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Artaza H, Eriksson D, Lavrichenko K, Aranda-Guillén M, Bratland E, Vaudel M, Knappskog P, Husebye ES, Bensing S, Wolff ASB, Kämpe O, Røyrvik EC, Johansson S. Rare copy number variation in autoimmune Addison's disease. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1374499. [PMID: 38562931 PMCID: PMC10982488 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1374499] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) is a rare but life-threatening endocrine disorder caused by an autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex. A previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) has shown that common variants near immune-related genes, which mostly encode proteins participating in the immune response, affect the risk of developing this condition. However, little is known about the contribution of copy number variations (CNVs) to AAD susceptibility. We used the genome-wide genotyping data from Norwegian and Swedish individuals (1,182 cases and 3,810 controls) to investigate the putative role of CNVs in the AAD aetiology. Although the frequency of rare CNVs was similar between cases and controls, we observed that larger deletions (>1,000 kb) were more common among patients (OR = 4.23, 95% CI 1.85-9.66, p = 0.0002). Despite this, none of the large case-deletions were conclusively pathogenic, and the clinical presentation and an AAD-polygenic risk score were similar between cases with and without the large CNVs. Among deletions exclusive to individuals with AAD, we highlight two ultra-rare deletions in the genes LRBA and BCL2L11, which we speculate might have contributed to the polygenic risk in these carriers. In conclusion, rare CNVs do not appear to be a major cause of AAD but further studies are needed to ascertain the potential contribution of rare deletions to the polygenic load of AAD susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydee Artaza
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- K. G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Daniel Eriksson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ksenia Lavrichenko
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maribel Aranda-Guillén
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eirik Bratland
- K. G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Center for Diabetes Precision Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Marc Vaudel
- Mohn Center for Diabetes Precision Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Health Data and Digitalization, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per Knappskog
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eystein S. Husebye
- K. G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sophie Bensing
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anette S. B. Wolff
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- K. G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ellen C. Røyrvik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- K. G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stefan Johansson
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Wolff ASB, Kucuka I, Oftedal BE. Autoimmune primary adrenal insufficiency -current diagnostic approaches and future perspectives. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1285901. [PMID: 38027140 PMCID: PMC10667925 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1285901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The adrenal glands are small endocrine glands located on top of each kidney, producing hormones regulating important functions in our body like metabolism and stress. There are several underlying causes for adrenal insufficiency, where an autoimmune attack by the immune system is the most common cause. A number of genes are known to confer early onset adrenal disease in monogenic inheritance patterns, usually genetic encoding enzymes of adrenal steroidogenesis. Autoimmune primary adrenal insufficiency is usually a polygenic disease where our information recently has increased due to genome association studies. In this review, we go through the physiology of the adrenals before explaining the different reasons for adrenal insufficiency with a particular focus on autoimmune primary adrenal insufficiency. We will give a clinical overview including diagnosis and current treatment, before giving an overview of the genetic causes including monogenetic reasons for adrenal insufficiency and the polygenic background and inheritance pattern in autoimmune adrenal insufficiency. We will then look at the autoimmune mechanisms underlying autoimmune adrenal insufficiency and how autoantibodies are important for diagnosis. We end with a discussion on how to move the field forward emphasizing on the clinical workup, early identification, and potential targeted treatment of autoimmune PAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette S. B. Wolff
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Isil Kucuka
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Bergithe E. Oftedal
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Borchers J, Pukkala E, Mäkitie O, Laakso S. Epidemiology and Causes of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency in Children: A Population-Based Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:2879-2885. [PMID: 37216903 PMCID: PMC10583995 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Incidence and causes of primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) have not been comprehensively studied in children. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to describe the epidemiology and to assess causes of PAI in Finnish children. METHODS A population-based descriptive study of PAI in Finnish patients aged 0-20 years.Diagnoses referring to adrenal insufficiency in children born in 1996-2016 were collected from the Finnish National Care Register for Health Care. Patients with PAI were identified by studying patient records. Incidence rates were calculated in relation to person-years in the Finnish population of same age. RESULTS Of the 97 patients with PAI, 36% were female. The incidence of PAI was highest during the first year of life (in females 2.7 and in males 4.0/100 000 person-years). At 1-15 years of age, the incidence of PAI in females was 0.3/100 000 and in males 0.6/100 000 person-years. Cumulative incidence was 10/100 000 persons at age of 15 years and 13/100 000 at 20 years. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia was the cause in 57% of all patients and in 88% of patients diagnosed before age of 1 year. Other causes among the 97 patients included autoimmune disease (29%), adrenoleukodystrophy (6%), and other genetic causes (6%). From the age of 5 years, most of the new cases of PAI were due to autoimmune disease. CONCLUSION After the first-year peak, the incidence of PAI is relatively constant through ages 1-15 years, and 1 out of 10 000 children are diagnosed with PAI before the age of 15 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joonatan Borchers
- Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Pukkala
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Finnish Cancer Registry—Institute for Statistical and Epidemiological Cancer Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Mäkitie
- Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, and Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Saila Laakso
- Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Lundtoft C, Eriksson D, Bianchi M, Aranda-Guillén M, Landegren N, Rantapää-Dahlqvist S, Söderkvist P, Meadows JRS, Bensing S, Pielberg GR, Lindblad-Toh K, Rönnblom L, Kämpe O. Relation between HLA and copy number variation of steroid 21-hydroxylase in a Swedish cohort of patients with autoimmune Addison's disease. Eur J Endocrinol 2023; 189:235-241. [PMID: 37553728 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvad102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Autoantibodies against the adrenal enzyme 21-hydroxylase is a hallmark manifestation in autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD). Steroid 21-hydroxylase is encoded by CYP21A2, which is located in the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) region together with the highly similar pseudogene CYP21A1P. A high level of copy number variation is seen for the 2 genes, and therefore, we asked whether genetic variation of the CYP21 genes is associated with AAD. DESIGN Case-control study on patients with AAD and healthy controls. METHODS Using next-generation DNA sequencing, we estimated the copy number of CYP21A2 and CYP21A1P, together with HLA alleles, in 479 Swedish patients with AAD and autoantibodies against 21-hydroxylase and in 1393 healthy controls. RESULTS With 95% of individuals carrying 2 functional 21-hydroxylase genes, no difference in CYP21A2 copy number was found when comparing patients and controls. In contrast, we discovered a lower copy number of the pseudogene CYP21A1P among AAD patients (P = 5 × 10-44), together with associations of additional nucleotide variants, in the CYP21 region. However, the strongest association was found for HLA-DQB1*02:01 (P = 9 × 10-63), which, in combination with the DRB1*04:04-DQB1*03:02 haplotype, imposed the greatest risk of AAD. CONCLUSIONS We identified strong associations between copy number variants in the CYP21 region and risk of AAD, although these associations most likely are due to linkage disequilibrium with disease-associated HLA class II alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Eriksson
- Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Instituttet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Matteo Bianchi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maribel Aranda-Guillén
- Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Instituttet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nils Landegren
- Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Instituttet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Peter Söderkvist
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jennifer R S Meadows
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sophie Bensing
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerli Rosengren Pielberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Broad Institute, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Lars Rönnblom
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Instituttet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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5
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Frommer L, König J, Chatzidou S, Chionos G, Längericht J, Kahaly GJ. Recurrence risk of autoimmune thyroid and endocrine diseases. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 37:101636. [PMID: 35365417 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2022.101636] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The recurrence risk ratio (λ) expresses the risk ratio of index patients' first-degree relatives developing a disease as compared to the general population and is a quantitative measure of the genetic contribution to the disease. This paper offers the results of a specialized center as well as a review of the pertinent literature. METHODS Data from 3315 consecutive subjects followed at an ORPHAN academic tertiary referral expert center for endocrine autoimmunity as well as 419 unrelated German families were collected. λ was assessed based on 806 well-documented subjects, 299 index patients with autoimmune glandular (AIGD) and non-endocrine diseases and 507 of their first-degree relatives (328 children, 179 siblings). RESULTS As many as 36% of relatives of patients with autoimmune diseases (AID) were affected by various autoimmune conditions. Twenty-five percent and 23% of all relatives had an AIGD or an autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), respectively. Furthermore, 29% and 25% of relatives of index cases with polyglandular (PGA) and monoglandular (MGA) autoimmunity were affected. The recurrence risk for AITD was increased 16-fold in both children and siblings compared to the general population (λ, 95% CI 16, 11-21 and 16, 12-19, respectively). Furthermore, λ for AITD/AIGD was 21.62 (95% CI 14.17-30.69)/17.57 (11.80-24.36) and 13.48 (8.42-20.52)/10.68 (6.76-16.02) for siblings of patients with PGA and MGA, respectively. Overall, a strong genetic component for AITD and AIGD with a significant genetic impact on the development of PGA was demonstrated. CONCLUSION These novel results strongly recommend the screening for AITD and AIGD in children and siblings of index patients with AITD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Frommer
- Molecular Thyroid Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jochem König
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sofia Chatzidou
