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Song Y, Li J, Wu Y. Evolving understanding of autoimmune mechanisms and new therapeutic strategies of autoimmune disorders. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:263. [PMID: 39362875 PMCID: PMC11452214 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01952-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune disorders are characterized by aberrant T cell and B cell reactivity to the body's own components, resulting in tissue destruction and organ dysfunction. Autoimmune diseases affect a wide range of people in many parts of the world and have become one of the major concerns in public health. In recent years, there have been substantial progress in our understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis and mechanisms of autoimmune diseases. Current approved therapeutic interventions for autoimmune diseases are mainly non-specific immunomodulators and may cause broad immunosuppression that leads to serious adverse effects. To overcome the limitations of immunosuppressive drugs in treating autoimmune diseases, precise and target-specific strategies are urgently needed. To date, significant advances have been made in our understanding of the mechanisms of immune tolerance, offering a new avenue for developing antigen-specific immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases. These antigen-specific approaches have shown great potential in various preclinical animal models and recently been evaluated in clinical trials. This review describes the common epidemiology, clinical manifestation and mechanisms of autoimmune diseases, with a focus on typical autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and sjögren's syndrome. We discuss the current therapeutics developed in this field, highlight the recent advances in the use of nanomaterials and mRNA vaccine techniques to induce antigen-specific immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Song
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Li
- Chongqing International Institute for Immunology, Chongqing, China.
| | - Yuzhang Wu
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.
- Chongqing International Institute for Immunology, Chongqing, China.
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Liu X, Zhou S, Huang M, Zhao M, Zhang W, Liu Q, Song K, Wang X, Liu J, OuYang Q, Dong Z, Yang M, Li Z, Lin L, Liu Y, Yu Y, Liao S, Zhu J, Liu L, Li W, Jia L, Zhang A, Guo C, Yang L, Li QG, Bai X, Li P, Cai G, Lu Q, Chen X. DNA methylation and whole-genome transcription analysis in CD4 + T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients with or without renal damage. Clin Epigenetics 2024; 16:98. [PMID: 39080788 PMCID: PMC11290231 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-024-01699-7] [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: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lupus nephritis (LN) is the most common cause of kidney injury in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and is associated with increased mortality. DNA methylation, one of the most important epigenetic modifications, has been reported as a key player in the pathogenesis of SLE. Hence, our article aimed to explore DNA methylation in CD4+ T cells from LNs to identify additional potential biomarkers and pathogenic genes involved in the progression of LN. METHODS Our study enrolled 46 SLE patients with or without kidney injury and 23 healthy controls from 2019 to 2022. CD4+ T cells were sorted for DNA methylation genotyping and RNA-seq. Through bioinformatics analysis, we identified the significant differentially methylated CpG positions (DMPs) only in the LN group and validated them by Bisulfite PCR. Integration analysis was used to screen for differentially methylated and expressed genes that might be involved in the progression of LN, and the results were analyzed via cell experiments and flow cytometry. RESULTS We identified 243 hypomethylated sites and 778 hypermethylated sites only in the LN cohort. Three of these DMPs, cg08332381, cg03297029, and cg16797344, were validated by Bisulfite PCR and could be potential biomarkers for LN. Integrated analysis revealed that the expression of BCL2L14 and IFI27 was regulated by DNA methylation, which was validated by azacytidine (5-aza) treatment. The overexpression of BCL2L14 in CD4+ T cells might induce renal fibrosis and inflammation by regulating the differentiation and function of Tfh cells. CONCLUSION Our study identified novel aberrant DMPs in CD4+ T cells only in LN patients and DNA methylation-regulated genes that could be potential LN biomarkers. BCL2L14 is likely involved in the progression of LN and might be a treatment target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Siyu Zhou
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengjie Huang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weiguang Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Qun Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Kangkang Song
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
- Department of Nephrology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Jiaona Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Qing OuYang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Zheyi Dong
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhenzhen Li
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Li Lin
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Simin Liao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Nephrology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenge Li
- Department of Nephrology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Linpei Jia
- Department of Nephrology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Aihua Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chaomin Guo
- Laboratory Medicine Department, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - LiuYang Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Gang Li
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xueyuan Bai
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Guangyan Cai
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research On Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, #12 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing, 210042, China.
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (301 Hospital), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, 28 Fuxing Road Beijing (wukesong), Beijing, 100853, China.
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Chen YC, Yu HH, Hu YC, Yang YH, Lin YT, Wang LC, Chiang BL, Lee JH. Peripheral blood cells RNA-seq identifies differentially expressed gene network linked to lymphocyte subsets alterations and active lupus nephritis associated with declines in renal function. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32303. [PMID: 38912505 PMCID: PMC11190669 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to investigate whether quantitative changes in lymphocyte subsets and gene expression in peripheral blood (PB) cells are related to the clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). Methods We enrolled 95 pediatric-onset SLE patients with renal involvement who presented with 450 clinical episodes suspicious for LN flare. Percentages of lymphocyte subsets at each episode were determined. We stratified 55 of 95 patients as high or low subset group according to the median percentage of each lymphocyte subset and the association with changes in the eGFR (ΔeGFR) were analyzed. Peripheral blood bulk RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in 9 active LN vs. 9 inactive LN patients and the DEG-derived network was constructed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Results The mean ΔeGFR of low NK-low memory CD4+ T-high naive CD4+ T group (31.01 mL/min/1.73 m2) was significantly greater than that of high NK-high memory CD4+ T-low naive CD4+ T group (11.83 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.0175). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the median time for ΔeGFR decline to mean ΔeGFR is approximately 10 years for high NK-high memory CD4+ T-low naive CD4+ T group and approximately 5 years for low NK-low memory CD4+ T-high naive CD4+ T group (log-rank test P = 0.0294). Conclusions Our study highlighted important connections between DEG-derived network, lymphocyte subset composition, and disease status of LN and GN. A novel scoring system based on lymphocyte subset proportions effectively stratified patients into groups with differential risks for declining renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chen Chen
- Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan, China
| | - Hsin-Hui Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Ya-Chiao Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Yao-Hsu Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Yu-Tsan Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Li-Chieh Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Bor-Luen Chiang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, China
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, China
| | - Jyh-Hong Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, China
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Younesian S, Mohammadi MH, Younesian O, Momeny M, Ghaffari SH, Bashash D. DNA methylation in human diseases. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32366. [PMID: 38933971 PMCID: PMC11200359 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of human diseases. The current review aims to reveal the role of aberrant DNA methylation in the pathogenesis and progression of diseases and to discuss the original data obtained from international research laboratories on this topic. In the review, we mainly summarize the studies exploring the role of aberrant DNA methylation as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in a broad range of human diseases, including monogenic epigenetics, autoimmunity, metabolic disorders, hematologic neoplasms, and solid tumors. The last section provides a general overview of the possibility of the DNA methylation machinery from the perspective of pharmaceutic approaches. In conclusion, the study of DNA methylation machinery is a phenomenal intersection that each of its ways can reveal the mysteries of various diseases, introduce new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and propose a new patient-tailored therapeutic approach for diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samareh Younesian
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1971653313 Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Mohammadi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1971653313 Iran
| | - Ommolbanin Younesian
- School of Medicine, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, 46841-61167 Iran
| | - Majid Momeny
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, 77030 TX, USA
| | - Seyed H. Ghaffari
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1411713135 Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1971653313 Iran
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Deng T, Wang Z, Geng Q, Wang Z, Jiao Y, Diao W, Xu J, Deng T, Luo J, Tao Q, Xiao C. Methylation of T and B Lymphocytes in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2024; 66:401-422. [PMID: 39207646 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-024-09003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The role of abnormal epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, in the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) has garnered increasing attention. Lymphocyte dysfunction is a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of ARDs. Methylation is crucial for maintaining normal immune system function, and aberrant methylation can hinder lymphocyte differentiation, resulting in functional abnormalities that disrupt immune tolerance, leading to the excessive expression of inflammatory cytokines, thereby exacerbating the onset and progression of ARDs. Recent studies suggest that methylation-related factors have the potential to serve as biomarkers for monitoring the activity of ARDs. This review summarizes the current state of research on the impact of DNA and RNA methylation on the development, differentiation, and function of T and B cells and examines the progress of these epigenetic modifications in studies of six specific ARDs: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Additionally, we propose that exploring the interplay between RNA methylation and DNA methylation may represent a novel direction for understanding the pathogenesis of ARDs and developing novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Deng
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qishun Geng
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhaoran Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yi Jiao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Wenya Diao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jiahe Xu
- China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Tingting Deng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of TCM Rheumatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Qingwen Tao
- Department of TCM Rheumatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Cheng Xiao
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Zheng X, Dozmorov MG, Espinoza L, Bowes MM, Bastacky S, Sawalha AH. Inducible deletion of Ezh2 in CD4+ T cells inhibits kidney T cell infiltration and prevents interstitial nephritis in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.04.583401. [PMID: 38496595 PMCID: PMC10942296 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.04.583401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a remitting relapsing autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody production and multi-organ involvement. T cell epigenetic dysregulation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus. We have previously demonstrated upregulation of the key epigenetic regulator EZH2 in CD4+ T cells isolated from lupus patients. To further investigate the role of EZH2 in the pathogenesis of lupus, we generated a tamoxifen-inducible CD4+ T cell Ezh2 conditional knockout mouse on the MRL/lpr lupus-prone background. We demonstrate that Ezh2 deletion abrogates lupus-like disease and prevents T cell differentiation. Single-cell analysis suggests impaired T cell function and activation of programed cell death pathways in EZH2-deficient mice. Ezh2 deletion in CD4+ T cells restricts TCR clonal repertoire and prevents kidney-infiltrating effector CD4+ T cell expansion and tubulointerstitial nephritis, which has been linked to end-stage renal disease in patients with lupus nephritis.
