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Dergilev K, Tsokolaeva Z, Goltseva Y, Beloglazova I, Ratner E, Parfyonova Y. Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor Regulates Prosurvival and Angiogenic Properties of Cardiac Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15554. [PMID: 37958542 PMCID: PMC10650341 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115554] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the largest challenges to the implementation of cardiac cell therapy is identifying selective reparative targets to enhance stem/progenitor cell therapeutic efficacy. In this work, we hypothesized that such a target could be an urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR)-a glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol-anchored membrane protein, interacting with urokinase. uPAR is able to form complexes with various transmembrane proteins such as integrins, activating intracellular signaling pathway and thus regulating multiple cell functions. We focused on studying the CD117+ population of cardiac mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs), expressing uPAR on their surface. It was found that the number of CD117+ MPCs in the heart of the uPAR-/- mice is lower, as well as their ability to proliferate in vitro compared with cells from wild-type animals. Knockdown of uPAR in CD117+ MPCs of wild-type animals was accompanied by a decrease in survival rate and Akt signaling pathway activity and by an increase in the level of caspase activity in these cells. That suggests the role of uPAR in supporting cell survival. After intramyocardial transplantation of uPAR(-) MPCs, reduced cell retention and angiogenesis stimulation were observed in mice with myocardial infarction model compared to uPAR(+) cells transplantation. Taken together, the present results appear to prove a novel mechanism of uPAR action in maintaining the survival and angiogenic properties of CD117+ MPCs. These results emphasize the importance of the uPAR as a potential pharmacological target for the regulation of reparative properties of myocardial mesenchymal progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Dergilev
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology Named after Academician V.N. Smirnov, Federal State Budgetary Institution National Medical Research Center of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (K.D.)
| | - Zoya Tsokolaeva
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology Named after Academician V.N. Smirnov, Federal State Budgetary Institution National Medical Research Center of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (K.D.)
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Intensive Care Medicine and Rehabilitology, 107031 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia Goltseva
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology Named after Academician V.N. Smirnov, Federal State Budgetary Institution National Medical Research Center of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (K.D.)
| | - Irina Beloglazova
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology Named after Academician V.N. Smirnov, Federal State Budgetary Institution National Medical Research Center of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (K.D.)
| | - Elizaveta Ratner
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology Named after Academician V.N. Smirnov, Federal State Budgetary Institution National Medical Research Center of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (K.D.)
| | - Yelena Parfyonova
- Institute of Experimental Cardiology Named after Academician V.N. Smirnov, Federal State Budgetary Institution National Medical Research Center of Cardiology Named after Academician E.I. Chazov, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 121552 Moscow, Russia; (K.D.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia
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2
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The uPA/uPAR System Orchestrates the Inflammatory Response, Vascular Homeostasis, and Immune System in Fibrosis Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021796. [PMID: 36675310 PMCID: PMC9866279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (SSc), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis and liver cirrhosis are characterized by tissue overgrowth due to excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Fibrosis progression is caused by ECM overproduction and the inhibition of ECM degradation due to several events, including inflammation, vascular endothelial dysfunction, and immune abnormalities. Recently, it has been reported that urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR), known to be fibrinolytic factors, orchestrate the inflammatory response, vascular homeostasis, and immune homeostasis system. The uPA/uPAR system may show promise as a potential therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases. This review considers the role of the uPA/uPAR system in the progression of fibrotic diseases.
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Rasmussen LJH, Petersen JEV, Eugen-Olsen J. Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) as a Biomarker of Systemic Chronic Inflammation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:780641. [PMID: 34925360 PMCID: PMC8674945 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.780641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic chronic inflammation (SCI) is persistent, health-damaging, low-grade inflammation that plays a major role in immunosenescence and in development and progression of many diseases. But currently, there are no recognized standard biomarkers to assess SCI levels alone, and SCI is typically measured by combining biomarkers of acute inflammation and infection, e.g., CRP, IL-6, and TNFα. In this review, we highlight 10 properties and characteristics that are shared by the blood protein soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and SCI, supporting the argument that suPAR is a biomarker of SCI: (1) Expression and release of suPAR is upregulated by immune activation; (2) uPAR and suPAR exert pro-inflammatory functions; (3) suPAR is associated with the amount of circulating immune cells; (4) Blood suPAR levels correlate with the levels of established inflammatory biomarkers; (5) suPAR is minimally affected by acute changes and short-term influences, in contrast to many currently used markers of systemic inflammation; (6) Like SCI, suPAR is non-specifically associated with multiple diseases; (7) suPAR and SCI both predict morbidity and mortality; (8) suPAR and SCI share the same risk factors; (9) suPAR is associated with risk factors and outcomes of inflammation above and beyond other inflammatory biomarkers; (10) The suPAR level can be reduced by anti-inflammatory interventions and treatment of disease. Assessing SCI has the potential to inform risk for morbidity and mortality. Blood suPAR is a newer biomarker which may, in fact, be a biomarker of SCI since it is stably associated with inflammation and immune activation; shares the same risk factors as many age-related diseases; is both elevated by and predicts age-related diseases. There is strong evidence that suPAR is a prognostic marker of adverse events, morbidity, and mortality. It is associated with immune activity and prognosis across diverse conditions, including kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory disorders. Thus, we think it likely represents a common underlying disease-process shared by many diseases; that is, SCI. We review the supporting literature and propose a research agenda that can help test the hypothesis that suPAR indexes SCI, with the potential of becoming the new gold standard for measuring SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Jee Hartmann Rasmussen
