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Aubert A, Jung K, Hiroyasu S, Pardo J, Granville DJ. Granzyme serine proteases in inflammation and rheumatic diseases. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2024; 20:361-376. [PMID: 38689140 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-024-01109-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Granzymes (granule-secreted enzymes) are a family of serine proteases that have been viewed as redundant cytotoxic enzymes since their discovery more than 30 years ago. Predominantly produced by cytotoxic lymphocytes and natural killer cells, granzymes are delivered into the cytoplasm of target cells through immunological synapses in cooperation with the pore-forming protein perforin. After internalization, granzymes can initiate cell death through the cleavage of intracellular substrates. However, evidence now also demonstrates the existence of non-cytotoxic, pro-inflammatory, intracellular and extracellular functions that are granzyme specific. Under pathological conditions, granzymes can be produced and secreted extracellularly by immune cells as well as by non-immune cells. Depending on the granzyme, accumulation in the extracellular milieu might contribute to inflammation, tissue injury, impaired wound healing, barrier dysfunction, osteoclastogenesis and/or autoantigen generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Aubert
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre; British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Karen Jung
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre; British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sho Hiroyasu
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Julian Pardo
- Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA); Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Paediatrics and Public Health, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - David J Granville
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre; British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Zhu JQ, Zhu Y, Qi M, Zeng Y, Liu ZJ, Ding C, Zhang T, Li XL, Han DD, He Q. Granzyme B+ B cells detected by single-cell sequencing are associated with prognosis in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma following liver transplantation. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:58. [PMID: 38386050 PMCID: PMC10884120 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03609-x] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
B cells possess anti-tumor functions mediated by granzyme B, in addition to their role in antigen presentation and antibody production. However, the variations in granzyme B+ B cells between tumor and non-tumor tissues have been largely unexplored. Therefore, we integrated 25 samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and analyzed the tumor immune microenvironment. The findings uncovered significant inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. Notably, single-cell data showed higher proportions of granzyme B+ B cells in tumor samples compared to control samples, and these levels were positively associated with disease-free survival. The elevated levels of granzyme B+ B cells in tumor samples resulted from tumor cell chemotaxis through the MIF- (CD74 + CXCR4) signaling pathway. Furthermore, the anti-tumor function of granzyme B+ B cells in tumor samples was adversely affected, potentially providing an explanation for tumor progression. These findings regarding granzyme B+ B cells were further validated in an independent clinic cohort of 40 liver transplant recipients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Our study unveils an interaction between granzyme B+ B cells and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, opening up potential avenues for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Qiao Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8 Gongtinan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Mental Hospital of Jianqu Administration Bureau of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210031, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Man Qi
- Pathology Department, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Zeng
- Clinical Lab, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Jia Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8 Gongtinan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8 Gongtinan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China
| | - Xian-Liang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8 Gongtinan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Dong Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 Yinghua East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiang He
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Organ Transplant Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 8 Gongtinan Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China.
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Xu S, Dolff S, Mülling N, Bachmann HS, Dai Y, Lindemann M, Sun M, Witzke O, Kribben A, Wilde B. Farnesyltransferase-inhibitors exert in vitro immunosuppressive capacity by inhibiting human B-cells. FRONTIERS IN TRANSPLANTATION 2023; 2:1233322. [PMID: 38993912 PMCID: PMC11235315 DOI: 10.3389/frtra.2023.1233322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Objectives Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTI), which inhibit the prenylation of Ras GTPases, were developed as anti-cancer drugs. As additional target proteins for prenylation were identified in the past, it is likely that FTI have potential value for therapeutic purposes beyond cancer. The effect of FTI on B-cells remains unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the effects of in vitro FTI treatment on effector and regulatory B-cells in healthy controls and renal transplant patients. Methods For this purpose, B-cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy controls and renal transplant patients. Purified B-cells were stimulated via Toll-like-receptor 9 (TLR-9) in the presence or absence of FTI. Regulatory functions, such as IL-10 and Granzyme B (GrB) secretion, were assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, effector B-cell functions, such as plasma cell formation and IgG secretion, were studied. Results The two FTI Lonafarnib and tipifarnib both suppressed TLR-9-induced B-cell proliferation. Maturation of IL-10 producing B-cells was suppressed by FTI at high concentrations as well as induction of GrB-secreting B-cells. Plasma blast formation and IgG secretion were potently suppressed by FTI. Moreover, purified B-cells from immunosuppressed renal transplant patients were also susceptible to FTI-induced suppression of effector functions, evidenced by diminished IgG secretion. Conclusion FTI suppress in vitro B-cell proliferation and plasma cell formation while partially preserving IL-10 as well as GrB production of B-cells. Thus, FTI may have immunosuppressive capacity encouraging further studies to investigate the potential immunomodulatory value of this agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilei Xu
