The Relationship between the MEFV Genotype,Clinical Features,and Cytokine-Inflammatory Activities in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by periodic attacks of fever and polyserositis. The effects of the MEFV genotype differences on clinical picture and inflammatory activity have not been well documented. The aim of this study was to investigate levels of conventional inflammation markers, procalcitonin, interleukin levels, TNF-alpha, and C5a levels in patients with FMF who had different MEFV genotypes and compare them with those of healthy subjects. The study consisted of 41 patients with FMF (F/M: 23/18), and 31 healthy subjects (F/M: 18/13). Tests were performed during the attack-free period.

White-blood cell count, CRP and IL-8 levels were higher in patients with FMF than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05) and also higher in M680I carriers than in the patients with M694V allele carriers. However, ESR, fibrinogen, procalcitonin, IL-6, C5a, TNF-alpha, and IgD levels were not significantly different between patients and healthy subjects (p > 0.05). Arthralgia or arthritis was significantly higher in M694V carriers than in non-M694V carriers (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the clinical features and inflammatory-cytokine activities were higher in patients with FMF during the attack-free period than in healthy subjects, and the different genotype might be related to different clinical pictures.     

Genetic risk factors of amyloidogenesis in familial Mediterranean fever

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Evaluation of the risk factors, and phenotype-genotype correlation of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) gene (MEFV) and serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) gene polymorphisms in renal amyloidosis. METHODS: We investigated MEFV and SAA1 genotypes (alpha, beta, and gamma isoforms) in 50 FMF patients and 50 healthy children. Tel-Hashomer criteria were used for the diagnosis and severity scoring of FMF. RESULTS: The most common MEFV mutation and SAA1 genotype were M694V/M694V (n = 26/50) and SAA1 alpha/alpha (n = 26/50), respectively. Positive family history for amyloidosis was significantly higher (p < 0.001) with more severe clinical course (p = 0.006) in the amyloidosis group than the non-amyloid group. In M694V/M694V mutation, erysipelas-like skin erythema (p = 0.029), arthritis (p = 0.004), arthralgia (p < 0.001) were significantly more frequent with higher severity scores (p = 0.008) than the patients with other mutations. Comparison of the SAA1 alpha/alpha genotype with other genotypes revealed more frequent arthritis (p = 0.003) in the SAA1 alpha/alpha genotype. In amyloidosis group patients having both M694V/M694V and SAA1 alpha/alpha genotypes were the largest subgroup (n = 14, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis for amyloidosis corrected risk revealed a 1.2 times increase in M694V/M694V, a 2.4 times increase in SAA1 alpha/alpha genotypes and a 2.5 times increase when both are together. CONCLUSION: Positive family history for amyloidosis and presence of SAA1 alpha/alpha genotype in M694V/M694V mutation may predispose to amyloidosis by increasing the clinical severity. Therefore, in such children early colchicine treatment might be recommended even if they are asymptomatic.     

Two sisters with familial Mediterranean fever: lack of correlation between genotype and phenotype?

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by attacks of fever and serositis. The most important complication of FMF is renal amyloidosis, which determines the prognosis. The gene coding the disease (MEFV) is identified on the 16th chromosome. The most common MEFV mutations are M694V, M680I, V726A and M694I located on exon 10 and E148Q located on exon 2. Unfortunately, genotype-phenotype correlation is not well established and there are unexplained ethnic differences in amyloidosis rates. We report two sisters with a common genotype (M694V/M694V) presenting with different phenotypic characteristics: one complaining of intermittent abdominal pain, arthritis and fever, while the other was suffering from intermittent pleuritis and fever during attacks. The observation of different phenotypic presentations with a common genotype in two family members shows that different phenotypes cannot be explained by particular mutations. To understand the correlation between genotypic and phenotypic FMF variants the existence of complex alleles, modifier loci, genetic heterogeneity and possible epigenetic factors should be studied extensively.     

