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Yen CT, Livneh H, Huang HL, Lu MC, Chen WJ, Tsai TY. Decreased Risk of Osteoporosis Incident in Subjects Receiving Chinese Herbal Medicine for Sjögren syndrome Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study with a Nested Case-Control Analysis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:745. [PMID: 38931412 PMCID: PMC11207029 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060745] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a long-lasting inflammatory autoimmune disease that may cause diverse manifestations, particularly osteoporosis. Though usage of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) can safely manage autoimmune disease and treatment-related symptoms, the relation between CHM use and osteoporosis risk in SS persons is not yet recognized. With that in mind, this population-level nested case-control study aimed to compare the risk of osteoporosis with and without CHM use. Potential subjects aged 20-70 years, diagnosed with SS between 2001 and 2010, were retrieved from a national health claims database. Those diagnosed with osteoporosis after SS were identified and randomly matched to those without osteoporosis. We capitalize on the conditional logistic regression to estimate osteoporosis risk following CHM use. A total of 1240 osteoporosis cases were detected and randomly matched to 1240 controls at a ratio of 1:1. Those receiving conventional care plus CHM had a substantially lower chance of osteoporosis than those without CHM. Prolonged use of CHM, especially for one year or more, markedly dwindled sequent osteoporosis risk by 71%. Integrating CHM into standard care may favor the improvement of bone function, but further well-designed randomized controlled trials to investigate the possible mechanism are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Tsung Yen
- Department of Neurology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan
| | - Hanoch Livneh
- Rehabilitation Counseling Program, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207-0751, USA
| | - Hua-Lung Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chi Lu
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Jen Chen
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Sports Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan 333325, Taiwan
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
- Center of Sports Medicine, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan
| | - Tzung-Yi Tsai
- Department of Medical Research, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70428, Taiwan
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Zhang R, Zhao Y, Chen X, Zhuang Z, Li X, Shen E. Low-dose IL-2 therapy in autoimmune diseases: An update review. Int Rev Immunol 2024; 43:113-137. [PMID: 37882232 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2023.2274574] [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: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for maintaining self-immune tolerance. Reduced numbers or functions of Treg cells have been involved in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases and allograft rejection. Therefore, the approaches that increase the pool or suppressive function of Treg cells in vivo could be a general strategy to treat different autoimmune diseases and allograft rejection. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is essential for the development, survival, maintenance, and function of Treg cells, constitutively expressing the high-affinity receptor of IL-2 and sensitive response to IL-2 in vivo. And low-dose IL-2 therapy in vivo could restore the imbalance between autoimmune response and self-tolerance toward self-tolerance via promoting Treg cell expansion and inhibiting follicular helper T (Tfh) and IL-17-producing helper T (Th17) cell differentiation. Currently, low-dose IL-2 treatment is receiving extensive attention in autoimmune disease and transplantation treatment. In this review, we summarize the biology of IL-2/IL-2 receptor, the mechanisms of low-dose IL-2 therapy in autoimmune diseases, the application in the progress of different autoimmune diseases, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH), Alopecia Areata (AA), Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) and Chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD). We also discuss the future directions to optimize low-dose IL-2 treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhi Zhang
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuyang Zhao
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangming Chen
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuoqing Zhuang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Third Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Erxia Shen
- Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Wang Z, Liu Z, Zheng J, Huang L, Jin R, Wang X, Chen D, Xie Y, Feng B. The effects of low-dose IL-2 on Th17/Treg cell imbalance in primary biliary cholangitis mouse models. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:87. [PMID: 38408917 PMCID: PMC10895794 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03176-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease. The imbalance of Th17/Treg cells has been reported in PBC patients. Low-dose IL-2 can alleviate disease severity through modulating CD4 + T cell subsets in patients with autoimmune diseases. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the effects and mechanism of low-dose IL-2 in PBC mouse models. METHODS PBC models were induced in female C57BL/6 mice by two immunizations with 2OA-BSA at two-week intervals, and poly I: C every three days. PBC mouse models were divided into the IL-2 treated and untreated groups and low-dose IL-2 was injected at three different time points. Th17 and Tregs were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the related cytokines were analyzed by ELISA. Liver histopathology was examined by H&E and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS Twelve weeks after modeling, the serum AMA was positive and the ALP was significantly increased in PBC mouse models (P<0.05). The pathology showed lymphocyte infiltration in the portal area, damage, and reactive proliferation of the small bile duct (P<0.05). The flow cytometric showed the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells in the liver of PBC mouse models, with decreased Treg cells, increased Th17 cells, and Th17/Treg ratio (P < 0.05). After the low-dose IL-2 intervention, biochemical index and liver pathologies showed improvement at 12 weeks. Besides, the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells recovered. Public database mining showed that Th17 cell differentiation may contribute to poor response in PBC patients. CONCLUSION Low-dose IL-2 can significantly improve liver biochemistry and pathology by reversing the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells, suggesting that it may be a potential therapeutic target for PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Zhicheng Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Jiarui Zheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Linxiang Huang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Jin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Dongbo Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China
| | - Yandi Xie
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China.
