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McCormick ET, Draganski A, Chalmers S, Zahn J, Garcia S, Nussbaum D, Friedman A, Putterman C, Friedman J. Nano-encapsulated anandamide reduces inflammatory cytokines in vitro and lesion severity in a murine model of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Exp Dermatol 2023; 32:2072-2083. [PMID: 37726950 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14935] [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: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune skin disease which occurs independently and in conjunction with systemic lupus erythematosus. Drug development for CLE is severely lacking. Anandamide (AEA) is a primary endocannabinoid which exhibits immunomodulatory effects through mixed cannabinoid receptor agonism. We evaluated AEA as topical treatment for CLE and assessed benefits of nanoparticle encapsulation (AEA-NP) on cutaneous drug penetration, delivery and biological activity. Compared to untreated controls, AEA-NP decreased IL-6 and MCP-1 in UVB-stimulated keratinocytes (p < 0.05) in vitro. In BALB/c mice, AEA-NP displayed improved cutaneous penetration, extended release and persistence of AEA in the follicular unit extending to the base after 24 h. Utilizing the MRL-lpr lupus murine model, twice weekly treatment of lesions with topical AEA-NP for 10 weeks led to decreased clinical and histologic lesion scores compared to unencapsulated AEA and untreated controls (p < 0.05). Prophylactic application of AEA-NP to commonly involved areas on MRL-lpr mice similarly resulted in decreased clinical and histologic scores when compared to controls (p < 0.05), and reduced C3 and IBA-1 in lesional tissue (p < 0.05). The demonstrated clinical and immunomodulatory effects of treatment with AEA support its potential as therapy for CLE. This work also suggests that encapsulation of AEA improves penetration and treatment efficacy. Future studies will be conducted to assess full therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika T McCormick
- George Washington University Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Samantha Chalmers
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, Bronx, USA
| | - Joseph Zahn
- George Washington University Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sayra Garcia
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, Bronx, USA
| | - Dillon Nussbaum
- George Washington University Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Adam Friedman
- George Washington University Department of Dermatology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Chaim Putterman
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, Bronx, USA
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine of Bar-Ilan University, Zefat, Israel
- Research Institute, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Israel
| | - Joel Friedman
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, Bronx, USA
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Niebel D, de Vos L, Fetter T, Brägelmann C, Wenzel J. Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: An Update on Pathogenesis and Future Therapeutic Directions. Am J Clin Dermatol 2023:10.1007/s40257-023-00774-8. [PMID: 37140884 PMCID: PMC10157137 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-023-00774-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Lupus erythematosus comprises a spectrum of autoimmune diseases that may affect various organs (systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]) or the skin only (cutaneous lupus erythematosus [CLE]). Typical combinations of clinical, histological and serological findings define clinical subtypes of CLE, yet there is high interindividual variation. Skin lesions arise in the course of triggers such as ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, smoking or drugs; keratinocytes, cytotoxic T cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) establish a self-perpetuating interplay between the innate and adaptive immune system that is pivotal for the pathogenesis of CLE. Therefore, treatment relies on avoidance of triggers and UV protection, topical therapies (glucocorticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors) and rather unspecific immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drugs. Yet, the advent of licensed targeted therapies for SLE might also open new perspectives in the management of CLE. The heterogeneity of CLE might be attributable to individual variables and we speculate that the prevailing inflammatory signature defined by either T cells, B cells, pDCs, a strong lesional type I interferon (IFN) response, or combinations of the above might be suitable to predict therapeutic response to targeted treatment. Therefore, pretherapeutic histological assessment of the inflammatory infiltrate could stratify patients with refractory CLE for T-cell-directed therapies (e.g. dapirolizumab pegol), B-cell-directed therapies (e.g. belimumab), pDC-directed therapies (e.g. litifilimab) or IFN-directed therapies (e.g. anifrolumab). Moreover, Janus kinase (JAK) and spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitors might broaden the therapeutic armamentarium in the near future. A close interdisciplinary exchange with rheumatologists and nephrologists is mandatory for optimal treatment of lupus patients to define the best therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Niebel
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Luka de Vos
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tanja Fetter
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Wenzel
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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3
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Erazo-Martínez V, Tobón GJ, Cañas CA. Circulating and skin biopsy-present cytokines related to the pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Autoimmun Rev 2023; 22:103262. [PMID: 36563771 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a common disease that may appear as a separate entity from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), precede SLE development, or occur as a manifestation of this systemic disease. It has a complex pathophysiology that involves genetic, environmental, and immune-mediated factors creating a self-amplification pro-inflammatory cycle. CLE is characterized by prominent type I interferons (IFNs) inflammation which are considered as the first precursors of the inflammatory cascade generated within the pathophysiology of CLE. TNF-α enhances the production of antibodies through the activation of B cells, and favors the expression of surface nuclear antigens on keratinocytes. UV light exposure favors keratinocyte apoptosis or necroptosis, which results in the release of multiple proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFNs, and CXCL10. Serum levels of IL-17 are elevated in patients with ACLE, SCLE, and DLE. Evidence suggests IL-22 plays a role primarily in tissue repair rather than in inflammation. High expression of BAFF and its receptors have been found in lesioned keratinocytes of patients with CLE, and patients with CLE have lower serum levels of the regulatory cytokines TGF-β and IL-10. The chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 (CXCR3 ligands) have an increased expression among these patients, and their expression is correlated with IFNs levels. CXCR3 ligands recruit cytotoxic type I cells through this receptor, further supporting the death of keratinocytes via necroptosis with the subsequent release of eNAs perpetuating the inflammatory cycle. Interface dermatitis is characterized by the presence of CXCR3-positive lymphocytes. This review describes the leading cytokines and chemokines present in the circulation and skin that play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of CLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Erazo-Martínez
- Fundación Valle del Lili, Centro de Investigaciones Clínicas, Cra 98 No. 18-49, Cali 760032, Colombia
| | - Gabriel J Tobón
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Carlos A Cañas
- Universidad Icesi, CIRAT: Centro de Investigación en Reumatología, Autoinmunidad y Medicina Traslacional, Calle 18 No. 122-135, Cali, Colombia; Fundación Valle del Lili, Unidad de Reumatología, Cra 98 No. 18-49, Cali 760032, Colombia.
