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Wei L, Huang Q, Tu Y, Song S, Zhang X, Yu B, Liu Y, Li Z, Huang Q, Chen L, Liu B, Xu S, Li T, Liu X, Hu X, Liu W, Chi ZL, Wu W. Plasma exosomes from patients with active thyroid-associated orbitopathy induce inflammation and fibrosis in orbital fibroblasts. J Transl Med 2024; 22:546. [PMID: 38849907 PMCID: PMC11157872 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05263-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) remains incompletely understand. The interaction between immunocytes and orbital fibroblasts (OFs) play a critical role in orbital inflammatory and fibrosis. Accumulating reports indicate that a significant portion of plasma exosomes (Pla-Exos) are derived from immune cells; however, their impact upon OFs function is unclear. METHODS OFs were primary cultured from inactive TAO patients. Exosomes isolated from plasma samples of patients with active TAO and healthy controls (HCs) were utilized for functional and RNA cargo analysis. Functional analysis in thymocyte differentiation antigen-1+ (Thy-1+) OFs measured expression of inflammatory and fibrotic markers (mRNAs and proteins) and cell activity in response to Pla-Exos. RNA cargo analysis was performed by RNA sequencing and RT-qPCR. Thy-1+ OFs were transfected with miR-144-3p mimics/inhibitors to evaluate its regulation of inflammation, fibrosis, and proliferation. RESULTS Pla-Exos derived from active TAO patients (Pla-ExosTAO-A) induced stronger production of inflammatory cytokines and hyaluronic acid (HA) in Thy-1+ OFs while inhibiting their proliferation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) suggested that the difference in mRNA expression levels between Pla-ExosTAO-A and Pla-ExosHC was closely related to immune cells. Differential expression analysis revealed that 62 upregulated and 45 downregulated miRNAs in Pla-ExosTAO-A, with the elevation of miR-144-3p in both Pla-Exos and PBMCs in active TAO group. KEGG analysis revealed that the target genes of differentially expressed miRNA and miR-144-3p enriched in immune-related signaling pathways. Overexpression of the miR-144-3p mimic significantly upregulated the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and HA in Thy-1+ OFs while inhibiting their proliferation. CONCLUSION Pla-Exos derived from patients with active TAO were immune-active, which may be a long-term stimulus casual for inflammatory and fibrotic progression of TAO. Our finding suggests that Pla-Exos could be used as biomarkers or treatment targets in TAO patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wei
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Qinying Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yunhai Tu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Shihan Song
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Bo Yu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yufen Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Ziwei Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Qing Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Lili Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Bo Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Shenglan Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Tong Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Xiyuan Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Xiaozhou Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Weijie Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Zai-Long Chi
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
| | - Wencan Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vison Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain health), Wenzhou, 32500, China.
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Philipp S, Horstmann M, Hose M, Daser A, Görtz GE, Jesenek C, Flögel U, Hansen W, Bechrakis N, Banga JPS, Eckstein A, Berchner-Pfannschmidt U. An Early Wave of Macrophage Infiltration Intertwined with Antigen-Specific Proinflammatory T Cells and Browning of Adipose Tissue Characterizes the Onset of Orbital Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Graves' Orbitopathy. Thyroid 2022; 32:283-293. [PMID: 34779257 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2021.0464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is an autoimmune-driven manifestation of Graves' disease (GD) where pathogenic autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) activate orbital fibroblasts/preadipocytes in the orbital tissue to induce inflammation and extracellular matrix deposition. Since there are significant limitations to study immunological and proinflammatory mediator expression in early and during disease progression in GO patients, we used our experimental mouse model to elucidate early pathogenic processes. Methods: We have developed a robust mouse model of GD/GO induced by electroporation immunization of plasmid encoding human TSHR A-subunit, comprising multiple injections over a course of 15 weeks to fully recapitulate the orbital pathology. In this study, we investigated kinetics of GO development in the model by serial analyses of immunological and cellular parameters during course of orbital inflammation. Results: Pathogenic anti-TSHR antibodies with thyroid-stimulating properties developed early after the second immunization step with concomitant induction of hyperthyroidism. Examination of orbital tissue showed an early wave of macrophage infiltration followed subsequently by CD3+ T cells into the orbital tissue. Examination of antigen-specific T cell activity using recombinant human A-subunit protein showed high CD8+ T cell proliferation during this early phase of disease onset, whereas effector CD4+ T cells and CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were downregulated. The early phase of disease was also characterized by abundant presence of proinflammatory cytokines interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Moreover, as the disease progressed, there was significant increase in browning of orbital fat tissue, which may be dependent on the proinflammatory milieu and/or the increased thyroid hormone levels during the established hyperthyroid status. Conclusions: This work revealed early infiltration of macrophages in the orbital region and induction of pathogenic anti-TSHR antibodies during disease onset in the model. This was followed subsequently by influx of CD8+ T cells specific for TSHR coupled with reduction in Tregs and substantial increase in brown adipose tissue. These new insights into the development of orbital inflammation in the model have implications for testing new therapeutic regimens by targeting macrophage function during early phases of orbital inflammation in the model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Philipp
- Molecular Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mareike Horstmann
- Molecular Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Hose
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anke Daser
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gina-Eva Görtz
- Molecular Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Jesenek
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Flögel
- Experimental Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Molecular Cardiology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wiebke Hansen
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Bechrakis
- Molecular Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jasvinder Paul S Banga
- Molecular Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anja Eckstein
- Molecular Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Utta Berchner-Pfannschmidt
- Molecular Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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