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Porsch F, Binder CJ. Autoimmune diseases and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Nat Rev Cardiol 2024; 21:780-807. [PMID: 38937626 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-024-01045-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are associated with a dramatically increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its clinical manifestations. The increased risk is consistent with the notion that atherogenesis is modulated by both protective and disease-promoting immune mechanisms. Notably, traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidaemia and hypertension alone do not explain the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with autoimmune diseases. Several mechanisms have been implicated in mediating the autoimmunity-associated cardiovascular risk, either directly or by modulating the effect of other risk factors in a complex interplay. Aberrant leukocyte function and pro-inflammatory cytokines are central to both disease entities, resulting in vascular dysfunction, impaired resolution of inflammation and promotion of chronic inflammation. Similarly, loss of tolerance to self-antigens and the generation of autoantibodies are key features of autoimmunity but are also implicated in the maladaptive inflammatory response during atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Therefore, immunomodulatory therapies are potential efficacious interventions to directly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and biomarkers of autoimmune disease activity could be relevant tools to stratify patients with autoimmunity according to their cardiovascular risk. In this Review, we discuss the pathophysiological aspects of the increased cardiovascular risk associated with autoimmunity and highlight the many open questions that need to be answered to develop novel therapies that specifically address this unmet clinical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florentina Porsch
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph J Binder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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2
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Bang SY, Shim SC. Early human migration determines the risk of being attacked by wolves: ethnic gene diversity on the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES 2024; 31:200-211. [PMID: 39355544 PMCID: PMC11439634 DOI: 10.4078/jrd.2024.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) varies significantly based on ethnicity rather than geographic distribution; thus, the prevalence is higher in Asian, Hispanic, and Black African populations than in European populations. The risk of developing lupus nephritis (LN) is the highest among Asian populations. Therefore, we hypothesize that human genetic diversity between races has occurred through the early human migration and human genetic adaptation to various environments, with a particular focus on pathogens. Additionally, we compile the currently available evidence on the ethnic gene diversity of SLE and how it relates to disease severity. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) locus is well established as associated with susceptibility to SLE; specific allele distributions have been observed across diverse populations. Notably, specific amino acid residues within these HLA loci demonstrate significant associations with SLE risk. The non-HLA genetic loci associated with SLE risk also varies across diverse ancestries, implicating distinct immunological pathways, such as the type-I interferon and janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathways in Asians, the type-II interferon signaling pathway in Europeans, and B cell activation pathway in Africans. Furthermore, assessing individual genetic susceptibility using genetic risk scores (GRS) for SLE helps to reveal the diverse prevalence, age of onset, and clinical phenotypes across different ethnicities. A higher GRS increases the risk of LN and the severity of SLE. Therefore, understanding ethnic gene diversity is crucial for elucidating disease mechanisms and SLE severity, which could enable the development of novel drugs specific to each race.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Young Bang
- Division of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea
- Hanyang University Institute for Rheumatology Research and Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Cheol Shim
- Division of Rheumatology, Regional Rheumatoid & Degenerative Arthritis Center, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
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3
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Ho QY, Hester J, Issa F. Regulatory cell therapy for kidney transplantation and autoimmune kidney diseases. Pediatr Nephrol 2024:10.1007/s00467-024-06514-2. [PMID: 39278988 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-024-06514-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory cell therapies, including regulatory T cells and mesenchymal stromal cells, have shown promise in early clinical trials for reducing immunosuppression burden in transplantation. While regulatory cell therapies may also offer potential for treating autoimmune kidney diseases, data remains sparse, limited mainly to preclinical studies. This review synthesises current literature on the application of regulatory cell therapies in these fields, highlighting the safety and efficacy shown in existing clinical trials. We discuss the need for further clinical validation, optimisation of clinical and immune monitoring protocols, and the challenges of manufacturing and quality control under Good Manufacturing Practice conditions, particularly for investigator-led trials. Additionally, we explore the potential for expanding clinical indications and the unique challenges posed in paediatric applications. Future directions include scaling up production, refining protocols to ensure consistent quality across manufacturing sites, and extending applications to other immune-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Yao Ho
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
- Department of Renal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joanna Hester
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Fadi Issa
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK.
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Raeber ME, Caspar DP, Zurbuchen Y, Guo N, Schmid J, Michler J, Martin AC, Steiner UC, Moor AE, Koning F, Boyman O. Interleukin-2 immunotherapy reveals human regulatory T cell subsets with distinct functional and tissue-homing characteristics. Immunity 2024; 57:2232-2250.e10. [PMID: 39137779 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Due to its stimulatory potential for immunomodulatory CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) immunotherapy has gained considerable attention for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this investigator-initiated single-arm non-placebo-controlled phase-2 clinical trial of low-dose IL-2 immunotherapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, we generated a comprehensive atlas of in vivo human immune responses to low-dose IL-2. We performed an in-depth study of circulating and cutaneous immune cells by imaging mass cytometry, high-parameter flow cytometry, transcriptomics, and targeted serum proteomics. Low-dose IL-2 stimulated various circulating immune cells, including Treg cells with a skin-homing phenotype that appeared in the skin of SLE patients in close interaction with endothelial cells. Analysis of surface proteins and transcriptomes revealed different IL-2-driven Treg cell activation programs, including gut-homing CD38+, skin-homing HLA-DR+, and highly proliferative inflammation-homing CD38+ HLA-DR+ Treg cells. Collectively, these data define the distinct human Treg cell subsets that are responsive to IL-2 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miro E Raeber
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; Center of Human Immunology, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominic P Caspar
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yves Zurbuchen
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nannan Guo
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jonas Schmid
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Michler
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alina C Martin
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Urs C Steiner
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas E Moor
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frits Koning
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Onur Boyman
- Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; Center of Human Immunology, University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland; Faculty of Science, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Takahashi M, Mizuno-Kamiya M, Rahman S, Tsuruta H, Ikeno K, Kawaki H, Nakamura G, Muramatsu Y, Nikaido T, Fujita H, Kondoh N. Productions of Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10, were enhanced via the function of IL-2 from anti-CD3 antibody-stimulated mouse spleen cells treated with caffeic acid phenethyl ester. J Oral Biosci 2024:S1349-0079(24)00196-8. [PMID: 39241928 DOI: 10.1016/j.job.2024.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Interleukin (IL)-2 production by mouse spleen cells stimulated with an anti-CD3 antibody is significantly enhanced by caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a major constituent of Chinese propolis (CP). In this study, we evaluated the functional significance of IL-2 in CAPE-treated activated spleen cells. METHODS Mouse spleen cells were stimulated with an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in the presence of CAPE. Cytokine production was examined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Messenger RNA level expression was examined via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). IL-2 function was assessed using IL-2 and a neutralizing antibody. Spleen cell subsets were identified and characterized using flow cytometry. RESULTS CAPE treatment of anti-CD3 antibody-stimulated spleen cells reduced IFN-γ production, then enhanced IL-2 production, followed by enhancement of IL-4 and IL-10 production. The Th2 cytokine production enhancing effects of CAPE were completely abolished by addition of an anti-IL-2 neutralizing antibody. In the absence of CAPE, exogenously added IL-2 could enhance IL-4 production to a lesser degree, but did not stimulate IL-10 production, in stimulated spleen cells. Interestingly, CAPE significantly reduced the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and increased those of CD4-CD8- cells among anti-CD3 stimulated spleen cells, in the presence or absence of anti-IL-2 neutralizing antibody treatment. CONCLUSIONS CAPE reduced IFN-γ production, then enhanced IL-4 and IL-10 production via the activity of specifically elevated IL-2 in stimulated spleen cells. CAPE exerted these effects in a CD4- CD8- cell specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moe Takahashi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Asahi University School of Dentistry, Mizuho, Gifu 501-0296, Japan.
| | - Masako Mizuno-Kamiya
- Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Business Administration, Asahi University School of Business Administration, Mizuho, Gifu 501-0296, Japan.
| | - Shifa Rahman
- Department of Operative Dentistry, Asahi University School of Dentistry, Mizuho, Gifu 501-0296, Gifu 500-8471, Japan.
| | - Hanemi Tsuruta
- Department of Operative Dentistry, Asahi University School of Dentistry, Mizuho, Gifu 501-0296, Gifu 500-8471, Japan.
| | - Kumiko Ikeno
- AKITAYAHONTEN CO., LTD.R&D, Gifu 500-8471, Japan.
| | - Harumi Kawaki
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Asahi University School of Dentistry Mizuho, Gifu 501-0296, Japan.
| | | | - Yasunori Muramatsu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Asahi University School of Dentistry, Mizuho, Gifu 501-0296, Japan.
| | - Toru Nikaido
- Department of Operative Dentistry, Asahi University School of Dentistry, Mizuho, Gifu 501-0296, Gifu 500-8471, Japan.
| | - Hisakazu Fujita
- Department of Scientific and Linguistic Fundamentals for Nursing, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka 558-8585, Japan.
| | - Nobuo Kondoh
- Chemistry Laboratory, Asahi University School of Dentistry, Mizuho, Gifu 501-0296, Gifu 500-8471, Japan.
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Wu M, Yu S, Yan S, Wu M, Zhang L, Chen S, Shi D, Liu S, Fan Y, Lin X, Shen J. Peroxynitrite reduces Treg cell expansion and function by mediating IL-2R nitration and aggravates multiple sclerosis pathogenesis. Redox Biol 2024; 75:103240. [PMID: 38889621 PMCID: PMC11231601 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
T-helper 17 cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) are critical regulators in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) but the factors affecting Treg/Th17 balance remains largely unknown. Redox balance is crucial to maintaining immune homeostasis and reducing the severity of MS but the underlying mechanisms are unclear yet. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that peroxynitrite, a representative molecule of reactive nitrogen species (RNS), could inhibit peripheral Treg cells, disrupt Treg/Th17 balance and aggravate MS pathology by inducing nitration of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and down-regulating RAS/JNK-AP-1 signalling pathway. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model and serum samples of MS patients were used in the study. We found that the increases of 3-nitrotyrosine and IL-2R nitration in Treg cells were coincided with disease severity in the active EAE mice. Mechanistically, peroxynitrite-induced IL-2R nitration down-regulated RAS/JNK signalling pathway, subsequently impairing peripheral Treg expansion and function, increasing Teff infiltration into the central nerve system (CNS), aggravating demyelination and neurological deficits in the EAE mice. Those changes were abolished by peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst (PDC) treatment. Furthermore, transplantation of the PDC-treated-autologous Treg cells from donor EAE mice significantly decreased Th17 cells in both axillary lymph nodes and lumbar spinal cord, and ameliorated the neuropathology of the recipient EAE mice. Those results suggest that peroxynitrite could disrupt peripheral Treg/Th17 balance, and aggravate neuroinflammation and neurological deficit in active EAE/MS pathogenesis. The underlying mechanisms are related to induce the nitration of IL-2R and inhibit the RAS/JNK-AP-1 signalling pathway in Treg cells. The study highlights that targeting peroxynitrite-mediated peripheral IL-2R nitration in Treg cells could be a novel therapeutic strategy to restore Treg/Th17 balance and ameliorate MS/EAE pathogenesis. The study provides valuable insights into potential role of peripheral redox balance in maintaining CNS immune homeostasis.
