Quantification of mitochondrial DNA damage and copy number in circulating blood of patients with systemic sclerosis by a qPCR-based assay

Abstract Background: Although not fully understood, oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of different autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis. Accumulating evidence indicates that oxidative stress can induce mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and variations in mtDNA copy number (mtDNAcn). Objective: The aim of this study was to explore mtDNAcn and oxidative DNA damage byproducts in peripheral blood of patients with systemic sclerosis and healthy controls. Methods: Forty six patients with systemic sclerosis and forty nine healthy subjects were studied. Quantitative real-time PCR used to measure the relative mtDNAcn and the oxidative damage (oxidized purines) of each sample. Results: The mean mtDNAcn was lower in patients with systemic sclerosis than in healthy controls whereas the degree of mtDNA damage was significantly higher in cases as compared to controls. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between mtDNAcn and oxidative DNA damage. Study limitations: The lack of simultaneous analysis and quantification of DNA oxidative damage markers in serum or urine of patients with systemic sclerosis and healthy controls. Conclusion: These data suggest that alteration in mtDNAcn and increased oxidative DNA damage may be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis.

Prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with systematic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Thyroid autoimmunity is more common in patients with rheumatic diseases than in healthy populations. The degree of association seems subject to influence from patients' geographical location. Here, we aimed to ascertain the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in a cohort of patients with systemic rheumatic disease and the degree of association between its presence and inflammatory activity. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional observational study in a rheumatology unit. METHODS: 301 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 210 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 58 with scleroderma (SSc) and 80 with spondyloarthritis (SpA) were studied regarding thyroid function (TSH and T4), anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb) and anti-thyroperoxidase (TPOab) and compared with 141 healthy controls. Disease activity in patients with rheumatic disease was assessed through appropriate indexes. RESULTS: There were more antithyroid antibodies in SLE patients with hypothyroidism (P = 0.01; odds ratio, OR 2.7; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.20-6.26) and in those without hypothyroidism (P = 0.06; OR 2.4; 95% CI: 1.28-4.55) than in controls. SSc patients also showed: P = 0.03 both with antithyroid antibodies and hypothyroidism (OR 3.4; 95% CI: 1.06-10.80) and without hypothyroidism (OR 3.1; 95% CI: 1.11-0.13). RA and SpA patients had the same prevalence as controls (P not significant). Presence of autoantibodies with and without hypothyroidism was not associated with the activity or functional indexes evaluated. CONCLUSION: SLE and SSc were associated with higher prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with and without hypothyroidism, unlike SpA and RA. There was no link between thyroid autoantibody presence and disease activity or functional impairment.

Overlap between systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis: a distinct clinical entity? / Sobreposição de esclerose sistêmica e artrite reumatoide: uma entidade clínica distinta?

ABSTRACT Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue characterized by the triad of vascular injury, autoimmunity (cellular and humoral) and tissue fibrosis. It is estimated that musculoskeletal pain is a common complaint of patients with SSc, ranging from 40 to 80%, and mainly in patients with early diffuse disease. Arthritis, clinically observed, may be a feature seen in the presentation of SSc, often leading to early diagnostic errors with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the course of the disease, arthritis is observed in 24–97% of patients with SSc. Objectives: To correlate the occurrence or nonoccurrence of arthritis in patients with SSc of the Midwest region of Brazil with possible distinct clinical and laboratory manifestations observed in three groups of patients. To report the frequency of true association between systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis in patients with clinically and radiologically observed synovitis. Methods: Sixty-one SSc patients were subsequently assessed every 3 months within 1 year, in order to clinically observe the occurrence of synovitis and its patterns of progression. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 41 patients with SSc without arthritis, 16 SSc patients with arthritis and 4 patients with overlap of SSc and RA. All patients underwent a radiological examination of the hands at the end of the study. Results: Among all patients evaluated, we found a female predominance (98.7%), mean age of 50.94 years, white color (49.2%), limited form of the disease (47.6%), time of diagnosis between 5 and 10 years (47.6%) and duration of the disease of 8.30 years. Among all patients, 14 (22.9%) had positive rheumatoid factor (RF), while among those with positive RF, only 10 patients had arthritis during one-year follow-up. The antibody anticitrulline (anti-CCP) test was performed in 24 patients, being positive in 4 of them (16.7%), with positivity being observed only in patients with SSc/RA overlap. Comparing the clinical manifestations among the groups of patients, there was a higher incidence of gastritis and cardiac valvulopathy in patients with SSc and arthritis, but not in the others. In the group of patients with SSc/RA overlap and in patients with SSc and arthritis a significant reduction in quality of life was observed, measured by HAQ index, especially in patients with arthritis present during clinical evaluation. We found radiographic changes in 42.6% of patients with SSc. However, in patients with synovitis, radiological changes consistent with rheumatoid arthritis were found in 50% of patients. Conclusions: While the frequency of clinical arthritis observed in patients with systemic sclerosis was 32.8%, the true overlap between of SSc and RA was 6.6% in this study. We also observed the frequency of positive anti-CCP in 20% of patients with arthritis versus no patients with SSc without arthritis.

