Clinical and experimental rheumatology最新文献

{"title":"Efficacy of calcineurin inhibitors in interstitial lung disease of patients with antisynthetase syndrome: a systematic literature review and single-arm prevalence meta-analysis.","authors":"Ege Sinan Torun, Elif Ertaş","doi":"10.55563/clinexprheumatol/9qsgmn","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/9qsgmn","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Interstitial lung disease (ILD) of antisynthetase syndrome (ASyS) is one of the most common and significant clinical features of this disease, and it is associated with a worse prognosis. An increasing number of studies on the efficacy of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) in this field have been published. This study aimed to assemble these data to better determine the efficacy of CNIs in ASyS-ILD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cochrane Reviews, MEDLINE, Ovid, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for studies that used CNIs (cyclosporine A or tacrolimus) in combination with steroids to treat ILD associated with ASyS. Meta-analyses of the efficacy of CNIs were performed, with proportions used as effect sizes for overall efficacy, efficacy in acute/subacute ILD, efficacy in chronic ILD, and ILD relapses under treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of twelve studies were eligible. Meta-analyses demonstrated that CNIs use resulted in improvement and stable disease in 88.4 % (95 % Confidence Interval-CI: 78.2-95.7) of patients with ASyS-ILD (overall), in 91.5 % (95 % CI: 65.5-99.9) of patients with acute/subacute ASyS-ILD, and in 84.9 % (95% CI: 64.0-97.6) of patients with chronic ASyS-ILD. However, 56.4 % (95% CI: 47.9-65.2) of ASyS-ILD patients relapsed under CNI treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CNIs, in combination with glucocorticoids, can be effective for treating acute/subacute and chronic ILD in patients with ASyS. However, relapses of ILD can frequently occur under this treatment modality. Future studies are needed to identify patients who have a higher risk of relapse.</p>","PeriodicalId":10274,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and experimental rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149104565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Turkish Society for Rheumatology recommendations for topical and systemic treatments in Sjögren's disease.","authors":"Veli Yazısız, Berkan Armağan, Nevsun İnanç, Cemal Bes, Atalay Doğru, Gökhan Sargin, Müçteba Enes Yayla, Mustafa Ekici, Gonca Mumcu, Gonca Karabulut, Emel Gönüllü, Hakan Emmungil, Nilay Erdik, Canan Albayrak Yaşar, Duygu Kerim, Elif Akyazı Şener, Ayşegül Avcu, Esin Alpöz, Hülya Çankaya, Melis Palamar, Semra Akkaya Turhan, Yasemin Kabasakal","doi":"10.55563/clinexprheumatol/li5fmv","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/li5fmv","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this work was to develop standardised recommendations for the treatment of Sjögren's disease (SjD) based on existing evidence and expert opinion.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The task force (TF) consisted of Turkish specialists in rheumatology, ophthalmology and dentistry with an interest in SjD. The group used the Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome (PICO) format to frame its clinical questions. A systematic literature review on the therapeutic management of SjD was subsequently conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Levels of evidence (LoE) were assigned according to the 2011 Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) standards.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The recommendations are categorised under the following headings: general recommendations, management of ocular and oral dryness, and management of systemic organ involvements. Management of sicca symptoms benefits from a wealth of high-level evidence, highlighting topical therapies as the gold standard. Conversely, the treatment of systemic involvement relies heavily on case series and clinical experience. Here, glucocorticoids, hydroxychloroquine, and immunosuppressive agents remain cornerstone therapies. Overall, biologic therapies have demonstrated limited efficacy in SjD; however, they may be beneficial in selected patient subgroups and can be considered in cases of refractory systemic involvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The recommendations on SjD treatment, derived from a systematic literature review and clinical experience, will guide clinicians in the management of patients, based on a set of overarching principles.</p>","PeriodicalId":10274,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and experimental rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149104846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Airway computed tomography features and surgical outcomes in ANCA-associated vasculitis and relapsing polychondritis: a retrospective comparative study.","authors":"Yinghua Zhao, Xiao Bai, Zhengang Wang","doi":"10.55563/clinexprheumatol/b7h5aj","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/b7h5aj","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Both antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and relapsing polychondritis (RP) are rare diseases. Distinguishing between the two becomes particularly challenging when airway involvement is the predominant clinical manifestation. We informed to compare airway imaging features and surgical outcomes between AAV and RP.