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Gu QH, Xu H, Cao X, Cheng X, Jia JY, Yan TK. The protease inhibitor E64d might attenuate the development of experimental anti-glomerular basement membrane disease through regulating the activation of Th1 cells. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 129:111594. [PMID: 38295547 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111594] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cathepsins have been recently identified as a regulator in the activation of Th1 and Th17 cells, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease. Whether cathepsins contribute to the development of anti-GBM disease through regulating the activation of CD4+ T cell is still unclear. METHODS Rats with experimental anti-GBM disease was established by immunization with the nephritogenic T cell epitope α3127-148. E64d, a cysteine cathepsin inhibitor, was administered in vitro and vivo to evaluate the effect of cathepsins on regulating the activation of antigen specific T cells and the development of anti-GBM disease. RESULTS In rats with experimental anti-GBM diseases, E64d treatment not only reduced the levels of proteinuria, serum creatinine and anti-GBM antibody, but also ameliorated the kidney injury with less glomerular IgG deposition, a lower percentage of crescents and less infiltration of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and macrophages, as well as a lower percentage of splenic Th1 cells. In vitro, E64d treatment could significantly reduce the production of IFN-γ in the supernatant which might be produced by the activation of Th1 cells after being recalled with the autoantigen α3127-148. We also found the CD4+ T cells of rats with anti-GBM disease had an increased expression of cathepsin L (Cts-L), and the percentage of CD4+ T cells with extracellular expression of Cts-L was obviously higher, indicating it as a potential key regulator. CONCLUSIONS E64d might attenuate the development of anti-GBM disease by participating in the activation of Th1 cells, indicating it as a potential drug for anti-GBM disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Hua Gu
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Urology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300192, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Xin Cao
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Airport Hospital, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Xi Cheng
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jun-Ya Jia
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Tie-Kun Yan
- Department of Nephrology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
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Liu J, Gu QH, Cui Z, Zhao MH, Jia XY. Short-chain fatty acids ameliorate experimental anti-glomerular basement membrane disease. Clin Immunol 2024; 259:109903. [PMID: 38218211 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.109903] [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: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as the link between gut microbiota and the immune system, had been reported to be protective in many autoimmune diseases by the modulation of T cell differentiation. The pathogenic role of autoreactive Th1 and Th17 cells and the protective role of Treg cells in the pathogenesis of anti-GBM disease have been fully demonstrated. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of SCFAs in a rat model of anti-GBM disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental anti-GBM disease was constructed by immunizing Wistar Kyoto rats with a nephrogenic T cell epitope α3127-148, and intervened by sodium acetate, sodium propionate, or sodium butyrate, 150 mM in the drinking water from day 0 to 42. Kidney injury was accessed by the biochemical analyzer, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. Antibody response was detected by ELISA. T cell clustering and proliferation were detected by flow cytometry. Human kidney 2 (HK2) cells were stimulated in vitro and cytokines were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Treatment with sodium acetate, sodium propionate, or sodium butyrate ameliorated the severity of kidney impairment in rats with anti-GBM glomerulonephritis. In the sodium butyrate-treated rats, the urinary protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly lower; the percentage of crescent formation in glomeruli was significantly reduced; and the kidneys showed reduced IgG deposition, complement activation, T cell, and macrophage infiltration as well as the level of circulating antibodies against anti-α3(IV)NC1. The treatment of sodium butyrate reduced the α3127-148-specific T cell activation and increased the Treg cells differentiation and the intestinal beneficial bacteria flora. It also alleviated the damage of HK2 cells treated with inflammatory factors and complement. CONCLUSION Treatment with SCFAs, especially butyrate, alleviated anti-GBM nephritis in rat model, indicating its potential therapeutic effects in clinical usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiu-Hua Gu
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Nephrology Department, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhao Cui
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Hui Zhao
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Jia
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Kuang H, Shen CR, Jia XY, Tan M, Yang XF, Cui Z, Borza DB, Zhao MH. Autoantibodies against laminin-521 are pathogenic in anti-glomerular basement membrane disease. Kidney Int 2023; 104:1124-1134. [PMID: 37598856 PMCID: PMC10840746 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder characterized by autoantibodies against GBM components. Evidence from human inherited kidney diseases and animal models suggests that the α, β, and γ chains of laminin-521 are all essential for maintaining the glomerular filtration barrier. We previously demonstrated that laminin-521 is a novel autoantigen within the GBM and that autoantibodies to laminin-521 are present in about one-third of patients. In the present study, we investigated the pathogenicity of autoantibodies against laminin-521 with clinical and animal studies. Herein, a rare case of anti-GBM disease was reported with circulating autoantibodies binding to laminin-521 but not to the NC1 domains of α1-α5(IV) collagen. Immunoblot identified circulating IgG from this patient bound laminin α5 and γ1 chains. A decrease in antibody levels was associated with improved clinical presentation after plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive treatments. Furthermore, immunization with laminin-521 in female Wistar-Kyoto rats induced crescentic glomerulonephritis with linear IgG deposits along the GBM, complement activation along with infiltration of T cells and macrophages. Lung hemorrhage occurred in 75.0% of the rats and was identified by the presence of erythrocyte infiltrates and hemosiderin-laden macrophages in the lung tissue. Sera and kidney-eluted antibodies from rats immunized with laminin-521 demonstrated specific IgG binding to laminin-521 but not to human α3(IV)NC1, while the opposite was observed in human α3(IV)NC1-immunized rats. Thus, our patient data and animal studies imply a possible independent pathogenic role of autoantibodies against laminin-521 in the development of anti-GBM disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang Kuang
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cong-Rong Shen
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Department of Urology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Jia
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Meng Tan
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Fen Yang
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Renal Division, Shanxi Medical University Second Hospital, Shanxi Kidney Disease Institute, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhao Cui
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dorin-Bogdan Borza
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ming-Hui Zhao
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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4
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Kuang H, Liu J, Jia XY, Cui Z, Zhao MH. Autoimmunity in Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease: A Review of Mechanisms and Prospects for Immunotherapy. Am J Kidney Dis 2023; 81:90-99. [PMID: 36334986 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder characterized by autoantibodies against the glomerular and alveolar basement membranes, leading to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and severe alveolar hemorrhage. The noncollagenous domain of the α3 chain of type IV collagen, α3(IV)NC1, contains the main target autoantigen in this disease. Epitope mapping studies of α3(IV)NC1 have identified several nephritogenic epitopes and critical residues that bind to autoantibodies and trigger anti-GBM disease. The discovery of novel target antigens has revealed the heterogeneous nature of this disease. In addition, both epitope spreading and mimicry have been implicated in the pathogenesis of anti-GBM disease. Epitope spreading refers to the development of autoimmunity to new autoepitopes, thus worsening disease progression, whereas epitope mimicry, which occurs via sharing of critical residues with microbial peptides, can initiate autoimmunity. An understanding of these autoimmune responses may open opportunities to explore potential new therapeutic approaches for this disease. We review how current advances in epitope mapping, identification of novel autoantigens, and the phenomena of epitope spreading and mimicry have heightened the understanding of autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of anti-GBM disease, and we discuss prospects for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang Kuang
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yu Jia
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhao Cui
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Hui Zhao
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Research Units of Diagnosis and Treatment of Immune-mediated Kidney Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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5
