Harnessing immunity:Immunomodulatory therapies in COVID-19

An overly exuberant immune response,characterized by a cytokine storm and uncontrolled inflammation,has been identified as a significant driver of severe coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)cases.Consequently,deciphering the intricacies of immune dysregulation in COVID-19 is imperative to identify specific targets for intervention and modulation.With these delicate dynamics in mind,immunomodulatory therapies have emerged as a promising avenue for miti-gating the challenges posed by COVID-19.Precision in manipulating immune pathways presents an opportunity to alter the host response,optimizing antiviral defenses while curbing deleterious inflammation.This review article compre-hensively analyzes immunomodulatory interventions in managing COVID-19.We explore diverse approaches to mitigating the hyperactive immune response and its impact,from corticosteroids and non-steroidal drugs to targeted biologics,including anti-viral drugs,cytokine inhibitors,JAK inhibitors,convalescent plasma,monoclonal antibodies(mAbs)to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,cell-based therapies(i.e.,CAR T,etc.).By summarizing the current evidence,we aim to provide a clear roadmap for clinicians and researchers navigating the complex landscape of immunomodulation in COVID-19 treatment.CS Glucocorticoids are among the most widely prescribed drugs with their immune-suppressive and anti-inflammatory effect[84].The current guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19 recommend against the use of dexamethasone or other systemic CS in non-hospitalized patients in the absence of another indication[70].The RECOVERY trial demonstrates the reduced 28-d mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 using dexamethasone compared to the usual standard of care,along with other investigators,such as Ahmed and Hassan[85].The benefit of dexamethasone was seen only among participants receiving either oxygen alone or invasive mechanical ventilation at randomization but not among those receiving no respiratory support at enrollment[85].In a systematic review and meta-analysis,Albuquerque et al[86]showed that in comparison to tocilizumab,baricitinib,and sarilumab are associated with high probabilities of similar mortality reductions among hospitalized COVID-19 concurrently treated with CS.As a result of the absence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antiviral medications,the effectiveness of COVID-19 treatments is reduced.Several COVID-19 therapies are now under investigation.However,the majority of them lack specificity,efficacy,and safety[87].Immunotherapy is a ground-breaking medical treatment that manipulates the immune system to fight diseases.Translational research is rapidly progressing,recognized as a significant breakthrough in 2013[88].Among the immunotherapeutic options for treating COVID-19 are Immunoglobulin,CP,antibodies,mAbs(mAbs),NK cells,T cells,TLR,cytokine therapies and immune modulators.

Autoantibodies related to ataxia and other central nervous system manifestations of gluten enteropathy

Gluten ataxia and other central nervous system disorders could be linked to gluten enteropathy and related autoantibodies.In this narrative review,we focus on the various neuro-logical manifestations in patients with gluten sensitivity/celiac disease,immunological and autoimmune mechanisms of ataxia in connection to gluten sensitivity and the autoantibodies that could be used as a biomarker for diagnosing and following.We focused on the anti-gliadin antibodies,antibodies to different isoforms of tissue transglutaminase(TG)(anti-TG2,3,and 6 antibodies),anti-glycine receptor antibodies,anti-glutamine acid decarboxylase antibodies,anti-deamidated gliadin peptides antibodies,etc.Most studies found a higher prevalence of these antibodies in patients with gluten sensitivity and neurological dysfunction,presented as different neurological disorders.We also discuss the role of a gluten-free diet on the clinical improvement of patients and also on imaging of these disorders.

COVID-19 related liver injuries in pregnancy

While severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)quickly spread across the globe,our understanding of its pathogenic mechanisms evolved.Importantly,coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is now considered a syndromic multisystem inflammatory disease involving not only the respiratory system but also the cardiovascular,excretory,nervous,musculoskeletal,and gastrointestinal systems.Moreover,a membrane-bound form of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2,the entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2,is expressed on the surface of cholangiocytes and hepatocytes,suggesting the potential of COVID-19 to involve the liver.With the widespread distribution of SARS-CoV-2 throughout the population,infection during pregnancy is no longer a rare occurrence;however,little is known about the course of hepatic injuries and related outcomes in pregnant SARS-CoV-2-positive women.Thus,the understudied topic of COVID-related liver disease during pregnancy poses a great challenge for the consulting gynecologist and hepatologist.In this review,we aim to describe and summarize potential liver injuries in pregnant women with COVID-19.

