Accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases

Accelerated atherosclerosis in Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis: case report

Accelerated atherosclerosis has been identified as a complication of multiple autoimmune diseases, among which Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis stands out. We describe the case of a 60-year-old patient with a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology, who presented two acute coronary syndromes with only a six-month difference. Rapid progression of coronary involvement was evidenced, along with increased markers of inflammatory response, usual interstitial pneumonia on tomography, and positive anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies (anti-MPO), leading to the diagnosis of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). In these cases, timely diagnostic suspicion is crucial, as early treatment significantly impacts the course and prognosis of the disease.

Adult and childhood vasculitis

Vasculitis refers to heterogeneous clinicopathologic disorders that share the histopathology of inflammation of blood vessels. Unrecognized and therefore untreated, vasculitis of the nervous system leads to pervasive injury and disability, making this a disorder of paramount importance to all clinicians. There has been remarkable progress in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of primary CNS and PNS vasculitides, predicated on achievement in primary systemic forms. Primary neurological vasculitides can be diagnosed with assurance after intensive evaluation that incudes tissue confirmation whenever possible. Clinicians must choose from among the available immune modulating, suppressive, and targeted immunotherapies to induce and maintain remission status and prevent relapse, unfortunately without the benefit of RCTs, and tempered by the recognition of anticipated medication side effects. It may be said that efforts to define a disease are attempts to understand the very concept of the disease. This has been especially evident in systemic and neurological disorders associated with vasculitis. For the past 100 years, since the first description of granulomatous angiitis of the brain, the CNS vasculitides have captured the attention of generations of clinical investigators around the globe to reach a better understanding of vasculitides involving the central and peripheral nervous system. Since that time it has become increasingly evident that this will necessitate an international collaborative effort.

Serum/plasma homocysteine levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Published studies have shown contradictory results in the association of serum/plasma levels of homocysteine (HCY) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study is to systematically evaluate the association of serum/plasma HCY levels in SLE. A search was done using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases up to 7 April 2019. Thirty-six articles including 2919 SLE patients and 3120 healthy controls were finally included in this meta-analysis. The HCY levels were significantly higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). The subgroup analysis revealed that Asian, African, Arab, Mixed, White and others as well as ages (< 35 and ≥ 35) had significant higher HCY levels in SLE patients than in the healthy controls. The study indicated that patients with disease activity index scores < 8 (P < 0.001) and ≥ 8 (P = 0.003) of SLE had significant higher HCY levels as compared with the healthy controls. It was also revealed that disease duration in SLE patients for < 10 and ≥ 10 years (P < 0.001) had significant higher HCY levels as compared with the healthy controls. A significant higher HCY level for body mass index (< 23 and ≥ 23) was found as well as measurement type in SLE patients than healthy controls. This meta-analysis demonstrated higher HCY levels in patients with SLE than healthy controls, suggesting a possible role of HCY in the disease.Key Points• Homocysteine (HCY) is closely related to the mechanisms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).• This study reveals a significant correlation between HCY levels and the various indexes of disease activity.• This study reveals that medication may influence HCY levels in SLE.• This study also discovers that the subgroup analysis of all the factors influences the HCY levels in SLE patients.

Treatment of Vasculitis of the Nervous System

The diagnosis of primary central and peripheral nerve vasculitides should be established with certainty if suspected before commencing potent immunosuppressive therapy. The aim of induction therapy is to rapidly control the underlying inflammatory response and stabilize the blood-brain and blood-nerve barriers, followed by maintenance immunosuppression tailored to the likeliest humoral and cell-mediated autoimmune inflammatory vasculitic processes.

