The Clinical Value of Autoantibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly heterogeneous syndrome in terms of clinical presentation, progression, and response to therapy. In such a complicated context, the identification of disease-related biomarkers would be undoubtedly helpful in assisting tailored approaches for every patient. Despite remarkable efforts, however, progress in new biomarker development and validation is dramatically slow. At present, none of the candidate genetic, cellular, or molecular biomarker has yet surpassed the clinical value of RA-specific autoantibodies, including rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein autoantibodies (ACPA). Rather, recent years have witnessed significant advancements …
Potential involvement of IL-9 and Th9 cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis
Objective IL-9 has been shown to be upregulated before the clinical onset of articular disease in RA. The exact role of IL-9 and Th9 cells in RA, however, has not yet been adequately studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of IL-9 and IL-9-expressing cells in RA patients. Methods IL-9, IL-9R, PU.1, IL-9, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), IL-4 and TGF-β expression was assessed by real-time-PCR in the synovial tissues of RA and OA patients. IL-9, IL-9R, IL-4, TSLP and TGF-β were also investigated by immunohistochemistry. Peripheral CD4(+) T cell subsets were studied by flow cytometry analysis before and after incubation with citrullinated peptides. Results IL-9 was ov…
FRI0344 IL-9 and CD4+Il9+ T Lymphocytes Are over Expressed in the Synovium of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Elicited in Vitro by Citrullinated Peptide Incubation and the Abrogation of Pu.1 in Mice Interfere with the Collagen Induced Arthritis
Background Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint erosion and damage. Several cytokines and recruitment of auto-reactive lymphocytes (characterized by a marked shift toward the Th1 and Th17 phenotype) to inflamed tissue is a defined feature of the disease. In addition to Th1/Th17 and Th2 cells, another subset of effector T cells, identified by the potent production of IL-9 and named Th9 cells, has been recently demonstrated. IL-9 was found in particular to be increased before the clinical onset of the articular disease in RA patients, and associated with the presence of RA-related autoantibodies and circulating biomarkers of inflammation. The exact …
Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study (Intensive Care Medicine, (2021), 47, 2, (160-169), 10.1007/s00134-020-06234-9)
The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The members of the ESICM Trials Group Collaborators were not shown in the article but only in the ESM. The full list of collaborators is shown below. The original article has been corrected.
Efficacy and safety of rituximab treatment in early primary Sjögren's syndrome: a prospective, multi-center, follow-up study.
Introduction Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disorder affecting exocrine glands; however, a subgroup of pSS patients experience systemic extra-glandular involvement leading to a worsening of disease prognosis. Current therapeutic options are mainly empiric and often translated by other autoimmune diseases. In the last few years growing evidence suggests that B-cell depletion by rituximab (RTX) is effective also in pSS. Patients with early active disease appear to be those who could benefit the most from RTX. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of RTX in comparison to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in early active pSS patients. …