TheFCGR2Brs10917661 polymorphism may confer susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis in Han Chinese: a case–control study

Alterations in immune cell phenotype and cytotoxic capacity in HER2+ breast cancer patients receiving HER2-targeted neo-adjuvant therapy

BACKGROUND

The phase II neo-adjuvant clinical trial ICORG10-05 (NCT01485926) compared chemotherapy in combination with trastuzumab, lapatinib or both in patients with HER2+ breast cancer. We studied circulating immune cells looking for alterations in phenotype, genotype and cytotoxic capacity (direct and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)) in the context of treatment response.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from pre- (n = 41) and post- (n = 25) neo-adjuvant treatment blood samples. Direct/trastuzumab-ADCC cytotoxicity of patient-derived PBMCs against K562/SKBR3 cell lines was determined ex vivo. Pembrolizumab was interrogated in 21 pre-treatment PBMC ADCC assays. Thirty-nine pre-treatment and 21 post-treatment PBMC samples were immunophenotyped. Fc receptor genotype, tumour infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) levels and oestrogen receptor (ER) status were quantified.

RESULTS

Treatment attenuated the cytotoxicity/ADCC of PBMCs. CD3+/CD4+/CD8+ T cells increased following therapy, while CD56+ NK cells/CD14+ monocytes/CD19+ B cells decreased with significant post-treatment immune cell changes confined to patients with residual disease. Pembrolizumab-augmented ex vivo PBMC ADCC activity was associated with residual disease, but not pathological complete response. Pembrolizumab-responsive PBMCs were associated with lower baseline TIL levels and ER+ tumours.

CONCLUSIONS

PBMCs display altered phenotype and function following completion of neo-adjuvant treatment. Anti-PD-1-responsive PBMCs in ex vivo ADCC assays may be a biomarker of treatment response.

Recent advances in understanding pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system-involving autoimmune disorder mainly affecting young and middle-aged women. Autoantibodies formation and immune complex deposition as well as other immune mechanisms contribute to heterogeneous clinical presentation, which leads to challenges for diagnosis and management. Although the exact pathogenesis of SLE is highly complicated, the pathophysiological understanding of SLE is constantly evolving and relevant studies were continually published, providing a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms. Moreover, new therapeutic strategies and management plans targeting pivotal factors involved in the pathogenesis of SLE got well established recently. In this article, we reviewed recent studies to provide an update in understanding pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of SLE.

Screening for key genes and transcription factors in ankylosing spondylitis by RNA-Seq

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune disease, the etiology and pathogenesis of which remain largely unknown. In the present study, blood samples were harvested from patients with AS and from healthy volunteers as a normal control (NC) for RNA-sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the AS group compared with the NC group were identified, and gene ontology (GO) term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were subsequently performed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and AS-specific transcriptional regulatory network construction was performed for the DEGs. A total of 503 DEGs, including 338 upregulated and 165 downregulated DEGs, were identified in patients with AS compared with the NC group. Three upregulated DEGs identified, interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFIT)1, IFIT3 and radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing (RSAD)2, are interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes that serve a role in the IFN signaling pathway. The most significantly enriched GO term was response to other organisms. Osteoclast differentiation was a significantly enriched pathway for eight DEGs [High affinity immunoglobulin gamma Fc receptor (FCGR)1A, FCGR2B, four and a half LIM domains 2, integrin β3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), leukocyte immunoglobulin like receptor (LILR)A4 and LILRA6]. The six hub genes in the PPI network constructed were interferon-stimulated gene 15, heat shock protein β1, microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3A, IFIT1, IFIT3 and SOCS3. POU domain class 2 transcription factor 1 (1-Oct) and ecotropic virus integration site-1 (Evi-1) were identified as two important transcription factors (TFs) in AS according to the AS-specific transcriptional regulatory network constructed. In addition, IFIT1 and IFIT3 were identified as targets of 1-Oct. The results of the present study indicate that osteoclast differentiation, the IFN signaling pathway and genes associated with these two signaling pathways, particularly FCGR2B, STAT2, SOCS3, IFIT1 and IFIT3, may serve a role in AS. In addition, Evi-1 and 1-Oct may be two important TFs associated with AS. These results may provide a basis for elucidating the underlying mechanisms of and developing novel treatments for AS.