- Molecular Thyroid Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Georgios Chionos
- Molecular Thyroid Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jan Längericht
- Molecular Thyroid Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - George J Kahaly
- Molecular Thyroid Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
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Røyrvik EC, Husebye ES. The genetics of autoimmune Addison disease: past, present and future. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022; 18:399-412. [PMID: 35411072 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-022-00653-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune Addison disease is an endocrinopathy that is fatal if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Its rarity has hampered unbiased studies of the predisposing genetic factors. A 2021 genome-wide association study, explaining up to 40% of the genetic susceptibility, has revealed new disease loci and reproduced some of the previously reported associations, while failing to reproduce others. Credible risk loci from both candidate gene and genome-wide studies indicate that, like one of its most common comorbidities, type 1 diabetes mellitus, Addison disease is primarily caused by aberrant T cell behaviour. Here, we review the current understanding of the genetics of autoimmune Addison disease and its position in the wider field of autoimmune disorders. The mechanisms that could underlie the effects on the adrenal cortex are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen C Røyrvik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Eystein S Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Skov J, Kuja-Halkola R, Magnusson PKE, Gudbjörnsdottir S, Kämpe O, Bensing S. Shared etiology of type 1 diabetes and Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a population-based twin study. Eur J Endocrinol 2022; 186:677-685. [PMID: 36321757 PMCID: PMC9175555 DOI: 10.1530/eje-22-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Type 1 diabetes and Hashimoto's thyroiditis frequently cluster in individuals and in families, indicating shared origins. The objective of this study was to investigate familial co-aggregation of these diseases and to quantify shared genetic and environmental factors. DESIGN This study is a twin cohort study. METHODS National health registers were used to identify cases among 110 814 Swedish twins. Co-aggregation was calculated as risk ratios for type 1 diabetes among co-twins of individuals with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and vice-versa. Variance explained by genetics (i.e. heritability), and the proportions thereof shared between the diseases, was estimated by contrasting associations in monozygotic and dizygotic twins using structural equation models. RESULTS Individuals with one disease were at a high risk for the other disease (adjusted risk ratio: 11.4 (95% CI: 8.5-15.3)). Co-aggregation was more common in monozygotic than in dizygotic pairs, with adjusted risk ratios of 7.0 (95% CI: 3.2-15.1) and 1.7 (95% CI: 0.7-4.1), respectively. Genetic effects shared across diseases accounted for 11% of the variance for type 1 diabetes and 9% of the variance for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, while environmental factors unique to individual twins, but shared across diseases, accounted for 10% of the variance for type 1 diabetes and 18% of the variance for Hashimoto's thyroiditis. CONCLUSIONS Both genes and environment unique to individual twins contribute to considerable etiologic overlap between type 1 diabetes and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. These findings add to the current knowledge on the mechanisms behind autoimmune disease clustering and could guide future research aimed at identifying pathophysiological mechanisms and intervention targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Skov
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Karlstad Central Hospital, Karlstad, Sweden
- Correspondence should be addressed to J Skov;
| | - Ralf Kuja-Halkola
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Patrik K E Magnusson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Soffia Gudbjörnsdottir
- Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- National Diabetes Register, Centre of Registers, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sophie Bensing
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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8
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Wolff AB, Breivik L, Hufthammer KO, Grytaas MA, Bratland E, Husebye ES, Oftedal BE. The natural history of 21-hydroxylase autoantibodies in autoimmune Addison's disease. Eur J Endocrinol 2021; 184:607-615. [PMID: 34665570 PMCID: PMC8052519 DOI: 10.1530/eje-20-1268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most common cause of primary adrenal failure (Addison's disease) in the Western world is autoimmunity characterized by autoantibodies against the steroidogenic enzyme 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2, 21OH). Detection of 21OH-autoantibodies is currently used for aetiological diagnosis, but how levels of 21OH-autoantibodies vary over time is not known. SETTING Samples from the national Norwegian Addison's Registry and Biobank established in 1996 (n = 711). Multi-parameter modelling of the course of 21OH-autoantibody indices over time. RESULTS 21OH-autoantibody positivity is remarkably stable, and >90% of the patients are still positive 30 years after diagnosis. Even though the antibody levels decline with disease duration, it is only rarely that this downturn reaches negativity. 21OH-autoantibody indices are affected by age at diagnosis, sex, type of Addison's disease (isolated vs autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I or II) and HLA genotype. CONCLUSION 21OH-autoantibodies are reliable and robust markers for autoimmune Addison's disease, linked to HLA risk genotype. However, a negative test in patients with long disease duration does not exclude autoimmune aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette Boe Wolff
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Center for autoimmune disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Breivik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Center for autoimmune disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Marianne Aardal Grytaas
