The lack of accurate biomarkers to predict knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression is a key unmet need in the OA field. The objective of this study was to develop baseline peripheral blood epigenetic biomarker models to predict knee OA progression.

To investigate whether established genetic predictors for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), differentiate Healthy Controls (HC), Clinically Suspect Arthralgia (CSA), and RA.

To determine whether discontinuing methotrexate (MTX) for 1 week after seasonal influenza vaccination is non-inferior to discontinuing for 2 weeks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The appearance of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) in the circulation represents a major risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patient-derived ACPAs have been shown to induce pain and bone erosion in mice suggesting an active role in the pathogenicity of RA. Here we investigated if ACPAs can induce tenosynovitis, an early sign of RA, in addition to pain and bone loss and

To identify key disease pathways driving conventional dendritic cell (cDC) alterations in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).

Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase which plays a role in signalling via B cell and Fc receptors. Fc receptor engagement and signalling via SYK is thought to be important in anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA) IgG-mediated neutrophil activation. In this study we investigate the role for SYK in ANCA induced myeloid cell activation and vasculitis pathogenesis.

To analyse the prevalence of spondyloarthritis (SpA) in patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU), to identify parameters associated with SpA presence, and to evaluate referral algorithms.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is pathologically characterized by focal fibrinoid necrosis where ANCA-mediated neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and subsequent endothelial necrosis occurs. Cyclophilin D (CypD) plays an important role in mediating cell necrosis and inflammation via opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores (mPTP). Here

In the letter by Wang et al in the June 2022 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology (Airway Obstruction as a Pulmonary Manifestation of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comment on the Article by Prisco et al [pages 1095–1096]), the email address for the corresponding author, James Cheng-Chung Wei, MD, PhD, was missing and the authors requested that it be added. Correspondence can be addressed to Dr. Wei's email at jccwei@gmail

Deep Learning has emerged as the leading method in machine learning, spawning a rapidly-growing field of academic research and commercial applications across medicine, and could have particular relevance to rheumatology if utilized correctly. The greatest benefits of deep learning methods are seen with the unstructured data frequently found in rheumatology, such as images and text, where traditional

This study was undertaken to understand the mechanistic basis of response to anti-TNF therapies and determine if transcriptomic changes in the synovium are reflected in peripheral protein markers.

Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung Disease (SSc-ILD) is the leading cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with unclear pathogenesis and limited treatment options. Evidence strongly supports an important role for profibrotic, SPP1-expressing macrophages in SSc-ILD. We sought to define the transcriptome and chromatin structural changes of SPP1 SSc-ILD macrophages, so as

Substantial phenotypic heterogeneity exists in anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive (anti-MDA5+) dermatomyositis patients, hindering disease assessment and management. This study aimed to identify distinct phenotypic groups in anti-MDA5+ patients and determine their utility in outcome prediction.

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Previous observational studies demonstrated that a subset of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have markedly short telomere length (TL) in leukocytes. The purpose of this study is to test whether leukocyte TL is causally associated with risk of SLE.

To assess long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of bimekizumab in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

The etiology underlying rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP-negative palindromic rheumatism not associated with other rheumatic diseases (seronegative PR) is unclear. We aimed to investigate the immune cells and genes involved.

The transition from psoriasis (Ps) to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) occurs in 20-30% patients, however, the mechanisms underlying the emergence of musculoskeletal disease are not well understood. Metabolic disease is prevalent in Ps patients, but whether metabolic factors, other than obesity, increase arthritis risk in Ps patients is not known.

We developed a smartphone app for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which allows them to self-monitor their disease activity in between clinic visits by answering a weekly routine assessment of patient index data (RAPID-3). The objective of this study was to assess safety (non-inferiority in disease activity score 28, DAS28) and efficacy (reduction in number of visits) of patient-initiated care

Gut microbiome dysbiosis has previously been reported in spondyloarthritis (SpA) and could critically be involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder. The objective of this study was to further characterize the microbiota structure in SpA patients and to investigate the relationship between dysbiosis and disease activity, in light of the putative influence of genetic background.

Pain is the main symptom of entheseal diseases (enthesopathies) despite a paucity of nerve endings in the enthesis itself. Eicosanoids, cytokines, and neuropeptides released during inflammatory and repeated non-physiological mechanical challenge not only stimulate or sensitize primary afferent neurons present in structures adjacent to the enthesis or but also trigger a “neuro-vascular invasion” that

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody vasculitis is a systemic autoimmune disease in which glomerulonephritis is an important manifestation. Antibodies against myeloperoxidase or proteinase 3 are thought to be important in pathogenesis. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta mediates a number of effects in lymphocytes but its role in myeloid cell responses is less clear. Therefore, we assessed this in a preclinical

The predominant mechanism driving hyperuricemia in gout is renal uric acid underexcretion, yet the standard urate-lowering therapy (ULT) recommendation is first line xanthine oxidase inhibition (XOI) irrespective of the cause of hyperuricemia. Here, we conducted a comparative effectiveness clinical trial of first line un-titrated, low-dose benzbromarone uricosuric therapy vs. XOI ULT with low-dose

Patients with immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) receiving B cell depleting therapy (BCDT) are among the most vulnerable to severe COVID-19 as well as the most likely to respond sub-optimally to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. However, little is known about the frequency or severity of breakthrough infection in this population. We retrospectively analyzed a large group of vaccinated IMIDs patients

Synovial fibrosis contributes to osteoarthritis (OA) pathology but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We have observed increased microRNA (miR)-27b-3p levels in synovial fluid of late-stage radiographic knee OA patients. Here, we determined the contribution of miR-27b-3p to synovial fibrosis.

Itaconic acid, a Kreb's cycle derived immunometabolite, is synthesized by myeloid cells in response to danger signals to control inflammasome activation, type I Interferon (IFN) responses and oxidative stress. As these pathways are dysregulated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we investigated the role of an itaconic acid derivative in the treatment of established murine lupus.

To assess whether vascular FDG-PET activity is associated with angiographic change in large-vessel vasculitis (LVV).

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by immune activation, vasculopathy, and unresolving fibrosis in the skin, lungs, and other organs. We performed RNA-Seq analysis on skin biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SSc patients and controls to better understand SSc pathogenesis.

Knee replacement rates are increasing exponentially in the US and straining insurance budgets. We investigated how many knee replacements (KRs) would be prevented at different levels of pain improvement, a major target of osteoarthritis trials.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is the second most frequent systemic autoimmune disease affecting 0.1% of the general population. To characterize the molecular and clinical variability across pSS patients, we integrated transcriptomic, proteomic, cellular and genetic data with clinical phenotypes in a cohort of 351 pSS patients.

To develop updated guidelines for the perioperative management of disease-modifying medications for patients with rheumatic diseases, specifically those with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) or elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Complete genetic deficiency of the complement component C2 is a strong risk factor for monogenic systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but whether heterozygous C2 deficiency adds to the risk of SLE or primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) has not been studied systematically. Here we investigated heterozygous C2 deficiency and C4 copy number variation in relation to clinical manifestations in SLE and pSS.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous administration of ozoralizumab 30 mg or 80 mg + methotrexate (MTX) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), despite MTX therapy.

Amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM) is a heterogeneous and life-threatening autoimmune disease with high mortality. In particular, anti-MDA5 antibody-positive patients are at high risk of developing rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD). This study aimed to identify immunological signatures among ADM-ILD patients and discover the biomarkers predicting prognosis.

To assess the relationship between walking for exercise and symptomatic and structural progression in those with knee osteoarthritis.