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Erdő-Bonyár S, Rapp J, Subicz R, Filipánits K, Minier T, Kumánovics G, Czirják L, Berki T, Simon D. Toll-like Receptor Homologue CD180 Ligation of B Cells Upregulates Type I IFN Signature in Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7933. [PMID: 39063175 PMCID: PMC11277506 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147933] [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: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling has been shown to be upregulated in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Dysregulated B-cell functions, including antigen presentation, as well as antibody and cytokine production, all of which may be affected by IFN-I signaling, play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. We investigated the IFN-I signature in 71 patients with the more severe form of the disease, diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), and 33 healthy controls (HCs). Activation via Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can influence the IFN-I signaling cascade; thus, we analyzed the effects of the TLR homologue CD180 ligation on the IFN-I signature in B cells. CD180 stimulation augmented the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) in dcSSc B cells (p = 0.0123). The expression of IFN-I receptor (IFNAR1) in non-switched memory B cells producing natural autoantibodies was elevated in dcSSc (p = 0.0109), which was enhanced following anti-CD180 antibody treatment (p = 0.0125). Autoantibodies to IFN-Is (IFN-alpha and omega) correlated (dcSSc p = 0.0003, HC p = 0.0192) and were present at similar levels in B cells from dcSSc and HC, suggesting their regulatory role as natural autoantibodies. It can be concluded that factors other than IFN-alpha may contribute to the elevated IFN-I signature of dcSSc B cells, and one possible candidate is B-cell activation via CD180.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szabina Erdő-Bonyár
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (S.E.-B.); (R.S.); (T.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Judit Rapp
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (S.E.-B.); (R.S.); (T.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Rovéna Subicz
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (S.E.-B.); (R.S.); (T.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Kristóf Filipánits
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7632 Pécs, Hungary; (K.F.); (T.M.); (G.K.); (L.C.)
| | - Tünde Minier
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7632 Pécs, Hungary; (K.F.); (T.M.); (G.K.); (L.C.)
| | - Gábor Kumánovics
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7632 Pécs, Hungary; (K.F.); (T.M.); (G.K.); (L.C.)
| | - László Czirják
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7632 Pécs, Hungary; (K.F.); (T.M.); (G.K.); (L.C.)
| | - Tímea Berki
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (S.E.-B.); (R.S.); (T.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Diána Simon
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Clinical Center, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary; (S.E.-B.); (R.S.); (T.B.); (D.S.)
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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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Tao T, Tang A, Lv L, Yuan J, Wu L, Zhao L, Chen J. Investigating the causal relationship and potential shared diagnostic genes between primary biliary cholangitis and systemic lupus erythematosus using bidirectional Mendelian randomization and transcriptomic analyses. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1270401. [PMID: 38464525 PMCID: PMC10921416 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1270401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The co-occurrence of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been consistently reported in observational studies. Nevertheless, the underlying causal correlation between these two conditions still needs to be established. Methods We performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to assess their causal association. Five MR analysis methods were utilized for causal inference, with inverse-variance weighted (IVW) selected as the primary method. The Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) and the IVW Radial method were applied to exclude outlying SNPs. To assess the robustness of the MR results, five sensitivity analyses were carried out. Multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis was also employed to evaluate the effect of possible confounders. In addition, we integrated transcriptomic data from PBC and SLE, employing Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to explore shared genes between the two diseases. Then, we used Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment methods to perform on the shared genes. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression algorithm was utilized to identify potential shared diagnostic genes. Finally, we verified the potential shared diagnostic genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)-specific cell populations of SLE patients by single-cell analysis. Results Our MR study provided evidence that PBC had a causal relationship with SLE (IVW, OR: 1.347, 95% CI: 1.276 - 1.422, P < 0.001) after removing outliers (MR-PRESSO, rs35464393, rs3771317; IVW Radial, rs11065987, rs12924729, rs3745516). Conversely, SLE also had a causal association with PBC (IVW, OR: 1.225, 95% CI: 1.141 - 1.315, P < 0.001) after outlier correction (MR-PRESSO, rs11065987, rs3763295, rs7774434; IVW Radial, rs2297067). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the MR findings. MVMR analysis indicated that body mass index (BMI), smoking and drinking were not confounding factors. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis identified PARP9, ABCA1, CEACAM1, and DDX60L as promising diagnostic biomarkers for PBC and SLE. These four genes are highly expressed in CD14+ monocytes in PBMCs of SLE patients and potentially associated with innate immune responses and immune activation. Conclusion Our study confirmed the bidirectional causal relationship between PBC and SLE and identified PARP9, ABCA1, CEACAM1, and DDX60L genes as the most potentially shared diagnostic genes between the two diseases, providing insights for the exploration of the underlying mechanisms of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tao
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Anqi Tang
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Lizeyu Lv
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianhua Yuan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chengdu Second People’s Hospital, Chengdu, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Wu
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liangbin Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Araki Y, Mimura T. Epigenetic Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1019. [PMID: 38256093 PMCID: PMC10816225 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease in which immune disorders lead to autoreactive immune responses and cause inflammation and tissue damage. Genetic and environmental factors have been shown to trigger SLE. Recent evidence has also demonstrated that epigenetic factors contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE. Epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in modulating the chromatin structure and regulating gene transcription. Dysregulated epigenetic changes can alter gene expression and impair cellular functions in immune cells, resulting in autoreactive immune responses. Therefore, elucidating the dysregulated epigenetic mechanisms in the immune system is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of SLE. In this paper, we review the important roles of epigenetic disorders in the pathogenesis of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuto Araki
- Department of Rheumatology and Applied Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama 350-0495, Japan;
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Zhou HY, Luo Q, Sui H, Du XN, Zhao YJ, Liu L, Guan Q, Zhou Y, Wen QS, Shi Y, Sun Y, Lin HL, Wang DP. Recent advances in the involvement of epigenetics in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Immunol 2024; 258:109857. [PMID: 38043757 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a typical systemic autoimmune disease that manifests as skin rash, arthritis, lymphadenopathy, and multiple organ lesions. Epigenetics, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA regulation, mainly affect the function and characteristics of cells through the regulation of gene transcription or translation. Increasing evidence indicates that there are a variety of complex epigenetic effects in patients with SLE, which interfere with the differentiation and function of T, and B lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils, and enhance the expression of SLE-associated pathogenic genes. This paper summarizes our currently knowledge regarding pathogenesis of SLE, and introduces current advances in the epigenetic regulation of SLE from three aspects: immune function, inflammatory response, and lupus complications. We propose that epigenetic changes could be used as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yan Zhou
- First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qi Luo
- Nephrology Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hua Sui
- Integrated TCM and Western Medicine Collage of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiang-Ning Du
- Nephrology Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yang-Jianing Zhao
- Integrated TCM and Western Medicine Collage of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Nephrology Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qing Guan
- Integrated TCM and Western Medicine Collage of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Nephrology Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qing-Si Wen
- Nephrology Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Nephrology Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Nephrology Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hong-Li Lin
- Nephrology Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| | - Da-Peng Wang
- Nephrology Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
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Song S, Zhang JY, Liu FY, Zhang HY, Li XF, Zhang SX. B cell subsets-related biomarkers and molecular pathways for systemic lupus erythematosus by transcriptomics analyses. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:110968. [PMID: 37741131 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease, is characterised by B-cell abnormalities and a loss of tolerance that can produce autoantibody. However, the imperative genes and molecular pathways involved in the change of B cell populations remain unclear. METHODS The expression of B cell subsets between SLE and healthy controls (HCs) was detected based on micro-array transcriptome data. The Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) further revealed the co-expression modules of naïve and memory B cells. Whereafter, we performed the functional enrichment analysis, Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks construction and feature selection to screen hub genes. Ultimately, we recruited SLE patients and HCs from the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University and further verified these genes in transcriptome sequencing samples. RESULTS Total of 1087 SLE patients and 86 HCs constituted in the study. Compared to HCs, the levels of peripheral naïve B cells of SLE patients decreased, while memory B cells increased. WGCNA identified two modules with the highest correlation for the subsequent analysis. The purple module was primarily in connection with naïve B cells, and the GO analysis indicated that these genes were mainly abundant in B cell activation. The blue module relevant to memory B cells was most significantly enriched in the "defence response to virus" correlation pathway. Then we screened six hub genes by PPI and feature selection. Finally, four biomarkers (IFI27, IFITM1, MX2, IRF7) were identified by transcriptome sequencing verification. CONCLUSION Our study identified hub genes and key pathways associated with the naïve and memory B cells respectively, which may offer novel insights into the behaviours of B cells and the pathogenesis of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Song
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jing-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Fang-Yue Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - He-Yi Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Sheng-Xiao Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
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Allen PC, Roberts K, Rubio JE, Tiwari HK, Absher DM, Cooper SJ, Myers RM, Brown EE. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis implicates enrichment of interferon pathway in African American patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and European Americans with lupus nephritis. J Autoimmun 2023; 139:103089. [PMID: 37506491 PMCID: PMC10529132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2023.103089] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem, inflammatory autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects women. Trends in SLE prevalence and clinical course differ by ancestry, with those of African American ancestry presenting with more active, severe and rapidly progressive disease than European Americans. Previous research established altered epigenetic signatures in SLE patients compared to controls. However, the contribution of aberrant DNA methylation (DNAm) to the risk of SLE by ancestry and differences among patients with SLE-associated Lupus Nephritis (LN) has not been well described. We evaluated the DNA methylomes of 87 individuals including 41 SLE patients, with and without LN, and 46 controls enrolled in an ancestry diverse, well-characterized cohort study of established SLE (41 SLE patients [20 SLE-LN+, 21 SLE-LN-] and 46 sex-, race- and age-matched controls; 55% African American, 45% European American). Participants were genotyped using the Infinium Global Diversity Array (GDA), and genetic ancestry was estimated using principal components. Genome-wide DNA methylation was initially measured using the Illumina MethylationEPIC 850K Beadchip array followed by methylation-specific qPCR to validate the methylation status at putative loci. Differentially Methylated Positions (DMP) were identified using a case-control approach adjusted for ancestry. We identified a total of 51 DMPs in CpGs among SLE patients compared to controls. Genes proximal to these CpGs were highly enriched for involvement in type I interferon signaling. DMPs among European American SLE patients with LN were similar to African American SLE patients with and without LN. Our findings were validated using an orthogonal, methyl-specific PCR for three SLE-associated DMPs near or proximal to MX1, USP18, and IFITM1. Our study confirms previous reports that DMPs in CpGs associated with SLE are enriched in type I interferon genes. However, we show that European American SLE patients with LN have similar DNAm patterns to African American SLE patients irrespective of LN, suggesting that aberrant DNAm alters activity of type I interferon pathway leading to more severe disease independent of ancestry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter C Allen
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Kevin Roberts
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Jose E Rubio
- Department of Rheumatology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Hemant K Tiwari
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Devin M Absher
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Sara J Cooper
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Richard M Myers
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA.
