Cryoproteins in Non-HCV-Related Autoimmune Disorders: A Serious Cold-Induced Problem.

The precipitation of cryoglobulins, serum immunoglobulins, below 37 °C defines the clinical cryoglobulinemic syndrome, a systemic vasculitis usually characterized by purpura, weakness, and arthralgia. In most cases, this condition is associated with chronic infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and can evolve into B-cell dysregulation and malignancies. The current literature on non-HCV-associated cryoglobulinemia is very limited, and little is known about the immunological and serological profile of affected patients.

Distinct Biomarker Profiles of B-Cell Activation in Metabolic and Viral Hepatic Fibrosis.

Increasing evidence underlines the role of B-cells in the development of hepatic fibrogenesis following viral infections and metabolic dysfunction, through different mechanisms depending on the etiology. Circulating biomarkers of B-cell activation-such as B-cell activating factor (BAFF), immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses, and free light chains (FLCs)-may be associated with different results between viral and metabolic hepatic fibrosis, supporting their use as diagnostic tools. We conducted a case-control study including 100 patients with liver fibrosis, 50/100 of metabolic etiology and 50/100 of viral etiology.

Serum Calprotectin as a Novel Biomarker of Disease Severity and Activity in Systemic Sclerosis Patients.

A monocentric cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the role of serum calprotectin as a biomarker for disease severity and activity in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Serum calprotectin was measured in 74 consecutive SSc patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Rome, and in 50 healthy controls (HCs) who were healthcare workers, using Aptiva's particle-based multianalyte technology. In SSc patients, a statistically significant correlation was found between calprotectin and the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) (r = 0.

The entrenchment of NLRP3 inflammasomes in autoimmune disease-related inflammation.

Autoinflammation and autoimmunity are almost "opposite" phenomena characterized by chronic activation of the immune system, 'innate' in the first and 'adaptive' in the second, leading to inflammation of several tissues with specific protean effectors of tissue damage. The mechanism of involvement of multiprotein complexes called 'inflammasomes' within autoimmune pictures, differently from autoinflammatory conditions, is yet undeciphered. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview on NLRP3 inflammasome contribution into the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin in systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease: a pilot study.

Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease, characterised by microvascular alterations, dysregulation of immune system and fibrosis. The most important complication is interstitial lung disease (ILD). The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in SSc patients and healthy controls (HC).

Markers of Endotoxemia and Inflammation are Associated with Digital Ulcers in Systemic Sclerosis Patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the development of digital ulcers (DUs) in Systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: 60 SSc patients were enrolled and tested for serum levels of LBP and IL-6. The development of DUs was assessed in a 12-month follow-up period.

Exploratory study of extracellular matrix biomarkers for non-invasive liver fibrosis staging: A machine learning approach with XGBoost and explainable AI.

Background: Novel circulating markers for the non-invasive staging of chronic liver disease (CLD) are in high demand. Although underutilized, extracellular matrix (ECM) components offer significant diagnostic potential. This study evaluates ECM-related markers in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive patients across varying fibrosis stages.

Early decrease of T-bet B cells during subcutaneous belimumab predicts response to therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by B cell dysregulation and expansion of atypical B cells that may correlate with disease manifestations and activity. This study investigated the impact of subcutaneous (sc) Belimumab (BLM) on the peripheral B cell compartment and on the functional properties of CD21, T-bet and CD11c atypical B cells, in 21 active SLE patients over a 12-month period. At baseline, active SLE patients displayed reduced unswitched IgM memory B cells and expansion of atypical B cells, compared to healthy donors and to SLE patients in remission.

Serum levels of free light chains and syndecan-1 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) are characterized by chronic inflammation. Reliable biomarkers are crucial for diagnosis, monitoring disease progression and therapeutic responses. This study explores serum syndecan-1 (SDC-1) as a biomarker for these conditions and its relationship with free light chain (FLC) levels.

New Biomarkers in Liver Fibrosis: A Pass through the Quicksand?

Chronic liver diseases (CLD) stem from various causes and lead to a gradual progression that ultimately may result in fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis. This process is typically prolonged and asymptomatic, characterized by the complex interplay among various cell types, signaling pathways, extracellular matrix components, and immune responses. With the prevalence of CLD increasing, diagnoses are often delayed, which leads to poor prognoses and in some cases, the need for liver transplants.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha: Ally and Enemy in Protean Cutaneous Sceneries.

Skin is the forestage for a series of many-sided functions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine with staggering versatility and sizable implications for tissue homeostasis, immune responses, angiogenesis, apoptosis, local and systemic inflammation. An aberrant TNF-α-mediated crosstalk has been linked to the pathogenesis of acute and chronic skin inflammatory diseases, and indeed, TNF-α dysregulation can contribute to the development and progression of psoriasis, vitiligo, local damage following exposition to ultraviolet light radiations, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and acne vulgaris. Therapies that target TNF-α are conspicuously used in the treatment of different skin disorders, aiming to modulate the in vivo immune functions triggered by many cutaneous cells, including keratinocytes, mast cells, or Langerhans cells, and reduce inflammation taking place within the skin.

Serum-free light chains as a dependable biomarker for stratifying patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background And Aims: Adaptive immunity is gaining a significant role in progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). B-cell activity can be assessed by serum-free light chains (sFLCs) k and λ levels. The objective of the present investigation is to examine the utility of sFLCs as non-invasive biomarkers for the stratification of MASLD.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin and digital microvascular damage in systemic sclerosis patients: A pilot study.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune connective-tissue disease, characterised by vasculopathy and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Activation of microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) causes the intimal hyperplasia that characterises the vascular remodelling in SSc. The most frequent complication of SSc is the development of digital ulcers (DUs).