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Furment MM, Perl A. Immmunometabolism of systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Immunol 2024; 261:109939. [PMID: 38382658 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.109939] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a potentially fatal chronic autoimmune disease which is underlain by complex dysfunction of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Although a series of well-defined genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in disease etiology, neither the development nor the persistence of SLE is well understood. Given that several disease susceptibility genes and environmental factors interact and influence inflammatory lineage specification through metabolism, the field of immunometabolism has become a forefront of cutting edge research. Along these lines, metabolic checkpoints of pathogenesis have been identified as targets of effective therapeutic interventions in mouse models and validated in clinical trials. Ongoing studies focus on mitochondrial oxidative stress, activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin, calcium signaling, glucose utilization, tryptophan degradation, and metabolic cross-talk between gut microbiota and the host immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Marte Furment
- Departments of Medicine, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Norton College of Medicine, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States of America
| | - Andras Perl
- Departments of Medicine, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Norton College of Medicine, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States of America; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Norton College of Medicine, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States of America; Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Norton College of Medicine, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States of America.
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Chen Y, Liu W, Xu X, Zhen H, Pang B, Zhao Z, Zhao Y, Liu H. The Role of H3K27me3-Mediated Th17 Differentiation in Ankylosing Spondylitis. Inflammation 2024:10.1007/s10753-024-02002-9. [PMID: 38517649 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-024-02002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common chronic progressive inflammatory autoimmune disease. T helper 17 (Th17) cells are the major effector cells mediating AS inflammation. Histone 3 Lys 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) is an inhibitory histone modification that silences gene transcription and plays an important role in Th17 differentiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of H3K27me3 in patients with AS and to explore its epigenetic regulation mechanism of Th17 differentiation during AS inflammation. We collected serum samples from 45 patients with AS at various stages and 10 healthy controls to measure their Interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels using ELISA. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the mRNA levels of RORc and the signaling molecules of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, JMJD3, and EZH2. Additionally, Western blot analysis was performed to quantify the protein levels of H3K27me3, RORγt, JAK2, STAT3, JMJD3, and EZH2 in cell protein extracts. The results showed that H3K27me3 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was significantly lower in patients with active AS compared to both the normal control groups and those with stable AS. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was observed between H3K27me3 expression and the characteristic transcription factor of Th17 differentiation, RORγt. We also discovered that patients with active AS exhibited significantly higher levels of JMJD3, an inhibitor of H3K27 demethylase, compared to the normal control group and patients with stable AS, while the expression of H3K27 methyltransferase (EZH2) was significantly lower. These findings suggest that H3K27me3 may be a dynamic and important epigenetic modification in AS inflammation, and JMJD3/EZH2 regulates the methylation level of H3K27me3, which may be one of the key regulatory factors in the pathogenesis of AS. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of epigenetics in AS and may have implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuening Chen
- Department of Rheumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Wanlin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xiaohan Xu
- Guang'anmen Hospital Jinan, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Hongying Zhen
- Department of Cell Biology, Basic Medical School, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Clinical Laboratory, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Zhe Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Hongxiao Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, 100053, China.
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Khantakova JN, Sennikov SV. T-helper cells flexibility: the possibility of reprogramming T cells fate. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1284178. [PMID: 38022605 PMCID: PMC10646684 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1284178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Various disciplines cooperate to find novel approaches to cure impaired body functions by repairing, replacing, or regenerating cells, tissues, or organs. The possibility that a stable differentiated cell can reprogram itself opens the door to new therapeutic strategies against a multitude of diseases caused by the loss or dysfunction of essential, irreparable, and specific cells. One approach to cell therapy is to induce reprogramming of adult cells into other functionally active cells. Understanding the factors that cause or contribute to T cell plasticity is not only of clinical importance but also expands the knowledge of the factors that induce cells to differentiate and improves the understanding of normal developmental biology. The present review focuses on the advances in the conversion of peripheral CD4+ T cells, the conditions of their reprogramming, and the methods proposed to control such cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia N. Khantakova
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology” (RIFCI), Novosibirsk, Russia
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Zheng X, Dozmorov MG, Strohlein CE, Bastacky S, Sawalha AH. Ezh2 Knockout in B Cells Impairs Plasmablast Differentiation and Ameliorates Lupus-like Disease in MRL/lpr Mice. Arthritis Rheumatol 2023; 75:1395-1406. [PMID: 36897808 PMCID: PMC10492897 DOI: 10.1002/art.42492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES EZH2 regulates B cell development and differentiation. We previously demonstrated increased EZH2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from lupus patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of EZH2 expression in B cells in the pathogenesis of lupus. METHODS We generated an MRL/lpr mouse with floxed Ezh2, which was crossed with CD19-Cre mice to examine the effect of B cell EZH2 deficiency in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice. Differentiation of B cells was assessed using flow cytometry. Single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell B cell receptor sequencing were performed. In vitro B cell culture with an X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) inhibitor was performed. EZH2 and XBP1 messenger RNA levels in CD19+ B cells isolated from lupus patients and healthy controls were analyzed. RESULTS We show that Ezh2 deletion in B cells significantly decreased autoantibody production and improved glomerulonephritis. B cell development was altered in the bone marrow and spleen of EZH2-deficient mice. Differentiation of germinal center B cells and plasmablasts was impaired. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed that XBP1, a key transcription factor in B cell development, is down-regulated in the absence of EZH2. Inhibiting XBP1 in vitro impairs plasmablast development similar to EZH2 deficiency in mice. Single-cell B cell receptor RNA sequencing revealed defective immunoglobulin class-switch recombination in EZH2-deficient mice. In human lupus B cells, we observed a strong correlation between EZH2 and XBP1 messenger RNA expression levels. CONCLUSION EZH2 overexpression in B cells contributes to disease pathogenesis in lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Zheng
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mikhail G Dozmorov
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Colleen E Strohlein
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sheldon Bastacky
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Amr H Sawalha
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Lupus Center of Excellence, and Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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11
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Tsai CY, Li KJ, Shen CY, Lu CH, Lee HT, Wu TH, Ng YY, Tsao YP, Hsieh SC, Yu CL. Decipher the Immunopathological Mechanisms and Set Up Potential Therapeutic Strategies for Patients with Lupus Nephritis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10066. [PMID: 37373215 PMCID: PMC10298725 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe complications in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Traditionally, LN is regarded as an immune complex (IC) deposition disease led by dsDNA-anti-dsDNA-complement interactions in the subendothelial and/or subepithelial basement membrane of glomeruli to cause inflammation. The activated complements in the IC act as chemoattractants to chemically attract both innate and adaptive immune cells to the kidney tissues, causing inflammatory reactions. However, recent investigations have unveiled that not only the infiltrating immune-related cells, but resident kidney cells, including glomerular mesangial cells, podocytes, macrophage-like cells, tubular epithelial cells and endothelial cells, may also actively participate in the inflammatory and immunological reactions in the kidney. Furthermore, the adaptive immune cells that are infiltrated are genetically restricted to autoimmune predilection. The autoantibodies commonly found in SLE, including anti-dsDNA, are cross-reacting with not only a broad spectrum of chromatin substances, but also extracellular matrix components, including α-actinin, annexin II, laminin, collagen III and IV, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Besides, the glycosylation on the Fab portion of IgG anti-dsDNA antibodies can also affect the pathogenic properties of the autoantibodies in that α-2,6-sialylation alleviates, whereas fucosylation aggravates their nephritogenic activity. Some of the coexisting autoantibodies, including anti-cardiolipin, anti-C1q, anti-ribosomal P autoantibodies, may also enhance the pathogenic role of anti-dsDNA antibodies. In clinical practice, the identification of useful biomarkers for diagnosing, monitoring, and following up on LN is quite important for its treatments. The development of a more specific therapeutic strategy to target the pathogenic factors of LN is also critical. We will discuss these issues in detail in the present article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Youh Tsai
- Division of Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital & College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24352, Taiwan
| | - Ko-Jen Li
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 106319, Taiwan; (K.-J.L.); (C.-Y.S.); (C.-H.L.); (S.-C.H.)
| | - Chieh-Yu Shen
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 106319, Taiwan; (K.-J.L.); (C.-Y.S.); (C.-H.L.); (S.-C.H.)
| | - Cheng-Hsun Lu
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 106319, Taiwan; (K.-J.L.); (C.-Y.S.); (C.-H.L.); (S.-C.H.)
| | - Hui-Ting Lee
- MacKay Memorial Hospital & MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 25245, Taiwan;
| | - Tsai-Hung Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan;
| | - Yee-Yung Ng
- Department of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital & College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24352, Taiwan;
| | - Yen-Po Tsao
- Division of Holistic and Multidisciplinary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan;
| | - Song-Chou Hsieh
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 106319, Taiwan; (K.-J.L.); (C.-Y.S.); (C.-H.L.); (S.-C.H.)
| | - Chia-Li Yu
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology & Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 106319, Taiwan; (K.-J.L.); (C.-Y.S.); (C.-H.L.); (S.-C.H.)
