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Khanfar E, Olasz K, Gál S, Gajdócsi E, Kajtár B, Kiss T, Balogh P, Berki T, Boldizsár F. Splenectomy at early stage of autoimmune arthritis delayed inflammatory response and reduced joint deterioration in mice. Clin Exp Immunol 2024; 216:240-251. [PMID: 38363980 PMCID: PMC11097914 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxae013] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The spleen plays a role in innate and adaptive immunity, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the effect of splenectomy in early and moderate stages of autoimmune arthritis in a mouse model. To induce recombinant human G1-induced arthritis (GIA), BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally three times in 4-week intervals with the rhG1 antigen. Mice were splenectomized on day 7 (SPE1) or day 35 (SPE2) after the initiation of immunization; tested for clinical severity, joint radiological and histological changes, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies, and rhG1-specific immune responses; and compared to those in control mice with spleen left intact. Circulating Tregs and T-helper subset ratios in the spleen and inguinal lymph nodes (LNs) were also examined using flow cytometry. The onset of severe inflammatory response was significantly delayed in SPE1 and SPE2 groups compared to control mice at early stages of GIA, which was associated with increased circulating Tregs. After the third immunization, as disease progressed, the severity scores were robustly increased in all mice. Nevertheless, in splenectomized mice, we observed reduced joint deterioration and cartilage damage, more Th2 cells in LNs, and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies in their sera. Mesenteric LN cells of splenectomized mice exhibited weaker response in vitro against the rhG1 antigen compared to control mice spleen. In conclusion, splenectomy in the early stages of GIA delayed the inflammatory response, suggesting a protective effect against the development and progression of severe destructive arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esam Khanfar
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Katalin Olasz
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Szonja Gál
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Erzsébet Gajdócsi
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Béla Kajtár
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamás Kiss
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Péter Balogh
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Timea Berki
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Boldizsár
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pecs, Pécs, Hungary
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Olasz K, Boldizsar F. Recombinant Human Proteoglycan Aggrecan-G1 Domain-induced Arthritis (GIA) Mouse Model. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e1053. [PMID: 38752927 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.1053] [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: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The recombinant human proteoglycan aggrecan-G1 domain (rhG1)-induced arthritis (GIA) mouse model is a complex model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In GIA, autoimmune arthritis is induced by repeated intraperitoneal immunization of genetically susceptible BALB/c mice with the rhG1 antigen emulsified in the adjuvant dimethyldioctadecylammonium (DDA). This article describes the steps for producing and purifying the rhG1 antigen, the immunization protocol, methods for following the clinical picture of arthritis, and the evaluation of relevant laboratory parameters. In this model, the autoimmune arthritis develops stepwise, similar to RA: First is the preclinical stage (after the first immunization, days 0-20) with no sign of inflammation but detectable T and B cell activation; next, the stage of early arthritis (after the second immunization, days 21-41), where the first definitive signs of arthritis appear together with autoantibody production; and then the severe late-stage arthritis (after the third immunization, after day 42), which presents with massive inflammation of the limbs, leading to cartilage and bone destruction and finally ankylosis. The protocols described here provide sufficient information for investigators to use the GIA model to study different aspects of autoimmune arthritis. © 2024 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Induction of recombinant human proteoglycan aggrecan-G1 domain (rhG1)-induced arthritis (GIA) Support Protocol 1: Production of rhG1-Xa-mFc2a fusion protein with CHOK1 mammalian expression system Support Protocol 2: Purification of the rhG1-Xa-mFc2a fusion protein by affinity chromatography Support Protocol 3: Preparation of DDA adjuvant Support Protocol 4: Clinical assessment of arthritis Support Protocol 5: Measurement of serum antibody levels and cytokines Support Protocol 6: Measurement of rhG1-induced proliferation and cytokine production in spleen cell culture Support Protocol 7: Histological assessment of arthritic limbs Support Protocol 8: Evaluation of arthritis with micro-computed tomography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Olasz
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, University of Pécs, Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Boldizsar
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, University of Pécs, Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
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3
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Zimmerman DH, Szekanecz Z, Markovics A, Rosenthal KS, Carambula RE, Mikecz K. Current status of immunological therapies for rheumatoid arthritis with a focus on antigen-specific therapeutic vaccines. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1334281. [PMID: 38510240 PMCID: PMC10951376 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1334281] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is recognized as an autoimmune joint disease driven by T cell responses to self (or modified self or microbial mimic) antigens that trigger and aggravate the inflammatory condition. Newer treatments of RA employ monoclonal antibodies or recombinant receptors against cytokines or immune cell receptors as well as small-molecule Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors to systemically ablate the cytokine or cellular responses that fuel inflammation. Unlike these treatments, a therapeutic vaccine, such as CEL-4000, helps balance adaptive immune homeostasis by promoting antigen-specific regulatory rather than inflammatory responses, and hence modulates the immunopathological course of RA. In this review, we discuss the current and proposed therapeutic products for RA, with an emphasis on antigen-specific therapeutic vaccine approaches to the treatment of the disease. As an example, we describe published results of the beneficial effects of CEL-4000 vaccine on animal models of RA. We also make a recommendation for the design of appropriate clinical studies for these newest therapeutic approaches, using the CEL-4000 vaccine as an example. Unlike vaccines that create or boost a new immune response, the clinical success of an immunomodulatory therapeutic vaccine for RA lies in its ability to redirect autoreactive pro-inflammatory memory T cells towards rebalancing the "runaway" immune/inflammatory responses that characterize the disease. Human trials of such a therapy will require alternative approaches in clinical trial design and implementation for determining safety, toxicity, and efficacy. These approaches include adaptive design (such as the Bayesian optimal design (BOIN), currently employed in oncological clinical studies), and the use of disease-related biomarkers as indicators of treatment success.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zoltan Szekanecz
- Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Adrienn Markovics
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Kenneth S Rosenthal
- Department of Basic Sciences, Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, Athens, GA, United States
| | | | - Katalin Mikecz
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
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Martínez-Ramos S, García S. An update of murine models and their methodologies in immune-mediated joint damage and pain research. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111440. [PMID: 38176343 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111440] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Murine models have played an indispensable role in the understanding of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders (RMD), elucidating the genetic, endocrine and biomechanical pathways involved in joint pathology and associated pain. To date, the available models in RMD can be classified as induced or spontaneous, both incorporating transgenic alternatives that improve specific insights. It is worth noting that the selection of the most appropriate model together with the evaluation of their specific characteristics and technical capabilities are crucial when designing the experiments. Furthermore, it is also imperative to consistently adhere to the ethical standards concerning animal experimentation. Recognizing the inherent limitation that any model can entirely encapsulates the complexity of the pathophysiology of these conditions, the aim of this review is to provide an updated overview on the methodology of current murine models in major arthropathies and their immune-mediated pathways, addressing to basic, translational and pharmacological research in joint damage and pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Martínez-Ramos
- Rheumatology & Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain; Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain.
| | - Samuel García
- Rheumatology & Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain; Rheumatology Department, University Hospital Complex of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
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Bedeković D, Bošnjak I, Šarić S, Kirner D, Novak S. Role of Inflammatory Cytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Development of Atherosclerosis: A Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1550. [PMID: 37763669 PMCID: PMC10534747 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59091550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Uncontrolled chronic inflammation results in cardiovascular disease and early death. In this review, we studied the impact of rheumatoid arthritis on the cardiovascular system, including the early and accelerated development of atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations, focusing on the inflammatory mechanisms leading to arterial wall damage, rapid atherosclerotic plaque formation, and thrombosis. Furthermore, the effect of medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis on the cardiovascular system was studied. The effect of chronic inflammation and medication on traditional cardiovascular risk factors is not the main subject of this review. We observed that uncontrolled chronic inflammation and some medications directly impact all the stages of atherosclerosis. In conclusion, reducing inflammation and maintaining long-term remission in rheumatoid arthritis may prevent early atherosclerosis. We believe that this review will encourage a better interdisciplinary approach to the management of these patients and further research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dražen Bedeković
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases Internal Medicine Clinic, University Hospital Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (I.B.); (S.Š.); (D.K.)
- Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Department of Internal Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ivica Bošnjak
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases Internal Medicine Clinic, University Hospital Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (I.B.); (S.Š.); (D.K.)
| | - Sandra Šarić
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases Internal Medicine Clinic, University Hospital Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (I.B.); (S.Š.); (D.K.)
- Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Department of Internal Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Damir Kirner
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases Internal Medicine Clinic, University Hospital Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (I.B.); (S.Š.); (D.K.)
- Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Department of Internal Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Srđan Novak
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20/1, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia;
- Faculty of Medicine Rijeka, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20/1, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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6
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Luo P, Wang P, Xu J, Hou W, Xu P, Xu K, Liu L. Immunomodulatory role of T helper cells in rheumatoid arthritis : a comprehensive research review. Bone Joint Res 2022; 11:426-438. [PMID: 35775145 PMCID: PMC9350707 DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.117.bjr-2021-0594.r1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that involves T and B cells and their reciprocal immune interactions with proinflammatory cytokines. T cells, an essential part of the immune system, play an important role in RA. T helper 1 (Th1) cells induce interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-2, which are proinflammatory cytokines, leading to cartilage destruction and bone erosion. Th2 cells primarily secrete IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which exert anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastogenic effects in inflammatory arthritis models. IL-22 secreted by Th17 cells promotes the proliferation of synovial fibroblasts through induction of the chemokine C-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). T follicular helper (Tfh) cells produce IL-21, which is key for B cell stimulation by the C-X-C chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5) and coexpression with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and/or inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS). PD-1 inhibits T cell proliferation and cytokine production. In addition, there are many immunomodulatory agents that promote or inhibit the immunomodulatory role of T helper cells in RA to alleviate disease progression. These findings help to elucidate the aetiology and treatment of RA and point us toward the next steps. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(7):426–438.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Luo
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Peixu Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, China-Japan Friendship Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawen Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weikun Hou
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Joint Surgery, HongHui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Hurysz B, Bottini N. Emerging proteoglycans and proteoglycan-targeted therapies in rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 322:C1061-C1067. [PMID: 35476502 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00086.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common auto-immune disease-causing inflammation of the joints and damage of the cartilage and bone. The pathogenesis of RA is characterized in many patients by the presence of antibodies against citrullinated proteins. In the joints, proteoglycans are key structural elements of extracellular matrix in the articular cartilage and synovium and are secreted as lubricants in the synovial fluid. Alterations of proteoglycans contribute to mechanism of disease in RA. Proteoglycans such as aggrecan can be citrullinated and become potential targets of the rheumatoid auto-immune response. Proteoglycans are also up-regulated in RA joints and/or undergo alterations of their regulatory functions over cytokines and chemokines, which promotes inflammation and bone damage. Recent studies have aimed to not only clarify these mechanisms but also develop novel proteoglycan-modulating therapeutics. These include agents altering the function and signaling of proteoglycans as well as tolerizing agents based on citrullinated aggrecan. This mini-review summarizes the most recent findings regarding the dysregulation of proteoglycans that contributes to RA pathogenesis and the potential for proteoglycan-modulating agents to improve RA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Hurysz
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
| | - Nunzio Bottini
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States
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Markovics A, Rosenthal KS, Mikecz K, Carambula RE, Ciemielewski JC, Zimmerman DH. Restoring the Balance between Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: New Insights from Animal Models. Biomedicines 2021; 10:44. [PMID: 35052724 PMCID: PMC8772713 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune inflammatory diseases are examples of imbalances within the immune system (disrupted homeostasis) that arise from the effects of an accumulation of environmental and habitual insults over a lifetime, combined with genetic predispositions. This review compares current immunotherapies-(1) disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and (2) Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (jakinibs)-to a newer approach-(3) therapeutic vaccines (using the LEAPS vaccine approach). The Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation System (LEAPS) therapies are capable of inhibiting ongoing disease progression in animal models. Whereas DMARDs ablate or inhibit specific proinflammatory cytokines or cells and jakinibs inhibit the receptor activation cascade for expression of proinflammatory cytokines, the LEAPS therapeutic vaccines specifically modulate the ongoing antigen-specific, disease-driving, proinflammatory T memory cell responses. This decreases disease presentation and changes the cytokine conversation to decrease the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IL-1(α or β), IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α) while increasing the expression of regulatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β). This review refocuses the purpose of therapy for RA towards rebalancing the immune system rather than compromising specific components to stop disease. This review is intended to be thought provoking and look forward towards new therapeutic modalities rather than present a final definitive report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienn Markovics
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.M.); (K.M.)
| | - Ken S. Rosenthal
- Department of Basic Sciences, Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, NE Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA
| | - Katalin Mikecz
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.M.); (K.M.)
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9
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Systematic review of robust experimental models of rheumatoid arthritis for basic research. DIGITAL CHINESE MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dcmed.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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10
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Targeting chondrocytes for arresting bony fusion in ankylosing spondylitis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6540. [PMID: 34764263 PMCID: PMC8585952 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26750-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bony fusion caused by pathological new bone formation manifests the clinical feature of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here we discovered spontaneous kyphosis, arthritis and bony fusion in mature CD4-Cre;Ptpn11f/f mice, which present the pathophysiological features of AS. A population of CD4-Cre-expressing proliferating chondrocytes was SHP2 deficient, which could differentiate into pre-hypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes. Functionally, SHP2 deficiency in chondrocytes impeded the fusion of epiphyseal plate and promoted chondrogenesis in joint cavity and enthesis. Mechanistically, aberrant chondrocytes promoted ectopic new bone formation through BMP6/pSmad1/5 signaling. It is worth emphasizing that such pathological thickness of growth plates was evident in adolescent humans with enthesitis-related arthritis, which could progress to AS in adulthood. Targeting dysfunctional chondrogenesis with Smo inhibitor sonidegib significantly alleviated the AS-like bone disease in mice. These findings suggest that blockade of chondrogenesis by sonidegib would be a drug repurposing strategy for AS treatment. Current treatments cannot significantly alleviate the radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), which results in joints stiffness and bony fusion of AS. Smo inhibitor sonidegib retards the pathological new bone formation in AS through targeting dysfunctional chondrogenesis.
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Vaccination by Two DerG LEAPS Conjugates Incorporating Distinct Proteoglycan (PG, Aggrecan) Epitopes Provides Therapy by Different Immune Mechanisms in a Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9050448. [PMID: 34063326 PMCID: PMC8147650 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9050448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be initiated and driven by immune responses to multiple antigenic epitopes including those in cartilage proteoglycan (PG, aggrecan) and type II collagen. RA is driven by T helper 1 (Th1) or Th17 pro-inflammatory T cell responses. LEAPS (Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation System) DerG peptide conjugate vaccines were prepared using epitopes from PG that elicit immune responses in RA patients: epitope PG70 (DerG-PG70, also designated CEL-4000) and the citrullinated form of another epitope (PG275Cit). The LEAPS peptides were administered alone or together in Seppic ISA51vg adjuvant to mice with PG G1 domain-induced arthritis (GIA), a mouse model of RA. Each of these LEAPS peptides and the combination modulated the inflammatory response and stopped the progression of arthritis in the GIA mouse model. Despite having a therapeutic effect, the DerG-PG275Cit vaccine did not elicit significant antibody responses, whereas DerG-PG70 (alone or with DerG-PG275Cit) induced both therapy and antibodies. Spleen T cells from GIA mice, vaccinated with the DerG LEAPS peptides, preferentially produced anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) rather than pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ or IL-17) cytokines in culture. Similarly, cytokines secreted by CD4+ cells of unvaccinated GIA mice, differentiated in vitro to Th2 cells and treated with either or both DerG vaccine peptides, exhibited an anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) profile. These results suggest that the two peptides elicit different therapeutic immune responses by the immunomodulation of disease-promoting pro-inflammatory responses and that the combination of the two LEAPS conjugates may provide broader epitope coverage and, in some cases, greater efficacy than either conjugate alone.
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12
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Nel HJ, Malmström V, Wraith DC, Thomas R. Autoantigens in rheumatoid arthritis and the potential for antigen-specific tolerising immunotherapy. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2020; 2:e712-e723. [PMID: 38279365 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(20)30344-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, develop and persist due to impaired immune self-tolerance, which has evolved to regulate inflammatory responses to injury or infection. After diagnosis, patients rarely achieve drug-free remission, and although at-risk individuals can be identified with genotyping, antibody tests, and symptoms, rheumatoid arthritis cannot yet be successfully prevented. Precision medicine is increasingly offering solutions to diseases that were previously considered to be incurable, and immunotherapy has begun to achieve this aim in cancer. Comparatively, modulating autoantigen-specific immune responses with immunotherapy for the cure of autoimmune diseases is at a relatively immature stage. Current treatments using non-specific immune or inflammatory suppression increase susceptibility to infection, and are rarely curative. However, early stage clinical trials suggesting that immunotherapy might allow extended duration of remission and even prevention of progression to disease suggest modulating tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis could be a promising opportunity for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik J Nel
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Vivianne Malmström
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David C Wraith
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ranjeny Thomas
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
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Hayes AJ, Melrose J. Aggrecan, the Primary Weight-Bearing Cartilage Proteoglycan, Has Context-Dependent, Cell-Directive Properties in Embryonic Development and Neurogenesis: Aggrecan Glycan Side Chain Modifications Convey Interactive Biodiversity. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1244. [PMID: 32867198 PMCID: PMC7564073 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This review examines aggrecan's roles in developmental embryonic tissues, in tissues undergoing morphogenetic transition and in mature weight-bearing tissues. Aggrecan is a remarkably versatile and capable proteoglycan (PG) with diverse tissue context-dependent functional attributes beyond its established role as a weight-bearing PG. The aggrecan core protein provides a template which can be variably decorated with a number of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains including keratan sulphate (KS), human natural killer trisaccharide (HNK-1) and chondroitin sulphate (CS). These convey unique tissue-specific functional properties in water imbibition, space-filling, matrix stabilisation or embryonic cellular regulation. Aggrecan also interacts with morphogens and growth factors directing tissue morphogenesis, remodelling and metaplasia. HNK-1 aggrecan glycoforms direct neural crest cell migration in embryonic development and is neuroprotective in perineuronal nets in the brain. The ability of the aggrecan core protein to assemble CS and KS chains at high density equips cartilage aggrecan with its well-known water-imbibing and weight-bearing properties. The importance of specific arrangements of GAG chains on aggrecan in all its forms is also a primary morphogenetic functional determinant providing aggrecan with unique tissue context dependent regulatory properties. The versatility displayed by aggrecan in biodiverse contexts is a function of its GAG side chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Hayes
- Bioimaging Research Hub, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, Wales, UK
| | - James Melrose
- Raymond Purves Laboratory, Institute of Bone and Joint Research, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards 2065, NSW, Australia
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, Northern, The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health at Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards 2065, NSW, Australia
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Ameliorated Autoimmune Arthritis and Impaired B Cell Receptor-Mediated Ca 2+ Influx in Nkx2-3 Knock-out Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176162. [PMID: 32859051 PMCID: PMC7503974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
B cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. In Nkx2-3-deficient mice (Nkx2-3−/−) the spleen’s histological structure is fundamentally changed; therefore, B cell homeostasis is seriously disturbed. Based on this, we were curious, whether autoimmune arthritis could be induced in Nkx2-3−/− mice and how B cell activation and function were affected. We induced arthritis with immunization of recombinant human proteoglycan aggrecan G1 domain in Nkx2-3−/− and control BALB/c mice. We followed the clinical picture, characterized the radiological changes, the immune response, and intracellular Ca2+ signaling of B cells. Incidence of the autoimmune arthritis was lower, and the disease severity was milder in Nkx2-3−/− mice than in control BALB/c mice. The radiological changes were in line with the clinical picture. In Nkx2-3−/− mice, we measured decreased antigen-induced proliferation and cytokine production in spleen cell cultures; in the sera, we found less anti-CCP-IgG2a, IL-17 and IFNγ, but more IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-6. B cells isolated from the lymph nodes of Nkx2-3−/− mice showed decreased intracellular Ca2+ signaling compared to those isolated from BALB/c mice. Our findings show that the transcription factor Nkx2-3 might regulate the development of autoimmune arthritis most likely through modifying B cell activation.