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Gu QH, Huynh M, Shi Y, Jia XY, Luo JJ, Jiang TJ, Cui Z, Ooi JD, Kitching AR, Zhao MH. Experimental Antiglomerular Basement Membrane GN Induced by a Peptide from Actinomyces. J Am Soc Nephrol 2021; 31:1282-1295. [PMID: 32444356 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2019060619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiglomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease is associated with HLA-DRB1*1501 (the major predisposing genetic factor in the disease), with α3127-148 as a nephritogenic T and B cell epitope. Although the cause of disease remains unclear, the association of infections with anti-GBM disease has been long suspected. METHODS To investigate whether microbes might activate autoreactive T and B lymphocytes via molecular mimicry in anti-GBM disease, we used bioinformatic tools, including BLAST, SYFPEITHI, and ABCpred, for peptide searching and epitope prediction. We used sera from patients with anti-GBM disease to assess peptides recognized by antibodies, and immunized WKY rats and a humanized mouse model (HLA-DR15 transgenic mice) with each of the peptide candidates to assess pathogenicity. RESULTS On the basis of the critical motif, the bioinformatic approach identified 36 microbial peptides that mimic human α3127-148. Circulating antibodies in sera from patients with anti-GBM recognized nine of them. One peptide, B7, derived from Actinomyces species, induced proteinuria, linear IgG deposition on the GBM, and crescent formation when injected into WKY rats. The antibodies to B7 also targeted human and rat α3127-148. B7 induced T cell activation from human α3127-148-immunized rats. T cell responses to B7 were detected in rats immunized by Actinomyces lysate proteins or recombinant proteins. We confirmed B7's pathogenicity in HLA-DR15 transgenic mice that developed kidney injury similar to that observed in α3135-145-immunized mice. CONCLUSIONS Sera from patients with anti-GBM disease recognized microbial peptides identified through a bioinformatic approach, and a peptide from Actinomyces induced experimental anti-GBM GN by T and B cell crossreactivity. These studies demonstrate that anti-GBM disease may be initiated by immunization with a microbial peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Hua Gu
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, PR China.,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, PR China
| | - Megan Huynh
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yue Shi
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, PR China.,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiao-Yu Jia
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, PR China.,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jie-Jian Luo
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Tai-Jiao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Zhao Cui
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, PR China .,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, PR China
| | - Joshua D Ooi
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - A Richard Kitching
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Nephrology, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ming-Hui Zhao
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, PR China.,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, PR China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, PR China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, PR China
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6
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Shi Y, Jia XY, Gu QH, Wang M, Cui Z, Zhao MH. A Modified Peptide Derived from Goodpasture Autoantigen Arrested and Attenuated Kidney Injuries in a Rat Model of Anti-GBM Glomerulonephritis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2019; 31:40-53. [PMID: 31666297 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2019010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Goodpasture disease, the noncollagenous domain 1 of the α3 chain (α3NC1) of type IV collagen is the main target antigen of antibodies against glomerular basement membrane (GBM). We previously identified a nephritogenic epitope, P14 (α3127-148), that could induce crescentic nephritis in WKY rats, and defined its core motif. Designing a modified peptide, replacing critical pathogenic residues with nonpathogenic ones (on the basis of homologous regions in α1NC1 chain of type IV collagen, known to be nonpathogenic), might provide a therapeutic option for anti-GBM GN. METHODS We synthesized a modified peptide, replacing a single amino acid, and injected it into α3-P14-immunized rats from day 0 (the early-treatment group) or a later-treatment group (from days 17 to 21). A scrambled peptide administrated with the same protocol served as a control. RESULTS The modified peptide, but not the scrambled peptide, attenuated anti-GBM GN in both treatment groups, and halted further crescent formation even after disease onset. Kidneys from the modified peptide-treated rats exhibited reductions in IgG deposits, complement activation, and infiltration by T cells and macrophages. Treatment also resulted in an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile versus a proinflammatory profile for animals not receiving the modified peptide; it also reduced α3-P14-specific T cell activation, modulated T cell differentiation by decreasing Th17 cells and enhancing the ratio of Treg/Th17 cells, and inhibited binding of α3-P14 to antibodies and MHC II molecules. CONCLUSIONS A modified peptide involving alteration of a critical motif in a nephritogenic T cell epitope alleviated anti-GBM GN in a rat model. Our findings may provide insights into an immunotherapeutic approach for autoimmune kidney disorders such as Goodpasture disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Shi
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; and
| | - Xiao-Yu Jia
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; .,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; and
