International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases最新文献

Osteoarthritis is a systemic disease that primarily damages articular cartilage and also affects the synovium, ligaments, and bone tissues. The key mechanisms involved are chondrocyte death and degradation of the extracellular matrix. This study aims to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with ferroptosis and investigate their roles in the development of osteoarthritis. We used several methods, such as transcriptomic data analysis, gene enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction network construction, animal model experiments, and immune cell infiltration analysis. Our examination of the GSE114007 dataset uncovered 2614 DEGs, including 1300 that were upregulated and 1314 that were downregulated. From these, we identified eight ferroptosis-related DEGs (FRGs-DEGs). Functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes are significant for cellular migration and tissue remodeling. They are particularly involved in the HIF-1 and PPAR signaling pathways. Additionally, our immune cell infiltration analysis indicated an increase in M0 and M2 macrophages in osteoarthritis samples, while levels of eosinophils and memory B cells were notably decreased. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified GJA1, TIMP Metallopeptidase Inhibitor 1 (TIMP1), and DPP4 as potential biomarkers for osteoarthritis diagnosis, with area under the curve of 0.91, 0.85, and 0.83, respectively. Moreover, RT-qPCR validation in an osteoarthritis rat model confirmed the upregulation of TIMP1, supporting our bioinformatics results. In summary, our study identifies key FRGs-DEGs and their potential roles in osteoarthritis. This research provides new insights into the disease's molecular mechanisms and suggests innovative therapeutic targets for clinical intervention. Future research should aim to include larger patient cohorts and clinical validation to improve the applicability of these findings.

Background: Airway inflammation is considered one of the pathogenic factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the role of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the development of RA remains unclear. We used cross-sectional studies and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the link between COPD and RA.

Methods: In National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2018, the association between COPD and RA was investigated using weighted logistic regression models. We also used subgroup analysis and interaction tests to explore the relationship between COPD and RA in populations with different clinical characteristics. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary method of MR analysis for investigating the causal effect of exposure on outcome.

Results: After adjusting for smoking history and other variables, weighted logistic regression analysis of 14 768 participants indicated that COPD is associated with an increased odds of developing RA (OR = 1.899, p < 0.001). Interaction tests showed that there is an interaction with this relationship concerning gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and hypercholesterolemia (p < 0.05). MR analysis showed a causal relationship between COPD and increased odds of RA (OR = 1.072, p = 0.008). Multivariable MR analysis, adjusted for smoking, also yielded the same result (OR = 1.071, p = 0.024).

Conclusion: Our study suggests that COPD may have a potential causal role in the development of RA. Further research is needed to validate our findings.

The APLAR has published a set of recommendations on the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 2021. The current consensus paper supplements and updates specifically the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN) according to two rounds of Delphi exercise from members of the APLAR SLE special interest group, invited nephrologists, histopathologists, and lupus nephritis patients. For initial treatment of LN, we recommend a combination of glucocorticoids (GCs) with cyclophosphamide (CYC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), or the calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) as first-line options. An upfront combination of immunosuppressive drugs and the biological agents may be considered in patients at significant risk of disease progression and renal function deterioration. Switching or "add-on" among different immunosuppressive agents, including biological agents, may be considered for refractory disease. Subsequent/maintenance therapy of LN should continue for at least 3 years to reduce the risk of renal flares. Lower dose MMF and azathioprine are options, but MMF maintenance should follow induction by the same drug. Prednisolone or equivalent should be maintained at a dose of 5 mg/day or less. The APLAR consensus for the management of LN includes recommendations for adjunctive therapies, monitoring and treatment of LN-related co-morbidities, and renal replacement therapies. It is hoped that this consensus paper can provide an evidence-based and pragmatic approach to the management of LN, taking into account the evidence level of therapies in Asian patients, cost-effectiveness, and differences in health care resources and reimbursement policies in the Asia-Pacific region.