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Crisafulli F, Andreoli L, Zucchi D, Reggia R, Gerardi MC, Lini D, Tani C, Zatti S, Franceschini F, Mosca M, Tincani A. Variations of C3 and C4 Before and During Pregnancy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Association With Disease Flares and Obstetric Outcomes. J Rheumatol 2023; 50:1296-1301. [PMID: 37127323 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2022-1135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze complement level variations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pregnancies, focusing on disease flares and obstetric complications. METHODS SLE pregnancies prospectively followed by multidisciplinary teams from 1987 to 2018 in 2 Italian rheumatology centers were retrospectively analyzed. As reference, pregnancy-modified ranges of normal levels of C3 and C4 were derived from 175 pregnancies from the general obstetric population (GOP), as previously described by our group. RESULTS Two hundred forty-six pregnancies in 172 patients with SLE were analyzed. Eighty-nine percent were live births. Thirty-five flares were recorded in 30 pregnancies (12.2%) and obstetric complications occurred in 47 pregnancies (19.1%) including 27 pregnancy losses, 11 severely preterm births (2 resulting in perinatal death), and 15 hypertensive disorders. C3 and C4 levels were higher in the GOP than in patients with SLE, at any time point. C3 and C4 levels progressively increased during pregnancy in both GOP and SLE pregnancies without flare and obstetric complications, whereas this physiological increase was not observed in pregnancies with flares or obstetric complications. A significantly higher frequency of low C4 was found in pregnancies with flares (at preconception and in each trimester) and preterm births (at preconception). In multivariate analysis, low C4 at preconception was associated with flares (odds ratio 13.81, 95% CI 3.10-61.43, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Low C4 at preconception was found to be an independent risk factor for SLE flare during pregnancy. Not only C3 and C4 levels but also their variations should be observed, as their failure to increase can be useful to predict risk of complications and suggest closer monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Crisafulli
- F. Crisafulli, MD, L. Andreoli, MD, D. Lini, MD, F. Franceschini, MD, A. Tincani, MD, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia;
| | - Laura Andreoli
- F. Crisafulli, MD, L. Andreoli, MD, D. Lini, MD, F. Franceschini, MD, A. Tincani, MD, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia
| | - Dina Zucchi
- D. Zucchi, MD, C. Tani, MD, M. Mosca, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa
| | - Rossella Reggia
- R. Reggia, MD, Internal Medicine, Casa di Cura San Camillo, Cremona
| | - Maria C Gerardi
- M.C. Gerardi, MD, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, and Rheumatology Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano
| | - Daniele Lini
- F. Crisafulli, MD, L. Andreoli, MD, D. Lini, MD, F. Franceschini, MD, A. Tincani, MD, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia
| | - Chiara Tani
- D. Zucchi, MD, C. Tani, MD, M. Mosca, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa
| | - Sonia Zatti
- S. Zatti, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Franco Franceschini
- F. Crisafulli, MD, L. Andreoli, MD, D. Lini, MD, F. Franceschini, MD, A. Tincani, MD, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia
| | - Marta Mosca
- D. Zucchi, MD, C. Tani, MD, M. Mosca, MD, Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa
| | - Angela Tincani
- F. Crisafulli, MD, L. Andreoli, MD, D. Lini, MD, F. Franceschini, MD, A. Tincani, MD, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia
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Esteve-Valverde E, Alijotas-Reig J, Belizna C, Marques-Soares J, Anunciacion-Llunell A, Feijóo-Massó C, Sáez-Comet L, Mekinian A, Ferrer-Oliveras R, Lefkou E, Morales-Pérez S, Hoxha A, Tincani A, Nalli C, Pardos-Gea J, Marozio L, Maina A, Espinosa G, Cervera R, De Carolis S, Latino O, Udry S, Llurba E, Garrido-Gimenez C, Trespidi L, Gerosa M, Chighizola CB, Rovere-Querini P, Canti V, Mayer-Pickel K, Tabacco S, Arnau A, Miró-Mur F. Low complement levels are related to poor obstetric outcomes in women with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome. The EUROAPS Registry Study Group. Placenta 2023; 136:29-34. [PMID: 37028222 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (OAPS) is an autoimmune disease related to antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) with primaryinflammatory injury followed by clot cascade activation and thrombus formation. Complement system activation and their participation in aPL-related thrombosis is unclosed. METHODS We haveanalysed adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) related to low complement (LC) levels in a cohort of 1048 women fulfilling classification criteria for OAPS. RESULTS Overall, 223 (21.3%) women presented LC values, during pregnancy. The length of pregnancy was shorter in OAPS women with LC compared to those with normal complement (NC) (median: 33 weeks, interquartile range: [24-38] vs. 35 weeks [27-38]; p = 0.022). Life new-born incidence was higher in patients with NC levels than in those with LC levels (74.4% vs. 67.7%; p = 0.045). Foetal losses were more related to women with triple or double aPL positivity carrying LC than NC values (16.3% vs. 8.0% NC; p = 0.027). Finally, some placental vasculopathies were affected in OAPS patients with LC as late Foetal Growth Restriction (FGR >34 weeks) rise to 7.2% in women with LC vs. 3.2% with NC (p = 0.007). DISCUSSION Data from our registry indicate that incidence of APO was higher in OAPS women with LC levels and some could be reverted by the correct treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Esteve-Valverde
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain.
