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Batsalova T, Dzhambazov B. Significance of Type II Collagen Posttranslational Modifications: From Autoantigenesis to Improved Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9884. [PMID: 37373030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129884] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Collagen type II (COL2), the main structural protein of hyaline cartilage, is considerably affected by autoimmune responses associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) play a significant role in the formation of the COL2 molecule and supramolecular fibril organization, and thus, support COL2 function, which is crucial for normal cartilage structure and physiology. Conversely, the specific PTMs of the protein (carbamylation, glycosylation, citrullination, oxidative modifications and others) have been implicated in RA autoimmunity. The discovery of the anti-citrullinated protein response in RA, which includes anti-citrullinated COL2 reactivity, has led to the development of improved diagnostic assays and classification criteria for the disease. The induction of immunological tolerance using modified COL2 peptides has been highlighted as a potentially effective strategy for RA therapy. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the recent knowledge on COL2 posttranslational modifications with relevance to RA pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. The significance of COL2 PTMs as a source of neo-antigens that activate immunity leading to or sustaining RA autoimmunity is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsvetelina Batsalova
- Faculty of Biology, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, 24 Tsar Assen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Balik Dzhambazov
- Faculty of Biology, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, 24 Tsar Assen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Carlé C, Degboe Y, Ruyssen-Witrand A, Arleevskaya MI, Clavel C, Renaudineau Y. Characteristics of the (Auto)Reactive T Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis According to the Immune Epitope Database. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054296. [PMID: 36901730 PMCID: PMC10001542 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Accordingly, and to better understand T cells' contribution to RA, a comprehensive review based on an analysis of the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) was conducted. An immune CD8+ T cell senescence response is reported in RA and inflammatory diseases, which is driven by active viral antigens from latent viruses and cryptic self-apoptotic peptides. RA-associated pro-inflammatory CD4+ T cells are selected by MHC class II and immunodominant peptides, which are derived from molecular chaperones, host extra-cellular and cellular peptides that could be post-translationally modified (PTM), and bacterial cross-reactive peptides. A large panel of techniques have been used to characterize (auto)reactive T cells and RA-associated peptides with regards to their interaction with the MHC and TCR, capacity to enter the docking site of the shared epitope (DRB1-SE), capacity to induce T cell proliferation, capacity to select T cell subsets (Th1/Th17, Treg), and clinical contribution. Among docking DRB1-SE peptides, those with PTM expand autoreactive and high-affinity CD4+ memory T cells in RA patients with an active disease. Considering original therapeutic options in RA, mutated, or altered peptide ligands (APL) have been developed and are tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Carlé
- Referral Medical Biology Laboratory, Immunology Department, Institut Fédératif de Biologie, Toulouse University Hospital Center, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Cytology, Institut Fédératif de Biologie, Toulouse University Hospital Center, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), INSERM U1291, CNRS U5051, University Toulouse III, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Yannick Degboe
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), INSERM U1291, CNRS U5051, University Toulouse III, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Rheumatology Department, Toulouse University Hospital Center, 31300 Toulouse, France
| | | | - Marina I. Arleevskaya
- Central Research Laboratory, Kazan State Medical Academy, 420012 Kazan, Russia
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Cyril Clavel
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Cytology, Institut Fédératif de Biologie, Toulouse University Hospital Center, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), INSERM U1291, CNRS U5051, University Toulouse III, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Yves Renaudineau
- Referral Medical Biology Laboratory, Immunology Department, Institut Fédératif de Biologie, Toulouse University Hospital Center, 31300 Toulouse, France
- Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (INFINITy), INSERM U1291, CNRS U5051, University Toulouse III, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-561-776-245
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Xiong Y, Cai M, Xu Y, Dong P, Chen H, He W, Zhang J. Joint together: The etiology and pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:996103. [PMID: 36325352 PMCID: PMC9619093 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.996103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) refers to a group of diseases with inflammation in joints and spines. In this family, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rare but classic form that mainly involves the spine and sacroiliac joint, leading to the loss of flexibility and fusion of the spine. Compared to other diseases in SpA, AS has a very distinct hereditary disposition and pattern of involvement, and several hypotheses about its etiopathogenesis have been proposed. In spite of significant advances made in Th17 dynamics and AS treatment, the underlying mechanism remains concealed. To this end, we covered several topics, including the nature of the immune response, the microenvironment in the articulation that is behind the disease's progression, and the split between the hypotheses and the evidence on how the intestine affects arthritis. In this review, we describe the current findings of AS and SpA, with the aim of providing an integrated view of the initiation of inflammation and the development of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehan Xiong
- Department of Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Key Laboratory of T Cell and Cancer Immunotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Menghua Cai
- Department of Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Key Laboratory of T Cell and Cancer Immunotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Key Laboratory of T Cell and Cancer Immunotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Dong
- Changzhou Xitaihu Institute for Frontier Technology of Cell Therapy, Changzhou, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Key Laboratory of T Cell and Cancer Immunotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Changzhou Xitaihu Institute for Frontier Technology of Cell Therapy, Changzhou, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Key Laboratory of T Cell and Cancer Immunotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Changzhou Xitaihu Institute for Frontier Technology of Cell Therapy, Changzhou, China
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Key Laboratory of T Cell and Cancer Immunotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Changzhou Xitaihu Institute for Frontier Technology of Cell Therapy, Changzhou, China
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Maggi J, Carrascal M, Soto L, Neira O, Cuéllar MC, Aravena O, James EA, Abian J, Jaraquemada D, Catalan D, Aguillón JC. Isolation of HLA-DR-naturally presented peptides identifies T-cell epitopes for rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2022; 81:1096-1105. [PMID: 35459695 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) immunopathogenesis revolves around the presentation of poorly characterised self-peptides by human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-class II molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells to autoreactive CD4 +T cells. Here, we analysed the HLA-DR-associated peptidome of synovial tissue (ST) and of dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with synovial fluid (SF) or ST, to identify potential T-cell epitopes for RA. METHODS HLA-DR/peptide complexes were isolated from RA ST samples (n=3) and monocyte-derived DCs, generated from healthy donors carrying RA-associated shared epitope positive HLA-DR molecules and pulsed with RA SF (n=7) or ST (n=2). Peptide sequencing was performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The immunostimulatory capacity of selected peptides was evaluated on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with RA (n=29) and healthy subjects (n=12) by flow cytometry. RESULTS We identified between 103 and 888 HLA-DR-naturally presented peptides per sample. We selected 37 native and six citrullinated (cit)-peptides for stimulation assays. Six of these peptides increased the expression of CD40L on CD4 +T cells patients with RA, and specifically triggered IFN-γ expression on RA CD4 +T cells compared with healthy subjects. Finally, the frequency of IFN-γ-producing CD4 +T cells specific for a myeloperoxidase-derived peptide showed a positive correlation with disease activity. CONCLUSIONS We significantly expanded the peptide repertoire presented by HLA-DR molecules in a physiologically relevant context, identifying six new epitopes recognised by CD4 +T cells from patients with RA. This information is important for a better understanding of the disease immunopathology, as well as for designing tolerising antigen-specific immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaxaira Maggi
- Immune Regulation and Tolerance Research Group, Programa Disciplinario de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Universidad de Chile Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
| | - Montserrat Carrascal
- Biological and Environmental Proteomics Group, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lilian Soto
- Immune Regulation and Tolerance Research Group, Programa Disciplinario de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Universidad de Chile Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Medicina, Unidad del Dolor, Hospital Clinico de la Universidad de Chile Jose Joaquin Aguirre, Santiago, Chile
| | - Oscar Neira
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital del Salvador, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María C Cuéllar
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital del Salvador, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Octavio Aravena
- Immune Regulation and Tolerance Research Group, Programa Disciplinario de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Universidad de Chile Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eddie A James
- Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joaquin Abian
- Biological and Environmental Proteomics Group, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolores Jaraquemada
- Immunology Unit, Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology Department, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego Catalan
- Immune Regulation and Tolerance Research Group, Programa Disciplinario de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Universidad de Chile Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan C Aguillón
- Immune Regulation and Tolerance Research Group, Programa Disciplinario de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Universidad de Chile Facultad de Medicina, Santiago, Chile
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von Mentzer U, Corciulo C, Stubelius A. Biomaterial Integration in the Joint: Pathological Considerations, Immunomodulation, and the Extracellular Matrix. Macromol Biosci 2022; 22:e2200037. [PMID: 35420256 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200037] [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: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Defects of articular joints are becoming an increasing societal burden due to a persistent increase in obesity and aging. For some patients suffering from cartilage erosion, joint replacement is the final option to regain proper motion and limit pain. Extensive research has been undertaken to identify novel strategies enabling earlier intervention to promote regeneration and cartilage healing. With the introduction of decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM), researchers have tapped into the potential for increased tissue regeneration by designing biomaterials with inherent biochemical and immunomodulatory signals. Compared to conventional and synthetic materials, dECM-based materials invoke a reduced foreign body response. It is therefore highly beneficial to understand the interplay of how these native tissue-based materials initiate a favorable remodeling process by the immune system. Yet, such an understanding also demands increasing considerations of the pathological environment and remodeling processes, especially for materials designed for early disease intervention. This knowledge would avoid rejection and help predict complications in conditions with inflammatory components such as arthritides. This review outlines general issues facing biomaterial integration and emphasizes the importance of tissue-derived macromolecular components in regulating essential homeostatic, immunological, and pathological processes to increase biomaterial integration for patients suffering from joint degenerative diseases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ula von Mentzer
