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van Oostveen WM, Huizinga TWJ, Fehres CM. Pathogenic role of anti-nuclear autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis: Insights from other rheumatic diseases. Immunol Rev 2024. [PMID: 39248128 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy, fibrosis, and dysregulated immunity, with hallmark autoantibodies targeting nuclear antigens such as centromere protein (ACA) and topoisomerase I (ATA). These autoantibodies are highly prevalent and disease-specific, rarely coexisting, thus serving as crucial biomarkers for SSc diagnosis. Despite their diagnostic value, their roles in SSc pathogenesis remain unclear. This review summarizes current literature on ACA and ATA in SSc, comparing them to autoantibodies in other rheumatic diseases to elucidate their potential pathogenic roles. Similarities are drawn with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) in rheumatoid arthritis, particularly regarding disease specificity and minimal pathogenic impact of antigen binding. In addition, differences between ANA and ACPA in therapeutic responses and Fab glycosylation patterns are reviewed. While ACA and ATA are valuable for disease stratification and monitoring activity, understanding their origins and the associated B cell responses is critical for advancing therapeutic strategies for SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieke M van Oostveen
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tom W J Huizinga
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cynthia M Fehres
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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2
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Rosa I, Romano E, Fioretto BS, Manetti M. Autoantibodies as putative biomarkers and triggers of cell dysfunctions in systemic sclerosis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2024:00002281-990000000-00128. [PMID: 39046085 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0000000000001035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Antinuclear autoantibodies represent a serological hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc), with anticentromere, antitopoisomerase-I, and anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies routinely assessed for diagnosis, clinical subset classification, and prognosis. In addition, an increasing number of autoantibodies have been demonstrated to play a pathogenic role by mediating different SSc manifestations. This review aims to give an overview on autoantibodies as putative biomarkers in SSc and discuss their possible pathogenic role as triggers of cell dysfunctions. RECENT FINDINGS Over the years, different autoantibodies have been proposed as biomarkers aiding in diagnosis, disease subtype classification, disease progression prediction, organ involvement, as well as in understanding treatment response. Increasing literature also indicates functional autoantibodies as direct contributors to SSc pathogenesis by exerting agonistic or antagonistic activities on their specific cognate targets. SUMMARY In SSc, search and validation of novel autoantibodies with higher diagnostic specificity and more accurate predictive values are increasingly needed for early diagnosis and specific follow-up, and to define the best therapeutic option according to different disease subsets. Moreover, since autoantibodies are also emerging as functional pathogenic players, a better unraveling of their possible pathomechanisms becomes essential to identify new targets and develop promising therapeutic agents able to neutralize their effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Autoreactive B cell responses targeting nuclear antigens in systemic sclerosis: Implications for disease pathogenesis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2023; 58:152136. [PMID: 36403538 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2022.152136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A hallmark of disease pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is the presence of autoreactive B cell responses targeting nuclear proteins. Almost all SSc-patients harbour circulating antinuclear autoantibodies of which anti-topoisomerase 1, anti-centromere protein, anti-RNA polymerase III and anti-fibrillarin autoantibodies (ATA, ACA, ARA and AFA, respectively) are the most common and specific for SSc. In clinical practice, autoantibodies serve as diagnostic biomarkers and can aid in the identification of clinical phenotypes of the disease. However, factors driving disease progression in SSc are still poorly understood, and it is difficult to predict disease trajectories in individual patients. Moreover, treatment decisions remain rather empirical, with variable response rates in clinical trials due to patient heterogeneity. Current evidence has indicated that certain patients may benefit from B cell targeting therapies. Hence, it is important to understand the contribution of the antinuclear autoantibodies and their underlying B cell response to the disease pathogenesis of SSc.
