記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and effectiveness of baricitinib treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in real-world clinical practice. METHODS: This ongoing all-case post-marketing surveillance study (starting September 2017) includes all patients with RA treated with baricitinib in Japan. Safety and effectiveness (disease activity) were assessed for 24 weeks. RESULTS: Safety analyses to February 2021 included 4731 patients (initial baricitinib dose: 4 mg/day, n = 3058; 2 mg/day, n = 1661; other, n = 12); 1059 (22.38%) were ≥75 years and 3362 (71.06%) previously received biologic therapy. The overall observational period was 1863.14 patient-years; 1174 (24.82%) patients discontinued baricitinib before Week 24, mostly for lack of effectiveness (n = 478; 10.10%). Adverse events occurred in 1271 (26.87%) patients [serious: 203 (4.29%); death: 18 (0.38%)]. The incidence of herpes zoster, hepatic function disorder, and serious infection was 3.09%, 2.77%, and 1.90%, respectively. Malignancy occurred in 17 patients (0.36%) and major adverse cardiovascular events in seven patients (0.15%). Among patients with effectiveness data, at least 26.57% (Boolean) achieved remission at Week 24. CONCLUSIONS: This large nationwide surveillance study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of 24 weeks of baricitinib for RA in real-world clinical practice. Continued surveillance of long-term safety is ongoing.

DOI： 10.1093/mr/roac089

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Objectives Chronic progressive neuro-Behcet's disease (CPNB) is characterized by progressive deterioration leading to disability. Methotrexate (MTX) has been shown to have beneficial effects on CPNB. However, while infliximab has been found to be effective for patients with inadequate responses to MTX, the appropriate timing for the introduction of infliximab remains unclear. We explored the effects of intervals before the introduction of infliximab on the functional outcome. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for patients with CPNB who received infliximab and were followed up until October 2015. Functional disability was rated by the Steinbrocker functional classification as used in rheumatoid arthritis. Correlations between the outcomes and intervals before the introduction of infliximab were then analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation test. Patients Eleven patients with CPNB (8 men, 3 women, age 35.2±9.3 years old [mean±standard deviation]) who met the international classification criteria for Behcet's disease were included. Results All 11 patients had received MTX prior to infliximab. The intervals from the onset to the introduction of infliximab and the follow-up periods were 26.6±35.1 months and 65.2±43.6 months [mean±standard deviation], respectively. Among the 11 patients, 2 still showed progression after the introduction of infliximab. The functional disability grades after infliximab treatment were significantly correlated with the intervals from the onset of CPNB to the introduction of infliximab (r=0.6177, p=0.0476). Conclusion The results indicate that the delayed introduction of infliximab leads to irreversible functional disability in CPNB. Thus, it is recommended that infliximab be administered as soon as possible for CPNB patients with inadequate responses to MTX.

DOI： 10.2169/internalmedicine.1969-23

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出版者・発行元：Research Square Platform LLC  

Abstract

We conducted a Japanese GWAS for systemic sclerosis (SSc) comprising 1,428 cases and 112,599 controls, the largest Asian GWAS for SSc ever, and identified three novel signals. The lead SNP in FCGR/FCRL region had a strong effect size (OR 2.05, P = 4.9×10⁻¹¹). The complete LD SNP, rs10917688, was found in a cis-regulatory element and a part of binding motifs for IRF8. IRF8 was a significant locus in the European GWAS and rs10917688 showed an association only in the presence of the risk allele of IRF8 in Japanese. rs10917688 was marked with H3K4me1 in primary B cells, and the heritability was enriched in active histone marks of primary B cells. A meta-analysis with the latest European GWAS found additional 30 significant loci including three novel signals. PRS constructed with the effect sizes of the meta-analysis indicated potential portability of genetic associations beyond populations (AUC: 0.593). The fitting of PRS was improved by further prioritizing the top 5% SNPs of IRF8 biding sites in B cells, underscoring common genetic architecture across populations and critical roles of B cells and IRF8 for SSc development.

DOI： 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2712663/v1

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その他リンク： https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-2712663/v1.html

掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Elsevier BV  

DOI： 10.1016/s2665-9913(23)00070-x

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), an intractable disease with a poor prognosis, is commonly treated using pulmonary vasodilators modulating the endothelin, cGMP, and prostacyclin pathway. Since the 2010s, drugs for treating pulmonary hypertension based on mechanisms other than pulmonary vasodilation have been actively developed. However, precision medicine is based on tailoring disease treatment to particular phenotypes by molecular-targeted drugs. Since interleukin-6 (IL-6) is involved in the development of PAH in animal models, and some patients with PAH have elevated IL-6 levels, the cytokine is expected to obtain potentials for therapeutic targeting. Accordingly, we identified a phenotype with elevated cytokine activity of the IL-6 family in the PAH population by combining case data extracted from the Japan Pulmonary Hypertension Registry with a comprehensive analysis of 48 cytokines using artificial intelligence clustering techniques. Including an IL-6 threshold ≥2.73 pg/mL as inclusion criteria for reducing the risk of insufficient efficacy, an investigator-initiated clinical study using satralizumab, a recycling anti-IL6 receptor monoclonal antibody, for patients with an immune-responsive phenotype is underway. This study is intended to test whether use of patient biomarker profile can identify a phenotype responsive to anti-IL6 therapy.

DOI： 10.1002/pul2.12251

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Fostamatinib, a spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in the United States, Canada and some European countries. We conducted a phase 3, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fostamatinib in Japanese patients with primary ITP. Thirty-four patients were randomised to fostamatinib (n = 22) or placebo (n = 12) at 100-150 mg twice a day for 24 weeks. Stable responses (platelet ≥50 000/μl at ≥4 of the 6 visits from weeks 14 to 24) were observed in eight (36%) patients on fostamatinib and in none of the patients on placebo (p = 0.030). Overall responses (platelet ≥50 000/μl at ≥1 of the 6 visits from weeks 2 to 12) were seen in 10 (45%) patients on fostamatinib and in none of the patients on placebo (p = 0.006). Patients on fostamatinib required rescue medication less often and experienced fewer bleeding symptoms than patients on placebo. Adverse events observed were mild or moderate and were manageable. No new safety signals were identified in Japanese patients with ITP.

DOI： 10.1111/bjh.18582

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop clinical guidelines for the management of vascular Behçet's disease (VBD) by the Behçet's Disease Research Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of the Japanese Government. METHODS: A task force proposed clinical questions (CQs) concerning VBD, based on a literature search. After screening, draft recommendations were developed for each CQ and brushed up in three blinded Delphi rounds, leading to the final recommendations. RESULTS: This study provides recommendations for 17 clinical questions concerning diagnosis and differential diagnoses, assessment of disease activity, and treatment. The guidelines recommend immunosuppressive treatments, for both arterial and venous involvement with active inflammation. Anticoagulation is also recommended for deep vein thrombosis except in high-risk patients. Surgical and endovascular therapies can be optional, particularly in patients with urgent arterial lesions undergoing immunosuppression. In addition, two sets of algorithms for diagnosis and treatment are shown for arterial and venous involvement. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations are expected to serve as useful tools in the daily clinical practice of Behçet's diseaseThis content has already been published in Japanese in the Guideline for the management of Behçet's disease 2020 and is submitted with permission from both the primary and secondary publishers.

DOI： 10.1093/mr/road002

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掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1002/pul2.12198

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その他リンク： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/pul2.12198

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common complication of connective tissue diseases (CTD), but there are few clinical trials to guide disease management. We aimed to develop expert consensus statements and an algorithm for CTD-ILD management. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Based on a targeted literature review, we developed 109 statements on managing CTD-ILD across six domains. We used a modified Delphi process to survey 22 physicians in Japan involved in managing CTD-ILD (specialists in pulmonology, rheumatology, pathology, and radiology). These panelists participated in two rounds of web-based survey to establish consensus statements, which were used to define an algorithm. Consensus was defined as a mean value ≥70 on a scale of 0 (strong disagreement) to 100 (strong agreement). RESULTS: Between May-August 2022, consensus was reached on 93 statements on CTD-ILD management. The most important consensus statements included screening CTD patients for ILD (typically with high-resolution computed tomography), using imaging, pulmonary function testing and serum biomarkers for diagnosis and severity assessment, regularly following up patients, and multidisciplinary management of CTD-ILD. Consensus statements were interpreted into an algorithm for clinical guidance. CONCLUSIONS: Using the Delphi process, we have developed consensus statements and an algorithm to guide clinical decision-making for CTD-ILD.

DOI： 10.1080/17476348.2023.2176303

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掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Medical Association of Nippon Medical School  

DOI： 10.1272/jnms.jnms.2022_89-604

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Liver cirrhosis (LC) involves B cells that produce anti-glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antibodies, found in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The role of autoimmunity in the pathology of thrombocytopenia in LC was investigated using 25 LC patients with thrombocytopenia, 18 ITP patients, and 30 healthy controls. Anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody-producing B cells were quantified using enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Platelet-associated and plasma anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody, plasma B cell-activating factor (BAFF), and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. B cell subset fractions and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were quantified using flow cytometry.The number of anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody-producing B cells was significantly higher in LC patients than in ITP patients and healthy controls (both p < 0.001). Platelet-associated anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibodies were significantly higher in LC patients than in ITP patients and healthy controls (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). BAFF levels were significantly higher in LC patients than in ITP patients and healthy controls (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), and APRIL levels were significantly higher in LC patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody-producing B cells and platelet-associated anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibodies were positively correlated with BAFF levels in LC patients. LC patients had more naïve B cells and plasmablasts than healthy controls (p = 0.005, p = 0.03, respectively); plasmablasts were positively correlated with BAFF levels. LC patients had similar Tregs levels as ITP patients and healthy controls. Therefore, excessive BAFF production in LC patients with thrombocytopenia is likely associated with autoimmune B cell response, inducing anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody production.

DOI： 10.1007/s00277-022-04973-x

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掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：BMJ  

Objectives

Tocilizumab showed trends for improving skin fibrosis and prevented progression of lung fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) in randomised controlled clinical trials. We aimed to assess safety and effectiveness of tocilizumab in a real-life setting using the European Scleroderma Trial and Research (EUSTAR) database.

Methods

Patients with SSc fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/EULAR 2013 classification criteria, with baseline and follow-up visits at 12±3 months, receiving tocilizumab or standard of care as the control group, were selected. Propensity score matching was applied. Primary endpoints were the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and FVC at 12±3 months compared between the groups. Secondary endpoints were the percentage of progressive/regressive patients for skin and lung at 12±3 months.

Results

Ninety-three patients with SSc treated with tocilizumab and 3180 patients with SSc with standard of care fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Comparison between groups did not show significant differences, but favoured tocilizumab across all predefined primary and secondary endpoints: mRSS was lower in the tocilizumab group (difference −1.0, 95% CI −3.7 to 1.8, p=0.48). Similarly, FVC % predicted was higher in the tocilizumab group (difference 1.5 (−6.1 to 9.1), p=0.70). The percentage of progressive/regressive patients favoured tocilizumab over controls. These results were robust regarding the sensitivity analyses. Safety analysis confirmed previously reported adverse event profiles.

Conclusion

Although this large, observational, controlled, real-life EUSTAR study did not show significant effectiveness of tocilizumab on skin and lung fibrosis, the consistency of direction of all predefined endpoints generates hypothesis for potential effectiveness in a broader SSc population.

DOI： 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002477

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掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Oxford University Press (OUP)  

Abstract

Objectives

The assessment of physical function is fundamental in the management of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). We aimed to investigate the physical function of patients with IIMs compared with those with non-IIM autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) utilizing Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) data obtained in the COVAD study, an international self-reported e-survey assessing the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in AIRDs.

Methods

Demographics, AIRD diagnosis, disease activity, and PROMIS PF short form-10a data were extracted from the COVAD database. PROMIS PF-10a scores were compared between disease categories and stratified by disease activity. Factors affecting PROMIS PF-10a scores other than disease activity were identified by multivariable regression analysis in patients with inactive disease.

Results

A total of 1057 IIM patients, 3635 non-IIM AIRD patients and 3981 healthy controls (HCs) responded to the COVAD e-survey from April to August 2021. Using a binomial regression model, the predicted mean of PROMIS PF-10a scores was significantly lower in IIM patients compared with non-IIM AIRD patients or HCs [36.3 (95% CI 35.5, 37.1) vs 41.3 (95% CI 40.2, 42.5) vs 46.2 (95% CI 45.8, 46.6), P &amp;lt; 0.001], irrespective of disease activity. The independent factors for lower PROMIS PF-10a scores in patients with inactive disease were older age, female, longer disease duration, and a diagnosis of inclusion body myositis or polymyositis.

Conclusion

Physical function is significantly impaired in IIMs compared with non-IIM AIRDs or HCs, even in patients with inactive disease. Our study highlights a critical need for better strategies to minimize functional disability in patients with IIMs.

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/keac441

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その他リンク： https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article-pdf/62/3/1204/49356050/keac441.pdf

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To develop a multianalyte assay for the detection of dermatomyositis (DM)-related autoantibodies using immunoprecipitation (IP) combined with immunoblotting (IB). METHODS: Sera from 116 DM patients were subjected to RNA and protein immunoprecipitation assays as well as commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase, anti-melanoma differentiation antigen 5 (MDA5), anti-Mi-2, anti-transcriptional intermediary factor-1γ (TIF-1γ), and anti-U1 ribonucleoprotein antibodies. The IP/IB assay was developed by immunoprecipitation of autoantigens from HeLa cell extracts using patient sera, followed by immunoblotting with an antibody against Mi-2, TIF-1γ, OJ, nuclear matrix protein (NXP)-2, MDA5, PM/Scl, small ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme (SAE), or Ku. A multianalyte assay was designed by mixing primary antibodies in the IP/IB assay. RESULTS: IP assays identified any DM-related autoantibodies in 100 patients (86%), of which 82% were covered by commercial ELISAs, with a false-positive result in two sera and a false-negative result in one. The results obtained from the multianalyte IP/IB assay and 'gold-standard' IP assays were concordant in terms of the presence or absence of anti-MDA5, anti-TIF-1γ, anti-OJ, anti-NXP-2, anti-PM/Scl, anti-SAE, anti-Mi-2, and anti-Ku antibodies. CONCLUSION: This multianalyte IP/IB assay combined with commercial ELISAs is an alternative to 'gold-standard' IP assays for the detection of DM-related autoantibodies.

DOI： 10.1093/mr/roac056

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掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：SAGE Publications  

Objective:

Severe digital ischemia, including digital ulcers and gangrene, is considered rare in patients with antisynthetase antibodies. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical features of antisynthetase-positive patients complicated with digital ulcers and/or gangrene using a systematic literature review and case series in a single-center cohort.

Methods:

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify reports describing antisynthetase-positive cases with digital ulcers and/or gangrene. Our cohort of consecutive patients with antisynthetase antibodies was stratified by the history of severe digital ischemia. Demographic and clinical features and outcomes in patients with severe digital ischemia identified in the systematic literature review and our cohort were compared with those in patients without severe digital ischemia in our cohort.

Results:

The systematic literature review revealed 12 antisynthetase-positive patients with severe digital ischemia from one case series and eight case reports. Seven (7%) of 100 patients with antisynthetase antibodies in our cohort had a record of severe digital ischemia. Severe digital ischemia was often found at presentation and was associated with the classification of systemic sclerosis with or without myositis overlap. Clinical features associated with severe digital ischemia in antisynthetase-positive patients included Raynaud’s phenomenon ( p &lt; 0.001), digital pitting scars ( p = 0.001), and nailfold capillary abnormality ( p = 0.02). Outcomes of severe digital ischemia were generally favorable with vasodilators.

Conclusion:

Severe digital ischemia is an overlooked complication in antisynthetase-positive patients. Antisynthetase antibodies should be measured in patients presenting with digital ulcers or gangrene, especially in those with systemic sclerosis phenotype and features associated with antisynthetase antibodies in the absence of systemic sclerosis-specific autoantibodies.

DOI： 10.1177/23971983221090857

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その他リンク： http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/23971983221090857

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: Patients with anti-melanoma-differentiation-associated 5 (anti-MDA5)-positive dermatomyositis (DM) share several striking similarities to patients with SARS-CoV-2. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of anti-angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, found in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2, in two independent anti-MDA5-positive DM cohorts. METHODS: Anti-ACE2 IgM antibodies were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in two anti-MDA5-positive DM cohorts: a predominantly outpatient North American cohort (n = 52) and a Japanese cohort enriched for new-onset disease (n = 32). Additionally, 118 patients with SARS-CoV-2 with a spectrum of clinical severity were tested for anti-MDA5 antibodies by ELISA. RESULTS: Five of fifty-two (9.6%) North American patients and five of thirty-two (15%) Japanese patients were positive for anti-ACE2 IgM. In the North American cohort, all five patients with anti-ACE2 IgM antibodies had proximal muscle weakness, had interstitial lung disease, were significantly more likely to receive pulse dose methylprednisolone (80% vs 30%, P = 0.043), and had worse forced vital capacity (median 59% predicted vs 78%, P = 0.056) compared with the anti-ACE2-IgM-negative group. In the Japanese cohort, all five anti-ACE2-IgM-positive patients also required pulse dose methylprednisolone, and three of five (60%) patients died. Japanese patients with anti-ACE2 IgM had significantly worse oxygenation, as defined by a lower partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio (233 vs 390, P = 0.021), and a higher alveolar-arterial oxygenation gradient (91 vs 23 mm Hg, P = 0.024) than the IgM-negative group. CONCLUSION: We describe anti-ACE2 IgM autoantibodies in two independent cohorts with anti-MDA5-positive DM. These autoantibodies may be biomarkers for severe disease and provide insight into disease pathogenesis.

DOI： 10.1002/acr2.11423

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To assess cost-effectiveness of biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: We conducted 3 analyses: a lifetime analysis with a cohort model (study A) and 2 short-term analyses (studies B and C). Study A evaluated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained from costs of standard treatments. Study B evaluated yearly costs per person achieving American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response (ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70), and study C, costs per person achieving previously defined claims-based effectiveness (equivalent to 28-joint Disease Activity Score [DAS28] ≤ 3.2). The proportion of ACR responders to the drugs of interest were determined by mixed treatment comparisons. Studies B and C estimated costs using a claims database. RESULTS: In study A, ICERs of all b/tsDMARDs were lower than 5.0 million JPY per QALY. In study B, yearly costs per person with ACR50 response were lower for subcutaneous tocilizumab (1.9 million JPY) and subcutaneous abatacept (2.3 million JPY). In study C, costs per person were lower for subcutaneous tocilizumab (1.3 million JPY) and intravenous tocilizumab (1.6 million JPY) and effectiveness rates were higher for intravenous tocilizumab (45.3%) and infliximab (43.0%). CONCLUSION: The b/tsDMARDs with lower prices showed higher cost-effectiveness.

DOI： 10.1093/mr/roac038

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: The calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus has been approved in Japan for the treatment of interstitial pneumonia (IP) in patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). Postmarketing surveillance was initiated to examine long-term outcomes of immunosuppressive regimens containing tacrolimus in real-world settings. METHODS: Observational, prospective, postmarketing surveillance is ongoing in 179 patients with PM/ DM-associated IP initiating treatment with tacrolimus. We report interim findings after 2 years of follow-up. Cumulative overall survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Potential prognostic factors for mortality were assessed by univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS: A total of 170 patients were included in this analysis. At the time of starting treatment with tacrolimus, almost all patients were receiving corticosteroids (98.8%), and cyclophosphamide was additionally used in 42 patients (24.7%). Forty-nine patients (28.8%) discontinued tacrolimus during follow-up, mainly due to loss to follow-up, patient death, and adverse events. Mean (SD) oral corticosteroid dose decreased from 32.4 (21.6) mg/day at baseline to 7.6 (4.2) mg/day at 2 years. Overall survival at 2 years was 90.3%; corresponding progression-free survival was 62.5%. Factors found to be associated with all-cause mortality included diagnosis of clinically amyopathic DM (hazard ratio [HR] 9.04, 95% CI 1.18-69.51 vs PM), ferritin level 500 to < 1500 ng/mL (HR 8.61, 95% CI 2.51-29.45 vs < 500 ng/mL), and presence of antimelanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibodies (HR 8.16, 95% CI 1.03-64.47 vs absence). CONCLUSION: Immunosuppressive regimens containing tacrolimus appear useful for the management of IP in patients with PM/DM. [ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02159651].

DOI： 10.3899/jrheum.210322

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本組織適合性学会  

免疫原性血栓性血小板減少性紫斑病(immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura:iTTP)は,von Willebrand因子切断酵素であるADAMTS13に対する自己抗体産生によって発症する極めて稀な血栓症である。2010年代前半に,ヨーロッパ系集団においてDRB1*11がiTTPの疾患感受性HLAの1つであることが報告され,その後アレル拘束性T細胞エピトープ(ADAMTS13ペプチド)の探索が進められた。一方,我々はヨーロッパ系集団と遺伝的背景が異なる日本人集団においてDRB1*08:03がiTTPの疾患感受性HLAであることを同定した。更にヨーロッパ系および日本人集団におけるiTTP疾患感受性HLA分子について,in vitro実験系であるMHC density assayを用いてアレル拘束性T細胞エピトープ候補領域を探索した。(著者抄録)

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その他リンク： https://search.jamas.or.jp/default/link?pub_year=2022&ichushi_jid=J03628&link_issn=&doc_id=20220517490001&doc_link_id=1390291932642164480&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcir.nii.ac.jp%2Fcrid%2F1390291932642164480&type=CiNii&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00003_3.gif

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To investigate outcomes following the tapering or discontinuation of tocilizumab in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) in a real-world setting. METHODS: Fifteen patients who were treated with tocilizumab for dcSSc were selected from a single-centre cohort database and were evaluated for serial changes in the modified Rodnan total skin thickness score (mRSS) and predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) and the occurrence of clinical worsening events after the introduction of tocilizumab. RESULTS: Over 12 months of treatment with tocilizumab, the mRSS decreased from 20.4 ± 10.7 to 12.3 ± 8.5 (P = 0.003) and FVC increased from 84.3 ± 13.7% to 88.5 ± 16.4% (P = 0.04). Tocilizumab was tapered or discontinued in 7 and 3 patients, respectively, after improvement in skin thickening without occurrence or progression of organ manifestations. One (14%) of 7 patients who underwent tocilizumab tapering experienced a worsening of skin thickening, while all 3 patients who discontinued tocilizumab experienced a worsening of skin thickening and/or new development of pericarditis, arthritis, interstitial lung disease (ILD), or pulmonary arterial hypertension. The additional patient who discontinued tocilizumab due to an adverse event experienced subsequent progression of multiple organ manifestations, including skin, lung, lower gastrointestinal, and renal involvement, leading to mortality. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest potential benefits of prolonged tocilizumab use in dcSSc patients. The discontinuation of tocilizumab can lead to the progression of skin and visceral manifestations. Tapering rather than the discontinuation of tocilizumab is a viable option in dcSSc patients who experience remarkable clinical improvement.

