IntroductionA protein analysis using a mass spectrometry indicated that there are serum proteins showing significant quantitative changes after the administration of infliximab. Among them, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) seems to be related to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate how CTGF is associated with the disease progression of RA.MethodsSerum samples were collected from RA patients in active or inactive disease stages, and before or after treatments with infliximab. CTGF production was evaluated by ELISA, RT-PCR, indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, and immunoblotting. Osteoclastogenesis was evaluated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, a bone resorption assay and osteoclasts specific catalytic enzymes productions.ResultsThe serum concentrations of CTGF in RA were greater than in normal healthy controls and disease controls. Interestingly, those were significantly higher in active RA patients compared to inactive RA patients. Furthermore, the CTGF levels significantly were decreased by infliximab concomitant with the disease amelioration. In addition, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α can induce the CTGF production from synovial fibroblasts even though TNFα can oppositely inhibit the production of CTGF from chondrocytes. CTGF promoted the induction of the quantitative and qualitative activities of osteoclasts in combination with M-CSF and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). In addition, we newly found integrin αVβ3 on the osteoclasts as a CTGF receptor.ConclusionsThese results indicate that aberrant CTGF production induced by TNFα plays a central role for the abnormal osteoclastic activation in RA patients. Restoration of aberrant CTGF production may contribute to the inhibition of articular destruction in infliximab treatment.

The relationship between allergic disorders (such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still unclear and controversial. We investigated the prevalence of these allergic disorders in SLE patients and their families. A questionnaire about the history of allergy was completed by 52 SLE patients and by 52 matched (including race, age, sex and region) non-SLE controls. Our results indicated that there was a significantly lower incidence of these allergic diseases in SLE patients, especially those who had an allergic family histories, when compared with the controls. These findings may be related to the immunological similarities and differences between SLE and various allergic diseases.

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BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of key biological processes and have been implicated in various diseases, including autoimmune disorders. The pathogenesis of polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) is considered to be mediated by autoimmune reactions. To determine miRNA role in the development and progression of PM and DM, we performed plasma miRNA profiling in PM/DM patients before and after treatment.MethodsTotal RNA was isolated from plasma of 10 patients before and after treatment with prednisolone, or, in case of prednisolone resistance or complications, with the combination of calcineurin inhibitors (cyclosporine or tacrolims) and/or pulse intravenous cyclophosphamide. The expression of miRNAs was determined using miRNA microarray and validated by qRT-PCR.ResultsMore differentially expressed miRNAs were found in plasma of DM patients compared to PM patients before and after treatment, and their profiles were different. Among the differentially expressed plasma miRNA identified by microarray, the levels of hsa-miR-4442 were confirmed by qRT-PCR to be significantly decreased by treatment. In addition, plasma hsa-miR-4442 content in active PM/DM significantly exceeded that in other active autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as in healthy individuals. The level of plasma hsa-miR-4442 was positively correlated with Skeletal Disease Activity in MITAX (Myositis Intention to Treat Activity Index).ConclusionThis is the first report describing plasma miRNA expression profiles in PM/DM patients. The present data suggest that plasma levels of miRNAs may be associated with polymyositis/dermatomyositis and hsa-miR-4442 could be used as a biomarker for PM/DM diagnosis and/or disease activity.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s41232-017-0058-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.