH1 [rs1990760], STAT4 [rs3021866], IRF8 [rs903202, rs1568391, rs6638]), and mucocutaneous involvement (TLR7 [rs3853839], IFIH1 [rs11891191, rs1990760]). This study suggests T1IFN-associated polymorphisms and gene:gene interrelations in jSLE. Genotyping of jSLE patients may allow for individualized treatment and care.

Quantification of C1 inhibitor activity using a chromogenic automated assay: analytical and clinical performances.

OBJECTIVES: The quantification of functional C1 inhibitor activity (fC1-INH) is an important tool to diagnose bradykinin-mediated angioedema (AE), whether hereditary or acquired. For that an accurate assay is necessary, therefore we evaluated the analytical performances of a fC1-INH chromogenic assay (Berichrom®, Siemens) performed utilizing an Optilite turbidimeter (Binding Site). METHODS: fC1-INH was quantified by means of the chromogenic assay Berichrom®. Internal quality controls were used to determine the precision of the assay. Stability under various storage and matrix conditions, uncertainty, linearity, interference (of hemolysis, lipemia, and icterus), agreement with the manual Technochrom® assay, and diagnostic performances were further evaluated on samples from patients and healthy donors. RESULTS: The fC1-INH Berichrom® assay presented good performances regarding intra- and inter-assay precision (CV: 1.3-4.5 % and 3.0-6.0 %, respectively), expanded uncertainty (5.5 % at normal level and 12.5 % at the clinical threshold) and linearity (rho2>0.99: range 7-130 % activity). Addition of interfering substances (hemoglobin <16 g/L, intralipid® <12 g/L, and bilirubin <1 g/L) did not affect fC1-INH quantification. fC1-INH activity from healthy donors remained stable in citrate whole blood until 4 days at room temperature, and 7 days when plasma was collected. Agreement between the automated Berichrom® assay and the manual Technochrom® assay (n=47) was excellent as obtained with both quantitative (Deming regression and Bland-Altman difference plot) and qualitative (Kappa index=1) analyses. Finally, the diagnostic performance of the quantification of fC1-INH for AE evaluated on 81 patients revealed a sensitivity of 100 %, a specificity of 97.2 %, a positive predictive value of 83.3 % and a negative predictive value of 100 %. CONCLUSIONS: The automated fC1-INH Berichrom® assay showed good performance, both at the analytical and diagnostic/clinical levels that allowed its usage in a clinical laboratory for C1-INH-dependent bradykinin-mediated AE research in combination with quantitative C1-INH and C4 determinations.

JAK inhibition for CD3- CD4+ lymphocytic-variant hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Alternatives are urgently needed in patients with CD3- CD4+ lymphocytic-variant hypereosinophilic syndrome (L-HES) requiring high-level steroids or who are unresponsive and/or intolerant to conventional alternative therapies. We report five L-HES patients (44-66 years) with cutaneous involvement (n = 5) and persistent eosinophilia (n = 3) despite conventional therapies, who successfully received JAK inhibitors (tofacitinib n = 1, ruxolitinib n = 4). JAKi led to complete clinical remission in the first 3 months in all (with prednisone withdrawal in four). Absolute eosinophil counts normalized in cases receiving ruxolitinib, while reduction was partial under tofacitinib. After switch from tofacitinib to ruxolitinib, complete clinical response persisted despite prednisone withdrawal. The clone size remained stable in all patients. After 3-13 months of follow-up, no adverse event was reported. Prospective clinical trials are warranted to examine the use of JAKi in L-HES.

Lupus Nephritis Risk Factors and Biomarkers: An Update.

Lupus nephritis (LN) represents the most severe organ manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in terms of morbidity and mortality. To reduce these risks, tremendous efforts have been made in the last decade to characterize the different steps of the disease and to develop biomarkers in order to better (i) unravel the pre-SLE stage (e.g., anti-nuclear antibodies and interferon signature); (ii) more timely initiation of therapy by improving early and accurate LN diagnosis (e.g., pathologic classification was revised); (iii) monitor disease activity and therapeutic response (e.g., recommendation to re-biopsy, new urinary biomarkers); (iv) prevent disease flares (e.g., serologic and urinary biomarkers); (v) mitigate the deterioration in the renal function; and (vi) reduce side effects with new therapeutic guidelines and novel therapies. However, progress is poor in terms of improvement with early death attributed to active SLE or infections, while later deaths are related to the chronicity of the disease and the use of toxic therapies. Consequently, an individualized treat-to-target strategy is mandatory, and for that, there is an unmet need to develop a set of accurate biomarkers to be used as the standard of care and adapted to each stage of the disease.

