Amelioration of nephritis in receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE)-deficient lupus-prone mice through neutrophil extracellular traps.

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is a pattern recognition receptor that regulates inflammation, cell migration, and cell fate. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multiorgan autoimmune disease. To understand the function of RAGE in SLE, we generated RAGE-deficient (Ager-/-) lupus-prone mice by backcrossing MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/J (MRL-lpr) mice with Ager-/- C57BL/6 mice. In 18-week-old Ager-/- MRL-lpr, the weights of the spleen and lymph nodes, as well as the frequency of CD3+CD4-CD8- cells, were significantly decreased. Ager-/- MRL-lpr mice had significantly reduced urine albumin/creatinine ratios and markedly improved renal pathological scores. Moreover, neutrophil infiltration and neutrophil extracellular trap formation in the glomerulus were significantly reduced in Ager-/- MRL-lpr. Our study is the first to reveal that RAGE can have a pathologic role in immune cells, particularly neutrophils and T cells, in inflammatory tissues and suggests that the inhibition of RAGE may be a potential therapeutic strategy for SLE.

Risk Factors for Chronic Damage Accumulation Across Different Onset Eras in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-sectional Analysis of a Lupus Registry of Nationwide Institutions (LUNA).

Chronic damage accumulation affects not only mortality but also quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Risk factors for chronic damage were explored in SLE through different onset eras. Two hundred forty-five patients at Okayama University Hospital and Showa University Hospital were divided into three groups based on the onset era: a past-onset group (onset before 1995; n=83), middle-onset group (1996-2009; n=88), and recent-onset group (after 2010; n=74). The mean Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) score as an index of chronic damage was 1.93, 1.24, and 0.53 in the past-, middle-, and recent-onset groups, respectively. In the pastonset group, the total SDI score was significantly associated with glucocorticoid monotherapy by linear regression analysis (ß-coefficient [ß]=0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-1.05) and C-reactive protein levels (ß=0.67; 95% CI, 0.27-1.07). In the middle-onset group, the total SDI score was significantly associated with the SLE Disease Activity Index at registration (ß=0.09; 95% CI, 0.03-0.12). Reducing the accumulation of chronic damage in SLE patients might be possible with the concomitant use of immunosuppressants and tight control of disease activity.

Cluster Analysis Using Anti-Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases and SS-A/Ro52 antibodies in Patients With Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis.

OBJECTIVE: Although several autoantibodies have been identified for polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) diagnosis, the clinical impact of these antibodies is yet to be elucidated. METHODS: Patients with PM/DM at Okayama University Hospital from 2012 to 2016 were historically enrolled, and antibody profiles were analyzed using line immunoassay. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed based on serological analysis of anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibodies, including anti-Jo-1, PL-7, PL-12, EJ, OJ, and SS-A/Ro-52 antibodies. Clinical symptoms and relapse proportions were compared among these clusters. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were enrolled in this study: 28 were diagnosed with PM, and 33 were diagnosed with DM. The following 3 clusters were determined: 1 (n = 10), anti-Jo-1 and anti-SS-A/Ro-52 antibodies double positive (10/10, 100%); 2 (n = 24), anti-SS-A/Ro-52 antibody positive (20/24, 83%), anti-Jo-1 antibody negative (24/24, 100%), and anti-ARS antibodies (excluding anti-Jo-1 antibody) positive (15/24, 63%); and 3 (n = 27), anti-Jo-1 and anti-SS-A/Ro52 antibodies double negative (26/27, 96%). The proportion of patients who relapsed was significantly lower in cluster 3 than it was in clusters 1 and 2 (risk ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.83; p = 0.026 and risk ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.89; P = 0.019, respectively). There was no difference in the proportion of relapsed patients between clusters 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our cluster analysis shows that anti-SS-A/Ro52 or any anti-ARS antibodies or both might be relevant to clinical outcomes.

Alternative to Rituximab Therapy for a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis Who Was Unable to Continue Anti-TNF Therapy.

We herein present a case of a 38-year-old man who had bamboo spine and severe sacroiliitis and who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Infliximab (IFX) markedly improved the axial symptom but was discontinued due to the side effect of peripheral neuropathy. Switching from IFX to etanercept worsened the side effect. Rituximab (RTX) administration elicited a good response without side effects. RTX might be a suitable option for AS therapy when TNF inhibitors are difficult to use.

