1
|
Nauffal V, Klarqvist MDR, Hill MC, Pace DF, Di Achille P, Choi SH, Rämö JT, Pirruccello JP, Singh P, Kany S, Hou C, Ng K, Philippakis AA, Batra P, Lubitz SA, Ellinor PT. Noninvasive assessment of organ-specific and shared pathways in multi-organ fibrosis using T1 mapping. Nat Med 2024; 30:1749-1760. [PMID: 38806679 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03010-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases affect multiple organs and are associated with morbidity and mortality. To examine organ-specific and shared biologic mechanisms that underlie fibrosis in different organs, we developed machine learning models to quantify T1 time, a marker of interstitial fibrosis, in the liver, pancreas, heart and kidney among 43,881 UK Biobank participants who underwent magnetic resonance imaging. In phenome-wide association analyses, we demonstrate the association of increased organ-specific T1 time, reflecting increased interstitial fibrosis, with prevalent diseases across multiple organ systems. In genome-wide association analyses, we identified 27, 18, 11 and 10 independent genetic loci associated with liver, pancreas, myocardial and renal cortex T1 time, respectively. There was a modest genetic correlation between the examined organs. Several loci overlapped across the examined organs implicating genes involved in a myriad of biologic pathways including metal ion transport (SLC39A8, HFE and TMPRSS6), glucose metabolism (PCK2), blood group antigens (ABO and FUT2), immune function (BANK1 and PPP3CA), inflammation (NFKB1) and mitosis (CENPE). Finally, we found that an increasing number of organs with T1 time falling in the top quintile was associated with increased mortality in the population. Individuals with a high burden of fibrosis in ≥3 organs had a 3-fold increase in mortality compared to those with a low burden of fibrosis across all examined organs in multivariable-adjusted analysis (hazard ratio = 3.31, 95% confidence interval 1.77-6.19; P = 1.78 × 10-4). By leveraging machine learning to quantify T1 time across multiple organs at scale, we uncovered new organ-specific and shared biologic pathways underlying fibrosis that may provide therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor Nauffal
- Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Matthew C Hill
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Danielle F Pace
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Data Sciences Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Paolo Di Achille
- Data Sciences Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Seung Hoan Choi
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Joel T Rämö
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James P Pirruccello
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pulkit Singh
- Data Sciences Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shinwan Kany
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cody Hou
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kenney Ng
- Center for Computational Health, IBM Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anthony A Philippakis
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Data Sciences Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Puneet Batra
- Data Sciences Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steven A Lubitz
- Demoulas Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick T Ellinor
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Demoulas Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ruskovska T, Postolov F, Milenkovic D. Integrated Analysis of Genomic and Genome-Wide Association Studies Identified Candidate Genes for Nutrigenetic Studies in Flavonoids and Vascular Health: Path to Precision Nutrition for (Poly)phenols. Nutrients 2024; 16:1362. [PMID: 38732608 PMCID: PMC11085427 DOI: 10.3390/nu16091362] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Flavonoids exert vasculoprotective effects in humans, but interindividual variability in their action has also been reported. This study aims to identify genes that are associated with vascular health effects of flavonoids and whose polymorphisms could explain interindividual variability in response to their intake. Applying the predetermined literature search criteria, we identified five human intervention studies reporting positive effects of flavonoids on vascular function together with global genomic changes analyzed using microarray methods. Genes involved in vascular dysfunction were identified from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). By extracting data from the eligible human intervention studies, we obtained 5807 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The number of identified upstream regulators (URs) varied across the studies, from 227 to 1407. The search of the GWAS Catalog revealed 493 genes associated with vascular dysfunction. An integrative analysis of transcriptomic data with GWAS genes identified 106 candidate DEGs and 42 candidate URs, while subsequent functional analyses and a search of the literature identified 20 top priority candidate genes: ALDH2, APOE, CAPZA1, CYP11B2, GNA13, IL6, IRF5, LDLR, LPL, LSP1, MKNK1, MMP3, MTHFR, MYO6, NCR3, PPARG, SARM1, TCF20, TCF7L2, and TNF. In conclusion, this integrated analysis identifies important genes to design future nutrigenetic studies for development of precision nutrition for polyphenols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Ruskovska
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delcev University, 2000 Stip, North Macedonia; (T.R.); (F.P.)
