Vasculitis associated with adenosine deaminase 2 deficiency: at the crossroads between Behçet's disease and autoinflammation. A viewpoint.

Adenosine deaminase 2 deficiency (DADA2) is a rare monogenic vasculopathy caused by loss-of-function homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in ADA2, formerly CECR1 (cat eye syndrome chromosome region 1) gene. The DADA2 phenotype is widely heterogeneous, and patients may present with fever, weight loss, livedo reticularis/racemosa, digital ischemia, cutaneous ulceration, peripheral neuropathy, abdominal pain, bowel perforation, and portal or nephrogenic hypertension. More specific manifestations include early-onset ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, mild immunodeficiency and hypogammaglobinemia, cytopenia, and vision disturbances. Herein, we present the case of a young male with vasculitis associated with DADA2. The presence of HLA-B51 and the clinical features of this patient raised the question of similarities between ADA2 deficiency, Behçet's disease, and NOD2-associated diseases. Treatment of this rare monogenic disease is challenging and based on small case series. The long-term experience of this patient proved the difficulties of prednisone tapering and the lack of satisfactory therapeutic strategies.

Extra-articular rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects the joints, though a consistent proportion of patients may also display extra articular manifestations (EAMs). From rheumatoid nodules to interstitial lung disease, from cardiovascular events to vasculitis, the spectrum of EAMs encompasses various conditions with different prognoses. EAMs may also occur as first RA manifestation, therefore the coordination with other health professionals, including general practitioners, is needed. The aim of this article is to provide an overview on EAMs in RA with particular focus on the recognised risk factors and the available recommendations for managing them, as well as comorbidities in RA patients.

Association between anti-citrullinated alpha enolase antibodies and clinical features in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study.

In recent years several antibodies against citrullinated peptides (ACPAs) have been identified in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their pathogenic, diagnostic and prognostic significance is under intense investigation. Among ACPAs, those targeting citrullinated alpha enolase (anti-CEP1) have been identified in RA but data about their ability to predict the development of erosive disease are conflicting. Furthermore, no data are currently available concerning their possible association with extra-articular manifestations (EAMs) in RA. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and significance of anti-CEP1 from a prognostic point of view. In this pilot study we confirmed that anti-CEP1 Abs are associated with higher prevalence of bone erosions, but we also provided the first evidence of an association between anti-CEP1 Abs and RA interstitial lung disease (ILD). These results provide the basis to investigate the association between anti-CEP1 Abs and EAMs in larger cohorts of RA patients to possibly confirm its role as biomarker for RA-ILD.

The clinical spectrum of primary Sjögren's syndrome: beyond exocrine glands.

Although primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a mild indolent chronic disease mainly characterized by mucosal dryness in the majority of cases, a consistent subgroup of patients display extra-glandular manifestations. Virtually any organs and systems can be affected, leading to a more serious disease prognosis. Therefore, the prompt identification of patients at higher risk of extra-glandular manifestations is necessary to start a thorough follow up and an aggressive treatment. The aim of this review article is to provide an overview of epidemiological, clinical and serological features of extra-glandular manifestations in pSS as well as current knowledge about putative biomarkers useful in clinical practice.

The onset site of rheumatoid arthritis: the joints or the lung?

The etiopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not yet fully elucidated and the site of inflammation onset is still a matter of debate. The presence of autoantibodies as well as clinical manifestations, such as interstitial lung disease, before the onset of arthritis seems to be in favour of the hypothesis that initial pathogenic events take place in tissues other than the joint. In this review article we summarize the most recent literature on extra-synovial autoimmunity triggers eventually leading to RA, with particular focus on the role of the lung. To date, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPAs) are considered central players in RA pathogenesis and represent the gold-standard for disease diagnosis. Lungs and mucosae are exposed to environmental stimuli such as dusts and smoke which have been shown to foster citrullination of peptides in lungs thereby triggering the production of ACPA. In addition, other mechanisms of disease pathogenesis independent of citrullination play an important role. Deeper knowledge of these processes could represent a huge step forward in the management of RA, with dramatic impact on diagnosis, prevention, prognostic stratification and treatment of the disease.