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sebastian Dolff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nils Mülling
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hagen S. Bachmann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Centre for Biomedical Education and Research, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Yang Dai
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Monika Lindemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ming Sun
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Kribben
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Wilde
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Xue J, Xu L, Zhong H, Bai M, Li X, Yao R, Wang Z, Zhao Z, Li H, Zhu H, Hu F, Su Y. Impaired regulatory function of granzyme B-producing B cells against T cell inflammatory responses in lupus mice. Lupus Sci Med 2023; 10:e000974. [PMID: 37500293 PMCID: PMC10387741 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2023-000974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recently, a new subtype of granzyme B (GrB)-producing Breg cells has been identified, which was proven to be involved in autoimmune disease. Our recent report demonstrated that GrB-producing Breg cells were correlated with clinical and immunological features of SLE. However, the effect of GrB-producing Breg cells in lupus mice is unclear. METHODS GrB expression in naïve and lupus mouse B cells was analysed using flow cytometry, PCR, ELISA and ELISpot assays. To study the role of GrB-producing B cells in a lupus model, GrB knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were intraperitoneally injected with monoclonal cells from the mutant mouse strain B6.C-H-2bm12 (bm12) for 2 weeks. In addition, the function of GrB-producing Breg cells in naïve and lupus mice was further explored using in vitro B cells-CD4+CD25- T cell co-culture assays with GrB blockade/KO of B cells. RESULTS B cells from the spleens of WT C57BL/6 (B6) mice could express and secret GrB (p<0.001). GrB-producing Breg cells from WT mice showed their regulatory functions on CD4+CD25- T cell. While the frequency of GrB-producing Breg cells was significantly decreased (p=0.001) in lupus mice (p<0.001). Moreover, GrB-producing Breg cells in lupus mice failed to suppress T cell-mediated proinflammatory responses, partially due to the impaired capacity of downregulating the T cell receptor-zeta chain and inducing CD4+CD25- T cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION This study further revealed the function and mechanism of GrB-producing Breg cells in regulating T cell homeostasis in lupus mice and highlighted GrB-producing Breg cells as a therapeutic target in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimeng Xue
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liling Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Zhong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mingxin Bai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ranran Yao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ziye Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongchao Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huaqun Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fanlei Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yin Su
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital & Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
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Nüssing S, Sutton VR, Trapani JA, Parish IA. Beyond target cell death - Granzyme serine proteases in health and disease. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 88:101152. [PMID: 36368281 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Granzymes are a family of small (∼32 kDa) serine proteases with a range of substrate specificities that are stored in, and released from, the cytoplasmic secretory vesicles ('granules') of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Granzymes are not digestive proteases but finely tuned processing enzymes that target their substrates in specific ways to activate various signalling pathways, or to inactivate viral proteins and other targets. Great emphasis has been placed on studying the pro-apoptotic functions of granzymes, which largely depend on their synergy with the pore-forming protein perforin, on which they rely for penetration into the target cell cytosol to access their substrates. While a critical role for granzyme B in target cell apoptosis is undisputed, both it and the remaining granzymes also influence a variety of other biological processes (including important immunoregulatory functions), which are discussed in this review. This includes the targeting of many extracellular as well as intracellular substrates, and can also lead to deleterious outcomes for the host if granzyme expression or function are dysregulated or abrogated. A final important consideration is that granzyme repertoire, biochemistry and function vary considerably across species, probably resulting from the pressures applied by viruses and other pathogens across evolutionary time. This has implications for the interpretation of granzyme function in preclinical models of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Nüssing
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Vivien R Sutton
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Joseph A Trapani
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Ian A Parish
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU, ACT, Australia.
