Trans-omics landscape of systemic vasculitis identified matrix metalloproteinase 12 as a novel signature molecule.

Objectives: To identify key molecules involved in the disease pathophysiology of systemic vasculitis through trans-omics analysis, with a specific focus on demonstrating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 12 as a potential biomarker in rheumatic entities.

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases from June 2013 until September 2022 were enrolled. We screened vasculitis-specific molecules by combining findings from serum proteome analysis and whole-blood RNA sequencing.

Effects of interleukin-6 signal inhibition on Treg subpopulations and association of Tregs with clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies are clinically efficacious in the management of RA with an associated increase in Tregs; however, the role of functional Treg subsets has yet to be clarified. This study aimed to evaluate how functional Treg subsets are altered by IL-6 receptor blockade and to analyse the relationship between these Treg subsets and the clinical outcome of RA.

Methods: We collected frozen peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 40 patients with RA who started tocilizumab (TCZ) with or without MTX and 11 healthy controls (HCs).

Longitudinal monitoring of circulating immune cell phenotypes in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a necrotizing multiorgan autoimmune disease that affects small- to medium-sized blood vessels. Despite the improvements in treatments, half of the patients with AAV still experience disease relapses. In this review, we focus on peripheral leukocyte properties and phenotypes in patients with AAV.

Distinct gene signatures of monocytes and B cells in patients with giant cell arteritis: a longitudinal transcriptome analysis.

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a primary large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) of unknown origin. Its management is a challenge due to the late onset of disease symptoms and frequent relapse; therefore, clarifying the pathophysiology of GCA is essential to improving treatment. This study aimed to identify the transition of molecular signatures in immune cells relevant to GCA pathogenesis by analyzing longitudinal transcriptome data in patients.

Longitudinal monitoring of circulating immune cell phenotypes in large vessel vasculitis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK) are two types of primary large vessel vasculitis (LVV). LVV is an intractable, rare disease with a high relapse rate. Disease progression in asymptomatic patients is an important issue in the clinical management of LVV.

Bone fragility via degradation of bone quality featured by collagen/apatite micro-arrangement in human rheumatic arthritis.

Although increased bone fragility is a well-recognized consequence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the essential cause of degenerate bone strength remains unknown. This study aimed to determine factors contributing to bone dysfunction in RA by focusing on the bone matrix micro-arrangement, based on the preferential orientation of collagen and the related apatite c-axis as a bone quality index. The classical understanding of RA is limited to its severe pathological conditions associated with inflammation-induced bone loss.

Interleukin-1 pathway in active large vessel vasculitis patients with a poor prognosis: a longitudinal transcriptome analysis.

Objectives: Large vessel vasculitis (LVV) is characterised by a high relapse rate. Because accurate assessment of the LVV disease status can be difficult, an accurate prognostic marker for initial risk stratification is required. We conducted a comprehensive longitudinal investigation of next-generation RNA-sequencing data for patients with LVV to explore useful biomarkers associated with clinical characteristics.

Anti-IL-6 receptor antibody improves pain symptoms in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Background And Aims: Chronic pain is a prevalent symptom in patients with autoimmune encephalomyelitis such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. Although IL-6 is involved in various inflammatory and immune diseases, the roles of IL-6 in autoimmune-related pain have not been clarified. Therefore, we examined the effect of anti-IL-6 receptor antibody (MR16-1) on the pain sensitivity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice.