1
|
Lefèvre S, Knedla A, Tennie C, Kampmann A, Wunrau C, Dinser R, Korb A, Schnäker EM, Tarner IH, Robbins PD, Evans CH, Stürz H, Steinmeyer J, Gay S, Schölmerich J, Pap T, Müller-Ladner U, Neumann E. Synovial fibroblasts spread rheumatoid arthritis to unaffected joints. Nat Med 2009; 15:1414-20. [PMID: 19898488 PMCID: PMC3678354 DOI: 10.1038/nm.2050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 462] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2008] [Accepted: 09/21/2009] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Active rheumatoid arthritis originates from few joints but subsequently affects the majority of joints. Thus far, the pathways of the progression of the disease are largely unknown. As rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) which can be found in RA synovium are key players in joint destruction and are able to migrate in vitro, we evaluated the potential of RASFs to spread the disease in vivo. To simulate the primary joint of origin, we implanted healthy human cartilage together with RASFs subcutaneously into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. At the contralateral flank, we implanted healthy cartilage without cells. RASFs showed an active movement to the naive cartilage via the vasculature independent of the site of application of RASFs into the SCID mouse, leading to a marked destruction of the target cartilage. These findings support the hypothesis that the characteristic clinical phenomenon of destructive arthritis spreading between joints is mediated, at least in part, by the transmigration of activated RASFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Lefèvre
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Clinic, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Anette Knedla
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Clinic, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Christoph Tennie
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Clinic, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Kampmann
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Clinic, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Christina Wunrau
- Institute of Experimental Muskuloskeletal Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Robert Dinser
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Clinic, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Adelheid Korb
- Department of Internal Medicine D, Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Ingo H. Tarner
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Clinic, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Paul D. Robbins
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Henning Stürz
- Department of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Steinmeyer
- Deptment of Orthopedics and Experimental Orthopedics, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg Giessen, Germany
| | - Steffen Gay
- Center for Experimental Rheumatology, Zürich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, USZ, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Thomas Pap
- Institute of Experimental Muskuloskeletal Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Germany
| | - Ulf Müller-Ladner
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Clinic, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Elena Neumann
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Kerckhoff-Clinic, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bauer JW, Bilgic H, Baechler EC. Gene-expression profiling in rheumatic disease: tools and therapeutic potential. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2009; 5:257-65. [PMID: 19412192 DOI: 10.1038/nrrheum.2009.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gene-expression profiling is a powerful tool for the discovery of molecular fingerprints that underlie human disease. Microarray technologies allow the analysis of messenger RNA transcript levels for every gene in the genome. However, gene-expression profiling is best viewed as part of a pipeline that extends from sample collection through clinical application. Key genes and pathways identified by microarray profiling should be validated in independent sample sets and with alternative technologies. Analysis of relevant signaling pathways at the protein level is an important step towards understanding the functional consequences of aberrant gene expression. Peripheral blood is a convenient and rich source of potential biomarkers, but surveying purified cell populations and target tissues can also enhance our understanding of disease states. In rheumatic disease, probing the transcriptome of circulating immune cells has shed light on mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of complex diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus. As these discoveries advance through the pipeline, a variety of clinical applications are on the horizon, including the use of molecular fingerprints to aid in diagnosis and prognosis, improved use of existing therapies, and the development of drugs that target relevant genes and pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason W Bauer
- Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|