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MESH Headings
- Peroxynitrous Acid/metabolism
- Animals
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Multiple Sclerosis/metabolism
- Multiple Sclerosis/immunology
- Mice
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology
- Humans
- Receptors, Interleukin-2/metabolism
- Female
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Disease Models, Animal
- Th17 Cells/immunology
- Th17 Cells/metabolism
- Male
- Tyrosine/analogs & derivatives
- Tyrosine/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Wu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Sulan Yu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Shenyu Yan
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Minghui Wu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Dongyun Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Shanlin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China; Free Radical Regulation and Application Research Center of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200000, China
| | - Yongping Fan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xiang Lin
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
| | - Jiangang Shen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
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7
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Farooq A, Trehan S, Singh G, Arora N, Mehta T, Jain P, Bector G, Jain A, Arora RS, Puri P. A Comprehensive Review of Low-Dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) Therapy for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Clinical Applications. Cureus 2024; 16:e68748. [PMID: 39371877 PMCID: PMC11455659 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.68748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes extensive inflammation and tissue destruction across several organs. Conventional therapies, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs, can have serious adverse effects and are not always successful. This study looks at the possibility of low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy as a new treatment for SLE, focusing on its mechanics, effectiveness, and clinical applicability. Low-dose IL-2 treatment selectively increases and activates regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are essential for immunological tolerance but are often lacking in SLE patients. Unlike standard medicines, which widely inhibit the immune system, low-dose IL-2 provides a more tailored approach with fewer side effects. We examined preclinical and clinical research and discovered that low-dose IL-2 dramatically enhances Treg numbers and function, lowers disease activity, and improves clinical outcomes. The primary molecular processes include the stimulation of the Janus kinase - signal transducer of activators of transcription (JAK-STAT), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase - protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt), and mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, which enhance Treg proliferation, survival, and activity. A thorough review of clinical studies finds that low-dose IL-2 treatment is well-tolerated and effective, with fewer side effects than biologics like belimumab and rituximab. Furthermore, IL-2 therapy provides prospects for combination therapies, which may improve therapeutic success by addressing numerous components of the immune response. Despite these encouraging findings, problems such as patient response variability and the need for long-term safety data persist. Future research should prioritize refining dose regimes, discovering biomarkers for patient selection, and investigating combination medicines. Addressing these issues might solidify low-dose IL-2 treatment as a cornerstone in SLE care, providing a more accurate and individualized approach to immune regulation while considerably improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amna Farooq
- Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Waterbury, USA
| | - Shubam Trehan
- Internal Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, IND
| | - Gurjot Singh
- Internal Medicine, Maharaj Sawan Singh (MSS) Charitable Hospital, Beas, IND
| | - Nirav Arora
- Computer Science, Lamar University, Beaumont, USA
| | - Tejal Mehta
- Internal Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, IND
| | - Prateek Jain
- Internal Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, IND
| | - Gaurav Bector
- Internal Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, IND
| | - Aayush Jain
- Internal Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana , IND
| | - Rajpreet S Arora
- Internal Medicine, Maharaj Sawan Singh (MSS) Charitable Hospital, Beas, IND
| | - Piyush Puri
- Internal Medicine, Maharaj Sawan Singh (MSS) Charitable Hospital, Beas, IND
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8
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Xue R, Li G, Zhou Y, Wang B, Xu Y, Zhao P, Teng L, Zheng J, Liu H, Ji S, Elston DM, Liang Y. Efficacy and safety of low-dose interleukin 2 in the treatment of moderate-to-severe bullous pemphigoid: A single center perspective-controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol 2024:S0190-9622(24)02730-0. [PMID: 39182680 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are reduced in the peripheral blood and skin lesions of patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP). Low-dose interleukin 2 (IL-2) therapy can stimulate Tregs specifically, suggesting potential for the treatment of BP. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the response to low-dose IL-2 therapy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe BP. METHODS Forty-three patients with moderate-to-severe BP were included. The therapy included systemic corticosteroids with an initial dose of 0.5 mg/kg/d for moderate and 1.0 mg/kg/d for severe disease, respectively, combined with allowed immunosuppressants for the control group, whereas in addition to the same corticosteroid therapy, IL-2 (half million IU) was administered subcutaneously every other day for the treatment group for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the number of days required to achieve disease control. Secondary outcomes included other clinical responses. RESULTS The number of days required to achieve disease control with the treatment group was (7.60 ± 3.00), which was shorter than in the control group (10.43 ± 3.06) (P = .008). The total amount of systemic corticosteroids was less, and no serious infections were detected in the treatment group. LIMITATIONS Single center, open-label study with short duration and small size. CONCLUSION Our trial supports the potential of low-dose IL-2 therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe BP, which showed earlier treatment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruzeng Xue
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guomin Li
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bocheng Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingping Xu
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peizhen Zhao
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijun Teng
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinjin Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongfang Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suyun Ji
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dirk M Elston
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
| | - Yunsheng Liang
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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9
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Zhang D, Sun D. Current progress in CAR-based therapy for kidney disease. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1408718. [PMID: 39234257 PMCID: PMC11372788 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1408718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite significant breakthroughs in the understanding of immunological and pathophysiological features for immune-mediated kidney diseases, a proportion of patients exhibit poor responses to current therapies or have been categorized as refractory renal disease. Engineered T cells have emerged as a focal point of interest as a potential treatment strategy for kidney diseases. By genetically modifying T cells and arming them with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), effectively targeting autoreactive immune cells, such as B cells or antibody-secreting plasma cells, has become feasible. The emergence of CAR T-cell therapy has shown promising potential in directing effector and regulatory T cells (Tregs) to the site of autoimmunity, paving the way for effective migration, proliferation, and execution of suppressive functions. Genetically modified T-cells equipped with artificial receptors have become a novel approach for alleviating autoimmune manifestations and reducing autoinflammatory events in the context of kidney diseases. Here, we review the latest developments in basic, translational, and clinical studies of CAR-based therapies for immune-mediated kidney diseases, highlighting their potential as promising avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dong Sun
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Department of Internal Medicine and Diagnostics, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center For Kidney Disease, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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10
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Fijałkowska A, Wojtania J, Woźniacka A, Robak E. Psoriasis and Lupus Erythematosus-Similarities and Differences between Two Autoimmune Diseases. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4361. [PMID: 39124628 PMCID: PMC11312967 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13154361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and psoriasis (Ps) are two clinically distinct diseases with different pathogenesis. However, recent studies indicate some similarities in both clinical presentation and pathogenetic mechanisms. The coexistence of both entities is very uncommon and has not been fully elucidated. Thus, it remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In fact, drugs used in SLE can induce psoriatic lesions, whereas phototherapy effective in Ps is an important factor provoking skin lesions in patients with SLE. The aim of this work is to discuss in detail the common pathogenetic elements and the therapeutic options effective in both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ewa Robak
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Lodz, Haller sq. 1, 90-647 Lodz, Poland; (A.F.); (J.W.); (A.W.)
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11
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Amini L, Kaeda J, Weber O, Reinke P. Low-dose Interleukin-2 Therapy: Fine-tuning Treg in Solid Organ Transplantation? Transplantation 2024; 108:1492-1508. [PMID: 38294829 PMCID: PMC11188637 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg), a subset of CD4 + T cells, are potent regulators of immune reactions, which have been shown to be a promising therapeutic alternative to toxic immunosuppressive drugs. Data support the utility of Treg in managing immunopathologies, including solid organ transplant rejection, graft-versus-host disease, and autoimmune disorders. Notably, reports suggest that interleukin-2 (IL-2) is critical to survival of Treg, which constitutively express high levels of CD25, that is, the IL-2 receptor α-chain, and are exquisitely sensitive to IL-2, even at very low concentrations in contrast to effector T cells, which only upregulate IL-2 receptor α-chain on activation. This has led to the notion of using low doses of exogenous IL-2 therapeutically to modulate the immune system, specifically Treg numbers and function. Here, we summarize developments of clinical experience with low-dose IL-2 (LD-IL-2) as a therapeutic agent. So far, no clinical data are available to support the therapeutic use of LD-IL-2 therapy in the solid organ transplant setting. For the latter, fine-tuning by biotechnological approaches may be needed because of the narrow therapeutic window and off-target effects of LD-IL-2 therapy and so to realize the therapeutic potential of this molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Amini
- Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health – Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jaspal Kaeda
- Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olaf Weber
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology (IMMEI), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Petra Reinke
- Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health – Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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12
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Vendel AC, Jaroszewski L, Linnik MD, Godzik A. B- and T-Lymphocyte Attenuator in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Pathogenesis. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2024; 116:247-256. [PMID: 38676311 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.3282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA; CD272) is an immunoglobulin superfamily member and part of a family of checkpoint inhibitory receptors that negatively regulate immune cell activation. The natural ligand for BTLA is herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM; TNFRSF14), and binding of HVEM to BTLA leads to attenuation of lymphocyte activation. In this study, we evaluated the role of BTLA and HVEM expression in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multisystem autoimmune disease. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers (N = 7) were evaluated by mass cytometry by time-of-flight to establish baseline expression of BTLA and HVEM on human lymphocytes compared with patients with SLE during a self-reported flare (N = 5). High levels of BTLA protein were observed on B cells, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in healthy participants. HVEM protein levels were lower in patients with SLE compared with healthy participants, while BTLA levels were similar between SLE and healthy groups. Correlations of BTLA-HVEM hub genes' expression with patient and disease characteristics were also analyzed using whole blood gene expression data from patients with SLE (N = 1,760) and compared with healthy participants (N = 60). HVEM, being one of the SLE-associated genes, showed an exceptionally strong negative association with disease activity. Several other genes in the BTLA-HVEM signaling network were strongly (negative or positive) correlated, while BTLA had a low association with disease activity. Collectively, these data provide a clinical rationale for targeting BTLA with an agonist in SLE patients with low HVEM expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lukasz Jaroszewski
- University of California Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | - Adam Godzik
- University of California Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, California, USA
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13
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Papachristodoulou E, Kyttaris VC. New and emerging therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Immunol 2024; 263:110200. [PMID: 38582250 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.110200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis treatment is still based on non-specific immune suppression despite the first biological therapy for the disease having been approved more than a decade ago. Intense basic and translational research has uncovered a multitude of pathways that are actively being evaluated as treatment targets in SLE and lupus nephritis, with two new medications receiving FDA approval in the last 3 years. Herein we provide an overview of targeted therapies for SLE including medications targeting the B lymphocyte compartment, intracellular signaling, co-stimulation, and finally the interferons and other cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Papachristodoulou
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vasileios C Kyttaris
- Division of Rheumatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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14
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Chasov V, Zmievskaya E, Ganeeva I, Gilyazova E, Davletshin D, Filimonova M, Valiullina A, Kudriaeva A, Bulatov E. Systemic lupus erythematosus therapeutic strategy: From immunotherapy to gut microbiota modulation. J Biomed Res 2024; 38:1-16. [PMID: 38828853 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.38.20240009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a systemic dysfunction of the innate and adaptive immune systems, leading to an attack on healthy tissues of the body. During the development of SLE, pathogenic features, such as the formation of autoantibodies to self-nuclear antigens, caused tissue damage including necrosis and fibrosis, with an increased expression of type Ⅰ interferon (IFN) regulated genes. Treatment of lupus with immunosuppressants and glucocorticoids, which are used as the standard therapy, is not effective enough and causes side effects. As an alternative, more effective immunotherapies have been developed, including monoclonal and bispecific antibodies that target B cells, T cells, co-stimulatory molecules, cytokines or their receptors, and signaling molecules. Encouraging results have been observed in clinical trials with some of these therapies. Furthermore, a chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) therapy has emerged as the most effective, safe, and promising treatment option for SLE, as demonstrated by successful pilot studies. Additionally, emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota dysbiosis may play a significant role in the severity of SLE, and the use of methods to normalize the gut microbiota, particularly fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), opens up new opportunities for effective treatment of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly Chasov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Zmievskaya
