[18F]F-FAPI PET/CT outperforms [18F]F-FDG PET/CT in predicting treatment response in lupus nephritis.

Purpose: To identify predictors of complete response (CR) following induction therapy in lupus nephritis (LN) and comparatively evaluate the predictive value of baseline [18 F]F-FAPI PET/CT versus [18 F]F-FDG PET/CT for treatment short-term outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Twenty biopsy-proven LN patients were prospectively enrolled and underwent dual-tracer PET/CT imaging, using both [18 F]F-FAPI and [18 F]F-FDG imaging prior to standardized induction therapy. Treatment response was assessed at 6 months, categorizing into CR, partial response (PR), and non-response (NR) groups.

M6A modification of RRM2 drives B cell hyperactivity in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: The mechanisms underlying B cell dysfunction in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) remain unclear. This study investigates the expression and role of ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2) in pSS B cells, focusing on its contribution to B cell hyperreactivity and potential as a biomarker for disease activity.

Methods: Transcriptomic data (GSE199868) of pSS B cells were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes, with a focus on RRM2.

Reciprocal METTL3-PAX5 regulation in maintaining B-cell identity and promoting B-cell hyperreactivity in SLE.

Objective: METTL3, an m6A methyltransferase, enhances germinal center responses. This study explores its role in lupus B cells and its impact on B-cell activation.

Methods: METTL3 and m6A levels in B cells from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and lupus-prone mice were analyzed using m6A dot blot, RT-qPCR, western blotting, and flow cytometry.

IFI27, a potential candidate molecular marker for primary Sjogren's syndrome.

Objective: The etiology of primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is complex and not completely clear. This study was to identify key genes in pSS based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).

Methods: We downloaded the GSE40568, GSE80805, GSE127952, and GSE164885 mRNA expression profiles from GEO.

ADAM Metallopeptidase domain 19 promotes skin fibrosis in systemic sclerosis via neuregulin-1.

Background: ADAM19 (ADAM Metallopeptidase Domain 19) is known to be involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, yet its specific function in systemic sclerosis (SSc) fibrosis remains unclear.

Objectives: This study sought to clarify the role and underlying mechanism of ADAM19 in SSc skin fibrosis.

Methods: The expression of ADAM19 was assessed in skin tissues of SSc and wound healing using publicly available transcriptome datasets.

EZH2 promotes B-cell autoimmunity in primary Sjogren's syndrome via METTL3-mediated m6A modification.

Objective: Enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) plays an important role in promoting B-cell activation and differentiation. This study aimed to elucidate the role of EZH2 in the B-cell autoimmune response in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and to explore the therapeutic potential of inhibiting EZH2 in pSS.

Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of B cells in peripheral blood from pSS patients was conducted to identify abnormal expression of EZH2 and METTL3 in B-cell subsets.

Alternative splicing and intron retention: Their profiles and roles in cutaneous fibrosis of systemic sclerosis.

Background: Alternative splicing (AS) and intron retention (IR) implicated in multiple pathophysiological processes, have rarely been reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: We integrated bulk RNA-seq and 4D label-free mass spectrometry to perform a multi-omics analysis of AS and IR in SSc skin tissue and fibroblasts. RMATS and iREAD were used to identify AS and IR, which were validated by real-time PCR.

Negative regulator IL-1 receptor 2 (IL-1R2) and its roles in immune regulation of autoimmune diseases.

The decoy receptor interleukin 1 receptor 2 (IL-1R2), also known as CD121b, has different forms: membrane-bound (mIL-1R2), soluble secreted (ssIL-1R2), shedded (shIL-1R2), intracellular domain (IL-1R2). The different forms of IL-1R2 exert not exactly similar functions. IL-1R2 can not only participate in the regulation of inflammatory response by competing with IL-1R1 to bind IL-1 and IL-1RAP, but also regulate IL-1 maturation and cell activation, promote cell survival, participate in IL-1-dependent internalization, and even have biological activity as a transcriptional cofactor.

PANoptosis Features, a Humanized NSG Murine Model of Sjogren's Syndrome.

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a complex systemic autoimmune disease. This study aims to elucidate a humanized NOD-PrkdcIl2rg/Smoc (NSG) murine model to better clarify the pathogenesis of SS. NSG female mice were adoptively transferred with 10 million peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) through the tail vein from healthy controls (HCs), primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients on D0.

Identification of EPSTI1 as a new potential biomarker for SLE based on GEO database.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with highly heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to find the key genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and to provide a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.

Methods: GSE121239, GSE50772, GSE81622, and GSE144390 mRNA expression profiles were obtained from the website of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and differential expressed genes (DEGs) analysis was performed by R.

Patients with dermatomyositis shared partially similar transcriptome signature with COVID-19 infection.

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the skin and skeletal muscle. Virus infection and type I interferon-related signaling pathways play an important role in the pathogenesis of dermatomyositis. In this study, we found that the skin of patients with DM and the skin of patients with COVID-19 have similar transcriptional profiles, and identified key genes involved in dermatomyositis based on bioinformatics analysis.