Mutational spectrum in the MEFV and TNFRSF1A genes in patients suffering from AA amyloidosis and recurrent inflammatory attacks.

BACKGROUND: Among hereditary fevers characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and organ localized inflammation, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), and tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily 1A (TNFRSF1A) receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) are diseases with identified genes that can be associated with renal amyloidosis of the AA type. In this study we have characterized FMF and TRAPS genotypes in 38 unrelated patients suffering from amyloidosis AA and recurrent inflammatory attacks. METHODS: Mutations of the MEFV and TNFRSF1A genes, responsible respectively for FMF and TRAPS, were searched for by amplifying, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), genomic DNA, and direct sequencing. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (71%) carried mutations in MEFV (22 patients with two mutations, two patients with a single mutation) or TNFRSF1A genes (three patients). Patients with MEFV mutations belonged to the classical at-risk ethnic group for FMF: Sephardic Jews, Turks, Armenians, and Arabs from the Maghreb. The main genotype encountered was M694V/M694V (19/22), one Turkish patient was M680I/M680I, and two Arab patients from the Maghreb were M694I/M694I. We found three Caucasian patients with the C55S, C70Y, R92Q mutations in the TNFRSF1A gene. CONCLUSIONS: In this series we observed that FMF is the main cause of AA amyloidosis in Sephardic Jews and Turks. MEFV and TNFRSF1A mutations were found in only 6 of 14 Arab patients from the Maghreb. We found three families (one Caucasian and two from Maghreb) with AA amyloidosis without MEFV or TNFRSF1A mutations, suggesting that other genetic cause(s) exist(s). The characterization of mutations in MEFV and TNFRSF1A is important for the therapeutic behaviour of AA amyloidosis associated with inherited recurrent fever.     

Serum amyloid A1 -13 T/C alleles in Turkish familial Mediterranean fever patients with and without amyloidosis

Previously reported studies concerning the effect of homozygosity of the 1.1 allele of the SAA gene found a correlation between this haplotype and susceptibility to amyloidosis in FMF patients. Another report revealed a strong association between SAA1 -13T/C and secondary amyloidosis in the rheumatoid arthritis patient group. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of SAA1 -13T/C in FMF patients with and without amyloidosis. The study cohort, consisting of 166 patients with FMF was divided into two groups, according to the presence (n=66) or absence (n=100) of renal amyloidosis at study entry. MEFV gene mutation analysis and allelic variant of SAA1 gene -13 T/C was analyzed according to the previously described techniques. SAA1 -13 T allele frequencies were 0.5816, 0.23 and 0.4242 in controls, FMF patients and FMF-amyloidosis patients respectively. The difference between controls vs. FMF patients and FMF-amyloidosis patients were 0.0002 and 0.1673 respectively. It was 0.0071 for FMF-patients vs. FMF-amyloidosis. When 694 M/V homozygous nonamyloid-FMF group was compared with 694 M/V carriers of the FMF-amyloidosis group, the difference was 0.049. When carrying TT allele was considered, the difference between controls vs. FMF patients and FMF-amyloidosis patients were 0.0001 and 0.58. It was 0.0003 for FMF patients vs. FMF-amyloidosis. When 694 M/V homozygous nonamyloid-FMF group was compared with 694 M/V carriers of the FMF-amyloidosis group, the difference was 0.03. Carrying SAA -13T in homozygote state revealed a 7.9 (95% CI 3.6 -17.5) fold risk for the occurrence of amyloidosis when compared with FMF patients without amyloidosis. This was 8.75 (95% CI 3.0 - 25.1) when 694 M/V homozygotes were taken into consideration. Our data revealed that the genotype SAA1 -13T has at least an effect on the development of amyloidosis. As more data on this polymorphism accumulate, we will understand its effect on the pathogenesis of amyloidosis in FMF.     

