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Perrino M, Voulaz E, Balin S, Cazzato G, Fontana E, Franzese S, Defendi M, De Vincenzo F, Cordua N, Tamma R, Borea F, Aliprandi M, Airoldi M, Cecchi LG, Fazio R, Alloisio M, Marulli G, Santoro A, Di Tommaso L, Ingravallo G, Russo L, Da Rin G, Villa A, Della Bella S, Zucali PA, Mavilio D. Autoimmunity in thymic epithelial tumors: a not yet clarified pathologic paradigm associated with several unmet clinical needs. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1288045. [PMID: 38629065 PMCID: PMC11018877 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1288045] [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: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare mediastinal cancers originating from the thymus, classified in two main histotypes: thymoma and thymic carcinoma (TC). TETs affect a primary lymphoid organ playing a critical role in keeping T-cell homeostasis and ensuring an adequate immunological tolerance against "self". In particular, thymomas and not TC are frequently associated with autoimmune diseases (ADs), with Myasthenia Gravis being the most common AD present in 30% of patients with thymoma. This comorbidity, in addition to negatively affecting the quality and duration of patients' life, reduces the spectrum of the available therapeutic options. Indeed, the presence of autoimmunity represents an exclusion criteria for the administration of the newest immunotherapeutic treatments with checkpoint inhibitors. The pathophysiological correlation between TETs and autoimmunity remains a mystery. Several studies have demonstrated the presence of a residual and active thymopoiesis in adult patients affected by thymomas, especially in mixed and lymphocytic-rich thymomas, currently known as type AB and B thymomas. The aim of this review is to provide the state of art in regard to the histological features of the different TET histotype, to the role of the different immune cells infiltrating tumor microenvironments and their impact in the break of central immunologic thymic tolerance in thymomas. We discuss here both cellular and molecular immunologic mechanisms inducing the onset of autoimmunity in TETs, limiting the portfolio of therapeutic strategies against TETs and greatly impacting the prognosis of associated autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Perrino
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Voulaz
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Balin
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gerardo Cazzato
- Section of Pathology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Elena Fontana
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
- Human Genome and Biomedical Technologies Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Franzese
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Defendi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio De Vincenzo
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Cordua
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Tamma
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neurosciences (DiBraiN), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Borea
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Aliprandi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Airoldi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Giovanni Cecchi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Fazio
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Alloisio
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marulli
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Armando Santoro
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Di Tommaso
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ingravallo
- Section of Pathology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Laura Russo
- Clinical Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Da Rin
- Clinical Laboratory, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Villa
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Della Bella
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Andrea Zucali
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Domenico Mavilio
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Li C, Qiu S, Liu X, Guo F, Zhai J, Li Z, Deng L, Ge L, Qian H, Yang L, Xu B. Extracellular matrix-derived mechanical force governs breast cancer cell stemness and quiescence transition through integrin-DDR signaling. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:247. [PMID: 37369642 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01453-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as signals that regulate specific cell states in tumor tissues. Increasing evidence suggests that extracellular biomechanical force signals are critical in tumor progression. In this study, we aimed to explore the influence of ECM-derived biomechanical force on breast cancer cell status. Experiments were conducted using 3D collagen, fibrinogen, and Matrigel matrices to investigate the role of mechanical force in tumor development. Integrin-cytoskeleton-AIRE and DDR-STAT signals were examined using RNA sequencing and western blotting. Data from 1358 patients and 86 clinical specimens were used for ECM signature-prognosis analysis. Our findings revealed that ECM-derived mechanical force regulated tumor stemness and cell quiescence in breast cancer cells. A mechanical force of ~45 Pa derived from the extracellular substrate activated integrin β1/3 receptors, stimulating stem cell signaling pathways through the cytoskeleton/AIRE axis and promoting tumorigenic potential and stem-like phenotypes. However, excessive mechanical force (450 Pa) could drive stem-like cancer cells into a quiescent state, with the removal of mechanical forces leading to vigorous proliferation in quiescent cancer stem cells. Mechanical force facilitated cell cycle arrest to induce quiescence, dependent on DDR2/STAT1/P27 signaling. Therefore, ECM-derived mechanical force governs breast cancer cell status and proliferative characteristics through stiffness alterations. We further established an ECM signature based on the fibrinogen/fibronectin/vitronectin/elastin axis, which efficiently predicts patient prognosis in breast cancer. Our findings highlight the vital role of ECM-derived mechanical force in governing breast cancer cell stemness/quiescence transition and suggest the novel use of ECM signature in predicting the clinical prognosis of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Shi Qiu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Geriatrics, The Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona, 6500, Switzerland
| | - Xiaohan Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Fengzhu Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Jingtong Zhai
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Zhijun Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Linghui Deng
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona, 6500, Switzerland
| | - Liming Ge
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Haili Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Binghe Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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Li H, Ren B, Yu S, Gao H, Sun PL. The clinicopathological significance of thymic epithelial markers expression in thymoma and thymic carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:161. [PMID: 36797681 PMCID: PMC9936685 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10619-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The classification of thymomas is based on the morphology of epithelial tumor cells and the proportion of lymphocytes. Type A thymomas are composed of the spindle or oval tumor epithelial cells. Tumor cells of B thymomas are epithelioid-shaped with increasing atypia. Type AB thymomas have the features of epithelial tumor cells of A and B thymomas. The diagnosis can be difficult because of the complex morphology. Some novel thymic epithelial markers have been reported in several preclinical studies, but they have not been applied to clinical practice. Here, we investigated the expression of 3 cortical and 3 medullary markers, which are thymoproteasome-specific subunit β5t (β5t), thymus-specific serine protease 16 (PRSS16), cathepsin V, autoimmune regulator (AIRE), CD40 and claudin-4. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze 53 cases of thymomas and thymic squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC), aiming to explore the expression of cortical and medullary epithelial markers and their correlation with histological classification, Masaoka-Koga stage, and prognosis. RESULTS Our results found that for cortical epithelial markers the expression of β5t, PRSS16, and cathepsin V was higher in type AB and B thymomas than in micronodular thymoma with lymphoid stroma (MNT), and we observed a dramatic increase of β5t and PRSS16 expression in type AB compared to type A thymomas. In medullary epithelial markers, the expression of AIRE was higher in type A than in B3 thymomas. CD40 and β5t expression were associated with the Masaoka-Koga stage. High cathepsin V expression was related to a good prognosis and a longer progression-free survival. CONCLUSION This is the first comprehensive analysis of the role of thymic cortical and medullary epithelial markers as biomarkers for differential diagnosis and prognosis in thymic tumors. Thymic medullary epithelial immunophenotype was found to exhibit in type A, MNT, and TSCC. Type B thymomas primarily exhibited a cortical epithelial immunophenotype. Type AB thymomas showed cortical, medullary, or mixed corticomedullary epithelial immunophenotype. Our results demonstrated that thymic cortical and medullary epithelial markers including β5t, PRSS16, cathepsin V, and AIRE could be used as ancillary markers in the diagnosis and prognosis of thymic epithelial tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyang Li
- grid.452829.00000000417660726Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Ziqiang Road, 130041 Changchun, Jilin China
| | - Bo Ren
- grid.452829.00000000417660726Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Ziqiang Road, 130041 Changchun, Jilin China
| | - Shili Yu