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12
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Nezhad Nezhad MT, Rajabi M, Nekooeizadeh P, Sanjari S, Pourvirdi B, Heidari MM, Veradi Esfahani P, Abdoli A, Bagheri S, Tobeiha M. Systemic lupus erythematosus: From non-coding RNAs to exosomal non-coding RNAs. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 247:154508. [PMID: 37224659 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as an immunological illness, frequently impacts young females. Both vulnerabilities to SLE and the course of the illness's clinical symptoms have been demonstrated to be affected by individual differences in non-coding RNA expression. Many non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are out of whack in patients with SLE. Because of the dysregulation of several ncRNAs in peripheral blood of patients suffering from SLE, these ncRNAs to be showed valuable as biomarkers for medication response, diagnosis, and activity. NcRNAs have also been demonstrated to influence immune cell activity and apoptosis. Altogether, these facts highlight the need of investigating the roles of both families of ncRNAs in the progress of SLE. Being aware of the significance of these transcripts perhaps elucidates the molecular pathogenesis of SLE and could open up promising avenues to create tailored treatments during this condition. In this review we summarized various non-coding RNAs and Exosomal non-coding RNAs in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammadreza Rajabi
- Student Research Committee، Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Pegah Nekooeizadeh
- Student Research Committee، Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Siavash Sanjari
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Bita Pourvirdi
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Heidari
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Pegah Veradi Esfahani
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Abdoli
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Sahar Bagheri
- Diabetes Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Tobeiha
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are a diverse group of conditions characterized by aberrant B cell and T cell reactivity to normal constituents of the host. These diseases occur widely and affect individuals of all ages, especially women. Among these diseases, the most prominent immunological manifestation is the production of autoantibodies, which provide valuable biomarkers for diagnosis, classification and disease activity. Although T cells have a key role in pathogenesis, they are technically more difficult to assay. In general, autoimmune disease results from an interplay between a genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Genetic predisposition to autoimmunity is complex and can involve multiple genes that regulate the function of immune cell populations. Less frequently, autoimmunity can result from single-gene mutations that affect key regulatory pathways. Infection seems to be a common trigger for autoimmune disease, although the microbiota can also influence pathogenesis. As shown in seminal studies, patients may express autoantibodies many years before the appearance of clinical or laboratory signs of disease - a period called pre-clinical autoimmunity. Monitoring autoantibody expression in at-risk populations may therefore enable early detection and the initiation of therapy to prevent or attenuate tissue damage. Autoimmunity may not be static, however, and remission can be achieved by some patients treated with current agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Pisetsky
- Duke University Medical Center, Medical Research Service, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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Liu S, Yang Y, Zeng L, Wang L, He C, Chen Z, Sun J, Lyu T, Wang M, Chen H, Zhang F. TOX promotes follicular helper T cell differentiation in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:946-957. [PMID: 35713502 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Whether naive CD4+ T cells are dysregulated and associated with the overactivation of CD4+ T cells in primary SS (pSS) remains unclear. We aimed to explore the role and underlying mechanism of naive CD4+ T cells in pSS. METHODS We examined the activation, proliferation and differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells from pSS patients and healthy controls. Differentially expressed genes were identified using RNA sequencing, and were overexpressed or silenced to determine the gene regulating follicular helper T (Tfh) cells. Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) with chromatin immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) was performed to explore the epigenetic mechanism. Naive CD4+ T cells were treated with pSS-related cytokines to explore the upstream signalling pathway. RESULTS pSS naive CD4+ T cells had higher potentials of activation, proliferation and differentiation towards Tfh cells. Thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box protein (TOX) was upregulated in pSS naive CD4+ T cells and promoted T cell activation and Tfh cell polarization. TOX silencing in pSS naive CD4+ T cells downregulated B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) expression and altered levels of multiple Tfh-associated genes. ChIP-seq analysis implied that TOX bound to the BCL6 locus, where there were accessible regions found by ATAC-seq. IFN-α induced TOX overexpression, which was attenuated by Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) inhibitors. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that TOX in pSS naive CD4+ T cells is upregulated, which facilitates Tfh cell differentiation. Mechanistically, IFN-α induces TOX overexpression in naive CD4+ T cells through JAK-STAT1 signalling and TOX regulates BCL6 expression. Therefore, IFN-α-JAK-STAT1 signalling and TOX might be potential therapeutic targets in pSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suying Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education
| | - Yanlei Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education
| | - Liuting Zeng
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education
| | - Chengmei He
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education
| | - Zhilei Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education
| | - Jinlei Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education
| | - Taibiao Lyu
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education
| | - Mu Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education
| | - Fengchun Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.,Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education
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15
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Lee SW, Lee GW, Kim HO, Cho JH. Shaping Heterogeneity of Naive CD8 + T Cell Pools. Immune Netw 2023; 23:e2. [PMID: 36911807 PMCID: PMC9995989 DOI: 10.4110/in.2023.23.e2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune diversification helps protect the host against a myriad of pathogens. CD8+ T cells are essential adaptive immune cells that inhibit the spread of pathogens by inducing apoptosis in infected host cells, ultimately ensuring complete elimination of infectious pathogens and suppressing disease development. Accordingly, numerous studies have been conducted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying CD8+ T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation into effector and memory cells, and to identify various intrinsic and extrinsic factors regulating these processes. The current knowledge accumulated through these studies has led to a huge breakthrough in understanding the existence of heterogeneity in CD8+ T cell populations during immune response and the principles underlying this heterogeneity. As the heterogeneity in effector/memory phases has been extensively reviewed elsewhere, in the current review, we focus on CD8+ T cells in a "naïve" state, introducing recent studies dealing with the heterogeneity of naive CD8+ T cells and discussing the factors that contribute to such heterogeneity. We also discuss how this heterogeneity contributes to establishing the immense complexity of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Woo Lee
- Medical Research Center for Combinatorial Tumor Immunotherapy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Korea.,Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Korea
| | - Gil-Woo Lee
- Medical Research Center for Combinatorial Tumor Immunotherapy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Korea.,Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Korea
| | | | - Jae-Ho Cho
- Medical Research Center for Combinatorial Tumor Immunotherapy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Korea.,Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Korea.,BioMedical Sciences Graduate Program, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Korea
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16
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Wang F, Miao HB, Pei ZH, Chen Z. Serological, fragmentomic, and epigenetic characteristics of cell-free DNA in patients with lupus nephritis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1001690. [PMID: 36578480 PMCID: PMC9791112 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1001690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The biological characteristics of plasma circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are related to the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). The aim of this study was to explore the biological characteristics of cfDNA in patients with LN in terms of serology, fragment omics, and epigenetics, and to discuss the possibility of liquid biopsy for cfDNA as an alternative to conventional tissue biopsy. Methods cfDNA was extracted from plasma samples of 127 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (64 with LN, 63 without LN). The cfDNA concentration was determined using the Qubit method. Next-generation sequencing cfDNA methylation profiling was performed for three LN patients and six non-LN patients. The methylation panel was designed based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. The fragmentation index, motif score, and DELFI score were calculated to explore the fragmentation profile of cfDNA in patients with LN. Statistical and machine learning methods were used to select features to calculate the methylation scores of the samples. Results Patients with LN had significantly lower cfDNA concentrations (P = 0.0347) than those without LN. This may be associated with the presence of anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies (r = -0.4189; P = 0.0296). The mean DELFI score (proportion of short fragments of cfDNA) in patients with LN was significantly higher than that in patients without LN (P = 0.0238). Based on the pan-cancer data, 73, 66, 8, and 10 features were selected and used to calculate the methylation scores. The mean methylation scores of these features in patients with LN differed significantly from those in patients without LN (P = 0.0238). Conclusions The specificity of cfDNA in patients with LN was identified using serological, fragmentomic, and epigenetic analyses. The findings may have implications for the development of new molecular markers of LN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China,Department of Immunology, Foresea Life Insurance Guangxi Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Hai-bing Miao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhi-hua Pei
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China,*Correspondence: Zhen Chen,
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Chen R, Li J, Fujimoto J, Hong L, Hu X, Quek K, Tang M, Mitra A, Behrens C, Chow CW, Jiang P, Little LD, Gumbs C, Song X, Zhang J, Tan D, Heymach JV, Wistuba I, Futreal PA, Gibbons DL, Byers LA, Zhang J, Reuben A. Immunogenomic intertumor heterogeneity across primary and metastatic sites in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:172. [PMID: 35546239 PMCID: PMC9092788 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02361-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, partially owing to its extensive heterogeneity. The analysis of intertumor heterogeneity has been limited by an inability to concurrently obtain tissue from synchronous metastases unaltered by multiple prior lines of therapy.
Methods
In order to study the relationship between genomic, epigenomic and T cell repertoire heterogeneity in a rare autopsy case from a 32-year-old female never-smoker with left lung primary late-stage lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), we did whole-exome sequencing (WES), DNA methylation and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing to characterize the immunogenomic landscape of one primary and 19 synchronous metastatic tumors.