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jens Emil Vang Petersen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jesper Eugen-Olsen
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
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Olson NC, Raffield LM, Moxley AH, Miller-Fleming TW, Auer PL, Franceschini N, Ngo D, Thornton TA, Lange EM, Li Y, Nickerson DA, Zakai NA, Gerszten RE, Cox NJ, Correa A, Mohlke KL, Reiner AP. Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor: Genetic Variation and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Black Adults. CIRCULATION. GENOMIC AND PRECISION MEDICINE 2021; 14:e003421. [PMID: 34706549 PMCID: PMC8692389 DOI: 10.1161/circgen.121.003421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND suPAR (Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor) has emerged as an important biomarker of coagulation, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The contribution of suPAR to CVD risk and its genetic influence in Black populations have not been evaluated. METHODS We measured suPAR in 3492 Black adults from the prospective, community-based JHS (Jackson Heart Study). Cross-sectional associations of suPAR with lifestyle and CVD risk factors were assessed, whole-genome sequence data were used to evaluate genetic associations of suPAR, and relationships of suPAR with incident CVD outcomes and overall mortality were estimated over follow-up. RESULTS In Cox models adjusted for traditional CVD risk factors, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and CRP (C-reactive protein), each 1-SD higher suPAR was associated with a 21% to 31% increased risk of incident coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and mortality. In the genome-wide association study, 2 missense (rs399145 encoding p.Thr86Ala, rs4760 encoding p.Phe272Leu) and 2 noncoding regulatory variants (rs73935023 within an enhancer element and rs4251805 within the promoter) of PLAUR on chromosome 19 were each independently associated with suPAR and together explained 14% of suPAR phenotypic variation. The allele frequencies of each of the four suPAR-associated genetic variants differ considerably across African and European populations. We further show that PLAUR rs73935023 can alter transcriptional activity in vitro. We did not find any association between genetically determined suPAR and CVD in JHS or a larger electronic medical record-based analyses of Blacks or Whites. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the importance of ancestry-differentiated genetic variation on suPAR levels and indicate suPAR is a CVD biomarker in Black adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nels C. Olson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Laura M. Raffield
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Anne H. Moxley
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tyne W. Miller-Fleming
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Paul L. Auer
- Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Nora Franceschini
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Debby Ngo
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy A. Thornton
- Departments of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ethan M. Lange
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deborah A. Nickerson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Neil A. Zakai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | - Nancy J. Cox
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Adolfo Correa
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - Karen L. Mohlke
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alex P. Reiner
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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5
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Leth JM, Ploug M. Targeting the Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (uPAR) in Human Diseases With a View to Non-invasive Imaging and Therapeutic Intervention. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:732015. [PMID: 34490277 PMCID: PMC8417595 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.732015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction between the serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its glycolipid-anchored receptor (uPAR) focalizes plasminogen activation to cell surfaces, thereby regulating extravascular fibrinolysis, cell adhesion, and migration. uPAR belongs to the Ly6/uPAR (LU) gene superfamily and the high-affinity binding site for uPA is assembled by a dynamic association of its three consecutive LU domains. In most human solid cancers, uPAR is expressed at the invasive areas of the tumor-stromal microenvironment. High levels of uPAR in resected tumors or shed to the plasma of cancer patients are robustly associated with poor prognosis and increased risk of relapse and metastasis. Over the years, a plethora of different strategies to inhibit uPA and uPAR function have been designed and investigated in vitro and in vivo in mouse models, but so far none have been implemented in the clinics. In recent years, uPAR-targeting with the intent of cytotoxic eradication of uPAR-expressing cells have nonetheless gained increasing momentum. Another avenue that is currently being explored is non-invasive imaging with specific uPAR-targeted reporter-molecules containing positron emitting radionuclides or near-infrared (NIR) florescence probes with the overarching aim of being able to: (i) localize disease dissemination using positron emission tomography (PET) and (ii) assist fluorescence guided surgery using optical imaging. In this review, we will discuss these advancements with special emphasis on applications using a small 9-mer peptide antagonist that targets uPAR with high affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Maja Leth
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Ploug
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Butt S, Jeppesen JL, Iversen LV, Fenger M, Eugen-Olsen J, Andersson C, Jacobsen S. Association of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor levels with fibrotic and vascular manifestations in systemic sclerosis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247256. [PMID: 33617568 PMCID: PMC7899346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed the association of suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor) plasma levels with fibrotic and vascular manifestations in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS suPAR plasma levels were measured in 121 consecutive patients with SSc and correlated to pulmonary and vascular features of SSc, including interstitial lung disease as characterized by percentage of predicted CO diffusing capacity (DLco) and forced vital capacity (FVC), pulmonary fibrosis by computed tomography, and pulmonary arterial hypertension, telangiectasias, and digital ulcers. RESULTS Overall, 121 SSc patients (84% females; mean age, 57 ± 12 [range: 22-79] years) were enrolled; 35% had diffuse cutaneous SSc. suPAR plasma levels ranged from 1.3-10.2 [median: 2.9 (p25-p75: 2.3-3.9)] ng/mL. Log(suPAR) levels correlated with DLco (r = -0.41, p <0.0001) and FVC (r = -0.26, p = 0.004), also when adjusted for age, sex, and pulmonary hypertension. A suPAR cut-off level of >2.5 ng/mL showed a sensitivity of 91% for identifying patients with either DLco <50% or FVC < 60% of the predicted values. Similarly, 19 (90%) had a suPAR >2.5 ng/mL among those diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis vs. 59 (60%) among those who did not (p = 0.008). suPAR values were not associated with vascular manifestations. CONCLUSION suPAR levels strongly correlated with pulmonary involvement in SSc. Future studies should test if suPAR estimation can be used for surveillance of severe pulmonary involvement in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheraz Butt
