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van Oostveen WM, Huizinga TWJ, Fehres CM. Pathogenic role of anti-nuclear autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis: Insights from other rheumatic diseases. Immunol Rev 2024. [PMID: 39248128 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy, fibrosis, and dysregulated immunity, with hallmark autoantibodies targeting nuclear antigens such as centromere protein (ACA) and topoisomerase I (ATA). These autoantibodies are highly prevalent and disease-specific, rarely coexisting, thus serving as crucial biomarkers for SSc diagnosis. Despite their diagnostic value, their roles in SSc pathogenesis remain unclear. This review summarizes current literature on ACA and ATA in SSc, comparing them to autoantibodies in other rheumatic diseases to elucidate their potential pathogenic roles. Similarities are drawn with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) in rheumatoid arthritis, particularly regarding disease specificity and minimal pathogenic impact of antigen binding. In addition, differences between ANA and ACPA in therapeutic responses and Fab glycosylation patterns are reviewed. While ACA and ATA are valuable for disease stratification and monitoring activity, understanding their origins and the associated B cell responses is critical for advancing therapeutic strategies for SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieke M van Oostveen
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tom W J Huizinga
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cynthia M Fehres
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Huang X, Liu Y, Rong X, Zhao Y, Feng D, Wang J, Xing W. IFIT3 mediates TBK1 phosphorylation to promote activation of pDCs and exacerbate systemic sclerosis in mice. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1800. [PMID: 39305055 PMCID: PMC11415598 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of the IFIT3/TBK1 signalling pathway in activating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and its role in the development of SSc. METHODS Utilized single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and high-throughput transcriptome RNA sequencing to reveal the differential abundance of pDCs and the role of the key gene IFIT3 in SSc. Conducted in vitro cell experiments to evaluate the effect of IFIT3/TBK1 signalling pathway intervention on pDC activation cytokine release and fibroblast function. Constructed an IFIT3-/- mouse model using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene editing to assess the potential benefits of intervening in the IFIT3/TBK1 signalling pathway on skin and lung fibrosis in the SSc mouse model. RESULTS The IFIT3/TBK1 signalling pathway plays a crucial role in activating pDCs, with IFIT3 acting as an upstream regulator of TBK1. Intervention in the IFIT3/TBK1 signalling pathway can inhibit pDC activation cytokine release and impact fibroblast function. The IFIT3-/- mouse model shows potential benefits of targeting the IFIT3/TBK1 signalling pathway in reducing skin and lung fibrosis in the SSc mouse model. CONCLUSION This study provides new insights into potential therapeutic targets for SSc, highlighting the critical role of the IFIT3/TBK1 signalling pathway in SSc development. HIGHLIGHTS This study elucidates the pivotal role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study identified the key regulatory gene involved in systemic sclerosis (SSc) as IFIT3. This study has found that IFIT3 functions as an upstream regulatory factor, activating TBK1. This study provides Evidence of the regulatory effects of the IFIT3/TBK1 pathway on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). This study validated the therapeutic potential using the IFIT3-/- mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyWest China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Communication Sciences & DisordersMGH Institute of Health ProfessionsBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Xia Rong
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyWest China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yiheng Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyWest China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Dan Feng
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyWest China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyWest China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Wanhong Xing
- Department of Cardiothoracic SurgeryThe Sixth People's Hospital of ChengduChengduSichuanChina
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Yan X, Liu T, Zhang R, Ma Q, Sun C. RMRP accelerates ligamentum flavum hypertrophy by regulating GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis through Gli1 SUMOylation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1427970. [PMID: 39221246 PMCID: PMC11362830 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1427970] [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: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum (LF) is a significant contributing factor to lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). lncRNA plays a vital role in organ fibrosis, but its role in LF fibrosis remains unclear. Our previous findings have demonstrated that Hedgehog-Gli1 signaling is a critical driver leading to LF hypertrophy. Through the RIP experiment, our group found lnc-RMRP was physically associated with Gli1 and exhibited enrichment in Gli1-activated LF cells. Histological studies revealed elevated expression of RMRP in hypertrophic LF. In vitro experiments further confirmed that RMRP promoted Gli1 SUMO modification and nucleus transfer. Mechanistically, RMRP induced GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis, proinflammatory activation, and collagen expression through the Hedgehog pathway. Notably, the mechanical stress-induced hypertrophy of LF in rabbit exhibited analogous pathological changes of LF fibrosis occurred in human and showed enhanced levels of collagen and α-SMA. Knockdown of RMRP resulted in the decreased expression of fibrosis and pyroptosis-related proteins, ultimately ameliorating fibrosis. The above data concluded that RMRP exerts a crucial role in regulating GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis of LF cells via Gli1 SUMOylation, thus indicating that targeting RMRP could serve as a potential and effective therapeutic strategy for LF hypertrophy and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Qinghong Ma
