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Mezzetti E, Costantino A, Leoni M, Pieretti R, Di Paolo M, Frati P, Maiese A, Fineschi V. Autoimmune Heart Disease: A Comprehensive Summary for Forensic Practice. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1364. [PMID: 37629654 PMCID: PMC10456745 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59081364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune heart disease is a non-random condition characterised by immune system-mediated aggression against cardiac tissue. Cardiac changes often exhibit nonspecific features and, if unrecognised, can result in fatal outcomes even among seemingly healthy young individuals. In the absence of reliable medical history, the primary challenge lies in differentiating between the various cardiopathies. Numerous immunohistochemical and genetic studies have endeavoured to characterise distinct types of cardiopathies, facilitating their differentiation during autopsy examinations. However, the presence of a standardised protocol that forensic pathologists can employ to guide their investigations would be beneficial. Hence, this summary aims to present the spectrum of autoimmune cardiopathies, including emerging insights such as SARS-CoV-2-induced cardiopathies, and proposes the utilisation of practical tools, such as blood markers, to aid forensic pathologists in their routine practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Mezzetti
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (M.L.); (R.P.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Andrea Costantino
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (M.L.); (R.P.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Matteo Leoni
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (M.L.); (R.P.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Rebecca Pieretti
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (M.L.); (R.P.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Marco Di Paolo
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (M.L.); (R.P.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Paola Frati
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy; (P.F.); (V.F.)
| | - Aniello Maiese
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.M.); (A.C.); (M.L.); (R.P.); (M.D.P.)
| | - Vittorio Fineschi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy; (P.F.); (V.F.)
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Angiographic characteristics of vasculopathy in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and systemic sclerosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9051. [PMID: 35641535 PMCID: PMC9156678 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12991-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
To describe the peripheral angiographic features of vasculopathy in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) in comparison to polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). Angiograms of 47 extremities (24 upper and 23 lower) of 11 patients with IIM (n = 5) and SSc (n = 6), and 12 patients with PAN who presented with critical limb ischemia were retrospectively analyzed with regards to the presence of stenosis, occlusion, aneurysms and delayed distal flow, and degree of neovascularization. Diffuse narrowing was more frequent (66.1 vs. 38.0%, p = 0.001), whereas multifocal stenosis (6.5% vs. 26.8%, p = 0.002), abrupt occlusion (11.3% vs. 29.6%, p = 0.010) and aneurysm formation (1.6% vs. 11.3%, p = 0.037) were less frequent in IIM/SSc than PAN. In distal arteries, tapered occlusion (95.5% vs. 76.0%, p = ns) and delayed flow (77.3% vs. 48.0%, p = 0.039) were more common in IIM/SSc than PAN. After 1 year, auto- or surgical amputation tended to be more frequent in IIM/SSc than PAN (36.4% vs. 16.7%, p = ns). In conclusion, diffuse narrowing, tapered occlusion and delayed distal flow on conventional angiograms tend to be more frequent in IIM/SSc than PAN. Further studies are needed to verify these findings in a larger prospective cohort.
