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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:biomedicines11051329. [PMID: 37239000 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
| | | | - Maria João Salvador
- Rheumatology Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Irina N Simões
- Stemlab S.A., Famicord Group, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal
| | | | - 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
| | | | | | - Sofia Couceiro
- Stemlab S.A., Famicord Group, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal
| | | | | | - Tânia Santiago
- Rheumatology Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - 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
| | - 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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2
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Kerick M, Acosta-Herrera M, Simeón-Aznar CP, Callejas JL, Assassi S, Proudman SM, Nikpour M, Hunzelmann N, Moroncini G, de Vries-Bouwstra JK, Orozco G, Barton A, Herrick AL, Terao C, Allanore Y, Fonseca C, Alarcón-Riquelme ME, Radstake TRDJ, Beretta L, Denton CP, Mayes MD, Martin J. Complement component C4 structural variation and quantitative traits contribute to sex-biased vulnerability in systemic sclerosis. NPJ Genom Med 2022; 7:57. [PMID: 36198672 PMCID: PMC9534873 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-022-00327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Copy number (CN) polymorphisms of complement C4 play distinct roles in many conditions, including immune-mediated diseases. We investigated the association of C4 CN with systemic sclerosis (SSc) risk. Imputed total C4, C4A, C4B, and HERV-K CN were analyzed in 26,633 individuals and validated in an independent cohort. Our results showed that higher C4 CN confers protection to SSc, and deviations from CN parity of C4A and C4B augmented risk. The protection contributed per copy of C4A and C4B differed by sex. Stronger protection was afforded by C4A in men and by C4B in women. C4 CN correlated well with its gene expression and serum protein levels, and less C4 was detected for both in SSc patients. Conditioned analysis suggests that C4 genetics strongly contributes to the SSc association within the major histocompatibility complex locus and highlights classical alleles and amino acid variants of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DPB1 as C4-independent signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kerick
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Spain.
| | - Marialbert Acosta-Herrera
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Spain.
- Systemic Autoimmune Disease Unit, Hospital Clínico San Cecilio, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs. GRANADA, Granada, Spain.
| | | | | | - Shervin Assassi
- Department of Rheumatology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Susanna M Proudman
- Rheumatology Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital and University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Mandana Nikpour
- The University of Melbourne at St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Gianluca Moroncini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Science, Università Politecnica delle Marche e Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Gisela Orozco
- Center for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Center, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Anne Barton
- Center for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Center, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Ariane L Herrick
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Northern care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Chikashi Terao
- Laboratory for Statistical and Translational Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yannick Allanore
- Department of Rheumatology A, Hospital Cochin, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Carmen Fonseca
- Center for Rheumatology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
| | - Marta Eugenia Alarcón-Riquelme
- Center for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - Timothy R D J Radstake
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Beretta
- Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Christopher P Denton
- Center for Rheumatology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
| | - Maureen D Mayes
- Department of Rheumatology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Javier Martin
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Spain.