| | - Elizabeth E Brown
- Department of Pathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Garau J, Charras A, Varesio C, Orcesi S, Dragoni F, Galli J, Fazzi E, Gagliardi S, Pansarasa O, Cereda C, Hedrich CM. Altered DNA methylation and gene expression predict disease severity in patients with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Clin Immunol 2023; 249:109299. [PMID: 36963449 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109299] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome (AGS) is a rare neuro-inflammatory disease characterized by increased expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Disease-causing mutations are present in genes associated with innate antiviral responses. Disease presentation and severity vary, even between patients with identical mutations from the same family. This study investigated DNA methylation signatures in PBMCs to understand phenotypic heterogeneity in AGS patients with mutations in RNASEH2B. AGS patients presented hypomethylation of ISGs and differential methylation patterns (DMPs) in genes involved in "neutrophil and platelet activation". Patients with "mild" phenotypes exhibited DMPs in genes involved in "DNA damage and repair", whereas patients with "severe" phenotypes had DMPs in "cell fate commitment" and "organ development" associated genes. DMPs in two ISGs (IFI44L, RSAD2) associated with increased gene expression in patients with "severe" when compared to "mild" phenotypes. In conclusion, altered DNA methylation and ISG expression as biomarkers and potential future treatment targets in AGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Garau
- Neurogenetics Research Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Amandine Charras
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Costanza Varesio
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Simona Orcesi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Dragoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Molecular Biology and Transcriptomics, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jessica Galli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Fazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stella Gagliardi
- Molecular Biology and Transcriptomics, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Orietta Pansarasa
- Cellular Model and Neuroepigenetics, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Genomic and post-Genomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Christian M Hedrich
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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Yaung KN, Yeo JG, Kumar P, Wasser M, Chew M, Ravelli A, Law AHN, Arkachaisri T, Martini A, Pisetsky DS, Albani S. Artificial intelligence and high-dimensional technologies in the theragnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. THE LANCET. RHEUMATOLOGY 2023; 5:e151-e165. [PMID: 38251610 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(23)00010-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a complex, systemic autoimmune disease characterised by immune dysregulation. Pathogenesis is multifactorial, contributing to clinical heterogeneity and posing challenges for diagnosis and treatment. Although strides in treatment options have been made in the past 15 years, with the US Food and Drug Administration approval of belimumab in 2011, there are still many patients who have inadequate responses to therapy. A better understanding of underlying disease mechanisms with a holistic and multiparametric approach is required to improve clinical assessment and treatment. This Review discusses the evolution of genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics in the study of systemic lupus erythematosus and ways to amalgamate these silos of data with a systems-based approach while also discussing ways to strengthen the overall process. These mechanistic insights will facilitate the discovery of functionally relevant biomarkers to guide rational therapeutic selection to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Nay Yaung
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
| | - Joo Guan Yeo
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Rheumatology and Immunology Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | - Pavanish Kumar
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore
| | - Martin Wasser
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore
| | - Marvin Chew
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore
| | - Angelo Ravelli
- Direzione Scientifica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy; Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Riabilitazione, Oftalmologia, Genetica e Scienze Materno-Infantili, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Annie Hui Nee Law
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Thaschawee Arkachaisri
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Rheumatology and Immunology Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - David S Pisetsky
- Department of Medicine and Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Medical Research Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Salvatore Albani
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Rheumatology and Immunology Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
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Rodríguez-Carrio J, Burska A, Conaghan PG, Dik WA, Biesen R, Eloranta ML, Cavalli G, Visser M, Boumpas DT, Bertsias G, Wahren-Herlenius M, Rehwinkel J, Frémond ML, Crow MK, Ronnblom L, Vital E, Versnel M. Association between type I interferon pathway activation and clinical outcomes in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: a systematic literature review informing EULAR points to consider. RMD Open 2023; 9:e002864. [PMID: 36882218 PMCID: PMC10008483 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type I interferons (IFN-I) contribute to a broad range of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Compelling evidence suggests that the measurement of IFN-I pathway activation may have clinical value. Although several IFN-I pathway assays have been proposed, the exact clinical applications are unclear. We summarise the evidence on the potential clinical utility of assays measuring IFN-I pathway activation. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted across three databases to evaluate the use of IFN-I assays in diagnosis and monitor disease activity, prognosis, response to treatment and responsiveness to change in several RMDs. RESULTS Of 366 screened, 276 studies were selected that reported the use of assays reflecting IFN-I pathway activation for disease diagnosis (n=188), assessment of disease activity (n=122), prognosis (n=20), response to treatment (n=23) and assay responsiveness (n=59). Immunoassays, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and microarrays were reported most frequently, while systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, myositis, systemic sclerosis and primary Sjögren's syndrome were the most studied RMDs. The literature demonstrated significant heterogeneity in techniques, analytical conditions, risk of bias and application in diseases. Inadequate study designs and technical heterogeneity were the main limitations. IFN-I pathway activation was associated with disease activity and flare occurrence in SLE, but their incremental value was uncertain. IFN-I pathway activation may predict response to IFN-I targeting therapies and may predict response to different treatments. CONCLUSIONS Evidence indicates potential clinical value of assays measuring IFN-I pathway activation in several RMDs, but assay harmonisation and clinical validation are urged. This review informs the EULAR points to consider for the measurement and reporting of IFN-I pathway assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Rodríguez-Carrio
- Area of Immunology, University of Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Asturias, Spain
| | - Agata Burska
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds & NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, UK
| | - P G Conaghan
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds & NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, UK
| | - Willem A Dik
- Laboratory Medical Immunology, department of Immunology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Biesen
- Department of Rheumatology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maija-Leena Eloranta
- Department of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Giulio Cavalli
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marianne Visser
- EULAR, PARE Patient Research Partners, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dimitrios T Boumpas
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Medical School, Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Bertsias
- Department of Rheumatology-Clinical Immunology, University of Crete, Medical School, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Marie Wahren-Herlenius
- Karolinska Institutet, Division of Rheumatology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Rehwinkel
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Medical Research Council Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Marie-Louise Frémond
- Université de Paris Cité, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Immuno-Hématologie et Rhumatologie pédiatriques, Paris, France
| | - Mary K Crow
- Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Research, New York, USA
| | - Lars Ronnblom
- Department of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ed Vital
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds & NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, UK
| | - Marjan Versnel
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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11
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Differential CpG DNA methylation of peripheral B cells, CD4 + T cells, and salivary gland tissues in IgG4-related disease. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:4. [PMID: 36609529 PMCID: PMC9824958 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-022-02978-5] [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: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Immunoglobulin-G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a distinct systemic autoimmune-mediated disease manifesting as chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis. Since the role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of IgG4-RD is still unclear, we conduct this study to investigate epigenetic modifications in IgG4-RD. METHODS A genome-wide DNA methylation study was conducted with B cells, CD4+ T cells, and salivary gland tissues from IgG4-RD patients and matched controls by using the Illumina HumanMethylation 850K BeadChip. We further performed pyrosequencing and immunohistochemistry assays to validate the methylation status of some targets of interest. RESULTS We identified differentially methylated CpG sites including 44 hypomethylated and 166 hypermethylated differentially methylated probes (DMPs) in B cells and 260 hypomethylated and 112 hypermethylated DMPs in CD4+ T cells from 10 IgG4-RD patients compared with 10 healthy controls. We also identified 36945 hypomethylated and 78380 hypermethylated DMPs in salivary gland tissues of 4 IgG4-RD patients compared with 4 controls. DPM2 (cg21181453), IQCK (cg10266221), and ABCC13 (cg05699681, cg04985582) were hypermethylated and MBP (cg18455083) was hypomethylated in B cells, CD4+ T cells, and salivary gland tissues of IgG4-RD patients. We also observed the hypomethylated HLA-DQB2 in CD4+ T cells from IgG4-RD patients. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of DMPs in salivary gland tissues of IgG4-RD patients revealed enrichment of pathways involved in the regulation of immune cell responses and fibrosis. CONCLUSION This is the first DNA methylation study in peripheral B cells, CD4+ T cells, and salivary gland tissues from IgG4-RD patients. Our findings highlighted the role of epigenetic modification of DNA methylation and identified several genes and pathways possibly involved in IgG4-RD pathogenesis.
