Air pollution is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis – No

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in the MEFV gene and characterized by recurrent febrile polyserositis. A possible association of FMF and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been suggested in cohorts from Turkey and Israel. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of MEFV mutations in subjects with MS and in controls in Germany. Methods: One-hundred and fifty seven MS patients with at least one symptom or without symptoms suggestive of FMF from our outpatient clinic were investigated for mutations in exons 2, 3, and 10 of the MEFV gene (group 1). 260 independent MS patients (group 2) and 400 unrelated Caucasian controls (group 3) were screened selectively for the low-penetrance pyrin mutations E148Q and K695R Results: In group 1, 19 MS patients (12.1%) tested positive for a mutation in the MEFV gene, mainly the E148Q ( n=7) substitution. Fifteen of the 19 mutation-positive individuals reported at least one symptom suggestive of FMF. In three cases, we could identify additional family members with MS. In these pedigrees, the E148Q exchange co-segregated with MS ( p=0.026). Frequencies of the pyrin E148Q and K695R mutations were not statistically different between MS group 2 and controls but they occurred with a surprisingly high frequency in the German population. Conclusion: The MEFV gene appears to be another immunologically relevant gene locus which contributes to MS susceptibility. In particular, the pyrin E148Q mutation, which co-segregated with disease in three MS families, is a promising candidate risk factor for MS that should be further explored in larger studies.

Download Full-text

Abstract P391: Inhalation Of Airborne Particulate Matter Alters Cardiovascular Function Of Alzheimer-prone Mice

Circulation Research ◽

10.1161/res.129.suppl_1.p391 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 129 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Devin R O'Piela ◽

Ty A Saldana ◽

David M Aslaner ◽

Matthew W Gorr ◽

Amy R Mackos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Mouse Model ◽

Transgenic Mouse ◽

Airborne Particulate Matter ◽

Transgenic Mouse Model ◽

Cardiovascular Dysfunction ◽

Airborne Particulate

Air pollution has detrimental effects on cardiovascular and lung function, and the extent of its pathological consequences continues to be uncovered. Recently, air pollution has been implicated in the development of Alzheimer Disease (AD) progression. AD and heart failure are common co-morbidities, giving reason to believe that cardiovascular dysfunction may contribute to AD. A known contributor to cardiovascular dysfunction-particulate matter (PM 2.5 , < 2.5 μm diameter)—is a critical component of air pollution and is considered a risk factor for heart failure and AD development. This co-morbidity pattern and shared environmental risk factor prompted the hypothesis that PM 2.5 contributes to cardiovascular dysfunction in a transgenic mouse model of AD. We tested our hypothesis by subjecting 6-month-old transgenic (APP) and non-carrier wildtype (WT) male mice to filtered air (FA) or PM 2.5 for 5 days/week, 6 hours/day for 3 months (n = 34). Following exposure, echocardiography, pressure-volume (PV) loops, and respiratory mechanics were performed to detect cardiac and pulmonary changes associated with genotype and exposure conditions among the 3-month group. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular anterior wall thickness in systole was significantly elevated among PM-exposed APP mice compared to FA-exposed APP controls. PV data demonstrated significant reduced end-systolic elastance in PM-exposed mice compared to FA-exposed mice in both WT and APP mouse models, demonstrating impaired contractility. PV loops also showed that the time constant of isovolumetric relaxation was increased in PM-exposed compared to FA-exposed WT mice. APP mice experienced higher lung resistance and central airway resistance with an increasing dose of methacholine. Taken together, these findings indicate airborne particulate matter exposure causes cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction in a transgenic mouse model of AD.

Download Full-text

Effect of tobacco use on disease activity and DMT discontinuation in multiple sclerosis patients treated with dimethyl fumarate or fingolimod

Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental Translational and Clinical ◽

10.1177/2055217320959815 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 205521732095981

Author(s):

Carrie M Hersh ◽

Haleigh Harris ◽

Malissa Ayers ◽

Devon Conway

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Dimethyl Fumarate ◽

Tobacco Exposure ◽

Disease Modifying Therapy ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Background Tobacco exposure is a modifiable risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies evaluating the relationship between tobacco, disease activity, and disease modifying therapy (DMT) persistence yielded conflicting results. We sought to address this issue with data from clinical practice. Objective To compare 24-month disease outcomes in tobacco versus non-tobacco users treated with dimethyl fumarate (DMF) or fingolimod (FTY) in clinical practice. Methods We retrospectively identified 659 MS patients treated with DMF or FTY, stratified by patient-reported tobacco use. DMT discontinuation and measures of disease activity at 24 months were assessed using propensity score (PS) weighting. Outcome estimates were calculated as tobacco vs non-tobacco use. Results 164 tobacco users (DMF n = 101; FTY n = 63) and 495 non-tobacco users (DMF n = 294; FTY n = 201) were identified. Tobacco (39.4%) and non-tobacco (34.4%) users were equally likely to discontinue DMT (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 0.79, 1.75), but tobacco users discontinued therapy earlier (HR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.06, 2.43). There were no differences in ARR (rate ratio = 1.39, 95% CI 0.97, 1.96). However, tobacco users had decreased odds of NEDA-2 (OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.44, 0.83). Conclusion Our findings suggest that tobacco is a negative risk factor for inflammatory disease activity and earlier DMF and FTY discontinuation.

Download Full-text