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amager and Hvidovre University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Jørgen L. Jeppesen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amager and Hvidovre University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Line Vinderslev Iversen
- Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mogens Fenger
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Amager and Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Jesper Eugen-Olsen
- Clinical Research Centre, Amager and Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Andersson
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev-Gentofte University Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Søren Jacobsen
- Copenhagen Lupus and Vasculitis Clinic, Centre for Rheumatology and Spine Disease, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kobayashi S, Nagafuchi Y, Okubo M, Sugimori Y, Shirai H, Hatano H, Junko M, Yanaoka H, Takeshima Y, Ota M, Iwasaki Y, Sumitomo S, Okamura T, Yamamoto K, Shoda H, Fujio K. Integrated bulk and single-cell RNA-sequencing identified disease-relevant monocytes and a gene network module underlying systemic sclerosis. J Autoimmun 2020; 116:102547. [PMID: 33039247 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Immunological disturbances have been reported in systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study assessed the transcriptome disturbances in immune cell subsets in SSc and characterized a disease-related gene network module and immune cell cluster at single cell resolution. METHODS Twenty-one Japanese SSc patients were enrolled and compared with 13 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Nineteen peripheral blood immune cell subsets were sorted by flow cytometry and bulk RNA-seq analysis was performed for each. Differential expression and pathway analyses were conducted. Iterative weighted gene correlation network analysis (iWGCNA) of each subset revealed clustered co-expressed gene network modules. Random forest analysis prioritized a disease-related gene module. Single cell RNA-seq analysis of 878 monocytes was integrated with bulk RNA-seq analysis and with a public database for single cell RNA-seq analysis of SSc patients. RESULTS Inflammatory pathway genes were differentially expressed in widespread immune cell subsets of SSc. An inflammatory gene module from CD16+ monocytes, which included KLF10, PLAUR, JUNB and JUND, showed the greatest discrimination between SSc and HC. One of the clusters of SSc monocytes identified by single-cell RNA-seq analysis characteristically expressed these inflammatory co-expressed genes and was similar to lung infiltrating FCN1hi monocytes expressing IL1B. CONCLUSIONS Our integrated analysis of bulk and single cell RNA-seq analysis identified an inflammatory gene module and a cluster of monocytes that are relevant to SSc pathophysiology. They could serve as candidate novel therapeutic targets in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Kobayashi
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Yasuo Nagafuchi
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan; Department of Functional Genomics and Immunological Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Mai Okubo
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Sugimori
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Harumi Shirai
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Hatano
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Maeda Junko
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Haruyuki Yanaoka
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan; Immuno-Rheumatology Center, St. Luke's International Hospital, St. Luke's International University, 9-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-8560, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Takeshima
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan; Department of Functional Genomics and Immunological Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Mineto Ota
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan; Department of Functional Genomics and Immunological Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Yukiko Iwasaki
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Shuji Sumitomo
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Tomohisa Okamura
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan; Department of Functional Genomics and Immunological Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Kazuhiko Yamamoto
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan; Laboratory for Autoimmune Diseases, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Hirofumi Shoda
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Keishi Fujio
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
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8
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Jiang Y, Turk MA, Pope JE. Factors associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Autoimmun Rev 2020; 19:102602. [PMID: 32659476 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a lethal complication affecting 8-15% of patients. Screening tests such as echocardiography and pulmonary function tests allow for triaging patients for diagnosis by right heart catheterization. Understanding risk factors of SSc-PAH could help differentiate high-risk patients. METHODS A systematic review was conducted to determine associations with SSc-PAH, including clinical/disease characteristics, antibodies, labs and biomarkers. The frequencies of publications featuring each risk/association were reported. RESULTS Among 2654 articles, 984 duplicates and 1578 irrelevant articles were removed, leaving 92 articles for manual screening. After excluding 55 papers with small sample sizes, publications from identical cohorts, not English language, or PAH not ascertained by RHC, 37 articles were eligible. A total of 43 factors for SSc-PAH were identified within seven categories. Several associations were due to PAH and risk factors such as dynpnea, right heart failure, and short 6-minute walk distance. Patient characteristics (14), pulmonary physiology (6), antibody profiles (6) and genetics/epigenetics (6) had the most numerous and diverse factors, while biomarkers (4) and other labs (2) features were infrequent. Low carbon monoxide (DLCO) (6), older age (4), longer disease duration (4), positive anticentromere antibodies (ACA) (4), telangiectasias (4), high brain natriuretic peptide (4) were frequent associations. CONCLUSIONS Risk factors for SSc-PAH such as ACA, older age, longer disease duration limited cutaneous SSc subset and presence of ILD may enrich screening programs. Genes and other antibody profiles are inconsistent and requires further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Janet E Pope
- Department of Rheumatology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Division of Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Healthcare London, London, ON, Canada.