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Hysa E, Campitiello R, Sammorì S, Gotelli E, Cere A, Pesce G, Pizzorni C, Paolino S, Sulli A, Smith V, Cutolo M. Specific Autoantibodies and Microvascular Damage Progression Assessed by Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy in Systemic Sclerosis: Are There Peculiar Associations? An Update. Antibodies (Basel) 2023; 12:3. [PMID: 36648887 PMCID: PMC9844325 DOI: 10.3390/antib12010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specific autoantibodies and nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) findings are serum and morphological diagnostic hallmarks of systemic sclerosis (SSc) as well as useful biomarkers which stratify the microvascular progression and prognosis of patients. METHODS The aim of our narrative review is to provide an update and overview of the link between SSc-related autoantibodies, used in clinical practice, and microvascular damage, evaluated by NVC, by exploring the interaction between these players in published studies. A narrative review was conducted by searching relevant keywords related to this field in Pubmed, Medline and EULAR/ACR conference abstracts with a focus on the findings published in the last 5 years. RESULTS Our search yielded 13 clinical studies and 10 pre-clinical studies. Most of the clinical studies (8/13, 61.5%) reported a significant association between SSc-related autoantibodies and NVC patterns: more specifically anti-centromere autoantibodies (ACA) were associated more often with an "Early" NVC pattern, whereas anti-topoisomerase autoantibodies (ATA) more frequently showed an "Active" or "Late" NVC pattern. Five studies, instead, did not find a significant association between specific autoantibodies and NVC findings. Among the pre-clinical studies, SSc-related autoantibodies showed different mechanisms of damage towards both endothelial cells, fibroblasts and smooth muscle vascular cells. CONCLUSIONS The clinical and laboratory evidence on SSc-related autoantibodies and microvascular damage shows that these players are interconnected. Further clinical and demographic factors (e.g., age, sex, disease duration, treatment and comorbidities) might play an additional role in the SSc-related microvascular injury whose progression appears to be complex and multifactorial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvis Hysa
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Rosanna Campitiello
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Sammorì
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuele Gotelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Cere
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giampaola Pesce
- Autoimmunity Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Autoimmunity Diagnostic Laboratory, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Carmen Pizzorni
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Paolino
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Sulli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, VIB Inflammation Research Centre (IRC), 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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Sun X, Ding T, Wang B, Chang Z, Fei H, Geng L, Wang Y. Identification of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks in circulating exosomes as potential biomarkers for systemic sclerosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1111812. [PMID: 36873898 PMCID: PMC9977830 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1111812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to analyze potential biomarkers for systemic sclerosis (SSc) by constructing lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks in circulating exosomes (cirexos). Materials and methods Differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) and lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in SSc cirexos were screened using high-throughput sequencing and detected with real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed using the DisGeNET, GeneCards, GSEA4.2.3, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, correlation analyses, and a double-luciferase reporter gene detection assay were used to analyze competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and clinical data. Results In this study, 286 DEmRNAs and 192 DElncRNAs were screened, of which 18 DEGs were the same as the SSc-related genes. The main SSc-related pathways included extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor interaction, local adhesion, platelet activation, and IgA production by the intestinal immune network. A hub gene, COL1A1, was obtained by a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Four ceRNA networks were predicted through Cytoscape. The relative expression levels of COL1A1, ENST0000313807, and NON-HSAT194388.1 were significantly higher in SSc, while the relative expression levels of hsa-miR-29a-3p, hsa-miR-29b-3p, and hsa-miR-29c-3p were significantly lower in SSc (P < 0.05). The ROC curve showed that the ENST00000313807-hsa-miR-29a-3p-COL1A1 network as a combined biomarker of SSc is more valuable than independent diagnosis, and that it is correlated with high-resolution CT (HRCT), Scl-70, C-reactive protein (CRP), Ro-52, IL-10, IgM, lymphocyte percentage, neutrophil percentage, albumin divided by globulin, urea, and RDW-SD (P < 0.05). Double-luciferase reporter gene detection showed that ENST00000313807 interacts with hsa-miR-29a-3p, which interacts with COL1A1. Conclusion The ENST00000313807-hsa-miR-29a-3p-COL1A1 network in plasma cirexos represents a potential combined biomarker for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Sun
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Tiantian Ding
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Baoyue Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Zhifang Chang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Hongchang Fei
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Lixia Geng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Yongfu Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China
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Immune complexome analysis of a rich variety of serum immune complexes identifies disease-characteristic immune complex antigens in systemic sclerosis. J Autoimmun 2023; 134:102954. [PMID: 36436353 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vascular endothelial dysfunction and skin fibrosis. Recently, the presence and pathogenic role of immune complexes (ICs) of SSc patients were reported. However, the identities of antigens in these ICs are unknown. Therefore, we examined ICs in the serum of SSc patients to elucidate SSc pathogenesis. In this study, IC concentrations in serum samples from SSc and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients were measured by C1q enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays; immune complex analysis was used for comprehensive identification and comparison of antigens incorporated into ICs (IC-antigens). The expression patterns of SSc-specific IC-antigens in skin sections were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Compared with SLE patients who developed disease because of IC deposition, SSc patients had a greater number of IC-antigens and a smaller difference in IC concentrations, suggesting that SSc pathogenesis is affected by the proteins present in ICs. In contrast, the IC concentration and number of IC-antigens did not significantly differ according to the clinical phenotype of SSc. We identified 478 IC-antigens in SSc patients, including multiple RNAP II-associated proteins that were targeted by antibodies previously associated with SSc pathogenesis. The most frequently detected RNAP II-associated protein, RNA polymerase II transcription subunit 30 (MED30), was strongly expressed at lesion sites and reportedly regulates endothelial differentiation. Therefore, increased expression of MED30 in lesions may have an antigenic effect, and MED30 function may be impaired or inhibited by IC formation. RNAP II-associated proteins may SSc pathogenesis through mechanisms such as the MED30 pathway.
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Graßhoff H, Fourlakis K, Comdühr S, Riemekasten G. Autoantibodies as Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Systemic Sclerosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092150. [PMID: 36140251 PMCID: PMC9496142 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by immune dysregulation evoking the pathophysiological triad of inflammation, fibrosis and vasculopathy. In SSc, several alterations in the B-cell compartment have been described, leading to polyclonal B-cell hyperreactivity, hypergammaglobulinemia and autoantibody production. Autoreactive B cells and autoantibodies promote and maintain pathologic mechanisms. In addition, autoantibodies in SSc are important biomarkers for predicting clinical phenotype and disease progression. Autoreactive B cells and autoantibodies represent potentially promising targets for therapeutic approaches including B-cell-targeting therapies, as well as strategies for unselective and selective removal of autoantibodies. In this review, we present mechanisms of the innate immune system leading to the generation of autoantibodies, alterations of the B-cell compartment in SSc, autoantibodies as biomarkers and autoantibody-mediated pathologies in SSc as well as potential therapeutic approaches to target these.
