Autoimmunity and autoinflammation as the yin and yang of idiopathic recurrent acute pericarditis

Disease phenotypes in adult patients with suspected undifferentiated autoinflammatory diseases and PFAPA syndrome: Clinical and therapeutic implications

BACKGROUND

Undifferentiated autoinflammatory diseases are characterized by recurrent or persistent fever, usually combined with other inflammatory manifestations, and negative or inconclusive genetic studies for monogenic autoinflammatory disorders.

AIMS

To define and characterize disease phenotypes in adult patients diagnosed in an adult reference center with undifferentiated autoinflammatory diseases, and to analyze the efficacy of the drugs used in order to provide practical diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations.

METHODS

Retrospective study (2015-2022) of patients with undifferentiated autoinflammatory diseases among all patients visited in our reference center. Demographic, clinical, laboratory features and detailed therapeutic information was collected.

RESULTS

Of the 334 patients with a suspected autoinflammatory disease, 134 (40%) patients (61% women) were initially diagnosed with undifferentiated autoinflammatory diseases. Mean age at disease onset and at diagnosis was 28.7 and 37.7 years, respectively. In 90 (67.2%) patients, symptoms started during adulthood. Forty-four (32.8%) patients met diagnostic/classification criteria for adult PFAPA syndrome. In the remaining patients, four additional phenotypes were differentiated according to the predominant manifestations: a) Predominantly fever phenotype (n = 18; 13.4%); b) Predominantly abdominal/pleuritic pain phenotype (n = 9; 6.7%); c) Predominantly pericarditis phenotype (n = 18; 13.4%), and d) Complex syndrome phenotype (n = 45; 33.6%). Prednisone (mainly on demand), colchicine and anakinra were the drugs commonly used. Overall, complete responses were achieved with prednisone in 41.3%, colchicine in 40.2%, and anakinra in 58.3% of patients in whom they were used. By phenotypes, prednisone on demand was more effective in adult PFAPA syndrome and colchicine in patients with the abdominal/pleuritic pain pattern and PFAPA syndrome. Patients with complex syndrome achieved complete responses with prednisone (21.9%), colchicine (25.7%) and anakinra (44.4%), and were the group more often requiring additional immunosuppressive drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of the largest single-center series of adult patients with undifferentiated autoinflammatory diseases identified and characterized different disease phenotypes and their therapeutic approaches. This study is expected to contribute to increase the awareness of physicians for an early identification of these conditions, and to provide the best known therapeutic options.

Cardiovascular Manifestations of Human Monkeypox Virus: An Updated Review

Cardiovascular manifestations in human monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection has gained increasing recognition as significant complications with both social and clinical implications. Myocarditis, viral pericarditis, heart failure, and arrhythmias can occur, leading to adverse effects on individuals' health and quality of life. Understanding the detailed pathophysiology of these cardiovascular manifestations is essential for improved diagnosis and management. The social implications of these cardiovascular complications are multifaceted, ranging from public health concerns and the impact on individuals' quality of life to psychological distress and social stigma. Clinically, diagnosing, and managing these complications present challenges, requiring a multidisciplinary approach and specialized care. The burden on healthcare resources necessitates preparedness and resource allocation to effectively address these complications. We delve into the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, including viral-induced cardiac damage, immune response, and inflammatory processes. Additionally, we explore the types of cardiovascular manifestations and their clinical presentations. Addressing cardiovascular manifestations' social and clinical implications in MPXV infection requires a comprehensive approach involving healthcare professionals, public health authorities, and communities. By prioritizing research, enhancing diagnosis and treatment strategies, and promoting preventive measures, we can mitigate the impact of these complications, improve patient care, and protect public health.

Paradigm Shift in Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy in Recurrent Pericarditis

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

We review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and contemporary treatment for recurrent pericarditis, with focus on interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibitors.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recurrent pericarditis occurs in about 15-30% of patients who have acute pericarditis. With increased understanding of the autoinflammatory pathophysiology of recurrent pericarditis, IL-1 inhibitors including anakinra, canakinumab, and rilonacept have been applied to this condition with great promise. In particular, the RHAPSODY trial found rilonacept significantly improves pain and inflammation, while also reducing recurrence with few adverse events. The next IL-1 inhibitor on the block for pericarditis, goflikicept, is also discussed. Understanding the role of the inflammasome via the autoinflammatory pathway in pericarditis has led to incorporation of IL-1 inhibitors in the treatment of recurrent pericarditis, with proven efficacy and safety and randomized trials. This will lead to increase uptake of this agent which demonstrated lower rates of recurrence and faster time to resolution.

An Update on Familial Mediterranean Fever

(1) Background: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is the prototypal autoinflammatory disease, characterized by recurrent bursts of neutrophilic inflammation. (2) Methods: In this study we look at the most recent literature on this condition and integrate it with novel information on treatment resistance and compliance. (3) Results: The canonical clinical presentation of FMF is in children with self-limited episodes of fever and polyserositis, associated with severe long-term complications, such as renal amyloidosis. It has been described anecdotally since ancient times, however only recently it has been characterized more accurately. We propose an updated overview on the main aspects of pathophysiology, genetics, diagnosis and treatment of this intriguing disease. (4) Conclusions: Overall, this review presents the all the main aspects, including real life outcome of the latest recommendation on treatment resistance of FMF, a disease, that not only helped understanding the pathophysiology of the auto inflammatory process but also the functioning of the innate immune system itself.

Pediatric Pericarditis: Update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

While there have now been a variety of large reviews on adult pericarditis, this detailed review specifically focuses on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of pediatric pericarditis. We have tried to highlight most pediatric studies conducted on this topic, with special inclusion of important adult studies that have shaped our understanding of and management for acute and recurrent pericarditis.

RECENT FINDINGS

We find that the etiology of pediatric pericarditis differs from adult patients with pericarditis and has evolved over the years. Also, with the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for pediatric clinicians to be aware of pericardial involvement both due to the infection and from vaccination. Oftentimes, pericarditis maybe the only cardiac involvement in children with COVID-19, and so caregivers should maintain a high index of suspicion when they encounter children with pericarditis.  Large-scale contemporary epidemiological data regarding incidence and prevalence of both acute and recurrent pericarditis is lacking in pediatrics, and future studies should focus on highlighting this important research gap. Most of the current management strategies for pediatric pericarditis are from experiences gathered from adult data. Pediatric multicenter trials are warranted to understand the best management strategy for those with acute and recurrent pericarditis.