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12
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Mei X, Zhang B, Zhao M, Lu Q. An update on epigenetic regulation in autoimmune diseases. J Transl Autoimmun 2022; 5:100176. [PMID: 36544624 PMCID: PMC9762196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2022.100176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) generally manifest as chronic immune disorders characterized by significant heterogeneity and complex symptoms. The discordant incidence of AIDs between monozygotic twins guided people to attach importance to environmental factors. Epigenetics is one of the major ways to be influenced, some of them can even occur years before clinical diagnosis. With the advent of high-throughput omics times, the mysterious veil of epigenetic modification in AIDs has been gradually unraveled, and some progress has been made in utilizing it as indicators of diagnosis and disease activity. For example, the hypomethylated IFI44L promoter in diagnosing systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE). More recently, newly identified noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are also believed to be involved in the etiology of AIDs while the initial factor behind those epigenetic alterations can be diverse from metabolism to microbiota. Update and comprehensive insights into epigenetics in AIDs can help us understand the pathogenesis and further orchestrate it to benefit patients in the future. Therefore, we reviewed the latest epigenetic findings in SLE, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Type 1 diabetes (T1D), systemic sclerosis (SSc) primarily from cellular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaole Mei
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immunological Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Institute of Dermatology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immunological Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Institute of Dermatology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, Hunan, China,Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, Hunan, China,Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China,Corresponding author. Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immunological Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Institute of Dermatology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIs, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China,Research Unit of Key Technologies of Diagnosis and Treatment for Immune-related Skin Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Changsha, Hunan, China,Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China,Corresponding author. Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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13
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Rasking L, Roelens C, Sprangers B, Thienpont B, Nawrot TS, De Vusser K. Lupus, DNA Methylation, and Air Pollution: A Malicious Triad. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15050. [PMID: 36429769 PMCID: PMC9690025 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains elusive to this day; however, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors have been implicated to be involved in disease pathogenesis. Recently, it was demonstrated that in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, interferon-regulated genes are hypomethylated in naïve CD4+ T cells, CD19+ B lymphocytes, and CD14+ monocytes. This suggests that interferon-regulated genes may have been epigenetically poised in SLE patients for rapid expression upon stimulation by different environmental factors. Additionally, environmental studies have identified DNA (hypo)methylation changes as a potential mechanism of environmentally induced health effects in utero, during childhood and in adults. Finally, epidemiologic studies have firmly established air pollution as a crucial SLE risk factor, as studies showed an association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and traditional SLE biomarkers related to disease flare, hospital admissions, and an increased SLEDAI score. In this review, the relationship between aberrant epigenetic regulation, the environment, and the development of SLE will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Rasking
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Céline Roelens
- Depatment of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospital Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ben Sprangers
- Depatment of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospital Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Leuven University, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bernard Thienpont
- Department of Human Genetics, Leuven University, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health Unit, Leuven University, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien De Vusser
- Depatment of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, University Hospital Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Leuven University, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Epigenetic regulation of B cells and its role in autoimmune pathogenesis. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:1215-1234. [PMID: 36220996 PMCID: PMC9622816 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-022-00933-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
B cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Although previous studies have shown many genetic polymorphisms associated with B-cell activation in patients with various autoimmune disorders, progress in epigenetic research has revealed new mechanisms leading to B-cell hyperactivation. Epigenetic mechanisms, including those involving histone modifications, DNA methylation, and noncoding RNAs, regulate B-cell responses, and their dysregulation can contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Patients with autoimmune diseases show epigenetic alterations that lead to the initiation and perpetuation of autoimmune inflammation. Moreover, many clinical and animal model studies have shown the promising potential of epigenetic therapies for patients. In this review, we present an up-to-date overview of epigenetic mechanisms with a focus on their roles in regulating functional B-cell subsets. Furthermore, we discuss epigenetic dysregulation in B cells and highlight its contribution to the development of autoimmune diseases. Based on clinical and preclinical evidence, we discuss novel epigenetic biomarkers and therapies for patients with autoimmune disorders.
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15
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de la Calle-Fabregat C, Rodríguez-Ubreva J, Ciudad L, Ramírez J, Celis R, Azuaga AB, Cuervo A, Graell E, Pérez-García C, Díaz-Torné C, Salvador G, Gómez-Puerta JA, Haro I, Sanmartí R, Cañete JD, Ballestar E. The synovial and blood monocyte DNA methylomes mirror prognosis, evolution and treatment in early arthritis. JCI Insight 2022; 7:158783. [PMID: 35324478 PMCID: PMC9090240 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying predictive biomarkers at early stages of inflammatory arthritis is crucial for starting appropriate therapies to avoid poor outcomes. Monocytes (MOs) and macrophages, largely associated with arthritis, are contributors and sensors of inflammation through epigenetic modifications. In this study, we investigated associations between clinical features and DNA methylation in blood and synovial fluid (SF) MOs in a prospective cohort of patients with early inflammatory arthritis. DNA methylation profiles of undifferentiated arthritis (UA) blood MOs exhibited marked alterations in comparison with those from healthy donors. We identified additional differences both in blood and SF MOs after comparing patients with UA grouped by their future outcomes, i.e., good versus poor. Patient profiles in subsequent visits revealed a reversion toward a healthy level in both groups, those requiring disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and those who remitted spontaneously. Changes in disease activity between visits also affected DNA methylation, which was partially concomitant in the SF of UA and in blood MOs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Epigenetic similarities between arthritis types allow a common prediction of disease activity. Our results constitute a resource of DNA methylation–based biomarkers of poor prognosis, disease activity, and treatment efficacy for the personalized clinical management of early inflammatory arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Ubreva
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Ciudad
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Ramírez
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Celis
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana B Azuaga
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Cuervo
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Graell
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
| | | | - César Díaz-Torné
- Servei de Reumatologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Georgina Salvador
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitari Mútua de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Isabel Haro
- Unit of Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of Peptides, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raimon Sanmartí
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan D Cañete
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Clinic and IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esteban Ballestar
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
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16
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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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17
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Wu H, Deng Y, Long D, Yang M, Li Q, Feng Y, Chen Y, Qiu H, Huang X, He Z, Hu L, Yin H, Li G, Guo Y, Du W, Zhao M, Lu L, Lu Q. The IL-21-TET2-AIM2-c-MAF pathway drives the T follicular helper cell response in lupus-like disease. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e781. [PMID: 35343082 PMCID: PMC8958352 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that involves T follicular helper (TFH ) cell-mediated humoral immune responses. Absent in melanoma 2 (human AIM2 and murine Aim2) is a well-known component of the inflammasome in the innate immune system. Surprisingly, we observed that in SLE patients, upregulated levels of AIM2 expression were found in peripheral blood and skin lesions, with the highest levels detected in TFH -like cells. In the CD4cre Aim2fl/fl conditional knockout mice, a markedly reduced TFH cell response was observed, with significantly lower levels of serum autoantibodies and proteinuria, as well as profoundly reduced renal IgG deposition in pristane-induced lupus mice. Mechanistically, IL-21 was found to recruit hydroxymethyltransferase ten-eleven translocation 2 (TET2) to the AIM2 promoter, resulting in DNA demethylation and increased transcription of AIM2. In addition, AIM2 could regulate c-MAF expression to enhance IL-21 production, which consequently promoted TFH cell differentiation. Our results have identified a role of AIM2 in promoting the TFH cell response and further revealed that the IL-21-TET2-AIM2-c-MAF signalling pathway is dysregulated in lupus pathogenesis, which provides a potential therapeutic target for SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijing Wu
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yaxiong Deng
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Di Long
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Qianwen Li
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yongjian Chen
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Hong Qiu
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Zhenghao He
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Longyuan Hu
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Heng Yin
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Guangdi Li
- Department of Public HealthCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yunkai Guo
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck SurgerySecond Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Wenhan Du
- Department of Pathology and Center for Infection and ImmunologyThe University of Hong KongChongqing International Institute for ImmunologyHong KongChina
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Liwei Lu
- Department of Pathology and Center for Infection and ImmunologyThe University of Hong KongChongqing International Institute for ImmunologyHong KongChina
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of DermatologySecond Xiangya HospitalHunan Key Laboratory of Medical EpigenomicsCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeInstitute of DermatologyNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Immune‐Mediated Skin DiseasesNanjingChina
- Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesJiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Skin Diseases and STIsNanjingChina
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18
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Adams DE, Shao WH. Epigenetic Alterations in Immune Cells of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Therapeutic Implications. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030506. [PMID: 35159315 PMCID: PMC8834103 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that is characterized by autoantibody production and dysregulated immune cell activation. Although the exact etiology of SLE remains unknown, genetic, hormonal, and complex environmental factors are known to be critical for pathologic immune activation. In addition to the inherited genetic predisposition, epigenetic processes that do not change the genomic code, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNAs are increasingly appreciated to play important roles in lupus pathogenesis. We herein focus on the up-to-date findings of lupus-associated epigenetic alterations and their pathophysiology in lupus development. We also summarize the therapeutic potential of the new findings. It is likely that advances in the epigenetic study will help to predict individual disease outcomes, promise diagnostic accuracy, and design new target-directed immunotherapies.