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Markovics A, Toth DM, Glant TT, Mikecz K. Regulation of autoimmune arthritis by the SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:160. [PMID: 32586377 PMCID: PMC7318740 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02250-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) is known to exert negative regulatory effects on immune cell signaling. Mice with mutations in the Shp1 gene develop inflammatory skin disease and autoimmunity, but no arthritis. We sought to explore the role of SHP-1 in arthritis using an autoimmune mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. We generated Shp1 transgenic (Shp1-Tg) mice to study the impact of SHP-1 overexpression on arthritis susceptibility and adaptive immune responses. Methods SHP-1 gene and protein expression as well as tyrosine phosphatase activity were evaluated in spleen cells of transgenic and wild type (WT) mice. WT and Shp1-Tg (homozygous or heterozygous for the transgene) mice were immunized with human cartilage proteoglycan (PG) in adjuvant, and arthritis symptoms were monitored. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation level, net cytokine secretion, and serum anti-human PG antibody titers were measured in immune cells from WT and Shp1-Tg mice. WT mice were treated with regorafenib orally to activate SHP-1 either before PG-induced arthritis (PGIA) symptoms developed (preventive treatment) or starting at an early stage of disease (therapeutic treatment). Data were statistically analyzed and graphs created using GraphPad Prism 8.0.2 software. Results SHP-1 expression and tyrosine phosphatase activity were elevated in both transgenic lines compared to WT mice. While all WT mice developed arthritis after immunization, none of the homozygous Shp1-Tg mice developed the disease. Heterozygous transgenic mice, which showed intermediate PGIA incidence, were selected for further investigation. We observed differences in interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 production in vitro, but serum anti-PG antibody levels were not different between the genotypes. We also found decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins of the JAK/STAT pathway in T cells from PG-immunized Shp1-Tg mice. Regorafenib administration to WT mice prevented the development of severe PGIA or reduced disease severity when started after disease onset. Conclusions Resistance to arthritis in the presence of SHP-1 overexpression likely results from the impairment of tyrosine phosphorylation (deactivation) of key immune cell signaling proteins in the JAK/STAT pathway, due to the overwhelming tyrosine phosphatase activity of the enzyme in Shp1-Tg mice. Our study is the first to investigate the role of SHP-1 in autoimmune arthritis using animals overexpressing this phosphatase. Pharmacological activation of SHP-1 might be considered as a new approach to the treatment of autoimmune arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienn Markovics
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Section of Molecular Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison Street, Cohn Research Building, Room 741, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Daniel M Toth
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Section of Molecular Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison Street, Cohn Research Building, Room 741, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Tibor T Glant
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Section of Molecular Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison Street, Cohn Research Building, Room 741, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Katalin Mikecz
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Section of Molecular Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison Street, Cohn Research Building, Room 741, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
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16
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Brandt B, Rashidiani S, Bán Á, Rauch TA. DNA Methylation-Governed Gene Expression in Autoimmune Arthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5646. [PMID: 31718084 PMCID: PMC6888626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease hallmarked by progressive and irreversible joint destruction. RA pathogenesis is a T cell-regulated and B cell-mediated process in which activated lymphocyte-produced chemokines and cytokines promote leukocyte infiltration that ultimately leads to destruction of the joints. There is an obvious need to discover new drugs for RA treatment that have different biological targets or modes of action than the currently employed therapeutics. Environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, certain diet components, and oral pathogens can significantly affect gene regulation via epigenetic factors. Epigenetics opened a new field for pharmacology, and DNA methylation and histone modification-implicated factors are feasible targets for RA therapy. Exploring RA pathogenesis involved epigenetic factors and mechanisms is crucial for developing more efficient RA therapies. Here we review epigenetic alterations associated with RA pathogenesis including DNA methylation and interacting factors. Additionally, we will summarize the literature revealing the involved molecular structures and interactions. Finally, potential epigenetic factor-based therapies will be discussed that may help in better management of RA in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Brandt
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs 7624, Hungary; (B.B.); (S.R.)
| | - Shima Rashidiani
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs 7624, Hungary; (B.B.); (S.R.)
| | - Ágnes Bán
- Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs 7621, Hungary;
| | - Tibor A. Rauch
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs 7624, Hungary; (B.B.); (S.R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs 7624, Hungary
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17
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Radaelli E, Santagostino SF, Sellers RS, Brayton CF. Immune Relevant and Immune Deficient Mice: Options and Opportunities in Translational Research. ILAR J 2019; 59:211-246. [PMID: 31197363 PMCID: PMC7114723 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ily026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In 1989 ILAR published a list and description of immunodeficient rodents used in research. Since then, advances in understanding of molecular mechanisms; recognition of genetic, epigenetic microbial, and other influences on immunity; and capabilities in manipulating genomes and microbiomes have increased options and opportunities for selecting mice and designing studies to answer important mechanistic and therapeutic questions. Despite numerous scientific breakthroughs that have benefitted from research in mice, there is debate about the relevance and predictive or translational value of research in mice. Reproducibility of results obtained from mice and other research models also is a well-publicized concern. This review summarizes resources to inform the selection and use of immune relevant mouse strains and stocks, aiming to improve the utility, validity, and reproducibility of research in mice. Immune sufficient genetic variations, immune relevant spontaneous mutations, immunodeficient and autoimmune phenotypes, and selected induced conditions are emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Radaelli
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sara F Santagostino
- Department of Safety Assessment, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California
| | | | - Cory F Brayton
- Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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18
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Galea R, Nel HJ, Talekar M, Liu X, Ooi JD, Huynh M, Hadjigol S, Robson KJ, Ting YT, Cole S, Cochlin K, Hitchcock S, Zeng B, Yekollu S, Boks M, Goh N, Roberts H, Rossjohn J, Reid HH, Boyd BJ, Malaviya R, Shealy DJ, Baker DG, Madakamutil L, Kitching AR, O’Sullivan BJ, Thomas R. PD-L1- and calcitriol-dependent liposomal antigen-specific regulation of systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease. JCI Insight 2019; 4:126025. [PMID: 31487265 PMCID: PMC6795297 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.126025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases resulting from MHC class II-restricted autoantigen-specific T cell immunity include the systemic inflammatory autoimmune conditions rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis. While currently treated with broad-acting immunosuppressive drugs, a preferable strategy is to regulate antigen-specific effector T cells (Teffs) to restore tolerance by exploiting DC antigen presentation. We targeted draining lymph node (dLN) phagocytic DCs using liposomes encapsulating 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) and antigenic peptide to elucidate mechanisms of tolerance used by DCs and responding T cells under resting and immunized conditions. PD-L1 expression was upregulated in dLNs of immunized relative to naive mice. Subcutaneous administration of liposomes encapsulating OVA323-339 and calcitriol targeted dLN PD-L1hi DCs of immunized mice and reduced their MHC class II expression. OVA323-339/calcitriol liposomes suppressed expansion, differentiation, and function of Teffs and induced Foxp3+ and IL-10+ peripheral Tregs in an antigen-specific manner, which was dependent on PD-L1. Peptide/calcitriol liposomes modulated CD40 expression by human DCs and promoted Treg induction in vitro. Liposomes encapsulating calcitriol and disease-associated peptides suppressed the severity of rheumatoid arthritis and Goodpasture's vasculitis models with suppression of antigen-specific memory T cell differentiation and function. Accordingly, peptide/calcitriol liposomes leverage DC PD-L1 for antigen-specific T cell regulation and induce antigen-specific tolerance in inflammatory autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Galea
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hendrik J. Nel
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Meghna Talekar
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Xiao Liu
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Joshua D. Ooi
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Megan Huynh
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sara Hadjigol
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate J. Robson
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yi Tian Ting
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Suzanne Cole
- Discovery Immunology, Janssen Research & Development LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karyn Cochlin
- Discovery Immunology, Janssen Research & Development LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shannon Hitchcock
- Discovery Immunology, Janssen Research & Development LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bijun Zeng
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Suman Yekollu
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Martine Boks
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Natalie Goh
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Hugh H. Reid
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ben J. Boyd
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ravi Malaviya
- Discovery Immunology, Janssen Research & Development LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David J. Shealy
- Discovery Immunology, Janssen Research & Development LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel G. Baker
- Discovery Immunology, Janssen Research & Development LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Loui Madakamutil
- Discovery Immunology, Janssen Research & Development LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - A. Richard Kitching
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Departments of Nephrology and Paediatric Nephrology, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brendan J. O’Sullivan
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ranjeny Thomas
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
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Kugyelka R, Prenek L, Olasz K, Kohl Z, Botz B, Glant TT, Berki T, Boldizsár F. ZAP-70 Regulates Autoimmune Arthritis via Alterations in T Cell Activation and Apoptosis. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050504. [PMID: 31137740 PMCID: PMC6562615 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells play an essential role in the pathogenesis of both human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its murine models. A key molecule in T cell activation is ZAP-70, therefore we aimed to investigate the effects of partial ZAP-70 deficiency on the pathogenesis of recombinant human G1(rhG1)-induced arthritis (GIA), a well-established mouse model of RA. Arthritis was induced in BALB/c and ZAP-70+/- heterozygous mice. Disease progression was monitored using a scoring system and in vivo imaging, antigen-specific proliferation, cytokine and autoantibody production was measured and T cell apoptotic pathways were analyzed. ZAP-70+/- mice developed a less severe arthritis, as shown by both clinical picture and in vitro parameters (decreased T cell proliferation, cytokine and autoantibody production). The amount of cleaved Caspase-3 increased in arthritic ZAP-70+/- T cells, with no significant changes in cleaved Caspase-8 and -9 levels; although expression of Bim, Bcl-2 and Cytochrome C showed alterations. Tyrosine phosphorylation was less pronounced in arthritic ZAP-70+/- T cells and the amount of Cbl-b-a negative regulator of T cell activation-decreased as well. We hypothesize that the less severe disease seen in the partial absence of ZAP-70 might be caused by the decreased T cell activation accompanied by increased apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Réka Kugyelka
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Lilla Prenek
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Katalin Olasz
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Zoltán Kohl
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Bálint Botz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary.
- Department of Radiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Tibor T Glant
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Timea Berki
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Ferenc Boldizsár
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary.