Characteristics of the (Auto)Reactive T Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis According to the Immune Epitope Database.

T cells are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Accordingly, and to better understand T cells' contribution to RA, a comprehensive review based on an analysis of the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) was conducted. An immune CD8+ T cell senescence response is reported in RA and inflammatory diseases, which is driven by active viral antigens from latent viruses and cryptic self-apoptotic peptides. RA-associated pro-inflammatory CD4+ T cells are selected by MHC class II and immunodominant peptides, which are derived from molecular chaperones, host extra-cellular and cellular peptides that could be post-translationally modified (PTM), and bacterial cross-reactive peptides. A large panel of techniques have been used to characterize (auto)reactive T cells and RA-associated peptides with regards to their interaction with the MHC and TCR, capacity to enter the docking site of the shared epitope (DRB1-SE), capacity to induce T cell proliferation, capacity to select T cell subsets (Th1/Th17, Treg), and clinical contribution. Among docking DRB1-SE peptides, those with PTM expand autoreactive and high-affinity CD4+ memory T cells in RA patients with an active disease. Considering original therapeutic options in RA, mutated, or altered peptide ligands (APL) have been developed and are tested in clinical trials.

Lupus band test can be used in combination with anti-chromatin antibodies and complement analysis to predict transition from cutaneous to systemic lupus.

The lupus band test (LBT) is frequently performed for patients with lupus erythematosus (LE) but its capacity to discriminate cutaneous (C)LE from systemic (S)LE is debated, as well as its association with serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and complement reduction. Among 158 patients, 56 received retrospectively a diagnosis of CLE, 37 have SLE and 65 other skin disorders. Considering 29 clinical, histopathologic, LBT, and serological parameters: 5 parameters were effective in distinguishing LE from other skin disorders (e.g. skin photosensitivity, LBT positivity, basal vacuolar changes, thickening of the basement membrane, and anti-SSA-60 kDa); and 8 parameters were able to separate SLE from CLE (e.g. arthritis, lupus nephritis, hematological manifestations, Raynaud/sicca manifestations, anti-chromatin, anti-dsDNA, and low levels of C3/4). A positive LBT was further determined to be associated with systemic manifestations when associated with anti-chromatin response and complement reduction in the profile of patients evolving to a systemic form of lupus.

Long non-coding RNA Xist contribution in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Growing evidence points towards the role of the long non-coding (lnc)-RNA Xist expressed in female cells as a predominant key actor for the sex bias observed in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Indeed, in female cells, lnc-Xist controls transcription directly by spreading across the inactivated X chromosome (Xi) and indirectly by sequestring miRNAs as a sponge. The inactivation process at Xi is altered in lymphocytes from SLE women and associated with important variations in ribonucleoproteins (RNP) associated with lnc-Xist. In fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and osteoclasts from RA women, proinflammatory and proliferative pathways are upregulated due to the sequestration effect exerted by lnc-Xist overexpression on miRNAs. The key role played by lnc-Xist in SLE and RA is further supported by it's knock down that recapitulates the SLE B cell extrafollicular profile and controls RA associated FLS proinflammatory cytokine production and proliferation.

Kappa-index: Real-life evaluation of a new tool for multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

The intrathecal production of oligoclonal immunoglobulin bands (OCB) is a prognostic factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) evolution in clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients and a diagnostic factor for MS. The kappa free light chain (K)-index represents a quantitative automated alternative to OCB. We retrospectively evaluated OCB and K-index results in 274 patients with MS (n = 48) or CIS (n = 29) at diagnosis, non-MS inflammatory central nervous diseases (n = 35), and non-inflammatory central/peripheral nervous diseases (n = 162). Several cut-offs were established: a pathophysiological cut-off (K-index: 3.3) useful for differential diagnosis (negative predictive value for MS >99%), an optimised cut-off (K-index: 9.1) with better sensitivity and equivalent specificity than OCB for the diagnosis of MS, and a high-risk cut-off (K-index: >55.0) allowing prediction of MS (specificity 100%). We developed a scaled interpretation of the K-index and we discuss the usefulness of testing OCB only when the K-index is positive >3.3 to obtain a better specificity.

Novel T cell interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) using spike recombinant protein for COVID19 vaccine response and Nucleocapsid for SARS-Cov2 response.