RESUMO Introdução: A esclerose sistêmica (ES) é uma enfermidade do tecido conjuntivo de caráter autoimune caracterizada pela tríade de injúria vascular, autoimunidade (celular e humoral) e fibrose tecidual. Estima-se que a dor musculoesquelética seja uma queixa frequente dos pacientes com ES, que oscila entre 40% e 80%, e principalmente em pacientes com doença difusa precoce. A artrite, clinicamente observada, pode ser uma característica observada na apresentação da ES, frequentemente leva a erros diagnósticos iniciais com artrite reumatoide (AR). No curso da enfermidade, a artrite é observada em 24% a 97% dos pacientes com ES. Objetivos: Correlacionar a ocorrência ou não de artrite em pacientes com ES da região Centro-Oeste do Brasil com possíveis manifestações clínicas e laboratoriais distintas observadas em três grupos de pacientes. Relatar a frequência de verdadeira associação entre esclerose sistêmica e artrite reumatoide em pacientes com sinovite clínica e radiologicamente observada. Métodos: Foram avaliados 61 pacientes portadores de ES subsequentemente a cada três meses durante um ano, para fins de se constatar clinicamente a ocorrência de sinovite e padrões de evolução. Os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos: 41 com ES sem artrite, 16 com ES com artrite e quatro com sobreposição entre ES e AR. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame radiológicos das mãos no fim do estudo. Resultados: Dentre todos os pacientes avaliados, encontrou-se predomínio feminino (98,7%), idade média de 50,94 anos, cor branca (49,2%), forma limitada da doença (47,6%), tempo de diagnóstico entre cinco e 10 anos (47,6%) e tempo de evolução da doença de 8,30 anos. Entre todos os pacientes, 14 (22,9%) apresentavam fator reumatoide (FR) positivo, embora entre aqueles com FR positivo apenas 10 apresentaram artrite durante o seguimento de um ano. O anticorpo anticitrulina (anti- CCP) foi feito em 24 pacientes, com positividade em quatro deles (16,7%), observada somente nos pacientes com sobreposição ES/AR. Na comparação das manifestações clínicas entre os grupos de pacientes, observou-se a maior ocorrência de gastrite e valvulopatia cardíaca em pacientes com ES e artrite, mas não nos demais grupos. No grupo de pacientes com overlap ES/AR e nos pacientes com ES e artrite observou-se redução importante de qualidade de vida, medida pelo índice HAQ, sobretudo nos pacientes com artrite presente no momento da avaliação clínica. Encontramos alterações radiográficas em 42,6% dos pacientes com ES. Contudo, nos pacientes com sinovite, encontraram-se alterações radiológicas compatíveis com artrite reumatoide em 50%. Conclusões: Enquanto a frequência de artrite clínica observada em pacientes com esclerose sistêmica foi de 32,8%, a verdadeira sobreposição entre ES e AR foi de 6,6% neste estudo. Observou-se ainda a frequência de anti-CCP positivo em 20% dos pacientes com artrite contra nenhum paciente com ES sem artrite.