- K.G. Jebsen Center for autoimmune disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Eirik Bratland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Center for autoimmune disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eystein Sverre Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Center for autoimmune disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway
- Correspondence should be addressed to E S Husebye;
| | - Bergithe Eikeland Oftedal
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Center for autoimmune disorders, University of Bergen, Norway
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9
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Hahner S, Ross RJ, Arlt W, Bancos I, Burger-Stritt S, Torpy DJ, Husebye ES, Quinkler M. Adrenal insufficiency. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2021; 7:19. [PMID: 33707469 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-021-00252-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is a condition characterized by an absolute or relative deficiency of adrenal cortisol production. Primary AI (PAI) is rare and is caused by direct adrenal failure. Secondary AI (SAI) is more frequent and is caused by diseases affecting the pituitary, whereas in tertiary AI (TAI), the hypothalamus is affected. The most prevalent form is TAI owing to exogenous glucocorticoid use. Symptoms of AI are non-specific, often overlooked or misdiagnosed, and are related to the lack of cortisol, adrenal androgen precursors and aldosterone (especially in PAI). Diagnosis is based on measurement of the adrenal corticosteroid hormones, their regulatory peptide hormones and stimulation tests. The goal of therapy is to establish a hormone replacement regimen that closely mimics the physiological diurnal cortisol secretion pattern, tailored to the patient's daily needs. This Primer provides insights into the epidemiology, mechanisms and management of AI during pregnancy as well as challenges of long-term management. In addition, the importance of identifying life-threatening adrenal emergencies (acute AI and adrenal crisis) is highlighted and strategies for prevention, which include patient education, glucocorticoid emergency cards and injection kits, are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Hahner
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Richard J Ross
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute for Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Irina Bancos
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Stephanie Burger-Stritt
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - David J Torpy
- Endocrine and Metabolic Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Eystein S Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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10
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Husebye ES, Pearce SH, Krone NP, Kämpe O. Adrenal insufficiency. Lancet 2021; 397:613-629. [PMID: 33484633 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00136-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Adrenal insufficiency can arise from a primary adrenal disorder, secondary to adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency, or by suppression of adrenocorticotropic hormone by exogenous glucocorticoid or opioid medications. Hallmark clinical features are unintentional weight loss, anorexia, postural hypotension, profound fatigue, muscle and abdominal pain, and hyponatraemia. Additionally, patients with primary adrenal insufficiency usually develop skin hyperpigmentation and crave salt. Diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency is usually delayed because the initial presentation is often non-specific; physician awareness must be improved to avoid adrenal crisis. Despite state-of-the-art steroid replacement therapy, reduced quality of life and work capacity, and increased mortality is reported in patients with primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. Active and repeated patient education on managing adrenal insufficiency, including advice on how to increase medication during intercurrent illness, medical or dental procedures, and profound stress, is required to prevent adrenal crisis, which occurs in about 50% of patients with adrenal insufficiency after diagnosis. It is good practice for physicians to provide patients with a steroid card, parenteral hydrocortisone, and training for parenteral hydrocortisone administration, in case of vomiting or severe illness. New modes of glucocorticoid delivery could improve the quality of life in some patients with adrenal insufficiency, and further advances in oral and parenteral therapy will probably emerge in the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eystein S Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Simon H Pearce
- Department of Endocrinology, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nils P Krone
- Academic Unit of Child Health, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Department of Clinical Science and KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center of Molecular Medicine, and Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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GWAS for autoimmune Addison's disease identifies multiple risk loci and highlights AIRE in disease susceptibility. Nat Commun 2021; 12:959. [PMID: 33574239 PMCID: PMC7878795 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21015-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex. Low prevalence and complex inheritance have long hindered successful genetic studies. We here report the first genome-wide association study on AAD, which identifies nine independent risk loci (P < 5 × 10-8). In addition to loci implicated in lymphocyte function and development shared with other autoimmune diseases such as HLA, BACH2, PTPN22 and CTLA4, we associate two protein-coding alterations in Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE) with AAD. The strongest, p.R471C (rs74203920, OR = 3.4 (2.7-4.3), P = 9.0 × 10-25) introduces an additional cysteine residue in the zinc-finger motif of the second PHD domain of the AIRE protein. This unbiased elucidation of the genetic contribution to development of AAD points to the importance of central immunological tolerance, and explains 35-41% of heritability (h2).