| | - Jaume Alijotas-Reig
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Research Unit, Vall D'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain; Systemic Autoimmune Disease Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Vall D'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Belizna
- Vascular and Coagulation Department, University Hospital Angers and CNRS, 6015, INSERM 1083 Unit, Angers, France
| | - Joana Marques-Soares
- Systemic Autoimmune Disease Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Vall D'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Feijóo-Massó
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Spain
| | - Luis Sáez-Comet
- Internal Medicine Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Arsene Mekinian
- AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Service de Médecine Interne and Inflammation- Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (DHU I2B), Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ, Paris, France
| | | | - Elmina Lefkou
- Haematology Unit, Hippokration Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stephanie Morales-Pérez
- Internal Medicine Department, Althaia Healthcare University Network of Manresa, Systemic Autoimmune Disease Unit, Manresa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ariel Hoxha
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Angela Tincani
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cecilia Nalli
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Josep Pardos-Gea
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Research Unit, Vall D'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain; Systemic Autoimmune Disease Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Vall D'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luca Marozio
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Università di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Aldo Maina
- Department of Internal Medicine, AO Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Gerard Espinosa
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ricard Cervera
- Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara De Carolis
- UOC di Patologia Ostetrica, Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Omar Latino
- Autoimmune, Thrombophilic Diseases and Pregnancy Division, Dr Carlos G. Durand Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastian Udry
- Autoimmune, Thrombophilic Diseases and Pregnancy Division, Dr Carlos G. Durand Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elisa Llurba
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, High Risk Unit, University Hospital de La Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Garrido-Gimenez
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, High Risk Unit, University Hospital de La Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Trespidi
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Gerosa
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia B Chighizola
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Rovere-Querini
- Pregnancy and Rheumatic Diseases Clinic Unit of Medicine and Clinical Immunology IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Canti
- Pregnancy and Rheumatic Diseases Clinic Unit of Medicine and Clinical Immunology IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sara Tabacco
- Department of Gynecology Obstetrics and Urology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Arnau
- Research and Innovation Unit, Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitaria de Manresa, Manresa, Spain
| | - Francesc Miró-Mur
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Research Unit, Vall D'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
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Smith-Jackson K, Harrison RA. Alternative pathway activation in pregnancy, a measured amount "complements" a successful pregnancy, too much results in adverse events. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:298-319. [PMID: 36377667 PMCID: PMC10100418 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the maternal host must adapt in order to enable growth of the fetus. These changes affect all organ systems and are designed both to protect the fetus and to minimize risk to the mother. One of the most prominent adaptations involves the immune system. The semi-allogenic fetoplacental unit has non-self components and must be protected against attack from the host. This requires both attenuation of adaptive immunity and protection from innate immune defense mechanisms. One of the key innate immune players is complement, and it is important that the fetoplacental unit is not identified as non-self and subjected to complement attack. Adaptation of the complement response must, however, be managed in such a way that maternal protection against infection is not compromised. As the complement system also plays a significant facilitating role in many of the stages of a normal pregnancy, it is also important that any necessary adaptation to accommodate the semi-allogenic aspects of the fetoplacental unit does not compromise this. In this review, both the physiological role of the alternative pathway of complement in facilitating a normal pregnancy, and its detrimental participation in pregnancy-specific disorders, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Smith-Jackson
- Complement Therapeutics Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.,The National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre (NRCTC), Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
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Zhang L, Cao L, Feng P, Han X, Yang L. Complement regulation in ovine lymph nodes during early pregnancy. Exp Ther Med 2021; 23:166. [PMID: 35069847 PMCID: PMC8753979 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.11089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A fetus changes immune responses in the uterus and the maternal immune system, and lymph nodes are associated with regulating maternal adaptive immunity. Complement activation is associated with abnormal pregnancy in mice and humans. The aim of the present study was to explore the expression levels of complement components in maternal lymph nodes during early pregnancy in sheep. Maternal inguinal lymph nodes were sampled on day 16 of the estrous cycle, and days 13, 16 and 25 of gestation in ewes. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses were used to detect the expression levels of complement components C1q, C1r, C1s, C2, C3, C4a, C5b and C9 in the lymph nodes. The results revealed that the protein and mRNA levels of C1q, C1s and C5b were enhanced during early pregnancy, and that C1r and C4a were upregulated at day 25 of pregnancy. The mRNA and protein levels of C2 and C9 peaked at day 16 of pregnancy, but C3 was decreased at day 25 of pregnancy. C3 protein was located in the subcapsular sinuses and lymph sinuses of the maternal lymph node. In summary, the present study detected changes in the expression levels of complement components in maternal lymph nodes, which may be associated with maternal immune regulation during early pregnancy in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leying Zhang
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, P.R. China
| | - Lidong Cao
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, P.R. China
| | - Pengfei Feng
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, P.R. China
| | - Xu Han
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, P.R. China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, P.R. China
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Low Preconception Complement Levels Are Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in a Multicenter Study of 260 Pregnancies in 197 Women with Antiphospholipid Syndrome or Carriers of Antiphospholipid Antibodies. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060671. [PMID: 34208130 PMCID: PMC8230784 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) can induce fetal loss in experimental animal models. Human studies did find hypocomplementemia associated with pregnancy complications in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), but these results are not unanimously confirmed. To investigate if the detection of low C3/C4 could be considered a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) in APS and aPL carriers' pregnancies we performed a multicenter study including 503 pregnancies from 11 Italian and 1 Russian centers. Data in women with APS and asymptomatic carriers with persistently positive aPL and preconception complement levels were available for 260 pregnancies. In pregnancies with low preconception C3/C4, a significantly higher prevalence of pregnancy losses was observed (p = 0.008). A subgroup analysis focusing on triple aPL-positive patients found that preconception low C3 and/or C4 levels were associated with an increased rate of pregnancy loss (p = 0.05). Our findings confirm that decreased complement levels before pregnancy are associated with increased risk of APO. This has been seen only in women with triple aPL positivity, indeed single or double positivity does not show this trend. Complement levels are cheap and easy to be measured therefore they could represent a useful aid to identify patients at increased risk of pregnancy loss.