| | - Bo Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Beijing, China.
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Qiao Z, Zhao W, Liu Y, Feng W, Ma Y, Jin H. Low-dose Interleukin-2 For Psoriasis Therapy Based on the Regulation of Th17/Treg Cell Balance in Peripheral Blood. Inflammation 2023; 46:2359-2373. [PMID: 37596509 PMCID: PMC10673739 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01883-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
The imbalance between regulatory T (Treg) cells and efficient T cells plays an important role in psoriasis. Low-dose interleukin (IL)-2 can preferentially activate Treg cells and ameliorate the imbalance of Treg/efficient T cells. This study focused on the status of circulating CD4+ T subsets and the clinical efficacy of low-dose IL-2 therapies in psoriasis. This retrospective study included peripheral blood samples obtained from 45 psoriatic patients and 40 healthy controls. The 45 psoriatic patients received three cycles of subcutaneous low-dose IL-2 treatment (0.5 million IU/day for 2 weeks) combined with conventional therapies. Inflammatory indices, CD4+ T-lymphocyte subsets, and cytokines were measured in all patients before and after treatment. The percentage of Treg cells was dramatically decreased in the psoriasis group compared to the healthy group, and the percentage of Treg cells negatively correlated with the disease indices and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) (P < 0.001). The Th17/Treg ratio was significantly increased in the psoriasis group compared to the healthy group, and the Th17/Treg ratio positively correlated with disease indices and PASI (P < 0.001). Low-dose IL-2 treatment significantly amplified the percentage of Treg cells and restored the Th17 and Treg immune balance in psoriasis (P < 0.001). Low-dose IL-2 combination therapy effectively improved the clinical manifestations of psoriasis but decreased the inflammatory indicators of the disease activity, with no apparent side effects. Thus, low-dose IL-2 provides a new strategy for the treatment of psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zusha Qiao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Wenpeng Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Cancer prevention and control office, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Wenli Feng
- Department of Dermatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Dermatology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hongzhong Jin
- Department of Dermatology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Akgul A, Freguia CF, Maddaloni M, Hoffman C, Voigt A, Nguyen CQ, Fanger NA, Fanger GR, Pascual DW. Treatment with a Lactococcus lactis that chromosomally express E. coli cfaI mitigates salivary flow loss in a Sjögren's syndrome-like disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19489. [PMID: 37945636 PMCID: PMC10636062 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46557-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sjögren's Syndrome (SjS) results in loss of salivary and lacrimal gland excretion due to an autoimmune attack on these secretory glands. Conventional SjS treatments address the symptoms, but not the cause of disease. Recognizing this deficit of treatments to reverse SjS disease, studies were pursued using the fimbriae from enterotoxigenic E. coli, colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I), which has anti-inflammatory properties. To determine if CFA/I fimbriae could attenuate SjS-like disease in C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 (SjS) females, the Lactococcus lactis (LL) 301 strain was developed to chromosomally express the cfaI operon. Western blot analysis confirmed CFA/I protein expression, and this was tested in SjS females at different stages of disease. Repeated dosing with LL 301 proved effective in mitigating salivary flow loss and in reducing anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and inflammation in the submandibular glands (SMGs) in SjS females and in restoring salivary flow in diseased mice. LL 301 treatment reduced proinflammatory cytokine production with concomitant increases in TGF-β+ CD25+ CD4+ T cells. Moreover, LL 301 treatment reduced draining lymph and SMG follicular T helper (Tfh) cell levels and proinflammatory cytokines, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-21. Such evidence points to the therapeutic capacity of CFA/I protein to suppress SjS disease and to have restorative properties in combating autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Akgul
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Massimo Maddaloni
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Carol Hoffman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alexandria Voigt
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Cuong Q Nguyen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - David W Pascual