- grid.452829.00000000417660726Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Ziqiang Road, 130041 Changchun, Jilin China
| | - Hongwen Gao
- grid.452829.00000000417660726Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Ziqiang Road, 130041 Changchun, Jilin China
| | - Ping-Li Sun
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, 218 Ziqiang Road, 130041, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Chen K, Li Y, Yang H. Poor responses and adverse outcomes of myasthenia gravis after thymectomy: Predicting factors and immunological implications. J Autoimmun 2022; 132:102895. [PMID: 36041292 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) has been recognized as a series of heterogeneous but treatable autoimmune conditions. As one of the indispensable therapies, thymectomy can achieve favorable prognosis especially in early-onset generalized MG patients with seropositive acetylcholine receptor antibody. However, poor outcomes, including worsening or relapse of MG, postoperative myasthenic crisis and even post-thymectomy MG, are also observed in certain scenarios. The responses to thymectomy may be associated with the general characteristics of patients, disease conditions of MG, autoantibody profiles, native or ectopic thymic pathologies, surgical-related factors, pharmacotherapy and other adjuvant modalities, and the presence of comorbidities and complications. However, in addition to these variations among individuals, pathological remnants and the abnormal immunological milieu and responses potentially represent major mechanisms that underlie the detrimental neurological outcomes after thymectomy. We underscore these plausible risk factors and discuss the immunological implications therein, which may be conducive to better managing the indications for thymectomy, to avoiding modifiable risk factors of poor responses and adverse outcomes, and to developing post-thymectomy preventive and therapeutic strategies for MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangzhi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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Meng FJ, Guo F, Sun ZN, Wang SJ, Yang CR, Wang CY, Zhang WC, Gao ZY, Ji LL, Feng FK, Guan ZY, Wang GS. Downregulation of DNMT3a expression by RNAi and its effect on NF-κBs expression of thymic epithelial cells. Immunol Lett 2021; 237:17-26. [PMID: 34192561 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2021.06.005] [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: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand the characteristics of DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a) in thymoma associated Myasthenia Gravis reveal its transcriptional regulator network as while as analyze the effect of DNMT3a on Rel/ nuclear factor-kappaB family (RelA/RelB) and its downstream autoimmune regulatory factor (Aire). METHODS Tissues of 30 patients with thymoma, with or without myasthenia gravis (MG), were collected and the DNMT3a protein expression were evaluated through immunohistochemistry. We performed mRNA expression profiling microarray detection and analysis, and integrated the analysis by constructing protein-protein interaction networks and the integration with other database. We identified molecular difference between low and high DNMT3a in the thymoma by heatmap. We also performed PCR validation in thymoma tissues. The DNMT3a-shRNA plasmid was transfected into TEC cells, and these cells were treated with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine, a blocker of DNMT3a. After the down-regulation of DNMT3a in TEC cells, the transcript and protein levels of RelA, RelB, Aire, and CHRNA3 were evaluated by western blotting. In addition, changes in gene expression profiles were screened through microarray technology. We performed differential gene analysis in the thymoma cohort by heatmap with R (v.4.3.0) software. RESULTS In 30 matched tissue specimens, the expression of DNMT3a protein in thymoma with MG was lower than that in thymoma. Through mRNA expression profiling analysis, we constructed a co-expression network of DNMT3a and found direct interaction between IKZF1 and DNMT3a, and this co-expression relationship was overlappted with Cistrome DB database. We found up-regulation of 149 mRNAs and repression of 177 mRNAs in thymoma with MG compared with thymoma. Gene ontology and pathway analysis show the involvement of a multitude of genes in the mis-regulation of MG-related pathways. RNA interference significantly reduced the level of mRNA of DNMT3a, which proved that plasmid DNMT3a was effective. In comparison to the control group, the levels of DNMT3a, Aire, and CHRNA3 mRNA and protein in TEC cells transfected with DNMT3a-shRNA interference plasmid were significantly decreased, while the expression level of RelA and RelA/RelB was significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals the DNMT3a-NF-κB pathway has a major effect on MG, and can be used as a marker for diagnosis as well as a target for MG treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan-Jie Meng
- Baodi Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Baodi Hospital, Tianjin 301800, China
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Endoscopy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Zhao-Nan Sun
- Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | | | - Chun-Rui Yang
- The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Chun-Yang Wang
- Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Wen-Cheng Zhang
- Baodi Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Baodi Hospital, Tianjin 301800, China
| | - Zhou-Yong Gao
- Baodi Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Baodi Hospital, Tianjin 301800, China
| | - Lin-Lin Ji
- Baodi Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Baodi Hospital, Tianjin 301800, China
| | - Fu-Kai Feng
- Baodi Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Baodi Hospital, Tianjin 301800, China
| | - Zhi-Yu Guan
- The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China.
| | - Guang-Shun Wang
- Baodi Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Baodi Hospital, Tianjin 301800, China.
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Benitez JC, Besse B. Narrative review of immunotherapy in thymic malignancies. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10:3001-3013. [PMID: 34295693 PMCID: PMC8264314 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-1222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Thymomas and thymic carcinomas (TCs) (also known as Thymic Epithelial Tumors or TETs) are rare cancers and the most frequent masses of the anterior mediastinum. These tumors appear in the epithelial component of the thymus, a primary lymphoid organ, and they have reported a high risk of auto-immunity due to a unique biology. Indeed, up to 30% of patients with TETs could present an autoimmune disorder (AID), the most frequent being Myasthenia Gravis (MG). Moreover, AIDs have been reported not only at tumor diagnosis but before and during the follow-up. These tumors have a lack of specific therapeutic targets for metastatic setting. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) may defeat cancer cells' capacity to evade the immune system and proliferate. The long-term benefit of ICIs in the metastatic setting in several tumors, such as melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), let to evaluate ICI approaches in TETs. The high rate of AIDs and distribution of autoimmune events among TET's histological subtypes may have an influence on the decision regarding a treatment based on ICI due to the increased risk of toxicity. We summarize the current evidence for the efficacy of ICI in thymoma and TC and discuss several unresolved challenges and concerns for the use of this agents in TETs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Besse
- Gustave Roussy, Department of Cancer Medicine, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
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7
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Chen Y, Zhang XS, Wang YG, Lu C, Li J, Zhang P. Imbalance of Th17 and Tregs in thymoma may be a pathological mechanism of myasthenia gravis. Mol Immunol 2021; 133:67-76. [PMID: 33636431 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
An imbalance in Th17 cells and Tregs may be an important cause of the pathogenesis of thymoma with myasthenia gravis (MG). In this study, 30 patients with simple thymoma and 30 patients with thymoma with MG were analyzed. Flow cytometry analysis of Th17 and Tregs in peripheral blood revealed that the percentages of Th17 in thymoma were lower than those in thymoma with MG, while the percentages of Tregs were higher than those in simple thymoma. Serum cytokine ELISA assays showed that IL-6 levels in simple thymoma were lower than those in MG patients. Further, Th17 and Tregs levels were detected by immunohistochemical double staining of thymoma tissue; the number of positive Th17 cells in thymoma with MG was higher than that in simple thymoma, while positive Tregs showed the opposite results. RORγt protein and mRNA expression in thymoma with MG were both higher than those in simple thymoma. FOXP3 protein and mRNA expression in the thymoma with MG group were lower than those in simple thymoma. The results of coculture of thymoma cells and CD4 + T cells showed that thymoma cells could promote the differentiation of Th17 cells and inhibit the Tregs. Overall, Th17 cells and related transcription factors and cytokines in thymoma with MG patients were higher than those in thymoma patients, whereas, Tregs showed the opposite results, the mechanism may be that thymoma can secrete IL6 and IL21. These findings indicated that imbalances in Th17/Tregs may account for the pathogeny of thymoma with MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Chen
- Department of Cardiothorcic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xue-Song Zhang
- Department of Cardiothorcic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yuan-Guo Wang
- Department of Cardiothorcic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Cardiothorcic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Cardiothorcic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Cardiothorcic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China.