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Yang J, Liang M. Risk factors for pregnancy morbidity in women with antiphospholipid syndrome. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 145:103315. [PMID: 33845396 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) increases the risk of obstetric complications, but risk factors for pregnancy morbidity in women with APS remain incompletely characterized. This retrospective study included pregnant women with APS and a control group without APS admitted to Peking University People's Hospital between January 2013 and September 2019. Clinical data were extracted from medical records. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (fetal loss, premature birth, fetal growth restriction [FGR], preeclampsia and neonatal death). We included 64 pregnancies in 59 patients with APS (age, 32.3 ± 4.3 years) and 256 pregnancies in 256 women without APS (age, 30.4 ± 3.3 years). Compared with the control group, the APS group had higher incidence rates of preeclampsia (10.9 % vs. 2.3 %, P = 0.002), premature rupture of membranes (17.2 % vs. 3.9 %, P < 0.001), postpartum hemorrhage (23.4 % vs. 4.3 %, P < 0.001), fetal loss (4.7 % vs. 0.8 %, P = 0.024) and premature delivery at ≤34 weeks (7.8 % vs. 2.3 %, P = 0.047). The incidence rates of hypertension during pregnancy, HELLP syndrome, gestational diabetes, oligohydramnios and FGR were similar in both groups. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that three or more prior spontaneous miscarriages (odds ratio [OR], 6.162; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.271-29.882; P = 0.024) and double-positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies (OR, 4.024; 95 %CI, 1.025-15.794; P = 0.046) were independently associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. APS increases the risks of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes during pregnancy. Three or more spontaneous miscarriages and double-positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies are risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with APS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Yang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Meiying Liang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Zhao H, Wei X, Yang X. A novel update on vitamin D in recurrent pregnancy loss (Review). Mol Med Rep 2021; 23:382. [PMID: 33760145 PMCID: PMC7986007 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is usually characterized as ≥3 miscarriages before 20 weeks of gestation. Patients with RPL may have autoimmune abnormalities or alloimmune problems. Vitamin D has a major function on the mechanism of immunomodulation at the maternal-fetal interface. However, whether vitamin D can be used as an effective method to treat patients with RPL requires investigation. It has been reported that vitamin D could prevent the occurrence of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) by reducing the expression levels of anti-β2 glycoprotein and tissue factor in RPL cases with APS. In addition, there is an opposite relationship between vitamin D and thyroid peroxidase antibody levels in autoimmune thyroid disease cases with RPL. Vitamin D changes the ratio of T helper (Th) 1/Th2 and regulatory T cell/Th17 to a certain extent, as well as affects the activity of natural killer cells and the production of cytokines to reduce the incidence of RPL. The objective of the current review was to address the research progress of vitamin D in RPL in recent years, which could facilitate the use of vitamin D treatment to enhance the pregnancy outcome of RPL. Collectively, it was suggested that vitamin D may be used as an important and effective immunotherapeutic agent for patients with RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Organ Transplant, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqi Wei
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Xiuhua Yang
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
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Chighizola CB, Lonati PA, Trespidi L, Meroni PL, Tedesco F. The Complement System in the Pathophysiology of Pregnancy and in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases During Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2084. [PMID: 32973817 PMCID: PMC7481445 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement system plays a double role in pregnancy exerting both protective and damaging effects at placental level. Complement activation at fetal-maternal interface participates in protection against infectious agents and helps remove apoptotic and necrotic cells. Locally synthesized C1q contributes to the physiologic vascular remodeling of spiral arteries characterized by loss of smooth muscle cells and transformation into large dilated vessels. Complement activation triggered by the inflammatory process induced by embryo implantation can damage trophoblast and other decidual cells that may lead to pregnancy complications if the cells are not protected by the complement regulators CD55, CD46, and CD59 expressed on cell surface. However, uncontrolled complement activation induces placental alterations resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes. This may occur in pathological conditions characterized by placental localization of complement fixing antibodies directed against beta2-glycoprotein 1, as in patients with anti-phospholipid syndrome, or circulating immune complexes deposited in placenta, as in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. In other diseases, such as preeclampsia, the mechanism of complement activation responsible for complement deposits in placenta is unclear. Conflicting results have been reported on the relevance of complement assays as diagnostic and prognostic tools to assess complement involvement in pregnant patients with these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Beatrice Chighizola
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Adele Lonati
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Trespidi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fondazione Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Meroni
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Tedesco
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Saleh M, Sjöwall C, Strevens H, Jönsen A, Bengtsson AA, Compagno M. Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes after Multi-Professional Follow-Up of Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Observational Study from a Single Centre in Sweden. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9082598. [PMID: 32796552 PMCID: PMC7464390 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9082598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While the management of pregnant patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has improved over the last decades, the risk of maternal, foetal, and neonatal complications is still substantial. We evaluated the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) occurring in 2002–2018 among patients with SLE from the catchment area of the Department of Rheumatology in Lund, Sweden. Longitudinal clinical and laboratory data were collected and analysed. Results were stratified according to the sequence of conception. We investigated a total of 59 pregnancies in 28 patients. Prior lupus nephritis was the clinical feature that, in a multivariable regression analysis, displayed the strongest association with APO overall (OR 6.0, p = 0.02). SLE combined with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was associated with the risk of miscarriage (OR 3.3, p = 0.04). The positivity of multiple antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) was associated with APO overall (OR 3.3, p = 0.05). IgG anti-cardiolipin during pregnancy resulted in a higher risk of preterm delivery (OR 6.8, p = 0.03). Hypocomplementaemia was associated with several APO, but only in the first pregnancies. We conclude that, despite the close follow-up provided, a majority of pregnancies resulted in ≥1 APO, but a few of them were severe. Our study confirms the importance of previous lupus nephritis as a main risk factor for APO in patients with SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Saleh
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
| | - Christopher Sjöwall
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Helena Strevens
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Andreas Jönsen
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Rheumatology, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden; (A.J.); (A.A.B.); (M.C.)
| | - Anders A. Bengtsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Rheumatology, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden; (A.J.); (A.A.B.); (M.C.)
| | - Michele Compagno
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Rheumatology, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden; (A.J.); (A.A.B.); (M.C.)
