Autoimmunity in 2018

Activation Markers on B and T Cells and Immune Checkpoints in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

In addition to identifying the major B- and T-cell subpopulations involved in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), in recent years special attention has been paid to studying the expression of their activation markers and immune checkpoints (ICPs). The activation markers on B and T cells are a consequence of the immune response, and these molecules are considered as sensitive specific markers of ARD activity and as promising targets for immunotherapy. ICPs regulate the activation of the immune response by preventing the initiation of autoimmune processes, and they modulate it by reducing immune cell-induced organ and tissue damage. The article considers the possible correlation of ICPs with the activity of ARDs, the efficacy of specific ARD treatments, and the prospects for the use of activation molecules and activation/blocking ICPs for the treatment of ARDs.

STAT3 and SPI1, may lead to the immune system dysregulation and heterotopic ossification in ankylosing spondylitis

Objective

This study was aimed to identify the biomarkers for diagnosis and reveal the immune microenvironment changes in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

GSE73754 was downloaded for the co-expression network construction and immune cell analyses. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to validate the results of bioinformatics analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to investigate the potential biological characteristic between different phenotypes. Pearson correlation analysis between the hub genes and the xCell score of immune cell types was performed.

Results

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and Spi-1 proto-oncogene (SPI1) was identified as the hub genes in the datasets GSE73754. And the t-test showed that the expression level of STAT3 and SPI1 in the GSE73754 was significantly higher in AS and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27(+) groups. Flow cytometric analysis showed that natural killer T cells (NKT) cells were upregulated, while Th1 cells were down-regulated in AS, which was consistent with the results obtained from bioinformatics analysis. STAT3 and SPI1 was correlated with the NKT cells and Th1 cells.

Conclusion

STAT3 and SPI1 may be a key cytokine receptor in disease progression in AS.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12865-022-00476-6.

NF-κB signaling in inflammation and cancer

Since nuclear factor of κ-light chain of enhancer-activated B cells (NF-κB) was discovered in 1986, extraordinary efforts have been made to understand the function and regulating mechanism of NF-κB for 35 years, which lead to significant progress. Meanwhile, the molecular mechanisms regulating NF-κB activation have also been illuminated, the cascades of signaling events leading to NF-κB activity and key components of the NF-κB pathway are also identified. It has been suggested NF-κB plays an important role in human diseases, especially inflammation-related diseases. These studies make the NF-κB an attractive target for disease treatment. This review aims to summarize the knowledge of the family members of NF-κB, as well as the basic mechanisms of NF-κB signaling pathway activation. We will also review the effects of dysregulated NF-κB on inflammation, tumorigenesis, and tumor microenvironment. The progression of the translational study and drug development targeting NF-κB for inflammatory diseases and cancer treatment and the potential obstacles will be discussed. Further investigations on the precise functions of NF-κB in the physiological and pathological settings and underlying mechanisms are in the urgent need to develop drugs targeting NF-κB for inflammatory diseases and cancer treatment, with minimal side effects.

Crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and NF-κB signaling contributes to apical periodontitis

In physiology conditions, the crosstalk of signaling pathways has been considered to extend the functions of individual pathways and results in a more complex regulatory network. The Wnt3a/β-catenin and NF-κB signaling pathways have been demonstrated involving in apical periodontitis (AP). As AP progresses, ultimately causes tooth loss. In the present study, we investigate the contribution of the crosstalk between the Wnt3a/β-catenin and NF-κB signaling pathways to the development of AP. Clinically, utilizing 60 human AP and healthy tissues (30 samples for each group), we found that the expression levels of Wnt3a/β-catenin and NF-κB were elevated in the Ap tissues compared to that in the healthy group. To further study the roles of Wnt3a/β-catenin and NF-κB signaling pathways in the development of AP, and the contribution of the crosstalk between these two signaling pathways to AP, we established the AP animal model and observed that, first, both pathways are activated in the AP group compared to the control group. Interestingly, by immunoprecipitation and western blot experiments, we revealed that there is greater interaction between NF-κB (phorspho-p65) and β-catenin in AP tissues compared to the control tissues. Importantly, when the NF-κB signaling pathway was blocked by its inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), the activity of the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway was abolished, and consequently led to the attenuation of the inflammation response in LPS-induced human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). Thus, our data indicate that the crosstalk between Wnt3a/β-catenin and NF-κB signaling pathway contributes to the development of AP, and provide a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AP as well.