- Division of Chemical Biology, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, Gothenburg, 41296, Sweden
| | - Carmen Corciulo
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Guldhedsgatan 10A, Gothenburg, 41296, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Stubelius
- Division of Chemical Biology, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, Gothenburg, 41296, Sweden
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Vaccination by Two DerG LEAPS Conjugates Incorporating Distinct Proteoglycan (PG, Aggrecan) Epitopes Provides Therapy by Different Immune Mechanisms in a Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9050448. [PMID: 34063326 PMCID: PMC8147650 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9050448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be initiated and driven by immune responses to multiple antigenic epitopes including those in cartilage proteoglycan (PG, aggrecan) and type II collagen. RA is driven by T helper 1 (Th1) or Th17 pro-inflammatory T cell responses. LEAPS (Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation System) DerG peptide conjugate vaccines were prepared using epitopes from PG that elicit immune responses in RA patients: epitope PG70 (DerG-PG70, also designated CEL-4000) and the citrullinated form of another epitope (PG275Cit). The LEAPS peptides were administered alone or together in Seppic ISA51vg adjuvant to mice with PG G1 domain-induced arthritis (GIA), a mouse model of RA. Each of these LEAPS peptides and the combination modulated the inflammatory response and stopped the progression of arthritis in the GIA mouse model. Despite having a therapeutic effect, the DerG-PG275Cit vaccine did not elicit significant antibody responses, whereas DerG-PG70 (alone or with DerG-PG275Cit) induced both therapy and antibodies. Spleen T cells from GIA mice, vaccinated with the DerG LEAPS peptides, preferentially produced anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) rather than pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ or IL-17) cytokines in culture. Similarly, cytokines secreted by CD4+ cells of unvaccinated GIA mice, differentiated in vitro to Th2 cells and treated with either or both DerG vaccine peptides, exhibited an anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) profile. These results suggest that the two peptides elicit different therapeutic immune responses by the immunomodulation of disease-promoting pro-inflammatory responses and that the combination of the two LEAPS conjugates may provide broader epitope coverage and, in some cases, greater efficacy than either conjugate alone.
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Melrose J. Functional Consequences of Keratan Sulfate Sulfation in Electrosensory Tissues and in Neuronal Regulation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:e1800327. [PMID: 32627425 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201800327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Keratan sulfate (KS) is a functional electrosensory and neuro-instructive molecule. Recent studies have identified novel low sulfation KS in auditory and sensory tissues such as the tectorial membrane of the organ of Corti and the Ampullae of Lorenzini in elasmobranch fish. These are extremely sensitive proton gradient detection systems that send signals to neural interfaces to facilitate audition and electrolocation. High and low sulfation KS have differential functional roles in song learning in the immature male zebra song-finch with high charge density KS in song nuclei promoting brain development and cognitive learning. The conductive properties of KS are relevant to the excitable neural phenotype. High sulfation KS interacts with a large number of guidance and neuroregulatory proteins. The KS proteoglycan microtubule associated protein-1B (MAP1B) stabilizes actin and tubulin cytoskeletal development during neuritogenesis. A second 12 span transmembrane synaptic vesicle associated KS proteoglycan (SV2) provides a smart gel storage matrix for the storage of neurotransmitters. MAP1B and SV2 have prominent roles to play in neuroregulation. Aggrecan and phosphacan have roles in perineuronal net formation and in neuroregulation. A greater understanding of the biology of KS may be insightful as to how neural repair might be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Melrose
- Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratories, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital and University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.,Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, Northern, Sydney University, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
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Wang M, Liu C, Bond A, Yang J, Zhou X, Wang J, Ji B. Dysfunction of regulatory T cells in patients with ankylosing spondylitis is associated with a loss of Tim-3. Int Immunopharmacol 2018; 59:53-60. [PMID: 29625390 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
An expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was observed. However, AS patients continue to exhibit aberrant inflammation. In this study, we collected PBMCs from 26 AS patients and 26 healthy controls, and investigated the functional capacity of Treg cells from these subjects. In AS patients, the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CD127- Treg cells was slightly increased compared to healthy controls, but the level of Foxp3 MFI in AS patient CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CD127- Treg cells was significantly lower than that in healthy control CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CD127- Treg cells. Tim-3+ Treg cells were previously shown to present stronger suppressive capacity than Tim-3- Treg cells. Here, we discovered that the Tim-3+ cell frequency in CD4+CD25+Foxp3+CD127- Treg cells was significantly lower in AS patients. In both healthy volunteers and AS patients, Tim-3+ Treg cells demonstrated higher transcription of Foxp3, IL-10 and TGF-β, higher secretion of IL-10 and TGF-β, and stronger inhibition of conventional T cell inflammation, than Tim-3- Treg cells. In some but not all functional aspects, the Tim-3+ Treg cells from healthy controls were more potent than the Tim-3+ Treg cells from AS patients. Collectively, these results demonstrated two Treg-related impairments in AS patients. First, the frequency of the more potent Tim-3+ Treg cells was lower in AS patients, and second, some of Tim-3+ Treg-mediated functions were less potent in AS patients. Interestingly, the ratio of Tim-3-/Tim-3+ Treg cells in AS patients was directly correlated with the Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) score, the C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Given the fact that Tim-3+ Treg cells presented potent suppressive functions, Tim-3+ Treg cells and Tim-3+ Treg-mediated mechanisms might be potential candidates for immunotherapies in AS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfei Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chengyi Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Allen Bond
- DICAT Biomedical Computation Centre, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Pudong New Area People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
| | - Bin Ji
- Department of Orthopedics, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Sidney J, Becart S, Zhou M, Duffy K, Lindvall M, Moore EC, Moore EL, Rao T, Rao N, Nielsen M, Peters B, Sette A. Citrullination only infrequently impacts peptide binding to HLA class II MHC. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177140. [PMID: 28481943 PMCID: PMC5421785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that HLA class II alleles associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) preferentially present self-antigens altered by post-translational modification, such as citrullination. To understand the role of citrullination we tested four RA-associated citrullinated epitopes and their corresponding wild-type version for binding to 28 common HLA class II. Binding patterns were variable, and no consistent impact of citrullination was identified. Indeed, in one case citrullination significantly increased binding compared to the WT peptide, in another citrullination was associated with a reduction in promiscuity by 40%. For a more comprehensive analysis, we tested over 200 citrullinated peptides derived from vimentin and collagen II for their capacity to bind the RA-associated shared epitope alleles DRB1*01:01 and DRB1*04:01. The overall effect of citrullination on binding was found to be relatively minor, and only rarely associated with 3-fold increases or decreases in affinity. Previous studies have suggested that citrullination of MHC anchor residues, in particular P4, is associated with generation of novel RA-associated epitopes. However, analysis of the predicted MHC-binding cores of all peptides tested found that in modified peptides with increased binding affinity the citrullinated residue was predicted to occupy an anchor position in only a minority of cases. Finally, we also show that identification of citrullinated peptide binders could be facilitated by using the NetMHCIIpan 3.1 algorithm, representing citrullination as a wildcard. Our studies identify a total of 117 citrullinated peptides that bound RA-associated alleles with an affinity of 1000 nM or better.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Sidney
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Stephane Becart
- Janssen Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Mimi Zhou
- Janssen Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Karen Duffy
- Janssen Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Mikaela Lindvall
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Erin C. Moore
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Eugene L. Moore
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Tadimeti Rao
- Janssen Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Navin Rao
- Janssen Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Morten Nielsen
- Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Department of Bio and Health Informatics, The Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bjoern Peters
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Alessandro Sette
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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Coeliac disease and rheumatoid arthritis: similar mechanisms, different antigens. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2015; 11:450-61. [PMID: 25986717 DOI: 10.1038/nrrheum.2015.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and coeliac disease are inflammatory diseases that both have a strong association with class II HLAs: individuals carrying HLA-DQ2.5 and/or HLA-DQ8 alleles have an increased risk of developing coeliac disease, whereas those carrying HLA-DR shared epitope alleles exhibit an increased risk of developing RA. Although the molecular basis of the association with specific HLA molecules in RA remains poorly defined, an immune response against post-translationally modified protein antigens is a hallmark of each disease. In RA, understanding of the pathogenetic role of B-cell responses to citrullinated antigens, including vimentin, fibrinogen and α-enolase, is rapidly growing. Moreover, insight into the role of HLAs in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease has been considerably advanced by the identification of T-cell responses to deamidated gluten antigens presented in conjunction with predisposing HLA-DQ2.5 molecules. This article briefly reviews these advances and draws parallels between the immune mechanisms leading to RA and coeliac disease, which point to a crucial role for T-cell-B-cell cooperation in the development of full-blown disease. Finally, the ways in which these novel insights are being exploited therapeutically to re-establish tolerance in patients with RA and coeliac disease are described.