Autoanticorpos em esclerose sistêmica e sua correlação com as manifestações clínicas da doença em pacientes do Centro-Oeste do Brasil / Autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis and their clinical correlation in patients from a Midwestern region of Brazil

Introdução: a esclerose sistêmica (ES) é uma enfermidade do tecido conjuntivo de caráter autoimune caracterizada pela tríade de injúria vascular, autoimunidade (celular e humoral) e fibrose tecidual. Os autoanticorpos não parecem ser simplesmente epifenômenos, mas sim estarem envolvidos na patogênese da doença. Acredita-se que os autoanticorpos específicos da ES são responsáveis tanto pela amplificação da resposta imune quanto por alvejar os tipos celulares que são relevantes na fisiopatologia da ES. Objetivos: correlacionar o perfil de autoanticorpos específicos (anti-SCL70, ACA, anti-POL3) com as manifestações clínicas e laboratoriais observadas em 46 pacientes com ES da região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Métodos: pesquisou-se a ocorrência de autoanticorpos específicos em 46 pacientes com diagnóstico de ES e correlacionou-se o tipo de autoanticorpo com as manifestações clínicas e laboratoriais encontradas. Resultados: dentre todos os pacientes avaliados, encontrou-se predomínio feminino (97,8%), idade média de 50,21 anos, cor branca (50%), forma limitada da doença (47,8%), tempo de diagnóstico entre cinco e 10 anos (50%) e tempo de evolução da doença de 9,38 anos. De acordo com o autoanticorpo específico, 24 pacientes apresentavam ACA positivo (52,2%), 15 apresentavam positividade para anti-SCL70 (32,6%) e sete apresentavam anti-POL3 positivo (15,2%). O autoanticorpo anti-SCL70 se correlacionou com a forma difusa da doença, com maior gravidade e atividade da doença, com pior qualidade de vida medida pelo índice HAQ, com maior prevalência de fenômeno de Raynaud objetivo e microcicatrizes de polpas digitais. O ACA se correlacionou com a forma limitada da doença, com o início mais precoce da enfermidade, bem como com maior prevalência de telangiectasias nos pacientes. Já o anti-POL3 se correlacionou com a forma difusa da doença, com maior ocorrência de fenômeno de Raynaud subjetivo e de atrofia muscular. Para as demais variáveis relacionadas ...

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease of autoimmune nature characterized by the triad of vascular injury, autoimmunity (cellular and humoral) and tissue fibrosis. Autoantibodies do not seem to be simply epiphenomena, but are involved in disease pathogenesis. It is believed that the SSc-specific autoantibodies are responsible both for amplifying immune response and targeting cell types that are relevant in the pathophysiology of SSc. Objectives: To correlate the profile of the following specific autoantibodies: anti-centromere (ACA), anti-topoisomerase I (topo I) and anti-RNA polymerase III (RNAP III) with clinical and laboratory manifestations were observed in 46 patients with SSc in the Midwest region of Brazil. Methods: The occurrence of specific autoantibodies in 46 patients with SSc was investigated, correlating the type of autoantibody with clinical and laboratory manifestations found. Results: Among all patients evaluated, we found a predominance of females (97.8%), mean age 50.21 years old, Caucasian (50%), limited cutaneous SSc (47.8%), time of diagnosis between 5 and 10 years (50%), and disease duration of 9.38 years. According to the specific autoantibody profile, 24 patients were ACA-positive (52.2%), 15 were positive for anti-topo I (32.6%), and 7 showed positive anti-RNAP III (15.2%). The anti-topo I autoantibody correlated with diffuse scleroderma, with greater disease severity and activity, with worse quality of life measured by the SHAQ index, with a higher prevalence of objective Raynaud's phenomenon and digital pitting scars of fingertips. The ACA correlated with limited scleroderma, with earlier onset of disease, as well as higher prevalence of telangiectasias. The anti-RNAP III correlated with diffuse scleroderma, with a higher occurrence of subjective Raynaud's phenomenon and muscle atrophy. There was no association between the positivity for anti-topo I, ACA and anti-RNAP III antibodies ...

Concomitância de autoanticorpos na esclerose sistêmica: como interpretar? / Autoantibodies coexistence in systemic sclerosis: how to interpret it?

Os autoanticorpos possivelmente influenciam as manifestações clínicas da esclerose sistêmica (ES). Essa correlação clínico-sorológica, associada à insuficiência de casos de concomitância de autoanticorpos, originou o paradigma histórico de que seriam mutuamente excludentes. Porém, pode-se questionar essa tese. Poderia a multiplicidade de autoanticorpos significar a coexistência de duas patologias distintas? Por outro lado, se assumidos como anticorpos específicos de uma doença única, essa multiplicidade seria um evento aleatório ou representaria um subgrupo distinto de pacientes, com características clínicas, patogênicas e imunogenéticas próprias? A prevalência de autoanticorpos na ES precoce é elevada. Entretanto, a duplicidade do anticorpo anticentrômero (AAC) e do anticorpo antitopoisomerase 1 (AAT) é um evento raro. Já a coexistência de AAC, AAT e anticorpo anti-RNA polimerase (anti-RNA-P) III ainda não foi descrita em um paciente isolado. Neste relato, com positividade para AAC, AAT e anti-RNA-P III, notamos manifestações vasculares precoces e posterior comprometimento cutâneo limitado. Este parece ser o primeiro relato de concomitância de três autoanticorpos específicos em um paciente com ES. Acreditamos que essa coexistência representa um subgrupo sorológico raro de uma única doença, com possível valor clínico e prognóstico - porém, ainda há necessidade de confirmação.

