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Molecular and Cellular Aspects of Autoimmune and Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases

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: 30 August 2024 | Viewed by 1540

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
National Institute of Geriatrics, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: systemic lupus erythematosus; antiphospholipid syndrome; macrophage activation syndrome and lupus; systemic autoimmune diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Rheumatology and Internal Diseases, Wroclaw University of Medicine, Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: systemic lupus erythematosus; antiphospholipid syndrome; macrophage activation syndrome and lupus; systemic autoimmune diseases

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to introduce a Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences that will focus on autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases. We are experiencing a very fast development of knowledge in the area of autoimmunity, which concerns both pathogenesis and treatment. We would like to encourage original research and review papers dealing with the molecular and cellular aspects of autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases, focusing on disease mechanisms, potential biomarkers and novel treatment options.

Prof. Dr. Marzena Helena Olesińska
Dr. Magdalena Szmyrka
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • autoimmune rheumatic diseases
  • inflammatory rheumatic diseases
  • arthritis
  • connective tissue diseases

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 25574 KiB  
Article
Cinnamaldehyde-Treated Bone Marrow Mesenchymal-Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes via Aqueous Two-Phase System Attenuate IL-1β-Induced Inflammation and Catabolism via Modulation of Proinflammatory Signaling Pathways
by Jaishree Sankaranarayanan, Seok Cheol Lee, Hyung Keun Kim, Ju Yeon Kang, Sree Samanvitha Kuppa and Jong Keun Seon
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7263; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137263 - 1 Jul 2024
Viewed by 426
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disorder that is distinguished by inflammation and chronic cartilage damage. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the catabolic processes that underlie the pathogenesis of OA. In this study, we investigate the [...] Read more.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disorder that is distinguished by inflammation and chronic cartilage damage. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the catabolic processes that underlie the pathogenesis of OA. In this study, we investigate the therapeutic efficacy of exosomes derived from untreated bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC-Exo) and those treated with cinnamaldehyde (BMMSC-CA-Exo) for preventing the in vitro catabolic effects of IL-1β on chondrocytes. We stimulated chondrocytes with IL-1β to mimic the inflammatory microenvironment of OA. We then treated these chondrocytes with BMMSC-Exo and BMMSC-CA-Exo isolated via an aqueous two-phase system and evaluated their effects on the key cellular processes using molecular techniques. Our findings revealed that treatment with BMMSC-Exo reduces the catabolic effects of IL-1β on chondrocytes and alleviates inflammation. However, further studies directly comparing treatments with BMMSC-Exo and BMMSC-CA-Exo are needed to determine if CA preconditioning can provide additional anti-inflammatory benefits to the exosomes beyond those of CA preconditioning or treatment with regular BMMSC-Exo. Through a comprehensive molecular analysis, we elucidated the regulatory mechanisms underlying this protective effect. We found a significant downregulation of proinflammatory signaling pathways in exosome-infected chondrocytes, suggesting the potential modulation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling cascades. Furthermore, our study identified the molecular cargo of BMMSC-Exo and BMMSC-CA-Exo, determining the key molecules, such as anti-inflammatory cytokines and cartilage-associated factors, that may contribute to their acquisition of chondroprotective properties. In summary, BMMSC-Exo and BMMSC-CA-Exo exhibit the potential as therapeutic agents for OA by antagonizing the in vitro catabolic effects of IL-1β on chondrocytes. The regulation of the proinflammatory signaling pathways and bioactive molecules delivered by the exosomes suggests a multifaceted mechanism of action. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into exosome-based therapies for OA and joint-related diseases. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 429 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Pathogenesis of Spondylarthritis beyond HLA-B27: A Descriptive Review
by Ruxandra-Elena Nagit, Elena Rezus and Petru Cianga
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6081; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116081 - 31 May 2024
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Abstract
Spondylarthritis (SpA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that encompasses damage to the axial or peripheral skeleton, accompanied by specific extra-articular symptoms. Within this group, Ankylosing Spondylitis stands out as the hallmark member. Although the heritability of Ankylosing Spondylitis is estimated to be over [...] Read more.
Spondylarthritis (SpA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that encompasses damage to the axial or peripheral skeleton, accompanied by specific extra-articular symptoms. Within this group, Ankylosing Spondylitis stands out as the hallmark member. Although the heritability of Ankylosing Spondylitis is estimated to be over 95%, only a portion of the heritability has been explained, with HLA-B27 accounting for 20.1% of it; therefore, ongoing research endeavors are currently concentrated on investigating the potential participation of different entities in the development of the disease. Genome-wide association studies have led to significant advances in our understanding of the genetics of SpA. In this descriptive review, we delve into the pathogenesis of Spondylarthritis beyond HLA-B27. We summarize the latest research on the potential participation of various entities in the development of the disease, including other genetic loci, immune dysregulation, microbiota, and environmental factors. The multifactorial nature of SpA and the complex interplay of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors are being increasingly recognized; therefore, it is of paramount importance to consider a holistic approach to comprehend the pathogenesis of SpA in order to identify novel therapeutic targets. Full article
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