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Shi Z, Du Q, Wang X, Wang J, Chen H, Lang Y, Kong L, Luo W, Yang M, Zhou H. Granzyme B in circulating CD8+ T cells as a biomarker of immunotherapy effectiveness and disability in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1027158. [PMID: 36439094 PMCID: PMC9682179 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1027158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are chronical inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Several recent studies have demonstrated that T cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of NMOSD.In this study, we investigated CD8+ T cell phenotypes and levels of the cytotoxic protein granzyme B (GzmB), as well as their potential clinical application in NMOSD. METHODS In this study, 90 peripheral blood samples were collected from 59 NMOSD patients with seropositive anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies and 31 sex- and age-matched healthy donors (HDs). Flow cytometry was used to detect circulating levels of GzmB and CD8+ T cell subpopulations, including naïve (TN, CCD7+CD45RA+), central memory (TCM, CCD7+CD45RA-), effector memory (TEM, CCD7-CD45RA-), terminal differentiation effector memory cells (TEMRA, CCD7-CD45RA+) in both groups. The associations between GzmB levels in CD8+T cells and clinical characteristics of NMOSD were evaluated. RESULTS NMOSD patients exhibited significantly decreased proportions of CD8+TN cells and increased proportions of highly differentiated CD8+T cells (TEMRA) compared with HDs. In addition, levels of GzmB in CD8+ T cells were markedly higher in NMOSD patients than in HDs. Moreover, we observed that high proportions of GzmB-expressing CD8+ T cells were more common in patients with a poor response to immunotherapies, and showed a good potential to distinguish poor responders from responders (ACU=0.89). Clinical correlation analysis indicated that high levels of GzmB in CD8+ T cells were not only related to severe disability but also significantly associated with increased serum levels of neurofilament light (NFL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Multivariate linear regression analyses further suggested that GzmB expression in CD8+ T cells was predominantly associated with disability and immunotherapy effectiveness in NMOSD, independent of the sex, age, and disease phase. Transcription factor T-bet in CD8+ T cells were also significantly elevated in NMOSD and were associated with increasing number of circulating CD8+TEMRA cells and GzmB-expressing CD8+T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our study support the involvement of GzmB-expressing CD8+ T cells in the inflammatory response in patients with NMOSD and provide a potential biomarker for disease immunotherapy effectiveness and disability progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan Shi
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qin Du
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianchen Wang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongxi Chen
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanling Lang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lingyao Kong
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenqin Luo
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mu Yang
- Centre for Translational Research in Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Chengdu, China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyu Zhou
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Ma X, Dai Y, Witzke O, Xu S, Lindemann M, Kribben A, Dolff S, Wilde B. Chloroquine Suppresses Effector B-Cell Functions and Has Differential Impact on Regulatory B-Cell Subsets. Front Immunol 2022; 13:818704. [PMID: 35211119 PMCID: PMC8860819 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.818704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Chloroquine (CQ) is approved for treatment of B-cell mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the exact mode of action in these diseases has not been studied and it remains unclear which effect CQ has on B-cells. Thus, it was the aim of this study to investigate to which extent CQ affects functionality of effector and regulatory B-cell. Methods For this purpose, B-cells were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy controls and renal transplant patients. B-cells were stimulated in presence or absence of CQ and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Granzyme B (GrB) secretion were assessed. In addition, effector functions such as plasma cell formation, and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) secretion were studied. Results CQ suppressed Toll-Like-Receptor (TLR)-9 induced B-cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. IL-10pos regulatory B-cells were suppressed by CQ already at low concentrations whereas anti-IgG/IgM-induced GrB secreting regulatory B-cells were less susceptible. Plasma blast formation and IgG secretion was potently suppressed by CQ. Moreover, purified B-cells from renal transplant patients were also susceptible to CQ-induced suppression of effector B-cell functions as observed by diminished IgG secretion. Conclusion In conclusion, CQ had a suppressive effect on IL-10 regulatory B-cells whereas GrB secreting regulatory B-cells were less affected. Effector functions of B-cells such as plasma blast formation and IgG secretion were also inhibited by CQ. Effector B-cells derived from renal transplant patients already under immunosuppression could be suppressed by CQ. These findings may partly explain the clinical efficacy of CQ in B-cell mediated autoimmune diseases. The application of CQ in other disease contexts where suppression of effector B-cells could offer a benefit, such as renal transplantation, may hypothetically be advantageous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ma
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Nephrology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Dai
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Shilei Xu
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Monika Lindemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Kribben
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dolff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Wilde