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/keac136

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(公社)日本皮膚科学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major risk factor for developing various respiratory diseases. Patients with anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibodies often have interstitial lung disease (ILD). The present study was conducted to evaluate the association between obesity and outcomes of anti-ARS antibody-related ILD (ARS-ILD). METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 58 patients with ARS-ILD and compared the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognoses between obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m2) and nonobese (BMI <25 kg/m2) patients. Chest fat was quantified via computed tomography (CT). Thoracic subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were measured at diagnosis and first relapse of ILD. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were obese. Obese patients had lower percentages of predicted diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide and higher high-resolution CT scores and SAT and VAT indexes than did nonobese patients. The ILD relapse rate was higher in obese patients (P < 0.01), especially among those with high SAT indexes (P < 0.01). The SAT and VAT indexes increased significantly from diagnosis until first relapse. Among clinical parameters at first relapse, SAT and VAT indexes were correlated with serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 levels (r = 0.720, P = 0.008) and total ground-glass attenuation scores (r = 0.620, P = 0.024), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and high SAT indexes are risk factors for ILD relapse in patients positive for anti-ARS antibodies. Evaluating and quantifying patients' chest fat on CT is important for predicting ILD relapse.

DOI： 10.1016/j.rmed.2022.106741

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: Using data from the SENSCIS trial, these analyses were undertaken to assess the effects of nintedanib versus placebo in subgroups of patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), based on characteristics previously identified as being associated with the progression of SSc-ILD. METHODS: Patients with SSc-ILD were randomized to receive either nintedanib or placebo, stratified by anti-topoisomerase I antibody (ATA) status. We assessed the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) (expressed in ml/year) over 52 weeks in subgroups based on baseline ATA status, modified Rodnan skin thickness score (MRSS) (<18 versus ≥18), and SSc subtype (limited cutaneous SSc [lcSSc] versus diffuse cutaneous SSc [dcSSc]). RESULTS: At baseline, 60.8% of 576 patients who received treatment with either nintedanib or placebo were positive for ATA, 51.9% had dcSSc, and 77.5% of 574 patients with MRSS data available had an MRSS of <18. The effect of nintedanib versus placebo on reducing the rate of decline in FVC (ml/year) was numerically more pronounced in ATA-negative patients compared to ATA-positive patients (adjusted difference in the rate of FVC decline, 57.2 ml/year [95% confidence interval (95% CI) -3.5, 118.0] versus 29.9 ml/year [95% CI -19.1, 78.8]), in patients with a baseline MRSS ≥18 compared to those with a baseline MRSS of <18 (adjusted difference in the rate of FVC decline, 88.7 ml/year [95% CI 7.7, 169.8] versus 26.4 ml/year [95% CI -16.8, 69.6]), and in patients with dcSSc compared to those with lcSSc (adjusted difference in the rate of FVC decline, 56.6 ml/year [95% CI 3.2, 110.0] versus 25.3 ml/year [95% CI -28.9, 79.6]). However, all exploratory interaction P values were nonsignificant (all P > 0.05), indicating that there was no heterogeneity in the effect of nintedanib versus placebo between these subgroups of patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with SSc-ILD, reduction in the annual rate of decline in FVC among patients receiving nintedanib compared to those receiving placebo was not found to be heterogenous across subgroups based on ATA status, MRSS, or SSc subtype.

DOI： 10.1002/art.41965

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(公社)日本皮膚科学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVES: The management of elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) is challenging due to progressive functional disability, increased comorbidities, and high drug-related risks. EORA is defined as disease onset after 60 years since 1985. We assessed whether this cut-off age was optimal in a progressively ageing society. METHODS: This study used two cohorts of consecutive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients: the Nippon Medical School (NMS) cohort (n = 204) and the Keio cohort (n = 296). Clinical findings independently correlated with the age of RA onset were selected as 'EORA features' from previously reported EORA characteristics using univariable and multivariable regression analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to determine the cut-off age that best selected patients with all EORA features. RESULTS: Acute onset, negative anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate were selected as 'EORA features' in both cohorts. Patients with all EORA features were more numerous with age and almost exclusively older than 65 years. The optimal EORA cut-off age was 73 years with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 in the NMS cohort and 68 with an AUC of 0.93 in the Keio cohort. In the NMS cohort, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index and comorbidities in patients with disease onset between 60 years and the projected cut-off age were similar to those in younger-onset RA, but differed from those in patients with disease onset older than the projected cut-off age. CONCLUSION: The optimal EORA cut-off age was greater than the conventional definition, but this needs to be validated in different patient populations.

DOI： 10.1093/mr/roab013

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) in the treatment of PM/DM prior to official approval of their use in Japan. METHODS: Treatment naïve adults with PM/DM were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind trial to receive either TK-98 (drug name of BCAAs) or placebo in addition to conventional treatment. After 12 weeks, patients with an average manual muscle test (MMT) score <9.5 were enrolled in an open label extension study for a further 12 weeks. The primary end point was the change of the MMT score at 12 weeks. The secondary end points were the clinical response and the change of functional index (FI). RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were randomized either to the TK-98 (n = 24) or placebo (n = 23) groups. The changes of MMT scores at 12 weeks were 0.70±0.19 (mean±SEM) and 0.69±0.18, respectively (P = 0.98). Thirteen patients from the TK-98 group and 12 from the placebo group were enrolled in the extension study. The MMT scores in both groups improved similarly. The increase of the FI scores of the shoulder flexion at 12 weeks was significantly greater in the TK-98 group (27.9±5.67 vs. 12.8±5.67 for the right shoulder flexion, and 27.0±5.44 vs. 13.4±5.95 for the left shoulder [P < 0.05]). Frequencies of adverse events upto 12 weeks were similar. CONCLUSION: BCAAs showed no effect on the improvement of the muscle strength evaluated by MMT and the clinical response. However, they were partly effective for improving dynamic repetitive muscle functions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR Clinical Trial, https://center6.umin.ac.jp/, UMIN000016233.

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/keac101

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVES: Anti-synthetase syndrome (ASSD) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterised by multi-system involvement with a wide variety of manifestations. Validated classification criteria are necessary to improve recognition and prevent misclassification, especially given the lack of reliable and standardised autoantibody testing. We systematically reviewed the literature to analyse proposed ASSD criteria, characteristics, and diagnostic performance. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Embase databases (01/01/1984 to 06/11/2018) and the ACR and EULAR meeting abstracts (2017-2018). Sensitivities, specificities, positive, negative likelihood ratios and risk of bias were calculated for ASSD criteria and key variables reported in the literature. We performed meta-analysis when appropriate. RESULTS: We retrieved 4,358 studies. We found 85 proposed ASSD criteria from a total of 82 studies. All but one study included anti-synthetase autoantibody (ARS) positivity in the ASSD criteria. Most studies required only one ASSD feature plus anti-ARS to define ASSD (n=64, 78%), whereas 16 studies required more than one ASSD variable plus anti-ARS. The only criteria not including anti-ARS positivity required 5 ASSD clinical features. We found limited data and wide variability in the diagnostic performance of each variable and definition proposed in the literature. Given these limitations we only meta-analysed the performance of individual muscle biopsy and clinical variables in diagnosing ASSD, which performed poorly. CONCLUSIONS: The current ASSD criteria include a variety of serological, clinical, and histological features with wide variability amongst proposed definitions and the performance of these definitions has not been tested. This systematic literature review suggests the need for additional data and consensus-driven classification criteria for ASSD.

DOI： 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/8xj0b9

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Introduction: Primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis may cause morpho-functional and electrical cardiac abnormalities and is a common cause of death. The absence of a clear definition of primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis limits our understanding and ability to focus on clinical research. We aimed to create an expert consensus definition for primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis. Methods: A systematic literature review of cardiac involvement and manifestations in systemic sclerosis was conducted to inform an international and multi-disciplinary task force. In addition, the nominal group technique was used to derive a definition that was then subject to voting. A total of 16 clinical cases were evaluated to test face validity, feasibility, reliability and criterion validity of the newly created definition. Results: In total, 171 publications met eligibility criteria. Using the nominal group technique, experts added their opinion, provided statements to consider and ranked them to create the consensus definition, which received 100% agreement on face validity. A median 60(5-300) seconds was taken for the feasibility on a single case. Inter-rater agreement was moderate (mKappa (95% CI) = 0.56 (0.46-1.00) for the first round and 0.55 (0.44-1.00) for the second round) and intra-rater agreement was good (mKappa (95% CI) = 0.77 (0.47-1.00)). Criterion validity showed a 78 (73-84)% correctness versus gold standard. Conclusion: A preliminary primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis consensus-based definition was created and partially validated, for use in future clinical research.

DOI： 10.1177/23971983211053246

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Plasma thrombopoietin (TPO) measurements help distinguish between different types of thrombocytopenia but are not feasible in routine clinical practice. We developed a fully automated quantitative chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) for measuring TPO (TPO-CLEIA), which is a one-step sandwich-type assay. This assay utilizes a mouse monoclonal capture antibody, which has the neutralizing epitope of the interaction between TPO and the TPO receptor, and a newly generated rabbit monoclonal detector antibody. In analytical performance studies, this assay showed good linearity over the measuring range and high sensitivity. The limit of quantification (LoQ) of this assay was 3.4 pg/mL; low TPO concentration values of almost all healthy individuals exceeded the LoQ value. In clinical validation studies, TPO levels obtained from patients with aplastic anemia (AA) significantly increased, whereas those of patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) were normal or slightly increased. The cutoff value for TPO-CLEIA corresponding to the previously reported values was useful for distinguishing between ITP and AA. These results suggest that TPO-CLEIA can quantify human plasma TPO levels with high accuracy and sensitivity and has the potential to facilitate routine clinical measurement of TPO in patients with various types of thrombocytopenia.

DOI： 10.3390/diagnostics12020313

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to be a cause of unprecedented global morbidity and mortality. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination has emerged as the only tangible solution to reducing poor clinical outcomes, vaccine hesitancy continues to be an obstacle to achieving high levels of vaccine uptake. This represents particular risk to patients with autoimmune diseases, a group already at increased risk of hospitalization and poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 infection. Whilst there is a paucity of long-term safety and efficacy data of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with autoimmune diseases, the current evidence strongly suggests that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of adverse effects and disease flares. Herein, we report the protocol of the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study, an ongoing international collaborative study involving 29 countries and over 110 investigators.

DOI： 10.1007/s00296-021-05046-4

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Objective: To stratify patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) who were initially treated with an intensive regimen consisting of high-dose corticosteroids, a calcineurin inhibitor, and intravenous cyclophosphamide (triple-combo therapy) into subgroups based on mortality outcomes by a cluster analysis using a large-scale multicenter retrospective cohort of Japanese patients with myositis-associated ILD (JAMI). Methods: Two-step cluster analysis of preclustering and subsequent hierarchical clustering was conducted in 185 patients who received triple-combo therapy in an unbiased manner. Initial predictors for mortality previously reported in patients with myositis-associated ILD were used as variables and included age, sex, disease duration, classification of myositis, requirement of supplemental oxygen, anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibody, anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody, and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6). The cluster model was further applied to 283 patients who received conventional regimens consisting of corticosteroids with or without a single immunosuppressive agent (dual-combo therapy or monotherapy). Cumulative survival rates were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the log-rank test was used to test for significant differences between two groups. Results: We developed a cluster model consisting of 6 clusters, which were categorized by age at onset, clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis, CRP, KL-6, requirement of supplemental oxygen, anti-ARS antibody, and anti-MDA5 antibody. This model was judged to be of good quality based on the silhouette measure of cohesion and separation of 0.6. These clusters were regrouped into three subsets based on low (<10%), moderate (10-50%), and high (>50%) mortality rates. The performance of the clustering was generally replicated in patients who received initial dual-combo therapy or monotherapy. Survival benefits of triple-combo therapy over dual-combo therapy or monotherapy were not observed in any of the clusters. Conclusion: We successfully developed a cluster model that stratified patients with myositis-associated ILD who were treated with initial triple-combo therapy into subgroups with different prognoses, although this model failed to identify a patient subgroup that showed survival benefits from triple-combo therapy over dual-combo therapy or monotherapy.

DOI： 10.3389/fmed.2022.883699

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To investigate histologic features of immunological components in the primary tumor site of patients with cancer-associated myositis (CAM) by focusing on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), which play major roles in antitumor immunity. METHODS: Cancer-associated myositis patients were selected from the single-center idiopathic inflammatory myopathy cohort based on the availability of primary tumor specimens obtained before the introduction of immunomodulatory agents. Control cancer subjects without CAM were selected from the cancer tissue repository at a ratio of 1:2 matched for demographics and cancer characteristics of CAM cases. A series of immunohistochemical analyses was conducted using sequential tumor sections. TLS was defined as an ectopic lymphoid-like structure composed of DC-LAMP+ mature dendritic cells, CD23+ follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) and PNAd+ high endothelial venules. TLS distribution was classified into the tumor center, invasive margin, and peritumoral area. RESULTS: Six CAM patients and 12 matched non-CAM controls were eligible for the study. There was no apparent difference in the density or distribution of TILs between the groups. TLSs were found in 3 CAM patients (50%) and 4 non-CAM controls (33%). TLSs were exclusively located at the tumor center or invasive margin in CAM cases but were mainly found in the peritumoral area in non-CAM controls. FDCs and class-switched B cells colocalized with follicular helper T cells were abundantly found in the germinal center-like area of TLSs from CAM patients compared with those from non-CAM controls. CONCLUSION: The adaptive immune response within TLSs in the primary tumor site might contribute to the pathogenic process of CAM.

DOI： 10.3389/fmed.2022.1066858

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether early therapeutic intervention, compared with delayed intervention, is beneficial for patients with early systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of SSc patients who received cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, or tocilizumab for diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) or interstitial lung disease (ILD) within 6 years after disease onset. The patients were divided into early and delayed intervention groups based on the disease duration of ≤ 18 and >18 months at treatment introduction, respectively. Clinical worsening was defined as the development of any original or revised ACR Composite Response Index in Systemic Sclerosis (CRISS) step 1 event or progressive fibrosing ILD (PF-ILD). RESULTS: There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the early (n = 25) and delayed (n = 21) intervention groups except forced vital capacity (FVC), which was better in the early vs delayed intervention groups. The early intervention group less frequently had stable pulmonary function over one year than did the late intervention group (odds ratio 0.087, 95% confidence interval 0.0079-0.51, p = 0.003). The active disease was significantly decreased from 79% to 42% in the early intervention group (p = 0.007), but the change in the delayed intervention group was not statistically significant (68% to 42%, p = 0.11). Cumulative rates free from clinical worsening events defined by revised ACR-CRISS and PF-ILD were significantly higher in the early vs delayed intervention groups (p = 0.03 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: A therapeutic "window of opportunity" might exist in SSc patients.

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/keab931

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：日本リウマチ学会-関東支部  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) levels measured at baseline have been reported as a circulating biomarker useful for the detection, evaluation of severity and assessment of risk of the progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this retrospective study, longitudinal changes in serum KL-6 levels over 2 years were examined in 110 patients with SSc using prospectively collected cohort data. Serum KL-6 levels fluctuated in a significant proportion of the patients but remained stable in the remaining patients. A wide range of variability of longitudinal KL-6 levels was associated with the presence of ILD, diffuse cutaneous SSc, positive anti-topoisomerase I antibodies, negative anticentromere antibodies, increased ILD extent on high-resolution computed tomography, extensive disease, low pulmonary function parameters, high KL-6 levels at baseline and immunomodulatory treatment. Extensive disease was consistently identified as an independent factor associated with variability in KL-6 levels in different models of multiple regression analysis. We failed to demonstrate correlations between trends for KL-6 level changes during the 6 months after SSc diagnosis and ILD progression over 2 years in patients with SSc-ILD. Serum KL-6 levels fluctuate in SSc patients with ILD, especially in those with extensive disease, but the clinical utility of a serial KL-6 level measurement remains uncertain.

DOI： 10.3390/diagnostics11112007

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of nintedanib in progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) was demonstrated in the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled INBUILD trial. This subgroup analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in the Japanese population. METHODS: Patients with progressive fibrosing ILDs (evaluated by physicians within 24 months of screening) were randomised (1:1) to twice-daily 150-mg nintedanib or placebo; treatment continued until the last patient completed 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was the annual rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) over 52 weeks. Time-to-first acute ILD exacerbation or death and time-to-death up until the last patient had completed the week 52 visit were evaluated. This subgroup analysis included 108 Japanese patients. RESULTS: The adjusted annual rates of FVC decline (mL/year) over 52 weeks for Japanese patients were -148.31 (nintedanib) and -240.36 (placebo), adjusted difference: 92.05 (95% CI: -10.69-194.80) and for non-Japanese patients were -67.41 (nintedanib) and -177.65 (placebo), adjusted difference: 110.24 (95% CI: 64.97-155.52). No heterogeneity in treatment effect between Japanese and non-Japanese subgroups was observed (treatment-by-subgroup interaction, p = 0.75). The risks of "acute exacerbation or death" (hazard ratio, 0.30 [95% CI: 0.10-0.91]) and mortality (hazard ratio, 0.54 [95% CI: 0.14-2.11]) in Japanese patients were numerically lower for nintedanib than placebo. There were no new or unexpected safety findings. CONCLUSIONS: In Japanese patients, nintedanib slowed ILD progression, evidenced by a reduction in the annual rate of decline in FVC vs placebo. The efficacy and safety of nintedanib in Japanese patients were consistent with the overall INBUILD population. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT02999178 (21-Dec-2016).

DOI： 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106574

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：日本医科大学医学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(株)北隆館  

間質性肺疾患は、肺胞を取り巻く間質の炎症や線維化によりガス交換の障害が生じ、病状の進行に伴い、呼吸不全をきたす疾患である。間質性肺疾患は、200以上の疾患を含み、その臨床経過は非常に多様性に富んでいる。中でも、進行性フェノタイプを示す慢性線維化性間質性肺疾患では、線維化により肺胞構造が不可逆的に改変し、最終的に呼吸不全をきたし予後不良である。近年、抗線維化薬の登場により、肺線維化の進展抑制を図ることが可能となり、不可逆的な肺構造改変が進行する前に治療介入を行うことが重要である。(著者抄録)

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

The prognosis of patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) has improved significantly in recent years, but interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with connective tissue disease (CTD-ILD) remains a refractory condition, which is a leading cause of mortality. Because it is an important prognostic factor, many observational and interventional studies have been conducted to date. However, CTD is a heterogeneous group of conditions, which makes the clinical course, treatment responses, and prognosis of CTD-ILD extremely diverse. To summarize the current understanding and unsolved questions, the Japanese Respiratory Society and the Japan College of Rheumatology collaborated to publish the world's first guide focusing on CTD-ILD, based on the evidence and expert consensus of pulmonologists and rheumatologists, along with radiologists, pathologists, and dermatologists. The task force members proposed a total of 27 items, including 7 for general topics, 9 for disease-specific topics, 3 for complications, 4 for pharmacologic treatments, and 4 for non-pharmacologic therapies, with teams of 2-4 authors and reviewers for each item to prepare a consensus statement based on a systematic literature review. Subsequently, public opinions were collected from members of both societies, and a critical review was conducted by external reviewers. Finally, the task force finalized the guide upon discussion and consensus generation. This guide is expected to contribute to the standardization of CTD-ILD medical care and is also useful as a tool for promoting future research by clarifying unresolved issues.

DOI： 10.1016/j.resinv.2021.04.011

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Systemic sclerosis is the rheumatic disease with the highest individual mortality. The severity of the disease is determined by the extent of fibrotic changes to cutaneous and internal organ tissues, the most life-threatening visceral manifestations being interstitial lung disease, SSc-associated-pulmonary arterial hypertension and myocardial involvement. The heterogeneity of the disease has initially hindered the design of successful clinical trials, but considerations on classification criteria have improved patient selection in trials, allowing the identification of more homogeneous groups of patients based on progressive visceral manifestations or the extent of skin involvement with a focus of patients with early disease. Two major subsets of systemic sclerosis are classically described: limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis characterized by distal skin fibrosis and the diffuse subset with distal and proximal skin thickening. Beyond this dichotomic subgrouping of systemic sclerosis, new phenotypic considerations based on antibody subtypes have provided a better understanding of the heterogeneity of the disease, anti-Scl70 antibodies being associated with progressive interstitial lung disease regardless of cutaneous involvement. Two targeted therapies, tocilizumab (a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-6 receptors (IL-6R)) and nintedanib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor), have recently been approved by the American Food & Drug Administration to limit the decline of lung function in patients with SSc-associated interstitial lung disease, demonstrating that such better understanding of the disease pathogenesis with the identification of key targets can lead to therapeutic advances in the management of some visceral manifestations of the disease. This review will provide a brief overview of the pathogenesis of SSc and will present a selection of therapies recently approved or evaluated in this context. Therapies evaluated and approved in SSc-ILD will be emphasized and a review of recent phase II trials in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis will be proposed. We will also discuss selected therapeutic pathways currently under investigation in systemic sclerosis that still lack clinical data in this context but that may show promising results in the future based on preclinical data.

DOI： 10.1007/s12016-021-08891-0

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), the most lethal of rheumatologic conditions, is the cause of death in >50% of SSc cases, led by pulmonary fibrosis followed by pulmonary hypertension and then scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). Multiple other preventable and treatable SSc-related vascular, cardiac, gastrointestinal, nutritional and musculoskeletal complications can lead to disability and death. Vascular injury with subsequent inflammation transforming to irreversible fibrosis and permanent damage characterizes SSc. Organ involvement is often present early in the disease course of SSc, but requires careful history-taking and vigilance in screening to detect. Inflammation is potentially reversible provided that treatment intensity quells inflammation and other immune mechanisms. In any SSc phenotype, opportunities for early treatment are prone to be under-utilized, especially in slowly progressive phenotypes that, in contrast to severe progressive ILD, indolently accrue irreversible organ damage resulting in later-stage life-limiting complications such as pulmonary hypertension, cardiac involvement, and malnutrition. A single SSc patient visit often requires much more physician and staff time, organization, vigilance, and direct management for multiple organ systems compared to other rheumatic or pulmonary diseases. Efficiency and efficacy of comprehensive SSc care enlists trending of symptoms and bio-data. Financial sustainability of SSc care benefits from understanding insurance reimbursement and health system allocation policies for complex patients. Sharing care between recognised SSc centers and local cardiology/pulmonary/rheumatology/gastroenterology colleagues may prevent complications and poor outcomes, while providing support to local specialists. As scleroderma specialists, we offer a practical framework with tools to facilitate an optimal, comprehensive and sustainable approach to SSc care. Improved health outcomes in SSc relies upon recogntion, management and, to the extent possible, prevention of SSc and treatment-related complications.

