Mechanism-driven strategies for prevention of rheumatoid arthritis

In seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the onset of clinically apparent inflammatory arthritis (IA) is typically preceded by a prolonged period of autoimmunity manifest by the presence of circulating autoantibodies that can include antibodies to ...

Key points Significant findings of the study: Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) evolves over years before the development of clinically apparent inflammatory arthritis. Emerging data support a model wherein mucosal inflammation precedes the development ...

Dual autoimmune diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis with systemic lupus erythematosus and Type 1 diabetes mellitus with multiple sclerosis

Autoantibodies and inflammation are the hallmarks of autoimmune diseases (ADs). Organ-specific and nonorgan-specific ADs are divided according to whether the autoimmune reaction is directed against a specific tissue (e.g., thyroid in Hashimoto's ...

Key points Autoimmune diseases (ADs) can be classified into organ-specific or nonorgan-specific, that is, tissue specificity (e.g., thyroid in Hashimoto's thyroiditis) or against widely expressed antigens (e.g., nuclear antigens in systemic lupus ...

Exploring salivary biomarkers and swallowing perceptions in Sjogren's syndrome: A case-control feasibility study Background: The autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is often characterized by salivary changes that may affect swallowing. No known study has investigated the association between salivary biomarkers and perceptions of swallowing in individuals with ...

Key points Our successful feasibility study distinguished individuals with and without Sjogren's syndrome (SS) according to novel relationships between salivary properties and participant-reported perceptions of swallowing. Salivary analyte profiling in SS ...

Associations of autoantibodies and clinical profile of the patients with systemic sclerosis Background: Systemic sclerosis is characterized by the involvement of organs and the presence of specific antibodies. The objectives of this study were to identify the autoantibodies and to determine their association with the selected clinical features of ...

Key points Anti-topoisomerase-I was the most prevalent autoantibody in patients with systemic sclerosis in Bangladesh. Coexistence of antiribonucleic acid polymerase-III and anti-U1-ribonucleoprotein was a common finding. Antiribonucleic acid polymerase-III ...

Identification and functional analysis of shared gene signatures between systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple systems. Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that may be primary SS (pSS) or occur together with other autoimmune diseases, including SLE. This ...

Key points Two hundred and thirty-two and 110 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) peripheral blood mononuclear cells RNA-seq data sets, respectively. Thirty-two ...

lncRNA X-inactive-specific transcript is a potential biomarker related to changes in CD4+ T cell levels in systemic lupus erythematosus Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a particularly heterogeneous autoimmune disease. This study was intended to clarify the correlations between X-inactive-specific transcript (XIST) expression and SLE clinical features and the contribution ...

Key points X-inactive-specific transcript (XIST) was significantly elevated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4⁺ T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and has potential diagnostic and therapeutic value for SLE. XIST may ...

Biliary candidiasis mimicking IgG4-related disease in a patient with normal immunity Purpose: To report a rare case of biliary candidiasis in a host with normal immunity. Methods: Laboratory tests indicated an elevated G level of 1000 pg/ml. Microscopic examination of pathological sections demonstrated multiple, narrow base, budding yeast ...

Key points Biliary candidiasis could mimic IgG4-RD in a patient with normal immunity. IgG4-RD should be diagnosed carefully especially in some rare cases.

Azathioprine-induced pancytopenia: A case report

Azathioprine (AZA) is commonly used as immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Myelosuppression is a common side effect of AZA. Here we report a case of severe myelosuppression following AZA therapy ...

Key points Azathioprine-induced myelosuppression can occur in patients with normal thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity. Total cell counts should be evaluated on a frequent basis after initiating azathioprine even in patients with normal TMPT ...