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19
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Czeh M, Stäble S, Krämer S, Tepe L, Talyan S, Carrelha J, Meng Y, Heitplatz B, Schwabenland M, Milsom MD, Plass C, Prinz M, Schlesner M, Andrade-Navarro MA, Nerlov C, Jacobsen SEW, Lipka DB, Rosenbauer F. DNMT1 Deficiency Impacts on Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Homeostasis and Autoimmune Disease. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:358-370. [PMID: 34903641 PMCID: PMC7612220 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are heterogeneous immune regulators involved in autoimmune diseases. Epigenomic mechanisms orchestrating DC development and DC subset diversification remain insufficiently understood but could be important to modulate DC fate for clinical purposes. By combining whole-genome methylation assessment with the analysis of mice expressing reduced DNA methyltransferase 1 levels, we show that distinct DNA methylation levels and patterns are required for the development of plasmacytoid DC and conventional DC subsets. We provide clonal in vivo evidence for DC lineage establishment at the stem cell level, and we show that a high DNA methylation threshold level is essential for Flt3-dependent survival of DC precursors. Importantly, reducing methylation predominantly depletes plasmacytoid DC and alleviates systemic lupus erythematosus in an autoimmunity mouse model. This study shows how DNA methylation regulates the production of DC subsets and provides a potential rationale for targeting autoimmune disease using hypomethylating agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Czeh
- Institute of Molecular Tumor Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sina Stäble
- Section Translational Cancer Epigenomics, Division of Translational Medical Oncology, German Cancer Research Center and National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephen Krämer
- Section Translational Cancer Epigenomics, Division of Translational Medical Oncology, German Cancer Research Center and National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Biomedical Informatics, Data Mining and Data Analytics, Faculty of Applied Computer Science and Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Germany
- Bioinformatics and Omics Data Analysis, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena Tepe
- Institute of Molecular Tumor Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sweta Talyan
- Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Joana Carrelha
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yiran Meng
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Barbara Heitplatz
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Marius Schwabenland
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael D Milsom
- Division of Experimental Hematology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Plass
- Division of Cancer Epigenomics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Prinz
- Institute of Neuropathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Centre for Biological Signalling Studies and Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Schlesner
- Biomedical Informatics, Data Mining and Data Analytics, Faculty of Applied Computer Science and Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Germany
- Bioinformatics and Omics Data Analysis, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Claus Nerlov
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sten Eirik W Jacobsen
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and
- Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel B Lipka
- Section Translational Cancer Epigenomics, Division of Translational Medical Oncology, German Cancer Research Center and National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Rosenbauer
- Institute of Molecular Tumor Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany;
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20
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Proportion of B cell subsets and Nrf2 mediated redox regulation in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Immunobiology 2022; 227:152180. [PMID: 35032759 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2022.152180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by expansion of autoreactive lymphocytes and impaired management of oxidative stress. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) plays a significant role in maintaining the redox homeostasis of cell. The present study aims to investigate the frequency of peripheral B cell subsets and the redox regulation by Nrf2 in SLE patients with variable disease activity. For this, a total of forty (40) SLE patients and twenty (20) age and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited where patients with SLEDAI < 6 were grouped as Inactive SLE (n = 20) and patients with SLEDAI ≥ 6 were grouped as Active SLE (n = 20). A proportion of peripheral B cell subsets, level of ROS and expression of Nrf2 and Keap1 were studied with the help of flow cytometry and multiplex cytokine bead assay was exploited to estimate the serological concentration of cytokines. The frequency of B cell subsets was significantly altered and correlated with SLEDAI score. Concentration of IFNα2, IFN-β, BAFF, APRIL and IL-6 was also raised in active SLE patients. Moreover, the level of cytosolic ROS was universally decreased while mitochondrial ROS was increased in B cell subsets. The expression of Nrf2 and Keap1 (a negative regulator of Nrf2) was significantly increased in B cell subsets of SLE patients. Here, it has been demonstrated that the frequency of peripheral B cell subsets varies with modification in the SLE disease activity. The given data also demonstrated that the expression of Nrf2 is significantly heightened in B cell subsets to deal with free radical stress.
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21
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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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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22
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Jiang Z, Shao M, Dai X, Pan Z, Liu D. Identification of Diagnostic Biomarkers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Machine Learning. Front Genet 2022; 13:865559. [PMID: 35495164 PMCID: PMC9047905 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.865559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that affects several organs and causes variable clinical symptoms. Exploring new insights on genetic factors may help reveal SLE etiology and improve the survival of SLE patients. The current study is designed to identify key genes involved in SLE and develop potential diagnostic biomarkers for SLE in clinical practice. Expression data of all genes of SLE and control samples in GSE65391 and GSE72509 datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. A total of 11 accurate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by the "limma" and "RobustRankAggreg" R package. All these genes were functionally associated with several immune-related biological processes and a single KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome) pathway of necroptosis. The PPI analysis showed that IFI44, IFI44L, EIF2AK2, IFIT3, IFITM3, ZBP1, TRIM22, PRIC285, XAF1, and PARP9 could interact with each other. In addition, the expression patterns of these DEGs were found to be consistent in GSE39088. Moreover, Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis indicated that all these DEGs could serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers according to the area under the ROC curve (AUC) values. Furthermore, we constructed the transcription factor (TF)-diagnostic biomarker-microRNA (miRNA) network composed of 278 nodes and 405 edges, and a drug-diagnostic biomarker network consisting of 218 nodes and 459 edges. To investigate the relationship between diagnostic biomarkers and the immune system, we evaluated the immune infiltration landscape of SLE and control samples from GSE6539. Finally, using a variety of machine learning methods, IFI44 was determined to be the optimal diagnostic biomarker of SLE and then verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in an independent cohort. Our findings may benefit the diagnosis of patients with SLE and guide in developing novel targeted therapy in treating SLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihang Jiang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mengting Shao
- Computational Systems Biology Laboratory, Department of Bioinformatics, Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), Shantou, China
| | - Xinzhu Dai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhixin Pan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dongmei Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Dongmei Liu,
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23
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Raupov RK, Suspitsin EN, Imelbaev AI, Kostik MM. Simultaneous Onset of Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Twin Brothers: Case Report. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:929358. [PMID: 35783307 PMCID: PMC9243501 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.929358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED There are hundreds of twin adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but male children with SLE are rarely affected. Two monozygotic twin brothers developed SLE at the age of 11 years during 1 month. The index brother manifested with Henoch-Shonlein purpura, accompanied by ANA positivity, and later developed critical left femoral arterial stenosis with high levels of anti-dsDNA, antiphospholipid antibodies, hypocomplementemia, and Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia. At that time his twin brother had only identical autoimmune findings and developed clinical manifestation (myositis and fasciitis) a month later. Both twins had increased IFN-score and shared a heterozygous variant in the RNASEL gene. Index patients developed scalp rash and nephritis 6 months after their parents refused the treatment which has been lasted for 1 year after disease diagnostics. CONCLUSION The simultaneous onset of the pediatric SLE in the male twin is a very rare situation suspected monogenic origin of the disease. Further functional studies are required to confirm the causative role of the mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinat K Raupov
- Hospital Pediatry Department, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,H. Turner National Medical Research Center for Children's Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,City Hospital, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Evgeny N Suspitsin
- N. N. Petrov Institute of Oncology, Molecular Diagnostics, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Molecular Genetics Department, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Artur I Imelbaev
- Radiology Department, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Mikhail M Kostik
- Hospital Pediatry Department, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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24
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Woźniak E, Owczarczyk-Saczonek A, Placek W. Psychological Stress, Mast Cells, and Psoriasis-Is There Any Relationship? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413252. [PMID: 34948049 PMCID: PMC8705845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin disease with still unknown pathogenesis. In recent years, genetic and environmental factors have been mentioned as the main causes. Among environmental factors, many researchers are trying to investigate the role of mental health and its importance in the development of many diseases. In the pathophysiology of psoriasis, the role of the interaction between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems are often emphasized. So far, no one has clearly indicated where the pathological process begins. One of the hypotheses is that chronic stress influences the formation of hormonal changes (lowering the systemic cortisol level), which favors the processes of autoimmunity. In inflammatory skin conditions, mast cells (MCs) are localized close to blood vessels and peripheral nerves, where they probably play an important role in the response to environmental stimuli and emotional stress. They are usually connected with a fast immune response, not only in allergies but also a protective response to microbial antigens. Among many cells of the immune system, MCs have receptors for the hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis on their surface. In this review, we will try to take a closer look at the role of MCs in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. This knowledge may give the opportunity to search for therapeutic solutions.
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25
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Siddiqi KZ, Wilhelm TR, Ulff-Møller CJ, Jacobsen S. Cluster of highly expressed interferon-stimulated genes associate more with African ancestry than disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. A systematic review of cross-sectional studies. Transl Res 2021; 238:63-75. [PMID: 34343626 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN) are central players in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the up-regulation of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in SLE patients is subjected to increasing scrutiny as for its use in diagnosis, stratification and monitoring of SLE patients. Determinants of this immunological phenomenon are yet to be fully charted. The purpose of this systematic review was to characterize expressions of ISGs in blood of SLE patients and to analyze if they associated with core demographic and clinical features of SLE. Twenty cross-sectional, case-control studies comprising 1033 SLE patients and 602 study controls could be included. ISG fold-change expression values (SLE vs controls), demographic and clinical data were extracted from the published material and analyzed by hierarchical cluster analysis and generalized linear modelling. ISG expression varied substantially within each study with IFI27, IFI44, IFI44L, IFIT4 and RSAD2, being the top-five upregulated ISGs. Analysis of inter-study variation showed that IFI27, IFI44, IFI44L, IFIT1, PRKR and RSAD2 expression clustered with the fraction of SLE cases having African ancestry or lupus nephritis. Generalized linear models adjusted for prevalence of lupus nephritis and usage of hydroxychloroquine confirmed the observed association between African ancestry and IFI27, IFI44L, IFIT1, PRKR and RSAD2, whereas disease activity was associated with expression of IFI27 and RNASE2. In conclusion, this systematic review revealed that expression of ISGs often used for deriving an IFN signature in SLE patients were influenced by African ancestry rather than disease activity. This underscores the necessity of taking ancestry into account when employing the IFN signature for clinical research in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Z Siddiqi
- Copenhagen Lupus and Vasculitis Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Theresa R Wilhelm
- Copenhagen Lupus and Vasculitis Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Constance J Ulff-Møller
- Copenhagen Lupus and Vasculitis Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Søren Jacobsen
- Copenhagen Lupus and Vasculitis Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark.