Diagnostic use of superb microvascular imaging in evaluating septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint:A case report

BACKGROUND Septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint is a diagnostic challenge due to its rarity and anatomical characteristic.Conventional ultrasound,plain radiographs,and computed tomography are not able to confirm or even suspect arthritis early.Superb microvascular imaging is a new advanced Doppler technique in evaluating low-flow microvascular patterns.The higher sensitivity for increased perisynovial vascularity helps to suspect septic arthritis and forms a methodical approach to using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).CASE SUMMARY A 34-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with a fever and a dull ache in the chest radiating to the right arm.Traumatic injury and the most common respiratory and cardiac disorders were ruled out.Blood cultures came back positive for Staphylococcus aureus,and sepsis was confirmed.A small lump was noted on the chest during the first week of hospitalization.Superb microvascular imaging was performed and septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint was detected.MRI confirmed the diagnosis and showed septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint with several localized abscesses behind the sternum.The patient was treated for three weeks with intravenous antibiotics and the outcome was favorable:Inflammatory markers became normal,and the lump disappeared.Three months later,the patient was examined for a new episode of mild pain in the sternum and was diagnosed with persistent perichondritis by ultrasound in comparison with MRI.CONCLUSION Superb microvascular imaging is a useful tool for the early diagnosis of septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint and following-up.

类风湿关节炎患者风湿病家族史特征及临床意义

目的:分析类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis, RA)患者的风湿病家族史特征及其临床意义。方法:采用现场问卷调查方法,共调查890例RA患者,其中资料完整者803例,内容包括患者的性别、年龄、吸烟史、饮酒史、身高、体重、风湿病家族史、临床及血清学特征、疼痛和疾病总体评价、多维健康评估问卷等,并根据RA患者有无家族史进行分组比较。结果:本研究中,RA患者发病年龄为(45.09 ±14.50)岁,男女比例1 ∶ 3.5。有风湿病(包括RA、脊柱关节炎、干燥综合征、系统性红斑狼疮、系统性硬化症)家族史的患者123例(123/803, 15.32%),其中一级亲属患病者占有家族史者73.98%(91/123),二级亲属患病者占有家族史者17.89%(22/123),一级+二级亲属均患病10例(8.13%)。家族史疾病种类以RA为主,为70.73%(87/123),其他风湿性疾病为21.95%(27/123),RA合并其他风湿病占7.32%(9/123)。根据有无家族史,对两组RA患者的人口学特征和临床指标进行比较,结果显示:在有家族史患者中,发病年龄提前6.04年[( 39.97± 13.68)岁 vs.(46.01 ±14.46)岁],类风湿因子阳性率高(78.48% vs. 66.67%),差异具有统计学意义( P < 0.05)。校正性别、体重指数及抗环瓜氨酸肽抗体等混杂因素后,有家族史患者的发病年龄提前4.54年(β=-4.54;95% CI :-8.70,-0.38;P < 0.05)。进一步分层分析发现,在吸烟RA患者中,有家族史者发病年龄提前10.02年,差异具有统计学意义(β=-10.02;95% CI :-17.60 ,-2.43;P = 0.01);而在不吸烟RA患者中,有家族史者发病年龄提前3.27年,差异无统计学意义(β=-3.27;95% CI :-8.37, 1.82;P= 0.21)。结论:风湿病家族史是RA发病提前的危险因素,与吸烟可能具有协同作用。

Treg/Th17 cell balance and phytohaemagglutinin activation of T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of systemic sclerosis patients

