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Feng Z, Yang X, Zhang B, Mo C, Li C, Tian X, Zhang C, Ou M, Hou X. Exploring the relationship between infectious agents and autoimmune diseases: a review. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024:10.1007/s10096-024-04869-w. [PMID: 38829448 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04869-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The relationship between infectious agents and autoimmune diseases is a complex issue. In recent years, increasing clinical cases have indicated that infectious agents play an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Molecular mimicry is currently widely regarded as the primary pathogenic mechanism of various autoimmune diseases in humans. Components of infectious agents can undergo molecular mimicry with components in patients' bodies, leading to the development of various autoimmune diseases. In this article, we provide a brief overview of current research of the current research status on the relationship between infectious agents and autoimmune diseases, and describe our current understanding of their mechanisms of action in order to better understand the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Feng
- Laboratory Central, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China
| | - Xueli Yang
- Laboratory Central, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China
| | - Biao Zhang
- Laboratory Central, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China
| | - Chune Mo
- Laboratory Central, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China
| | - Chunhong Li
- Laboratory Central, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China
| | - Xiayu Tian
- Laboratory Central, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, China
| | - Minglin Ou
- Laboratory Central, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China
| | - Xianliang Hou
- Laboratory Central, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Metabolic Reprogramming and Intelligent Medical Engineering for Chronic Diseases, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China.
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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Akepati PR, Gochanour EM. Investigational farnesoid X receptor agonists for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:627-638. [PMID: 38676426 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2348743] [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: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Up to 40% of Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients have a suboptimal response to Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Close to half of such patients show a remarkable improvement when additionally treated with Obeticholic acid (OCA) but have a dose-dependent increase of pruritus. This relative success of OCA, a first-in-class Farnesoid receptor (FXR) agonist, has positioned FXR as an attractive target for drug development. Novel candidates have since emerged, providing hope for this subgroup of patients who lack effective and safe treatments. AREAS COVERED We discussed the role of bile acids in PBC pathogenesis and how the FXR agonists provide therapeutic value by affecting bile acid synthesis and transport. Novel FXR agonists undergoing pre-clinical and clinical trials for PBC were enlisted via literature search by including the terms 'FXR agonists,' 'FXR PBC,' 'PBC clinical trials' on PubMed, MEDLINE via Ovid, and Clinicaltrials.gov. EXPERT OPINION Novel FXR agonists currently under investigation for PBC improve the disease surrogate markers in early trials. However, as with OCA, pruritus remains a concern with the newer drugs despite targeted chemical modifications to increase FXR specificity. Directing future resources toward studying the molecular mechanisms behind pruritus may lead to better drug design and efficacious yet safer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prithvi Reddy Akepati
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Eric M Gochanour
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- The Gastroenterology Center, Valley View Hospital, Glenwood Springs, CO, USA
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3
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Houri I, Hirschfield GM. Primary Biliary Cholangitis: Pathophysiology. Clin Liver Dis 2024; 28:79-92. [PMID: 37945164 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.06.006] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is the most common of the autoimmune liver diseases, in which there is chronic small bile duct inflammation. The pathophysiology of PBC is multifactorial, involving immune dysregulation and damage to biliary epithelial cells, with influences from genetic factors, epigenetics, the gut-liver axis, and environmental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inbal Houri
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University of Toronto, 9th Floor Eaton Building, North Wing 219-B, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Gideon M Hirschfield
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University of Toronto, 9th Floor Eaton Building, North Wing 219-B, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada.
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Hitomi Y, Ueno K, Aiba Y, Nishida N, Kawai Y, Kawashima M, Khor SS, Takada S, Iwabuchi C, Nagasaki M, Tokunaga K, Nakamura M. rs10924104 in the expression enhancer motif of CD58 confers susceptibility to human autoimmune diseases. Hum Genet 2024; 143:19-33. [PMID: 37994973 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
CD58 plays roles in cell adhesion and co-stimulation with antigen presentation from major histocompatibility complex class II on antigen-presenting cells to T-cell antigen receptors on naïve T cells. CD58 reportedly contributes to the development of various human autoimmune diseases. Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) identified CD58 as a susceptibility locus for autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS), and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). However, the primary functional variant and molecular mechanisms of susceptibility to autoimmune diseases in the CD58 locus were not clarified. Here, rs10924104, located in the ZNF35-binding motif within the gene expression regulatory motif, was identified as the primary functional variant for SLE, MS, and PBC among genetic variants showing stronger linkage disequilibrium (LD) with GWAS-lead variants in the CD58 locus. Expression-quantitative trait locus (e-QTL) data for each distinct blood cell type and in vitro functional analysis using the CRISPR/Cas9 system corroborated the functional role of rs10924104 in the upregulation of CD58 transcription by the disease-risk allele. Additionally, the strength of disease susceptibility observed in the CD58 locus could be accounted for by the strength of LD between rs10924104 and each GWAS-lead variant. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated for the first time the existence of a shared autoimmune disease-related primary functional variant (i.e., rs10924104) that regulates the expression of CD58. Clarifying the molecular mechanism of disease susceptibility derived from such a shared genetic background is important for understanding human autoimmune diseases and human immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Hitomi
- Department of Human Genetics, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan.
| | - Kazuko Ueno
- Genome Medical Science Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Aiba
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization (NHO) Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Nao Nishida
- Department of Genomic Function and Diversity, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yosuke Kawai
- Genome Medical Science Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minae Kawashima
- Database Center for Life Science, Research Organization of Information and Systems, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Seik-Soon Khor
- Genome Medical Science Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sanami Takada
- Department of Human Genetics, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - Chisato Iwabuchi
- Department of Human Genetics, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - Masao Nagasaki
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Katsushi Tokunaga
- Genome Medical Science Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Nakamura
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization (NHO) Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
- Department of Hepatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Omura, Japan
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
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Lei Y, Li S, He M, Ao Z, Wang J, Wu Q, Wang Q. Oral Pathogenic Bacteria and the Oral-Gut-Liver Axis: A New Understanding of Chronic Liver Diseases. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3324. [PMID: 37958220 PMCID: PMC10648517 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13213324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver diseases have long been a prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality, and their development and progression involve multiple vital organs throughout the body. Recent studies on the oral-gut-liver axis have revealed that the oral microbiota is associated with the pathophysiology of chronic liver diseases. Since interventions aimed at regulating oral biological disorders may delay the progress of liver disease, it is crucial to better comprehend this process. Oral bacteria with potential pathogenicity have been extensively studied and are closely related to several types of chronic liver diseases. Therefore, this review will systemically describe the emerging role of oral pathogenic bacteria in common liver diseases, including alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis, autoimmune liver diseases (AILD), and liver cancer, and bring in new perspectives for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Qiang Wang
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China; (Y.L.); (S.L.); (M.H.); (Z.A.); (J.W.); (Q.W.)
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Abstract
Autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) are a group of immune-mediated liver inflammatory diseases with three major forms including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Interaction of both genetic and environmental factors leads to the breakdown of self-tolerance, hence resulting in hyper-responsive of autoantibodies and aggressive autoreactive immune cells. Genetic studies have identified dozens of risk loci associated with initiation and development of AILD. However, the role of exogenous factors remains unclear. Recently, both infectious and inflammatory diseases have been associated with microbiota, which colonizes multiple mucosal surfaces and participates in human physiological process and function in immune system, particularly influencing liver, and biliary system via gut-liver axis. Emerging evidence on the role of gut microbiota has expanded our knowledge of AILD in both pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets, along with putative diagnosis biomarkers. Herein we review the relationship between host and gut microbiota, discuss their potential roles in disease onset and progression, and summarize the compositional and functional alterations of the microbiota in AILD. We also highlighted the microbiota-based therapeutics such as antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Qian
- School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei He
- School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruqi Tang
- School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiong Ma
- School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China -
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Hitomi Y, Nakamura M. The Genetics of Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A GWAS and Post-GWAS Update. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:405. [PMID: 36833332 PMCID: PMC9957238 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, progressive cholestatic liver disease in which the small intrahepatic bile ducts are destroyed by autoimmune reactions. Among autoimmune diseases, which are polygenic complex traits caused by the combined contribution of genetic and environmental factors, PBC exhibits the strongest involvement of genetic heritability in disease development. As at December 2022, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and associated meta-analyses identified approximately 70 PBC susceptibility gene loci in various populations, including those of European and East Asian descent. However, the molecular mechanisms through which these susceptibility loci affect the pathogenesis of PBC are not fully understood. This study provides an overview of current data regarding the genetic factors of PBC as well as post-GWAS approaches to identifying primary functional variants and effector genes in disease-susceptibility loci. Possible mechanisms of these genetic factors in the development of PBC are also discussed, focusing on four major disease pathways identified by in silico gene set analyses, namely, (1) antigen presentation by human leukocyte antigens, (2) interleukin-12-related pathways, (3) cellular responses to tumor necrosis factor, and (4) B cell activation, maturation, and differentiation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Hitomi
- Department of Human Genetics, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Minoru Nakamura
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization (NHO) Nagasaki Medical Center, 2-1001-1 Kubara, Omura 856-8562, Japan
- Department of Hepatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 2-1001-1 Kubara, Omura 856-8562, Japan
- Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization (NHO) Nagasaki Medical Center, 2-1001-1 Kubara, Omura 856-8562, Japan
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8
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Chen R, Tang R, Ma X, Gershwin ME. Immunologic Responses and the Pathophysiology of Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Clin Liver Dis 2022; 26:583-611. [PMID: 36270718 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease with a female predisposition and selective destruction of intrahepatic small bile ducts leading to nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis. It is characterized by seropositivity of antimitochondrial antibodies or PBC-specific antinuclear antibodies, progressive cholestasis, and typical liver histologic manifestations. Destruction of the protective bicarbonate-rich umbrella is attributed to the decreased expression of membrane transporters in biliary epithelial cells (BECs), leading to the accumulation of hydrophobic bile acids and sensitizing BECs to apoptosis. A recent X-wide association study reveals a novel risk locus on the X chromosome, which reiterates the importance of Treg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiling Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruqi Tang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiong Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, 145 Middle Shandong Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology-Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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rs2013278 in the multiple immunological-trait susceptibility locus CD28 regulates the production of non-functional splicing isoforms. Hum Genomics 2022; 16:46. [PMID: 36271469 PMCID: PMC9585755 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-022-00419-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ligation of CD28 with ligands such as CD80 or CD86 provides a critical second signal alongside antigen presentation by class II major histocompatibility complex expressed on antigen-presenting cells through the T cell antigen receptor for naïve T cell activation. A number of studies suggested that CD28 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various human diseases. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) identified CD28 as a susceptibility locus for lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and primary biliary cholangitis. However, the primary functional variant and molecular mechanisms of disease susceptibility in this locus remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to identify the primary functional variant from thousands of genetic variants in the CD28 locus and elucidate its functional effect on the CD28 molecule. Results Among the genetic variants exhibiting stronger linkage disequilibrium (LD) with all GWAS-lead variants in the CD28 locus, rs2013278, located in the Rbfox binding motif related to splicing regulation, was identified as a primary functional variant related to multiple immunological traits. Relative endogenous expression levels of CD28 splicing isoforms (CD28i and CD28Δex2) compared with full-length CD28 in allele knock-in cell lines generated using CRISPR/Cas9 were directly regulated by rs2013278 (P < 0.05). Although full-length CD28 protein expressed on Jurkat T cells showed higher binding affinity for CD80/CD86, both CD28i and CD28Δex2 encoded loss-of-function isoforms. Conclusion The present study demonstrated for the first time that CD28 has a shared disease-related primary functional variant (i.e., rs2013278) that regulates the CD28 alternative splicing that generates loss-of-function isoforms. They reduce disease risk by inducing anergy of effector T cells that over-react to autoantigens and allergens. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40246-022-00419-7.