We explored the performance of a whole blood interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) based on the stimulation of SARS-Cov2-specific T cells by purified recombinant proteins. Twenty volunteers vaccinated with BNT162b2 were selected first for T cell response evaluation using an in-house IGRA, a commercial IGRA, and ELISpot showing a S2 > S1 poly-epitopic response. Next, 64 vaccinated and 103 non-vaccinated individuals were tested for humoral and T cell response (IGRA-Spike/-nucleocapsid recombinant proteins). Following the second vaccine injection, humoral (100%) and IGRA-Spike T cell (95.3%) responses took place irrespective of sex, age, and vaccine type. The humoral response declined first, followed by IGRA-Spike T cell response after the second vaccine injection. Altogether, this study confirms the utility of the IGRA-Spike/-nucleocapsid assay to complement serology in COVID19 vaccinated individuals and those who have recovered from SARS-Cov2.

Glucocorticoid use as a cause of non-cellular immune response to SARS-Cov2 Spike in patients with immune system diseases.

Disease modifying therapies compromise immune response to SARS-Cov2 or its vaccine in patients with immune system diseases (ISD). Therefore, analysis of the humoral and cellular responses against Spike is of utmost importance to manage ISD patients. A single-center retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 immunization in 87 ISD patients and 81 healthy controls. We performed a whole blood interferon gamma release assay using SARS-Cov2 Spike and Nucleocapsid recombinant proteins in order to evaluate T-cell memory response, and an IgG anti-Spike ELISA to evaluate humoral response. Cellular (26.4%) and humoral (44.8%) responses were negative against Spike in ISD patients following COVID-19 immunization. In univariate analysis, an anti-Spike T cell defective response was associated with the use of glucocorticoids (Odds ratio [OR] = 10.0; p < 10-4), serum albumin level ≤40 g/L (OR = 18.9; p < 10-4), age over 55 years old (OR = 3.9, p = 0.009) and ≤2 vaccine injections (OR = 4.9; p = 0.001). The impact of glucocorticoids persisted after adjustment for age and number of vaccine injections (OR = 8.38, p < 0.001). In contrast, the humoral response was impacted by the use of anti-CD20 mAb (OR = 24.8, p < 10-4), and an extended time since immunization (≥75 days; OR = 4.3, p = 0.002). Double defective cellular/humoral responses (6.9%) were typically encountered in glucocorticoids and/or anti-CD20 mAb treated ISD with a serum albumin level ≤40 g/L (OR = 17.5; p = 0.002). Glucocorticoid usage, B cell depleting therapies, and a low serum albumin level were the main factors associated with a non-response to COVID-19 immunization in ISD patients. These results need further confirmation in larger studies.

Altered DNA methylation pattern characterizes the peripheral immune cells of patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Little is known about the impact of DNA methylation modifications on autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) pathogenesis and therapeutic response. We investigated the potential alterations of DNA methylation in AIH peripheral lymphocytes at diagnosis and remission. METHODS: Ten AIH patients at diagnosis (time-point 1; AIH-tp1), 8/10 following biochemical response (time-point 2; AIH-tp2), 9 primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and 10 healthy controls (HC) were investigated. Peripheral CD19(+) and CD4(+) cells were isolated. Global DNA methylation (5m C)/hydroxymethylation (5hm C) was studied by ELISAs. mRNA of DNA methylation (DNMT1/3A/3B) and their counteracting hydroxymethylation enzymes (TET1/2/3) was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Epigenome wide association study (EWAS) was performed in CD4(+) cells (Illumina HumanMethylation 850 K array) in AIH and HC. Total 5m C/5hm C was also assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on paraffin-embedded liver sections. RESULTS: Reduced TET1 and increased DNMT3A mRNA levels characterized CD19(+) and CD4(+)-lymphocytes from AIH-tp1 compared to HC and PBC, respectively, without affecting global DNA 5m C/5hm C. In AIH-tp1, CD4(+) DNMT3A expression was negatively correlated with serum IgG (P = .03). In remission, DNMT3A decreased in both CD19(+) and CD4(+) cells compared to AIH-tp1 (P = .02, P = .03 respectively). EWAS in CD4(+) cells from AIH patients confirmed important modifications in genes implicated in immune responses (HLA-DP, TNF, lnRNAs and CD86). IHC showed increased 5hm C staining of periportal infiltrating lymphocytes in AIH-tp1 compared to HC and PBC. CONCLUSION: Altered TET1 and DNMT3A expressions, characterize peripheral lymphocytes in AIH. DNMT3A was associated with disease activity and decreased following remission. Gene DNA methylation modifications affect immunological pathways that may play an important role in AIH pathogenesis.

Interplay of Environmental, Individual and Genetic Factors in Rheumatoid Arthritis Provocation.