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Girardi G, Lingo JJ, Fleming SD, Regal JF. Essential Role of Complement in Pregnancy: From Implantation to Parturition and Beyond. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1681. [PMID: 32849586 PMCID: PMC7411130 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement cascade was identified over 100 years ago, yet investigation of its role in pregnancy remains an area of intense research. Complement inhibitors at the maternal-fetal interface prevent inappropriate complement activation to protect the fetus. However, this versatile proteolytic cascade also favorably influences numerous stages of pregnancy, including implantation, fetal development, and labor. Inappropriate complement activation in pregnancy can have adverse lifelong sequelae for both mother and child. This review summarizes the current understanding of complement activation during all stages of pregnancy. In addition, consequences of complement dysregulation during adverse pregnancy outcomes from miscarriage, preeclampsia, and pre-term birth are examined. Finally, future research directions into complement activation during pregnancy are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermina Girardi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Joshua J Lingo
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Sherry D Fleming
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Jean F Regal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, United States
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11
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Beltagy A, Trespidi L, Gerosa M, Ossola MW, Meroni PL, Chighizola CB. Anti-phospholipid antibodies and reproductive failures. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 85:e13258. [PMID: 32347616 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) recapitulates the link between autoimmunity and pregnancy failure: Acquired anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) play a pathogenic role in pregnancy complications. The diagnosis of obstetric APS can easily be pursued when women present with laboratory and clinical features fulfilling the international classification criteria. Standard therapeutic approach to obstetric APS consists in the association of anti-platelet agents and anticoagulants. Most patients achieve a live birth thanks to conventional treatment; however, approximately 20% fail to respond and are managed with additional therapeutic tools added on the top of conventional treatment. Surely, a refinement of risk stratification tools would allow early identification of high-risk pregnancies that warrant tailored treatment. In real life, obstetricians and rheumatologists face complex diagnostic scenarios including women with pregnancy morbidities other than those mentioned in classification criteria such as one or two early losses and premature birth after 34 weeks due to preeclampsia or placental insufficiency, women with low-titer aPL not fulfilling criteria laboratory requirements, women with positive non-criteria aPL, asymptomatic aPL carriers, and infertile women found to be aPL-positive. This review focuses on some of the several unanswered questions related to diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects in obstetric APS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Beltagy
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Cusano Milanino, Milan, Italy.,Immunology and Rheumatology Unit, San Luca Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Laura Trespidi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fondazione Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Gerosa
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, ASST G. Pini & CTO, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Wally Ossola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fondazione Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Meroni
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Cusano Milanino, Milan, Italy.,Immunology and Rheumatology Unit, San Luca Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia B Chighizola
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Cusano Milanino, Milan, Italy.,Immunology and Rheumatology Unit, San Luca Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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12
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Cyprian F, Lefkou E, Varoudi K, Girardi G. Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D in Pregnancy and Beyond. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2739. [PMID: 31824513 PMCID: PMC6883724 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to its role in calcium homeostasis and bone formation, a modulatory role of the active form of vitamin D on cells of the immune system, particularly T lymphocytes, has been described. The effects of vitamin D on the production and action of several cytokines has been intensively investigated in recent years. In this connection, deficiency of vitamin D has been associated with several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), Hashimoto Thyroiditis (HT), and multiple sclerosis (MS). In a successful pregnancy, the maternal immune response needs to adapt to accommodate the semiallogeneic fetus. Disturbances in maternal tolerance are implicated in infertility and pregnancy complications such as miscarriages (RM) and preeclampsia (PE). It is well-known that a subset of T lymphocytes, regulatory T cells (Tregs) exhibit potent suppressive activity, and have a crucial role in curtailing the destructive response of the immune system during pregnancy, and preventing autoimmune diseases. Interestingly, vitamin D deficiency is common in pregnant women, despite the widespread use of prenatal vitamins, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as RM, PE, intrauterine growth restriction have been linked to hypovitaminosis D during pregnancy. Research has shown that autoimmune diseases have a significant prevalence within the female population, and women with autoimmune disorders are at higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Provocatively, dysregulation of T cells plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity, and adverse pregnancy outcomes where these pathologies are also associated with vitamin D deficiency. This article reviews the immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in autoimmune diseases and pregnancy. In particular, we will describe the role of vitamin D from conception until delivery, including the health of the offspring. This review highlights an observational study where hypovitaminosis D was correlated with decreased fertility, increased disease activity, placental insufficiency, and preeclampsia in women with APS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Cyprian
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Eleftheria Lefkou
- Institute of Obstetric Hematology, Perigenesis, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Katerina Varoudi
- Institute of Obstetric Hematology, Perigenesis, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Guillermina Girardi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Member of QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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13
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Tabacco S, Giannini A, Garufi C, Botta A, Salvi S, Del Sordo G, Benedetti Panici P, Lanzone A, De Carolis S. Complementemia in pregnancies with antiphospholipid syndrome. Lupus 2019; 28:1503-1509. [PMID: 31623520 DOI: 10.1177/0961203319882507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Prognosis of pregnancies in women with antiphospholipid syndrome has dramatically improved over the past two decades using conventional treatment with low molecular weight heparin and low-dose aspirin. However, despite this regimen, 10-15% of antiphospholipid syndrome patients experience pregnancy losses. Several studies have been performed in order to identify risk factors predictive of complications. Thrombosis has been generally accepted as the key pathogenetic mechanism underlying pregnancy morbidity. However, the thrombogenic state alone is not able to explain all the different mechanisms leading to pregnancy failure. In fact, emerging evidence shows that complement pathway could play an important role in mediating clinical events in antiphospholipid syndrome. However, the exact mechanism through which complement mediates antiphospholipid syndrome complications remains unknown. Low complement levels (C3 and C4) are associated with poor pregnancy outcome in women with antiphospholipid syndrome in different studies. Hypocomplementemia could be indicated as an early predictor of adverse pregnancy outcome, available at the beginning of pregnancy for starting, if necessary, additional treatment to conventional therapy. However, future studies need to better understand the impact of low complement level on antiphospholipid syndrome pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tabacco
- Department of Gynaecology Obstetrics and Urology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Giannini
- Department of Gynaecology Obstetrics and Urology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - C Garufi
- Lupus Clinic, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Botta
- UOC di Patologia Ostetrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - S Salvi
- UOC di Patologia Ostetrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia
| | - G Del Sordo
- Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - P Benedetti Panici
- Department of Gynaecology Obstetrics and Urology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Lanzone
- UOC di Patologia Ostetrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia.,Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
| | - S De Carolis
- UOC di Patologia Ostetrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italia.,Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia
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14
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Scambi C, Ugolini S, Tonello M, Bortolami O, De Franceschi L, Castagna A, Lotti V, Corbella M, Raffaelli R, Caramaschi P, Mattia E, Biasi D, Ruffatti A. Complement activation in the plasma and placentas of women with different subsets of antiphospholipid syndrome. Am J Reprod Immunol 2019; 82:e13185. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.13185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Scambi
- Department of Medicine Rheumatology Unit University Hospital of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Sara Ugolini
- Department of Medicine Section of Internal Medicine University Hospital of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Marta Tonello