Higher thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor levels are associated with inflammation in attack-free familial Mediterranean fever patients

Background: Coagulation abnormalities have been reported in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients with amyloidosis and nephrotic syndrome; but there is not enough data about the continuity of the thrombogenic activity in FMF patients in clinical remission. The purpose of this study was to assess thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) levels and its relationship with fibrinolytic activity and also evaluate relationships between mutations and clinical signs in attack-free patients without amyloidosis. Methods: Seventy-nine FMF patients and 40 healthy adults were included. The study group was divided into five groups as follows: first group, homozygote M694V; second group, homozygote M680I; third group, M694V in one allele, the other allele have other mutations or not; fourth group, other mutations; and fifth group, no mutation. Results: Serum TAFI levels were significantly increased in patients compared with healthy individuals (116.64?±?21.8 vs. 78.48?±?19.7?μg/mL, p?r?=?0.247, p?=?0.029 and r?=?0.252, p?=?0.032, respectively). Mean fibrinogen and TAFI levels were significantly higher in Group 1 than the other groups (p?=?0.04 and p?=?0.001, respectively) and in Group 3 it was higher than Groups 2, 4 and 5 (p?=?0.04 and p?=?0.001, respectively). Conclusions: High level of TAFI antigen in attack-free period of FMF disease shows ongoing subclinical inflammation and hypercoagulability. Clinicians should be careful about thrombosis even in patients at clinical remission. Also, genetic tests must be considered to predict clinical outcome and to reduce complications of FMF disease.     

Long-term outcome of renal transplantation in patients with familial Mediterranean fever amyloidosis: a single-center experience

Although recurrence of amyloid A deposition in the allograft can be seen in patients with secondary amyloidosis due to familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), renal transplantation remains to be a choice of treatment for end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study was to determine short- and long-term results of renal transplantation in patients with FMF amyloidosis. We compared the outcomes of 17 patients with FMF amyloidosis among 431 (3.9%) transplants with 209 control patients. We observed 93% and 94% graft and patient survivals at 1 year, and 89% and 90% at 5 years. Also, the mean serum creatinine levels at 1 and 5 years posttransplant were similar. Recurrence of amyloidosis was documented in two allograft recipients presenting with nephrotic range proteinuria (12%), one of whom lost the allograft due to recurrence. Eleven patients had FMF gene analysis. The results of MEFV mutation analyses were: M694V/M694V homozygote in six patients, M694V/EQ148 in one patient, M694V/V726A in one patient, 680M-I/E148Q in one patient. FMF gene analysis was negative in two patients. Recurrence was noticed in one patient with M694V/M694V, while the other did not have an FMF gene analysis. Colchicine was reduced in nine patients due to side effects. In conclusion, the long-term outcomes of transplantation in patients with amyloidosis secondary to FMF is similar to that in the general transplant population and maintenance colchicine, even at low dose, appears to effectively prevent recurrence of amyloidosis in the allograft.     

MEFV gene mutations in familial Mediterranean fever phenotype II patients with renal amyloidosis in childhood: a retrospective clinicopathological and molecular study.

BACKGROUND: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurring attacks of fever and serositis. The definition of the mutated gene has allowed molecular diagnosis of the disease. The most important complication of FMF is the development of AA type secondary amyloidosis. In a group of patients clinically designated as phenotype II amyloidosis patients, renal amyloidosis develops without being preceded by typical attacks of the disease. In this study, the mutations of the MEFV gene were analysed in a group of patients clinically recognized as phenotype II. METHODS: DNA samples were obtained from tissue samples of the subjects. PCR-RFLP methods were used to analyse the M694V, M680I, V726A and E148Q mutations that have been previously defined by us to be the most common mutations in our Turkish cohort. RESULTS: The distribution of the four most common mutations among phenotype II patients was 38% for M694V, 8% for M680I, 4% for V726A and 4% for E148Q. CONCLUSIONS: In phenotype II amyloidosis patients, the distribution of the four common MEFV mutations was not significantly different from that found in all FMF patients with typical symptoms who do or do not develop amyloidosis. We therefore suggest that secondary genetic or environmental factors are operative in the development of secondary amyloidosis in patients with FMF.     