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8
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Marx A, Yamada Y, Simon-Keller K, Schalke B, Willcox N, Ströbel P, Weis CA. Thymus and autoimmunity. Semin Immunopathol 2021; 43:45-64. [PMID: 33537838 PMCID: PMC7925479 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-021-00842-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The thymus prevents autoimmune diseases through mechanisms that operate in the cortex and medulla, comprising positive and negative selection and the generation of regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Egress from the thymus through the perivascular space (PVS) to the blood is another possible checkpoint, as shown by some autoimmune/immunodeficiency syndromes. In polygenic autoimmune diseases, subtle thymic dysfunctions may compound genetic, hormonal and environmental cues. Here, we cover (a) tolerance-inducing cell types, whether thymic epithelial or tuft cells, or dendritic, B- or thymic myoid cells; (b) tolerance-inducing mechanisms and their failure in relation to thymic anatomic compartments, and with special emphasis on human monogenic and polygenic autoimmune diseases and the related thymic pathologies, if known; (c) polymorphisms and mutations of tolerance-related genes with an impact on positive selection (e.g. the gene encoding the thymoproteasome-specific subunit, PSMB11), promiscuous gene expression (e.g. AIRE, PRKDC, FEZF2, CHD4), Treg development (e.g. SATB1, FOXP3), T-cell migration (e.g. TAGAP) and egress from the thymus (e.g. MTS1, CORO1A); (d) myasthenia gravis as the prototypic outcome of an inflamed or disordered neoplastic ‘sick thymus’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Yosuke Yamada
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Katja Simon-Keller
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Berthold Schalke
- Department of Neurology, Bezirkskrankenhaus, University of Regensburg, 93042, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nick Willcox
- Neurosciences Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttigen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cleo-Aron Weis
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
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9
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Marx A, Belharazem D, Lee DH, Popovic ZV, Reißfelder C, Schalke B, Schölch S, Ströbel P, Weis CA, Yamada Y. Molecular pathology of thymomas: implications for diagnosis and therapy. Virchows Arch 2021; 478:101-110. [PMID: 33674910 PMCID: PMC7966134 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-021-03068-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Thymomas exhibit a unique genomic landscape, comprising the lowest on average total mutational burden among adult human cancers; a unique point mutation in the GTF2I gene in WHO type A and AB thymomas (and rarely others); almost unique KMT2A-MAML2 translocations in rare WHO type B2 and B3 thymomas; a unique YAP1-MAML2 translocation in almost all metaplastic thymomas; and unique miRNA profiles in relation to GTF2I mutational status and WHO histotypes. While most thymomas can be diagnosed solely on the basis of morphological features, mutational analyses can solve challenging differential diagnostic problems. No molecular biomarkers have been identified that predict the response of unresectable thymomas to chemotherapy or agents with known molecular targets. Despite the common and strong expression of PDL1 in thymomas, immune checkpoint inhibitors are rarely applicable due to the poor predictability of common, life-threatening autoimmune side effects that are related to the unrivaled propensity of thymomas towards autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Djeda Belharazem
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - De-Hyung Lee
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Zoran V Popovic
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christoph Reißfelder
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Berthold Schalke
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schölch
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Junior Clinical Cooperation Unit Translational Surgical Oncology (A430), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cleo-Aron Weis
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Yosuke Yamada
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
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10
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Tateo V, Manuzzi L, De Giglio A, Parisi C, Lamberti G, Campana D, Pantaleo MA. Immunobiology of Thymic Epithelial Tumors: Implications for Immunotherapy with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9056. [PMID: 33260538 PMCID: PMC7730788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are a group of rare thoracic malignancies, including thymic carcinomas (TC) and thymomas (Tm). Autoimmune paraneoplastic diseases are often observed in TETs, especially Tms. To date, chemotherapy is still the standard treatment for advanced disease. Unfortunately, few therapeutic options are available for relapsed/refractory TETs. In the last few years, the deepening of knowledge on thymus' immunobiology and involved altered genetic pathways have laid the foundation for new treatment options in these rare neoplasms. Recently, the immunotherapy revolution has landed in TETs, showing both a dark and light side. Indeed, despite the survival benefit, the occurrence of severe autoimmune treatment-related adverse events has risen crescent uncertainty about the feasibility of immunotherapy in these patients, prone to autoimmunity for their cancer biology. In this review, after summarizing immunobiology and immunopathology of TETs, we discuss available data on immune-checkpoint inhibitors and future perspectives of this therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tateo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Lisa Manuzzi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Andrea De Giglio
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Claudia Parisi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
- Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Davide Campana
- Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.A.P.)
