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Perurena-Prieto J, Viñas-Giménez L, Sanz-Martínez MT, Selva-O'Callaghan A, Callejas-Moraga EL, Colobran R, Guillén-Del-Castillo A, Simeón-Aznar CP. Anti-nuclear valosin-containing protein-like autoantibody is associated with calcinosis and higher risk of cancer in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024; 63:2278-2283. [PMID: 37769243 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic sclerosis (SSc)-specific autoantibodies allow the diagnosis and predict the prognosis of SSc patients with different clinical characteristics. The aim of this study was to describe new SSc-related autoantibodies by a novel protein immunoprecipitation (IP) assay. METHODS Serum samples and clinical data were collected from 307 SSc patients. Antinuclear autoantibodies were tested in all patients by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells. SSc-specific autoantibodies were evaluated with a commercial immunoblot and chemiluminescence immunoassay, and traditional RNA-IP. Patients negative for all these autoantibodies (n = 51) were further tested with a non-radioactive protein IP assay. Protein bands detected on SDS-PAGE were then analysed by mass spectrometry (MS) and confirmed by western blot (WB). Additional 56 patients with nucleolar pattern by IIF were tested by protein IP-WB. RESULTS Five patients who underwent protein IP testing showed a 110-115kDa molecular weight band on SDS-PAGE and a homogeneous nucleolar pattern by IIF. MS identified the bands as nuclear valosin-containing protein-like (NVL). An additional positive patient was detected by IP-WB. As compared with the remaining 101 negative patients, anti-NVL positive patients showed a greater prevalence of calcinosis (100% vs 18.9%, P < 0.001), and cancer (66.7% vs 8.9%, P = 0.002), with a particular association with synchronous cancer (OR = 16.3; P = 0.024). CONCLUSION We identified NVL as a new autoantibody target by a novel protein IP assay in SSc patients with a homogeneous nucleolar IIF pattern, testing negative for all known SSc-specific autoantibodies by commercial assays and RNA IP. Anti-NVL identifies a new clinical phenotype, characterized by calcinosis and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janire Perurena-Prieto
- Immunology Division, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
- Translational Immunology Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Laura Viñas-Giménez
- Immunology Division, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
- Translational Immunology Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Teresa Sanz-Martínez
- Immunology Division, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
- Translational Immunology Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Selva-O'Callaghan
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Roger Colobran
- Immunology Division, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
- Translational Immunology Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alfredo Guillén-Del-Castillo
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen P Simeón-Aznar
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
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Rosa I, Romano E, Fioretto BS, Manetti M. Autoantibodies as putative biomarkers and triggers of cell dysfunctions in systemic sclerosis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2024:00002281-990000000-00128. [PMID: 39046085 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0000000000001035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Antinuclear autoantibodies represent a serological hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc), with anticentromere, antitopoisomerase-I, and anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies routinely assessed for diagnosis, clinical subset classification, and prognosis. In addition, an increasing number of autoantibodies have been demonstrated to play a pathogenic role by mediating different SSc manifestations. This review aims to give an overview on autoantibodies as putative biomarkers in SSc and discuss their possible pathogenic role as triggers of cell dysfunctions. RECENT FINDINGS Over the years, different autoantibodies have been proposed as biomarkers aiding in diagnosis, disease subtype classification, disease progression prediction, organ involvement, as well as in understanding treatment response. Increasing literature also indicates functional autoantibodies as direct contributors to SSc pathogenesis by exerting agonistic or antagonistic activities on their specific cognate targets. SUMMARY In SSc, search and validation of novel autoantibodies with higher diagnostic specificity and more accurate predictive values are increasingly needed for early diagnosis and specific follow-up, and to define the best therapeutic option according to different disease subsets. Moreover, since autoantibodies are also emerging as functional pathogenic players, a better unraveling of their possible pathomechanisms becomes essential to identify new targets and develop promising therapeutic agents able to neutralize their effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Perurena-Prieto J, Callejas-Moraga EL, Sanz-Martínez MT, Colobran R, Guillén-Del-Castillo A, Simeón-Aznar CP. Prognostic value of anti-IFI16 autoantibodies in pulmonary arterial hypertension and mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis. Med Clin (Barc) 2024; 162:370-377. [PMID: 38302398 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the diagnostic value of anti-interferon gamma inducible protein 16 (IFI16) autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients negative for all tested SSc-specific autoantibodies (SSc-seronegative patients) and to evaluate the clinical significance of these autoantibodies, whether isolated or in the presence of anti-centromere autoantibodies (ACA). METHODS Overall, 58 SSc-seronegative and 66 ACA-positive patients were included in the study. All patients were tested for anti-IFI16 autoantibodies by an in-house direct ELISA. Associations between clinical parameters and anti-IFI16 autoantibodies were analysed. RESULTS Overall, 17.2% of SSc-seronegative and 39.4% of ACA-positive patients were positive for anti-IFI16 autoantibodies. Anti-IFI16 autoantibodies were found only in patients within the limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) subset. A positive association between anti-IFI16 positivity and isolated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was found (odds ratio [OR]=5.07; p=0.014) even after adjusting for ACA status (OR=4.99; p=0.019). Anti-IFI16-positive patients were found to have poorer overall survival than negative patients (p=0.032). Cumulative survival rates at 10, 20 and 30 years were 96.9%, 92.5% and 68.7% for anti-IFI16-positive patients vs. 98.8%, 97.0% and 90.3% for anti-IFI16-negative-patients, respectively. Anti-IFI16-positive patients also had worse overall survival than anti-IFI16-negative patients after adjusting for ACA status in the multivariate Cox analysis (hazard ratio [HR]=3.21; p=0.043). CONCLUSION Anti-IFI16 autoantibodies were associated with isolated PAH and poorer overall survival. Anti-IFI16 autoantibodies could be used as a supplementary marker of lcSSc in SSc-seronegative patients and for identifying ACA-positive patients with worse clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janire Perurena-Prieto
- Immunology Division, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Translational Immunology Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | | | - María T Sanz-Martínez
- Immunology Division, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger Colobran
- Immunology Division, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Translational Immunology Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Alfredo Guillén-Del-Castillo
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carmen P Simeón-Aznar
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain
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Leask A, Naik A, Stratton RJ. Back to the future: targeting the extracellular matrix to treat systemic sclerosis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:713-723. [PMID: 37789119 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-01032-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is the excessive deposition of a stable extracellular matrix (ECM); fibrotic tissue is composed principally of highly crosslinked type I collagen and highly contractile myofibroblasts. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by skin and organ fibrosis. The fibrotic process has been recognized in SSc for >40 years, but drugs with demonstrable efficacy against SSc fibrosis in ameliorating the lung involvement have only recently been identified. Unfortunately, these treatments are ineffective at improving the skin score in patients with SSc. Previous clinical trials in SSc have largely focused on the cross-purposing of anti-inflammatory drugs and the use of immunosuppressive drugs from the transplantation field, which address inflammatory and/or autoimmune processes. Limited examination has taken place of specific anti-fibrotic agents developed through their ability to directly target the ECM in SSc by, for example, alleviating the persistent matrix stiffness and mechanotransduction that might be required for both the initiation and maintenance of fibrosis, including in SSc. However, because of the importance of the ECM in the SSc phenotype, attempts have now been made to identify drugs that specifically target the ECM, including some drugs that are currently under consideration for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Leask
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | - Angha Naik
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Richard J Stratton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, London, UK
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Nahas L, Al Khudari R, Khalil B. Familial Mediterranean fever and scleroderma: a rare case report from Syria. Oxf Med Case Reports 2023; 2023:omad111. [PMID: 37881263 PMCID: PMC10597624 DOI: 10.1093/omcr/omad111] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited autoinflammatory disease that affects the skin, joints, serous membranes and other various organs. Presentation of FMF can be solely but it can coexist with other conditions. It has been shown that it can be accompanied by various different disorders. Scleroderma is an autoimmune dermatologic condition that can present with systemic manifestations. No previous cases about the coexistence of FMF and scleroderma were previously documented, therefore we report the first case in Syria of a 10-year-old female that presented with clinically clear signs of both conditions (periodic fever and serous chest pain in addition to skin hyperpigmentation). The patient's symptoms required full genetic testing along with the proper antibody detection and The diagnosis of FMF and scleroderma was confirmed by genetic testing and treatment was started.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lujain Nahas
- Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | - Rawan Al Khudari
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | - Basheer Khalil