Pathogenic variants screening in seventeen candidate genes on 2p15 for association with ankylosing spondylitis in a Han Chinese population

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies have found the association between rs10865331 in 2p15 area and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study aimed to identify additional functional genetic variants in 2p15 region associated with AS susceptibility.

METHODS

We used next generation sequencing (NGS) in 100 AS cases and 100 healthy controls to screen AS susceptible genetic variants, and validated these variants in 620 cases and 620 controls by using imLDRTM technique for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping.

RESULTS

Totally, we identified 12 SNPs that might confer susceptibility to AS. Of those SNPs, three (rs14170, rs2123111 and rs1729674) were nominally associated (P<0.05) with AS, but were no longer statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. After stratified by gender, another two SNPs (rs11428092 and rs10208769 in USP34) were associated with AS in males but not females, though this was not statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. In addition, rs1729674, rs14170, rs2123111 and rs10208769 were in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) and were further enrolled in haplotype analysis. A novel haplotype TAGA was found to be associated with a decreased risk of AS (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 0.832 (0.705-0.982)). Beyond that, we also demonstrated a strong relationship between rs10865331 and AS susceptibility (OR (95% CI) = 1.303(1.111-1.526)).

CONCLUSIONS

rs14170 and rs2123111 inUSP34 and rs1729674 in C2orf74 may be associated with AS susceptibility in Han Chinese population. USP34 and C2orf74 in 2p15 region may be AS novel susceptibility genes.

FcγRIIB and autoimmunity

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by adaptive immune responses against self-antigens, including humoral responses resulting in the production of autoantibodies. Autoantibodies generate inflammation by activating complement and engaging Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). The inhibitory receptor FcγRIIB plays a central role in regulating the generation of autoantibodies and their effector functions, which include activation of innate immune cells and the cellular arm of the adaptive immune system, via effects on antigen presentation to CD4 T cells. Polymorphisms in FcγRIIB have been associated with susceptibility to autoimmunity but protection against infections in humans and mice. In the last few years, new mechanisms by which FcγRIIB controls the adaptive immune response have been described. Notably, FcγRIIB has been shown to regulate germinal center B cells and dendritic cell migration, with potential impact on the development of autoimmune diseases. Recent work has also highlighted the implication of FcγRIIB on the regulation of the innate immune system, via inhibition of Toll-like receptor- and complement receptor-mediated activation. This review will provide an update on the role of FcγRIIB in adaptive immune responses in autoimmunity, and then focus on their emerging function in innate immunity.

Association Study of IL-12B Polymorphisms Susceptibility with Ankylosing Spondylitis in Mainland Han Population

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine whether the genetic polymorphisms of IL-12B gene is a susceptibility factor to Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in mainland Han Chinese population.

METHOD

Eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs10045431, rs11167764, rs3212227, rs6556412, rs6556416, rs6871626, rs6887695 and rs7709212) in the IL-12B gene were genotyped by iMLDR Assay technology in 400 patients [96% (384/400) HLA-B27(+)] and 395 geographically and ethnically matched healthy controls in mainland Han Chinese population. The correlation between IL-12B genetic polymorphisms and AS activity index (BASDAI, BASFI) were tested.

