Altered expression of miR-125a and dysregulated cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus: Unveiling diagnostic and prognostic markers

T Cell-Targeting Nanotherapies for Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Specifically, atherosclerosis is a primary cause of acute cardiac events. However, current therapies mainly focus on lipid-lowering versus addressing the underlying inflammatory response that leads to its development and progression. Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery offers a promising approach for targeting and regulating these inflammatory responses. In atherosclerotic lesions, inflammatory cascades result in increased T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 activity and reduced T regulatory activation. The regulation of T cell responses is critical in preventing the inflammatory imbalance in atherosclerosis, making them a key therapeutic target for nanotherapy to achieve precise atherosclerosis treatment. By functionalizing nanoparticles with targeting modalities, therapeutic agents can be delivered specifically to immune cells in atherosclerotic lesions. In this Review, we outline the role of T cells in atherosclerosis, examine current nanotherapeutic strategies for targeting T cells and modulating their differentiation, and provide perspectives for the development of nanoparticles specifically tailored to target T cells for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Genetic and epigenetic factors shape phenotypes and outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus - focus on juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe autoimmune/inflammatory disease. Patients with juvenile disease-onset and those of non-European ancestry are most severely affected. While the exact pathophysiology remains unknown, common and rare gene variants in the context of environmental exposure and epigenetic alterations are involved. This manuscript summarizes the current understanding of genetic and epigenetic contributors to SLE risk, manifestations and outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Though SLE is a mechanistically complex disease, we are beginning to understand the impact of rare and common gene variants on disease expression and associated outcomes. Recent trans -ancestral and multigenerational studies suggest that differential genetic and environmental impacts shape phenotypic variability between age-groups and ancestries. High genetic burden associates with young age at disease-onset, organ involvement, and severity. Additional epigenetic impact contributes to disease-onset and severity, including SLE-phenotypes caused by rare single gene variants. Studies aiming to identify predictors of organ involvement and disease outcomes promise future patient stratification towards individualized treatment and care.

SUMMARY

An improved understanding of genetic variation and epigenetic marks explain phenotypic differences between age-groups and ancestries, promising their future exploitation for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic considerations.