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Jayaraman S, Jayaraman A. Impact of histone modifier-induced protection against autoimmune encephalomyelitis on multiple sclerosis treatment. Front Neurol 2022; 13:980758. [PMID: 36313502 PMCID: PMC9614082 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.980758] [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: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is a progressive demyelinating central nervous system disorder with unknown etiology. The condition has heterogeneous presentations, including relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and secondary and primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying these various forms of multiple sclerosis remain elusive. Many disease-modifying therapies approved for multiple sclerosis are broad-spectrum immunomodulatory drugs that reduce relapses but do not halt the disease progression or neuroaxonal damage. Some are also associated with many severe side effects, including fatalities. Improvements in disease-modifying treatments especially for primary progressive multiple sclerosis remain an unmet need. Several experimental animal models are available to decipher the mechanisms involved in multiple sclerosis. These models help us decipher the advantages and limitations of novel disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundararajan Jayaraman
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Sundararajan Jayaraman
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Meneguette NS, Almeida KMFR, Figueiredo MTJDO, de Araújo E Araújo ACR, Alvarenga MP, Vasconcelos CCF, Nascimento ACB, Colombini GNUI, Petzold A, Alvarenga RMP. Optic neuritis in Asian type opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS-ON) in a non-Asian population: A functional-structural paradox. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021; 56:103260. [PMID: 34562767 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomarkers have improved the classification of autoimmune inflammatory disorders, including optic neuritis (ON) as a frequent presentation of multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis spectrum disorders, MOG antibody-related disease (MOGAD), and opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS). The phenotype of OSMS in non-Asian populations is less well known. OBJECTIVE We investigated the clinical features and prognosis of OSMS-ON in a Brazilian cohort. METHODS This was a single-center cohort study of patients from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) with OSMS. All individuals were MOG- and AQP4-seronegative, clinically diagnosed with ON, and had magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed transverse myelitis (TM). Subjects and healthy controls (HCs) were assessed for visual acuity (logMAR VA), automated perimetry mean deviation (MD), intraocular pressure, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), followed by automated retinal layer segmentation of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and macular ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL). Receiver operator characteristic curves were plotted and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for group comparisons of retinal asymmetry of the pRNFL and mGCIPL. RESULTS The 30 patients with OSMS were predominantly female and white. The mean age was 48 years (range 20-70 years). Unilateral ON was the index event in 83.3% of patients. Over the average 18-year follow-up period, there were 89 relapses of ON. In individuals with OSMS, the average VA was 0.07±0.14 in the right eye (RE) and 0.13±0.30 in the left eye (LE). The MD was -5.37±5.88 dB and -5.23±3.34 dB for the RE and LE, respectively. There was a significant cumulative loss of VA (p = 0.0003) and MD (p = 0.0001) with a higher number of recurrent episodes. Atrophy of the pRNFL thickness was significant in OSMS (RE, 78.62 ± 16.01 µm; LE, 79.86 ± 13.79 µm) relative to the HC group (RE, 98.87 ± 10.68 µm; LE, 97.87 ± 10.85 µm, p = 0.0001). Likewise, there was significant mGCIPL atrophy in patients with OSMS (RE, 74.96 ± 14.46 µm; LE, 73.88 ± 13.79 µm) relative to the HC group (RE, 90.50 ± 6.74 µm; LE, 90.41± 6.89 µm; p = 0.0001). Retinal asymmetry, inter-eye percentage, and absolute differences accurately separated patients with unilateral ON from HCs (AUC=0.89 and AUC=0.85, respectively). CONCLUSION A structural-functional paradox was found in OSMS with a high diagnostic value for a novel metric based on retinal asymmetry. The functional visual outcome are excellent despite significant structural damage to the inner retinal layers in patients with a high ON relapse rate and long-term bilateral sequential involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Stéphanie Meneguette
- Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana Carolina Ribeiro de Araújo E Araújo
- Department of Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazi; Multiple Sclerosis Center, Federal Hospital of Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Papais Alvarenga
- Department of Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazi; Multiple Sclerosis Center, Federal Hospital of Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Axel Petzold
- Department of Neuro-ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom; Expert Centre Neuro-ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands.