CASE VIGNETTE

A 6-year-old child with a past history of pericarditis almost 2 months ago comes in with a 2-day history of chest pain and fever. Per mother, he stopped his steroids about 2 weeks ago, and for the last 2 days has had a temperature of 102F and has been complaining of sharp mid-sternal chest pain that gets worse when he lies down and is relieved when he sits up and leans forward. On examination, he is tachycardic (heart rate 160 bpm), with normal blood pressure for age. He appears to be in pain (5/10), and on auscultation has a pericardial friction rub. His lab studies are notable for elevated white blood cell count and inflammatory markers (CRP and ESR). His electrocardiogram reveals sinus tachycardia and diffuse ST-elevation in all precordial leads. His echocardiogram demonstrates normal biventricular function and a trace pericardial effusion. His cardiac MRI confirms recurrent pericarditis. He is started on indomethacin and colchicine. He has complete resolution of his symptoms by day 3 of admission and is discharged with close follow-up.

The Clinical Chameleon of Autoinflammatory Diseases in Children

The very first line of defense in humans is innate immunity, serving as a critical strongpoint in the regulation of inflammation. Abnormalities of the innate immunity machinery make up a motley group of rare diseases, named ‘autoinflammatory’, which are caused by mutations in genes involved in different immune pathways. Self-limited inflammatory bouts involving skin, serosal membranes, joints, gut and other districts of the human body burst and recur with variable periodicity in most autoinflammatory diseases (ADs), often leading to secondary amyloidosis as a long-term complication. Dysregulated inflammasome activity, overproduction of interleukin (IL)-1 or other IL-1-related cytokines and delayed shutdown of inflammation are pivotal keys in the majority of ADs. The recent progress of cellular biology has clarified many molecular mechanisms behind monogenic ADs, such as familial Mediterranean fever, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (or ‘autosomal dominant familial periodic fever’), cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, mevalonate kinase deficiency, hereditary pyogenic diseases, idiopathic granulomatous diseases and defects of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. A long-lasting history of recurrent fevers should require the ruling out of chronic infections and malignancies before considering ADs in children. Little is known about the potential origin of polygenic ADs, in which sterile cytokine-mediated inflammation results from the activation of the innate immunity network, without familial recurrency, such as periodic fever/aphthous stomatitis/pharyngitis/cervical adenopathy (PFAPA) syndrome. The puzzle of febrile attacks recurring over time with chameleonic multi-inflammatory symptoms in children demands the inspection of the mixture of clinical data, inflammation parameters in the different disease phases, assessment of therapeutic efficacy of a handful of drugs such as corticosteroids, colchicine or IL-1 antagonists, and genotype analysis to exclude or confirm a monogenic origin.

Clinical impact and disease evolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection in familial Mediterranean fever

The innate immune system is critically involved in the pathogenesis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), characterized by dysregulated inflammasome activity and recurrent inflammatory attacks: this is the most common among monogenic autoinflammatory diseases, which shares some biochemical pathways with the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In this short review we explore the overlap in the pathophysiology of FMF and SARS-CoV-2 infection, discussing how to understand better the interaction between the two diseases and optimize management. A poorer outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection seems not to be present in infected FMF patients in terms of hospitalization time, need for oxygen support, need for intensive care, rate of complications and exitus. Long-term surveillance will confirm the relatively low risk of a worse prognosis observed so far in SARS-CoV-2-infected people with FMF. In these patients COVID-19 vaccines are recommended and their safety profile is expected to be similar to the general population.

Anakinra effectiveness in refractory polyserositis: An Italian multicenter study

OBJECTIVES

Polyserositis is an inflammatory condition involving different serosal membranes at the same time, specifically the pericardium, pleura, and peritoneum with exudates in the respective cavities. Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine and glucocorticoids may be effective in patients with polyserositis, but relapses often occur when these drugs are tapered or discontinued. The interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist anakinra has shown a beneficial effect in idiopathic recurrent pericarditis, mostly in unresponsive patients who develop steroid dependence and/or colchicine resistance. To date, there are no data suggesting the best therapy for managing acute episodes and/or relapses of polyserositis. On this basis, we performed a retrospective study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and safety profile of anakinra in treating patients with refractory polyserositis.

METHODS

Patients with idiopathic polyserositis or rheumatic diseases presenting inflammation of 2 or more serous membranes were included. Serositis had to be confirmed by imaging tests comprising either echocardiography, abdominal ultrasound, chest or abdomen computed tomography and/or chest x-ray scan. We included patients with polyserositis who started anakinra from January 2011 to January 2019 due to a poorly controlled disease despite treatment with NSAIDs, conventional immunosuppressant drugs, or the need to minimize oral corticosteroids intake. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), and imaging tests, were recorded to monitor serositis at baseline and either at 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up. Patients with malignancies and infectious diseases were excluded from the analysis.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with recurrent polyserositis (23 women) (mean age 43.2±15.8 years and mean disease duration 23.1±28 years) were analysed. Polyserositis was idiopathic in 26 (57.8%) patients. Thirteen patients suffered from autoinflammatory diseases, whereas 6 were affected by autoimmune diseases. Combination treatment with colchicine and NSAIDs at anakinra baseline was administered in 38/45 (84.4%) and 37/45 (82.2%) patients, respectively. After starting anakinra, 84.5% of patients experienced a resolution of serositis with a dramatic decrease in ESR and CRP (P<0.001, for both) already at 3 months, furthermore the same beneficial effect was observed up to 12 months. No relapse was seen at 3 months, whereas the median number of relapses at 6 and 12 months was 0 (interquartile range 0-1). Glucocorticoids were discontinued in 22/45 (48.9%) patients already after 3 months (P<0.001). After 12 months 32/37 (86.5%) patients were steroid-free. Similarly, NSAIDs use significantly was decreased at 3 months (7/45 [15.6%] patients, P<0.001), whereas at 12-month follow-up no patient was on NSAIDs. Urticarial rashes at anakinra injection site occurring in 3 patients were the most common adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Anakinra appeared to be a safe and useful therapeutic choice for patients refractory to optimal anti-inflammatory therapy (NSAIDs, colchicine and corticosteroids), allowing not only a dramatic reduction of recurrences but also of corticosteroids use. Anakinra was effective both in the idiopathic forms of polyserositis and in those with an underlying rheumatic disease, suggesting a common pathogenic pathway leading to serositis onset.

