Evidence of a distinct group of Black African patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Impact of patient ancestry on heterogeneity of Sjögren's disease

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare disease characteristics between primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients of African ancestry (AA) and Caucasian ancestry.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, case-control study in a French national and European referral centre for pSS. All patients with pSS of AA were matched with two Caucasians patients having similar follow-up duration. We explored clinical and biological parameters associated with a cumulative EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (cumESSDAI ≥5) (consisting of individual clinESSDAI domain maximum throughout follow-up).

RESULTS

We identified 74 patients of AA matched with 148 Caucasian. Median age at pSS diagnosis was younger in AA patients (43 years (IQR 33-51) vs 56 years (44.8-59.2), p<0.001). AA patients presented higher median titre of gammaglobulins (18.5 g/L (IQR 15-22.8) vs 13.4 g/L (9.9-16.9), p<0.001), more frequently positive for anti-SSA (88% vs 72%, p=0.007) and anti-RNP (11% vs 2.7%, p=0.023) antibodies. During the follow-up (median: 6 years (IQR 2-11)), AA patients presented more systemic complications: arthritis, myositis, interstitial lung disease, lymphadenopathy, central nervous system involvement. Median cumESSDAI score was higher in AA patients (7.5 (IQR 3.2-16.0) vs 4.0 (IQR 2.0-9.0), p=0.002). Interestingly, in multivariate analyses, factors associated with disease activity were sub-Saharan AA (OR 2.65 (95% CI 1.06 to 6.94)), rheumatoid factor (OR 2.50 (95% CI 1.28 to 4.96)) and anti-RNP positivity (OR 11.1 (95% CI 1.88 to 212)).

CONCLUSION

Patients of AA display higher disease activity with a hallmark of higher B-cell activation. Studies to investigate biological drivers behind such differences are needed.

PD-1 inhibitor induces myocarditis by reducing regulatory T cells, activating inflammatory responses, promoting myocardial apoptosis and autophagy

The present study aimed to explore the pathogenesis of autoimmune myocarditis induced by PD-1 inhibitors and their potential therapeutic targets. Mouse models of autoimmune myocarditis induced by PD-1 inhibitor in mouse models of polymyositis were established. The expression level of PD-1 and regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD4, CD8 + T cells, inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy-related factors, including IL-6, TGF-β, AMA-M2, Fas/FasL, LC3 and p62 were detected in peripheral blood, muscle or myocardium of mice in each group, using ELISA, RT-PCR, Western Blot and immunofluorescence. In addition, HE and TUNEL staining and ultrastructural scanning were performed on the myocardium of mice in each group. Results showed that the expression level of PD-1 in the two myositis groups was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the level of PD-1 was lower in the myocarditis group than that in the polymyositis group. In the myocardium, TGF-β, p62, and Tregs proportion showed the same expression level trend as PD-1, while CD8, IL-6, IL-10 and LC3 showed the opposite trend. Levels of Fas/FasL were significantly higher in both myositis groups, but were slightly lower in the myocarditis group, as was AMA-M2. Inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy were observed in both myositis groups, but were more severe in the myocarditis group. In summary, the decreased expression level of PD-1 leads to decreased Tregs level in the myocardium, aggravated inflammatory response, apoptosis and autophagy, which may be the pathological mechanism of myocarditis induced by PD-1 inhibitors.

There are similarities between rheumatic disease with lung involvement and COVID-19 pneumonia

Introduction

There is considerable overlap between the clinical manifestations of covid-19 pneumonia and the acute interstitial lung disease seen in certain rheumatic disorders. In addition, pulmonary fibrosis is increasingly recognised as a potentially serious consequence of both.

Methods

This review explores this overlap of clinical features, risk factors and causation, offering insights into the immune mechanisms that contribute to both sets of disorders.

Results

The therapeutic role of immunosuppression and biologic agents in the treatment of covid-19 is explained in the light of this.

Discussion

We propose how lessons learned from the insights recently gained into each disorder can improve our insight into immunological mechanisms and application of therapeutic interventions in the other.

Coagulation Status and Venous Thromboembolism Risk in African Americans: A Potential Risk Factor in COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (COVID-19) is known to induce severe inflammation and activation of the coagulation system, resulting in a prothrombotic state. Although inflammatory conditions and organ-specific diseases have been shown to be strong determinants of morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19, it is unclear whether preexisting differences in coagulation impact the severity of COVID-19. African Americans have higher rates of COVID-19 infection and disease-related morbidity and mortality. Moreover, African Americans are known to be at a higher risk for thrombotic events due to both biological and socioeconomic factors. In this review, we explore whether differences in baseline coagulation status and medical management of coagulation play an important role in COVID-19 disease severity and contribute to racial disparity trends within COVID-19.