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9
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Chairta P, Psarelis S, Michailidou K, Demetriou C, Symeonidou S, Nicolaou P, Christodoulou K. Genetic Susceptibility to Systemic Sclerosis in the Greek-Cypriot Population: A Pilot Study. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2020; 24:309-317. [PMID: 32315557 PMCID: PMC7232649 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2019.0255] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), also known as scleroderma, is an autoimmune rheumatic disease, which is clinically subdivided into two major subgroups; limited (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous scleroderma (dcSSc). Even though the SSc etiologies remains unclear, some HLA and non-HLA genetic variants have been associated with the disease. Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the associations between several HLA-related genetic variants and SSc in the Greek-Cypriot population. Methods: Forty-one SSc patients and 164 controls were genotyped at 18 selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses, Sanger sequencing, and a multiplex SNaPshot minisequencing assay. Logistic regression analysis under the log-additive model was used to evaluate all possible associations between these SNPs and SSc; nominal statistical significance was assumed at p < 0.05. Results: Associations of SSc with SNPs rs3117230, rs3128930, and rs3128965 within the HLA-DPB1 and HLA-DPB2 regions were observed in the Greek-Cypriot population at the level of p < 0.05. However, none of these associations survived a Bonferroni correction. The direction of the effect is consistent with the direction reported in previous studies. In addition, allele frequencies of the majority of the selected SNPs in the Greek-Cypriot population are similar to those reported in the European population. Conclusion: This study initiates the genetic investigation of SSc in the Greek-Cypriot population, a relatively small newly investigated population. Further investigation with a larger sample size and/or additional SSc susceptibility loci may confirm the association of some of these variants with SSc in the Greek-Cypriot population that could potentially be used for predictive testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Chairta
- Neurogenetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Savvas Psarelis
- Rheumatology Department, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Kyriaki Michailidou
- Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Biostatistics Unit, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Sofia Symeonidou
- Rheumatology Department, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Paschalis Nicolaou
- Neurogenetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Kyproula Christodoulou
- Neurogenetics Department, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
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10
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Takagi K, Kawamoto M, Higuchi T, Tochimoto A, Harigai M, Kawaguchi Y. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the
HIF1A
gene are associated with susceptibility to pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis and contribute to SSc‐PAH disease severity. Int J Rheum Dis 2020; 23:674-680. [DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kae Takagi
- Department of Medicine Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East Tokyo Japan
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Manabu Kawamoto
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Tomoaki Higuchi
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Akiko Tochimoto
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Masayoshi Harigai
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Yasushi Kawaguchi
- Department of Rheumatology Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
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11
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Yu J, Murthy V, Liu SL. Relating GPI-Anchored Ly6 Proteins uPAR and CD59 to Viral Infection. Viruses 2019; 11:E1060. [PMID: 31739586 PMCID: PMC6893729 DOI: 10.3390/v11111060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ly6 (lymphocyte antigen-6)/uPAR (urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor) superfamily protein is a group of molecules that share limited sequence homology but conserved three-fingered structures. Despite diverse cellular functions, such as in regulating host immunity, cell adhesion, and migration, the physiological roles of these factors in vivo remain poorly characterized. Notably, increasing research has focused on the interplays between Ly6/uPAR proteins and viral pathogens, the results of which have provided new insight into viral entry and virus-host interactions. While LY6E (lymphocyte antigen 6 family member E), one key member of the Ly6E/uPAR-family proteins, has been extensively studied, other members have not been well characterized. Here, we summarize current knowledge of Ly6/uPAR proteins related to viral infection, with a focus on uPAR and CD59. Our goal is to provide an up-to-date view of the Ly6/uPAR-family proteins and associated virus-host interaction and viral pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyou Yu
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (J.Y.); (V.M.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Vaibhav Murthy
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (J.Y.); (V.M.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Shan-Lu Liu
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (J.Y.); (V.M.)
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Viruses and Emerging Pathogens Program, Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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12
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Kanno Y. The Role of Fibrinolytic Regulators in Vascular Dysfunction of Systemic Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030619. [PMID: 30709025 PMCID: PMC6387418 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease of autoimmune origin characterized by vascular dysfunction and extensive fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs. Vascular dysfunction is caused by endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis, defective angiogenesis, defective vasculogenesis, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), and coagulation abnormalities, and exacerbates the disease. Fibrinolytic regulators, such as plasminogen (Plg), plasmin, α2-antiplasmin (α2AP), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and angiostatin, are considered to play an important role in the maintenance of endothelial homeostasis, and are associated with the endothelial dysfunction of SSc. This review considers the roles of fibrinolytic factors in vascular dysfunction of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Kanno
- Department of Clinical Pathological Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, 97-1 Kodo Kyo-tanabe, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan.