Results
We observed heterogeneous mutation, methylation, and T cell patterns across distinct metastases. Only TP53 mutation was detected in all tumors suggesting an early event while other cancer gene mutations were later events which may have followed subclonal diversification. A set of prevalent T cell clonotypes were completely excluded from left-side thoracic tumors indicating distinct T cell repertoire profiles between left-side and non left-side thoracic tumors. Though a limited number of predicted neoantigens were shared, these were associated with homology of the T cell repertoire across metastases. Lastly, ratio of methylated neoantigen coding mutations was negatively associated with T-cell density, richness and clonality, suggesting neoantigen methylation may partially drive immunosuppression.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrates heterogeneous genomic and T cell profiles across synchronous metastases and how restriction of unique T cell clonotypes within an individual may differentially shape the genomic and epigenomic landscapes of synchronous lung metastases.
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Sung WY, Lin YZ, Hwang DY, Lin CH, Li RN, Tseng CC, Wu CC, Ou TT, Yen JH. Methylation of TET2 Promoter Is Associated with Global Hypomethylation and Hypohydroxymethylation in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12123006. [PMID: 36553013 PMCID: PMC9776498 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12123006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: It is widely accepted that aberrant methylation patterns contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ten-eleven translocation (TET) methylcytosine dioxygenase is an essential enzyme of which there are three members, TET1, 2, and 3, involved in hydroxymethylation, a newly uncovered mechanism of active DNA methylation. The epigenomes of gene transcription are regulated by 5-hydroxymethylcytocine (5-hmC) and TETs, leading to dysregulation of the immune system in SLE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the global hydroxymethylation status in SLE peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and to explore the role of TETs in changing the patterns of methylation. (2) Methods: We collected PBMCs from 101 SLE patients and 100 healthy donors. TaqMan real-time polymerase chain-reaction assay was performed for the detection of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), 5-hmC, and TET2 mRNA expression and single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping. The methylation rates in different CpG sites of TET2 promoters were examined using next-generation sequencing-based deep bisulfite sequencing. Putative transcription factors were investigated using the UCSC Genome Browser on the Human Dec. 2013 (GRCh38/hg38) Assembly. (3) Results: 5-mC and 5-hmC were both decreased in SLE. The mRNA expression level of TET2 was notably high and found to be correlated with the levels of immunologic biomarkers that are indicative of SLE disease activity. The analysis of methylation rates in the TET2 promoter revealed that SLE patients had significantly higher and lower rates of methylation in TET2 105146072-154 and TET2 105146218-331, respectively. (4) Conclusions: TET2 may play an important role in 5-mC/5-hmC dynamics in the PBMCs of SLE patients. The epigenetic modification of TET2 promoters could contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE and the intensity of the immunologic reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Yu Sung
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (W.-Y.S.); (J.-H.Y.)
| | - Yuan-Zhao Lin
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Daw-Yang Hwang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 350401, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hui Lin
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Ruei-Nian Li
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chun Tseng
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chin Wu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Tsan-Teng Ou
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Hsien Yen
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- College of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (W.-Y.S.); (J.-H.Y.)
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19
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Guo C, Liu Q, Zong D, Zhang W, Zuo Z, Yu Q, Sha Q, Zhu L, Gao X, Fang J, Tao J, Wu Q, Li X, Qu K. Single-cell transcriptome profiling and chromatin accessibility reveal an exhausted regulatory CD4+ T cell subset in systemic lupus erythematosus. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111606. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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20
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Yang Y, Liu K, Liu M, Zhang H, Guo M. EZH2: Its regulation and roles in immune disturbance of SLE. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1002741. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1002741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is related to immune homeostasis imbalance. Epigenetic mechanisms have played a significant role in breaking immune tolerance. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the specific methylation transferase of lysine at position 27 of histone 3, is currently found to participate in the pathogenesis of SLE through affecting multiple components of the immune system. This review mainly expounds the mechanisms underlying EZH2-mediated disruption of immune homeostasis in SLE patients, hoping to provide new ideas in the pathogenesis of SLE and new targets for future treatment.
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21
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Lanata CM, Nititham J, Taylor KE, Solomon O, Chung SA, Blazer A, Trupin L, Katz P, Dall'Era M, Yazdany J, Sirota M, Barcellos LF, Criswell LA. Dynamics of Methylation of CpG Sites Associated With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Subtypes in a Longitudinal Cohort. Arthritis Rheumatol 2022; 74:1676-1686. [PMID: 35635730 PMCID: PMC9529797 DOI: 10.1002/art.42237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Findings from cross-sectional studies have revealed associations between DNA methylation and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) outcomes. This study was undertaken to investigate the dynamics of DNA methylation by examining participants from an SLE longitudinal cohort using samples collected at 2 time points. METHODS A total of 101 participants from the California Lupus Epidemiology Study were included in our analysis. DNA was extracted from blood samples collected at the time of enrolment in the cohort and samples collected after 2 years and was analyzed using Illumina EPIC BeadChip kit. Paired t-tests were used to identify genome-wide changes which included 256 CpG sites previously found to be associated with SLE subtypes. Linear mixed models were developed to understand the relationship between DNA methylation and disease activity, medication use, and sample cell-type proportions, adjusted for age, sex, and genetic principal components. RESULTS The majority of CpGs that were previously determined to be associated with SLE subtypes remained stable over 2 years (185 CpGs [72.3%]; t-test false discovery rate >0.05). Compared to background genome-wide methylation, there was an enrichment of SLE subtype-associated CpGs that changed over time (27.7% versus 0.34%). Changes in cell-type proportions were associated with changes at 67 CpGs (P < 2.70 × 10-5 ), and 15 CpGs had at least 1 significant association with immunosuppressant use. CONCLUSION In this longitudinal SLE cohort, we identified a subset of SLE subtype-associated CpGs that remained stable over time and may be useful as biomarkers of disease subtypes. Another subset of SLE subtype-associated CpGs changed at a higher proportion compared to the genome-wide methylome. Additional studies are needed to understand the etiology and impact of these changes on methylation of SLE-associated CpGs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joanne Nititham
- National Human Genome Research Institute, NIHBethesdaMaryland
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22
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de la Calle-Fabregat C, Rodríguez-Ubreva J, Cañete JD, Ballestar E. Designing Studies for Epigenetic Biomarker Development in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases. RHEUMATOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2022; 3:103-110. [PMID: 36788968 PMCID: PMC9895872 DOI: 10.2478/rir-2022-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
In just a few years, the number of epigenetic studies in autoimmune rheumatic and inflammatory diseases has greatly increased. This is in part due to the need of identifying additional determinants to genetics to explain the pathogenesis and development of these disorders. In this regard, epigenetics provides potential mechanisms that determine gene function, are linked to environmental factors, and could explain a wide range of phenotypic variability among patients with these diseases. Despite the high interest and number of studies describing epigenetic alterations under these conditions and exploring their relationship to various clinical aspects, few of the proposed biomarkers have yet reached clinical practice. The potential of epigenetic markers is high, as these alterations link measurable features with a number of biological traits. In the present article, we present published studies in the field, discuss some frequent limitations in the existing research, and propose a number of considerations that should be taken into account by those starting new projects in the field, with an aim to generate biomarkers that could make it into the clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos de la Calle-Fabregat
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), 08916Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Ubreva
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), 08916Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan D. Cañete
- Rheumatology Department, Arthritis Unit, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS, 08036Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esteban Ballestar
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), 08916Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Epigenetics in Inflammatory and Metabolic Diseases Laboratory, Health Science Center (HSC), East China Normal University (ECNU), Shanghai200241, China
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23
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Xu N, Liu J, Li X. Lupus nephritis: The regulatory interplay between epigenetic and MicroRNAs. Front Physiol 2022; 13:925416. [PMID: 36187762 PMCID: PMC9523357 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.925416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small, non-coding RNA molecules that act as epigenetic modifiers to regulate the protein levels of target messenger RNAs without altering their genetic sequences. The highly complex role of miRNAs in the epigenetics of lupus nephritis (LN) is increasingly being recognized. DNA methylation and histone modifications are focal points of epigenetic research. miRNAs play a critical role in renal development and physiology, and dysregulation may result in abnormal renal cell proliferation, inflammation, and fibrosis of the kidneys in LN. However, epigenetic and miRNA-mediated regulation are not mutually exclusive. Further research has established a link between miRNA expression and epigenetic regulation in various disorders, including LN. This review summarizes the most recent evidence regarding the interaction between miRNAs and epigenetics in LN and highlights potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Xu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Xiangling Li
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangling Li,
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24
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Xu WD, Huang Q, Huang AF. Emerging role of EZH2 in rheumatic diseases: A comprehensive review. Int J Rheum Dis 2022; 25:1230-1238. [PMID: 35933601 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.14416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methylated enzyme. It trimethylates histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27) to regulate epigenetic processes. Recently, studies showed excessive expression of EZH2 in rheumatic diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and systemic sclerosis. Moreover, epigenetic modification of EZH2 regulates differentiation and proliferation of different immune cells. Therefore, in this review, we comprehensively discuss the role of EZH2 in rheumatic diseases. Collection of the evidence may provide a basis for further understanding the role of EZH2 and give potential for targeting these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Dong Xu