- Department of Medicine Rheumatology Unit University Hospital of Padua Padua Italy
| | - Oscar Bortolami
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health University Hospital of Verona Verona Italy
| | | | | | - Virginia Lotti
- Department of Medicine Rheumatology Unit University Hospital of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Michela Corbella
- Department of Medicine University Hospital of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Ricciarda Raffaelli
- Department of Surgical Sciences Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics University Hospital of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Paola Caramaschi
- Department of Medicine University Hospital of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Elena Mattia
- Department of Medicine Rheumatology Unit University Hospital of Padua Padua Italy
| | - Domenico Biasi
- Department of Medicine Rheumatology Unit University Hospital of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Amelia Ruffatti
- Department of Medicine Rheumatology Unit University Hospital of Padua Padua Italy
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15
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Lazzaroni MG, Fredi M, Andreoli L, Chighizola CB, Del Ross T, Gerosa M, Kuzenko A, Raimondo MG, Lojacono A, Ramazzotto F, Zatti S, Trespidi L, Meroni PL, Pengo V, Ruffatti A, Tincani A. Triple Antiphospholipid (aPL) Antibodies Positivity Is Associated With Pregnancy Complications in aPL Carriers: A Multicenter Study on 62 Pregnancies. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1948. [PMID: 31475009 PMCID: PMC6702797 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are risk factors for thrombosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). The management of the so called “aPL carriers” (subjects with aPL positivity without the clinical criteria manifestations of APS) is still undefined. This study aims at retrospectively evaluating the outcomes and the factors associated with APO and maternal complications in 62 pregnant aPL carriers. Methods: Medical records of pregnant women regularly attending the Pregnancy Clinic of 3 Rheumatology centers from January 1994 to December 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with concomitant autoimmune diseases or other causes of pregnancy complications were excluded. Results: An aPL-related event was recorded in 8 out of 62 patients (12.9%) during pregnancy: 2 thrombosis and 6 APO. At univariate analysis, factors associated with pregnancy complications were acquired risk factors (p:0.008), non-criteria aPL manifestations (p:0.024), lupus-like manifestations (p:0.013), and triple positive aPL profile (p:0.001). At multivariate analysis, only the association with a triple aPL profile was confirmed (p:0.01, OR 21.3, CI 95% 1.84–247). Patients with triple aPL positivity had a higher rate of pregnancy complications, despite they were more frequently receiving combined treatment of low dose aspirin (LDA) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) at prophylactic dose. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of risk stratification in pregnant aPL carriers, in terms of both immunologic and non-immunologic features. Combination treatment with LDA and LMWH did not prevent APO in some cases, especially in carriers of triple aPL positivity. Triple positive aPL carriers may deserve additional therapeutic strategies during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Grazia Lazzaroni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Micaela Fredi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Andreoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cecilia Beatrice Chighizola
- Immunorheumatology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Rheumatology Unit, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Teresa Del Ross
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Gerosa
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini-CTO, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Kuzenko
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria-Gabriella Raimondo
- Division of Clinical Rheumatology, ASST Pini-CTO, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Lojacono
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Sonia Zatti
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Trespidi
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Pier-Luigi Meroni
- Immunorheumatology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Vittorio Pengo
- Cardiology Clinic, Department of Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Thrombosis Centre, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Amelia Ruffatti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Tincani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.,I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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16
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Chaturvedi S, Brodsky RA, McCrae KR. Complement in the Pathophysiology of the Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Front Immunol 2019; 10:449. [PMID: 30923524 PMCID: PMC6426753 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Complement is a system of enzymes and regulatory proteins of the innate immune system that plays a key role in the inflammatory response to pathogenic stimuli. The complement and coagulation pathways are closely linked, and expanding data indicate that complement may be activated in patients with aPL and function as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of aPL-associated clinical events. Complement activation by aPL generates C5a, which induces neutrophil tissue factor-dependent procoagulant activity. Beta-2-glycoprotein I, the primary antigen for pathogenic aPL, has complement regulatory effects in vitro. Moreover, aPL induce fetal loss in wild-type mice but not in mice deficient in specific complement components (C3, C5). Antiphospholipid antibodies also induce thrombosis in wild type mice and this effect is attenuated in C3 or C6 deficient mice, or in the presence of a C5 inhibitor. Increased levels of complement activation products have been demonstrated in sera of patients with aPL, though the association with clinical events remains unclear. Eculizumab, a terminal complement inhibitor, has successfully been used to treat catastrophic APS and prevent APS-related thrombotic microangiopathy in the setting of renal transplant. However, the mechanisms of complement activation in APS, its role in the pathogenesis of aPL related complications in humans, and the potential of complement inhibition as a therapeutic target in APS require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Chaturvedi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert A Brodsky
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Keith R McCrae
- Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH, United States.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
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17
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Ruffatti A, Favaro M, Calligaro A, Zambon A, Del Ross T. Management of pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibodies. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2019; 15:347-358. [DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2019.1565995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Ruffatti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Favaro
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Antonia Calligaro
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandra Zambon
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Woman’s and Child’s Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Teresa Del Ross
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
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18
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Antiphospholipid syndrome: An update on risk factors for pregnancy outcome. Autoimmun Rev 2018; 17:956-966. [PMID: 30118899 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2018.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal treatment of women with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is still debated. About 20-30% of women with APS remain unable to give birth to healthy neonates despite conventional treatment, consisting of prophylactic-dose heparin and low-dose aspirin. These cases are defined "refractory obstetric APS". The early identification of risk factors associated with poor pregnancy outcome could be the optimal strategy to establish criteria for additional therapies, such as hydroxychloroquine, steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange. PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to review current literature about risk factors for poor pregnancy outcome. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed database was used to search for peer-reviewed original and review articles concerning risk factors for pregnancy outcome in APS from 1st January 1990 to 15th January 2018. OUTCOMES History of pregnancy morbidity and/or thrombosis, the association with SLE and/or other autoimmune diseases are well known history-based predictive factors for obstetrical complications, such as miscarriage, maternal venous thromboembolism, intrauterine foetal demise, preeclampsia, and neonatal death. Moreover, laboratory findings associated with poor pregnancy outcome are:triple antiphospholipid antibodies aPL positivity, double aPL positivity, single aPL positivity, false-positive IgM for CMV, and hypocomplementemia. Triple positivity is confirmed as the most significant risk factor by a large body of evidence. Furthermore, the abnormal uterine arteries Doppler velocimetry results are confirmed to be strongly associated with poor pregnancy outcomes in APS. The good performance of the uterine arteries velocimetry, as a negative predictive factor, was reported by different studies. On the contrary, in case of abnormal uterine arteries results, the relevance of a careful surveillance is highlighted for the high risk of maternal-foetal complications. Nevertheless, this tool is a late indicator to suggest any additional treatments. CONCLUSIONS In order to prevent obstetrical complications and establish the optimal combination therapy, the knowledge at preconception or at the beginning of pregnancy of risk factors associated with poor pregnancy outcome could be a crucial step for management and treatment of APS. In addition, in the preconception assessment a regimen with low-dose aspirin, folic acid, and vitamin D supplementation should be offered, and a treatment strategy has to be established (conventional vs additional therapy). In fact, additional treatment has to be tailored for each patient.
