Project description:RNA was isolated from 200μl plasma samples and cDNA was synthesized. Real-time RT-PCR analysis was performed to evaluate miRNA expression in the plasma pool from 17 RA patients with RA-ILD or the plasma pool from 17 RA patients without ILD using Human miRNome microRNA PCR Panel I+II (Exiqon).
Project description:Interstitial lung disease (ILD) poses a serious threat in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the impact of cornerstone drugs, including methotrexate (MTX) and TNF blockade, on RA-associated ILD (RA-ILD) remains controversial. Our study using an SKG mouse model and single-cell transcriptomics revealed that MTX exacerbates pulmonary inflammation by promoting immune cell infiltration, Th17 activation, and fibrosis. In contrast, TNF blockade ameliorates these features and inhibits ILD progression. Analysis of data from a human RA-ILD cohort revealed that patients with ILD progression had persistently higher systemic inflammation than those without progression, particularly among the subgroup undergoing MTX treatment. These findings highlight the need for personalized therapeutic approaches in RA-ILD, given the divergent outcomes of MTX and TNF blockade.
Project description:To identify susceptibility genes concerning copy number variations (CNVs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a case-control genome-wide CNV analyses was carried out by Roche Nimblegen array-based CGH. In this study, 15 RA patients and 1 control (Non-RA) were included.
Project description:Question addressed by the studyMethotrexate (MTX) is a key anchor drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management. Fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common complication of RA. Whether MTX exposure increases the risk of ILD in patients with RA is disputed. We aimed to evaluate the association of prior MTX use with development of RA-ILD.MethodsThrough a case-control study design with discovery and international replication samples, we examined the association of MTX exposure with ILD in 410 patients with chronic fibrotic ILD associated with RA (RA-ILD) and 673 patients with RA without ILD. Estimates were pooled over the different samples using meta-analysis techniques.ResultsAnalysis of the discovery sample revealed an inverse relationship between MTX exposure and RA-ILD (adjusted OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24-0.90; p=0.022), which was confirmed in the replication samples (pooled adjusted OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.19-0.79; p=0.009). The combined estimate using both the derivation and validation samples revealed an adjusted OR of 0.43 (95% CI 0.26-0.69; p=0.0006). MTX ever-users were less frequent among patients with RA-ILD compared to those without ILD, irrespective of chest high-resolution computed tomography pattern. In patients with RA-ILD, ILD detection was significantly delayed in MTX ever-users compared to never-users (11.4±10.4 years and 4.0±7.4 years, respectively; p<0.001).Answer to the questionOur results suggest that MTX use is not associated with an increased risk of RA-ILD in patients with RA, and that ILD was detected later in MTX-treated patients.
Project description:ObjectiveInterstitial lung disease (ILD) is a relatively common extraarticular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that contributes significantly to disease burden and excess mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify peripheral blood markers of RA-associated ILD that can facilitate earlier diagnosis and provide insight regarding the pathogenesis of this potentially devastating disease complication.MethodsPatients with RA who were enrolled in a well-characterized Chinese identification cohort or a US replication cohort were subclassified as having RA-no ILD, RA-mild ILD, or RA-advanced ILD, based on high-resolution computed tomography scans of the chest. Multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and Luminex xMAP technology were used to assess 36 cytokines/chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and acute-phase proteins in the identification cohort. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to quantify the strength of association between RA-ILD and biomarkers of interest.ResultsMMP-7 and interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10)/CXCL10 were identified by multiplex ELISA as potential biomarkers for RA-ILD in 133 RA patients comprising the Chinese identification cohort (50 RA-no ILD, 41 RA-ILD, 42 RA-indeterminate ILD). The findings were confirmed by standard solid-phase sandwich ELISA in the Chinese identification cohort as well as an independent cohort of US patients with RA and different stages of ILD (22 RA-no ILD, 49 RA-ILD, 15 RA-indeterminate ILD), with statistically significant associations in both unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses.ConclusionLevels of MMP-7 and IP-10/CXCL10 are elevated in the serum of RA patients with ILD, whether mild or advanced, supporting their value as pathogenically relevant biomarkers that can contribute to noninvasive detection of this extraarticular disease complication.
Project description:Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the lung. This study aimed to identify clinical features of RA-associated ILD (RA-ILD). Patients with RA were retrospectively enrolled and sub-classified as RA-ILD or RA without ILD based on high-resolution computed tomography imaging. Pulmonary function testing parameters and levels of RA-related biomarkers, tumour markers, and acute-phase proteins were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression model was used to assess the strength of association between RA-ILD and clinical features of interest. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to assess potential predictive value of clinical features for detecting RA-ILD. Comparison analysis indicated that the percentage of predicted value of total lung capacity, inspiratory capacity, and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were reduced in patients with RA-ILD. Tumour markers CA15-3 and CA125 were increased in patients with RA-ILD. Logistic regression analysis revealed that decreased DLCO was related to the increased likelihood of RA-ILD (OR = 0.94, 95%CI = [0.91, 0.98]). The cut-off point at 52.95 percent of predicted value could sensitively discriminate RA patients with or without ILD. Our study suggested that DLCO value could be a useful tool for detecting ILD in patients with RA.
