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Signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis: implications for targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:68. [PMID: 36797236 PMCID: PMC9935929 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01331-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an incurable systemic autoimmune disease. Disease progression leads to joint deformity and associated loss of function, which significantly impacts the quality of life for sufferers and adds to losses in the labor force. In the past few decades, RA has attracted increased attention from researchers, the abnormal signaling pathways in RA are a very important research field in the diagnosis and treatment of RA, which provides important evidence for understanding this complex disease and developing novel RA-linked intervention targets. The current review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of RA, including a general introduction to the disease, historical events, epidemiology, risk factors, and pathological process, highlight the primary research progress of the disease and various signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms, including genetic factors, epigenetic factors, summarize the most recent developments in identifying novel signaling pathways in RA and new inhibitors for treating RA. therapeutic interventions including approved drugs, clinical drugs, pre-clinical drugs, and cutting-edge therapeutic technologies. These developments will hopefully drive progress in new strategically targeted therapies and hope to provide novel ideas for RA treatment options in the future.
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Reijm S, Kissel T, Stoeken-Rijsbergen G, Slot LM, Wortel CM, van Dooren HJ, Levarht NEW, Kampstra ASB, Derksen VFAM, Heer POD, Bang H, Drijfhout JW, Trouw LA, Huizinga TWJ, Rispens T, Scherer HU, Toes REM. Cross-reactivity of IgM anti-modified protein antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis despite limited mutational load. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:230. [PMID: 34479638 PMCID: PMC8413699 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02609-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anti-modified protein antibodies (AMPA) targeting citrullinated, acetylated and/or carbamylated self-antigens are hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although AMPA-IgG cross-reactivity to multiple post-translational modifications (PTMs) is evident, it is unknown whether the first responding B cells, expressing IgM, display similar characteristics or if cross-reactivity is crucially dependent on somatic hypermutation (SHM). We now studied the reactivity of (germline) AMPA-IgM to further understand the breach of B cell tolerance and to identify if cross-reactivity depends on extensive SHM. Moreover, we investigated whether AMPA-IgM can efficiently recruit immune effector mechanisms. Methods Polyclonal AMPA-IgM were isolated from RA patients and assessed for cross-reactivity towards PTM antigens. AMPA-IgM B cell receptor sequences were obtained by single cell isolation using antigen-specific tetramers. Subsequently, pentameric monoclonal AMPA-IgM, their germline counterparts and monomeric IgG variants were generated. The antibodies were analysed on a panel of PTM antigens and tested for complement activation. Results Pentameric monoclonal and polyclonal AMPA-IgM displayed cross-reactivity to multiple antigens and different PTMs. PTM antigen recognition was still present, although reduced, after reverting the IgM into germline. Valency of AMPA-IgM was crucial for antigen recognition as PTM-reactivity significantly decreased when AMPA-IgM were expressed as IgG. Furthermore, AMPA-IgM was 15- to 30-fold more potent in complement-activation compared to AMPA-IgG. Conclusions We provide first evidence that AMPA-IgM are cross-reactive towards different PTMs, indicating that PTM (cross-)reactivity is not confined to IgG and does not necessarily depend on extensive somatic hypermutation. Moreover, our data indicate that a diverse set of PTM antigens could be involved in the initial tolerance breach in RA and suggest that AMPA-IgM can induce complement-activation and thereby inflammation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-021-02609-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Reijm
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Theresa Kissel
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Linda M Slot
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Corrie M Wortel
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo J van Dooren
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nivine E W Levarht
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arieke S B Kampstra
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle F A M Derksen
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pleuni Ooijevaar-de Heer
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jan W Drijfhout
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Leendert A Trouw
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tom W J Huizinga
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Theo Rispens
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans U Scherer
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - René E M Toes
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Larsen DN, Mikkelsen CE, Kierkegaard M, Bereta GP, Nowakowska Z, Kaczmarek JZ, Potempa J, Højrup P. Citrullinome of Porphyromonas gingivalis Outer Membrane Vesicles: Confident Identification of Citrullinated Peptides. Mol Cell Proteomics 2020; 19:167-180. [PMID: 31754044 PMCID: PMC6944236 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra119.001700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen in chronic periodontitis and has recently been mechanistically linked to the development of rheumatoid arthritis via the activity of peptidyl arginine deiminase generating citrullinated epitopes in the periodontium. In this project the outer membrane vesicles (OMV) from P. gingivalis W83 wild-type (WT), a W83 knock-out mutant of peptidyl arginine deiminase (ΔPPAD), and a mutant strain expressing PPAD with the active site cysteine mutated to alanine (C351A), have been analyzed using a two-dimensional HFBA-based separation system combined with LC-MS. For optimal and positive identification and validation of citrullinated peptides and proteins, high resolution mass spectrometers and strict MS search criteria were utilized. This may have compromised the total number of identified citrullinations but increased the confidence of the validation. A new two-dimensional separation system proved to increase the strength of validation, and along with the use of an in-house build program, Citrullia, we establish a fast and easy semi-automatic (manual) validation of citrullinated peptides. For the WT OMV we identified 78 citrullinated proteins having a total of 161 citrullination sites. Notably, in keeping with the mechanism of OMV formation, the majority (51 out of 78) of citrullinated proteins were predicted to be exported via the inner membrane and to reside in the periplasm or being translocated to the bacterial surface. Citrullinated surface proteins may contribute to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. For the C351A-OMV a single citrullination site was found and no citrullinations were identified for the ΔPPAD-OMV, thus validating the unbiased character of our method of citrullinated peptide identification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Grzegorz P Bereta
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Nowakowska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Malopolska Center of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jakub Z Kaczmarek
- Research and Development Department, Ovodan Biotech A/S, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jan Potempa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland; Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, 501 S. Preston St., Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Peter Højrup
- University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M, Denmark.