Endothelial dysfunction in patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare form of vasculitis associated with asthma and eosinophilia. Endothelial dysfunction has been well documented in other types of vasculitis but not in EGPA. Thirty patients (10 men and 20 women) diagnosed with EGPA and remaining in a remission, and 58 controls (24 men and 34 women) matched for age, sex, and body mass index, were enrolled in the study. We assessed each participants for typical risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and measured serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and thrombomodulin. We also measured flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery using ultrasonography. Patients with EGPA had 20% higher serum level of VCAM-1 (p < 0.001) and 41.9% of thrombomodulin (p < 0.001). They also had 38.8% lower relative increase of FMD (FMD%) (p < 0.001), indicating endothelial dysfunction. These differences remained significant also after adjustment for potential confounders. Laboratory and ultrasonographic parameters of endothelial injury were correlated to the markers of inflammation and impaired kidney function. Determinants of lower FMD% in a simple regression model were pack-years of smoking (β = - 0.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) - 0.5 to - 0.1]), serum level of IL-6 (β = - 0.36 [95% CI - 0.62 to - 0.1]), and thrombomodulin (β = - 0.34 [95% CI - 0.6 to - 0.08]). EGPA patients are characterized by inflammatory endothelial injury that is likely related to the pathogenesis of the disease. Proper immunosuppressive treatment is the best method to prevent atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular events, the patients may also benefit from additional preventive interventions.

Endothelial dysfunction in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a case-control study

Background

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare granulomatous vasculitis affecting small- and medium-sized blood vessels. In optimally treated patients with long-standing disease, the common cause of death is atherosclerosis even in the absence of typical risk factors.

Objective

To evaluate endothelial dysfunction in GPA patients.

Methods

44 patients (21 men and 23 women) diagnosed with GPA and 53 controls matched for age, sex, BMI and typical risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (22 men and 31 women) were enrolled in the study. We measured each participant’s serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and thrombomodulin. We also studied flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery, intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery and aortic stiffness using echocardiography.

Results

Patients with GPA showed a 15.9% increase in serum levels of VCAM-1 (p = 0.01), 66% of IL-6 (p < 0.001) and 50.9% of thrombomodulin (p < 0.001) compared to controls. FMD% was 48.9% lower in patients with GPA in comparison to controls (p < 0.001), after adjustment for potential confounders, with no differences regarding IMT or aortic stiffness. FMD% was negatively associated with duration of the disease (β = − 0.18 [95% CI: − 0.32 to − 0.04]), C-reactive protein (β = − 0.17 [95% CI: − 0.27 to − 0.07]), IL-6 (β = − 0.29 [95% CI: − 0.39 to − 0.19]), blood creatinine level (β = − 0.2 [95% CI: − 0.3 to − 0.1]), and IMT (β = − 0.14 (− 0.24 to − 0.04). In a multiple linear regression model, kidney function, IMT, pack-years of smoking, diabetes and level of VCAM-1 were independent predictors of lower FMD%.

Conclusion

GPA is characterized by endothelial dysfunction. FMD is a useful tool for the detection of endothelial injury.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00296-018-4061-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Hyperhomocysteinemia: a cardiovascular risk factor in autoimmune diseases?

Epidemiological studies conducted over the past 25 years have provided ample support for the association of mild hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) with an elevated risk of atherothrombosis. Since autoimmune disorders (AD) are frequently associated with relevant and early signs of atherothrombotic damage not adequately explained by the traditional risk factors involved in the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a large interest has been shown to the putative role of mild HHcy in this setting. On the basis of such considerations, we focused the attention on the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) and CVD in patients affected with autoimmune diseases, reviewing the most recent literature data and also providing our original experience. Although the large amount of available studies clearly shows that HHcy represents a common finding in patients affected with several autoimmune diseases, the actual role of Hcy in the development of CVD in the course of AD is not clear yet, perhaps, with the only exception of the systemic lupus erythematosus. In the other conditions, the role of Hcy in the pathogenesis of vascular complications is still a matter of debate, as the result of conflicting reports and/or lack of an adequate body of investigation. Lupus (2007) 16, 852—862.

Progress in treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis

Autoantibodies to neutrophil cytoplasmic antigen-associated vasculitis (AAV) is characterised by inflammation of blood vessels. The introduction of immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide transformed AAV from a fatal condition to a largely treatable condition. Over the past 30 years, considerable progress has been made refining immunosuppressive regimens with a focus on minimising toxicity. There is, however, a high unmet need in the treatment of AAV. A proportion of patients are refractory to current therapies; 50% experience a relapse within 5 years and treatment toxicity contributes to mortality and chronic disability. As knowledge of the pathogenesis of vasculitis grows, it is mirrored by the availability of biological agents, which herald a revolution in the treatment of vasculitis. Lymphocyte-targeted and cytokine-targeted agents have been evaluated for the treatment of AAV and are entering the routine therapeutic arena with the potential to improve patient outcomes. As rare diseases, treatment advances in vasculitis depend on international collaborative research networks both to establish an evidence base for newer agents and to develop recommendations for patient management.