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11
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Hile GA, Novice T, Kochkodan J, Chan MP, Gudjonsson JE, Eshaq M. Thymoma-associated multiorgan autoimmunity initially manifested by graft-versus-host disease-like erythroderma: Case report and possible therapeutic role of antimalarial drugs. JAAD Case Rep 2020; 6:719-721. [PMID: 32715060 PMCID: PMC7369524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2020.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Grace A Hile
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Taylor Novice
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - May P Chan
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Johann E Gudjonsson
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Milad Eshaq
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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12
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Liu X, Ma Q, Qiu L, Ou C, Lin Z, Lu Y, Huang H, Chen P, Huang Z, Liu W. Quantitative features and clinical significance of two subpopulations of AChR-specific CD4+ T cells in patients with myasthenia gravis. Clin Immunol 2020; 216:108462. [PMID: 32437925 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-specific CD4+ T cells play a driving role in myasthenia gravis (MG) by regulating the production of autoantibodies. However, the quantitative features of AChR-specific T cells and their clinical significance in MG are unclear. In this study, we adopted standard and cultured enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assays to quantify subpopulations of AChR-specific CD4+ T cells in MG patients, and evaluate their correlation with clinical characteristics. The results showed that Th1- and Th17-AChR-specific CD4+ T cells were detectable by standard and cultured ELISPOT assay respectively, with higher levels observed in MG patients comparing with healthy controls. The number of Th17-AChR-specific CD4+ T cells was positively correlated with anti-AChR antibody titer and quantitative MG score and may have latent capacity to reflect responses to immunosuppressants. These results highlight the differences in quantitative features of AChR-specific CD4+ T cells and imply Th17-AChR-specific CD4+ T cells can serve as a biomarker in MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No.58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Qian Ma
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No.58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Li Qiu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No.58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Changyi Ou
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No.58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhongqiang Lin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No.58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yaru Lu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No.58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Huan Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No.58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Pei Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No.58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhidong Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No.58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Weibin Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No.58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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13
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Hyun JW, Kim GS, Kim SH, Cho JY, Kim HJ, Lee GK, Kim HJ, Kwon SU. Fatal Simultaneous Multi-organ Failure Following Pembrolizumab Treatment for Refractory Thymoma. Clin Lung Cancer 2020; 21:e74-e77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2019.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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14
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Wang W, Chen LY, Zhao W, Ren Y, Wang L, Li X, Jiang Y, Gao H. Coexistence of Pure Red Cell Aplasia and Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia Associated with Thymoma. Acta Haematol 2020; 143:491-495. [PMID: 31962320 DOI: 10.1159/000503376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymoma is an uncommon neoplasia derived from the epithelial cells of the thymus, which leads to immune dysregulation and is associated with a series of autoimmune diseases. However, the concurrence of these disease entities is rare, and the exact mechanisms of these diseases are still unclear. We have admitted several cases who were diagnosed with thymoma, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, and pure red cell aplasia. These cases were the first to report the concurrence of these three disorders. After thymectomy, anaemia improved, haemolytic cells decreased, and haemoglobin was normalized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Haematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China,
| | - Li-Yan Chen
- Department of Haematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Weiwei Zhao
- Department of Haematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuyue Ren
- Department of Haematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lianjie Wang
- Department of Haematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoyun Li
- Department of Haematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yongfang Jiang
- Department of Haematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Haiyan Gao
- Department of Haematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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15
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Meester I, Rivera-Silva GF, González-Salazar F. Immune System Sex Differences May Bridge the Gap Between Sex and Gender in Fibromyalgia. Front Neurosci 2020; 13:1414. [PMID: 32009888 PMCID: PMC6978848 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by chronic widespread pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and cognitive alterations. A limited efficacy of targeted treatment and a high FMS prevalence (2–5% of the adult population) sums up to high morbidity. Although, altered nociception has been explained with the central sensitization hypothesis, which may occur after neuropathy, its molecular mechanism is not understood. The marked female predominance among FMS patients is often attributed to a psychosocial predisposition of the female gender, but here we will focus on sex differences in neurobiological processes, specifically those of the immune system, as various immunological biomarkers are altered in FMS. The activation of innate immune sensors is compatible with a neuropathy or virus-induced autoimmune diseases. Considering sex differences in the immune system and the clustering of FMS with autoimmune diseases, we hypothesize that the female predominance in FMS is due to a neuropathy-induced autoimmune pathophysiology. We invite the scientific community to verify the autoimmune hypothesis for FMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Meester
- Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Basic Sciences Department, University of Monterrey, San Pedro Garza García, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Francisco Rivera-Silva
- Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Basic Sciences Department, University of Monterrey, San Pedro Garza García, Mexico
| | - Francisco González-Salazar
- Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Basic Sciences Department, University of Monterrey, San Pedro Garza García, Mexico.,Laboratory of Cellular Physiology, Northeast Center of Research, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Monterrey, Mexico
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16
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Zhao J, Wang C, Xu X, Zhang Y, Ren H, Ren Z, Li G, Zhang J, Guan H. Coexistence of Autoimmune Encephalitis and Other Systemic Autoimmune Diseases. Front Neurol 2019; 10:1142. [PMID: 31736858 PMCID: PMC6834766 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In recent years, the phenomenon of coexisting systemic autoimmune diseases (ADs) in patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) has been increasingly found, while its clinical significance remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the types and potential clinical associations of autoimmune comorbidities in patients with antibody-positive AE. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with antibody-positive AE was conducted from 2011 to 2018. The demographics, clinical characteristics, and follow-up data were reviewed. Results: We enrolled 517 patients, among whom 45 were affected by one or more types of ADs, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) (n = 28), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 3), anaphylactoid purpura (n = 3), vitiligo (n = 3), Sjögren's syndrome (SS) (n = 2), chronic urticaria (n = 2), bullous pemphigoid (n = 1), uveitis (n = 1), myasthenia gravis (MG) (n = 1), and the coexistence of SLE and anaphylactoid purpura (n = 1). The proportion of patients with coexisting ADs was higher in those with anti–leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) encephalitis than in those with anti–N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis (13/111 vs. 16/307) (P = 0.021). In anti-NMDAR and anti-LGI1 encephalitis patients, there were no significant differences in the age at onset, sex ratio, proportion of patients with tumors, disease severity, or recurrence between the groups with and without ADs. Conclusions: One or more types of ADs developed in AE patients, and patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis had a higher frequency of autoimmune comorbidities than those with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. And we found that autoimmune comorbidities did not affect the clinical course of AE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cancan Wang
- Department of Neurology, People Hospital of Beijing Daxing District, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolu Xu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanxing Zhang
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Haitao Ren
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhixia Ren
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gai Li
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiewen Zhang
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongzhi Guan
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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17
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Myasthenia Gravis: Pathogenic Effects of Autoantibodies on Neuromuscular Architecture. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070671. [PMID: 31269763 PMCID: PMC6678492 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Autoantibodies target key molecules at the NMJ, such as the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific kinase (MuSK), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp4), that lead by a range of different pathogenic mechanisms to altered tissue architecture and reduced densities or functionality of AChRs, reduced neuromuscular transmission, and therefore a severe fatigable skeletal muscle weakness. In this review, we give an overview of the history and clinical aspects of MG, with a focus on the structure and function of myasthenic autoantigens at the NMJ and how they are affected by the autoantibodies' pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, we give a short overview of the cells that are implicated in the production of the autoantibodies and briefly discuss diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies.