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An Overview of the Intrinsic Role of Citrullination in Autoimmune Disorders. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:7592851. [PMID: 31886309 PMCID: PMC6899306 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7592851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A protein undergoes many types of posttranslation modification. Citrullination is one of these modifications, where an arginine amino acid is converted to a citrulline amino acid. This process depends on catalytic enzymes such as peptidylarginine deiminase enzymes (PADs). This modification leads to a charge shift, which affects the protein structure, protein-protein interactions, and hydrogen bond formation, and it may cause protein denaturation. The irreversible citrullination reaction is not limited to a specific protein, cell, or tissue. It can target a wide range of proteins in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and mitochondria. Citrullination is a normal reaction during cell death. Apoptosis is normally accompanied with a clearance process via scavenger cells. A defect in the clearance system either in terms of efficiency or capacity may occur due to massive cell death, which may result in the accumulation and leakage of PAD enzymes and the citrullinated peptide from the necrotized cell which could be recognized by the immune system, where the immunological tolerance will be avoided and the autoimmune disorders will be subsequently triggered. The induction of autoimmune responses, autoantibody production, and cytokines involved in the major autoimmune diseases will be discussed.
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Autoantibodies as Diagnostic Markers and Mediator of Joint Inflammation in Arthritis. Mediators Inflamm 2019; 2019:6363086. [PMID: 31772505 PMCID: PMC6854956 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6363086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic, polygenic, and multifactorial syndrome characterized by erosive polyarthritis, damage to joint architecture, and presence of autoantibodies against several self-structures in the serum and synovial fluid. These autoantibodies (anticitrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPAs), rheumatoid factors (RF), anticollagen type II antibodies, antiglucose-6 phosphate isomerase antibodies, anticarbamylated protein antibodies, and antiacetylated protein antibodies) have different characteristics, diagnostic/prognostic value, and pathological significance in RA patients. Some of these antibodies are present in the patients' serum several years before the onset of clinical disease. Various genetic and environmental factors are associated with autoantibody production against different autoantigenic targets. Both the activating and inhibitory FcγRs and the activation of different complement cascades contribute to the downstream effector functions in the antibody-mediated disease pathology. Interplay between several molecules (cytokines, chemokines, proteases, and inflammatory mediators) culminates in causing damage to the articular cartilage and bones. In addition, autoantibodies are proven to be useful disease markers for RA, and different diagnostic tools are being developed for early diagnosis of the clinical disease. Recently, a direct link was proposed between the presence of autoantibodies and bone erosion as well as in the induction of pain. In this review, the diagnostic value of autoantibodies, their synthesis and function as a mediator of joint inflammation, and the significance of IgG-Fc glycosylation are discussed.