| | - Filip Postolov
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delcev University, 2000 Stip, North Macedonia; (T.R.); (F.P.)
| | - Dragan Milenkovic
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hitomi Y, Ueno K, Aiba Y, Nishida N, Kono M, Sugihara M, Kawai Y, Kawashima M, Khor SS, Sugi K, Kouno H, Kohno H, Naganuma A, Iwamoto S, Katsushima S, Furuta K, Nikami T, Mannami T, Yamashita T, Ario K, Komatsu T, Makita F, Shimada M, Hirashima N, Yokohama S, Nishimura H, Sugimoto R, Komura T, Ota H, Kojima M, Nakamuta M, Fujimori N, Yoshizawa K, Mano Y, Takahashi H, Hirooka K, Tsuruta S, Sato T, Yamasaki K, Kugiyama Y, Motoyoshi Y, Suehiro T, Saeki A, Matsumoto K, Nagaoka S, Abiru S, Yatsuhashi H, Ito M, Kawata K, Takaki A, Arai K, Arinaga-Hino T, Abe M, Harada M, Taniai M, Zeniya M, Ohira H, Shimoda S, Komori A, Tanaka A, Ishigaki K, Nagasaki M, Tokunaga K, Nakamura M. A genome-wide association study identified PTPN2 as a population-specific susceptibility gene locus for primary biliary cholangitis. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00853. [PMID: 38652555 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have indicated the involvement of shared (population-nonspecific) and nonshared (population-specific) susceptibility genes in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) among European and East-Asian populations. Although a meta-analysis of these distinct populations has recently identified more than 20 novel PBC susceptibility loci, analyses of population-specific genetic architecture are still needed for a more comprehensive search for genetic factors in PBC. APPROACH AND RESULTS Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 2 ( PTPN2) was identified as a novel PBC susceptibility gene locus through GWAS and subsequent genome-wide meta-analysis involving 2181 cases and 2699 controls from the Japanese population (GWAS-lead variant: rs8098858, p = 2.6 × 10 -8 ). In silico and in vitro functional analyses indicated that the risk allele of rs2292758, which is a primary functional variant, decreases PTPN2 expression by disrupting Sp1 binding to the PTPN2 promoter in T follicular helper cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Infiltration of PTPN2-positive T-cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells was confirmed in the portal area of the PBC liver by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis of PBC-liver samples indicated the presence of a compromised negative feedback loop in vivo between PTPN2 and IFNG in patients carrying the risk allele of rs2292758. CONCLUSIONS PTPN2 , a novel susceptibility gene for PBC in the Japanese population, may be involved in the pathogenesis of PBC through an insufficient negative feedback loop caused by the risk allele of rs2292758 in IFN-γ signaling. This suggests that PTPN2 could be a potential molecular target for PBC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Hitomi
- Department of Human Genetics, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuko Ueno
- Genome Medical Science Project, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Aiba
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Nao Nishida
- The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Ichikawa, Japan
- Department of Genomic Function and Diversity, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michihiro Kono
- Laboratory for Human Immunogenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mitsuki Sugihara
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Medical Research Center for High Depth Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yosuke Kawai
- Genome Medical Science Project, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Seik-Soon Khor
- Genome Medical Science Project, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kazuhiro Sugi
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Kouno
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kohno
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Atsushi Naganuma
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Satoru Iwamoto
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Shinji Katsushima
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Furuta
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Toshiki Nikami
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Mannami
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Yamashita
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ario
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Tatsuji Komatsu
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Fujio Makita
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Masaaki Shimada
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Noboru Hirashima
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Shiro Yokohama
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Hideo Nishimura
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Rie Sugimoto
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Takuya Komura
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Hajime Ota
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Kojima
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Makoto Nakamuta
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Fujimori
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Kaname Yoshizawa
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Yutaka Mano
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Hironao Takahashi
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Kana Hirooka
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Satoru Tsuruta
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Takeaki Sato
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Kazumi Yamasaki
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Yuki Kugiyama
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | | | - Tomoyuki Suehiro
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Akira Saeki
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Kosuke Matsumoto
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Shinya Nagaoka
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Seigo Abiru
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | | | - Masahiro Ito
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Kawata
- Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine II, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Akinobu Takaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kuniaki Arai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Teruko Arinaga-Hino