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively analysed 56 patients (29 AAV patients and 27 RP patients) with airway involvement who underwent neck and chest thin-section computed tomography (CT). We compared the two groups in terms of clinical manifestations, imaging findings, and surgical outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>RP patients were younger at onset. In AAV patients, involvement predominantly occurred in the distal bronchi (86%), with parenchymal lung disease being the most frequent manifestation (83%). RP patients more frequently been involved of the subglottic region (89%) and cervical trachea (74%) and tended to have more extensive airway involvement. RP patients more often exhibited airway wall thickening, luminal stenosis, and wall calcification. In addition, among those requiring tracheostomy, successful decannulation after medical treatment was achieved in 86% (6/7) of AAV patients but only 30% (3/10) of RP patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>AAV preferentially involves the distal bronchi, whereas RP predominantly affects the central airways and is frequently associated with persistent structural airway damage. Taken together, this study characterises the clinical and CT imaging features of airway involvement in AAV and RP and may provide preliminary reference for the clinical differentiation and individualised management of airway disease in these two conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":10274,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and experimental rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149104515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Monitoring disease activity in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a scoping review.","authors":"Michelangelo Tesi, Ilaria Fibbi, Carlotta Rella, Alessandra Bettiol, Rosaria Talarico, Giacomo Emmi, Augusto Vaglio","doi":"10.55563/clinexprheumatol/kysrv8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/kysrv8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare vasculitis characterised by eosinophilic inflammation, asthma, and often anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity. Monitoring disease activity is challenging because conventional tools, mainly the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), account for manifestations not relevant to EGPA while insufficiently capturing respiratory and eosinophilic features.This scoping review aims to systematically evaluate current methods, biomarkers, imaging studies or other procedures to monitor disease activity or treatment response in EGPA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eligible studies were those published between January 2005 and March 2025, including at least five EGPA patients (≥10% of the cohort), and focusing on disease activity or treatment response. Non-human studies, case reports, reviews, and investigations focused on diagnosis were excluded.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 874 records screened, 58 studies met inclusion criteria. Clinical studies frequently adopted MIRRA trial definitions of remission (BVAS=0, prednisone ≤4 mg/day), but criteria varied across studies, with the most adopted secondary endpoints being oral glucocorticoid sparing, changes in eosinophil count and in pulmonary function. Biomarker investigations explored conventional lab parameters as well as emerging molecular candidates, but none achieved consistent reliability in distinguishing active from inactive disease. Imaging and procedures such as pulmonary function tests, high-resolution CT, FeNO, echocardiography, and cardiac MRI showed promise but lacked validation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>No robust tool currently exists for EGPA monitoring, even though interesting biomarkers and imaging techniques warrant further validation. Future research should prioritise harmonising definitions of remission and relapse, distinguishing systemic from organ-specific activity, and integrate clinical, biomarker, and imaging approaches to develop EGPAspecific monitoring strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10274,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and experimental rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148987943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis analysis of childhood ANCA-associated vasculitis.","authors":"Xiao-Pei Yang, Wei Li, Tian-Ge Wu, Xue-Ju Xu, Tian-Fang Li","doi":"10.55563/clinexprheumatol/1aja3e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/1aja3e","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To analyse the clinical manifestations and treatment of childhood-onset antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and to identify risk factors for progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively enrolled patients aged <18 years diagnosed with AAV at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Comparative analyses were performed between microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) groups regarding clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, disease activity, treatment regimens, and progression to ESRD. Statistical methods included the t-test, chi-square test, Cox regression analysis, and Kaplan-Meier curves.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 29 patients were included, of whom 22 were female and 23 had MPA. The median age at diagnosis was 13.9 years (IQR 12.3-16.5 years), and the median diagnostic interval was 1 month (IQR 0.6-1.5 months). The most common clinical manifestations were renal, respiratory, and musculoskeletal involvement, and the presentations were similar between MPA and GPA. Fifteen patients progressed to ESRD, 12 of whom had ESRD at initial diagnosis. Glucocorticoids served as the mainstay of treatment. At 12 months post-treatment, 12 patients achieved remission, 3 achieved renal remission, 8 remained on dialysis, and 6 underwent renal transplantation. Long-term survival was achieved in most patients, with one death. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified elevated serum creatinine as an independent risk factor for progression to ESRD.