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Gerussi A, Paraboschi EM, Cappadona C, Caime C, Binatti E, Cristoferi L, Asselta R, Invernizzi P. The Role of Epigenetics in Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094873. [PMID: 35563266 PMCID: PMC9105933 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a rare autoimmune disease of the liver, affecting mostly females. There is evidence that epigenetic changes have a pathogenic role in PBC. Epigenetic modifications are related to methylation of CpG DNA islands, post-translational modifications of histone proteins, and non-coding RNAs. In PBC, there are data showing a dysregulation of all these levels, especially in immune cells. In addition, epigenetics seems to be involved in complex phenomena such as X monosomy or abnormalities in the process of X chromosome inactivation, which have been reported in PBC and appear to influence its sex imbalance and pathogenesis. We review here historical data on epigenetic modifications in PBC, present new data, and discuss possible links among X-chromosome abnormalities at a genetic and epigenetic level, PBC pathogenesis, and PBC sex imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Gerussi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (C.C.); (E.B.); (L.C.)
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Elvezia Maria Paraboschi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy; (E.M.P.); (C.C.); (R.A.)
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Claudio Cappadona
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy; (E.M.P.); (C.C.); (R.A.)
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Chiara Caime
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (C.C.); (E.B.); (L.C.)
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Eleonora Binatti
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (C.C.); (E.B.); (L.C.)
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Laura Cristoferi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (C.C.); (E.B.); (L.C.)
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Rosanna Asselta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy; (E.M.P.); (C.C.); (R.A.)
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (C.C.); (E.B.); (L.C.)
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Garabatos N, Santamaria P. Gut Microbial Antigenic Mimicry in Autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:873607. [PMID: 35572569 PMCID: PMC9094498 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.873607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota plays a major role in the developmental biology and homeostasis of cells belonging to the adaptive and innate arms of the immune system. Alterations in its composition, which are known to be regulated by both genetic and environmental factors, can either promote or suppress the pathogenic processes underlying the development of various autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, to just name a few. Cross-recognition of gut microbial antigens by autoreactive T cells as well as gut microbe-driven alterations in the activation and homeostasis of effector and regulatory T cells have been implicated in this process. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the positive and negative associations between alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota and the development of various autoimmune disorders, with a special emphasis on antigenic mimicry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahir Garabatos
- Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pere Santamaria
- Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Julia McFarlane Diabetes Research Centre (JMDRC), Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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12
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rs9459874 and rs1012656 in CCR6/FGFR1OP confer susceptibility to primary biliary cholangitis. J Autoimmun 2021; 126:102775. [PMID: 34864633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2021.102775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic autoimmune liver disease that appears to be strongly influenced by genetic factors. Recently, an international meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified CC-Motif Chemokine Receptor-6 (CCR6) and FGFR1 Oncogene-Partner (FGFR1OP) as PBC-susceptibility genes. However, the lead single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CCR6/FGFR1OP showed low linkage disequilibrium with each other in East Asian and European populations. Additionally, the primary functional variants and the molecular mechanisms responsible for PBC-susceptibility remain unclear. Here, among the PBC-susceptibility SNPs identified by high-density association mapping in our previous meta-GWAS (Patients: n = 10,516; healthy controls: n = 20,772) within the CCR6/FGFR1OP locus, rs9459874 and rs1012656 were identified as primary functional variants. These functional variants accounted for the effects of GWAS-identified lead SNPs in CCR6/FGFR1OP. Additionally, the roles of rs9459874 and rs1012656 in regulating FGFR1OP transcription and CCR6 translation, respectively, were supported by expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis and gene editing technology using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Immunohistochemistry showed higher expression of CCR6 protein in the livers of patients with PBC than in those of a non-diseased control. In conclusion, we identified primary functional variants in CCR6/FGFR1OP and revealed the molecular mechanisms by which these variants confer PBC-susceptibility in an eQTL-dependent or -independent manner. The approach in this study is applicable for the elucidation of the pathogenesis of other autoimmune disorders in which CCR6/FGFR1OP is known as a susceptibility locus, as well as PBC.
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13
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Zheng Y, Ran Y, Zhang H, Wang B, Zhou L. The Microbiome in Autoimmune Liver Diseases: Metagenomic and Metabolomic Changes. Front Physiol 2021; 12:715852. [PMID: 34690796 PMCID: PMC8531204 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.715852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have identified the critical role of microbiota in the pathophysiology of autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs), including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Metagenomic studies reveal significant decrease of gut bacterial diversity in AILDs. Although profiles of metagenomic vary widely, Veillonella is commonly enriched in AIH, PBC, and PSC. Apart from gut microbiome, the oral and bile microbiome seem to be associated with these diseases as well. The functional analysis of metagenomics suggests that metabolic pathways changed in the gut microbiome of the patients. Microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and microbial bile acid metabolites, have been shown to modulate innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and inflammation. Taken together, the evidence of host–microbiome interactions and in-depth mechanistic studies needs further accumulation, which will offer more possibilities to clarify the mechanisms of AILDs and provide potential molecular targets for the prevention and treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Ran
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongxia Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Bangmao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lu Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hotan People's Hospital, Xinjiang, China
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14
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Sasaki Y, Yoshino N, Okuwa T, Odagiri T, Satoh T, Muraki Y. A mouse monoclonal antibody against influenza C virus attenuates acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11816. [PMID: 34083649 PMCID: PMC8175586 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91251-x] [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: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular mimicry is one of the main processes for producing autoantibodies during infections. Although some autoantibodies are associated with autoimmune diseases, the functions of many autoantibodies remain unknown. Previously, we reported that S16, a mouse (BALB/c) monoclonal antibody against the hemagglutinin-esterase fusion glycoprotein of influenza C virus, recognizes host proteins in some species of animals, but we could not succeed in identifying the proteins. In the present study, we found that S16 cross-reacted with acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2), which is expressed in the livers of BALB/c mice. ACAA2 was released into the serum after acetaminophen (APAP) administration, and its serum level correlated with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. Furthermore, we observed that S16 injected into mice with APAP-induced hepatic injury prompted the formation of an immune complex between S16 and ACAA2 in the serum. The levels of serum ALT (p < 0.01) and necrotic areas in the liver (p < 0.01) were reduced in the S16-injected mice. These results suggest that S16 may have a mitigation function in response to APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. This study shows the therapeutic function of an autoantibody and suggests that an antibody against extracellular ACAA2 might be a candidate for treating APAP-induced hepatic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Sasaki
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, 1-1-1 Idaidori, Yahaba, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan
| | - Naoto Yoshino
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, 1-1-1 Idaidori, Yahaba, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan
| | - Takako Okuwa
- Department of Microbiology, Kanazawa Medical University School of Medicine, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Odagiri
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, 1-1-1 Idaidori, Yahaba, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan
| | - Takashi Satoh
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Yasushi Muraki
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, 1-1-1 Idaidori, Yahaba, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan.