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Irina Ganeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Elvina Gilyazova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Damir Davletshin
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Maria Filimonova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Aygul Valiullina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Anna Kudriaeva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Emil Bulatov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
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Shao F, Yao Y, Weng D, Wang R, Liu R, Zhang Y, Li E, Wang M, Tang Y, Ding Y, Xie Y. Causal association of plasma circulating metabolites with nephritis: a Mendelian randomization study. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1364841. [PMID: 38765814 PMCID: PMC11099270 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1364841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Nephritis is a pivotal catalyst in chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Although epidemiological studies have explored the impact of plasma circulating metabolites and drugs on nephritis, few have harnessed genetic methodologies to establish causal relationships. Methods Through Mendelian randomization (MR) in two substantial cohorts, spanning large sample sizes, we evaluated over 100 plasma circulating metabolites and 263 drugs to discern their causal effects on nephritis risk. The primary analytical tool was the inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis. Our bioinformatic scrutiny of GSE115857 (IgA nephropathy, 86 samples) and GSE72326 (lupus nephritis, 238 samples) unveiled anomalies in lipid metabolism and immunological characteristics in nephritis. Thorough sensitivity analyses (MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO, leave-one-out analysis) were undertaken to verify the instrumental variables' (IVs) assumptions. Results Unique lipoprotein-related molecules established causal links with diverse nephritis subtypes. Notably, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) emerged as a protective factor for acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN) (OR1 = 0.84, [95% CI 0.78-0.90], p1 = 0.013; OR2 = 0.89, [95% CI 0.82-0.97], p2 = 0.007). Conversely, multivitamin supplementation minus minerals notably increased the risk of ATIN (OR = 31.25, [95% CI 9.23-105.85], p = 0.004). Reduced α-linolenic acid (ALA) levels due to lipid-lowering drugs were linked to both ATIN (OR = 4.88, [95% CI 3.52-6.77], p < 0.001) and tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) (OR = 7.52, [95% CI 2.78-20.30], p = 0.042). While the non-renal drug indivina showed promise for TIN treatment, the use of digoxin, hydroxocobalamin, and liothyronine elevated the risk of chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (CTIN). Transcriptome analysis affirmed that anomalous lipid metabolism and immune infiltration are characteristic of IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis. The robustness of these causal links was reinforced by sensitivity analyses and leave-one-out tests, indicating no signs of pleiotropy. Conclusion Dyslipidemia significantly contributes to nephritis development. Strategies aimed at reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein levels or ALA supplementation may enhance the efficacy of existing lipid-lowering drug regimens for nephritis treatment. Renal functional status should also be judiciously considered with regard to the use of nonrenal medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengling Shao
- The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, The College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yingling Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Dunchu Weng
- The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, The College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Runzhi Wang
- The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, The College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ruiling Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongjia Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Erhan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengdi Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuewu Tang
- Department of Nephrology, Chongqing Three Gorges Central Hospital, Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yubin Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Yajun Xie
- The Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, The College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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16
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Zhang R, Zhao Y, Chen X, Zhuang Z, Li X, Shen E. Low-dose IL-2 therapy in autoimmune diseases: An update review. Int Rev Immunol 2024; 43:113-137. [PMID: 37882232 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2023.2274574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for maintaining self-immune tolerance. Reduced numbers or functions of Treg cells have been involved in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases and allograft rejection. Therefore, the approaches that increase the pool or suppressive function of Treg cells in vivo could be a general strategy to treat different autoimmune diseases and allograft rejection. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is essential for the development, survival, maintenance, and function of Treg cells, constitutively expressing the high-affinity receptor of IL-2 and sensitive response to IL-2 in vivo. And low-dose IL-2 therapy in vivo could restore the imbalance between autoimmune response and self-tolerance toward self-tolerance via promoting Treg cell expansion and inhibiting follicular helper T (Tfh) and IL-17-producing helper T (Th17) cell differentiation. Currently, low-dose IL-2 treatment is receiving extensive attention in autoimmune disease and transplantation treatment. In this review, we summarize the biology of IL-2/IL-2 receptor, the mechanisms of low-dose IL-2 therapy in autoimmune diseases, the application in the progress of different autoimmune diseases, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH), Alopecia Areata (AA), Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) and Chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). We also discuss the future directions to optimize low-dose IL-2 treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhi Zhang
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuyang Zhao
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangming Chen
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuoqing Zhuang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Erxia Shen
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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17
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Cai B, Thomas R. Dendritic cells and antigen-specific immunotherapy in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2024; 38:101940. [PMID: 38485600 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2024.101940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells and trigger downstream immune responses to antigen while integrating cellular pathogen and damage-associated molecular pattern (PAMP and DAMP) or immunomodulatory signals. In healthy individuals, resting and tolerogenic DCs draining skin and intestine facilitate expansion of regulatory T cells (Treg) to maintain peripheral antigen-specific immune tolerance. In patients with rheumatic diseases, however, DCs activated by PAMPs and DAMPs expand self-reactive effector T cells, including follicular helper T cells that promote the expansion of activated autoreactive B cells, chronic inflammation and end-organ damage. With the development of cellular and nanoparticle (NP)-based self-antigen-specific immunotherapies we here consider the new opportunities and the challenges for restoring immunoregulation in the treatment and prevention of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic conditions through DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Cai
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Ranjeny Thomas
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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18
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Nasa Y, Satake A, Tsuji R, Saito R, Tsubokura Y, Yoshimura H, Ito T. Concomitant use of interleukin-2 and tacrolimus suppresses follicular helper T cell proportion and exerts therapeutic effect against lupus nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus-like chronic graft versus host disease. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1326066. [PMID: 38665907 PMCID: PMC11043470 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1326066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Defective interleukin-2 (IL-2) production contributes to immune system imbalance in patients with systemic erythematosus lupus (SLE). Recent clinical studies suggested that low-dose IL-2 treatment is beneficial for SLE and the therapeutic effect is associated with regulatory T cell (Treg) expansion. Pharmacological calcineurin inhibition induces a reduction in the number of Tregs because they require stimulation of T cell receptor signaling and IL-2 for optimal proliferation. However, the activation of T cell receptor signaling is partially dispensable for the expansion of Tregs, but not for that of conventional T cells if IL-2 is present. Aim We examined whether addition of IL-2 restores the Treg proportion even with concurrent use of a calcineurin inhibitor and if the follicular helper T cell (Tfh) proportion is reduced in an SLE-like murine chronic graft versus host disease model. Methods Using a parent-into-F1 model, we investigated the effect of IL-2 plus tacrolimus on Treg and Tfh proportions and the therapeutic effect. Results Treatment with a combination of IL-2 and tacrolimus significantly delayed the initiation of proteinuria and decreased the urinary protein concentration, whereas tacrolimus or IL-2 monotherapy did not significantly attenuate proteinuria. Phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, a positive regulator of Tfh differentiation, was reduced by combination treatment, whereas phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5, a negative regulator, was not reduced. Conclusion Addition of calcineurin inhibitors as adjunct agents may be beneficial for IL-2-based treatment of lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Atsushi Satake
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
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19
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Lorenzon R, Ribet C, Pitoiset F, Aractingi S, Banneville B, Beaugerie L, Berenbaum F, Cacoub P, Champey J, Chazouilleres O, Corpechot C, Fautrel B, Mekinian A, Regnier E, Saadoun D, Salem JE, Sellam J, Seksik P, Vicaut E, Rosenzwajg M, Klatzmann D. The universal effects of low-dose interleukin-2 across 13 autoimmune diseases in a basket clinical trial. J Autoimmun 2024; 144:103172. [PMID: 38330545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A Tregs insufficiency is central to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases pathophysiology and low dose interleukin-2 (IL-2LD) can specifically activate Tregs. OBJECTIVE To assess IL-2LD therapeutic potential and select diseases for further clinical development, we performed an open-label, phase 2a, disease-finding, "basket trial" involving patients with one of 13 different autoimmune diseases. METHODS 81 patients treated with IL-2LD (1 million IU/day) for 5 days, followed by fortnightly injections. The first 48 patients received diluted Proleukin®, while the subsequent 33 received ready-to-use ILT-101®. The primary endpoint was the change in Tregs at day-8 compared to baseline. Key secondary endpoints included clinical efficacy assessments using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale, disease-specific scores, and EuroQL-5D-5L. RESULTS Our study unveiled a universal and significant expansion and activation of Tregs, without concomitant Teffs activation, across all 13 autoimmune diseases. Both Proleukin® and ready-to-use ILT-101® demonstrated identical effects on Tregs. CGI scores reflecting activity, severity, and efficacy were significantly reduced in the overall patient population. Disease-specific clinical scores improved in five of the six disease cohorts with at least six patients, namely ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Behçet's disease, Sjögren's syndrome, and systemic sclerosis. Urticaria was the only severe adverse event related to treatment. CONCLUSION IL-2LD was well-tolerated, exhibiting specific Treg activation and clinical improvements across the 13 autoimmune diseases. CLINICAL IMPLICATION Tregs stimulation by IL-2LD is a promising therapeutic strategy and IL-2LD holds considerable promise for integration into combinatorial therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Lorenzon
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Biotherapies Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France; Sorbonne Universite, INSERM, UMR_S 959, Immunology-Immunopathology- Immunotherapy (i3) Laboratory, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Claire Ribet
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Biotherapies Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France; Sorbonne Universite, INSERM, UMR_S 959, Immunology-Immunopathology- Immunotherapy (i3) Laboratory, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Fabien Pitoiset
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Biotherapies Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France; Sorbonne Universite, INSERM, UMR_S 959, Immunology-Immunopathology- Immunotherapy (i3) Laboratory, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Selim Aractingi
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Dermatology Department, Cochin Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Beatrice Banneville
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Rheumatology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Laurent Beaugerie
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Gastroenterology Department, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France; Sorbonne Universite, GRC-UPMC 03, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Francis Berenbaum
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Rheumatology Department, Saint-Antoine Hospital Paris, Île-de-France, France; Sorbonne Universite, INSERM UMR_S938, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Patrice Cacoub
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Julien Champey
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Rheumatology Department, Saint-Antoine Hospital Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Olivier Chazouilleres
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Hepatology Department, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Christophe Corpechot
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Hepatology Department, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Bruno Fautrel
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Rheumatology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France; Sorbonne Universite, GRC08 - IPLESP, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Arsène Mekinian
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Internal Medicine Department, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Elodie Regnier
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Dermatology Department, Cochin Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - David Saadoun
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Joe-Elie Salem
- INSERM, CIC-1901, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France; Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Pharmacology Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Jérémie Sellam
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Rheumatology Department, Saint-Antoine Hospital Paris, Île-de-France, France; Sorbonne Universite, INSERM UMR_S938, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Philippe Seksik
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Gastroenterology Department, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France; Sorbonne Universite, GRC-UPMC 03, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Eric Vicaut
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Clinical Research Unit, Lariboisiere Fernand-Widal Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Michelle Rosenzwajg
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Biotherapies Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France; Sorbonne Universite, INSERM, UMR_S 959, Immunology-Immunopathology- Immunotherapy (i3) Laboratory, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - David Klatzmann
- Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, Biotherapies Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, Île-de-France, France; Sorbonne Universite, INSERM, UMR_S 959, Immunology-Immunopathology- Immunotherapy (i3) Laboratory, Paris, Île-de-France, France.