Serum soluble fas ligand levels in familial Mediterranean fever

Abstract

Introduction: Fas/FasL system plays an important role in the regulation of cell life and death, and circulating levels of sFasL have been shown to increase in some inflammatory conditions. However, there is no sufficient information about the levels of sFasL in patients with FMF. This study was designed to evaluate the serum sFasL levels in patients with FMF during attack and attack-free periods. Methods: Twenty-five FMF patients in attack and forty-four in free-attack period, and 20 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Participants with any chronic diseases were excluded. Blood samples were obtained within the first 24?h of the attack period and between febrile attacks, and levels of WBC, ESR, Fibrinogen, hsCRP and sFasL were determined. Results: The levels of traditional acute phase reactants during the attack were significantly higher than the attack-free and controls (p?<?0.05). The serum sFasL levels in the FMF study groups did not differ from the control group (0.70?±?0.08 vs. 0.73?±?0.12; 0.70?±?0.08 vs. 0.83?±?0.14; 0.73?±?0.12 vs. 0.83?±?0.14, respectively, p?>?0.05). Moreover, the sFasL levels during the attack were not significantly different from those in attack-free patients (0.70?±?0.08 vs. 0.83?±?0.14, p?>?0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that serum sFasL levels were not markedly affected in FMF and cannot be used as a supportive marker to differentiate attacks from attack-free periods. However, further studies are needed to determine its usefulness as a marker in clinical practice.     

Interferon-gamma levels in familial Mediterranean fever

AIMS: To evaluate the levels of endogenous interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). METHODS: Plasma levels of IFN-gamma were assayed in 29 FMF patients in attack-free period (mean age: 32, min-max: 17-48; male/female: 10/19), 18 FMF patients with acute FMF attack (mean age: 32, min-max: 19-50; male/female: 8/10), and 19 healthy controls (mean age: 31.94 +/- 1.50, min-max: 23-42; male/female: 11/8). IFN-gamma levels were also compared among colchicine treated and untreated groups. RESULTS: Median plasma IFN-gamma levels were significantly higher in patients both with and without FMF attack than the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, plasma IFN-gamma levels were higher in patients with acute FMF attack compared to patients in attack-free periods (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of IFN-gamma were comparable in colchicine treated and untreated groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that IFN-gamma may contribute to the inflammatory cascade of FMF.     

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and renal AA amyloidosis--phenotype-genotype correlation,treatment and prognosis

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease, which primarily affects the population surrounding the Mediterranean basin. It is characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and peritonitis, pleuritis, arthritis or erysipelas-like erythema. Amyloidosis, causing renal failure, is one of the most severe complications of the disease. The gene associated with FMF (MEFV) has been recently isolated. Phenotype-genotype correlation studies revealed that amyloidosis was more common in FMF patients originating from North-Africa who were homozygous for the M694V mutation. Such a correlation was not found in Turkish patients. The risk of amyloidosis is increased in male FMF patients and in patients bearing polymorphism a/a in the SAA1 gene. Colchicine is the chosen drug for the treatment of FMF and can prevent amyloidosis.     

Long-Term Outcome of Renal Transplantation in Patients With Familial Mediterranean Fever Amyloidosis: A Single-Center Experience