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15
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Hitomi Y, Aiba Y, Kawai Y, Kojima K, Ueno K, Nishida N, Kawashima M, Gervais O, Khor SS, Nagasaki M, Tokunaga K, Nakamura M, Tsuiji M. rs1944919 on chromosome 11q23.1 and its effector genes COLCA1/COLCA2 confer susceptibility to primary biliary cholangitis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4557. [PMID: 33633225 PMCID: PMC7907150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84042-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, progressive cholestatic liver disease in which intrahepatic bile ducts are destroyed by an autoimmune reaction. Our previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified chromosome 11q23.1 as a susceptibility gene locus for PBC in the Japanese population. Here, high-density association mapping based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) imputation and in silico/in vitro functional analyses identified rs1944919 as the primary functional variant. Expression-quantitative trait loci analyses showed that the PBC susceptibility allele of rs1944919 was significantly associated with increased COLCA1/COLCA2 expression levels. Additionally, the effects of rs1944919 on COLCA1/COLCA2 expression levels were confirmed using genotype knock-in versions of cell lines constructed using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and differed between rs1944919-G/G clones and -T/T clones. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the contribution of COLCA1/COLCA2 to PBC susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Hitomi
- Department of Microbiology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiro Aiba
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization (NHO) Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Yosuke Kawai
- Genome Medical Science Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaname Kojima
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kazuko Ueno
- Genome Medical Science Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nao Nishida
- Genome Medical Science Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Ichikawa, Japan
| | | | - Olivier Gervais
- Human Biosciences Unit for the Top Global Course Center for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Seik-Soon Khor
- Genome Medical Science Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masao Nagasaki
- Human Biosciences Unit for the Top Global Course Center for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsushi Tokunaga
- Genome Medical Science Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Nakamura
- Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization (NHO) Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan.,Department of Hepatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Omura, Japan.,Headquarters of PBC Research in NHO Study Group for Liver Disease in Japan (NHOSLJ), Clinical Research Center, NHO Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan
| | - Makoto Tsuiji
- Department of Microbiology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan.
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Sun K, Ma S, Tian S, Zhang M, Liu Y, Li B, Zhou X, Zheng X, Zhou X, Wang L, Han Y. An enhanced level of LAMP-2A participates in CD4 +T cell hyperactivity in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:101. [PMID: 33569403 PMCID: PMC7867869 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-2427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an immune-mediated chronic cholestasis, in which T cell homeostasis plays an important role. Lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 isoform A (LAMP-2A) has been implicated in the regulation of CD4+T cell responses. Methods We comprehensively evaluated the immunobiology of CD4+T cells in patients with PBC (PBC, n=42), chronic hepatitis B (CHB, n=20), and healthy control subjects (HC, n=20) by flow cytometry including activation status and LAMP-2A expression. Additionally, we investigated the activation responses of PBC-naïve CD4+T cells by stimulation in vitro and tested the changes caused by deleting the gene encoding LAMP-2A. Results Firstly, we found an increased activation status of circulating CD4+T cells from PBC patients compared to the HC subjects, and PBC-naïve CD4+T cells showed enhanced responses after stimulation in vitro. Secondly, PBC-naïve CD4+T cells expressed a significantly higher level of LAMP-2A compared to the HC and CHB groups [PBC vs. HC, 1,954.74 (1,254.28-3,057.14) vs. 1,542.12 (961.18-2,277.98), P=0.03; vs. CHB, 1,153.59 (726.87-1,275.48), P=0.02], and the overreactions of PBC-naïve CD4+T cells could be reversed by interfering with LAMP-2A expression in vitro. Thirdly, the LAMP-2A expression level of PBC-naïve CD4+T cells was related to disease severity and drug response. Conclusions An abnormally increased LAMP-2A expression of PBC-naïve CD4+T cells might be related to excessive activation responses. LAMP-2A could be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of PBC by reversing excessive responses and consequently reducing biliary injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshuai Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shuoyi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Siyuan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yansheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaohong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xinmin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ying Han
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Sahu R, Mishra R, Majee C. An insight into primary biliary cholangitis and its recent advances in treatment: semi-synthetic analogs to combat ursodeoxycholic-acid resistance. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 14:985-998. [PMID: 32674617 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2020.1797485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease which on progression causes cirrhosis; various studies also suggested that several diseases can co-exist in patients. In existing depiction of disease PBC, apart from entire use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), several patients need to step forward to liver-transplantation or death due to resistance or non-responder with UDCA monotherapy. AREAS COVERED To overcome this non-respondent treatment, novel bile acid semi-synthetic analogs have been identified which shows their potency against for farnesoid X receptor and transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor-5 which are identified as target for many developing analogs which have desirable pharmacokinetic profiles. EXPERT OPINION A range of studies suggests that adding semisynthetic analogs in therapeutic regime improves liver biochemistries in patients with suboptimal response to UDCA. Thus, the aspire of this review is to abridge and compare therapeutic value and current markets affirm of various bile acids semi-synthetic analogs which certainly are having promising effects in PBC monotherapy or in pooled treatment with UDCA for PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Sahu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute) , Greater Noida, India
| | - Rakhi Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute) , Greater Noida, India
| | - Chandana Majee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute) , Greater Noida, India
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18
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Hayashi M, Abe K, Fujita M, Takahashi A, Sekine H, Ohira H. Association between serum ficolin-1 level and disease progression in primary biliary cholangitis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238300. [PMID: 32915797 PMCID: PMC7485786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pattern recognition molecules (PRMs) in the complement system contribute to homeostasis as mediators of complement activation. The contribution of PRMs to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is unknown. In the current study, we aimed to assess the association between PRMs and the clinical findings of PBC. A total of 122 PBC patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. We measured four different PRMs (mannose-binding lectin [MBL], ficolin-1, ficolin-2 and ficolin-3) using stored sera, and retrospectively analyzed the associations between PRMs and laboratory findings, histological findings, and the development of cirrhosis-related conditions. Ficolin-1 levels were significantly higher in the PBC patients than in the healthy controls (152 ng/mL vs 102 ng/mL, P = 0.034), but no significant differences were observed regarding MBL, ficolin-2, and ficolin-3 levels. Ficolin-1 was significantly correlated with alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Low ficolin-1 levels were significantly associated with the development of cirrhosis-related conditions independent for histological stage and ALP levels (hazard ratio: 0.933; 95% confidence interval: 0.875-0.994; P = 0.032). Patients with low levels of ficolin-1 (< 77 ng/mL) had a significantly increased rate of developing cirrhosis-related conditions. Low ficolin-1 levels were associated with disease progression independent of histological stage and ALP levels in patients with PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Immunology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kazumichi Abe
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masashi Fujita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hideharu Sekine
- Department of Immunology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Ohira
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
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19
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Abundance and nuclear antigen reactivity of intestinal and fecal Immunoglobulin A in lupus-prone mice at younger ages correlate with the onset of eventual systemic autoimmunity. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14258. [PMID: 32868790 PMCID: PMC7458927 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71272-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Our recent studies, using (SWRxNZB)F1 (SNF1) mice, showed a potential contribution of the gut microbiota and pro-inflammatory immune responses of the gut mucosa to systemic autoimmunity in lupus. Here, using this mouse model, we determined the abundance and the nAg reactivity of IgA antibody produced in the intestine under lupus susceptibility. Intestinal lymphoid tissues from SNF1 mice, females particularly, showed significantly higher frequencies of nAg (dsDNA and nucleohistone) reactive IgA producing B cells compared to B6 females. Most importantly, younger age fecal IgA -abundance and -nAg reactivity of lupus-prone mice showed a positive correlation with eventual systemic autoimmunity and proteinuria onset. Depletion of gut microbiota in SNF1 mice resulted in the diminished production of IgA in the intestine and the nAg reactivity of these antibodies. Overall, these observations show that fecal IgA features, nuclear antigen reactivity particularly, at preclinical stages/in at-risk subjects could be predictive of autoimmune progression.
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20
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Gulamhusein AF, Hirschfield GM, Milovanovic J, Arsenijevic D, Arsenijevic N, Milovanovic M. Primary biliary cholangitis: pathogenesis and therapeutic opportunities. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 17:93-110. [PMID: 31819247 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-019-0226-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic, seropositive and female-predominant inflammatory and cholestatic liver disease, which has a variable rate of progression towards biliary cirrhosis. Substantial progress has been made in patient risk stratification with the goal of personalized care, including early adoption of next-generation therapy with licensed use of obeticholic acid or off-label fibrate derivatives for those with insufficient benefit from ursodeoxycholic acid, the current first-line drug. The disease biology spans genetic risk, epigenetic changes, dysregulated mucosal immunity and altered biliary epithelial cell function, all of which interact and arise in the context of ill-defined environmental triggers. A current focus of research on nuclear receptor pathway modulation that specifically and potently improves biliary excretion, reduces inflammation and attenuates fibrosis is redefining therapy. Patients are benefiting from pharmacological agonists of farnesoid X receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Immunotherapy remains a challenge, with a lack of target definition, pleiotropic immune pathways and an interplay between hepatic immune responses and cholestasis, wherein bile acid-induced inflammation and fibrosis are dominant clinically. The management of patient symptoms, particularly pruritus, is a notable goal reflected in the development of rational therapy with apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliya F Gulamhusein
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gideon M Hirschfield
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Jelena Milovanovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac 34000, Serbia.,Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac 34000, Serbia
| | - Dragana Arsenijevic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac 34000, Serbia
| | - Nebojsa Arsenijevic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac 34000, Serbia
| | - Marija Milovanovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac 34000, Serbia
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Zhao DT, Liu YM, Han Y, Zhang HP, Zhao Y, Yan HP. Fluctuations of antimitochondrial antibodies and anti-gp210 antibody in a patient with primary biliary cholangitis and Sjögren syndrome with subsequent autoimmune hemolytic anemia: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e18856. [PMID: 32011506 PMCID: PMC7220456 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000018856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare autoimmune cholestatic liver disease. It is often associated with extrahepatic autoimmune disorders. However, the concurrence of PBC and Sjögren syndrome (SS) with the subsequent onset of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is extremely rare. PATIENT CONCERNS This study investigated a 60-year-old woman admitted to our hospital with complaints of xerostomia for 5 years, pruritus for 3 years, and abnormal liver function for 3 months. DIAGNOSES The patient was suffering from typical clinical PBC and SS, and developed decompensated liver cirrhosis after 32 months of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy. In May 2018, she was readmitted to the hospital with a high fever of 39 °C, coughing, and sever fatigue without remission after 3 days of cephalosporin antibiotic therapy. During the clinical course of PBC, her antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) titers fluctuated from 1:1000 to negative and then to weakly positive, determined by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on recombinant mitochondrial antigens; furthermore, her titers of anti-gp210, an antinuclear antibody (ANA), increased sharply. Laboratory tests and imaging were performed to diagnose PBC and SS in September 2015. However, she was subsequently diagnosed with AIHA after 32 months of UDCA therapy based on the identification of pancytopenia, increased reticulocyte (RET) count, and a positive result from the direct Coombs test. INTERVENTIONS UDCA, hepatic protectant, albumin infusion, chest drainage, rational antibiotic use, diuretics, and methylprednisolone were used to treat the patient. OUTCOMES Liver cirrhosis was complicated by the development of AIHA, which became severe at 42 months of follow-up. LESSONS This is the first case report showing a patient with comorbid PBC and SS, as well as the sequential development of AIHA with decreased AMA and increased anti-gp210 titers; this may have been due to immunodeficiency. These findings stress the importance of the serological screening of ANA profile, as well as repeated measurement of ANA and AMA to track PBC progression and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Tong Zhao
- Clinical Research Center for Autoimmune Liver Disease & Clinical Laboratory Center
| | - Yan-Min Liu
- Department of Liver Disease Immunology, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Han
- Department of Liver Disease Immunology, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Ping Zhang
- Clinical Research Center for Autoimmune Liver Disease & Clinical Laboratory Center
| | - Yan Zhao
- Clinical Research Center for Autoimmune Liver Disease & Clinical Laboratory Center
| | - Hui-Ping Yan
- Clinical Research Center for Autoimmune Liver Disease & Clinical Laboratory Center
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22
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Planas R, Santos R, Tomas-Ojer P, Cruciani C, Lutterotti A, Faigle W, Schaeren-Wiemers N, Espejo C, Eixarch H, Pinilla C, Martin R, Sospedra M. GDP-l-fucose synthase is a CD4 + T cell-specific autoantigen in DRB3*02:02 patients with multiple sclerosis. Sci Transl Med 2019; 10:10/462/eaat4301. [PMID: 30305453 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aat4301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that develops in genetically susceptible individuals and likely requires environmental triggers. The autoantigens and molecular mimics triggering the autoimmune response in multiple sclerosis remain incompletely understood. By using a brain-infiltrating CD4+ T cell clone that is clonally expanded in multiple sclerosis brain lesions and a systematic approach for the identification of its target antigens, positional scanning peptide libraries in combination with biometrical analysis, we have identified guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-l-fucose synthase as an autoantigen that is recognized by cerebrospinal fluid-infiltrating CD4+ T cells from HLA-DRB3*-positive patients. Significant associations were found between reactivity to GDP-l-fucose synthase peptides and DRB3*02:02 expression, along with reactivity against an immunodominant myelin basic protein peptide. These results, coupled with the cross-recognition of homologous peptides from gut microbiota, suggest a possible role of this antigen as an inducer or driver of pathogenic autoimmune responses in multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Planas
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (nims), Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Radleigh Santos
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Paula Tomas-Ojer
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (nims), Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Carolina Cruciani
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (nims), Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Lutterotti
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (nims), Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Faigle
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (nims), Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Schaeren-Wiemers
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Espejo
- Servei de Neurologia-Neuroimmunologia, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Herena Eixarch
- Servei de Neurologia-Neuroimmunologia, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clemencia Pinilla
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, 11350 SW Village Parkway Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Roland Martin
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (nims), Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mireia Sospedra
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (nims), Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland.
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Hou X, Yang Y, Chen J, Jia H, Zeng P, Lv L, Lu Y, Liu X, Diao H. TCRβ repertoire of memory T cell reveals potential role for Escherichia coli in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis. Liver Int 2019; 39:956-966. [PMID: 30721553 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an organ-specific, T cell-mediated autoimmune disease which is characterized by the breakdown of self-tolerance to the highly conserved pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, especially the pyruvate dehydrogenase E2 complex (PDC-E2). However, the molecular mechanism of breakdown of self-tolerance is still unclear. METHODS A combination of multiplex-PCR and immune repertoire sequencing (IR-seq) was used for a standardized analysis of memory T cell receptor (TCR) β-chain repertoire of PBC patient and healthy volunteers. In vitro induction and expansion of human PDC-E2163-176 (human PDC-E2)-specific T cells and E coli PDC-E231-44/134-147/235-248 (E coli PDC-E2)-specific T cells, and identified the human (and E coli) PDC-E2-specific TCRβ repertoire by IR-seq. RESULTS Primary biliary cholangitis patients have shorter complementarity-determining region 3s (CDR3s), and higher degree of sequence overlap in the TCRβ repertoire of memory T cell. Moreover, altered insertion patterns and skewed TRBV segment usage were observed in PBC patients. With regard to the pathogenesis, the concentration of E coli was higher in PBC patients' faecal. The frequency of E coli (and human)-specific TCRs was higher in the memory TCRβ repertoire of PBC patients compared with healthy controls. Importantly, the TCRβ repertoire characteristics were almost identical between E coli PDC-E2-related TCRs and human PDC-E2-related TCRs, including the patterns of TRBV usage, CDR3 length and amino acid composition. CONCLUSION Our findings comprehensively revealed the TCRβ repertoire characterization of PBC patients, and provided a TCR molecular basis to understand the mechanism of cross-recognition between human PDC-E2 and E coli PDC-E2, and the imbalance of immune tolerance in PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianliang Hou
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yida Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianing Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Jia
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ping Zeng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Longxian Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingfeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangdong Liu
- College of Materials and Textile, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Diao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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24
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Tanaka A, Leung PSC, Gershwin ME. Pathogen infections and primary biliary cholangitis. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 195:25-34. [PMID: 30099750 PMCID: PMC6300644 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a multi-factorial disease caused by the interaction of both genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. Bacterial infection has been investigated most intensively, both epidemiologically and experimentally, as a prime environmental aetiology in PBC. The association of recurrent history of urinary tract infection (UTI) with PBC has been frequently confirmed by several large-scale, case-control studies, despite variation in geographic area or case-finding methods. Escherichia coli is a predominant pathogen in most cases with UTI. Animal studies and molecular mimicry analysis between the human and E. coli E2 subunit of the 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenase complexes demonstrated that E. coli infection is a key factor in breaking immunological tolerance against the mitochondria, resulting in the production of anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA), the disease-specific autoantibodies of PBC. Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, a ubiquitous xenobiotic-metabolizing bacterium, is another candidate which may be involved in the aetiology of PBC. Meanwhile, improved environmental hygiene and increased prevalence of PBC, especially in males, may argue against the aetiological role of bacterial infection in PBC. Multiple mechanisms can result in the loss of tolerance to mitochondrial autoantigens in PBC; nonetheless, bacterial infection is probably one of the dominant pathways, especially in female patients. Notably, there is a rising prevalence of male patients with PBC. With increasing exposure to environmental xenobiotics in both genders, studies directed towards identifying the environmental culprit with systematically designed case-control studies are much needed to further determine the environmental factors and role of bacterial infections in PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Tanaka
- Department of MedicineTeikyo University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - P. S. C. Leung
- Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyUniversity of California School of MedicineDavisCAUSA
| | - M. E. Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyUniversity of California School of MedicineDavisCAUSA
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25
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Thaper D, Prabha V. Molecular mimicry: An explanation for autoimmune diseases and infertility. Scand J Immunol 2018; 88:e12697. [PMID: 29935034 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms execute an enthralling range of adjustments to survive in the host. Among the various strategies employed by microorganisms to surmount the host immune response, the phenomenon of molecular mimicry empowers the microorganisms to manoeuvre host physiology and cellular functions for their own advantage by mimicking the host proteins and initiating autoimmunity. This phenomena, by and large, has been studied in context of autoimmune diseases; however, its implications have also been reported in infertility. Hence, in this article, we provide a review of the various instances of molecular mimicry initiated by bacteria, parasites and viruses in the world of autoimmune diseases and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepali Thaper
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vijay Prabha
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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26
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Tanaka A, Leung PSC, Gershwin ME. Evolution of our understanding of PBC. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2018; 34-35:3-9. [PMID: 30343708 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2018.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of mitochondrial autoantigens recognized by antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) in 1987 marked the dawn of a new era in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) research. Since then, there has been substantial progress in our understanding of PBC partly bestowed by the development of innovative technologies in molecular biology, immunology, and genetics. Here, we review this evolutionary progress in understanding PBC. We now recognize that the epitopes of AMAs, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells are all mapped to the same region of the inner lipoyl domain of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2 subunit (PDC-E2), and that intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (BECs) are exclusively targeted in PBC. BECs express PDC-E2 on apotopes in an immunologically intact form during apoptosis, but not other epithelial cells, which could explain the tissue specificity of PBC. In addition, genetic factors, environmental triggers, and epigenetic modifications play crucial roles in the development of PBC. Intact lipoylated PDC-E2, presumably after modification with xenobiotics such as 2-octynamide or 2-nonyamide that are abundantly present in the environment, is endocytosed by antigen-presenting cells and are presented to CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. An immune complex consisting of PDC-E2 and anti-PDC-E2 autoantibodies cross-present autoantigens in a more efficient manner. Finally, an adenylate uridine-rich element (ARE) Del -/- mouse model has been established, which presents a disease modeling human PBC, including female dominance as one of its most important features, and can be used to dissect the immunopathology of PBC. Expanding our knowledge of the pathology from a very early stage of the disease will provide the key to cure PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Patrick S C Leung
- Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA.