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Melrose J. Functional Consequences of Keratan Sulfate Sulfation in Electrosensory Tissues and in Neuronal Regulation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:e1800327. [PMID: 32627425 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201800327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Keratan sulfate (KS) is a functional electrosensory and neuro-instructive molecule. Recent studies have identified novel low sulfation KS in auditory and sensory tissues such as the tectorial membrane of the organ of Corti and the Ampullae of Lorenzini in elasmobranch fish. These are extremely sensitive proton gradient detection systems that send signals to neural interfaces to facilitate audition and electrolocation. High and low sulfation KS have differential functional roles in song learning in the immature male zebra song-finch with high charge density KS in song nuclei promoting brain development and cognitive learning. The conductive properties of KS are relevant to the excitable neural phenotype. High sulfation KS interacts with a large number of guidance and neuroregulatory proteins. The KS proteoglycan microtubule associated protein-1B (MAP1B) stabilizes actin and tubulin cytoskeletal development during neuritogenesis. A second 12 span transmembrane synaptic vesicle associated KS proteoglycan (SV2) provides a smart gel storage matrix for the storage of neurotransmitters. MAP1B and SV2 have prominent roles to play in neuroregulation. Aggrecan and phosphacan have roles in perineuronal net formation and in neuroregulation. A greater understanding of the biology of KS may be insightful as to how neural repair might be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Melrose
- Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratories, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital and University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.,Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, Northern, Sydney University, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
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21
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Rims C, Uchtenhagen H, Kaplan MJ, Carmona-Rivera C, Carlucci P, Mikecz K, Markovics A, Carlin J, Buckner JH, James EA. Citrullinated Aggrecan Epitopes as Targets of Autoreactive CD4+ T Cells in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2019; 71:518-528. [PMID: 30390384 DOI: 10.1002/art.40768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recognition of citrullinated antigens such as vimentin, fibrinogen, and α-enolase is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Emerging data suggest that the matrix protein aggrecan is also recognized as a citrullinated antigen. This study was undertaken to directly visualize Cit-aggrecan-specific T cells and characterize them in patients with RA. METHODS Citrullinated aggrecan peptides with likely DRB1*04:01 binding motifs were predicted using a previously published scanning algorithm. Peptides with detectable binding were assessed for immunogenicity by HLA tetramer staining, followed by single cell cloning. Selectivity for citrullinated peptide was assessed by tetramer staining and proliferation assays. Ex vivo tetramer staining was then performed to assess frequencies of aggrecan-specific T cells in peripheral blood. Finally, disease association was assessed by comparing T cell frequencies in RA patients and controls and correlating aggrecan-specific T cells with levels of aggrecan-specific antibodies. RESULTS We identified 6 immunogenic peptides, 2 of which were the predominant T cell targets in peripheral blood. These 2 epitopes were citrullinated at HLA binding residues and shared homologous sequences. RA patients had significantly higher frequencies of Cit-aggrecan-specific T cells than healthy subjects. Furthermore, T cell frequencies were significantly correlated with antibodies against citrullinated aggrecan. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that T cells that recognize citrullinated aggrecan are present in patients with RA and correlate with antibodies that target this same antigen. Consequently, aggrecan-specific T cells and antibodies are potentially relevant markers that could be used to monitor patients with RA or at-risk subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliff Rims
- Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington
| | - Hannes Uchtenhagen
- Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington.,Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington, and Karolinksa Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mariana J Kaplan
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Carmelo Carmona-Rivera
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Philip Carlucci
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | | | - Jane H Buckner
- Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington
| | - Eddie A James
- Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington
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Rosenthal KS, Carambula R, Zimmerman DH. Why Don't We Have a Vaccine Against Autoimmune Diseases? - A Review. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL & CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 10:574. [PMID: 31328022 PMCID: PMC6640150 DOI: 10.4172/2155-9899.1000574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
This review examines some of the reasons why we don't have a vaccine against autoimmune diseases and highlights the progress that has been made. Many autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS) and type 1 diabetes (T1D), are driven by autoimmune T cell responses. Unlike vaccines for most infectious diseases, which elicit antibody responses, are intended for immuno-naive individuals and considered preventative, a vaccine for an autoimmune disease must be therapeutic and resolve or control the on-going autoimmune response and condition in the diseased host. Despite these differences, many of the same considerations for infectious disease vaccines must also be addressed to develop a therapeutic vaccine for autoimmune diseases. The disease initiator/triggers, antigens and autoantigens, nature of the immunopathogenic and protective/therapeutic immune response will be compared for infectious and autoimmune diseases as will approaches for developing vaccines including formulations, animal models and indicators of success. The rationale for a therapeutic vaccine for RA will be discussed in greater detail with a relatively limited discussion of T1D, MS and other autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken S Rosenthal
- Roseman University College of Medicine, 10530 Discovery Dr, Las Vegas, USA
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
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Ocskó T, Tóth DM, Hoffmann G, Tubak V, Glant TT, Rauch TA. Transcription factor Zbtb38 downregulates the expression of anti-inflammatory IL1r2 in mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1861:1040-1047. [PMID: 30343694 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a decisive regulator of gene expression. Differentially methylated promoters were described in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but we do not know how these epimutations can trigger a proinflammatory cytokine milieu. B cell-focused DNA methylome studies identified a group of genes that had undergone disease-associated changes in a murine model of RA. An arthritis-specific epimutation (hypomethylation) was detected in the promoter region of the Zbtb38 gene, which encodes a transcriptional repressor. Gene expression studies revealed that hypomethylation of the Zbtb38 promoter was accompanied by disease-specific repressor expression, and two anti-inflammatory factors interleukin 1 receptor 2 gene (IL1r2) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1rn) were among the downregulated genes. We hypothesized that Zbtb38 repressor could induce downregulated expression of these anti-inflammatory genes and that this could significantly contribute to arthritis pathogenesis. Our studies demonstrate that Zbtb38 forms a molecular bridge between an arthritis-associated epimutation (DNA hypomethylation in Zbtb38 promoter) and transcriptional silencing of the IL1r2 gene in B cells. In this way, disease-associated DNA hypomethylation can support autoimmune arthritis by interfering with an anti-inflammatory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tímea Ocskó
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America
| | - Dániel M Tóth
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America
| | - Gyula Hoffmann
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Vilmos Tubak
- Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biochemistry, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tibor T Glant
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America
| | - Tibor A Rauch
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, United States of America; Institute of Medical Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Section of Bioinformatics and Computational Medicine, János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
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24
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Dudics S, Langan D, Meka RR, Venkatesha SH, Berman BM, Che CT, Moudgil KD. Natural Products for the Treatment of Autoimmune Arthritis: Their Mechanisms of Action, Targeted Delivery, and Interplay with the Host Microbiome. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092508. [PMID: 30149545 PMCID: PMC6164747 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, debilitating illness characterized by painful swelling of the joints, inflammation of the synovial lining of the joints, and damage to cartilage and bone. Several anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying drugs are available for RA therapy. However, the prolonged use of these drugs is associated with severe side effects. Furthermore, these drugs are effective only in a proportion of RA patients. Hence, there is a need to search for new therapeutic agents that are effective yet safe. Interestingly, a variety of herbs and other natural products offer a vast resource for such anti-arthritic agents. We discuss here the basic features of RA pathogenesis; the commonly used animal models of RA; the mainstream drugs used for RA; the use of well-characterized natural products possessing anti-arthritic activity; the application of nanoparticles for efficient delivery of such products; and the interplay between dietary products and the host microbiome for maintenance of health and disease induction. We believe that with several advances in the past decade in the characterization and functional studies of natural products, the stage is set for widespread clinical testing and/or use of these products for the treatment of RA and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Dudics
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - David Langan
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Rakeshchandra R Meka
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Shivaprasad H Venkatesha
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Brian M Berman
- Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
- Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Chun-Tao Che
- Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Kamal D Moudgil
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Mikecz K, Glant TT, Markovics A, Rosenthal KS, Kurko J, Carambula RE, Cress S, Steiner HL, Zimmerman DH. An epitope-specific DerG-PG70 LEAPS vaccine modulates T cell responses and suppresses arthritis progression in two related murine models of rheumatoid arthritis. Vaccine 2017; 35:4048-4056. [PMID: 28583308 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune joint disease maintained by aberrant immune responses involving CD4+ T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells. In this study, we tested the therapeutic efficacy of Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation System (LEAPS™) vaccines in two Th1 cell-driven mouse models of RA, cartilage proteoglycan (PG)-induced arthritis (PGIA) and PG G1-domain-induced arthritis (GIA). The immunodominant PG peptide PG70 was attached to a DerG or J immune cell binding peptide, and the DerG-PG70 and J-PG70 LEAPS vaccines were administered to the mice after the onset of PGIA or GIA symptoms. As indicated by significant decreases in visual and histopathological scores of arthritis, the DerG-PG70 vaccine inhibited disease progression in both PGIA and GIA, while the J-PG70 vaccine was ineffective. Splenic CD4+ cells from DerG-PG70-treated mice were diminished in Th1 and Th17 populations but enriched in Th2 and regulatory T (Treg) cells. In vitro spleen cell-secreted and serum cytokines from DerG-PG70-treated mice demonstrated a shift from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory/regulatory profile. DerG-PG70 peptide tetramers preferentially bound to CD4+ T-cells of GIA spleen cells. We conclude that the DerG-PG70 vaccine (now designated CEL-4000) exerts its therapeutic effect by interacting with CD4+ cells, which results in an antigen-specific down-modulation of pathogenic T-cell responses in both the PGIA and GIA models of RA. Future studies will need to determine the potential of LEAPS vaccination to provide disease suppression in patients with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Mikecz
- Rush University Medical Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 1735 W. Harrison St., Cohn Research Building, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
| | - Tibor T Glant
- Rush University Medical Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 1735 W. Harrison St., Cohn Research Building, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
| | - Adrienn Markovics
- Rush University Medical Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 1735 W. Harrison St., Cohn Research Building, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
| | - Kenneth S Rosenthal
- Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Medicine, 10530 Discovery Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89135, United States.
| | - Julia Kurko
- Rush University Medical Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, 1735 W. Harrison St., Cohn Research Building, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
| | - Roy E Carambula
- CEL-SCI Corporation, 8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 802, Vienna, VA 22182, United States.
| | - Steve Cress
- CEL-SCI Corporation, 8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 802, Vienna, VA 22182, United States.
| | - Harold L Steiner
- CEL-SCI Corporation, 8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 802, Vienna, VA 22182, United States.
| | - Daniel H Zimmerman
- CEL-SCI Corporation, 8229 Boone Blvd., Suite 802, Vienna, VA 22182, United States.