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Sun
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Lee SY, Jhun J, Woo JS, Lee KH, Hwang SH, Moon J, Park G, Choi SS, Kim SJ, Jung YJ, Song KY, Cho ML. Gut microbiome-derived butyrate inhibits the immunosuppressive factors PD-L1 and IL-10 in tumor-associated macrophages in gastric cancer. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2300846. [PMID: 38197259 PMCID: PMC10793689 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2300846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Early detection and surgical treatment are essential to achieve a good outcome in gastric cancer (GC). Stage IV and recurrent GC have a poor prognosis. Therefore, new treatments for GC are needed. We investigated the intestinal microbiome of GC patients and attempted to reverse the immunosuppression of the immune and cancer cells of GC patients through the modulation of microbiome metabolites. We evaluated the levels of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and interleukin (IL)-10 in the peripheral blood immunocytes of GC patients. Cancer tissues were obtained from patients who underwent surgical resection of GC, and stained sections of cancer tissues were visualized via confocal microscopy. The intestinal microbiome was analyzed using stool samples of healthy individuals and GC patients. Patient-derived avatar model was developed by injecting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from advanced GC (AGC) patients into NSG mice, followed by injection of AGS cells. PD-L1 and IL-10 had higher expression levels in immune cells of GC patients than in those of healthy controls. The levels of immunosuppressive factors were increased in the immune and tumor cells of tumor tissues of GC patients. The abundances of Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium in the intestinal flora were lower in GC patients than in healthy individuals. Butyrate, a representative microbiome metabolite, suppressed the expression levels of PD-L1 and IL-10 in immune cells. In addition, the PBMCs of AGC patients showed increased levels of immunosuppressive factors in the avatar mouse model. Butyrate inhibited tumor growth in mice. Restoration of the intestinal microbiome and its metabolic functions inhibit tumor growth and reverse the immunosuppression due to increased PD-L1 and IL-10 levels in PBMCs and tumor cells of GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Yoon Lee
- Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - JooYeon Jhun
- Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Seok Woo
- Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kun Hee Lee
- Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun-Hee Hwang
- Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeonghyeon Moon
- Departments of Immunobiology and Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Goeun Park
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Sun Shim Choi
- Division of Biomedical Convergence, College of Biomedical Science, Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - So Jung Kim
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon Ju Jung
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyo Young Song
- Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mi-La Cho
- Rheumatism Research Center, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Medical Life Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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Akbarzadeh R, Müller A, Humrich JY, Riemekasten G. When natural antibodies become pathogenic: autoantibodies targeted against G protein-coupled receptors in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1213804. [PMID: 37359516 PMCID: PMC10285309 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1213804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic, multisystem connective tissue, and autoimmune disease with the highest case-specific mortality and complications among rheumatic diseases. It is characterized by complex and variable features such as autoimmunity and inflammation, vasculopathy, and fibrosis, which pose challenges in understanding the pathogenesis of the disease. Among the large variety of autoantibodies (Abs) present in the sera of patients suffering from SSc, functionally active Abs against G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the most abundant integral membrane proteins, have drawn much attention over the last decades. These Abs play an essential role in regulating the immune system, and their functions are dysregulated in diverse pathological conditions. Emerging evidence indicates that functional Abs targeting GPCRs, such as angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and the endothelin-1 type A receptor (ETAR), are altered in SSc. These Abs are part of a network with several GPCR Abs, such as those directed to the chemokine receptors or coagulative thrombin receptors. In this review, we summarize the effects of Abs against GPCRs in SSc pathologies. Extending the knowledge on pathophysiological roles of Abs against GPCRs could provide insights into a better understanding of GPCR contribution to SSc pathogenesis and therefore help in developing potential therapeutic strategies that intervene with pathological functions of these receptors.