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27
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Gulamhusein AF, Hirschfield GM. Pathophysiology of primary biliary cholangitis. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2018; 34-35:17-25. [PMID: 30343706 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis is a prototypical autoimmune disease characterized by an overwhelming female predominance, a distinct clinical phenotype, and disease specific anti-mitochondrial antibodies targeted against a well-defined auto-antigen. In a genetically susceptible host, multi-lineage loss of tolerance to the E2 component of the 2-oxo-dehydrogenase pathway and dysregulated immune pathways directed at biliary epithelial cells leads to cholestasis, progressive biliary fibrosis, and cirrhosis in a subset of patients. Several key insights have shed light on the complex pathogenesis of disease. First, characteristic anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) target lipoic acid containing immunodominant epitopes, particularly pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), on the inner mitochondrial membrane of BECs. Next, breakdown of the protective apical bicarbonate rich umbrella may sensitize BECs to aberrant apoptotic pathways leaving the antigenic PDC-E2 epitope immunologically tact within an apoptotic bleb. A multi-lineage immune response ensues characterized by an imbalance between effector and regulatory activity resulting in progressive and self-perpetuating biliary injury. Genome wide studies shed light on important pathways involved in disease, key among them being IL-12. Epigenetic mechanisms and microRNAs may play help shed light on the missing heritability and female preponderance of disease. Taken together, these findings have dramatically advanced our understanding of disease and may lead to important therapeutic advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliya F Gulamhusein
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Gideon M Hirschfield
- Centre for Liver Research and NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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28
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Bae HR, Hodge DL, Yang GX, Leung PS, Chodisetti SB, Valencia JC, Sanford M, Fenimore JM, Rahman ZS, Tsuneyama K, Norman GL, Gershwin ME, Young HA. The interplay of type I and type II interferons in murine autoimmune cholangitis as a basis for sex-biased autoimmunity. Hepatology 2018; 67:1408-1419. [PMID: 28921595 PMCID: PMC5856578 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED We have reported on a murine model of autoimmune cholangitis, generated by altering the AU-rich element (ARE) by deletion of the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) 3' untranslated region (coined ARE-Del-/- ), that has striking similarities to human primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) with female predominance. Previously, we suggested that the sex bias of autoimmune cholangitis was secondary to intense and sustained type I and II IFN signaling. Based on this thesis, and to define the mechanisms that lead to portal inflammation, we specifically addressed the hypothesis that type I IFNs are the driver of this disease. To accomplish these goals, we crossed ARE-Del-/- mice with IFN type I receptor alpha chain (Ifnar1) knockout mice. We report herein that loss of type I IFN receptor signaling in the double construct of ARE-Del-/- Ifnar1-/- mice dramatically reduces liver pathology and abrogated sex bias. More importantly, female ARE-Del-/- mice have an increased number of germinal center (GC) B cells as well as abnormal follicular formation, sites which have been implicated in loss of tolerance. Deletion of type I IFN signaling in ARE-Del-/- Ifnar1-/- mice corrects these GC abnormalities, including abnormal follicular structure. CONCLUSION Our data implicate type I IFN signaling as a necessary component of the sex bias of this murine model of autoimmune cholangitis. Importantly these data suggest that drugs that target the type I IFN signaling pathway would have potential benefit in the earlier stages of PBC. (Hepatology 2018;67:1408-1419).
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Affiliation(s)
- Heekyong R. Bae
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, and Leidos Frederick, Frederick, MD
| | - Deborah L. Hodge
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, and Leidos Frederick, Frederick, MD
| | - Guo-Xiang Yang
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Patrick S.C. Leung
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Sathi Babu Chodisetti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Julio C. Valencia
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, and Leidos Frederick, Frederick, MD
| | - Michael Sanford
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, and Leidos Frederick, Frederick, MD
| | - John M. Fenimore
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, and Leidos Frederick, Frederick, MD
| | - Ziaur S.M. Rahman
- Cellular Interactions and Immunimaging Institutes of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology (IMMEI), University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Japan
| | | | - M. Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Howard A. Young
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, and Leidos Frederick, Frederick, MD
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29
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Tanaka A, Leung PS, Gershwin ME. Environmental basis of primary biliary cholangitis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2018; 243:184-189. [PMID: 29307284 DOI: 10.1177/1535370217748893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmunity is a consequence of both genetic and environmental factors, occurring in genetically susceptible hosts with environmental triggers. While genome-wide association studies have revealed a number of susceptible genes contributing to etiology, the environmental triggers remain poorly understood. Primary biliary cholangitis, formally known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is considered a model autoimmune disease for which our group has extensively evaluated environmental factors involved in its etiology. Bacterial infection and xenobiotics have been proposed as candidate environmental factors that may explain tolerance breakdown and production of primary biliary cholangitis-specific antimitochondrial autoantibodies. Large-scale case-control studies have consistently detected an association of primary biliary cholangitis with urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli, as E. coli PDC-E2 is molecularly similar to human PDC-E2, the immunodominant target of AMAs. Another bacterium of interest is Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, a ubiquitous xenobiotic-metabolizing bacterium that produces lipoylated proteins, which are highly reactive with sera from primary biliary cholangitis patients. Regarding xenobiotics, case-control studies have suggested that frequent use of nail polish is associated with an increased susceptibility to primary biliary cholangitis. We found that 2-octynamide, the conjugate derived from 2-octynoic acid present in cosmetics, lipsticks, and some chewing gums, was unique in both its quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis and reactivity with primary biliary cholangitis sera. 2-nonyamide is another xenobiotic that also has the optimal chemical structure for xenobiotic modification of the PDC-E2 epitope, as demonstrated by the enhanced epitope recognition with AMA-positive PBC sera. Moreover, we found that C57BL/6 mice immunized with 2-octynoic acid-BSA possess many of the features characteristic to primary biliary cholangitis. Impact statement Autoimmunity is believed to develop in genetically susceptible hosts with triggers from the environment. Researchers have recently demonstrated that bacteria and xenobiotics commonly present in our environment are potential triggers of tolerance breakdown against autoantigens and autoimmunity, particularly in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). The link between xenobiotics and PBC has been further confirmed with the establishment of PBC model mice by immunizing mice with xenobiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tanaka
- 1 Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Teikyo University, Tokyo 1738606, Japan
| | - Patrick Sc Leung
- 2 Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- 2 Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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30
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Tanakaa A, Leung PS, Young HA, Gershwin ME. Toward solving the etiological mystery of primary biliary cholangitis. Hepatol Commun 2017; 1:275-287. [PMID: 29057387 PMCID: PMC5646686 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is considered a model autoimmune disease due to its signature anti‐mitochondrial antibody (AMA) autoantibody, female predominance, and relatively specific portal infiltration and cholestasis. The identification and cloning of the major mitochondrial autoantigens recognized by AMA have served as an immunologic platform to identify the earliest events involved in loss of tolerance. Despite the relatively high concordance rate in identical twins, genome‐wide association studies have not proven clinically useful and have led to suggestions of epigenetic events. To understand the natural history and etiology of PBC, several murine models have been developed, including spontaneous models, models induced by chemical xenobiotic immunization, and by “designer” mice with altered interferon metabolism. Herein, we describe five such models, including 1) NOD.c3c4 mice, 2) dominant negative form of transforming growth factor receptor type II mice, 3) interleukin‐2R α−/− mice, 4) adenylate‐uridylate‐rich element Del−/− mice, and 5) 2‐octynoic acid‐conjugated bovine serum albumin immunized mice. Individually there is no perfect murine model, but collectively the models point to loss of tolerance to PDC‐E2, the major mitochondrial autoantigen, as the earliest event that occurs before clinical disease is manifest. Although there is no direct association of AMA titer and PBC disease progression, it is noteworthy that the triad of PBC monocytes, biliary apotopes, and AMA leads to an intense proinflammatory cytokine burst. Further, the recurrence of PBC after liver transplantation indicates that, due to major histocompatibility complex restriction, disease activity must include not only adaptive immunity but also innate immune mechanisms. We postulate that successful treatment of PBC may require a personalized approach with therapies designed for different stages of disease. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:275–287)
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tanakaa
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Patrick Sc Leung
- Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Howard A Young
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
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31
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Adaptive immunity in the liver. Cell Mol Immunol 2016; 13:354-68. [PMID: 26996069 PMCID: PMC4856810 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2016.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The anatomical architecture of the human liver and the diversity of its immune components endow the liver with its physiological function of immune competence. Adaptive immunity is a major arm of the immune system that is organized in a highly specialized and systematic manner, thus providing long-lasting protection with immunological memory. Adaptive immunity consists of humoral immunity and cellular immunity. Cellular immunity is known to have a crucial role in controlling infection, cancer and autoimmune disorders in the liver. In this article, we will focus on hepatic virus infections, hepatocellular carcinoma and autoimmune disorders as examples to illustrate the current understanding of the contribution of T cells to cellular immunity in these maladies. Cellular immune suppression is primarily responsible for chronic viral infections and cancer. However, an uncontrolled auto-reactive immune response accounts for autoimmunity. Consequently, these immune abnormalities are ascribed to the quantitative and functional changes in adaptive immune cells and their subsets, innate immunocytes, chemokines, cytokines and various surface receptors on immune cells. A greater understanding of the complex orchestration of the hepatic adaptive immune regulators during homeostasis and immune competence are much needed to identify relevant targets for clinical intervention to treat immunological disorders in the liver.