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12
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Thomsen H, Li X, Sundquist K, Sundquist J, Försti A, Hemminki K. Familial associations for Addison's disease and between Addison's disease and other autoimmune diseases. Endocr Connect 2020; 9:1114-1120. [PMID: 33112839 PMCID: PMC7774767 DOI: 10.1530/ec-20-0328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
DESIGN Addison's disease (AD) is a rare autoimmune disease (AID) of the adrenal cortex, present as an isolated AD or part of autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes (APSs) 1 and 2. Although AD patients present with a number of AID co-morbidities, population-based family studies are scarce, and we aimed to carry out an unbiased study on AD and related AIDs. METHODS We collected data on patients diagnosed with AIDs in Swedish hospitals and calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) in families for concordant AD and for other AIDs, the latter as discordant relative risks. RESULTS The number of AD patients was 2852, which accounted for 0.4% of all hospitalized AIDs. A total of 62 persons (3.6%) were diagnosed with familial AD. The SIR for siblings was remarkably high, reaching 909 for singleton siblings diagnosed before age 10 years. It was 32 in those diagnosed past age 29 years and the risk for twins was 323. SIR was 9.44 for offspring of affected parents. AD was associated with 11 other AIDs, including thyroid AIDs and type 1 diabetes and some rarer AIDs such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis, polymyalgia rheumatica and Sjögren's syndrome. CONCLUSIONS The familial risk for AD was very high implicating genetic etiology, which for juvenile siblings may be ascribed to APS-1. The adult part of sibling risk was probably contributed by recessive polygenic inheritance. AD was associated with many common AIDs; some of these were known co-morbidities in AD patients while some other appeared to more specific for a familial setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hauke Thomsen
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- GeneWerk GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence should be addressed to H Thomsen:
| | - Xinjun Li
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Kristina Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Departments of Family Medicine and Community Health, Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Community-based Healthcare Research and Education (CoHRE), Department of Functional Pathology, School of Medicine, Shimane University, Shimane, Japan
| | - Jan Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Departments of Family Medicine and Community Health, Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Community-based Healthcare Research and Education (CoHRE), Department of Functional Pathology, School of Medicine, Shimane University, Shimane, Japan
| | - Asta Försti
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Hopp Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kari Hemminki
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Pilsen, Czech Republic
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13
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Oftedal BE, Wolff ASB. New era of therapy for endocrine autoimmune disorders. Scand J Immunol 2020; 92:e12961. [PMID: 32853446 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The new era of immune and reconstitution therapy of autoimmune disorders is ongoing. However, endocrine autoimmune diseases comprise a group of elaborating pathologies where the development of new treatment strategies remains slow. Substitution of the missing hormones is still standard practice, taking care of the devastating symptoms but not the cause of disease. As our knowledge of the genetic contribution to the aetiology of endocrine disorders increases and early diagnostic tools are available, it is now possible to identify persons at risk before they acquire full-blown disease. This review summarizes current knowledge and treatment of endocrine autoimmune disorders, focusing on type 1 diabetes, Addison's disease, autoimmune thyroid diseases and primary ovarian insufficiency. We explore which new therapies might be used in the different stages of the disease, focus on legalized therapy and elaborate on the ongoing clinical studies for these diseases and the research front, before hypothesizing on the way ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bergithe E Oftedal
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anette S B Wolff
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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14