AIM To investigate T-cell activation, the percentage of peripheral T regulatory cells(Tregs), Th17 cells and the circulating cytokine profile in systemic sclerosis(SSc).METHODS We enrolled a total of 24 SSc patients and 16 healthy controls in the study and divided the patients as having diffuse cutaneous SSc(dc SSc, n = 13) or limited cutaneous SSc(lc SSc, n = 11). We performed a further subdivision of the patients regarding the stage of the disease-early, intermediate or late. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from all subjects. We performed flow cytometric analysis of the activationcapacity of T-lymphocytes upon stimulation with PHA-M and of the percentage of peripheral Tregs and Th17 cells in both patients and healthy controls. We used ELISA to quantitate serum levels of human interleukin(IL)-6, IL-10, tissue growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), and IL-17 A.RESULTS We identified a decreased percentage of CD3+CD69+ cells in PHA-stimulated samples from SSc patients in comparison with healthy controls(13.35% ± 2.90% vs 37.03% ± 2.33%, P < 0.001). However, we did not establish a correlation between the down-regulated CD3+CD69+ cells and the clinical subset, nor regarding the stage of the disease. The activated CD4+CD25+ peripheral lymphocytes were represented in decreased percentage in patients when compared to controls(6.30% ± 0.68% vs 9.36% ± 1.08%, P = 0.016). Regarding the forms of the disease, dc SSc patients demonstrated lower frequency of CD4+CD25+ T cells against healthy subjects(5.95% ± 0.89% vs 9.36% ± 1.08%, P = 0.025). With regard to Th17 cells, our patients demonstrated increased percentage in comparison with controls(18.13% ± 1.55% vs 13.73% ± 1.21%, P = 0.031). We detected up-regulated Th17 cells within the lc SSc subset against controls(20.46% ± 2.41% vs 13.73% ± 1.21%, P = 0.025), nevertheless no difference was found between dc SSc and lc SSc patients. Flow cytometric analysis revealed an increased percentage of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ in dc SSc patients compared to controls(10.94% ± 1.65% vs 6.88% ± 0.91, P = 0.032). Regarding the peripheral cytokine profile, we detected raised levels of IL-6 [2.10(1.05-4.60) pg/m L vs 0.00 pg/m L, P < 0.001], TGF-β1(19.94 ± 3.35 ng/m L vs 10.03 ± 2.25 ng/m L, P = 0.02), IL-10(2.83 ± 0.44 pg/m L vs 0.68 ± 0.51 pg/m L, P = 0.008), and IL-17 A [6.30(2.50-15.60) pg/m L vs 0(0.00-0.05) pg/m L, P < 0.001] in patients when compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we found increased circulating IL-10, TGF-β, IL-6 and IL-17 A in the lc SSc subset vs control subjects, as it follows: IL-10(3.32 ± 0.59 pg/m L vs 0.68 ± 0.51 pg/m L, P = 0.003), TGF-β1(22.82 ± 4.99 ng/m L vs 10.03 ± 2.25 ng/m L, P = 0.031), IL-6 [2.08(1.51-4.69) pg/m L vs 0.00 pg/m L, P < 0.001], and IL-17 A [14.50(8.55-41.65) pg/m L vs 0.00(0.00-0.05) pg/m L, P < 0.001]. Furthermore, circulating IL-17 A was higher in lc SSc as opposed to dc SSc subset(31.99 ± 13.29 pg/m L vs 7.14 ± 3.01 pg/m L, P = 0.008). Within the dc SSc subset, raised levels of IL-17 A and IL-6 were detected vs healthy controls: IL-17 A [2.60(0.45-9.80) pg/m L vs 0.00(0.00-0.05) pg/m L, P < 0.001], IL-6 [2.80(1.03-7.23) pg/m L vs 0.00 pg/m L, P < 0.001]. Regarding the stages of the disease, TGF-β1 serum levels were increased in early stage against late stage, independently from the SSc phenotype(30.03 ± 4.59 ng/m L vs 13.08 ± 4.50 ng/m L, P = 0.017).CONCLUSION It is likely that the altered percentage of Th17 and CD4+CD25-Fox P3+ cells along with the peripheral cytokine profile in patients with SSc may play a key role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Complexities of diagnosis and management of COVID-19 in autoimmune diseases:Potential benefits and detriments of immunosuppression