| | - Regina Maria Papais Alvarenga
- Department of Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazi; Multiple Sclerosis Center, Federal Hospital of Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Bonomi S, Jin S, Culpepper WJ, Wallin MT. MS and Disability Progression in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East: A Systematic Review. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021; 51:102885. [PMID: 33773273 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.102885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence of an increased prevalence and disease burden of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in parts of the world where the risk was once considered low, such as Latin America (LA), Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Middle East-North Africa (MENA). Despite the growing number of clinical reports, the phenotype and course of MS in these regions remains understudied compared with Europe and North America. We aimed to investigate MS phenotypes and long-term clinical outcomes across these regions. METHOD A Boolean search of the medical literature was conducted between January 1980 and April 30, 2020. PubMed, SCOPUS, Global Health, and the Cochrane databases, were used to identify all relevant citations. Articles were collated and managed on Covidence® software. We independently appraised the articles for meeting study criteria and for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) and the Specialist Unit for Review Evidence (SURE) system. RESULTS A total of 1,639 studies were imported for screening. After removing 545 duplicates, two authors assessed 1,094 abstracts and selected 515 for full-text screening. 72 articles met study criteria, including 19 studies from LA, 4 from sub-Saharan Africa, 24 from Asia and 25 from MENA. The overall sex ratio was 2.5:1 (female: male). Disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Longitudinal disability progression and time to standard endpoints was compared by region and with relevant Western reports. Patients with MS living in the MENA region appear to reach disability milestones faster than those in the Western world, although this finding is not uniform. South Asia shows distinct disability features compared with East Asia, more closely resembling those of the West. Disease morbidity in East Asia appears more benign than in the West after careful exclusion of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder cases. Populations in LA tend to have similar MS features to the Western world, but some exceptions exist, including African descendants that reach disability milestones earlier. Using all studies with appropriate survival analysis, the mean time to EDSS 6.0 was 16.97 years with a heterogeneity index of 24.59. CONCLUSION The clinical phenotypes and disability progression of MS in LA, Africa, Asia and the MENA region have similarities to Western MS. In some regions and subpopulations there is evidence of a more aggressive course, possibly due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. More population-based longitudinal data are needed, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shan Jin
- Department of Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence-East, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - William J Culpepper
- Department of Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence-East, Baltimore, MD, United States; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Neurology Department, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mitchell T Wallin
- Department of Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence-East, Baltimore, MD, United States; George Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Washington, DC, United States; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Neurology Department, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Barros PO, Berthoud TK, Aloufi N, Angel JB. Soluble IL-7Rα/sCD127 in Health, Disease, and Its Potential Role as a Therapeutic Agent. Immunotargets Ther 2021; 10:47-62. [PMID: 33728276 PMCID: PMC7954429 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s264149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Soluble cytokine receptors can influence immune responses by modulating the biological functions of their respective ligands. These effects can be either agonistic or antagonistic and a number of soluble cytokine receptors have been shown to play critical roles in both maintenance of health and disease pathogenesis. Soluble IL-7Ra (sCD127) is one such example. With its impact on the IL-7/CD127 pathway, which is fundamental for the development and homeostasis of T cells, the role of sCD127 in health and disease has been extensively studied in recent years. Within this review, the role of sCD127 in maintaining host immune function is presented. Next, by addressing genetic factors affecting sCD127 expression and the associated levels of sCD127 production, the roles of sCD127 in autoimmune disease, infections and cancer are described. Finally, advances in the field of soluble cytokine therapy and the potential for sCD127 as a biomarker and therapeutic agent are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila O Barros
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tamara K Berthoud
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nawaf Aloufi
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan B Angel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Stasolla F, Matamala-Gomez M, Bernini S, Caffò AO, Bottiroli S. Virtual Reality as a Technological-Aided Solution to Support Communication in Persons With Neurodegenerative Diseases and Acquired Brain Injury During COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Public Health 2021; 8:635426. [PMID: 33665181 PMCID: PMC7921156 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.635426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 poses an ongoing threat to lives around the world and challenges the existing public health and medical service delivery. The lockdown or quarantine measures adopted to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has caused the interruption in ongoing care and access to medical care including to patients with existing neurological conditions. Besides the passivity, isolation, and withdrawal, patients with neurodegenerative diseases experience difficulties in communication due to a limited access to leisure opportunities and interaction with friends and relatives. The communication difficulties may exacerbate the burden on the caregivers. Therefore, assistive-technologies may be a useful strategy in mitigating challenges associated with remote communication. The current paper presents an overview of the use of assistive technologies using virtual reality and virtual body ownership in providing communication opportunities to isolated patients, during COVID-19, with neurological diseases and moderate-to-severe communication difficulties. We postulate that the assistive technologies-based intervention may improve social interactions in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and acquired brain injury-thereby reducing isolation and improving their quality of life and mental well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Matamala-Gomez
- Department of Human Sciences for Education "Riccardo Massa", Center for Studies in Communication Sciences "Luigi Anolli" (CESCOM), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Bernini
- Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization, and Healthcare (IRCCS), Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandro O Caffò
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology and Communication, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Sara Bottiroli
- "Giustino Fortunato" University of Benevento, Benevento, Italy.,Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization, and Healthcare (IRCCS), Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
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Lana-Peixoto MA, Talim NC, Pedrosa D, Macedo JM, Santiago-Amaral J. Prevalence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in Belo Horizonte, Southeast Brazil. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021; 50:102807. [PMID: 33609926 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.102807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on the prevalence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are still scarce. The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence rate of NMOSD in Belo Horizonte, southeast Brazil, where the prevalence rate of multiple sclerosis (MS) has already been established. METHODS For this observational study, eligible patients had to meet the 2015 International Panel for Neuromyelitis Optica Diagnosis, be seen at the study center between January 2000 and February 2019 and live in Belo Horizonte. The prevalence rate of NMOSD was estimated based on the number of MS and NMOSD patients seen at same Center during the same period, and the previously established prevalence of MS in Belo Horizonte. RESULTS During the study period, there were 69 patients with NMOSD, 60 (87.0%) of whom were females, and 44 (63.8%) non-whites. The median age at disease onset was 36.7 (4-72) years, the mean EDSS score 4.78±2.36, and the mean ARR 0.57±0.43. Anti-aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin testing was available for 61 (88.4%) patients, of whom 41 (67.2%) had a positive result. During the same period, 280 MS patients were seen. Considering the local known prevalence rate of MS of 18.1/100,000 inhabitants, the estimated NMOSD prevalence rate in Belo Horizonte was 4.52/100,000 (95% CI 3.72-5.43) inhabitants. CONCLUSION The prevalence rate of NMOSD in Belo Horizonte is high as compared with those found in most of the studies reported to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A Lana-Peixoto
- CIEM MS Research Center, Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Natália C Talim
- CIEM MS Research Center, Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Denison Pedrosa
- CIEM MS Research Center, Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Marques Macedo
- CIEM MS Research Center, Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juliana Santiago-Amaral
- CIEM MS Research Center, Federal University of Minas Gerais Medical School, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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