A multilocus genetic study evidences the association of autoimmune-related genes with Psoriatic Arthritis in Italian patients

Regulatory gene network for coffee-like color morph of TYRP1 mutant of oujiang color common carp

BACKGROUND

Neither a TYRP1-mediated highly conserved genetic network underlying skin color towards optimum defense nor the pathological tendency of its mutation is well understood. The Oujiang Color Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio var. color) as a model organism, offering valuable insights into genetics, coloration, aquaculture practices, and environmental health. Here, we performed a comparative skin transcriptome analysis on TYRP1 mutant and wild fishes by applying a conservative categorical approach considering different color phenotypes.

RESULTS

Our results reveal that an unusual color phenotype may be sensitized with TYRP1 mutation as a result of upregulating several genes related to an anti-inflammatory autoimmune system in response to the COMT-mediated catecholamine neurotransmitters in the skin. Particularly, catecholamines-derived red/brown, red with blue colored membrane attack complex, and brown/grey colored reduced eumelanin are expected to be aggregated in the regenerated cells.

CONCLUSIONS

It is, thus, concluded that the regenerated cells with catecholamines, membrane attack complex, and eumelanin altogether may contribute to the formation of the unusual (coffee-like) color phenotype in TYRP1 mutant.

Increase of ISG15 in psoriasis lesions and its promotion of keratinocyte proliferation via the Hif-1α signalling pathway

Psoriasis is a frequent chronic, recurrent and immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease, whose pathogenesis remains unclear at present. The role of antiviral protein in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is the focus of current research. Interferon stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is an important antiviral protein. In this study, the expression of ISG15 saw a significant increase through the immunohistochemical detection of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mice. In the psoriasis cell model, a remarkable increase also occurred in the expression of ISG15. In this study, it was found that the cell cycle was blocked in G1/S conversion, and a reduction took place in the proliferation of keratinocytes and the expression of a cell cycle-related protein-cyclin D1 after the knockout of ISG15 in the psoriasis cell model. After that, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) sequencing and Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (GO/KEGG) analysis indicated its close association with the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signalling pathway. Western blot showed a decrease in the expression of HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC) after the knockout of the ISG15 gene. The rescue experiment verified that ISG15 promotes the proliferation of keratinocytes by regulating the HIF-1α signalling pathway. It was concluded that psoriasis cells and mouse models witnessed the increased expression of ISG15. In psoriasis, knocking out ISG15 inhibits the proliferation of keratinocytes and blocks the cell cycle. Besides, ISG15 promotes the proliferation of keratinocytes through the HIF-1α signalling pathway.

The Role of Neutrophils in Spondyloarthritis: A Journey across the Spectrum of Disease Manifestations

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) contemplates the inflammatory involvement of the musculoskeletal system, gut, skin, and eyes, delineating heterogeneous diseases with a common pathogenetic background. In the framework of innate and adaptive immune disruption in SpA, neutrophils are arising, across different clinical domains, as pivotal cells crucial in orchestrating the pro-inflammatory response, both at systemic and tissue levels. It has been suggested they act as key players along multiple stages of disease trajectory fueling type 3 immunity, with a significant impact in the initiation and amplification of inflammation as well as in structural damage occurrence, typical of long-standing disease. The aim of our review is to focus on neutrophils' role within the spectrum of SpA, dissecting their functions and abnormalities in each of the relevant disease domains to understand their rising appeal as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Impact of TRAF3IP2, IL10 and HCP5 Genetic Polymorphisms in the Response to TNF-i Treatment in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease. The introduction of therapy with biological drugs is promising, even if the efficacy is very variable. Since the response to drugs is a complex trait, identifying genetic factors associated to treatment response could help define new biomarkers for a more effective and personalized therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the potential role of polymorphisms in genes involved in PsA susceptibility as predictors of therapy efficacy. Nine polymorphisms were analyzed in a cohort of 163 PsA patients treated with TNF-i. To evaluate the treatment response, the DAPsA score was estimated for each patient. The possible association between the selected SNPs and mean values of DAPsA differences, at 22 and 54 weeks from the beginning of the treatment, were evaluated by t-test. Patients carrying the variant allele of TRAF3IP2 seemed to respond better to treatment, both at 22 and 54 weeks. This variant allele was also associated with an improvement in joint involvement. In contrast, patients carrying the IL10 variant allele showed an improvement lower than patients with the wild-type genotype at 54 weeks. Our results suggest that polymorphisms in genes associated with PsA susceptibility could also play a role in TNF-i treatment response.