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Key Players in Connective Tissue Diseases: The Immune System and Beyond

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 18014

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Addolorata Corrado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Interests: bone physiopathology; immunology; vitamin D; rheumatoid arthritis; spondyloarthritis; connective tissue disease; osteoporosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are a heterogeneous group of pathological conditions characterized by an abnormal autoimmune response, leading to chronic inflammation and potential organ damage, whose clinical manifestations encompass a wide variety of symptoms and several laboratory abnormalities. The pathogenesis of CTDs involves not only the acquired immunity, but also innate immunity, genetic  and environmental factors which contribute to determine the onset, the evolution of the signs and symptoms over the time and development of comorbidities which characterize the clinical course of these diseases. The management of CTDs  often represents a challenge in clinical practice due to their clinical heterogeneity and the lack of biochemical or genetic biomarkers useful for monitoring and predicting the clinical outcome; further, the complex physio-pathologic events underlying these diseases make it difficult to identify specific therapeutic targets suitable for all patients, even within the same specific disease.

This Special Issue of IJMS aims to focus on advances in the physiopathology, diagnosis and treatment of CTDs, particularly focusing on the development of new diagnostic tools, the molecular basis of pathological processes, disease biomarkers and potential new therapeutic strategies.

Prof. Dr. Addolorata Corrado
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • connective tissue diseases
  • autoimmunity
  • biomarkers
  • cytokines
  • autoantibodies
  • biologic drugs
  • biomolecular pathology

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2030 KiB  
Article
Size-Exclusion Chromatography Combined with Ultrafiltration Efficiently Isolates Extracellular Vesicles from Human Blood Samples in Health and Disease
by Chiara Franco, Anna Ghirardello, Loris Bertazza, Michela Gasparotto, Elisabetta Zanatta, Luca Iaccarino, Hadi Valadi, Andrea Doria and Mariele Gatto
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(4), 3663; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043663 - 11 Feb 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2816
Abstract
There is still a need for an efficient method for the isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human blood that provides a reliable yield with acceptable purity. Blood is a source of circulating EVs, but soluble proteins and lipoproteins hamper their concentration, isolation, [...] Read more.
There is still a need for an efficient method for the isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human blood that provides a reliable yield with acceptable purity. Blood is a source of circulating EVs, but soluble proteins and lipoproteins hamper their concentration, isolation, and detection. This study aims to investigate the efficiency of EV isolation and characterization methods not defined as “gold standard”. EVs were isolated from human platelet-free plasma (PFP) of patients and healthy donors through size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) combined with ultrafiltration (UF). Then, EVs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), imaging flow cytometry (IFC), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). TEM images showed intact and roundish nanoparticles in pure samples. IFC analysis detected a prevalence of CD63+ EVs compared to CD9+, CD81+, and CD11c+ EVs. NTA confirmed the presence of small EVs with a concentration of ~1010 EVs/mL that were comparable when stratifying the subjects by baseline demographics; conversely, concentration differed according to the health status across healthy donors and patients affected with autoimmune diseases (130 subjects in total, with 65 healthy donors and 65 idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients). Altogether, our data show that a combined EV isolation method, i.e., SEC followed by UF, is a reliable approach to isolate intact EVs with a significant yield from complex fluids, which might characterize disease conditions early. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Key Players in Connective Tissue Diseases: The Immune System and Beyond)
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Review

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13 pages, 535 KiB  
Review
Polyarteritis Nodosa: Old Disease, New Etiologies
by Louis Wolff, Alice Horisberger, Laura Moi, Maria P. Karampetsou and Denis Comte
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 16668; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316668 - 23 Nov 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6315
Abstract
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), also known as panarteritis nodosa, represents a form of necrotizing vasculitis that predominantly affects medium-sized vessels, although it is not restricted to them and can also involve smaller vessels. The clinical presentation is heterogeneous and characterized by a significant number [...] Read more.
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), also known as panarteritis nodosa, represents a form of necrotizing vasculitis that predominantly affects medium-sized vessels, although it is not restricted to them and can also involve smaller vessels. The clinical presentation is heterogeneous and characterized by a significant number of patients exhibiting general symptoms, including asthenia, fever, and unintended weight loss. Although PAN can involve virtually any organ, it preferentially affects the skin, nervous system, and the gastrointestinal tract. Orchitis is a rare but specific manifestation of PAN. The absence of granulomas, glomerulonephritis, and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies serves to distinguish PAN from other types of vasculitis. Major complications consist of hemorrhagic and thrombotic events occurring in mesenteric, cardiac, cerebral, and renal systems. Historically, PAN was frequently linked to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but this association has dramatically changed in recent years due to declining HBV prevalence. Current epidemiological research often identifies a connection between PAN and genetic syndromes as well as neoplasia. This article provides a comprehensive review of PAN, specifically focusing on the progression of its clinical manifestations over time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Key Players in Connective Tissue Diseases: The Immune System and Beyond)
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34 pages, 1083 KiB  
Review
CD8+ T Cell Phenotype and Function in Childhood and Adult-Onset Connective Tissue Disease
by Anna Radziszewska, Zachary Moulder, Elizabeth C. Jury and Coziana Ciurtin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(19), 11431; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231911431 - 28 Sep 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 8401
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that destroy pathogen infected and malignant cells through release of cytolytic molecules and proinflammatory cytokines. Although the role of CD8+ T cells in connective tissue diseases (CTDs) has not been explored as thoroughly as that [...] Read more.
CD8+ T cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that destroy pathogen infected and malignant cells through release of cytolytic molecules and proinflammatory cytokines. Although the role of CD8+ T cells in connective tissue diseases (CTDs) has not been explored as thoroughly as that of other immune cells, research focusing on this key component of the immune system has recently gained momentum. Aberrations in cytotoxic cell function may have implications in triggering autoimmunity and may promote tissue damage leading to exacerbation of disease. In this comprehensive review of current literature, we examine the role of CD8+ T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis with specific focus on comparing what is known about CD8+ T cell peripheral blood phenotypes, CD8+ T cell function, and CD8+ T cell organ-specific profiles in adult and juvenile forms of these disorders. Although, the precise role of CD8+ T cells in the initiation of autoimmunity and disease progression remains to be elucidated, increasing evidence indicates that CD8+ T cells are emerging as an attractive target for therapy in CTDs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Key Players in Connective Tissue Diseases: The Immune System and Beyond)
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