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32
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Shimoda S, Tanaka A. It is time to change primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC): New nomenclature from "cirrhosis" to "cholangitis", and upcoming treatment based on unveiling pathology. Hepatol Res 2016; 46:407-15. [PMID: 26518139 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic, organ-specific, autoimmune liver disease characterized by progressive cholestasis, eventually leading to cirrhosis. Several lines of evidence have revealed a crucial role of adaptive as well as innate immune responses in the etiopathogenesis of PBC, and more recently, the biology of bile duct cells and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) demonstrated several key molecules and pathways in this enigmatic disease. Although ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been the only approved drug for PBC with clinical evidences for improvement of long-term outcomes, a substantial population have suboptimal responses to UDCA, resulting in unfavorable outcomes. In this regard, second-line treatment for patients refractory to UDCA is strongly awaited. In Japan, bezafibrate (BF) has been frequently used for this purpose, yet recent clinical trials failed to clearly demonstrate clinical efficacy of BF. Novel pharmacotherapies targeted to key molecules and pathways in PBC are upcoming. Finally, we sincerely call on all members of the Japan Society of Hepatology to use from this moment on the name "primary biliary cholangitis" for the disease known by its abbreviation PBC, in keeping with a very recent global agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Shimoda
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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33
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Shimoda S, Hisamoto S, Harada K, Iwasaka S, Chong Y, Nakamura M, Bekki Y, Yoshizumi T, Shirabe K, Ikegami T, Maehara Y, He XS, Gershwin ME, Akashi K. Natural killer cells regulate T cell immune responses in primary biliary cirrhosis. Hepatology 2015; 62:1817-27. [PMID: 26264889 PMCID: PMC4681684 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The hallmark of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is the presence of autoreactive T- and B-cell responses that target biliary epithelial cells (BECs). Biliary cell cytotoxicity is dependent upon initiation of innate immune responses followed by chronic adaptive, as well as bystander, mechanisms. Critical to these mechanisms are interactions between natural killer (NK) cells and BECs. We have taken advantage of the ability to isolate relatively pure viable preparations of liver-derived NK cells, BECs, and endothelial cells, and studied interactions between NK cells and BECs and focused on the mechanisms that activate autoreactive T cells, their dependence on interferon (IFN)-γ, and expression of BEC major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules. Here we show that at a high NK/BEC ratio, NK cells are cytotoxic for autologous BECs, but are not dependent on autoantigen, yet still activate autoreactive CD4(+) T cells in the presence of antigen presenting cells. In contrast, at a low NK/BEC ratio, BECs are not lysed, but IFN-γ production is induced, which facilitates expression of MHC class I and II molecules on BEC and protects them from lysis upon subsequent exposure to autoreactive NK cells. Furthermore, IFN-γ secreted from NK cells after exposure to autologous BECs is essential for this protective function and enables autoreactive CD4(+) T cells to become cytopathic. CONCLUSIONS NK cell-mediated innate immune responses are likely critical at the initial stage of PBC, but also facilitate and maintain the chronic cytopathic effect of autoantigen-specific T cells, essential for progression of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Shimoda
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Satomi Hisamoto
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenichi Harada
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Sho Iwasaka
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yong Chong
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Minoru Nakamura
- Clinical Research Center in National Hospital Organization (NHO) Nagasaki Medical Center and Department of Hepatology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Omura, Japan
| | - Yuki Bekki
- Department of Surgery and Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Yoshizumi
- Department of Surgery and Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ken Shirabe
- Department of Surgery and Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Toru Ikegami
- Department of Surgery and Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Maehara
- Department of Surgery and Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Xiao-Song He
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Koichi Akashi
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science Graduate School of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka, Japan
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Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been a significant technological advance in our ability to evaluate the genetic architecture of complex diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). To date, six large-scale studies have been performed that have identified 27 risk loci in addition to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associated with PBC. The identified risk variants emphasize important disease concepts; namely, that disturbances in immunoregulatory pathways are important in the pathogenesis of PBC and that such perturbations are shared among a diverse number of autoimmune diseases-suggesting the risk architecture may confer a generalized propensity to autoimmunity not necessarily specific to PBC. Furthermore, the impact of non-HLA risk variants, particularly in genes involved with interleukin-12 signaling, and ethnic variation in conferring susceptibility to PBC have been highlighted. Although GWASs have been a critical stepping stone in understanding common genetic variation contributing to PBC, limitations pertaining to power, sample availability, and strong linkage disequilibrium across genes have left us with an incomplete understanding of the genetic underpinnings of disease pathogenesis. Future efforts to gain insight into this missing heritability, the genetic variation that contributes to important disease outcomes, and the functional consequences of associated variants will be critical if practical clinical translation is to be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliya F. Gulamhusein
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Brian D. Juran
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Konstantinos N. Lazaridis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905. Phone: (507) 538-4877. Fax: (507) 284-0762
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35
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Sun Y, Zhang JY, Lv S, Wang H, Gong M, Du N, Liu H, Zhang N, Jing J, Zhou C, Zhang F, Wang Z. Interleukin-33 promotes disease progression in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2015; 234:255-61. [PMID: 25400121 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.234.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive autoimmune liver disease that can cause a series of complications, including cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is expressed in various non-hematopoietic cells and a certain population of immune cells, and exerts its biological effects by binding to the specific receptor, suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2). A soluble form of ST2 (sST2) has been postulated to act as a decoy receptor for IL-33. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of IL-33 in the pathogenesis of PBC. The study included 20 healthy controls and 68 patients with PBC. We thus found the increased serum IL-33 levels in PBC patients. Its elevated levels were positively correlated with serum alkaline phosphatase levels (a key parameter for the definition of PBC) and with Child-Pugh scores, which were used to determine the prognosis of liver cirrhosis. Moreover, the serum concentrations of sST2 were significantly higher in PBC patients compared with healthy subjects, irrespective of the disease severity. Importantly, the cells that express IL-33 and/or myeloperoxidase (a marker for neutrophils) were accumulated in the livers of PBC patients, and their number increased with the severity of liver lesions. Lastly, in vitro chemotaxis assays revealed that IL-33 enhanced the migration of neutrophils. These data suggest that IL-33 may affect the progress of PBC by recruiting neutrophils to the liver. This expanded knowledge of IL-33 in PBC patients is important for developing therapeutic strategies (e.g., neutralization of IL-33), selecting optimal clinical management, and predicting prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Sun
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University
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36
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Reshetnyak VI. Primary biliary cirrhosis: Clinical and laboratory criteria for its diagnosis. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:7683-708. [PMID: 26167070 PMCID: PMC4491957 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i25.7683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic progressive cholestatic granulomatous, and destructive inflammatory lesion of small intralobular and septal bile ducts, which is likely to be caused by an autoimmune mechanism with a the presence of serum antimitochondrial antibodies and a potential tendency to progress to cirrhosis. Despite the fact that the etiology of this disease has been unknown so far, there has been a considerable body of scientific evidence that can reveal the clinical and laboratory signs of PBC and the individual components of its pathogenesis and elaborate diagnostic criteria for the disease and its symptomatic therapy. Deficiencies in autoimmune tolerance are critical factors for the initiation and perpetuation of the disease. The purpose of this review is to summarize the data available in the literature and the author’s findings on clinical and laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of PBC. This review describes the major clinical manifestations of the disease and the mechanisms of its development. It presents the immunological, biochemical, and morphological signs of PBC and their significance for its diagnosis. A great deal of novel scientific evidence for the problem of PBC has been accumulated. However, the inadequate efficiency of therapy for the disease lends impetus to the quest for its etiological factors and to further investigations of its pathogenetic mechanisms and, on this basis, to searches for new methods for its early diagnosis.