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Radi H, Ferdosi-Shahandashti E, Kardar GA, Hafezi N. An Updated Review of Interleukin-2 Therapy in Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2024; 44:143-157. [PMID: 38421721 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2023.0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine that acts in dual and paradoxical ways in the immunotherapy of cancers and autoimmune diseases. Numerous clinical trial studies have shown that the use of different doses of this cytokine in various autoimmune diseases, transplantations, and cancers has resulted in therapeutic success. However, side effects of varying severity have been observed in patients. In recent years, to prevent these side effects, IL-2 has been engineered to bind more specifically to its receptors on the cell surface, decreasing IL-2 toxicities in patients. In this review article, we focus on some recent clinical trial studies and analyze them to determine the appropriate dose of IL-2 drug with the least toxicities. In addition, we discuss the engineering performed on IL-2, which shows that engineered IL-2 increases the specificity function of IL-2 and decreases its adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hale Radi
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Elaheh Ferdosi-Shahandashti
- Biomedical and Microbial Advanced Technologies (BMAT) Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Gholam Ali Kardar
- National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Hafezi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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21
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Ptacin JL, Ma L, Caffaro CE, Acuff NV, Germar K, Severy P, Qu Y, Vela JL, Cai X, San Jose KM, Aerni HR, Chen DB, Esche E, Ismaili TK, Herman R, Pavlova Y, Pena MJ, Nguyen J, Koriazova LK, Shawver LK, Joseph IB, Mooney J, Peakman M, Milla ME. A CD25-biased interleukin-2 for autoimmune therapy engineered via a semi-synthetic organism. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:58. [PMID: 38532017 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00485-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural cytokines are poorly suited as therapeutics for systemic administration due to suboptimal pharmacological and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) has shown promise for treatment of autoimmune (AI) disorders yet exhibits short systemic half-life and opposing immune responses that negate an appropriate therapeutic index. METHODS A semi-synthetic microbial technology platform was used to engineer a site-specifically pegylated form of rhIL-2 with enhanced PK, specificity for induction of immune-suppressive regulatory CD4 + T cells (Tregs), and reduced stimulation of off-target effector T and NK cells. A library of rhIL-2 molecules was constructed with single site-specific, biorthogonal chemistry-compatible non-canonical amino acids installed near the interface where IL-2 engages its cognate receptor βγ (IL-2Rβγ) signaling complex. Biorthogonal site-specific pegylation and functional screening identified variants that retained engagement of the IL-2Rα chain with attenuated potency at the IL-2Rβγ complex. RESULTS Phenotypic screening in mouse identifies SAR444336 (SAR'336; formerly known as THOR-809), rhIL-2 pegylated at H16, as a potential development candidate that specifically expands peripheral CD4+ Tregs with upregulation of markers that correlate with their suppressive function including FoxP3, ICOS and Helios, yet minimally expands CD8 + T or NK cells. In non-human primate, administration of SAR'336 also induces dose-dependent expansion of Tregs and upregulated suppressive markers without significant expansion of CD8 + T or NK cells. SAR'336 administration reduces inflammation in a delayed-type hypersensitivity mouse model, potently suppressing CD4+ and CD8 + T cell proliferation. CONCLUSION SAR'336 is a specific Treg activator, supporting its further development for the treatment of AI diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerod L Ptacin
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Lina Ma
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Carolina E Caffaro
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Nicole V Acuff
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | | | - Peter Severy
- Sanofi, 350 Water St., Cambridge, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Yanyan Qu
- Sanofi, 350 Water St., Cambridge, MA, 02141, USA
| | | | - Xinming Cai
- Sanofi, 350 Water St., Cambridge, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Kristine M San Jose
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Hans R Aerni
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - David B Chen
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ean Esche
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Taylor K Ismaili
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Rob Herman
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Yelena Pavlova
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Michael J Pena
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jasmine Nguyen
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Lilia K Koriazova
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Laura K Shawver
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ingrid B Joseph
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jill Mooney
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Mark Peakman
- Sanofi, 350 Water St., Cambridge, MA, 02141, USA
| | - Marcos E Milla
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, 11099 N. Torrey Pines Rd. Suite 190, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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22
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Balogh L, Oláh K, Sánta S, Majerhoffer N, Németh T. Novel and potential future therapeutic options in systemic autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1249500. [PMID: 38558805 PMCID: PMC10978744 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1249500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune inflammation is caused by the loss of tolerance to specific self-antigens and can result in organ-specific or systemic disorders. Systemic autoimmune diseases affect a significant portion of the population with an increasing rate of incidence, which means that is essential to have effective therapies to control these chronic disorders. Unfortunately, several patients with systemic autoimmune diseases do not respond at all or just partially respond to available conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and targeted therapies. However, during the past few years, some new medications have been approved and can be used in real-life clinical settings. Meanwhile, several new candidates appeared and can offer promising novel treatment options in the future. Here, we summarize the newly available medications and the most encouraging drug candidates in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's disease, systemic sclerosis, systemic vasculitis, and autoimmune myositis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Balogh
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE “Lendület” Translational Rheumatology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Oláh
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE “Lendület” Translational Rheumatology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Soma Sánta
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE “Lendület” Translational Rheumatology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Majerhoffer
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE “Lendület” Translational Rheumatology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Németh
- Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-SE “Lendület” Translational Rheumatology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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23
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Shouse AN, LaPorte KM, Malek TR. Interleukin-2 signaling in the regulation of T cell biology in autoimmunity and cancer. Immunity 2024; 57:414-428. [PMID: 38479359 PMCID: PMC11126276 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a critical cytokine for T cell peripheral tolerance and immunity. Here, we review how IL-2 interaction with the high-affinity IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) supports the development and homeostasis of regulatory T cells and contributes to the differentiation of helper, cytotoxic, and memory T cells. A critical element for each T cell population is the expression of CD25 (Il2rα), which heightens the receptor affinity for IL-2. Signaling through the high-affinity IL-2R also reinvigorates CD8+ exhausted T (Tex) cells in response to checkpoint blockade. We consider the molecular underpinnings reflecting how IL-2R signaling impacts these various T cell subsets and the implications for enhancing IL-2-dependent immunotherapy of autoimmunity, other inflammatory disorders, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Acacia N Shouse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Kathryn M LaPorte
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Thomas R Malek
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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24
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Zhang T, Huo H, Zhang Y, Tao J, Yang J, Rong X, Yang Y. Th17 cells: A new target in kidney disease research. Int Rev Immunol 2024; 43:263-279. [PMID: 38439681 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2024.2321901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Type 17 T helper (Th17) cells, which are a subtype of CD4+ T helper cells, secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, and GM-CSF, which play crucial roles in immune defence and protection against fungal and extracellular pathogen invasion. However, dysfunction of Th17 cell immunity mediates inflammatory responses and exacerbates tissue damage. This pathological process initiated by Th17 cells is common in kidney diseases associated with renal injury, such as glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. Therefore, targeting Th17 cells to treat kidney diseases has been a hot topic in recent years. This article reviews the mechanisms of Th17 cell-mediated inflammation and autoimmune responses in kidney diseases and discusses the related clinical drugs that modulate Th17 cell fate in kidney disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Disorder, Guangdong Metabolic Diseases Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong TCM Key Laboratory for Metabolic Diseases, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Huo
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Disorder, Guangdong Metabolic Diseases Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong TCM Key Laboratory for Metabolic Diseases, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinghui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Disorder, Guangdong Metabolic Diseases Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong TCM Key Laboratory for Metabolic Diseases, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Tao
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Disorder, Guangdong Metabolic Diseases Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong TCM Key Laboratory for Metabolic Diseases, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junzheng Yang
- Guangdong Nephrotic Drug Engineering Technology Research Center, The R&D Center of Drug for Renal Diseases, Consun Pharmaceutical Group, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xianglu Rong
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Disorder, Guangdong Metabolic Diseases Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong TCM Key Laboratory for Metabolic Diseases, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiqi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Disorder, Guangdong Metabolic Diseases Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong TCM Key Laboratory for Metabolic Diseases, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
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25
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Riaz MF, Garg G, Umeano L, Iftikhar S, Alhaddad SF, Paulsingh CN, Hamid P. Comparison of Low-Dose Interleukin 2 Therapy in Conjunction With Standard Therapy in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus vs Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e56704. [PMID: 38646383 PMCID: PMC11032642 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This systematic review aims to compare the efficacy and safety of a novel immunotherapy with low-dose interleukin 2 (IL2) across two of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases i.e. systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Contemporary therapeutic practices have not been able to achieve complete remission from these autoimmune disorders. In contrast, low-dose IL2 has shown promise in achieving this therapeutic goal via inducing self-tolerance in patients with autoimmune diseases; however, due to variable irregularities among autoimmune processes of variable diseases, the benefit of low-dose IL2 could not be determined among different autoimmune diseases. Therefore, we conducted a study to compare low-dose IL2 therapy effects on SLE and RA. We systematically screened four databases: PubMed, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), PubMed Central (PMC), and Google Scholar. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were implemented. Quality appraisal of studies chosen for the review was done using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias (RoB) assessment tool for randomized controlled trials, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and JBI critical appraisal tool for non-randomized clinical trials. Information was gathered from seven articles: three randomized controlled trials and four non-randomized clinical trials. Our review concluded that low-dose IL2 therapy in conjunction with respective standard therapies for SLE and RA has a higher efficacy and safety profile as compared to standard therapy alone and the therapeutic effects were comparable in both SLE and RA patients treated with low-dose IL2; however, this novel intervention does not seem to have a significant corrective effect on the biomarkers of RA as it does for SLE biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Faisal Riaz
- Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA
- Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI), Rawalpindi, PAK
| | - Gourav Garg
- Orthopaedics, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA
- Orthopaedics, King's Mill Hospital, Sutton-in-Ashfield, GBR
| | - Lotanna Umeano
- Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA
| | - Sadaf Iftikhar
- Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA
| | - Sarah F Alhaddad
- Pediatrics, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA
| | - Christian N Paulsingh
- Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA
- Pathology, St. George's University School of Medicine, St. George's, GRD
| | - Pousette Hamid
- Neurology, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA
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26
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Wang Z, Liu Z, Zheng J, Huang L, Jin R, Wang X, Chen D, Xie Y, Feng B. The effects of low-dose IL-2 on Th17/Treg cell imbalance in primary biliary cholangitis mouse models. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:87. [PMID: 38408917 PMCID: PMC10895794 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03176-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease. The imbalance of Th17/Treg cells has been reported in PBC patients. Low-dose IL-2 can alleviate disease severity through modulating CD4 + T cell subsets in patients with autoimmune diseases. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the effects and mechanism of low-dose IL-2 in PBC mouse models. METHODS PBC models were induced in female C57BL/6 mice by two immunizations with 2OA-BSA at two-week intervals, and poly I: C every three days. PBC mouse models were divided into the IL-2 treated and untreated groups and low-dose IL-2 was injected at three different time points. Th17 and Tregs were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the related cytokines were analyzed by ELISA. Liver histopathology was examined by H&E and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS Twelve weeks after modeling, the serum AMA was positive and the ALP was significantly increased in PBC mouse models (P<0.05). The pathology showed lymphocyte infiltration in the portal area, damage, and reactive proliferation of the small bile duct (P<0.05). The flow cytometric showed the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells in the liver of PBC mouse models, with decreased Treg cells, increased Th17 cells, and Th17/Treg ratio (P < 0.05). After the low-dose IL-2 intervention, biochemical index and liver pathologies showed improvement at 12 weeks. Besides, the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells recovered. Public database mining showed that Th17 cell differentiation may contribute to poor response in PBC patients. CONCLUSION Low-dose IL-2 can significantly improve liver biochemistry and pathology by reversing the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells, suggesting that it may be a potential therapeutic target for PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Zhicheng Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Jiarui Zheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Linxiang Huang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Jin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Dongbo Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Yandi Xie
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China.
| | - Bo Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China.