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Bai M, Xu L, Zhu H, Xue J, Liu T, Sun F, Yao H, Zhao Z, Wang Z, Yao R, Hu F, Su Y. Impaired granzyme B-producing regulatory B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus. Mol Immunol 2021; 140:217-224. [PMID: 34749262 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Granzyme B (GrB)-producing B cells are proposed to be a kind of regulatory B cells (Bregs) and have been revealed to be implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, their role in SLE remains elusive. In this study, the frequencies of GrB-producing Bregs in peripheral blood of heathy control (HC) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were evaluated by flow cytometry, and their correlation with SLE patient clinical and immunological features were analyzed. The expression of GrB in HC and SLE B cells were also further detected by RT-qPCR analysis and ELISpot. The function of GrB-producing Bregs in HC and SLE patients was further investigated by in vitro CD4+ effector T cells-B cells co-culture assays with GrB blockade. We found that GrB-producing Bregs were significantly decreased in SLE patients and correlated with the clinical and immunological features. Moreover, these cells were functionally impaired under SLE circumstance. The negative correlation between GrB-producing Bregs and CD4+ T cells observed in healthy individuals disappeared in SLE patients. In vitro cell co-culture assay further showed that GrB-producing Bregs from SLE patients failed to suppress the Th1, Th2 and Th17 cell inflammatory responses, partially due to the dampened capacity of down-regulating TCR zeta and inducing T cell apoptosis. Taken together, these results revealed the disturbance of GrB-producing Bregs in SLE that might contribute to the disease initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxin Bai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Liling Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Huaqun Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Jimeng Xue
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Tian Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Feng Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Haihong Yao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Ziye Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Ranran Yao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Fanlei Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yin Su
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China.
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Du W, Han M, Zhu X, Xiao F, Huang E, Che N, Tang X, Zou H, Jiang Q, Lu L. The Multiple Roles of B Cells in the Pathogenesis of Sjögren's Syndrome. Front Immunol 2021; 12:684999. [PMID: 34168653 PMCID: PMC8217880 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.684999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and tissue destruction of exocrine glands such as salivary glands. Although the formation of ectopic lymphoid tissue in exocrine glands and overproduction of autoantibodies by autoreactive B cells highlight the critical involvement of B cells in disease development, the precise roles of various B cell subsets in pSS pathogenesis remain partially understood. Current studies have identified several novel B cell subsets with multiple functions in pSS, among which autoreactive age-associated B cells, and plasma cells with augmented autoantibody production contribute to the disease progression. In addition, tissue-resident Fc Receptor-Like 4 (FcRL4)+ B cell subset with enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine production serves as a key driver in pSS patients with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)-lymphomas. Recently, regulatory B (Breg) cells with impaired immunosuppressive functions are found negatively correlated with T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in pSS patients. Further studies have revealed a pivotal role of Breg cells in constraining Tfh response in autoimmune pathogenesis. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the identification of pathogenic B cell subsets and Breg cells, as well as new development of B-cell targeted therapies in pSS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhan Du
- Department of Pathology and Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man Han
- Division of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital and Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Xiao
- Department of Pathology and Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Chongqing International Institute for Immunology, Chongqing, China
| | - Enyu Huang
- Department of Pathology and Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Chongqing International Institute for Immunology, Chongqing, China
| | - Nan Che
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaopo Tang
- Division of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hejian Zou
- Department of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital and Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quan Jiang
- Division of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liwei Lu
- Department of Pathology and Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Chongqing International Institute for Immunology, Chongqing, China
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10
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Xiang W, Xie C, Guan Y. The identification, development and therapeutic potential of IL-10-producing regulatory B cells in multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol 2021; 354:577520. [PMID: 33684831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory B cells are a rare B-cell subset widely known to exert their immunosuppressive function via the production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and other mechanisms. B10 cells are a special subset of regulatory B cells with immunoregulatory function that is fully attributed to IL-10. Their unique roles in the animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS) have been described, as well as their relevance in MS patients. This review specifically focuses on the identification and development of B10 cells, the signals that promote IL-10 production in B cells, the roles of B10 cells in MS, and the potential and major challenges of the application of B10-based therapies for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Xiang
- Department of Neurology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Chong Xie
- Department of Neurology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Yangtai Guan
- Department of Neurology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai 200127, China.
