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Topic Review
Serum Biomarkers of Lung Fibrosis in Interstitial Pneumonia
Interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) belongs to a group of diseases called interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), which are disorders of a varied prognosis and course. Finding sufficiently specific and sensitive biomarkers would enable the progression to be predicted, the natural history to be monitored and patients to be stratified according to their treatment. 
  • 528
  • 24 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Management of Asthma in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic disorder characterized by peripheral eosinophilia, severe eosinophilic asthma, sinusitis, transient pulmonary infiltrates, and features of medium/small-vessel vasculitis. EGPA belongs to the group of anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides, although only 30 to 40% of patients display ANCA positivity, which is mainly of myeloperoxidase (MPO) specificity. Particularly, ANCA-positive patients typically show vasculitic features. Interleukin (IL)-5 has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in determining eosinophilic airway inflammation in EGPA patients. Specifically, maturation, activation, and survival of eosinophils especially depend on IL-5 availability. Therefore, blocking IL-5 biological activity may be a rewarding strategy for control of eosinophilic inflammation. Several monoclonal antibodies with the ability to interfere with the biological activity of IL-5 have been developed, namely, mepolizumab, reslizumab, and benralizumab.
  • 528
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Practical Significance of Biomarkers in Axial Spondyloarthritis
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can lead to ankylosis by secondary ossification of inflammatory lesions, with progressive disability and a significant impact on quality of life. It is also a risk factor for the occurrence of comorbidities, especially cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), mood disorders, osteoporosis, and malignancies. Early diagnosis and treatment are needed to prevent or decrease functional decline and to improve the patient’s prognosis. In respect of axSpA, there is an unmet need for biomarkers that can help to diagnose the disease, define disease activity and prognosis, and establish personalized treatment approaches. The aim was to summarize the available information regarding the most promising biomarkers for axSpA. It can be classified and identified six core categories of biomarkers: (i) systemic markers of inflammation; (ii) molecules involved in bone homeostasis; (iii) HLA-B27 and newer genetic biomarkers; (iv) antibody-based biomarkers; (v) microbiome biomarkers; and (vi) miscellaneous biomarkers. Unfortunately, despite efforts to validate new biomarkers, few of them are used in clinical practice; these studies provide useful data that could aid in better disease management.
  • 525
  • 04 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Treatment of Exocrine Gland Disease in pSS
Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease defined by exocrine gland hypofunction resulting in dry eyes and dry mouth.
  • 524
  • 22 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Type I Interferons in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by complex, heterogeneous clinical manifestations, involving the skin, vessels, kidneys and central nervous system. The disease course is also unpredictable, with remissions and flares that lead to cumulative organ damage and mortality. The female to male incidence of SLE varies with age, being approximately 1 during the first decade of life and peaks at 9 during the 4th decade, afflicting women of childbearing age.
  • 515
  • 16 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Role of Melatonin in Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic widespread pain syndrome that is accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, lack of concentration, and neurocognitive impairment. Melatonin is a low-molecular-weight indolamine (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) synthesized from the amino acid L-tryptophan, which is present in animals, plants, and even unicellular organisms. Melatonin is produced in the main cell of the pineal gland, the pinealocyte, and is controlled in mammals via ambient light.
  • 502
  • 24 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Anti-Arthritic and Anti-Cancer Activities of Polyphenols
Polyphenols have gained widespread attention as they are effective in the prevention and management of various diseases, including cancer diseases (CD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They are natural organic substances present in fruits, vegetables, and spices. Polyphenols interact with various kinds of receptors and membranes. They modulate different signal cascades and interact with the enzymes responsible for CD and RA. These interactions involve cellular machinery, from cell membranes to major nuclear components, and provide information on their beneficial effects on health.
  • 501
  • 09 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Osteokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteokines are secreted by bone cells that possess effects locally in bones and systemically in other tissues and organs. They have endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine actions. In bones, osteocytes and osteoblasts are responsible for the secretion of osteokines through stimulation of several events, such as the mechanical stress from physical exercise. Osteokines exert healthy effects in increasing post-contraction glucose uptake in muscles through an insulin-dependent mechanism, influencing muscle contractility and mitochondrial biogenesis in the interior of muscle cells, reversing the decline in muscle function through the aging process, controlling phosphate homeostasis, influencing free fatty acids oxidation to produce energy, and mediating the transport of glucose transporters-4 (GLUT-4) from the cytoplasm to cell membranes. Among unhealthy effects, some osteokines can lead to the destruction and suppression of ectopic calcification of bones in addition to dysregulations in energy and phosphate homeostasis.
  • 490
  • 08 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Percutaneous Delivery Systems for Anti-Rheumatic Sinomenine
The development of local percutaneous drug delivery systems can reduce the side effects of sinomenine (SIN) and enhance patient compliance. Many percutaneous drug delivery systems have thus been developed, including liposomes, hydrogels, and microneedles. In addition, some equipment-assisted percutaneous drug delivery methods were also used, such as electroporation and dual-frequency ultrasound.
  • 489
  • 27 Dec 2022
Topic Review
The Role of Interleukin-17 in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a cytokine family consisting of six members and five specific receptors. IL-17A was the first member to be identified in 1993. Since then, several studies have elucidated that IL-17 has predominantly pro-inflammatory activity and that its production is involved in both the defense against pathogens and the genesis of autoimmune processes.
