| 1. |
- Groenen, M. A., et al.
(författare)
-
Analyses of pig genomes provide insight into porcine demography and evolution
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 491:7424, s. 393-398
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- For 10,000 years pigs and humans have shared a close and complex relationship. From domestication to modern breeding practices, humans have shaped the genomes of domestic pigs. Here we present the assembly and analysis of the genome sequence of a female domestic Duroc pig (Sus scrofa) and a comparison with the genomes of wild and domestic pigs from Europe and Asia. Wild pigs emerged in South East Asia and subsequently spread across Eurasia. Our results reveal a deep phylogenetic split between European and Asian wild boars approximately 1 million years ago, and a selective sweep analysis indicates selection on genes involved in RNA processing and regulation. Genes associated with immune response and olfaction exhibit fast evolution. Pigs have the largest repertoire of functional olfactory receptor genes, reflecting the importance of smell in this scavenging animal. The pig genome sequence provides an important resource for further improvements of this important livestock species, and our identification of many putative disease-causing variants extends the potential of the pig as a biomedical model.
|
|
| 2. |
- Hetland, M. L., et al.
(författare)
-
Active conventional treatment and three different biological treatments in early rheumatoid arthritis: phase IV investigator initiated, randomised, observer blinded clinical trial
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Bmj-British Medical Journal. - : BMJ. - 1756-1833. ; 371
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare benefits and harms of three biological treatments with different modes of action versus active conventional treatment in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. DESIGN Investigator initiated, randomised, open label, blinded assessor, multiarm, phase IV study. SETTING Twenty nine rheumatology departments in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and Iceland between 2012 and 2018. PARTICIPANTS Patients aged 18 years and older with treatment naive rheumatoid arthritis, symptom duration less than 24 months, moderate to severe disease activity, and rheumatoid factor or anti-citrullinated protein antibody positivity, or increased C reactive protein. INTERVENTIONS Randomised 1:1:1:1, stratified by country, sex, and anti-citrullinated protein antibody status. All participants started methotrexate combined with (a) active conventional treatment (either prednisolone tapered to 5 mg/day, or sulfasalazine combined with hydroxychloroquine and intraarticular corticosteroids), (b) certolizumab pegol, (c) abatacept, or (d) tocilizumab. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was adjusted clinical disease activity index remission (CDAI <= 2.8) at 24 weeks with active conventional treatment as the reference. Key secondary outcomes and analyses included CDAI remission at 12 weeks and over time, other remission criteria, a non-inferiority analysis, and harms. RESULTS 812 patients underwent randomisation. The mean age was 54.3 years (standard deviation 14.7) and 68.8% were women. Baseline disease activity score of 28 joints was 5.0 (standard deviation 1.1). Adjusted 24 week CDAI remission rates were 42.7% (95% confidence interval 36.1% to 49.3%) for active conventional treatment, 46.5% (39.9% to 53.1%) for certolizumab pegol, 52.0% (45.5% to 58.6%) for abatacept, and 42.1% (35.3% to 48.8%) for tocilizumab. Corresponding absolute differences were 3.9% (95% confidence interval -5.5% to 13.2%) for certolizumab pegol, 9.4% (0.1% to 18.7%) for abatacept, and -0.6% (-10.1% to 8.9%) for tocilizumab. Key secondary outcomes showed no major differences among the four treatments. Differences in CDAI remission rates for active conventional treatment versus certolizumab pegol and tocilizumab, but not abatacept, remained within the prespecified non-inferiority margin of 15% (per protocol population). The total number of serious adverse events was 13 (percentage of patients who experienced at least one event 5.6%) for active conventional treatment, 20 (8.4%) for certolizumab pegol, 10 (4.9%) for abatacept, and 10 (4.9%) for tocilizumab. Eleven patients treated with abatacept stopped treatment early compared with 20-23 patients in the other arms. CONCLUSIONS All four treatments achieved high remission rates. Higher CDAI remission rate was observed for abatacept versus active conventional treatment, but not for certolizumab pegol or tocilizumab versus active conventional treatment. Other remission rates were similar across treatments. Non-inferiority analysis indicated that active conventional treatment was non-inferior to certolizumab pegol and tocilizumab, but not to abatacept. The results highlight the efficacy and safety of active conventional treatment based on methotrexate combined with corticosteroids, with nominally better results for abatacept, in treatment naive early rheumatoid arthritis.
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
- Martin, Myriam, et al.