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Skov J, Eriksson D, Kuja-Halkola R, Höijer J, Gudbjörnsdottir S, Svensson AM, Magnusson PKE, Ludvigsson JF, Kämpe O, Bensing S. Co-aggregation and heritability of organ-specific autoimmunity: a population-based twin study. Eur J Endocrinol 2020; 182:473-480. [PMID: 32229696 PMCID: PMC7182094 DOI: 10.1530/eje-20-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Co-aggregation of autoimmune diseases is common, suggesting partly shared etiologies. Genetic factors are believed to be important, but objective measures of environmental vs heritable influences on co-aggregation are absent. With a novel approach to twin studies, we aimed at estimating heritability and genetic overlap in seven organ-specific autoimmune diseases. DESIGN Prospective twin cohort study. METHODS We used a cohort of 110 814 twins to examine co-aggregation and heritability of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, atrophic gastritis, celiac disease, Graves' disease, type 1 diabetes, vitiligo and Addison's disease. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated for twins developing the same or different disease as compared to their co-twin. The differences between monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs were used to estimate the genetic influence on co-aggregation. Heritability for individual disorders was calculated using structural equational modeling adjusting for censoring and truncation of data. RESULTS Co-aggregation was more pronounced in monozygotic twins (median HR: 3.2, range: 2.2-9.2) than in dizygotic twins (median HR: 2.4, range: 1.1-10.0). Heritability was moderate for atrophic gastritis (0.38, 95% CI: 0.23-0.53) but high for all other diseases, ranging from 0.60 (95% CI: 0.49-0.71) for Graves' disease to 0.97 (95% CI: 0.91-1.00) for Addison's disease. CONCLUSIONS Overall, co-aggregation was more pronounced in monozygotic than in dizygotic twins, suggesting that disease overlap is largely attributable to genetic factors. Co-aggregation was common, and twins faced up to a ten-fold risk of developing diseases not present in their co-twin. Our results validate and refine previous heritability estimates based on smaller twin cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Skov
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Karlstad Central Hospital, Karlstad, Sweden
- Correspondence should be addressed to J Skov;
| | - Daniel Eriksson
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Inflammation and Infection Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ralf Kuja-Halkola
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Höijer
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Soffia Gudbjörnsdottir
- Departent of Molecular & Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Swedish National Diabetes Register, Västra Götalandsregionen, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ann-Marie Svensson
- Swedish National Diabetes Register, Västra Götalandsregionen, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Patrik K E Magnusson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas F Ludvigsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of pediatrics, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Inflammation and Infection Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sophie Bensing
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Inflammation and Infection Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Betterle C, Presotto F, Furmaniak J. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of Addison's disease in adults. J Endocrinol Invest 2019; 42:1407-1433. [PMID: 31321757 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-019-01079-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Addison's disease (AD) is a rare disorder and among adult population in developed countries is most commonly caused by autoimmunity. In contrast, in children genetic causes are responsible for AD in the majority of patients. PURPOSE This review describes epidemiology, pathogenesis, genetics, natural history, clinical manifestations, immunological markers and diagnostic strategies in patients with AD. Standard care treatments including the management of patients during pregnancy and adrenal crises consistent with the recent consensus statement of the European Consortium and the Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline are described. In addition, emerging therapies designed to improve the quality of life and new strategies to modify the natural history of autoimmune AD are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Progress in optimizing replacement therapy for patients with AD has allowed the patients to lead a normal life. However, continuous education of patients and health care professionals of ever-present danger of adrenal crisis is essential to save lives of patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Betterle
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - F Presotto
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Via Ospedale Civile 105, 35128, Padua, Italy.
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Ospedale dell'Angelo, via Paccagnella 11, 30174, Mestre-Venice, Italy.