IntroductionFamilial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal-recessive disorder, affecting multiple organs. The AA type of amyloidosis is most common and serious complication cause nephropathy and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal transplantation (RTX) remains treatment of choice for ESRD. We aimed to investigate long-term results of RTX in patients with FMF amyloidosis.Patients and MethodsWe compared the outcomes of 18 patients (12 men and 6 women) with FMF amyloidosis among 601 (2.9%) transplants with 200 control patients. Demographic data and gene analysis were evaluated.ResultsIn our study the 1-year graft and patient survivals were 94.44% and 100%, respectively. At 5 years after RTX, they were 94.73% and 88.88%, respectively, in the FMF group without difference from controls. Mean creatinine level at 1 and 5 years were 1.43 ± 0.54 and 1.73 ± 0.89, respectively. The results of MEFV mutation analyses were: M694V/M694V homozygote in 1 patient, M694V/EQ148 in 3, M694V/V726A in 2, 680M-I/E148Q in 3, M694V/M680I in 5, R202Q/M680I in 2, and M694V/R202Q in 2. Recurrence was noticed in 1 patient with M694V/M680I. One patient died because of graft loss and cardiac complications with M694V/M680I gene analysis. Colchicine was reduced in 4 patients owing to side effects.ConclusionLong-term outcomes of transplantation in patients with amyloidosis secondary to FMF is similar to that in the general transplant population and maintenance colchicine, even after decreasing its dose, effectively prevents recurrence of amyloidosis in the allograft.     

Plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) in familial Mediterranean fever

AimsTo assess the levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).MethodsPlasma levels of sVEGFR-1 were investigated in 33 FMF patients in an attack-free period (mean age 30.8 years; males/females 10/23), in 15 patients with acute FMF attack (mean age 32.7 years; males/females 7/8), and 19 healthy controls (mean age 32 years; males/females 11/8). Levels of sVEGFR-1 were also compared among patients who were receiving colchicine and those who were not.ResultsPlasma sVEGFR-1 levels were 3.49 ± 1.10, 3.53 ± 1.02, and 0.37 ± 0.28 ng/ml for FMF patients in the attack-free period, FMF patients with acute attack, and healthy controls, respectively. Plasma sVEGFR-1 levels were significantly higher in FMF patients with and without acute attack compared to the control group (p < 0.05). sVEGFR-1 levels were not statistically significant between patients with acute attack and attack-free FMF patients (p > 0.05). The plasma levels of sVEGFR-1 were also comparable in colchicine treated and untreated patients.ConclusionOur data suggest that sVEGFR-1 may have a role in the ongoing inflammatory cascade in FMF.     

Phenotype 2 Familial Mediterranean Fever: Evaluation of 22 Case Series and Review of the Literature on Phenotype 2 FMF

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent bouts of fever and serosal inflammation. FMF may be complicated by AA-type amyloidosis, worsening the prognosis, with associated renal failure in some patients. Complication rate varies with race, being as high as 60% in Turks and as low as 2% in Armenians. In a few cases of patients with FMF (phenotype 2), amyloid nephropathy may be the presenting manifestation. This study included 420 patients who were admitted to the Nephrology and Rheumatology Departments of Atatürk Education and Research Hospital with unexplained proteinuria/nephrotic syndrome. The initial screening test for amyloidosis was the presence of significant proteinuria (300 mg/24 h). All MEFV gene exons were screened for causative mutations by direct DNA sequencing to check for any mutations. There were 22 phenotype 2 FMF patients with 27 allelic variants. The most prevalent allelic variants were M694V (10/27, 37%) and E148Q (7/27, 26%). Phenotype 2 FMF is not as rare as it was thought before; this should be kept in mind for all patients with unexplained proteinuria and/or acute phase response in high-risk ethnic groups for FMF.     

Chronic inflammation in FMF: markers, risk factors, outcomes and therapy

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common of the hereditary periodic fever syndromes. Although the typical clinical course of FMF is characterized by bouts of painful inflammation, this presentation represents only the tip of the iceberg. In many patients inflammation can persist in attack-free periods, as shown by high levels of acute-phase proteins, cytokines and inflammation-induced proteins. This subclinical inflammation puts patients at risk of developing complications such as anemia, splenomegaly, decreased bone mineral density, heart disease and life-threatening amyloid A amyloidosis, among others. In this article, we review the published data on markers and other factors involved in the persistence of inflammation in patients with FMF during attack-free periods, examine the risk factors for the development of this subclinical inflammation, summarize the complications of chronic inflammation in FMF and propose a new strategy for treatment, based on these data.     

