Serum and synovial fluid levels of interleukin-5 in a patient with eosinophilic fasciitis

[[Eosinophilic fasciitis: From pathophysiology to therapeutics]]

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by painful edema and induration of the limbs and trunk, likely associated with hypereosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia. EF causes arthralgia and range of motion limitation, leading to significant functional impairment and poor quality of life. Since its description by Shulman in 1974, over 300 cases have been reported. We present here a review of the latest diagnostic, pathophysiological and therapeutic developments in this disease. Magnetic resonance imaging appears useful to guide diagnosis and biopsy. Diagnosis is based on a deep skin biopsy involving the fascia, which will reveal edema, sclerofibrosis of the muscular fascia and subcutaneous tissue, and an inflammatory infiltrate sometimes composed of eosinophilic polynuclear cells. EF may occur in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and the diagnosis should be raised in case of cutaneous sclerosis in these patients. The pathophysiology of the disease remains poorly understood, and its management lacks randomized, controlled, blinded trials. First-line treatment consists in oral corticosteroid therapy, sometimes combined with an immunosuppressant, mainly methotrexate. A better understanding of the pathophysiology has opened new therapeutic perspectives and clarified the role of targeted therapies in the management of EF, such as interleukin-6 inhibitors, whose efficacy has been reported in several cases.

Increased expression of cell adhesion molecules in myofasciitis

Background

Myofasciitis is a heterogeneous group of diseases pathologically characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration into the fascia. Endothelial activation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory response. However, the expression of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) in myofasciitis has not been investigated.

Methods

Data on clinical features, thigh magnetic resonance imaging, and muscle pathology were collected from five patients with myofasciitis. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and Western blot (WB) of the muscle biopsies from patients and healthy controls were performed.

Results

Increased levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2R, were detected in four patients. IHC staining and WB indicated significantly increased expression of cell adhesion molecules in blood vessels or inflammatory cells within the perimysium in muscle and fascia tissues of patients with myofasciitis compared to controls.

Conclusion

The up-regulation of CAMs in myofasciitis indicates endothelial activation, which may be potential therapy targets for the treatment of myofasciitis.

Clinical and Histopathological Features of Scleroderma-like Disorders: An Update

Scleroderma-like disorders include a set of entities involving cutis, subcutis and, sometimes, even muscular tissue, caused by several pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for different clinical–pathological pictures. The absence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), Raynaud’s phenomenon and capillaroscopic anomalies constitutes an important element of differential diagnosis with systemic sclerosis. When scleroderma can be excluded, on the basis of the main body sites, clinical evolution, any associated pathological conditions and specific histological features, it is possible to make a correct diagnosis.

Eosinophilic fasciitis: From pathophysiology to treatment

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a disease originally proposed as "diffuse fasciitis with eosinophilia" by Shulman in 1974. The patients with this disease often have history of strenuous exercise or labor a few days to 1-2 weeks before the onset. The chief symptoms are symmetrical, full-circumference swelling and plate-like hardness of the distal limbs. This is accompanied by redness and pain in the early stages, with many cases exhibiting systemic symptoms such as fever or generalized fatigue. The lesions have been observed extending to the proximal limbs, though never on the face or fingers. En bloc biopsies from the skin to the fascia show marked fascial thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration by the lymphocytes and plasma cells. Eosinophilic infiltration is useful for the diagnosis but is only seen in the early stages of the disease. Recently, "Diagnostic criteria, severity classification, and clinical guidelines for eosinophilic fasciitis" were published. This review article discusses about eosinophilic faciitis in detail, from its pathophysiology to the treatment.

Idiopathic hypercalcemia and eosinophilic fasciitis: a novel association

A 15 year-old boy presented with moderate hypercalcemia (serum calcium 3.35 mmol/l) and eosinophilic fasciitis. An extensive search for a cause of hypercalcemia or underlying malignancy proved negative. Glucocorticoid treatment resulted in significant clinical improvement and resolution of the hypercalcemia. This report describes the novel association of hypercalcemia with eosinophilic fasciitis, with potential implications for the role of inflammatory mediators.

Eosinophilic fasciitis and eosinophilic cellulitis in a patient with abnormal circulating clonal T cells: increased production of interleukin 5 and inhibition by interferon alfa

Eosinophilic fasciitis (Shulman's syndrome) and eosinophilic cellulitis are part of a spectrum of diseases characterized by tissue and peripheral blood eosinophilia. Eosinophils are implicated directly in the lesional process that characterizes these conditions, because signs of eosinophil activation and degranulation are observed at the sites of tissue injury. The cause and pathogenesis of eosinophilic fasciitis and cellulitis are presently unclear. Herein, we report a patient manifesting rapidly progressive localized cutaneous induration of the arms and legs with eosinophilia, no signs of systemic sclerosis, and histopathologic features compatible with the diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis. Four years after the onset of eosinophilic fasciitis, the patient had recurrent episodes of eosinophilic cellulitis. Blood screening for clonal T-cell receptor gamma gene rearrangements revealed several amplified clonal populations of circulating T cells. Furthermore, in vitro analysis of cytokine production by the patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells demonstrated strongly increased production of interleukin 5, the synthesis of which could be completely blocked by interferon (IFN)-alpha. The coexistence of eosinophilic fasciitis and cellulitis in a patient with an abnormal circulating T-cell clone and increased IL-5 production are unique and might be responsible for the eosinophilia and eosinophil-mediated tissue injury. Although not assessed in vivo in this patient, our in vitro data provide a rationale for the use of IFN-alpha in eosinophilic fasciitis and/or cellulitis.

Cytokine abnormalities in a patient with eosinophilic fasciitis

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) and peripheral eosinophilia are rare in children.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of EF in a 3-year-old child who presented with acute painless induration of her forearm.

METHODS

Cytokine profiles were obtained and compared with patients with atopic disease during the acute presentation and after treatment with low-dose prednisone.

RESULTS

The patient's serum showed elevation of transforming growth factor beta1 and interleukin-5, which improved after treatment with low-dose prednisone.

CONCLUSIONS

The case suggests that patients with EF have cytokine abnormalities similar to atopic patients, but with a striking elevation of transforming growth factor beta1. The responsiveness of the clinical symptoms and cytokine profile to low dose prednisone supports treatment with low dose immunosuppressive therapy in this disorder.