DOI： 10.1016/j.berh.2021.101707

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本組織適合性学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本腎臓学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本組織適合性学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)奈良県医師会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)奈良県医師会  

日本人の免疫原性血栓性血小板減少性紫斑病(iTTP)患者のHLA解析研究を実施した。日本国内の19施設の医療機関を受診したiTTP患者52名(男性22名、女性30名、中央値56.5歳)を解析対象とした。HLAクラスIIアリルについて、DRB1*08:03、DRB3/4/5*blank、DQA1*01:03、DQB1*06:01の四つが日本人におけるiTTPの疾患感受性HLAとして同定された。iTTP発症の危険因子として同定されたハプロタイプのうち、DRB1*08:03が最もオッズ比が大きく、過去のHLA研究などから主となる疾患感受性アリルと判定した。DRB1*08:03が陽性であったのは52人中16人であり、14人がヘテロ接合体、2人がホモ接合体であった。また、NetMHCIIpanを用いて、ヒトADAMTS13の全アミノ酸配列とDRB1*08:03およびDRB1*11:01アリル由来DR分子とのHLAペプチド結合予測を行った。DRB1*11:01では先行研究と同様にCUB2ドメイン由来のペプチドFINVAPHARがstrong binderと予測された。

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記述言語：英語  

DOI： 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2021.05.005

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disease, in which an interaction of genetic and environmental factors plays an important role in its development and pathogenesis. A number of genetic studies, including candidate gene analysis and genome-wide association study, have found that the associated genetic variants are mainly localized in noncoding regions in the expression quantitative trait locus and influence corresponding gene expression. The gene variants identified as a risk for SSc susceptibility include those associated with innate immunity, adaptive immune response, and cell death, while there are only few SSc-associated genes involved in the fibrotic process or vascular homeostasis. Human leukocyte antigen class II genes are associated with SSc-related autoantibodies rather than SSc itself. Since the pathways between the associated genotype and phenotype are still poorly understood, further investigations using multi-omics technologies are necessary to characterize the complex molecular architecture of SSc, identify biomarkers useful to predict future outcomes and treatment responses, and discover effective drug targets.

DOI： 10.1186/s41232-021-00167-6

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD  

Proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux esophagitis is one of the intractable conditions of systemic sclerosis for which new treatments are required. Vonoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker and has been shown to have several advantages over conventional proton pump inhibitors, including a long duration of gastric acid suppression. To investigate the efficacy of vonoprazan for treating proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux esophagitis in patients with systemic sclerosis, 10 patients with proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux esophagitis who were switched to vonoprazan were selected from our systemic sclerosis database. Reflux esophagitis was evaluated by endoscopy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease-related symptoms were assessed by the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire before and after switching from proton pump inhibitor to vonoprazan at an average interval of 3.5 [2-5.5] months. After switching patients to vonoprazan, the endoscopic findings of reflux esophagitis were significantly improved (p = .033), and six patients (60%) achieved mucosal healing. The total frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease score was also significantly decreased (p = .043), mainly by improving the acid reflux score. Vonoprazan was well tolerated and was continued for 15.5 [11.25-23.75] months in all patients. Vonoprazan is a potential treatment option for treating proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux esophagitis in systemic sclerosis patients.

DOI： 10.1177/23971983211021747

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate upstream and downstream regulators leading to macrophage activation and subsequent cytokine storm in patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: We conducted an integrated miRNA-mRNA association analysis using circulating monocytes from 3 patients with anti-MDA5-associated ILD and 3 healthy controls and identified disease pathways and a regulator effect network by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The expression of relevant genes and proteins was verified using an independent validation cohort, including 6 patients with anti-MDA5-associated ILD, 5 with anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase antibody-associated ILD, and 6 healthy controls. RESULTS: IPA identified 26 matched pairs of downregulated miRNA and upregulated mRNAs and revealed that canonical pathways mediated by type I IFN signaling and C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) were responsible for the pathogenic process (P < 0.05 for all pathways). The regulatory network model identified IFN-β; Toll-like receptors 3, 7, and 9; and PU.1 as upstream regulators, while the downstream effect of this network converged at the inhibition of viral infection. mRNA and protein expression analysis using validation cohort showed a trend towards the increased expression of relevant molecules identified by IPA in patients with anti-MDA5-associated ILD compared with those with anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase antibody-associated ILD or healthy controls. The expression of all relevant genes in monocytes and serum levels of CCL2 and IFN-β declined after treatment in survivors with anti-MDA5-associated ILD. CONCLUSION: An antiviral proinflammatory network orchestrated primarily by activated monocytes/macrophages might be responsible for cytokine storm in anti-MDA5-associated ILD.

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/keab371

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Informa UK Limited  

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare opportunistic infection of the central nervous system caused by reactivation of JC virus (JCV). Typical PML shows confluent, bilateral but asymmetric, subcortical lesions in the supratentorial white matter on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We report here a 50-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with lymphoma who developed PML with atypical brain MRI findings limited to the infratentorial area at presentation. She presented with numbness on the right side of the face, including her tongue, clumsiness of the right hand, and gait disturbance, after completion of remission induction therapy for lymphoma, including rituximab. Brain MRI demonstrated a solitary lesion limited to the cerebellum and brainstem, but a definitive diagnosis could not be made from cerebrospinal fluid study or tentative histologic evaluation of brain biopsy specimens. Despite methylprednisolone pulse therapy, her neurological deficits progressively worsened. One month later, in-depth analysis of her cerebrospinal fluid and brain biopsy specimens confirmed the presence of JCV. Eventually, the localised unilateral crescent-shaped cerebellar lesions on MRI expanded to the contralateral cerebellum, middle cerebellar hemisphere, pons, and midbrain and finally developed multifocal invasion into the white matter of the cerebral hemispheres. Our case suggests that PML could first present with a solitary infratentorial lesion in immunocompromised patients.

DOI： 10.1080/24725625.2021.1899763

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease that affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue, in addition to the internal organs of the whole body. Onset in childhood is uncommon; however, both patients with childhood-onset and adult-onset SSc are positive for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs).Detection of SSc-related anti-nuclear antibodies is often useful for predicting clinical features, disease course, and outcomes. CASE PRESENTATION: A 5-year-old Japanese female manifested gradually progressive abnormal gait disturbance, regression of motor development, Raynaud's phenomenon, and the shiny appearance of the skin of the face and extremities at age 2. On admission, she presented a mask-like appearance, loss of wrinkles and skin folds, puffy fingers, moderate diffuse scleroderma (18/51 of the modified Rodnan total skin thickness score), and contracture in the ankle and proximal interphalangeal joints. Grossly visible capillary hemorrhage on nail fold and severe abnormal capillaroscopy findings including bleeding, giant loop and disappearance of capillaryconsistent with the late phase in SSc. A skin biopsy showed fibrous thickening of the dermis, entrapment of an eccrine sweat glands, and thickened fiber. Chest high-resolution computed tomographic scanning demonstrated patchy areas of ill-defined air-space opacity and consolidation predominantly involving the posterior basilar aspects of the lower lobes presenting withinterstitial lung disease. Positive ANA (1:160 nucleolar and homogeneous nuclear staining by indirect fluorescent antibody technique) and double-seropositive for anti-Th/To and anti-PM-Scl antibodies were identified. She was diagnosed with diffuse cutaneous SSc based on the Pediatric Rheumatology European Society/American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Provisional Classification Criteria for Juvenile Systemic Sclerosis and was successfully treated with immunosuppressive agents, including methylprednisolone pulses and intravenous cyclophosphamide. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced the first case of juvenile SSc with anti-PM-Scl and anti-Th/To antibodies. ILD was identified as a typical feature of patients with these autoantibodies; however, diffuse cutaneous SSc and joint contraction were uncharacteristically associated. The case showed unexpected clinical findings though the existence of SSc-related autoantibodies aids in determining possible organ involvement and to estimate the children's outcome.

DOI： 10.1186/s12969-021-00525-1

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Oxford University Press (OUP)  

<title>Abstract</title>
<sec>
<title>Objectives</title>
This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (JIIM) in Japan for each myositis-specific autoantibody (MSA) profile.


</sec>
<sec>
<title>Methods</title>
A multicentre, retrospective study was conducted using data of patients with JIIM at nine paediatric rheumatology centres in Japan. Patients with MSA profiles, determined by immunoprecipitation using stored serum from the active stage, were included.


</sec>
<sec>
<title>Results</title>
MSA were detected in 85 of 96 cases eligible for the analyses. Over 90% of the patients in this study had one of the following three MSA types: anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) (n = 31), anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1 alpha and/or gamma subunits (TIF1γ) (n = 25) and anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 (NXP2) (n = 25) antibodies. Gottron papules and periungual capillary abnormalities were the most common signs of every MSA group in the initial phase. The presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) was the highest risk factor for patients with anti-MDA5 antibodies. Most patients were administered multiple drug therapies: glucocorticoids and MTX were administered to patients with anti-TIF1γ or anti-NXP2 antibodies. Half of the patients with anti-MDA5 antibodies received more than three medications including i.v. CYC, especially patients with ILD. Patients with anti-MDA5 antibodies were more likely to achieve drug-free remission (29 vs 21%) and less likely to relapse (26 vs 44%) than others.


</sec>
<sec>
<title>Conclusion</title>
Anti-MDA5 antibodies are the most common MSA type in Japan, and patients with this antibody are characterized by ILD at onset, multiple medications including i.v. CYC, drug-free remission, and a lower frequency of relapse. New therapeutic strategies are required for other MSA types.


</sec>

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/keab108

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その他リンク： http://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/advance-article-pdf/doi/10.1093/rheumatology/keab108/36547627/keab108.pdf

掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Oxford University Press (OUP)  

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2020.1784548

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(株)南山堂  

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本循環器学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(株)南山堂  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Wiley  

DOI： 10.1111/joim.13154

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その他リンク： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1111/joim.13154

記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：日本医科大学医学会  

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その他リンク： https://search.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2021&ichushi_jid=J04260&link_issn=&doc_id=20210301380001&doc_link_id=10.1272%2Fmanms.17.6&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1272%2Fmanms.17.6&type=J-STAGE&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00007_3.gif

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

BACKGROUND: Since there was no previous report, we analyzed the relationship between French Risk Stratification parameters in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and mean pulmonary arterial pressures (mPAP) using Japan PH Registry (JAPHR) national-wide cohort. METHODS: We enrolled 108 patients with PAH from JAPHR from previous reported cohort and analyzed the relations between French Risk Stratification scores and hemodynamic improvements. RESULTS: The ratio meeting 0 to 4 French Risk Stratification score was 21.3%, 31.5%, 32.4%, 13.0%, and 1.9% at baseline, and 6.5%, 23.2%, 33.3%, 23.2%, 13.9% at follow-up, respectively. The improvements in the number of criteria met were associated both with mPAP at follow-up (p = 0.03) and with the improvements in mPAP (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The improvements in French Risk Stratification may become a marker of improved hemodynamics including mPAP.

DOI： 10.1186/s12890-021-01398-6

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

BACKGROUND: In the Safety and Efficacy of Nintedanib in Systemic Sclerosis (SENSCIS) trial, nintedanib reduced the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Patients on stable treatment with mycophenolate for at least 6 months before randomisation could participate. The aim of this subgroup analysis was to examine the efficacy and safety of nintedanib by mycophenolate use at baseline. METHODS: The SENSCIS trial was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, in which patients with SSc-ILD were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 150 mg of oral nintedanib twice daily or placebo for at least 52 weeks. In a prespecified subgroup analysis, we analysed the primary endpoint of rate of decline in FVC over 52 weeks by mycophenolate use at baseline. In a post-hoc analysis, we analysed the proportion of patients with an absolute decrease in FVC of at least 3·3% predicted at week 52 (proposed minimal clinically important difference estimate for worsening of FVC in patients with SSc-ILD) in subgroups by mycophenolate use at baseline. Adverse events were reported in subgroups by mycophenolate use at baseline. Analyses were done in all participants who received at least one dose of study drug. We analysed the annual rate of decline in FVC using a random coefficient regression model (with random slopes and intercepts) including anti-topoisomerase I antibody status, age, height, sex, and baseline FVC as covariates and terms for baseline-by-time, treatment-by-subgroup, and treatment-by-subgroup-by-time interactions. SENSCIS is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02597933, and is now complete. FINDINGS: Between Nov 30, 2015, and Oct 31, 2017, 819 participants were screened and 576 were enrolled, randomly assigned to, and treated with nintedanib (n=288) or placebo (n=288). 139 (48%) of 288 in the nintedanib group and 140 (49%) of 288 in the placebo group were taking mycophenolate at baseline. In patients taking mycophenolate at baseline, the adjusted mean annual rate of decline in FVC was -40·2 mL per year (SE 19·8) with nintedanib and -66·5 mL per year (19·3) with placebo (difference: 26·3 mL per year [95% CI -27·9 to 80·6]). In patients not taking mycophenolate at baseline, the adjusted mean annual rate of decline in FVC was -63·9 mL per year (SE 19·3) with nintedanib and -119·3 mL per year (19·0) with placebo (difference: 55·4 mL per year [95% CI 2·3 to 108·5]). We found no heterogeneity in the effect of nintedanib versus placebo on the annual rate of decline in FVC between the subgroups by mycophenolate use (p value for interaction=0·45). In a post-hoc analysis, the proportion of patients with an absolute decrease in FVC of at least 3·3% predicted was lower with nintedanib than with placebo in both patients taking mycophenolate (40 [29%] of 138 vs 56 [40%] of 140; odds ratio 0·61 [0·37 to 1·01]) and those not taking mycophenolate (59 [40%] of 149 vs 70 [47%] of 148; 0·73 [0·46 to 1·16]) at baseline. The adverse event profile of nintedanib was similar between the subgroups. Diarrhoea, the most common adverse event, was reported in 106 (76%) of 139 patients in the nintedanib group and 48 (34%) of 140 in the placebo group among those taking mycophenolate at baseline, and in 112 (75%) of 149 in the nintedanib group and 43 (29%) of 148 in the placebo group among those not taking mycophenolate at baseline. Over the entire trial period, 19 patients died (ten in the nintedanib group and nine in the placebo group). One death in the nintedanib group was considered to be related to study drug. INTERPRETATION: Nintedanib reduced the progression of interstitial lung disease both in patients with SSc-ILD who were and were not using mycophenolate at baseline, with no heterogeneity in its treatment effect detected between the subgroups. The adverse event profile of nintedanib was similar in the subgroups by mycophenolate use. Our findings suggest that the combination of mycophenolate and nintedanib offers a safe treatment option for patients with SSc-ILD. More data are needed on the benefits of initial combination therapy versus a sequential approach to treatment of SSc-ILD. FUNDING: Boehringer Ingelheim.

DOI： 10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30330-1

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：Oxford University Press  

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その他リンク： https://search-tp.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2021&ichushi_jid=J04752&link_issn=&doc_id=20210121300004&doc_link_id=10.1080%2F14397595.2019.1709944&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1080%2F14397595.2019.1709944&type=Crossref&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00002_2.gif

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been recognized as a frequent manifestation associated with a substantial morbidity and mortality burden in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disorders. Serum autoantibodies are considered good biomarkers for identifying several subsets or specific phenotypes of ILD involvement in these patients. This review features the role of several autoantibodies as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker linked to the presence ILD and specific ILD phenotypes in autoimmune rheumatic disorders. The case of the diverse antisynthetase antibodies in the antisynthease syndrome or the anti-melanoma differentiation-associated 5 protein (MDA5) antibodies as a marker of a severe condition such as rapidly progressive ILD in patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis are some of the associations herein reported in the group of myositis spectrum disorders. Specific autoantibodies such as the well-known anti-topoisomerase I (anti-Scl70) or the anti-Th/To, anti-U11/U12 ribonucleoprotein, and anti-eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) antibodies seems to be specifically linked to ILD in patients with systemic sclerosis. Overlap syndromes between systemic sclerosis and myositis, also have good ILD biomarkers, which are the anti-PM/Scl and anti-Ku autoantibodies. Lastly, other not so often reported disorders as being associated with ILD but recently most recognized as is the case of rheumatoid arthritis associated ILD or entities herein included in the miscellaneous disorders section, which include anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated interstitial lung disease, Sjögren's syndrome or the mixed connective tissue disease, are also discussed.

DOI： 10.1177/1759720X211032457

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Objective To understand assumptions and approaches to interstitial lung disease (ILD), including those of the progressive phenotype (progressive fibrosing ILD), this multinational survey assessed physicians' attitudes toward, knowledge of, and management strategies for progressive fibrosing ILD. Methods This internet-based survey of physicians was conducted between 11/2018 and 02/2019. Practical management strategies for progressive fibrosing ILD, and current approaches to the assessment and treatment of ILD, were compared between countries/regions (Japan vs. United States and European Union) and specialties (pulmonologists vs. rheumatologists). Results The survey was completed by 574 respondents. Compared with Western countries, the progressive fibrosing phenotype concept was not widely understood by Japanese respondents, with no notable differences in the understanding of this phenotype between pulmonologists and rheumatologists. Across all regions, pulmonary function tests, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide assessments, and pulse oximeter measurements were commonly performed at intervals of ≤6 months. In general, physicians in the United States and European Union preferred physiologic approaches for follow-up, while those in Japan preferred imaging and blood monitoring. Compared with rheumatologists, pulmonologists performed more frequent monitoring of autoimmune ILDs, and the differences between specialties were most pronounced in Japan. Regional differences in treatment approaches were observed, probably reflecting the local availability of agents and healthcare environments. Conclusions Awareness and management of progressive fibrosing ILD varied between specialties and regions, highlighting an unmet need for standardized diagnosis, treatment guidelines, and specialist education in this area.

DOI： 10.1080/03007995.2020.1860920

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the SENSCIS trial in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), nintedanib reduced the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) (mL/year) over 52 weeks by 44% in comparison with placebo, with manageable adverse events in most patients. We analyzed the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in patients of Asian race. METHODS: Patients with SSc-ILD were randomized to receive nintedanib or placebo. The outcomes over 52 weeks were analyzed in Asian versus non-Asian patients. RESULTS: Of the 288 patients in each treatment group, 62 (21.5%) in the nintedanib group and 81 (28.1%) in the placebo group were Asian; 90.2% of the Asian patients were enrolled in Asian countries. In the placebo group, the rate of FVC decline over 52 weeks was consistent between Asian and non-Asian patients (-99.9 and -90.6 mL/year, respectively). The effect of nintedanib on reducing the rate of FVC decline over 52 weeks was consistent between Asian (difference, 44.3 mL/year [95% CI: -32.8, 121.4]) and non-Asian patients (difference, 39.0 mL/year [95% CI: -5.1, 83.1]) (treatment-by-time-by-subgroup interaction, p = 0.91). Diarrhea was the most frequent adverse event and was reported in similar proportions of Asian and non-Asian patients in the nintedanib group (80.6% and 74.3%, respectively) and placebo group (28.4% and 32.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SSc-ILD, nintedanib had a consistent benefit on slowing the progression of SSc-ILD in Asian and non-Asian patients, with a similar adverse event profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02597933.

DOI： 10.1016/j.resinv.2020.10.005

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: A line blot (LB) assay is a multi-analyte platform capable of simultaneously detecting multiple anti-nuclear antibody specificities. Here, we evaluated the performance of a commercial LB assay developed for the identification of myositis- or systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related autoantibodies (autoAbs). METHOD: We screened 300 serum samples from patients with various connective tissue diseases using an LB assay and compared the results of myositis- or SSc-related autoAbs with those identified by RNA and protein immunoprecipitation (IP) assays or indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). RESULTS: The IP assays revealed anti-Jo-1 Abs in 14 patients, anti-EJ Abs in 12, anti-PL-7 Abs in 8, anti-PL-12 Abs in 4, anti-Mi-2 Abs in 6, anti-SRP Abs in 8, anti-topoisomerase I Abs in 54, anti-RNA polymerase III Abs in 24, anti-U3 RNP Abs in 9, anti-Th/To Abs in 9, anti-Ku Abs in 14 and anti-hUBF Abs in 4, whereas IIF identified anti-centromere in 35. Good agreement between the IP assays and the LB assay was found only for anti-Jo-1 and anti-centromere antibodies. When a cut-off was adjusted to reconcile with the results of IP assays, the detection performance of LB assay was improved for anti-EJ, anti-PL-7, anti-PL-12, anti-SRP, anti-topoisomerase I and anti-RNA polymerase III Abs. However, the results of anti-Mi-2, anti-U3 RNP, anti-Th/To, anti-hUBF and anti-Ku Abs remained discordant between the LB assay and IP assays at all cut-off levels. CONCLUSIONS: Detection of myositis- or SSc-related autoAbs using a commercial LB assay requires great caution since it can yield analytically false-positive or false-negative results. Key Points • A line blot (LB) assay is a multi-analyte platform capable of simultaneously detecting multiple antibodies with anti-nuclear specificities. • Detection of myositis- or systemic sclerosis-related autoantibodies using a commercial LB assay requires great caution since it can yield analytically false-positive or false-negative results.

DOI： 10.1007/s10067-020-04973-0

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To establish predictive models for mortality in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) using a combination of initial serum biomarkers. METHODS: A multicenter JAMI cohort database of 497 incident cases of PM/DM-ILD was used as a derivation cohort, and 111 cases were additionally collected as a validation cohort. Risks for predicting all-cause mortality were identified by univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses using candidate serum biomarkers as explanatory variables. The predictive models for mortality were generated in patients with and without anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody, using a combination of risk factors. Cumulative survival rates were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and were compared between the subgroups with Breslow test. RESULTS: In a derivation cohort, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) were identified as independent risk factors for mortality in both anti-MDA5-positive and negative patients. We then developed a prediction model termed MCK (MDA5, CRP, and KL-6) model, identifying patients at low (<15%), moderate (15-50%), or high risk (≥50%) of mortality, based on the number of risk factors. The MCK model successfully differentiated cumulative survival rates in anti-MDA5-positive patients (P < 0.01 between low and moderate risk and P = 0.03 between moderate and high risk) and in anti-MDA5-negative patients (P < 0.001 between low and moderate risk). Utility of the MCK model was replicated in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: The evidence-based risk prediction model using CRP and KL-6 combined with anti-MDA5 antibody might be useful for predicting prognosis in patients with PM/DM-ILD.

DOI： 10.1002/art.41566

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Objective Brain parenchymal involvement in Behçet's disease (BD) (neuro-Behçet's disease, NB) can be classified into acute type (ANB) and chronic progressive type (CPNB) based on differences in the clinical course and responses to corticosteroid treatment. The present study developed evidence-based recommendations for the management of NB.Methods The task force of the research subcommittee consisted of seven board-certified rheumatologists (one was also a board-certified neurologist) and three board-certified neurologists. First, several clinical questions (CQs) were established. A systematic literature search was performed by The Japan Medical Library Association in order to develop recommendations. The final recommendations for each CQ developed from three blind Delphi rounds, for which the rate of agreement scores [range 1 (strongly disagree)-5(strongly agree)] was determined through voting by the task force.Results A flow chart of the algorithm was established for the management of ANB and CPNB. Thirteen recommendations were developed for NB (general 1, ANB 7, CPNB 5). The strength of each recommendation was established based on the evidence level as well as the rate of agreement.Conclusion The recommendations generated in this study are based on the results of uncontrolled evidence from open trials, retrospective cohort studies and expert opinions, due to the lack of randomized clinical trials. Nevertheless, these recommendations can be used for international studies, although verification by further properly designed controlled clinical trials is required.