- Department of Evidence-Based Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Evidence-Based Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - An-Fang Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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25
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Gerasimova EV, Tabakov DV, Gerasimova DA, Popkova TV. Activation Markers on B and T Cells and Immune Checkpoints in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158656. [PMID: 35955790 PMCID: PMC9368764 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to identifying the major B- and T-cell subpopulations involved in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), in recent years special attention has been paid to studying the expression of their activation markers and immune checkpoints (ICPs). The activation markers on B and T cells are a consequence of the immune response, and these molecules are considered as sensitive specific markers of ARD activity and as promising targets for immunotherapy. ICPs regulate the activation of the immune response by preventing the initiation of autoimmune processes, and they modulate it by reducing immune cell-induced organ and tissue damage. The article considers the possible correlation of ICPs with the activity of ARDs, the efficacy of specific ARD treatments, and the prospects for the use of activation molecules and activation/blocking ICPs for the treatment of ARDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V. Gerasimova
- Department of Systemic Rheumatic Diseases, V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology, Kashirskoe Shosse, 115522 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-905-538-0399
| | - Dmitry V. Tabakov
- Department of Systemic Rheumatic Diseases, V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology, Kashirskoe Shosse, 115522 Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria A. Gerasimova
- Department of Organization and Economy of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8/2, Trubetskaya St., 119526 Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana V. Popkova
- Department of Systemic Rheumatic Diseases, V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology, Kashirskoe Shosse, 115522 Moscow, Russia
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26
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Avery EG, Bartolomaeus H, Rauch A, Chen CY, N'Diaye G, Löber U, Bartolomaeus TUP, Fritsche-Guenther R, Rodrigues AF, Yarritu A, Zhong C, Fei L, Tsvetkov D, Todiras M, Park JK, Markó L, Maifeld A, Patzak A, Bader M, Kempa S, Kirwan JA, Forslund SK, Müller DN, Wilck N. Quantifying the impact of gut microbiota on inflammation and hypertensive organ damage. Cardiovasc Res 2022:6651675. [PMID: 35904261 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Hypertension (HTN) can lead to heart and kidney damage. The gut microbiota has been linked to HTN, although it is difficult to estimate its significance due to the variety of other features known to influence HTN. In the present study, we used germ-free (GF) and colonized (COL) littermate mice to quantify the impact of microbial colonization on organ damage in HTN. METHODS AND RESULTS Four-week-old male GF C57BL/6J littermates were randomized to remain GF or receive microbial colonization. HTN was induced by subcutaneous infusion with angiotensin (Ang) II (1.44 mg/kg/d) and 1% NaCl in the drinking water; sham-treated mice served as control. Renal damage was exacerbated in GF mice, whereas cardiac damage was more comparable between COL and GF, suggesting that the kidney is more sensitive to microbial influence. Multivariate analysis revealed a larger effect of HTN in GF mice. Serum metabolomics demonstrated that the colonization status influences circulating metabolites relevant to HTN. Importantly, GF mice were deficient in anti-inflammatory fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Flow cytometry showed that the microbiome has an impact on the induction of anti-hypertensive myeloid-derived suppressor cells and pro-inflammatory Th17 cells in HTN. In vitro inducibility of Th17 cells was significantly higher for cells isolated from GF than conventionally raised mice. CONCLUSIONS Microbial colonization status of mice had potent effects on their phenotypic response to a hypertensive stimulus, and the kidney is a highly microbiota-susceptible target organ in HTN. The magnitude of the pathogenic response in GF mice underscores the role of the microbiome in mediating inflammation in HTN. TRANSLATION PERSPECTIVE To assess the potential of microbiota-targeted interventions to prevent organ damage in hypertension, an accurate quantification of microbial influence is necessary. We provide evidence that the development of hypertensive organ damage is dependent on colonization status and suggest that a healthy microbiota provides anti-hypertensive immune and metabolic signals to the host. In the absence of normal symbiotic host-microbiome interactions, hypertensive damage to the kidney in particular is exacerbated. We suggest that hypertensive patients experiencing perturbations to the microbiota, which are common in CVD, may be at a greater risk for target-organ damage than those with a healthy microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen G Avery
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hendrik Bartolomaeus
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ariana Rauch
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chia-Yu Chen
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriele N'Diaye
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Löber
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany
| | - Theda U P Bartolomaeus
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Raphaela Fritsche-Guenther
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Metabolomics Platform, Berlin, Germany
| | - André F Rodrigues
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alex Yarritu
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cheng Zhong
- Institute of Translational Physiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lingyan Fei
- Institute of Translational Physiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dmitry Tsvetkov
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Geriatrics, University of Greifswald, University District Hospital Wolgast, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mihail Todiras
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Nicolae Testemianu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Moldova
| | | | - Lajos Markó
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - András Maifeld
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Patzak
- Institute of Translational Physiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Kempa
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Integrative Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology BIMSB, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jennifer A Kirwan
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Metabolomics Platform, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sofia K Forslund
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik N Müller
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicola Wilck
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation of Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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27
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Gao X, Song Y, Wu J, Lu S, Min X, Liu L, Hu L, Zheng M, Du P, Yu Y, Long H, Wu H, Jia S, Yu D, Lu Q, Zhao M. Iron-dependent epigenetic modulation promotes pathogenic T cell differentiation in lupus. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:152345. [PMID: 35499082 PMCID: PMC9057600 DOI: 10.1172/jci152345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Song
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiali Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuang Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoli Min
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Limin Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Longyuan Hu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Meiling Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pei Du
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yaqin Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hai Long
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Haijing Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Sujie Jia
- Department of Pharmacy, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Di Yu
- Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, China
- Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Major Skin Diseases and Skin Health of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
- Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
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28
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Abstract
Significance: Epigenetic dysregulation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and development of autoimmune diseases. Oxidative stress is associated with autoimmunity and is also known to alter epigenetic mechanisms. Understanding the interplay between oxidative stress and epigenetics will provide insights into the role of environmental triggers in the development of autoimmunity in genetically susceptible individuals. Recent Advances: Abnormal DNA and histone methylation patterns in genes and pathways involved in interferon and tumor necrosis factor signaling, cellular survival, proliferation, metabolism, organ development, and autoantibody production have been described in autoimmunity. Inhibitors of DNA and histone methyltransferases showed potential therapeutic effects in animal models of autoimmune diseases. Oxidative stress can regulate epigenetic mechanisms via effects on DNA damage repair mechanisms, cellular metabolism and the local redox environment, and redox-sensitive transcription factors and pathways. Critical Issues: Studies looking into oxidative stress and epigenetics in autoimmunity are relatively limited. The number of available longitudinal studies to explore the role of DNA methylation in the development of autoimmune diseases is small. Future Directions: Exploring the relationship between oxidative stress and epigenetics in autoimmunity will provide clues for potential preventative measures and treatment strategies. Inception cohorts with longitudinal follow-up would help to evaluate epigenetic marks as potential biomarkers for disease development, progression, and treatment response in autoimmunity. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 423-440.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Zheng
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amr H Sawalha
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Lupus Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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29
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Ferreté-Bonastre AG, Cortés-Hernández J, Ballestar E. What can we learn from DNA methylation studies in lupus? Clin Immunol 2022; 234:108920. [PMID: 34973429 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2021.108920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
During the past twenty years, a wide range of studies have established the existence of epigenetic alterations, particularly DNA methylation changes, in lupus. Epigenetic changes might have different contributions in children-onset versus adult-onset lupus. DNA methylation alterations have been identified and characterized in relation to disease activity and damage, different lupus subtypes and responses to drugs. However, to date there has been no practical application of these findings in the clinical milieu. In this article, we provide a review of key studies showing the relationship between DNA methylation and the many clinical aspects related to lupus. We also propose several options, in relation to the range of methodological developments and experimental design, that could optimize these findings and make them amenable for use in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Esteban Ballestar
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain; Epigenetics in Inflammatory and Metabolic Diseases Laboratory, Health Science Center (HSC), East China Normal University (ECNU), Shanghai, 200241, China.