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Tseng HW, Glant TT, Brown MA, Kenna TJ, Thomas GP, Pettit AR. Early anti-inflammatory intervention ameliorates axial disease in the proteoglycan-induced spondylitis mouse model of ankylosing spondylitis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2017; 18:228. [PMID: 28558827 PMCID: PMC5450150 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-017-1600-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterised by immune-mediated arthritis and osteoproliferation, ultimately leading to joint ankylosis. Whether inflammation is necessary for osteoproliferation is controversial, fuelled by the unclear efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatments on radiographic progression. In proteoglycan-induced spondylitis (PGISp), a mouse model of AS, inflammation is the prerequisite for osteoproliferation as osteoproliferation was only observed following inflammation-driven intervertebral disc (IVD) destruction. We hypothesised that early intervention with a potent anti-inflammatory therapy would protect IVD integrity and consequently alter disease progression. Methods PGISp mice received vehicle or a combination of etanercept (ETN) plus prednisolone (PRD) therapy for 2 or 6 weeks initiated at an early disease stage. Peripheral arthritis was scored longitudinally. Spinal disease was assessed using a semi-quantitative histological scoring regimen including inflammation, joint destruction and excessive tissue formation. Results ETN + PRD therapy significantly delayed the onset of peripheral arthritis. IVD integrity was significantly protected when treatment was commenced in early disease. Six-weeks of treatment resulted in trends towards reductions in intervertebral joint damage and excessive tissue formation. IVD score distribution was dichotomized, likely reflecting the extent of axial disease at initiation of therapy. In the sub-group of mice with high IVD destruction scores, ETN + PRD treatment significantly reduced IVD destruction severity, inflammation and bone erosion and reduced cartilage damage and excessive tissue formation. Conclusions Early intervention with anti-inflammatory treatment not only improved inflammatory symptoms but also ameliorated structural damage of spine in PGISp mice. This preclinical observation suggests that early anti-inflammatory intervention may slow radiographic progression in AS patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1600-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsu-Wen Tseng
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.,Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent St, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Tibor T Glant
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1735 W. Harrison Str., Cohn Research Building, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Matthew A Brown
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology: Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent St, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Tony J Kenna
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology: Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent St, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Gethin P Thomas
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia. .,Charles Sturt University, Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia.
| | - Allison R Pettit
- Mater Research Institute-The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent St, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.
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Ciccia F, Guggino G, Ferrante A, Cipriani P, Giacomelli R, Triolo G. Interleukin-9 and T helper type 9 cells in rheumatic diseases. Clin Exp Immunol 2017; 185:125-32. [PMID: 27159882 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-9 is a 28-30 kDa monomeric glycosylated polypeptide belonging to the IL-7/IL-9 family of proteins that bind to a composite receptor consisting of the private receptor IL-9R and the IL-2 receptor, gamma (IL-2RG), a common gamma subunit shared by the receptors of many different cytokines. The IL-9R is expressed widely and IL-9 impacts a number of effector cells, such as effector T cells, B cells, innate lymphoid cells, mast cells, polymorphonuclear cells, epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells, playing an important role in regulating inflammatory immunity. The critical role of IL-9 in promoting cellular and humoral immune responses makes it an important focus of potential therapeutic interventions. Recently, a defined subset of T helper type cells, Th9 cells, has been identified by the potent production of IL-9. The involvement of the Th9 cell subset has been described in many types of inflammatory diseases, namely atopic diseases, helminth infections, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and ulcerative colitis. In this review, we summarize the IL-9 biological activities, highlighting roles for IL-9 and Th9 cells in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, systemic vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Ciccia
- Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, University of Palermo, Palermo
| | - G Guggino
- Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, University of Palermo, Palermo
| | - A Ferrante
- Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, University of Palermo, Palermo
| | - P Cipriani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Applicate e Biotecnologiche, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università di L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - R Giacomelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Applicate e Biotecnologiche, Sezione di Reumatologia, Università di L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - G Triolo
- Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Sezione di Reumatologia, University of Palermo, Palermo
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Markovics A, Ocskó T, Katz RS, Buzás EI, Glant TT, Mikecz K. Immune Recognition of Citrullinated Proteoglycan Aggrecan Epitopes in Mice with Proteoglycan-Induced Arthritis and in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160284. [PMID: 27466816 PMCID: PMC4965111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting the joints. Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) are frequently found in RA. Previous studies identified a citrullinated epitope in cartilage proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan that elicited pro-inflammatory cytokine production by RA T cells. We recently reported the presence of ACPA-reactive (citrullinated) PG in RA cartilage. Herein, we sought to identify additional citrullinated epitopes in human PG that are recognized by T cells or antibodies from RA patients. Methods We used mice with PG-induced arthritis (PGIA) as a screening tool to select citrulline (Cit)-containing PG peptides that were more immunogenic than the arginine (R)-containing counterparts. The selected peptide pairs were tested for induction of pro-inflammatory T-cell cytokine production in RA and healthy control peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures using ELISA and flow cytometry. Anti-Cit and anti-R peptide antibodies were detected by ELISA. Results Splenocytes from mice with PGIA exhibited greater T-cell cytokine secretion in response to the Cit than the R version of PG peptide 49 (P49) and anti-P49 antibodies were found in PGIA serum. PBMC from ACPA+ and ACPA- RA patients, but not from healthy controls, responded to Cit49 with robust cytokine production. High levels of anti-Cit49 antibodies were found in the plasma of a subset of ACPA+ RA patients. Another PG peptide (Cit13) similar to the previously described T-cell epitope induced greater cytokine responses than R13 by control (but not RA) PBMC, however, anti-Cit13 antibodies were rarely detected in human plasma. Conclusions We identified a novel citrullinated PG epitope (Cit49) that is highly immunogenic in mice with PGIA and in RA patients. We also describe T-cell and antibody reactivity with Cit49 in ACPA+ RA. As citrullinated PG might be present in RA articular cartilage, Cit PG epitope-induced T-cell activation or antibody deposition may occur in the joints of RA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienn Markovics
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Tímea Ocskó
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Robert S Katz
- Rheumatology Associates, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Edit I Buzás
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tibor T Glant
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Katalin Mikecz
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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Glant TT, Ocsko T, Markovics A, Szekanecz Z, Katz RS, Rauch TA, Mikecz K. Characterization and Localization of Citrullinated Proteoglycan Aggrecan in Human Articular Cartilage. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150784. [PMID: 26943656 PMCID: PMC4778950 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of the synovial joints. The autoimmune character of RA is underscored by prominent production of autoantibodies such as those against IgG (rheumatoid factor), and a broad array of joint tissue-specific and other endogenous citrullinated proteins. Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) can be detected in the sera and synovial fluids of RA patients and ACPA seropositivity is one of the diagnostic criteria of RA. Studies have demonstrated that RA T cells respond to citrullinated peptides (epitopes) of proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan, which is one of the most abundant macromolecules of articular cartilage. However, it is not known if the PG molecule is citrullinated in vivo in human cartilage, and if so, whether citrulline-containing neoepitopes of PG (CitPG) can contribute to autoimmunity in RA. METHODS CitPG was detected in human cartilage extracts using ACPA+ RA sera in dot blot and Western blot. Citrullination status of in vitro citrullinated recombinant G1 domain of human PG (rhG1) was confirmed by antibody-based and chemical methods, and potential sites of citrullination in rhG1 were explored by molecular modeling. CitPG-specific serum autoantibodies were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and CitPG was localized in osteoarthritic (OA) and RA cartilage using immunohistochemistry. FINDINGS Sera from ACPA+ RA patients reacted with PG purified from normal human cartilage specimens. PG fragments (mainly those containing the G1 domain) from OA or RA cartilage extracts were recognized by ACPA+ sera but not by serum from ACPA- individuals. ACPA+ sera also reacted with in vitro citrullinated rhG1 and G3 domain-containing fragment(s) of PG. Molecular modeling suggested multiple sites of potential citrullination within the G1 domain. The immunohistochemical localization of CitPG was different in OA and RA cartilage. CONCLUSIONS CitPG is a new member of citrullinated proteins identified in human joints. CitPG could be found in both normal and diseased cartilage specimens. Antibodies against CitPG may trigger or augment arthritis by forming immune complexes with this autoantigen in the joints of ACPA+ RA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor T. Glant
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Biochemistry and Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States of America
| | - Timea Ocsko
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States of America
| | - Adrienn Markovics
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States of America
| | - Zoltan Szekanecz
- Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Faculty of Medicine, Debrecen, H-4012, Hungary
| | - Robert S. Katz
- Rheumatology Associates, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States of America
| | - Tibor A. Rauch
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States of America
| | - Katalin Mikecz
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Biochemistry and Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Methods for Testing Immunological Factors. DRUG DISCOVERY AND EVALUATION: PHARMACOLOGICAL ASSAYS 2016. [PMCID: PMC7122208 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-05392-9_45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Hypersensitivity reactions can be elicited by various factors: either immunologically induced, i.e., allergic reactions to natural or synthetic compounds mediated by IgE, or non-immunologically induced, i.e., activation of mediator release from cells through direct contact, without the induction of, or the mediation through immune responses. Mediators responsible for hypersensitivity reactions are released from mast cells. An important preformed mediator of allergic reactions found in these cells is histamine. Specific allergens or the calcium ionophore 48/80 induce release of histamine from mast cells. The histamine concentration can be determined with the o-phthalaldehyde reaction.
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Rosenthal KS, Mikecz K, Steiner HL, Glant TT, Finnegan A, Carambula RE, Zimmerman DH. Rheumatoid arthritis vaccine therapies: perspectives and lessons from therapeutic ligand epitope antigen presentation system vaccines for models of rheumatoid arthritis. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 14:891-908. [PMID: 25787143 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2015.1026330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The current status of therapeutic vaccines for autoimmune diseases is reviewed with rheumatoid arthritis as the focus. Therapeutic vaccines for autoimmune diseases must regulate or subdue responses to common self-antigens. Ideally, such a vaccine would initiate an antigen-specific modulation of the T-cell immune response that drives the inflammatory disease. Appropriate animal models and types of T helper cells and signature cytokine responses that drive autoimmune disease are also discussed. Interpretation of these animal models must be done cautiously because the means of initiation, autoantigens, and even the signature cytokine and T helper cell (Th1 or Th17) responses that are involved in the disease may differ significantly from those in humans. We describe ligand epitope antigen presentation system vaccine modulation of T-cell autoimmune responses as a strategy for the design of therapeutic vaccines for rheumatoid arthritis, which may also be effective in other autoimmune conditions.