The everchanging framework of autoinflammation

The innate immunity works as a defence bullwark that safeguards healthy tissues with the power of detecting infectious agents in the human body: errors in the context of innate immunity identify autoinflammatory disorders (AIDs), which arise as bouts of aberrant inflammation with little or no involvement of T and B cells and neither recognized infections, nor associated autoimmune phenomena. Hereditary AIDs tend to have a pediatric-onset heralded by stereotyped inflammatory symptoms and fever, while AIDs without an ascertained cause, such as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, derive from the interaction of genetic factors with environmental noxae and are unevenly defined. A dysregulated inflammasome activation promotes the best-known family of AIDs, as well as several degenerative and metabolic disorders, but also nuclear factor κB- and interferon-mediated conditions have been framed as AIDs: the zenith of inflammatory flares marks different phenotypes, but diagnosis may go unnoticed until adulthood due to downplayed symptoms and complex kaleidoscopic presentations. This review summarizes the main AIDs encountered in childhood with special emphasis on the clinical stigmata that may help establish a correct framework and blueprints to empower young scientists in the recognition of AIDs. The description focuses inflammasomopathies as paradigms of interleukinopathies, nuclear factor-κB -related disorders and interferonopathies. The challenges in the management of AIDs during childhood have been recently boosted by numerous therapeutic options derived from genomically-based approaches, which have led to identify targeted biologic agents as rationalized treatments and achieve more tangible perspectives of disease control.

Autoinflammation and autoimmunity across rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases

Most rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) can be placed along a spectrum of disorders, with autoinflammatory diseases (including monogenic systemic autoinflammatory diseases) and autoimmune diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome) representing the two ends of this spectrum. However, although most autoinflammatory diseases are characterized by the activation of innate immunity and inflammasomes and classical autoimmunity typically involves adaptive immune responses, there is some overlap in the features of autoimmunity and autoinflammation in RMDs. Indeed, some 'mixed-pattern' diseases such as spondyloarthritis and some forms of rheumatoid arthritis can also be delineated. A better understanding of the pathogenic pathways of autoinflammation and autoimmunity in RMDs, as well as the preferential cytokine patterns observed in these diseases, could help us to design targeted treatment strategies.

Early introduction of anakinra improves acute pericarditis and prevents tamponade in Staphylococcal sepsis

The clinical response to anakinra observed by this patient concurrently treated with antibiotics indirectly confirms the potentially pathogenic role of IL-1 in maintaining the pericardial disease and shows how IL-1 blockade might allow avoiding the pericardiocentesis procedure. The report supports the hypothesis that anakinra is an effective and safe tool in the early treatment of acute pericarditis of presumed bacterial origin nonresponding to targeted antibiotic therapy.

US Database Study of Clinical Burden and Unmet Need in Recurrent Pericarditis

Background

Patients with recurrent pericarditis (RP) may develop complications, multiple recurrences, or inadequate treatment response. This study aimed to characterize disease burden and unmet needs in RP.

Methods and Results

This retrospective US database analysis included newly diagnosed patients with RP with ≥24 months of continuous history following their first pericarditis episode. RP was defined as ≥2 pericarditis episodes ≥28 days apart. Some patients had ≥2 recurrences, while others had a single recurrence with a serious complication, ie, constrictive pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, or a large pericardial effusion with pericardiocentesis/pericardial window. Among these patients with multiple recurrences and/or complications, some had features relating to treatment history, including long‐term corticosteroid use (corticosteroids started within 30 days of flare, continuing ≥90 consecutive days) or inadequate treatment response (pericarditis recurring despite corticosteroids and/or colchicine, or other drugs [excluding NSAIDs] within 30 days of flare, or prior pericardiectomy). Patients (N=2096) had hypertension (60%), cardiomegaly (9%), congestive heart failure (17%), atrial fibrillation (16%), autoimmune diseases (18%), diabetes mellitus (21%), renal disease (20%), anxiety (21%), and depression (14%). Complications included pericardial effusion (50%), cardiac tamponade (9%), and constrictive pericarditis (4%). Pharmacotherapy included colchicine (51%), NSAIDs (40%), and corticosteroids (30%), often in combination. This study estimates 37 000 US patients with RP; incidence was 6.0/100 000/year (95% CI, 5.6‒6.3), and prevalence was 11.2/100 000 (95% CI, 10.6‒11.7).

Conclusions

Patients with RP may have multiple recurrences and/or complications, often because of inadequate treatment response and persistent underlying disease. Corticosteroid use is frequent despite known side‐effect risks, potentially exacerbated by prevalent comorbidities. Substantial clinical burden and lack of effective treatments underscore the high unmet need.

IL-1 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Monogenic Periodic Fever Syndromes: From the Past to the Future Perspectives

Autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) represent a rare and heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation and a broad range of clinical manifestations. The most common symptoms involve recurrent fevers, musculoskeletal symptoms, and serositis; however, AIDs can also lead to life-threatening complications, such as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and systemic AA amyloidosis. Typical monogenic periodic fever syndromes include cryopyrin-associated periodic fever syndrome (CAPS), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), mevalonate kinase deficiency/hyper IgD syndrome (MKD/HIDS), and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). However, a number of other clinical entities, such as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD), Kawasaki disease (KD) and idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP), display similar phenotypical and immunological features to AIDs. All these diseases are pathophysiologicaly characterized by dysregulation of the innate immune system and the central pathogenic role is attributed to the IL-1 cytokine family (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-18, IL-36Ra, IL-36α, IL-37, IL-36β, IL-36g, IL-38, and IL-33). Therefore, reasonable therapeutic approaches aim to inhibit these cytokines and their pathways. To date, several anti-IL-1 therapies have evolved. Each drug differs in structure, mechanism of action, efficacy for the treatment of selected diseases, and side effects. Most of the available data regarding the efficacy and safety of IL-1 inhibitors are related to anakinra, canakinumab, and rilonacept. Other promising therapeutics, such as gevokizumab, tadekinig alfa, and tranilast are currently undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we provide sophisticated and up-to-date insight into the therapeutic uses of different IL-1 inhibitors in monogenic periodic fever syndromes.

