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Semin Thromb Hemost 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) comprise a panel of autoantibodies that reflect a potential prothrombotic risk in several autoimmune conditions, most notably antiphospholipid (antibody) syndrome (APS). aPL can be divided into those that form part of the laboratory criteria for APS, namely, lupus anticoagulant (LA), as well as anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) of the immunoglobulin G and M classes, and those that form a group considered as "noncriteria antibodies." The noncriteria antibodies include, for example, antiphosphatidylserine antibodies (aPS), antiprothrombin antibodies (aPT), and antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex antibodies (aPS/PT). Read More

J Autoimmun 2021 Jun 12;122:102677. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address:

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β-cells in pancreatic islets. Seroconversions to islet autoantibodies (IAbs) precede the disease onset by many years, but the role of humoral autoimmunity in the disease initiation and progression are unclear. In the present study, we identified a new IAb directed to the extracellular epitopes of ZnT8 (ZnT8ec) in newly diagnosed patients with T1D, and demonstrated immunofluorescence staining of the surface of human β-cells by autoantibodies to ZnT8ec (ZnT8ecA). Read More

J Neurol Sci 2021 May 21;427:117507. Epub 2021 May 21.

Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, Germany. Electronic address:

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disorder causing inflammatory demyelination of peripheral nerves and consecutive disability. Diagnostic criteria and treatments are well established, but it is unknown how clinical practice may differ in different geographical regions. In this multicentre study, clinical management of CIDP was compared in 44 patients from Germany, India and Norway regarding diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Read More

J Hepatol 2021 Jun 12. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Clinical Pharmacology Department, Medicines Area. Technical Committee for pharmacovigilance. Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Eur J Neurol 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Clinic of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.

Background: Neurology is a field of increasing subspecialization. There is no published data regarding the proportion of neurology subspecialists in the Baltic States. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify factors associated with neurology subspecialty choice, to examine possible differences between neurology residents' and junior neurologists' view of subspecialty, and to assess perceived subspecialty acquisition opportunities and subspecialty attractiveness. Read More

Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Hopital Foch, 37918, Respiratory Diseases, Suresnes, France;

ACS Chem Biol 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachussets 02115, United States.

Red blood cells (RBCs) can serve as vascular carriers for drugs, proteins, peptides, and nanoparticles. Human RBCs remain in the circulation for ∼120 days, are biocompatible, and are immunologically largely inert. RBCs are cleared by the reticuloendothelial system and can induce immune tolerance to foreign components attached to the RBC surface. Read More

Ophthalmol Ther 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

HDR Research Center, Hoopes Vision, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 11820 S. State Street Suite #200, Draper, UT, 84020, USA.

Introduction: Transient dry eye symptoms have been reported following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Very rarely, patients may present with debilitating symptoms of dry eye syndrome (DES) with limited or no evidence of ocular surface disease. These patients are diagnosed with a form of DES known as neuropathic corneal pain (NCP). Read More

Cell Biochem Biophys 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Health Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Lysophosphatidylserine (LysoPS) is an emerging lysophospholipid (LPL) mediator, which acts through G protein-coupled receptors, like lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). LysoPS is detected in various tissues and cells and thought to be produced mainly by the deacylation of phosphatidylserine. LysoPS has been known to stimulate degranulation of mast cells. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Objectives: Anti-Ro-52 antibody positivity might be associated with the presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) among patients with autoimmune features. However, the clinical significance of isolated anti-Ro-52 positivity (i.e. Read More

Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

1st Department of Neurology, Aeginition Hospital, Medical School, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system affecting patients' well-being and quality of life. Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention (PSAI) is a novel non-pharmaceutical intervention with significant benefits both in MS and other chronic diseases. In this study, the longstanding effectiveness of PSAI was investigated. Read More

Recenti Prog Med 2021 Jun;112(6):444-453

Ginecologia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, Roma - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.

The development of biological drugs, which began in the 1980s, has revolutionized the treatment of numerous oncological diseases and severely disabling autoimmune diseases, with widely demonstrated evidence of benefit. Today, biological drugs represent an important and continuously developing category and are used both as a support therapy in onco-hematology and as molecules with their own therapeutic activity, such as monoclonal antibodies. Among these, bevacizumab represents a drug of relevant clinical value, used as antiangiogenic therapy in numerous cancers, in particular colorectal and ovarian cancers. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 06;100(24):e26377

Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medicine Berlin.