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3
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Radziszewska A, Moulder Z, Jury EC, Ciurtin C. CD8 + T Cell Phenotype and Function in Childhood and Adult-Onset Connective Tissue Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:11431. [PMID: 36232733 PMCID: PMC9569696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that destroy pathogen infected and malignant cells through release of cytolytic molecules and proinflammatory cytokines. Although the role of CD8+ T cells in connective tissue diseases (CTDs) has not been explored as thoroughly as that of other immune cells, research focusing on this key component of the immune system has recently gained momentum. Aberrations in cytotoxic cell function may have implications in triggering autoimmunity and may promote tissue damage leading to exacerbation of disease. In this comprehensive review of current literature, we examine the role of CD8+ T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis with specific focus on comparing what is known about CD8+ T cell peripheral blood phenotypes, CD8+ T cell function, and CD8+ T cell organ-specific profiles in adult and juvenile forms of these disorders. Although, the precise role of CD8+ T cells in the initiation of autoimmunity and disease progression remains to be elucidated, increasing evidence indicates that CD8+ T cells are emerging as an attractive target for therapy in CTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Radziszewska
- Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis at University College London (UCL), University College London Hospital (UCLH), Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London WC1E 6JF, UK
- Centre for Rheumatology Research, Division of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Zachary Moulder
- University College London Medical School, University College London, London WC1E 6DE, UK
| | - Elizabeth C. Jury
- Centre for Rheumatology Research, Division of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Coziana Ciurtin
- Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis at University College London (UCL), University College London Hospital (UCLH), Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London WC1E 6JF, UK
- Centre for Rheumatology Research, Division of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
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4
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The Role of T Cells in Systemic Sclerosis: An Update. IMMUNO 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno2030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic disease characterized by microvasculopathy, autoantibodies (autoAbs), and fibrosis. The pathogenesis of the disease is incompletely understood. Microvasculopathy and autoAbs appear very early in the disease process. AutoAbs, such as those directed against DNA topoisomerase I (Topo I), are disease specific and associated with disease manifestations, and indicate activation of the adaptive immune system. B cells are involved in fibrosis in SSc. T cells are also involved in disease pathogenesis. T cells show signs of antigen-induced activation; T cells of TH2 type are increased and produce profibrotic cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and IL-31; CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes are increased in skin lesions, and cause fibrosis and endothelial cell apoptosis; circulating T follicular helper (TFH) cells are increased in SSc produce IL-21 and promote plasmablast antibody production. On the other hand, regulatory T cells are impaired in SSc. These findings provide strong circumstantial evidence for T cell implication in SSc pathogenesis and encourage new T cell-directed therapeutic strategies for the disease.
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5
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Acosta-Herrera M, Kerick M, Lopéz-Isac E, Assassi S, Beretta L, Simeón-Aznar CP, Ortego-Centeno N, Proudman SM, Hunzelmann N, Moroncini G, de Vries-Bouwstra JK, Orozco G, Barton A, Herrick AL, Terao C, Allanore Y, Brown MA, Radstake TR, Fonseca C, Denton CP, Mayes MD, Martin J. Comprehensive analysis of the major histocompatibility complex in systemic sclerosis identifies differential HLA associations by clinical and serological subtypes. Ann Rheum Dis 2021; 80:1040-1047. [PMID: 34096881 PMCID: PMC8292594 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-219884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The greatest genetic effect reported for systemic sclerosis (SSc) lies in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus. Leveraging the largest SSc genome-wide association study, we aimed to fine-map this region to identify novel human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genetic variants associated with SSc susceptibility and its main clinical and serological subtypes. METHODS 9095 patients with SSc and 17 584 controls genome-wide genotyped were used to impute and test single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the MHC, classical HLA alleles and their composite amino acid residues. Additionally, patients were stratified according to their clinical and serological status, namely, limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc), diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), anticentromere (ACA), antitopoisomerase (ATA) and anti-RNApolIII autoantibodies (ARA). RESULTS Sequential conditional analyses showed nine SNPs, nine classical alleles and seven amino acids that modelled the observed associations with SSc. This confirmed previously reported associations with HLA-DRB1*11:04 and HLA-DPB1*13:01, and revealed a novel association of HLA-B*08:01. Stratified analyses showed specific associations of HLA-DQA1*02:01 with lcSSc, and an exclusive association of HLA-DQA1*05:01 with dcSSc. Similarly, private associations were detected in HLA-DRB1*08:01 and confirmed the previously reported association of HLA-DRB1*07:01 with ACA-positive patients, as opposed to the HLA-DPA1*02:01 and HLA-DQB1*03:01 alleles associated with ATA presentation. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the contribution of HLA class II and reveals a novel association of HLA class I with SSc, suggesting novel pathways of disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, we describe specific HLA associations with SSc clinical and serological subtypes that could serve as biomarkers of disease severity and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialbert Acosta-Herrera
