1
|
Vacca S, Porcu M, Piga M, Mannelli L, Chessa E, Suri JS, Balestrieri A, Cauli A, Saba L. Structural Brain MR Imaging Alterations in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with and without Neuropsychiatric Events. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2024; 45:802-808. [PMID: 38637023 PMCID: PMC11288607 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a8200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Systemic lupus erythematosus is a complex autoimmune disease known for its diverse clinical manifestations, including neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus, which impacts a patient's quality of life. Our aim was to explore the relationships among brain MR imaging morphometric findings, neuropsychiatric events, and laboratory values in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, shedding light on potential volumetric biomarkers and diagnostic indicators for neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-seven patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (14 with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus, 13 with systemic lupus erythematosus), 24 women and 3 men (average age, 43 years, ranging from 21 to 62 years) were included in this cross-sectional study, along with 10 neuropsychiatric patients as controls. An MR imaging morphometric analysis, with the VolBrain online platform, to quantitatively assess brain structural features and their differences between patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus, was performed. Correlations and differences between MR imaging morphometric findings and laboratory values, including disease activity scores, such as the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index, were explored. An ordinary least squares regression analysis further explored the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index relationship with MR imaging features. RESULTS For neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus and non-neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus, the brain regions with the largest difference in volumetric measurements were the insular central operculum volume (P value = .003) and the occipital cortex thickness (P = .003), which were lower in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. The partial correlation analysis showed that the most correlated morphometric features with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus were subcallosal area thickness asymmetry (P < .001) and temporal pole thickness asymmetry (P = .011). The ordinary least squares regression analysis yielded an R 2 of 0.725 for the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score, with calcarine cortex volume as a significant predictor, and an R 2 of 0.715 for the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index score, with medial postcentral gyrus volume as a significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS The MR imaging volumetric analysis, along with the correlation study and the ordinary least squares regression analysis, revealed significant differences in brain regions and their characteristics between patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus and those with systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as between patients with different Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index scores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiano Vacca
- From the School of Medicine and Surgery (S.V.), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michele Porcu
- Department of Radiology (M. Piga, A.B., L.S.), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Matteo Piga
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health (M. Porcu, A.B., A.C.), University of Calgiari, Cagliari, Italy
- Rheumatology Unit (M. Piga, E.C., A.C.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Mannelli
- Institute for Hospitalization and Healthcare (L.M.), SDN, Napoli, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Chessa
- Rheumatology Unit (M. Piga, E.C., A.C.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Jasjit S Suri
- Stroke Monitoring and Diagnostic Division (J.S.S.), AtheroPoint, Roseville, California
| | - Antonella Balestrieri
- Department of Radiology (M. Piga, A.B., L.S.), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health (M. Porcu, A.B., A.C.), University of Calgiari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alberto Cauli
- Department of Medical Science and Public Health (M. Porcu, A.B., A.C.), University of Calgiari, Cagliari, Italy
- Rheumatology Unit (M. Piga, E.C., A.C.), Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology (M. Piga, A.B., L.S.), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Cagliari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Reynolds J, Huang M, Li Y, Meineck M, Moeckel T, Weinmann-Menke J, Mohan C, Schwarting A, Putterman C. Constitutive knockout of interleukin-6 ameliorates memory deficits and entorhinal astrocytosis in the MRL/lpr mouse model of neuropsychiatric lupus. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:89. [PMID: 38600510 PMCID: PMC11007930 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03085-9] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) describes the cognitive, memory, and affective emotional burdens faced by many lupus patients. While NPSLE's pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, clinical imaging studies and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings, namely elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, point to ongoing neuroinflammation in affected patients. Not only linked to systemic autoimmunity, IL-6 can also activate neurotoxic glial cells the brain. A prior pre-clinical study demonstrated that IL-6 can acutely induce a loss of sucrose preference; the present study sought to assess the necessity of chronic IL-6 exposure in the NPSLE-like disease of MRL/lpr lupus mice. METHODS We quantified 1308 proteins in individual serum or pooled CSF samples from MRL/lpr and control MRL/mpj mice using protein microarrays. Serum IL-6 levels were plotted against characteristic NPSLE neurobehavioral deficits. Next, IL-6 knockout MRL/lpr (IL-6 KO; n = 15) and IL-6 wildtype MRL/lpr mice (IL-6 WT; n = 15) underwent behavioral testing, focusing on murine correlates of learning and memory deficits, depression, and anxiety. Using qPCR, we quantified the expression of inflammatory genes in the cortex and hippocampus of MRL/lpr IL-6 KO and WT mice. Immunofluorescent staining was performed to quantify numbers of microglia (Iba1 +) and astrocytes (GFAP +) in multiple cortical regions, the hippocampus, and the amygdala. RESULTS MRL/lpr CSF analyses revealed increases in IL-17, MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 (a priori p-value < 0.1). Serum levels of IL-6 correlated with learning and memory performance (R2 = 0.58; p = 0.03), but not motivated behavior, in MRL/lpr mice. Compared to MRL/lpr IL-6 WT, IL-6 KO mice exhibited improved novelty preference on object placement (45.4% vs 60.2%, p < 0.0001) and object recognition (48.9% vs 67.9%, p = 0.002) but equivalent performance in tests for anxiety-like disease and depression-like behavior. IL-6 KO mice displayed decreased cortical expression of aif1 (microglia; p = 0.049) and gfap (astrocytes; p = 0.044). Correspondingly, IL-6 KO mice exhibited decreased density of GFAP + cells compared to IL-6 WT in the entorhinal cortex (89 vs 148 cells/mm2, p = 0.037), an area vital to memory. CONCLUSIONS The inflammatory composition of MRL/lpr CSF resembles that of human NPSLE patients. Increased in the CNS, IL-6 is necessary to the development of learning and memory deficits in the MRL/lpr model of NPSLE. Furthermore, the stimulation of entorhinal astrocytosis appears to be a key mechanism by which IL-6 promotes these behavioral deficits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Reynolds
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Huang
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yaxi Li
- University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Myriam Meineck
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tamara Moeckel
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Julia Weinmann-Menke
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Schwarting
- University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Chaim Putterman
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York, NY, USA.
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Zefat, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) or strokes are part of the common thrombotic manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLEs) and Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Such neurological thrombotic events tend to occur in patients with SLE at a higher frequency when Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are present, and tend to involve the large cerebral vessels. The mechanism of stroke in SLE can be driven by complement deposition and neuroinflammation involving the blood-brain barrier although the traditional cardiovascular risk factors remain major contributing factors. Primary prevention with antiplatelet therapy and disease activity controlling agent is the basis of the management. Anticoagulation via warfarin had been a tool for secondary prevention, especially in stroke recurrence, although the debate continues regarding the target international normalized ratio (INR). The presence of either of the three criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and certain non-criteria aPL can be an independent risk factor for stroke. The exact mechanism for the involvement of the large cerebral arteries, especially in lupus anticoagulant (LAC) positive cases, is still to be deciphered. The data on the role of non-criteria aPL remain very limited and heterogenous, but IgA antibodies against β2GPI and the D4/5 subunit as well as aPS/PT IgG might have a contribution. Anticoagulation with warfarin has been recommended although the optimal dosing or the utility of combination with antiplatelet agents is still unknown. Minimal data is available for direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georges El Hasbani
- Department of Internal Medicine, St Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT, USA
| | - Imad Uthman
- Department of Internal Medicine, 11238American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Monahan RC, Middelkoop HAM, Beaart-van de Voorde LJJ, Fronczek R, Groenwold RHH, Kloppenburg M, Huizinga TWJ, Steup-Beekman GM. High Prevalence but Low Impact of Cognitive Dysfunction on Quality of Life in Patients With Lupus and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2022; 75:1017-1025. [PMID: 35470979 DOI: 10.1002/acr.24904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence and impact of cognitive impairment on health-related-quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms. METHODS Patients with SLE and NP symptoms referred to the Leiden NPSLE clinic (2007-2019) were included. In a multidisciplinary evaluation, NP symptoms were attributed to SLE (NPSLE: inflammatory, ischemic, or both combined) or other causes. Four cognitive domains were determined: global cognitive function (score 