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26
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Marion MC, Ramos PS, Bachali P, Labonte AC, Zimmerman KD, Ainsworth HC, Heuer SE, Robl RD, Catalina MD, Kelly JA, Howard TD, Lipsky PE, Grammer AC, Langefeld CD. Nucleic Acid-Sensing and Interferon-Inducible Pathways Show Differential Methylation in MZ Twins Discordant for Lupus and Overexpression in Independent Lupus Samples: Implications for Pathogenic Mechanism and Drug Targeting. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12121898. [PMID: 34946847 PMCID: PMC8701117 DOI: 10.3390/genes12121898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem, autoimmune inflammatory disease with genomic and non-genomic contributions to risk. We hypothesize that epigenetic factors are a significant contributor to SLE risk and may be informative for identifying pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets. To test this hypothesis while controlling for genetic background, we performed an epigenome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in genomic DNA from whole blood in three pairs of female monozygotic (MZ) twins of European ancestry, discordant for SLE. Results were replicated on the same array in four cell types from a set of four Danish female MZ twin pairs discordant for SLE. Genes implicated by the epigenetic analyses were then evaluated in 10 independent SLE gene expression datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). There were 59 differentially methylated loci between unaffected and affected MZ twins in whole blood, including 11 novel loci. All but two of these loci were hypomethylated in the SLE twins relative to the unaffected twins. The genes harboring these hypomethylated loci exhibited increased expression in multiple independent datasets of SLE patients. This pattern was largely consistent regardless of disease activity, cell type, or renal tissue type. The genes proximal to CpGs exhibiting differential methylation (DM) in the SLE-discordant MZ twins and exhibiting differential expression (DE) in independent SLE GEO cohorts (DM-DE genes) clustered into two pathways: the nucleic acid-sensing pathway and the type I interferon pathway. The DM-DE genes were also informatically queried for potential gene–drug interactions, yielding a list of 41 drugs including a known SLE therapy. The DM-DE genes delineate two important biologic pathways that are not only reflective of the heterogeneity of SLE but may also correlate with distinct IFN responses that depend on the source, type, and location of nucleic acid molecules and the activated receptors in individual patients. Cell- and tissue-specific analyses will be critical to the understanding of genetic factors dysregulating the nucleic acid-sensing and IFN pathways and whether these factors could be appropriate targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda C. Marion
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (M.C.M.); (H.C.A.)
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA;
| | - Paula S. Ramos
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| | - Prathyusha Bachali
- AMPEL BioSolutions, LLC and RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA; (P.B.); (A.C.L.); (S.E.H.); (R.D.R.); (M.D.C.); (P.E.L.); (A.C.G.)
| | - Adam C. Labonte
- AMPEL BioSolutions, LLC and RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA; (P.B.); (A.C.L.); (S.E.H.); (R.D.R.); (M.D.C.); (P.E.L.); (A.C.G.)
| | - Kip D. Zimmerman
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA;
| | - Hannah C. Ainsworth
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (M.C.M.); (H.C.A.)
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA;
| | - Sarah E. Heuer
- AMPEL BioSolutions, LLC and RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA; (P.B.); (A.C.L.); (S.E.H.); (R.D.R.); (M.D.C.); (P.E.L.); (A.C.G.)
- The Jackson Laboratory, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Robert D. Robl
- AMPEL BioSolutions, LLC and RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA; (P.B.); (A.C.L.); (S.E.H.); (R.D.R.); (M.D.C.); (P.E.L.); (A.C.G.)
| | - Michelle D. Catalina
- AMPEL BioSolutions, LLC and RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA; (P.B.); (A.C.L.); (S.E.H.); (R.D.R.); (M.D.C.); (P.E.L.); (A.C.G.)
| | - Jennifer A. Kelly
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Timothy D. Howard
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA;
| | - Peter E. Lipsky
- AMPEL BioSolutions, LLC and RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA; (P.B.); (A.C.L.); (S.E.H.); (R.D.R.); (M.D.C.); (P.E.L.); (A.C.G.)
| | - Amrie C. Grammer
- AMPEL BioSolutions, LLC and RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA; (P.B.); (A.C.L.); (S.E.H.); (R.D.R.); (M.D.C.); (P.E.L.); (A.C.G.)
| | - Carl D. Langefeld
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (M.C.M.); (H.C.A.)
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA;
- Correspondence:
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27
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Yang M, Yi P, Jiang J, Zhao M, Wu H, Lu Q. Dysregulated translational factors and epigenetic regulations orchestrate in B cells contributing to autoimmune diseases. Int Rev Immunol 2021; 42:1-25. [PMID: 34445929 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2021.1964498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
B cells play a crucial role in antigen presentation, antibody production and pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion in adaptive immunity. Several translational factors including transcription factors and cytokines participate in the regulation of B cell development, with the cooperation of epigenetic regulations. Autoimmune diseases are generally characterized with autoreactive B cells and high-level pathogenic autoantibodies. The success of B cell depletion therapy in mouse model and clinical trials has proven the role of B cells in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The failure of B cell tolerance in immune checkpoints results in accumulated autoreactive naïve B (BN) cells with aberrant B cell receptor signaling and dysregulated B cell response, contributing to self-antibody-mediated autoimmune reaction. Dysregulation of translational factors and epigenetic alterations in B cells has been demonstrated to correlate with aberrant B cell compartment in autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, primary Sjögren's syndrome, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus and pemphigus. This review is intended to summarize the interaction of translational factors and epigenetic regulations that are involved with development and differentiation of B cells, and the mechanism of dysregulation in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ping Yi
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiao Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haijing Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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28
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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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29
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Cell lineage-specific methylome and genome alterations in gout. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:3843-3865. [PMID: 33493135 PMCID: PMC7906142 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202353] [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: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we examined data from 69 gout patients and 1,455 non-gout controls using a MethylationEPIC BeadChip assay and Illumina HiSeq platform to identify lineage-specific epigenetic alterations and associated genetic factors that contributed to gouty inflammation. Cell lineage-specific differentially methylated sites were identified using CellDMC after adjusting for sex, age, alcohol drinking, smoking status, and smoking history (total pack-years). Different cell lineages displayed distinct differential methylation. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and NetworkAnalyst indicated that many differential methylated sites were associated with interleukin-1β expression in monocytes. On the UCSC Genome Browser and WashU Epigenome Browser, metabolic trait, cis-methylation quantitative trait loci, genetic, and functional annotation analyses identified nine methylation loci located in interleukin-1β-regulating genes (PRKCZ, CIDEC, VDAC1, CPT1A, BIRC2, BRCA1, STK11, and NLRP12) that were associated specifically with gouty inflammation. All nine sites mapped to active regulatory elements in monocytes. MoLoTool and ReMap analyses indicated that the nine methylation loci overlapped with binding sites of several transcription factors that regulated interleukin-1β production and gouty inflammation. Decreases in PRKCZ and STK11 methylation were also associated with higher numbers of first-degree relatives who also had gout. The gouty-inflammation specific methylome and genome alterations could potentially aid in the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
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Bacalao MA, Satterthwaite AB. Recent Advances in Lupus B Cell Biology: PI3K, IFNγ, and Chromatin. Front Immunol 2021; 11:615673. [PMID: 33519824 PMCID: PMC7841329 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.615673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the autoimmune disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), autoantibodies are formed that promote inflammation and tissue damage. There has been significant interest in understanding the B cell derangements involved in SLE pathogenesis. The past few years have been particularly fruitful in three domains: the role of PI3K signaling in loss of B cell tolerance, the role of IFNγ signaling in the development of autoimmunity, and the characterization of changes in chromatin accessibility in SLE B cells. The PI3K pathway coordinates various downstream signaling molecules involved in B cell development and activation. It is governed by the phosphatases PTEN and SHIP-1. Murine models lacking either of these phosphatases in B cells develop autoimmune disease and exhibit defects in B cell tolerance. Limited studies of human SLE B cells demonstrate reduced expression of PTEN or increased signaling events downstream of PI3K in some patients. IFNγ has long been known to be elevated in both SLE patients and mouse models of lupus. New data suggests that IFNγR expression on B cells is required to develop autoreactive germinal centers (GC) and autoantibodies in murine lupus. Furthermore, IFNγ promotes increased transcription of BCL6, IL-6 and T-bet in B cells, which also promote GC and autoantibody formation. IFNγ also induces epigenetic changes in human B cells. SLE B cells demonstrate significant epigenetic reprogramming, including enhanced chromatin accessibility at transcription factor motifs involved in B cell activation and plasma cell (PC) differentiation as well as alterations in DNA methylation and histone modifications. Histone deacetylase inhibitors limit disease development in murine lupus models, at least in part via their ability to prevent B cell class switching and differentiation into plasma cells. This review will discuss relevant discoveries of the past several years pertaining to these areas of SLE B cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Bacalao