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37
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Wang L, Sun Y, Zhang Z, Jia Y, Zou Z, Ding J, Li Y, Xu X, Jin L, Yang T, Li Z, Sun Y, Zhang JY, Lv S, Chen L, Li B, Gershwin ME, Wang FS. CXCR5+ CD4+ T follicular helper cells participate in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis. Hepatology 2015; 61:627-38. [PMID: 25042122 PMCID: PMC4507804 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED There is increasing interest in the role of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in autoimmunity from the perspective of both their role in breach of tolerance and their effects on the natural history of disease progression. Indeed, the critical role of Tfh cells in autoimmunity is further highlighted based on their location in the germinal center (GC), a pathogenic hot spot for development of autoreactivity. To address the role of Tfh cells in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), we comprehensively evaluated the immunobiology of CXCR5(+) CD4(+) Tfh cells in 69 patients with PBC, including a nested subgroup of 16 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and 20 healthy controls (HC), followed for 1 year. We report herein several key observations. First, there was an increased frequency of circulating Tfh cells in patients with PBC compared to AIH (P < 0.05) and HC (P < 0.01). Second, the function of circulating Tfh cells from PBC patients, including interleukin (IL)-21 production (P < 0.05), the ability to promote B-cell maturation, and autoantibody production, were greater than HC. Third, the frequency of these cells was significantly decreased in ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) responders compared to UDCA-treated nonresponders, in both cross-sectional (P = 0.023) and longitudinal studies (P = 0.036), respectively. Indeed, similar increases of Tfh cells were noted in liver and spleen. CONCLUSION These results significantly extend our understanding of lymphoid subpopulations in PBC and their relative role in disease expression. Our data also provide a novel biomarker for evaluation of the effectiveness of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifeng Wang
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Department for non-infectious diseases, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yiqiong Jia
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Zhengsheng Zou
- Department for non-infectious diseases, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Jinbiao Ding
- Medical Affairs Department, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Xiangsheng Xu
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Zhiwei Li
- Department for Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yanling Sun
- Research Center for Liver transplantation, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Ji-yuan Zhang
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Sa Lv
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Liming Chen
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Baosen Li
- Department for non-infectious diseases, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - M. Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Fu-Sheng Wang
- Research Center for Biological Therapy, The Institute of Translational Hepatology, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Hangzhou, China. 310003
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Ma HD, Wang YH, Chang C, Gershwin ME, Lian ZX. The intestinal microbiota and microenvironment in liver. Autoimmun Rev 2014; 14:183-91. [PMID: 25315744 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2014.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The intestinal microbiome plays a significant role in the development of autoimmune diseases, in particular, inflammatory bowel diseases. But the interplay between the intestinal tract and the liver may explain the increased association with autoimmune liver diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases. The gut-liver axis involves multiple inflammatory cell types and cytokines, chemokines and other molecules which lead to the destruction of normal liver architecture. Triggers for the initiation of these events are unclear, but appear to include multiple environmental factors, including pathogenic or even commensal microbial agents. The variation in the gut microbiome has been cited as a major factor in the pathogenesis of autoimmune liver disease and even other autoimmune diseases. The unique positioning of the liver at the juncture of the peripheral circulation and the portal circulation augments the interaction between naïve T cells and other hepatic cells and leads to the disruption in the development of tolerance to commensal bacteria and other environmental agents. Finally, the innate immune system and in particular toll-like receptors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Di Ma
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Yin-Hu Wang
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
| | - Christopher Chang
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Zhe-Xiong Lian
- Liver Immunology Laboratory, Institute of Immunology and The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China; Innovation Center for Cell Biology, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
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39
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Mechanisms of tissue injury in autoimmune liver diseases. Semin Immunopathol 2014; 36:553-68. [PMID: 25082647 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-014-0439-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases affecting the liver are mainly represented by autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The characteristic morphologic patterns of injury are a chronic hepatitis pattern of damage in AIH, destruction of small intrahepatic bile ducts in PBC and periductal fibrosis and inflammation involving larger bile ducts in PSC. The factors responsible for initiation and perpetuation of the injury in all the three autoimmune liver diseases are not understood completely but are likely to be environmental triggers on the background of genetic variation in immune regulation. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the breakdown of self-tolerance in autoimmune liver diseases.
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40
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Harada K, Yuko K, Sato Y, Ikeda H, Nakanuma Y. Significance of oestrogen-related receptor γ on biliary epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis. J Clin Pathol 2014; 67:566-72. [PMID: 24687322 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2013-201735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Oestrogen has been speculated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), which mainly affects middle-aged and old-aged females because biliary epithelial cells (BECs) are known to express oestrogen receptors (ERs). Oestrogen-related receptors (ERRs) are constitutively active without oestrogen and competitively inhibit the ER-dependent effects of oestrogen. We clarified the effects of oestrogen and the significance of ERRs along with their association with the pathogenesis of cholangiopathy in PBC. METHODS We investigated the expression of ERs and ERRs and the apoptosis-related cell kinetics in BECs using cultured human BECs and human liver specimens. RESULTS Although cultured human BECs and the interlobular bile ducts in the liver expressed ERβ, in cultured BECs, oestrogen treatment did not induce significant cell proliferation but increased the expression of a negative cell proliferation regulator (14-3-3σ protein). The cultured BECs constantly expressed ERRα and ERRγ, and oestrogen downregulated the ERRγ expression. Furthermore, the ERRγ expression was determined in the intrahepatic bile ducts and was stronger in the middle-aged and old-aged females, particularly those with PBC, than in the younger females. The ERRγ ligand activated a transcription factor, SP1, and enhanced the expression of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family molecules and Bcl-2 inhibitor-induced apoptosis in cultured BECs. CONCLUSIONS Although oestrogen downregulates the ERRγ expression, the increased ERRγ expression under oestrogen-deficient conditions increases the susceptibility to Bcl-2 family-mediated apoptosis in cultured human BECs of females, particularly those with PBC. Understanding the oestrogen-mediated cell kinetics is important for elucidating the pathogenesis of cholangiopathy in PBC.
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MESH Headings
- 14-3-3 Proteins/metabolism
- Adult
- Age Factors
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Apoptosis
- Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/drug effects
- Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/metabolism
- Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/pathology
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Line
- Cell Proliferation
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Epithelial Cells/drug effects
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Epithelial Cells/pathology
- Estradiol/pharmacology
- Estrogen Receptor beta/metabolism
- Exoribonucleases/metabolism
- Female
- Humans
- Kinetics
- Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/metabolism
- Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/pathology
- Middle Aged
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism
- Receptors, Estrogen/drug effects
- Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism
- Sex Factors
- Signal Transduction
- Sp1 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- ERRalpha Estrogen-Related Receptor
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Harada
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kakuda Yuko
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yasunori Sato
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hiroko Ikeda
- Division of Pathology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yasuni Nakanuma
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
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41
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Wang JJ, Yang GX, Zhang WC, Lu L, Tsuneyama K, Kronenberg M, Véla JL, Lopez-Hoyos M, He XS, Ridgway WM, Leung PSC, Gershwin ME. Escherichia coli infection induces autoimmune cholangitis and anti-mitochondrial antibodies in non-obese diabetic (NOD).B6 (Idd10/Idd18) mice. Clin Exp Immunol 2014; 175:192-201. [PMID: 24128311 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) have a higher incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) and there is significant homology of the immunodominant mitochondrial autoantigen, the E2 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), between mammals and bacteria. Previous work has demonstrated that non-obese diabetic (NOD).B6 Idd10/Idd18 infected with Novosphingobium aromaticivorans developed liver lesions similar to human PBC. It was postulated that the biliary disease was dependent upon the presence of the unique N. aro glycosphingolipids in activating natural killer T (NK T) cells. To address this issue, we infected NOD.B6 Idd10/Idd18 mice with either Escherichia coli, N. aro or use of a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) vehicle control and serially followed animals for the appearance of liver pathology and anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA). Of striking importance, the biliary disease of E. coli-infected mice was more severe than N. Aro-infected mice and the titre of AMA was higher in E. coli-infected mice. Furthermore, the immunopathology did not correlate with the ability of bacterial extracts to produce antigen-dependent activation of NK T cells. Our data suggest that the unique glycosphingolipids of N. aro are not required for the development of autoimmune cholangitis. Importantly, the data highlight the clinical significance of E. coli infection in a genetically susceptible host, and we suggest that the appearance of autoimmune cholangitis is dependent upon molecular mimicry. These data highlight that breach of tolerance to PDC-E2 is probably the first event in the natural history of PBC in genetically susceptible hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Wang
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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42
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Abstract
We recently introduced the concept of the infectome as a means of studying all infectious factors which contribute to the development of autoimmune disease. It forms the infectious part of the exposome, which collates all environmental factors contributing to the development of disease and studies the sum total of burden which leads to the loss of adaptive mechanisms in the body. These studies complement genome-wide association studies, which establish the genetic predisposition to disease. The infectome is a component which spans the whole life and may begin at the earliest stages right up to the time when the first symptoms manifest, and may thus contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmunity at the prodromal/asymptomatic stages. We provide practical examples and research tools as to how we can investigate disease-specific infectomes, using laboratory approaches employed from projects studying the “immunome” and “microbiome”. It is envisioned that an understanding of the infectome and the environmental factors that affect it will allow for earlier patient-specific intervention by clinicians, through the possible treatment of infectious agents as well as other compounding factors, and hence slowing or preventing disease development.