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Wass L, Quarsten H, Lindgren PE, Forsberg P, Skoog E, Nilsson K, Lingblom C, Wennerås C. Cytokine responses of immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients with Neoehrlichia mikurensis infection. Med Microbiol Immunol 2022; 211:133-141. [PMID: 35430702 PMCID: PMC9114069 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-022-00737-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The tick-borne bacterium Neoehrlichia mikurensis causes the infectious disease neoehrlichiosis in humans. Vascular endothelium is one of the target cells of the infection. Neoehrlichiosis patients with compromised B cell immunity present with more severe inflammation than immunocompetent patients. The aim of this study was to compare the cytokine profiles of immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients with neoehrlichiosis. Methods Blood samples from Swedish and Norwegian immunosuppressed (N = 30) and immunocompetent (N = 16) patients with neoehrlichiosis were analyzed for the levels of 30 cytokines, using a multiplex cytokine assay and ELISA. A gender-matched healthy control group (N = 14) was analyzed in parallel. Data were analyzed using the multivariate method OPLS-DA. Results The multiplex cytokine analyses generated more cytokine results than did the uniplex ELISA analyses. Multivariate analysis of the multiplex cytokine results established that increased levels of FGF2, GM-CSF, CXCL10, and IFN-γ were associated with immunosuppressed patients, whereas increased levels of IL-15 and VEGF were associated with immunocompetent neoehrlichiosis patients. When multivariate analysis findings were confirmed with uniplex ELISA, it was found that both groups of patients had similarly elevated levels of VEGF, FGF2 and IFN-γ. In contrast, the immunosuppressed patients had clearly elevated levels of CXCL10, CXCL13 and BAFF, whereas the immunocompetent patients had the same levels as healthy controls. Conclusion Pro-angiogenic and type 1 cytokines were produced as part of the host response of neoehrlichiosis independent of immune status, whereas immunosuppressed neoehrlichiosis patients produced cytokines required for B cell-mediated defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Wass
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsgatan 10A, 413 46, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Region Västra Götaland, Sweden.
| | - Hanne Quarsten
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Per-Eric Lindgren
- Division of Inflammation and Infection (II), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Pia Forsberg
- Division of Inflammation and Infection (II), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Skoog
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Region Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kenneth Nilsson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christine Lingblom
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Region Västra Götaland, Sweden
| | - Christine Wennerås
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsgatan 10A, 413 46, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Region Västra Götaland, Sweden
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Nomura S, Shimojima Y, Kondo Y, Kishida D, Sekijima Y. Hypertrophic pachymeningitis in polyarteritis nodosa: a case-based review. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 41:567-572. [PMID: 34725743 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05971-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is a rare neurological disorder with focal or diffuse thickening of the dura mater, which usually causes headache, cranial neuropathies, seizures, and motor or sensory impairments. The development of HP is attributed to an immune-mediated mechanism, and some autoimmune diseases have been implicated in the development of HP. Herein, we describe the case of a 73-year-old woman with persistent headache ascribable to HP, which developed approximately 3 years after a diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). She was treated with high-dose corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide that resulted in immediate disappearance of headache and improved radiological findings of thickened dura mater. In addition, she was subsequently administered methotrexate, ultimately resulting in maintenance of remission and regular reduction of prednisolone. In our review of published English articles, only two cases of HP in patients with PAN have been reported to date, suggesting that HP is a rare complication in PAN. However, it should be recognized that HP may develop as a neurological involvement related to PAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Nomura
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Shimojima
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan.
| | - Yasufumi Kondo
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Dai Kishida
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Sekijima
- Department of Medicine (Neurology and Rheumatology), Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