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Anne B. Satterthwaite
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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Jochems SP, Jacquelin B, Tchitchek N, Busato F, Pichon F, Huot N, Liu Y, Ploquin MJ, Roché E, Cheynier R, Dereuddre-Bosquet N, Stahl-Henning C, Le Grand R, Tost J, Müller-Trutwin M. DNA methylation changes in metabolic and immune-regulatory pathways in blood and lymph node CD4 + T cells in response to SIV infections. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:188. [PMID: 33298174 PMCID: PMC7724887 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00971-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying HIV-induced inflammation, which persists even during effective long-term treatment, remain incompletely defined. Here, we studied pathogenic and nonpathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infections in macaques and African green monkeys, respectively. We longitudinally analyzed genome-wide DNA methylation changes in CD4 + T cells from lymph node and blood, using arrays. DNA methylation changes after SIV infection were more pronounced in lymph nodes than blood and already detected in primary infection. Differentially methylated genes in pathogenic SIV infection were enriched for Th1-signaling (e.g., RUNX3, STAT4, NFKB1) and metabolic pathways (e.g., PRKCZ). In contrast, nonpathogenic SIVagm infection induced DNA methylation in genes coding for regulatory proteins such as LAG-3, arginase-2, interleukin-21 and interleukin-31. Between 15 and 18% of genes with DNA methylation changes were differentially expressed in CD4 + T cells in vivo. Selected identified sites were validated using bisulfite pyrosequencing in an independent cohort of uninfected, viremic and SIV controller macaques. Altered DNA methylation was confirmed in blood and lymph node CD4 + T cells in viremic macaques but was notably absent from SIV controller macaques. Our study identified key genes differentially methylated already in primary infection and in tissues that could contribute to the persisting metabolic disorders and inflammation in HIV-infected individuals despite effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon P Jochems
- HIV Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 Rue Didot, 75015, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Beatrice Jacquelin
- HIV Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 Rue Didot, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Tchitchek
- IDMIT Department/IBFJ, Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases (IMVA), INSERM U1184, CEA, Université Paris Sud, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Florence Busato
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA-Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Evry, France
| | - Fabien Pichon
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA-Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Evry, France
| | - Nicolas Huot
- HIV Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 Rue Didot, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Yi Liu
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA-Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Evry, France
| | - Mickaël J Ploquin
- HIV Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 Rue Didot, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Elodie Roché
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA-Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Evry, France
| | - Rémi Cheynier
- UMR8104, CNRS, U1016, INSERM, Institut Cochin, Université de Paris, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Dereuddre-Bosquet
- IDMIT Department/IBFJ, Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases (IMVA), INSERM U1184, CEA, Université Paris Sud, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Roger Le Grand
- IDMIT Department/IBFJ, Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases (IMVA), INSERM U1184, CEA, Université Paris Sud, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Jorg Tost
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA-Institut de Biologie François Jacob, Evry, France
| | - Michaela Müller-Trutwin
- HIV Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Institut Pasteur, 28 Rue Didot, 75015, Paris, France.
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32
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Moroney JB, Chupp DP, Xu Z, Zan H, Casali P. Epigenetics of the antibody and autoantibody response. Curr Opin Immunol 2020; 67:75-86. [PMID: 33176228 PMCID: PMC7744442 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
B cell differentiation driven by microbial antigens leads to production of anti-microbial antibodies, such as those neutralizing viruses, bacteria or bacterial toxin, that are class-switched (IgG and IgA) and somatically hypermutated (maturation of the antibody response) as well as secreted in large volume by plasma cells. Similar features characterize pathogenic antibodies to self-antigens in autoimmunity, reflecting the critical role of class switch DNA recombination (CSR), somatic hypermutation (SHM) and plasma cell differentiation in the generation of antibodies to not only foreign antigens but also self-antigens (autoantibodies). Central to CSR/SHM and plasma cell differentiation are AID, a potent DNA cytidine deaminase encoded by Aicda, and Blimp-1, a transcription factor encoded by Prdm1. B cell-intrinsic expression of Aicda and Prdm1 is regulated by epigenetic elements and processes, including DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications and non-coding RNAs, particularly miRNAs. Here, we will discuss: B cell-intrinsic epigenetic processes that regulate antibody and autoantibody responses; how epigenetic dysregulation alters CSR/SHM and plasma cell differentiation, thereby leading to autoantibody responses, as in systemic lupus; and, how these can be modulated by nutrients, metabolites, and hormones through changes in B cell-intrinsic epigenetic mechanisms, which can provide therapeutic targets in autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin B Moroney
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Daniel P Chupp
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Zhenming Xu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Hong Zan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Paolo Casali
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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Zouali M. DNA methylation signatures of autoimmune diseases in human B lymphocytes. Clin Immunol 2020; 222:108622. [PMID: 33188932 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
B lymphocytes play key roles in adaptive and innate immunity. In autoimmune diseases, their participation in disease instigation and/or progression has been demonstrated in both experimental models and clinical trials. Recent epigenetic investigations of human B lymphocyte subsets revealed the importance of DNA methylation in exquisitely regulating the cellular activation and differentiation programs. This review discusses recent advances on the potential of DNA methylation to shape events that impart generation of plasma cells and memory B cells, providing novel insight into homeostatic regulation of the immune system. In parallel, epigenetic profiling of B cells from patients with systemic or organo-specific autoimmune diseases disclosed distinctive differential methylation regions that, in some cases, could stratify patients from controls. Development of tools for editing DNA methylation in the mammalian genome could be useful for future functional studies of epigenetic regulation by offering the possibility to edit locus-specific methylation, with potential translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moncef Zouali
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, No. 91, Xueshi Road, North District, Taichung City, Taïwan 404, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Vyse TJ, Cunninghame Graham DS. Trans-Ancestral Fine-Mapping and Epigenetic Annotation as Tools to Delineate Functionally Relevant Risk Alleles at IKZF1 and IKZF3 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218383. [PMID: 33182226 PMCID: PMC7664943 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Prioritizing tag-SNPs carried on extended risk haplotypes at susceptibility loci for common disease is a challenge. Methods: We utilized trans-ancestral exclusion mapping to reduce risk haplotypes at IKZF1 and IKZF3 identified in multiple ancestries from SLE GWAS and ImmunoChip datasets. We characterized functional annotation data across each risk haplotype from publicly available datasets including ENCODE, RoadMap Consortium, PC Hi-C data from 3D genome browser, NESDR NTR conditional eQTL database, GeneCards Genehancers and TF (transcription factor) binding sites from Haploregv4. Results: We refined the 60 kb associated haplotype upstream of IKZF1 to just 12 tag-SNPs tagging a 47.7 kb core risk haplotype. There was preferential enrichment of DNAse I hypersensitivity and H3K27ac modification across the 3′ end of the risk haplotype, with four tag-SNPs sharing allele-specific TF binding sites with promoter variants, which are eQTLs for IKZF1 in whole blood. At IKZF3, we refined a core risk haplotype of 101 kb (27 tag-SNPs) from an initial extended haplotype of 194 kb (282 tag-SNPs), which had widespread DNAse I hypersensitivity, H3K27ac modification and multiple allele-specific TF binding sites. Dimerization of Fox family TFs bound at the 3′ and promoter of IKZF3 may stabilize chromatin looping across the locus. Conclusions: We combined trans-ancestral exclusion mapping and epigenetic annotation to identify variants at both IKZF1 and IKZF3 with the highest likelihood of biological relevance. The approach will be of strong interest to other complex trait geneticists seeking to attribute biological relevance to risk alleles on extended risk haplotypes in their disease of interest.