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Spiering R, Margry B, Keijzer C, Petzold C, Hoek A, Wagenaar-Hilbers J, van der Zee R, van Eden W, Kretschmer K, Broere F. DEC205+ Dendritic Cell-Targeted Tolerogenic Vaccination Promotes Immune Tolerance in Experimental Autoimmune Arthritis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:4804-13. [PMID: 25862815 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies in mouse models of autoimmune diabetes and encephalomyelitis have indicated that the selective delivery of self-antigen to the endocytic receptor DEC205 on steady-state dendritic cells (DCs) may represent a suitable approach to induce Ag-specific immune tolerance. In this study, we aimed to examine whether DEC205(+) DC targeting of a single immunodominant peptide derived from human cartilage proteoglycan (PG) can promote immune tolerance in PG-induced arthritis (PGIA). Besides disease induction by immunization with whole PG protein with a high degree of antigenic complexity, PGIA substantially differs from previously studied autoimmune models not only in the target tissue of autoimmune destruction but also in the nature of pathogenic immune effector cells. Our results show that DEC205(+) DC targeting of the PG peptide 70-84 is sufficient to efficiently protect against PGIA development. Complementary mechanistic studies support a model in which DEC205(+) DC targeting leads to insufficient germinal center B cell support by PG-specific follicular helper T cells. Consequently, impaired germinal center formation results in lower Ab titers, severely compromising the development of PGIA. Overall, this study further corroborates the potential of prospective tolerogenic DEC205(+) DC vaccination to interfere with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Spiering
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Bram Margry
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chantal Keijzer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Cathleen Petzold
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, German Research Foundation-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, 01307 Dresden, Germany; and
| | - Aad Hoek
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Josée Wagenaar-Hilbers
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ruurd van der Zee
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Willem van Eden
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Karsten Kretschmer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, German Research Foundation-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden University of Technology, 01307 Dresden, Germany; and Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, German Center for Diabetes Research, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Femke Broere
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands;
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Falconer J, Lowes K, Furmanski AL, Dyson J, Ng WF, Robinson JH. Intramolecular polyspecificity in CD4 T-cell recognition of Ad-restricted epitopes of proteoglycan aggrecan. Immunology 2014; 142:101-110. [PMID: 24843873 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12238] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell recognition of MHC–peptide complexes shows a high degree of polyspecificity extending to recognition of a large number of structurally unrelated peptides. Examples of polyspecificity reported to date are confined to recognition of epitopes from distinct proteins or synthetic peptide libraries. Here we describe intramolecular polyspecificity of CD4 T cells specific for several epitopes within proteoglycan aggrecan, a structural glycoprotein of cartilage and candidate autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis. T-cell hybridomas from aggrecan-immunized mice recognized four structurally unrelated epitopes from the G1 domain of aggrecan, but not other aggrecan epitopes or a variety of other peptide epitopes restricted by the same MHC class II allele. We also showed that the hierarchy of cross-reactivity broadly correlated with the strength of peptide binding to MHC class II. Similar polyspecificity was observed in responses of lymph node cells from peptide-immunized mice, suggesting polyspecificity of a significant proportion of the in vivo aggrecan specific T-cell repertoire. Polyspecific recognition of several epitopes within the same autoantigen may provide a novel mechanism to reach the activation threshold of low-affinity autoreactive T cells in the initiation of autoimmune diseases.
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Proteoglycan aggrecan conducting T cell activation and apoptosis in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:942148. [PMID: 24605340 PMCID: PMC3925549 DOI: 10.1155/2014/942148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease and its targeting of the joints indicates the presence of a candidate autoantigen(s) in synovial joints. Patients with RA show immune responses in their peripheral blood to proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan. One of the most relevant animal models of RA appears to be proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA), and CD4+ T cells seem to play a crucial role in the initiation of the disease. In this review, the role of various T cell epitopes of aggrecan in the induction of autoreactive T cell activation and arthritis is discussed. We pay special attention to two critically important arthritogenic epitopes, 5/4E8 and P135H, found in the G1 and G3 domains of PG aggrecan, respectively, in the induction of autoimmune arthritis. Finally, results obtained with the recently developed PG-specific TCR transgenic mice system showed that altered T cell apoptosis, the balance of activation, and apoptosis of autoreactive T cells are critical factors in the development of autoimmunity.
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Busquets-Perez N, Marzo-Ortega H, Emery P. Emerging drugs for axial spondyloarthritis including ankylosing spondylitis. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2012; 18:71-86. [PMID: 23253176 DOI: 10.1517/14728214.2013.752815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Only non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and TNF inhibitors (TNFi) are effective in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, not all patients successfully respond to these drugs and a subset may have contraindications to their use. AREAS COVERED In the last decade, an earlier diagnosis of AS has been achieved due to the increasing availability of MRI. This has led to prompt treatment initiation with improved outcomes. NSAIDs and TNFi are the current treatments for AS which lead to sustained clinical responses in the long term. Recent studies have shown other potential biomarkers in AS, such as the IL-17/IL-23 axis. This has translated into the development of new drugs which interfere with these pathways, such as apremilast and secukinumab, which have shown efficacy in early clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION AS carries considerable short- and long-term disabilities. Anti-TNF-α therapies reduce pain, improve function and decrease inflammation as seen by MRI. New treatment options are being developed which may prove efficacious on those patients not responding to anti-TNF. The ultimate research goal should focus on treatments to prevent and stop new bone formation.
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Non-MHC risk alleles in rheumatoid arthritis and in the syntenic chromosome regions of corresponding animal models. Clin Dev Immunol 2012; 2012:284751. [PMID: 23251214 PMCID: PMC3521484 DOI: 10.1155/2012/284751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2012] [Revised: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a polygenic autoimmune disease primarily affecting the synovial joints. Numerous animal models show similarities to RA in humans; some of them not only mimic the clinical phenotypes but also demonstrate the involvement of homologous genomic regions in RA. This paper compares corresponding non-MHC genomic regions identified in rodent and human genome-wide association studies (GWAS). To date, over 30 non-MHC RA-associated loci have been identified in humans, and over 100 arthritis-associated loci have been identified in rodent models of RA. The genomic regions associated with the disease are designated by the name(s) of the gene having the most frequent and consistent RA-associated SNPs or a function suggesting their involvement in inflammatory or autoimmune processes. Animal studies on rats and mice preferentially have used single sequence length polymorphism (SSLP) markers to identify disease-associated qualitative and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in the genome of F2 hybrids of arthritis-susceptible and arthritis-resistant rodent strains. Mouse GWAS appear to be far ahead of rat studies, and significantly more mouse QTLs correspond to human RA risk alleles.