DOI： 10.2169/internalmedicine.4705-20

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：日本臨床免疫学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：日本医科大学医学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

BACKGROUND: A phase 2 trial of tocilizumab showed preliminary evidence of efficacy in systemic sclerosis. We assessed skin fibrosis and systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) in a phase 3 trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab, an anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody, in the treatment of systemic sclerosis. METHODS: In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, participants were recruited from 75 sites in 20 countries across Europe, North America, Latin America, and Japan. Adults with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis for 60 months or less and a modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) of 10-35 at screening were randomly assigned (1:1) with a voice-web-response system to receive subcutaneous tocilizumab 162 mg or placebo weekly for 48 weeks, stratified by IL-6 levels; participants and investigators were masked to treatment group. The primary endpoint was the difference in change from baseline to week 48 in mRSS. Percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC% predicted) at week 48, time to treatment failure, and patient-reported and physician-reported outcomes were secondary endpoints. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT02453256) and is closed to accrual. FINDINGS: Between Nov 20, 2015, and Feb 14, 2017, 210 individuals were randomly assigned to receive tocilizumab (n=104) or placebo (n=106). In the intention-to-treat population, least squares mean [LSM] change from baseline to week 48 in mRSS was -6·14 for tocilizumab and -4·41 for placebo (adjusted difference -1·73 [95% CI -3·78 to 0·32]; p=0·10). The shift in distribution of change from baseline in FVC% predicted at week 48 favoured tocilizumab (van Elteren nominal p=0·002 vs placebo), with a difference in LSM of 4·2 (95% CI 2·0-6·4; nominal p=0·0002), as did time to treatment failure (hazard ratio 0·63 [95% CI 0·37-1·06]; nominal p=0·08). Change in LSM from baseline to week 48 in Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index and in patient-global and physician-global visual analogue scale assessments did not differ between tocilizumab and placebo. In the safety set, infections were the most common adverse events (54 [52%] of 104 participants in the tocilizumab group, 53 [50%] of 106 in the placebo group). Serious adverse events were reported in 13 participants treated with tocilizumab and 18 with placebo, primarily infections (three events, eight events) and cardiac events (two events, seven events). INTERPRETATION: The primary skin fibrosis endpoint was not met. Findings for the secondary endpoint of FVC% predicted indicate that tocilizumab might preserve lung function in people with early SSc-ILD and elevated acute-phase reactants. Safety was consistent with the known profile of tocilizumab. FUNDING: F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

DOI： 10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30318-0

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本老年医学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本臨床免疫学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

A 74-year-old man with interstitial lung disease (ILD) underwent surgical excision of a growing retroperitoneal tumor and was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma. Just after the surgery, skin eruption and muscle weakness emerged. Based on his symptoms and examination findings, we diagnosed him with anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) with positive anti-glycyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase antibody (anti-EJ) as paraneoplastic syndrome. Immunosuppressive treatments kept his progressing ILD stable for 21 months, although an expanding lung metastatic lesion from primary sarcoma was detected. Measurements of myositis-specific antibodies may enable the prediction of the efficacy of immunosuppressive treatments for paraneoplastic syndrome, even if the primary disease becomes progressive.

DOI： 10.2169/internalmedicine.3923-19

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Biomarkers have the potential to become central to the clinical evaluation and monitoring of patients with chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) with a progressive phenotype. Here we summarize the current understanding of putative serum, BAL fluid, and genetic biomarkers in this setting, according to their hypothesized pathobiologic mechanisms: evidence of epithelial cell dysfunction (eg, Krebs von den Lungen-6 antigen), fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix production or turnover (eg, matrix metalloproteinase-1), or immune dysregulation (eg, CC chemokine ligand 18). While most of the available data come from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the prototypic progressive fibrosing ILD, data are available in the broader patient population of chronic fibrosing ILDs. A number of these biomarkers show promise, however, none have been validated. In this review article, we assess both the status of proposed biomarkers for chronic fibrosing lung diseases with a progressive phenotype in predicting disease risk or predisposition, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response and provide a direct comparison between IPF and other chronic fibrotic ILDs. We also reflect on the current clinical usefulness and future direction of research for biomarkers in the setting of chronic fibrosing ILDs with a progressive phenotype.

DOI： 10.1016/j.chest.2020.03.037

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本呼吸器学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本呼吸器学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential contribution of accessory respiratory muscle atrophy to the decline of forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients with SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: This single-centre, retrospective study enrolled 36 patients with SSc-ILD who underwent serial pulmonary function tests and chest high-resolution CT (HRCT) simultaneously at an interval of 1-3 years. The total extent of ILD and chest wall muscle area at the level of the ninth thoracic vertebra on CT images were evaluated by two independent evaluators blinded to the patient information. Changes in the FVC, ILD extent, and chest wall muscle area between the two measurements were assessed in terms of their correlations. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the independent contributors to FVC decline. RESULTS: Interval changes in FVC and total ILD extent were variable among patients, whereas chest wall muscle area decreased significantly with time (P=0.0008). The FVC change was negatively correlated with the change in ILD extent (r=-0.48, P=0.003) and was positively correlated with the change in the chest wall muscle area (r = 0.53, P=0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that changes in total ILD extent and chest wall muscle area were independent contributors to FVC decline. CONCLUSION: In patients with SSc-ILD, FVC decline is attributable not only to the progression of ILD but also to the atrophy of accessory respiratory muscles. Our findings call attention to the interpretation of FVC changes in patients with SSc-ILD.

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa322

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To identify initial parameters that predict worsening of skin thickening in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) using a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort in Japan. METHODS: A total of 171 patients with dcSSc were selected from a prospective cohort database based on the following criteria: dcSSc, modified Rodnan total skin thickness score (mRSS) ≥7, disease duration <60 months, and valid mRSS data at one year. Worsening of skin thickness was defined as an increase in mRSS ≥3 points and an increase ≥25% from baseline to one year. Initial demographic and clinical parameters useful for predicting the progression of skin thickness were identified using univariate and multivariable analysis, and prediction models of skin thickening progression were built based on combinations of independent predictive parameters. RESULTS: Only 23 patients (13.5%) experienced worsening mRSSs at one year. Short disease duration, low mRSS, absence of nailfold bleeding, arthritis, and a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate at diagnosis were identified as predictors of subsequent worsening of the mRSS even after adjusting for the treatment. Assessment of the best predictive model revealed that patients with a disease duration ≤12 months and mRSS ≤19 had a risk of mRSS worsening within one year, with a sensitivity of 73.9% and specificity of 81.1%. CONCLUSION: Identification of predictors of subsequent worsening of skin thickness in dcSSc patients is useful for identifying patients who require intensive treatment with potential disease-modifying agents and for improving clinical trial design by characterizing eligible progressors in the Japanese population.

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2020.1784548

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease with heterogeneous clinical manifestations and a variable course in which the severity of the pathology dictates the disease prognosis and course. Among autoimmune rheumatic diseases, SSc has the highest mortality rate among all rheumatic diseases, though there are exciting new therapeutic targets that appear to halt the progression of SSc manifestations such as skin or lung fibrosis. In selected patients, high-intensity regimens with autologous stem cell transplantation can favorably modify the course. In what was once thought to be an untreatable disease, targeted therapies have now changed the outlook of SSc to a treatable disorder. Herein, we discuss the targeted therapies modifying the outlook on selected organ involvement and creating opportunities for future treatment. We also present a framework for defining low disease activity in SSc.

DOI： 10.1002/art.41246

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare autoimmune disorder caused by neutralizing anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. In white individuals, HLA allele DRB1*11 is a predisposing factor for iTTP, whereas DRB1*04 is a protective factor. However, the role of HLA in Asians is unclear. In this study, we analyzed 10 HLA loci using next-generation sequencing in 52 Japanese patients with iTTP, and the allele frequency in the iTTP group was compared with that in a Japanese control group. We identified the following HLA alleles as predisposing factors for iTTP in the Japanese population: DRB1*08:03 (odds ratio [OR], 3.06; corrected P [Pc] = .005), DRB3/4/5*blank (OR, 2.3; Pc = .007), DQA1*01:03 (OR, 2.25; Pc = .006), and DQB1*06:01 (OR,: 2.41; Pc = .003). The estimated haplotype consisting of these 4 alleles was significantly more frequent in the iTTP group than in the control group (30.8% vs 6.0%; Pc < .001). DRB1*15:01 and DRB5*01:01 were weak protective factors for iTTP (OR, 0.23; Pc = .076; and OR, 0.23, Pc = .034, respectively). On the other hand, DRB1*11 and DRB1*04 were not associated with iTTP in the Japanese. These findings indicated that predisposing and protective factors for iTTP differ between Japanese and white individuals. HLA-DR molecules encoded by DRB1*08:03 and DRB1*11:01 have different peptide-binding motifs, but interestingly, bound to the shared ADAMTS13 peptide in an in silico prediction model.

DOI： 10.1182/blood.2020005395

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

INTRODUCTION: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a leading cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Nonspecific immunosuppressants have been the first-line treatment for SSc-associated ILD (SSc-ILD). Nintedanib, an oral triple kinase inhibitor targeting profibrotic pathways, has been employed for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and has recently received marketing approval in the United States and Japan, based on the results of a placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial. In this clinical trial, nintedanib delayed the progression of SSc-ILD compared with placebo. AREAS COVERED: This review covers current pharmacotherapies for SSc-ILD, drug profiles of nintedanib, and efficacy and safety profiles of nintedanib in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and SSc-ILD observed in randomized controlled trails. EXPERT OPINION: Currently, we have two treatment options for SSc-ILD, i.e., immunosuppressants and antifibrotic agents. However, appropriate utilization of antifibrotic agents in clinical practice remains challenging, i.e., in which cases they are to be used, timing of use, how to use them properly, and whether in combination with immunosuppressants.

DOI： 10.1080/1744666X.2020.1777857

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Due to the frequent presence of interstitial lung disease and widespread use of immunosuppressive treatment, systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients may be considered at risk for a more severe disease course and higher mortality when they develop Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus - 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infection. Therefore, with World Scleroderma Foundation endorsement, experts from different specialties including rheumatology, virology and clinical immunology gathered virtually to answer to the main practical clinical questions regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection coming from both patients and physicians. This preliminary advice is aligned with other national and international recommendations, adapted for SSc patients.

DOI： 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-217407

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the onset of polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) is influenced by season and residence in the context of myositis-specific autoantibodies. METHODS: For patients with PM/DM-associated ILD enrolled in a multicentre cohort, 365 and 481 patients were eligible for seasonal and geographical analysis, respectively, based on the availability of reliable clinical information. The patients were divided into three groups: (1) anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive patients, (2) anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (anti-ARS) antibody-positive patients and (3) patients negative for those antibodies. Seasonality was assessed by the Rayleigh test. Distance from residence to the nearest waterfront was measured on Google Map and was compared between groups by the exact Wilcoxon rank-sum test. RESULTS: In anti-MDA5-positive patients, the disease developed more frequently in October-March (p=0.03), whereas a seasonal relationship was not found in the remaining two patient groups. Residence at disease onset in anti-MDA5-positive patients was significantly closer to the waterfront, especially to freshwater, compared with that in anti-ARS-positive or anti-MDA5-/ARS-negative patients (p=0.003 and 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-MDA5-associated ILD occurred predominantly from October to March in individuals residing near freshwater, suggesting an environmental influence on the onset of this disease subset.

DOI： 10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001202

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記述言語：英語  

BACKGROUND: A myositis-specific autoantibody can now be identified in the majority of patients with myositis. They identify homogeneous patient subgroups and are key tools in developing a personalized approach to disease management. There is substantial clinical interest in exploiting myositis autoantibodies as biomarkers, and consequently, a large number of commercial assays have been developed for their detection. These assays are already in widespread clinical use. In order to better understand perceived concerns from the international myositis community in relation to the reliability of these assays and how they are being used, we conducted a survey of international myositis experts, all of whom were members of the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies group. RESULTS: We collected data on the types of assay used, manufacturers, and the nature of the report provided by different laboratories and received 111 complete responses. Respondents also provided information on how they used the different assays, their confidence in the results, and how this influenced their clinical practice. Enzyme immunoassay/ELISA was the most popular assay method used worldwide followed by line blot. Line blot was the most popular method used in Europe. Despite concerns from over 80% of respondents regarding false-positive and false-negative results with the assay used by their laboratory, over 80% reported that the identification of a myositis autoantibody influenced their diagnostic confidence, the information they provided to a patient, and their recommended treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of ongoing concerns from the majority of users regarding the reliability of the results, myositis-specific autoantibody testing, using commercial immunoassays, is being used globally to inform clinical decision-making. These findings highlight the need for urgent guidance on the use of myositis autoantibody testing and on the interpretation of results. Knowledge of the reliability of currently available assays is essential given the importance already placed on myositis-specific autoantibodies as clinical decision-making tools.

DOI： 10.1186/s13075-020-02210-2

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Objective: Quality indicators (QIs) are tools that standardize evaluations in terms of the minimum acceptable quality of care, presumably contributing for the better management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to develop QIs for SLE using electronic health data.Methods: The modified RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used to develop the QIs. First, a literature review was conducted. Second, the candidate QI items that were available to be evaluated using the electronic health data were extracted. Third, the appropriateness of the items was assessed via rating rounds and panelists' discussions.Results: We found 3621 articles in the initial search. Finally, 34 studies were reviewed, from which 17 potential indicators were extracted as candidate QIs. Twelve indicators were selected as the final QI set through the process of appropriateness. The median appropriateness of these 12 indicators was at least 7.5, and all of them were without disagreement. The QI included assessment of disease activity, treatment of SLE, drug toxicity monitoring, treatment of glucocorticoid complications, and assessment of SLE complications.Conclusion: We formulated 12 QIs for the assessment of patients with SLE based on electronic medical data. Our QI set would be a practical tool as a quality measure.

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2019.1621419

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate initial combination therapy with ambrisentan plus tadalafil (COMB) compared with monotherapy of either agent (MONO), and the utility of baseline characteristics and risk stratification in predicting outcomes, in patients with connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH) and the systemic sclerosis (SSc)-pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) subpopulation. METHODS: This post hoc analysis of the Ambrisentan and Tadalafil in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (AMBITION) study included patients with CTD-PAH from the modified intention-to-treat population. Time to clinical failure (TtCF) was assessed by baseline characteristics, treatment assignment and risk group (low, intermediate and high) at baseline and week 16. TtCF was compared between groups using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression modelling. RESULTS: The analysis included 216 patients (COMB, n=117; MONO, n=99). The risk of clinical failure was lower with COMB versus MONO (risk reduction: CTD-PAH 51.7%, SSc-PAH 53.7%), particularly in patients with haemodynamic parameters characteristic of typical PAH without features of left heart disease and/or restrictive lung disease at baseline. The risk of clinical failure was lower with COMB versus MONO in the baseline low-risk group (HR not calculated due to no events in COMB), baseline intermediate-risk group (HR 0.519, 95% CI 0.297 to 0.905) and in the week 16 low-risk group (HR 0.069, 95% CI 0.009 to 0.548). CONCLUSIONS: The benefit of COMB over MONO was demonstrated in patients with CTD-PAH, particularly in those with typical PAH haemodynamic characteristics at baseline. COMB is appropriate for patients categorised as low risk and intermediate risk at baseline and low risk at follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01178073.

DOI： 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216274

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVES: Riociguat is approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension and has antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in animal models of tissue fibrosis. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of riociguat in patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) at high risk of skin fibrosis progression. METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase IIb trial, adults with dcSSc of <18 months' duration and a modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) 10-22 units received riociguat 0.5 mg to 2.5 mg orally three times daily (n=60) or placebo (n=61). The primary endpoint was change in mRSS from baseline to week 52. RESULTS: At week 52, change from baseline in mRSS units was -2.09±5.66 (n=57) with riociguat and -0.77±8.24 (n=52) with placebo (difference of least squares means -2.34 (95% CI -4.99 to 0.30; p=0.08)). In patients with interstitial lung disease, forced vital capacity declined by 2.7% with riociguat and 7.6% with placebo. At week 14, average Raynaud's condition score had improved ≥50% in 19 (41.3%)/46 patients with riociguat and 13 (26.0%)/50 patients with placebo. Safety assessments showed no new signals with riociguat and no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Riociguat did not significantly benefit mRSS versus placebo at the predefined p<0.05. Secondary and exploratory analyses showed potential efficacy signals that should be tested in further trials. Riociguat was well tolerated.

DOI： 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216823

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Bleeding manifestations in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) range from skin petechiae to life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). However, the relation between these various bleeding manifestations and the platelet count in ITP remains poorly characterized. Using a nationwide database of patients with ITP during the years 2005 to 2014 (10 years) in Japan, we analyzed 19 415 adult patients newly diagnosed with ITP, including 222 with ICH. The frequency of skin purpura was 64.8%, and this increased linearly with thrombocytopenia without a specific platelet count threshold. In contrast, mucosal bleeding (epistaxis and gingival bleeding) and organ bleeding (melena, hematuria, and ICH) increased exponentially with thrombocytopenia at a platelet count threshold of 10 to 15 × 109/L. Age showed a much weaker correlation than platelet count with skin and mucosal bleeding. However, the incidence of organ bleeding increased exponentially above 60 years of age. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of mucosal bleeding was a risk factor for occurrence of melena and hematuria but not for ICH. The frequency of ICH was 1.1% and risk factors for ICH were age ≥60 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.13-4.47; P < .001), platelet count <10 × 109/L (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 2.11-4.15; P < .001), and the presence of hematuria (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.04-2.35; P = .033). The relation between ICH and platelet count varied with age. This large-scale analysis of risk factors for bleeding in ITP has revealed distinct characteristics of skin, mucosal, and organ bleeding in adult patients with newly diagnosed ITP, thus indicating those who are at a high risk of severe organ bleeding.

DOI： 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001446

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Objective: We examined the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) in the global Safety and Efficacy of Nintedanib in Systemic Sclerosis (SENSCIS) trial.Methods: Randomised patients received oral nintedanib 150 mg (N = 34) twice daily or placebo (N = 36) until the last patient reached 52 weeks of treatment (up to 100 weeks). Data were analysed using a subgroup analysis model with Japanese and non-Japanese patients as subgroup variables.Results: In Japanese patients, the adjusted annual rate of forced vital capacity (FVC) decline over 52 weeks was -86.2 mL/year (nintedanib) and -90.9 mL/year (placebo); treatment difference, 4.67 mL/year (95% confidence interval, -103.28, 112.63). Treatment effect heterogeneity between Japanese and non-Japanese patients was not detected (treatment-by-visit-by-subgroup interaction; p = .49). FVC decline was smaller for nintedanib versus placebo through 100 weeks in Japanese patients. The most commonly reported adverse events with nintedanib were gastrointestinal and liver disorder events; most were mild-to-moderate in severity.Conclusion: In both Japanese and non-Japanese patients with SSc-ILD, nintedanib slowed the progression of ILD, with no heterogeneity detected between the subgroups. The safety profile for nintedanib in Japanese patients was similar to that observed in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02597933).

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2020.1751402

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

BACKGROUND: Foxp3 is a marker for regulatory T cells (Treg cells), but recent studies have shown the plasticity and heterogeneity of CD4+Foxp3+ T cells. This study aimed to examine the phenotype and function of circulating CD4+Foxp3+ T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We enrolled 47 patients with SLE, 31 with organ-specific autoimmune diseases (15 with multiple sclerosis and 16 with primary immune thrombocytopenia), and 19 healthy subjects. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to evaluate the proportion and phenotype of CD4+Foxp3+ cells using multicolor flow cytometry, the status of the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) of the foxp3 gene by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and the immunoregulatory function of CD4+CD25+ cells by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Immunohistochemistry of renal biopsy specimens obtained from 6 patients with lupus nephritis and 5 with IgA nephropathy was conducted to detect IL-17A-expressing CD4+Foxp3+ cells. RESULTS: CD4+Foxp3+ T cells were increased in SLE patients compared with organ-specific autoimmune disease controls or healthy controls. Circulating CD4+Foxp3+ T cells were correlated with the disease activity of SLE. The increased CD4+Foxp3+ T cells in active SLE patients were mainly derived from thymus-derived Treg (tTreg) cells, as determined by a demethylated TSDR status, and represented a unique phenotype, upregulated expression of CD49d, CD161, and IL-17A, with immunosuppressive ability comparable to that of healthy controls. Finally, CD4+Foxp3+IL-17A+ cells were infiltrated into the renal biopsy specimens of patients with active lupus nephritis. CONCLUSIONS: A unique tTreg subset with dichotomic immunoregulatory and T helper 17 phenotypes is increased in the circulation of SLE patients and may be involved in the pathogenic process of SLE.

DOI： 10.1186/s13075-020-02183-2

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Objectives: To investigate the clinical course of Japanese patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) and early SSc with interstitial lung disease (ILD).Methods: We prospectively analyzed the clinical features of 207 Japanese patients with early dcSSc (n = 150) and limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) with ILD (n = 57) in 10 medical centers every year for 7 consecutive years.Results: Mean modified Rodnan total skin thickness score (mRSS) was 18.3 and 67.4% of the cohort had ILD. Most patients started immunosuppressive therapy and vasodilators during 7 years (83.4% and 87.9%, respectively). Mean value of mRSS of total patients was significantly reduced from the initial registration after the first year. However, other parameters for physical function associated with skin sclerosis including fist closure, hand extension, and oral aperture were not so ameliorated during the study period. Health Assessment Questionnaire-disability index and serum KL-6 levels were constant throughout the course. Percent vital capacity and the presence of ILD, clinically suspected pulmonary arterial hypertension, and digital ulcers were gradually exacerbated during the period.Conclusion: In Japanese early dcSSc patients and SSc patients with ILD, mRSS was continuously reduced during 7 years of follow-up, but there was little improvement of physical disability and organ involvement.

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2020.1751408

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to clarify predictive factors for sustained remission in adult patients with PM/DM, particularly focusing on stratification by myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs). METHODS: A total of 162 adult patients with PM/DM who were followed up for >1 year after diagnosis were retrospectively enrolled. MSAs were evaluated comprehensively in 102 patients whose sera were available. Sustained remission was defined as no evidence of disease activity (active skin rash, active myositis or active interstitial lung disease) for longer than a 6-month continuous period while undergoing myositis therapy or no medication. Clinical data were reviewed in patients' medical charts. RESULTS: The sustained remission rate for all patients was 58% during the median follow-up period at 4 years. With regard to MSAs, the achievement rate of sustained remission among MSA-negative patients was significantly higher than that for patients with anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (P = 0.004), anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (P = 0.037) or anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1-γ (P = 0.013) antibodies. MSA-negative status (odds ratio 5.84, P = 0.009) and absence of severe muscle weakness requiring assistance at diagnosis (odds ratio 43.6, P < 0.001) were independent factors associated with sustained remission in multivariate analysis. Cumulative remission rates were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients with both the MSA-negative status and absence of severe muscle weakness at diagnosis than the others. CONCLUSION: MSA-negative status and the absence of severe muscle weakness requiring assistance at diagnosis are independent predictive factors for sustained remission in adult PM/DM patients.

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/kez328

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(株)南山堂  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1007/s12185-019-02790-z

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Nintedanib (Ofev™), an oral triple kinase inhibitor targeting pro-fibrotic pathways, has been used for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Based on positive results from phase III, placebo-controlled, randomized comparative clinical trial conducted in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), nintedanib received marketing approval in the United States and Japan for the treatment of SSc-ILD. Nintedanib significantly reduced the annual rate of decline in forced vital capacity over 52 weeks compared with placebo. The safety profiles observed in this trial were consistent with those reported in IPF patients, and the most common adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, which sometimes lead to discontinuation or permanent dose reduction of nintedanib. In contrast, serious adverse events were infrequent and were related mostly to worsening of cardiopulmonary involvement of SSc. This review summarizes the milestones in development of nintedanib leading to the approval for the treatment of SSc-ILD, and covers mechanisms of action, efficacy results and safety profiles, and future perspectives of nintedanib.