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Kawakami T, Tamura Y, Dong Y, Yoshinari M, Nishibata Y, Masuda S, Tomaru U, Ishizu A. Anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex antibodies in patients with cutaneous vasculitis: Possible involvement in the pathogenesis. J Dermatol 2021; 48:703-706. [PMID: 33600009 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.15810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We assessed the IgG and IgM prevalence of anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex (aPS/PT) antibodies (Abs) in patients with vasculitis using a novel commercial ELISA kit. To examine whether aPS/PT Abs were involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous vasculitis, inbred wild-type rats were intravenously administered with a rat IgM class aPS/PT monoclonal Ab established previously or with rat immunoglobulins as controls. To express PS on the surface of vascular endothelium, these rats were given a subcutaneous injection of cell-free histones in advance. Serum IgM aPS/PT Ab levels were elevated in patients with systemic vasculitis with skin involvement and cutaneous arteritis compared to those in patients with systemic vasculitis without skin involvement and healthy controls. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of IgG aPS/PT Abs between the patients and healthy controls. Correspondingly, inbred wild-type rats intravenously administered with the aPS/PT monoclonal IgM Ab after appropriate priming-subcutaneous histone injection developed cutaneous vasculitis. Some rats given rat IgM instead of the aPS/PT monoclonal Ab also developed cutaneous vasculitis, whereas vasculitis did not occur in rats given IgG or only priming by histones. We suggested that IgM aPS/PT Abs could be involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous vasculitis based on these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamihiro Kawakami
- Division of Dermatology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuto Tamura
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yupeng Dong
- Division of Dermatology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Miku Yoshinari
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuka Nishibata
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sakiko Masuda
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Utano Tomaru
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Akihiro Ishizu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Kikuchi R, Tsuboi N, Sada KE, Nakatochi M, Yokoe Y, Suzuki A, Maruyama S, Murohara T, Matsushita T, Amano K, Atsumi T, Takasaki Y, Ito S, Hasegawa H, Dobashi H, Ito T, Makino H, Matsuo S. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and VEGF-A 165b are associated with time to remission of granulomatosis with polyangiitis in a nationwide Japanese prospective cohort study. Ann Clin Biochem 2020; 58:86-94. [PMID: 33081494 DOI: 10.1177/0004563220968371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective prognostic markers are needed for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). This study evaluated the clinical associations of serum vascular endothelial growth factor-A (sVEGF-A) and sVEGF-A165b (an antiangiogenic isoform of VEGF-A) concentrations with time to remission of AAV in a nationwide Japanese prospective follow-up cohort. METHODS We collected samples from patients with AAV who were enrolled in the nationwide Japanese cohort study (RemIT-JAV-RPGN). We measured sVEGF-A and sVEGF-A165b concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 57 serum samples collected 6 months before and after initiation of AAV treatment. Patients were classified based on AAV disease subtypes: microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). RESULTS Results revealed significant reductions in sVEGF-A and sVEGF-A165b concentrations in patients with microscopic polyangiitis and EGPA, respectively. However, despite the comparable concentrations of sVEGF-A and sVEGF-A165b during the 6 months of treatment in granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients, correlation analysis revealed that the differences in log2-transformed concentrations of sVEGF-A and sVEGF-A165b were inversely correlated with time to remission in granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients. CONCLUSION These results suggest that sVEGF-A and -A165b can serve as potential markers of time to remission in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Kikuchi
- Department of Medical Technique, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naotake Tsuboi
- Department of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ken-Ei Sada
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nakatochi
- Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuki Yokoe
- Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsuo Suzuki
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shoichi Maruyama
- Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toyoaki Murohara
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tadashi Matsushita
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Transfusion Medicine, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | | | - Koichi Amano
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Atsumi
- Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yoshinari Takasaki
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ito
- Department of Rheumatology, Niigata Rheumatic Center, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Hasegawa
- Department of Hematology, Clinical Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Dobashi
- Division of Hematology, Rheumatology and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Takafumi Ito
- Division of Nephrology, Shimane University, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane, Japan
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Ikeda T, Kawakami T, Arimura Y, Ishiguro N, Ishizu A, Ito F, Ito-Ihara T, Okiyama N, Ono S, Suzuki K, Sugawara K, Seishima M, Kodera M, Tanaka M, Hasegawa M, Furukawa F, Yamaguchi Y, Yoshizaki A. Survey of Japanese dermatological vasculitis specialists on cases of cutaneous arteritis (cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa). J Dermatol 2020; 47:534-537. [PMID: 32096266 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.15273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We developed a questionnaire to examine the findings of cutaneous arteritis among dermatological specialists experienced in vasculitis as certified by the Committee for guidelines for the management of vasculitis and vascular disorders of the Japanese Dermatological Association. We sent a questionnaire to 12 dermatological facilities identified through the revised Committee for guidelines for the management