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Chepy A, Vivier S, Bray F, Ternynck C, Meneboo JP, Figeac M, Filiot A, Guilbert L, Jendoubi M, Rolando C, Launay D, Dubucquoi S, Marot G, Sobanski V. Effects of Immunoglobulins G From Systemic Sclerosis Patients in Normal Dermal Fibroblasts: A Multi-Omics Study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:904631. [PMID: 35844491 PMCID: PMC9276964 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.904631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoantibodies (Aabs) are frequent in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although recognized as potent biomarkers, their pathogenic role is debated. This study explored the effect of purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) from SSc patients on protein and mRNA expression of dermal fibroblasts (FBs) using an innovative multi-omics approach. Dermal FBs were cultured in the presence of sera or purified IgG from patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), limited cutaneous SSc or healthy controls (HCs). The FB proteome and transcriptome were explored using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and microarray assays, respectively. Proteomic analysis identified 3,310 proteins. SSc sera and purified IgG induced singular protein profile patterns. These FB proteome changes depended on the Aab serotype, with a singular effect observed with purified IgG from anti-topoisomerase-I autoantibody (ATA) positive patients compared to HC or other SSc serotypes. IgG from ATA positive SSc patients induced enrichment in proteins involved in focal adhesion, cadherin binding, cytosolic part, or lytic vacuole. Multi-omics analysis was performed in two ways: first by restricting the analysis of the transcriptomic data to differentially expressed proteins; and secondly, by performing a global statistical analysis integrating proteomics and transcriptomics. Transcriptomic analysis distinguished 764 differentially expressed genes and revealed that IgG from dcSSc can induce extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling changes in gene expression profiles in FB. Global statistical analysis integrating proteomics and transcriptomics confirmed that IgG from SSc can induce ECM remodeling and activate FB profiles. This effect depended on the serotype of the patient, suggesting that SSc Aab might play a pathogenic role in some SSc subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Chepy
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE ( Institute for Translational Research) in Inflammation, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-immunes Systémiques Rares du Nord et Nord-Ouest de France, Lille, France
| | - Solange Vivier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE ( Institute for Translational Research) in Inflammation, Lille, France
| | - Fabrice Bray
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, USR 3290, Miniaturisation pour la Synthèse, l’Analyse et la Protéomique, Lille, France
| | - Camille Ternynck
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694, METRICS: Évaluation des Technologies de Santé et des Pratiques Médicales, Lille, France
| | - Jean-Pascal Meneboo
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41—UAR 2014-PLBS, Lille, France
| | - Martin Figeac
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41—UAR 2014-PLBS, Lille, France
| | - Alexandre Filiot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE ( Institute for Translational Research) in Inflammation, Lille, France
| | - Lucile Guilbert
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE ( Institute for Translational Research) in Inflammation, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Institut d’Immunologie, Lille, France
| | - Manel Jendoubi
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE ( Institute for Translational Research) in Inflammation, Lille, France
| | - Christian Rolando
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, USR 3290, Miniaturisation pour la Synthèse, l’Analyse et la Protéomique, Lille, France
| | - David Launay
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE ( Institute for Translational Research) in Inflammation, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-immunes Systémiques Rares du Nord et Nord-Ouest de France, Lille, France
- *Correspondence: David Launay,
| | - Sylvain Dubucquoi
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE ( Institute for Translational Research) in Inflammation, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Institut d’Immunologie, Lille, France
| | - Guillemette Marot
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694, METRICS: Évaluation des Technologies de Santé et des Pratiques Médicales, Lille, France
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41—UAR 2014-PLBS, Lille, France
- Inria, Models for Data Analysis and Learning, Lille, France
| | - Vincent Sobanski
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE ( Institute for Translational Research) in Inflammation, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-immunes Systémiques Rares du Nord et Nord-Ouest de France, Lille, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