Interleukin-1 Blockade in Polygenic Autoinflammatory Disorders: Where Are We now?

Polygenic autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs), such as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), adult-onset Still's disease, Kawasaki disease, idiopathic recurrent pericarditis (IRP), Behçet’s Syndrome, Crystal-induced arthropatihes such as gout or Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease are characterized by the overexpression of inflammasome-associated genes, leading to a dysregulation of the innate immune response. The IL-1 cytokine family (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, IL-18, IL-36Ra, IL-36α, IL-37, IL-36β, IL-36g, IL-38, IL-33) was defined to be principally responsible for the inflammatory nature of polygenic AIDs. Several clinical trials were initiated, and IL-1 blockade has been proven to cause a rapid reduction of clinical symptoms and normalization of laboratory parameters in the majority of cases. Randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials, together with registry-based clinical trials and open-label, retrospective and prospective observational studies, supported the efficacy and safety of IL-1 inhibitors in the treatment of polygenic AIDs. Most of the current data are focused on the therapeutic use of anakinra, an IL-1 receptor antagonist, canakinumab, an anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody, and rilonacept, a soluble decoy receptor. However, other promising agents, such as gevokizumab, IL-1β blocking monoclonal antibody, tadekinig alfa, a human recombinant IL-18-binding protein, and tranilast, an analog of a tryptophan metabolite, are currently being tested. Anakinra, canakinumab and rilonacept caused impressive improvements in both systemic and musculoskeletal symptoms. Furthermore, the anti-IL-1 therapy allowed corticosteroid tapering and, in some cases, even withdrawal. This article reviews the current IL-1 inhibitors and the results of all clinical trials in which they have been tested for the management of broad spectrum of polygenic AIDs.

Rheumatic pericarditis: a rare cause of constrictive pericarditis

Constrictive pericarditis is a relatively uncommon form of cardiac failure and presents due to scarring and consequent loss of the normal elasticity of the pericardial sac. This results in abnormal/limited ventricular filling and symptoms of heart failure. The aetiology is varied, from infective causes to idiopathic causes, or can manifest after cardiothoracic surgery. This case involves a 46-year-old man presenting with acute group A beta haemolytic streptococcus infection, and over the subsequent 6 months develops constrictive pericarditis due to what is believed to be a rheumatic aetiology. The patient subsequently underwent pericardiectomy and had restoration of normal filling dynamics confirmed on follow-up echocardiography. This case provides a subject matter for the review of the features of constrictive pericarditis and its investigation and management. This case is that it highlights the fact that pericarditis is not a benign condition. Emerging evidence suggests that pericarditis is due to a failure in inflammatory regulatory mechanisms, and patients suffering this condition have a preponderance to 'autoinflammation'. Pericarditis should be recognised early and treated fully with anti-inflammatory agents.

An update on the pathophysiology of acute and recurrent pericarditis

Pericarditis is an inflammatory disease of the pericardium. Progress has been done in recent years in the understanding of its pathophysiology. In particular, pre-clinical and clinical studies have contributed to increasing our knowledge on the role of interleukin (IL)-1 and NLRP3 (NACHT, leucine- rich repeat, and pyrin domain- containing protein 3) inflammasome. Based on current evidence, pericarditis should be considered as an inflammatory reaction to various stimuli, including chemical/physical, infectious, or ischemic ones, with a viral infection being a common etiology. Interaction of pathogens or irritants with toll-like receptor (TLRs) and stimulation of IL-1 receptor by IL-1α and IL-1β lead to an increased transcription of pro-inflammatory genes, including those needed for NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. This pathway is confirmed indirectly by the beneficial effect of colchicine (an indirect NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor) and IL-1 blockers in patients with recurrent pericarditis. More recently, a direct evidence of the NLRP3 inflammasome within the inflamed pericardium has been provided as well. It may, however, occur that selfantigens on the surface of mesothelial cells or microbial peptides may stimulate autoreactive T cells along with B cells producing anti-heart antibodies, although less evidence is available on this. Some uncertainties still remain about the role of neutrophils, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and pericardial interstitial cells in recurrent and constrictive pericarditis. Unraveling these aspects might have a direct impact on the development of novel targeted therapies, especially considering the increasing number of drugs targeting NETs.

Molecularly Distinct NLRP3 Inducers Mediate Diverse Ratios of Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-18 from Human Monocytes

Inflammasomes cleave and activate interleukin- (IL-) 1β and IL-18 which have both shared and unique biological functions. IL-1β is an important mediator of the acute phase response to infections and tissue damage, whereas IL-18 takes part in activation and tailoring of the adaptive immune response. While IL-1β has served as the prototypic indicator of inflammasome activation, few studies have compared the potential differences in IL-1β and IL-18 production during inflammasome activation. Since these cytokines partake in different immune pathways, the involvement of inflammasome activity in different conditions needs to be described beyond IL-1β production alone. To address a potential heterogeneity in inflammasome functionality, ATP, chitosan, or silica oxide (SiO₂) were used to induce NLRP3 inflammasome activation in THP-1 cells and the subsequent outcomes were quantified. Despite using doses of the inflammasome inducers yielding similar release of IL-1β, SiO₂-stimulated cells showed a lower concentration of released IL-18 compared to ATP and chitosan. Hence, the cells stimulated with SiO₂ responded with a distinctly different IL-18 : IL-1β ratio. The difference in the IL-18 : IL-1β ratio for SiO₂ was constant over different doses. While all downstream responses were strictly dependent on a functional NLRP3 inflammasome, the differences did not depend on the level of gene expression, caspase-1 activity, or pyroptosis. We suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome response should be considered a dynamic process, which can be described by taking the ratio between IL-1β and IL-18 into account and moving away from an on/off perspective of inflammasome activation.

