Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease involving multiple organs of the body. Lupus nephritis is one of the most serious organ manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. Vimentin, a member of the intermediate filament protein family, is involved in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases, including lupus nephritis. More and more studies have shown that vimentin plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis, and has an important influence on the disease development, treatment and prognosis of lupus nephritis. This review focuses on the structure, function and post-translational modification of vimentin, the relationship between vimentin and the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis, and the significance of vimentin expression levels in renal tissues, serum and urine, in order to provide theoretical basis for future mechanism research and clinical application.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids (GC) monotherapy and GC combined with tacrolimus (TAC) therapy in patients with anti-synthetase syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease (ASS-ILD). Methods Through retrospective analysis and propensity score matching (PSM) analysis, the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and related side effects of ASS-ILD patients in TAC+GC group and GC monotherapy group were compared. Predictors associated with PFS were analyzed with COX. Results The 2-year PFS rate of TAC+GC group was better than that of GC group [P=0.0163; hazard ratio (HR) 0.347]; Univariate and multivariate analysis of the COX regression model for 2-year PFS in the two groups suggested that creatine kinase level (P=0.0019, HR 1.002) and initial treatment selection [(TAC+GC) vs. GC, P=0.0197, HR 0.207] were independent predictors of PFS; PSM analysis showed that the 2-year PFS rate of TAC+GC group (54.5%) was higher than that of GC group (18.2%) (P=0.0157, HR 0.275). In terms of adverse effect, there was no significant increase in GC+TAC group compared with GC group. Conclusion Compared with GC monotherapy, initial TAC+GC treatment significantly prolonged PFS in ASS-ILD patients and did not increase the incidence of drug-related complications.
【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of secondary lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia ( LIP) . Methods Clinical data of 9 cases with secondary LIP diagnosed from1990 to 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of 9 patients there were 3 males and 6 females,the range of age was 7-64 years. In the 6 adult patients there were 5 females. 2 cases were infected by EB virus and 1 by recurrent pulmonary infection in 3 non-adult patients. In the adult patients, 1 case was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, 1 case with overlapping syndrome, 2 cases with primary biliary cirrhosis,1 case was probably caused by infection, and 1 case was complicated with eosinophilia. Dominant symptoms of pulmonary system were cough, expectoration, and shortness of breath on exertion. Dominant systematic symptoms were asthenia, pyrexia, weight lose, and arthralgia. CT revealed diffuse ground glass opacities with a lower lung zone predominance. Pathologic feature of LIP was a diffuse, polyclonal lymphoid cell infiltration surrounding airways and extending to the lung interstitium. The patients were treated by glucocorticoid and immunosuppressants. Two cases died with secondary infection. Follow-up did not comfirm malignant tumors in the survivors. Conclusions The clinical features of LIP are characteristic, but lacking of specificity. The final diagnosis depends on pathological examination. Treatment targeted on primary diseases can probably have a good efficacy, and the clinical outcome is favorable.
ObjectiveTo retrospectively analyze the clinical,pathological and imaging features of one case pathologically diagnosed as cryptogenic organizing pneumonia(COP) to improve clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsWith a case report and review of the related literatures,the clinical manifestations,radiological features,pathological features,differential diagnosis,management and prognosis of COP were discussed. ResultsThe clinical manifestations of COP had no specificity. The imaging manifestations were real shadows,ground glass shadows,nodules and all kinds of tape. Pathological features of lung specimen biopsy showed buds of granulation tissue within alveolar ducts and alveoli consisting of fibroblasts. Remarkable response to corticosteroids was found in this patient. The prognosis of COP was good. ConclusionsCOP is diagnosed on basis of clinical,pathologic,and imaging findings. The radiological features of COP which show mass with cavity are rare. It can be easy misdiagnosed as lung infection or tumor. The effects of ordinary anti-bacteria therapy are limited,while the corticosteroids therapy shows preferable effects. Therefore,it's important to acquire pathological evidences as early as possible to guide the diagnose and treatment.
ObjectiveTo analyze the CT features of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonia (CIP) and improve the diagnostic accuracy of CIP. MethodsAmong patients with malignant tumor treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, those who developed pneumonia and rule out other causes of disease were identified. Chest CT Imaging were reviewed to assess special signs, distribution characteristics, severity of pneumonia and radiographic patterns of CIP. ResultsA total of 28 patients were enrolled, including 26 males and 2 females. CT features include ground-glass opacity, centrilobular nodularity, reticular opacity, consolidation, traction bronchiectasis, honeycomb, etc. The lesions predominant involved peripheral lung zone (17/28), lower lung zone (18/28) and posterior lung zone (18/28), with a diffuse distribution (23/28). In most cases the disease involved both lungs (23/28), and a few involved unilateral or single lobe. The most common affected lobes were the lower lobe of the right lung (25/28) and the lower lobe of the left lung (20/28), followed by the upper lobe of the right lung (18/28). Mean pneumonia severity score was 5.5, standard deviation was 3.8, and range was 1 - 15. The most common radiographic patterns of CIP were nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (11/28) and hypersensitivity pneumonia (10/28). The second was organizing pneumonia (6/28). ConclusionsThe CT manifestations of CIP have certain specificity. Combined with the history of drug treatment and clinical symptoms of patients, the early and correct diagnosis can be obtained.