Project description:ObjectivesNasal, paranasal sinus and mucosal disorders are common symptoms in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Soft tissue changes and fluid accumulation in the osteomeatal complexes and paranasal sinuses manifest as opaqueness on radiological images which can be assessed using visual scoring and computational methods on CT scans, but their results do not always correlate. Using MRI, we investigate the applicability of different image analysis methods in SLE.MethodsWe assessed paranasal sinus opaqueness on MRI from 51 SLE patients, using three visual scoring systems and expert-delineated computational volumes, and examined their association with markers of disease activity, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and common small vessel disease (SVD) indicators, adjusting for age and sex-at-birth.ResultsThe average paranasal sinus volume occupation was 4.55 (6.47%) [median (interquartile range) = 0.67 (0.25-2.65) ml], mainly in the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. It was highly correlated with Lund-Mackay (LM) scores modified at 50% opaqueness cut-off (Spearman's ρ: 0.71 maxillary and 0.618 ethmoids, P < 0.001 in all), and with more granular variations of the LM system. The modified LM scores were associated with SVD scores (0: B = 5.078, s.e. = 1.69, P = 0.0026; 2: B = -0.066, s.e. = 0.023, P = 0.0045) and disease activity (anti-dsDNA: B = 4.59, s.e. = 2.22, P = 0.045; SLEDAI 3-7: 2.86 < B < 4.30; 1.38 < s.e. < 1.63; 0.0083 ≤ P ≤ 0.0375). Computationally derived percent opaqueness yielded similar results.ConclusionIn patients with SLE, MRI computational assessment of sinuses opaqueness and LM scores modified at a 50% cut-off may be useful tools in understanding the relationships among paranasal sinus occupancy, disease activity and SVD markers.
Project description:BackgroundPlasmacytoid DCs (pDC) produce large amounts of type I IFN (IFN-I), cytokines convincingly linked to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. BIIB059 is a humanized mAb that binds blood DC antigen 2 (BDCA2), a pDC-specific receptor that inhibits the production of IFN-I and other inflammatory mediators when ligated. A first-in-human study was conducted to assess safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of single BIIB059 doses in healthy volunteers (HV) and patients with SLE with active cutaneous disease as well as proof of biological activity and preliminary clinical response in the SLE cohort.MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in HV (n = 54) and patients with SLE (n = 12). All subjects were monitored for adverse events. Serum BIIB059 concentrations, BDCA2 levels on pDCs, and IFN-responsive biomarkers in whole blood and skin biopsies were measured. Skin disease activity was determined using the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index Activity (CLASI-A).ResultsSingle doses of BIIB059 were associated with favorable safety and PK profiles. BIIB059 administration led to BDCA2 internalization on pDCs, which correlated with circulating BIIB059 levels. BIIB059 administration in patients with SLE decreased expression of IFN response genes in blood, normalized MxA expression, reduced immune infiltrates in skin lesions, and decreased CLASI-A score.ConclusionsSingle doses of BIIB059 were associated with favorable safety and PK/PD profiles and robust target engagement and biological activity, supporting further development of BIIB059 in SLE. The data suggest that targeting pDCs may be beneficial for patients with SLE, especially those with cutaneous manifestations.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02106897.FundingBiogen Inc.