Introduction: On the basis of the results of the IMBRAVE-150 trial, the combination of atezolizumab, a programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody, as well as bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody, represents a promising novel first-line therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite favorable safety data, serious adverse events have been described. However, central nervous system complications such as encephalitis have rarely been reported. Read More

JCI Insight 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, United States of America.

Macrophages and related myeloid cells are innate immune cells that participate in the early islet inflammation of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The enzyme 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) catalyzes the formation of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, but its role and mechanisms in myeloid cells in the pathogenesis of islet inflammation have not been elucidated. Leveraging a model of islet inflammation in zebrafish, we show here that macrophages contribute significantly to the loss of β-cells and the subsequent development of hyperglycemia. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2021 May 5. Epub 2021 May 5.

Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Instituto de Investigación en Reumatología y del Sistema Músculo Esquelético (IIRSME), Guadalajara; UDG-CA-703, Inmunología y Reumatología, Guadalajara, and Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Dr Juan I. Menchaca, División de Medicina Interna, Servicio de Reumatología, CONACyT PNPC, Guadalajara, Mexico.

Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphoglycoprotein involved in bone remodelling, wound healing, cell adhesion, tissue remodelling, and immune response that is distributed widely in normal adult tissues. OPN biological activity is regulated by thrombin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cleavage, where the full-length (OPN-FL) protein and the cleaved OPN-N are associated with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). OPN overexpression has been associated with a predisposition to SLE and bad prognosis since OPN could mediate a sustained polyclonal B cell activation that besides to intracellular OPN (iOPN) form, promote the T follicular helper (TFH) cells and enhance anti-nuclear antibody production. Read More

bioRxiv 2021 Jun 7. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Numerous studies have provided single-cell transcriptome profiles of host responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Critically lacking however is a reusable datamine to allow users to compare and explore these data for insight, inference, and hypothesis generation. To accomplish this, we harmonized datasets from blood, bronchoalveolar lavage and tissue samples from COVID-19 and other control conditions and derived a compendium of gene signature modules per cell type, subtype, clinical condition and compartment. Read More

Nat Genet 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.

We report the largest and most diverse genetic study of type 1 diabetes (T1D) to date (61,427 participants), yielding 78 genome-wide-significant (P < 5 × 10) regions, including 36 that are new. We define credible sets of T1D-associated variants and show that they are enriched in immune-cell accessible chromatin, particularly CD4 effector T cells. Using chromatin-accessibility profiling of CD4 T cells from 115 individuals, we map chromatin-accessibility quantitative trait loci and identify five regions where T1D risk variants co-localize with chromatin-accessibility quantitative trait loci. Read More

Genes Immun 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Population and Data Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Each T cell receptor (TCR) gene is created without regard for which substances (antigens) the receptor can recognize. T cell selection culls developing T cells when their TCRs (i) fail to recognize major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) that act as antigen presenting platforms or (ii) recognize with high affinity self-antigens derived from healthy cells and tissue. While T cell selection has been thoroughly studied, little is known about which TCRs are retained or removed by this process. Read More

Nat Biomed Eng 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

The association of autoimmune diseases with particular allellic products of the class-II major histocompatibility complex (MHCII) region implicates the presentation of the offending self-antigens to T cells. Because antigen-presenting cells are tolerogenic when they encounter an antigen under non-inflammatory conditions, the manipulation of antigen presentation may induce antigen-specific tolerance. Here, we show that, in mouse models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, the systemic administration of a single dose of nanobodies that recognize MHCII molecules and conjugated to the relevant self-antigen under non-inflammatory conditions confers long-lasting protection against these diseases. Read More

Nat Commun 2021 06 14;12(1):3611. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea.