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4
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Fetter T, Braegelmann C, de Vos L, Wenzel J. Current Concepts on Pathogenic Mechanisms and Histopathology in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:915828. [PMID: 35712102 PMCID: PMC9196867 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.915828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is an interferon (IFN)-driven autoimmune disease that may be limited to the skin or can be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CLE occurs in several morphologic subtypes ranging from isolated, disc-shaped plaques to disseminated skin lesions. The typical histopathologic pattern of skin lesions is named interface dermatitis and characterized by a lymphocytic infiltrate and necroptotic keratinocytes at the dermo-epidermal junction. Other histopathologic patterns primarily involve the dermis or subcutis, depending on the subtype. One critical mechanism in CLE is the chronic reactivation of innate and adaptive immune pathways. An important step in this process is the recognition of endogenous nucleic acids released from dying cells by various pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and other cytosolic receptors. Crucial cells in CLE pathogenesis comprise plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) as major producers of type I IFN, T cells exerting cytotoxic effects, and B cells, previously believed to contribute via secretion of autoantibodies. However, B cells are increasingly considered to have additional functions, supported by studies finding them to occur in highest numbers in chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (CDLE), a subtype in which autoantibodies are often absent. More precise knowledge of how CLE subtypes differ pathophysiologically may allow a tailored pharmacotherapy in the future, taking into account the specific molecular signature in relation to the morphologic subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Fetter
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Luka de Vos
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joerg Wenzel
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Amudzi AA, Piedra-Mora C, Ma DJ, Wong NB, David CN, Robinson NA, Almela RM, Richmond JM. Using Gene Expression Analysis to Understand Complex Autoimmune Skin Disease Patients: A Series of Four Canine Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Cases. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:778934. [PMID: 35280134 PMCID: PMC8907585 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.778934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) is an autoimmune skin disease that occurs in almost two-thirds of people with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and can exist as its own entity. Despite its negative impact on the quality of life of patients, lupus pathogenesis is not fully understood. In recent years, the role of gene expression analysis has become important in understanding cellular functions and disease causation within and across species. Interestingly, dogs also develop CLE, providing a spontaneous animal model of disease. Here, we present a targeted transcriptomic analysis of skin biopsies from a case series of four dogs with complex autoimmunity with suspected CLE. We identified 92 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including type 1 interferon, B cell, and T cell-related genes, in the four cases compared to healthy skin margin controls. Additionally, we compared our results with existing CLE datasets from humans and mice and found that humans and canines share 49 DEGs, whereas humans and mice shared only 25 DEGs in our gene set. Immunohistochemistry of IFNG and CXCL10, two of the most highly upregulated inflammatory mediators, confirmed protein-level expression and revealed immune cells as the primary source of CXCL10 in dogs with SLE, whereas keratinocytes stained strongly for CXCL10 in dogs without SLE. We propose that gene expression analysis may aid the diagnosis of complex autoimmune skin diseases and that dogs may provide important insights into CLE and SLE pathogeneses, or more broadly, skin manifestations during systemic autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice A. Amudzi
- Dermatology Department, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Cesar Piedra-Mora
- Pathology Department, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Diana Junyue Ma
- Dermatology Department, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Neil B. Wong
- Dermatology Department, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Nicholas A. Robinson
- Pathology Department, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Ramón M. Almela
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Jillian M. Richmond
- Dermatology Department, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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Sonigo G, Cassius C, Battistella M, Le Buanec H, Bagot M, Saussine A, de Masson A, Lehmann-Che J, Chasset F, Jachiet M, Bouaziz JD. Acropulpitis in systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with high type 1 interferon signature. Exp Dermatol 2021; 31:819-820. [PMID: 34699626 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Sonigo
- Dermatology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Charles Cassius
- Dermatology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Inserm U976 - HIPI Unit, Universite ́ de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Battistella
- Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Inserm U976 - HIPI Unit, Universite ́ de Paris, Paris, France.,Pathology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Le Buanec
- Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Inserm U976 - HIPI Unit, Universite ́ de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Martine Bagot
- Dermatology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Inserm U976 - HIPI Unit, Universite ́ de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Anne Saussine
- Dermatology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Adèle de Masson
- Dermatology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Inserm U976 - HIPI Unit, Universite ́ de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jacqueline Lehmann-Che
- Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Inserm U976 - HIPI Unit, Universite ́ de Paris, Paris, France.,Molecular Oncology Unit, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - François Chasset
- Dermatology Department, APHP, Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne Université Faculté de médecine, Paris, France
| | - Marie Jachiet
- Dermatology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Jean-David Bouaziz
- Dermatology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.,Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Inserm U976 - HIPI Unit, Universite ́ de Paris, Paris, France
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