Increases of CD80 and CD86 Expression on Peripheral Blood Cells and their Gene Polymorphisms in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

The susceptibility of single nucleotide polymorphisms located within co-stimulatory pathways to systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction

Autoimmune diseases result from the loss of immune tolerance, and they exhibit complex pathogenic mechanisms that remain challenging to effectively treat. It has been reported that the altered expression levels of co-stimulatory/inhibitory molecules will affect the level of T/B cell activation and lead to the loss of immune tolerance.

Methods

In this study, we evaluated the gene polymorphisms of the ligand genes corresponding co-stimulatory system that were expressed on antigen-presenting cells (CD80, CD86, ICOSLG, and PDL1) from 60 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 60 healthy controls.

Results

The results showed that rs16829984 and rs57271503 of the CD80 gene and rs4143815 of the PDL1 gene were associated with SLE, in which the G-allele of rs16829984 (p=0.022), the A-allele of rs57271503 (p=0.029), and the GG and GC genotype of rs4143815 (p=0.039) may be risk polymorphisms for SLE.

Discussion

These SNPs are in the promoter and 3'UTR of the genes, so they may affect the transcription and translation activity of the genes, thereby regulating immune function and contributing to the development of SLE.

Aberrant expression of inhibitory receptors on B cells in patients with Graves' disease

The pathophysiological mechanism underlying Graves' disease (GD) remains incompletely understood. Inhibitory receptors on B cells are critical for humoral immunity, which plays a key role in GD pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate B cell subsets distribution and inhibitory receptor expression on these subsets in GD patients. Peripheral blood was drawn from 41 healthy controls and 46 GD patients (21 patients with moderate GD, 25 patients with severe GD). B cell subset distribution and CD22, CD32b and CD72 expression on B cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum cytokines were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with healthy controls, the naïve B cell percentage was increased, while the preswitched memory and conventional memory B cell percentages were decreased. The inhibitory receptors expression, especially CD32b, on B cell subsets was significantly decreased in patients with GD. In addition, the inhibitory receptors expression on B cell subsets from severe GD patients exhibited a decreasing trend compared with those from moderate GD patients. These results suggest that abnormal B cell subset distribution occurs in GD. Impaired inhibitory receptors, in particular CD32b, play a crucial role in GD pathogenesis and might be a therapeutic target to rebuild self-immune tolerance in GD.

Dendritic cells and their associated pro-inflammatory cytokines augment to the inflammatory milieu in vitiligo skin

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Vitiligo is a progressive, autoimmune, hypomelanotic acquired disorder of skin which is characterized by depigmentation. The initial immunological events of this diseases are still at enigma that includes breach of immune tolerance, and defect in antigen presentation. Hence, we aimed to explore role of Dendritic cells (DCs) and its associated cytokines in the pathogenesis of generalized vitiligo (GV) patients.

METHODOLOGY

For this case-control study, 20 active patients and controls were enrolled. Phenotypic characterization of myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs (mDCs, pDCs) were done by flow-cytometry. Primary culture of DCs was done by monocyte differentiation supplemented with rIL-4 and rGM-CSF. Functional analysis DCs related cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules (CD80, CD40) was done by ELISA and qPCR respectively. Tissue localization of DCs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULT

The frequency of mDCs (0.3715% v/s 0.188%) and pDCs (0.2331% v/s 0.1156%) were elevated in patients as compared to controls. Circulatory level of IL-12, TNF-α were significantly higher whereas IFN-α was decreased in patients than controls. Similar results were obtained in the culture supernatants of patients. Relative mRNA expression profiling of co-stimulatory molecules (CD80, CD40) were found to be up regulated in patient's skin. Tissue localization of Langerhans cells (Langerin, CD1a⁺) were found to be significantly higher in patients.

CONCLUSION

Elevated frequency of mDCs and pDCs along with elevated levels of IL-12, TNF-α and CD80, CD40 may contribute in defective antigen presentation of DCs. Altered pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines along with tissue localization of Langerhans cells might be involved in the pathogenesis of GV. These DCs associated cytokines can be explored as a therapeutic target in future.

Luteolin, inflammation and cancer: Special emphasis on gut microbiota

Luteolin belongs to the family of flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory functions, potentially useful in a clinical context, particularly for patients suffering from cancer, neuropsychiatric disorders, inflammatory bowel conditions. This peculiarity has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, for many different diseases. Its anti-inflammatory effects might be particularly relevant in cancer, with some studies reporting anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastatic, and apoptotic effects on cancer cells by luteolin and other flavonoids. In this article, we analyze the anti-inflammatory role of luteolin, discussing the pathways it may act on. We will then discuss the possible role of microbiota in inflammatory modulation by luteolin. Finally, the possible therapeutic applications of luteolin's anti-inflammatory properties will be analyzed, with a particular focus on cancer.

The Relationship between PTPN22 R620W Polymorphisms and the Susceptibility to Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases: An Updated Meta-analysis

The protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor 22 (PTPN22) R620W polymorphism has been related to susceptibility to autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) with inconsistent results. Therefore, this meta-analysis was designed to assess a more accurate association between the PTPN22 R620W polymorphism and AITD susceptibility. A systematic search of the EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, and WanFang databases was performed to determine relevant publications. Statistical analyses of the odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and p values were performed using STATA software. Our meta-analysis included 18 separate studies comprised of 4,726 cases and 4,220 controls. In the allele and all genetic models, PTPN22 R620W polymorphism and Graves' disease (GD) (allele model TvsC: OR = 1.573; 95% CI = 1.378-1.795; P < .001) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) (allele model TvsC: OR = 1.737; 95% CI = 1.230-2.454; P = .002) susceptibility was positively associated. A racial subgroup analysis showed that the T allele significantly increased AITD susceptibility in all genetic models involving Caucasians, but not in Asians. This meta-analysis showed that the PTPN22 R620W polymorphism is associated with the risk of GD and HT in the overall study population. In addition, the PTPN22 R620W polymorphism is associated with elevated AITD risk in Caucasians, but not in Asians.

Immunological Drivers in Graves' Disease: NK Cells as a Master Switcher

Graves' disease (GD) is a common autoimmune cause of hyperthyroidism, which is eventually related to the generation of IgG antibodies stimulating the thyrotropin receptor. Clinical manifestations of the disease reflect hyperstimulation of the gland, causing thyrocyte hyperplasia (goiter) and excessive thyroid hormone synthesis (hyperthyroidism). The above clinical manifestations are preceded by still partially unraveled pathogenic actions governed by the induction of aberrant phenotype/functions of immune cells. In this review article we investigated the potential contribution of natural killer (NK) cells, based on literature analysis, to discuss the bidirectional interplay with thyroid hormones (TH) in GD progression. We analyzed cellular and molecular NK-cell associated mechanisms potentially impacting on GD, in a view of identification of the main NK-cell subset with highest immunoregulatory role.