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18
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Solimani F, Maglie R, Pollmann R, Schmidt T, Schmidt A, Ishii N, Tackenberg B, Kirschbaum A, Didona D, Pickert J, Eming R, Hashimoto T, Hertl M. Thymoma-Associated Paraneoplastic Autoimmune Multiorgan Syndrome-From Pemphigus to Lichenoid Dermatitis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1413. [PMID: 31293579 PMCID: PMC6598597 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Paraneoplastic autoimmune multi-organ syndrome (PAMS) is a rare clinical condition characterized by variable and heterogeneous clinical phenotypes in the presence of neoplasias which largely depend on the activation of humoral and cellular immune responses. Clinically, these patients present with a spectrum of antibody-driven pemphigus-like lesions to graft-vs.-host-disease-like exanthemas with a lichenoid inflammatory infiltrate in the skin. PAMS is occasionally associated with thymoma, in which altered immune surveillance eventually leads to multiorgan autoimmunity which often includes variable cutaneous symptoms. This disorder is associated with a profound disturbance of peripheral immune tolerance against human autoantigens. Objectives: We here present a patient with relapsing thymoma who developed PAMS with several cutaneous and extracutaneous autoimmune disorders. Materials: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), sera, and lesional skin biopsies were obtained at different clinical disease stages. Peripheral T cell subsets were characterized phenotypically and the cytokine profile of the peripheral blood T cellular response against distinct epidermal and dermal autoantigens of the skin was analyzed by ELISpot assay. Serological screening was performed by ELISA and immunoblot analysis. Skin biopsies were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis of distinct T cell subsets. Thymoma tissue was analyzed for the presence of T regulatory cells and compared with adult thymus and indolent thymoma. Results and Conclusions: In the present case, thymoma was the cause of the observed multi-organ autoimmune syndromes as its recurrence and surgical removal was associated with the relapse and regression of the cutaneous symptoms, respectively. Initially, the patient presented with two autoimmune disorders with Th2/Th1 imbalance, myasthenia gravis (MG) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF), which regressed upon immunosuppressive treatment. Months later, the patient developed a lichenoid exanthema with a Th1-dominated skin infiltrate. Further clinical evaluation revealed the recurrence of the thymoma and the lichenoid exanthema gradually regressed upon thymectomy. Our contention that T cell recognition against distinct cutaneous autoantigens, such as desmoglein 1 (Dsg1), shifted from a Th2 to a Th1-dominated immune response could not be fully substantiated as the patient was on a stringent immunosuppressive treatment regimen. We could only observe a decrease of the initially present serum IgG autoantibodies against Dsg1. Phenotypic analysis of the associated thymoma showed a lower number of T regulatory cells compared to adult thymus and indolent thymoma, suggesting that impaired thymus-derived immune surveillance had a direct impact on the outcome of the observed cutaneous autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzan Solimani
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Roberto Maglie
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Robert Pollmann
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ansgar Schmidt
- Institute of Pathology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Norito Ishii
- Department of Dermatology, Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology, Kurume, Japan
| | - Björn Tackenberg
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Dario Didona
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Julia Pickert
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Eming
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Takashi Hashimoto
- Department of Surgery, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
- Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Michael Hertl
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
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19
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Guo F, Wang C, Wang S, Zhang J, Yan Y, Guan Z, Meng F. Alteration in gene expression profile of thymomas with or without myasthenia gravis linked with the nuclear factor-kappaB/autoimmune regulator pathway to myasthenia gravis pathogenesis. Thorac Cancer 2019; 10:564-570. [PMID: 30734484 PMCID: PMC6397909 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.12980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the gene expression profile of a set of candidate genes for a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of thymoma with or without myasthenia gravis. METHODS Thymoma patients and thymoma patients with myasthenia gravis were analyzed using microarray profiling to identify significant changes in gene expression of autoimmune regulator pathway genes including AIRE, IL-7R, CHRNA3, SYMD1, THRA, and CAV3. RESULTS Across all of our samples, we found that 1484 mRNAs were upregulated and 770 were downregulated in thymoma patients compared with thymoma with myasthenia gravis patients. Gene ontology and pathway analysis revealed that a large number of genes participated in cellular functions for humoral immune response, sequence-specific DNA binding RNA polymerase II transcription factor activity, positive regulation of gene expression, regulation of neuron projection development, extracellular ligand-gated ion channel activity, positive regulation of striated muscle cell differentiation, and regulation of nuclear factor-kappaB import into the nucleus. CONCLUSION Our results revealed genetic differences between thymomas and myasthenia gravis, and identified the key candidate genes/pathways for molecular mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Guo
- Department of Endoscopy, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjinChina
| | - Chun‐Yang Wang
- Department of NeurologyTianjin Medical University General HospitalTianjinChina
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Yi‐Jie Yan
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Zhi‐Yu Guan
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Fan‐Jie Meng
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjinChina
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20
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Sato Y, Shirota S, Kiniwa Y, Sekiguchi N, Okuyama R, Koizumi T. Thymoma-associated graft-versus-host-like disease treated with high-dose i.v. immunoglobulin. J Dermatol 2019; 46:e224-e225. [PMID: 30656720 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.14757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Sato
- Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Shiho Shirota
- Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Yukiko Kiniwa
- Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Nodoka Sekiguchi
- Department of Comprehensive Cancer Therapy, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Ryuhei Okuyama
- Department of Dermatology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Tomonobu Koizumi
- Department of Comprehensive Cancer Therapy, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
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21
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Cheng M, Anderson MS. Thymic tolerance as a key brake on autoimmunity. Nat Immunol 2018; 19:659-664. [PMID: 29925986 PMCID: PMC6370479 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-018-0128-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although the thymus has long been recognized as a key organ for T cell selection, the intricate details linking these selection events to human autoimmunity have been challenging to decipher. Over the last two decades, there has been rapid progress in understanding the role of thymic tolerance mechanisms in autoimmunity through genetics. Here we review some of the recent progress in understanding key thymic tolerance processes that are critical for preventing autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickie Cheng
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark S Anderson
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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22
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Giaccone G, Kim C, Thompson J, McGuire C, Kallakury B, Chahine JJ, Manning M, Mogg R, Blumenschein WM, Tan MT, Subramaniam DS, Liu SV, Kaplan IM, McCutcheon JN. Pembrolizumab in patients with thymic carcinoma: a single-arm, single-centre, phase 2 study. Lancet Oncol 2018; 19:347-355. [PMID: 29395863 PMCID: PMC10683856 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(18)30062-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment options are limited for patients with thymic carcinoma. These aggressive tumours are not typically associated with paraneoplastic autoimmune disorders, and strong PD-L1 expression has been reported in thymic epithelial tumours. We aimed to assess the activity of pembrolizumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets PD-1, in patients with advanced thymic carcinoma. METHODS We completed a single-arm phase 2 study of pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent thymic carcinoma who had progressed after at least one line of chemotherapy. This was a single-centre study performed at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA. Key inclusion criteria were an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, no history of autoimmune disease or other malignancy requiring treatment or laboratory abnormality, and adequate organ function. Patients received 200 mg of pembrolizumab every 3 weeks for up to 2 years. The primary objective of the study was the proportion of patients who had achieved a response assessed with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. Analysis was per protocol, in all eligible patients. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02364076, and is closed to accrual; we report the final analysis. FINDINGS 41 patients were enrolled from March 12, 2015, to Dec 16, 2016, of whom 40 were eligible and evaluable and one was excluded because of elevated liver enzymes at screening. The median follow-up was 20 months (IQR 14-26). The proportion of patients who achieved a response was 22·5% (95% CI 10·8-38·5); one (3%) patient achieved a complete response, eight (20%) patients achieved partial responses, and 21 (53%) patients achieved stable disease. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were increased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase (five [13%] patients each). Six (15%) patients developed severe autoimmune toxicity, including two (5%) patients with myocarditis. There were 17 deaths at the time of analysis, but no deaths due to toxicity. INTERPRETATION Pembrolizumab is a promising treatment option in patients with thymic carcinoma. Because severe autoimmune disorders are more frequent in thymic carcinoma than in other tumour types, careful monitoring is essential. FUNDING Merck & Co.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Giaccone