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11
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Chesneau M, Le Mai H, Brouard S. New Method for the Expansion of Highly Purified Human Regulatory Granzyme B-Expressing B Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2270:203-216. [PMID: 33479900 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1237-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Granzyme B (GZMB)-expressing B cells inhibit CD4+ T-lymphocyte proliferation in a contact- and GZMB-dependent manner, through degradation of TCR zeta or induction of T-cell apoptosis. This regulatory B-cell population is present in human healthy individuals and represents about 1% of circulating B cells. Their small proportion requires the development of expansion methods to enable their study and envision clinical applications. We describe here how to expand GZMB-expressing B cells to obtain more than 90% of highly purified GZMB+ B cells, and the protocol of B/T cells coculture for the evaluation of the suppressive function of the GZMB+ B-cell population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Chesneau
- CHU Nantes, Université de Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Nantes, France
| | - Hoa Le Mai
- CHU Nantes, Université de Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France.,Labex IGO, Nantes, France
| | - Sophie Brouard
- CHU Nantes, Université de Nantes, Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France. .,Labex IGO, Nantes, France. .,Centre d'Investigation Clinique en Biothérapie, Centre de ressources biologiques (CRB), Nantes, France.
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12
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Gapud EJ, Trejo-Zambrano MI, Gomez-Banuelos E, Tiniakou E, Antiochos B, Granville DJ, Andrade F, Casciola-Rosen L, Rosen A. Granzyme B Induces IRF-3 Phosphorylation through a Perforin-Independent Proteolysis-Dependent Signaling Cascade without Inducing Cell Death. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 206:335-344. [PMID: 33288544 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Granzyme B (GrB) is an immune protease implicated in the pathogenesis of several human diseases. In the current model of GrB activity, perforin determines whether the downstream actions of GrB occur intracellularly or extracellularly, producing apoptotic cytotoxicity or nonapoptotic effects, respectively. In the current study, we demonstrate the existence of a broad range of GrB-dependent signaling activities that 1) do not require perforin, 2) occur intracellularly, and 3) for which cell death is not the dominant outcome. In the absence of perforin, we show that GrB enzymatic activity still induces substoichiometric activation of caspases, which through nonlethal DNA damage response signals then leads to activity-associated phosphorylation of IFN regulatory factor-3. These findings illustrate an unexpected potential interface between GrB and innate immunity separate from the traditional role of GrB in perforin-dependent GrB-mediated apoptosis that could have mechanistic implications for human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Gapud
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | | | - Eduardo Gomez-Banuelos
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Eleni Tiniakou
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Brendan Antiochos
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - David J Granville
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Felipe Andrade
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Livia Casciola-Rosen
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
| | - Antony Rosen
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224; .,Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224; and.,Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224
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13
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Yoon T, Yoo J, Ahn SS, Song JJ, Park YB, Lee SW. Serum granzyme B is associated with otorhinolaryngological, pulmonary, and renal involvement of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. J Investig Med 2020; 69:91-95. [PMID: 33184057 DOI: 10.1136/jim-2020-001365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether serum granzyme B (GrB) can reflect the inflammatory burden such as cross-sectional disease activity and organ-specific involvement in immunosuppressive drug-naïve patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Seventy-eight immunosuppressive drug-naïve patients with AAV were included in this study. At the time of the first classification, whole blood was obtained from each patient and sera was immediately isolated and stored at - 80℃. On the day of the blood sampling, we performed routine laboratory tests including antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody tests and collected both clinical and laboratory data. AAV-specific indices included Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) and Five-Factor Score (FFS). The median age of patients with AAV was 62 years and 26 patients were men. Serum GrB was not associated with the cross-sectional BVAS; however, patients with serum GrB positivity exhibited higher frequencies of otorhinolaryngological manifestation than those without (p=0.037). When serum GrB levels were compared after dividing the patients into two groups based on the presence of organ-specific involvement, patients with pulmonary involvement exhibited a significantly higher serum GrB than those without (p=0.042). On the other hand, patients with renal involvement showed a significantly lower serum GrB than those without (p=0.023). In addition, serum GrB was inversely correlated with the cross-sectional FFS (r=-0.249, p=0.028). Even though serum GrB could not reflect the inflammatory burden of AAV, serum GrB was associated with otorhinolaryngological, pulmonary, and renal involvement in immunosuppressive drug-naïve patients with AAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taejun Yoon
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Juyoung Yoo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Sung Soo Ahn
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jason Jungsik Song
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of).,Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Yong-Beom Park
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of).,Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of) .,Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