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Kis-Toth K, Radacs M, Olasz K, van Eden W, Mikecz K, Glant TT. Arthritogenic T cells drive the recovery of autoantibody-producing B cell homeostasis and the adoptive transfer of arthritis in SCID mice. Int Immunol 2012; 24:507-17. [PMID: 22518822 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxs057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells orchestrate joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but B cells/B cell-derived factors are also involved in disease pathogenesis. The goal of this study was to understand the role of antigen-specific T and B cells in the pathological events of arthritis, which is impossible to study in humans due to the small number of antigen-specific cells. To determine the significance of antigen-specific lymphocytes and antibodies in the development of an autoimmune mouse model of RA, we generated TCR transgenic (TCR-Tg) mice specific for the dominant arthritogenic epitope of cartilage proteoglycan (PG) and performed a series of combined transfers of T cells, B cells and autoantibodies into BALB/c.Scid mice. The adoptive transfer of highly purified T cells from naive TCR-Tg, arthritic TCR-Tg or arthritic wild-type mice induced arthritis in SCID recipients, but the onset and severity of the disease were dependent on the sequential events of the T cell-supported reconstitution of PG-specific B cells and autoantibodies. The presence of activated PG-specific T cells was critical for disease induction, establishing a unique milieu for the selective homeostasis of autoantibody-producing B cells. In this permissive environment, anti-PG autoantibodies bound to cartilage and induced activation of the complement cascade, leading to irreversible cartilage destruction in affected joints. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the complex molecular and cellular mechanisms of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Kis-Toth
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Song IH, Poddubnyy D. New treatment targets in ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthritides. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2012; 23:346-51. [PMID: 21508843 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0b013e328346f7fb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite overall good efficacy of currently available treatment [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α inhibitors] for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and other spondyloarthritides (SpAs), up to 40% of the treated patients do not achieve an acceptable clinical improvement during the therapy. Here we discuss the most attractive new targets, which might become an alternative for AS/SpA patients in whom anti-TNFα therapy has failed or is contraindicated. RECENT FINDINGS Although B-cell depletion showed a moderate efficacy in a pilot trial in anti-TNF-naïve patients with AS, inhibition of T-cell costimulation seems to be ineffective in AS but might be effective in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Interleukin (IL)-17 blockade showed promising results in a small clinical trial in AS, anti-IL-12/23 drugs demonstrated good efficacy in PsA. Clinical trials investigating the efficacy of IL-17 blockade in PsA, as well as studies with IL-6 and IL-12/23 antagonists in AS, are currently ongoing. SUMMARY IL-6, IL-17, IL-12/23 and, to a latter extend, B-cells are the most promising new targets in the treatment of AS and other SpAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Ho Song
- Department of Rheumatology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Ojeda G, Pini E, Eguiluz C, Montes-Casado M, Broere F, van Eden W, Rojo JM, Portolés P. Complement regulatory protein Crry/p65 costimulation expands natural Treg cells with enhanced suppressive properties in proteoglycan-induced arthritis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 63:1562-72. [DOI: 10.1002/art.30328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Batsalova T, Dzhambazov B, Klaczkowska D, Holmdahl R. Mice producing less reactive oxygen species are relatively resistant to collagen glycopeptide vaccination against arthritis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 185:2701-9. [PMID: 20686129 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1000385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The bottleneck for the induction of collagen-induced arthritis in mice is the recognition of immunodominant type II collagen (CII) peptide (CII259-273) bound to the MHC class II molecule A(q). We have shown previously that the posttranslationally glycosylated lysine at position 264 in this epitope is of great importance for T cell recognition and tolerance induction to CII as well as for arthritis development. The Ncf1 gene, controlling oxidative burst, has been shown to play an important role for immune tolerance to CII. To investigate the effect of oxidation on the efficiency of immune-specific vaccination with MHC class II/glycosylated-CII peptide complexes, we used Ncf1 mutated mice. We demonstrate that normal reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels contribute to the establishment of tolerance and arthritis protection, because only mice with a functional oxidative burst were completely protected from arthritis after administration of the glycosylated CII259-273 peptide in complex with MHC class II. Transfer of T cells from vaccinated mice with functional Ncf1 protein resulted in strong suppression of clinical signs of arthritis in B10.Q mice, whereas the Ncf1 mutated mice as recipients had a weaker suppressive effect, suggesting that ROS modified the secondary rather than the primary immune response. A milder but still significant effect was also observed in ROS deficient mice. During the primary vaccination response, regulatory T cells, upregulation of negative costimulatory molecules, and increased production of anti-inflammatory versus proinflammatory cytokines in both Ncf1 mutated and wild type B10.Q mice was observed, which could explain the vaccination effect independent of ROS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsvetelina Batsalova
- Division of Medical Inflammation Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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von Delwig A, Locke J, Robinson JH, Ng WF. Response of Th17 cells to a citrullinated arthritogenic aggrecan peptide in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 62:143-9. [DOI: 10.1002/art.25064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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23
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T-cell responses to versican in ankylosing spondylitis. Rheumatol Int 2009; 31:191-5. [DOI: 10.1007/s00296-009-1248-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2009] [Accepted: 11/27/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Prakken BJ, Albani S. Using biology of disease to understand and guide therapy of JIA. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2009; 23:599-608. [DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2009.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Bei R, Masuelli L, Palumbo C, Tresoldi I, Scardino A, Modesti A. Long-Lasting Tissue Inflammatory Processes Trigger Autoimmune Responses to Extracellular Matrix Molecules. Int Rev Immunol 2009; 27:137-75. [DOI: 10.1080/08830180801939280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Kuhne M, Erben U, Schulze-Tanzil G, Köhler D, Wu P, Richter FJ, John T, Radbruch A, Sieper J, Appel H. HLA-B27-restricted antigen presentation by human chondrocytes to CD8+ T cells: Potential contribution to local immunopathologic processes in ankylosing spondylitis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 60:1635-46. [DOI: 10.1002/art.24549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Robinson JH. Colony variability under the spotlight in animal models of arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2009; 11:110. [PMID: 19439055 PMCID: PMC2688192 DOI: 10.1186/ar2653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent article by Farkas and colleagues, published in Arthritis Research & Therapy, is from the laboratory of Dr Tibor Glant and his research team in Chicago, who have investigated in considerable depth the immunopathology of experimental arthritis induced by the major cartilage component proteoglycan aggrecan in an animal model that mimics many features of human rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. This present report takes our understanding a significant step forward by questioning whether genetic drift in distinct colonies of the same inbred strains of mice has an impact on the parity between data published by different laboratories.
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Coffman FD. Chitinase 3-Like-1 (CHI3L1): a putative disease marker at the interface of proteomics and glycomics. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2009; 45:531-62. [PMID: 19003601 DOI: 10.1080/10408360802334743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chitinase 3-Like-1 (CHI3L1) is a secreted 40 kDa glycoprotein that is upregulated in a number of human cancers and in non-neoplastic disease states characterized by chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling. Increased serum levels of CHI3L1 parallel disease severity, poorer prognosis, and shorter survival in many human neoplasias, including cancers of the breast, colon, prostate, ovaries, brain, thyroid, lung, and liver. Increased serum CHI3L1 also correlates with disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, liver fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and bacterial septicemia. CHI3L1 is a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) autoantigen, and MHC complexes containing specific CHI3L1 peptides have been found in RA patients; however, intranasal introduction of these same CHI3L1 peptides can induce tolerance towards them. CHI3L1 is a nonhydrolytic member of the human chitinase family that binds chitin tightly and heparin at lower affinity. Interactions with type I collagen, CHI3L1's only known protein-binding partner, helps regulate collagen fibril formation. The principal sources of CHI3L1 are activated macrophages and chondrocytes, neutrophils, and some tissue and tumor cells. CHI3L1 can act as a fibroblast mitogen and can activate several signaling pathways, however, no cell surface-binding partner for CHI3L1 has been identified. The ability of CHI3L1 to bind both proteins and carbohydrates allows potential interactions with a variety of cell-surface and extracellular-matrix proteins, proteoglycans, and polysaccharides, and thus CHI3L1 can interface between proteomics and glycomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick D Coffman
- Department of Pathology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.
