Ingestion of environmentally sourced polyvinyl chloride microplastic fragments increases colon inflammation and fibrosis in mice.

Plastics released into the environment inevitably degrade into microplastics, which subsequently enter the food web. As a result, humans are chronically exposed to microplastics through ingestion. However, studies evaluating the effects of environmentally derived microplastics are limited.

Clinician underprescription of and patient nonadherence to clinical practice guideline-recommended medications for peripheral artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Guidelines recommend that adults with peripheral artery disease (PAD) take antiplatelets, statins, and antihypertensives. However, it is unclear how frequently clinicians do not prescribe these medications (ie, underprescription), how often patients fail to fill/refill their prescriptions (ie, nonadherence), which factors increase underprescription/nonadherence risk, and whether underprescription/nonadherence are associated with outcomes.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (January 1, 2006-to-February 18th, 2025) for studies reporting cumulative incidences/point prevalences of clinician underprescription and/or patient nonadherence to antiplatelets, statins, and/or antihypertensives; adjusted-risk factors for underprescription/nonadherence; and adjusted-outcomes associated with underprescription/nonadherence among adults with PAD.

Prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of patients with low baseline C-reactive protein in giant cell arteritis.

Objective: Elevated inflammatory markers play a crucial role in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). This study aimed to describe the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of patients with low baseline (< 10 mg/L) C-reactive protein (CRP) in GCA.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Lille University Hospital, involving all patients diagnosed with GCA between January 2000 and April 2023.

Anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies in systemic sclerosis: prevalence and clinical associations from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies (ARA) are frequent in systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, the reported prevalence is variable among studies and some clinical associations are debated. We aimed (i) to update the recent data on overall ARA prevalence in SSc and heterogeneity between centers; and (ii) to describe their clinical associations.

Thrombin generation test as a useful tool for improving disease severity stratification in antiphospholipid syndrome.

Background: Patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) display a wide range of clinical manifestations with similar immunological profile with the presence of lupus anticoagulant in around 70% of them. Although antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) profile influences the risk of thrombosis in APS, APS risk stratification remains to be improved.

Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate thrombin generation test (TGT) interest to improve disease severity stratification in APS patients.

[Assessment of internship sites in Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, 7 years after the Residency Training Program Reform: Findings from a 2024 year-end survey in France].

Objective: To compile a list of approved training sites for the Residency Training Program [Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées] in Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology (DES-MIIC) in France.

Method: All local coordinators of the DES-MIIC were contacted to establish the list of approved internship sites for the MIIC DES within their geographical subdivision.

Results: We listed 244 approved training sites, of which 87 (35.

Safety profile of JAK inhibitors in inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.

Over the past decade, Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) have emerged as a promising treatment for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Concurrently, there has been increasing attention to their potential side effects, particularly infectious and cardiovascular risks. In this review, we outline the various adverse effects of these treatments and emphasize the importance of their prevention.

Autoreactive B cells in autoimmune diseases: Mechanisms, functions and clinical implications.

Autoreactive B cells play a key role in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases (AIDs). Still, due to their low frequency in the circulating blood, they are less well characterized than the global B cell pool. This review aims at describing the tools that allow the study of autoreactive B cells, deciphering their features and functions, and discussing the therapeutic implications that arise from these findings.

[Siltuximab as a salvage therapy in multi-refractory adult-onset Still's disease: A case series].

Introduction: Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a systemic auto-inflammatory disorder characterized by a cytokine storm. Four major cytokines can be specifically targeted in severe, refractory or corticosteroid-dependent forms: interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 18 (IL-18), and Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa). According to the French national protocol for adult-onset Still's disease, anti-IL-6 agents are the second-line of treatment after corticosteroids.

CAR T-cell therapy in autoimmune diseases: where are we and where are we going?

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based therapies developed for the treatment of haematological malignancies have recently been repurposed to treat refractory systemic autoimmune diseases. In this Review we critically discuss the current data available on the use of CAR-based therapy in systemic autoimmune diseases, the current challenges, and the potential next steps toward their implementation into clinical practice. Beyond the targeting of B cells via CD19, we discuss the advantages and potential pitfalls of targeting plasma cells (B-cell Maturation Antigen or CD138) and other non-immune targets, such as fibroblast activated protein, and of aiming to restore immune homeostasis using CAR T regulatory cells.

Interstitial lung disease in anti-U1RNP systemic sclerosis patients: A European Scleroderma Trials and Research analysis.