Survival of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis diagnosed in Finland in 1981-2000

OBJECTIVE

To determine the survival of and contributing factors in patients diagnosed with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) between 1981 and 2000 in Finland.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study using hospital discharge registers with a review of hospital case records. Analysis of causes of death in Finland up to 30 July 2005.

RESULTS

A total of 492 patients received a verified diagnosis of WG between 1981 and 2000. Of these, 203 died before the end of June 2005. The overall 1-year survival rate was 83.3% and the 5-year survival rate was 74.2%. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for all WG patients was 3.43 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.98-3.94], for women 4.38 (95% CI 3.59-5.61) and for men 2.80 (95% CI 2.28-3.41). The most frequent causes of death were WG or another connective tissue disease, cardiovascular events and neoplasms. The prognosis did not change markedly over the 20-year period. Older age and elevated creatinine level at presentation were associated with poorer prognosis, whereas primary ear, nose, and throat (ENT) involvement and prompt treatment with cyclophosphamide predicted longer survival.

CONCLUSIONS

WG patients had increased mortality compared with the rest of the population. Older age and elevated creatinine level at diagnosis predicted poor prognosis, but ENT involvement initially and cyclophosphamide treatment resulted in a better outcome.

Increased incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides: a matched-pair cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides (AAVs) and to assess contributing risk factors.

METHODS

In a retrospective matched-pair cohort study, 113 of 131 patients with AAVs from a vasculitis clinic registry were matched 1:1 for renal function, age at diagnosis, sex, smoking status, and previous history of a cardiovascular disease to patients with noninflammatory chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cardiovascular events were defined as acute coronary syndrome, new-onset angina, symptomatic peripheral vascular disease, stroke, and transient ischemic attack.

RESULTS

Median followup times were 3.4 years for the AAV patients and 4.2 years for the CKD patients. More cardiovascular events occurred in the AAV group (23 of 113) than in the CKD group (16 of 113). Cox regression survival analysis showed a significantly increased risk of a cardiovascular event for AAV patients, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.23 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.1-4.4) (P = 0.017). Within the cohort of AAV patients, the most strongly predictive factors were previous history of cardiovascular disease (HR 4 [95% CI 1.7-9.8]), history of dialysis dependency (HR 4.3 [95% CI 1.5-12.1]), ever having smoked (HR 3.9 [95% CI 1.5-10]), age at diagnosis (HR 1.038 [95% CI 1.006-1.072]), estimated glomerular filtration rate at remission (HR 0.977 [95% CI 0.957-0.998]), and serum cholesterol concentration at presentation (HR 0.637 [95% CI 0.441-0.92]).

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective study, patients with AAVs appear at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, with increased risk in those with a previous history of cardiovascular disease, dialysis dependency, poor renal function at remission, or a history of smoking. Measures to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease should be integral to the management of systemic vasculitis.

Is inflammatory bowel disease a risk factor for early atherosclerosis?

OBJECTIVES

Chronic inflammatory diseases are associated with an accelerated atherosclerotic process. Recent studies have discussed whether inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) can predict early atherosclerosis. We investigated this possibility.

METHODS

The study consisted of IBD cases (group 1, n = 40) and healthy persons (group 2, n = 40). The IBD group was selected so as not to have vascular disease or the presence of established major cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

Group 1 cases showed a significant increase in carotid intima media thickness (cIMT; P = .01). Carotid artery stiffness was impaired in group 1 (P = .03) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and homocysteine (Hyc) were higher in group 1 patients (P = .02, P = .03, P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory bowel disease patients have an increased risk of early atherosclerosis as shown by greater values of cIMT, carotid artery stiffness, Hyc, hsCRP, and insulin resistance.

Autoimmunity and heart diseases: pathogenesis and diagnostic criteria

Autoimmunity may evolve in predisposed individuals following an exogenous trigger. Autoimmunity is affected by genetic, immune, hormonal, and environmental factors. Immune mechanisms in heart diseases are complex and often not completely understood. Several cardiac disorders are believed to be mediated by an immune reaction. Both humoral and cellular immunity are associated with the development of myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, rheumatic fever, and atherosclerosis. Here the diagnostic criteria and autoimmune aspects of autoimmune-mediated cardiac disorders are reviewed. New diagnostic criteria for "autoimmune dilated cardiomyopathy" were recently suggested by the authors. They presume that establishing a dominant autoimmune etiology in some patients will have clinical significance because these patients will potentially gain the greatest benefit from immunosuppressive and immunomodulating treatments.