Prognostic factors of methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders associated with rheumatoid arthritis and plausible application of biological agents.

OBJECTIVES: To determine prognostic factors of methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD) and evaluate the efficacy and safety of biological therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated with MTX-LPD. METHODS: Thirty RA patients who developed MTX-LPD were investigated in this study. We compared the clinical and laboratory parameters of patients who achieved regression of LPD by MTX withdrawal with those who required chemotherapy and evaluated the clinical course of RA after LPD development. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (76.7%) achieved regression of LPD by MTX withdrawal. Chemotherapy-free patients had a tendency of shorter RA duration (13.1 vs. 22.0 years, p = 0.108) and higher doses of MTX at LPD diagnosis (8.0 vs. 5.3 mg/w, p = 0.067) than patients who required chemotherapy. A significantly higher positive rate of peripheral blood Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA was observed in the chemotherapy-free group (9/9 vs. 0/3, p = 0.0002). Of 15 patients that received biological agents after LPD development, 14 patients (93.3%) demonstrated an improved disease activity of RA and persistent remission of LPD, whereas only one patient experienced relapse of LPD during tocilizumab therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral blood EBV-DNA positivity is a potential prognostic marker of better outcome in MTX-LPD. Biological agents could be an option for the treatment of RA patients with MTX-LPD.

Deletion of Mir223 Exacerbates Lupus Nephritis by Targeting S1pr1 in Faslpr/lpr Mice.

Objective: The micro RNAs (miRNAs) and their target mRNAs are differentially expressed in various immune-mediated cells. Here, we investigated the role of Mir223 and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1pr1) in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods: We analyzed miRNA and mRNA profiling data of CD4+ splenic T cells derived from MRL/MpJ-Faslpr /J mice. We performed 3' untranslated region (UTR) luciferase reporter gene assay using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We generated the B6-Mir223-/-Faslpr/lpr mice and the lupus phenotypes were analyzed. Results: In CD4+ splenic T cells, we identified upregulation of miR-223-3p and downregulation of the possible target, S1pr1 by RNA sequencing of MRL/MpJ-Faslpr /J mice. The transfection with miR-223-3p mimic significantly suppressed a luciferase activity in HUVEC treated with a Lentivirus vector containing 3' UTR of S1pr1. The mRNA levels of S1pr1 were significantly decreased after miR-223-3p overexpression. In B6-Mir223-/-Faslpr/lpr mice, the proportion of CD3+ T cells, CD3+CD4-CD8- cells, B cells, plasma cells, and S1PR1+CD4+ T cells in the spleen was significantly increased compared with that in B6-Mir223+/+Faslpr/lpr mice by flow cytometry. B6-Mir223-/-Faslpr/lpr mice demonstrated the elevation of glomerular and renal vascular scores associated with enhanced intraglomerular infiltration of S1PR1+CD4+ T cells. Conclusion: Unexpectedly, the deletion of Mir223 exacerbated the lupus phenotypes associated with increased population of S1PR1+CD4+ T in spleen and the enhanced infiltration of S1PR1+CD4+ T cells in inflamed kidney tissues, suggesting compensatory role of Mir223 in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.

An open-label pilot study on preventing glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus with linagliptin.

BACKGROUND: Numerous patients develop diabetes in response to glucocorticoid therapy. This study explored the efficacy, safety, and preventive potential of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, linagliptin (TRADJENTA®), in the development of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus. METHODS: From December 2014 to November 2015, we recruited non-diabetic Japanese patients scheduled for treatment with daily prednisolone ≥20 mg. Enrolled patients had at least one of following risk factors for glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus: estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤ 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2; age ≥ 65 years; hemoglobin A1c > 6.0%. A daily dose of 5 mg of linagliptin was administered simultaneously with glucocorticoid therapy. The primary outcome was the development of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus. Additional orally administered hypoglycemic medications and/or insulin injection therapy was initiated according to the blood glucose level. RESULTS: Four of five patients developed glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus within 1 week of glucocorticoid treatment. For 12 weeks, two of the four patients with glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus required orally administered medications, but no patients required insulin. Blood glucose levels before breakfast and lunch tended to decrease with time; the median glucose levels before breakfast were 93 and 79.5 mg/dL at 1 and 3 weeks, respectively. Two patients experienced mild hypoglycemia around 2 weeks. Glucose levels after lunch remained high throughout all 4 weeks despite decreasing the glucocorticoid dosage. CONCLUSIONS: Linagliptin may be insufficient to prevent the development of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus but has the potential to reduce the requirement for insulin injection therapy. Treatment of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus was continued for at least 1 month and fasting hypoglycemia in early morning should be monitored after 2 weeks. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered 02 November 2014 with UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (no. 000015588 ).