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Masanori Abe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Masaru Harada
- The Third Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Makiko Taniai
- Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mikio Zeniya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tokyo Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Ohira
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Shinji Shimoda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Japan
| | - Atsumasa Komori
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
- Department of Hepatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Omura, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Ishigaki
- Laboratory for Human Immunogenetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masao Nagasaki
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Medical Research Center for High Depth Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Human Biosciences Unit for the Top Global Course Center for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsushi Tokunaga
- Genome Medical Science Project, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Nakamura
- Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Medical Research Center for High Depth Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
- Department of Hepatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Omura, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jiang H, Yu Y, Hu X, Du B, Shao Y, Wang F, Chen L, Yan R, Li L, Lv L. The fecal microbiota of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) causes PBC-like liver lesions in mice and exacerbates liver damage in a mouse model of PBC. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2383353. [PMID: 39105259 PMCID: PMC11305030 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2383353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of the gut microbiota in the occurrence and progression of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is not fully understood. First, the fecal microbiota of patients with PBC (n = 4) (PBC-FMT) or healthy individuals (n = 3) (HC-FMT) was transplanted into pseudo germ-free mice or 2OA-BSA-induced PBC models. The functions, histology and transcriptome of the liver, and microbiota and metabolome of the feces were analyzed. Second, the liver transcriptomes of PBC patients (n = 7) and normal individuals (n = 7) were analyzed. Third, the liver transcriptomes of patients with other liver diseases were collected from online databases and compared with our human and mouse data. Our results showed that PBC-FMT increased the serum ALP concentration, total bile acid content, liver injury and number of disease-related pathways enriched with upregulated liver genes in pseudo germ-free mice and increased the serum glycylproline dipeptidyl aminopeptidase level and liver damage in a 2OA-BSA-induced PBC model. The gut microbiota and metabolome differed between PBC-FMT and HC-FMT mice and reflected those of their donors. PBC-FMT tended to upregulate hepatic immune and signal transduction pathways but downregulate metabolic pathways, as in some PBC patients. The hematopoietic cell lineage, Toll-like receptor, and PPAR signaling pathway were not affected in patients with alcoholic hepatitis, HBV, HCV, HCV cirrhosis, or NASH, indicating their potential roles in the gut microbiota affecting PBC. In conclusion, the altered gut microbiota of PBC patients plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of PBC. The improvement of the gut microbiota is worthy of in-depth research and promotion as a critical aspect of PBC prevention and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiyong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Yu
- School of Public Health, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bingbing Du
- Microecological Laboratory, Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, China
| | - Yini Shao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feiyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ren Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lanjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Longxian Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang Y, He X, Rojas M, Leung PSC, Gao L. Mechanism-based target therapy in primary biliary cholangitis: opportunities before liver cirrhosis? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1184252. [PMID: 37325634 PMCID: PMC10266968 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1184252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an immune-mediated liver disease characterized by cholestasis, biliary injuries, liver fibrosis, and chronic non-suppurative cholangitis. The pathogenesis of PBC is multifactorial and involves immune dysregulation, abnormal bile metabolism, and progressive fibrosis, ultimately leading to cirrhosis and liver failure. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and obeticholic acid (OCA) are currently used as first- and second-line treatments, respectively. However, many patients do not respond adequately to UDCA, and the long-term effects of these drugs are limited. Recent research has advanced our understanding the mechanisms of pathogenesis in PBC and greatly facilitated development of novel drugs to target mechanistic checkpoints. Animal studies and clinical trials of pipeline drugs have yielded promising results in slowing disease progression. Targeting immune mediated pathogenesis and anti-inflammatory therapies are focused on the early stage, while anti-cholestatic and anti-fibrotic therapies are emphasized in the late stage of disease, which is characterized by fibrosis and cirrhosis development. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that currently, there exists a dearth of therapeutic options that can effectively impede the progression of the disease to its terminal stages. Hence, there is an urgent need for further research aimed at investigating the underlying pathophysiology mechanisms with potential therapeutic effects. This review highlights our current knowledge of the underlying immunological and cellular mechanisms of pathogenesis in PBC. Further, we also address current mechanism-based target therapies for PBC and potential therapeutic strategies to improve the efficacy of existing treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yushu Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - XiaoSong He