(författare)
-
Citrullination of C1-inhibitor as a mechanism of impaired complement regulation in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-3224. ; 14
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundDysregulated complement activation, increased protein citrullination, and production of autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins are hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Citrullination is induced by immune cell-derived peptidyl-Arg deiminases (PADs), which are overactivated in the inflamed synovium. We characterized the effect of PAD2- and PAD4-induced citrullination on the ability of the plasma-derived serpin C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) to inhibit complement and contact system activation. MethodsCitrullination of the C1-INH was confirmed by ELISA and Western blotting using a biotinylated phenylglyoxal probe. C1-INH-mediated inhibition of complement activation was analyzed by C1-esterase activity assay. Downstream inhibition of complement was studied by C4b deposition on heat-aggregated IgGs by ELISA, using pooled normal human serum as a complement source. Inhibition of the contact system was investigated by chromogenic activity assays for factor XIIa, plasma kallikrein, and factor XIa. In addition, autoantibody reactivity to native and citrullinated C1-INH was measured by ELISA in 101 RA patient samples. ResultsC1-INH was efficiently citrullinated by PAD2 and PAD4. Citrullinated C1-INH was not able to bind the serine protease C1s and inhibit its activity. Citrullination of the C1-INH abrogated its ability to dissociate the C1-complex and thus inhibit complement activation. Consequently, citrullinated C1-INH had a decreased capacity to inhibit C4b deposition via the classical and lectin pathways. The inhibitory effect of C1-INH on the contact system components factor XIIa, plasma kallikrein, and factor XIa was also strongly reduced by citrullination. In RA patient samples, autoantibody binding to PAD2- and PAD4-citrullinated C1-INH was detected. Significantly more binding was observed in anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive than in ACPA-negative samples. ConclusionCitrullination of the C1-INH by recombinant human PAD2 and PAD4 enzymes impaired its ability to inhibit the complement and contact systems in vitro. Citrullination seems to render C1-INH more immunogenic, and citrullinated C1-INH might thus be an additional target of the autoantibody response observed in RA patients.
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
- de Rooy, D. P. C., et al.
(författare)
-
Smoking as a risk factor for the radiological severity of rheumatoid arthritis: a study on six cohorts
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 1468-2060 .- 0003-4967. ; 73:7, s. 1384-1387
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Smoking is a risk factor for the development of anti -citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Whether smoking predisposes to severe joint damage progression is not known, since deleterious, protective and neutral observations have been made. Objective To determine the effect of smoking on joint damage progression. Methods Smoking status was assessed in 3158 RA patients included in six cohorts (Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic (Leiden-EAC), BARFOT, Lund, Iceland, NDB and Wichita). In total 9412 radiographs were assessed. Multivariate normal regression and linear regression analyses were performed. Data were summarised in a random effects inverse variance meta-analysis. Results When comparing radiological progression for RA patients that were never, past and current smokers, smoking was significantly associated with more severe joint damage in Leiden-EAC (p=0.042) and BARFOT (p=0.015) RA patients. No significant associations were found in the other cohorts, though a meta-analysis on the six cohorts showed significantly more severe joint damage progression in smokers (p=0.01). Since smoking predisposes to ACPA, analyses were repeated with ACPA as additional adjustment factor. Then the association was lost (meta-analysis p=0.29). Conclusions This multi-cohort study indicated that the effect of smoking on joint damage is mediated via ACPA and that smoking is not an independent risk factor for radiological progression in RA.
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Roseman, C., et al.
(författare)
-
Persistent pain and its predictors after starting anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in psoriatic arthritis : what is the role of inflammation control?
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. - 0300-9742 .- 1502-7732. ; 53:2, s. 94-103
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: While considerable focus has been placed on pain due to inflammation in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), less is reported on pain despite inflammation control. Here, we aimed to investigate the occurrence/predictors of persistent pain, including non-inflammatory components, after starting anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy. Method: Bionaïve PsA patients starting a first anti-TNF therapy 2004–2010 were identified (South Swedish Arthritis Treatment Group register; N = 351). Outcomes included unacceptable pain [visual analogue scale (VAS) pain > 40 mm], and unacceptable pain despite inflammation control (refractory pain; VAS pain > 40 mm + C-reactive protein < 10 mg/L + ≤ 1 swollen joint of 28), assessed at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. Baseline predictors were estimated by logistic regression. Results: Upon starting anti-TNF therapy, 85% of patients reported unacceptable pain, falling to 43% at 3 months and then remaining stable. After 12 months, refractory pain constituted 63% of all unacceptable pain. Higher baseline VAS pain/global, worse physical function and lower health-related quality-of-life were associated with a higher risk of unacceptable/refractory pain at 12 months. More swollen joints and higher evaluator’s global assessment were associated with a lower risk of 12-month refractory pain. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of PsA patients reported unacceptable pain throughout the first anti-TNF treatment year. At 12 months, refractory pain constituted about two-thirds of this remaining pain load. More objective signs of inflammation at anti-TNF initiation were associated with less future refractory pain. This highlights insufficient effect of biologics in patients with inflammation-independent pain, warranting alternative treatments.