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2019.1696505

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(株)南山堂  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：日本内科学会-関東地方会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本内科学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Objective: To update and revise the diagnostic criteria for mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) issued by the Japan Research Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW), a round table discussion by experts from rheumatology, dermatology, and pediatric medicine was conducted in multiple occasions.Methods: The definition of MCTD, and items included in the diagnostic criteria were generated by consensus method and evaluation using clinical data of typical and borderline cases of MCTD, by applying to the diagnostic criteria for MCTD proposed in 1996 and 2004 by the Research Committee of MHLW.Results: To the end, all committee members reached consensus. Then, the criteria were assessed in an independent validation cohort and tested against preexisting criteria. The revised criteria facilitate an understanding of the overall picture of this disease by describing the concept of MCTD, common manifestations, immunological manifestation and characteristic organ involvement. Conditions with characteristic organ involvement include pulmonary arterial hypertension, aseptic meningitis and trigeminal neuropathy. Even if the overlapping manifestations are absent, MCTD can be diagnosed based on the presence of the characteristic organ involvement. Furthermore, the criteria were validated for applicability in actual clinical cases, and public comments were solicited from the Japan College of Rheumatology and other associated societies.Conclusion: After being reviewed through public comments, the revised diagnostic criteria have been finalized.

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2019.1709944

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the incidence, risk factors, and impact of malignancy in patients with PM/DM-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: This study used data from 497 patients with PM/DM-associated ILD enrolled in a multicentre, retrospective and prospective cohort of incident cases. Cancer-associated myositis (CAM) was defined as malignancy diagnosed within 3 years before or after PM/DM diagnosis. Demographic and clinical information was recorded at the time of diagnosis, and data about the occurrence of mortality and malignancy was collected. RESULTS: CAM was identified in 32 patients with PM/DM-associated ILD (6.4%). Patients with CAM were older (64 vs 55 years, P < 0.001), presented with arthritis less frequently (24% vs 49%, P = 0.01), and showed a lower level of serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (687 vs 820 IU/l, P = 0.03) than those without CAM. The distribution of myositis-specific autoantibodies, including anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5, anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase, and anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1-γ antibodies, did not differ between the groups. Survival analysis demonstrated that CAM patients had a poorer survival than non-CAM patients (P = 0.006), primarily due to excess deaths by concomitant malignancy, while mortality due to ILD-related respiratory failure was similar between the groups (P = 0.51). CONCLUSION: Concomitant malignancy can occur in patients with PM/DM-associated ILD, and has significant impact on mortality. Older age, lack of arthritis, and a lower level of serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 at diagnosis are predictors of concomitant malignancy.

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/kez238

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Introduction: Dermatomyositis (DM) is characterized by skin lesions, such as heliotrope rash and Gottron's papules/sign, and skeletal myopathy. Patients with DM often have arthritis, cardiomyopathy, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and concomitant malignancy. Since clinical characteristics, treatment response, and prognosis are highly variable among patients, it is critical to predict future outcomes in DM patients before the initiation of management. Recently, a number of myositis-specific and -associated autoantibodies (MSAs/MAAs) have been identified and well characterized, and commercial assays for their detection have become available.Areas covered: There is accumulating evidence showing the utility of MSAs/MAAs in diagnosis of DM and in predicting clinical courses and outcomes in patients with DM as convenient biomarkers, i.e. an association of ILD with anti-ARS, anti-MDA5 and anti-SAE; and malignancy with anti-TIF1-γ, anti-NXP2, and anti-SAE in adults. This review describes available assays employed for the detection of MSAs/MAAs and how to integrate autoantibody results into clinical practice of DM patients, mainly adult patients. The relevant literature was searched on PubMed as of 2 November 2019.Expert opinion: MSAs/MAAs are convenient biomarkers that are useful in personalized medicine and thus should be adopted in routine clinical practice of patients with DM, but in a science-based manner.

DOI： 10.1080/1744666X.2019.1699059

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is considered a serum biomarker of various forms of interstitial lung disease (ILD). In this study, we examined the utility of SP-D as a predictive biomarker for mortality in patients with ILD associated with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) using large-scale multicentre cohort data. METHODS: We enrolled 381 patients with incident PM/DM-associated ILD in a multicentre retrospective cohort based on the availability of serum SP-D at the baseline. Demographic and clinical characteristics as well as the presence of autoantibodies to melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) and aminoacyl tRNA synthetase were measured at the time of diagnosis, and follow-up survival data were collected prospectively. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients died during the median observation period of 18 months, and the majority of patients died of ILD. The SP-D levels at baseline were significantly lower (P = 0.02) in a non-survivor subset than in a survivor subset among the entire enrolled patients. However, the SP-D levels were higher in the non-survivor subset than in the survivor subset based on the stratification by anti-MDA5-positive, anti-ARS-positive and, double-negativity, although there was an only statistically significant difference (P = 0.01) in the double-negative group. Surprisingly, the SP-D levels were within the upper limit of normal, 110 ng/mL, in 54 (87%) of 62 anti-MDA5-positive patients who died. In the double-negative group, the mortality rates were significantly higher (P = 0.002) in a subset with SP-D ≥127.6 ng/mL, the cut-off value for mortality calculated by the receiver operating characteristic curve, than the other subset. All of patients with SP-D <127.6 ng/mL survived. CONCLUSION: Serum SP-D levels behave differently among patients with stratified by anti-MDA5 antibody, anti-ARS antibody and both negativity in PM/DM-associated ILD. Its use in clinical practice should be applied with caution on the basis of the presence or absence of anti-MDA5 antibody or anti-ARS antibody.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0234523

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記述言語：英語  

DOI： 10.1186/s41232-020-00116-9

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To determine the performance of 3 circulating markers for the diagnosis and the progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Serum concentrations of 3 circulating markers, lung epithelial-derived surfactant protein D (SPD), chemokine CCL-18 and Krebs von den Lungen-6 glycoprotein (KL-6), were measured by ELISA in consecutive patients with established RA. These patients were recruited from 3 tertiary centers and they all had been investigated by chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). For a subset of French patients, a follow-up HRCT was available (mean interval between HRCT: 3±1.5 years). RESULTS: Among the 147 included patients (age: 66 ± 12 years, 69% women, disease duration 11 ± 10 years), 40 (27%) had RA-ILD on chest HRCT. SPD, CCL18 and KL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with RA-ILD. ROC curve analysis to assess the diagnostic abilities of the three markers for the diagnosis of RA-ILD showed a superiority of KL-6 (Area under the curve, AUC: 0.79 95% CI 0.72-0.86) compared to SPD (AUC: 0.66 95% CI 0.58-0.74) and CCL18 (AUC: 0.62, 95% CI 0.53-0.70). The sensitivity of KL-6 for the diagnosis of RA-ILD was 68% with a specificity of 83%. The combination of KL-6 with SPD and CCL18 improved its diagnostic ability, with increased sensitivity from 68% to 77%, specificity from 83% to 97%. Increased KL-6 levels were independently associated with the presence of RA-ILD after the adjustment on other RA-ILD risk factors. In the French subset with longitudinal data, baseline KL-6 serum levels were predictive of ILD progression and the degree of ILD progression on HRCT was proportional to baseline KL-6 concentrations. CONCLUSION: These results show that KL-6 is a relevant circulating marker for the diagnosis and might be an interesting marker for the progression of RA-ILD.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0232978

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by excessive fibrosis, microvasculopathy, and autoimmunity. Endothelial cell (EC) injury and subsequent endothelial cell dysfunction is believed to be an initial event that eventually leads to a vicious pathogenic cycle. This process is further enhanced by defective angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, as the vascular repair machinery does not work properly. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are functionally and quantitatively insufficient to recover the endothelium in SSc patients. The dysfunctional ECs and EPCs not only trigger the formation of typical vascular lesions, such as progressive intimal fibrosis in small arteries and the loss of capillaries, but also promote a series of inflammatory and profibrotic processes, such as endothelial-mesenchymal transition and recruitment and accumulation of monocytic EPCs with profibrotic properties. These processes together contribute to the accumulation of extracellular matrix in the affected tissue. This review features current insights into the roles of ECs and EPCs in the pathogenesis of SSc.

DOI： 10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19158

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6) and CCL18 levels and the severity and progression of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: Patients enrolled in the Scleroderma Lung Study II (cyclophosphamide [CYC] versus mycophenolate mofetil [MMF]) were included. Baseline and 12-month plasma samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to assess CCL18 and KL-6 levels. The forced vital capacity (FVC) and the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) were measured every 3 months. Joint models were created to investigate the relationship between baseline CCL18 and KL-6 levels and the course of the FVC and DLco over 1 year according to treatment arm. RESULTS: Baseline KL-6 and CCL18 levels each correlated with the extent of radiographic fibrosis. Levels of both CCL18 and KL-6 declined significantly at 1 year. In both treatment arms (n = 71 for CYC, n = 62 for MMF), a higher baseline KL-6 level predicted progression of ILD based on the course of FVC (P = 0.024 for CYC; P = 0.005 for MMF) and DLco (P < 0.001 for CYC; P = 0.004 for MMF) over 1 year. A higher baseline CCL18 level predicted progression of ILD based on the course of the FVC (P < 0.001 for CYC; P = 0.007 for MMF) and DLco (P = 0.001 for CYC; P < 0.001 for MMF) over 1 year, as well as mortality (P = 0.0008 for CYC arm only). CONCLUSION: In a rigorously conducted clinical trial for SSc-related ILD, KL-6 and CCL18 levels correlated with ILD severity and declined with immunosuppression. Patients with higher baseline KL-6 and CCL18 levels were more likely to experience disease progression despite treatment. KL-6 and CCL18 levels could be used to identify patients with a progressive ILD phenotype who may benefit from a more aggressive initial treatment approach.

DOI： 10.1002/art.41020

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：日本臨床免疫学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：日本医科大学医学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本臨床免疫学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：日本医科大学医学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of a line blot (LB) assay for identifying anti-PM-Scl antibody (Ab). METHODS: We screened 56 serum samples from systemic sclerosis patients using a protein immunoprecipitation (IP) assay and an LB assay (Systemic Sclerosis Profile Euroline® Blot test kit) to detect anti-PM-Scl Ab. We compared the results obtained by the IP and LB assays. RESULTS: Among the 56 serum samples of SSc patients, 9 sera were positive for anti-PM-Scl75 Ab and 1 for anti-PM-Scl100 Ab by the LB assay. The protein IP assay revealed that none of the samples precipitated 75 or 100 kDa proteins identical to the anti-PM-Scl Ab reference serum, regardless of the positive or negative results obtained in the LB assay. Therefore, the false-positive rates for both anti-PM-Scl75 Ab and anti-PM-Scl100 Ab by the LB assay were 100%. CONCLUSION: Detection of anti-PM-Scl Ab assessed with a commercial LB assay requires extreme caution since it may yield false-positive data.

DOI： 10.1111/1756-185X.13638

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記述言語：英語  

The presence of anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (ARS) or anti-melanoma differential-associated gene 5 (MDA5) is strongly related to interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with dermatomyositis (DM). Several studies suggest a potential relationship between ILD and anti-small ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme (SAE) antibody in DM patients, but detailed clinical characteristics of anti-SAE-associated ILD still remain unknown. We have experienced 2 cases who were positive for anti-SAE antibody, who presented with ILD in the context of clinically amyopathic DM. These 2 patients had the following common ILD characteristics: an insidious course with preserved pulmonary function; a limited extent of pulmonary lesions with subpleural peripheral-dominant small ground glass opacity/consolidation on high-resolution computed tomography; and a favorable treatment response. These findings suggest that anti-SAE-associated ILD is unique in terms of clinical and imaging features and differs from ILD associated with anti-ARS or anti-MDA5 antibody.

DOI： 10.1111/1756-185X.13593

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1097/MD.0000000000016390

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DOI： 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-214816

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common manifestation of systemic sclerosis and a leading cause of systemic sclerosis-related death. Nintedanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown to have antifibrotic and antiinflammatory effects in preclinical models of systemic sclerosis and ILD. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in patients with ILD associated with systemic sclerosis. Patients who had systemic sclerosis with an onset of the first non-Raynaud's symptom within the past 7 years and a high-resolution computed tomographic scan that showed fibrosis affecting at least 10% of the lungs were randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to receive 150 mg of nintedanib, administered orally twice daily, or placebo. The primary end point was the annual rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC), assessed over a 52-week period. Key secondary end points were absolute changes from baseline in the modified Rodnan skin score and in the total score on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at week 52. RESULTS: A total of 576 patients received at least one dose of nintedanib or placebo; 51.9% had diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, and 48.4% were receiving mycophenolate at baseline. In the primary end-point analysis, the adjusted annual rate of change in FVC was -52.4 ml per year in the nintedanib group and -93.3 ml per year in the placebo group (difference, 41.0 ml per year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9 to 79.0; P = 0.04). Sensitivity analyses based on multiple imputation for missing data yielded P values for the primary end point ranging from 0.06 to 0.10. The change from baseline in the modified Rodnan skin score and the total score on the SGRQ at week 52 did not differ significantly between the trial groups, with differences of -0.21 (95% CI, -0.94 to 0.53; P = 0.58) and 1.69 (95% CI, -0.73 to 4.12 [not adjusted for multiple comparisons]), respectively. Diarrhea, the most common adverse event, was reported in 75.7% of the patients in the nintedanib group and in 31.6% of those in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with ILD associated with systemic sclerosis, the annual rate of decline in FVC was lower with nintedanib than with placebo; no clinical benefit of nintedanib was observed for other manifestations of systemic sclerosis. The adverse-event profile of nintedanib observed in this trial was similar to that observed in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; gastrointestinal adverse events, including diarrhea, were more common with nintedanib than with placebo. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim; SENSCIS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02597933.).

DOI： 10.1056/NEJMoa1903076

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DOI： 10.1002/art.40809

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掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：SAGE Publications  

Objectives:

To investigate the systemic sclerosis–related phenotype in fos-related antigen-1 transgenic mice and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods:

Lung and skin sections of constitutive fos-related antigen-1 transgenic mice and wild-type mice were examined by tissue staining and immunohistochemistry. The tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient was measured by transthoracic echocardiography with a Doppler technique. To assess the impact of fos-related antigen-1 expression on macrophage function, bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells were derived from mice that expressed fos-related antigen-1 under the control of doxycycline and wild-type littermates. These bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells were induced to differentiate into macrophages with or without doxycycline, and analyzed for gene and protein expression. Finally, lung explants obtained from systemic sclerosis patients and control donors were subjected to immunohistochemistry.

Results:

The lungs of fos-related antigen-1 transgenic mice showed excessive fibrosis of the interstitium and thickening of vessel walls, with narrowing lumen, in an age-dependent manner. The tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient was significantly elevated in fos-related antigen-1 transgenic versus control mice. Increased dermal thickness and the loss of subdermal adipose tissue were also observed in the fos-related antigen-1 transgenic mice. These changes were preceded by a perivascular infiltration of mononuclear cells, predominantly consisting of alternatively activated or M2 macrophages. Overexpressing fos-related antigen-1 in bone marrow–derived mononuclear cell cultures increased the expression of M2-related genes, such as Il10, Alox15, and Arg1. Finally, fos-related antigen-1-expressing M2 macrophages were increased in the lung tissues of systemic sclerosis patients.

Conclusions:

The fos-related antigen-1 transgenic mouse serves as a genetic model of systemic sclerosis that recapitulates the major vascular and fibrotic manifestations of the lungs and skin in systemic sclerosis patients. M2 polarization mediated by the up-regulation of fos-related antigen-1 may play a critical role in the development of systemic sclerosis.

DOI： 10.1177/2397198319838140

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その他リンク： http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/2397198319838140

記述言語：英語  

DOI： 10.1111/1756-185X.13573

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DOI： 10.1111/1756-185X.13573

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記述言語：英語  

DOI： 10.1177/0961203319840433

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：関東リウマチ研究会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to clarify the association of myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) with clinical and laboratory features in Japanese patients with juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (JIIMs). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the frequency of MSAs and their association with clinical or laboratory findings in 25 Japanese patients with JIIMs in Hokkaido district. RESULTS: Eighteen of the 25 patients (72%) were positive for MSAs; seven with anti-melanoma differentiation associated gene (MDA) 5 (28%), five with anti-transcriptional intermediary factor (TIF)-1γ (20%), four with anti-MJ/nuclear matrix protein (NXP)-2 (16%), two with anti-Jo-1 (8%), one with anti- HMG-CoA reductase, one with anti-signal recognition peptide (SRP) antibodies (4% each), including co-existence and transition of MSAs in one patient each. Anti-MDA5 antibodies were related to interstitial lung disease (ILD) and arthritis but not to amyopathic juvenile dermatomyositis. Drug-free remission was achieved, once ILD was overcome in this group. Anti-TIF-1γ antibodies were associated with typical rashes and mild myositis. Anti-MJ/NXP2 and anti-SRP antibodies were associated with severe muscle weakness. No patient was complicated with malignancy. CONCLUSION: Anti-MDA5 antibodies are prevalent and closely associated with ILD in our series compared with other countries. There was no apparent difference in clinical features associated with other MSAs among races.

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2018.1452353

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2018.1460230

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1253/circj.CJ-66-0158

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：関東リウマチ研究会  

60歳男性。咳嗽、呼吸困難、発熱、手指疼痛を主訴に当院救急搬送となった。入院時、発熱、炎症反応上昇、動脈閉塞による両側手指壊疽、肺胞出血(びまん性間質性肺病変)、縦隔気腫・気胸、胃壁のびまん性肥厚を認めたことから、結節性多発性動脈炎を考え、メチルプレドニゾロン、エンドキサンパルス療法、ヘパリン投与、胸腔ドレナージを行い、気管挿管による人工呼吸管理を開始した。その後は全身状態が改善傾向にあり、第12病日の内視鏡検査と皮膚生検で胃癌併発抗ARS抗体陽性が明らかになった。悪性腫瘍の根治術目的にステロイド漸減を目指したが、第35病日に死亡した。

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

We clarify clinical characteristics of patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced myositis.In 13 of 15 cases with ICI-induced myositis, the type of malignancy was melanoma. Eight, 4, and 3 patients received anti-PD-1 alone, anti-CTLA4 alone, and a combination of those, respectively. The mean period to the onset of ICI-induced myositis from the initiation of ICI was 4 weeks. Myocarditis was a complication in five patients. Seven of the patients died. The causes of death were myocarditis in three patients, respiratory muscle paralysis in two patients, and cancer progression in two patients. In patients without myocarditis or respiratory muscle paralysis, the prognosis for myositis was favorable with normalization of the CK levels occurring upon the cessation of ICI and the administration of immunosuppressive agents. Myocarditis and respiratory muscle paralysis are the major causes of death as immune-related adverse events in patients with ICI-induced myositis.

DOI： 10.1007/s11926-019-0811-3

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DOI： 10.1007/s11926-019-0811-3

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DOI： 10.1002/art.40815

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2018.1452178

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DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2018.1452179

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DOI： 10.1016/j.rmcr.2019.01.012

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a systemic vasculitis with severe complications that affects the aorta and its large branches. HLA-B*52 is an established susceptibility locus to TAK. To date, there are still only a limited number of reports concerning non-HLA susceptibility loci to TAK. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and a follow-up study in a total of 633 TAK cases and 5,928 controls. A total of 510,879 SNPs were genotyped, and 5,875,450 SNPs were imputed together with HLA-B*52. Functional annotation of significant loci, enhancer enrichment, and pathway analyses were conducted. We identified four unreported significant loci, namely rs2322599, rs103294, rs17133698, and rs1713450, in PTK2B, LILRA3/LILRB2, DUSP22, and KLHL33, respectively. Two additional significant loci unreported in non-European GWAS were identified, namely HSPA6/FCGR3A and chr21q.22. We found that a single variant associated with the expression of MICB, a ligand for natural killer (NK) cell receptor, could explain the entire association with the HLA-B region. Rs2322599 is strongly associated with the expression of PTK2B Rs103294 risk allele in LILRA3/LILRB2 is known to be a tagging SNP for the deletion of LILRA3, a soluble receptor of HLA class I molecules. We found a significant epistasis effect between HLA-B*52 and rs103294 (P = 1.2 × 10-3). Enhancer enrichment analysis and pathway analysis suggested the involvement of NK cells (P = 8.8 × 10-5, enhancer enrichment). In conclusion, four unreported TAK susceptibility loci and an epistasis effect between LILRA3 and HLA-B*52 were identified. HLA and non-HLA regions suggested a critical role for NK cells in TAK.

DOI： 10.1073/pnas.1808850115

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DOI： 10.1097/RHU.0000000000000974

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1111/1756-185X.13449

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1016/j.resinv.2018.07.007

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記述言語：日本語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

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記述言語：日本語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

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DOI： 10.3899/jrheum.170518

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.3899/jrheum.170997

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics criteria (SLICC-12) on classifying systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in an uncontrolled multi-centered study with real-life scenario of the patients in Japan. METHODS: This study comprised 495 patients with SLE or non-SLE rheumatic diseases and allied conditions from 12 institutes in Japan. Chart review of each patient was performed by the 27 expert rheumatologists and diagnosis of 487 cases reached to the consensus. Value of the SLICC-12 on SLE classification was analyzed comparing with the 1997 revised American College of Rheumatology SLE classification criteria (ACR-97) employing the expert-consented diagnoses. RESULTS: Compared to the ACR-97, the SLICC-12 had a higher sensitivity (ACR-97 vs. SLICC-12: 0.88 vs. 0.99, p < .01) and comparable specificity (0.85 vs. 0.80). The rate of misclassification (0.14 vs. 0.11) or the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (0.863 vs. 0.894) was not statistically different. In the cases that diagnoses corresponded in high rates among experts, both criteria showed high accordance of SLE classification over 85% with the expert diagnoses. CONCLUSION: Although employment of SLICC-12 for the classification for SLE should be carefully considered, the SLICC-12 showed the higher sensitivity on classifying SLE in Japanese population.

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2017.1385154

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記述言語：日本語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-eular.3521

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Several effective drugs have been identified for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, in advanced cases, not only their effectiveness is reduced but they may be also harmful due to their side-effects. Therefore, early diagnosis and early treatment is most important for the treatment of SSc. We established diagnostic criteria for SSc in 2003 and early diagnostic criteria for SSc in 2011, for the purpose of developing evaluation of each organ in SSc. Moreover, in November 2013, the American College of Rheumatology and the European Rheumatology Association jointly developed new diagnostic criteria for increasing their sensitivity and specificity, so we revised our diagnostic criteria and severity classification of SSc. Furthermore, we have revised the clinical guideline based on the newest evidence. In particular, the clinical guideline was established by clinical questions based on evidence-based medicine according to the New Minds Clinical Practice Guideline Creation Manual (version 1.0). We aimed to make the guideline easy to use and reliable based on the newest evidence, and to present guidance as specific as possible for various clinical problems in treatment of SSc.

DOI： 10.1111/1346-8138.14162

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-eular.6162

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

RATIONALE: Among all dermatomyositis (DM) patients, antimelanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5 Ab) positive patients have significantly poor short-term mortality, whereas they experience less relapses over the long term after the remission. We report the case of a patient with anti-MDA5 Ab-positive clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) with the recurrence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) after 7 years of remission. There has been no case report of an anti-MDA5 Ab-positive DM patient with the recurrence of ILD after 7 years of long-term remission. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 70-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with anti-MDA5 Ab-positive CADM and ILD. After achieving 7 years long-term remission, she was admitted to our department with erythema on the fingers and interstitial pneumonia. Her anti-MDA5 Ab titer was elevated. DIAGNOSES: We diagnosed recurrent CADM complicated with ILD. INTERVENTIONS: We successfully treated her with 1,000 mg of methyl-prednisolone pulse and intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy followed by prednisolone 50 mg/day and an increase of cyclosporine. OUTCOMES: After that treatment, the patient's skin symptoms and interstitial pneumonia were relieved. All laboratory investigations such as ferritin, the serum markers of interstitial pneumonia (i.e., SP-A, SP-D), and the titer of anti-MDA5 Ab showed signs of improvement. LESSONS: Her case suggests that careful physical examinations and monitoring the serum markers are important even after long-term remission is achieved.