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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: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [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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Gilley KN, Wierenga KA, Chauhuan PS, Wagner JG, Lewandowski RP, Ross EA, Lock AL, Harkema JR, Benninghoff AD, Pestka JJ. Influence of total western diet on docosahexaenoic acid suppression of silica-triggered lupus flaring in NZBWF1 mice. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233183. [PMID: 32413078 PMCID: PMC7228097 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lupus is a debilitating multi-organ autoimmune disease clinically typified by periods of flare and remission. Exposing lupus-prone female NZBWF1 mice to crystalline silica (cSiO2), a known human autoimmune trigger, mimics flaring by inducing interferon-related gene (IRG) expression, inflammation, ectopic lymphoid structure (ELS) development, and autoantibody production in the lung that collectively accelerate glomerulonephritis. cSiO2-triggered flaring in this model can be prevented by supplementing mouse diet with the ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). A limitation of previous studies was the use of purified diet that, although optimized for rodent health, does not reflect the high American intake of saturated fatty acid (SFA), ω-6 PUFAs, and total fat. To address this, we employed here a modified Total Western Diet (mTWD) emulating the 50th percentile U.S. macronutrient distribution to discern how DHA supplementation and/or SFA and ω-6 reduction influences cSiO2-triggered lupus flaring in female NZBWF1 mice. Six-week-old mice were fed isocaloric experimental diets for 2 wks, intranasally instilled with cSiO2 or saline vehicle weekly for 4 wks, and tissues assessed for lupus endpoints 11 wks following cSiO2 instillation. In mice fed basal mTWD, cSiO2 induced robust IRG expression, proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine elevation, leukocyte infiltration, ELS neogenesis, and autoantibody production in the lung, as well as early kidney nephritis onset compared to vehicle-treated mice fed mTWD. Consumption of mTWD containing DHA at the caloric equivalent to a human dose of 5 g/day dramatically suppressed induction of all lupus-associated endpoints. While decreasing SFA and ω-6 in mTWD modestly inhibited some disease markers, DHA addition to this diet was required for maximal protection against lupus development. Taken together, DHA supplementation at a translationally relevant dose was highly effective in preventing cSiO2-triggered lupus flaring in NZBWF1 mice, even against the background of a typical Western diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen N. Gilley
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Kathryn A. Wierenga
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Preeti S. Chauhuan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - James G. Wagner
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Ryan P. Lewandowski
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Elizbeth A. Ross
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - A. L. Lock
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jack R. Harkema
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Abby D. Benninghoff
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America
| | - James J. Pestka
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
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37
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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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Hurtado C, Acevedo Sáenz LY, Vásquez Trespalacios EM, Urrego R, Jenks S, Sanz I, Vásquez G. DNA methylation changes on immune cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Autoimmunity 2020; 53:114-121. [PMID: 32019373 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2020.1722108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation as a process that regulates gene expression is crucial in immune cells biology. Global and gene specific methylation changes have been described in autoimmunity, especially in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. These changes not only contribute to the understanding of the disease, but also some have been proposed as diagnostic or disease activity biomarkers. The present review compiles the most recent discoveries on this field on each type of immune cells, including specific changes in signalling pathways, genes of interest and its possible applications on diagnosis or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Hurtado
- School of Graduate Studies and School of Medicine, CES University, Medellin, Colombia
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Urrego
- Group INCA-CES, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnic, CES University, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Scott Jenks
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Iñaki Sanz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gloria Vásquez
- Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
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de la Calle-Fabregat C, Morante-Palacios O, Ballestar E. Understanding the Relevance of DNA Methylation Changes in Immune Differentiation and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E110. [PMID: 31963661 PMCID: PMC7017047 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune cells are one of the most complex and diverse systems in the human organism. Such diversity implies an intricate network of different cell types and interactions that are dependently interconnected. The processes by which different cell types differentiate from progenitors, mature, and finally exert their function requires an orchestrated succession of molecular processes that determine cell phenotype and function. The acquisition of these phenotypes is highly dependent on the establishment of unique epigenetic profiles that confer identity and function on the various types of effector cells. These epigenetic mechanisms integrate microenvironmental cues into the genome to establish specific transcriptional programs. Epigenetic modifications bridge environment and genome regulation and play a role in human diseases by their ability to modulate physiological programs through external stimuli. DNA methylation is one of the most ubiquitous, stable, and widely studied epigenetic modifications. Recent technological advances have facilitated the generation of a vast amount of genome-wide DNA methylation data, providing profound insights into the roles of DNA methylation in health and disease. This review considers the relevance of DNA methylation to immune system cellular development and function, as well as the participation of DNA methylation defects in immune-mediated pathologies, illustrated by selected paradigmatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Esteban Ballestar
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain; (C.d.l.C.-F.); (O.M.-P.)
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40
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Benninghoff AD, Bates MA, Chauhan PS, Wierenga KA, Gilley KN, Holian A, Harkema JR, Pestka JJ. Docosahexaenoic Acid Consumption Impedes Early Interferon- and Chemokine-Related Gene Expression While Suppressing Silica-Triggered Flaring of Murine Lupus. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2851. [PMID: 31921124 PMCID: PMC6923248 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure of lupus-prone female NZBWF1 mice to respirable crystalline silica (cSiO2), a known human autoimmune trigger, initiates loss of tolerance, rapid progression of autoimmunity, and early onset of glomerulonephritis. We have previously demonstrated that dietary supplementation with the ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) suppresses autoimmune pathogenesis and nephritis in this unique model of lupus flaring. In this report, we utilized tissues from prior studies to test the hypothesis that DHA consumption interferes with upregulation of critical genes associated with cSiO2-triggered murine lupus. A NanoString nCounter platform targeting 770 immune-related genes was used to assess the effects cSiO2 on mRNA signatures over time in female NZBWF1 mice consuming control (CON) diets compared to mice fed diets containing DHA at an amount calorically equivalent to human consumption of 2 g per day (DHA low) or 5 g per day (DHA high). Experimental groups of mice were sacrificed: (1) 1 d after a single intranasal instillation of 1 mg cSiO2 or vehicle, (2) 1 d after four weekly single instillations of vehicle or 1 mg cSiO2, and (3) 1, 5, 9, and 13 weeks after four weekly single instillations of vehicle or 1 mg cSiO2. Genes associated with inflammation as well as innate and adaptive immunity were markedly upregulated in lungs of CON-fed mice 1 d after four weekly cSiO2 doses but were significantly suppressed in mice fed DHA high diets. Importantly, mRNA signatures in lungs of cSiO2-treated CON-fed mice over 13 weeks reflected progressive amplification of interferon (IFN)- and chemokine-related gene pathways. While these responses in the DHA low group were suppressed primarily at week 5, significant downregulation was observed at weeks 1, 5, 9, and 13 in mice fed the DHA high diet. At week 13, cSiO2 treatment of CON-fed mice affected 214 genes in kidney tissue associated with inflammation, innate/adaptive immunity, IFN, chemokines, and antigen processing, mostly by upregulation; however, feeding DHA dose-dependently suppressed these responses. Taken together, dietary DHA intake in lupus-prone mice impeded cSiO2-triggered mRNA signatures known to be involved in ectopic lymphoid tissue neogenesis, systemic autoimmunity, and glomerulonephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby D. Benninghoff
- Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences and The School of Veterinary Medicine, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Melissa A. Bates
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Preeti S. Chauhan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Kathryn A. Wierenga
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Kristen N. Gilley
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Andrij Holian
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Jack R. Harkema
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - James J. Pestka
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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41
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The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus: Harnessing big data to understand the molecular basis of lupus. J Autoimmun 2019; 110:102359. [PMID: 31806421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease that causes damage to multiple organ systems. Despite decades of research and available murine models that capture some aspects of the human disease, new treatments for SLE lag behind other autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Crohn's disease. Big data genomic assays have transformed our understanding of SLE by providing important insights into the molecular heterogeneity of this multigenic disease. Gene wide association studies have demonstrated more than 100 risk loci, supporting a model of multiple genetic hits increasing SLE risk in a non-linear fashion, and providing evidence of ancestral diversity in susceptibility loci. Epigenetic studies to determine the role of methylation, acetylation and non-coding RNAs have provided new understanding of the modulation of gene expression in SLE patients and identified new drug targets and biomarkers for SLE. Gene expression profiling has led to a greater understanding of the role of myeloid cells in the pathogenesis of SLE, confirmed roles for T and B cells in SLE, promoted clinical trials based on the prominent interferon signature found in SLE patients, and identified candidate biomarkers and cellular signatures to further drug development and drug repurposing. Gene expression studies are advancing our understanding of the underlying molecular heterogeneity in SLE and providing hope that patient stratification will expedite new therapies based on personal molecular signatures. Although big data analyses present unique interpretation challenges, both computationally and biologically, advances in machine learning applications may facilitate the ability to predict changes in SLE disease activity and optimize therapeutic strategies.
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Arvaniti P, Le Dantec C, Charras A, Arleevskaya MA, Hedrich CM, Zachou K, Dalekos GN, Renaudineau Y. Linking genetic variation with epigenetic profiles in Sjögren's syndrome. Clin Immunol 2019; 210:108314. [PMID: 31765834 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2019.108314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation represents an important regulatory event governing gene expression that is dysregulated in Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) and a number of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. As disease-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have relevance in controlling DNA methylation, 94 non-HLA SjS-SNPs were investigated, among them 57 (60.6%) with widespread effects on 197 individual DNA methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) were selected. Typically, these SNPs are intronic, possess an active promoter histone mark, and control cis-meQTLs located around transcription start sites. Interplay is independent of the physical distance between SNPs and meQTLs. Using epigenome-wide association study datasets, SjS-meQTLs were characterized (41 genes and 13 DNA methylation CpG motifs) and for the most part map to a pro-inflammatory cytokine pathway, which is important for the control of DNA methylation in autoimmune diseases. In conclusion, exploring meQTLs represents a valuable tool to predict and investigate downstream effects of genetic factors in complex diseases such as SjS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinelopi Arvaniti
- Laboratory of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Brest University Medical School Hospital, Brest, France; Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Christelle Le Dantec
- UMR1227, Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Université de Brest, INSERM, CHU de Brest, Brest, France.
| | - Amandine Charras
- UMR1227, Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Université de Brest, INSERM, CHU de Brest, Brest, France; Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK & Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
| | | | - Christian M Hedrich
- Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK & Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Kalliopi Zachou
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
| | - George N Dalekos
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Yves Renaudineau
- Laboratory of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Brest University Medical School Hospital, Brest, France; UMR1227, Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Université de Brest, INSERM, CHU de Brest, Brest, France.