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14
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Ran Z, Yue-Bei L, Qiu-Ming Z, Huan Y. Regulatory B Cells and Its Role in Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1884. [PMID: 32973780 PMCID: PMC7468432 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory B (Breg) cells represent a population of suppressor B cells that participate in immunomodulatory processes and inhibition of excessive inflammation. The regulatory function of Breg cells have been demonstrated in mice and human with inflammatory diseases, cancer, after transplantation, and particularly in autoinflammatory disorders. In order to suppress inflammation, Breg cells produce anti-inflammatory mediators, induce death ligand-mediated apoptosis, and regulate many kinds of immune cells such as suppressing the proliferation and differentiation of effector T cell and increasing the number of regulatory T cells. Central nervous system Inflammatory demyelinating diseases (CNS IDDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders, which occur against the background of an acute or chronic inflammatory process. With the advent of monoclonal antibodies directed against B cells, breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of CNS IDDs. Therefore, the number and function of B cells in IDDs have attracted attention. Meanwhile, increasing number of studies have confirmed that Breg cells play a role in alleviating autoimmune diseases, and treatment with Breg cells has also been proposed as a new therapeutic direction. In this review, we focus on the understanding of the development and function of Breg cells and on the diversification of Breg cells in CNS IDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Ran
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Luo Yue-Bei
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zeng Qiu-Ming
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Huan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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15
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Research Progress on Regulatory B Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:7948687. [PMID: 31240224 PMCID: PMC6556307 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7948687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by the production of numerous autoantibodies and cytokines, as well as multiple organ damage. Specific B cell subsets negatively regulate immune responses and have been termed regulatory B cells (Bregs). Bregs are characterized by the production of the immunoregulatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10, IL-35, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Bregs suppress other immune cells through the secretion of these immunosuppressive cytokines and have thus been studied extensively for their potential role in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases. The progress of the research on Bregs and SLE in recent years is reviewed in this paper.
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16
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Meng Y, Xu H, Zhang S, Zhang J, Wang L, Tang H, Wu Y. Genetic polymorphisms near IL-21 gene associated with Th17 cytokines confer risk for systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese Han population. Lupus 2019; 28:406-413. [PMID: 30774014 DOI: 10.1177/0961203319829821] [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] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Interleukin-21 (IL-21) contributes to expansion, differentiation, and modulation of various immunocompetent cells. Deregulated production of IL-21 plays a role of cardinal significance in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We aimed to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) near the IL-21 gene have significant association with SLE susceptibility and the T helper-related inflammatory cytokine profile of SLE patients. METHODS We enrolled 460 SLE patients and 460 healthy controls. Whole genome analysis was used to investigate different genes including IL-21. Loci rs11725913, rs11937669, rs7676539, rs111438679, rs115935829, rs373549, rs4487356, and rs79923870 were further genotyped using an improved multiplex ligation detection reaction technique. Susceptibility, levels of Th-related inflammatory cytokines, and some clinical indexes of SLE patients were analyzed. RESULTS rs11725913 and rs11937669 were identified for association with SLE in Chinese Han Population. The allelic frequency of rs11725913 approached significance (odds ratio (OR) (95% Confidence Interval (CI)) = 1.431 (1.122-1.825), P = 0.004). GT genotype at rs11725913 and GA genotype at rs11937669 were associated with SLE susceptibility (OR (95% CI) = 1.448 (1.074-1.952), P = 0.015; OR (95%CI) = 1.356 (1.013-1.815), P = 0.040, respectively). Dominant model analysis provided us with further validation (rs11725913: OR (95%CI) = 1.502 (1.126-2.004), P = 0.006; rs11937669: OR (95%CI) = 1.356 (1.025-1.793), P = 0.033). Cases with rs11937669 risk GA-genotype had higher serum IL-6 concentration than others ( P = 0.022). Dominant model analysis showed that patients with the wild type (AA-genotype) at rs11937669 had significantly lower soluble CD40 ligand ( P = 0.029) but higher IL-17A ( P = 0.040) compared with others. Cases carrying rs11725913 T allele had higher gamma glutamyl transpeptidase level ( P = 0.045) than those without. CONCLUSIONS We identified two new loci, rs11725913 and rs11937669, associated with SLE risk in Chinese Han population. This research provided a new insight into the significant relationship between polymorphisms upstream IL-21 and Th17 inflammatory response, which suggest that the sequence upstream of the IL-21 gene is an important region involved in the Th17-related pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanming Meng
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Heng Xu
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shouyue Zhang
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junlong Zhang
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Wang
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Honghu Tang
- 2 Department of Rheumatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongkang Wu
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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