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43
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Mohammed JP, Mattner J. Autoimmune disease triggered by infection with alphaproteobacteria. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2014; 5:369-379. [PMID: 20161124 DOI: 10.1586/eci.09.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite having long been postulated, compelling evidence for the theory that microbial triggers drive autoimmunity has only recently been reported. A specific association between Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, an ubiquitous alphaproteobacterium, and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) has been uncovered in patients with PBC. Notably, the association between Novosphingobium infection and PBC has been confirmed in a mouse model in which infection leads to the development of liver lesions resembling PBC concomitant with the production of anti-PDC-E2 antibodies that cross-react with conserved PDC-E2 epitopes shared by Novosphingobium. The discovery of infectious triggers of autoimmunity is likely to change our current concepts about the etiology of various autoimmune syndromes and may suggest new and simpler ways to diagnose and treat these debilitating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javid P Mohammed
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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44
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Guidelines for the management of primary biliary cirrhosis: The Intractable Hepatobiliary Disease Study Group supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Hepatol Res 2014; 44 Suppl S1:71-90. [PMID: 24397841 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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45
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Harada K, Kakuda Y, Sato Y, Ikeda H, Shimoda S, Yamamoto Y, Inoue H, Ohta H, Kasashima S, Kawashima A, Nakanuma Y. Alteration of energy metabolism in the pathogenesis of bile duct lesions in primary biliary cirrhosis. J Clin Pathol 2013; 67:396-402. [DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2013-201815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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46
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Abstract
The liver is the largest organ in the body and is generally regarded by nonimmunologists as having little or no lymphoid function. However, such is far from accurate. This review highlights the importance of the liver as a lymphoid organ. Firstly, we discuss experimental data surrounding the role of liver as a lymphoid organ. The liver facilitates tolerance rather than immunoreactivity, which protects the host from antigenic overload of dietary components and drugs derived from the gut and it is instrumental to fetal immune tolerance. Loss of liver tolerance leads to autoaggressive phenomena, which if not controlled by regulatory lymphoid populations, may lead to the induction of autoimmune liver diseases. Liver-related lymphoid subpopulations also act as critical antigen-presenting cells. The study of the immunological properties of liver and delineation of the microenvironment of the intrahepatic milieu in normal and diseased livers provides a platform to understand the hierarchy of a series of detrimental events that lead to immune-mediated destruction of the liver and the rejection of liver allografts. The majority of emphasis within this review will be on the normal mononuclear cell composition of the liver. However, within this context, we will discuss selected, but not all, immune-mediated liver disease and attempt to place these data in the context of human autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios P Bogdanos
- Institute of Liver Studies, Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, London, UK
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47
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Pollheimer MJ, Fickert P, Stieger B. Chronic cholestatic liver diseases: clues from histopathology for pathogenesis. Mol Aspects Med 2013; 37:35-56. [PMID: 24141039 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2013.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic cholestatic liver diseases include fibrosing cholangiopathies such as primary biliary cirrhosis or primary sclerosing cholangitis. These and related cholangiopathies clearly display pathologies associated with (auto)immunologic processes. As the cholangiocyte's apical membrane is exposed to the toxic actions of the bile fluid, the interaction of bile with cholangiocytes and the biliary tree in general must be considered to completely understand the pathogenesis of cholangiopathies. While the molecular processes involved in the hepatocellular formation of bile are well understood in both normal and pathophysiologic conditions, those in the bile ducts of normal liver and in livers with cholangiopathies lag behind. This survey highlights key mechanisms known to date that are important for the formation of bile by hepatocytes and its modification by the biliary tree. It also delineates the clinical pathophysiologic findings for cholangiopathies and puts them in perspective with current experimental models to reveal the pathogenesis of cholangiopathies and develop novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion J Pollheimer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Laboratory of Experimental and Molecular Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria; Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Peter Fickert
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Laboratory of Experimental and Molecular Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria; Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
| | - Bruno Stieger
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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48
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Harada K, Kakuda Y, Nakamura M, Shimoda S, Nakanuma Y. Clinicopathological significance of serum fractalkine in primary biliary cirrhosis. Dig Dis Sci 2013; 58:3037-43. [PMID: 23765258 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-013-2734-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), characterized by cholangitis and loss of intrahepatic small bile ducts, predominantly affects middle-aged females. We have reported that fractalkine expression associated with chronic inflammation is observed in the damaged bile ducts and periductal vessels of PBC patients, which is closely associated with chronic cholangitis. AIMS We investigated the association between serum fractalkine levels and clinicopathological findings in PBC patients. METHODS Liver biopsy specimens before ursodeoxycholic acid treatment and serum samples at the time of liver biopsy and 1 and 2 years after treatment were obtained from 68 PBC patients (M/F = 14/54). Serum fractalkine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and their association with clinicopathological findings (liver function data, autoantibodies, cholangitis activity, hepatitis activity, fibrosis, bile duct loss, and orcein-positive granules) was analyzed. RESULTS Serum fractalkine levels were in the range of 0.1-33.2 ng/ml (average, 3.2 ng/ml). They were increased in PBC patients with high degrees of cholangitis activity, a mild degree of hepatitis activity, fibrosis, orcein-positive granules, and early stages. In cases with high serum fractalkine levels, those who exhibited good biochemical responses to treatment mostly showed improved serum fractalkine levels after treatment. CONCLUSION Serum fractalkine levels of PBC patients were high in cases with marked cholangitis activity at early stages. In addition, they closely correlated with the effect of therapy, indicating that fractalkine plays a role in the pathogenesis of initial cholangitis in early stage PBC and consequent chronic cholangitis. Thus, our results suggest that fractalkine is a good candidate for molecular-targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Harada
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, 920-8640, Japan,
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49
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Kawata K, Yang GX, Ando Y, Tanaka H, Zhang W, Kobayashi Y, Tsuneyama K, Leung PS, Lian ZX, Ridgway WM, Ansari AA, He XS, Gershwin ME. Clonality, activated antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells, and development of autoimmune cholangitis in dnTGFβRII mice. Hepatology 2013; 58:1094-104. [PMID: 23532950 PMCID: PMC3716874 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED There are several murine models described with features similar to human primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Among these models, the one which has the closest serologic features to PBC is a mouse with a T-cell-restricted expression of the dominant negative transforming growth factor β receptor type II (dnTGFβRII). Our work has demonstrated that CD8(+) T cells from dnTGFβRII mice transfer autoimmune cholangitis to Rag1(-/-) recipients. However, it remained unclear whether the autoimmune cholangitis was secondary to an intrinsic function within CD8(+) T cells or due to the abnormal TGFβR environment within which CD8(+) T cells were generated. To address this mechanistic issue, we used our dnTGFβRII, OT-I/Rag1(-/-) , OT-II/Rag1(-/-) mice and in addition generated OT-I/dnTGFβRII/Rag1(-/-) , and OT-II/dnTGFβRII/Rag1(-/-) mice in which the entire T-cell repertoire was replaced with ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD8(+) or CD4(+) T cells, respectively. Importantly, neither the parental OT-I/dnTGFβRII/Rag1(-/-) mice and/or OT-II/dnTGFβRII/Rag1(-/-) mice developed cholangitis. However, adoptive transfer demonstrated that only transfer of CD8(+) T cells from dnTGFβRII mice but not CD8(+) T cells from OT-I/Rag1(-/-) mice or from OT-I/dnTGFβRII/Rag1(-/-) mice transferred disease. These data were not secondary to an absence of CD4(+) T cell help since a combination of CD8(+) T cells from OT-I/dnTGFβRII/Rag1(-/-) and CD4(+) T cells from OT II/dnTGFβRII/Rag1(-/-) or CD8(+) T cells from OT-I/dnTGFβRII/Rag1(-/-) with CD4(+) T cells from OT-II/Rag1(-/-) mice failed to transfer disease. CONCLUSION Defective TGFβRII signaling, in addition to clonal CD8(+) T cells that target biliary cells, are required for induction of autoimmune cholangitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhito Kawata
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616,Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka 431-3125, Japan
| | - Guo-Xiang Yang
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Yugo Ando
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Hajime Tanaka
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Weici Zhang
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Yoshimasa Kobayashi
- Hepatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka 431-3125, Japan
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616,Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Patrick S.C. Leung
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Zhe-Xiong Lian
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616,Institute of Immunology and School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - William M. Ridgway
- Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 455229
| | - Aftab A. Ansari
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322
| | - Xiao-Song He
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - M. Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 6510, Davis, CA, 95616
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Lleo A, Invernizzi P. Apotopes and innate immune system: novel players in the primary biliary cirrhosis scenario. Dig Liver Dis 2013; 45:630-6. [PMID: 23415798 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2013.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of primary biliary cirrhosis has been rapidly growing over the past decade and the disease is now regarded as a model for other female-predominant, organ-specific autoimmune conditions. Primary biliary cirrhosis ensues from a multi-lineage loss of tolerance to the E2 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. One of the major unanswered questions in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis is the specificity of small intrahepatic bile ducts attack while PDC-E2 is present in mitochondria of all nucleated cells. Recent findings suggest that the uniqueness of the primary target tissue, biliary epithelium, may be of considerable importance for understanding primary biliary cirrhosis and that the biliary epithelial cell is more than an innocent victim. Rather, it attracts an immune attack by virtue of the unique apoptotic mechanisms and by the way it handles PDC-E2. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that apoptotic bodies of biliary epithelial cell are able to activate the innate immune system in the presence of anti-mitochondrial antibodies. This review article is intended to provide a critical overview of the role of apoptosis in biliary epithelial cells, the activation of the innate immune system, and its biological and clinical significance in primary biliary cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lleo
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, MI, Italy
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