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this cohort, childhood-onset AAV occurred predominantly in females, with MPA as the major subtype and the kidneys being the most frequently involved organ. Glucocorticoids formed the mainstay of treatment. Approximately half of the children achieved remission following treatment. Patients with elevated serum creatinine levels are at higher risk of progressing to ESRD. Most children achieved long-term survival.</p>","PeriodicalId":10274,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and experimental rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148988307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex and menopausal status differences in coronary calcification and extra-coronary computed tomography findings in inflammatory arthritis.","authors":"Mohammed A Mohammed, Elsie Nguyen, Sohan Shahab, Wei Wu, Shadi Akhtari, Paula Harvey, Lihi Eder, Bindee Kuriya","doi":"10.55563/clinexprheumatol/1jusyn","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/1jusyn","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) have increased cardiovascular risk. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring by computed tomography (CT) detects early coronary disease. While sex and menopause influence CVD risk, their impact on CT findings in IA is unclear. In this study we aimed to describe the extent and distribution of CT-detected cardiovascular abnormalities in IA, including coronary calcification, and potential differences due to sex and menopause.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a cross-sectional analysis of IA patients aged >40 years without prior CVD. The primary outcome was CAC score by the Agatston method (0, 1-99, ≥100); secondary outcomes included calcified plaque distribution and other CT-detected abnormalities such as aortic enlargement. Multivariable logistic regression assessed associations with post-menopausal status.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 597 IA patients, 31% were male (mean age 57.3), 14% pre-menopausal female (46.3 years), and 55% post-menopausal female (61.9 years). Spondyloarthropathy was more common in males (70%); RA was more common in females (70%). CAC ≥100 occurred in 28% of males, 20% of post-, and 1.4% of pre-menopausal females (p<0.0001). Post-menopausal females had more aortic calcification (44%), aortic enlargement (23%, all p≤0.001), while males had more left main, circumflex and right coronary calcification (p≤0.001). Post-menopausal females had lower odds of elevated CAC vs. males (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.17-0.49). Independent predictors of CAC ≥100 included older age, higher CRP, and smoking. Post-menopausal associations with aortic changes were not significant after adjustment.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sex and menopausal status are associated with coronary and extra-coronary CT abnormalities in IA patients. These observations underscore the need to acknowledge and better understand sex-related differences in CVD risk expression, as traditional and disease-related risk factors may not confer equivalent risk in females and males.</p>","PeriodicalId":10274,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and experimental rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148988226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical implication and tissue-specific activation of the OX40-OX40L costimulatory pathway in Sjögren's disease.","authors":"Hee Won Park, Jin-Ah Baek, Young-Seok Song, Eun Jung Kim, Jung Hee Koh, Jooha Lee, Su-Jin Moon, Wan-Uk Kim, Sung-Hwan Park, Seung-Ki Kwok, Youngjae Park","doi":"10.55563/clinexprheumatol/zmu44r","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/zmu44r","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by immune-mediated inflammation of exocrine glands. The OX40-OX40 ligand (OX40L) costimulatory pathway plays a key role in T cell activation and persistence. However, its involvement in both systemic and tissue compartments in SjD remains incompletely understood. This study investigated the expression of the OX40-OX40L pathway in SjD and its association with clinical and immunologic features.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Serum levels of OX40 and OX40L were measured in SjD patients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared with those in healthy controls (HCs). Associations with clinical and laboratory parameters, including disease activity indices, were analysed. Expression and spatial localisation of OX40 and OX40L in minor salivary gland biopsy specimens were assessed using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Serum OX40 levels were significantly elevated in SjD patients compared with HCs and were positively correlated with systemic disease activity and serum β2-microglobulin levels. Higher serum OX40 levels were observed in SjD patients with leukopenia and lymphadenopathy. In minor salivary gland tissue, both OX40 and OX40L expression increased with higher focus scores. OX40 was localised to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, whereas OX40L was localised to glandular epithelial cells and infiltrating B cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The OX40-OX40L pathway shows distinct patterns of activation in systemic and glandular immune compartments in SjD. These findings suggest its involvement in disease-related immune responses and support its relevance as a pathway of interest in SjD.