Occurrence of Dermatomyositis Immediately after Mastectomy Subsequent to Severe Chemotherapeutic Drug Eruption.

We herein report a patient with breast cancer who developed dermatomyositis (DM) immediately after mastectomy. She had a history of severe drug eruption during neoadjuvant chemotherapy six months previously. Within a month after the operation, myalgia and rash, including Gottron's papules, developed, and skeletal-muscle enzymes elevated, so she was diagnosed with probable DM according to the Bohan and Peter criteria. In many neoplastic DM cases, the course of the disease parallels the course of the malignancy. Possible mechanisms were suggested to explain the development of DM in the present case and offer new insight into autoimmune diseases.

The Successful Treatment of Refractory Polyarteritis Nodosa Using Infliximab.

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), characterized by arteritis of medium-sized blood vessels, is usually treated with a combination of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants; however, some cases are refractory to these treatments. We herein report the case of a man with PAN that was refractory to various immunosuppressive treatments, including cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and rituximab. After infliximab (IFX) treatment was initiated, his symptoms improved dramatically and remission was maintained. IFX is considered to be an effective alternative treatment for PAN which proves to be refractory to several immunosuppressive treatments.

Azathioprine Intolerance in Japanese Patients with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis.

Objective To assess the safety of azathioprine (AZA) in Japanese patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Methods We retrospectively enrolled 67 consecutive AAV patients who had initiated AZA treatment from January 2006 to August 2014 at Okayama University Hospital. We evaluated the development of severe adverse events (AEs), AZA discontinuation due to total AEs (severe AEs included) within 1 year, and AZA-associated risk factors. Results The patients' median age was 70 years old. Forty-nine women and 18 men participated at the initiation of the study. Fifty-eight (87%) patients experienced AEs, and 36 experienced severe AEs (21 hepatic and 11 cytopenic severe AEs). Thirty-one (46%) patients discontinued treatment because of AEs. Abnormal hepatic laboratory test results at the treatment initiation were more frequent in patients with hepatic severe AEs and were associated with treatment discontinuation. The leukocyte and neutrophil counts at the treatment initiation were lower in the patients who discontinued treatment because of cytopenic AEs than in those who continued treatment. Only two patients experienced flare-ups during treatment. Conclusion The AE-associated AZA discontinuation rate in Japanese AAV patients was relatively high. AZA use warrants caution in patients with abnormal hepatic laboratory test results or low leukocyte or neutrophil counts.

A retrospective observational study of glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus with IgA nephropathy treated with tonsillectomy plus methylprednisolone pulse therapy.

AIMS: To evaluate the incidence of GC-DM among patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) and to confirm the risk factors for the development of GC-DM. METHODS: The medical records of patients with IgAN newly treated with the protocol of tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy were reviewed. The primary outcome was the development of GC-DM within the hospitalization period and during one year of follow-up. RESULTS: During hospitalization, 19 of the 95 patients developed GC-DM (20.0%), and the patients with GC-DM were significantly older and had a higher rate of family history of diabetes and higher HbA1c levels. The prevalence of hypertension was higher and the eGFR was numerically lower in patients with GC-DM than in those without. Older age (≥45 years) and a family history of diabetes emerged as independent risk factors for the development of GC-DM (odds ratio [OR], 6.3 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-27.6; OR, 4.4 and 95% CI, 1.2-16.6, respectively). No patients were newly diagnosed with GC-DM during 1-year observation period at out-patient clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients with IgAN, 20% developed GC-DM during the hospitalization period, confirming the family history of diabetes is clinically necessary before starting GC therapy.