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27
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Eggenhuizen PJ, Cheong RMY, Lo C, Chang J, Ng BH, Ting YT, Monk JA, Loh KL, Broury A, Tay ESV, Shen C, Zhong Y, Lim S, Chung JX, Kandane-Rathnayake R, Koelmeyer R, Hoi A, Chaudhry A, Manzanillo P, Snelgrove SL, Morand EF, Ooi JD. Smith-specific regulatory T cells halt the progression of lupus nephritis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:899. [PMID: 38321013 PMCID: PMC10847119 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45056-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Antigen-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress pathogenic autoreactivity and are potential therapeutic candidates for autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus nephritis is associated with autoreactivity to the Smith (Sm) autoantigen and the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR15 haplotype; hence, we investigated the potential of Sm-specific Tregs (Sm-Tregs) to suppress disease. Here we identify a HLA-DR15 restricted immunodominant Sm T cell epitope using biophysical affinity binding assays, then identify high-affinity Sm-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) using high-throughput single-cell sequencing. Using lentiviral vectors, we transduce our lead Sm-specific TCR into Tregs derived from patients with SLE who are anti-Sm and HLA-DR15 positive. Compared with polyclonal mock-transduced Tregs, Sm-Tregs potently suppress Sm-specific pro-inflammatory responses in vitro and suppress disease progression in a humanized mouse model of lupus nephritis. These results show that Sm-Tregs are a promising therapy for SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Eggenhuizen
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Rachel M Y Cheong
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Cecilia Lo
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Janet Chang
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Boaz H Ng
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Yi Tian Ting
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie A Monk
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Khai L Loh
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashraf Broury
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Elean S V Tay
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Chanjuan Shen
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhong
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Steven Lim
- Alfred Research Alliance Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jia Xi Chung
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Rangi Kandane-Rathnayake
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Rachel Koelmeyer
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Alberta Hoi
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Rheumatology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | - Sarah L Snelgrove
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric F Morand
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Rheumatology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Joshua D Ooi
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
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28
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Karimi F, Nejati B, Rahimi F, Alivirdiloo V, Alipourfard I, Aghighi A, Raji-Amirhasani A, Eslami M, Babaeizad A, Ghazi F, Firouzi Amandi A, Dadashpour M. A State-of-the-Art Review on the Recent Advances of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapeutic Application in Systematic Lupus Erythematosus. Immunol Invest 2024; 53:160-184. [PMID: 38031988 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2023.2289066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with an unknown etiology that has widespread clinical and immunological manifestations. Despite the increase in knowledge about the pathogenesis process and the increase in treatment options, however, the treatments fail in half of the cases. Therefore, there is still a need for research on new therapies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are powerful regulators of the immune system and can reduce the symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus. This study aimed to review the mechanisms of immune system modulation by MSCs and the role of these cells in the treatment of SLE. MSCs suppress T lymphocytes through various mechanisms, including the production of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-B), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nitric oxide (NO), and indolamine 2 and 3-oxygenase (IDO). In addition, MSCs inhibit the production of their autoantibodies by inhibiting the differentiation of lymphocytes. The production of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens is an important feature of SLE. On the other hand, MSCs inhibit antigen delivery by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to T lymphocytes. Studies in animal models have shown the effectiveness of these cells in treating SLE. However, few studies have been performed on the effectiveness of this treatment in humans. It can be expected that new treatment strategies for SLE will be introduced in the future, given the promising results of MSCs application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farshid Karimi
- Department of Optometry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Babak Nejati
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahimi
- Division of Clinical Laboratory, Zahra Mardani Azar Children Training Research and Treatment Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Vahid Alivirdiloo
- Medical Doctor Ramsar Campus, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Ramsar, Iran
| | - Iraj Alipourfard
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ali Aghighi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zahedan University of Medical Science, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Alireza Raji-Amirhasani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Majid Eslami
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Babaeizad
- Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Farhood Ghazi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mehdi Dadashpour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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Su Q, Wang X, Li Y, Zhang J, Bai C, Wang X, Yang L, Zhang J, Zhang SX. Efficacy, Safety and the Lymphocyte Subset Changes of Low-Dose IL-2 in Patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Rheumatol Ther 2024; 11:79-96. [PMID: 37980696 PMCID: PMC10796881 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-023-00620-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current therapies for autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) have limited efficacy in certain patients, highlighting the need for the development of novel treatment approaches. This meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy and safety of low-dose interleukin-2 (LD-IL-2) and evaluate the alterations in lymphocyte subsets in various rheumatic diseases following administration of different dosages of LD-IL-2. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase databases and CNKI to identify relevant studies. A total of 31 trials were included in this meta-analysis. The review protocols were registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022318916), and the study followed the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS Following LD-IL-2 treatment, patients with ARDs exhibited a significant increase in the number of Th17 cells and Tregs compared to their pre-treatment levels [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.33, 0.67), P < 0.001; SMD = 1.13, 95% CI (0.97, 1.29), P < 0.001]. Moreover, the Th17/Tregs ratio showed a significant decrease [SMD = - 0.54, 95% CI (- 0.64, - 0.45), P < 0.001]. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), LD-IL-2 injection led to a significant increase in Treg numbers, and the Th17/Tregs ratio and disease activity scores, including Disease Activity Score-28 joints (DAS28), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) and Cutaneous Dermatomyositis Disease Area and Severity Index (CDASI), were all significantly reduced. No serious adverse events were reported in any of the included studies. Additionally, 54.8% of patients with lupus nephritis achieved distinct clinical remission following LD-IL-2 treatment. Injection site reactions and fever were the most common side effects of LD-IL-2, occurring in 33.1% and 14.4% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION LD-IL-2 treatment showed promise and was well tolerated in the management of ARDs, as it effectively promoted the proliferation and functional recovery of Tregs. TRIAL REGISTRATION Retrospectively registered (CRD42022318916, 21/04/2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyi Su
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, 382. Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, The Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xinmiao Wang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, The Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yongzhi Li
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, The Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jiexiang Zhang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, The Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Cairui Bai
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, The Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xuechun Wang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, The Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, The Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jingting Zhang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, The Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Sheng-Xiao Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, 382. Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, The Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China.
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Aringer M, Finzel S, Voll RE. [Immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus]. Z Rheumatol 2024; 83:68-76. [PMID: 35551439 PMCID: PMC10847069 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-022-01214-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Insights into the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) help to understand the complex disease patterns and to develop new treatment strategies. The disease manifestations essentially result from autoantibodies, immune complexes and cytokines. Particularly the propensity towards developing various autoantibodies is central to the disease itself; autoantibody specificities lead to highly variable organ manifestations. This review article delineates the clinically relevant state of knowledge on SLE pathogenesis, with the goal to establish a model useful for clinical practice, which also helps to classify the novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Aringer
- Rheumatologie, Medizinische Klinik III und UniversitätsCentrum für Autoimmun- und Rheumatische Erkrankungen (UCARE), Universitätsklinikum und Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Deutschland.
| | - Stephanie Finzel
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie & Centrum für chronische Immundefizienz, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - Reinhard E Voll
- Klinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie & Centrum für chronische Immundefizienz, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
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Chasov V, Zmievskaya E, Ganeeva I, Gilyazova E, Davletshin D, Khaliulin M, Kabwe E, Davidyuk YN, Valiullina A, Rizvanov A, Bulatov E. Immunotherapy Strategy for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases: Betting on CAR-T Cells and Antibodies. Antibodies (Basel) 2024; 13:10. [PMID: 38390871 PMCID: PMC10885098 DOI: 10.3390/antib13010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs), such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are fully related to the unregulated innate and adaptive immune systems involved in their pathogenesis. They have similar pathogenic characteristics, including the interferon signature, loss of tolerance to self-nuclear antigens, and enhanced tissue damage like necrosis and fibrosis. Glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, which have limited specificity and are prone to tolerance, are used as the first-line therapy. A plethora of novel immunotherapies have been developed, including monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, and other biological agents to target cellular and soluble factors involved in disease pathogenesis, such as B cells, co-stimulatory molecules, cytokines or their receptors, and signaling molecules. Many of these have shown encouraging results in clinical trials. CAR-T cell therapy is considered the most promising technique for curing autoimmune diseases, with recent successes in the treatment of SLE and SSc. Here, we overview novel therapeutic approaches based on CAR-T cells and antibodies for targeting systemic autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly Chasov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Zmievskaya
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Irina Ganeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Elvina Gilyazova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Damir Davletshin
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Marat Khaliulin
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Emmanuel Kabwe
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Yuriy N Davidyuk
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Aygul Valiullina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Albert Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Division of Medical and Biological Sciences, Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, 420111 Kazan, Russia