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Chepy A, Bourel L, Koether V, Launay D, Dubucquoi S, Sobanski V. Can Antinuclear Antibodies Have a Pathogenic Role in Systemic Sclerosis? Front Immunol 2022; 13:930970. [PMID: 35837382 PMCID: PMC9274282 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.930970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by extensive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, associated with vasculopathy and autoimmune features. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are found in almost all SSc patients and constitute strong diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers. However, it remains unclear whether ANA are simple bystanders or if they can have a role in the pathophysiology of the disease. One might think that the nuclear nature of their targets prevents any accessibility to autoantibodies. Nevertheless, recent data suggest that ANA could be pathogenic or at least contribute to the perennation of the disease. We review here first the indirect clues of the contribution of ANA to SSc: they are associated to the disease subtypes, they may precede disease onset, their titer correlates with disease activity and severity, there is an association between molecular subsets, and some patients can respond to B-cell targeting therapy. Then, we describe in a second part the mechanisms of ANA production in SSc from individual genetic background to post-transcriptional modifications of neoantigens. Finally, we elaborate on the potential mechanisms of pathogenicity: ANA could be pathogenic through immune-complex-mediated mechanisms; other processes potentially involve molecular mimicry and ANA penetration into the target cell, with a focus on anti-topoisomerase-I antibodies, which are the most probable candidate to play a role in the pathophysiology of SSc. Finally, we outline some technical and conceptual ways to improve our understanding in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Chepy
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286—INFINITE—Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-immunes Systémiques Rares du Nord et Nord-Ouest de France (CeRAINO), Lille, France
| | - Louisa Bourel
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286—INFINITE—Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, France
| | - Vincent Koether
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286—INFINITE—Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-immunes Systémiques Rares du Nord et Nord-Ouest de France (CeRAINO), Lille, France
| | - David Launay
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286—INFINITE—Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-immunes Systémiques Rares du Nord et Nord-Ouest de France (CeRAINO), Lille, France
| | - Sylvain Dubucquoi
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286—INFINITE—Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Institut d’Immunologie, Lille, France
| | - Vincent Sobanski
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286—INFINITE—Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Département de Médecine Interne et Immunologie Clinique, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-immunes Systémiques Rares du Nord et Nord-Ouest de France (CeRAINO), Lille, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
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10
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Melissaropoulos K, Iliopoulos G, Sakkas LI, Daoussis D. Pathogenetic Aspects of Systemic Sclerosis: A View Through the Prism of B Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:925741. [PMID: 35812378 PMCID: PMC9259786 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.925741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare fibrotic rheumatic disease, associated with psychological distress and increased morbidity and mortality due to skin involvement and internal organ damage. The current understanding of the complex pathogenesis is yet incomplete and disease therapeutic algorithms are far from optimal. Immunologic aberrations are considered key factors for the disease, along with vascular involvement and excess fibrosis. Adaptive immunity and its specialized responses are an attractive research target and both T and B cells have been extensively studied in recent years. In the present review, the focus is placed on B cells in SSc. B cell homeostasis is deranged and B cell subsets exhibit an activated phenotype and abnormal receptor signaling. Autoantibodies are a hallmark of the disease and the current perception of their diagnostic and pathogenetic role is analyzed. In addition, B cell cytokine release and its effect on immunity and fibrosis are examined, together with B cell tissue infiltration of the skin and lung. These data support the concept of targeting B cells as part of the therapeutic plan for SSc through well designed clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George Iliopoulos
- Department of Rheumatology , University of Patras Medical School, Patras University Hospital, Patras, Greece
| | - Lazaros I. Sakkas
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Daoussis
- Department of Rheumatology , University of Patras Medical School, Patras University Hospital, Patras, Greece