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Cashman KS, Jenks SA, Woodruff MC, Tomar D, Tipton CM, Scharer CD, Lee EH, Boss JM, Sanz I. Understanding and measuring human B-cell tolerance and its breakdown in autoimmune disease. Immunol Rev 2019; 292:76-89. [PMID: 31755562 PMCID: PMC6935423 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The maintenance of immunological tolerance of B lymphocytes is a complex and critical process that must be implemented as to avoid the detrimental development of autoreactivity and possible autoimmunity. Murine models have been invaluable to elucidate many of the key components in B-cell tolerance; however, translation to human homeostatic and pathogenic immune states can be difficult to assess. Functional autoreactive, flow cytometric, and single-cell cloning assays have proven to be critical in deciphering breaks in B-cell tolerance within autoimmunity; however, newer approaches to assess human B-cell tolerance may prove to be vital in the further exploration of underlying tolerance defects. In this review, we supply a comprehensive overview of human immune tolerance checkpoints with associated mechanisms of enforcement, and highlight current and future methodologies which are likely to benefit future studies into the mechanisms that become defective in human autoimmune conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin S. Cashman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Scott A. Jenks
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Matthew C. Woodruff
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Deepak Tomar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Christopher M. Tipton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Christopher D. Scharer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Eun-Hyung Lee
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jeremy M. Boss
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Ignacio Sanz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Abstract
Twin registries have developed as a valuable resource for the study of many aspects of disease and society over the years in many different countries. A number of these registries include large numbers of twins with data collected at varying information levels for twin cohorts over the past several decades. More recent expansion of twin datasets has allowed for the collection of genetic data, together with many other levels of 'omic' information along with multiple demographic, physiological, health outcomes and other measures typically used in epidemiologic research. Other twin data sources outside these registries reflect research interests in particular aspects of disease or specific phenotypic assessment. Twin registries have the potential to play a key role in many aspects of the artificial intelligence/machine learning-driven projects of the future and will continue to keep adapting to the changing research landscape.
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Rönnblom L, Leonard D. Interferon pathway in SLE: one key to unlocking the mystery of the disease. Lupus Sci Med 2019; 6:e000270. [PMID: 31497305 PMCID: PMC6703304 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2018-000270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
SLE is characterised by an activation of the interferon (IFN) system, which leads to an increased expression of IFN-regulated genes. The reasons behind the IFN signature in SLE are (1) the existence of endogenous IFN inducers, (2) activation of several IFN-producing cell types, (3) production of many different IFNs, (4) a genetic setup promoting IFN production and (5) deficient negative feedback mechanisms. The consequences for the immune system is a continuous stimulation to an immune response, and for the patient a number of different organ manifestations leading to typical symptoms for SLE. In the current review, we will present the existing knowledge of the IFN system and pathway activation in SLE. We will also discuss how this information can contribute to our understanding of both the aetiopathogenesis and some organ manifestations of the disease. We will put forward some issues that are unresolved and should be clarified in order to make a proper stratification of patients with SLE, which seems important when selecting a therapy aiming to downregulate the IFN system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Rönnblom
- Department of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Leonard
- Department of Medical Sciences, Rheumatology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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An update on the role of type I interferons in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2019; 30:471-481. [PMID: 29889694 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0000000000000524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) share several clinical and laboratory features, including an overexpression of type I interferon (IFN) regulated genes. The genetic background to this IFN signature and the role of the type I IFN system in the disease process have been partly clarified. Here, we summarize the latest information concerning the type I IFN system in both diseases. RECENT FINDINGS A number of gene variants in the type I IFN signalling pathways associate with an increased risk for both SLE and pSS in several ethnicities. The function of some risk gene variants has been elucidated, as well as the importance of epigenetic changes in type I IFN regulated genes. MicroRNA-451 and miR-302d have been shown to target IFN regulatory factor 8 and 9, suggesting that noncoding RNAs can control the IFN system. A prominent type I IFN activation is related to several disease manifestations, and in SLE to a more severe disease phenotype. Phase II studies in SLE suggest beneficial effects of blocking the type I IFN receptor. SUMMARY The activated type I IFN system in SLE and pSS has a strong genetic component, is important in the disease etiopathogenesis and can be targeted.
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Surace AEA, Hedrich CM. The Role of Epigenetics in Autoimmune/Inflammatory Disease. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1525. [PMID: 31333659 PMCID: PMC6620790 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, systemic self-inflammatory conditions were classified as either autoinflammatory and caused by the innate immune system or autoimmune and driven by adaptive immune responses. However, it became clear that reality is much more complex and that autoimmune/inflammatory conditions range along an “inflammatory spectrum” with primarily autoinflammatory vs. autoimmune conditions resembling extremes at either end. Epigenetic modifications influence gene expression and alter cellular functions without modifying the genomic sequence. Methylation of CpG DNA dinucleotides and/or their hydroxymethylation, post-translational modifications to amino termini of histone proteins, and non-coding RNA expression are main epigenetic events. The pathophysiology of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases has been closely linked with disease causing gene mutations (rare) or a combination of genetic susceptibility and epigenetic modifications arising from exposure to the environment (more common). Over recent years, progress has been made in understanding molecular mechanisms involved in systemic inflammation and the contribution of innate and adaptive immune responses. Epigenetic events have been identified as (i) central pathophysiological factors in addition to genetic disease predisposition and (ii) as co-factors determining clinical pictures and outcomes in individuals with monogenic disease. Thus, a complete understanding of epigenetic contributors to autoimmune/inflammatory disease will result in approaches to predict individual disease outcomes and the introduction of effective, target-directed, and tolerable therapies. Here, we summarize recent findings that signify the importance of epigenetic modifications in autoimmune/inflammatory disorders along the inflammatory spectrum choosing three examples: the autoinflammatory bone condition chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO), the “mixed pattern” disorder psoriasis, and the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Elisa Andrea Surace
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Christian M Hedrich
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Pädiatrische Rheumatologie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Epigenetic programming underpins B cell dysfunction in human SLE. Nat Immunol 2019; 20:1071-1082. [PMID: 31263277 PMCID: PMC6642679 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-019-0419-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the expansion of extrafollicular pathogenic B cells derived from newly activated naïve cells. Although these cells express distinct markers, their epigenetic architecture and how it contributes to SLE remains poorly understood. To address this, we determined the DNA methylomes, chromatin accessibility and transcriptomes from five human B cell subsets, including a newly defined effector B cell subset from SLE and healthy subjects. Our data define a differentiation hierarchy between the subsets and elucidate the epigenetic and transcriptional differences between effector and memory B cells. Importantly, an SLE molecular signature was already established in resting naïve cells and was dominated by accessible chromatin enriched in AP-1 and EGR transcription factor motifs. Together, these factors acted in synergy with T-BET to shape the epigenome of expanded SLE effector B cell subsets. Thus, our data define the molecular foundation of pathogenic B cell dysfunction in SLE.
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Crow MK, Ronnblom L. Type I interferons in host defence and inflammatory diseases. Lupus Sci Med 2019; 6:e000336. [PMID: 31205729 PMCID: PMC6541752 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2019-000336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN) can have dual and opposing roles in immunity, with effects that are beneficial or detrimental to the individual depending on whether IFN pathway activation is transient or sustained. Determinants of IFN production and its functional consequences include the nature of the microbial or nucleic acid stimulus, the type of nucleic acid sensor involved in inducing IFN, the predominant subtype of type I IFN produced and the immune ecology of the tissue at the time of IFN expression. When dysregulated, the type I IFN system drives many autoimmune and non-autoimmune inflammatory diseases, including SLE and the tissue inflammation associated with chronic infection. The type I IFN system may also contribute to outcomes for patients affected by solid cancers or myocardial infarction. Significantly more research is needed to discern the mechanisms of induction and response to type I IFNs across these diseases, and patient endophenotyping may help determine whether the cytokine is acting as 'friend' or 'foe', within a particular patient, and at the time of treatment. This review summarises key concepts and discussions from the second International Summit on Interferons in Inflammatory Diseases, during which expert clinicians and scientists evaluated the evidence for the role of type I IFNs in autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary K Crow
- Mary Kirkland Center for Lupus Research, Hospital for Special Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Lars Ronnblom
- Section of Rheumatology, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Ju J, Xu J, Zhu Y, Fu X, Morel L, Xu Z. A Variant of the Histone-Binding Protein sNASP Contributes to Mouse Lupus. Front Immunol 2019; 10:637. [PMID: 31001259 PMCID: PMC6454087 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The Sle2c1rec1c (rec1c) sublocus is derived from the mouse lupus susceptibility 2 (Sle2) locus identified in the NZM2410 model. Our current study dissected the functional characters and the genetic basis of the rec1c locus relative to lupus when co-expressed with the Faslpr mutation, an established inducer of autoimmunity. The rec1c.lpr mice exhibited mild expansion of lymph nodes and had a normal T cell cellularity, but developed significantly kidney and lung inflammation, indicating that the rec1c amplifies lpr-induced autoimmune pathogenesis. A variant of somatic nuclear autoantigenic sperm protein (sNASP) was identified from the rec1c interval as a substitution of two consecutive amino acid residues in the histone-binding domain, resulting in an increased binding affinity to histone H4 and H3.1/H4 tetramer. To determine the role of the sNASP rec1c allele in mouse lupus, a novel strain was generated by introducing the rec1c mutations into the B6 genome. In this transgenic model, the sNASP allele synergized with the lpr mutation leading to moderate autoimmune phenotypes and aggravating inflammatory pathology alterations in kidney and lung that were similar to those observed in the rec1c.lpr mice. These results establish that the sNASP allele is a pathogenic genetic element in the rec1c sublocus, which not only promotes autoimmunity, but also exacerbates the inflammation reaction of end organs in mouse lupus pathogenesis. It also shows the complexity of the Sle2c locus, initially mapped as the major locus associated with B1a cell expansion. In addition to Cdkn2c, which regulates this expansion, we have now identified in the same locus a protective allele of Csf3r, a variant of Skint6 associated with T cell activation, and now a variant of sNASP that amplifies autoimmunity and tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyu Ju
- Department of Immunology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jia Xu
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yaoqiang Zhu
- Department of Immunology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Xiaoyan Fu
- Department of Immunology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Laurence Morel
- Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Zhiwei Xu
- Department of Immunology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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