of vasculitis and vascular disorders of the Japanese Dermatological Association. Retrospective data obtained from 84 patients at the 12 dermatological facilities between 2012 January 2016 December were evaluated. The 84 patients were categorized into two groups, a systemic steroid treatment group (group 1, n = 52) and a no systemic steroid treatment group (group 2, n = 32). C-reactive protein in group 1 patients was significantly higher than that in group 2 patients. Frequency of fever, arthritis, myalgia- and peripheral neuropathy in group 1 was significantly higher than that in group 2. We propose that these symptoms could serve as early markers for the transfer from cutaneous arteritis to systemic polyarteritis nodosa. We further suggest that patients who are subsequently associated with cerebral hemorrhage and infarction, who are originally diagnosed as having cutaneous arteritis, could progress to systemic polyarteritis nodosa. The study demonstrated that it is important for dermatologists to detect these findings early in order to establish an accurate diagnosis and a timely treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaharu Ikeda
- Division of Dermatology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tamihiro Kawakami
- Division of Dermatology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Arimura
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Kyorin University School of Medicine/Internal Medicine, Kichijoji Asahi Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoko Ishiguro
- Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiro Ishizu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Fuyu Ito
- Asia International Institute of Infectious Disease Control, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiko Ito-Ihara
- Division of Research Management, The Clinical and Translational Research Center, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoko Okiyama
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Sachiko Ono
- Division of Dermatology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuo Suzuki
- Asia International Institute of Infectious Disease Control, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Sugawara
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mariko Seishima
- Department of Dermatology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Masanari Kodera
- Japan Community Health Care Organization Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Maiko Tanaka
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Minoru Hasegawa
- Division of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | | | - Yukie Yamaguchi
- Department of Environmental Immuno-Dermatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Immune-Mediated Systemic Vasculitis as the Proposed Cause of Sudden-Onset Sensorineural Hearing Loss following Lassa Virus Exposure in Cynomolgus Macaques. mBio 2018; 9:mBio.01896-18. [PMID: 30377282 PMCID: PMC6212830 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01896-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) causes a severe, often fatal hemorrhagic disease in regions in Africa where the disease is endemic, and approximately 30% of patients develop sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss after recovering from acute disease. The causal mechanism of hearing loss in LASV-infected patients remains elusive. Here, we report findings after closely examining the chronic disease experienced by surviving macaques assigned to LASV exposure control groups in two different studies. All nonhuman primates (NHPs) developed typical signs and symptoms of Lassa fever, and seven succumbed during the acute phase of disease. Three NHPs survived beyond the acute phase and became chronically ill but survived to the study endpoint, 45 days postexposure. All three of these survivors displayed continuous disease symptoms, and apparent hearing loss was observed using daily subjective measurements, including response to auditory stimulation and tuning fork tests. Objective measurements of profound unilateral or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were confirmed for two of the survivors by brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) analysis. Histologic examination of inner ear structures and other tissues revealed the presence of severe vascular lesions consistent with systemic vasculitides. These systemic immune-mediated vascular disorders have been associated with sudden hearing loss. Other vascular-specific damage was also observed to be present in many of the sampled tissues, and we were able to identify persistent virus in the perivascular tissues in the brain tissue of survivors. Serological analyses of two of the three survivors revealed the presence of autoimmune disease markers. Our findings point toward an immune-mediated etiology for Lassa fever-associated sudden-onset hearing loss and lay the foundation for developing potential therapies to prevent and/or cure Lassa fever-associated sudden-onset hearing loss.IMPORTANCE Lassa virus is one of the most common causes of viral hemorrhagic fever. A frequent, but as yet unexplained, consequence of infection with Lassa virus is acute, sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss in one or both ears. Deafness is observed in approximately 30% of surviving Lassa fever patients, an attack rate that is approximately 300% higher than mumps virus infection, which was previously thought to be the most common cause of virus-induced deafness. Here, we provide evidence from Lassa virus-infected cynomolgus macaques implicating an immune-mediated vasculitis syndrome underlying the pathology of Lassa fever-associated deafness. These findings could change the way human Lassa fever patients are medically managed in order to prevent deafness by including diagnostic monitoring of human survivors for onset of vasculitides via available imaging methods and/or other diagnostic markers of immune-mediated vascular disease.