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Benjamin M, McGonagle D. The enthesis organ concept and its relevance to the spondyloarthropathies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2009; 649:57-70. [PMID: 19731620 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-0298-6_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A characteristic feature of the spondyloarthropathies is inflammation at tendon or ligament attachment sites. This has traditionally been viewed as a focal abnormality, even though the inflammatory reaction intrinsic to enthesitis may be quite extensive. We argue that the diffuse nature of the pathology is best understood in the context of an 'enthesis organ concept'. This highlights the fact that stress concentration at an insertion site involves not only the enthesis itself, but neighbouring tissues as well. The archetypal enthesis organ is that of the Achilles tendon where intermittent contact between tendon and bone immediately proximal to the enthesis leads to the formation of fibrocartilages on the deep surface of the tendon and on the opposing calcaneal tuberosity, but similar functional modifications are widespread throughout the skeleton. Many entheses have bursae and fat near the insertion site and both of these serve to promote frictionless movement. Collectively, the fibrocartilages, bursa, fat pad and the enthesis itself constitute the enthesis organ. However, it also includes both the immediately adjacent trabecular bone networks and in some cases deep fascia. The concept of a synovio-entheseal complex (SEC) and of a 'functional enthesis' are complimentary to that of an enthesis organ and also have important implications for understanding spondyloarthropathy. The SEC concept emphasizes the interdependence between synovial membrane and entheses within enthesis organs. It draws attention to the fact that one component (the enthesis) is prone to microdamage and the other (the synovium) to inflammation. If an enthesis is damaged, any ensuing inflammatory reaction is likely to occur in the synovium. The concept of a 'functional enthesis' serves to emphasise anatomical, biomechanical and pathological features that are shared between true fibrocartilaginous entheses and regions proximal to the attachment sites themselves where tendons or ligaments wrap around bony pulleys. Such'wrap-around regions' are well documented sites of pathology in SpA-for tenosynovitis is a recognized feature. Stress concentration at the enthesis itself is dissipated at many sites by fibrous connections between one tendon or ligament and another, close to the insertion site. At a microscopic level, enthesis fibrocartilage is of paramount importance in ensuring that fibre bending of the tendon or ligament is not focused at the hard tissue interface. Normal enthesis organs are avascular in their fibrocartilaginous regions, but tissue microdamage to entheses is common and appears to be associated with tissue repair responses and vessel ingrowth. This makes the enthesis organ a site where adjuvant molecules derived from bacteria may be preferentially deposited. This microdamage and propensity for bacterial molecule deposition in the context of genetic factors such as HLA-B27 appears to lead to the characteristic inflammatory changes of AS. Understanding the enthesis organ concept helps to explain synovitis and osteitis in spondyloarthropathy. An appreciation of the complex anatomy of 'articular enthesis organs' (e.g., that associated with the distal interphalangeal joints) is helpful in understanding disease patterns in psoriatic arthritis. In this chapter, we review the extent and types ofenthesis organs and show how a patho-anatomic appreciation of these structures leads to a new platform for understanding the pathogenesis of SpA.
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Davis JC, Mease PJ. Insights Into the Pathology and Treatment of Spondyloarthritis: From the Bench to the Clinic. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2008; 38:83-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2007.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2007] [Revised: 10/11/2007] [Accepted: 10/29/2007] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Broere F, Wieten L, Klein Koerkamp EI, van Roon JAG, Guichelaar T, Lafeber FPJG, van Eden W. Oral or Nasal Antigen Induces Regulatory T Cells That Suppress Arthritis and Proliferation of Arthritogenic T Cells in Joint Draining Lymph Nodes. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 181:899-906. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.181.2.899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Milz S, Jakob J, Büttner A, Tischer T, Putz R, Benjamin M. The structure of the coracoacromial ligament: fibrocartilage differentiation does not necessarily mean pathology. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2007; 18:16-22. [PMID: 17490459 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2007.00644.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The coracoacromial ligament forms part of the coracoacromial arch and is implicated in impingement syndrome and acromial spur formation. Here, we describe its structure and the composition of its extracellular matrix. Ligaments were obtained from 15 cadavers, nine from older people (average age 74.7 years) and six from younger individuals (average age 24.2 years). Cryosections of methanol-fixed tissue were cut and sections were immunolabelled with monoclonal antibodies against collagens, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, matrix proteins and neurofilament proteins. Both ligament entheses were highly fibrocartilaginous and immunolabelled strongly for type II collagen, aggrecan and link protein. The area of labelling was more extensive in older people. However, fibrocartilage also characterized the ligament midsubstance, particularly with increased age. Signs of fibrocartilage degeneration were more common in older people. Ligament fat (containing blood vessels and nerve fibers) was conspicuous in both age groups, especially between fiber bundles at the entheses. We conclude that fibrocartilage is a normal feature but becomes more pronounced with age. It is not necessarily pathological, for it simply indicates that the ligament is subject to compression and/or shear. Nevertheless, the prominence of fibrocartilage at the acromial enthesis may relate to the frequency with which enthesophytes develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Milz
- AO Research Institute, Davos, Switzerland.
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Brintnell W, Bell DA, Hill JA, Jevnikar AM, Sette A, Sidney J, Doege K, Cairns E. The Influence of MHC Class II Molecules Containing the Rheumatoid Arthritis Shared Epitope on the Immune Response to Aggrecan G1 and Its Peptides. Scand J Immunol 2007; 65:444-52. [PMID: 17444955 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2007.01931.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Aggrecan has been implied as an autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Immunization with aggrecan induces arthritis in BALB/c (H-2(d)) mice but not in other strains of mice [e.g. C57BL/6 (H-2(b))]. In humans, the strongest genetic association with RA is to the shared epitope (SE), and aggrecan peptides are predicted to bind to the SE. Therefore, we hypothesized that C57BL/6 mice transgenic (tg) for the RA SE (DR4 tg mice) may be susceptible to aggrecan-induced arthritis. C57BL/6 and DR4 tg mice were immunized with a mixture of SE-binding aggrecan peptides and tested for immune responses to the corresponding peptides as well as aggrecan. Sustained T- and B-cell immune responses to aggrecan and several of its peptides were detected in DR4 tg mice. C57BL/6 mice showed only transient T-cell responses to different immunizing peptides and little B-cell response. Therefore, an immune response to peptides of aggrecan can be induced experimentally in DR4 tg mice as anticipated from the predicted and actual binding affinities of these peptides for the RA SE. Failure to induce arthritis in these DR4 tg mice may be due to a lack of appropriate non-MHC genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Brintnell
- Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis is a common inflammatory rheumatic disease that affects the axial skeleton, causing characteristic inflammatory back pain, which can lead to structural and functional impairments and a decrease in quality of life. New imaging techniques and therapies have substantially changed the management of this disease in the past decade. Whether inhibition of radiographic progression and structural damage can be reached with available drugs is as yet unclear. Furthermore, treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and physiotherapy remains an important approach to long-term management of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The new treatment options with tumour necrosis factor blockers seems a breakthrough for patients refractory to conventional treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Braun
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, 44652 Herne, Germany.