Recent advances in our understanding of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)and the associated acute respiratory distress syndrome might approximate the cytokine release syndrome of severe immune-mediated disease.Importantly,this presumption provides the rationale for utilization of therapy,until recently reserved mostly for autoimmune diseases(ADs),in the management of COVID-19 hyperinflammation condition and has led to an extensive discussion for the potential benefits and detriments of immunosuppression.Our paper intends to examine the available recommendations,complexities in diagnosis and management when dealing with patients with ADs amidst the COVID-19 crisis.Mimicking a flare of an underlying AD,overlapping pathological lung patterns,probability of higher rates of false-positive antibody test,and lack of concrete data are only a part of the detrimental and specific characteristics of COVID-19 outbreak among the population with ADs.The administration of pharmaceutical therapy should not undermine the physical and psychological status of the patient with the maximum utilization of telemedicine.Researchers and clinicians should be vigilant for upcoming research for insight and perspective to fine-tune the clinical guidelines and practice and to weigh the potential benefits and detrimental effects of the applied immunomodulating therapy.

Multidisciplinary diagnostic dilemma in differentiating Madelung’s disease—the value of superb microvascular imaging technique:A case report

BACKGROUND Madelung’s disease,also known as multiple symmetrical lipomatosis,is a rare,underrecognized disorder of fat metabolism that results in unusual accumulation of subcutaneous fat deposits around the neck,shoulders,upper arms,trunk,hips,and upper thighs.Our case demonstrates the importance of differential diagnosis and the value of a superb microvascular imaging technique for suspecting and confirming Madelung’s disease.Timely diagnosis and alcohol abstinence could prevent the progression of growing fatty masses and prevent surgery.CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old male was admitted to the Rheumatology center complaining of symmetric subcutaneous tumors in the area of the parotid and submandibular salivary glands,small soft masses in the occiput and upper third of the forearm,rashes on calves.A high titer of rheumatoid factor and low concentrations of serum complements were detected.The high-end ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging examinations of all affected areas of the soft tissues showed predominantly adipose tissue(lipomas)without suspicion of liposarcoma.The biopsy from the small salivary gland revealed no pathology.After evaluating the patient’s clinical presentation(symmetrical lipomatosis,cirrhosis,gynecomastia,anemia,hyperuricemia),Madelung’s disease,type I,along with the psoriatic rash and psoriatic arthritis and secondary liver cirrhosis were established.CONCLUSION Madelung’s disease consists of many co-occurring disorders imitating and overlapping with other conditions.Ultrasonography is the first choice for suspecting and confirming symmetrical lipomatosis.

A candidate identification questionnaire for postmenopausal osteoporosis patients switched from daily or weekly bisphosphonate to once-monthly ibandronate: An open, prospective, multicenter study—BONCURE study

A candidate identification questionnaire (CIQ) was tested to determine its predictive value for patient-reported satisfaction in patients switched from once-weekly or once-daily treatment with a bisphosphonate to once-monthly dosing. This was a prospective, open-label, multicenter international study in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis who had been receiving once-daily or once-weekly alendronate or risendronate for at least 3 months. Patients completed a CIQ, then commenced 150 mg monthly ibandronate for 6 months. Patients completed the Osteoporosis Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (OPSAT-QTM) at baseline for 6 months. Scores were converted to composite satisfaction scores (CSS, scale 0-100). Totally 677 patients completed a CIQ, 645 were enrolled in the treatment phase and comprised the intent-to-treat (ITT) population, and 630 completed the study. In the ITT population, 68.1% patients answered “yes” to one or more CIQ questions. OPSAT-Q scores increased for the convenience, quality of life and overall satisfaction domains (p scores for the side effects domains were significant (p < 0.001) in the CIQ “yes” group, but not for the degree of bother (decrease in mean of 0.1 points, p = 0.50) or duration (no change, p = 0.84) of non-gastrointestinal side effects. Of 638 patients who completed the preference questionnaire, 93.0% of patients preferred the once-monthly dosing schedule and 563 patients (90.7%) found it more convenient. The most common adverse events were dyspepsia (1.9%), nausea (1.1%), and upper abdominal pain (0.9%). Patients are likely to prefer treatment with monthly ibandronate to a weekly or monthly bisphosphonate irrespective of their stated preference before switching treatment.