Welcome to the Autoimmunity 2021 Congress Calendar

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Displaying One Session

PARALLEL SESSIONS
Session Type
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Session Time
10:00 - 12:00
Session Icon
Pre Recorded

IL-17 PRODUCTION BY TH17 CELLS: KEY CONTRIBUTION OF INTERACTIONS WITH MESENCHYMAL CELLS

Session Type
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Date
29.05.2021, Saturday
Session Time
10:00 - 12:00
Room
HALL D
Lecture Time
10:00 - 10:20
Session Icon
Pre Recorded

IL.17 AND SPONDYLOARTHROPATIES: WHAT HAPPENS  WITH THE INHIBITION OF THIS CYTOKINE?

Session Type
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Date
29.05.2021, Saturday
Session Time
10:00 - 12:00
Room
HALL D
Lecture Time
10:20 - 10:40
Session Icon
Pre Recorded

TARGETING IL-17 IN AUTOIMMUNE CHRONIC URTICARIA

Session Type
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Date
29.05.2021, Saturday
Session Time
10:00 - 12:00
Room
HALL D
Lecture Time
10:40 - 10:55
Session Icon
Pre Recorded

TYPE I INTERFERON AS A TARGET IN LUPUS

Session Type
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Date
29.05.2021, Saturday
Session Time
10:00 - 12:00
Room
HALL D
Lecture Time
10:55 - 11:10
Session Icon
Pre Recorded

ROLE OF IL-17C IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PULMONARY VASCULITIS

Session Type
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Date
29.05.2021, Saturday
Session Time
10:00 - 12:00
Room
HALL D
Lecture Time
11:10 - 11:20
Session Icon
Pre Recorded

Abstract

Background and Aims

Anti-neutrophil-cytoplasmic-antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is an autoimmune small-vessel-vasculitis affecting the kidneys and the lung. T-cells, especially Th17 cells, play a pivotal role in pathogenesis promoting autoantibody formation and vasculitic damage. IL-17C is secreted by epithelial parenchymal cells enhancing the pathogenicity of Th17 cells. Furthermore, IL-17C is a chemotactic factor for Th17 cells. The aim of this study was to assess the role of IL-17C in the pathogenesis of ANCA-vasculitis.

Methods

Wistar-Kyoto-rats were immunized with myeloperoxidase (MPO) emulsified in Freund’s adjuvant, controls received Freund’s adjuvant without MPO. Albuminuria was determined weekly by ELISA. Petechial bleedings on the lung surface reflecting pulmonary vasculitis were quantified after harvest. Gene expression in spleen, kidneys and lungs was studied by PCR. IL-17C levels were measured in sera by ELISA.

Results

MPO-immunized rats developed renal and pulmonary vasculitis. Albuminuria was increased as compared to controls at week six (8.01 ±1.5 mg/day vs. 0.43 ±0.1 mg/day, p<0.05). Likewise, the petechial bleeding score on the lung surface was higher in MPO-immunized rats than in controls at week six (68 ±13 vs. 2 ±1, p<0.05). On tissue level, pulmonary IL-17C mRNA transcripts were decreased during weeks two and four after disease induction as compared to controls (0.29 ±0.07 fold, 0.98 ±0.2 fold). During week six, pulmonary IL-17C mRNA transcripts were slightly increased over controls (1.9 ±0.4 fold). Serum levels of IL17C were unchanged during weeks two to six after disease induction comparing MPO-immunized rats and controls.

Conclusions

IL-17C might be implicated in the development of pulmonary vasculitis.

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TNF-Α AND IL-6 LEVELS AND ACTIVITY INDICES IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY JOINT DISEASES

Session Type
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Date
29.05.2021, Saturday
Session Time
10:00 - 12:00
Room
HALL D
Lecture Time
11:30 - 11:40
Session Icon
Pre Recorded

Abstract

Background and Aims

Unlimited cytokine production regulates chronic inflammation and joint destruction in patients with inflammatory joint diseases. Chronic inflammation in such patients is induced by the imbalance between the pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines.Potential triggers for this process are the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. The aim of the study is to assess the correlation between their levels and the activity indices in patients with inflammatory joint diseases .

Methods

213 patients with RA, AS and PsA and a control group of 31 healthy subjects were studied.All patients were tested for TNF-α and IL-6 prior to treatment initiation with blockers of TNF-α.Disease indices were used to evaluate disease activity.