Clinical Presentation and Outcomes of Acute Pericarditis in a Large Urban Hospital in the United States of America

Background

Acute pericarditis is the most common presentation of pericardial diseases. Although generally benign, complications such as constrictive pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, and recurrence can occur.

Research Question

What are the clinical factors associated with adverse outcomes in acute pericarditis?

Study Design and Methods

We used an informatics-based search engine to search for International Classification of Diseases codes related to pericardial disease between January 1, 2009 and November 14, 2018 and then extracted clinical information, including only patients meeting the European Society of Cardiology criteria for acute pericarditis. We then evaluated the predictive value of clinical characteristics for adverse outcomes (cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, failure of therapy, recurrences, or death).

Results

We identified 240 patients with a first episode of pericarditis (51 [34-62] years, 56% males and 50% white). Pericarditis was determined to be idiopathic in 126 (53%) cases and related to cardiac injury in 79 (33%). During a median follow-up time of 179 (20-450) days, 82 (34%) patients experienced at least one adverse outcome. Subacute presentation was an independent predictor of adverse outcomes. Patients with postcardiac injury pericarditis had a lower incidence in the composite of failure of treatment and recurrence (13% vs 26%; P = .022) compared with patients with idiopathic pericarditis. Troponin I measurements were obtained in 167 patients (70%). Elevated troponin I levels were associated with lower incidence of recurrences (4% vs 17%; P = .024) and of the composite outcome (13% vs 36%; P = .004).

Interpretation

Acute pericarditis is associated with at least one adverse outcome in 34% of patients. Subacute presentation and idiopathic etiology are associated with higher incidence of adverse outcomes, whereas elevated troponin I levels identify a group with reduced risk of recurrences.

The autoinflammatory side of recurrent pericarditis: Enlightening the pathogenesis for a more rational treatment

Recurrent pericarditis (RP) is a troublesome and debilitating complication of acute pericarditis. Although the etiopathogenesis of this condition remains unknown, an intricate overlap of autoimmune and autoinflammatory pathways has been hypothesized to explain its beginning and recurrence over time. The majority of cases are defined as "idiopathic", reflecting our awkwardness to unravel the intimate mechanisms of RP. Given the possible occurrence of anti-nuclear, anti-heart and anti-intercalated disk antibodies as well as the association with peculiar human leukocyte antigen haplotypes, an autoimmune contribution has been claimed to specify the nature of RP. However, the most innovative pathogenic scenario of RP has been conferred to the innate immune system, mainly involving neutrophils and macrophages that produce a large amount of interleukin (IL)-1 via inflammasome activation. The clinical resemblance of RP with autoinflammatory diseases that may be marked by symptomatic serositis, high fevers and strikingly increased inflammatory parameters further suggests a similar inflammasome-mediated pathogenesis. Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain the mainstay of therapy in RP, whereas colchicine is recommended on top of standard anti-inflammatory therapy, due to its role in inhibiting the IL-1 converting enzyme (caspase 1) within the inflammasome as well as the release of additional pro-inflammatory mediators and reactive oxygen species. With regard to treatment of RP refractory to NSAIDs and colchicine, blockade of IL-1 is the most relevant advance achieved in the last decade: the outstanding effect of the short-acting IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra has been first recognized in the pediatric population, giving a proof of its practical feasibility. Over a more recent time, a growing experience with anakinra deriving from both large and small studies has further confirmed that RP might be regarded as an IL-1-mediated disease. This review aims to provide a contemporary insight into the mechanisms leading to RP as well as into the most recent literature data showing the beneficial approach originating from IL-1 blockade in this intriguing disorder.

Triggers of Inflammatory Heart Disease

Inflammatory heart disease (IHD) is a group of diseases that includes pericarditis, myocarditis, and endocarditis. Although males appear to be more commonly affected than females, IHD can be seen in any age group. While the disease can be self-limiting leading to full recovery, affected individuals can develop chronic disease, suggesting that identification of primary triggers is critical for successful therapies. Adding to this complexity, however, is the fact that IHD can be triggered by a variety of infectious and non-infectious causes that can also occur as secondary events to primary insults. In this review, we discuss the immunological insights into the development of IHD as well as a mechanistic understanding of the disease process in animal models.

Hints for Genetic and Clinical Differentiation of Adult-Onset Monogenic Autoinflammatory Diseases

Monogenic autoinflammatory diseases (mAIDs) are inherited errors of innate immunity characterized by systemic inflammation recurring with variable frequency and involving the skin, serosal membranes, synovial membranes, joints, the gastrointestinal tube, and/or the central nervous system, with reactive amyloidosis as a potential severe long-term consequence. Although individually uncommon, all mAIDs set up an emerging chapter of internal medicine: recent findings have modified our knowledge regarding mAID pathophysiology and clarified that protean inflammatory symptoms can be variably associated with periodic fevers, depicting multiple specific conditions which usually start in childhood, such as familial Mediterranean fever, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, and mevalonate kinase deficiency. There are no evidence-based studies to establish which potential genotype analysis is the most appropriate in adult patients with clinical phenotypes suggestive of mAIDs. This review discusses genetic and clinical hints for an ideal diagnostic approach to mAIDs in adult patients, as their early identification is essential to prompt effective treatment and improve quality of life, and also highlights the most recent developments in the diagnostic work-up for the most frequent hereditary periodic febrile syndromes worldwide.

Proinflammatory mediators related to orthodontically induced periapical root resorption in rat mandibular molars

Objectives

The early phase of orthodontic tooth movement involves acute inflammatory response that may induce bone resorption. The aim of this study was to localize and quantify cells in the periodontium expressing proinflammatory mediators during orthodontically induced periapical root resorption of the rat mandibular molars.

