General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; Immunology; Immunology and Allergy; Rheumatology
Abstract :
[en] Background Synovial tissue research has become widely developed in several rheumatology centres, however, large discrepancies exist in the way synovial tissue is handled and, more specifically, how data pertaining to biopsy procedure, quality check and experimental results are reported in the literature. This heterogeneity hampers the progress of research in this rapidly expanding field. In that context, under the umbrella of European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, we aimed at proposing points to consider (PtC) for minimal reporting requirements in synovial tissue research. Methods Twenty-five members from 10 countries across Europe and USA met virtually to define the key areas needing evaluation and formulating the research questions to inform a systematic literature review (SLR). The results were presented during a second virtual meeting where PtC were formulated and agreed. Results Study design, biopsy procedures, tissue handling, tissue quality control and tissue outcomes (imaging, DNA/RNA analysis and disaggregation) were identified as important aspects for the quality of synovial tissue research. The SLR interrogated four databases, retrieved 7654 abstracts and included 26 manuscripts. Three OPs and nine PtC were formulated covering the following areas: description of biopsy procedure, overarching clinical design, patient characteristics, tissue handling and processing, quality control, histopathology, transcriptomic analyses and single-cell technologies. Conclusions These PtC provide guidance on how research involving synovial tissue should be reported to ensure a better evaluation of results by readers, reviewers and the broader scientific community. We anticipate that these PtC will enable the field to progress in a robust and transparent manner over the coming years. METHODS From December 2020 to May 2021, a steering committee composed of the conveners (ANalso fellow-and AF) and the senior and junior
Najm, Aurélie ; Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow, UK
Costantino, Félicie ; Laboratory of Excellence Inflamex, Infection et Inflammation, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France ; Rheumatology Department, AP-HP, Boulogne-billancourt, Paris, France
Alivernini, Stefano; UOC di Reumatologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Alunno, Alessia ; Internal Medicine and Nephrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine Life Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
Bianchi, Elettra ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > > Service d'anatomie et cytologie pathologiques
Bignall, Jacqueline; Rheumatology Patient Group, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
Boyce, Brendan; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, USA
Cañete, Juan ; Arthritis Unit, Rheumatology Dpt, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
Carubbi, Francesco ; Internal Medicine and Nephrology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine Life Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy ; Department of Medicine, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy
Durez, Patrick ; Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Pôle de Recherche en Rhumatologie, Université catholique de Louvain Secteur des sciences de la santé, Bruxelles, Belgium ; Pôle de Recherche en Rhumatologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Bruxelles, Belgium
Fonseca, João ; Serviço de Reumatologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal
Just, Søren; Department of Rheumatology, Bone and Joint Research Unit, Odense Universitetshospital, Odense, Denmark
Largo, Raquel ; Joint and Bone Research Unit. Rheumatology Dept, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain ; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Manzo, Antonio; Division of Rheumatology, Translational Immunology Research Laboratories (LaRIT), Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
Maybury, Mark; Rheumatology Research Group and Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Center, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
Naredo, Esperanza; Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, IIS Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Rheumatology ; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Orr, Carl; Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland ; The Conway Institute, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Pitzalis, Costantino ; Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, Barts, The London School of Medicine and Dentistry William Harvey Research Institute, London, UK
Rivellese, Felice; Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, Barts, The London School of Medicine and Dentistry William Harvey Research Institute, London, UK
Romão, Vasco ; Serviço de Reumatologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal
Van Rompay, Jef; Patient Research Partners, Antwerp Province, Antwerpen, Belgium
Tas, Sander; Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam ; Noord-Holland, The Netherlands ; Universite De Liege
Veale, Douglas ; Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland ; The Conway Institute, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
D'agostino, Maria-Antonietta ; Laboratory of Excellence Inflamex, Infection et Inflammation, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France ; UOC di Reumatologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCSS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
Filer, Andrew ; Rheumatology Research Group and Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Center, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
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