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Goff SH, Bergstedt DT, Feser ML, Moss L, Mikuls TR, Edison JD, Holers VM, Martinez-Prat L, Aure MAR, Mahler M, Deane KD. Multi-Autoantibody Testing Identifies Expansion of Reactivity to Targeted Antigens Before a Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. ACR Open Rheumatol 2024. [PMID: 38950890 DOI: 10.1002/acr2.11704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a "pre-RA" period in which multiple autoantibodies, including antibodies to citrullinated (cit) proteins (ACPA), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-peptidyl arginine deiminase (anti-PAD), among others, have been described; however, few studies have tested all autoantibodies in a single pre-RA cohort. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of multiple autoantibodies in pre-RA and potentially identify an autoantibody profile in pre-RA that indicates imminent onset of clinical RA. METHODS We evaluated 148 individuals with two pre- and one post-RA diagnosis samples available from the Department of Defense Serum Repository and matched controls. Samples were tested for immuglobulin (Ig) G anti-cyclic cit peptide-3 (anti-CCP3), five ACPA fine specificities, five anti-PAD isoforms, as well as RF IgA and RF IgM using commercial platforms; cutoffs were determined using levels present in <1% of controls. RESULTS Positivity of anti-CCP3, RF IgA and RF IgM, anti-PAD1, anti-cit-vimentin 2, anti-cit-fibrinogen, and anti-cit-histone 1 increased over time in pre-RA, although anti-PAD and ACPA fine specificities were predominately present within anti-CCP3-positive individuals. Within anti-CCP3-positive samples from the pre-RA period, positivity for RFs as well as anti-PAD and ACPA fine specificities classified samples as being closer to the time of RA diagnosis. CONCLUSION Multiple autoantibodies are present in pre-RA and increase in positivity as the time of RA diagnosis approaches. These results confirm previous findings predicting imminent RA and provide a pathway using commercial-grade assays to assess the risk for and timing of development of clinical RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salina H Goff
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | | | - Marie L Feser
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - LauraKay Moss
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
| | - Ted R Mikuls
- University of Nebraska Medical Center and VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha
| | - Jess D Edison
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | | | | | | | - Kevin D Deane
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
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2
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Ramírez-Valle F, Maranville JC, Roy S, Plenge RM. Sequential immunotherapy: towards cures for autoimmunity. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:501-524. [PMID: 38839912 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-00959-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Despite major progress in the treatment of autoimmune diseases in the past two decades, most therapies do not cure disease and can be associated with increased risk of infection through broad suppression of the immune system. However, advances in understanding the causes of autoimmune disease and clinical data from novel therapeutic modalities such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies provide evidence that it may be possible to re-establish immune homeostasis and, potentially, prolong remission or even cure autoimmune diseases. Here, we propose a 'sequential immunotherapy' framework for immune system modulation to help achieve this ambitious goal. This framework encompasses three steps: controlling inflammation; resetting the immune system through elimination of pathogenic immune memory cells; and promoting and maintaining immune homeostasis via immune regulatory agents and tissue repair. We discuss existing drugs and those in development for each of the three steps. We also highlight the importance of causal human biology in identifying and prioritizing novel immunotherapeutic strategies as well as informing their application in specific patient subsets, enabling precision medicine approaches that have the potential to transform clinical care.