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16
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Skov J, Sundström A, Ludvigsson JF, Kämpe O, Bensing S. Sex-Specific Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Autoimmune Addison Disease-A Population-Based Cohort Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:2031-2040. [PMID: 30608542 PMCID: PMC6469226 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-02298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Little is known of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in autoimmune Addison disease (AAD). Inadequate glucocorticoid replacement might potentially increase CVD risk. OBJECTIVE To examine CVD in AAD in subgroups of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) and investigate the effects of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid dosing. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS In this cohort-control study, we used Swedish health registries from 1964 to 2013 to identify 1500 subjects with AAD and 13,758 matched controls. Incident CVD was analyzed from 2006 to 2013. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models. Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid doses were stratified to examine dose-related risks. RESULTS During 8807 person-years (PY), 94 events of first CVD (10.7/1000 PY) in patients with AAD occurred compared with 563 events during 80,163 PY (7.0/1000 PY) in controls. IHD was significantly more common in women (aHR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.49 to 3.10) but not men (aHR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.75 to 1.78) with AAD compared with controls. No increase in CeVD risk was detected (aHR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.56 to 1.37, women; aHR, 0.88; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.50, men). CVD was associated with greater glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement doses in women but not men. CONCLUSION The risk of IHD but not CeVD is increased in AAD, especially in women. The risk of CVD independently correlated with greater glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement doses in women. Our data suggest that close monitoring and early treatment of risk factors for CVD, among women in particular, might be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Skov
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Sundström
- Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas F Ludvigsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sophie Bensing
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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17
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Aslaksen S, Wolff AB, Vigeland MD, Breivik L, Sheng Y, Oftedal BE, Artaza H, Skinningsrud B, Undlien DE, Selmer KK, Husebye ES, Bratland E. Identification and characterization of rare toll-like receptor 3 variants in patients with autoimmune Addison's disease. J Transl Autoimmun 2019; 1:100005. [PMID: 32743495 PMCID: PMC7388336 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2019.100005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) is a classic organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by an immune-mediated attack on the adrenal cortex. As most autoimmune diseases, AAD is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and probably interactions between the two. Persistent viral infections have been suggested to play a triggering role, by invoking inflammation and autoimmune destruction. The inability of clearing infections can be due to aberrations in innate immunity, including mutations in genes involved in the recognition of conserved microbial patterns. In a whole exome sequencing study of anonymized AAD patients, we discovered several rare variants predicted to be damaging in the gene encoding Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3). TLR3 recognizes double stranded RNAs, and is therefore a major factor in antiviral defense. We here report the occurrence and functional characterization of five rare missense variants in TLR3 of patients with AAD. Most of these variants occurred together with a common TLR3 variant that has been associated with a wide range of immunopathologies. The biological implications of these variants on TLR3 function were evaluated in a cell-based assay, revealing a partial loss-of-function effect of three of the rare variants. In addition, rare mutations in other members of the TLR3-interferon (IFN) signaling pathway were detected in the AAD patients. Together, these findings indicate a potential role for TLR3 and downstream signaling proteins in the pathogenesis in a subset of AAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Aslaksen
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Anette B Wolff
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Magnus D Vigeland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.,Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Lars Breivik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
| | - Ying Sheng
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Bergithe E Oftedal
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Haydee Artaza
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Dag E Undlien
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.,Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Kaja K Selmer
- Department of Research and Development, Division of Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Norway.,National Centre for Epilepsy, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Eystein S Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
| | - Eirik Bratland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway.,KG Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Norway
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18
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Treeful AE, Rendahl AK, Friedenberg SG. DLA class II haplotypes show sex-specific associations with primary hypoadrenocorticism in Standard Poodle dogs. Immunogenetics 2019; 71:373-382. [PMID: 30968193 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-019-01113-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Addison's disease (AD) is a life-threatening endocrine disorder that occurs spontaneously in both humans and dogs. Associations between MHC class II genes and AD have been shown in several human studies. Our goal was to identify MHC class II associations with AD in a large population of Standard Poodles, a breed highly predisposed to AD. We sequenced exon 2 of the class II genes DLA-DRB1, DLA-DQA1, and DLA-DQB1 in 110 affected and 101 unaffected Standard Poodles and tested for association with AD. After correcting for population structure, two haplotypes were found to confer risk of developing AD in a sex-specific manner: DLA-DRB1*015:01-DQA1*006:01-DQB1*023:01 in males (x2p = 0.03, OR 2.1) and DLA-DRB1*009:01-DQA1*001:01-DQB1*008:01:1 in females (x2p = 0.02, OR 8.43). Sex-specific associations have been previously described in human populations, but this is the first report of this kind in dogs. Consistent with findings in other studies, we found the DLA-DQA1*006:01 allele (x2p = 0.04) to be associated with AD in males independent of haplotype. In females, the haplotype DLA-DRB1*009:01-DQA1*001:01-DQB1*008:01:1 confers a very high risk for developing AD, although its frequency was rare (9 of 124 females) in our study population. Further studies are warranted to validate the findings of this exploratory dataset and to assess the usefulness of this haplotype as a risk marker for AD in female Standard Poodles. Our results highlight the importance of evaluating MHC class II disease associations in large populations, and accounting for both biological sex and population structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Treeful