| | - Joachim Sieper
- Medical Department I, Rheumatology, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Guillevin L, Pagnoux C, Guilpain P, Bienvenu B, Martinez V, Mouthon L. Indications for biotherapy in systemic vasculitides. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2007; 32:85-96. [PMID: 17426364 DOI: 10.1007/bf02686085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/1999] [Revised: 11/30/1999] [Accepted: 11/30/1999] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Biotherapy now holds a specific place in the therapeutic armamentarium for systemic vasculitides. Such therapy includes cytokines, such as (pegylated) alpha-interferon for hepatitis B virus-related polyarteritis nodosa and hepatitis C virus-related cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, and polyvalent immunoglobulin (IVIg), with well-defined indications and pending positive results. More specifically targeted monoclonal antibodies include antitumor necrosis factor-alpha or anti-CD20 for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides or anti-interleukin-5 and anti-IgE for Churg-Strauss syndrome. However, the exact indications of these latter new agents, as well as their optimal dosage and duration, are not defined. Therefore, they are prescribed mainly for patients with disease refractory to conventional therapy, in whom results are promising. Results of international ongoing trials will determine whether the agents may also have a place as first-line treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Guillevin
- Department of Internal Medicine, French Vasculitis Study Group, Centre de Référence Vascularites et Sclérodermie, Hôpital Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
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36
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Kamphuis S, Hrafnkelsdóttir K, Klein MR, de Jager W, Haverkamp MH, van Bilsen JHM, Albani S, Kuis W, Wauben MHM, Prakken BJ. Novel self-epitopes derived from aggrecan, fibrillin, and matrix metalloproteinase-3 drive distinct autoreactive T-cell responses in juvenile idiopathic arthritis and in health. Arthritis Res Ther 2007; 8:R178. [PMID: 17129378 PMCID: PMC1794523 DOI: 10.1186/ar2088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2006] [Revised: 11/15/2006] [Accepted: 11/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by chronic joint inflammation. Knowing which antigens drive the autoreactive T-cell response in JIA is crucial for the understanding of disease pathogenesis and additionally may provide targets for antigen-specific immune therapy. In this study, we tested 9 self-peptides derived from joint-related autoantigens for T-cell recognition (T-cell proliferative responses and cytokine production) in 36 JIA patients and 15 healthy controls. Positive T-cell proliferative responses (stimulation index ≥2) to one or more peptides were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 69% of JIA patients irrespective of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotype. The peptides derived from aggrecan, fibrillin, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 yielded the highest frequency of T-cell proliferative responses in JIA patients. In both the oligoarticular and polyarticular subtypes of JIA, the aggrecan peptide induced T-cell proliferative responses that were inversely related with disease duration. The fibrillin peptide, to our knowledge, is the first identified autoantigen that is primarily recognized in polyarticular JIA patients. Finally, the epitope derived from MMP-3 elicited immune responses in both subtypes of JIA and in healthy controls. Cytokine production in short-term peptide-specific T-cell lines revealed production of interferon-γ (aggrecan/MMP-3) and interleukin (IL)-17 (aggrecan) and inhibition of IL-10 production (aggrecan). Here, we have identified a triplet of self-epitopes, each with distinct patterns of T-cell recognition in JIA patients. Additional experiments need to be performed to explore their qualities and role in disease pathogenesis in further detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Kamphuis
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and IACOPO, Institute for Translational Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Erasmus MC Sophia, PO Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kolbrún Hrafnkelsdóttir
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and IACOPO, Institute for Translational Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark R Klein
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and IACOPO, Institute for Translational Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wilco de Jager
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and IACOPO, Institute for Translational Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Margje H Haverkamp
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and IACOPO, Institute for Translational Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jolanda HM van Bilsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Salvatore Albani
- Department of Medicine and Pediatrics and IACOPO Institute for Translational Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilmandrive, La Jolla CA 92093-0663, USA
- Androclus Therapeutics, Via Carducci 15, 92100 Milan, Italy
| | - Wietse Kuis
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and IACOPO, Institute for Translational Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marca HM Wauben
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Berent J Prakken
- Department of Paediatric Immunology and IACOPO, Institute for Translational Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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37
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Mansour M, Cheema GS, Naguwa SM, Greenspan A, Borchers AT, Keen CL, Gershwin ME. Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Contemporary Perspective on Diagnosis and Treatment. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2007; 36:210-23. [PMID: 17011612 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2006.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2006] [Revised: 07/10/2006] [Accepted: 08/01/2006] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In recent years, great progress has been made in the development of diagnostic tools, therapeutic approaches, and validated outcome measures in the understanding of the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The purpose of this review was to summarize these developments. METHODS We performed a PubMed search for the period 1978 to 2005, using the keyword, "ankylosing spondylitis," resulting in a total of 4878 publications, including 778 reviews. Articles were then selected based on their discussion of recent diagnostic tools and new treatment approaches in the pathogenesis of AS, leading to a final total of 104 articles. RESULTS In recent years, there have been 2 major developments in the management of AS that make earlier diagnosis possible and offer the hope of alleviating pain and preventing structural changes that result in loss of function. These developments include the use of magnetic resonance imaging to visualize the inflammatory changes in the sacroiliac joint and the axial spine, and the demonstration that tumor necrosis factor blocking agents are highly efficacious in reducing spinal inflammation and possibly in slowing radiographic progression. CONCLUSIONS There have been major advances in both the diagnostic tools and the therapeutic regimens available for patients with AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Mansour
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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38
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Marks DJB, Mitchison NA, Segal AW, Sieper J. Can unresolved infection precipitate autoimmune disease? Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2006; 305:105-25. [PMID: 16724803 DOI: 10.1007/3-540-29714-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are frequently postulated to arise as post-infectious phenomena. Here we survey the evidence supporting these theories, with particular emphasis on Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis. Direct proof that infection establishes persistent autoimmunity remains lacking, although it may provoke a prolonged inflammatory response when occurring on a susceptible immunological background. The argument of infective causality is by no means trivial, since it carries important consequences for the safety of vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J B Marks
- Centre for Molecular Medicine, University College London, UK
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39
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François RJ, Neure L, Sieper J, Braun J. Immunohistological examination of open sacroiliac biopsies of patients with ankylosing spondylitis: detection of tumour necrosis factor alpha in two patients with early disease and transforming growth factor beta in three more advanced cases. Ann Rheum Dis 2006; 65:713-20. [PMID: 16249231 PMCID: PMC1798185 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2005.037465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2005] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterise the immunohistological features of sacroiliitis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at different disease stages. METHODS Biopsy samples from sacroiliac joints (SIJs) of five patients with AS, two with early, three with advanced changes and samples from age matched controls from one necropsy SIJ and two iliac bone marrow (BM) biopsies were studied. Paraffin sections were immunostained in triplicate for T cells (CD3, CD8), macrophages (CD68), and the cytokines tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interferon gamma, interleukin (IL) 1beta, IL6, IL10, and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1). Stained cells were counted over one entire high power field (x400) per section in BM, cartilage, and other connective tissue (CT). Results are the mean of three sections. RESULTS CD3+ T cells were numerous in the BM of early AS, and in the CT of one patient with early and one with late AS, with variable proportions of CD8+ T cells. All patients with AS had more CD68+ macrophages than controls in BM and CT; in cartilage, one patient with early and one with late AS had increased CD68+ cells, some being osteoclasts. The patient with very early AS had large numbers of TNFalpha cells in the three tissular areas; for the other patient with early disease they were found only in CT and cartilage. IL6 was seen in 4/4 patients with AS in most areas. Patients with early disease had more T cells, TNFalpha, and IL6, and patients with advanced AS more TGFbeta1. CONCLUSION The immunohistological findings of a limited sample suggest a role for BM in sacroiliitis, for TNFalpha and IL6 in early, active lesions, and for TGFbeta1 at the time of secondary cartilage and bone proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J François
- Arthritis Research Unit, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
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40
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Milz S, Aktas T, Putz R, Benjamin M. Expression of extracellular matrix molecules typical of articular cartilage in the human scapholunate interosseous ligament. J Anat 2006; 208:671-9. [PMID: 16761970 PMCID: PMC2100228 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2006.00552.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2006] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) connects the scaphoid and lunate bones and plays a crucial role in carpal kinematics. Its rupture leads to carpal instability and impairment of radiocarpal joint function. As the ligament is one of the first structures affected in rheumatoid arthritis, we conducted an immunohistochemical study of cadaveric tissue to determine whether it contains known autoantigens for rheumatoid arthritis. We immunolabelled the ligament from one hand in 12 cadavers with monoclonal antibodies directed against a wide range of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules associated with both fibrous and cartilaginous tissues. The labelling profile has also enabled us to comment on how the molecular composition of the ligament relates to its mechanical function. All regions of the ligament labelled for types I, III and VI collagens, chondroitin 4 and 6 sulphates, keratan sulphate, dermatan sulphate, versican, tenascin and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). However, both entheses labelled strongly for type II collagen, aggrecan and link protein and were distinctly fibrocartilaginous. In some regions, the ligament attached to bone via a region of hyaline cartilage that was continuous with articular cartilage. Labelling for cartilage molecules in the midsubstance was most evident dorsally. We conclude that the SLIL has an ECM which is typical of other highly fibrocartilaginous ligaments that experience both tensile load and shear. The presence of aggrecan, link protein, COMP and type II collagen could explain why the ligament may be a target for autoantigenic destruction in some forms of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Milz
- AO Research Institute, Davos, Switzerland.
