Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies Subtypes Research Articles

Distribution of the NF‐κB Complex in the Inflammatory Exudates Characterizing the Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies

The transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a ubiquitously expressed protein family that is considered crucial in autoimmunity. We describe NF-kappaB p50 and p65, and the inhibitor I-kappaB alpha in the inflammatory exudates characteristic for the different idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), that is, endomysial CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells invading non-necrotic fibers in polymyositis (PM) and sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM), and the perimysial/perivascular CD20(+) B cells and CD4(+) T cells in dermatomyositis (DM). We also analyzed other inflammatory cells in the vicinity of active inflammation sites. Strikingly, actively invading CD4(+) cells in PM and sIBM contained both p65 and p50, whereas I-kappaB alpha was absent. This could point to a high activation state in which these cells are capable of expressing a variety of inflammatory mediators, contributing to the degradation of non-necrotic fibers. Secondly, CD68(+) macrophages in the infiltrates in all three IIM subtypes showed strong nuclear p50 and I-kappaB alpha staining. This may point to a role for p50 in counteracting inflammation, a reaction that could be enhanced by an upregulation of I-kappaB alpha as we observed with immunofluorescence. These results shed further light on the immunopathology of PM, sIBM and DM. CD4(+) and CD68(+) mononuclear cells may play a more prominent role than previously assumed.

Defining cancer risk in dermatomyositis. Part I

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) comprise polymyositis, myositis overlapping with another connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis (DM) and inclusion-body myositis (IBM). IIMs are characterized by the presence of proximal muscle weakness, increased levels of muscle-specific enzymes, specific electromyographic abnormalities, and the presence of inflammatory cell infiltrates in skeletal muscle. Clinical, serological and histological criteria can be used to define individual IIM subtypes. In the first of this two-part review series, we examine the evidence for the existence of cancer-associated myositis (CAM), and in part 2, we discuss recent discoveries that provide insight into identification of patients with DM, who may be most at risk of developing CAM.

Expression of the β chemokines CCL3, CCL4, CCL5 and their receptors in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by chronic lymphocytic and macrophagic infiltration in muscle. Because the mechanism for recruitment of these cells probably involves chemokines, we focused on the study of the expression pattern of some beta chemokines and receptors because it may provide a basis for selective immunotherapy. The expression of CCL3 (MIP-1alpha), CCL4 (MIP-1beta), CCL5 (RANTES) and their main receptors (CCR1 and CCR5) was studied by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry in a series of 16 IIM and five controls (four normal muscles and one tonsil). Except for CCL5, strong expression was observed by RT-PCR with all molecules in all IIM subtypes in comparison to control muscle. Immunohistochemistry revealed diffuse CCL4 expression in all vessels in dermatomyositis. In both polymyositis and sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM) it was restricted to vessels in the vicinity of inflammatory exudates. CCL5 expression was low, restricted to a few inflammatory cells in all IIM; CCR1 expression was mainly restricted to macrophages and s-IBM endothelial cells, whereas CCR5 was localized in inflammatory cells invading non-necrotic muscle fibres. Expressions of both receptors were also recorded in few muscle fibres. In conclusion, the upregulation of beta chemokines and receptors in IIM and their differential expression by various cells may contribute to chronic inflammation and to the peculiar distribution of inflammatory exudates in these diseases.