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Aaron K Rendahl
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Steven G Friedenberg
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
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19
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Hellesen A, Bratland E. The potential role for infections in the pathogenesis of autoimmune Addison's disease. Clin Exp Immunol 2018; 195:52-63. [PMID: 30144040 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD), or primary adrenocortical insufficiency, is a classical organ-specific autoimmune disease with 160 years of history. AAD is remarkably homogeneous with one major dominant self-antigen, the cytochrome P450 21-hydroxylase enzyme, which is targeted by both autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells. Like most autoimmune diseases, AAD is thought to be caused by an unfortunate combination of genetic and environmental factors. While the number of genetic associations with AAD is increasing, almost nothing is known about environmental factors. A major environmental factor commonly proposed for autoimmune diseases, based partly on experimental and clinical data and partly on shared pathways between anti-viral immunity and autoimmunity, is viral infections. However, there are few reports associating viral infections to AAD, and it has proved difficult to establish which immunological processes that could link any viral infection with the initiation or progression of AAD. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of AAD and take a closer look on the potential involvement of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Hellesen
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Senter for Autoimmune Sykdommer, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - E Bratland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,K.G. Jebsen Senter for Autoimmune Sykdommer, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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20
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Eriksson D, Bianchi M, Landegren N, Dalin F, Skov J, Hultin-Rosenberg L, Mathioudaki A, Nordin J, Hallgren Å, Andersson G, Tandre K, Rantapää Dahlqvist S, Söderkvist P, Rönnblom L, Hulting AL, Wahlberg J, Dahlqvist P, Ekwall O, Meadows JRS, Lindblad-Toh K, Bensing S, Rosengren Pielberg G, Kämpe O. Common genetic variation in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) locus is associated with autoimmune Addison's disease in Sweden. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8395. [PMID: 29849176 PMCID: PMC5976627 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26842-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) is the predominating cause of primary adrenal failure. Despite its high heritability, the rarity of disease has long made candidate-gene studies the only feasible methodology for genetic studies. Here we conducted a comprehensive reinvestigation of suggested AAD risk loci and more than 1800 candidate genes with associated regulatory elements in 479 patients with AAD and 2394 controls. Our analysis enabled us to replicate many risk variants, but several other previously suggested risk variants failed confirmation. By exploring the full set of 1800 candidate genes, we further identified common variation in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) as a novel risk locus associated to sporadic AAD in our study. Our findings not only confirm that multiple loci are associated with disease risk, but also show to what extent the multiple risk loci jointly associate to AAD. In total, risk loci discovered to date only explain about 7% of variance in liability to AAD in our study population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Eriksson
- Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Matteo Bianchi
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nils Landegren
- Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Frida Dalin
- Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jakob Skov
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lina Hultin-Rosenberg
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Argyri Mathioudaki
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jessika Nordin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Åsa Hallgren
- Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Andersson
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karolina Tandre
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Peter Söderkvist
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lars Rönnblom
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna-Lena Hulting
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jeanette Wahlberg
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Dahlqvist
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Olov Ekwall
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jennifer R S Meadows
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sophie Bensing
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerli Rosengren Pielberg
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Olle Kämpe
- Department of Medicine (Solna), Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Bergen, Norway
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21
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Hellesen A, Bratland E, Husebye ES. Autoimmune Addison's disease - An update on pathogenesis. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2018; 79:157-163. [PMID: 29631795 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmunity against the adrenal cortex is the leading cause of Addison's disease in industrialized countries, with prevalence estimates ranging from 93-220 per million in Europe. The immune-mediated attack on adrenocortical cells cripples their ability to synthesize vital steroid hormones and necessitates life-long hormone replacement therapy. The autoimmune disease etiology is multifactorial involving variants in immune genes and environmental factors. Recently, we have come to appreciate that the adrenocortical cell itself is an active player in the autoimmune process. Here we summarize the complex interplay between the immune system and the adrenal cortex and highlight unanswered questions and gaps in our current understanding of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hellesen
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Senter for Autoimmune Sykdommer, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Eirik Bratland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Senter for Autoimmune Sykdommer, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Eystein S Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; K.G. Jebsen Senter for Autoimmune Sykdommer, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine (Solna), Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
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