Hypovitaminosis D and Leukocytosis to Predict Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Children with Kawasaki Disease: Insights from a Single-Center Retrospective Observational Cohort Study.

An aberrant immune response involving yet unidentified environmental and genetic factors plays a crucial role in triggering Kawasaki disease (KD). The aim of this study was to assess general and laboratory data at the onset of KD in a single-center cohort of children managed between 2003 and 2023 and retrospectively evaluate any potential relationship with the development of KD-related cardiovascular abnormalities (CVAs). We took into account a total of 65 consecutive children with KD (42 males, median age: 22 months, age range: 2-88 months) followed at the Department of Life Sciences and Public Health in our University; demographic data, clinical signs, and laboratory variables at disease onset, before IVIG infusion, including C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, platelet count, aminotransferases, natremia, albumin, total bilirubin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were evaluated.

Evaluation of the Impact of Night Shift Work on Disease Severity in Psoriatic Patients: A Case-Control Study with Clinical, Hormonal, and Immunological Evaluation.

Introduction: Night shift work disrupts circadian rhythms and has been associated with immune system alterations and various health conditions. However, there is limited data regarding its impact on psoriasis. The aim of our study was to compare psoriasis severity and the hormonal and immunological profile in patients with a night shift work to those with a daytime occupation.

Iloprost infusion reduces serological cytokines and hormones of hypoxia and inflammation in systemic sclerosis patients.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by microvascular damage of skin and internal organs with chronic hypoxia and release of cytokines and hormones such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) and Klotho. Aim of the study was to evaluate FGF-23, Klotho and NGAL serum levels in SSc patients and healthy controls (HC) and to evaluate serum levels changes of FGF-23, Klotho and NGAL after Iloprost.

Methods: Twenty-one SSc patients and 20 HC were enrolled.

Serum Neurofilament and Free Light Chain Levels in Patients Undergoing Treatment for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an immune-mediated disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system. Despite the established diagnostic criteria, monitoring disease activity and treatment remains challenging. To address this limitation, we investigated serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and serum free light chains (sFLCs) as potential biomarkers.

Kidney Biopsy and Immuno-Rheumatological Diseases: A Retrospective and Observational Study.

Renal involvement is a common occurrence in patients with immuno-rheumatological diseases (IRDs). Several instances of glomerulonephritis (GN) occur in the setting of IRD and complicate the clinical course of an underlying condition. The aim of this study was to observe the spectrum of nephropathies according to age, kidney function, history of IRD at the time of biopsy, and histopathological kidney diagnosis.

NLRP3 Inflammasome Involvement in Heart, Liver, and Lung Diseases-A Lesson from Cytokine Storm Syndrome.

Inflammation and inflammasomes have been proposed as important regulators of the host-microorganism interaction, playing a key role in morbidity and mortality due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in subjects with chronic conditions and compromised immune system. The inflammasome consists of a multiprotein complex that finely regulates the activation of caspase-1 and the production and secretion of potent pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18. The pyrin containing NOD (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain) like receptor (NLRP) is a family of intracellular receptors, sensing patterns associated to pathogens or danger signals and NLRP3 inflammasome is the most deeply analyzed for its involvement in the innate and adaptive immune system as well as its contribution to several autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

In Systemic Sclerosis Patients, Peripheral Blood CD21 B Cells and Serum IL-4 and IL-21 Influence Joint Involvement.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients have an increased frequency of CD21 B cells and of serum interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-21, each possible markers of joint involvement in inflammatory arthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of CD21 B cells, IL-4, and IL-21 on joint involvement in a cohort of 52 SSc patients. The DAS28-ESR was correlated with CD21 B cells (r = 0.

Calprotectin: two sides of the same coin.

Calprotectin (CLP) is a calcium-binding protein produced by neutrophils and monocytes in the course of inflammation. Today, the role of faecal CLP in chronic IBD is well known, but in recent years attention has shifted towards circulating CLP. In fact, this molecule can be measured in different biological fluids: blood, saliva and urine, using different analytic methods that are described in this review.

Serological and Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus-Related Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis in Patients without Cryoprecipitate.

Prolonged B cells stimulation due to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can result in autoimmunity, stigmatized by rising levels of cryoglobulins (CGs), the rheumatoid factor (RF), and free light chains (FLC) of immunoglobulins (Ig) associated with a range of symptoms, from their absence to severe cryoglobulinemic vasculitis and lymphoma. Here, we aimed to identify an immunological signature for the earliest stages of vasculitis when cryoprecipitate is still not detectable. We firstly analyzed the IgG subclasses, FLC, and RF in 120 HCV-RNA-positive patients divided into four groups according to the type of cryoprecipitate and symptoms: 30 asymptomatic without cryoprecipitate (No Cryo), 30 with vasculitis symptoms but without CGs that we supposed were circulating but still not detectable (Circulating), 30 type II and 30 type III mixed cryoglobulinemia (Cryo II and Cryo III, respectively).

Elevated serum polyclonal immunoglobulin free light chains in patients with severe asthma.

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of asthma. Free light chains (FLC) can cause inflammation by mast cell antigen-activation. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) FLC κ, but not λ, were shown elevated in adult males with asthma.

Type 2 cytokines and scleroderma interstitial lung disease.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a life-threatening complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Type 2 (Th2) cytokines play a pivotal role in airway disease. Study aim was to evaluate serum level of Th2 interleukin (IL) and chemokine in SSc-ILD.