In this review, we explore systemization of knowledge about the triggering effects of non-genetic factors in pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Possible mechanisms involving environmental and individual factors in RA pathogenesis were analyzed, namely, infections, mental stress, sleep deprivation ecology, age, perinatal and gender factors, eating habits, obesity and smoking. The non-genetic factors modulate basic processes in the body with the impact of these factors being non-specific, but these common challenges may be decisive for advancement of the disease in the predisposed body at risk for RA. The provocation of this particular disease is associated with the presence of congenital loci minoris resistentia. The more frequent non-genetic factors form tangles of interdependent relationships and, thereby, several interdependent external factors hit one vulnerable basic process at once, either provoking or reinforcing each other. Understanding the specific mechanisms by which environmental and individual factors impact an individual under RA risk in the preclinical stages can contribute to early disease diagnosis and, if the factor is modifiable, might be useful for the prevention or delay of its development.

Anti-Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies Control Oral Porphyromonas and Aggregatibacter species in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Oral microbiome changes take place at the initiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, questions remain regarding the oral microbiome at pre-RA stages in individuals with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA). Two cross-sectional cohorts were selected including 84 Tatarstan women (15 early-RA as compared to individuals with CSA ranging from CSA = 0 [n = 22], CSA = 1 [n = 19], CSA = 2 [n = 11], and CSA ≥ 3 [n = 17]) and 42 women with established RA (median: 5 years from diagnosis [IQ: 2-11]). Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) obtained from oral samples (16S rRNA) were analyzed for alpha and beta diversity along with the abundance at the genus level. A decrease in oral Porphyromonas sp. is observed in ACPA-positive individuals, and this predominates in early-RA patients as compared to non-RA individuals irrespective of their CSA score. In the RA-established cohort, Porphyromonas sp. and Aggregatibacter sp. reductions were associated with elevated ACPA levels. In contrast, no associations were reported when considering individual, genetic and clinical RA-associated factors. Oral microbiome changes related to the genera implicated in post-translational citrullination (Porphyromonas sp. and Aggregatibacter sp.) characterized RA patients with elevated ACPA levels, which supports that the role of ACPA in controlling the oral microbiome needs further evaluation.

Combining multi-antigenic immunodot with indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells improves the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated, in nearly all patients, with autoantibodies (Ab). Accordingly, and in order to identify major (anti-CEN A/B and anti-Topo I) but also minor Abs, the usefulness of combining indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells with an 11 multi-antigenic SSc immunodot was explored. 1689 samples tested at the request of clinicians, were evaluated retrospectively. The positivity rate was 28.8% and the diagnosis of SSc was supported for 232 samples. Two groups of Abs were considered: group 1, Abs (anti-CENP A/B, anti-Topo I) present at elevated levels in SSc patients; group 2, Abs for which the Ab specificity (odds ratio and/or positive predictive value) was improved by using IIF on HEp-2 cells (RNA-Polymerase III, fibrillarin, Th/T0, PM-Scl). Altogether, this study highlights the utility of combining IIF on HEp-2 cells with the SSc immunodot as the first line of an SSc Abs detection/SSc diagnostic strategy.

Linking genetic variation with epigenetic profiles in Sjögren's syndrome.

DNA methylation represents an important regulatory event governing gene expression that is dysregulated in Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) and a number of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. As disease-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have relevance in controlling DNA methylation, 94 non-HLA SjS-SNPs were investigated, among them 57 (60.6%) with widespread effects on 197 individual DNA methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) were selected. Typically, these SNPs are intronic, possess an active promoter histone mark, and control cis-meQTLs located around transcription start sites. Interplay is independent of the physical distance between SNPs and meQTLs. Using epigenome-wide association study datasets, SjS-meQTLs were characterized (41 genes and 13 DNA methylation CpG motifs) and for the most part map to a pro-inflammatory cytokine pathway, which is important for the control of DNA methylation in autoimmune diseases. In conclusion, exploring meQTLs represents a valuable tool to predict and investigate downstream effects of genetic factors in complex diseases such as SjS.

Antiphospholipid autoantibody detection is important in all patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.