Is There a Long-Term Risk for Donors With Heterozygous MEFV Mutation After Kidney Donation?

Background

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal-recessive autoinflammatory disorder manifested severely by systemic amyloidosis. It has been hypothesized that heterozygous carriers may also have susceptibility to certain symptoms or even diseases. Because the living kidney donors of patients with FMF are generally relatives of the kidney recipients, there is a high possibility that the donors will have a heterozygous mutation of the FMF gene. The goal of this study was to investigate the long-term kidney function of donors who are carriers of the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene.

Circulating adrenomedullin levels in ankylosing spondylitis and Familial Mediterranean Fever

IntroductionAdrenomedullin (AM) is a 52-amino acid peptide with vasorelaxant properties. Apart from its roles on vascular tonus, AM can also contribute to inflammatory events. Plasma AM levels were elevated in connective tissue diseases and vasculitic disorders. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine initiating in the sacroiliac joints. Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a hereditary disorder characterized by self-limiting acute attacks of fever and the presence of sustained subclinical inflammation in the attack-free periods. In this study, we investigated plasma AM levels in patients with AS and patients with FMF.MethodsTwenty AS patients with active disease manifestations (mean age: 41.6 ± 10.9 years, female/male: 7/13), 28 FMF patients with acute attack (mean age: 27.4 ± 10.7 years, female/male: 17/11), and 26 healthy controls (mean age: 39.9 ± 5.5 years, female/male: 16/10) were enrolled in this study. AM levels were also measured in 11 FMF patients 2 months after the cessation of their attacks. AM levels of those 11 patients during their FMF attacks and attack-free periods were also compared.ResultsMedian plasma AM levels were 23.86 (17.24–40.09) pmol/mL, 27.33 (17.24–38.52) pmol/mL, and 26.11 (17.05–37.42) pmol/mL in AS patients, FMF patients with acute attack, and healthy controls, respectively (p > 0.05). AM levels were also similar in the attack-free periods of FMF patients [26.35 (24.35–34.14) pmol/mL]. There was no correlation between plasma AM levels and C-reactive protein, or between plasma AM levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.ConclusionsAM does not seem to have any role in the pathogenesis of AS and FMF. Previous reports of elevated levels of AM in connective tissue disorders and vasculitic diseases are probably disease specific, and AM does not seem to be a common component of inflammatory rheumatic disorders.     

Frequent genotype changes at -308, and 488 regions of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene in patients with prostate cancer

PURPOSE: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is involved in oncogenesis of several cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether genotype changes of TNF-alpha promoter regions (-238, -308) and at the 488 region are associated with human prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The DNA from 73 cases of human prostate cancer was analyzed by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction to characterize the genotype changes of three regions of the TNF-alpha gene in prostate cancer patients. We also determined the genotype frequency in these patients. The relative risk of variant genotype was calculated by comparing with our previous data from healthy controls. RESULTS: Genetic changes were detected in 15.1% (11/73) of prostate cancer samples at 488 region of TNF-alpha. Seventy-three percent (53/73) of the patients showed genotype GA at -308 region of TNF-alpha. Genotype GA at 488 region in TNF-alpha was observed in 73% (53/73) of the cancer and 71% (52/73) of the normal tissue. The relative risks of incidence for prostate cancer was 14-fold higher in people with genotype GA at -308 region of TNF-alpha. The relative incidence for prostate cancer was a 17-fold higher in-patient with genotype GA at 488 region of TNF-alpha. Genotype GA at -308 of TNF-alpha was related to higher clinical tumor stage of prostate cancer than genotype G (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates, for the first time, that the genotype changes in -308 and 488 regions of TNF-alpha are associated with prostate cancer.     