Yeast is an integral part of mammalian microbiome, and like commensal bacteria, has the potential of being harnessed to influence immunity in clinical settings. However, functional specificities of yeast-derived immunoregulatory molecules remain elusive. Here we find that while under steady state, β-1,3-glucan-containing polysaccharides potentiate pro-inflammatory properties, a relatively less abundant class of cell surface polysaccharides, dubbed mannan/β-1,6-glucan-containing polysaccharides (MGCP), is capable of exerting potent anti-inflammatory effects to the immune system. Read More

Curr Opin Pulm Med 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Purpose Of Review: We review the clinical manifestations of three less common connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated interstitial lung diseases (ILDs): Sjogren's syndrome (SjS), mixed CTD (MCTD), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Recent Findings: SjS is classically associated with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia and cystic lung disease, but the most common type of ILD in Sjogren's patients is nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. ILD is prevalent in MCTD and associated with worse survival. Read More

J Immunol 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Doheny Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA;

Adenosine is an important regulatory molecule of the immune response. We have previously reported that treatment of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU)-prone mice with an adenosine-degrading enzyme (adenosine deaminase) prohibited EAU development by inhibiting Th17 pathogenic T cell responses. To further validate that the targeting of adenosine or adenosine receptors effectively modulates Th17 responses, we investigated the effect of adenosine receptor antagonists. Read More

J Investig Med 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Southern California - Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital, Los Angeles, California, USA

The advent of checkpoint blockade-based immunotherapy is rapidly changing the management of lung cancer. Whereas past anticancer drugs' primary toxicity was hematologic, the newer agents have primarily autoimmune toxicity. Thus, it is no longer enough for oncology practitioners to be skilled only in hematology. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Rheumatology Department, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Introduction: Vaccination represents a cornerstone in mastering the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on immunogenicity and safety of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) are limited.

Methods: A multicentre observational study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of the two-dose regimen BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in adult patients with AIIRD (n=686) compared with the general population (n=121). Read More

CNS Spectr 2021 Apr;26(2):145-146

University of Missouri, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia, MO, USA.

Study Objectives: The main objectives of this case study are 1. Clinicians facing symptoms that are difficult to interpret should exercise caution in diagnosing conversion disorder. 2. Read More

BMC Nephrol 2021 Jun 14;22(1):220. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Hypertension and Nephrology, NTT Medical Centre, 5-9-22, Higasi- Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, 141-8625, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) involves platelet activation and aggregation caused by heparin or HIT antibodies associated with poor survival outcomes. We report a case of HIT that occurred after hemodialysis was started for rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), which was caused by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV), and ultimately resulted in asymptomatic cerebral infarction.

Case Presentation: A 76-year-old Japanese man was urgently admitted to our hospital for weight loss and acute kidney injury (serum creatinine: 12 mg/dL). Read More

Korean J Intern Med 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.

Background/aims: The risk of herpes zoster (HZ) is increased in patients with autoimmune diseases (AID), probably due to immunosuppressive therapy.

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study investigated varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific immunity in relation to subclinical VZV reactivation in 48 AID patients and 48 healthy controls (HCs). We assessed humoral immunity (serum VZV immunoglobulin g [IgG], IgA, and IgM) and cell-mediated immunity (interferon-γ [IFNγ]-releasing assay) to VZV as well as salivary VZV DNA status. Read More

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2021 Jun 15. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University - Cerrahpaşa, İstanbul, Turkey.

Objectives: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of goiter and acquired hypothyroidism in children and adolescents, especially in areas without endemic iodine deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the follow-up results of children and adolescents diagnosed with HT, including clinical, biochemical, and radiological findings and treatment approaches.

Methods: HT patients, who were diagnosed between 2012 and 2018 years in a single-center, were assessed retrospectively. Read More

Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2021 Jun 2;96:104455. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Department of Frailty, Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan; Department of Public Health, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.

Purpose: To determine whether frailty associated factors differ between community dwellers and older adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We used the cross-sectional data for patients with RA from the RA epidemiological quality-of-life study (n = 210, mean age 71.8 ± 3. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021 Jun 1;53:103057. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, E1 2AT, United Kingdom; Clinical Board:Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.

Background: Perhaps the most informative experiments in human disease are clinical trials and notably, responses to specific therapies can be highly-informative to help understand disease pathogenesis. There are reagents that inhibit a variety of different autoimmune conditions, such as CD20 memory B cell depleters that are active in both multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other conditions, suggesting influences on common immune mechanisms in different diseases. However, a notable exception seemed to be the use of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors that limits RA, yet seem to, rarely, trigger demyelination and induce MS. Read More