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19
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Tedesco F, Borghi MO, Gerosa M, Chighizola CB, Macor P, Lonati PA, Gulino A, Belmonte B, Meroni PL. Pathogenic Role of Complement in Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Therapeutic Implications. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1388. [PMID: 29971066 PMCID: PMC6018396 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired autoimmune disease characterized by thromboembolic events, pregnancy morbidity, and the presence of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies. There is sound evidence that aPL act as pathogenic autoantibodies being responsible for vascular clots and miscarriages. However, the exact mechanisms involved in the clinical manifestations of the syndrome are still a matter of investigation. In particular, while vascular thrombosis is apparently not associated with inflammation, the pathogenesis of miscarriages can be explained only in part by the aPL-mediated hypercoagulable state and additional non-thrombotic effects, including placental inflammation, have been described. Despite this difference, evidence obtained from animal models and studies in APS patients support the conclusion that complement activation is a common denominator in both vascular and obstetric APS. Tissue-bound aPL rather than circulating aPL-beta2 glycoprotein I immune complexes seem to be responsible for the activation of the classical and the alternative complement pathways. The critical role of complement is supported by the finding that complement-deficient animals are protected from the pathogenic effect of passively infused aPL and similar results have been obtained blocking complement activation. Moreover, elevated levels of complement activation products in the absence of abnormalities in regulatory molecules have been found in the plasma of APS patients, strongly suggesting that the activation of complement cascade is the result of aPL binding to the target antigen rather than of a defective regulation. Placental complement deposits represent a further marker of complement activation both in animals and in patients, and there is also some suggestive evidence that complement activation products are deposited in the affected vessels. The aim of this review is to analyze the state of the art of complement involvement in the pathogenesis of APS in order to provide insights into the role of this system as predictive biomarker for the clinical manifestations and as therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Tedesco
- Immunorheumatology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Orietta Borghi
- Immunorheumatology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Gerosa
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Beatrice Chighizola
- Immunorheumatology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Macor
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Adele Lonati
- Immunorheumatology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gulino
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Human Pathology Section, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Meroni
- Immunorheumatology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
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20
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Fredi M, Andreoli L, Aggogeri E, Bettiga E, Lazzaroni MG, Le Guern V, Lojacono A, Morel N, Piette JC, Zatti S, Costedoat-Chalumeau N, Tincani A. Risk Factors for Adverse Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Women With Confirmed aPL Positivity: Results From a Multicenter Study of 283 Pregnancies. Front Immunol 2018; 9:864. [PMID: 29867924 PMCID: PMC5949611 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Antiphospholipid antibodies positivity (aPL) is considered as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcome (APO). The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for APO in patients with confirmed aPL positivity, isolated (aPL carriers) or associated with a definite primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS). Methods The clinical and laboratory features of 283 pregnancies occurring between 2000 and 2014 in 200 women were collected in three institutions. Results The rate of live birth was 87.9% and APO was observed in 50 cases (17.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that the independent variables related to APO were the concomitant diagnosis of an organ-specific autoimmune disease (p = 0.012, odds ratio (OR) 3.29, confidence interval (CI) 95% 1.29–8.38) and the presence of low complement levels during the first trimester (p = 0.02, OR 2.3, CI 95% 1.17–9.15). No statistical differences were found in APO occurrence among patients treated with low-dose aspirin (LDA) versus those treated with LDA plus heparin (LMWH), but LDA + LMWH was more frequently administered in patients with triple aPL positivity (p = 0.001, OR 3.21, CI 95% 1.48–7.11) and with PAPS (p < 0.001, OR 8.08, CI 95% 4.3–15.4). Based on clinical history, the patients were divided into four groups: obstetric, thrombotic, non-criteria antiphospholipid syndrome (clinical non-criteria), and aPL carriers. APOs were more frequent in the thrombotic group (24%). Seven patients had a thrombotic event during pregnancy or puerperium (2.4%). Conclusion Maternal and fetal complications were observed in some aPL-positive patients despite their efficient management according to the current recommendations. A higher risk of APO was observed in patients with a previous thrombosis and/or more complex autoimmune phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela Fredi
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Andreoli
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Aggogeri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Bettiga
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Lazzaroni
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Véronique Le Guern
- Internal Medicine Department, Cochin Hospital, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Andrea Lojacono
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nathalie Morel
- Internal Medicine Department, Cochin Hospital, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Jean Charles Piette
- Centre de référence maladies auto-immunes et systémiques rares d'Ile de France, Internal Medicine Department, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.,Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - Sonia Zatti
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nathalie Costedoat-Chalumeau
- Centre de référence maladies auto-immunes et systémiques rares d'Ile de France, Internal Medicine Department, Cochin Hospital, Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,INSERM U 1153, Center for Epidemiology and Statistics Sorbonne Paris Cité (CRESS), Paris, France
| | - Angela Tincani
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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21
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Ruffatti A, Hoxha A, Favaro M, Tonello M, Colpo A, Cucchini U, Banzato A, Pengo V. Additional Treatments for High-Risk Obstetric Antiphospholipid Syndrome: a Comprehensive Review. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2018; 53:28-39. [PMID: 27342460 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-016-8571-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Most investigators currently advocate prophylactic-dose heparin plus low-dose aspirin as the preferred treatment of otherwise healthy women with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome, whilst women with a history of vascular thrombosis alone or associated with pregnancy morbidity are usually treated with therapeutic heparin doses in association with low-dose aspirin in an attempt to prevent both thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity. However, the protocols outlined above fail in about 20 % of pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome. Identifying risk factors associated with pregnancy failure when conventional therapies are utilized is an important step in establishing guidelines to manage these high-risk patients. Some clinical and laboratory risk factors have been found to be related to maternal-foetal complications in pregnant women on conventional therapy. However, the most efficacious treatments to administer to high-risk antiphospholipid syndrome women in addition to conventional therapy in order to avoid pregnancy complications are as yet unestablished. This is a comprehensive review on this topic and an invitation to participate in a multicentre study in order to identify the best additional treatments to be used in this subset of antiphospholipid syndrome patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Ruffatti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
- Reumatologia, Policlinico Universitario, Via Giustiniani, 2-35128, Padova, Italy.