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30
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Fava A, Rao DA. Cellular and molecular heterogeneity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Semin Immunol 2021; 58:101653. [PMID: 36184357 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2022.101653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Fava
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Deepak A Rao
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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31
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Zhou W, Wang X, Chang J, Cheng C, Miao C. The molecular structure and biological functions of RNA methylation, with special emphasis on the roles of RNA methylation in autoimmune diseases. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2021; 59:203-218. [PMID: 34775884 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2021.2002256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and systemic vasculitis are caused by the body's immune response to autoantigens. The pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is complex. RNA methylation is known to play a key role in disease progression as it regulates almost all aspects of RNA processing, including RNA nuclear export, translation, splicing, and noncoding RNA processing. This review summarizes the mechanisms, molecular structures of RNA methylations and their roles in biological functions. Similar to the roles of RNA methylation in cancers, RNA methylation in RA and SLE involves "writers" that deposit methyl groups to form N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and 5-methylcytosine (m5C), "erasers" that remove these modifications, and "readers" that further affect mRNA splicing, export, translation, and degradation. Recent advances in detection methods have identified N1-methyladenosine (m1A), N6,2-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am), and 7-methylguanosine (m7G) RNA modifications, and their roles in RA and SLE need to be further studied. The relationship between RNA methylation and other autoimmune diseases has not been reported, and the roles and mechanisms of RNA modifications in these diseases need to be explored in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwan Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Clinical Nursing, School of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jun Chang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chenglong Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chenggui Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Institute of Prevention and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Department of Pharmacy, School of Life and Health Sciences, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Fengyang, Anhui Province, China
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32
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Sethumadhavan DV, Jabeena CA, Govindaraju G, Soman A, Rajavelu A. The severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection is dictated by host factors? Epigenetic perspectives. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2021; 2:100079. [PMID: 34725650 PMCID: PMC8550886 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2021.100079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2 poses a significant threat to humans as it is highly contagious with increasing mortality. There exists a high degree of heterogeneity in the mortality rates of COVID-19 across the globe. There are multiple speculations on the varying degree of mortality. Still, all the clinical reports have indicated that preexisting chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disorders, and cardiovascular diseases are associated with the increased risk for high mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. It is worth noting that host factors, mainly epigenetic factors could play a significant role in deciding the outcome of COVID-19 diseases. Over the recent years, it is evident that chronic diseases are developed due to altered epigenome that includes a selective loss/gain of DNA and histone methylation on the chromatin of the cells. Since, there is a high positive correlation between chronic diseases and elevated mortality due to SARS-CoV-2, in this review; we discuss the overall picture of the aberrant epigenome map in varying chronic ailments and its implications in COVID-19 disease severity and high mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devadathan Valiyamangalath Sethumadhavan
- Pathogen Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Tiger Circle Road, Madhav Nagar, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - C A Jabeena
- Pathogen Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Tiger Circle Road, Madhav Nagar, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Gayathri Govindaraju
- Pathogen Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Tiger Circle Road, Madhav Nagar, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Aparna Soman
- Pathogen Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Arumugam Rajavelu
- Pathogen Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat & Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 036, India
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33
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Contribution of Dysregulated DNA Methylation to Autoimmunity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111892. [PMID: 34769338 PMCID: PMC8584328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs are known regulators of gene expression and genomic stability in cell growth, development, and differentiation. Because epigenetic mechanisms can regulate several immune system elements, epigenetic alterations have been found in several autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss the epigenetic modifications, mainly DNA methylation, involved in autoimmune diseases in which T cells play a significant role. For example, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus display differential gene methylation, mostly hypomethylated 5′-C-phosphate-G-3′ (CpG) sites that may associate with disease activity. However, a clear association between DNA methylation, gene expression, and disease pathogenesis must be demonstrated. A better understanding of the impact of epigenetic modifications on the onset of autoimmunity will contribute to the design of novel therapeutic approaches for these diseases.
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Badam TV, Hellberg S, Mehta RB, Lechner-Scott J, Lea RA, Tost J, Mariette X, Svensson-Arvelund J, Nestor CE, Benson M, Berg G, Jenmalm MC, Gustafsson M, Ernerudh J. CD4 + T-cell DNA methylation changes during pregnancy significantly correlate with disease-associated methylation changes in autoimmune diseases. Epigenetics 2021; 17:1040-1055. [PMID: 34605719 PMCID: PMC9487751 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1982510] [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] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics may play a central, yet unexplored, role in the profound changes that the maternal immune system undergoes during pregnancy and could be involved in the pregnancy-induced modulation of several autoimmune diseases. We investigated changes in the methylome in isolated circulating CD4+ T-cells in non-pregnant and pregnant women, during the 1st and 2nd trimester, using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450K array, and explored how these changes were related to autoimmune diseases that are known to be affected during pregnancy. Pregnancy was associated with several hundreds of methylation differences, particularly during the 2nd trimester. A network-based modular approach identified several genes, e.g., CD28, FYN, VAV1 and pathways related to T-cell signalling and activation, highlighting T-cell regulation as a central component of the observed methylation alterations. The identified pregnancy module was significantly enriched for disease-associated methylation changes related to multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. A negative correlation between pregnancy-associated methylation changes and disease-associated changes was found for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, diseases that are known to improve during pregnancy whereas a positive correlation was found for systemic lupus erythematosus, a disease that instead worsens during pregnancy. Thus, the directionality of the observed changes is in line with the previously observed effect of pregnancy on disease activity. Our systems medicine approach supports the importance of the methylome in immune regulation of T-cells during pregnancy. Our findings highlight the relevance of using pregnancy as a model for understanding and identifying disease-related mechanisms involved in the modulation of autoimmune diseases.Abbreviations: BMIQ: beta-mixture quantile dilation; DMGs: differentially methylated genes; DMPs: differentially methylated probes; FE: fold enrichment; FDR: false discovery rate; GO: gene ontology; GWAS: genome-wide association studies; MDS: multidimensional scaling; MS: multiple sclerosis; PBMC: peripheral blood mononuclear cells; PBS: phosphate buffered saline; PPI; protein-protein interaction; RA: rheumatoid arthritis; SD: standard deviation; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism; TH: CD4+ T helper cell; VIStA: diVIsive Shuffling Approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejaswi V Badam
- Bioinformatics Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,School of Bioscience, Skövde University, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Sandra Hellberg
- Bioinformatics Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Ratnesh B Mehta
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jeannette Lechner-Scott
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Centre for Brain and Mental Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia.,Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Rodney A Lea
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Centre for Brain and Mental Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovations, Genomics Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - Jorg Tost
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National De Recherche En Génomique Humaine, CEA-Institut De Biologie Francois Jacob, Evry, France
| | - Xavier Mariette
- Université Paris-Saclay, AP-HP-Université Paris-Saclay, Hôpital Bicêtre, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1184, Center for Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases, France
| | - Judit Svensson-Arvelund
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Colm E Nestor
- The Centre for Individualized Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mikael Benson
- The Centre for Individualized Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Göran Berg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria C Jenmalm
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mika Gustafsson
- Bioinformatics Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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35
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Paquissi FC, Abensur H. The Th17/IL-17 Axis and Kidney Diseases, With Focus on Lupus Nephritis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:654912. [PMID: 34540858 PMCID: PMC8446428 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.654912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease characterized by dysregulation and hyperreactivity of the immune response at various levels, including hyperactivation of effector cell subtypes, autoantibodies production, immune complex formation, and deposition in tissues. The consequences of hyperreactivity to the self are systemic and local inflammation and tissue damage in multiple organs. Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most worrying manifestations of SLE, and most patients have this involvement at some point in the course of the disease. Among the effector cells involved, the Th17, a subtype of T helper cells (CD4+), has shown significant hyperactivation and participates in kidney damage and many other organs. Th17 cells have IL-17A and IL-17F as main cytokines with receptors expressed in most renal cells, being involved in the activation of many proinflammatory and profibrotic pathways. The Th17/IL-17 axis promotes and maintains repetitive tissue damage and maladaptive repair; leading to fibrosis, loss of organ architecture and function. In the podocytes, the Th17/IL-17 axis effects include changes of the cytoskeleton with increased motility, decreased expression of health proteins, increased oxidative stress, and activation of the inflammasome and caspases resulting in podocytes apoptosis. In renal tubular epithelial cells, the Th17/IL-17 axis promotes the activation of profibrotic pathways such as increased TGF-β expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) with consequent increase of extracellular matrix proteins. In addition, the IL-17 promotes a proinflammatory environment by stimulating the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines by intrinsic renal cells and immune cells, and the synthesis of growth factors and chemokines, which together result in granulopoiesis/myelopoiesis, and further recruitment of immune cells to the kidney. The purpose of this work is to present the prognostic and immunopathologic role of the Th17/IL-17 axis in Kidney diseases, with a special focus on LN, including its exploration as a potential immunotherapeutic target in this complication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feliciano Chanana Paquissi
- Department of Medicine, Clínica Girassol, Luanda, Angola
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hugo Abensur
- Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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36
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Abstract
The term "epigenetics" refers to a series of meiotically/mitotically inheritable alterations in gene expression, related to environmental factors, without disruption on DNA sequences of bases. Recently, the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases (ADs) has been closely linked to epigenetic modifications. Actually, epigenetic mechanisms can modulate gene expression or repression of targeted cells and tissues involved in autoimmune/inflammatory conditions acting as keys effectors in regulation of adaptive and innate responses. ADs, as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a rare disease that still lacks effective treatment, is characterized by epigenetic marks in affected cells.Taking into account that epigenetic mechanisms have been proposed as a winning strategy in the search of new more specific and personalized therapeutics agents. Thus, pharmacology and pharmacoepigenetic studies about epigenetic regulations of ADs may provide novel individualized therapies. Focussing in possible implicated factors on development and predisposition of SLE, diet is feasibly one of the most important factors since it is linked directly to epigenetic alterations and these epigenetic changes may augment or diminish the risk of SLE. Nevertheless, several studies have guaranteed that dietary therapy could be a promise to SLE patients via prophylactic actions deprived of side effects of pharmacology, decreasing co-morbidities and improving lifestyle of SLE sufferers.Herein, we review and discuss the cross-link between epigenetic mechanisms on SLE predisposition and development, as well as the influence of dietary factors on regulation epigenetic modifications that would eventually make a positive impact on SLE patients.