RESULTS

The significant difference was found in genotype distribution between AS and healthy controls (χ2 = 6.942, P-value = 0.031) of the SNP rs6871626. Furthermore, significant evidence was also detected under the recessive model for minor allele A. The AA genotype carrier had 1.830 fold risk compared with C allele carrier (with CC and AC genotypes) [OR (95% CI) = 1.830 (1.131-2.961), P-value = 0.014]. Nevertheless, the difference was no longer significant after Bonferroni correction. Subset analysis on cases with HLA-B27(+) did find the same results. Three genotypic groups (AA, CC and CA) in rs6871626 site was highly associated with the BASDAI and BASFI (P-value = 0.012 and P-value = 0.023, respectively), after adjustment for effect of age, sex, and disease duration, the P-value was 0.031 and 0.041, respectively. The AA genotype of rs6871626 was also significantly correlated with an increased BASDAI and BASFI compared to the AC and CC genotypes in AS patients.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that rs6871626 may be associated AS susceptibility and with disease activity (BASDAI, BASFI) in mainland Han Chinese population.

Male sexual dysfunction and ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic review and metaanalysis

OBJECTIVE

No consensus has been reached on sexual dysfunction in men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Our study aimed to derive a more precise estimation of the sexual function and its clinical correlations in men with AS.

METHODS

A metaanalysis was performed and the related literature were searched in PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and in reference lists of articles and systematic reviews. Score of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) was used as the outcome measurement, and standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% CI were calculated.

RESULTS

Eleven studies were included, including 535 men with AS and 430 male controls. Each domain of the IIEF score (erectile function: SMD -0.52, 95% CI -0.68 - -0.37; orgasmic function: -0.72, -1.03 - -0.42; sexual drive: -0.40, -0.62 - -0.18; intercourse satisfaction: -0.86, -1.15 - -0.56; and overall satisfaction: -0.61, -0.91 - -0.32) were lower in men with AS than in controls. In the subgroup analysis, the results did not change except for the sexual drive in the Asians group (-0.15, -0.42-0.13). At metaregression, no study characteristics were significantly associated with effect size of the IIEF score.

CONCLUSION

Sexual function is impaired in male patients with AS and further studies are necessary to better understand risk factors for sexual dysfunction in this population.

Ankylosing spondylitis: from cells to genes

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, though it is considered an autoimmune disease. HLA-B27 is the risk factor most often associated with AS, and although the mechanism of involvement is unclear, the subtypes and other features of the relationship between HLA-B27 and AS have been studied for years. Additionally, the key role of IL-17 and Th17 cells in autoimmunity and inflammation suggests that the latter and the cytokines involved in their generation could play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Recent studies have described the sources of IL-17 and IL-23, as well as the characterization of Th17 cells in autoimmune diseases. Other cells, such as NK and regulatory T cells, have been implicated in autoimmunity and have been evaluated to ascertain their possible role in AS. Moreover, several polymorphisms, mutations and deletions in the regulatory proteins, protein-coding regions, and promoter regions of different genes involved in immune responses have been discovered and evaluated for possible genetic linkages to AS. In this review, we analyze the features of HLA-B27 and the suggested mechanisms of its involvement in AS while also focusing on the characterization of the immune response and the identification of genes associated with AS.

Immunogenetic study in Chinese population with ankylosing spondylitis: are there specific genes recently disclosed?

Purpose. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a systemic, autoimmune disease resulting in the destruction of the affected joints. Over the past 5 years, several new genes or genetic regions associated with AS have been identified in the Chinese population. This paper aims to discuss the major findings and related potential mechanisms of these studies in our population. Recent Findings. In recent years, due to the rapid advances in computational genetics and technology, there has been an increasing list of well-validated genes or genetic regions associated with AS susceptibility. So far, several genes or genetic regions have now been reported in the Han ethnic Chinese population, containing the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), ERAP1, IL-23R, 12q12, 2p15, 5q14.3, and so on. Different hypotheses for disease mechanisms have been investigated on the basis of the functional studies of these genes or genetic regions. Summary. This paper tries to summarize the association of several candidate genes with risk for AS in the Han ethnic Chinese population and aims to identify the novel inflammatory pathways and provide potential strategies for better therapies.