scholarly journals Possible Influence of Resistance to Malaria in Clinical Presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Biological Significance of Natural Selection

Arthritis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Bonilla-Abadía ◽  
Gabriel J. Tobón ◽  
Carlos A. Cañas
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Chemokine Receptors ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Immunological Response ◽  
Immune Reactivity ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Special Group ◽  
Increased Risk

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease that affects all ethnic groups. Genetic factors, mainly HLA alleles, are highly associated with increased risk to develop RA. However, there are few available data about the role of these genetic polymorphisms in the prevalence or severity of RA in the Afrodescendant population, who have evolutionarily and by natural selection developed mutations that allowed them to acquire resistance to infectious diseases like malaria. Some of the mechanisms, by which this resistance was developed as a product of natural selection, are involved in different forms of immunological response, many of them of a well-known importance in the pathophysiology of RA. This paper focuses on presenting the known mechanisms of resistance to malaria and their possible contribution to the pathophysiology of RA, including “loss-of-function” mutations, lack of expression of chemokine receptors, decrease of immune complexes clearance by asplenia, or increase of immune reactivity mediated by B cells, among other mechanisms in this special group of patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis—clinical features

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugen Feist ◽  
Gerd-R. Burmester
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Systemic Autoimmune Disease ◽  
Joint Involvement ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Autoantibody Status ◽  
Disease Entities

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents with variable clinical features, making this most frequent chronic systemic autoimmune disease with characteristic joint involvement a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This chapter describes in detail the different clinical, laboratory and imaging findings in patients with RA. In addition to the characteristic arthritic involvement, which can lead to severe joint changes with progressive destruction and loss of function, other systemic disease manifestations as well as an increased risk for cardiovascular events and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with relevance for patients' prognosis are described. Recent approaches to early diagnosis and stratification of patients by predictive factors for a severe course of disease are discussed. These patient profiles include increased inflammatory markers, the presence of autoantibodies, and erosive changes at the time of diagnosis. The novel classification criteria for RA and the significance of autoantibody status, namely seropositivity for antibodies against citrullinated antigens as highly specific diagnostic markers, are highlighted to further promote early differentiation of RA from other arthritic disease entities.

scholarly journals Genetic Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
Raquel López-Mejías ◽  
Mercedes García-Bermúdez ◽  
Carlos González-Juanatey ◽  
Miguel A. González-Gay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Atherosclerotic Process ◽  
Cv Disease ◽  
Polygenic Diseases

Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the most common cause of premature mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is the result of an accelerated atherosclerotic process. Both RA and atherosclerosis are complex polygenic diseases. Besides traditional CV risk factors and chronic inflammation, a number of studies have confirmed the role of genetic factors in the development of the atherogenesis observed in RA. In this regard, besides a strong association between theHLA-DRB1*04shared epitope alleles and both endothelial dysfunction, an early step in the atherosclerotic process, and clinically evident CV disease, other polymorphisms belonging to genes implicated in inflammatory and metabolic pathways, located inside and outside the HLA region, such as the 308 variant (G>A, rs1800629) of theTNFAlocus, the rs1801131 polymorphism (A>C; position + 1298) of theMTHFRlocus, or a deletion of 32 base pairs on theCCR5gene, seem to be associated with the risk of CV disease in patients with RA. Despite considerable effort to decipher the genetic basis of CV disease in RA, further studies are required to better establish the genetic influence in the increased risk of CV events observed in patients with RA.

scholarly journals Prevotella copri in individuals at risk for rheumatoid arthritis

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 590-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deshire Alpizar-Rodriguez ◽  
Till Robin Lesker ◽  
Achim Gronow ◽  
Benoît Gilbert ◽  
Elena Raemy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Relative Expansion ◽  
Intestinal Dysbiosis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Culture Independent ◽  
Significant Enrichment ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

ObjectivesRheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with a relative expansion of faecal Prevotellaceae. To determine the microbiome composition and prevalence of Prevotella spp. in a group of individuals at increased risk for RA, but prior to the development of the disease.MethodsIn an ongoing cohort study of first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with RA, we identified ‘FDR controls’, asymptomatic and without autoantibodies, and individuals in pre-clinical RA stages, who had either developed anticitrullinated peptide antibodies or rheumatoid factor positivity and/or symptoms and signs associated with possible RA. Stool sampling and culture-independent microbiota analyses were performed followed by descriptive statistics and statistical analyses of community structures.ResultsA total of 133 participants were included, of which 50 were categorised as ‘FDR controls’ and 83 in ‘pre-clinical RA stages’. The microbiota of individuals in ‘pre-clinical RA stages’ was significantly altered compared with FDR controls. We found a significant enrichment of the bacterial family Prevotellaceae, particularly Prevotella spp., in the ‘pre-clinical RA’ group (p=0.04).ConclusionsPrevotella spp. enrichment in individuals in pre-clinical stages of RA, before the onset of RA, suggests a role of intestinal dysbiosis in the development of RA.

scholarly journals The Effects of Gene Polymorphisms in Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-6 on the Susceptibility of Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Chinese Population

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Li ◽  
Wei Chai ◽  
Ming Ni ◽  
Meng Xu ◽  
Zijian Lian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Chinese Population ◽  
Chinese Patients ◽  
Interleukin 4 ◽  
Promoter Polymorphisms ◽  
Increased Risk

Background. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been reported to associate with pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, the role of IL-4 and IL-6 genetic polymorphisms in RA remains unknown.Method. A total of 752 unrelated Chinese patients with RA and 798 healthy Chinese volunteers with no family histories of any autoimmune diseases were recruited. The promoter IL-4-590 C/T and IL-6-174 G/C polymorphisms were genotyped.Result. The genotype distributions and allele frequencies of IL-4-590 C/T and IL-6-174 G/C polymorphisms in RA patients were significantly different from healthy volunteers. Statistically significant differences were observed in genotypes for IL-4-590 and IL-6-174. The frequencies of both the T allele on the IL-4-590 and the C on the IL-6-174 were significantly increased in RA patients.Conclusion. The IL-4-590 and IL-6-174 promoter polymorphisms may be associated with increased risk of RA and could be used as genetic marker for assessing the susceptibility and severity of RA in Chinese.

scholarly journals Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated Episcleritis and Scleritis: An Update on Treatment Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2118
Author(s):  
Veronique Promelle ◽  
Vincent Goeb ◽  
Julie Gueudry
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Topical Steroids ◽  
Rheumatoid Vasculitis ◽  
Ocular Complications ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
Close Cooperation ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs

Episcleritis and scleritis are the most common ocular inflammatory manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) accounts for 8% to 15% of the cases of scleritis, and 2% of patients with RA will develop scleritis. These patients are more likely to present with diffuse or necrotizing forms of scleritis and have an increased risk of ocular complications and refractory scleral inflammation. In this review we provide an overview of diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis-associated episcleritis and scleritis with a focus on recent treatment perspectives. Episcleritis is usually benign and treated with oral non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or topical steroids. Treatment of scleritis will classically include oral NSAIDs and steroids but may require disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In refractory cases, treatment with anti TNF biologic agents (infliximab, and adalimumab) is now recommended. Evidence suggests that rituximab may be an effective option, and further studies are needed to investigate the potential role of gevokizumab, tocilizumab, abatacept, tofacitinib, or ACTH gel. A close cooperation is needed between the rheumatology or internal medicine specialist and the ophthalmologist, especially when scleritis may be the first indicator of an underlying rheumatoid vasculitis.

scholarly journals Vascular Function and Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis: the Role of Physical Activity

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
George S. Metsios ◽  
Antonios Stavropoulos Kalinoglou ◽  
Aamer Sandoo ◽  
Jet J.C.S. Veldhuijzen van Zanten ◽  
Tracey E. Toms ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Endothelial Dysfunction ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Invasive Techniques