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41
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Appel H, Kuhne M, Spiekermann S, Köhler D, Zacher J, Stein H, Sieper J, Loddenkemper C. Immunohistochemical analysis of hip arthritis in ankylosing spondylitis: Evaluation of the bone–cartilage interface and subchondral bone marrow. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 54:1805-13. [PMID: 16736521 DOI: 10.1002/art.21907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous histopathologic and magnetic resonance imaging studies suggest that the subchondral bone marrow might be the primary site of inflammation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and that this might be reflected by inflammation found in hip joints. The aim of this study was to conduct an immunohistologic assessment of the bone-cartilage interface and subchondral bone marrow in AS patients with hip arthritis. METHODS We collected femoral heads from patients with AS, osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were undergoing hip replacement. The subchondral bone marrow and bone-cartilage interface were assessed immunohistochemically by evaluating infiltrating T cells, microvessel density, and osteoclasts. Areas of the femoral head surface with and without cartilage were assessed separately. RESULTS At sites with surface cartilage, we found subchondral infiltration of CD3+ T cell aggregates at significantly higher numbers in AS patients as compared with OA patients, but not RA patients. At sites of complete cartilage destruction, the frequency of CD3+ T cell aggregates was significantly reduced as compared with sites with cartilage on the surface in AS patients, but not in RA patients. Similar differences were found for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Only at sites with surface cartilage, but not those without, angiogenesis and osteoclastic foci in the subchondral bone marrow in AS patients were significantly increased as compared with RA patients and with OA patients. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the subchondral bone marrow and bone-cartilage interface are primary sites of inflammation in AS and that cartilage might be necessary for the induction of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Appel
- Charité Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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42
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Berlo SE, Guichelaar T, Ten Brink CB, van Kooten PJ, Hauet-Broeren F, Ludanyi K, van Eden W, Broeren CP, Glant TT. Increased arthritis susceptibility in cartilage proteoglycan–specific T cell receptor–transgenic mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 54:2423-33. [PMID: 16869010 DOI: 10.1002/art.22013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To better understand the role of antigen (arthritogenic epitope)-specific T cells in the development of autoimmune arthritis. METHODS A transgenic (Tg) mouse expressing the T cell receptor (TCR) Valpha1.1 and V(beta)4 chains specific for a dominant arthritogenic epitope (designated 5/4E8) of human cartilage proteoglycan (HuPG) aggrecan was generated. This TCR-Tg mouse strain was backcrossed into the PG-induced arthritis (PGIA)-susceptible BALB/c strain and tested for arthritis incidence and severity. RESULTS CD4+ TCR-Tg T cells carried functionally active TCR specific for a dominant arthritogenic epitope of HuPG (5/4E8). T cells of naive TCR-Tg mice were in an activated stage, since the in vitro response to HuPG or to peptide stimulation induced interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 production. TCR-Tg mice uniformly, without exception, developed severe and progressive polyarthritis, even without adjuvant. Inflamed joints showed extensive cartilage degradation and bone erosions, similar to that seen in the arthritic joints of wild-type BALB/c mice with PGIA. Spleen cells from both naive and HuPG-immunized arthritic TCR-Tg mice could adoptively transfer arthritis when injected into syngeneic BALB/c.SCID recipient mice. CONCLUSION TCR-Tg BALB/c mice display increased arthritis susceptibility and develop aggravated disease upon in vivo antigen stimulation. This model using TCR-Tg mice is a novel and valuable research tool for studying mechanisms of antigen (arthritogenic epitope)-driven regulation of arthritis and understanding how T cells recognize autoantigen in the joints. This type of mouse could also be used to develop new immunomodulatory strategies in T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Adoptive Transfer
- Aggrecans
- Animals
- Arthritis, Experimental/genetics
- Arthritis, Experimental/immunology
- Arthritis, Experimental/pathology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology
- Cartilage/immunology
- Cartilage/pathology
- Cell Transplantation
- Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans/genetics
- Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans/immunology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins/immunology
- Female
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Humans
- Inbreeding
- Lectins, C-Type/genetics
- Lectins, C-Type/immunology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, SCID
- Mice, Transgenic
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Spleen/cytology
- Spleen/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
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43
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Fernández-Sueiro JL. [Enthesis as a target element in spondylarthritides]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 2:31-5. [PMID: 21794299 DOI: 10.1016/s1699-258x(06)73017-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2005] [Accepted: 07/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Enthesis is a structure frequently involved in spondyloarthritides. According to a recent hypothesis, it may play a key role in the pathogenesis of these entities. The present review discusses the most important aspects of current knowledge of enthesis, such as its anatomy and the extracellular matrix components present within it. Clinical evaluation and the new imaging techniques (magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound) that complement its evaluation will be briefly described. Immunohistological studies as well as animal models developed with enthesis molecules underline the importance of enthesis in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthritides. Finally, the latest research assessing the T cell response to enthesis components in patients with ankylosing spondylitis will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Fernández-Sueiro
- Servicio de Reumatología. Hospital Universitario Juan Canalejo. La Coruña. España
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44
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Murad YM, Szabó Z, Ludányi K, Glant TT. Molecular manipulation with the arthritogenic epitopes of the G1 domain of human cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan. Clin Exp Immunol 2005; 142:303-11. [PMID: 16232217 PMCID: PMC1809506 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2005.02921.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic immunization of BALB/c mice with human cartilage proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan induces progressive polyarthritis. The G1 domain of the PG aggrecan molecule contains most of the T cell epitopes, including three immunodominant ('arthritogenic') and at least six subdominant T cell epitopes. The three dominant T cell epitopes (P49, P70 and P155) were deleted individually or in combination by site directed mutagenesis, and the recombinant human G1 (rhG1) domain (wild type and mutated) proteins were used for immunization. Close to 100% of BALB/c mice immunized with the wild-type (nonmutated) rhG1 domain developed severe arthritis, which was 75% in the absence of P70 (5/4E8) epitope, and very low (< 10% incidence) when all three dominant T cell epitopes were deleted. The onset was delayed and the severity of arthritis reduced in animals when dominant T cell epitopes were missing from the immunizing rhG1 domain. The lack of T cell response to the deleted epitope(s) was specific, but the overall immune response against the wild-type rhG1 domain of human PG was not significantly affected. This study helped us to understand the dynamics and immune-regulatory mechanisms of arthritis, and supported the hypothesis that the development of autoimmune arthritis requires a concerted T cell response to multiple epitopes, rather than the immune response to a single arthritogenic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y M Murad
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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45
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Berlo SE, van Kooten PJ, Ten Brink CB, Hauet-Broere F, Oosterwegel MA, Glant TT, Van Eden W, Broeren CP. Naive transgenic T cells expressing cartilage proteoglycan-specific TCR induce arthritis upon in vivo activation. J Autoimmun 2005; 25:172-80. [PMID: 16257179 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2005.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2005] [Revised: 06/08/2005] [Accepted: 09/07/2005] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Proteoglycan (PG)-induced arthritis (PGIA), a murine model for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is driven by antigen (PG)-specific T and B cell activation. In order to analyze the pathogenic role of antigen-specific T cells in the development of autoimmune arthritis, we have generated a transgenic (Tg) mouse. The CD4(+) T cells of this TCR-5/4E8-Tg line express a functional T cell receptor (TCR) composed of the Valpha1.1 and Vbeta4 chains with specificity for the dominant arthritogenic T cell epitope of human cartilage PG. Adoptive transfer of naive TCR-5/4E8-Tg cells induced arthritis with severe clinical symptoms in syngeneic immunodeficient BALB/c.RAG2(-/-) mice. In vivo activation of TCR-5/4E8-Tg CD4(+)Vbeta4(+) cells with cartilage PG seemed to be critical for arthritis induction. Arthritis never developed after transfer of naive wild-type cells. The arthritis was characterized as a chronic progressive disease with intermittent spontaneous exacerbations and remissions. Inflamed joints showed extensive cartilage damage and bone erosions leading to massive ankylosis in peripheral joints. These PG epitope-specific TCR-5/4E8-Tg mice can be valuable research tools for studying antigen-driven T cell regulation in arthritis, and migration of T cells to the joints. In addition the model may be used for the development of immune modulating strategies in T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Arthritis, Experimental/genetics
- Arthritis, Experimental/immunology
- Cartilage, Articular/immunology
- Cartilage, Articular/metabolism
- Cloning, Molecular
- Gene Transfer Techniques
- Humans
- Hybridomas
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Transgenic
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Proteoglycans/immunology
- Proteoglycans/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Resting Phase, Cell Cycle/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne E Berlo
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Division of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, The Netherlands
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46
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Buzás EI, Végvári A, Murad YM, Finnegan A, Mikecz K, Glant TT. T-cell recognition of differentially tolerated epitopes of cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan in arthritis. Cell Immunol 2005; 235:98-108. [PMID: 16185673 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2004.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2004] [Revised: 08/05/2004] [Accepted: 08/06/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan, a major macromolecular component of cartilage, is highly immunogenic; it induces arthritis in genetically susceptible BALB/c mice. The present study maps the T-cell epitope repertoire of cartilage PG by identifying a total of 27 distinct T-cell epitopes. An epitope hierarchy, accounting for the different effector functions of PG-specific T cells, and determinant spreading, has been found. T-cell responses to four epitopes were associated with arthritis induction. Some of the T-cell epitopes were full T-cell activators, whereas a number of subdominant and cryptic epitopes proved to be partial activators in vitro, inducing either cytokine secretion or T-cell proliferation, but not both. A few T-cell epitopes of the core protein of cartilage PG were clearly recognized by T cells in PG-immunized arthritic animals, but the corresponding peptides did not induce T-cell responses when injected into naive BALB/c mice; thus these T-cell epitopes were designated as "conditionally immunogenic."