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Ruan Q, Zhao C, Ye Z, Ruan J, Xie Q, Xie W. Effect and possible mechanism of monocyte-derived VEGF on monocyte-endothelial cellular adhesion after electrical burns. Burns 2014; 41:825-32. [PMID: 25466960 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2014.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Revised: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE One of the major obstacles in the treatment of severe electrical burns is properly handling the resulting uncontrolled inflammation. Such inflammation often causes secondary injury and necrosis, thus complicating patient outcomes. Vascular endothelial grow factor (VEGF) has emerged as an important mediator for the recruitment of monocytes to the site inflammation. This study was designed to explore the effects and possible mechanism of VEGF on monocyte-endothelial cellular adhesion. To do so, we used a cultured human monocytic cell line (THP-1) that was stimulated with serum derived from rats that had received electrical burns. METHODS Serum was obtained from rats that had received electrical burns. Both the VEGF and soluble flt-1 (sflt-1) concentrations of the serum were determined by double-antibody sandwich ELISA. The concentrations of VEGF, sflt-1, and TNF-α obtained from the cell-free cultured supernatant of THP-1 cells that had been exposed to the serum were then determined by double-antibody sandwich ELISA. Serum-stimulated THP-1 cells were added to wells with a monolayer of endothelial cells to detect the level of monocyte-endothelial cells adhesion. Finally, the state of phosphorylation of AKT was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that compared to controls, the levels of VEGF were significantly increased after electrical burns. This increased was accompanied by a reduction of sflt-1 levels. Furthermore, the serum of rats that had received electrical burns was able to both activate monocytes to secrete TNF-α and enhance monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. Treatment with the serum also resulted in an up-regulation of the phosphorylation of AKT, but had no effect on the total levels of AKT. Phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) inhibition decreased the number of THP-1 cells that were adhered to endothelial cells. Finally, sequestering VEGF with sflt-1 was able to reduce the effect on monocyte-endothelial cells adhesion by blocking the PI3K signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that VEGF is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation after electrical burns. Inhibition of VEGF activity could attenuate monocyte-endothelial cells adhesion by suppressing the state of phosphorylation of AKT, which is downstream of the PI3K signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongfang Ruan
- Institute of Burns, Wuhan City Hospital No. 3 & Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Chaoli Zhao
- Institute of Burns, Wuhan City Hospital No. 3 & Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Ziqing Ye
- Institute of Burns, Wuhan City Hospital No. 3 & Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Jingjing Ruan
- Institute of Burns, Wuhan City Hospital No. 3 & Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Qionghui Xie
- Institute of Burns, Wuhan City Hospital No. 3 & Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Weiguo Xie
- Institute of Burns, Wuhan City Hospital No. 3 & Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China.
