onset in infancy (SAVI), and another by additive loss-of-function mutations in proteasome genes causing the proteasome-associated autoinflammatory syndromes (PRAAS) (also, chronic atypical neutrophilic dermatosis with lipodystrophy and elevated temperatures [CANDLE]), presented with chronically elevated interferon (IFN) signatures, suggesting a pathogenic role for type-I IFN in autoinflammatory diseases (2, 3). Type-I IFN was first discovered as a soluble antiviral factor over 50 years ago, and a role in sterile inflammation was proposed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (4). However, the discovery of genetic mutations that cause the autoinflammatory type-I interferonopathies CANDLE (2, 5), SAVI (3, 6-8), and Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) (9, 10) have shed light on pathomechanisms that drive chronic IFN signaling, and recent studies blocking IFN signaling validate a critical role for type-I IFNs (11). AGS-causing loss-of-function mutations in nucleases impair self-nucleic acid homeostasis, SAVI-causing

Lupus anticoagulant hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LAHPS) is a rare acquired disorder associated with several different conditions but mostly with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). LAHPS probably results from the presence of anti-Factor II antibodies, which usually counterbalance the prothrombotic effect of the lupus anticoagulant (LAC). In fact, Factor II deficiency in SLE is invariably associated with the presence of LAC. No consensus exists for the treatment of LAHPS. Corticosteroids, with or without the addition of vitamin K or blood products, have been a successful first-line treatment. Immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment has been shown to be effective in the setting of acute bleeding. However, in some patients, conservative treatment is not enough to control bleeding, and the addition of immunosuppressive therapy, usually azathioprine, is needed. In our patients, Factor II deficiency reappeared after tapering steroids. Both children achieved normal Factor II levels with cyclophosphamide. This effect was long-lasting, a phenomenon that has not been documented in children prior to this report.

Objective This study was designed to investigate the pathogenic contributions of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) to juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) by identifying pathways with dysregulated gene expression in FLS from patients with oligoarticular JIA. Methods FLS were derived from synovial fluid obtained by arthrocentesis from patients with JIA undergoing intraarticular steroid injections and from orthopedic control patients. Gene expression profiles of the JIA and control FLS were obtained using the Affymetrix platform, with application of Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis software to define gene sets in dysregulated pathways and networks of potential pathologic relevance in this disease. Biologically relevant differentially expressed genes were confirmed by RNA and protein analysis. Results Exploration of global gene expression profiles of the JIA FLS revealed important dysregulated pathways, including the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling, as well as endochondral bone formation, cartilage formation, and β-catenin networks. Importantly, bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) was significantly overexpressed in the JIA FLS. FLS from patients with oligoarticular JIA exhibit a chondrocyte phenotype, as evidenced by expression of type II collagen and aggrecan. Conclusion Dysregulation of the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of oligoarticular JIA were revealed through gene expression profiling. JIA FLS displayed dysregulated TGFβ signaling and exhibited a hypertrophic chondrocyte phenotype. These characteristics, along with contributions from the β-catenin network may have implications for endochondral bone formation and local growth disturbances in oligoarticular JIA. Overexpression of BMP-4 in FLS from patients with oligoarticular JIA in particular may play an important role in disease pathogenesis, with a direct effect on functional outcome and with implications for future treatment.

Our data support a relatively high rate of atypical onset in pediatric SLE. Presence of atypical manifestations at presentation and early kidney disease correlate with poor outcome. Similarly, during follow-up, kidney and central nervous system diseases are associated with worse outcome.

PurposeThe goal is to investigate the specific contribution of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) to the inflammatory milieu of the synovium in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) through detection of secreted proteins.Experimental designExpression of 89 cytokines and chemokines is determined on unprocessed synovial fluid from controls and JIA patients using antibody arrays. Supernatants from pure cell cultures of FLS grown from synovial fluids or tissues from JIA and controls are also examined for protein expression. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) is revealed top pathways and upstream regulators of significant proteins.ResultsProtein studies is revealed that JIA FLS release pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐17, CXCL1, and CXCL6, and lose expression of important regulator signals, such as IL‐10 and TIMP2. Of the 84 proteins differentially expressed between controls and JIA in the synovial fluid, 1/3 (29 proteins) are differentially expressed in the cell culture supernatants of JIA and control FLS. ELISA of cell culture supernatants and synovial fluid confirmed seven key proteins.Conclusion and clinical relevanceJIA FLS are central to perpetuation of inflammation in JIA, including trafficking of inflammatory cells and effects on the extracellular matrix. These cells express key disease‐specific chemokines that, with further refinement, may allow us to tailor therapy appropriately.

Background Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play a crucial role in JIA pathogenesis; however, the mechanisms by which they contribute to disease progression are not well described. Previous studies demonstrated that rheumatoid arthritis FLS are heterogeneous, and subpopulations with transformed, aggressive phenotypes cause invasive and destructive disease activity. We employ single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate JIA FLS heterogeneity and gene expression that distinguishes JIA subtypes. Methods JIA FLS cell lines from three persistent oligoarticular, three pre-extension oligoarticular, and three polyarticular subtypes were cultured. scRNA-seq was performed by Genewiz according to 10 × Genomics Chromium protocols. SeuratR package was used for QC, analysis, and exploration of data. Results FLS are heterogeneous and have characteristics of fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and smooth muscle cells. The chondrocyte-like subpopulation is the predominant cell type and percentages of this subpopulation increase with disease severity. Despite overlapping subpopulations, the chondrocyte-like cells have unique genetic fingerprints that distinguish between JIA subtypes. LRRC15, GREM1, and GREM2 are overexpressed in chondrocyte-like cells from persistent oligoarticular JIA FLS compared to pre-extension oligoarticular JIA FLS. S100A4, TIMP3, and NBL1 are overexpressed in pre-extension oligoarticular JIA FLS compared to polyarticular JIA FLS. CRLF1, MFAP5, and TNXB are overexpressed in persistent oligoarticular JIA FLS compared to polyarticular JIA FLS. Conclusions We found biologically relevant differences in gene expression between JIA subtypes that support a critical role for FLS in pathogenesis. We also demonstrate that gene expression within the chondrocyte-like subpopulation can be used to distinguish between these subtypes.

Ten percent of Lyme arthritis (LA) patients have continued synovitis despite antimicrobial therapy. The current study was designed to (1) investigate predictors of prolonged disease and (2) further define natural history of pediatric LA. Medical records of 94 children fulfilling Centers for Disease Control criteria for Lyme disease were reviewed, classified into groups according to duration of synovitis, and SPSS statistical software was used for analysis. Thirty-nine percent required >6 months and 13% required >12 months to resolve LA. Pearson correlation between duration of symptoms of LA pretreatment and duration of synovitis was not significant. When patients were stratified by group, no differences were found for age, antinuclear antibodies positivity, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titer, or reactivity of Western blot using parametric and nonparametric tests. Linear and logistic regression showed no predictors of disease duration. One third of pediatric LA patients require >6 months to resolve synovitis. Duration is not associated with delay in treatment, age, or seroreactivity.

Erythema of the ear lobe in the context of Lyme disease is caused by either borrelial lymphocytoma or localized erythema migrans. Here we present a case of chondritis limited to the ear cartilage caused by Lyme disease. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone with complete resolution of symptoms.