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Olalekan SA, Cao Y, Hamel KM, Finnegan A. B cells expressing IFN-γ suppress Treg-cell differentiation and promote autoimmune experimental arthritis. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:988-98. [PMID: 25645456 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Clinical efficacy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with anti-CD20 (Rituximab)-mediated B-cell depletion has garnered interest in the mechanisms by which B cells contribute to autoimmunity. We have reported that B-cell depletion in a murine model of proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA) leads to an increase in Treg cells that correlate with decreased autoreactivity. Here, we demonstrate that the increase in Treg cells after B-cell depletion is due to an increase in the differentiation of naïve CD4(+) T cells into Treg cells. Since the development of PGIA is dependent on IFN-γ and B cells are reported to produce IFN-γ, we hypothesized that B-cell-specific IFN-γ plays a role in the development of PGIA. Accordingly, mice with B-cell-specific IFN-γ deficiency were as resistant to the induction of PGIA as mice that were completely IFN-γ deficient. Importantly, despite a normal frequency of IFN-γ-producing CD4(+) T cells, B-cell-specific IFN-γ-deficient mice exhibited a higher percentage of Treg cells compared with that in WT mice. These data indicate that B-cell IFN-γ production inhibits Treg-cell differentiation and exacerbates arthritis. Thus, we have established that IFN-γ, specifically derived from B cells, uniquely contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmunity through prevention of immunoregulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan A Olalekan
- Department of Immunology/Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Cohn Research Building, Chicago, IL, USA
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Kurkó J, Vida A, Ocskó T, Tryniszewska B, Rauch TA, Glant TT, Szekanecz Z, Mikecz K. Suppression of proteoglycan-induced autoimmune arthritis by myeloid-derived suppressor cells generated in vitro from murine bone marrow. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111815. [PMID: 25369029 PMCID: PMC4219784 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are innate immune cells capable of suppressing T-cell responses. We previously reported the presence of MDSCs with a granulocytic phenotype in the synovial fluid (SF) of mice with proteoglycan (PG)-induced arthritis (PGIA), a T cell-dependent autoimmune model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the limited amount of SF-MDSCs precluded investigations into their therapeutic potential. The goals of this study were to develop an in vitro method for generating MDSCs similar to those found in SF and to reveal the therapeutic effect of such cells in PGIA. Methods Murine bone marrow (BM) cells were cultured for 3 days in the presence of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The phenotype of cultured cells was analyzed using flow cytometry, microscopy, and biochemical methods. The suppressor activity of BM-MDSCs was tested upon co-culture with activated T cells. To investigate the therapeutic potential of BM-MDSCs, the cells were injected into SCID mice at the early stage of adoptively transferred PGIA, and their effects on the clinical course of arthritis and PG-specific immune responses were determined. Results BM cells cultured in the presence of GM-CSF, IL-6, and G-CSF became enriched in MDSC-like cells that showed greater phenotypic heterogeneity than MDSCs present in SF. BM-MDSCs profoundly inhibited both antigen-specific and polyclonal T-cell proliferation primarily via production of nitric oxide. Injection of BM-MDSCs into mice with PGIA ameliorated arthritis and reduced PG-specific T-cell responses and serum antibody levels. Conclusions Our in vitro enrichment strategy provides a SF-like, but controlled microenvironment for converting BM myeloid precursors into MDSCs that potently suppress both T-cell responses and the progression of arthritis in a mouse model of RA. Our results also suggest that enrichment of BM in MDSCs could improve the therapeutic efficacy of BM transplantation in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Kurkó
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Debrecen, Faculty of Medicine, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - András Vida
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Tímea Ocskó
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Beata Tryniszewska
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Tibor A. Rauch
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Tibor T. Glant
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Zoltán Szekanecz
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Debrecen, Faculty of Medicine, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Katalin Mikecz
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Olalekan SA, Cao Y, Finnegan A. Tissue specific CD4+ T cell priming determines the requirement for interleukin-23 in experimental arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2014; 16:440. [PMID: 25253467 PMCID: PMC4203961 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-014-0440-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with striking heterogeneity in (i) clinical presentation, (ii) autoantibody profiles and (iii) responses to treatment suggesting that distinct molecular mechanisms may underlie the disease process. Proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA) is induced by two pathways either by intraperitoneal (i.p.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) exposure to PG. CD4+ T cells primed by the i.p. route are T helper (Th)1 cells expressing interferon gamma (IFN-γ) whereas CD4+ T cells primed by the s.c. route are Th17 cells expressing interleukin (IL)-17. IL-23 is necessary for maintaining the phenotype of Th17 cells; however, IL-23 is inflammatory independent of IL-17. The aim of this study was to determine if PGIA induced by different routes of immunization is dependent on IL-23. METHODS BALB/c wild type (WT), IL-12p40-/- and IL-23p19-/- littermate mice were immunized with recombinant G1 (rG1) domain of human PG in adjuvant either i.p. or s.c. and development of arthritis monitored. Joint histology was assessed. CD4+ T cell cytokines in spleen, lymph node (LN), and joint were assessed by intracellular staining and cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RNA transcripts for cytokines and transcription factors were examined. RESULTS PGIA was suppressed in the p40-/- and p19-/- mice immunized by the s.c. route but only inhibited in p40-/- mice by the i.p. route. The joints of s.c. but not i.p. sensitized mice contained a population of CD4+ T cells expressing single positive IFN-γ and IL-17 and double positive IFN-γ/IL-17 which were dependent on IL-23 expression. The IFN-γ and IL-17 response in spleen and inguinal LN was inhibited in p19-/- mice and p40-/- mice after s.c. immunization, whereas in i.p. immunized p19-/- mice, IL-17 but not IFN-γ was reduced. Inguinal LN CD11c+ dendritic cells (DC) from s.c. immunized, but not spleen DC from i.p. immunized mice, produced IL-23, IL-1β, and IL-6 and activated T cells to produce IL-17. CONCLUSION IL-23 is necessary for the activity of Th17 after s.c. immunization and does not play a role independent of IL-17 after i.p. immunization. These data demonstrate that the molecular pathways IL-23/17 and IL-12/IFN-γ may represent subtypes of arthritis determined by the mode of induction.
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Commercial bovine proteoglycan is highly arthritogenic and can be used as an alternative antigen source for PGIA model. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:148594. [PMID: 24971313 PMCID: PMC4058295 DOI: 10.1155/2014/148594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common systemic autoimmune disease. It affects mainly the joints, causing synovitis, cartilage destruction, and bone erosion. Many experimental models are used to study the mechanisms involved in immunopathogenesis and new therapies for this disease. Proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA) is a widely used model based on the cross-reactivity of injected foreign (usually human) PG and mice self-PG. Considering the complexity of the extraction and purification of human PG, in this study we evaluated the arthritogenicity of bovine PG that is commercially available. Bovine PG was highly arthritogenic, triggering 100% incidence of arthritis in female BALB/c retired breeder mice. Animals immunized with bovine PG presented clinical symptoms and histopathological features similar to human RA and other experimental models. Moreover, bovine PG immunization determined higher levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in arthritic mice compared to healthy ones. As expected, only the arthritic group produced IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies against PG. Thus, commercial bovine PG can be used as an alternative antigenic source to PGIA for the study of many RA aspects, including the immunopathogenesis of the disease and also the development of new therapies.
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Proteoglycan aggrecan conducting T cell activation and apoptosis in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:942148. [PMID: 24605340 PMCID: PMC3925549 DOI: 10.1155/2014/942148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease and its targeting of the joints indicates the presence of a candidate autoantigen(s) in synovial joints. Patients with RA show immune responses in their peripheral blood to proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan. One of the most relevant animal models of RA appears to be proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA), and CD4+ T cells seem to play a crucial role in the initiation of the disease. In this review, the role of various T cell epitopes of aggrecan in the induction of autoreactive T cell activation and arthritis is discussed. We pay special attention to two critically important arthritogenic epitopes, 5/4E8 and P135H, found in the G1 and G3 domains of PG aggrecan, respectively, in the induction of autoimmune arthritis. Finally, results obtained with the recently developed PG-specific TCR transgenic mice system showed that altered T cell apoptosis, the balance of activation, and apoptosis of autoreactive T cells are critical factors in the development of autoimmunity.