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37
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Yavuz S, Lipsky PE. Current Status of the Evaluation and Management of Lupus Patients and Future Prospects. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:682544. [PMID: 34124113 PMCID: PMC8193052 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.682544] [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: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The vastly diverse nature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) poses great challenges to clinicians and patients, as well as to research and drug development efforts. Precise management of lupus patients would be advanced by the ability to identify specific abnormalities operative in individual patients at the time of encounter with the clinician. Advances in new technologies and bioinformatics have greatly improved the understanding of the pathophysiology of SLE. Recent research has focused on the discovery and classification of sensitive and specific markers that could aid early accurate diagnosis, better monitoring of disease and identification of appropriate therapy choices based on specific dysregulated molecular pathways. Here, we summarize some of the advances and discuss the challenges in moving toward precise patient-centric management modalities in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sule Yavuz
- Department of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter E Lipsky
- Ampel BioSolutions and Re-Imagine Lupus Investigation, Treatment and Education Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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38
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Hart AP, Laufer TM. A review of signaling and transcriptional control in T follicular helper cell differentiation. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 111:173-195. [PMID: 33866600 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1ri0121-066r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are a critical component of adaptive immunity and assist in optimal Ab-mediated defense. Multiple effector functions of Tfh support germinal center B cell survival, Ab class switching, and plasma cell maturation. In the past 2 decades, the phenotype and functional characteristics of GC Tfh have been clarified allowing for robust studies of the Th subset including activation signals and environmental cues controlling Tfh differentiation and migration during an immune response. A unique, 2-step differentiation process of Tfh has been proposed but the mechanisms underlying transition between unstable Tfh precursors and functional mature Tfh remain elusive. Likewise, newly identified transcriptional regulators of Tfh development have not yet been incorporated into our understanding of how these cells might function in disease. Here, we review the signals and downstream transcription factors that shape Tfh differentiation including what is known about the epigenetic processes that maintain Tfh identity. It is proposed that further evaluation of the stepwise differentiation pattern of Tfh will yield greater insights into how these cells become dysregulated in autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Hart
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Terri M Laufer
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Corporal Michael C. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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39
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Wu L, Jiang X, Qi C, Zhang C, Qu B, Shen N. EZH2 Inhibition Interferes With the Activation of Type I Interferon Signaling Pathway and Ameliorates Lupus Nephritis in NZB/NZW F1 Mice. Front Immunol 2021; 12:653989. [PMID: 33868295 PMCID: PMC8044841 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.653989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase mediating trimethylation of H3K27, which represses gene expression and is critical to immune regulation. Inhibition of EZH2 is proved to have the potential of treating many diseases. However, whether inhibition of EZH2 affects type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling pathway, the abnormality of which is an important pathogenic mechanism for SLE, is still elusive. Here, we report, unexpectedly, a positive regulatory function of EZH2 in IFN-I signaling pathway, which contributes to the overactivation of IFN-I signaling pathway in SLE. We show that the expression of EZH2 was upregulated and positively correlated with the overexpression of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells and renal tissues of SLE patients. In vitro inhibition of EZH2 by either siRNAs or chemical inhibitors reduced the phosphorylation of STAT1 and the induction of ISGs stimulated by IFN-I. Additionally, inhibition of EZH2 interfered with the in vivo and ex vivo activation of IFN-I signaling pathway elicited by intravenous injection of adenovirus vector expressing mouse IFN-α5 and exogeneous stimulation with IFN-α, respectively. We evaluated the therapeutic effects of EZH2 inhibitor in NZB/NZW F1 mice which depend on IFN-I signaling pathway for the lupus-like disease development. Administration of EZH2 inhibitor prolonged the survival, reduced the levels of anti-dsDNA autoantibodies, and improved lupus nephritis of the mice. What’s more, EZH2 inhibitor attenuated the expression of ISGs in the kidneys of these mice. In summary, we show that excessive EZH2 contributes to the overactivation of IFN-I signaling pathway in SLE. EZH2 inhibitor has the potential to inhibit IFN-I signaling pathway and alleviate lupus nephritis. Additionally, diverse disease driving pathways exist among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient, and even in the same patients. Common regulators of different pathogenic pathways can be multivalent therapeutic targets. Together with previous studies showing EZH2 is involved in T-cell and B-cell mediated immune responses, EZH2 could be a potent multivalent therapeutic target for SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Wu
- Department of Rheumatology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyue Jiang
- Department of Rheumatology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaojun Qi
- Department of Nephrology, Molecular Cell Lab for Kidney Disease, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Qu
- Department of Rheumatology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shenzhen Futian Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Shenzhen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Shen
- Department of Rheumatology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shenzhen Futian Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Shenzhen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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40
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Li T, Yu C, Zhuang S. Histone Methyltransferase EZH2: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Kidney Diseases. Front Physiol 2021; 12:640700. [PMID: 33679454 PMCID: PMC7930071 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.640700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase enzyme that catalyzes the addition of methyl groups to histone H3 at lysine 27, leading to gene silencing. Mutation or over-expression of EZH2 has been linked to many cancers including renal carcinoma. Recent studies have shown that EZH2 expression and activity are also increased in several animal models of kidney injury, such as acute kidney injury (AKI), renal fibrosis, diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephritis (LN), and renal transplantation rejection. The pharmacological and/or genetic inhibition of EZH2 can alleviate AKI, renal fibrosis, and LN, but potentiate podocyte injury in animal models, suggesting that the functional role of EZH2 varies with renal cell type and disease model. In this article, we summarize the role of EZH2 in the pathology of renal injury and relevant mechanisms and highlight EZH2 as a potential therapeutic target for kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shougang Zhuang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Medicine, Alpert Medical School and Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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41
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González LA, Ugarte-Gil MF, Alarcón GS. Systemic lupus erythematosus: The search for the ideal biomarker. Lupus 2020; 30:181-203. [PMID: 33307987 DOI: 10.1177/0961203320979051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During the last decades, there has been an increased interest in the discovery and validation of biomarkers that reliably reflect specific aspects of lupus. Although many biomarkers have been developed, few of them have been validated and used in clinical practice, but with unsatisfactory performances. Thus, there is still a need to rigorously validate many of these novel promising biomarkers in large-scale longitudinal studies and also identify better biomarkers not only for lupus diagnosis but also for monitoring and predicting upcoming flares and response to treatment. Besides serological biomarkers, urinary and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers have emerged for assessing both renal and central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus, respectively. Also, novel omics techniques help us to understand the molecular basis of the disease and also allow the identification of novel biomarkers which may be potentially useful for guiding new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Alonso González
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Hospital Universitario de San Vicente Fundación, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Manuel Francisco Ugarte-Gil
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, EsSalud, Lima, Perú.,School of Medicine, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú
| | - Graciela S Alarcón
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
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42
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Coit P, Ortiz-Fernandez L, Lewis EE, McCune WJ, Maksimowicz-McKinnon K, Sawalha AH. A longitudinal and transancestral analysis of DNA methylation patterns and disease activity in lupus patients. JCI Insight 2020; 5:143654. [PMID: 33108347 PMCID: PMC7710270 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.143654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of lupus. We performed a longitudinal analysis to assess changes in DNA methylation in lupus neutrophils over 4 years of follow-up and across disease activity levels using 229 patient samples. We demonstrate that DNA methylation profiles in lupus are partly determined by ancestry-associated genetic variations and are highly stable over time. DNA methylation levels in 2 CpG sites correlated significantly with changes in lupus disease activity. Progressive demethylation in SNX18 was observed with increasing disease activity in African American patients. Importantly, demethylation of a CpG site located within GALNT18 was associated with the development of active lupus nephritis. Differentially methylated genes between African American and European American lupus patients include type I IFN-response genes such as IRF7 and IFI44, and genes related to the NF-κB pathway. TREML4, which plays a vital role in TLR signaling, was hypomethylated in African American patients and demonstrated a strong cis-methylation quantitative trait loci (cis-meQTL) effect among 8855 cis-meQTL associations identified in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Coit
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Graduate Program in Immunology and
| | - Lourdes Ortiz-Fernandez
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Emily E. Lewis
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - W. Joseph McCune
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Amr H. Sawalha
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Lupus Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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43
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Sasidharan Nair V, Saleh R, Toor SM, Taha RZ, Ahmed AA, Kurer MA, Murshed K, Abu Nada M, Elkord E. Epigenetic regulation of immune checkpoints and T cell exhaustion markers in tumor-infiltrating T cells of colorectal cancer patients. Epigenomics 2020; 12:1871-1882. [PMID: 33169618 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To elucidate the epigenetic alterations behind the upregulation of immune checkpoints and T cell exhaustion markers in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Materials & methods: mRNA expressions of different immune checkpoint/exhaustion markers were analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR and epigenetic investigations were performed using bisulfite sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR. Results: mRNA expressions of PD-1, TIM-3, CTLA-4, PD-L1 and TOX2 were significantly upregulated in CD4+ and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and bulk CRC tumor tissues. Histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation was downregulated and histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation was upregulated in PD-L1 and TOX2 promoters in tumor tissues, suggesting that PD-L1 and TOX2 upregulation in CRC tumors could be mediated by activating histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation. Conclusion: Epigenetic modifications in promoters of immune checkpoint and T cell exhaustion genes could induce their upregulation, and potentially implicate the use of epigenetic modifiers to enhance antitumor immunity in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Sasidharan Nair
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), P.O.Box: 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Reem Saleh
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), P.O.Box: 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Salman M Toor
