Veyssiere M, Sadat Aghamiri S, Hernandez Cervantes A, Henry T, Soumelis V. A mathematical model of Familial Mediterranean Fever predicts mechanisms controlling inflammation.
Clin Immunol 2023;
257:109839. [PMID:
37952562 DOI:
10.1016/j.clim.2023.109839]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a monogenic disease caused by gain-of-function mutations in the MEditerranean FeVer (MEFV) gene. The molecular dysregulations induced by these mutations and the associated causal mechanisms are complex and intricate.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to provide a computational model capturing the mechanistic details of biological pathways involved in FMF physiopathology and enabling the study of the patient's immune cell dynamics.
METHODS
We carried out a literature survey to identify experimental studies published from January 2000 to December 2020, and integrated its results into a molecular map and a mathematical model. Then, we studied the network of molecular interactions and the dynamic of monocytes to identify key players for inflammation phenotype in FMF patients.
RESULTS
We built a molecular map of FMF integrating in a structured manner the current knowledge regarding pathophysiological processes participating in the triggering and perpetuation of the disease flares. The mathematical model derived from the map reproduced patient's monocyte behavior, in particular its proinflammatory role via the Pyrin inflammasome activation. Network analysis and in silico experiments identified NF-κB and JAK1/TYK2 as critical to modulate IL-1β- and IL-18-mediated inflammation.
CONCLUSION
The in silico model of FMF monocyte proved its ability to reproduce in vitro observations. Considering the difficulties related to experimental settings and financial investments to test combinations of stimuli/perturbation in vitro, this model could be used to test complex hypotheses in silico, thus narrowing down the number of in vitro and ex vivo experiments to perform.
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