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13
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Wyganowska-Świątkowska M, Tarnowski M, Murtagh D, Skrzypczak-Jankun E, Jankun J. Proteolysis is the most fundamental property of malignancy and its inhibition may be used therapeutically (Review). Int J Mol Med 2018; 43:15-25. [PMID: 30431071 PMCID: PMC6257838 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The mortality rates of cancer patients decreased by ~1.5% per year between 2001 and 2015, although the decrease depends on patient sex, ethnic group and type of malignancy. Cancer remains a significant global health problem, requiring a search for novel treatments. The most common property of malignant tumors is their capacity to invade adjacent tissue and to metastasize, and this cancer aggressiveness is contingent on overexpression of proteolytic enzymes. The components of the plasminogen activation system (PAS) and the metal-loproteinase family [mainly matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)] are overexpressed in malignant tumors, driving the local invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. This is the case for numerous types of cancer, such as breast, colon, prostate and oral carcinoma, among others. Present chemotherapeutics agents typically attack all dividing cells; however, for future therapeutic agents to be clinically successful, they need to be highly selective for a specific protein(s) and act on the cancerous tissues without adverse systemic effects. Inhibition of proteolysis in cancerous tissue has the ability to attenuate tumor invasion, angiogenesis and migration. For that purpose, inhibiting both PAS and MMPs may be another approach, since the two groups of enzymes are overexpressed in cancer. In the present review, the roles and new findings on PAS and MMP families in cancer formation, growth and possible treatments are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Murtagh
- Urology Research Center, Department of Urology, Health Science Campus, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614‑2598, USA
| | - Ewa Skrzypczak-Jankun
- Urology Research Center, Department of Urology, Health Science Campus, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614‑2598, USA
| | - Jerzy Jankun
- Urology Research Center, Department of Urology, Health Science Campus, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614‑2598, USA
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14
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Integration of Genome-Wide DNA Methylation and Transcription Uncovered Aberrant Methylation-Regulated Genes and Pathways in the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Systemic Sclerosis. Int J Rheumatol 2018; 2018:7342472. [PMID: 30245726 PMCID: PMC6139224 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7342472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic connective tissue disease of unknown etiology. Aberrant gene expression and epigenetic modifications in circulating immune cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc. This study is to delineate the interaction network between gene transcription and DNA methylation in PBMC of SSc patients and to identify methylation-regulated genes which are involved in the pathogenesis of SSc. Methods. Genome-wide mRNA transcription and global DNA methylation analysis were performed on PBMC from 18 SSc patients and 19 matched normal controls (NC) using Illumina BeadChips. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were integrative analyzed to identify methylation-regulated genes and associated molecular pathways. Results. Transcriptome analysis distinguished 453 DEGs (269 up- and 184 downregulated) in SSc from NC. Global DNA methylation analysis identified 925 DMPs located on 618 genes. Integration of the two lists revealed only 20 DEGs which harbor inversely correlated DMPs, including 12 upregulated (ELANE, CTSG, LTBR, C3AR1, CSTA, SPI1, ODF3B, SAMD4A, PLAUR, NFE2, ZYX, and CTSZ) and eight downregulated genes (RUNX3, PRF1, PRKCH, PAG1, RASSF5, FYN, CXCR6, and F2R). These potential methylation-regulated DEGs (MeDEGs) are enriched in the pathways related to immune cell migration, proliferation, activation, and inflammation activities. Using a machine learning algorism, we identified six out of the 20 MeDEGs, including F2R, CXCR6, FYN, LTBR, CTSG, and ELANE, which distinguished SSc from NC with 100% accuracy. Four genes (F2R, FYN, PAG1, and PRKCH) differentially expressed in SSc with interstitial lung disease (ILD) compared to SSc without ILD. Conclusion. The identified MeDEGs may represent novel candidate factors which lead to the abnormal activation of immune regulatory pathways in the pathogenesis of SSc. They may also be used as diagnostic biomarkers for SSc and clinical complications.
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15
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Lung Involvements in Rheumatic Diseases: Update on the Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, and Treatment. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:6930297. [PMID: 29854780 PMCID: PMC5964428 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6930297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Lung illness encountered in patients with rheumatic diseases bears clinical significance in terms of increased morbidity and mortality as well as potential challenges placed on patient care. Although our understanding of natural history of this important illness is still limited, epidemiologic knowledge has been accumulated during the past decade to provide useful information on the risk factors and prognosis of lung involvements in rheumatic diseases. Moreover, the pathogenesis particularly in the context of genetics has been greatly updated for both the underlying rheumatic disease and associated lung involvement. This review will focus on the current update on the epidemiologic and genetics features and treatment options of the lung involvements associated with four major rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, myositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus), with more attention to a specific form of involvement or interstitial lung disease.
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16
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Angiogenesis Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:5345673. [PMID: 28791304 PMCID: PMC5534276 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5345673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vascular injury and fibrosis and by an impaired angiogenesis which cannot ensure an efficient vascular recovery. Vascular injury is responsible for hypoxia and tissual ischemia which are the primary triggers for angiogenesis and are not able to induce a compensatory angiogenesis. This review article is focused on current knowledge on the mechanisms responsible for angiogenesis dysregulation in systemic sclerosis.