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Kobezda T, Ghassemi-Nejad S, Mikecz K, Glant TT, Szekanecz Z. Of mice and men: how animal models advance our understanding of T-cell function in RA. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2014; 10:160-70. [PMID: 24394350 DOI: 10.1038/nrrheum.2013.205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of autoreactive T cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as in autoimmune animal models of arthritis has been well established; however, unanswered questions, such as the role of joint-homing T cells, remain. Animal models of arthritis are superb experimental tools in demonstrating how T cells trigger joint inflammation, and thus can help to further our knowledge of disease mechanisms and potential therapies. In this Review, we discuss the similarities and differences in T-cell subsets and functions between RA and mouse arthritis models. For example, various T-cell subsets are involved in both human and mouse arthritis, but differences might exist in the cytokine regulation and plasticity of these cells. With regard to joint-homing T cells, an abundance of synovial T cells is present in humans compared with mice. On the other hand, local expansion of type 17 T-helper (TH17) cells is observed in some animal models, but not in RA. Finally, whereas T-cell depletion therapy essentially failed in RA, antibody targeting of T cells can work, at least preventatively, in most arthritis models. Clearly, additional human and animal studies are needed to fill the gap in our understanding of the specific contribution of T-cell subsets to arthritis in mice and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Kobezda
- Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Medicine, University of Debrecen Medical and Health Science Centre, 98 Nagyerdei Street, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary
| | - Sheida Ghassemi-Nejad
- Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Medicine, University of Debrecen Medical and Health Science Centre, 98 Nagyerdei Street, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary
| | - Katalin Mikecz
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Biochemistry and Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Centre, 1735 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Tibor T Glant
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Biochemistry and Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Centre, 1735 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Zoltán Szekanecz
- Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Medicine, University of Debrecen Medical and Health Science Centre, 98 Nagyerdei Street, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary
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Glant TT, Besenyei T, Kádár A, Kurkó J, Tryniszewska B, Gál J, Soós G, Szekanecz Z, Hoffmann G, Block JA, Katz RS, Mikecz K, Rauch TA. Differentially expressed epigenome modifiers, including aurora kinases A and B, in immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis in humans and mouse models. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 65:1725-35. [PMID: 23653330 DOI: 10.1002/art.37986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify epigenetic factors that are implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to explore the therapeutic potential of the targeted inhibition of these factors. METHODS Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays were used to investigate the expression profile of genes that encode key epigenetic regulator enzymes. Mononuclear cells from RA patients and mice were monitored for gene expression changes, in association with arthritis development in murine models of RA. Selected genes were further characterized by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, Western blot, and flow cytometry methods. The targeted inhibition of the up-regulated enzymes was studied in arthritic mice. RESULTS A set of genes with arthritis-specific expression was identified by the PCR arrays. Aurora kinases A and B, both of which were highly expressed in arthritic mice and treatment-naive RA patients, were selected for detailed analysis. Elevated aurora kinase expression was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of histone H3, which promotes proliferation of T lymphocytes. Treatment with VX-680, a pan-aurora kinase inhibitor, promoted B cell apoptosis, provided significant protection against disease onset, and attenuated inflammatory reactions in arthritic mice. CONCLUSION Arthritis development is accompanied by changes in expression of a number of epigenome-modifying enzymes. Drug-induced down-regulation of the aurora kinases, among other targets, seems to be sufficient to treat experimental arthritis. Development of new therapeutics that target aurora kinases can potentially improve RA management.
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Rodeghero R, Cao Y, Olalekan SA, Iwakua Y, Glant TT, Finnegan A. Location of CD4+ T cell priming regulates the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells and their contribution to arthritis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:5423-35. [PMID: 23630349 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1203045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Th cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17 are linked to the development of autoimmune disease. In models of rheumatoid arthritis, that is, proteoglycan (PG)-induced arthritis, IFN-γ is required, whereas in collagen-induced arthritis, IL-17 is necessary for development of arthritis. In this study we show that the route of immunization determines the requirement for either IFN-γ or IL-17 in arthritis. Intraperitoneal immunization with PG induces a CD4(+) T cell IFN-γ response with little IL-17 in the spleen and peripheral lymph nodes. However, s.c. immunization induces both an IFN-γ and an IL-17 CD4(+) T cell response in spleen and lymph nodes. The failure to induce a CD4(+) T cell IL-17 response after i.p. immunization is associated with T cell priming, as naive T cells activated in vitro were fully capable of producing IL-17. Moreover, PG-induced arthritis is converted from an IFN-γ to an IL-17-mediated disease by altering the route of immunization from i.p. to s.c. The histological appearance of joint inflammation (cellular inflammation and bone erosion) is similar in the i.p. versus s.c. immunized mice despite the presence of CD4(+) T cells producing IL-17 in joint tissues only after s.c. immunization. These data indicate a critical role for the site of initial T cell priming and the Th cytokines required for susceptibility to arthritis. Our findings suggest that T cell activation at different anatomical sites in rheumatoid arthritis patients may skew the T cells toward production of either IFN-γ or IL-17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Rodeghero
- Department of Immunology/Microbiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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40
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Misják P, Bősze S, Horváti K, Pásztói M, Pálóczi K, Holub MC, Szakács F, Aradi B, György B, Szabó TG, Nagy G, Glant TT, Mikecz K, Falus A, Buzás EI. The role of citrullination of an immunodominant proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan T cell epitope in BALB/c mice with PG-induced arthritis. Immunol Lett 2013; 152:25-31. [PMID: 23578666 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2013.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 03/10/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The P70-84 peptide (also called 5/4E8 epitope) of the human cartilage proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan is the dominant/arthritogenic epitope in both humans and arthritis-prone BALB/c mice (PG-induced arthritis, PGIA). An elevated T cell reactivity was demonstrated to a citrullinated version of the P70-84 epitope in most of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The goal of this study was to understand better how a T cell epitope, if citrullinated, may affect antigenicity/arthritogenicity in PGIA, a murine model of RA. T cell reactivity to differentially citrullinated versions of either the human PG aggrecan P70-84 peptide or the corresponding mouse sequence was assessed in peptide or aggrecan-immunized and arthritic BALB/c mice as well as in T cell receptor transgenic mice specific for peptide P70-84 sequence. Peripheral T cell responses were induced by priming BALB/c mice with either the human wild-type or its citrullinated versions. Unexpectedly, priming with the citrullinated self-peptide induced a higher T cell response compared to the wild-type sequence (p<0.001), and the citrullination of the human peptide abolished T cell reactivity in PGIA. Our data suggest that T cells reactive to the citrullinated P70-84 peptide escaped thymic selection and are present in the peripheral T cell repertoire. Results of this study provide evidence that citrullination of an immunodominant T cell epitope may substantially alter, either increase or abolish, T cell recognition at the periphery in an experimental model of arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Misják
- Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Egelston C, Kurkó J, Besenyei T, Tryniszewska B, Rauch TA, Glant TT, Mikecz K. Suppression of dendritic cell maturation and T cell proliferation by synovial fluid myeloid cells from mice with autoimmune arthritis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 64:3179-88. [PMID: 22492217 DOI: 10.1002/art.34494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether myeloid cells (such as granulocytes) present in the synovial fluid (SF) of arthritic joints have an impact on adaptive immunity. Specifically, we investigated the effects of SF cells harvested from the joints of mice with proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA), on dendritic cell (DC) maturation and antigen-specific T cell proliferation. METHODS We monitored DC maturation (MHCII and CD86 expression) by flow cytometry upon coculture of DCs with SF cells or spleen myeloid cells from mice with PGIA. The effects of these myeloid cells on T cell proliferation were studied using T cells purified from PG-specific T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic (Tg) mice. Phenotype analysis of myeloid cells was performed by immunostaining, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and biochemical assays. RESULTS Inflammatory SF cells significantly suppressed the maturation of DCs upon coculture. PG-TCR-Tg mouse T cells cultured with antigen-loaded DCs showed dramatic decreases in proliferation in the presence of SF cells. Spleen myeloid cells from arthritic mice did not have suppressive effects. SF cells were unable to suppress CD3/CD28-stimulated proliferation of the same T cells, suggesting a DC-dependent mechanism. SF cells exhibited all of the characteristics of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and exerted suppression primarily through the production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species by granulocyte-like cells. CONCLUSION SF in the joints of mice with PGIA contains a population of granulocytic MDSCs that potently suppress DC maturation and T cell proliferation. These MDSCs have the potential to limit the expansion of autoreactive T cells, thus breaking the vicious cycle of autoimmunity and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colt Egelston
- Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
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Non-MHC risk alleles in rheumatoid arthritis and in the syntenic chromosome regions of corresponding animal models. Clin Dev Immunol 2012; 2012:284751. [PMID: 23251214 PMCID: PMC3521484 DOI: 10.1155/2012/284751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2012] [Revised: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a polygenic autoimmune disease primarily affecting the synovial joints. Numerous animal models show similarities to RA in humans; some of them not only mimic the clinical phenotypes but also demonstrate the involvement of homologous genomic regions in RA. This paper compares corresponding non-MHC genomic regions identified in rodent and human genome-wide association studies (GWAS). To date, over 30 non-MHC RA-associated loci have been identified in humans, and over 100 arthritis-associated loci have been identified in rodent models of RA. The genomic regions associated with the disease are designated by the name(s) of the gene having the most frequent and consistent RA-associated SNPs or a function suggesting their involvement in inflammatory or autoimmune processes. Animal studies on rats and mice preferentially have used single sequence length polymorphism (SSLP) markers to identify disease-associated qualitative and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in the genome of F2 hybrids of arthritis-susceptible and arthritis-resistant rodent strains. Mouse GWAS appear to be far ahead of rat studies, and significantly more mouse QTLs correspond to human RA risk alleles.
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Kobezda T, Ghassemi-Nejad S, Glant TT, Mikecz K. In vivo two-photon imaging of T cell motility in joint-draining lymph nodes in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. Cell Immunol 2012; 278:158-65. [PMID: 23023071 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2012.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Revised: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Recent imaging studies on intact lymph nodes (LNs) of naïve T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic mice have reported that T cells reduce their motility upon contact with relevant antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Using in vivo two-photon imaging of T cells in joint-draining (JD) LNs, we examined whether similar changes in T cell motility are observed in wild type mice. Co-transfer of T cells from naïve mice and antigen-experienced T cells from mice with proteoglycan (PG)-induced arthritis into naïve or arthritic recipients resulted in prolonged interactions of antigen-experienced T cells with APCs upon intra-articular antigen (PG) injection, indicating that T cells from arthritic wild type mice recapitulate the motile behavior reported in naïve TCR-transgenic mice. However, naïve T cells also engaged in stable interactions with APCs in the JDLNs of arthritic recipients, suggesting an enhanced ability of APCs in the JDLNs of arthritic hosts to present antigen to either naïve or antigen-experienced T cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigen Presentation
- Antigen-Presenting Cells/immunology
- Antigen-Presenting Cells/pathology
- Arthritis, Experimental/chemically induced
- Arthritis, Experimental/immunology
- Arthritis, Experimental/pathology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology
- Cell Movement
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Humans
- Injections, Intra-Articular
- Joints/immunology
- Joints/pathology
- Lymph Nodes/immunology
- Lymph Nodes/pathology
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton
- Proteoglycans/isolation & purification
- Proteoglycans/pharmacology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/physiology
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Kobezda
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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44
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Advances in research on animal models of rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol 2012; 32:161-5. [PMID: 22885986 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-012-2041-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
At present, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered a type of autoimmune disease. Its pathology is not certain, and effective drugs with less toxicity have not been established. The establishment and application of animal models are effective methods for RA research, especially using animal models similar to humans. Arthritis is more heterogeneous, and this is an important starting point when discussing animal models for arthritis. Animal models are instrumental in understanding the etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms of RA. Appropriate animal models should be selected according to experiments because they have different traits. Various methods have been applied to induce arthritis in animal experimental models, which have provided important insights into the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of human RA. This review was written to give a broad introduction of the current stage of RA model and hope to offer beneficial help for RA-related research.