| | - Qiu-Hua Gu
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; and
| | - Miao Wang
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; and
| | - Zhao Cui
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; .,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; and
| | - Ming-Hui Zhao
- Renal Division, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.,Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Renal Disease, Ministry of Health of China, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of CKD Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Beijing, China; and.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
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7
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Csernok E. The Diagnostic and Clinical Utility of Autoantibodies in Systemic Vasculitis. Antibodies (Basel) 2019; 8:antib8020031. [PMID: 31544837 PMCID: PMC6640716 DOI: 10.3390/antib8020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in understanding the role of autoantibodies in systemic vasculitides (SV), and consequently testing for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies (anti-GBM), and anti-C1q antibodies is helpful and necessary in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of small-vessel vasculitis. ANCA-directed proteinase 3 (PR3-) or myeloperoxidase (MPO-) are sensitive and specific serologic markers for ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV), anti-GBM antibodies are highly specific for the patients with anti-GBM antibody disease (formerly Goodpasture’s syndrome), and autoantibodies to C1q are characteristic of hypocomlementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome (HUVS; anti-C1q vasculitis). The results of a current EUVAS study have led to changes in the established strategy for the ANCA testing in small-vessel vasculitis. The revised 2017 international consensus recommendations for ANCA detection support the primary use PR3- and MPO-ANCA immunoassays without the categorical need for additional indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). Interestingly, the presence of PR3- and MPO-ANCA have led to the differentiation of distinct disease phenotype of AAV: PR3-ANCA-associated vasculitis (PR3-AAV), MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis (MPO-AAV), and ANCA-negative vasculitis. Further studies on the role of these autoantibodies are required to better categorize and manage appropriately the patients with small-vessel vasculitis and to develop more targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Csernok
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology and Immunology, Vasculitis-Center Tübingen-Kirchheim, Medius Klinik Kirchheim, University of Tübingen, 73230 Kirchheim-Teck, Germany.
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8
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Nishibata Y, Masuda S, Nakazawa D, Tanaka S, Tomaru U, Nergui M, Jia X, Cui Z, Zhao MH, Nakabayashi K, Ishizu A. Epitope recognized by anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibody in a patient with repeated relapse of anti-GBM disease. Exp Mol Pathol 2019; 107:165-170. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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9
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The critical amino acids of a nephritogenic epitope on human Goodpasture autoantigen for binding to HLA-DRB1*1501. Mol Immunol 2017; 88:1-9. [PMID: 28570922 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-GBM disease is caused by autoimmunity to Goodpasture antigen on α3(IV)NC1 and had strong associations with HLA-DRB1*1501. Previous studies identified α3127-148 (P14: TDIPPCPHGWISLWKGFSFIMF) as a T cell epitope. The present study was aimed to investigate the binding capacity of P14 to HLA-DRB1*1501 and the critical amino acids for this binding. METHODS A line of EBV-transformed human B cells homozygous for HLA-DRB1*1501 was used to detect the binding capacity of peptides to HLA-DRB1*1501 using flow cytometry analysis. P14 was sequentially truncated into 8 peptides with 15 amino acids to identify the core binding motif. A set of alanine substituted peptides of P14-2 was then synthesized to identify its critical residues for binding to HLA-DRB1*1501. The structure of HLA-DR2b-Peptide-TCR complex was constructed by modeling to analyze the interaction of each amino acids of P14-2 with the HLA-DR2b molecule. RESULTS P14 could bind to HLA-DRB1*1501 expressed on B cell surface. The N-terminus of P14 was the core binding motif and the truncated peptide P14-2 (DIPPCPHGWISLWKG) 128-142 had the strongest binding capacity. After sequential amino acid substitution, we found the binding capacity of P14-2 was completely lost by the substitution of cysteine (C) 132 and significantly decreased by the substitution of tryptophan (W) 136, lysine (K) 141, or glycine (G) 142, but still at a high level. The modeling showed that (C) 132 had a strong interaction with pocket 4 on the β chain of DR2b. Thus, C132, W 136, K141, and G142 were defined as the critical amino acid residues for the binding capacity of P14 to HLA-DRB1*1501. CONCLUSION We identified α3128-142 (DIPPCPHGWISLWKG) as the core binding motif of P14 to HLA-DRB1*1501 molecule. And the critical amino acid residues for this binding were further defined as C132, W 136, K 141, and G 142.
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