Materials and methods

The levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) α and β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2, and their product prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the root resorption site were compared to those in the corresponding area of the untreated periodontal ligament (PDL) of physiologically drifting teeth. Continuous heavy orthodontic force was applied to the mandibular first molar for 8 and 15 days while in occlusion to induce root resorption. Frozen sections including root resorption lacunae were analyzed for the activity of non-specific esterase (NSE) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) by enzyme histochemistry and for the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-1, COX-2, and PGE2 by immunohistochemistry.

Results

The active root resorption lacunae had significantly more TRAP-positive multinucleated odontoclasts, whereas the number of NSE-positive cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage did not differ from that in the control PDL. Several types of periodontal cells exhibited a significant increase in the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2, and PGE2 in the root resorption zone, while COX-1 was rarely detected.

Conclusions

These data suggest that proinflammatory mediators expressed in periodontal cells may synergistically promote apical root resorption in response to continuous heavy mechanical force applied to teeth.

The Broad-Ranging Panorama of Systemic Autoinflammatory Disorders with Specific Focus on Acute Painful Symptoms and Hematologic Manifestations in Children

Systemic autoinflammatory disorders (SAIDs) are inherited defects of innate immunity characterized by recurrent sterile inflammatory attacks involving skin, joints, serosal membranes, gastrointestinal tube, and other tissues, which recur with variable rhythmicity and display reactive amyloidosis as a potential long-term complication. Dysregulated inflammasome activity leading to overproduction of many proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), and delayed shutdown of inflammation are considered crucial pathogenic keys in the vast majority of SAIDs. Progress of cellular biology has partially clarified the mechanisms behind monogenic SAIDs, such as familial Mediterranean fever, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, mevalonate kinase deficiency, hereditary pyogenic diseases, idiopathic granulomatous diseases and defects of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Whereas, little is clarified for the polygenic SAIDs, such as periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenopathy (PFAPA) syndrome. The puzzle of symptomatic febrile attacks recurring over time in children requires evaluating the mixture of clinical data, inflammatory parameters in different disease phases, the therapeutic efficacy of specific drugs such as colchicine, corticosteroids or IL-1 antagonists, and genotype analysis in selected cases. The long-term history of periodic fevers should also need to rule out chronic infections and malignancies. This review is conceived as a practical template for proper classification of children with recurring fevers and includes tips useful for the diagnostic approach to SAIDs, focusing on the specific acute painful symptoms and hematologic manifestations encountered in childhood.

Autoinflammatory and autoimmune contributions to complex regional pain syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a highly enigmatic syndrome typically developing after injury or surgery to a limb. Severe pain and disability are common among those with chronic forms of this condition. Accumulating evidence suggests that CRPS may involve both autoinflammatory and autoimmune components. In this review article, evidence for dysfunction of both the innate and adaptive immune systems in CRPS is presented. Findings from human studies in which cytokines and other inflammatory mediators were measured in the skin of affected limbs are discussed. Additional results from studies of mediator levels in animal models are evaluated in this context. Similarly, the evidence from human, animal, and translational studies of the production of autoantibodies and the potential targets of those antibodies is reviewed. Compelling evidence of autoinflammation in skin and muscle of the affected limb has been collected from CRPS patients and laboratory animals. Cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and others are reliably identified during the acute phases of the syndrome. More recently, autoimmune contributions have been suggested by the discovery of self-directed pain-promoting IgG and IgM antibodies in CRPS patients and model animals. Both the autoimmune and the autoinflammatory components of CRPS appear to be regulated by neuropeptide-containing peripheral nerve fibers and the sympathetic nervous system. While CRPS displays a complex neuroimmunological pathogenesis, therapeutic interventions could be designed targeting autoinflammation, autoimmunity, or the neural support for these phenomena.

Adult-onset Still's disease with haemorrhagic pericarditis and tamponade preceded by acute Lyme disease

A 61-year-old Caucasian man presented with a fever of unknown origin, a transient erythematous rash on his right upper extremity and chest pressure after being treated for erythema migrans (Lyme disease). Echocardiogram demonstrated a large pericardial effusion with tamponade. He underwent pericardiostomy with tube placement. Workup for infectious and malignant etiologies was negative. Histology of the pericardium showed acute on chronic fibrinous haemorrhagic pericarditis. The patient met criteria for adult-onset Still's disease. Symptoms resolved following treatment with methylprednisolone and anakinra. We believe this is the first case of adult-onset Still's disease precipitated by acute Lyme disease.

Mimickers of Urticaria: Urticarial Vasculitis and Autoinflammatory Diseases

A wide differential diagnosis must be considered in a patient presenting with urticarial plaques. Although acute and chronic urticaria are the commonest diagnoses, other differential diagnoses include polymorphous eruption of pregnancy, mast cell disorders, hypereosinophilic syndrome, urticarial vasculitis, pemphigoid, systemic lupus erythematosus, and autoinflammatory disease. This review will specifically address urticarial vasculitis and autoinflammatory syndromes. These entities represent contrasting examples of urticarial-like lesions resulting from either an adaptive immune complex-mediated mechanism (urticarial vasculitis) or an innate immune-mediated mechanism (autoinflammatory disorders), with differing therapeutic implications. In patients presenting with painful, persistent plaques that last more than 24 hours and resolve with bruising of the skin, consideration should be given to a diagnosis of urticarial vasculitis. A biopsy should be obtained to ascertain this diagnosis. In patients presenting with a persistent history of recurrent urticarial plaques associated with signs of systemic inflammation including fevers and elevated inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP]/serum amyloid A, leukocytosis, and negative connective tissue serologies), consideration should be given to autoinflammatory disorders: the 3 cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, Schnitzler syndrome, and familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome 2. Serum protein electrophoresis should be checked to rule out an underlying monoclonal gammopathy.

Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases with IL-1 Blockade

Background

Autoinflammatory diseases are distinct from autoimmune diseases. Whereas autoinflammatory diseases are due to dysfunctional T-cells and B-cells, autoinflammatory diseases are due to overproduction of macrophage cytokines particularly interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). A causative role for IL-1 in autoinflammatory diseases is derived from clinical studies blocking the IL-1 receptor or neutralizing monoclonal antibodies or soluble receptors.