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Steiner G, Van Hoovels L, Csige D, Gatto M, Iagnocco A, Szekanecz Z. Should ACR/EULAR criteria be revised changing the RF and ACPA scores? Autoimmun Rev 2024; 23:103421. [PMID: 37633353 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Current classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) encompass clinical and immunological items and are capable of correctly identifying the majority of symptomatic RA patients. The presence of positive rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or and anti-cyclic citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA) gaining increasing importance according to their serological titer eases the recognition of RA, yet the debate is open on whether this scoring system ought to be optimized by hierarchizing ACPA or the combination of ACPA and RF over single positivity, prioritizing specificity over sensitivity. The risk of misdiagnosis and misclassification are often entangled, yet they are not the same. In fact, while ideal diagnosis requires 100% sensitivity and specificity, classification criteria are conceived to gather a homogeneous patient population, favoring specificity over sensitivity. Nevertheless, as they are frequently summoned to support the diagnostic process in clinical practice, issues arise on how comprehensive those should be and on how frequently they should be updated in light of novel acquisitions regarding measurable RA-related abnormalities. In this viewpoint two different views on the topic are confronted, discussing the performance of available criteria and the potentiality and pitfalls of their refinement according to novel data on ACPA and RF contribution and emergence of newly discovered specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guenter Steiner
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lieve Van Hoovels
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Laboratory Medicine, OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Dóra Csige
- Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mariele Gatto
- Academic Rheumatology Centre, AO Mauriziano - Dipartimento Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Annamaria Iagnocco
- Academic Rheumatology Centre, AO Mauriziano - Dipartimento Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy.
| | - Zoltán Szekanecz
- Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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Maisha JA, El-Gabalawy HS, O’Neil LJ. Modifiable risk factors linked to the development of rheumatoid arthritis: evidence, immunological mechanisms and prevention. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1221125. [PMID: 37767100 PMCID: PMC10520718 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1221125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease that targets the synovial joints leading to arthritis. Although the etiology of RA remains largely unknown, it is clear that numerous modifiable risk factors confer increased risk to developing RA. Of these risk factors, cigarette smoking, nutrition, obesity, occupational exposures and periodontal disease all incrementally increase RA risk. However, the precise immunological mechanisms by which these risk factors lead to RA are not well understood. Basic and translational studies have provided key insights into the relationship between inflammation, antibody production and the influence in other key cellular events such as T cell polarization in RA risk. Improving our general understanding of the mechanisms which lead to RA will help identify targets for prevention trials, which are underway in at-risk populations. Herein, we review the modifiable risk factors that are linked to RA development and describe immune mechanisms that may be involved. We highlight the few studies that have sought to understand if modification of these risk factors reduces RA risk. Finally, we speculate that modification of risk factors may be an appealing avenue for prevention for some at-risk individuals, specifically those who prefer lifestyle interventions due to safety and economic reasons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Liam J. O’Neil
- Manitoba Centre for Proteomics and Systems Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Batsalova T, Dzhambazov B. Significance of Type II Collagen Posttranslational Modifications: From Autoantigenesis to Improved Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9884. [PMID: 37373030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129884] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Collagen type II (COL2), the main structural protein of hyaline cartilage, is considerably affected by autoimmune responses associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) play a significant role in the formation of the COL2 molecule and supramolecular fibril organization, and thus, support COL2 function, which is crucial for normal cartilage structure and physiology. Conversely, the specific PTMs of the protein (carbamylation, glycosylation, citrullination, oxidative modifications and others) have been implicated in RA autoimmunity. The discovery of the anti-citrullinated protein response in RA, which includes anti-citrullinated COL2 reactivity, has led to the development of improved diagnostic assays and classification criteria for the disease. The induction of immunological tolerance using modified COL2 peptides has been highlighted as a potentially effective strategy for RA therapy. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the recent knowledge on COL2 posttranslational modifications with relevance to RA pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. The significance of COL2 PTMs as a source of neo-antigens that activate immunity leading to or sustaining RA autoimmunity is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsvetelina Batsalova
- Faculty of Biology, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, 24 Tsar Assen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Balik Dzhambazov