Antiphospholipid (aPL) autoantibodies are uncommon in systemic autoimmune diseases (SADs). However, the European PRECISESADS study provides the opportunity to better characterize this rare association. The study was composed of 1818 patients with SADs including 453 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 359 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 385 with systemic sclerosis (SSc), 367 with Sjögren's syndrome (SjS), 94 with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), and 160 with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). Assays used for aPL determination include the lupus anticoagulant (LAC) analysis using the dilute Russell's viper venom time (dRVVT) assay plus anti-cardiolipin (aCL) and anti-aß2GPI autoantibodies of IgG and IgM isotype. Information regarding clinical and biological characteristics of SAD patients was available. Among SAD patients, the prevalence of aPL differs significantly between two groups: SLE (57.6%) and non-SLE SADs (13.7%, p < 10-4). Next, association between aPL plus thrombosis and miscarriage were observed in both SLE and non-SLE patients. Thrombosis was best predicted in SLE patients by dRVVT (OR = 6.1; IC95:3.5-10.3) and miscarriage by aCL±ß2GPI IgG (OR = 2.5; IC95:1.2-5.2); while in non-SLE SADs the best predictors were aCL±ß2GPI IgG for thrombosis (OR = 6.6; IC95:2.4-18.4) and aCL±ß2GPI IgM for miscarriage (OR = 2.9; IC95:1.2-6.8). In the case of multiple positivity of aPL, the risk for thrombosis and miscarriage was increased. Central nervous system involvement characterized the SLE patients, in contrast to pulmonary and skin fibrosis, valve lesions, hypertension, elevated creatinemia, C4 fraction reduction, platelet reduction and inflammation that characterized the non-SLE SAD patients. Anti-PL determination remains important in SADs patients and should not be restricted to only SLE patients.

Epigenetics in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a chronic and systemic autoimmune epithelitis with predominant female incidence, which is characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction. Incompletely understood, the etiology of SjS is multi-factorial and evidence is growing to consider that epigenetic factors are playing a crucial role in its development. Independent from DNA sequence mutations, epigenetics is described as inheritable and reversible processes that modify gene expression. Epigenetic modifications reported in minor salivary gland and lymphocytes from SjS patients are related to (i) an abnormal DNA methylation process inducing in turn defective control of normally repressed genes involving such matters as autoantigens, retrotransposons, and the X chromosome in women; (ii) altered nucleosome positioning associated with autoantibody production; and (iii) altered control of microRNA. Results from epigenome-wide association studies have further revealed the importance of the interferon pathway in disease progression, the calcium signaling pathway for controlling fluid secretions, and a cell-specific cross talk with risk factors associated with SjS. Importantly, epigenetic modifications are reversible thus opening opportunities for therapeutic procedures in this currently incurable disease.

Apoptotic resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and therapeutic perspectives.

Increased resistance to apoptosis represents a key oncogenic mechanism in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that has been attributed to the upregulation of the anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family members. Such an observation was associated with the development of molecules inhibiting Bcl-2 activity, and among them, BH3-mimetics represent a novel class of therapeutic compounds. In 2016, venetoclax became the first approved oral inhibitor of Bcl-2, and it has been used with success in patients with CLL who present with a 17p deletion or TP53 mutations and in those who have received at least one prior therapy. However, its mechanism for controlling relapses, and its optimal use in terms of duration and combinations with other drugs, remain unknown. Therefore, this review focuses on the mechanisms controlling apoptosis, CLL B cell strategies to prevent apoptosis including in response to BH3-mimetics, and arguments supporting the use of BH3-mimetics in association with other therapies in order to limit compensatory mechanisms.

News and meta-analysis regarding anti-Beta 2 glycoprotein I antibodies and their determination.

Recent advances allow us to propose antibodies targeting beta-2-glycoprotein I (ß2-GPI) as the most specific antibodies associated with anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS). Therefore, there is now a crucial need for powerful biological assays to adequately monitor them. It is well established that these antibodies recognize mainly cryptic epitopes, which requires a great deal of consideration in the choice of laboratory tests to identify these antibodies. To this end, an update on the pathophysiological role of ß2-GPI and a meta-analysis were conducted providing an overview of the current progress towards anti-ß2-GPI detection.

In seroconverted rheumatoid arthritis patients a multi-reactive anti-herpes IgM profile is associated with disease activity.

Conflicting results have been reported regarding human herpes virus (HHV) reactivation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To explore this link, 74 RA patients were selected and compared to 42 first degree relatives (FDR) from probands with RA and 25 healthy controls from the Tatarstan women cohort. The serological analysis was done by testing anti-HSV/CMV/EBV IgM, IgG, plus the IgG avidity index, and completed by evaluating HSV/CMV/EBV DNA by PCR. Results from these analyses reveal: (i) a long lasting infection of HHV in RA, FDR and healthy controls (IgG seroconversion >97%); (ii) an elevated IgM anti-HHV response in seroconverted RA patients which is related to HSV1/2 reactivation (HSV1/2 PCR+); and (iii) a multi-reactive IgM HHV burden profile associated with disease activity (DAS28). In conclusion, HSV1/2 reactivation in seroconverted RA patients is associated with an abnormal anti-HHV immune response, which was reflected in IgM HHV burden, and in activity disease profile.