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Kastbom A, Roos Ljungberg K, Ziegelasch M, Wetterö J, Skogh T, Martinsson K. Changes in anti-citrullinated protein antibody isotype levels in relation to disease activity and response to treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Immunol 2018; 194:391-399. [PMID: 30136282 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease where serum analysis of anti-citrullinated peptide/protein antibodies (ACPA) is an important diagnostic/prognostic tool. Levels and changes of ACPA in RA patients have been studied previously in relation to disease course and therapy response, but less is known regarding ACPA isotype changes in early RA. Hence, recent-onset RA patients (n = 231) were subjected to a 3-year clinical and radiological follow-up. Serum samples were serially collected and ACPA isotypes were analysed using the second-generation cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) as capture antigen. Changes in ACPA isotype levels and status were related to disease course and pharmacotherapy. At inclusion, 74% of the patients tested positive for ACPA IgG; 55% for immunoglobulin (Ig)A, 37% for secretory IgA (SIgA) and 35% for IgM. The proportion of positive patients decreased significantly at follow-up regarding ACPA SIgA, IgM and IgA. During the initial 3 months, reduction of the 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) correlated with reduced levels of ACPA IgG (Rho = 0·242, P = 0·003), IgA (Rho = 0·260, P = 0·008), IgM (Rho = 0·457, P < 0·001) and SIgA (Rho = 0·402, P < 0·001). Levels of ACPA SIgA (P = 0·008) and IgM (P = 0·021) decreased significantly among patients with good response to treatment, which was not seen regarding ACPA IgA or IgG. Changes in ACPA isotype levels were not associated with radiographic damage. In conclusion, ACPA SIgA and IgM declined rapidly upon anti-rheumatic therapy and correlated with decreased disease activity in recent-onset RA. This may indicate that down-regulation of mucosal immunity to citrullinated proteins/peptides and recruitment of new B cells are key features of therapy responses in early RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kastbom
- Division of Neuro and Inflammation Sciences, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - K Roos Ljungberg
- Division of Neuro and Inflammation Sciences, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - M Ziegelasch
- Division of Neuro and Inflammation Sciences, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - J Wetterö
- Division of Neuro and Inflammation Sciences, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - T Skogh
- Division of Neuro and Inflammation Sciences, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - K Martinsson
- Division of Neuro and Inflammation Sciences, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Dong X, Zheng Z, Zhai Y, Zheng Y, Ding J, Jiang J, Zhu P. ACPA mediates the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity in rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmun Rev 2018; 17:845-853. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Szarka E, Aradi P, Huber K, Pozsgay J, Végh L, Magyar A, Gyulai G, Nagy G, Rojkovich B, Kiss É, Hudecz F, Sármay G. Affinity Purification and Comparative Biosensor Analysis of Citrulline-Peptide-Specific Antibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010326. [PMID: 29361749 PMCID: PMC5796268 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPAs) are responsible for disease onset and progression, however, our knowledge is limited on ligand binding affinities of autoantibodies with different citrulline-peptide specificity. METHODS Citrulline-peptide-specific ACPA IgGs were affinity purified and tested by ELISA. Binding affinities of ACPA IgGs and serum antibodies were compared by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis. Bifunctional nanoparticles harboring a multi-epitope citrulline-peptide and a complement-activating peptide were used to induce selective depletion of ACPA-producing B cells. RESULTS KD values of affinity-purified ACPA IgGs varied between 10-6 and 10-8 M and inversely correlated with disease activity. Based on their cross-reaction with citrulline-peptides, we designed a novel multi-epitope peptide, containing Cit-Gly and Ala-Cit motifs in two-two copies, separated with a short, neutral spacer. This peptide detected antibodies in RA sera with 66% sensitivity and 98% specificity in ELISA and was recognized by 90% of RA sera, while none of the healthy samples in SPR. When coupled to nanoparticles, the multi-epitope peptide specifically targeted and depleted ACPA-producing B cells ex vivo. CONCLUSIONS The unique multi-epitope peptide designed based on ACPA cross-reactivity might be suitable to develop better diagnostics and novel therapies for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Szarka
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (E.S.); (P.A.); (K.H.); (J.P.); (L.V.)
| | - Petra Aradi
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (E.S.); (P.A.); (K.H.); (J.P.); (L.V.)
| | - Krisztina Huber
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (E.S.); (P.A.); (K.H.); (J.P.); (L.V.)
| | - Judit Pozsgay
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (E.S.); (P.A.); (K.H.); (J.P.); (L.V.)
| | - Lili Végh
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (E.S.); (P.A.); (K.H.); (J.P.); (L.V.)
| | - Anna Magyar
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Science, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (F.H.)
| | - Gergő Gyulai
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Nanostructures, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (G.G.); (É.K.)
| | - György Nagy
- Department of Rheumatology, 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1125 Budapest, Hungary;
- Rheumatology, Buda Hospital of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, 1023 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Bernadette Rojkovich
- Rheumatology, Buda Hospital of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, 1023 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Éva Kiss
- Laboratory of Interfaces and Nanostructures, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (G.G.); (É.K.)
| | - Ferenc Hudecz
- MTA-ELTE Research Group of Peptide Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Science, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (F.H.)