  • 487
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Randomized Clinical Trials in Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex rare autoimmune disease with heterogeneous clinical manifestations, including vasculopathy, immune dysfunction, musculoskeletal inflammation, and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Cyclophosphamide (CYC) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) are the two most common drugs used for the treatment of SSc-ILD; their use is supported by randomized controlled trials (RCT) that demonstrated similar effective results, although MMF has less risk to fertility, favorable ease of follow-up, with a reduced risk of secondary malignancies. Nevertheless, the latest SSc-ILD treatment guidelines recommend CYC and hematopoietic stem cell transplant considering these therapeutic approaches are supported by completed RCTs
  • 481
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders Pain Management by Botulinum Toxin
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), a product of Clostridium botulinum, reversibly inhibits the presynaptic release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. In addition, BoNT blocks the transmission of other substances involved in pain perception and, together with a soft-tissue anti-inflammatory effect, may play a role in analgesia. When first-line treatment fails, second-line therapies might include BoNT. Studies on chronic and recurrent pain using different mechanisms offer heterogenous results that must be validated and standardized. Plantar fasciitis, severe knee osteoarthritis, painful knee and hip arthroplasty, antalgic muscular contractures, and neuropathic and myofascial pain syndromes may benefit from the administration of BoNT. 
  • 474
  • 13 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to joints. The possibility of influencing the disease through immunomodulation by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). There is an occurrence of rheumatoid factor and RA-specific autoantibodies to citrullinated proteins in most patients. Citrulline proteins have been identified in the joints of RA patients, and are considered to be the most suitable candidates for the stimulation of anti-citrulline protein antibodies production.
  • 473
  • 17 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Microalgae in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an invalidating chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation and progressive bone damage. Dietary intervention is an important component in the treatment of RA to mitigate oxidative stress, a major pathogenic driver of the disease. Alongside traditional sources of antioxidants, microalgae—a diverse group of photosynthetic prokaryotes and eukaryotes—are emerging as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory food supplements.
  • 471
  • 12 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease that affects nearly 3.41 million people globally, with 90% of the cases affecting women of childbearing age. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can reduce the pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase the anti-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, EVs can increase the levels of regulatory T cells, thus reducing inflammation. EVs also have the potential to regulate B cells to alleviate SLE and reduce its adverse effects. 
  • 470
  • 05 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Fatty Acids and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases. The prevalence of RA in the world ranges from 0.5% to 1.0%, with the predominant percentage being women. What is characteristic of RA is the appearance of pathological changes, which first occur in the joint lining. The B cells, macrophages and CD4+ helper T cells infiltrating the synovial stroma result in the spread of the synovium, which causes swelling and pain in the joints. For a long time, omega-3 FAs, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20: 5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22: 6n-3), have been regarded as factors with immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory properties. Although it is widely believed that omega-6 FAs have a proinflammatory effect, some data indicate their immunomodulatory potential. Therefore, the medium-chain omega-3 and omega-6 FAs ALA and LA, respectively, are essential nutrients for mammals, including humans.
  • 469
  • 17 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles in Renal Disease
Autoimmune diseases are rare conditions with high mortality and morbidity, particularly when the kidney is involved. Extracellular vesicles (EV) act as regulators of the inter-cellular signals and modulate the immune system. This review focus on the potential contribute of EV on the pathophysiology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), Thrombotic Microangiopathy, and ANCA-vasculitis. Of interest, EV were recognized as novel biomarkers of disease activity in APS and ANCA-vasculitis. EV are also involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, and particularly in the renal injury associated with the lupus nephritis. This implies that to explore EV for disease biomarker discovery and to investigate their potential as therapeutic targets in autoimmune diseases should be the future challenge.
  • 468
  • 27 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Parameters in Rheumatic Diseases
Multiple imaging techniques, such as ECG, ultrasound, and cIMT, as well as biomarkers like osteoprotegerin cytokine receptor and angiopoietin-2, can be beneficial in both CV risk prediction and in early subclinical diagnosis. Physical exercise is an essential non-pharmacological intervention that can maintain the health of the cardiovascular system and, additionally, influence the underlying disease. Lipid-lowering drugs (methotrexate from the non-biologic DMARDs family as well as biologic DMARDs such as anti-TNF) were all associated with a lower CV risk; however, anti-TNF medication can decrease cardiac compliance and promote heart failure in patients with previously diagnosed chronic HF. Although they achieved success rates in reducing inflammation, glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, and COX-2 inhibitors were correlated with an increased risk of CVD. When taking all of the aforementioned points into consideration, there appears to be a dire need to establish and implement CVD risk stratification models in rheumatic patients. 
  • 467
  • 07 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Inflammatory Cytokines in Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a persistent, inflammatory disease that affects individuals with psoriasis, arthritis, and enthesitis. Inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-23 (IL-23), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) play a pivotal role in both the onset and progression of PsA. These cytokines are generated by activated immune cells and stimulate the attraction of inflammatory cells to the synovium and joint tissues, resulting in the deterioration of cartilage and bone. 
  • 465
  • 25 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Anti-DFS70 in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
The diagnosis of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD) or its exclusion is carried out taking into account the results of immunological studies, primarily antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and specific autoantibodies. Often, during ANA analysis via indirect immunofluorescence reaction on cellular and tissue substrates, a dense fine speckled 70 (DFS70) fluorescence pattern is observed.
  • 449
  • 30 Jan 2024
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