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
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Gumkowska-Sroka O, Kotyla K, Mojs E, Palka K, Kotyla P. Novel Therapeutic Strategies in the Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1066. [PMID: 37630981 PMCID: PMC10458905 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081066] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease of unknown origin and with an unpredictable course, with both cutaneous and internal organ manifestations. Despite the enormous progress in rheumatology and clinical immunology, the background of this disease is largely unknown, and no specific therapy exists. The therapeutic approach aims to treat and preserve the function of internal organs, and this approach is commonly referred to as organ-based treatment. However, in modern times, data from other branches of medicine may offer insight into how to treat disease-related complications, making it possible to find new drugs to treat this disease. In this review, we present therapeutic options aiming to stop the progression of fibrotic processes, restore the aberrant immune response, stop improper signalling from proinflammatory cytokines, and halt the production of disease-related autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Gumkowska-Sroka
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Voivodeship Hospital No. 5 in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
- Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (K.K.); (K.P.)
| | - Kacper Kotyla
- Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (K.K.); (K.P.)
| | - Ewa Mojs
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Klaudia Palka
- Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (K.K.); (K.P.)
| | - Przemysław Kotyla
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Voivodeship Hospital No. 5 in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
- Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (K.K.); (K.P.)
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Höppner J, Tabeling C, Casteleyn V, Kedor C, Windisch W, Burmester GR, Huscher D, Siegert E. Comprehensive autoantibody profiles in systemic sclerosis: Clinical cluster analysis. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1045523. [PMID: 36685532 PMCID: PMC9846214 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1045523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) belongs to the group of connective tissue diseases and is associated with the occurrence of disease-specific autoantibodies. Although it is still controversial whether these antibodies contribute to pathogenesis, there are new insights into the development of these specific antibodies and their possible pathophysiological properties. Interestingly, they are associated with specific clinical manifestations, but for some rarer antibodies this association is not fully clarified. The aim of this study is a comprehensive analysis of the serum autoantibody status in patients with SSc followed by correlation analyses of autoantibodies with the clinical course of the disease. Methods Serum from SSc patients was analyzed using a line blot (EUROLINE, EUROIMMUN AG) for SSc-related autoantibodies. Autoantibodies to centromere, Topo-1, antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) M2 subunit, angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R) and endothelin-1 type-A-receptors (ETAR) were also determined by ELISA. We formed immunological clusters and used principal components analysis (PCA) to assign specific clinical characteristics to these clusters. Results A total of 372 SSc patients were included. 95.3% of the patients were antinuclear antibody positive and in 333 patients at least one SSc specific antibody could be detected. Four immunological clusters could be found by PCA. Centromere, Topo-1 and RP3 all formed own clusters, which are associated with distinct clinical phenotypes. We found that patients with an inverted phenotype, such as limited cutaneous SSc patients within the Topo-1 cluster show an increased risk for interstital lung disease compared to ACA positive patients. Anti-AT1R and anti-ETAR autoantibodies were measured in 176 SSc patients; no association with SSc disease manifestation was found. SSc patients with AMA-M2 antibodies showed an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Conclusion In our in large cluster analysis, which included an extended autoantibody profile, we were able to show that serologic status of SSc patients provides important clues to disease manifestation, co-morbidities and complications. Line blot was a reliable technique to detect autoantibodies in SSc and detected rarer autoantibodies in 42% of our patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Höppner
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Pulmonology, Cologne Merheim Hospital, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Witten/Herdecke University, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christoph Tabeling
- Division of Pulmonary Inflammation, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vincent Casteleyn
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Kedor
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfram Windisch
- Department of Pulmonology, Cologne Merheim Hospital, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Witten/Herdecke University, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gerd Rüdiger Burmester
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dörte Huscher
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elise Siegert
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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