0-30), learning and memory, executive function and complex attention, and psychomotor speed (all T scores). HRQoL was determined using the mental component score and physical component score of the Short Form 36 health survey. The associations between cognition and NPSLE phenotype and cognition and HRQoL were assessed with multiple regression analyses and linear mixed models corrected for confounding and expressed in SDs. RESULTS A total of 357 patients (86% female, mean age 44 years) were included. Of those 357 patients, 169 had a follow-up visit (median follow-up 11 months). Impairment in global cognitive function was present in 8% of patients, and in all other cognitive domains in ±50%. The most severe impairment (all domains) was seen in patients with a combined NPSLE phenotype. Diffuse cognitive impairment (learning and memory, executive function and complex attention, and psychomotor speed) was most common and was present more often in patients with an inflammatory phenotype. A weak association between cognition and HRQoL was found both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. In general, 1 SD lower scores on the cognitive domains were associated with at most one-fifth SD lower HRQoL. CONCLUSION Objective cognitive impairment is common in SLE patients with NP symptoms, but may have a limited influence on HRQoL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rory C Monahan
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Huub A M Middelkoop
- Leiden University Medical Center and Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Gerda M Steup-Beekman
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, and Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Monahan RC, van den Beukel MD, Borggreven NV, Fronczek R, Huizinga TWJ, Kloppenburg M, Steup-Beekman GM, Trouw LA. Autoantibodies against specific post-translationally modified proteins are present in patients with lupus and associate with major neuropsychiatric manifestations. RMD Open 2022; 8:rmdopen-2021-002079. [PMID: 35450955 PMCID: PMC9024229 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although autoantibodies are an important hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), most are not specific for SLE or any of its clinical manifestations. Autoantibodies against post-translationally modified (PTM) proteins have been studied extensively in rheumatoid arthritis and associate with disease progression. While PTMs have also been detected in patients with SLE, studies on anti-PTM antibodies remain scarce. We studied the presence of anti-PTM antibodies in SLE and neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE), a manifestation that lacks serological markers. Methods IgG antibody responses against six PTMs (malondialdehyde–acetaldehyde adducts (MAA), advanced glycation end-products (AGE), carbamylation (CarP), citrullination, acetylation and nitration) were tested using ELISA in sera of 349 patients with SLE (mean age 44±13 years; 87% female) and compared with 108 healthy controls. Levels and positivity were correlated with clinical features and SLE manifestations. Results Anti-MAA, anti-AGE and anti-CarP antibodies were more prevalent in SLE compared with controls (MAA: 29% vs 3%, AGE: 18% vs 4%, CarP: 14% vs 5%, all p≤0.0001). Anti-MAA and anti-AGE antibodies correlated with clinical manifestations and serological inflammatory markers. Patients with major NPSLE showed higher positivity of anti-MAA (39% vs 24%, p=0.01) and anti-CarP antibodies (20% vs 11%, p=0.04) than patients without major NPSLE. In addition, anti-PTM antibody levels correlated with brain volumes, an objective measure of nervous system involvement. Conclusions In our NPSLE cohort, a subset of patients with SLE have anti-PTM antibodies against MAA, AGE and CarP modified proteins. Interestingly, anti-MAA and anti-CarP were more prevalent in NPSLE, a manifestation for which no biomarkers exist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rory C Monahan
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Rolf Fronczek
- Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tom W J Huizinga
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Margreet Kloppenburg
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerda M Steup-Beekman
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Rheumatology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Leendert A Trouw
- Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Monahan RC, Blonk AME, Huizinga TW, Kloppenburg M, Middelkoop HAM, van der Wee NJA, Steup-Beekman GM. To treat or not to treat with immunosuppressive therapy: psychiatric disorders in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus Sci Med 2022; 9:9/1/e000629. [PMID: 34996858 PMCID: PMC8739443 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2021-000629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rory C Monahan
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anne M E Blonk
- Psychiatry, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Ministry of Defense, Military Mental Health Services, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Wj Huizinga
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Margreet Kloppenburg
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.,Epidemiology, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Huub A M Middelkoop
- Neurology, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nic J A van der Wee
- Psychiatry, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerda M Steup-Beekman
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.,Rheumatology, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|