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Ye X, Liu J, Wang Y, Bin L, Wang J. Increased serum VEGF and b-FGF in Graves' ophthalmopathy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2014; 252:1639-44. [PMID: 24867311 PMCID: PMC4180908 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-014-2662-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) is thought to be an inflammatory disorder of autoimmune background. The aim of this study is to investigate the involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) in patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO). Methods Serum concentrations of VEGF and b-FGF of 48 GO patients, 30 Graves’ hyperthyroid disease (GD) patients without ophthalmopathy, and 30 healthy controls were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Patients with GO were subdivided into two groups according to clinical activity scores (CAS): a score of 3 or less is considered as inactive (CAS ≤ 3, inactive GO, n = 14), and 4 or more is considered active eye disease (CAS ≥ 4, active GO; n = 34). All of the patients with active GO underwent corticosteroid therapy. Results The concentrations of serum VEGF and b-FGF were significantly higher in patients with GO and in those with GD than in controls. The serum levels of VEGF and b-FGF in patients with active GO were higher than those in patients with inactive GO and those in GD patients (P < 0.05). Moreover, serum VEGF and b-FGF concentratison were significantly correlated with CAS in GO patients (p < 0.01). Mean VEGF and b-FGF levels in corticosteroid-responsive patients (CAS decreases ≥3 after treatment) decreased significantly after corticosteroid treatment (P < 0.05), and these changes were accompanied by a decrease of CAS (P < 0.05). Conclusion The results suggest that serum VEGF and b-FGF levels were increased in patients with active GO and could reflect the degree of ocular inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhen Ye
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, 210002 China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, 210002 China
| | - Yangtian Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, 210002 China
| | - Lu Bin
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, 210002 China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing Jinling Hospital, Nanjing, 210002 China
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Dogan S, Piskin O, Solmaz D, Akar S, Gulcu A, Yuksel F, Cakır V, Sari I, Akkoc N, Onen F. Markers of endothelial damage and repair in Takayasu arteritis: are they associated with disease activity? Rheumatol Int 2014; 34:1129-38. [PMID: 24413630 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-013-2937-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current clinical and laboratory parameters of Takayasu arteritis (TA) are insufficient for proper assessment of disease activity. The aims of this study were to investigate the markers of endothelial injury and repair, including circulating endothelial cell (CEC), circulating endothelial progenitor cell (CEPC) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and evaluate their associations with disease activity in patients with TA. Thirty-two patients with TA and 30 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were included in this study. Disease activity was assessed in TA patients using various tools, including Kerr's criteria, the Indian Takayasu's Arteritis Scoring (ITAS2010) and physician's global assessment (PGA). CECs and CEPCs were measured by flow cytometry, and VEGF was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The CEC level was found to be higher in TA patients than in the healthy controls (HC) (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in CEC level between the active and inactive patients, but its level was slightly correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) level. CEPC and VEGF levels in TA patients with active disease were higher than those in the inactive patients and HC. CEPC and VEGF levels were positively correlated with ITAS-CRP and PGA scores. This study shows increased level of CEC in patients with TA. It also suggests that the CEPC and VEGF levels may be correlated with disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Dogan
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
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12
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Myositis, Vasculitis, Hepatic Dysfunction in Adult-Onset Still's Disease. Case Rep Med 2009; 2009:504897. [PMID: 19718245 PMCID: PMC2729264 DOI: 10.1155/2009/504897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although hepatic dysfunction is common in adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), sometimes it is difficult to differentiate hepatic dysfunction due to AOSD itself from drug-induced hepatic dysfunction. Further, myalgia often occurs in patients with AOSD; however, AOSD patients complicated with myositis are rare. We report a 43-year-old Japanese man with AOSD who developed myositis and hepatic dysfunction which were deteriorated by multiple nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and were dramatically ameliorated by a low-dose steroid therapy. A skin biopsy of salmon pink rash which is characteristic for AOSD showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and the markers for vasculitis, plasma von Willebrand factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels were elevated in this patient, suggesting an association between AOSD and systemic vasculitis.
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13
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Abstract
The term polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) presently includes classic systemic PAN, cutaneous PAN, and microscopic PAN (microscopic polyangeiitis). Cutaneous PAN involves the deep dermis and the panniculus, with anatomopathological findings diagnostic for arteritis. The most frequent clinical manifestation of cutaneous PAN is the presence of nodules on the lower legs, which frequently are found at different stages of development. At times, they may not leave residual changes, but generally a violaceous livedoid color or pigmentation with retiform appearance persists for months and even years. Ulceration also is a frequent complication of cutaneous PAN. Pain, arthralgias, malaise, and moderate fever are frequently associated symptoms. Histopathologically, cutaneous PAN shows a single artery involved with diagnostic inflammatory changes. The involved artery is always located in the deep dermis or in the panniculus. Inflammatory active skin nodules show a necrotizing arteritis with variable amounts of fibrinoid necrosis and leukocytoclasia, edema and inflammatory cells. The presence of focal panniculitis surrounding the involved artery is characteristic, in contrast with the more diffuse panniculitis usually found in other nodular diseases. Cutaneous PAN has a variable course, with repeated exacerbations. Salicilates relieve the pain in most instances and may be the only treatment required to improve the symptoms in patients with moderate flare-ups. A short course of corticosteroids therapy at a moderate dose is the most effective treatment to relieve the symptoms and to reduce the inflammation. Patients with an increased ASO titer should always be treated with penicillin.
