March 2021 Scleroderma News

Expression quantitative trait loci, (eQTL) analysis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) identifies new candidate genes associated with multiple aspects of disease pathology. The data of the present study provides a new layer of the molecular complexity of SSc, contributing to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. PubMed, Arthritis Rheumatol, 01/17/2021. (Also see Genetics)

MicroRNA-320a: an important regulator in the fibrotic process in interstitial lung disease (ILD) of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Investigation of more detailed mechanisms of miR-320a-mediated regulation of collagen expression may provide new therapeutic strategies for SSc-ILD. PubMed, Arthritis Res Ther, 2021 Jan 11;23(1):21. (Also see Treatments for Pulmonary Fibrosis)

Progressive interstitial lung disease in patients with systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease (SSc–ILD) in the EUSTAR database. SSc-ILD shows a heterogeneous and variable disease course, and thus monitoring all patients closely is important. PubMed, Ann Rheum Dis, 2021 Feb;80(2):219-227. (Also see Pulmonary Fibrosis)

Photoacoustic and high–frequency ultrasound imaging of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Photoacoustic and high-frequency ultrasound could help to distinguish between (early) SSc, primary Raynaud's, and healthy individuals in both oxygenation and skin thickening. PubMed, Arthritis Res Ther, 2021 Jan 12;23(1):22. (Also see Skin Fibrosis)

Autoantibodies targeting telomere-associated proteins in systemic sclerosis. Autoantibodies targeting telomere-associated proteins in a subset of patients with SSc are associated with short lymphocyte telomere length and lung disease. PubMed, Ann Rheum Dis, 2021 Jan 25;annrheumdis-2020-218918. (Also see Antibodies)

Implication of miR-126 and miR-139-5p in Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell (pDCs) Dysregulation in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). These findings demonstrated that the miRNA profile is altered in pDCs of SSc patients already at early stages of the disease. PubMed, J Clin Med, 2021 Jan 30;10(3):491. (Also see Dendritic Cells)

Factors associated with esophageal motility improvement after bilateral lung transplant (LTx) in patients with an aperistaltic esophagus. Patients with esophageal aperistalsis and obstructive lung disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension, but not patients with restrictive lung disease and scleroderma, are likely to have improved esophageal peristalsis post-LTx. PubMed, J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 2021 Jan 9;S0022-5223(21)00027-1. (Also see Lung Transplants and Dysmotility Syndrome)

Prevalence and clinical association with calcinosis cutis in early systemic sclerosis (SSc). Occult calcinosis cutis can be detected by hand radiograph in one half of SSc patients at early onset of the disease. PubMed, Mod Rheumatol, 2021 Feb 10;1-19. (Also see Calcinosis)

Prediction and primary prevention of major vascular complications (MVC) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In SSc patients, our data confirm the role of arthritis and dyspnea as independent predictors of major vascular complications, in particular in MVCs-naïve patients. PubMed, Eur J Intern Med, 2021 Feb 5;S0953-6205(21)00022-4. (Also see Vascular Involvement)

Scleroderma Renal Crisis (SRC). There is an urgent need to improve early recognition and treatment, and to identify novel treatments to improve outcomes of SRC. PubMed, Presse Med, 2021 Feb 3;104063. (Also see Kidney (Renal) Involvement)

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