| | - Emil Bulatov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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Santosh Nirmala S, Kayani K, Gliwiński M, Hu Y, Iwaszkiewicz-Grześ D, Piotrowska-Mieczkowska M, Sakowska J, Tomaszewicz M, Marín Morales JM, Lakshmi K, Marek-Trzonkowska NM, Trzonkowski P, Oo YH, Fuchs A. Beyond FOXP3: a 20-year journey unravelling human regulatory T-cell heterogeneity. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1321228. [PMID: 38283365 PMCID: PMC10811018 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1321228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The initial idea of a distinct group of T-cells responsible for suppressing immune responses was first postulated half a century ago. However, it is only in the last three decades that we have identified what we now term regulatory T-cells (Tregs), and subsequently elucidated and crystallized our understanding of them. Human Tregs have emerged as essential to immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases and are typically contemporaneously characterized by their CD3+CD4+CD25high CD127lowFOXP3+ phenotype. It is important to note that FOXP3+ Tregs exhibit substantial diversity in their origin, phenotypic characteristics, and function. Identifying reliable markers is crucial to the accurate identification, quantification, and assessment of Tregs in health and disease, as well as the enrichment and expansion of viable cells for adoptive cell therapy. In our comprehensive review, we address the contributions of various markers identified in the last two decades since the master transcriptional factor FOXP3 was identified in establishing and enriching purity, lineage stability, tissue homing and suppressive proficiency in CD4+ Tregs. Additionally, our review delves into recent breakthroughs in innovative Treg-based therapies, underscoring the significance of distinct markers in their therapeutic utilization. Understanding Treg subsets holds the key to effectively harnessing human Tregs for immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kayani Kayani
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Academic Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Renal Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mateusz Gliwiński
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Yueyuan Hu
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Justyna Sakowska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Martyna Tomaszewicz
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Kavitha Lakshmi
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Piotr Trzonkowski
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ye Htun Oo
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Advanced Cellular Therapy Facility, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rare Diseases, European Reference Network - Rare Liver Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anke Fuchs
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Jia X, Lu Y, Zheng X, Tang R, Chen W. Targeted therapies for lupus nephritis: Current perspectives and future directions. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:34-43. [PMID: 38057972 PMCID: PMC10766263 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Lupus nephritis (LN), a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, poses a substantial risk of progression to end-stage renal disease, with increased mortality. Conventional therapy for LN relies on broad-spectrum immunosuppressants such as glucocorticoids, mycophenolate mofetil, and calcineurin inhibitors. Although therapeutic regimens have evolved over the years, they have inherent limitations, including non-specific targeting, substantial adverse effects, high relapse rates, and prolonged maintenance and remission courses. These drawbacks underscore the need for targeted therapeutic strategies for LN. Recent advancements in our understanding of LN pathogenesis have led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the emergence of biological agents and small-molecule inhibitors with improved specificity and reduced toxicity. This review provides an overview of the current evidence on targeted therapies for LN, elucidates the biological mechanisms of responses and failure, highlights the challenges ahead, and outlines strategies for subsequent clinical trials and integrated immunomodulatory approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuzhi Jia
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University), and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Yuewen Lu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University), and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xunhua Zheng
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University), and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Ruihan Tang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University), and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University), and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
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Su Q, Luo J, Wang X, Di J, Cao Y, Zhang S. Efficacy, safety and the lymphocyte subsets changes of low-dose IL-2 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Immun Inflamm Dis 2024; 12:e1165. [PMID: 38270322 PMCID: PMC10808945 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Existing therapies of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are efficacious only in certain patients. Developing new treatment methods is urgent. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose IL-2 (LD-IL-2). METHODS According to published data from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, MEDLINE, MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, Cochrane Library, and FDA.gov, eight trials were included. RESULTS After the LD-IL-2 treatment, 54.8% of patients had distinct clinical remission. The SRI-4 response rates were 0.819 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.745-0.894), and the SELENA-SLEDAI scores were significantly decreased (SMD = -2.109, 95% CI: [-3.271, -0.947], p < .001). Besides, the proportions of CD4+ T (SMD = 0.614, 95% CI: [0.250, 0.979], p = .001) and Treg cells (SMD = 1.096, 95% CI: [0.544, 1.649], p < .001) were increased dramatically after LD-IL-2 treatment, while there were no statistical differences in the proportions of CD8+ T cells, Th1 cells, Th2 cells, and Th17 cells (p > .05). Besides, the proportions of Th17 (SMD = 1.121, 95% CI: [0.709, 1.533], p < .001) and Treg (SMD = 0.655, 95% CI: [0.273, 1.038], p = .001) were significantly increased after receiving subcutaneously 0.5 million IU of LD-IL-2 treatment per day for 5 days, but there were no statistical differences in the proportions of Treg after receiving 1 million IU every other day subcutaneously of LD-IL-2 treatment. Injection site reaction and fever were common side effects of IL-2, which occurred in 33.1% and 14.4% of patients. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION LD-IL-2 was promising and well-tolerated in treating SLE, which could promote Treg's proliferation and functional recovery. Injecting 0.5 million IU of IL-2 daily can better induce the differentiation of Treg cells and maintain immune homeostasis than injecting 1 million IU every other day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin‐Yi Su
- Department of RheumatologyThe Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxiChina
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune MicroecologyTaiyuanShanxiChina
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical UniversityMinistry of EducationTaiyuanChina
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of RheumatologyThe Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxiChina
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune MicroecologyTaiyuanShanxiChina
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical UniversityMinistry of EducationTaiyuanChina
| | - Xin‐Miao Wang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune MicroecologyTaiyuanShanxiChina
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical UniversityMinistry of EducationTaiyuanChina
| | - Jing‐Kai Di
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune MicroecologyTaiyuanShanxiChina
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical UniversityMinistry of EducationTaiyuanChina
| | - Yi‐Xin Cao
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune MicroecologyTaiyuanShanxiChina
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical UniversityMinistry of EducationTaiyuanChina
| | - Sheng‐Xiao Zhang
- Department of RheumatologyThe Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxiChina
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune MicroecologyTaiyuanShanxiChina
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical UniversityMinistry of EducationTaiyuanChina
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Tang YY, Wang DC, Chen YY, Xu WD, Huang AF. Th1-related transcription factors and cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1305590. [PMID: 38164134 PMCID: PMC10757975 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1305590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory disorder related to immunity dysfunction. The Th1 cell family including Th1 cells, transcription factor T-bet, and related cytokines IFNγ, TNFα, IL-2, IL-18, TGF-β, and IL-12 have been widely discussed in autoimmunity, such as SLE. In this review, we will comprehensively discuss the expression profile of the Th1 cell family in both SLE patients and animal models and clarify how the family members are involved in lupus development. Interestingly, T-bet-related age-associated B cells (ABCs) and low-dose IL-2 treatment in lupus were emergently discussed as well. Collection of the evidence will better understand the roles of the Th1 cell family in lupus pathogenesis, especially targeting IL-2 in lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Yang Tang
- Department of Evidence-Based Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Da-Cheng Wang
- Department of Evidence-Based Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - You-Yue Chen
- Department of Evidence-Based Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Wang-Dong Xu
- Department of Evidence-Based Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - An-Fang Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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Jamison BL, Lawrance M, Wang CJ, DeBerg HA, Sansom DM, Gavin MA, Walker LS, Campbell DJ. An IL-2 mutein increases IL-10 and CTLA-4-dependent suppression of dendritic cells by regulatory T cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.01.569613. [PMID: 38106196 PMCID: PMC10723345 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.01.569613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) variants with increased CD25 dependence that selectively expand Foxp3+ regulatory T (TR) cells are in clinical trials for treating inflammatory diseases. Using an Fc-fused IL-2 mutein (Fc.IL-2 mutein) we developed that prevents diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, we show that Fc.IL-2 mutein induced an activated TR population with elevated proliferation, a transcriptional program associated with Stat5- and TCR-dependent gene modules, and high IL-10 and CTLA-4 expression. Increased IL-10 signaling limited surface MHC class II upregulation during conventional dendritic cell (cDC) maturation, while increased CTLA-4-dependent transendocytosis led to the transfer of CD80 and CD86 costimulatory ligands from maturing cDCs to TR cells. In NOD mice, Fc.IL-2 mutein treatment promoted the suppression of cDCs in the inflamed pancreas and pancreatic lymph nodes resulting in T cell anergy. Thus, IL-2 mutein-expanded TR cells have enhanced functional properties and restrict cDC function, offering promise for targeted immunotherapy use in autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braxton L. Jamison
- Center for Fundamental Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Chun Jing Wang
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, Pears Building, University College London Division of Infection & Immunity, London, UK
| | | | - David M. Sansom
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, Pears Building, University College London Division of Infection & Immunity, London, UK
| | | | - Lucy S.K. Walker
- Institute of Immunity & Transplantation, Pears Building, University College London Division of Infection & Immunity, London, UK
| | - Daniel J. Campbell
- Center for Fundamental Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Liu Z, Zhou J, Wu S, Chen Z, Wu S, Chen L, Zhu X, Li Z. Why Treg should be the focus of cancer immunotherapy: The latest thought. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115142. [PMID: 37806087 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells are a subgroup of T cells with immunomodulatory functions. Different from most cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells, they play a supporting role in the immune system. What's more, regulatory T cells often play an immunosuppressive role, which mainly plays a role in maintaining the stability of the immune system and regulating the immune response in the body. However, recent studies have shown that not only playing a role in autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation, and other aspects, regulatory T cells can also play a role in the immune escape of tumors in the body, through various mechanisms to help tumor cells escape from the demic immune system, weakening the anti-cancer effect in the body. For a better understanding of the role that regulatory T cells can play in cancer, and to be able to use regulatory T cells for tumor immunotherapy more quickly. This review focuses on the research progress of various mechanisms of regulatory T cells in the tumor environment, the related research of tumor cells acting on regulatory T cells, and the existing various therapeutic methods acting on regulatory T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Liu
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jiajun Zhou
- Kidney Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Shihui Wu
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Zhihong Chen
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Shuhong Wu
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Ling Chen
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xiao Zhu
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Zesong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Tumor, Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital (Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine), Shenzhen, China.