Clinical significance of MEFV mutations in ankylosing spondylitis

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of MEFV gene mutations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to assess the clinical significance of the MEFV gene mutations in AS.MethodsEighty AS patients and 85 healthy controls were examined for 12 common MEFV mutations via strip-assay technique. Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Schober test, chest expansion measurements, hip involvement, ocular involvement, articular pain, and presence of syndesmophytes were used to assess the disease severity in patients.ResultsTwenty-four of the AS patients (30%) and 17 of the healthy controls (20%) were found to carry a single MEFV mutation. There was no significant difference between the AS patients and controls in terms of MEFV gene mutation frequency (p = 0.13, OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 0.83–3.50). When the patients were divided into two groups as MEFV mutation carriers and noncarriers, there was significant difference between the groups regarding BASFI and BASDAI whereas there was no significant difference in VAS score for pain. No association was found with the clinical findings and MEFV mutation except hip involvement. While there was no significant difference in CRP levels, individuals with MEFV mutation had a higher ESR than the noncarriers.ConclusionMEFV gene mutation carriage rate was not found to be significantly higher in AS patients when compared with healthy controls. However having an MEFV mutation seems to aggravate the disease course in AS.     

Inter-relationship between tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and TNF soluble receptors in pulmonary sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND: The importance of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis has remained uncertain because of the paucity of clinical features associated with excessive levels of this cytokine. Increased levels of soluble TNF receptors (TNF-R), which are known to inhibit TNF-alpha activity, were recently described in the lungs of subjects with sarcoidosis. We hypothesised that TNF-alpha bioactivity may be inhibited in sarcoidosis by the presence of TNF-R. A study was therefore undertaken to investigate for the first time the relationship between soluble receptors and TNF-alpha bioactivity in the lungs of subjects with sarcoidosis. METHODS: Alveolar macrophages (AMs) from 16 subjects with histologically proven sarcoidosis and 13 healthy controls were cultured in the presence and absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The subjects with sarcoidosis were grouped by radiological assessment into stage I (n = 6) and stage II/III (n = 10). The cell culture supernatants and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were assayed for TNF bioactivity using the WEHI 164 clone 13 assay. Immunoreactive (bound and free) TNF-alpha and free TNF-Rs (p55 and p75) were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Bioactive TNF-alpha was undetectable in the BAL fluid of all the subjects with sarcoidosis and most of the healthy controls. However, there was significantly more immunoreactive TNF-alpha in the BAL fluid from subjects with sarcoidosis than from the controls (median values 0.304 ng/ml and 0.004 ng/ml, respectively, 95% CI 0. 076 to 0.455, p<0.001). The levels of both p55 and p75 in the BAL fluid were higher in both sarcoidosis groups than in the controls (p<0.0005 and p<0.001, respectively). In LPS stimulated AM supernatants reduced TNF-alpha bioactivity was seen in subjects with stage I sarcoidosis compared with those with stage II/III disease and healthy controls (median 0.333 ng/ml vs 1.362 ng/ml and 2.385 ng/ml, respectively, p<0.01). This contrasted with increased p55 levels in the AM supernatants derived from subjects with stage I sarcoidosis compared with those with stage II/III disease and healthy controls (median 0.449 ng/ml vs 0.058 ng/ml and 0.078 ng/ml, respectively, p<0.01). The levels of p75 were increased in unstimulated AM cultures in subjects with stage II/III disease compared with those with stage I disease and healthy controls (median 0.326 ng/ml vs 0.064 ng/ml and 0.102 ng/ml, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that TNF-alpha bioactivity may be inhibited by increased soluble TNF-R in the lungs of subjects with sarcoidosis, and this inhibition may be greater in patients with stage I sarcoidosis than in those with stage II/III disease. This may represent a homeostatic mechanism which protects the lung from excessive TNF production characteristic of chronic inflammation.