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Bankamp L, Preuß B, Pecher AC, Beucke N, Henes J, Klein R. Functionally Active Antibodies to the Angiotensin II Type 1-Receptor Measured by a Luminometric Bioassay Do Not Correlate With Clinical Manifestations in Systemic Sclerosis: A Comparison With Antibodies to Vascular Receptors and Topoisomerase I Detected by ELISA. Front Immunol 2021; 12:786039. [PMID: 34956217 PMCID: PMC8695427 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.786039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives 1) To detect functionally active antibodies(abs) to the angiotensin II type-1-receptor (AT1R) by a novel luminometric assay. 2) To assess their prevalence in systemic sclerosis (SSc), other collagen disorders, as well as in further chronic inflammatory disorders including autoimmune, toxic and chronic viral diseases. 3) To compare these abs with anti-AT1R antibodies by ELISA as well as with antibodies to endothelin-type-A receptors (ETA1) and to topoisomerase I (topo-I) with respect to their specificity and clinical relevance. Methods Sera from 98 SSc-patients, 110 patients with other chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders, 97 patients with autoimmune liver diseases, 57 patients with toxic or chronic viral liver diseases and 36 healthy controls were analyzed. A luminometric bioassay was established with Huh-7-cells constitutively expressing the AT1R. Patients’ sera were also tested by commercially available ELISA for anti-AT1R, -ETA1- and by an in-house ELISA for anti–topo-I-abs. Results Fifty-two percent of the SSc-patients had functionally active anti-AT1R-abs with stimulatory (34%) or inhibitory capacity (18%). They were present also in up to 59% of patients with other rheumatic diseases but only 22% of healthy individuals (sensitivity 52%, specificity 53%). The functionally active antibodies detected by the luminometric assay did not correlate with anti-AT1R-, -ETA1- or -topo-I-abs measured by ELISA, but there was a strong correlation between anti-topo-I-, AT1R-, and -ETA1-ab reactivity measured by ELISA. Sensitivities of 55%, 28% and 47% and specificities of 66%, 87%, and 99% were calculated for these anti-AT1R-, -ETA1-, and anti-topo-I-abs, respectively. Functionally active abs did not correlate with disease severity or any organ manifestation. In contrast, abs to topo-I, AT1R, and ETA1 were associated with digital ulcers, pulmonary- and esophageal manifestation. Conclusions Functionally active anti-AT1R-abs can be detected in SSc-patients but do not correlate with disease activity. They are not specific for this disease and occur also in other autoimmune disorders and even viral or toxic diseases. Also, the vascular antibodies detected by ELISA are not SSc-specific but correlated with disease manifestations. In contrast, anti-topo-I-abs were confirmed to be a highly specific biomarker for both, diagnosis and organ manifestations of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Bankamp
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Beate Preuß
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ann-Christin Pecher
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Nicola Beucke
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jörg Henes
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Reinhild Klein
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Paolino S, Gotelli E, Goegan F, Casabella A, Ferrari G, Patane M, Albertelli M, Gatto F, Pizzorni C, Cattelan F, Sulli A, Smith V, Cutolo M. Body composition and bone status in relation to microvascular damage in systemic sclerosis patients. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:255-264. [PMID: 32449094 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01234-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate, in Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, the body composition and the bone status according to the peripheral microcirculatory condition, assessed and scored by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC, "Early", "Active", "Late" patterns). METHODS Body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed by Dual X-ray absorptiometry and dedicated software (GE Lunar USA) in 37 female SSc patients classified according to the 2013 EULAR/ACR criteria and 40 sex-matched healthy subjects. Clinical, laboratory, body composition and bone parameters were analyzed according to the different NVC patterns. Means were compared by the Student's t test or one-way analysis of variance; medians were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis test; and frequencies by the chi-square test. RESULTS Higher prevalence of vertebral (21% vs 7%) and femoral (35% vs 7%) osteoporosis (OP) was found in SSc. Particularly SSc patients with "Late" NVC pattern showed a significantly higher prevalence of vertebral (p = 0.018) and femoral OP (p = 0.016). Regional assessment of bone mass (BM) in seven different body areas showed a significantly lower BMD only at the total spine (p = 0.008) and femoral neck (p = 0.027) in advanced microvascular damage. Patients with "Late" NVC pattern showed a lower whole-body lean mass (LM) compared to "Early" and "Active" NVC patterns, particularly at upper limbs. To note, in all body sites, BMD correlates with LM and BMC according to NVC pattern severity. CONCLUSIONS SSc patients with most severe microvascular damage show a significantly altered body composition and bone status suggesting a strong link between microvascular failure and associated muscle/bone sufferance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Paolino
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy.
