The impact of biological therapy on regulatory T cells in rheumatoid arthritis

Infliximab therapy balances regulatory T cells, tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) expression and soluble TNFR2 in sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology that most commonly affects the lungs. Although elevated levels of regulatory T cells (Tregs ) have been reported, the extent to which they play a role in sarcoidosis pathogenesis remains unclear. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is thought to be one of the driving forces behind granuloma formation, illustrated by the efficacy of infliximab in severe sarcoidosis. Tregs express TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) highly. Here, we examined the influence of infliximab therapy on Tregs and (soluble) TNFR2 levels in sarcoidosis, and correlated these with response to therapy. We observed that relative frequencies of Tregs were significantly higher in patients (n = 54) compared to healthy controls (n = 26; median 6·73 versus 4·36%; P < 0·001) and decreased following therapy (4·95; P < 0·001). Baseline TNFR2 expression on Tregs was increased significantly in patients versus controls (99·4 versus 96·2%; P = 0·031), and also in responders to therapy versus non-responders (99·6 versus 97·3%; P = 0·012). Furthermore, baseline soluble TNFR2 (sTNFR2) was higher in responders than in non-responders (mean 174 versus 107 pg/ml; P = 0·015). After treatment, responders showed a significant reduction in sTNFR2 levels in peripheral blood (-44·7 pg/ml; P < 0·001), in contrast to non-responders (+3·59 pg/ml). Our results demonstrated that Treg frequencies and TNFR2 expression on Tregs are increased in sarcoidosis, followed by a decline during infliximab therapy, suggesting a pathophysiological role of this T cell subset. Interestingly, sTNFR2 levels at baseline differed significantly between responders and non-responders, making it a potential marker in predicting which patients might benefit from infliximab.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Receptor Antagonist Protects Against Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist tocilizumab (TCZ) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its related mechanism.

Material/Methods

Thirty RA patients receiving long-term methotrexate therapy at moderate and severe active stages were selected and treated with TCZ 8 mg/kg/time iv gtt intravenously guttae every 4 weeks. Peripheral blood was extracted before and 24 weeks after TCZ treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected by density gradient centrifugation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the ratio of CD4 naïve T cells and CD4 memory T cells, Th17 cells, and Treg cells in PBMC. DAS28 score, CRP, RF, and CCP levels in patients were evaluated.

Results

Compared with before treatment, IL-6 receptor antagonist TCZ significantly improved patients’ condition, including DAS28 score, CRP, RF, and CCP levels (P<0.01). Furthermore, TCZ obviously upregulated CD4 naïve T cells proportion and decreased CD4 memory T cells ratio (P<0.01). TCZ also markedly reduced the proportion of Th17 cells and increased the proportion of Treg cells (P<0.01).

Conclusions

TCZ can treat RA patients through regulating the ratio of CD4 naïve T cells, CD4 memory T cells, Th17 cells, and Treg cells in PBMC.

Recent Advances in Defining the Genetic Basis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis and exhibits genetic overlap with other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Although predominant associations with the HLA-DRB1 locus have been known for decades, recent data have revealed additional insight into the likely causative variants within HLA-DRB1 as well as within other HLA loci that contribute to disease risk. In addition, more than 100 common variants in non-HLA loci have been implicated in disease susceptibility. Genetic factors are involved not only in the development of RA, but also with various disease subphenotypes, including production and circulating levels of autoantibodies and joint destruction. The major current challenge is to integrate these new data into a precise understanding of disease pathogenesis, including the critical cell types and molecular networks involved as well as interactions with environmental factors. We predict that delineating the functional effects of genetic variants is likely to drive new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the disease.

Tregalizumab - A Monoclonal Antibody to Target Regulatory T Cells

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent a subpopulation of CD4⁺ T cells, which are essential for the maintenance of immunological tolerance. The absence or dysfunction of Tregs can lead to autoimmunity and allergies. The restoration of functional Tregs and/or Treg cell numbers represents a novel and attractive approach for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The CD4 cell surface receptor is a target for modulation of T cell function. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against CD4 have previously been tested for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including RA. Furthermore, in model systems, anti-CD4 antibodies are able to induce tolerance and mediate immunomodulatory effects through a variety of mechanisms. Despite the availability of innovative and effective therapies for RA, many patients still have persistently active disease or experience adverse events that can limit use. A growing body of evidence suggests that Treg modulation could offer a new therapeutic strategy in RA and other autoimmune disorders. Here, we describe tregalizumab (BT-061), which is a novel, non-depleting IgG1 mAb that binds to a unique epitope of CD4. Tregalizumab represents the first humanized anti-CD4 mAb that selectively induces Treg activation.