Working Towards a Treat-to-Target Protocol in Juvenile Proliferative Lupus Nephritis - A Survey of Pediatric Rheumatologists and Nephrologists in Germany and Austria

[Protocols in pediatric rheumatology (PROKIND): treat-to-target in polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis]

BACKGROUND

The aims of the PROKIND protocols are improvement and harmonization of the diagnostics, monitoring, treatment decision and prognosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This article reports the results of a prospective treat-to-target observational study of patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) during the first year of treatment. Disease activity was assessed with the 10-joint juvenile arthritis disease activity score (JADAS-10), functional limitation with the childhood health assessment questionnaire disability index (CHAQ-DI) and with information on overall well-being, on pain, on fatigue and on global estimation of disease activity.

RESULTS

Overall, 129 patients with polyarticular JIA (rheumatoid factor, RF, positive (+) polyarthritis n = 22, RF negative (-) polyarthritis n = 133 from 23 pediatric rheumatology institutions in Germany and Austria were recruited. Patients with initial treatment with methotrexate formed cohort 1, patients with additional repeated intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy formed cohort 2 and patients with concomitant intra-articular corticosteroid administration in at least 5 joints formed cohort 3. The mean JADAS10 showed a decrease in disease activity from 16.4 ± 6.1 to 2.8 ± 3.6 and the decrease in the CHAQ-DI from 1.0 ± 0.8 to 0.3 ± 0.5 showed the improvement in functional capacity. Similarly, improvements in quality of life, pain and fatigue were demonstrable. A JADAS inactive disease was achieved by 18.1% at month 3, 47.7% at month 6 and 66.7% at month 12. In cohort 1 a JADAS remission was achieved by 72.4%, by 50% in cohort 2 and by 69.2% in cohort 3. An escalation to treatment with biologics was necessary in 38% of patients in cohort 1, 60% in cohort 2 and 46% in cohort 3.

CONCLUSION

Using a treat-to-target approach a dramatic improvement in disease activity, functional capacity and quality of life in polyarticular JIA could be achieved. Even after 12 months an inactive disease was achieved in the majority of cases.

Potential regulatory role of the Nrf2/HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in lupus nephritis

OBJECTIVES

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that involves multiple organ systems. One of its major complications, lupus nephritis (LN), is associated with a high mortality rate, and children-onset LN have a more severe course and worse prognosis than adults. Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses are involved in LN development and pathogenesis. Thus, this study aimed to explore the role of signaling regulation of the Nrf2/HMGB1/TLR/NF-κB pathway in LN pathogenesis and unravel the expression of TLR4+CXCR4+ plasma cells subset (PCs) in LN.

METHODS

C57BL/6 and MRL/lpr mice were divided into four groups: control, model, vector control, and Nrf2 overexpression groups. The vector control and Nrf2 overexpression groups were injected with adenoviral vectors into the kidney in situ. Pathological changes in kidney tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression of Nrf2, HMGB1, TLR4, NF-κB, and downstream inflammatory factors in kidney samples was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ratios of TLR4+CXCR4+ PC subsets in the blood and kidneys of mice were determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In MRL/lpr mice, Nrf2 was downregulated while HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway proteins were upregulated. Nrf2 overexpression decreased the expression of HMGB1, TLR4, NF-κB, and its downstream inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα). These cytokines were negatively correlated with an increase in Nrf2 content. PC and TLR4 + CXCR4 + PCs in the blood and kidney samples were significantly increased in MRL/lpr mice; however, they were decreased upon Nrf2 overexpression.

CONCLUSION

This study showed severe kidney injury in an LN mouse model and an increased ratio of TLR4 + CXCR4 + PCs. Furthermore, we observed that Nrf2 regulates LN immune response through the Nrf2/HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, which can be considered an important target for LN treatment. The clinical value of the findings of our study requires further investigation.

Gathering expert consensus to inform a proposed trial in chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO)

Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is an autoinflammatory bone disease that primarily affects children and adolescents. CNO is associated with pain, bone swelling, deformity, and fractures. Its pathophysiology is characterized by increased inflammasome assembly and imbalanced expression of cytokines. Treatment is currently based on personal experience, case series and resulting expert recommendations. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not been initiated because of the rarity of CNO, expired patent protection of some medications, and the absence of agreed outcome measures. An international group of fourteen CNO experts and two patient/parent representatives was assembled to generate consensus to inform and conduct future RCTs. The exercise delivered consensus inclusion and exclusion criteria, patent protected (excludes TNF inhibitors) treatments of immediate interest (biological DMARDs targeting IL-1 and IL-17), primary (improvement of pain; physician global assessment) and secondary endpoints (improved MRI; improved PedCNO score which includes physician and patient global scores) for future RCTs in CNO.