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Qiao Z, Zhao W, Liu Y, Feng W, Ma Y, Jin H. Low-dose Interleukin-2 For Psoriasis Therapy Based on the Regulation of Th17/Treg Cell Balance in Peripheral Blood. Inflammation 2023; 46:2359-2373. [PMID: 37596509 PMCID: PMC10673739 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01883-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
The imbalance between regulatory T (Treg) cells and efficient T cells plays an important role in psoriasis. Low-dose interleukin (IL)-2 can preferentially activate Treg cells and ameliorate the imbalance of Treg/efficient T cells. This study focused on the status of circulating CD4+ T subsets and the clinical efficacy of low-dose IL-2 therapies in psoriasis. This retrospective study included peripheral blood samples obtained from 45 psoriatic patients and 40 healthy controls. The 45 psoriatic patients received three cycles of subcutaneous low-dose IL-2 treatment (0.5 million IU/day for 2 weeks) combined with conventional therapies. Inflammatory indices, CD4+ T-lymphocyte subsets, and cytokines were measured in all patients before and after treatment. The percentage of Treg cells was dramatically decreased in the psoriasis group compared to the healthy group, and the percentage of Treg cells negatively correlated with the disease indices and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) (P < 0.001). The Th17/Treg ratio was significantly increased in the psoriasis group compared to the healthy group, and the Th17/Treg ratio positively correlated with disease indices and PASI (P < 0.001). Low-dose IL-2 treatment significantly amplified the percentage of Treg cells and restored the Th17 and Treg immune balance in psoriasis (P < 0.001). Low-dose IL-2 combination therapy effectively improved the clinical manifestations of psoriasis but decreased the inflammatory indicators of the disease activity, with no apparent side effects. Thus, low-dose IL-2 provides a new strategy for the treatment of psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zusha Qiao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Wenpeng Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Cancer prevention and control office, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Wenli Feng
- Department of Dermatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Dermatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hongzhong Jin
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Zhang L, Du F, Jin Q, Sun L, Wang B, Tan Z, Meng X, Huang B, Zhan Y, Su W, Song R, Wu C, Chen L, Chen X, Ding X. Identification and Characterization of CD8 + CD27 + CXCR3 - T Cell Dysregulation and Progression-Associated Biomarkers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2300123. [PMID: 37875396 PMCID: PMC10724430 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) etiopathogenesis highlights the contributions of overproduction of CD4+ T cells and loss of immune tolerance. However, the involvement of CD8+ T cells in SLE pathology and disease progression remains unclear. Here, the comprehensive immune cell dysregulation in total 263 clinical peripheral blood samples composed of active SLE (aSLE), remission SLE (rSLE) and healthy controls (HCs) is investigated via mass cytometry, flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing. This is observed that CD8+ CD27+ CXCR3- T cells are increased in rSLE compare to aSLE. Meanwhile, the effector function of CD8+ CD27+ CXCR3- T cells are overactive in aSLE compare to HCs and rSLE, and are positively associated with clinical SLE activity. In addition, the response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is monitored to interleukin-2 stimulation in aSLE and rSLE to construct dynamic network biomarker (DNB) model. It is demonstrated that DNB score-related parameters can faithfully predict the remission of aSLE and the flares of rSLE. The abundance and functional dysregulation of CD8+ CD27+ CXCR3- T cells can be potential biomarkers for SLE prognosis and concomitant diagnosis. The DNB score with accurate prediction to SLE disease progression can provide clinical treatment suggestions especially for drug dosage determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Zhang
- Department of RheumatologyShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital and School of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai200030China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesInstitute for Personalized MedicineSchool of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200001China
| | - Fang Du
- Department of RheumatologyShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital and School of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai200030China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesInstitute for Personalized MedicineSchool of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200001China
| | - Qiqi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Systems BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325000China
| | - Boqian Wang
- Department of RheumatologyShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital and School of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai200030China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesInstitute for Personalized MedicineSchool of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200001China
| | - Ziyang Tan
- Science for Life LaboratoryDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetSolna17121Sweden
| | - Xinyu Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesInstitute for Personalized MedicineSchool of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200001China
| | - Baozhen Huang
- Department of Chemical PathologyLi Ka Shing Institute of Health SciencesFaculty of MedicineThe Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong999077China
| | - Yifan Zhan
- Drug DiscoveryShanghai Huaota Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd.Shanghai200131China
| | - Wenqiong Su
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesInstitute for Personalized MedicineSchool of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200001China
| | - Rui Song
- Department of RheumatologyShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital and School of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai200030China
- Nantong First People's HospitalAffiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong UniversityNantong Hospital of Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
| | - Chunmei Wu
- Department of RheumatologyShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital and School of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai200030China
| | - Luonan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Systems BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang ProvinceSchool of Life ScienceHangzhou Institute for Advanced StudyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesHangzhou310024China
| | - Xiaoxiang Chen
- Department of RheumatologyShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital and School of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai200030China
| | - Xianting Ding
- Department of RheumatologyShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital and School of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai200030China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related GenesInstitute for Personalized MedicineSchool of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200001China
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Askanase A, Khalili L, Tang W, Mertz P, Scherlinger M, Sebbag E, Chasset F, Felten R, Arnaud L. New and future therapies: Changes in the therapeutic armamentarium for SLE. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2023; 37:101865. [PMID: 37633826 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2023.101865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Following better understanding of molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), pharmaceutical companies have been investigating new targeted drugs for SLE. The purpose of this scoping review is to provide an updated view of the most promising targeted therapies currently in clinical development or recently approved for SLE treatment as well as of the most promising potential future therapeutic strategies in SLE. In the past several years, two new drugs have been developed for lupus treatment along with an extended indication for belimumab. Anifrolumab, the anti-interferon medication, to treat non-renal lupus; voclosporin, a calcineurin inhibitor, for the treatment of lupus nephritis; and belimumab for lupus nephritis. More than 90 investigational drugs are currently in clinical development for SLE treatment, with various targets including inflammatory cytokines and their receptors, intracellular signaling, B cells or plasma cells, co-stimulation molecules, complement fractions, T cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells as well as various other immunological targets of interest. Researchers are also actively engaged in the development of new therapeutic strategies, including the use of monoclonal antibodies in combination with bispecific monoclonal antibodies, nanobodies and nanoparticles, therapeutic vaccines, utilizing siRNA interference techniques, autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation and Chimeric Antigens Receptor (CAR)-T cells. The therapeutic management and prognosis of SLE have profoundly evolved with changes in the therapeutic armamentarium. With the broad pipeline of targeted treatments in clinical development and new treatment strategies in the future, current challenges are transitioning from the availability of new drugs to the selection of the most appropriate strategy at the patient level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Askanase
- Division of Rheumatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Leila Khalili
- Division of Rheumatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Wei Tang
- Division of Rheumatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY, USA
| | - Philippe Mertz
- Department of Rheumatology, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Disease (RESO), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France
| | - Marc Scherlinger
- Department of Rheumatology, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Disease (RESO), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France; INSERM UMRS-1109, Immuno-rhumatologie moléculaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Eden Sebbag
- Department of Rheumatology, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Disease (RESO), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France
| | - François Chasset
- Sorbonne Université, Faculté de Médecine Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, Service de Dermatologie et Allergologie, Hôpital Tenon, F-75020 Paris, France
| | - Renaud Felten
- Department of Rheumatology, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Disease (RESO), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France; Centre d'Investigation Clinique, Inserm 1434, Strasbourg, France; Département Universitaire de Pharmacologie-Addictologie, Toxicologie et Thérapeutique, Université de Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurent Arnaud
- Department of Rheumatology, National Reference Center for Autoimmune Disease (RESO), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, France; INSERM UMRS-1109, Immuno-rhumatologie moléculaire, Strasbourg, France.
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Kishimoto TK, Fournier M, Michaud A, Rizzo G, Roy C, Capela T, Nukolova N, Li N, Doyle L, Fu FN, VanDyke D, Traber PG, Spangler JB, Leung SS, Ilyinskii PO. Rapamycin nanoparticles increase the therapeutic window of engineered interleukin-2 and drive expansion of antigen-specific regulatory T cells for protection against autoimmune disease. J Autoimmun 2023; 140:103125. [PMID: 37844543 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2023.103125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapies targeting the high affinity IL-2 receptor expressed on regulatory T cells (Tregs) have shown promising therapeutic benefit in autoimmune diseases through nonselective expansion of pre-existing Treg populations, but are potentially limited by the inability to induce antigen-specific Tregs, as well as by dose-limiting activation of effector immune cells in settings of inflammation. We recently developed biodegradable nanoparticles encapsulating rapamycin, called ImmTOR, which induce selective immune tolerance to co-administered antigens but do not increase total Treg numbers. Here we demonstrate that the combination of ImmTOR and an engineered Treg-selective IL-2 variant (termed IL-2 mutein) increases the number and durability of total Tregs, as well as inducing a profound synergistic increase in antigen-specific Tregs when combined with a target antigen. We demonstrate that the combination of ImmTOR and an IL-2 mutein leads to durable inhibition of antibody responses to co-administered AAV gene therapy capsid, even at sub-optimal doses of ImmTOR, and provides protection in autoimmune models of type 1 diabetes and primary biliary cholangitis. Importantly, ImmTOR also increases the therapeutic window of engineered IL-2 molecules by mitigating effector immune cell expansion and preventing exacerbation of disease in a model of graft-versus-host-disease. At the same time, IL-2 mutein shows potential for dose-sparing of ImmTOR. Overall, these results establish that the combination of ImmTOR and an IL-2 mutein show synergistic benefit on both safety and efficacy to provide durable antigen-specific immune tolerance to mitigate drug immunogenicity and to treat autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gina Rizzo
- Selecta Biosciences, Watertown, MA, 02472, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ning Li
- Selecta Biosciences, Watertown, MA, 02472, USA
| | - Liam Doyle
- Selecta Biosciences, Watertown, MA, 02472, USA
| | - Fen-Ni Fu
- Selecta Biosciences, Watertown, MA, 02472, USA
| | - Derek VanDyke
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | | | - Jamie B Spangler
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA; Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA; Bloomberg∼Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Nie H, Chang S, Li Y, Li F. Biomarkers Associated with Drugs for the Treatment of Lupus Nephritis. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1601. [PMID: 38002282 PMCID: PMC10669579 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The constant updating of lupus drug treatment guidelines has led to a question. How can the efficacy of treatment be more effectively monitored? Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that often presents clinically with multi-organ involvement, and approximately 30% of patients with SLE develop lupus nephritis (LN). Therefore, it is important to better track disease progression and drug efficacy. Now, kidney biopsy is still the gold standard for diagnosing and guiding the treatment of LN, but it is invasive and expensive. If simple, non-invasive and effective biomarkers can be found, drug intervention and prognosis can be better monitored and targeted. In this review, we focus on LN and explore biomarkers related to LN therapeutics, providing clinicians with more possibilities to track the therapeutic effect of drugs, improve treatment options and assess patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyu Nie
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Siyuan Chang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Fen Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha 410011, China
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Jeyamogan S, Leventhal JR, Mathew JM, Zhang ZJ. CD4 +CD25 +FOXP3 + regulatory T cells: a potential "armor" to shield "transplanted allografts" in the war against ischemia reperfusion injury. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1270300. [PMID: 37868962 PMCID: PMC10587564 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1270300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the advances in therapeutic interventions, solid organ transplantation (SOT) remains the "gold standard" treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure. Recently, vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) has reemerged as a feasible treatment option for patients with complex composite tissue defects. In both SOT and VCA, ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is inevitable and is a predominant factor that can adversely affect transplant outcome by potentiating early graft dysfunction and/or graft rejection. Restoration of oxygenated blood supply to an organ which was previously hypoxic or ischemic for a period of time triggers cellular oxidative stress, production of both, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, infiltration of innate immune cells and amplifies adaptive alloimmune responses in the affected allograft. Currently, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs for the treatment of IRI are unavailable, therefore an efficacious therapeutic modality to prevent, reduce and/or alleviate allograft damages caused by IRI induced inflammation is warranted to achieve the best-possible transplant outcome among recipients. The tolerogenic capacity of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), have been extensively studied in the context of transplant rejection, autoimmunity, and cancer. It was not until recently that Tregs have been recognized as a potential cell therapeutic candidate to be exploited for the prevention and/or treatment of IRI, owing to their immunomodulatory potential. Tregs can mitigate cellular oxidative stress, produce anti-inflammatory cytokines, promote wound healing, and tissue repair and prevent the infiltration of pro-inflammatory immune cells in injured tissues. By using strategic approaches to increase the number of Tregs and to promote targeted delivery, the outcome of SOT and VCA can be improved. This review focuses on two sections: (a) the therapeutic potential of Tregs in preventing and mitigating IRI in the context of SOT and VCA and (b) novel strategies on how Tregs could be utilized for the prevention and/or treatment of IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shareni Jeyamogan