DOI： 10.1097/MD.0000000000011024

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

RATIONALE: As the initial treatment of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RPILD) with antimelanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5 Ab)-positive dermatomyositis (DM) patients, a combination of corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and calcineurin inhibitor is recommended. However, some of these patients have poor prognoses despite such intensive treatment. Other more effective treatments are desired. We report the case of an anti-MDA5 Ab-positive DM patient who had developed RPILD despite intensive treatments; she was treated successfully by a short-term plasma exchange (PE). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 71-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to the rheumatology department of another hospital with progressive muscle weakness of the limbs and erythema on both upper eyelids and the fingers of both hands. She was suspected of having classical DM (CDM) based on the findings of typical skin and myositis. Although a chest computed tomography (CT) examination showed no findings of interstitial pneumonia at the first visit to the department, she newly presented interstitial pneumonia during her admission and her anti-MDA5 Ab titer was elevated. DIAGNOSES: She was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease (ILD) with anti-MDA5 Ab-positive DM. INTERVENTIONS: She was treated with 1000 mg of methyl-prednisolone pulse, 500 mg of intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy (IVCY) followed by prednisolone 40 mg/day with tapering, and oral cyclosporine 200 mg/day. However, her interstitial pneumonia worsened with increasing breathing difficulty and an increasing serum ferritin level. She was transferred to our department, and we initiated PE as an additional treatment. OUTCOMES: After the PE treatment, all laboratory findings, for example, ferritin, KL-6, and the titer of anti-MDA5 Ab showed marked improvement, and the patient's skin symptoms and active interstitial pneumonia were relieved. LESSONS: Our patient's case suggests that PE may be effective for RPILD in anti-MDA5 Ab-positive DM patients.

DOI： 10.1097/MD.0000000000010436

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1038/s41423-018-0013-3

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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DOI： 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02836

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Japanese Circulation Society  

Background: The potential efficacy of immunosuppressive (IS) treatment has been reported in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with connective tissue disease (CTD), but its positioning in the treatment algorithm remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of favorable responses to first-line IS treatment. Methods and Results: This single-center retrospective study included 30 patients with PAH accompanied by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed CTD (MCTD), or primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) who received first-line IS treatment alone or in combination with pulmonary vasodilators. When short-term treatment response was defined as an improvement in World Health Organization functional class at 3 months, 16 patients (53%) were short-term responders. Simultaneous diagnosis of PAH and CTD, and the use of immunosuppressants, especially intravenous cyclophosphamide, in addition to glucocorticoids were identified as independent predictors of a short-term response (P=0.004 and 0.0002, respectively). Cumulative rates free of PAH-related death were better in short-term responders than non-responders (P=0.04), and were best in patients with a simultaneous diagnosis of PAH and CTD who were treated initially with a combination of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants. Conclusions: Patients with a simultaneous diagnosis of PAH and CTD, including SLE, MCTD, and primary SS, should receive intensive IS treatment regimens to achieve better short- and long-term outcomes.

DOI： 10.1253/circj.CJ-17-0351

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Japanese Circulation Society  

Background: The trend of the initial treatment strategy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has changed from monotherapies to upfront combination therapies. This study analyzed treatments and outcomes in Japanese patients with PAH, using data from the Japan PH Registry (JAPHR), which is the first organized multicenter registry for PAH in Japan. Methods and Results: We studied 189 consecutive patients (108 treatment-naïve and 81 background therapy patients) with PAH in 8 pulmonary hypertension (PH) centers enrolled from April 2008 to March 2013. We performed retrospective survival analyses and analyzed the association between upfront combination and hemodynamic improvement, adjusting for baseline NYHA classification status. Among the 189 patients, 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 97.0% (95% CI: 92.1–98.4), 92.6% (95% CI: 87.0–95.9), and 88.2% (95% CI: 81.3–92.7), respectively. In the treatment-naïve cohort, 33% of the patients received upfront combination therapy. In this cohort, 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 97.6% (95% CI: 90.6–99.4), 97.6% (95% CI: 90.6–99.4), and 95.7% (95% CI: 86.9–98.6), respectively. Patients on upfront combination therapy were 5.27-fold more likely to show hemodynamic improvement at the first follow-up compared with monotherapy (95% CI: 2.68–10.36). Conclusions: According to JAPHR data, initial upfront combination therapy is associated with improvement in hemodynamic status.

DOI： 10.1253/circj.CJ-17-0139

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掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/key060

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本高気圧環境・潜水医学会  

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本創傷治癒学会  

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：WILEY  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（国際会議プロシーディングス）   出版者・発行元：WILEY  

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：WILEY  

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：WILEY  

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：WILEY  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Elsevier B.V.  

Systemic sclerosis is a systemic autoimmune and connective tissue disorder associated with the human leukocyte antigen locus. However, the functional relationship between human leukocyte antigen gene(s) and disease development remains unknown. To elucidate major histocompatibility complex-linked systemic sclerosis genetics, we performed genotyping of major histocompatibility complex-borne microsatellites and HLA-DPB1 alleles using DNA obtained from 318 anti-topoisomerase I antibody-positive patients and 561 healthy controls, all of Japanese descent. Those results revealed two major histocompatibility complex haplotypes associated with systemic sclerosis. Exome sequencing and targeted analysis of these risk haplotypes identified rs17847931 in RXRB as a susceptibility variant (P = 1.3 × 10−15
odds ratio [OR] = 9.4) with amino acid substitution p.V95A on the risk haplotype harboring HLA-DPB1∗13:01. No identical variant in the other haplotype including DPB1*09:01 was observed, though that haplotype also showed a significant association (P = 8.5 × 10−22
OR = 4.3) with systemic sclerosis. Furthermore, the number of risk factors was shown to be a predominant factor, as individuals with two factors had elevated risk (P = 6.7 × 10−13
OR = 30.2). We concluded that RXRB may be involved in antifibrotic activity in skin and chromatin remodeling.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jid.2017.04.028

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：J RHEUMATOL PUBL CO  

Objective. Patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) who express anti-melanoma differentiation associated protein 5 (anti-MDA5) antibodies frequently present with interstitial lung disease (ILD). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of HLA-DRB1 with anti-MDA5 expression in PM/DM.
Methods. The frequency of DRB1 alleles was compared among 70 patients with PM, 104 patients with DM, and 400 healthy controls in a Han Chinese population.
Results. Frequencies of DRB1*04: 01 [17.0% vs 1.3%, corrected p value (p(c)) = 3.8 x 10(-8), OR 16.2, 95% CI 6.6-39.7] and *12: 02 (42.6% vs 19.3%, p(c) = 0.008, OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.7-5.7) were significantly higher in anti-MDA5-positive patients with PM/DM compared with the controls. The frequencies of DRB1*04: 01 (p = 5.2 x 10(-6), OR 17.1, 95% CI 5.3-54.9) and *12: 02 (p = 3.8 x 10(-4), OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.7-5.7) in anti-MDA5-positive patients with DM-ILD were higher than in the controls, whereas the frequencies of DRB1*04: 01 and *12: 02 did not differ between the anti-MDA5-negative patients with DM-ILD and controls. No difference in the frequency of DRB1 alleles, other than *04:01, carrying the "shared epitope" (SE), i.e., *01: 01, *01: 02, *04: 05, and *10: 01, was observed between the controls and patients with DM stratified by the presence of anti-MDA5 and ILD.
Conclusion. DRB1*04: 01 and *12: 02 confer susceptibility to anti-MDA5 antibody production in DM, which cannot be explained by the SE hypothesis.

DOI： 10.3899/jrheum.170165

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記述言語：英語  

DOI： 10.1016/j.jid.2017.04.028

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本高気圧環境・潜水医学会  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：OXFORD UNIV PRESS  

Objective. To examine the relationship between MRI structural damage and repair and plasma inflammatory cytokines in patients with RA.
Methods. A total of 88 newly diagnosed, untreated RA patients were enrolled. Contrast MRI of the dominant hand and X-rays of the hands and feet were performed at baseline and 1 year later. MR images were evaluated using RA MRI scoring, and X-ray
were assessed by the modified total Sharp score. Erosion progression was defined as changes in RA MRI scoring erosion or modified total Sharp score erosion of &gt; 0.5. Erosion repair was defined as erosion score changes of less than -0.5. Plasma levels of 10 cytokines were measured by electrochemiluminescence assay.
Results. Progression of bone erosion and repair were observed more frequently in MRI than in X-rays (erosion, 52% vs 26%, P &lt; 0.001; repair, 26% vs 15%, P = 0.003, respectively). Baseline IL-6 levels and seropositivity were independent relevant factors for MRI erosion progression, with IL-6 having stronger effect than seropositivity. A receiver operating characteristic curve identified the baseline IL-6 level of 7.6 pg/ml for predicting erosion progression during 1 year, with an area under the curve of 0.82; higher IL-6 levels resulted in more erosion progression. Baseline low IL-6 was also an independent predictor for MRI erosion repair.
Conclusion. In newly diagnosed, untreated RA patients, baseline plasma IL-6 levels are responsible for 1-year MRI bone erosion progression and repair.

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/kex046

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP  

Background Patients with connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH), in particular systemic sclerosis (SSc), had an attenuated response compared with idiopathic PAH in most trials. Thus, there is uncertainty regarding the benefit of PAH-targeted therapy in some forms of CTD-PAH.
Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of initial combination therapy with ambrisentan and tadalafil versus ambrisentan or tadalafil monotherapy in patients with CTD-PAH and SSc-PAH enrolled in the AMBITION trial.
Methods This was a post hoc analysis of patients with CTD-PAH and SSc-PAH from AMBITION, an event-driven, double-blind trial in patients with WHO functional class II/III PAH. Treatment-naive patients were randomised 2: 1: 1 to once-daily initial combination therapy with ambrisentan plus tadalafil or monotherapy with ambrisentan or tadalafil, respectively. The primary endpoint was time to the first clinical failure event (first occurrence of death, hospitalisation for worsening PAH, disease progression or unsatisfactory long-term clinical response).
Results In the primary analysis set (N=500), 187 patients had CTD-PAH, of whom 118 had SSc-PAH. Initial combination therapy reduced the risk of clinical failure versus pooled monotherapy in each subgroup: CTD-PAH (HR 0.43 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.77)) and SSc-PAH (0.44 (0.22 to 0.89)). The most common AE was peripheral oedema, which was reported more frequently with initial combination therapy than monotherapy in the two PAH subgroups. The relative frequency of adverse events between those on combination therapy versus monotherapy was similar across subgroups.
Conclusions This post hoc subgroup analysis provides evidence that CTD-PAH and SSc-PAH patients benefit from initial ambrisentan and tadalafil combination therapy.

DOI： 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-210236

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：JAPANESE SOCIETY ALLERGOLOGY  

DOI： 10.1016/j.alit.2016.10.009

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：論文集(書籍)内論文   出版者・発行元：Springer Singapore  

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by increased platelet destruction and reduced platelet production caused primarily by IgG antiplatelet autoantibodies, which mainly target platelet membrane glycoproteins (GPs), including GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb/IX. GPIIb/IIIa-reactive CD4+ T cells play a central role in the pathogenic process by triggering and maintaining antiplatelet autoantibodies. The mechanism for ongoing antiplatelet antibody production is explained by a "pathogenic loop" model consisting of macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system, GPIIb/IIIa-reactive CD4+ T cells, and B cells producing antiplatelet antibodies. Among T helper (Th) cell subsets, Th1 and Th17 cells as well as newly identified T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, which support B cell maturation and differentiation within the germinal center, are actively involved in antiplatelet antibody production. Finally, platelet-reactive CD8+ cytotoxic T cells directly induce lysis and apoptosis of circulating platelets as well as megakaryocytes. On the other hand, CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), which contribute to maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance, are defective in patients with ITP, through decreased numbers and impaired function of Tregs. In fact, mice lacking Foxp3 Tregs spontaneously develop chronic thrombocytopenia mediated through the production of IgG antiplatelet autoantibodies. Further studies evaluating mechanisms for T-cell dysregulation are useful in elucidating the pathogenesis of ITP and in developing novel treatment strategies.

DOI： 10.1007/978-981-10-4142-6_6

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：論文集(書籍)内論文   出版者・発行元：Springer Singapore  

There is no substantial difference in immunologic pathophysiology between primary and secondary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP): it is characterized by increased platelet destruction in the reticuloendothelial system or reduced platelet production mediated primarily by IgG antiplatelet autoantibodies, resulting in thrombocytopenia. Secondary ITP can occur in the context of a variety of underlying diseases or conditions, including autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), lymphoproliferative disorders, and chronic infection with certain bacterial or viral microorganisms, including Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Therefore, patients diagnosed as having ITP should be further evaluated for symptoms, physical signs, and laboratory tests associated with underlying disorders that potentially cause secondary ITP. It is imperative to consider risk factors in an individual patient basis. For example, elderly in H. pylori epidemic countries, such as East Asia and Italy, should be considered for performing H. pylori testing, homosexuals and drug abusers for performing HIV and HCV testing, and young women with a rash, fever, or arthralgia for performing a series of autoantibody tests. In clinical practice, identification of underlying diseases or conditions is essential in patients diagnosed as having ITP since treatment strategies are often different between primary and secondary ITP.

DOI： 10.1007/978-981-10-4142-6_9

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

OBJECTIVES: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterised by skin and systemic fibrosis culminating in organ damage. Previous genetic studies including genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 12 susceptibility loci satisfying genome-wide significance. Transethnic meta-analyses have successfully expanded the list of susceptibility genes and deepened biological insights for other autoimmune diseases. METHODS: We performed transethnic meta-analysis of GWAS in the Japanese and European populations, followed by a two-staged replication study comprising a total of 4436 cases and 14 751 controls. Associations between significant single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs) and neighbouring genes were evaluated. Enrichment analysis of H3K4Me3, a representative histone mark for active promoter was conducted with an expanded list of SSc susceptibility genes. RESULTS: We identified two significant SNP in two loci, GSDMA and PRDM1, both of which are related to immune functions and associated with other autoimmune diseases (p=1.4×10-10 and 6.6×10-10, respectively). GSDMA also showed a significant association with limited cutaneous SSc. We also replicated the associations of previously reported loci including a non-GWAS locus, TNFAIP3. PRDM1 encodes BLIMP1, a transcription factor regulating T-cell proliferation and plasma cell differentiation. The top SNP in GSDMA was a missense variant and correlated with gene expression of neighbouring genes, and this could explain the association in this locus. We found different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) association patterns between the two populations. Enrichment analysis suggested the importance of CD4-naïve primary T cell. CONCLUSIONS: GSDMA and PRDM1 are associated with SSc. These findings provide enhanced insight into the genetic and biological basis of SSc.

DOI： 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-210645

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1007/s12185-016-2172-2

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：J RHEUMATOL PUBL CO  

DOI： 10.3899/jrheum.170037

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.5301/jsrd.5000235

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(公社)日本皮膚科学会  

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：MEDICAL ASSOC NIPPON MEDICAL SCH  

The presence of circulating anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) is a hallmark of immune dysregulation in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Currently, a variety of SSc-specific ANAs, including anticen-tromere, anti-topoisomerase I, and anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies, have been well characterized, and their commercial kits are available worldwide. Since these autoantibodies are specifically detected in SSc patients and are associated with unique sets of disease manifestations, they are widely used in routine clinical practice for diagnosis, clinical subgrouping, and prediction of future organ involvements and prognosis. In addition, SSc-specific ANAs are also useful in predicting future development of SSc in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon without any scleroderma skin changes, because their production often precedes onset of SSc symptoms. Application of circulating SSc-specific ANA measurement to clinical practice has greatly improved patient care, but utility of the autoantibody testing could be maximized by combining other clinical information, such as degree and extent of skin thickness and disease duration.

DOI： 10.1272/jnms.84.56

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：J RHEUMATOL PUBL CO  

Objective. To determine the clinical features associated with the antimelanoma differentia-ion-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5) in US patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) and classic DM.
Methods. Patients with CADM were consecutively selected from the University of Pittsburgh Myositis Database from 1985 to 2013. CADM was defined by a typical DM rash without objective muscle weakness and no or minimal abnormalities of muscle enzymes, electromyography, or muscle biopsy. DM was defined by Bohan and Peter criteria and was 1:1 matched (sex and age +/- 5 yrs) to patients with CADM. Anti-MDA5 autoAb levels were determined using ELISA. Clinical features were compared between CADM and DM and between MDA5-positive and MDA5-negative subjects, using chi-squared and/or Mann-Whitney U tests as appropriate.
Results. We identified 61 patients with CADM who were matched to 61 DM controls (female 62%vs 64%; mean age 44.8 yrs vs 48.2, p &lt; 0.5). Anti-MDA5 frequency was the same in both cohorts (13.1%), and anti-MDA5 was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of cutaneous ulcers, digital tip ulcerations, and puffy fingers as well as interstitial lung disease (ILD). Most patients with ILD had rapidly progressive ILD (RPILD) leading to early death. Patients with CADM were more likely to have dysphagia, but there were no other clinical differences seen associated with CADM as compared to classic DM.
Conclusion. Anti-MDA5 positivity had a similar frequency in US patients with CADM and DM and is associated with ILD, RPILD, cutaneous ulcers, digital tip ulceration, and poor survival.

DOI： 10.3899/jrheum.60682

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：(一社)日本リウマチ学会  

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掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

© 2016 British Association of Dermatologists Background: Antimelanoma differentiation-associated protein (anti-MDA)5 antibodies are associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) in patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) or dermatomyositis (DM). Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the relevance of monitoring anti-MDA5 antibody levels for the management of RP-ILD in patients with CADM or DM. Methods: Twelve patients with CADM (n = 10) or DM (n = 2) accompanied by RP-ILD were included. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were recorded. Serial measurements of anti-MDA5 antibody levels were measured. All patients were treated with corticosteroids, tacrolimus and intravenous cyclophosphamide. Results: All patients achieved RP-ILD remission after combined immunosuppressive therapy for a mean of 6·8 months, with significant decreases noted in the mean anti-MDA5 antibody levels at remission. Six (50%) patients became anti-MDA5 antibody negative after therapy. After a mean follow-up of 31 months, RP-ILD relapse was observed in four (33%) patients in both the anti-MDA5 antibody sustained positive group and the negative conversion group. However, relapsed patients in the sustained positive group relapsed earlier than those in the negative conversion group. Thus, a decrease in anti-MDA5 antibody levels during remission was associated with longer remission. Relapses were associated with a reincrease of anti-MDA5 antibody levels in four of four (100%) patients. In contrast, none of the patients without reincrease in anti-MDA5 antibody exhibited symptoms of relapse during follow-up. Therefore, reincrease in anti-MDA5 antibody levels was associated with relapse. Conclusions: The anti-MDA5 antibody level is a novel parameter for monitoring and a good predictor of RP-ILD relapse in patients with CADM or DM.

DOI： 10.1111/bjd.14882

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DOI： 10.1182/bloodadvances.2016001842

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Elsevier B.V.  

Background We attempted to clarify whether the presence of anti-aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetase antibody (anti-ARS Ab) or anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5 Ab) is associated with the therapeutic response of polymyositis/dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (PM/DM-ILD). Methods We retrospectively investigated 22 patients with PM/DM-ILD (10 positive for anti-ARS Ab and nine positive for anti-MDA5 Ab) for whom antibody analysis of conserved serum was possible. We assessed mortality in the first three months as the therapeutic response in the acute phase and compared changes in clinical data for up to one year considered as the chronic phase. We classified the clinical changes over the year into three groups: Improvement (increased % vital capacity [%VC] or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide [%DLCO]≥10 or 15%), deterioration (decreased %VC or %DLCO≥10 or 15%), and no change (remainder of the changes). The extent of abnormality demonstrated by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was scored. Results Positivity for anti-MDA5 Ab, but not for anti-ARS Ab, was associated with mortality in the first 3 months. Evaluation of the therapeutic response in the first year showed that positivity for the anti-ARS Ab, but not for the anti-MDA5 Ab, was associated with an improvement in %DLCO and a decline in the serum KL-6 levels. Positivity for the anti-ARS Ab or negativity for anti-MDA5 Ab was associated with a greater decrease in bronchial dilatation as seen by HRCT. Conclusions Anti-ARS and anti-MDA5 Abs are associated with the therapeutic response of PM/DM-ILD.

DOI： 10.1016/j.resinv.2016.08.007

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS  

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of myxovirus resistance A (MxA) expression in the cytoplasm of myofibers in the diagnosis of dermatomyositis (DM).Methods: We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the sarcoplasmic expression of MxA in muscles with DM by immunohistochemistry in consecutive cases of DM (n = 34) and other idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (n = 120: 8 with polymyositis, 16 with anti-tRNA-synthetase antibody-associated myositis, 46 with immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, and 50 with inclusion body myositis) and compared them with conventional pathologic hallmarks of DM, including perifascicular atrophy (PFA) and membrane attack complex (MAC) deposition on endomysial capillaries.Results: The sensitivity and specificity of sarcoplasmic MxA expression were 71% and 98%, respectively. While the specificity was almost comparable to that of PFA and capillary MAC deposition, the sensitivity was higher, with PFA showing 47% sensitivity and 98% specificity and capillary MAC deposition showing 35% sensitivity and 93% specificity. Of note, in patients with DM with typical skin rash but no PFA, 44% of the samples showed sarcoplasmic MxA expression, which was higher than the 17% sensitivity of capillary MAC deposition in the population.Conclusions: Sarcoplasmic MxA expression detected by immunohistochemistry is a more sensitive marker of DM than the conventional hallmarks, indicating its practical utility in the diagnosis of DM. It may well be included in the routine immunohistochemistry panel for myositis. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class II evidence that immunohistochemistrydetected sarcoplasmic MxA expression accurately identifies patients with dermatomyositis.

DOI： 10.1212/WNL.0000000000003568

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記述言語：英語  

A multicenter, open-label study was performed to investigate the safety and tolerability of bosentan in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and secondary digital ulcers. Twenty-eight patients were enrolled. The safety and tolerability of bosentan was monitored over 52 weeks of study treatment (primary end-point), while incidence and healing of digital ulcers were also assessed up to week 16. The following adverse events occurred in 5% or more of patients during the 52-week treatment period: upper respiratory tract infection (50.0%), abnormal liver function tests (42.9%), digital ulcers (25.0%), anemia (17.9%), peripheral edema (14.3%), diarrhea (10.7%), urinary tract infection (7.1%), arthralgia (7.1%), constipation (7.1%) and herpes zoster (7.1%). Eight patients experienced at least one serious adverse event, including drug-related serious adverse events in two patients, which were abnormal liver function tests and fluid retention (pericardial effusion) in one patient each. During the 16-week observation period, seven out of 28 patients (25%) developed new digital ulcers. In this study, adverse events were comparable with those previously reported with bosentan. Approximately half of the patients had adverse events associated with abnormal liver function tests, thus we conclude that liver function should be monitored regularly during treatment with bosentan.