Inflammation disturbs biochemical pathways involved in homeostasis of the endothelium. Research has established clear links between inflammatory mediators, particularly C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor alpha, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis may be subclinical at early stages, and thus the ability to detect them with non-invasive techniques is crucially important, particularly in populations at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, such as those with rheumatoid arthritis. This may allow the identification of interventions that may reverse these processes early on. One of the best non-pharmacological interventions that may achieve this is physical activity. This review explores the associations between inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis and discusses the role of exercise in blocking specific pathways in the inflammation, endothelial dysfunction - atherosclerosis network.

scholarly journals The role of Helicobacter pylori in the process of 43 carcinogenesis by means of dysregulation of miRNA expression

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 43-47
Author(s):  
O. F Belaia ◽  
E. V Volchkova ◽  
O. A Paevskaya ◽  
S. N Zuevskaya ◽  
Yu. V Yudina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Cancer Of The Stomach ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Stomach Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Few Data

Duodenal ulcer is associated with Helicobacter pylori almost in 90-100% of cases. Severe disease of the stomach - adenocarcinoma - is caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori in 70-90% of cases. Persons infected with this bacterium were proven statistically to be in group of the increased risk of the development of gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori expresses a spectrum of virulence factors which cause dysregulation of intracellular signaling pathways in a host cell, that reduces the resistance to neoplastic transformation. In the review there are presented data about identified to the present time deregulated miRNAs associated with H.pylori diseases, including cancer of the stomach, and a few data on their biological significance. The growing number of studies confirming the involvement of miRNAs in various stages of carcinogenesis - from gastritis to the formation of metastases - demonstrates the importance of the new directions of the research.

scholarly journals Role of Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors in Rheumatoid Arthritis

2020 ◽  
Vol Volume 9 ◽  
pp. 43-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noha Mousaad Elemam ◽  
Suad Hannawi ◽  
Azzam A Maghazachi
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Chemokine Receptors

scholarly journals Risk of Tuberculosis Reactivation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Psoriatic Arthritis Receiving Non-Anti-TNF-Targeted Biologics

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Cantini ◽  
Carlotta Nannini ◽  
Laura Niccoli ◽  
Linda Petrone ◽  
Giuseppe Ippolito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis Infection ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis ◽  
Underdeveloped Countries ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Tuberculosis Reactivation ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Tuberculosis (TB) still represents an important issue for public health in underdeveloped countries, but the use of antitumor necrosis factor agents (anti-TNF) for the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic disorders has reopened the problem also in countries with low TB incidence, due to the increased risk of TB reactivation in subjects with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Over the last 5 years, several non-anti-TNF-targeted biologics have been licensed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. We reviewed the epidemiology of TB, the role of different cytokines and of the immune system cells involved in the immune response against TB infection, the methods to detect LTBI, and the risk of TB reactivation in patients exposed to non-anti-TNF-targeted biologics. Given the limited role exerted by the cytokines different from TNF, as expected, data from controlled trials, national registries of biologics, and postmarketing surveillance show that the risk of TB reactivation in patients receiving non-anti-TNF-targeted biologics is negligible, hence raising the question whether the screening procedures for LTBI would be necessary.

scholarly journals Cardiac Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Inflammation

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 881
Author(s):  
Jianmin Chen ◽  
Lucy V. Norling ◽  
Dianne Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Preserved Ejection Fraction ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Systemic Inflammatory Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease that carries an increased risk of mortality due to cardiovascular disease. The link between inflammation and atherosclerotic disease is clear; however, recent evidence suggests that inflammation may also play a role in the development of nonischemic heart disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We consider here the link between inflammation and cardiovascular disease in the RA community with a focus on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The effect of current anti-inflammatory therapeutics, used to treat RA patients, on cardiovascular disease are discussed as well as whether targeting resolution of inflammation might offer an alternative strategy for tempering inflammation and subsequent inflammation-driven comorbidities in RA.

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