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Andalucía, Spain
| | - Martin Kerick
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Andalucía, Spain
| | - Elena Lopéz-Isac
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Andalucía, Spain
| | - Shervin Assassi
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lorenzo Beretta
- Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Susanna M Proudman
- Department of Rheumatology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Gianluca Moroncini
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Science, Università Politecnica delle Marche and Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Gisela Orozco
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Anne Barton
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK
| | - Ariane L Herrick
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Chikashi Terao
- Laboratory for Statistical and Translational Genetics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yannick Allanore
- Department of Rheumatology A, Hospital Cochin, Paris, Île-de-France, France
| | - Matthew A Brown
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Guy's and Saint Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College, London, UK
| | - Timothy Rdj Radstake
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carmen Fonseca
- Centre for Rheumatology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
| | - Christopher P Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK
| | - Maureen D Mayes
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Javier Martin
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, CSIC, Granada, Andalucía, Spain
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6
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Wang D, Lei L. Interleukin-35 regulates the balance of Th17 and Treg responses during the pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases. Int J Rheum Dis 2020; 24:21-27. [PMID: 32918357 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-35 belongs to the IL-12 cytokine family and is a heterodimer of the p35 and Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) subunits. Functionally, IL-35 can promote the proliferation and activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppress the function of T helper 17 (Th17) cells and other inflammatory cells to inhibit immune responses. In recent years, an abnormal IL-35 expression causing a Th17/Treg imbalance has been associated with the development and progression of several connective tissue diseases (CTDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), dermatomyositis (DM)/polymyositis (PM), and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Here, we review the role of IL-35 in regulating the balance of Th17/Treg responses in different types of CTDs and provide new insights into the role of IL-35 in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Ling Lei
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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7
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Worrell JC, O'Reilly S. Bi-directional communication: Conversations between fibroblasts and immune cells in systemic sclerosis. J Autoimmun 2020; 113:102526. [PMID: 32713676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune idiopathic connective tissue disease, characterized by aberrant fibro-proliferative and inflammatory responses, causing fibrosis of multiple organs. In recent years the interactions between innate and adaptive immune cells with resident fibroblasts have been uncovered. Cross-talk between immune and stromal cells mediates activation of stromal cells to myofibroblasts; key cells in the pathophysiology of fibrosis. These cells and their cytokines appear to mediate their effects in both a paracrine and autocrine fashion. This review examines the role of innate and adaptive immune cells in SSc, focusing on recent advances that have illuminated our understanding of ongoing bi-directional communication between immune and stromal cells. Finally, we appraise current and future therapies and how these may be useful in a disease that currently has no specific disease modifying treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie C Worrell
- Insititute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Steven O'Reilly
- Durham University, Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Durham, UK. steven.o'
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8
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Di Benedetto P, Guggino G, Manzi G, Ruscitti P, Berardicurti O, Panzera N, Grazia N, Badagliacca R, Riccieri V, Vizza CD, Radchenko G, Liakouli V, Ciccia F, Cipriani P, Giacomelli R. Interleukin-32 in systemic sclerosis, a potential new biomarker for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:127. [PMID: 32487240 PMCID: PMC7268373 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02218-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc), associated with a progressive elevation in pulmonary vascular resistance and subsequent right heart failure and death. Due to unspecific symptoms, the diagnosis of PAH is often delayed. On this basis, it is of great value to improve current diagnostic methods and develop new strategies for evaluating patients with suspected PAH. Interleukin-32 (IL-32) is a proinflammatory cytokine expressed in damaged vascular cells, and the present study aimed to assess if this cytokine could be a new biomarker of PAH during SSc. Methods The IL-32 expression was evaluated in the sera and skin samples of 18 SSc-PAH patients, 21 SSc patients without PAH, 15 patients with idiopathic PAH (iPAH) and 14 healthy controls (HCs), by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to evaluate the cut-off of IL-32 in identifying patients with PAH. Furthermore, in SSc patients, correlation analyses were performed between IL-32 sera levels