|
|
| 9. |
- Frodlund, M., et al.
(författare)
-
Predictors Of Antibody Response To Covid-19 Vaccine In Rituximab Treated Patients With Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases. A Swedish Nationwide Study (Covid19-Reuma)
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 81, s. 368-369
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In line with other reports, our group showed that patients treated with rituximab had significant impaired antibody response compared to patients treated with other biologic and targeted and synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARD).ObjectivesTo investigate predictors of response to COVID-19 vaccination (2 doses of mRNA vaccines, 2 doses of virus vector vaccines or combinations of these) in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) treated with rituximab and controls.MethodsAntibody levels to three antigens: Spike protein full length, Spike S1 and Nucleocapsid C-terminal fragment (to confirm previous COVID-19 infection) were measured in sera collected before vaccination and 2-12 weeks after the second vaccine using a multiplex bead-based serology assay. The antigen-specific cut-off was defined as the median fluorescence intensity signal plus 6x standard deviations across 12 pre-pandemic controls. A good vaccine response was defined as having antibodies over the cut-off level for both spike antigens. Proportion (%) responders was compared between patients and controls (Chi2 test).Patients with IRD receiving last rituximab treatment within a mean (range) 193 (23-501) days before first vaccination participated. Individuals without IRD served as a control group. Predictors of a good vaccine response were explored using multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, disease duration, diagnosis (systemic vasculitis/RA/JIA/other), concomitant csDMARD, rituximab dose and prednisolone dose. Hazard ratio (chanse) of a good antibody response in relation to time between the last rituximab treatment and vaccination was studied by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.ResultsIn total, 145 patients receiving rituximab and 61 controls were inclyded. Of these, 82 received rituximab as monotherapy (67% women; mean age 66 years, mean disease duration 13 years; 33% had RA/JIA and 60% vasculitis) and 63 received rituximab+csDMARD (62% women; mean age 66 years; mean disease duration 17 years; 76% had RA/JIA and 10 % vasculitis). Controls (n=61) were 74% women and mean age 49 years. Compared to controls, rituximab patients had lower antibody levels for both spike proteins (p<0.001). Proportion (%) responders among patients receiving rituximab as monotherapy (40.2%) and rituximab+DMARDs (25.4%) was significantly lower than in controls (98.4%) (p<0.001, Chi2). Higher age, concomitant csDMARD at vaccination and shorter time from last rituximab treatment predicted impaired antibody response (multivariate logistic regression model) (Table 1). Longer time between the last rituximab course and vaccination was associated with better antibody response (Figure 1).Table 1.Predictors of good antibody response to two doses of COVID-19 vaccine defined as antibodies over the cut-off level for both spike antigensBp-valueOR95% CIAge at vaccination (years)-0.040.0090.960.93-0.99Sex (male/female)-9.550.2090.580.24-1.36csDMARD at vaccination (yes/no)-1.080.0260.340.13-0.88Prednisolone (mg/dag)-0.100.1030.900.80-1.02Rituximab dos (1000 mg vs 500 mg)-0.010.3700.990.99-1.00Time between the last rituximab and vaccination (months)0.200.0011.311.11-1.55Diagnosis at vaccination (systemic vasculitis vs others)-0.510.3150.600.21-1.64Figure 1.The chance of good antibody response following two doses of COVID-19 vaccine in relation to time between the last rituximab course and vaccination.ConclusionPatients with IRD getting vaccinated with two doses of COVID19 vaccine during the treatment with rituximab have the ability to develop antibody response although the response is impaired. For each month passed after the last rituximab course, the chance of good antibody response increases with 30%. Younger patients receiving rituximab as monotherapy and vaccinated preferably several months after the last rituximab treatment have the highest chance of achieving a good antibody response.AcknowledgementsUnrestricted research grants have been received from Roche and starting grants from The Swedish Rheumatism AssociationDisclosure of InterestsMartina Frodlund: None declared, Katerina Chatzidionysiou Consultant of: consultancy fees from Eli Lilly, AbbVie and Pfizer., Anna Södergren: None declared, Eva Klingberg: None declared, Monika Hansson: None declared, Elisa Pin: None declared, Sophie Olsson: None declared, Anders Bengtsson: None declared, Lars Klareskog Grant/research support from: has eceived research grants from Pfizer, BMS, Affibody, Sonoma Biotherapeutics, Meliha C Kapetanovic Consultant of: have received consultancy fees from Abbvie, Pfizer and GSK, Grant/research support from: have received unrestricted research grants from Roche and Pfizer
|
|
| 10. |
- Frodlund, M., et al.