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Kezic JM, Davey MP, Glant TT, Rosenbaum JT, Rosenzweig HL. Interferon-γ regulates discordant mechanisms of uveitis versus joint and axial disease in a murine model resembling spondylarthritis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 64:762-71. [PMID: 21987263 DOI: 10.1002/art.33404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The spondylarthritides (such as ankylosing spondylitis) are multisystem inflammatory diseases that frequently result in uveitis. Despite the common co-occurrence of uveitis with arthritis, there has been no explanation for the susceptibility of the eye to inflammation. Using an innovative intravital videomicroscopic approach, we discovered the coexistence of uveitis with axial and peripheral joint inflammation in mice immunized with cartilage proteoglycan (PG). The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of uveitis and test the impact of interferon-γ (IFNγ) deficiency on the eye versus the joint and spine. METHODS Female T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic mice or IFNγ-knockout mice crossed to TCR-transgenic mice were immunized with PG. Uveitis was assessed by intravital videomicroscopy and histology. The clinical and histopathologic severity of arthritis and spondylitis were evaluated. The bone remodeling process within the spine was assessed by whole-body near-infrared imaging. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence staining were used to examine the expression of PG and ADAMTS-5 and to examine the cellular composition of eyes with uveitis. RESULTS PG neoepitopes along with the aggrecanase ADAMTS-5 were present in the eye, as they were the joint. Anterior uveitis developed in response to PG immunization. The cellular infiltrate consisted mainly of neutrophils and eosinophils. Unexpectedly, IFNγ deficiency markedly exacerbated uveitis while ameliorating joint and spine disease, indicating divergent mechanisms that drive diseases in the eye versus the joints and spine. CONCLUSION This study provides the first detailed description of a murine disease model in which uveitis coincides with arthritis and spondylitis. Our observations provide a great opportunity for understanding the pathogenesis of a relatively common but poorly understood disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena M Kezic
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
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Law SC, Street S, Yu CHA, Capini C, Ramnoruth S, Nel HJ, van Gorp E, Hyde C, Lau K, Pahau H, Purcell AW, Thomas R. T-cell autoreactivity to citrullinated autoantigenic peptides in rheumatoid arthritis patients carrying HLA-DRB1 shared epitope alleles. Arthritis Res Ther 2012; 14:R118. [PMID: 22594821 PMCID: PMC3446499 DOI: 10.1186/ar3848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Revised: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies are found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with HLA-DRβ chains encoding the shared epitope (SE) sequence. Citrullination increases self-antigen immunogenicity, through increased binding affinity to SE-containing HLA-DR molecules. To characterise T-cell autoreactivity towards citrullinated self-epitopes, we profiled responses of SE+ healthy controls and RA patients to citrullinated and unmodified epitopes of four autoantigens. Methods We compared T-cell proliferative and cytokine responses to citrullinated and native type II collagen 1,237 to 1,249, vimentin 66 to 78, aggrecan 84 to 103 and fibrinogen 79 to 91 in six SE+ healthy controls and in 21 RA patients with varying disease duration. Cytokine-producing cells were stained after incubation with peptide in the presence of Brefeldin-A. Results Although proliferative responses were low, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF were secreted by CD4+ T cells of SE+ RA patients and healthy controls, as well as IFNγ and IL-10 secreted by RA patients, in response to citrullinated peptides. Of the epitopes tested, citrullinated aggrecan was most immunogenic. Patients with early RA were more likely to produce IL-6 in response to no epitope or to citrullinated aggrecan, while patients with longstanding RA were more likely to produce IL-6 to more than one epitope. Cytokine-producing CD4+ T cells included the CD45RO+ and CD45RO- and the CD28+ and CD28- subsets in RA patients. Conclusion Proinflammatory cytokines were produced by CD4+ T cells in SE+ individuals in response to citrullinated self-epitopes, of which citrullinated aggrecan was most immunogenic. Our data suggest that the T-cell response to citrullinated self-epitopes matures and diversifies with development of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soi Cheng Law
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Qld 4102, Australia
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Glant TT, Adarichev VA, Boldizsar F, Besenyei T, Laszlo A, Mikecz K, Rauch TA. Disease-promoting and -protective genomic loci on mouse chromosomes 3 and 19 control the incidence and severity of autoimmune arthritis. Genes Immun 2012; 13:336-45. [PMID: 22402741 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2012.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Proteoglycan (PG)-induced arthritis (PGIA) is a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis-prone BALB/c mice are 100% susceptible, whereas the major histocompatibility complex-matched DBA/2 strain is completely resistant to PGIA. To reduce the size of the disease-suppressive loci for sequencing and to find causative genes of arthritis, we created a set of BALB/c.DBA/2-congenic/subcongenic strains carrying DBA/2 genomic intervals overlapping the entire Pgia26 locus on chromosome 3 (chr3) and Pgia23/Pgia12 loci on chr19 in the arthritis-susceptible BALB/c background. Upon immunization of these subcongenic strains and their wild-type (BALB/c) littermates, we identified a major Pgia26a sublocus on chr3 that suppressed disease onset, incidence and severity via controlling the complex trait of T-cell responses. The region was reduced to 3 Mbp (11.8 Mbp with flanking regions) in size and contained gene(s) influencing the production of a number of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, two independent loci (Pgia26b and Pgia26c) suppressed the clinical scores of arthritis. The Pgia23 locus (∼3 Mbp in size) on chr19 reduced arthritis susceptibility and onset, and the Pgia12 locus (6 Mbp) associated with low arthritis severity. Thus, we have reached the critical sizes of arthritis-associated genomic loci on mouse chr3 and chr19, which are ready for high-throughput sequencing of genomic DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- T T Glant
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Section of Molecular Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Olasz K, Boldizsar F, Kis-Toth K, Tarjanyi O, Hegyi A, van Eden W, Rauch TA, Mikecz K, Glant TT. T cell receptor (TCR) signal strength controls arthritis severity in proteoglycan-specific TCR transgenic mice. Clin Exp Immunol 2012; 167:346-55. [PMID: 22236012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2011.04506.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell receptor transgenic (TCR-Tg) mice specific for the arthritogenic 5/4E8 epitope in the G1 domain of cartilage proteoglycan were generated and back-crossed into arthritis-prone BALB/c background. Although more than 90% of CD4(+) T cells of all TCR-Tg lines were 5/4E8-specific, one (TCR-TgA) was highly sensitive to G1-induced or spontaneous arthritis, while another (TCR-TgB) was less susceptible. Here we studied whether fine differences in TCR signalling controlled the onset and severity of arthritis. Mice from the two TCR-Tg lines were immunized side by side with purified recombinant human G1 (rhG1) domain for G1 domain of cartilage proteoglycan (PG)-induced arthritis (GIA). TCR-TgA mice developed severe and early-onset arthritis, whereas TCR-TgB mice developed weaker arthritis with delayed onset, although TCR-TgB CD4(+) T cells expressed approximately twice more TCR-Vβ4 chain protein. The more severe arthritis in TCR-TgA mice was associated with higher amounts of anti-G1 domain-specific antibodies, larger numbers of B cells and activated T helper cells. Importantly, TCR-TgB CD4(+) T cells were more sensitive to in vitro activation-induced apoptosis, correlating with their higher TCR and CD3 expression and with the increased TCR signal strength. These findings indicate that TCR signal strength determines the clinical outcome of arthritis induction: 'optimal' TCR signal strength leads to strong T cell activation and severe arthritis in TCR-TgA mice, whereas 'supra-optimal' TCR signal leads to enhanced elimination of self-reactive T cells, resulting in attenuated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Olasz
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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Neutralization of IL-17 ameliorates uveitis but damages photoreceptors in a murine model of spondyloarthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2012; 14:R18. [PMID: 22269151 PMCID: PMC3392808 DOI: 10.1186/ar3697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Revised: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Uveitis, or intraocular inflammatory disease, is a frequent extra-articular manifestation of several forms of arthritis. Despite the frequent co-occurrence of uveitis and arthritis, little is understood of the eye's predisposition to this disease. We recently described a previously unreported uveitis in a murine model of spondyloarthropathy triggered by autoimmunity to aggrecan, a prominent proteoglycan (PG) macromolecule in cartilage. In contrast to the joint and spine, wherein interferon-gamma (IFNγ) deficiency reduced disease, IFNγ deficiency worsened uveitis. Given the regulatory role of IFNγ on the Th17 response and the current focus of anti-interleukin-17 therapeutics in patients with uveitis and spondyloarthritis, we sought to determine the extent to which interleukin (IL)-17 mediates uveitis in the absence of IFNγ. Methods Antigen specific T cell cytokine production was measured in splenocyte cultures using multiplex-ELISA. Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing the T cell receptor (TCR) recognizing the dominant arthritogenic epitope in the G1 domain of PG (TCR-Tg), also lacking IFNγ, were immunized with PG. Mice were then systemically administered an anti-IL-17 neutralizing antibody. The onset and severity of peripheral arthritis was evaluated by clinical scoring criteria and histology. Uveitis was assessed using intravital videomicroscopy, which visualizes leukocyte trafficking within the vasculature and tissue of the iris, and by histology. Results TCR-Tg splenocytes stimulated in vitro with recombinant G1 peptide demonstrated exacerbated production of cytokines, such as macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, IL-1β, and most notably IL-17A as a consequence of IFNγ deficiency. In vivo, IL-17 inhibition prevented the component of PG-induced arthritis that occurs independently of IFNγ. Blockade of IL-17 ameliorated the ongoing leukocyte trafficking responses within the iris vasculature and tissue, which coincided with reduced infiltration of leukocytes within the anterior and posterior eye segments. However, the anti-IL-17 treatment resulted in unanticipated photoreceptor toxicity. Conclusions These data support a protective, regulatory role for IFNγ in suppression of IL-17-mediated intraocular disease and to a lesser extent, joint disease. The unanticipated photoreceptor toxicity raises some caution regarding the use of anti-IL-17 therapeutics until the mechanism of this potential effect is determined.
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