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Chul Kim
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jillian Thompson
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Colleen McGuire
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Bhaskar Kallakury
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Joeffrey J Chahine
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Maria Manning
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | - Ming T Tan
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Deepa S Subramaniam
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Stephen V Liu
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Justine N McCutcheon
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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23
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Berrih-Aknin S, Panse RL, Dragin N. AIRE: a missing link to explain female susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018; 1412:21-32. [PMID: 29291257 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases than men. Autoimmunity results from tolerance breakdown toward self-components. Recently, three transcription modulators were identified in medullary thymic epithelial cells that orchestrate immune central tolerance processes: the autoimmune regulator (AIRE), FEZ family zinc finger 2 (FEZF2 or FEZ1), and PR domain zinc finger protein 1 (PRDM1). Interestingly, these three transcription modulators regulate nonredundant tissue-specific antigen subsets and thus cover broad antigen diversity. Recent data from different groups demonstrated that sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) are involved in the regulation of thymic AIRE expression in humans and mice through direct transcriptional modulation and epigenetic changes. As a consequence, AIRE displays gender-biased thymic expression, with females showing a lower expression compared with males, a finding that could explain the female susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. So far, FEZF2 has not been related to an increased gender bias in autoimmune disease. PRDM1 expression has not been shown to display gender-differential thymic expression, but its expression level and its gene polymorphisms are associated with female-dependent autoimmune disease risk. Altogether, various studies have demonstrated that increased female susceptibility to autoimmune diseases is in part a consequence of hormone-driven reduced thymic AIRE expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Berrih-Aknin
- UPMC Sorbonne Universities, Paris, France
- INSERM U974, Paris, France
- AIM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
| | - Rozen Le Panse
- UPMC Sorbonne Universities, Paris, France
- INSERM U974, Paris, France
- AIM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
| | - Nadine Dragin
- UPMC Sorbonne Universities, Paris, France
- INSERM U974, Paris, France
- AIM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
- Inovarion, Paris, France
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24
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Gui X, Zhu X, Guo L, Tan G, Liu Y, Tan Y, Chen Q, Song Y, Lin S. Graft-versus-host disease-like erythroderma: a sign of recurrent thymoma: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e8877. [PMID: 29245252 PMCID: PMC5728867 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000008877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Thymomas are associated with numerous autoimmune disorders, such as myasthenia gravis (MG), pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-like erythroderma is a relatively uncommon paraneoplastic disorder associated with thymomas and signifies a poor prognosis. PATIENT CONCERNS A 35-year-old woman with medical history significant for stage IVa type AB thymoma presented with patchy erythema over face, trunk, and extremities that failed to respond to topical steroids. DIAGNOSIS A contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CECT) scan of the chest demonstrated tumors in the right mediastinum and right pleura. Percutaneous right mediastinal pleural biopsy confirmed recurrent thymoma (WHO type B3, Masaoka stage IVb). Histopathologic examination of her skin lesions revealed GVHD-like erythroderma. INTERVENTIONS The patient received chemotherapy and local thoracic radiotherapy, as well as corticosteroids. OUTCOMES The eruptions gradually subsided with hyperpigmentation; however the patient eventually died of multiple organ failure. LESSONS GVHD-like erythroderma is an uncommon paraneoplastic disorder associated with thymomas. Though its pathogenesis still needs further research, prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment can improve survival rate in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Gui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
| | - Xinhai Zhu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
| | - Liangjun Guo
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
| | - Guoqiang Tan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
| | - Yi Tan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
| | - Qiufang Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
| | - Yuwei Song
- Department of Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
| | - Shaoqiang Lin
- Department of Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
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25
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Concise overview of the field of anticytokine autoantibodies with a focus on recent developments. RECENT FINDINGS Advances in particular in the analysis of autoantibodies to IFNγ, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and type I IFN are presented. The target epitope for anti-IFNγ autoantibodies has been found to have high homology to a protein from Aspergillus suggesting molecular mimicry as a mechanism of breaking self-tolerance. A treatment strategy using a recombinant, epitope-depleted version of IFNγ is suggested. Autoantibodies to GM-CSF are associated with disseminated Crytococcus and Nocardia infections thus expanding the spectrum of associated diseases beyond pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Detailed analysis of anti-GM-CSF autoantibody clones derived from pulmonary alveolar proteinosis patients show evidence of high somatic mutation suggesting T cell-dependent affinity maturation; full GM-CSF neutralization is achieved by synergistic binding of antibodies targeting various distinct noncross-reactive epitopes and leading to antigen sequestration and Fc-mediated clearance. Single mAbs in contrast may lead to higher GM-CSF bioavailability. Anti type I IFN-specific autoantibodies derived from autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I patients are of extreme high affinity and negatively correlate with the incidence of type I diabetes and may be thus considered to be protective. Hypomorphic severe combined immune deficiency may be associated with complex anticytokine patterns and the emergence of anti type I IFN autoantibodies correlates with severe viral infection histories. SUMMARY Anticytokine autoantibodies may cause susceptibility to infections. In autoimmune/autoinflammatory conditions, anticytokine autoantibodies may be protective or promote disease.
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26
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Zhang X, Ding XJ, Wang Q, Yue YX, Xie Y, Hao HJ, Liang B, Zhang XJ, Song M, Gao Z, Jiang P, Qin Y, Li HF. Rs3761389 polymorphism in autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene is associated with susceptibility of myasthenia gravis in Chinese patients. J Clin Neurosci 2017; 40:180-184. [PMID: 28262400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.02.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Polymorphism in autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene is associated with various autoimmune disorders. Abnormal AIRE expression is associated with the development of myasthenia gravis (MG). We investigated the association of polymorphism in AIRE gene and the clinical features and severity of MG. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes were compared between 480MG patients and 487 healthy controls, as well as among subgroups of MG patients. The frequencies of rs3761389G allele in MG group (OR=1.213, CI 95% 1.014-1.451, p=0.035) and in mild (Oosterhuis score 0-2) subgroup (OR=1.393, CI 95% 1.110-1.751, p=0.004) were significantly higher than those in the control group. There were significant differences in the frequencies of rs3761389 genotypes (OR=1.20, CI 95% 1.00-1.43, p=0.046, log-additive model) and mild subgroup (OR=1.32, CI 95% 1.03-1.69, p=0.0058, log-additive model) compared with the control group. A Logistic regression analysis did not identify rs3761389 genotype as an independent risk factor to predict the severity of MG. This study provides the necessary preliminary data on the association with rs3761389 in AIRE gene with the susceptibility of MG, but not with the severity of MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Ding
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yao-Xian Yue
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yanchen Xie
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.95 Yongan Road, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Hong-Jun Hao
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, No.8 Xishiku Street, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Bing Liang
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xian-Jun Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Min Song
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Zhe Gao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Ping Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yue Qin
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No.16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Hai-Feng Li
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 Wenhua West Road, Jinan 250012, China.