DOI： 10.1111/1346-8138.13497

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DOI： 10.5301/jsrd.5000231

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD  

Objective: To identify and characterize a novel connective tissue disease (CTD)-related autoantibody (autoAb) directed against scaffold attachment factor B (SAFB).
Methods: AutoAb specificity was analyzed using RNA and protein-immunoprecipitation assays. Auto immune targets were affinity purified using patients' sera and subjected to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.
Results: By immunoprecipitation assay, 10 sera reacted with a protein with a molecular weight of approximately 160 kDa. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry of the partially purified autoantigen and additional immunoblot-based analyses revealed that the Ab specifically recognized SAFB. Anti-SAFB Abs were detected in 2 of 646 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) (0.3%), 1 of 1570 patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (0.06%), 4 of 270 patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) (1.5%), 1 of 43 patients with overlap syndrome (2.3%) and 2 patients with other diseases including primary Raynaud's disease and eosinophilic pneumonia. Five patients with anti-SAFB Abs had Raynaud's phenomenon and 3 had nail fold punctate hemorrhage. Of note, 8 of the 10 patients (80%) suffered from ILD. None of the patients with anti-SAFB Abs had pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart disease, or renal involvement.
Conclusions: Anti-SAFB Ab is a novel CTD-related autoAb possibly associated with ILD. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jaut.2016.09.006

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD  

Objective: To determine the real-world safety and effectiveness of iguratimod (IGU) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a 52-week, Japanese, post-marketing surveillance study was conducted. An interim analysis at week 24 was performed.
Methods: This study included all RA patients who received IGU following its introduction to the market. All adverse events (AEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were collected. Effectiveness was evaluated by the change in Disease Activity Score 28-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) from baseline to week 24.
Results: Safety was analyzed in 2679 patients. The overall incidences of AEs, ADRs, and serious ADRs were 38.41, 31.65, and 3.21%, respectively; the most commonly reported serious ADRs were pneumonia/bacterial pneumonia, interstitial lung disease, and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Concomitant glucocorticoid use and comorbid conditions associated with respiratory disease were identified as risk factors for serious infections. Pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage and increased international normalized ratio of prothrombin time were observed with concomitant use of IGU and warfarin. The DAS28-CRP decreased from baseline to week 24.
Conclusion: Although a safety concern was identified with concomitant use of IGU and warfarin, this real-world study showed no other new safety concerns and similar effectiveness to clinical trials. IGU is a new therapeutic option for RA patients.

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2016.1265695

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：SPRINGER  

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2016.1213947

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD  

DOI： 10.1080/03009742.2016.1241297

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD  

DOI： 10.1080/14397595.2017.1288842

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD  

Background: Autoantibodies against transcriptional intermediary factor 1 (TIF1) and Mi-2 are selectively detected in patients with dermatomyositis (DM). To measure these antibodies readily, the development of reliable ELISA systems has been needed.
Objective: This study aimed to establish enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for anti-TIF1 gamma and anti-Mi-2 beta antibodies (Abs) and to assess their utility.
Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 104 patients with classic DM, 68 with clinically amyopathic DM (CADM) and 70 with polymyositis, who were followed up at 8 medical centers across Japan. Serum samples from 190 patients with other connective tissue diseases (CTDS) and 123 healthy individuals were also assessed. Serum antibody levels were examined by ELISAs coated with full-length TIF1 gamma or Mi-2 beta proteins produced by a baculovirus expression system. To assess the cross-reactivity, partial-length Mi-2 beta proteins with or without mutations were produced and examined for reactivity.
Results: When compared with immunoprecipitation assay, anti-TIF1 gamma Ab ELISA showed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, while anti-Mi-2 beta Ab ELISA showed 100% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity. Anti-TIF1 gamma Ab was positive in 30 (28.8%) with classic DM and 4 (5.9%) with CADM, whereas 14 (13.5%) with classic DM, but none with CADM, were positive for anti-Mi-213 Ab. Of 30 anti-TIF1 gamma Ab-positive DM patients, 23 (67.6%) had malignancy. Anti-Mi-2 beta Ab-positive serum samples exhibited modest cross reactivity with the TIF1 gamma protein due to the homologous amino acid sequence containing cysteines in their plant homeodomains.
Conclusion: The current study demonstrates the utility of newly established ELISAs for anti-TIF1 gamma and anti-Mi-2 beta Abs, which can serve as easier detection systems for routine testing. (C) 2016 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2016.09.013

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：WILEY  

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：J RHEUMATOL PUBL CO  

Objective. To identify predictors of poor prognosis in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD).
Methods. Fifty patients with early-stage SSc-ILD who had never received disease-modifying drugs and were either observed for &gt;= 10 years or died from ILD-related causes were enrolled. The baseline variables of patients who developed endstage lung disease (ESLD) were compared with those of patients who remained ESLD-free, and the Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify initial factors that correlated with ESLD development.
Results. Sixteen patients (32%) developed ESLD during 173.5 +/- 64.7 months of followup. Elevated serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) at initial assessment was highly correlated with ESLD development (p = 0.0002). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a KL-6 value of 1273 U/ml effectively discriminated patients who developed ESLD from those who did not. Patients with KL-6 &gt; 1273 U/ml were less likely to remain ESLD-free compared with those with lower KL-6 levels (p &lt; 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that KL-6 &gt; 1273 U/ml was the most reliable predictor of ESLD development (OR 51.2, 95% CI 7.6-343, p &lt; 0.0001). Finally, the initial KL-6 level correlated with the forced vital capacity (FVC) decline rate (r = 0.58, p &lt; 0.0001).
Conclusion. The natural course of SSc-ILD is highly variable. Baseline serum KL-6 is a biomarker potentially useful for predicting FVC decline.

DOI： 10.3899/jrheum.160339

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：WILEY  

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP  

Interstitial lung disease is one of the most important causes of mortality in patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis. Understanding the risk factors for development and progression of interstitial lung disease is crucial to improving clinical outcomes.

DOI： 10.1038/nrrheum.2016.120

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：J RHEUMATOL PUBL CO  

Objective. Gottron papules and Gottron sign are characteristic and possibly pathognomonic cutaneous features of classic dermatomyositis and clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (DM/CADM). However, the Gottron papules/Gottron sign with cutaneous ulceration (ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign) are less common. We aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics of patients with DM/CADM who have ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign.
Methods. Clinical features, laboratory findings, and prognosis of patients with DM/CADM who had Gottron papules/Gottron sign with or without ulceration were analyzed and compared.
Results. Occurrences of acute interstitial pneumonia/subacute interstitial pneumonia (AIP/SIP) were significantly higher in patients with ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign (19/26) versus patients with Gottron papules/Gottron sign without ulceration (2/66, p &lt; 0.001). We also observed that the white blood cell counts (mean +/- SD 4.2 +/- 1.6 vs 6.9 +/- 2.9; p &lt; 0.001) and creatine kinase (CK) levels (198.0 +/- 377.7 vs 1364.0 +/- 2477.0; p = 0.019) were significantly lower, whereas the positive rate of antimelanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody (anti-MDA5; 88.5% vs 6.1%, p &lt; 0.001) and serum ferritin levels (665.2 +/- 433.5 vs 256.2 +/- 279.0, p &lt; 0.001) were significantly higher in the patients with ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign. Moreover, the cumulative survival rate of the group with ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign was significantly lower (p &lt; 0.001).
Conclusion. Patients with DM/CADM who have ulcerative Gottron papules/Gottron sign, positive anti-MDA5 antibody, and significantly lower baseline CK level are at increased risk of interstitial lung disease, especially AIP/SIP. A new designation for this subgroup of patients should be established to draw more attention to this clinical entity.

DOI： 10.3899/jrheum.160024

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記述言語：英語  

DOI： 10.1111/1346-8138.13265

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：WILEY-BLACKWELL  

Objective. Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is a subset of dermatomyositis (DM) presenting with the characteristic rash of DM without objective muscle weakness. Asian studies report that anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA-5) autoantibody in CADM is associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD), particularly rapidly progressive ILD (RPILD). These associations have not been established in US myositis patients. The goal of our study was to determine the association of anti-MDA-5 autoantibody with ILD, RPILD, and survival in US patients with CADM and classic DM.
Methods. CADM patients were identified in the University of Pittsburgh Myositis Center Database and matched 1:1 (sex and age) to classic DM controls. Anti-MDA-5 was measured by serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Kaplan-Meier, log rank, and chi-square tests were used for analysis.
Results. We identified 61 CADM patients (62% women, mean age 48.2 years) and 61 classic DM controls (64% women, mean age 44.8 years). The frequencies of anti-MDA-5 positivity, ILD, and RPILD were similar in the 2 cohorts (MDA-5 positive: CADM 13.1% [8 of 61] and DM 13.1% [8 of 61], ILD positive: CADM 31.1% [19 of 61] and DM 26.2% [16 of 61], and RPILD positive: CADM 8.2% [5 of 61] and DM 5% [3 of 61]; P=1, 0.55, and 0.46, respectively). Anti-MDA-5 positivity was significantly associated with ILD, since 50% of MDA-5-positive subjects (8 of 16) had ILD versus 25.5% of MDA-5-negative subjects (27 of 106; P=0.04). Anti-MDA-5 was strongly associated with RPILD (P &lt; 0.001). Anti-MDA-5-positive patients with ILD had worse baseline pulmonary function testing variables compared to anti-MDA-5-negative patients. Anti-MDA-5 positivity was significantly associated with poor survival (P=0.007).
Conclusion. Anti-MDA-5 antibody is significantly associated with ILD, RPILD, worse pulmonary outcome, and survival in US classic DM and CADM patients.

DOI： 10.1002/acr.22728

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE  

Objective
Autoantibodies to melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) are specifically expressed in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and are associated with a subset of DM patients with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD). Here, we examined the clinical utility of a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system for detecting these antibodies.
Methods
Here we developed an improved ELISA for detecting anti-MDA5 antibodies. We then performed a multicenter clinical study involving 8 medical centers and enrolled 242 adult patients with polymyositis (PM)/DM, 190 with non-PM/DM connective tissue disease (CTD), 154 with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), and 123 healthy controls. Anti-MDA5 antibodies in the patients' serum samples were quantified using our newly developed ELISA, and the results were compared to those obtained using the gold-standard immunoprecipitation (IP) assay. In addition, correlations between the ELISA-quantified anti-MDA5 antibodies and clinical characteristics were evaluated.
Results
In patients with PM/DM, the anti-MDA5 antibody measurements obtained from the ELISA and IP assay were highly concordant; the ELISA exhibited an analytical sensitivity of 98.2%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 99.5% (compared to the IP assay). Anti-MDA5 antibodies were detected in 22.7% of the DM patients, but not in any of the patients with PM, non-PM/DM CTD, or IIP. Clinically amyopathic DM, RP-ILD, arthritis, and fever were more prevalent in DM patients who were anti-MDA5 antibody-positive than in those who were antibody-negative (P &lt;= 0.0002 for all comparisons). In addition, anti-MDA5 antibody-positive patients with RP-ILD exhibited higher antibody levels than those without RP-ILD (P = 0.006).
Conclusion
Our newly developed ELISA can detect anti-MDA5 antibodies as efficiently as the gold standard IP assay and has the potential to facilitate the routine clinical measurement of anti-MDA5 antibodies in patients who suspected to have DM.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0154285

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC  

Current therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases primarily rely on immunosuppression, but global immune suppression results in an increased risk for severe infection and malignancy. In contrast, immuomodulation is another therapeutic approach employing intrinsic or environmental regulators that exert modulatory effects by intervening multiple checkpoints of the immune system, leading to correction of dysregulated immune responses. We have learned that immunomodulation by intravenous immunoglobulin is highly efficacious and safe in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), an autoimmune disease mediated by IgG antiplatelet autoantibodies. Recently, another types of immunomodulatory treatment are also effective for ITP. These include eradication of Helicobacter pylori and thrombopoietic agents, such as thrombopoietin receptor agonists. These treatment modalities are shown to exert immunomodulatory action by suppressing multiple checkpoints of the pathogenic loop of ITP, although only certain subsets of the patients show robust responses. Understanding mechanisms underlying immunomodulation is highly useful in clarifying pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases and developing novel therapeutic approaches. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2016.04.009

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：SPRINGER LONDON LTD  

The aim of this study is to investigate the renal outcomes of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis in patients with normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at diagnosis. Twenty-seven patients with biopsy-proven ANCA-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis were retrospectively recruited and were divided into 12 with normal eGFR (a parts per thousand yen60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) and 15 with low eGFR (&lt; 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) at baseline. Clinical and renal pathological findings at diagnosis and renal outcomes for up to 3 years were compared between the two groups. Two patients in the low eGFR group died of severe bacterial pneumonia. In the normal eGFR group, the following characteristics were observed: younger age at diagnosis (p = 0.04), diagnosis of granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) (p &lt; 0.01), and lower frequency of cyclophosphamide treatment (p = 0.03). On renal pathological analysis, the normal eGFR group had a significantly lower proportion of cellular crescent formation (p = 0.01), fibrinoid necrosis (p = 0.01), interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.02), and tubular atrophy (p = 0.02). As a result, the two groups did not significantly differ in remission rates, relapse rates, Birmingham vasculitis score, vasculitis damage index, or eGFR on 3-year follow-up. Patients with biopsy-proven ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis and normal eGFR at diagnosis have poor renal outcomes and may require standard intensive immunosuppressive treatment to prevent accrual of damage.

DOI： 10.1007/s10067-015-3162-0

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：SPRINGER LONDON LTD  

The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical and serological features of patients with pneumomediastinum (PNM) and dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (DM-ILD). A total of 93 patients (68 with classic DM and 25 with clinically amyopathic DM [CADM]) were recruited. Clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively. Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibodies were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Variables were compared between patients with and those without PNM. Multivariate analysis was performed using a multivariate logistic regression model. A total of 11 patients developed spontaneous PNM. During the follow-up period, 6 patients died of respiratory failure. No differences in sex, age at the onset of DM, serum ferritin levels, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were observed between DM patients with and without PNM. Compared with DM patients without PNM, those with PNM had significantly higher frequencies of rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD) (63.6 vs 24.4 %, P = 0.01), anti-MDA5 antibodies (90.9 vs 52.4 %, P = 0.02), CADM diagnoses (63.6 vs 22.0 %, P = 0.007) and cutaneous ulcers (36.4 vs 11 %, P = 0.04), but significantly lower creatine kinase (CK) levels (58.5 vs 284 U/l, P = 0.04). The multivariate analysis indicated that cutaneous ulcer was the only independent risk factor for the occurrence of PNM in DM (OR = 5.98, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.12-31.98, P = 0.037). PNM is a refractory complication and tends to occur in DM patients with RP-ILD, anti-MDA5 antibody, CADM diagnosis, and low CK level, and especially in patients with cutaneous ulcers.

DOI： 10.1007/s10067-015-3001-3

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：論文集(書籍)内論文   出版者・発行元：Springer Japan  

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by excessive fibrosis and microvasculopathy with deficiency in vascular formation and repair. The postnatal vascular system is constantly maintained through angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), major players of vasculogenesis, are heterogeneous cell population containing an extremely rare number of "true EPCs" and pro-angiogenic hematopoietic cells (PHCs) that promotes vascular formation through secretion of pro-angiogenic factors and differentiation into endothelial cells and mural cells with low efficiency. We have recently proposed a theory that defective vascular repair machinery is one of the important mechanisms contributing to SSc vasculopathy, based on reduced counts and impaired function of circulating CD34+CD133+CD309+CD45dimCD14- EPCs, which are now regarded as immature PHCs. In contrast, monocytic PHCs increased paradoxically in SSc patients and contribute to fibrotic aspects of the disease by differentiating into fibroblast-like cells. Understanding the roles of EPCs in pathogenic process of SSc may be key to dissecting its pathogenesis and to developing novel therapeutic strategies.

DOI： 10.1007/978-4-431-55708-1_3

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：論文集(書籍)内論文   出版者・発行元：Springer International Publishing  

It has long been recognized that patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) have a higher risk of cancer compared to individuals in the general population. This increased risk could be secondary to damage from the disease process itself, a consequence of the immunosuppressive and cytotoxic therapies used to treat scleroderma, common environmental exposures, or from a shared genetic predisposition to develop both cancer and autoimmunity. Alternatively, it has been hypothesized that cancer therapies, including various chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy, may trigger the development of vascular and fibrotic complications characteristic of scleroderma. Recent data demonstrate that a subset of patients have paraneoplastic scleroderma due to the development of antitumor immune responses that may become cross-reactive and result in autoimmunity. In this chapter, we explore these potential links between cancer and scleroderma, discuss a paraneoplastic model of scleroderma pathogenesis, and suggest implications for cancer screening and therapeutics in this patient population.

DOI： 10.1007/978-3-319-31407-5_37

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：論文集(書籍)内論文   出版者・発行元：Springer International Publishing  

Since clinical presentation in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is highly heterogeneous, disease subgrouping and prediction of future organ involvement and prognosis are extremely important in the clinical setting. Another distinctive feature of SSc is the presence of circulating autoantibodies reactive with various cellular components. Autoimmune targets include a variety of nuclear antigens that are present in cells with nuclei. In this case, they are termed antinuclear antibodies (ANAs). It has been shown that distinct ANA specificities are detected in SSc patients and are associated with unique disease manifestations. Therefore, SSc-related ANAs are attractive biomarkers in routine rheumatology practice, owing to their high specificity, mutual exclusivity, persistence for the duration of illness, and, most importantly, strong associations with characteristic constellations of clinical features. In addition, a new group of autoantibodies reactive with functional proteins, such as cell surface receptors and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, have been identified in SSc patients. They seem to directly activate pathways that may contribute to the pathophysiology of SSc. This chapter covers the spectrum of autoantibody specificities reported in SSc patients, their detection methods, and their clinical utility.

DOI： 10.1007/978-3-319-31407-5_15

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD  

Objectives: To clarify the prevalence of anti-signal recognition particle (anti-SRP) antibody in connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and investigate the clinical characteristics of patients without inflammatory myopathy.Method: Sera from 6180 patients with CTD were examined by immunoprecipitation (IPP) assays, and the records of patients positive for anti-SRP antibody were reviewed retrospectively. The antibody against the 54-kDa protein of SRP (SRP54) was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with anti-SRP antibody.Results: Of the 28 patients positive for anti-SRP antibody, nine (32.1%) did not have inflammatory myopathy. The clinical diagnoses and characteristics of those patients varied considerably. In patients with inflammatory myopathy, the index of anti-SRP54 was much higher than in those without myopathy (1.15 vs. 0.46; p=0.036).Conclusions: The prevalence of anti-SRP antibody was 0.5% in a cohort of Japanese patients with CTD, and one-third of them did not have inflammatory myopathy. Sera from patients with inflammatory myopathy recognized SRP54 more strongly than in those without myopathy.

DOI： 10.3109/03009742.2015.1054876

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：一般社団法人 日本内科学会  

DOI： 10.2169/naika.105.1864

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：SPRINGER  

We treated a patient with relapsing polychondritis (RP) who presented with intermittent oculomotor and abducens nerve palsies as the first manifestation. Ear swelling and laryngeal edema emerged 7 months later, which led us to diagnose him with RP. Moderate doses of glucocorticoid resolved all symptoms. Our experience with RP accompanied by oculomotor nerve palsy suggests that RP should be considered in patients with cranial nerve palsies so that they may be promptly diagnosed and treated.

DOI： 10.3109/14397595.2014.919707

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記述言語：日本語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：公益社団法人 日本皮膚科学会  

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：SPRINGER  

DOI： 10.3109/14397595.2015.1129693

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：HINDAWI LTD  

Objective. The physical function of PM/DM patients after remission induction therapy remains unknown adequately. The aim of our study was to evaluate the present status of physical dysfunction and to clarify the clinical manifestations and myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) associated with physical dysfunction after treatment in PM/DM. Methods. We obtained clinical data including the age at disease onset, gender, disease duration, laboratory data prior to initial treatment, and the specific treatment administered. We evaluated disease activity and physical dysfunction after treatment using the core set provided by the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group. Results. 57% of the 77 enrolled patients with PM/DMhad troubles in daily living after treatment. At the enrolment, disease activity evaluated by physicians was only revealed in 20% of patients. In a multivariate analysis, the age at disease onset, female gender, and CK levels before treatment were significantly associated with the severity of physical dysfunction after treatment. Anti-SRP positivity was associated with more severe physical dysfunction after treatment than anti-ARS or anti-MDA5. Conclusions. Half of the PM/DM patients showed physical dysfunction after treatment. Age at disease onset, gender, CK level before treatment, and anti-SRP were significant predictors associated with physical dysfunction after treatment in PM/DM.

DOI： 10.1155/2016/9163201

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：SPRINGER  

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) trial has mostly enrolled patients with World Health Organization functional class (WHO FC) III or IV. However, PAH is rapidly progressive in nature even in patients with less severe forms at diagnosis. Following the recent studies in Western population, here we assessed the efficacy of bosentan in Japanese patients with WHO FCII PAH. In this open-label trial, bosentan 125 mg twice daily was administered for 12 weeks in 16 patients, and a hemodynamic evaluation was performed. Treatment was continued for a further 12 weeks, where the effect on exercise capacity was assessed in 13 patients. In 16 patients, mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased from 40.4 +/- A 10.4 to 35.6 +/- A 12.6 mmHg (p = 0.018) and cardiac index increased from 2.54 +/- A 0.73 to 2.96 +/- A 0.82 L/min/m(2) (p = 0.023). Thus, pulmonary vascular resistance decreased from 792 +/- A 565 to 598 +/- A 558 dyn center dot sec/cm(5) (p = 0.006). In 13 patients followed up for 24 weeks, 6-min walking distance increased from baseline at Week 12 (p = 0.003) and Week 24 (p = 0.011). All patients were mildly symptomatic at baseline with dyspnea index (Borg scale) of 2.50 +/- A 1.58 and the specific activity scale (SAS) of 5.0 +/- A 1.4 METs. These values remained unchanged throughout the study. These results suggest that bosentan treatment was beneficial for Japanese patients with WHO FC II PAH and treatment should be started in the early stage of the disease.

DOI： 10.1007/s00380-014-0544-1

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：CLINICAL & EXPER RHEUMATOLOGY  

Objective
To evaluate the roles of circulating B cells in the pathogenic process of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by measuring the expression of chemokines and their receptors.
Methods
Peripheral-blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 17 active, 21 inactive SLE patients, and 13 healthy controls. The expression of CXCR4, CXCR5, and CCR7 on CD19(+) B cells was determined by flow cytometry, serum concentration of CXCL12 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the chemotactic responsiveness of B cells toward CXCL12 was evaluated. B or plasma cells expressing CXCR4 in renal biopsy specimens were detected using immnofluorescent staining.
Results
Flow cytometric analysis revealed that expression level of CXCR4 on circulating B cells was significantly higher in patients with active disease than in those with inactive disease or controls. Serum CXCL12 concentration was not different between these groups. In addition, the migratory ability of B cells toward CXCL12 was enhanced in active SLE patients. Finally, CXCR4-expressing B cells were more frequently observed in the renal biopsy specimens of lupus nephritis.
Conclusion
Up-regulated CXCR4 expression on circulating B cells in active SLE may enhance their chemotactic response toward CXCL12, which may promote infiltration of these cells into inflamed renal tissue and contribute to the development of SLE.

