Research on SLE, pJIA & More Highlighted in 2nd ACR Convergence 2021 Plenary Session

Proteomic Profiling of MIS-C Patients

Dr. Edward M. Behrens

Edward M. Behrens, MD, chair in pediatric rheumatology, chief of the Division of Rheumatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadephia, discussed proteomic profiling in multisystem inflammatory syndrome of children (MIS-C), a post-infectious complication of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 infection that may be fatal if left untreated.⁶ His group measured plasma proteins using the Olink platform and found proteomic signature distinguished SARS-CoV-2 phenotypes.

“MIS-C shows clinical and proteomic heterogeneity, with a mixture of thrombotic microangiopathy and macrophage activation syndrome-like signals,” Dr. Behrens summarized. “They showed an outsized interferon-γ [IFNγ] responsiveness, and IFNγ-high MIS-C patients had milder cardiac disease compared to IFNγ-low patients.”

Conclusion

ACR Convergence Plenary sessions highlight some of the most interesting abstracts of the past year. Conference attendees may access slides and watch the session on demand until March 11, 2022.

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD, is an academic rheumatologist and an affiliate faculty member of the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. She received her training in internal medicine and rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. She is also a member of the ACR Insurance Subcommittee.

References

1. Chang J, Sears C, Torres V, et al. Racial disparities in renal outcomes over time among hospitalized children with SLE and effects of hospital minority composition [abstract: 0956]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Oct;73(suppl 10).
2. Hahn J, Cook N, Alexander E, et al. Vitamin D and marine n-3 fatty acid supplementation and prevention of autoimmune disease in the VITAL randomized controlled trial [abstract: 0957]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Oct;73(suppl 10).
3. Charles-Schoeman C, Buch M, Dougados M, et al. Risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular events in patients aged ≥ 50 years with RA and ≥ 1 additional cardiovascular risk factor: Results from a phase 3b/4 randomized safety study of tofacitinib vs. TNF inhibitors [abstract: 0958]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Oct;73(suppl 10).
4. Brasil C, Hanly J, Urowitz M, et al. Impact of systemic lupus disease activity state on flare risk after hydroxychloroquine maintenance, reduction or discontinuation in a multinational inception cohort [abstract: 0959]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Oct;73(suppl 10).
5. Kimura Y, Ringold S, Tomlinson G, et al. The Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance start time optimization of biologic therapy in polyarticular JIA (STOP-JIA) study: 24-month outcomes [abstract: 0960]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Oct;73(suppl 10).
6. Diorio C, Shraim R, Vella L, et al. Proteomic profiling of MIS-C patients reveals heterogeneity relating to interferon gamma dysregulation and vascular endothelial dysfunction [abstract: 0961]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Oct;73(suppl 10).