Autoantibodies possibly influence clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc). This clinical-serological correlation, associated with the paucity of autoantibodies concomitance, gave rise to the historical paradigm of autoantibodies mutual exclusivity. However, one can question this assumption. Does autoantibodies concomitance mean coexistence of two different entities? On the other hand, if considered a unique disease, is this phenomenon a random event or does it represent a distinct subgroup of patients, with peculiar clinical, pathogenic, and immunogenetic characteristics? The autoantibodies' prevalence in early SSc is high. However, anti-centromere antibody (ACA) and antitopoisomerase 1 antibody (ATA) duplicity is a rare event. Similarly, the ACA, ATA, and anti-RNA polymerase (anti-RNA-P) III coexistence have not been described yet in single patient. In the reported case, with ACA, ATA, and anti-RNA-P III positivity, we have noted early vascular manifestations and late limited cutaneous involvement. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of three concomitant specific autoantibodies in a patient with SSc. We do believe this coexistence represents a rare serologic subgroup of a unique disease, with possible clinical and prognostic value, although this remains to be confirmed.

Perfil de autoanticorpos e correlação clínica em um grupo de pacientes com esclerose sistêmica na região sul do Brasil / Autoantibody profile and clinical correlation in a group of patients with systemic sclerosis in southern Brazil

OBJETIVOS: Este estudo visou à análise das manifestações da esclerose sistêmica (ES), com ênfase na pesquisa dos autoanticorpos e de suas correlações clínicas, na população de pacientes em acompanhamento no ambulatório de ES do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná. METODOLOGIA: Realizou-se um estudo transversal com 96 pacientes em acompanhamento no ambulatório de ES do hospital, entre setembro de 2007 e setembro de 2009. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo feminino, com idade entre a quarta e quinta décadas e tempo de doença com mediana de 10 anos. A forma cutânea limitada de ES foi a mais prevalente. Na análise dos autoanticorpos, o anticorpo anticentromérico (ACA) associou-se a ES forma limitada, idade mais avançada ao diagnóstico, maior tempo de doença, intervalo maior entre o surgimento do fenômeno de Raynaud (FRy) e o primeiro sintoma não FRy, maior prevalência de hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) e de bloqueios de condução cardíaca. O anticorpo antitopoisomerase-1 (antitopo-1, previamente denominado anti-Scl-70) foi mais comum na forma difusa da ES, na presença de doença ativa e de úlceras digitais. O anticorpo anti-RNA polimerase III (antipol III) correlacionou-se com a forma difusa de ES, presença de doença ativa e sinovite. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo vem ressaltar e ratificar o papel relevante dos autoanticorpos na avaliação dos pacientes com ES, sendo possível correlacionar o perfil autoimune dessa população com manifestações específicas da doença.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc), with an emphasis on the analysis of autoantibodies and their clinical correlations, in a population of patients followed up at the SSc Outpatient Clinics of the Hospital de Clínicas of the Universidade Federal do Paraná. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study with 96 patients followed up at the SSc Outpatient Clinics of the hospital between September 2007 and September 2009. RESULTS: Most patients were of the female sex, in their forties or fifties, and the median time of disease was ten years. The limited cutaneous form of SSc was more prevalent. The analysis of the autoantibodies showed the association of anticentromere antibody (ACA) with the following: the limited form of SSc; more advanced age at the time of diagnosis; longer disease time; longer interval between the appearance of the Raynaud's phenomenon (RyP) and the first non-RyP symptom; systemic arterial hypertension (SAH); and cardiac conduction blocks. The antitopoisomerase-1 antibody (ATA-1, previously called anti-Scl-70) was more common in the presence of the diffuse form of SSc, active disease, and digital ulcers. The anti-RNA polymerase III antibody (anti-Pol III) correlated with the diffuse form of SSc, disease activity, and synovitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes and confirms the important role of autoantibodies in assessing patients with SSc, allowing the correlation between the autoimmune profile of patients with SSc and specific manifestations of the disease.