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), P.O.Box: 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rowaida Z Taha
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), P.O.Box: 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ayman A Ahmed
- Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamed A Kurer
- Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khaled Murshed
- Department of Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Eyad Elkord
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), P.O.Box: 34110, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
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44
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Ballestar E, Sawalha AH, Lu Q. Clinical value of DNA methylation markers in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2020; 16:514-524. [PMID: 32759997 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-020-0470-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Methylation of cytosine residues in DNA, the best studied epigenetic modification, is associated with gene transcription and nuclear organization, and ultimately the function of a cell. DNA methylation can be influenced by various factors, including changes in neighbouring genomic sites such as those induced by transcription factor binding. The DNA methylation profiles in relevant cell types are altered in most human diseases compared with the healthy state. Given the physical stability of DNA and methylated DNA compared with other epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation is an ideal marker for clinical purposes. However, few DNA methylation-based markers have made it into clinical practice, with the notable exception of some markers used in the field of oncology. Autoimmune rheumatic diseases are genetically complex entities that can vary widely in terms of prognosis, subtypes, progression and treatment responses. Increasing reports showing strong links between DNA methylation profiles and different clinical outcomes and other clinical aspects in autoimmune rheumatic diseases reinforce the usefulness of DNA methylation profiles as novel clinical markers. In this Review, we provide an updated discussion on DNA methylation alterations in autoimmune rheumatic diseases and the advantages and disadvantages of using these markers in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Ballestar
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Amr H Sawalha
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Lupus Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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45
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Sawalha AH, Zhao M, Coit P, Lu Q. Epigenetic dysregulation of ACE2 and interferon-regulated genes might suggest increased COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in lupus patients. Clin Immunol 2020; 215:108410. [PMID: 32276140 PMCID: PMC7139239 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 can result in severe respiratory complications and death. Patients with a compromised immune system are expected to be more susceptible to a severe disease course. In this report we suggest that patients with systemic lupus erythematous might be especially prone to severe COVID-19 independent of their immunosuppressed state from lupus treatment. Specifically, we provide evidence in lupus to suggest hypomethylation and overexpression of ACE2, which is located on the X chromosome and encodes a functional receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Oxidative stress induced by viral infections exacerbates the DNA methylation defect in lupus, possibly resulting in further ACE2 hypomethylation and enhanced viremia. In addition, demethylation of interferon-regulated genes, NFκB, and key cytokine genes in lupus patients might exacerbate the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and increase the likelihood of cytokine storm. These arguments suggest that inherent epigenetic dysregulation in lupus might facilitate viral entry, viremia, and an excessive immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Further, maintaining disease remission in lupus patients is critical to prevent a vicious cycle of demethylation and increased oxidative stress, which will exacerbate susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection during the current pandemic. Epigenetic control of the ACE2 gene might be a target for prevention and therapy in COVID-19.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
- Betacoronavirus/immunology
- Betacoronavirus/pathogenicity
- CD11a Antigen/genetics
- CD11a Antigen/immunology
- COVID-19
- Coronavirus Infections/complications
- Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology
- Coronavirus Infections/genetics
- Coronavirus Infections/immunology
- Cytokines/genetics
- Cytokines/immunology
- DNA Methylation
- Disease Progression
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics
- Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology
- Humans
- Interferon Regulatory Factors/genetics
- Interferon Regulatory Factors/immunology
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/epidemiology
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology
- NF-kappa B/genetics
- NF-kappa B/immunology
- Oxidative Stress/genetics
- Oxidative Stress/immunology
- Pandemics
- Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/genetics
- Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/immunology
- Pneumonia, Viral/complications
- Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology
- Pneumonia, Viral/genetics
- Pneumonia, Viral/immunology
- Protein Binding
- Receptors, KIR/genetics
- Receptors, KIR/immunology
- SARS-CoV-2
- Signal Transduction
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Viremia/complications
- Viremia/epidemiology
- Viremia/genetics
- Viremia/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr H Sawalha
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Lupus Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Patrick Coit
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Graduate Immunology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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46
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Abstract
Objective: EZH2 is overexpressed in CD4+ T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Increased disease activity in SLE patients is associated with a proinflammatory epigenetic shift in naïve CD4+ T cells, likely mediated by EZH2. Here we aim to understand the upstream mechanisms underlying EZH2 overexpression in SLE CD4+ T cells. Methods: Naïve CD4+ T cells were isolated from SLE patients and then stimulated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28. qPCR and Western blotting were used to measure mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) was used to inhibit glycolysis. mTORC1 signaling was inhibited using rapamycin. Oxidative stress was induced by H2O2. Results: Because glycolysis is increased in SLE CD4+ T cells and glycolysis regulates miR-26a and miR-101, which target EZH2, we examined the effect of inhibiting glycolysis on EZH2 expression. 2-DG significantly inhibited EZH2 expression in SLE CD4+ T cells. In addition, 2-DG restored the expression of miR-26a and miR-101, suggesting that suppression of EZH2 by 2-DG occurs at the post-transcriptional level. Because mTORC1 is activated in SLE CD4+ T cells in part due to increased oxidative stress, and mTORC1 activation increases glycolysis, we hypothesized that mTORC1 mediates increased EZH2 expression. Indeed, inhibiting mTORC1 increased miR-26a and miR-101 and suppressed EZH2 expression in SLE CD4+ T cells. Further, H2O2 treatment increased EZH2 expression, however, this effect appears to be independent of miR-26a and miR-101. Conclusion: Increased EZH2 is mediated by activation of mTORC1 and increased glycolysis in SLE CD4+ T cells. Therapeutic effects from inhibiting mTOR or glycolysis in SLE might be in part mediated by suppression of EZH2.
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Sawalha AH, Manzi S. Coronavirus Disease-2019: Implication for the care and management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Eur J Rheumatol 2020; 7:S117-S120. [PMID: 32352359 DOI: 10.5152/eurjrheum.2020.20055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic remitting-relapsing autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems. In this article we discuss aspects in the management of lupus patients that are particularly relevant during the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We speculate that lupus patients might be more susceptible for a more severe COVID-19 disease course and emphasize the importance of maintaining remission in lupus patients. We discuss the critical role hydroxychloroquine plays in the management of lupus patients and suggest considering the psychosocial implications of the current pandemic on lupus care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr H Sawalha
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Lupus Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Susan Manzi
- Autoimmunity Institute and Lupus Center of Excellence, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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48
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Sawalha AH, Zhao M, Coit P, Lu Q. Epigenetic dysregulation of ACE2 and interferon-regulated genes might suggest increased COVID-19 susceptibility and severity in lupus patients. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2020:2020.03.30.20047852. [PMID: 32511654 PMCID: PMC7277010 DOI: 10.1101/2020.03.30.20047852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 can result in severe respiratory complications and death. Patients with a compromised immune system are expected to be more susceptible to a severe disease course. In this report we suggest that patients with systemic lupus erythematous might be especially prone to severe COVID-19 independent of their immunosuppressed state from lupus treatment. Specially, we provide evidence in lupus to suggest hypomethylation and overexpression of ACE2, which is located on the X chromosome and encodes a functional receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Oxidative stress induced by viral infections exacerbates the DNA methylation defect in lupus, possibly resulting in further ACE2 hypomethylation and enhanced viremia. In addition, demethylation of interferon-regulated genes, NFκB, and key cytokine genes in lupus patients might exacerbate the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and increase the likelihood of cytokine storm. These arguments suggest that inherent epigenetic dysregulation in lupus might facilitate viral entry, viremia, and an excessive immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Further, maintaining disease remission in lupus patients is critical to prevent a vicious cycle of demethylation and increased oxidative stress, which will exacerbate susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection during the current pandemic. Epigenetic control of the ACE2 gene might be a target for prevention and therapy in COVID-19.
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49
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Gao X, Liu L, Min X, Jia S, Zhao M. Non-Coding RNAs in CD4 + T Cells: New Insights Into the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Front Immunol 2020; 11:568. [PMID: 32308657 PMCID: PMC7145980 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are indispensable for CD4+ T cell differentiation and functions. By directly or indirectly regulating immune gene expression, ncRNAs give flexible instructions to guide the biological processes of CD4+ T cells and play a vital role in maintaining immune homeostasis. However, the dysfunction of ncRNAs alters the gene expression profiles, disturbs the normal biological processes of CD4+ T cells, and leads to the functional changes of CD4+ T cells, which is an underlying cause of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this review, we focus on the recent advances in the roles of ncRNAs in CD4+ T cell functions and differentiation, as well as their potential applications in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Gao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Limin Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoli Min
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Sujie Jia
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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50
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Abstract
Cells, the basic units of life, have striking differences at transcriptomic, proteomic and epigenomic levels across tissues, organs, organ systems and organisms. The coordination of individual immune cells is essential for the generation of effective immune responses to pathogens while immune tolerance is maintained to protect the host. In rheumatic diseases, when immune responses are dysregulated, pathologically important cells might represent only a small fraction of the immune system. Interrogation of the contributions of individual immune cells to pathogenesis and disease progression should therefore reveal important insights into the complicated aetiology of rheumatic diseases. Technological advances are enabling the high-dimensional dissection of single cells at multiple omics levels, which could facilitate the identification of dysregulated molecular mechanisms in patients with rheumatic diseases and the discovery of new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. The single-cell technologies that have been developed over the past decade and the experimental platforms that enable multi-omics integrative analyses have already made inroads into immunology-related fields of study and have potential for use in rheumatology. Layers of omics data derived from single cells are likely to fundamentally change our understanding of the molecular pathways that underpin the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases.
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