Methods

A review was performed of clinical trials in autoinflammatory diseases using the IL-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra), the soluble IL-1 receptor (rilonacept), antibodies to IL-1β (canakinumab, gevokizumab) and anti-IL-1α (xilonix).

Findings

Anakinra blocks the IL-1 Receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) and therefore blocks the activities of both IL-1α and IL-1β. Off-label use of anakinra is common for a broad spectrum of inflammatory diseases. Neutralization of IL-1β is used to treat hereditary autoinflammatory diseases but also atherosclerosis. Rilonacept reduces arterial wall inflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease. Neutralization of IL-1α has prolonged life in patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer. Compared to other cytokine blocking therapies, reducing the activities of IL-1 has an excellent safety record.

Conclusions

Blocking IL-1 therapies can be used to treat a wide-spectrum of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Quality of life impairment in Behçet's disease and relationship with disease activity: a prospective study

Our aim was to prospectively investigate the impact of Behçet's disease (BD), disease activity, and clinical and demographic characteristics on different aspects of quality of life (QoL) measured by the short-form (SF)-36 QoL scale. We administered the SF-36 to 37 consecutive BD patients in different moments of disease activity, and to 23 healthy controls (HC). The eight subcategories of the SF-36 underwent statistical analysis for identifying differences and correlations. Compared to HC, BD patients showed significantly lower mean scores in all SF-36 QoL subscales except mental health and role-emotional. Females showed a poorer QoL compared to males. Disease activity evaluated by the BD Current Activity Form inversely correlated with physical functioning (ρ = -0.68, p < 0.0001), bodily pain (ρ = -0.68, p < 0.0001), role-physical (ρ = -0.64, p < 0.0001), vitality (ρ = -0.64, p < 0.0001), general health (ρ = -0.64, p < 0.0001), social functioning (ρ = -0.50, p = 0.0002), mental health (ρ = -0.48, p = 0.0004), and role-emotional (ρ = -0.40, p = 0.003). Mucosal, central nervous system (CNS), musculoskeletal and ocular manifestations were the main factors that negatively affected QoL in BD. For ocular disease, physical functioning was significantly impaired in patients with panuveitis compared to other ocular manifestations (p = 0.0002). Best-corrected visual acuity was inversely correlated with social functioning (ρ = -0.53, p < 0.0001), role-physical (ρ = -0.48, p < 0.0001), bodily pain (ρ = -0.46, p = 0.02), and mental health (ρ = -0.43, p < 0.0001). Patients with BD have a poorer QoL compared to HC, particularly for women, while the decline of QoL is closely related to the overall disease activity of BD. Single organ involvements may affect independently specific SF-36 subscales, especially mucosal, CNS, musculoskeletal, and ocular manifestations.

Pericardial disease: a clinical review

Pericardial disease is infrequently encountered in cardiovascular practice, but can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Clinical data and practice guidelines are relatively sparse. Early recognition and prompt treatment of pericardial diseases are critical to optimize patient outcomes. In this review we provide a concise summary of acute pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis and pericardial effusion/tamponade.

The Use of IL-1 Receptor Antagonist (Anakinra) in Idiopathic Recurrent Pericarditis: A Narrative Review

Recurrent pericarditis is a complication of acute pericarditis in 20–30% of the patients and is usually idiopathic in nature. The underlying pathogenesis of this condition remains unclear, although immune-mediated mechanisms seem likely. A subgroup of these patients with refractory symptoms can be challenging to manage, and multiple immunosuppressive medications have been used without consistent benefit. Anakinra, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, has been used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and autoinflammatory syndromes. Preliminary evidence suggests that anakinra could be a promising therapy for idiopathic recurrent pericarditis. In this narrative review, we summarize the current understanding of the etiopathogenesis of idiopathic recurrent pericarditis, mechanism of action of anakinra, and the preliminary evidence, supporting the use of anakinra in pericarditis.

A retrospective study of patients with adult-onset Still's disease: is pericarditis a possible predictor for biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs need?

The aims of this study were to look for clinical or serological markers able to predict the use of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bDMARDs in AOSD. In a single-center retrospective study, 39 patients with AOSD were divided into two groups according to whether they were ever treated with bDMARDs or not. Literature was searched for articles dealing with possible predictors of the use of bDMARDs in AOSD. Among the 18 AOSD patients who received at least one bDMARD, the prevalence of pericarditis was higher than that in the other patients [p = 0.014, odds ratio (OR) = 13.4, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.45 to 122]. Literature search retrieved another paper dealing with predictors of bDMARDs need in AOSD: the analysis pooling data from our series and this previous report confirmed pericarditis at disease onset as a predictor of bDMARDs need (p = 0.028, OR = 3.62, 95 % CI = 1.22 to 10.7). A complete remission was observed in 17 out of 18 patients treated with bDMARDs, allowing withdrawal or tapering of corticosteroid therapy (p < 0.001), but because of inefficacy or adverse events, some patients received more than one bDMARD during the course of the disease and 31 different trials of bDMARDs were needed. Pericarditis at disease onset may be a predictor of bDMARDs need in AOSD. These drugs have a good efficacy and safety profile and should be considered for patients not responding to conventional therapy.

Clinical and genetic characterization of the autoinflammatory diseases diagnosed in an adult reference center

INTRODUCTION

Autoinflammatory diseases (AID) are usually diagnosed during the pediatric age. However, adult-onset disease or diagnosis during adulthood has been occasionally described.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical and genetic characteristics of adult patients diagnosed with an AID in an adult referral center for AID.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated clinical and genetic features of adult patients (≥16 years) diagnosed with an AID or referred after AID diagnosis to the Clinical Unit of AID, at the Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, from 2008 to 2014.