| | - Ariela Hoxha
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Favaro
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Marta Tonello
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Colpo
- Blood Transfusion Unit, University-Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Umberto Cucchini
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandra Banzato
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Vittorio Pengo
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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22
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Gaggl M, Aigner C, Csuka D, Szilágyi Á, Prohászka Z, Kain R, Haninger N, Knechtelsdorfer M, Sunder-Plassmann R, Sunder-Plassmann G, Schmidt A. Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of Pregnancies in Women with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. J Am Soc Nephrol 2018; 29:1020-1029. [PMID: 29282226 PMCID: PMC5827586 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2016090995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Atypical HUS (aHUS) is a disorder most commonly caused by inherited defects of the alternative pathway of complement, or the proteins that regulate this pathway, and life-threatening episodes of aHUS can be provoked by pregnancy. We retrospectively and prospectively investigated 27 maternal and fetal pregnancy outcomes in 14 women with aHUS from the Vienna Thrombotic Microangiopathy Cohort. Seven pregnancies (26%) were complicated by pregnancy-associated aHUS (p-aHUS), of which three appeared to be provoked by infection, bleeding, and curettage, and three individuals were considered to have preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome before the definitive diagnosis of p-aHUS was made. Mutations in genes that encode the complement alternative pathway proteins or the molecules that regulate this pathway were detected in 71% of the women, with no relationship to pregnancy outcome. Twenty-one pregnancies (78%) resulted in a live birth, two preterm infants were stillborn, and four pregnancies resulted in early spontaneous abortions. Although short-term renal outcome was good in most women, long-term renal outcome was poor; among the 14 women, four had CKD stage 1-4, five had received a renal allograft, and three were dialysis-dependent at study end. We prospectively followed nine pregnancies of four women and treated six of these pregnancies with prophylactic plasma infusions (one pregnancy resulted in p-aHUS, one intrauterine fetal death occurred, and seven pregancies were uneventful). Our study emphasizes the frequency of successful pregnancies in women with aHUS. Close monitoring of such pregnancies for episodes of thrombotic microangiopathy is essential but, the best strategy to prevent these episodes remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Gaggl
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III,
| | - Christof Aigner
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III
| | - Dorottya Csuka
- Research Laboratory, 3rd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; and
| | - Ágnes Szilágyi
- Research Laboratory, 3rd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; and
| | - Zoltán Prohászka
- Research Laboratory, 3rd Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; and
| | | | | | | | - Raute Sunder-Plassmann
- Genetics Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Alice Schmidt
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III
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23
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Chighizola CB, Andreoli L, Gerosa M, Tincani A, Ruffatti A, Meroni PL. The treatment of anti-phospholipid syndrome: A comprehensive clinical approach. J Autoimmun 2018; 90:1-27. [PMID: 29449131 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired pro-thrombotic autoimmune disease that predisposes to thrombotic events and/or obstetric complications, in the persistent presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL). Life long moderate-intensity anticoagulation is the option of choice for aPL-positive patients with a previous thrombosis; critical issues concern the management of those with a history of arterial event due to the high rate of recurrence. Alternatives comprise anti-platelet agents and high-intensity anticoagulation. Low dose aspirin (LDASA) and low molecular weight heparin provide the mainstay of the treatment of obstetric APS, allowing a birth rate in 70% of cases. The management of refractory APS, thrombotic as well as obstetric, is highly debated, but an increasing burden of evidence points towards the beneficial effects of multiple treatments. Similarly, a management envisaging multiple drugs (anticoagulation, steroids, plasma exchange and/or intravenous immunoglobulins) is the most effective approach in catastrophic APS. Asymptomatic aPL carriers are at higher risk of thrombotic and obstetric complications compared to the general population, thus potentially benefitting of a pharmacological intervention. LDASA and hydroxychloroquine can be considered as options, in particular in case of high risk aPL profile, concomitant cardiovascular risk factors or associated autoimmune disease. APS is apparently a simple condition, but its multifaceted nature requires a complex and tailored treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Beatrice Chighizola
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122, Milan, Italy; Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Zucchi 18, 20095 Cusano Milanino, Milan, Italy; Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy.