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17
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De Langhe E, Lories R. Fibrogenesis, novel lessons from animal models. Semin Immunopathol 2015; 37:565-74. [PMID: 26141608 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-015-0510-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a devastating chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy, autoimmunity with inflammation, and progressive fibrogenesis. The current paradigm of the pathogenesis of SSc is that of an unknown initial trigger, leading to a complex interaction of immune cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, producing cytokines, growth and angiogenic factors, and resulting in uncontrolled and persistent tissue fibrogenesis by an altered mesenchymal cell compartment. Animal models are of utmost importance to investigate the different steps in the pathogenesis. This review will elaborate on recent findings in established and more recently developed animal models, presenting data on compounds that are in or ready to be translated into clinical trials, or provide interesting new findings in the understanding of the pathophysiology of SSc. We focus on recent findings concerning the vessel-extracellular matrix interaction, the initial triggering aggressor, the concept of autoimmunity and inflammatory changes, the effector cells and their origins, and the complex interaction of the different signaling pathways in fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen De Langhe
- Laboratory of Tissue Homeostasis and Disease, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Pattanaik D, Brown M, Postlethwaite BC, Postlethwaite AE. Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2015; 6:272. [PMID: 26106387 PMCID: PMC4459100 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic scleroderma (SSc) is one of the most complex systemic autoimmune diseases. It targets the vasculature, connective tissue-producing cells (namely fibroblasts/myofibroblasts), and components of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Clinical and pathologic manifestations of SSc are the result of: (1) innate/adaptive immune system abnormalities leading to production of autoantibodies and cell-mediated autoimmunity, (2) microvascular endothelial cell/small vessel fibroproliferative vasculopathy, and (3) fibroblast dysfunction generating excessive accumulation of collagen and other matrix components in skin and internal organs. All three of these processes interact and affect each other. The disease is heterogeneous in its clinical presentation that likely reflects different genetic or triggering factor (i.e., infection or environmental toxin) influences on the immune system, vasculature, and connective tissue cells. The roles played by other ubiquitous molecular entities (such as lysophospholipids, endocannabinoids, and their diverse receptors and vitamin D) in influencing the immune system, vasculature, and connective tissue cells are just beginning to be realized and studied and may provide insights into new therapeutic approaches to treat SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debendra Pattanaik
- Department of Medicine, Division of Connective Tissue Diseases, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, TN , USA ; Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Memphis, TN , USA
| | - Monica Brown
- Section of Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, TN , USA
| | - Bradley C Postlethwaite
- Department of Medicine, Division of Connective Tissue Diseases, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, TN , USA
| | - Arnold E Postlethwaite
- Department of Medicine, Division of Connective Tissue Diseases, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, TN , USA ; Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Memphis, TN , USA
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19
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Enocsson H, Sjöwall C, Wetterö J. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor--a valuable biomarker in systemic lupus erythematosus? Clin Chim Acta 2015; 444:234-41. [PMID: 25704300 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2015.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a potentially severe autoimmune condition with an unpredictable disease course, often with fluctuations in disease activity over time. Long term inflammation and drug-related side-effects may subsequently lead to permanent organ damage, a consequence which is intimately connected to decreased quality of life and mortality. New lupus biomarkers that convey information regarding inflammation and/or organ damage are thus warranted. Today, there is no clinical biomarker that indicates the risk of damage accrual. Herein we highlight the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and especially its soluble form (suPAR) that besides having biological functions in e.g. proteolysis, cell migration and tissue homeostasis, recently has emerged as a promising biomarker of inflammation and prognosis of several disorders. A strong association between suPAR and organ damage in SLE was recently demonstrated, and preliminary data (presented in this review) suggests the possibility of a predictive value of suPAR blood levels. The involvement of suPAR in the pathogenesis of SLE remains obscure, but its effects in leukocyte recruitment, phagocytic uptake of dying cells (efferocytosis) and complement regulation suggests that the central parts of the SLE pathogenesis could be regulated by suPAR, and vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Enocsson
- Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Christopher Sjöwall
- Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Jonas Wetterö
- Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
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20
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Mahoney JM, Taroni J, Martyanov V, Wood TA, Greene CS, Pioli PA, Hinchcliff ME, Whitfield ML. Systems level analysis of systemic sclerosis shows a network of immune and profibrotic pathways connected with genetic polymorphisms. PLoS Comput Biol 2015; 11:e1004005. [PMID: 25569146 PMCID: PMC4288710 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease characterized by skin and organ fibrosis. The pathogenesis of SSc and its progression are poorly understood. The SSc intrinsic gene expression subsets (inflammatory, fibroproliferative, normal-like, and limited) are observed in multiple clinical cohorts of patients with SSc. Analysis of longitudinal skin biopsies suggests that a patient's subset assignment is stable over 6-12 months. Genetically, SSc is multi-factorial with many genetic risk loci for SSc generally and for specific clinical manifestations. Here we identify the genes consistently associated with the intrinsic subsets across three independent cohorts, show the relationship between these genes using a gene-gene interaction network, and place the genetic risk loci in the context of the intrinsic subsets. To identify gene expression modules common to three independent datasets from three different clinical centers, we developed a consensus clustering procedure based on mutual information of partitions, an information theory concept, and performed a meta-analysis of these genome-wide gene expression datasets. We created a gene-gene interaction network of the conserved molecular features across the intrinsic subsets and analyzed their connections with SSc-associated genetic polymorphisms. The network is composed of distinct, but interconnected, components related to interferon activation, M2 macrophages, adaptive immunity, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell proliferation. The network shows extensive connections between the inflammatory- and fibroproliferative-specific genes. The network also shows connections between these subset-specific genes and 30 SSc-associated polymorphic genes including STAT4, BLK, IRF7, NOTCH4, PLAUR, CSK, IRAK1, and several human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. Our analyses suggest that the gene expression changes underlying the SSc subsets may be long-lived, but mechanistically interconnected and related to a patients underlying genetic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Matthew Mahoney
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Jaclyn Taroni
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Viktor Martyanov
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Tammara A. Wood
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Casey S. Greene
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Patricia A. Pioli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Monique E. Hinchcliff
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Michael L. Whitfield
- Department of Genetics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hannover, New Hampshire, United States of America
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21
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Dumoitier N, Lofek S, Mouthon L. Pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis: state of the art in 2014. Presse Med 2014; 43:e267-78. [PMID: 25179277 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Major work has been done in order to improve the understanding of systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis. A number of new experimental models have been set up, that should help to understand the disease pathogenesis and test new therapeutic targets. Reactive oxygen species represent a hallmark of the pathogenesis of SSc, both at the fibroblast and at the endothelial cell levels. Although a large number of genetic studies have been conducted, it is still difficult to identify a genetic background specific to SSc, and the major progress in this setting is probably the identification of an interferon signature. Besides endothelial cells and fibroblasts, major development has been made in the understanding of the role of B cells and autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of SSc. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells seem to play a major role in the pathogenesis of SSc through the secretion of CXCL4, although these data will need to be confirmed in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dumoitier
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, 8, rue Méchain, 75014 Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Lofek
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, 8, rue Méchain, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Luc Mouthon
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, 8, rue Méchain, 75014 Paris, France; Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), hôpital Cochin, centre de référence pour les vascularites nécrosantes et la sclérodermie systémique, service de médecine interne, Université Paris Descartes, 75014 Paris, France.