RESULTS

During the study period, a genetic study for suspected AID was requested to 90 patients at the Department of Autoimmune Diseases. A final diagnosis of monogenic AID was achieved in 17 patients (19% of patients tested). Five additional cases were diagnosed with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome and 10 patients with AID were referred from other adult departments. Finally, a total of 32 patients with AID were finally diagnosed or monitored in our Clinical Unit. These included 12 (37.5%) familial Mediterranean fever, 6 (18.8%) tumour necrosis factor-receptor associated periodic syndrome, 8 (25%) cryopirin-associated periodic syndromes (Muckle-Wells syndrome [MWS] or overlap familial cold-associated periodic syndrome/MWS), 1 (3.1%) mevalonate kinase deficiency, and 5 (15.6%) PFAPA. Clinical evidence of disease-onset during childhood and adulthood was observed in 15 (47%) and 17 (53%) patients, respectively. Overall, the final diagnosis was obtained after a delay of a mean of 12 years (range 0-47 years). Compared to children, adult patients with AID in our series presented more frequently with non-severe manifestations and none of them developed amyloidosis during follow-up. Adult patients also carried higher proportion of low-penetrance mutations or polymorphisms and all genetic variants were presented in heterozygosis or as heterozygous compounds.

CONCLUSIONS

Adult disease-onset or delayed diagnosis of AID during adulthood is associated with milder disease phenotypes, and seem to be driven by mild genotypes, with predominant presence of low-penetrance mutations or polymorphisms.

Basic Characteristics of Adults with Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Adenopathy Syndrome in Comparison with the Typical Pediatric Expression of Disease

Autoinflammatory diseases are caused by inflammasome dysregulation leading to overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and a pathological delay in the inflammation switching off. The progress of cellular biology has partially clarified pathogenic mechanisms behind monogenic autoinflammatory diseases, whereas little is known about the polygenic ones. Although the genetic susceptibility of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenopathy (PFAPA) syndrome is still obscure, the presence of overlapping symptoms with monogenic periodic fevers, the recurrence in family members, the important role played by dysregulated interleukin- (IL-) 1β secretion during flares, the overexpression of inflammasome-associated genes during attacks, and, last but not least, the therapeutic efficacy of IL-1β blockade strongly indicate a potential genetic involvement in its pathogenesis, probably linked with environmental factors. PFAPA syndrome has a typical inception in the pediatric age, but a delayed onset during adulthood has been described as well. Treatments required as well as effectiveness of tonsillectomy remain controversial, even if the disease seems to have a self-limited course mostly in children. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of this complex polygenic/multifactorial autoinflammatory disorder in which the innate immune system undoubtedly plays a basic role.

The changing faces of IgG4-related disease: Clinical manifestations and pathogenesis

Since the earliest reports in 2001, immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease has been defined as an autoimmune systemic disease characterized by the lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of affected tissues leading to fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis along with elevated serum IgG4 levels. Prior to this unifying hypothesis, a plethora of clinical manifestations were considered as separate entities despite the similar laboratory profile. The pathology can be observed in virtually all organs and may thus be a challenging diagnosis, especially when the adequate clinical suspicion is not present or when obtaining a tissue biopsy is not feasible. Nonetheless, the most frequently involved organs are the pancreas and exocrine glands but these may be spared. Immunosuppressants lead to a prompt clinical response in virtually all cases and prevent histological sequelae and, as a consequence, an early differential diagnosis from other conditions, particularly infections and cancer, as well as an early treatment should be pursued. We describe herein two cases in which atypical disease manifestations were observed, i.e., one with recurrent neck lymph node enlargement and proptosis, and one with jaundice. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of IgG4-related disease is largely incomplete but data support a significant role for Th2 cytokines with the contribution of innate immunity factors such as Toll-like receptors, macrophages and basophils. Further, macrophages activated by IL4 overexpress B cell activating factors and contribute to chronic inflammation and the development of fibrosis. We cannot rule out the possibility that the largely variable disease phenotypes reflect different pathogenetic mechanisms and the tissue microenvironment may then contribute to the organ involvement.

Arrhythmias in viral myocarditis and pericarditis

Acute viral myocarditis and acute pericarditis are self-limiting conditions that run a benign course and that may not involve symptoms that lead to medical assessment. However, ventricular arrhythmia is frequent in viral myocarditis. Myocarditis is thought to account for a large proportion of sudden cardiac deaths in young people without prior structural heart disease. Identification of acute myocarditis either with or without pericarditis is therefore important. However, therapeutic interventions are limited and nonspecific. Identifying those at greatest risk of a life-threatening arrhythmia is critical to reducing the mortality. This review summarizes current understanding of this challenging area in which many questions remain.

The protean ocular involvement in monogenic autoinflammatory diseases: state of the art

Ocular involvement is frequent in the monogenic autoinflammatory disorders and generally occurs as spontaneously recurring inflammatory events at different ocular sites caused by the aberrant release of proinflammatory cytokines, mainly IL-1β. Over the past decade, we witnessed a significant growth of eye abnormalities associated with idiopathic granulomatous disorders, familial Mediterranean fever, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, mevalonate kinase deficiency, and cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome. The pathogenetic mechanisms of these disorders have shown the evidence of disrupted cytokine signaling, but the explanation for the heterogeneous ocular involvement remains to be elucidated. We herein review the monogenic autoinflammatory disorders affecting the eye, describing their main clinical features with specific regard to the ocular involvement, which can lead to decreased visual acuity and even blindness, if the primary disorder is undetected or left untreated.

Interleukin-1 as a common denominator from autoinflammatory to autoimmune disorders: premises, perils, and perspectives

A complex web of dynamic relationships between innate and adaptive immunity is now evident for many autoinflammatory and autoimmune disorders, the first deriving from abnormal activation of innate immune system without any conventional danger triggers and the latter from self-/non-self-discrimination loss of tolerance, and systemic inflammation. Due to clinical and pathophysiologic similarities giving a crucial role to the multifunctional cytokine interleukin-1, the concept of autoinflammation has been expanded to include nonhereditary collagen-like diseases, idiopathic inflammatory diseases, and metabolic diseases. As more patients are reported to have clinical features of autoinflammation and autoimmunity, the boundary between these two pathologic ends is becoming blurred. An overview of monogenic autoinflammatory disorders, PFAPA syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, uveitis, pericarditis, Behçet's disease, gout, Sjögren's syndrome, interstitial lung diseases, and Still's disease is presented to highlight the fundamental points that interleukin-1 displays in the cryptic interplay between innate and adaptive immune systems.