Familial systemic lupus erythematosus in males

Several families in which systemic lupus erythematosus predominates in males are presented. The disease primarily manifested itself in the sons and in the male parents. Females in some of the families had other autoimmune diseases such as idiopathic thrombocy-topenic purpura or symptoms suggestive of a lupus diathesis. It is suggested that the sons inherited the disease from their fathers in these families. The disease in the patients had some similarity to the disease in BXSB mice.     

Familial Crohn's disease with systemic lupus erythematosus

We describe a young Japanese woman who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease affecting the ileum, transverse colon, and rectum, as confirmed by barium studies, colonoscopy, and histopathological examination. Her father and sister also had Crohn's disease. After a 4-yr course of sulfasalazine and elemental diet therapy, she was readmitted for perianal abscess associated with the presence of pancytopenia, microhematuria with granular cast, hypocomplementemia, and high titers of autoimmune antibodies (anti-ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies). Based on these features, a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was made. Despite the rarity of such combination (Crohn's disease with SLE), patients with Crohn's disease who develop such clinical findings might need evaluation for SLE.     

Familial juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus in Arab children

Aim of this study is to analyze the demographic, clinical, and biochemical features, and survival of familial juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (FJSLE) in Arab children. The medical records of children with FJSLE seen at three pediatric rheumatology clinics in Saudi Arabia and Oman were retrospectively reviewed. All included children have met the following criteria: Arab ethnicity, definite diagnosis of SLE using the revised 1982 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria and family history of more than one affected sibling with SLE. The collected data included: gender, age at diagnosis, clinical and laboratory features at diagnosis. Unusual co-morbidity and mortality associated with the disease were studied. There were 50 children with FJSLE belonging to 18 families; the frequency of FJSLE in our cohort was 20.8%. The mean age at onset of SLE was 86?months (range, 18–168?months), while the mean age at diagnosis was 95?months (range, 24–192?months), and the mean duration of follow-up was 60.9?months (range, 7–132?months). The proportion of girls was predominant (78%). Autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was strongly suggested in number of our families. Mucocutaneous manifestations, arthritis, and nephritis were the most frequent features. Thirty-five patients had renal lesions, 18 of them had class IV nephritis according WHO classification. All patients were treated with different doses of steroid and immunosuppressive drugs; 37 (74%) patients received cyclophosphamide, and 6 patients treated with Rituximab. There were 5 patients required dialysis due to ESRD and 8 deaths related to SLE during the period of follow-up. FJSLE is not uncommon in our society. These findings may be helpful in identifying SLE patients with a stronger genetic predisposition; hopefully, one or more additional risk loci can be identified in multiplex Arab families that are different from what has been reported in other ethnic populations.     

Familial alterations of immunoregulation in systemic lupus erythematosus

To better define the relationship between suppressor cell function and number and disease expression, the immunoregulatory profiles of 12 probands with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 34 of their asymptomatic family members were studied, using concanavalin A induced suppressor cells for functional analysis. SLE family members as a whole showed no impairment of mean suppressor levels, although 7 of 34 had altered suppression of DNA synthesis and 5 of 34 had altered suppression of IgG synthesis. Ratios of OKT4/T8 T cell subsets showed no difference between the study population, although 3 SLE family members had an increased ratio (greater than 2 SD) relative to controls. The 12 family members with either altered suppressor cell number or function had higher antibody levels to dRNA (Poly A . U) than did those with normal suppressor function and number. The results demonstrate that altered suppressor cell number and function occur in certain asymptomatic family members of SLE patients and may be weakly associated with markers of a preceding RNA viral infection.     

Familial systemic lupus erythematosus: the role of genetic and environmental factors

OBJECTIVE: To examine the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to disease occurrence in 26 families with two or more members affected with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Genetic and environmental factors were examined by HLA-A, B, C/DR typing and by determining the presence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCA) in patients and their consanguineous and non-consanguineous relatives. RESULTS: No association between SLE and HLA-A, B, C antigens was found. There was, however, a significant association with HLA-DR2 in white subjects with SLE. The most striking finding was that HLA sharing was increased among the affected members, suggesting genetic similarities. Seven of 14 sib pairs (50%) who had concordant SLE were HLA identical as opposed to an expected 25%. Another interesting finding was that 15/18 (83%) patients with SLE and 11/22 (50%) consanguineous relatives had LCA, while 1/9 (11%) spouses, and 2/42 (5%) healthy controls had these antibodies. CONCLUSION: Genetic factors have a role in the development and expression of SLE. Environmental factors may trigger the disease in genetically susceptible hosts.     

Dehydroepiandrosterone in systemic lupus erythematosus

DHEA has shown promise for the treatment of SLE in three controlled and several uncontrolled clinical trials, including one large multicenter study comprising nearly 200 patients. The main benefits of DHEA seem to be a decrease in corticosteroid requirements and improved overall symptomatology. Intriguing aspects of DHEA treatment in SLE that require further study are a possible bone protective effect and improvements in cognitive function. The most frequent side effect is mild acneiform dermatitis, and long-term concerns include lowered HDL cholesterol.     

Granulopoiesis in systemic lupus erythematosus

The pathogenesis of granulopoietic failure in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was studied. In 16 Japanese women with SLE, a decreased number of granulocyte/monocyte progenitor cells (CFU-C) in the bone marrow was demonstrated, and the number of CFU-C correlated significantly with the peripheral blood granulocyte/monocyte count. The peripheral and bone marrow T lymphocytes suppressed the colony formation of autologous or allogeneic bone marrow CFU-C. These findings suggest that the decreased marrow CFU-C may be due to suppression by T lymphocytes, an event that may play an important role in the pathogenesis of granulopoietic failure in SLE.     

Biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus

Despite the longstanding interest and large number of publications on biomarkers in lupus, there are no validated and widely accepted biomarkers of systemic lupus erythematosus to date. To achieve the ultimate goal, to have a biomarker as a surrogate endpoint in clinical studies, candidate biomarkers have to first be validated in a statistically rigorous way. However, to qualify as a surrogate endpoint, even validated biomarkers have to go through a process that demonstrates that they accurately reflect a clinically important outcome. These goals can only be achieved in large multicenter, properly conducted studies. We reviewed the difficulties involved in developing validated biomarkers for systemic lupus erythematosus and summarized the available data on the most promising biomarker candidates of disease susceptibility and disease activity. We also report on the current status of a multicenter initiative to concentrate efforts of biomarker development.     

Pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus

Issues concerning contraception, fertility, and pregnancy usually arise during a typical lupus patient's disease course. Pregnancy superimposed on established lupus may alter the course of the disease, and, conversely, lupus may affect the natural history of pregnancy. Two recently described autoantibody markers, anti-SSA (Ro) and anticardiolipin, have provided new insights concerning fetal risks in these patients. Furthermore, they should lead to improved understanding of mechanisms of tissue injury and to new ideas about therapeutic interventions and/or prevention of pregnancy complications.     

Dehydroepiandrosterone in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective. To determine if dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is beneficial in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, 28 female patients with mild to moderate SLE were given DHEA 200 mg/day or placebo for 3 months. Outcomes included the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score, patient's and physician's overall assessments of disease activity, and concurrent corticosteroid dosages (which were adjusted as clinically indicated). Results. In the patients who were receiving DHEA, the SLEDAI score, patient's and physician's overall assessment of disease activity, and concurrent prednisone dosage decreased, while in the patients taking placebo, small increases were seen. The difference in patient's assessment between the groups was statistically significant (P = 0.022, adjusted). Lupus flares occurred more frequently in the placebo group (P = 0.053). Mild acne was a frequent side effect of DHEA. Conclusion. DHEA may be useful as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of mild to moderate SLE. Further studies of DHEA in the treatment of SLE are warranted.     

系统性红斑狼疮与高同型半胱氨酸血症的临床研究

目的　观察系统性红斑狼疮 (SLE)患者血浆中同型半胱氨酸 (Hcy)水平 ,分析影响Hcy的因素和某些心血管因素的变化。 方法　测定 2 7例SLE和 31名正常对照的Hcy、维生素B12 、叶酸、C反应蛋白 (CRP)、氧化低密度脂蛋白 (oxLDL)、一氧化氮 (NO)、丙二醛 (MDA)的水平和亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶 (MTHFR)基因 6 77位的多态性。结果　①SLE组Hcy水平明显较对照组高 ,其差异有显著性 [SLE组 (19± 7) μmol/L ,对照组 (12± 4 ) μmol/L ,P <0 0 0 1];②Hcy与维生素B12 、叶酸呈负相关 ,相关系数分别为 - 0 76 7和 - 0 6 7,P <0 0 0 0 1;③MTHFR基因 6 77位CT的突变使Hcy水平升高 [CC型 (12 8± 6 2 ) μmol/L ,CT型 (16 0± 2 1) μmol/L ,TT型 (18 9± 5 7) μmol/L ,P<0 0 0 1];TT基因型是高Hcy血症的易感基因 ,相对危险度 (RR) =31 4 9,P <0 0 5 ;TT基因型是SLE的易感基因 ,RR =6 913,P <0 0 5 ;④Hcy水平与NO、MDA、oxLDL呈正相关 ,并与CRP呈正相关。结论　①SLE患者普遍有高Hcy血症。②导致高Hcy血症的原因包括叶酸、维生素B12 的水平降低和MTHFR基因的突变 ,TT型基因是Hcy异常升高的易感基因。③TT型基因也是SLE的易感基因。④高Hcy血症可能通过损伤血管内皮 ,大量产生氧自由基 ,加速低密度     

Interferon-alpha in systemic lupus erythematosus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the lines of evidence supporting a significant role for interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to propose potential mechanisms by which IFNalpha contributes to the autoimmunity and immune dysfunction of SLE. RECENT FINDINGS: Long-standing data indicating elevated levels of IFNalpha in the circulation of patients with SLE have recently been supplemented by reports from clinical practice, gene expression data, analysis of patient cells studied ex vivo, and studies of mechanisms of induction of IFNalpha production to provide complementary data strongly supporting a pathogenic role for IFNalpha in SLE. Recombinant IFNalpha, when administered as a therapy to patients with malignancy or hepatitis infection, can induce SLE. IFNalpha-regulated genes are highly expressed in SLE peripheral blood cells compared with cells from control subjects. Functional alterations of SLE mononuclear cells have been attributed to effects of IFNalpha. In addition, immune complexes bearing lupus autoantibodies and RNA or DNA have been shown to induce IFNalpha production. Finally, progress in understanding the role of Toll-like receptors (TLR) in the activation of the innate immune response has suggested potential mechanisms by which adjuvant-like factors act through TLR to induce IFNalpha as well as effective processing of self-antigens, resulting in activation of an adaptive immune response directed against self, as well as cytokine-mediated immune dysfunction. SUMMARY: Substantial evidence supports a significant role for IFNalpha in the pathogenesis of lupus. The IFNalpha pathway represents a promising target for therapeutic intervention in patients with SLE.