Results

There is strong correlation between serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 prior treatment in patients with RA(rs=-0.018;p=0.001). Similar relationship exists between the tested cytokines and the index of activity and HAQ-DI (rs=0.033;p=0.003). (Rs=-0.025;p=0.001)Between the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 prior treatment initiation in patients with AS has a strong correlation(rs=-0.010;p=0.004). Relationship exists between the cytokines and activity index BASFI, ASDAS and BASDAI, respectively for TNF-α (rs=-0.176;p=0.041),(rs=0.342;p=0.001),(rs=367;p=0.001) and for IL-6(rs=0.406,p=0.016),(rs=-0.083;p=0.002),(rs=263;p=0.001). Between levels of TNF-α and IL-6 prior treatment in patients with PsA no significant correlation was observed(rs=-0.031;p =0.827).There was also no significant correlation between DAPSA index and IL-6 (rs=-0.187;p=0.237) and between IL-6 and HAQ-DI (rs=-0.035;p =0.827) .

Conclusions

Between the serum levels of TNF -α and IL -6, and the indices for activity in patients with inflammatory joint disease there is a strong correlation relationship, which reflects the importance of these cytokines for clinical evaluation of patients.

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ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INFLAMMATORY BACK PAIN FEATURES, ACUTE AND STRUCTURAL SACROILIITIS ON MRI, AND THE DIAGNOSIS OF SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Session Type
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Date
29.05.2021, Saturday
Session Time
10:00 - 12:00
Room
HALL D
Lecture Time
11:40 - 11:50
Session Icon
Pre Recorded

Abstract

Background and Aims

To evaluate the association between inflammatory back pain (IBP) features, acute and structural MRI findings suggestive of sacroiliitis and diagnosis of spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods

Data from 224 patients who underwent MRI for suspected sacroiliits (2005-2015) was retrospectively reviewed by an expert rheumatologist for the presence of IBP features and for clinical standard of reference diagnosis. A telephone questionnaire was performed in cases of missing data. Acute and structural MRI parameters were scored by an experienced radiologist for the presence of sacroiliitis using the assessment of spondyloarthritis international society (ASAS) criteria, Berlin score and observer’s global impression (GI) scores. Association between IBP features and MRI scores, and odds ratio for SpA diagnosis were calculated.

Results

193 subjects were included (119 F:74 M, mean age 39.7±15.6, mean follow up 49±18 months). 52(26.9%) subjects were diagnosed with SpA. IBP scores were significantly higher in SpA patients (p<0.001). IBP, ASAS and GI MRI scores were significantly associated with the SpA diagnosis (p<0.001 for all). The presence of night pain and morning stiffness was significantly associated with sacroiliac-joints’ bone marrow edema (BME, p<0.05). Sensitivity for diagnosis of SpA was high for IBP (96%) and low for the MRI parameters (26.9-57.4%) and specificity was low for IBP (32%) and high for the MRI parameters (88.3-94.3%).

Conclusions

The presence of IBP features is highly associated with diagnosis of SpA and correlates with MRI BME, all probably reflect inflammation. The combination of IBP and MRI should be the cornerstone in the clinician’s final diagnosis of SpA.

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INTERLEUKIN-6 IN NMOSD: IMPLICATIONS FROM IMMUNOLOGY, THE FCRN PATHWAY AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Session Type
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Date
29.05.2021, Saturday
Session Time
10:00 - 12:00
Room
HALL D
Lecture Time
11:50 - 12:00
Session Icon
Pre Recorded

Abstract

Background and Aims

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare disease that, if left untreated, is associated with disastrous consequences. Until recently, when complement inhibitors were approved, there was no approved therapy for this condition. Most recently, clinical trials of interleukin-6 (IL-6) blockade showed a therapeutic benefit for NMOSD. The half-life of satralizumab was increased compared to tocilizumab via the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) pathway. We aim to introduce the immunological basis of IL-6 blockade in NMOSD and to summarize current knowledge about the clinical use of the IL-6 receptor inhibitors tocilizumab and satralizumab as well as to introduce immunological background of the FcRn pathway and possible therapeutic applications.

Methods

Pubmed was searched for articles covering Il-6 and pathogenesis in NMOSD, Il-6 blockade in NMOSD. FcRn pathway and therapeutic applications.

Results

IL-6 has major impact in the pathophysiology of NMOSD. Clinical data of Il-6 blockade in NMOSD is convincing. Via biomolecular engineering the half-life of monoclonal antibodies can be extendend.

Conclusions

Discoveries related to NMOSD, IL-6 and FcRn are likely to provide a basis for future developments regarding autoimmune disorders.

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