Role of LILRA3 in Ankylosing Spondylitis and Axial Psoriatic Patients
Autoimmune DiseasesTo evaluate the frequency of LILRA3 in Ankylosing spondylitis and Axial psoriatic arthritis patients. To investigate the association of LILRA3 with Ankylosing spondylitis and Axial psoriatic arthritis disease activity and severity.
Clonal Hematopoiesis of Immunological Significance
Immune System DiseasesAutoimmune Diseases14 moreAmbispective, national, multicenter observational cohort study aimed at characterizing the satellite dysimmune manifestations of clonal hematopoiesis, including Vexas (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory and Somatic) syndrome.
Intervention, Prognosis and Mechanism of Covid-19 Infection in Patients With Underlying Diseases...
Chronic Liver DiseaseMalignant Tumor2 moreThe goal of this observational study is to explore the influence of Covid-19 infection and risk factors of severe outcomes in vulnerable population including patients with chronic liver disease, malignant tumor, autoimmune disease, medical staff. The main questions it aims to answer are: The clinical characteristics of vulnerable population after Covid-19 infection. Risk factors for severe illness in vulnerable groups after infection with the Covid-19. The impact of Covid-19 infection on the progression of underlying diseases. Information of participants will be collected such as gender, age, underlying diseases, medication status, vaccination status, clinical and biochemical indicators. Researchers will compare the mild and severe outcomes after Covid-19 infection to identify the "truly vulnerable" population and explore the potential mechanism and intervention for these population.
Tissue Sodium in Autoimmune Disease
Systemic Lupus ErythematosusThis pilot study will test the hypothesis that a low sodium diet will decrease sodium (23Na) magnetic resonance imaging-determined skin sodium concentrations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and improve blood pressure and inflammation
Coronary Artery and Systemic Autoimmune Disease: Diagnostics and Treatment
Autoimmune DiseasesCoronary Artery DiseaseThis study evaluates in vivo intracoronary imaging using intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography and safety and efficacy of new generation fully bioresorbable vascular scaffolds in four well defined systemic autoimmune (rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus) and concomitant coronary disease patients.
Pioglitazone Therapy of Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar...
Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar ProteinosisPulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a syndrome of surfactant accumulation, respiratory failure, and innate immune deficiency for which therapy remains limited to whole lung lavage (WLL), an invasive physical procedure to remove surfactant unavailable at most medical centers. While PAP occurs in multiple diseases affecting men, women, and children of all ages and ethnic origins, in 85% of patients, it occurs as an idiopathic disease associated with neutralizing GM-CSF autoantibodies. Basic science and translational research has shown that idiopathic PAP is an autoimmune disease in which disruption of GM-CSF signaling impairs the ability of alveolar macrophages to clear surfactant and perform host defense functions. Recently, it has been shown that cholesterol toxicity drives pathogenesis in alveolar macrophages from GM-CSF deficient (Csf2-/-) mice and patients with autoimmune PAP. Loss of GM-CSF signaling reduces PU.1/CEBP-mediated expression of PPARγ and its downstream target ABCG1 (a cholesterol exporter important in macrophages). The cell responds by esterifying and storing cholesterol in vesicles to reduce toxicity. Eventually, vesicles fill the cell, impair intracellular transport and reduce uptake and clearance of surfactant from the lung surface resulting in disease manifestations. Recent data indicates that pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist currently approved by the FDA for human use, increases cholesterol/surfactant clearance by alveolar macrophages from autoimmune PAP patients and Csf2-/- mice. Importantly, pioglitazone significantly reduced the severity of PAP lung disease in Csf2-/- mice after several months of therapy. Together, these observations suggest pioglitazone could be 'repurposed' as pharmacologic therapy for PAP.
Study of the Influence of Plasma Exchange on the Pharmacokinetics of Rituximab
Renal TransplantAutoimmune DiseasesRituximab (a monoclonal antibody raised against CD20) is used to treat various immune disorders. In some cases such as treatment of humoral acute rejection of renal transplant, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, vasculitis or cryoglobulinemia, rituximab is often associated with plasma exchange. The pharmacokinetic of the rituximab can be affected by plasma exchange but the knowledge is poor in this matter. The aim of the study is to explore the influence of plasma exchange on the pharmacokinetic of rituximab. The results of this study should conclude if plasma exchange leads to a significant decrease of plasma concentration of rituximab or not, and if the decreased of the concentration is associated with a decrease in efficacy.
Effect of BMS-986165 on the Pharmacokinetics of Rosuvastatin
Autoimmune DiseasesInflammatory DiseasesThe study is to assess the effect of coadministration of multiple doses of BMS-986165 on the systemic exposure of rosuvastatin in healthy participants.
the Influence of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Inflammation During Human Endotoxemia
Autoimmune DiseasesInfectionIn a wide range of auto-inflammatory and infectious diseases attenuation of the immune response could be beneficial. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been identified as a means of protecting patients undergoing cardiac surgery from perioperative myocardial ischemic damage. This protection can be divided in a 'first window of protection' directly after preconditioning and a 'second window' that protects patients 12-48 hour after preconditioning. Repeated RIPC might have additional value, possibly by combining beneficial effects of the first and second windows of protection. The mechanisms behind these effects are under investigation, but attenuation of the inflammatory response is a major candidate. However, this has not yet been demonstrated in the setting of systemic inflammation in humans in vivo. This study aims to investigate the effects of (repeated) ischemic preconditioning on inflammation during human endotoxemia.
Concentration/Meditation Limits Inflammation
Autoimmune DiseasesAuto-immune diseases are characterized by an inappropriate inflammatory response against tissues in the body and represent a major health care burden. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β play a central role in the pathophysiology of many auto-immune diseases. Innovative therapies aimed at limiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production in a more physiological manner are warranted. In previous research conducted in an individual known as "the iceman", the investigators found that, through a autodidact concentration/meditation technique, he appears to mount a controlled stress response, characterized by activation of the sympathetic nervous system and enhanced production of cortisol, both of which are known to result in immunosuppression. In accordance, while practicing this concentration/meditation technique, the inflammatory response during human endotoxemia (lipopolysaccharide [LPS] administration) was remarkably low in this individual. Therefore, this technique could provide a novel means of controlling the inflammatory response. However, the aforementioned results were obtained in just one subject, and hence can not serve as scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the concentration/meditation technique. The iceman claims that he can teach this technique to other subjects within a relatively short time frame. Therefore, in the present study the investigators wish to investigate the effect of concentration/meditation on autonomic nervous system activity and the inflammatory response during experimental human endotoxemia in a controlled manner, by comparing a group of subjects that are trained by "the iceman" and practice the concentration/meditation technique with a group of subjects which do not.