| | - Laura Andreoli
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Gerosa
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122, Milan, Italy; Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Zucchi 18, 20095 Cusano Milanino, Milan, Italy; Department of Rheumatology, ASST Istituto Gaetano Pini & CTO, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari, 1 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Tincani
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Amelia Ruffatti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padua, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Meroni
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Zucchi 18, 20095 Cusano Milanino, Milan, Italy
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24
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Kim MY, Guerra MM, Kaplowitz E, Laskin CA, Petri M, Branch DW, Lockshin MD, Sammaritano LR, Merrill JT, Porter TF, Sawitzke A, Lynch AM, Buyon JP, Salmon JE. Complement activation predicts adverse pregnancy outcome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and/or antiphospholipid antibodies. Ann Rheum Dis 2018; 77:549-555. [PMID: 29371202 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-212224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies in mouse models implicate complement activation as a causative factor in adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). We investigated whether activation of complement early in pregnancy predicts APOs in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies. METHODS The PROMISSE Study enrolled pregnant women with SLE and/or aPL antibodies (n=487) and pregnant healthy controls (n=204) at <12 weeks gestation and evaluated them monthly. APOs were: fetal/neonatal death, preterm delivery <36 weeks because of placental insufficiency or preeclampsia and/or growth restriction <5th percentile. Complement activation products were measured on serial blood samples obtained at each monthly visit. RESULTS APO occurred in 20.5% of SLE and/or aPL pregnancies. As early as 12-15 weeks, levels of Bb and sC5b-9 were significantly higher in patients with APOs and remained elevated through 31 weeks compared with those with normal outcomes. Moreover, Bb and sC5b-9 were significantly higher in patients with SLE and/or aPL without APOs compared with healthy controls. In logistic regression analyses, Bb and sC5b-9 at 12-15 weeks remained significantly associated with APO (ORadj=1.41 per SD increase; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.89; P=0.019 and ORadj=1.37 per SD increase; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.80; P=0.022, respectively) after controlling for demographic and clinical risk factors for APOs in PROMISSE. When analyses were restricted to patients with aPL (n=161), associations between Bb at 12-15 weeks and APOs became stronger (ORadj=2.01 per SD increase; 95% CI 1.16 to 3.49; P=0.013). CONCLUSION In pregnant patients with SLE and/or aPL, increased Bb and sC5b-9 detectable early in pregnancy are strongly predictive of APOs and support activation of complement, particularly the alternative pathway, as a contributor to APOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mimi Y Kim
- Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Marta M Guerra
- Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Carl A Laskin
- Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michelle Petri
- Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - D Ware Branch
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center and Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Michael D Lockshin
- Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.,Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lisa R Sammaritano
- Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.,Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joan T Merrill
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - T Flint Porter
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center and Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Allen Sawitzke
- Medicine, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Anne M Lynch
- Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jill P Buyon
- Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jane E Salmon
- Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.,Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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25
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van den Hoogen LL, van Roon JAG, Radstake TRDJ, Fritsch-Stork RDE, Derksen RHWM. Delineating the deranged immune system in the antiphospholipid syndrome. Autoimmun Rev 2015; 15:50-60. [PMID: 26318678 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2015.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is characterized serologically by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and clinically by vascular thrombosis and obstetric complications. The protein β2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI) is identified as the most important autoantigen in this syndrome. Activation of endothelial cells, thrombocytes and placental tissue by anti-β2GPI antibodies relates to the clinical manifestations of APS. This review describes genetic and environmental factors in relation to APS and summarizes the current knowledge on abnormalities in components of both the innate and adaptive immune system in APS. The role of dendritic cells, T-cells, B-cells, monocytes, neutrophils and NK-cells as well as the complement system in APS are discussed. Several gaps in our knowledge on the pathophysiology of APS are identified and a plea is made for future extensive immune cell profiling by a systems medicine approach in order to better unravel the pathogenesis of APS, to gain more insight in the role of the immune system in APS as well as having the potential to reveal biomarkers or novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas L van den Hoogen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Joël A G van Roon
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy R D J Radstake
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruth D E Fritsch-Stork
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald H W M Derksen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
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26
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Chighizola CB, Gerosa M, Trespidi L, Di Giacomo A, Rossi F, Acaia B, Meroni PL. Update on the current recommendations and outcomes in pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2014; 10:1505-17. [DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2014.968129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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27
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CD8+DR+ T-Cells and C3 Complement Serum Concentration as Potential Biomarkers in Thrombotic Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Autoimmune Dis 2014; 2014:868652. [PMID: 24982803 PMCID: PMC4058841 DOI: 10.1155/2014/868652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose. To assess complement factors and T lymphocyte activation subset abnormalities in patients with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) as potential biomarkers for development of clinical complications. Methods. We assessed C3, C4, factor B concentrations (nephelometry), complement haemolytic functional activity (CH100, radial immune diffusion), and the activation status of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells (three-colour flow cytometry) in patients with thrombotic APS. Antiphospholipid (aPL) positive patients without APS-related clinical criteria, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and healthy individuals were evaluated as controls. A clinical followup was performed to assess the potential relationship between the immunological parameters and development of APS-related complications. Results. Lower concentrations of C3 and higher levels of CD8+DR+ cells were risk factors for development of APS-related complications during followup, including rethrombosis and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Patients with diagnosed thrombotic APS had significantly lower levels of C3, C4, and CH100 as well as higher percentages of activated CD4+DR+ and of CD8+DR+ T-cells than healthy controls but similar to that observed in autoimmune disease controls. Conclusion. Lower C3 and C4 complement levels and higher percentages of CD8+DR+ T-cells were observed in thrombotic APS patients. The potential role of these abnormalities as biomarkers of clinical outcome warrants further evaluation in a multicenter study.
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28
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Swadzba J, Sydor WJ, Kolodziejczyk J, Musial J. Summary of the 9th meeting of the European Forum on Antiphospholipid Antibodies. Lupus 2014; 23:395-9. [PMID: 24474705 DOI: 10.1177/0961203314520841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The 9th meeting of the European Forum on Antiphospholipid Antibodies (Euro aPL Forum) was held in Krakow, Poland, on 16-18 May 2013. This was an excellent occasion for the exchange of information on current research in the area of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), as well as a starting point for many new research projects. About 120 physicians and researchers from various medical specialities representing 15 European countries, USA, Argentina and Israel attended the event. This report summarizes the major studies and new research projects presented during the Forum.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Swadzba
- 1Department of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
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