and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) evaluated by right heart catheterization (RHC) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), obtained by echocardiography. Additionally, the number of skin IL-32+ cells was correlated with modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS). Results In SSc-PAH patients, IL-32 sera levels were significantly higher when compared with SSc patients without PAH and patients affected by iPAH. The analysis of ROC curve showed that IL-32 sera levels above 11.12 pg/ml were able to predict patients with PAH (sensitivity = 90%, specificity = 100%). Furthermore, the IL-32 sera levels of patients with SSc correlated with both mPAP and sPAP. In the skin derived from SSc-PAH patients, the number of IL-32+ cells was significantly increased when compared with the skin derived from SSc patients without PAH, correlating with the mRSS. Conclusion Our study suggested that sera determination of IL-32 may be a promising approach to evaluate the presence of PAH in SSc patients and together with longitudinal future studies could help to increase the understanding how these biomarkers mirror the vascular changes and the inflammatory process during SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Di Benedetto
- Clinical Pathology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuliana Guggino
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanna Manzi
- Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Ruscitti
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Onorina Berardicurti
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Noemi Panzera
- Clinical Pathology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Nicolò Grazia
- Clinical Pathology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberto Badagliacca
- Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Riccieri
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Dario Vizza
- Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ganna Radchenko
- Secondary Hypertension Department with Pulmonary Hypertension Center, State Institute National Scientific Center "MD Strazhesko Institute of Cardiology" of Ukrainian National Academy of Medical Science, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Vasiliki Liakouli
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Ciccia
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Cipriani
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
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9
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Abstract
The number of peer-reviewed articles published during the 2016 solar year and retrieved using the "autoimmunity" key word remained stable while gaining a minimal edge among the immunology articles. Nonetheless, the quality of the publications has been rising significantly and, importantly, acquisitions have become available through scientific journals dedicated to immunology or autoimmunity. Major discoveries have been made in the fields of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmunity of the central nervous system, vasculitis, and seronegative spondyloarthrithritides. Selected examples include the role of IL17-related genes and long noncoding RNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus or the effects of anti-pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in the treatment of this paradigmatic autoimmune condition. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, there have been reports of the role of induced regulatory T cells (iTregs) or fibrocytes and T cell interactions with exciting implications. The large number of studies dealing with neuroimmunology pointed to Th17 cells, CD56(bright) NK cells, and low-level TLR2 ligands as involved in multiple sclerosis, along with a high salt intake or the micriobiome-derived Lipid 654. Lastly, we focused on the rare vasculitides to which numerous studies were devoted and suggested that unsuspected cell populations, including monocytes, mucosal-associated invariant T cells, and innate lymphoid cells, may be crucial to ANCA-associated manifestations. This brief and arbitrary discussion of the findings published in 2016 is representative of a promising background for developments that will enormously impact the work of laboratory scientists and physicians at an exponential rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Selmi
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Research Hospital, via A. Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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10
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Fuschiotti P. Current perspectives on the role of CD8+ T cells in systemic sclerosis. Immunol Lett 2017; 195:55-60. [PMID: 28987475 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite long-standing recognition of the importance of T cells in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma), the role of CD8+ T cells in disease pathogenesis has not been well studied. Our work has shown that over-production of the pro-fibrotic cytokine IL-13 by peripheral blood effector/memory CD8+ T cells is critical for predisposing patients to more severe forms of cutaneous fibrosis. Moreover, IL-13-producing CD8+ T cells induce a pro-fibrotic phenotype in normal and SSc dermal fibroblasts, and exhibit a strong cytotoxic activity ex vivo. We also found that CD8+ T cells are predominantly abundant in the skin lesions of patients in the early stages of diffuse cutaneous (dc)SSc compare to late-stage disease patients. Isolation of CD8+ T cells from the lesional skin of early active dcSSc patients, established that they are skin-resident, express cytolytic molecules and co-express extremely high levels of IL-13 and IFNγ. Other recent studies corroborate these findings and together strongly suggest that CD8+ T cells contribute to SSc pathogenesis through the production of high levels of cytokines with pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic function as well as by exhibiting a cytotoxic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Fuschiotti
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, S709 BST, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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