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Affiliation(s)
- José L Díaz-Pérez
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Cruces, Baracaldo, Vizcaya, Spain.
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14
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Carvalho JF, Blank M, Shoenfeld Y. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Autoimmune Diseases. J Clin Immunol 2007; 27:246-56. [PMID: 17340192 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-007-9083-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2007] [Accepted: 02/07/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent stimulating factor for angiogenesis and vascular permeability. There are eight isoforms with different and sometimes overlapping functions. The mechanisms of action are under investigation with emerging insights into overlapping pathways and cross-talk between other receptors such as the neuropilins, which were not previously associated to angiogenesis. VEGF has important physiological actions on embryonic development, healing, and menstrual cycle. It also has a great role in pathological conditions that are associated to autoimmune diseases. There is considerable evidence in various autoimmune diseases such as in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis of an interrelationship between the VEGF system and theses disorders. Serum levels of VEGF correlate with disease activity in a large number of autoimmune diseases and fall with the use of standard therapy. We raised the possible future therapeutic strategies in autoimmune diseases with the anti-VEGF or anti-VEGFR (receptor). So far, this therapy has been used in cancer and macular ocular degeneration in diabetes. This review outlines the evidence for VEGF participation in various autoimmune diseases and proposes lines for future research in this field.
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Kawakami T, Yamazaki M, Mizoguchi M, Soma Y. High titer of anti–phosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex antibodies in patients with cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 57:1507-13. [DOI: 10.1002/art.23081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Iwakawa J, Matsuyama W, Kubota S, Mitsuyama H, Suetsugu T, Watanabe M, Higashimoto I, Osame M, Arimura K. Increased serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels in microscopic poly angiitis with pulmonary involvement. Respir Med 2006; 100:1724-33. [PMID: 16546368 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2006.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2005] [Revised: 02/06/2006] [Accepted: 02/07/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis that affects small vessels, resulting in a wide spectrum of organ involvement including the lungs. However, there are little serological markers that predict its prognosis or severity of pulmonary involvement. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic mediator, which has been reported to be elevated in systemic vasculitis. In this study, we measured serum VEGF levels in 22 MPA patients with pulmonary involvement. We also investigated VEGF expression in pulmonary cells using flow cytometry analysis. We found that serum VEGF levels in MPA patients were significantly higher than those in respiratory or urinary tract infection. The serum VEGF levels decreased in parallel with the improvement of MPA symptoms. The serum VEGF levels in MPA patients who died within 5 years were significantly higher than those who survived more than 5 years. The sensitivity of VEGF levels to distinguish MPA patient with poor prognosis from those with good prognosis was 90.9%, and specificity was 81.8% (cutoff value = 802.5 pg/ml). The serum VEGF levels showed significant positive correlation with the composite physiological index, which indicates the severity of pulmonary lesion. In flow cytometry analysis, CD11b positive bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells expressed VEGF. Immunohistochemically, alveolar macrophages, tissue infiltrating inflammatory cells and alveolar epithelial cells stained positive for VEGF. Measurement of serum VEGF levels in MPA might become one of the markers for prognosis and the severity of pulmonary involvement in MPA. VEGF might contribute to the development of pulmonary lesion of MPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Iwakawa
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Respiratory and Stress Care Center, Kagoshima University Hospital, Sakuragaoka 8-35-1, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
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