IntroductionA number of genetic-association studies have identified genes contributing to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) susceptibility but such approaches provide little information as to the gene activity changes occurring during the disease process. Transcriptional profiling generates a 'snapshot' of the sampled cells' activity and thus can provide insights into the molecular processes driving the disease process. We undertook a whole-genome microarray approach to identify candidate genes associated with AS and validated these gene-expression changes in a larger sample cohort.MethodsA total of 18 active AS patients, classified according to the New York criteria, and 18 gender- and age-matched controls were profiled using Illumina HT-12 whole-genome expression BeadChips which carry cDNAs for 48,000 genes and transcripts. Class comparison analysis identified a number of differentially expressed candidate genes. These candidate genes were then validated in a larger cohort using qPCR-based TaqMan low density arrays (TLDAs).ResultsA total of 239 probes corresponding to 221 genes were identified as being significantly different between patients and controls with a P-value <0.0005 (80% confidence level of false discovery rate). Forty-seven genes were then selected for validation studies, using the TLDAs. Thirteen of these genes were validated in the second patient cohort with 12 downregulated 1.3- to 2-fold and only 1 upregulated (1.6-fold). Among a number of identified genes with well-documented inflammatory roles we also validated genes that might be of great interest to the understanding of AS progression such as SPOCK2 (osteonectin) and EP300, which modulate cartilage and bone metabolism.ConclusionsWe have validated a gene expression signature for AS from whole blood and identified strong candidate genes that may play roles in both the inflammatory and joint destruction aspects of the disease.
ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy of golimumab in combination with methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX monotherapy in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) dactylitis.MethodsMulticentre, investigator-initiated, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-design phase 3b trial in 11 Portuguese rheumatology centres. Patients with PsA along with active dactylitis and naive to MTX and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) were randomly assigned to golimumab or placebo, both in combination with MTX. The primary endpoint was Dactylitis Severity Score (DSS) change from baseline to week 24. Key secondary endpoints included DSS and Leeds Dactylitis Index (LDI) response, and changes from baseline in the LDI and MRI dactylitis score. Analysis was by intention-to-treat for the primary endpoint.ResultsTwenty-one patients received golimumab plus MTX and 23 MTX monotherapy for 24 weeks. One patient from each arm discontinued. Patient inclusion was halted at 50% planned recruitment due to a favourable interim analysis. Median baseline DSS was 6 in both arms. By week 24, patients treated with golimumab plus MTX exhibited significantly greater improvements in DSS relative to MTX monotherapy (median change of 5 vs 2 points, respectively; p=0.026). In the golimumab plus MTX arm, significantly higher proportions of patients achieved at least 50% or 70% improvement in DSS and 20%, 50% or 70% improvement in LDI in comparison to MTX monotherapy.ConclusionsThe combination of golimumab and MTX as first-line bDMARD therapy is superior to MTX monotherapy for the treatment of PsA dactylitis.Trial registration numberNCT02065713
Pathogenic variants in the NGLY1 gene are associated with a Congenital Disorder of Deglycosylation (CDDG) characterized by delays in reaching developmental milestones, complex hyperkinetic movement disorder, transient elevation of transaminases, and alacrima or hypolacrima. To date, only few cases of NGLY1 deficiency have been identified and reported in the literature. This report highlights a first child of non-consanguineous parents with no relevant family history who presented with hypotonia and poor weight gain since birth. At 2 months, the child developed paroxysmal cervical dystonia, posteriorly resolving spontaneously by age of 3. Subsequently, delays in reaching developmental milestones, ataxia, dyskinesia, visual impairment due to cone rod retinal dystrophy, low triglycerides, and persistently elevated liver transaminases were observed. Extensive etiological investigation was performed, including array-CGH and metabolic evaluation with no abnormalities to note. Trio whole exome analysis identified a homozygous pathogenic variant of the NGLY1 gene, c.1891del (p.Gln631Serfs*7), consistent with CDDG. Both parents were confirmed to be heterozygous carriers. The authors discuss in this case, the clinical presentation, the diagnostic challenges, and review other relevant NGLY1 deficiency cases previously reported in the literature. This case, along with the previous reported in the literature, indicates that pathogenic variants in NGLY1 cause a recognizable phenotype and should be considered in patients with a typical presentation.It also suggests that decreased sweating is not present universally in these patients. K E Y W O R D Scongenital disorders of deglycosylation, dyskinesia, global developmental delay, NGLY1, whole exome sequencing
TNF-alpha -308 GA/AA genotypes were found to be related to higher inflammatory activity and worse measures of disease activity in Portuguese patients with JIA. They were not associated with susceptibility to JIA.
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