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Manuel Rojas
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Center for Autoimmune Diseases Research (CREA), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Patrick S. C. Leung
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Lixia Gao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hitomi Y, Nakamura M. The Genetics of Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A GWAS and Post-GWAS Update. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:405. [PMID: 36833332 PMCID: PMC9957238 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, progressive cholestatic liver disease in which the small intrahepatic bile ducts are destroyed by autoimmune reactions. Among autoimmune diseases, which are polygenic complex traits caused by the combined contribution of genetic and environmental factors, PBC exhibits the strongest involvement of genetic heritability in disease development. As at December 2022, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and associated meta-analyses identified approximately 70 PBC susceptibility gene loci in various populations, including those of European and East Asian descent. However, the molecular mechanisms through which these susceptibility loci affect the pathogenesis of PBC are not fully understood. This study provides an overview of current data regarding the genetic factors of PBC as well as post-GWAS approaches to identifying primary functional variants and effector genes in disease-susceptibility loci. Possible mechanisms of these genetic factors in the development of PBC are also discussed, focusing on four major disease pathways identified by in silico gene set analyses, namely, (1) antigen presentation by human leukocyte antigens, (2) interleukin-12-related pathways, (3) cellular responses to tumor necrosis factor, and (4) B cell activation, maturation, and differentiation pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Hitomi
- Department of Human Genetics, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Minoru Nakamura
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization (NHO) Nagasaki Medical Center, 2-1001-1 Kubara, Omura 856-8562, Japan
- Department of Hepatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 2-1001-1 Kubara, Omura 856-8562, Japan
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization (NHO) Nagasaki Medical Center, 2-1001-1 Kubara, Omura 856-8562, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang C, Shi Y, Wang X, Ma H, Liu Q, Gao Y, Niu J. Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors Regulate Hepatic Immunity and Assist in the Treatment of Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:940688. [PMID: 35880178 PMCID: PMC9307989 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.940688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrates, which are agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, have received increasing attention in the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis. Reduced alkaline phosphatase levels and improved clinical outcomes were observed in patients with primary biliary cholangitis with an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) monotherapy4 when treated with bezafibrate or fenofibrate combined with UDCA. In contrast to obeticholic acid, which exacerbates pruritus in patients, fibrates have been shown to relieve pruritus. Clinical trial outcomes show potential for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis by targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. It is currently agreed that primary biliary cholangitis is an autoimmune-mediated cholestatic liver disease, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor is a nuclear receptor that regulates the functions of multiple immune cells, thus playing an important role in regulating innate and adaptive immunity. Therefore, this review focuses on the immune disorder of primary biliary cholangitis and summarizes the regulation of hepatic immunity when peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors are targeted for treating primary biliary cholangitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Wang
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Center of Infectious Disease and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Disease, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Center of Infectious Disease and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Disease, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Heming Ma
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Center of Infectious Disease and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Disease, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Quan Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanhang Gao
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Center of Infectious Disease and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Disease, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Yanhang Gao, ; Junqi Niu,
| | - Junqi Niu
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Center of Infectious Disease and Pathogen Biology, Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Zoonotic Disease, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Yanhang Gao, ; Junqi Niu,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Trussoni CE, O'Hara SP, LaRusso NF. Cellular senescence in the cholangiopathies: a driver of immunopathology and a novel therapeutic target. Semin Immunopathol 2022; 44:527-544. [PMID: 35178659 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-022-00909-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The cholangiopathies are a group of liver diseases that affect cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells that line the bile ducts. Biliary atresia (BA), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are three cholangiopathies with significant immune-mediated pathogenesis where chronic inflammation and fibrosis lead to obliteration of bile ducts and eventual liver cirrhosis. Cellular senescence is a state of cell cycle arrest in which cells become resistant to apoptosis and profusely secrete a bioactive secretome. Recent evidence indicates that cholangiocyte senescence contributes to the pathogenesis of BA, PBC, and PSC. This review explores the role of cholangiocyte senescence in BA, PBC, and PSC, ascertains how cholangiocyte senescence may promote a senescence-associated immunopathology in these cholangiopathies, and provides the rationale for therapeutically targeting senescence as a treatment option for BA, PBC, and PSC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christy E Trussoni