Serum metabolomic profiling reveals potential biomarkers in systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic and systemic autoimmune disease marked by the skin and visceral fibrosis. Metabolic alterations have been found in SSc patients; however, serum metabolomic profiling has not been thoroughly conducted. Our study aimed to identify alterations in the metabolic profile in both SSc patients before and during treatment, as well as in mouse models of fibrosis.

EZH2 inhibition dampens autoantibody production in lupus by restoring B cell immune tolerance.

Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in the breakdown of B cell immune tolerance and production of autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to explore the therapeutic effects of EZH2 inhibition on lupus.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from new-onset SLE patients for flow cytometric analysis. Pristane-induced lupus mice were constructed, and the EZH2 inhibitor was administrated by intraperitoneal injection to treat lupus mice.

Association of podocyte injury with clinical features and prognosis in patients with mesangial proliferative lupus nephritis.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore the association of podocyte injury with clinical features and outcomes in mesangial proliferative (Class II) lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective and clinicopathologic analysis with 576 LN patients with renal biopsy and screened 58 patients with Class II LN. Then, the 58 cases were divided into 4 groups based on the degree of podocyte damage and immune complex (IC) deposits on light microscope (histological and immunofluorescence) and electron microscope: Podocyte Injury Group, IC deposits Group, Podocyte Injury and IC Group, and Less-lesion Group.

EZH2: Its regulation and roles in immune disturbance of SLE.

The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is related to immune homeostasis imbalance. Epigenetic mechanisms have played a significant role in breaking immune tolerance. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the specific methylation transferase of lysine at position 27 of histone 3, is currently found to participate in the pathogenesis of SLE through affecting multiple components of the immune system.

Integrated analysis of plasma and urine reveals unique metabolomic profiles in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies subtypes.

Objectives: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a class of autoimmune diseases with high heterogeneity that can be divided into different subtypes based on clinical manifestations and myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs). However, even in each IIM subtype, the clinical symptoms and prognoses of patients are very different. Thus, the identification of more potential biomarkers associated with IIM classification, clinical symptoms, and prognosis is urgently needed.

Inhibition of H3K27me3 Demethylases Promotes Plasmablast Formation.

B cell differentiation into Ab-secreting plasma cells requires transcriptional, metabolic, and epigenetic remodeling. Histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), a histone modification associated with gene silencing, is dynamically regulated during B cell differentiation. Although several studies have focused on mechanisms involving the gain of this modification in plasmablasts (PB), the role of active demethylation of H3K27me3 by ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat, X chromosome (UTX) and Jumonji domain-containing protein 3 (JMDJ3) during B cell differentiation has not been examined.

Plasma cell differentiation is controlled by multiple cell division-coupled epigenetic programs.

The genomic loci associated with B cell differentiation that are subject to transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in vivo are not well defined, leaving a gap in our understanding of the development of humoral immune responses. Here, using an in vivo T cell independent B cell differentiation model, we define a cellular division-dependent cis-regulatory element road map using ATAC-seq. Chromatin accessibility changes correlate with gene expression and reveal the reprogramming of transcriptional networks and the genes they regulate at specific cell divisions.

EZH2 Represses the B Cell Transcriptional Program and Regulates Antibody-Secreting Cell Metabolism and Antibody Production.

Epigenetic remodeling is required during B cell differentiation. However, little is known about the direct functions of epigenetic enzymes in Ab-secreting cells (ASC) in vivo. In this study, we examined ASC differentiation independent of T cell help and germinal center reactions using mice with inducible or B cell-specific deletions of Following stimulation with influenza virus or LPS, -deficient ASC poorly proliferated and inappropriately maintained expression of inflammatory pathways, B cell-lineage transcription factors, and Blimp-1-repressed genes, leading to fewer and less functional ASC.

The hetero-transplantation of human bone marrow stromal cells carried by hydrogel unexpectedly demonstrates a significant role in the functional recovery in the injured spinal cord of rats.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often causes a disturbance in the microenvironment in the lesion site resulting in sudden loss of sensory and motor function. Transplantation of stem cells provides a promising strategy in the treatment of SCI. But limited growth and immunological incompatibility of the stem cells with the host limits the application of this strategy.

MicroRNAs Regulating Signaling Pathways: Potential Biomarkers in Systemic Sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem fibrotic and autoimmune disease. Both genetic and epigenetic elements mediate SSc pathophysiology. This review summarizes the role of one epigenetic element, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), involved in different signaling pathways of SSc pathogenesis.

Toxicity of CeO2 nanoparticles - the effect of nanoparticle properties.

Conflicting reports on the toxicity of CeO2 nanomaterials have been published in recent years, with some studies finding CeO2 nanoparticles to be toxic, while others found it to have protective effects against oxidative stress. To investigate the possible reasons for this, we have performed a comprehensive study on the physical and chemical properties of nanosized CeO2 from three different suppliers as well as CeO2 synthesized by us, and tested their toxicity. For toxicity tests, we have studied the effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on a Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli in the dark, under ambient and UV illuminations.