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27
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A single nucleotide polymorphism of AIRE gene located in the 21q22.3 increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Oncotarget 2017; 8:71556-71562. [PMID: 29069728 PMCID: PMC5641071 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies addressed the association of autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene polymorphism with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, their conclusions were inconsistent. For better investigating the effects of this polymorphism on the risk of RA, we conducted this study to evaluate the role of AIRE rs2075786 polymorphism in the risk of RA. Four eligible studies involving 6,755 cases and 7,970 controls were identified by searching the databases of PubMed, CNKI and EMBASE up to February 2017. Our study revealed that AIRE rs2075786 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of RA under all genetic models. In the subgroup analysis, AIRE rs2075786 polymorphism contributed to RA susceptibility among Asians, but not among Caucasians. To summarize,, this meta-analysis confirms that AIRE rs2075786 polymorphism may play a significant role in increasing the risk of RA. Stratification analysis by ethnicity reveals that AIRE rs2075786 polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of RA among Asians, but not among Caucasians. These findings need further validation in the large multicenter case-control studies.
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28
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Truffault F, de Montpreville V, Eymard B, Sharshar T, Le Panse R, Berrih-Aknin S. Thymic Germinal Centers and Corticosteroids in Myasthenia Gravis: an Immunopathological Study in 1035 Cases and a Critical Review. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2017; 52:108-124. [PMID: 27273086 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-016-8558-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The most common form of Myasthenia gravis (MG) is due to anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies and is frequently associated with thymic pathology. In this review, we discuss the immunopathological characteristics and molecular mechanisms of thymic follicular hyperplasia, the effects of corticosteroids on this thymic pathology, and the role of thymic epithelial cells (TEC), a key player in the inflammatory thymic mechanisms. This review is based not only on the literature data but also on thymic transcriptome results and analyses of pathological and immunological correlations in a vast cohort of 1035 MG patients without thymoma. We show that among patients presenting a thymic hyperplasia with germinal centers (GC), 80 % are females, indicating that thymic follicular hyperplasia is mainly a disease of women. The presence of anti-AChR antibodies is correlated with the degree of follicular hyperplasia, suggesting that the thymus is a source of anti-AChR antibodies. The degree of hyperplasia is not dependent upon the time from the onset, implying that either the antigen is chronically expressed and/or that the mechanisms of the resolution of the GC are not efficiently controlled. Glucocorticoids, a conventional therapy in MG, induce a significant reduction in the GC number, together with changes in the expression of chemokines and angiogenesis. These changes are likely related to the acetylation molecular process, overrepresented in corticosteroid-treated patients, and essential for gene regulation. Altogether, based on the pathological and molecular thymic abnormalities found in MG patients, this review provides some explanations for the benefit of thymectomy in early-onset MG patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédérique Truffault
- INSERM U974, Paris, France.,CNRS FRE3617, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France.,AIM, Institut de myologie, Paris, France
| | | | - Bruno Eymard
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, CHU Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Tarek Sharshar
- General Intensive Care Medicine, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, 92380, Garches, France
| | - Rozen Le Panse
- INSERM U974, Paris, France.,CNRS FRE3617, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France.,AIM, Institut de myologie, Paris, France
| | - Sonia Berrih-Aknin
- INSERM U974, Paris, France. .,CNRS FRE3617, Paris, France. .,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France. .,AIM, Institut de myologie, Paris, France. .,UMRS 974 UPMC, INSERM, FRE 3617 CNRS, AIM, Center of Research in Myology, 105 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris, 75013, France.
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29
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Dragin N, Le Panse R, Berrih-Aknin S. [Autoimmune disease predisposition: Aire « protects » men]. Med Sci (Paris) 2017; 33:169-175. [PMID: 28240208 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20173302012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are a group of about 80 different diseases affecting 5-8% of the population. They are due to a deregulation of the immune system that attacks specific molecules and/or cells in the body. The thymus is the school of T cells that must be able to react to foreign molecules penetrating into the body. This education process is mediated by interactions between T cells and thymic epithelial cells (TEC) that express specific proteins of the peripheral tissues (TSA, "tissue-specific antigen"). This complex mechanism is called central tolerance. Most of the autoimmune diseases display a common feature : women are more susceptible to these diseases than men. Since the thymus is the main organ of central tolerance, we conducted a comparative study of thymic transcriptome of women and men. Our data revealed sex-associated differences in the expression of TSAs that are controlled by the autoimmune regulator (AIRE), a key factor in central tolerance. By studying human and murine cell models, we analyzed the relationship between gender, hormones and AIRE. Our work shows that AIRE is less expressed in women than in men after puberty. Furthermore, we show that estrogen induces decreased thymic AIRE expression by epigenetic modifications through increased number of methylation sites within the AIRE promoter. Consequently, these data suggest that from puberty, women have a reduced effectiveness of central tolerance process, leading to increased number of autoreactive lymphocytes, and as a result, increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Together, these data may question the impact of exposure to "estrogen-like" molecules on the growing incidence of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Dragin
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 6, Inserm U974, Institut de Myologie, 105, boulevard de l'Hôpital, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Rozen Le Panse
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 6, Inserm U974, Institut de Myologie, 105, boulevard de l'Hôpital, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Sonia Berrih-Aknin
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 6, Inserm U974, Institut de Myologie, 105, boulevard de l'Hôpital, hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France
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30
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Bruserud Ø, Oftedal BE, Wolff AB, Husebye ES. AIRE-mutations and autoimmune disease. Curr Opin Immunol 2016; 43:8-15. [PMID: 27504588 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The gene causing the severe organ-specific autoimmune disease autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type-1 (APS-1) was identified in 1997 and named autoimmune regulator (AIRE). AIRE plays a key role in shaping central immunological tolerance by facilitating negative selection of T cells in the thymus, building the thymic microarchitecture, and inducing a specific subset of regulatory T cells. So far, about 100 mutations have been identified. Recent advances suggest that certain mutations located in the SAND and PHD1 domains exert a dominant negative effect on wild type AIRE resulting in milder seemingly common forms of autoimmune diseases, including pernicious anemia, vitiligo and autoimmune thyroid disease. These findings indicate that AIRE also contribute to autoimmunity in more common organ-specific autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Øyvind Bruserud
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Bergithe E Oftedal
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Anette B Wolff
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Eystein S Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway; Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway.