| | - E Gotelli
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - F Goegan
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Casabella
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - G Ferrari
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Patane
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - M Albertelli
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities (DIMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), Endocrinology Unit, University of Genoa, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - F Gatto
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities (DIMI), Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), Endocrinology Unit, University of Genoa, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - C Pizzorni
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - F Cattelan
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - A Sulli
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
| | - V Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, VIB Inflammation Research Center (IRC), Ghent, Belgium
| | - M Cutolo
- Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy
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Raschi E, Privitera D, Bodio C, Lonati PA, Borghi MO, Ingegnoli F, Meroni PL, Chighizola CB. Scleroderma-specific autoantibodies embedded in immune complexes mediate endothelial damage: an early event in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:265. [PMID: 33168071 PMCID: PMC7654597 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02360-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consistently with their diagnostic and prognostic value, autoantibodies specific for systemic sclerosis (SSc) embedded in immune complexes (ICs) elicited a pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cascade in healthy skin fibroblasts, engaging Toll-like receptors (TLRs) via their nucleic acid components. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathogenicity of SSc-ICs in endothelial cells. METHODS ICs were purified from the sera of SSc patients bearing different autoantibody specificities (antibodies against DNA topoisomerase I, centromeric proteins, RNA polymerase, and Th/To), patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary anti-phospholipid syndrome (PAPS), or healthy controls (NHS) using polyethylene glycol precipitation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with ICs, positive and negative controls. mRNA levels of endothelin-1 (et-1), collagenIα1 (colIα1), interferon (IFN)-α, and IFN-β were investigated by real-time PCR; et-1 and il-6 mRNA levels were assessed after pre-treatment with bafilomycin. ICAM-1 expression was evaluated by cell ELISA; secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in culture supernatants was measured by ELISA. The expression of Fcγ receptors (CD64, CD32, and CD16) was assessed in endothelial cells at FACS analysis. Intracellular signaling pathways culminating with NFκB, p38MAPK, SAPK-JNK, and Akt were assessed by Western blotting. Healthy skin fibroblasts were stimulated with supernatants from HUVECs incubated with ICs, and TGF-β1 secretion and mRNA levels of colIα1 and matrix metalloproteinase (mmp)-1, protein expression of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and IL-6 were evaluated by Western blotting; et-1 mRNA levels were assessed in fibroblasts pre-treated with IL-6 and TGF-β inhibitors and stimulated with ATA-ICs. RESULTS All SSc stimulated IL-6 secretion; ACA-ICs and anti-Th/To-ICs increased ICAM-1 expression; all SSc-ICs but anti-Th/To-ICs augmented IL-8 levels; all SSc-ICs but ACA-ICs and ARA-ICs upregulated et-1, and all SSc-ICs but ARA-ICs affected TGF-β1 secretion. colIα1, IFN-α, and IFN-β mRNA levels were not affected by any SSc-IC. FcγRII (CD32) and FcγRIII (CD16) were not detectable on HUVECs, while FcγRI (CD64) was minimally expressed. A differential modulation of tlr expression was observed: tlr2, tlr3, and tlr4 were upregulated by ATA-ICs and ACA-ICs, while anti-Th/To-ICs resulted in tlr9 upregulation. Pre-treatment with bafilomycin did not affect the upregulation of et-1 and il-6 induced by ATA-ICs, ACA-ICs, and anti-Th/To-ICs; a 23% reduction in both genes was reported for ARA-ICs. All SSc-ICs activated p38MAPK and Akt, and all SSc-ICs but ARA-ICs yielded the activation of NFκB; ATA-ICs and ACA-ICs increased the activation rate of both subunits of SAPK-JNK. When healthy skin fibroblasts were stimulated with supernatants from HUVECs incubated with SSc-ICs, TGF-β1 secretion, colIα1, α-SMA, and IL-6 expression levels were significantly modulated. Pre-treatment with IL-6 and TGF-β inhibitors prevented et-1 upregulation induced by ATA-ICs by 85% and 77%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These data provide the first demonstration of the pathogenicity of ICs from scleroderma patients with different autoantibodies on the endothelium. Endothelial activation induced by SSc-ICs ultimately led to a pro-fibrotic phenotype in healthy skin fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Raschi
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Zucchi 18, Cusano Milanino, 20095, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Privitera
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Zucchi 18, Cusano Milanino, 20095, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Bodio
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Zucchi 18, Cusano Milanino, 20095, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Adele Lonati
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Zucchi 18, Cusano Milanino, 20095, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Orietta Borghi
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Zucchi 18, Cusano Milanino, 20095, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ingegnoli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122, Milan, Italy.,Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Research Center for Adult and Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases, ASST G. Pini, Piazza C Ferrari 1, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Meroni
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Zucchi 18, Cusano Milanino, 20095, Milan, Italy.,Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Beatrice Chighizola
- Experimental Laboratory of Immunological and Rheumatologic Researches, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Zucchi 18, Cusano Milanino, 20095, Milan, Italy. .,Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, Italy.
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