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Steven P O'Hara
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Nicholas F LaRusso
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. .,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Miller JP, Moldenhauer HJ, Keros S, Meredith AL. An emerging spectrum of variants and clinical features in KCNMA1-linked channelopathy. Channels (Austin) 2021; 15:447-464. [PMID: 34224328 PMCID: PMC8259716 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2021.1938852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
KCNMA1-linked channelopathy is an emerging neurological disorder characterized by heterogeneous and overlapping combinations of movement disorder, seizure, developmental delay, and intellectual disability. KCNMA1 encodes the BK K+ channel, which contributes to both excitatory and inhibitory neuronal and muscle activity. Understanding the basis of the disorder is an important area of active investigation; however, the rare prevalence has hampered the development of large patient cohorts necessary to establish genotype-phenotype correlations. In this review, we summarize 37 KCNMA1 alleles from 69 patients currently defining the channelopathy and assess key diagnostic and clinical hallmarks. At present, 3 variants are classified as gain-of-function with respect to BK channel activity, 14 loss-of-function, 15 variants of uncertain significance, and putative benign/VUS. Symptoms associated with these variants were curated from patient-provided information and prior publications to define the spectrum of clinical phenotypes. In this newly expanded cohort, seizures showed no differential distribution between patients harboring GOF and LOF variants, while movement disorders segregated by mutation type. Paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dyskinesia was predominantly observed among patients with GOF alleles of the BK channel, although not exclusively so, while additional movement disorders were observed in patients with LOF variants. Neurodevelopmental and structural brain abnormalities were prevalent in patients with LOF mutations. In contrast to mutations, disease-associated KCNMA1 single nucleotide polymorphisms were not predominantly related to neurological phenotypes but covered a wider set of peripheral physiological functions. Together, this review provides additional evidence exploring the genetic and biochemical basis for KCNMA1-linked channelopathy and summarizes the clinical repository of patient symptoms across multiple types of KCNMA1 gene variants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob P. Miller
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hans J. Moldenhauer
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sotirios Keros
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrea L. Meredith
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Regional heritability mapping identifies several novel loci (STAT4, ULK4, and KCNH5) for primary biliary cholangitis in the Japanese population. Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 29:1282-1291. [PMID: 33833419 PMCID: PMC8385030 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-00854-5] [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: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
While the advent of GWAS more than a decade ago has ushered in remarkable advances in our understanding of complex traits, the limitations of single-SNP analysis have also led to the development of several other approaches. Simulation studies have shown that the regional heritability mapping (RHM) method, which makes use of multiple adjacent SNPs jointly to estimate the genetic effect of a given region of the genome, generally has higher detection power than single-SNP GWAS. However, thus far its use has been mostly limited to agricultural settings, and its potential for the discovery of new genes in human diseases is yet to be fully exploited. In this study, by applying the RHM method to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in the Japanese population, we identified three novel loci (STAT4, ULK4, and KCNH5) at the genome-wide significance level, two of which (ULK4 and KCNH5) have not been found associated with PBC in any population previously. Notably, these genes could not be detected by using conventional single-SNP GWAS, highlighting the potential of the RHM method for the detection of new susceptibility loci in human diseases. These findings thereby provide strong empirical evidence that RHM is an effective and practical complementary approach to GWAS in this context. Also, liver tissue mRNA microarray analysis revealed higher gene expression levels in ULK4 in PBC patients (P < 0.01). Lastly, we estimated the common SNP heritability of PBC in the Japanese population (0.210 ± 0.026).
Collapse
|
11
|
Tadokoro T, Morishita A, Masaki T. Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management of Liver Fibrosis by MicroRNA. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158139. [PMID: 34360904 PMCID: PMC8347497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Remarkable progress has been made in the treatment and control of hepatitis B and C viral infections. However, fundamental treatments for diseases in which liver fibrosis is a key factor, such as cirrhosis, alcoholic/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis, are still under development and remain an unmet medical need. To solve this problem, it is essential to elucidate the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in detail from a molecular and cellular perspective and to develop targeted therapeutic agents based on this information. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs), functional RNAs of 22 nucleotides, have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. In addition, extracellular vesicles called “exosomes” have been attracting attention, and research is being conducted to establish noninvasive and extremely sensitive biomarkers using miRNAs in exosomes. In this review, we summarize miRNAs directly involved in liver fibrosis, miRNAs associated with diseases leading to liver fibrosis, and miRNAs related to complications of cirrhosis. We will also discuss the efficacy of each miRNA as a biomarker of liver fibrosis and pathology, and its potential application as a therapeutic agent.