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Laranjeira P, dos Santos F, Salvador MJ, Simões IN, Cardoso CMP, Silva BM, Henriques-Antunes H, Corte-Real L, Couceiro S, Monteiro F, Santos C, Santiago T, da Silva JAP, Paiva A. Umbilical-Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Modulate 26 Out of 41 T Cell Subsets from Systemic Sclerosis Patients. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1329. [PMID: 37239000 PMCID: PMC10215673 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an immune-mediated disease wherein T cells are particularly implicated, presenting a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Thus, mesenchymal-stem/stromal-cell (MSC)-based therapies can be of great benefit to SSc patients given their immunomodulatory, anti-fibrotic, and pro-angiogenic potential, which is associated with low toxicity. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy individuals (HC, n = 6) and SSc patients (n = 9) were co-cultured with MSCs in order to assess how MSCs affected the activation and polarization of 58 different T cell subsets, including Th1, Th17, and Treg. It was found that MSCs downregulated the activation of 26 out of the 41 T cell subsets identified within CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD8+, CD4-CD8-, and γδ T cells in SSc patients (HC: 29/42) and affected the polarization of 13 out of 58 T cell subsets in SSc patients (HC: 22/64). Interestingly, SSc patients displayed some T cell subsets with an increased activation status and MSCs were able to downregulate all of them. This study provides a wide-ranging perspective of how MSCs affect T cells, including minor subsets. The ability to inhibit the activation and modulate the polarization of several T cell subsets, including those implicated in SSc's pathogenesis, further supports the potential of MSC-based therapies to regulate T cells in a disease whose onset/development may be due to immune system's malfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Laranjeira
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Francisco dos Santos
- Stemlab S.A., Famicord Group, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (F.d.S.); (I.N.S.); (C.M.P.C.); (H.H.-A.); (L.C.-R.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Maria João Salvador
- Rheumatology Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.J.S.); (T.S.)
| | - Irina N. Simões
- Stemlab S.A., Famicord Group, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (F.d.S.); (I.N.S.); (C.M.P.C.); (H.H.-A.); (L.C.-R.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Carla M. P. Cardoso
- Stemlab S.A., Famicord Group, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (F.d.S.); (I.N.S.); (C.M.P.C.); (H.H.-A.); (L.C.-R.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Bárbara M. Silva
- Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Helena Henriques-Antunes
- Stemlab S.A., Famicord Group, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (F.d.S.); (I.N.S.); (C.M.P.C.); (H.H.-A.); (L.C.-R.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Luísa Corte-Real
- Stemlab S.A., Famicord Group, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (F.d.S.); (I.N.S.); (C.M.P.C.); (H.H.-A.); (L.C.-R.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Sofia Couceiro
- Stemlab S.A., Famicord Group, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (F.d.S.); (I.N.S.); (C.M.P.C.); (H.H.-A.); (L.C.-R.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Filipa Monteiro
- Stemlab S.A., Famicord Group, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (F.d.S.); (I.N.S.); (C.M.P.C.); (H.H.-A.); (L.C.-R.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Carolina Santos
- Stemlab S.A., Famicord Group, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; (F.d.S.); (I.N.S.); (C.M.P.C.); (H.H.-A.); (L.C.-R.); (S.C.); (F.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Tânia Santiago
- Rheumatology Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.J.S.); (T.S.)
| | - José A. P. da Silva
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Rheumatology Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.J.S.); (T.S.)
| | - Artur Paiva
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Ciências Biomédicas Laboratoriais, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
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