| | - Gabriella Sármay
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (E.S.); (P.A.); (K.H.); (J.P.); (L.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-1-372-2500 (ext. 8662)
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van Delft MAM, Verheul MK, Burgers LE, Derksen VFAM, van der Helm-van Mil AHM, van der Woude D, Huizinga TWJ, Toes REM, Trouw LA. The isotype and IgG subclass distribution of anti-carbamylated protein antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Arthritis Res Ther 2017; 19:190. [PMID: 28810902 PMCID: PMC5558706 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-017-1392-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies have recently been reported to occur in around 45% of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to have prognostic and diagnostic properties. At present, the breadth and molecular make-up of the anti-CarP antibody response is ill defined. To understand the anti-CarP antibody immune response and potential immune effector mechanisms it can recruit, we determined the anti-CarP antibody isotype and IgG-subclass usage in RA patients. METHODS Anti-CarP antibody IgM, IgA, and IgG or IgG subclasses were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sera from 373 unselected RA patients and 196 healthy controls. An additional 114 anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) and anti-CarP IgG double-positive patients were selected to study the concomitant presence of both antibody systems. RESULTS Anti-CarP IgG was present in around 45% of the patients and comprised all anti-CarP IgG subclasses. The presence of anti-CarP IgG1 particularly associates with radiological damage. Anti-CarP IgM was detected in 16% of RA patients, even in anti-CarP IgG-positive individuals, and is indicative of an actively ongoing immune response. Around 45% of the patients were positive for IgA which included ACPA-positive cases but also 24% of the ACPA-negative cases. In ACPA and anti-CarP double-positive patients, the distribution and number of isotypes and IgG subclasses was similar for both autoantibodies at the group level, but substantial variation was observed within individual patient samples. CONCLUSIONS In RA, the anti-CarP antibody response uses a broad spectrum of isotypes and seems to be an actively ongoing immune reaction. Furthermore, the anti-CarP and ACPA autoantibody responses seems to be differentially regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrthe A M van Delft
- Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marije K Verheul
- Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Leonie E Burgers
- Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle F A M Derksen
- Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Diane van der Woude
- Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tom W J Huizinga
- Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - René E M Toes
- Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Leendert A Trouw
- Department of Rheumatology, C1-R, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Dwivedi N, Hedberg A, Zheng YY, Neeli I, Satoh M, Morel L, Rekvig OP, Radic M. B Cell Tolerance to Deiminated Histones in BALB/c, C57BL/6, and Autoimmune-Prone Mouse Strains. Front Immunol 2017; 8:362. [PMID: 28424695 PMCID: PMC5371714 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Deimination, a posttranslational modification of arginine to citrulline carried out by peptidylarginine deiminases, may compromise tolerance of self-antigens. Patients with connective tissue autoimmunity, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or Felty’s syndrome, present with autoantibodies to deiminated histones (dH), which thus form a category of antibodies to citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA). In general, ACPA are a sensitive diagnostic for RA and may form in response to the release of nuclear chromatin (DNA plus dH) from granulocytes, usually referred to as neutrophil extracellular traps. The aim of this study was to examine spontaneously autoimmune mice for autoantibodies and T cell responses to dH. We compared IgG binding to deiminated and non-deiminated histones (nH) by ELISA and Western blotting in spontaneously autoimmune strains of (NZB × NZW) F1 and NZM2410 together with their derivative congenic strains, C57BL/6.Sle1 and C57BL/6.Sle1.Sle3, which display profound autoreactivity against nuclear self-antigens. The splenocyte proliferation against the two antigens was determined in the spontaneously autoimmune (NZB × NZW) F1 strain from which other autoimmune strains used in the study were derived. Immunizations with dH and nH were attempted in BALB/c mice to assess their splenocyte response. Splenocytes from BALB/c mice and from autoimmune mice at the time of conversion to autoimmunity proliferated strongly in response to dH, yet serum IgG from autoimmune (NZB × NZW) F1, NZM2410, and C57BL/6.Sle1.Sle3 mice displayed a remarkable bias against binding to dH. At the time of seroconversion, the antibodies already exhibited preference for nH, and only nH were recovered from circulating immune complexes. Analysis of histone deimination showed constitutive deimination in thymic extracts from C57BL/6 and C57BL/6.Sle1.Sle2.Sle3 triply congenic mice and in spleens of autoimmune triply congenic mice. Our study demonstrates that tolerance mechanisms against dH are intact in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice and continue to be effective in mice with overt autoimmunity to nH. We conclude that, in contrast to human RA and SLE patients, where we frequently observe autoantibodies against dH, autoimmune mice maintain strong tolerance mechanisms to prevent the development of autoantibodies to dH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishant Dwivedi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Annica Hedberg
- Medical Faculty, Department of RNA and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ying Yi Zheng
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Indira Neeli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Minoru Satoh
- Department of Clinical Nursing, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Laurence Morel
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ole Petter Rekvig
- Medical Faculty, Department of RNA and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Marko Radic
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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