Project description:ObjectivesTo explore the course of lung function and RA disease activity and predictive factors for deteriorating lung function in patients with RA-interstitial lung disease (ILD).MethodsThe Korean Rheumatoid Arthritis-Interstitial Lung Disease cohort is a multicentre, prospective observational cohort. Patients with RA-ILD were enrolled and followed up annually for 3 years for RA disease activity and ILD status assessment. Group-based modelling was used to cluster a similar predicted percentage of forced vital capacity (FVC%) patterns into trajectories.ResultsThis study included 140 patients who underwent at least two pulmonary function tests. Four distinctive trajectories for predicted FVC% were 'improving' [n = 11 (7.9%)], 'stable' [n = 68 (38.4%)], 'slowly declining' [n = 54 (48.6%)] and 'rapidly declining' [n = 7 (5.0%)]. Most (77.7%) patients maintained or improved to low RA disease activity. The lung function trajectory was not comparable to the RA disease activity trajectory. Age ≥70 years [relative risk (RR) 10.8 (95% CI 1.30, 89.71)] and early RA diagnosed within the preceding 2 years [RR 10.1 (95% CI 1.22, 84.2)] were associated with increased risk for rapidly declining predicted FVC%. The risk for deterioration or mortality increased in patients with a simultaneous diagnosis of RA and ILD within 24 weeks [RR 9.18 (95% CI 2.05, 41.0)] and the extent of lung involvement [RR 3.28 (95% CI 1.12, 9.60)].ConclusionMost patients with RA-ILD experienced stable or slowly declining lung function. In 5% of patients, predicted FVC% deteriorated rapidly, especially in older adults with early RA. The lung function trajectory was not comparable to the RA disease activity trajectory.
Project description:Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is frequently a complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as an extra-articular manifestation which has a poor prognosis. Acute-onset diffuse ILD (AoDILD) occasionally occurs in RA and includes acute exacerbation of ILD, drug-induced ILD, and Pneumocystis pneumonia. AoDILD also confers a poor prognosis in RA. Previously-established biomarkers for ILD include Krebs von den lungen-6 and surfactant protein-D originally defined in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; the sensitivity of these markers for RA-associated ILD (RA-ILD) is low. Although many studies on ILD markers have been performed in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, only a few validation studies in RA-ILD or AoDILD have been reported. Biomarkers for RA-ILD and AoDILD are thus still required. Recently, genomic, cytokine, antibody, and metabolomic profiles of RA-ILD or AoDILD have been investigated with the aim of improving biomarkers. In this review, we summarize current preliminary data on these potential biomarkers for RA-ILD or AoDILD. The development of biomarkers on RA-ILD has only just begun. When validated, such candidate biomarkers will provide valuable information on pathogenesis, prognosis, and drug responses in RA-ILD in future.
Project description:Purpose of reviewSummarize recent evidence on the identification and management of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).Recent findingsClinical and subclinical interstitial lung disease (ILD) are frequent extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Better means of identifying and treating RA-ILD are needed to improve the prognosis, with a median survival of only 3-7 years after diagnosis. Several serum biomarkers are currently being evaluated for their ability to detect RA-ILD. Thorough evaluation and multidisciplinary discussion remains the gold standard for establishing the diagnosis of RA-ILD. Management is challenging with most RA disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) linked to pneumonitis. Methotrexate is typically avoided in clinically significant ILD, although alternative therapies including leflunomide and biologic DMARDs also carry risks in RA-ILD. Antifibrotics appear to slow the progression of ILD, and a large phase II trial exclusively in RA-ILD is underway. In addition, smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, managing comorbidities, and lung transplantation evaluation are vital to improving patient outcomes in RA-ILD.SummaryWith little high-quality evidence to guide the management of RA-ILD, multidisciplinary teams with expertise in RA-ILD are highly valuable for diagnosing and treating RA-ILD. Clinical and translational research in RA-ILD is needed to fill the many evidence gaps.
Project description:BackgroundPleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare interstitial lung disease (ILD) featuring dense fibrosis of the visceral pleura and subpleural parenchyma, mostly in the upper lobes. PPFE can present in other ILDs, including rheumatoid arthritis-associated ILD (RA-ILD). The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical implications of coexistent PPFE in RA-ILD.MethodsOverall, 477 patients with RA-ILD were recruited from two cohorts; their clinical data and HRCT images were analysed. The criteria for diagnosing PPFE were (1) pleural thickening with bilateral subpleural dense fibrosis in the upper lobes, (2) evidence of disease progression, and (3) absence of other identifiable aetiologies.ResultsThe median follow-up duration was 3.3 years. The mean age of the patients was 63.4 years, and 60.0% were women. PPFE was identified in 31 patients (6.5%). The PPFE group showed significantly lower body mass index and forced vital capacity (FVC) and more frequent usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)-like pattern on HRCT than no-PPFE group. The risk factors for all-cause mortality were older age, lower FVC, and the presence of UIP-like pattern on HRCT; PPFE was not significantly associated with mortality in both all patients and a subgroup with a UIP-like pattern. The presence of PPFE was associated with a significantly increased risk of pneumothorax and greater decline in diffusing capacity.ConclusionsPPFE was not rare in patients with RA-ILD and was significantly associated with an increased risk of pneumothorax and greater lung function decline, though we found no significant association with mortality.