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Dobrota R, Mihai C, Distler O. Personalized Medicine in Systemic Sclerosis: Facts and Promises. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2014; 16:425. [DOI: 10.1007/s11926-014-0425-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Zandifar A, Soleimani S, Iraji N, Haghdoost F, Tajaddini M, Javanmard SH. Association between promoter region of the uPAR (rs344781) gene polymorphism in genetic susceptibility to migraine without aura in three Iranian hospitals. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2014; 120:45-8. [PMID: 24731575 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder. Inflammation has a key role in migraine pathophysiology. Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) directly involves in inflammatory conditions by facilitating migration of inflammatory cells to different tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate whether uPAR rs344781, common genetic polymorphism in the uPAR promoter region, might be associated with migraine without aura susceptibility in an Iranian population. METHODS We enrolled 103 newly diagnosed patients with migraine and 100 healthy controls. Peripheral blood sample was used for DNA extraction and uPAR rs344781 gene polymorphism was determined. Patients filled HIT-6 as a tool to evaluate headache severity. RESULTS The genotype frequency of uPAR is significantly different between migraine patients and control subjects. Heterozygote genotype (AG) was statistically more frequent in the patients than the controls (P=0.001; OR=2.67, 95% CI=1.51-4.7). Also G allele was more frequent in the patients. Total HIT-6 score was not significantly different between heterozygote and homozygote patients (55.50±2.22 vs. 49.60±3.68 respectively, P=0.075). CONCLUSION In conclusion, our study showed a significant association between uPAR rs344781 gene promoter polymorphism and migraine without aura susceptibility but not with headache severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Zandifar
- Physiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Medical Student Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Samira Soleimani
- Physiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Medical Student Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Niloufar Iraji
- Physiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Medical Student Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Faraidoon Haghdoost
- Physiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Medical Student Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohamadhasan Tajaddini
- Physiology Research Center, Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; School of Pharmacy and Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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24
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Manetti M, Rosa I, Milia AF, Guiducci S, Carmeliet P, Ibba-Manneschi L, Matucci-Cerinic M. Inactivation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) gene induces dermal and pulmonary fibrosis and peripheral microvasculopathy in mice: a new model of experimental scleroderma? Ann Rheum Dis 2013; 73:1700-9. [PMID: 23852693 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a key component of the fibrinolytic system involved in extracellular matrix remodelling and angiogenesis. The cleavage/inactivation of uPAR is a crucial step in fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and has been implicated in systemic sclerosis (SSc) microvasculopathy. In the present study, we investigated whether uPAR gene inactivation in mice could result in tissue fibrosis and peripheral microvasculopathy resembling human SSc. METHODS The expression of the native full-length form of uPAR in human skin biopsies was determined by immunohistochemistry. Skin and lung sections from uPAR-deficient (uPAR(-/-)) and wild-type (uPAR(+/+)) mice at 12 and 24 weeks of age were stained with haematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome and Picrosirius red. Dermal thickness and hydroxyproline content in skin and lungs were quantified. Dermal myofibroblast and microvessel counts were determined by immunohistochemistry for α-smooth muscle actin and CD31, respectively. Endothelial cell apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL/CD31 immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS Full-length uPAR expression was significantly downregulated in SSc dermis, especially in fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Dermal thickness, collagen content and myofibroblast counts were significantly greater in uPAR(-/-) than in uPAR(+/+) mice. In uPAR(-/-) mice, dermal fibrosis was paralleled by endothelial cell apoptosis and severe loss of microvessels. Lungs from uPAR(-/-) mice displayed non-specific interstitial pneumonia-like pathological features, both with inflammation and collagen deposition. Pulmonary pathology worsened significantly from 12 to 24 weeks, as shown by a significant increase in alveolar septal width and collagen content. CONCLUSIONS uPAR(-/-) mice are a new animal model closely mimicking the histopathological features of SSc. This model warrants future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Franca Milia
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and the Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium Laboratory of Angiogenesis and the Neurovascular Link, Vesalius Research Center, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lidia Ibba-Manneschi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine and Division of Rheumatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Assassi S, Radstake TRDJ, Mayes MD, Martin J. Genetics of scleroderma: implications for personalized medicine? BMC Med 2013; 11:9. [PMID: 23311619 PMCID: PMC3568008 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-11-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant advances have been made in understanding the genetic basis of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) in recent years. Can these discoveries lead to individualized monitoring and treatment? Besides robustly replicated genetic susceptibility loci, several genes have been recently linked to various systemic sclerosis disease manifestations. Furthermore, inclusion of genetic studies in design and analysis of drug trials could lead to development of genetic biomarkers that predict treatment response. Future genetic studies in well-characterized systemic sclerosis cohorts paired with advanced analytic approaches can lead to development of genetic biomarkers for targeted diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in systemic sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assassi