Estudo de associação entre anticorpos anticardiolipinas e fenômenos vasculares periféricos em pacientes com esclerodermia sistêmica / Study about the association between anticardiolipin antibodies and peripheral vascular phenomena in patients suffering from systemic scleroderma

Isquemia é comum em esclerodermia sistêmica e é causada por vasoespasmo e trombose. As autoras analisaram a associação de eventos vasculares periféricos e anticorpos anticardiolipinas (aCl) em 54 esclerodérmicos. Em 100 por cento deles existia Raynaud; 59,2 por cento apresentaram cicatrizes estelares; 43,3 por cento, telangiectasias; 14,8 por cento, fenômenos tromboembólicos periféricos. ACl IgG foram positivos em 9,2 por cento dos casos e o IgM, em 7,4 por cento. Fenômenos embólicos periféricos estão associados a aCl IgG (p=0,03), não se encontrando associação com demais manifestações.

Ischemia is common in systemic scleroderma and it is caused by vasospasm and thrombosis. In the present study we analyzed the association of peripheral vascular events and anticardiolipin (aCl) antibodies in 54 patients suffering from systemic scleroderma. The results showed that 100 percent of the patients presented Raynaud; 59.2 percent presented digital micro scars; 43.3 percent, presented teleangiectasies and 14.8 percent, presented peripheral thromboembolism. ACl IgG were positive in 9.2 percent and IgM, in 7.4 percent. Peripheral tromboembolic phenomena had a positive association with aCl IgG (p=0.03). No other associations were found.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1-beta in rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma: Correlations with clinical, laboratory and radiological indices of disease severity

This study included 84 patients with arthritis; 34 with rheumatoid arthritis [RA], 16 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [RA], 24 with systemic lupus erthematosus [SLE] and 10 with scleroderma. In addition, 25 normal healthy subjects' age and sex matched were included as controls. All studied cases have been subjected to careful history and clinical examination to joints to assess disease activity. They were also subjected to laboratory investigations which included hologram, acute phase reactants [erythroytic sedimentation rate: EST; C-reactive protein: CRP and alpha-macroglobulin: alpha-MG, rheumatoid factor: RF, antinative DNA ntibodies, LE cells and serum determination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] and interleukin-1-beta [IL-1-beta]. Radiographic examination to the affected joints with quantitavite evaluation of joints erosin and narrowing in hands and feet were done. The results of the study revealed significantly higher serum levels pf TNF-alpha and IL-1-beta [p< 0.01 for each] in patients compared with controls. RA patients showed significantly higher serum levels of TNF-alpha than SLE scleroderma group [p< 0.01 for each]. The mean serum level of IL-1-beta was significantly higher in cases with RA than each of JRA, and scleroderma [p< 0.05, p< 0.001 respectively]. Significant positive correlation was found between the two cytokines; TNF-alpha and IL-1-beta [r=0.937, p< 0.001] and both showed positive significant correlation with ESR but not with CRP and alpha2mg, in spite of the significant correlation which were found between ESR and either CRP or alpha2m. Scores for bone erosions and joint space narrowing were significantly higher in RA group than either SLE or sclroderma group [p< 0.001 for each], but no significant difference was found between RA group and JRA group. Scores for bone erosins and joint space narrowing showed significant positive correlations with serum levels of either TNF-alpha or IL-1-beta in RA group [r=0.443 and 0.458, p< 0.04 and < 0.003 respectively], and in JRA group [r=0.451 and 0.416, p< 0.04 and < 0.05 respectively]. In conclusion, serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1-beta were found to be correlated with the degree of severity of arthritis as assessed clinically, laboratory and radiologically and the significantly higher levels of both TNF-alpha and IL-1-beta in RA and JRA can be attributed to more severe joints affection in both of them than SLE and scleroderma

Crioglobulinemia na esclerose sistêmica / Cryoglobulinemia in sistemic sclerosis

Os autores pesquisaram a presença de crioglobulinemia em 26 pacientes com Esclerose Sistêmica, encontrando-a positiva em 12 (46,23%). A incidência de acometimento pulmonar é mais freqüente nos indivíduos com crioglobulinemia