Collapse
|
12
|
Sasaki M, Sato Y, Nakanuma Y. Interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 may be a key factor in primary biliary cholangitis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11413. [PMID: 34075171 PMCID: PMC8169865 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91016-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating studies suggest that senescent biliary epithelial cells (BECs) produce senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs) and play various roles in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and other cholangiopathies. We examined comprehensive profiles of senescent BECs and its contribution to the pathogenesis of PBC taking advantage of microarray analysis. cDNA microarray analysis revealed that 1841 genes including CCL2, IFIT3, CPQ were commonly up-regulated in senescent BECs cultured in serum depleted media or media with glycochenodeoxycholic acid. Knockdown of IFIT3 significantly suppressed cellular senescence (p < 0.01) and significantly increased apoptosis (p < 0.01) in BECs treated with serum depletion or glycochenodeoxycholic acid. Significantly increased expression of IFIT3 was seen in senescent BECs in small bile ducts showing cholangitis and in ductular reactions in PBC, compared to control livers (p < 0.01). An inadequate response to UDCA was inversely correlated to the increased expression of IFIT3 in small bile duct in PBC (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the expression of various genes related to immunity and inflammation including SASPs were increased in senescent BECs. Upregulated IFIT3 in senescent BECs may be associated with the pathogenesis of PBC and may be a possible therapeutic target in PBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Motoko Sasaki
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan.
| | - Yasunori Sato
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan
| | - Yasuni Nakanuma
- Department of Pathology, Fukui Saiseikai Hospital, Fukui, 918-8503, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cargill T, Culver EL. The Role of B Cells and B Cell Therapies in Immune-Mediated Liver Diseases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:661196. [PMID: 33936097 PMCID: PMC8079753 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.661196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
B cells form a branch of the adaptive immune system, essential for the body’s immune defense against pathogens. B cell dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of immune mediated liver diseases including autoimmune hepatitis, IgG4-related hepatobiliary disease, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. B cells may initiate and maintain immune related liver diseases in several ways including the production of autoantibodies and the activation of T cells via antigen presentation or cytokine production. Here we comprehensively review current knowledge on B cell mechanisms in immune mediated liver diseases, exploring disease pathogenesis, B cell therapies, and novel treatment targets. We identify key areas where future research should focus to enable the development of targeted B cell therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin Cargill
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Emma L Culver
- Oxford Liver Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gianchecchi E, Delfino DV, Fierabracci A. Natural Killer Cells: Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Target in Autoimmune Diseases? Front Immunol 2021; 12:616853. [PMID: 33679757 PMCID: PMC7933577 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.616853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases recognize a multifactorial pathogenesis, although the exact mechanism responsible for their onset remains to be fully elucidated. Over the past few years, the role of natural killer (NK) cells in shaping immune responses has been highlighted even though their involvement is profoundly linked to the subpopulation involved and to the site where such interaction takes place. The aberrant number and functionality of NK cells have been reported in several different autoimmune disorders. In the present review, we report the most recent findings regarding the involvement of NK cells in both systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. In T1D, innate inflammation induces NK cell activation, disrupting the Treg function. In addition, certain genetic variants identified as risk factors for T1D influenced the activation of NK cells promoting their cytotoxic activity. The role of NK cells has also been demonstrated in the pathogenesis of PBC mediating direct or indirect biliary epithelial cell destruction. NK cell frequency and number were enhanced in both the peripheral blood and the liver of patients and associated with increased NK cell cytotoxic activity and perforin expression levels. NK cells were also involved in the perpetuation of disease through autoreactive CD4 T cell activation in the presence of antigen-presenting cells. In systemic sclerosis (SSc), in addition to phenotypic abnormalities, patients presented a reduction in CD56hi NK-cells. Moreover, NK cells presented a deficient killing activity. The influence of the activating and inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) has been investigated in SSc and SLE susceptibility. Furthermore, autoantibodies to KIRs have been identified in different systemic autoimmune conditions. Because of its role in modulating the immune-mediated pathology, NK subpopulation could represent a potential marker for disease activity and target for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Gianchecchi
- VisMederi srl, Siena, Italy.,Infectivology and Clinical Trials Research Area, Primary Immunodeficiencies Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico V Delfino
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fierabracci
- Infectivology and Clinical Trials Research Area, Primary Immunodeficiencies Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|