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Hart DA. Treatments for fibrosis development and progression: Lessons learned from preclinical models and potential impact on human conditions such as scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis, hypertrophic scarring and tendinopathies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/jbise.2013.68a2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Martín JE, Bossini-Castillo L, Martín J. Unraveling the genetic component of systemic sclerosis. Hum Genet 2012; 131:1023-37. [PMID: 22218928 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-011-1137-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe connective tissue disorder characterized by extensive fibrosis, vascular damage, and autoimmune events. During the last years, the number of genetic markers convincingly associated with SSc has exponentially increased. In this report, we aim to offer an updated review of the classical and novel genetic associations with SSc, analyzing the firmest and replicated signals within HLA and non-HLA genes, identified by both candidate gene and genome-wide association (GWA) studies. We will also provide an insight into the future perspectives and approaches that might shed more light into the complex genetic background underlying SSc. In spite of the remarkable advance in the field of SSc genetics during the last decade, the use of the new genetic technologies such as next generation sequencing (NGS), as well as the deep phenotyping of the study cohorts, to fully characterize the genetic component of this disease is imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ezequiel Martín
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, IPBLN-CSIC, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avenida del Conocimiento, 18100-Armilla, Granada, Spain
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Broen JCA, Coenen MJH, Radstake TRDJ. Deciphering the genetic background of systemic sclerosis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2011; 7:449-62. [PMID: 21790288 DOI: 10.1586/eci.11.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe autoimmune connective tissue disease. Over the years, evidence for a genetic background of SSc susceptibility has clearly accumulated. This article aims to provide an extensive overview of genetics in SSc research. We discuss indicators for a genetic component present in SSc, family studies, chromosomal aberrances, the involvement of the HLA region and multiple candidate genes and, finally, genome-wide association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper C A Broen
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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30
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Rabquer BJ, Koch AE. Angiogenesis and Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis: Evolving Concepts. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2011; 14:56-63. [DOI: 10.1007/s11926-011-0219-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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31
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Liakouli V, Cipriani P, Marrelli A, Alvaro S, Ruscitti P, Giacomelli R. Angiogenic cytokines and growth factors in systemic sclerosis. Autoimmun Rev 2011; 10:590-4. [PMID: 21549861 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2011.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder characterized by a widespread microangiopathy, autoimmunity and fibrosis of the skin and of various internal organs. Microangiopathy is characterized by a reduced capillary density and an irregular chaotic architecture that lead to chronic tissue hypoxia. Despite the hypoxic conditions, there is no evidence for a sufficient compensative angiogenesis in SSc. Furthermore, vasculogenesis is also impaired. An imbalance between angiogenic and angiostatic factors might explain the pathogenetic mechanisms of SSc vasculopathy. As far as angiogenic factors are concerned, within the most important are vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factor -2 (FGF-2), angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1), stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1/CXCL12), endothelin-1 (ET-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein -1 (MCP-1), urokinase type plasminogen activator receptors (uPAR) and kallikreins, vascular adhesion molecules. On the other hand, angiostatic factors include: endostatin, angiostatin, thrombospodin-1 (TSP-1), angiopoietin 2 (Ang-2). Our knowledge concerning the dysregulation of angiogenic homeostasis is largely incomplete and needs further research, for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Liakouli
- Rheumatology Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
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Cipriani P, Marrelli A, Liakouli V, Di Benedetto P, Giacomelli R. Cellular players in angiogenesis during the course of systemic sclerosis. Autoimmun Rev 2011; 10:641-6. [PMID: 21549220 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2011.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial injury in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) leads to pathological changes in the blood vessels that adversely impact the physiology of many organs, resulting in chronic tissue ischemia. The response to hypoxia induces complex cellular and molecular mechanisms in the attempt to recover endothelial cell function and tissue perfusion. The progressive losses of capillaries on one hand, and the vascular remodeling of arteriolar vessels on the other, result in insufficient blood flow, causing severe and chronic hypoxia. Hypoxia is a major stimulus of angiogenesis, leading to the expression of pro-angiogenic molecules, mainly of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), which triggers the angiogenic process. Nevertheless, in SSc patients there is no evidence of adaptive angiogenesis. Failure of the angiogenic process in SSc largely depends on alteration in the balance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors, as well as on functional alterations of the cellular players involved in the angiogenic and vasculogenic program. A decreased urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) dependent invasion, proliferation, and capillary morphogenesis, was showed in SSc endothelial cells (EC). Although hematopoietic endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) count in the peripheral blood of SSc patients is still a matter of controversy, alterations in mobilization process, an excessive immune-mediated EPC destruction in the peripheral circulation or in the bone marrow, a progressive depletion of EPCs following homing to ischemic tissues under persistent peripheral vascular injury, an intrinsic functional impairment could lead to poor vasculogenesis. Human mesenchymal stem cells represent an alternative source of endothelial progenitor cells and it has been observed that their angiogenic potential is reduced in SSc. Targeting autologous stem and progenitor cells could be an ideal tool to counteract and repair dysfunctional angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cipriani
- Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
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Román JS, Castillo Palma MJ, García Hernández FJ, León RG. Marcadores biológicos. Utilidad para el control del paciente con hipertensión pulmonar. Arch Bronconeumol 2011; 47 Suppl 7:21-5. [DOI: 10.1016/s0300-2896(11)70056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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