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：John Wiley and Sons Inc.  

DOI： 10.1002/art.39201

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：SPRINGER LONDON LTD  

The study aims to comprehensively assess the profiles of myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) in Chinese patients with polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM) and compare them with a Japanese cohort. One hundred forty-five Chinese patients (68 classic DM, 25 clinically amyopathic DM [CADM], and 52 PM) and 165 Japanese patients (56 classic DM, 52 CADM, and 57 PM) were recruited. MSAs were measured with immunoprecipitation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or immunoprecipitation-immunoblotting. MSA frequencies were compared. The overall frequency of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibodies was significantly higher in the Chinese patients than in the Japanese cohort (36.6 % [53/145] versus 15.8 % [26/165], respectively, P&lt;0.001), whereas the frequencies of anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) antibodies (1.4 % [2/145] versus 7.9 % [13/165], respectively, P=0.008) and anti-aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetase (anti-ARS) antibodies (27.6 % [40/145] versus 40 % [66/165], respectively, P=0.02,) were significantly lower. The significantly lower frequency of anti-ARS antibodies and significantly higher frequency of anti-MDA5 antibodies in the Chinese patients were observed in the classic DM subset (14.7 % [10/68] versus 46.4 % [26/56], respectively, P&lt;0.001, and 45.6 % [31/68] versus 5.4 % [3/56], respectively, P&lt;0.001) and CADM subset (8.0 % [2/25] versus 28.8 % [15/52], respectively, P=0.04, and 88.0 % [22/25] versus 44.2 % [23/52], respectively, P=0.0002), but not in the PM subset. The first detailed profile of MSAs in Chinese patients with PM/DM was established. The differences in MSA frequencies in the Chinese cohort and Japanese cohort suggest underlying genetic and/or environmental differences between these two populations.
Key Messages
A significantly higher frequency of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibodies was observed in Chinese patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) than in Japanese patients.
Our findings suggest that distinct genetic and/or local environmental factors affect Chinese and Japanese patients with PM/DM, who have been considered a "homogeneous" population in previous studies.

DOI： 10.1007/s10067-015-2935-9

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：WILEY-BLACKWELL  

AimGlomerulomegaly refers to the abnormal enlargement of glomeruli and is associated with an increased risk of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it has rarely been investigated in lupus nephritis (LN). We therefore assessed glomerulomegaly as a prognostic factor for renal pathology.
MethodPatients with class III or IV LN were retrospectively recruited and divided into two groups according to complete renal response (CR) at 3years after the initiation of induction therapy. Baseline clinical and renal pathological findings were compared to identify prognostic factors, and patients were followed for up to 10years to assess long-term renal outcomes.
ResultsNineteen patients with and 19 without CR on 3-year follow-up were analyzed. Long-term disease duration and high levels of proteinuria were frequently observed in patients without CR (P=0.03 and P=0.01, respectively) at baseline compared to those with CR. On renal pathological analysis, a significantly higher proportion of patients without CR had enlarged glomeruli than those with CR (P=0.03) in analysis of segmentally or minimally affected glomeruli. On 10-year follow-up, a higher proportion of patients without enlarged glomeruli maintained CR compared to those with enlarged glomeruli (P=0.004). Further, glomerular area and disease duration were significantly correlated (P=0.04).
ConclusionsEnlarged segmentally or minimally affected glomeruli at diagnosis of LN might predict a worse renal prognosis at 3years after induction therapy. Mechanical glomerular injury might influence clinical outcomes.

DOI： 10.1111/1756-185X.12682

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Exome sequencings were conducted using 59 patients having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 93 controls. After stepwise filtering, 107 genes showed less than 0.05 of P-values by gene-burden tests. Among 107 genes, NDUFA7 which is a subunit of the complex I in the mitochondrial respiratory chain was selected for further analysis based on previous reports. A case-control study was performed on the three single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) of NDUFA7 with 432 cases and 432 controls. An association was observed between NDUFA7 and RA with severe erosive arthritis. These results together with previous reports suggested the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of RA. In the next step, four SNVs from three genes related to the mitochondrial respiratory chain were selected, which is a major source of ROS, and conducted a case-control study. An association was observed based on a pathway-burden test comprising NDUFA7, SDHAF2, SCO1 and ATP5O: P=1.56E-04, odds ratio=2.16, 95% confidence interval=1.43-3.28. Previous reports suggested the involvement of ROS in the pathogenesis of RA. The aggregation of SNVs in the mitochondria respiratory chain suggests the pivotal role of those SNVs in the pathogenesis of RA with severe erosive arthritis.

DOI： 10.1038/jhg.2015.50

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：WILEY-BLACKWELL  

Objective. Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a systemic vasculitis affecting large arteries and large branches of the aorta. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a prevalent autoimmune colitis. Since TAK and UC share HLA-B*52:01 and IL12B as genetic determinants, and since there are case reports of the co-occurrence of these diseases, we hypothesized that UC is a common complication of TAK. We undertook this study to perform a large-scale analysis of TAK, both to evaluate the prevalence of concurrent cases of TAK and UC and to identify and estimate susceptibility genes shared between the 2 diseases.
Methods. We analyzed a total of 470 consecutive patients with TAK from 14 institutions. We characterized patients with TAK and UC by analyzing clinical manifestations and genetic components. Genetic overlapping of TAK and UC was evaluated with the use of UC susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphisms by comparing risk directions and effect sizes between susceptibility to the 2 diseases.
Results. Thirty of 470 patients with TAK had UC (6.4% [95% confidence interval 4.3-9.0]). This percentage was strikingly higher than that expected from the prevalence of UC in Japan. Patients with TAK complicated with UC developed TAK at an earlier stage of life (P=0.0070) and showed significant enrichment of HLA-B*52:01 compared to TAK patients without UC (P=1.0 x 10(-5)) (odds ratio 12.14 [95% confidence interval 2.96-107.23]). The 110 non-HLA markers of susceptibility to UC significantly displayed common risk directions with susceptibility to TAK (P=0.0054) and showed significant departure of permutation P values from expected P values (P &lt; 1.0 x 10(-10)).
Conclusion. UC is a major complication of TAK. These 2 diseases share a significant proportion of their genetic background, and HLA-B*52:01 may play a central role in their co-occurrence.

DOI： 10.1002/art.39157

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD  

DOI： 10.1183/09031936.00044915

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DOI： 10.5152/eurjrheum.2015.0076

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DOI： 10.1007/s13730-014-0142-1

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：OXFORD UNIV PRESS  

Objective. Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of JDM. The aim of this study was to establish markers for the prediction and early diagnosis of RP-ILD associated with JDM.
Methods. The clinical records of 54 patients with JDM were retrospectively reviewed: 10 had RP-ILD (7 died, 3 survived), 19 had chronic ILD and 24 were without ILD. Routine tests included a high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan of the chest and measurement of serum levels of creatine phosphokinase, ferritin and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6). Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibodies and IL-18 levels were measured by ELISA.
Results. No differences were found in the ratio of juvenile clinically amyopathic DM between the three groups. Initial chest HRCT scan findings were variable and could not distinguish between RP-ILD and chronic ILD. Anti-MDA5 antibodies were positive in all 8 patients with RP-ILD and 10 of 14 with chronic ILD, but none of the patients without ILD. Serum levels of anti-MDA5 antibody, ferritin, KL-6 and IL-18 were significantly higher in the RP-ILD group than in the chronic ILD and non-ILD groups. Serum levels of IL-18 positively correlated with serum KL-6 (R = 0.66, P &lt; 0.001).
Conclusion. High serum levels of IL-18, KL-6, ferritin and anti-MDA5 antibodies (e.g. &gt; 200 units by ELISA) are associated with RP-ILD. These can be used as an indication for early intensive treatment. Both alveolar macrophages and autoimmunity to MDA5 are possibly involved in the development of RP-ILD associated with JDM.

DOI： 10.1093/rheumatology/keu385

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：BIOMED CENTRAL LTD  

Background: Recent vasodilating drugs have improved prognosis of Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Some reports describe the merits of combination therapies for PAH, and this study evaluated the efficacy and safety of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) combination therapy, using sildenafil and tadalafil, for multi-drug-resistant PAH.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 7 consecutive refractory patients with PAH administered either sildenafil 60 mg or tadalafil 40 mg as well as both ERA and prostanoid as combination therapies. All were started on the dual PDE5i (sildenafil and tadalafil at maximum dose).
Results: Treatment was generally well tolerated without severe adverse events. On completion of the study, the seven patients received right heart catheterization and the 6-minute walk test (6WMT) 9.6 +/- 1.4 months after initiation of the dual PDE5i therapy, showing significant improvements in hemodynamic parameters and exercise tolerance. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance decreased from 47.9 +/- 9.7 to 41.7 +/- 9.2 mmHg (P = 0.004) and 9.3 +/- 2.7 to 6.7 +/- 2.9 mmHg (P = 0.018), respectively. Cardiac index and 6MWT also increased from 2.8 +/- 0.9 to 3.1 +/- 0.8 L/min/m(2) (P = 0.026) and 353 +/- 60 to 382 +/- 62 m (P = 0.014), respectively.
Conclusion: The findings support dual PDE5i therapy as a new treatment option for refractory PAH.

DOI： 10.1186/s12890-015-0037-8

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：WILEY-BLACKWELL  

DOI： 10.1002/art.39032

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記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：関東リウマチ研究会  

81歳女。1994年に関節リウマチ(RA)と診断され加療されていた。2007年にニューモシスチス肺炎を発症し、メトトレキサートを中止、プレドニゾロン(PSL)60mg/日およびST合剤6錠/日にて加療された。2010年、PSL 2mg/日とミノサイクリン100mg/日で加療中に両側足関節炎の増悪を認め、エタネルセプトを開始した。2013年に急性腎障害を認め、入院となった。胸部レントゲンでは両側肺門リンパ節の腫大を認め、Gaシンチで両側耳下腺、肺門縦隔リンパ節、腎臓、右大腿筋肉に集積を認めた。腎生検では非乾酪性類上皮細胞肉芽腫を認めたことなどから、腎サルコイドーシスと診断した。エタネルセプトを中止し、PSL 40mgの投与を開始したところ、腎機能障害は改善傾向を示し、Gaシンチの集積所見は治療開始3ヵ月後には消失していた。

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：BMC  

Background: Anti-signal recognition particle (SRP) antibodies are used as serological markers of necrotizing myopathy, which is characterized by many necrotic and regenerative muscle fibers without or with minimal inflammatory cell infiltration. The clinical spectrum associated with anti-SRP antibodies seems to be broad.Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics, autoantibodies status, and neurological outcome associated with anti-SRP antibody.Methods: We studied clinical and laboratory findings of 100 patients with inflammatory myopathy and anti-SRP antibodies. Anti-SRP antibodies in serum were detected by the presence of 7S RNA using RNA immunoprecipitation. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using a 54-kD protein of SRP (SRP54) and 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutatyl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) were also conducted.Results: The mean onset age of the 61 female and 39 male patients was 51 years (range 4-82 years); duration >= 12 months before diagnosis was seen in 23 cases. All patients presented limbs weakness; 63 had severe weakness, 70 neck weakness, 41 dysphagia, and 66 muscle atrophy. Extramuscular symptoms and associated disorders were infrequent. Creatine kinase levels were mostly more than 1000 IU/L. Histological diagnosis showed 84 patients had necrotizing myopathy, and apparent cell infiltration was observed in 16 patients. Anti-SRP54 antibodies were undetectable in 18 serum samples with autoantibodies to 7S RNA. Anti-HMGCR antibodies were positive in 3 patients without the statin treatment, however, were negative in 5 patients with statin-exposure at disease onset. All but 3 patients were treated by corticosteroids and 62 (77 %) of these 81 patients required additional immunotherapy. After 2-years treatment, 22 (27 %) of these 81 patients had poor neurological outcomes with modified Rankin scale scores of 3-5. Multivariate analysis revealed that pediatric disease onset was associated with the poor outcomes.Conclusion: Anti-SRP antibodies are associated with different clinical courses and histological presentations.

DOI： 10.1186/s13023-015-0277-y

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE  

Background
Intravenous infusion (IVI) of epoprostenol is an effective treatment for patients with advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, there is no widely accepted standard method for initiating the IVI therapy. This study evaluated the hemodynamic improvements achieved with IVI epoprostenol to determine the optimal protocol for treatment initiation.
Methods and Results
We retrospectively analyzed 42 consecutive PAH patients who underwent IVI epoprostenol in Keio University Hospital from 2001 to 2013. The study group comprised 30 women with a mean age of 34.3 +/- 1.9 years. The etiology of PAH was idiopathic or heritable PAH (I/HPAH) in 38 cases, PAH associated with connective tissue disease in 3, and Eissenmenger's syndrome in the remaining case. We divided the patients into rapid-and slow-initiation therapy groups according to the cumulative epoprostenol dose administered during the first 180 days, and compared the hemodynamic changes between the groups. The median cumulative doses were 6142 +/- 165 mu g/kg and 3998 +/- 132 mu g/kg epoprostenol, respectively. While there were no significant differences in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), or cardiac index (CI) between the groups before the IVI epoprostenol therapy, the rapid-initiation therapy group achieved significant improvements in these hemodynamic data compared with the slow-initiation therapy group (P &lt; 0.005) at the follow-up right-heart catheterization (RHC).
Conclusion
Rapid initiation of IVI epoprostenol therapy achieved the optimal hemodynamic improvements in patients with severe PAH.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0121894

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掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Copyright © 2015 by the American College of Rheumatology. Objective To identify predictive factors for scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) in patients with anti-RNA polymerase III (anti-RNAP III) antibodies. Methods A total of 583 adult Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) were screened for anti-RNAP III using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RNAP subsets were further identified by immunoprecipitation (IP) assays. The association of clinical and immunologic factors with SRC was examined by logistic analyses. Results In this cohort, 37 patients (6%) were positive for anti-RNAP III, as determined by anti-RNAP III-specific ELISA. Further IP assays revealed that 19 patients were positive for anti-RNAP I/III, 17 for anti-RNAP I/II/III, and 1 for anti-RNAP III. SRC occurred in a total of 17 (2.9%) of 583 patients, with a significantly higher frequency in anti-RNAP III-positive SSc patients (9 of 37 [24%]) than those without anti-RNAP III (8 of 546 [1%]) (odds ratio [OR] 21.6 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 7.8-60.3], P < 0.00001). Our multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that anti-RNAP I/II/III positivity (OR 11.0 [95% CI 1.6-222.8], P = 0.0118) and an ELISA index for anti-RNAP III of ≥157 (OR 2.4 × 10⁹ [95% CI 2.1-uncalculated], P = 0.0093) were independent factors associated with the development of SRC. Conclusion Our findings indicate that anti-RNAP III is associated with SRC, as reported previously. In addition, the presence of anti-RNAP II in combination with anti-RNAP I/III (anti-RNAP I/II/III) and a higher ELISA index for anti-RNAP III may be associated with the development of SRC in SSc patients with anti-RNAP III.

DOI： 10.1002/art.38994

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Elsevier B.V.  

Objectives Chronic progressive neuro-Behcet's disease (CPNBD) is characterized by progressive deterioration leading to disability and death. Although methotrexate has been found effective for CPNBD, its influences on the long-term outcome remain unclear. We therefore explored the effects of various treatments on the prognosis. Methods Thirty-seven patients, who met the international classification criteria for BD and developed chronic progressive neuropsychiatric manifestations after 1988, were followed up until October 2013. The effects of various treatments on prevention of death or severe disability of bedridden state were examined by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox's proportional hazard model. Results Twenty-eight of 37 patients with CPNBD (75.7%) received methotrexate. Among the 28 patients, none died and only 5 patients progressed to disability with bedridden state. By contrast, among the 9 patients without methotrexate, 5 patients died and 3 patients progressed to bedridden state. Thus, methotrexate significantly improved the survival of patients with CPNBD (HR 0.0507, p = 0.020) as well as reduced the rate of progression into bedridden state or death (HR 0.2082, p = 0.0126), but none of high doses of steroids, azathioprine or cyclophosphamide did. Conclusion The results indicate that methotrexate, but not high doses of steroids, azathioprine or cyclophosphamide, is effective to prevent the progression of CPNBD.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jns.2015.01.005

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1074/jbc.M114.619817

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：WILEY-BLACKWELL  

Objective. To clarify the role of pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a multifunctional pattern recognition protein that can suppress fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related vasculopathy.
Methods. We assessed 171 SSc patients and 19 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Circulating PTX3 and FGF-2 levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay, and CD34+CD133+CD309+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were counted by flow cytometry. Correlations between PTX3 and FGF-2 and the presence or future development of vascular manifestations, including digital ulcers and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. The effect of PTX3 on EPC differentiation was evaluated in proangiogenic cultures of mouse bone marrow cells in combination with colony formation assay.
Results. Circulating PTX3 and FGF-2 levels were significantly higher in SSc patients than in healthy control subjects. PTX3 was elevated in SSc patients who had digital ulcers or PAH, while FGF-2 was reduced in SSc patients with PAH. Multivariate analysis identified elevated PTX3 as an independent parameter associated with the presence of digital ulcers and PAH, and PTX3 levels were a useful predictor of future occurrences of digital ulcers. Reduced FGF-2 was independently associated with the presence of PAH. EPC counts were significantly lower in patients with digital ulcers or PAH and correlated negatively with circulating PTX3 concentrations. Finally, PTX3 inhibited EPC differentiation in vitro.
Conclusion. In SSc patients, exposure to high concentrations of PTX3 may suppress EPC-mediated vasculogenesis and promote vascular manifestations such as digital ulcers and PAH.

DOI： 10.1002/art.38953

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV  

Objectives: Chronic progressive neuro-Behcet's disease (CPNBD) is characterized by progressive deterioration leading to disability and death. Although methotrexate has been found effective for CPNBD, its influences on the long-term outcome remain unclear. We therefore explored the effects of various treatments on the prognosis.
Methods: Thirty-seven patients, who met the international classification criteria for BD and developed chronic progressive neuropsychiatric manifestations after 1988, were followed up until October 2013. The effects of various treatments on prevention of death or severe disability of bedridden state were examined by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox's proportional hazard model.
Results: Twenty-eight of 37 patients with CPNBD (75.7%) received methotrexate. Among the 28 patients, none died and only 5 patients progressed to disability with bedridden state. By contrast, among the 9 patients without methotrexate, 5 patients died and 3 patients progressed to bedridden state. Thus, methotrexate significantly improved the survival of patients with CPNBD (HR 0.0507, p = 0.020) as well as reduced the rate of progression into bedridden state or death (HR 0.2082, p = 0.0126), but none of high doses of steroids, azathioprine or cyclophosphamide did.
Conclusion: The results indicate that methotrexate, but not high doses of steroids, azathioprine or cyclophosphamide, is effective to prevent the progression of CPNBD. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jns.2015.01.005

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：BMJ Publishing Group  

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) affects older people, and although glucocorticoids are effective in treating PMR, they frequently result in side effects. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective study to assess the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab as an alternative to glucocorticoids. We included 13 consecutive patients with PMR (11 women and 2 men
median age, 74 years) diagnosed according to Bird's criteria and the 2012 European League Against Rheumatism/ American College of Rheumatology provisional classification criteria. All patients received tocilizumab infusion (8 mg/kg every 4 weeks) at our institutions, between 2008 and 2014, because of PMR relapses (n=12) or insufficient response to initial prednisolone treatment (n=1), without increasing prednisolone dosage. Seven patients were on methotrexate, and all had one or more glucocorticoid-related comorbidities. Administration of tocilizumab significantly improved inflammation and PMR symptoms such as morning stiffness, as well as the Patient-Pain and Patient-Global Assessment visual analogue scales ( p&lt
0.05). Proximal muscle pain disappeared within 8 weeks, on average, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index scores (p=0.098) and concomitant prednisolone doses (p&lt
0.05) decreased at 12 weeks. Severe adverse events were not observed during the mean tocilizumab treatment period of 43.4 weeks. Our findings suggest that tocilizumab is effective and safe for PMR treatment.

DOI： 10.1136/rmdopen-2015-000162

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD  

Objectives. To explore the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) with or without methotrexate (MTX) in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients showing inadequate responses to DMARDs and/or TNF inhibitors in clinical practice.Methods. We observed consecutive 115 RA patients initiating TCZ treatment in Keio University Hospital, dividing them into two groups with (TCZ + MTX group) or without MTX (TCZ group), and evaluated clinical, functional and structural outcomes besides safety at week 52.Results. Overall mean age, RA duration, and DAS28-ESR were 55.4, 8.4 years, and 5.0, respectively. Proportions of the prior use of TNF inhibitors and concomitant MTX were 45.5% and 57.4%, respectively. Mean dose of concomitant MTX was 8.4 mg/week. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. TCZ improved disease activity measured by DAS28-ESR to 2.1 at week 52 overall, without significant difference between the groups. Clinical (DAS28-ESR < 2.6), functional (HAQ-DI <= 0.5), and structural (Delta TSS <= 0.5) remission rates in the TCZ group and the TCZ + MTX group were 79.1%/63.8% (P = 0.10), 62.8%/54.4% (P = 0.40), and 70.0%/53.8% (P = 0.61), respectively. Retention rates were 81.0% in the TCZ + MTX group and 88.5% in the TCZ group (P = 0.47). The rate of serious adverse events was comparable between the groups.Conclusions. TCZ was clinically, functionally, and radiographically effective and safe either with or without low-dose MTX.

DOI： 10.3109/14397595.2014.897793

Web of Science

PubMed

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.3109/14397595.2014.900843

Web of Science

PubMed

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記述言語：英語   出版者・発行元：JAPAN SOC INTERNAL MEDICINE  

We herein report a case of renal sarcoidosis presenting as acute kidney injury (AKI) during treatment with etanercept for rheumatoid arthritis. Blood tests showed a high level of angiotensin-converting enzyme and a renal biopsy demonstrated non-caseating granulomatous tubulointerstitial nephritis. The administration of high-dose steroid therapy (1 mg/kg) and discontinuation of etanercept resulted in an improvement in the patient's renal function. Although renal sarcoidosis induced by anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy is an extremely rare manifestation, this case suggests that renal sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of AKI in patients receiving anti-TNF therapy, as providing an early diagnosis and treatment is important for preventing irreversible renal impairment.

DOI： 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.4188

Web of Science

PubMed

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記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：SPRINGER  

Objective. To identify predictors of long-term renal prognosis after induction therapy in patients with newly diagnosed lupus nephritis class III or IV.
Methods. We retrospectively studied patients with newly diagnosed lupus nephritis class III or IV. We divided them into two groups according to the complete renal response (CR) status at 3 years after induction therapy. We compared baseline clinical characteristics, renal pathological findings, and time to achieve CR, and identified predictors. Patients were followed up for to 10 years to assess long-term systemic damage.
Results. Eighteen patients with CR and 9 with non-CR were included. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. Early CR, which was defined as achieving CR at 3 months after induction therapy, was significantly associated with maintaining CR at 3 years (p = 0.012). Patients with early CR less frequently had flare in systemic manifestation compared with those without over 10 years (p = 0.026). Deterioration of systemic damage was observed more often in non-early CR patients than early CR patients at 10 years (p = 0.029).
Conclusion. Achieving CR at 3 months after induction therapy may predict CR at 3 years, reduced organ damage, and a low incidence of disease flare for 10 years.