</p>","PeriodicalId":10274,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and experimental rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148988325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictors of early severe respiratory distress in ANCA-associated vasculitis with diffuse alveolar haemorrhage: a multicentre REVEAL cohort study.","authors":"Takuya Kotani, Shogo Matsuda, Ayana Okazaki, Yuichi Masuda, Atsushi Manabe, Tsuneyasu Yoshida, Keiichiro Kadoba, Ryosuke Hiwa, Muneyuki Hatta, Mayu Shiomi, Ryu Watanabe, Motomu Hashimoto, Hirofumi Miyake, Nahoko Suwa, Yohei Fujiki, Wataru Yamamoto, Tohru Takeuchi","doi":"10.55563/clinexprheumatol/cpyoxt","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/cpyoxt","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) is a life-threatening complication of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). This study aimed to clarify the incidence, timing, and predictors of severe respiratory distress (SRD) in patients with AAV-related DAH.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This multicentre retrospective study included 50 consecutive patients with AAV-related DAH enrolled in the multicentre REVEAL cohort. Baseline demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, and respiratory indices were recorded. The primary outcome was the development of SRD, defined as respiratory failure requiring ventilatory support (high-flow oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, or invasive mechanical ventilation) or DAH-related death within 30 days. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify independent predictors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SRD occurred in 14 patients (28%), typically within several days of immunosuppressive therapy initiation, and was associated with early mortality. Patients who developed SRD exhibited significantly higher baseline neutrophil counts, lower haemoglobin levels, higher C-reactive protein concentrations, and impaired oxygenation (lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio). Multivariate analysis identified the peripheral neutrophil count as an independent predictor of SRD. A cut-off of 8,800/μL effectively discriminated between high- and low-risk patients. Notably, neutrophilia was associated with early progression to SRD, highlighting its potential as an early indicator of fulminant disease progression.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This multicentre study highlights the peripheral neutrophil count as a simple and readily available biomarker for risk stratification in AAV-DAH. Recognising neutrophilia at diagnosis may facilitate closer monitoring, early escalation of supportive care, and timely adjustment to immunosuppressive therapy. These findings provide a rationale for integrating neutrophil count into the prognostic assessment and therapeutic decision-making for AAV-related DAH.</p>","PeriodicalId":10274,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and experimental rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148988201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anifrolumab for treatment-resistant paediatric amyopathic dermatomyositis: report of two cases.","authors":"Serena Pastore, Francesca Nicolardi, Beatrice Lorenzon, Gloria Fadanelli, Erica Valencic, Andrea Taddio","doi":"10.55563/clinexprheumatol/1d0e3i","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/1d0e3i","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10274,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and experimental rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148988200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Functional alterations of peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells in erosive hand osteoarthritis: modulation by resveratrol.","authors":"Giorgia Buoncuore, Cristiana Barbati, Eugenia Balbinot, Federica Maria Ucci, Claudia Ciancarella, Giuseppe Tripodi, Alberto Scorda, Fulvia Ceccarelli, Susanna Scarpa, Mattia Caliste, Antonio Sili Scavalli, Giacomo Frati, Fabrizio Conti, Cristiano Alessandri","doi":"10.55563/clinexprheumatol/xxohh8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/xxohh8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Erosive hand osteoarthritis (EHOA) is a severe subset of osteoarthritis characterised by progressive joint damage and limited therapeutic options. This study aimed to investigate the functional properties of peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PB-MSCs) in EHOA and to evaluate the effects of resveratrol (RSV) preconditioning.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PB-MSCs were isolated from peripheral blood of 24 patients with EHOA and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy donors. Cells were expanded in vitro and differentiated into chondrocytes. Apoptosis and autophagy-related markers were analysed by flow cytometry and Western blot. Chondrogenic capacity was assessed by CD44, CD49c and CD151 expression and by extracellular matrix quantification using Alcian blue staining. The effects of RSV preconditioning were also evaluated. Serum β-catenin levels were measured by ELISA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EHOA MSC-derived chondrocytes showed increased apoptosis, reduced expression of markers associated with chondrogenic potential, hypertrophic features, and decreased extracellular matrix levels compared with healthy donors. Alterations in autophagy-related markers were also observed. RSV pretreatment significantly improved cell survival, enhanced chondrogenic marker expression, and increased extracellular matrix concentration in vitro. Serum β-catenin levels were significantly higher in EHOA patients and correlated with clinical and imaging indicators of disease severity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>PB-MSCs from EHOA patients exhibit functional alterations consistent with reduced regenerative potential. RSV preconditioning partially improved MSC viability and chondrogenic properties. These findings provide insight into MSC dysfunction in EHOA and support further investigation of strategies to enhance MSC-based regenerative approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":10274,"journal":{"name":"Clinical and experimental rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148988303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}