Advanced glycation and lipoxidation end products--amplifiers of inflammation: the role of food

BACKGROUND

High levels of glycated and lipoxidated proteins and peptides in the body are repeatedly associated with chronic diseases. These molecules are strongly associated with activation of a specific receptor called RAGE and a long-lasting exaggerated level of inflammation in the body.

METHODS

PubMed reports over 5000 papers plus >13,500 articles about the related HbA(1c), most of them published in the past 5 years. Most of the available abstracts have been read and approximately 800 full papers have been studied.

RESULTS

RAGE, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell surface molecules and receptor for advanced glycation end products, known since 1992, functions as a master switch, induces sustained activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB), suppresses a series of endogenous autoregulatory functions, and converts long-lasting proinflammatory signals into sustained cellular dysfunction and disease. Its activation is associated with high levels of dysfunctioning proteins in body fluids and tissues, and is strongly associated with a series of diseases from allergy and Alzheimers to rheumatoid arthritis and urogenital disorders. Heat treatment, irradiation, and ionization of foods increase the content of dysfunctioning molecules.

CONCLUSIONS

More than half of the studies are performed in diabetes and chronic renal diseases; there are few studies in other diseases. Most of our knowledge is based on animal studies and in vitro studies. These effects are worth further exploration both experimentally and clinically. An avoidance of foods rich in deranged proteins and peptides, and the consumption of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, seem to counteract such a development.

Validity of a patient-derived system of tissue-specific human endothelial cells: interleukin-6 as a surrogate marker in the coronary system

The aim of our study was to evaluate the relevance of tissue- and species-specific endothelial cells (EC) to study EC-dependent mechanisms in inflammatory-mediated tissue injury. We established an isolation protocol for highly purified EC (pEC) preparations of different origin and compared EC-specific inflammatory responses. Fluorescence-activated cell separation was used to obtain pEC cultures from different human arterial (coronary artery, internal thoracic artery) and venous (umbilical vein, saphenous vein) vessels. All pEC were analyzed for growth kinetics, morphology, release of cytokines/chemokines, and expression of E-selectin. For all different EC cultures, purities of ≥99% were reproducibly achieved. The EC isolation did not affect EC growth, morphology, and function. However, characterization of pEC from different vessel materials revealed an intrinsic, tissue-specific functional heterogeneity of EC cultures. Despite an arterial and venous difference in the secretion of IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, especially EC from coronary arteries produced significantly more IL-6 compared with other EC types, independent of age, gender, and disease of the cell donors. In contrast, the expression of E-selectin was not affected. We conclude that the proposed isolation protocol allows the generation of a pEC bank, enabling us to study tissue-specific aspects at the level of the endothelium.

Hyperhomocysteinemia, inflammation and autoimmunity

Hyperhomocysteinemia is independently associated with the development of coronary, cerebral and peripheral vascular disease and deep-vein thrombosis in the general population. The evidence that cardiovascular involvement is particularly frequent and advanced in patients affected with several autoimmune diseases (AD), in which hyperhomocysteinemia represent a common finding, led to an intensive investigation on homocysteine (Hcy) as a putative risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease in such subjects. Indeed, recent data intriguingly expanded the spectrum of the possible pathogenetic implications for hyperhomocysteinemia in the course of AD. In fact, a bi-directional link seems to connect Hcy and the immuno-inflammatory activation characterizing AD, in which immuno-inflammatory activation may contribute to Hcy increase, and Hcy, in its turn, may act as a pro-inflammatory and immuno-stimulating molecule putatively cooperating to the injury of the disease-specific target organs, at least in rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Moreover, Hcy may be also a trigger of autoimmune reactions through its capability to bind and structurally modify specific proteins, then resulting in neoantigens formation potentially relevant either in the onset of specific AD and in the progression of the associated cardiovascular damage. More investigation is necessary to fully define the clinical relevance of such phenomena.