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Affiliation(s)
- Edit I Buzás
- Section of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Biochemistry, Immunology/Microbiology, and Internal Medicine (Section of Rheumatology), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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47
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Bárdos T, Szabó Z, Czipri M, Vermes C, Tunyogi-Csapó M, Urban RM, Mikecz K, Glant TT. A longitudinal study on an autoimmune murine model of ankylosing spondylitis. Ann Rheum Dis 2005; 64:981-7. [PMID: 15640265 PMCID: PMC1755557 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2004.029710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteoglycan aggrecan (PG)-induced arthritis (PGIA) is the only systemic autoimmune murine model which affects the axial skeleton, but no studies have been performed characterising the progression of spine involvement. OBJECTIVES To follow pathological events in experimental spondylitis, and underline its clinical, radiographic, and histological similarities to human ankylosing spondylitis (AS); and to determine whether the spondyloarthropathy is a shared phenomenon with PGIA, or an "independent" disease. METHODS Arthritis/spondylitis susceptible BALB/c and resistant DBA/2 mice, and their F1 and F2 hybrids were immunised with cartilage PG, and radiographic and histological studies were performed before onset and weekly during the progression of spondylitis. RESULTS About 70% of the PG immunised BALB/c mice develop spondyloarthropathy (proteoglycan-induced spondylitis (PGISp), and the progression of the disease is very similar to human AS. It begins with inflammation in the sacroiliac joints and with enthesitis, and then progresses upwards, affecting multiple intervertebral disks. In F2 hybrids of arthritis/spondylitis susceptible BALB/c and resistant DBA/2 mice the incidence of arthritis was 43.5%, whereas the incidence of spondylitis was >60%. Some arthritic F2 hybrid mice had no spondylitis, whereas others developed spondylitis in the absence of peripheral arthritis. CONCLUSIONS The PGISp model provides a valuable tool for studying autoimmune reactions in spondylitis, and identifying genetic loci associated with spondyloarthropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Bárdos
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Cohn Research Building, Room 708, 1735 W Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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48
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Atagunduz P, Appel H, Kuon W, Wu P, Thiel A, Kloetzel PM, Sieper J. HLA-B27-restricted CD8+ T cell response to cartilage-derived self peptides in ankylosing spondylitis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 52:892-901. [PMID: 15751060 DOI: 10.1002/art.20948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the strong association between HLA-B27 and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Among these, the arthritogenic peptide theory proposes that certain B27 subtype alleles bind specific arthritogenic peptide(s) due to their unique amino acid anchor residues. Cartilage antigens have been discussed as candidate targets for the immune response in AS. The recognition of HLA-B27-peptide complexes by self-reactive CD8+ T cells might contribute to joint-specific tissue damage. Therefore, we investigated the presence of autoreactive CD8+ T cells specific for cartilage-derived peptides in patients with AS. METHODS An HLA-B27-binding prediction program and a proteasome-cutting prediction program for the human 20S proteasome were used to screen 18 human cartilage proteins for potentially immunogenic nonamer peptides. The peptides identified were used to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 20 HLA-B27-positive patients with AS and synovial fluid (SF) mononuclear cells from 7 HLA-B27-positive patients with AS. Activation of T cells was measured by antigen-specific intracellular cytokine staining and quantified by flow cytometry. RESULTS From the screening analysis, we identified 121 nonamer peptides. Of these, 1 peptide derived from type II collagen and 1 from type VI collagen were stimulatory for peripheral blood CD8+ T cells in only 1 of 20 patients. However, in 4 of 7 SF samples the same type VI collagen-derived nonamer peptide stimulated SF CD8+ T cells, but none of the other peptides was stimulatory. This CD8+ T cell response could be blocked by an anti-HLA-B27 antibody, confirming an HLA-B27-restricted immune response. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that cartilage-directed cellular autoimmunity might play an important role in joint-specific tissue damage in patients with AS. Future research is necessary to determine whether the identified peptide is of pathogenetic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamir Atagunduz
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Szabó Z, Szántó S, Végvári A, Szekanecz Z, Mikecz K, Glant TT. Genetic control of experimental spondylarthropathy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 52:2452-60. [PMID: 16059927 DOI: 10.1002/art.21193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize experimentally induced spondylarthropathy (SpA) in arthritis-susceptible inbred mice and in their F(1) and F(2) hybrid generations of susceptible and resistant mouse strains. METHODS SpA was induced in susceptible BALB/c and C3H/HeJCr (C3H) strains of mice, and in their F(1) and F(2) generations derived from intercrosses with arthritis- and/or spondylitis-resistant DBA/2 and DBA/1 parent strains, by systemic immunization with cartilage proteoglycan (PG) aggrecan. The incidence and severity of PG-induced spondylitis (PGIS) were scored histologically, and these scores for spine involvement were correlated with serum antibody and cytokine levels and with in vitro T cell responses to cartilage PG. RESULTS PGIS was induced by systemic immunization with cartilage PG in adjuvant, and approximately 60-70% of susceptible mouse strains and their F(2) hybrids developed spondylitis either with or without arthritis. Adjuvants, particularly those activating the innate immune system and enforcing the Th1 dominance, had significant effects on the outcome and progression of SpA. The DBA/1 strain appeared to carry genes protecting this strain and its F(1) and F(2) hybrids from spondylitis, whereas the DBA/2 strain, although resistant to PGIS, harbored genes permitting PGIS in its hybrid generations. Arthritis- and/or spondylitis-susceptible BALB/c and C3H parent strains and their F(2) hybrids exhibited the highest incidence and severity of spondylitis. CONCLUSION PGIS, a murine model of autoimmune spondylitis, shows similarities to ankylosing spondylitis. Segregation of susceptibility to PG-induced arthritis (PGIA) from that to PGIS in different genetic crosses suggests that PGIA and PGIS are separate diseases. Therefore, this model allows for the elucidation of genetic components involved in the etiology of SpA, independent of those controlling the susceptibility to PGIA.
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Zou J, Appel H, Rudwaleit M, Thiel A, Sieper J. Analysis of the CD8+ T cell response to the G1 domain of aggrecan in ankylosing spondylitis. Ann Rheum Dis 2004; 64:722-9. [PMID: 15539415 PMCID: PMC1755485 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2004.024455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD4+ T cell responses to the G1 domain of aggrecan in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were recently reported. Whether such an immune response can be seen in the CD8+ subpopulation has not yet been determined. OBJECTIVE To determine if HLA-B27 restricted G1-specific CD8+ T cells are present in AS and to analyse immunodominant CD8+ T cell epitopes. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 45 patients with AS were stimulated with overlapping 18-mer peptides covering the whole G1 protein. Results were compared with those for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls. For epitope analysis, G1-specific interferon gamma positive (IFNgamma+) T cells were isolated by magnetic activated cell sorting. After in vitro expansion, CD8+ T cells were restimulated with 14 subpools of G1 peptides. T cells responding to G1 peptide subpools were quantified by flow cytometry according to IFNgamma secretion. Predicted peptides were subsequently confirmed by stimulation with single peptides. RESULTS G1-specific CD8+ T cell responses were found in 29/45 (64%) patients with AS, 18/35 (51%) patients with RA, but not in healthy controls. Five CD8+ T cell epitopes were identified as immunodominant in five patients. However, the T cell response was not HLA-B27 restricted. Nonamer peptides with an HLA-B27 binding motif did not induce a T cell response. CONCLUSION A G1 peptide-specific CD8+ T cell response is present in AS but also in patients with RA. It does not seem to be HLA-B27 restricted. Whether such a response has a role in the pathogenesis of AS needs clarification.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Charité Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany
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