Background: Interstitial lung disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis, but it is characterized by significant heterogeneity in patient outcomes. So far, little is known about the influence of anti-U1RNP antibodies on lung outcomes in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease patients.

Methods: European Scleroderma Trials and Research group systemic sclerosis patients with radiological-confirmed interstitial lung disease, available %predicted forced vital capacity, and autoantibody status were included.

Immunoglobulins G from Patients with Systemic Sclerosis Modify the Molecular Signatures of Endothelial Cells.

Objective: Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are powerful biomarkers in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Functional antibodies (FA) might be implicated in vasculopathy, in which endothelial cells (EC) are key players. We aimed to explore the effect of purified IgG from patients with SSc on omics signatures of EC and examine the influence of ANA serotypes and FA.

Diagnosis, Characteristics, and Outcome of Selective Anti-polysaccharide Antibody Deficiencies In A Retrospective Cohort of 55 Adult Patients.

Selective anti-polysaccharide antibody deficiency (SPAD) predisposes to encapsulated bacterial infections. The diagnosis is challenging, and literature reports are scarce in adult patients, we therefore aim to describe the demographics, infectious complications, therapeutic strategies, and outcome of adult patients. We conducted a multicenter observational study involving 55 adult patients with SPAD.

Total lung capacity is predictive of disease severity and survival in systemic sclerosis: A longitudinal analysis in 2347 patients from the French National Cohort Study.

Background: Total lung capacity (TLC) is seldom assessed in the prediction of systemic sclerosis (SSc) disease severity.

Objective: To describe and analyse TLC in SSc.

Methods: We performed a retrospective multicentre study of SSc patients enrolled in the French national SSc cohort with at least one TLC assessment, described patients based on baseline TLC measurements, modelized TLC trajectories in SSc, and associated TLC measures with disease prognosis.

Beyond circulating B cells: Characteristics and role of tissue-infiltrating B cells in systemic sclerosis.

B cells play a key role in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc). While they are less characterized than their circulating counterparts, tissue-infiltrating B cells may have a more direct pathological role in tissues. In this review, we decipher the multiple evidence of B cells infiltration in the skin and lungs of SSc patients and animal models of SSc but also of other chronic fibrotic diseases with similar pathological mechanisms such as chronic graft versus host disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or morphea.

Anti-fibroblast and anti-endothelial cell autoantibodies in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD).

Objectives: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease that may be associated with CTD. Anti-fibroblast (AFA) and AECA have been identified in idiopathic and SSc-associated PAH. The aim was to identify autoantibodies discriminating for PAH associated with SLE, MCTD and primary SS, and their target antigens.

Autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis: From disease bystanders to pathogenic players.

Autoantibodies (Aab) are recognized as key indicators in the diagnosis, classification, and monitoring of systemic autoimmune diseases (AID). Recent studies have expanded knowledge through the discovery of new antigenic targets, advanced methods for measuring Aab levels, and understanding their possible pathogenic roles in AID. This narrative review uses systemic sclerosis (SSc) as an example to highlight the importance of Aab associated with HEp-2 immunofluorescence assay positivity (traditionally referred as antinuclear antibodies [ANA]), exploring recent developments in the field.

An untargeted metabolomic study using MALDI-mass spectrometry imaging reveals region-specific biomarkers associated with bowel inflammation.

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic immune driven intestinal disorders with marked metabolic alteration. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) enables the direct visualization of biomolecules within tissues and facilitates the study of metabolic changes. Integrating multiple spatial information sources is a promising approach for discovering new biomarkers and understanding biochemical alteration within the context of the disease.

Vasodilator drugs and heart-related outcomes in systemic sclerosis: an exploratory analysis.

Background And Aims: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective disease characterised by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and widespread skin and internal organ fibrosis including various cardiac manifestations. Heart involvement is one of the leading causes of death among patients with SSc. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of various vasodilator treatments.

JAK inhibitors (JAKi): Mechanisms of action and perspectives in systemic and autoimmune diseases.

Janus kinase (JAK) molecules are involved in important cellular activation pathways. Over the past decade, many targeted therapies have emerged, including the increasingly promising role of JAK inhibitors (JAKi) in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The spectrum of use of these small molecules is increasingly broader.

CRISPR-Based Therapy for Hereditary Angioedema.

Background: Hereditary angioedema is a rare genetic disease characterized by severe and unpredictable swelling attacks. NTLA-2002 is an in vivo gene-editing therapy that is based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9. NTLA-2002 targets the gene encoding kallikrein B1 ().