(författare)
-
The impact of immunomodulating treatment on the serological immunogenicity following three doses of covid-19 vaccine and persistence of immunogenicity of two vaccine doses in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases - a swedish study (covid19-reuma)
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 82, s. 533-533
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background Data on serological immunity after three doses and the long-term immunogenicity (persistence) of COVID-19 vaccine in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) treated with different immunomodulating drugs are still limited.Objectives To elucidate if 1) a third dose COVID-19 vaccine improves antibody responses, compared to two doses, in patients with IRD treated with biologic or targeted synthetic DMARD (b/tsDMARDs) treatment given as monotherapy or in combination with conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) compared to controls, and 2) the persistence of antibody response after two doses of COVID-19 vaccine in IRD patients.Methods Antibody levels to two antigens representing Spike full length protein and Spike S1 and a Nucleocapsid C-terminal fragment (used to confirm previous COVID-19 infection) were measured in serum samples collected 2-12 and 21-40 weeks after the second vaccine dose and 2-12 weeks after the third dose using a multiplex bead-based serology assay. A sufficient antibody response (seropositivity) was defined as having antibodies over the cut-off level for both spike antigens (1). WT (wild type) anti-Spike IgG and omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants were measured. Patients with IRD receiving immunomodulating treatment, regularly followed at a rheumatology department and a group of controls were recruited from five Swedish region.Results In total, 323 of 414 patients with IRD and 36 controls who received three vaccine doses participated in this part of the study. Following treatment groups were included: rituximab (n=118; 68% female; mean age 67 years), abatacept (n=18; 72% female; mean age 64 years), IL6r inhibitors (n=60; 73% female; mean age 64 years), JAK-inhibitors (n=44; 80% female, mean age 52 years), TNF-inhibitors (n=59; 70% female; mean age 47 years;), IL12/23/17 inhibitors (n=24; 46% female; mean age 54 years) and controls (n=36; 75% female, mean age 51 years). b/ts DMARD treatment was given as monotherapy or in combination with csDMARD, methotrexate (MTX) being the most frequently used csDMARD (32.5%). Compared to results after two vaccine doses, proportion (%) of seropositivity after three vaccine doses increased significantly in groups rituximab +/- DMARD (p=0.003 and p=0.004, respectively), IL6r inhibitors +DMARD (p=0.02), and abatacept+DMARD (p=0.01). However, the proportion of seropositivity after three vaccine doses was still significantly lower in rituximab treated patients (52%) compared to other treatment groups or controls (p<0.001) (Figure 1A/B). Antibody response to WT, omicron sBA.1 and sBA.2 showed similar pattern with the lowest levels among patients treated with rituximab.When antibody response was compared between 2-12 weeks and 21-40 weeks after second dose, the proportion of seropositive rituximab treated patients decreased from 34.9 % to 32.6%. All patients with JAK inhibitors and with JAK-inhibitors and IL6r-inhibitors seropositive 21-40 weeks after the second vaccine dose. Patients treated with other bDMARDs were not included in this analysis due to limited number participants.Conclusion In this Swedish study including IRD patients receiving different b/t DMARDs, a sufficient immunogenicity of the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine was observed in all treatments with exception for rituximab. However, the increased proportion of seropositivity after the third COVID-19 vaccine doses in rituximab and other patients with insufficient response to two doses including response to the omicron variants, supports the current recommendations on additional booster doses. The immunogenicity of two vaccine doses was preserved to 40 weeks in majority of patients treated with different immunomodulating treatment with exception for rituximab.
|
|