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31
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Warren S, Nehal K, Querfeld C, Wong R, Huang J, Pulitzer M. Graft-versus-host disease-like erythroderma: a manifestation of thymoma-associated multiorgan autoimmunity. J Cutan Pathol 2016; 42:663-8. [PMID: 26509934 DOI: 10.1111/cup.12642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shay Warren
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Kishwer Nehal
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Christiane Querfeld
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Richard Wong
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - James Huang
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Melissa Pulitzer
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
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32
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Dragin N, Bismuth J, Cizeron-Clairac G, Biferi MG, Berthault C, Serraf A, Nottin R, Klatzmann D, Cumano A, Barkats M, Le Panse R, Berrih-Aknin S. Estrogen-mediated downregulation of AIRE influences sexual dimorphism in autoimmune diseases. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:1525-37. [PMID: 26999605 PMCID: PMC4811157 DOI: 10.1172/jci81894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases affect 5% to 8% of the population, and females are more susceptible to these diseases than males. Here, we analyzed human thymic transcriptome and revealed sex-associated differences in the expression of tissue-specific antigens that are controlled by the autoimmune regulator (AIRE), a key factor in central tolerance. We hypothesized that the level of AIRE is linked to sexual dimorphism susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. In human and mouse thymus, females expressed less AIRE (mRNA and protein) than males after puberty. These results were confirmed in purified murine thymic epithelial cells (TECs). We also demonstrated that AIRE expression is related to sexual hormones, as male castration decreased AIRE thymic expression and estrogen receptor α-deficient mice did not show a sex disparity for AIRE expression. Moreover, estrogen treatment resulted in downregulation of AIRE expression in cultured human TECs, human thymic tissue grafted to immunodeficient mice, and murine fetal thymus organ cultures. AIRE levels in human thymus grafted in immunodeficient mice depended upon the sex of the recipient. Estrogen also upregulated the number of methylated CpG sites in the AIRE promoter. Together, our results indicate that in females, estrogen induces epigenetic changes in the AIRE gene, leading to reduced AIRE expression under a threshold that increases female susceptibility to autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Dragin
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris 06, Paris, France
- INSERM U974, Paris, France
- CNRS FRE 3617, Paris, France
- AIM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
| | - Jacky Bismuth
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris 06, Paris, France
- INSERM U974, Paris, France
- CNRS FRE 3617, Paris, France
- AIM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
| | | | - Maria Grazia Biferi
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris 06, Paris, France
- INSERM U974, Paris, France
- CNRS FRE 3617, Paris, France
- AIM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
| | - Claire Berthault
- INSERM U668, Unit for Lymphopoiesis, Immunology Department, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Alain Serraf
- Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis–Robinson, France
| | - Rémi Nottin
- Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis–Robinson, France
| | - David Klatzmann
- Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Biotherapy, Paris, France
| | - Ana Cumano
- INSERM U668, Unit for Lymphopoiesis, Immunology Department, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
| | - Martine Barkats
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris 06, Paris, France
- INSERM U974, Paris, France
- CNRS FRE 3617, Paris, France
- AIM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
| | - Rozen Le Panse
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris 06, Paris, France
- INSERM U974, Paris, France
- CNRS FRE 3617, Paris, France
- AIM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
| | - Sonia Berrih-Aknin
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris 06, Paris, France
- INSERM U974, Paris, France
- CNRS FRE 3617, Paris, France
- AIM, Institute of Myology, Paris, France
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33
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Li J, Qiu D, Chen Z, Du W, Liu J, Mo X. Altered expression of miR-125a-5p in thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis and its down-regulation of foxp3 expression in Jurkat cells. Immunol Lett 2016; 172:47-55. [PMID: 26875774 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis is an autoantibody-mediated and T cell-dependent autoimmune disease of neuromuscular junctions. Thymomas may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (TAMG), but the thymic pathogenesis of TAMG is unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules 21-24 nt in length that regulate the expression of their target genes in a post-transcriptional manner. In this study, we used a miRNA microarray chip to identify, for the first time, 137 miRNAs in normal tissue adjacent to the thymoma from TAMG patients that were significantly dysregulated compared with normal thymus controls. We confirmed the differential expression of miR-125a-5p in larger samples using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Using bioinformatics analysis, we identified the foxp3 3' untranslated region (UTR) as a target of miR-125a-5p. Importantly, miR-125a-5p expression exhibited a negative correlation with foxp3 expression in normal tissue adjacent to the thymoma from TAMG patients. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the expression of the foxp3 gene was modulated by miR-125a-5p in Jurkat cells. Taken together, our results suggest that the abnormal expression of miR-125a-5p and its effect on foxp3 expression are likely involved in the pathogenesis of TAMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinpin Li
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, China.
| | - Di Qiu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, China.
| | - Zezhi Chen
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Weiwei Du
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Jingli Liu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xuean Mo
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, China
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34
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Warren S, Nehal K, Querfeld C, Wong R, Huang J, Pulitzer M. Graft-versus-host disease-like erythroderma: a manifestation of thymoma-associated multiorgan autoimmunity. J Cutan Pathol 2016; 42:923-928. [DOI: 10.1111/cup.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shay Warren
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; New York NY
| | - Kishwer Nehal
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; New York NY
| | | | - Richard Wong
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; New York NY
| | - James Huang
- Surgery; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; New York NY
| | - Melissa Pulitzer
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; New York NY
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35
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Bernard C, Frih H, Pasquet F, Kerever S, Jamilloux Y, Tronc F, Guibert B, Isaac S, Devouassoux M, Chalabreysse L, Broussolle C, Petiot P, Girard N, Sève P. Thymoma associated with autoimmune diseases: 85 cases and literature review. Autoimmun Rev 2016; 15:82-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2015.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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36
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Marx A, Porubsky S, Belharazem D, Saruhan-Direskeneli G, Schalke B, Ströbel P, Weis CA. Thymoma related myasthenia gravis in humans and potential animal models. Exp Neurol 2015; 270:55-65. [PMID: 25700911 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Thymoma-associated Myasthenia gravis (TAMG) is one of the anti-acetylcholine receptor MG (AChR-MG) subtypes. The clinico-pathological features of TAMG and its pathogenesis are described here in comparison with pathogenetic models suggested for the more common non-thymoma AChR-MG subtypes, early onset MG and late onset MG. Emphasis is put on the role of abnormal intratumorous T cell selection and activation, lack of intratumorous myoid cells and regulatory T cells as well as deficient expression of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) by neoplastic thymic epithelial cells. We review spontaneous and genetically engineered thymoma models in a spectrum of animals and the extensive clinical and immunological overlap between canine, feline and human TAMG. Finally, limitations and perspectives of the transplantation of human and murine thymoma tissue into nude mice, as potential models for TAMG, are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 13, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Stefan Porubsky
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 13, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Djeda Belharazem
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 13, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Güher Saruhan-Direskeneli
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa 34093, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Berthold Schalke
- Department of Neurology, Bezirkskrankenhaus, University of Regensburg, D-93042 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Cleo-Aron Weis
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 13, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany.
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