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Joseph R. Leventhal
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - James M. Mathew
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Zheng Jenny Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Microsurgery and Pre-Clinical Research Core, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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Zickert A, Janković MR, Malmström V, Chemin K, Gunnarsson I. Occurrence and localization of FOXP3 + cells in kidney biopsies in lupus nephritis and ANCA-associated vasculitis. Clin Rheumatol 2023; 42:2889-2895. [PMID: 37368057 PMCID: PMC10497686 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06676-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The study aims to increase the understanding regarding the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in lupus nephritis (LN) and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) by comparing their localization in renal tissue and changes following immunosuppressive therapy. Kidney biopsies from 12 patients with LN and 7 patients with AAV were examined. Kidney biopsies had been performed both at active disease and following immunosuppressive treatment. Clinical data was collected at both biopsy occasions. Expression of Forkhead Box P 3 (Foxp3) in renal tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. An arbitrary scale was used to estimate the number of Foxp3+ cells. In LN, 8/12 (67%) had positive tissue staining for Foxp3 at baseline, most pronounced in inflammatory infiltrates, but also interstitially and in a peri-glomerular pattern. At second biopsies, after immunosuppressive treatment, 4/12 (33%) still had detectable Foxp3+ cells, found in persisting inflammatory infiltrates and some in the interstitium. Patients with a good clinical response to treatment had high grade of Foxp3+ cells in first biopsies. In AAV, only 2/7 (29%) had positive staining for Foxp3 at baseline, in inflammatory infiltrates and to a lesser extent in the interstitium, despite large areas of inflammatory infiltrates in all patients. At follow-up, 2/7 (29%) biopsies were positive for Foxp3. Our data show a higher presence of Foxp3+ cells in renal tissue from LN patients compared to AAV, suggesting that Tregs may be differently involved in the control of inflammatory mechanisms in these diseases. These findings could have further implication for therapeutic approaches aiming at restoring the immunological tolerance. Key Points • Foxp3+-cells are present in larger amount in renal tissue in lupus nephritis vs. ANCA-associated vasculitis. • Our data suggest that Foxp3+ regulatory T cells are involved in the control of inflammatory processes in lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneta Zickert
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
- Rheumatology Unit, S-171 76, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Marija Ratković Janković
- Department of Nephrology, Clinic of Pediatrics, University Clinical Center Nis, Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - Vivianne Malmström
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Karine Chemin
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Iva Gunnarsson
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Rheumatology Unit, S-171 76, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Leonard WJ, Lin JX. Strategies to therapeutically modulate cytokine action. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:827-854. [PMID: 37542128 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00746-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are secreted or membrane-presented molecules that mediate broad cellular functions, including development, differentiation, growth and survival. Accordingly, the regulation of cytokine activity is extraordinarily important both physiologically and pathologically. Cytokine and/or cytokine receptor engineering is being widely investigated to safely and effectively modulate cytokine activity for therapeutic benefit. IL-2 in particular has been extensively engineered, to create IL-2 variants that differentially exhibit activities on regulatory T cells to potentially treat autoimmune disease versus effector T cells to augment antitumour effects. Additionally, engineering approaches are being applied to many other cytokines such as IL-10, interferons and IL-1 family cytokines, given their immunosuppressive and/or antiviral and anticancer effects. In modulating the actions of cytokines, the strategies used have been broad, including altering affinities of cytokines for their receptors, prolonging cytokine half-lives in vivo and fine-tuning cytokine actions. The field is rapidly expanding, with extensive efforts to create improved therapeutics for a range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren J Leonard
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Jian-Xin Lin
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Kang H, Sun H, Yang Y, Tuong ZK, Shu M, Wei Y, Zhang Y, Yu D, Tao Y. Autoimmune uveitis in Behçet's disease and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease differ in tissue immune infiltration and T cell clonality. Clin Transl Immunology 2023; 12:e1461. [PMID: 37720629 PMCID: PMC10503407 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Non-infectious uveitis is often secondary to systemic autoimmune diseases, with Behçet's disease (BD) and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKHD) as the two most common causes. Uveitis in BD and VKHD can show similar clinical manifestations, but the underlying immunopathogenesis remains unclear. Methods To understand immune landscapes in inflammatory eye tissues, we performed single-cell RNA paired with T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing of immune cell infiltrates in aqueous humour from six patients with BD (N = 3) and VKHD (N = 3) uveitis patients. Results Although T cells strongly infiltrated in both types of autoimmune uveitis, myeloid cells only significantly presented in BD uveitis but not in VKHD uveitis. Conversely, VKHD uveitis but not BD uveitis showed an overwhelming dominance by CD4+ T cells (> 80%) within the T cell population due to expansion of CD4+ T cell clusters with effector memory (Tem) phenotypes. Correspondingly, VKHD uveitis demonstrated a selective expansion of CD4+ T cell clones which were enriched in pro-inflammatory Granzyme H+ CD4+ Tem cluster and showed TCR and Th1 pathway activation. In contrast, BD uveitis showed a preferential expansion of CD8+ T cell clones in pro-inflammatory Granzyme H+ CD8+ Tem cluster, and pathway activation for cytoskeleton remodelling, cellular adhesion and cytotoxicity. Conclusion Single-cell analyses of ocular tissues reveal distinct landscapes of immune cell infiltration and T-cell clonal expansions between VKHD and BD uveitis. Preferential involvements of pro-inflammatory CD4+ Th1 cells in VKHD and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in BD suggest a difference in disease immunopathogenesis and can guide precision disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Kang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Chaoyang HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Hongjian Sun
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of MedicineThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Shandong Artificial Intelligence InstituteQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)JinanChina
| | - Yang Yang
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of MedicineThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Shandong Artificial Intelligence InstituteQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)JinanChina
| | - Zewen K Tuong
- Ian Frazer Centre for Children's Immunotherapy Research, Children's Health Research Centre, Faculty of MedicineThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Minglei Shu
- Shandong Artificial Intelligence InstituteQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)JinanChina
| | - Yunbo Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunology for Environment and Health, Shandong Analysis and Test CenterQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)JinanChina
| | - Yu Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Laboratory of Immunology for Environment and Health, Shandong Analysis and Test CenterQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)JinanChina
| | - Di Yu
- Frazer Institute, Faculty of MedicineThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
- Ian Frazer Centre for Children's Immunotherapy Research, Children's Health Research Centre, Faculty of MedicineThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | - Yong Tao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Chaoyang HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
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Tsai YG, Liao PF, Hsiao KH, Wu HM, Lin CY, Yang KD. Pathogenesis and novel therapeutics of regulatory T cell subsets and interleukin-2 therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1230264. [PMID: 37771588 PMCID: PMC10522836 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1230264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous multisystem inflammatory disease with wide variability in clinical manifestations. Natural arising CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in maintaining peripheral tolerance by suppressing inflammation and preventing autoimmune responses in SLE. Additionally, CD8+ regulatory T cells, type 1 regulatory T cells (Tr1), and B regulatory cells also have a less well-defined role in the pathogenesis of SLE. Elucidation of the roles of various Treg subsets dedicated to immune homeostasis will provide a novel therapeutic approach that governs immune tolerance for the remission of active lupus. Diminished interleukin (IL)-2 production is associated with a depleted Treg cell population, and its reversibility by IL-2 therapy provides important reasons for the treatment of lupus. This review focuses on the pathogenesis and new therapeutics of human Treg subsets and low-dose IL-2 therapy in clinical benefits with SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Giien Tsai
- Department of Pediatrics, Changhua Christian Children’s Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Fen Liao
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Hung Hsiao
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Ming Wu
- Department of Neurology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yuang Lin
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Children’s Hospital, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kuender D. Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Lyu MA, Tang X, Khoury JD, Raso MG, Huang M, Zeng K, Nishimoto M, Ma H, Sadeghi T, Flowers CR, Parmar S. Allogeneic cord blood regulatory T cells decrease dsDNA antibody and improve albuminuria in systemic lupus erythematosus. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1217121. [PMID: 37736101 PMCID: PMC10509479 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1217121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lupus nephritis (LN) constitutes the most severe organ manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), where pathogenic T cells have been identified to play an essential role in 'helping' B cells to make autoantibodies and produce inflammatory cytokines that drive kidney injury in SLE. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), responsible for decreasing inflammation, are defective and decreased in SLE and have been associated with disease progression. We hypothesize that treatment with allogeneic, healthy Tregs derived from umbilical cord blood (UCB) may arrest such an inflammatory process and protect against kidney damage. Methods UCB-Tregs function was examined by their ability to suppress CellTrace Violet-labeled SLE peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or healthy donor (HD) conventional T cells (Tcons); and by inhibiting secretion of inflammatory cytokines by SLE PBMCs. Humanized SLE model was established where female Rag2-/-γc-/- mice were transplanted with 3 × 106 human SLE-PBMCs by intravenous injection on day 0, followed by single or multiple injection of UCB-Tregs to understand their impact on disease development. Mice PB was assessed weekly by flow cytometry. Phenotypic analysis of isolated cells from mouse PB, lung, spleen, liver and kidney was performed by flow cytometry. Kidney damage was assessed by quantifying urinary albumin and creatinine secretion. Systemic disease was evaluated by anti-dsDNA IgG Ab analysis as well as immunohistochemistry analysis of organs. Systemic inflammation was determined by measuring cytokine levels. Results In vitro, UCB-Tregs are able to suppress HD Tcons and pathogenic SLE-PBMCs to a similar extent. UCB-Tregs decrease secretion of several inflammatory cytokines including IFN-γ, IP-10, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17A, and sCD40L by SLE PBMCs in a time-dependent manner, with a corresponding increase in secretion of suppressor cytokine, IL-10. In vivo, single or multiple doses of UCB-Tregs led to a decrease in CD8+ T effector cells in different organs and a decrease in circulating inflammatory cytokines. Improvement in skin inflammation and loss of hair; and resolution of CD3+, CD8+, CD20+ and Ki67+ SLE-PBMC infiltration was observed in UCB-Treg recipients with a corresponding decrease in plasma anti-double stranded DNA IgG antibody levels and improved albuminuria. Conclusions UCB-Tregs can decrease inflammatory burden in SLE, reduce auto-antibody production and resolve end organ damage especially, improve kidney function. Adoptive therapy with UCB-Tregs should be explored for treatment of lupus nephritis in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Ae Lyu
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ximing Tang
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Joseph D. Khoury
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Gabriela Raso
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Meixian Huang
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ke Zeng
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mitsutaka Nishimoto
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Hongbing Ma
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Christopher R. Flowers
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Simrit Parmar
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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La Cava A. Low-dose interleukin-2 therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus. RHEUMATOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2023; 4:150-156. [PMID: 37781677 PMCID: PMC10538619 DOI: 10.2478/rir-2023-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), T regulatory cells (Tregs) contribute to the inhibition of autoimmune responses by suppressing self-reactive immune cells. Interleukin (IL)-2 plays an essential role in the generation, function and homeostasis of the Tregs and is reduced in SLE. Several clinical studies, including randomized trials, have shown that low-dose IL-2 therapy in SLE patients is safe and effective and can reduce disease manifestations. This review discusses the rationale for the use of low-dose IL-2 therapy in SLE, the clinical responses in patients, and the effects of this therapy on different types of T cells. Considerations are made on the current and future directions of use of low-dose IL-2 regimens in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio La Cava
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA
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Petri M, Fang C, Goldman DW. East-Asian lupus nephritis in the Hopkins Lupus Cohort. RHEUMATOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2023; 4:157-161. [PMID: 37781683 PMCID: PMC10538617 DOI: 10.2478/rir-2023-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objective East Asian systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is under represented in lupus cohorts outside of East Asia. We asked whether lupus nephritis was more common and more severe in East Asians than in other ethnicities in a large United States SLE cohort. Methods The Hopkins Lupus Cohort, a longitudinal cohort of 2802 patients (53.5% Caucasian, 39.2% African-American, 3.2% East Asian) was studied. The SLICC/ACR Damage Index was used to assess renal outcomes. Results: East Asian patients had the same prevalence of lupus nephritis as African-Americans and both were higher than Caucasians. East Asians were not significantly different in frequency of end stage kidney disease compared with African-Americans. East Asians were more likely than Caucasians to have anti-Sm, low C3 and low C4. East Asians were more likely than African-Americans to have low C3 and low C4. Conclusion East Asians living in the United States were more likely to have lupus nephritis than Caucasians. Poor outcomes such as end stage kidney disease occurred at an equal frequency in East Asians as in African-Americans. Lupus nephritis was both more frequent and more severe in East Asians than in African-Americans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Petri
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chenglong Fang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences& Peking Union Medical College; National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Ministry of Science& Technology; State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College; Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing100730, China
| | - Daniel W. Goldman
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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