- Faculty of Biology, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, 24 Tsar Assen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Frazzei G, Musters A, de Vries N, Tas SW, van Vollenhoven RF. Prevention of rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic literature review of preventive strategies in at-risk individuals. Autoimmun Rev 2023; 22:103217. [PMID: 36280095 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical peripheral polyarthritis in the hands and/or feet, leading to long-term disability if not treated effectively. RA is preceded by a preclinical phase, in which genetically predisposed individuals accumulate environmental risk factors, and during which autoimmunity develops, followed by the emergence of non-specific signs and symptoms before arthritis becomes manifest. Early treatment in at-risk individuals - i.e. before the disease is fully established - has the theoretical potential to delay or prevent disease onset, with a positive impact on both patients' life and society. OBJECTIVES We aimed to understand the feasibility of preventive treatment in at-risk individuals, taking into account recently performed studies and ongoing clinical trials, as well as patient perspectives. METHODS We performed a systematic literature review (SLR) on Medline and Embase, searching articles published between 2010 and 2021 with the following key-words: "Rheumatoid arthritis", "arthralgia", "pre-treatment" or "prevent". RESULTS Our SLR identified a total of 1821 articles. Articles were independently screened by two researchers. A total of 14 articles were included after screening, and an additional 8 reports were manually included. We identified ten relevant clinical trials performed in at-risk individuals, or in individuals with undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis. Although no treatment was shown to prevent RA onset, early treatment with rituximab and abatacept delayed onset of full-blown RA, and both conventional and biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) decreased disease-related physical limitations and increased DAS28-defined remission, at least temporarily. CONCLUSIONS This SLR demonstrates that early treatment of at-risk individuals may be effective in delaying RA onset, thereby decreasing disease-related limitations in individuals in the pre-clinical phase of RA. Whether this may ultimately lead to prevention of RA remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Frazzei
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anne Musters
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Niek de Vries
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sander W Tas
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Ronald F van Vollenhoven
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Cook K, Xue W, Atabani S, Symonds P, Al Omari A, Daniels I, Shah S, Choudhury RH, Weston D, Metheringham R, Brentville V, Durrant L. Vaccine Can Induce CD4-Mediated Responses to Homocitrullinated Peptides via Multiple HLA-Types and Confer Anti-Tumor Immunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:873947. [PMID: 35464453 PMCID: PMC9028767 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.873947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Homocitrullination is the post translation modification (PTM) of the amino acid lysine to homocitrulline also referred to as carbamylation. This PTM has mainly been studied in relation to autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. Homocitrullination of lysines alters their charge which can lead to generation of neoepitopes that are differentially presented by MHC-II and induce modification-specific immune responses. Homocitrullination is often considered a process which triggers autoimmune disease by bypassing self-tolerance however, we suggest that homocitrullination may also have an alternative role in immune responses including protection against cancer. Here we demonstrate that immune responses to homocitrullinated peptides from three different proteins can be induced via multiple HLA-types. Immunization of Balb/c or HLA-transgenic DR4 and DR1 mice can induce modification-specific CD4 mediated IFNγ responses. Healthy human donors show a clear repertoire for the homocitrullinated Vimentin peptide (Vim116-135Hcit), with modification-specific and oligoclonal responses. Importantly, in vivo homocitrulline specific Vim116-135Hcit,Cyk8 371-388Hcit and Aldo 140-157Hcit responses are able to confer an anti-tumor effect in the murine B16 melanoma model. The Vim116-135Hcit anti-tumor response was dependent upon tumor expression of MHC-II suggesting the direct recognition of PTMs on tumor is an important anti-tumor mechanism. Cancer patients also have a CD4 repertoire for Vim116-135Hcit. Together these results suggest that homocitrulline-specific immune responses can be generated in healthy mice and detected in human donors through a variety of HLA-restrictions. Immunization can induce responses to Vim116-135Hcit,Aldolase 140-157Hcit and Cyk8 371-388Hcit which provide anti-tumor therapy across several HLA-types. Our results advance our understanding of homocitrulline-specific immune responses, with implications for a number of fields beyond autoimmunity, including tumor immune surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Cook
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Wei Xue
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Suha Atabani
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- The Cancer Vaccine Group, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Symonds
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Abdullah Al Omari
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Daniels
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sabaria Shah
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ruhul Hasan Choudhury
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Daisy Weston
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rachael Metheringham
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Brentville
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lindy Durrant
- Scancell Limited, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- The Cancer Vaccine Group, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Lindy Durrant,
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