Mechanisms of skin autoimmunity: Cellular and soluble immune components of the skin

Autoimmune diseases are driven by either T cells or antibodies reacting specifically to 1 or more self-antigens. Although a number of self-antigens associated with skin diseases have been identified, the causative antigen(s) remains unknown in the great majority of skin diseases suspected to be autoimmune driven. Model diseases such as pemphigus, dermatitis herpetiformis, and more recently psoriasis have added greatly to our understanding of skin autoimmunity. Depending on the dominant T- or B-cell phenotype, skin autoimmune diseases usually follow 1 of 6 immune response patterns: lichenoid, eczematous, bullous, psoriatic, fibrogenic, or granulomatous. Usually, skin autoimmunity develops as a consequence of several events-an altered microbiome, inherited dysfunctional immunity, antigens activating innate immunity, epigenetic modifications, sex predisposition, and impact of antigens either as neoantigen or through molecular mimicry. This review summarizes currently known antigens of skin autoimmune diseases and discusses mechanisms of skin autoimmunity.

Epigenetic studies and pediatric research

The 2020 Annual Review Issue, "Preventing Disease in the 21st Century" was selected by the Editors-in-Chief of Pediatric Research to include a variety of disease entities that confront health-care practitioners entrusted to the care of infants and children. In keeping with this mandate, this article reviews the subject of epigenetics, which impacts pediatric research from bench to bedside. Epigenetic mechanisms exert their effects through the interaction of environment, various susceptibility genes, and immunologic development and include: (1) DNA methylation; (2) posttranslational modifications of histone proteins through acetylation and methylation, and (3) RNA-mediated gene silencing by microRNA (miRNA) regulation. The effects of epigenetics during fetal life and early periods of development are first reviewed together with clinical applications of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in later life. The relationships of epigenetics to the allergic and autoimmune diseases and cancer are next reviewed. A specific focus of the article is directed to the recent recognition that many of these disorders are driven by aberrant immune responses in which immunoregulatory events are often poorly functioning and where through interventive epigenetic measures prevention may be possible by alterations in programming of DNA during fetal and early periods as well as in later life.

The Role of NF-κB in Physiological Bone Development and Inflammatory Bone Diseases: Is NF-κB Inhibition "Killing Two Birds with One Stone"?

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of various genes involved in inflammation and the immune response. The activation of NF-κB occurs via two pathways: inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-1β, activate the "classical pathway", and cytokines involved in lymph node formation, such as CD40L, activate the "alternative pathway". NF-κB1 (p50) and NF-κB2 (p52) double-knockout mice exhibited severe osteopetrosis due to the total lack of osteoclasts, suggesting that NF-κB activation is required for osteoclast differentiation. These results indicate that NF-κB may be a therapeutic target for inflammatory bone diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease. On the other hand, mice that express the dominant negative form of IκB kinase (IKK)-β specifically in osteoblasts exhibited increased bone mass, but there was no change in osteoclast numbers. Therefore, inhibition of NF-κB is thought to promote bone formation. Taken together, the inhibition of NF-κB leads to "killing two birds with one stone": it suppresses bone resorption and promotes bone formation. This review describes the role of NF-κB in physiological bone metabolism, pathologic bone destruction, and bone regeneration.

Immunobiology of Atherosclerosis: A Complex Net of Interactions

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and atherosclerosis the principal factor underlying cardiovascular events. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction, intimal lipid deposition, smooth muscle cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and necrosis, and local and systemic inflammation, involving key contributions to from innate and adaptive immunity. The balance between proatherogenic inflammatory and atheroprotective anti-inflammatory responses is modulated by a complex network of interactions among vascular components and immune cells, including monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and T, B, and foam cells; these interactions modulate the further progression and stability of the atherosclerotic lesion. In this review, we take a global perspective on existing knowledge about the pathogenesis of immune responses in the atherosclerotic microenvironment and the interplay between the major innate and adaptive immune factors in atherosclerosis. Studies such as this are the basis for the development of new therapies against atherosclerosis.