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Ming B, Zhu Y, Zhong J, Dong L. Regulatory T cells: a new therapeutic link for Sjögren syndrome? Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:2963-2970. [PMID: 36790059 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead070] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Great advancements have been made in understanding the pathogenesis of SS, but there remain unmet needs for effective and targeted treatments. Glandular and extraglandular dysfunction in SS is associated with autoimmune lymphocytic infiltration that invades the epithelial structures of affected organs. Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a subset of CD4+ T lymphocytes that maintain self-tolerance during physiological conditions. Besides inhibiting excessive inflammation and autoimmune response by targeting various immune cell subsets and tissues, Treg cells have also been shown to promote tissue repair and regeneration in pathogenic milieus. The changes of quantity and function of Treg cells in various autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders have been reported, owing to their effects on immune regulation. Here we summarize the recent findings from murine models and clinical data about the dysfunction of Treg cells in SS pathogenesis and discuss the therapeutic strategies of direct or indirect targeting of Treg cells in SS. Understanding the current knowledge of Treg cells in the development of SS will be important to elucidate disease pathogenesis and may guide research for successful therapeutic intervention in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxia Ming
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaowu Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jixin Zhong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingli Dong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Kuklinski EJ, Yu Y, Ying GS, Asbell PA. Association of Ocular Surface Immune Cells With Dry Eye Signs and Symptoms in the Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) Study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:7. [PMID: 37669063 PMCID: PMC10484021 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.12.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial, heterogeneous disease of the ocular surface with one etiology being ocular surface inflammation. Studies using animal models demonstrate the role of ocular surface immune cells in the inflammatory pathway leading to DED, but few have evaluated humans. This study described the white blood cell population from the ocular surface of patients with DED and assessed its association with DED signs and symptoms in participants of the Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) study. Methods Participants were assessed for symptoms using the Ocular Surface Disease Index, signs via corneal staining, conjunctival staining, tear break-up time, and Schirmer test, and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) based on the 2012 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria. Impression cytology of conjunctival cells from each eye was evaluated using flow cytometry: T cells, helper T cells (Th), regulatory T cells (Tregs), cytotoxic T cells, and dendritic cells. Results We assessed 1049 eyes from 527 participants. White blood cell subtype percentages varied widely across participants. Significant positive associations were found for Th and conjunctival staining (mean score of 2.8 for 0% Th and 3.1 for >4.0% Th; P = 0.007), and corneal staining (mean score of 3.5 for 0% Th and 4.3 for >4.0% Th; P = 0.01). SS was associated with higher percent of Tregs (median 0.1 vs. 0.0; P = 0.01). Conclusions Th were associated with more severe conjunctival and corneal staining, possibly indicating their role in inflammation leading to damage of the ocular surface. There is no consistent conclusion about Tregs in SS, but these results support that Tregs are elevated in SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Kuklinski
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States
| | - Yinxi Yu
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Gui-Shuang Ying
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | | | - for the DREAM Study Research Group
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
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Rafaqat S, Rafaqat S. Role of IL-2/IL-2 receptor in pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders: Genetic and therapeutic aspects. World J Med Genet 2023; 11:28-38. [DOI: 10.5496/wjmg.v11.i3.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an important cytokine that plays a key role in the immune response. The IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) is composed of three subunits, alpha, beta, and gamma, with the alpha subunit having the highest affinity for IL-2. Several studies reported that immune dysregulation of IL-2 may cause tissue injury as well as damage leading to the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases such as acute necrotizing vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), inflammatory synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), salivary and lacrimal gland dys-function in Sjogren syndrome (SS), obliterative vasculopathy fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and inflammatory demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this review paper was to examine the role of IL-2/IL-2R in various autoimmune disorders, taking into account recent advancements and discoveries, gaps in the current literature, ongoing debates, and potential avenues for future research. The focus of this review is on systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, sjogren syndrome, and multiple sclerosis, which are all linked to the malfunctioning of IL-2/IL-2R. In genetic studies, gene polymorphisms of IL-2 such as IL-2 330/T, IL-2 330/G, and rs2069763 are involved in increasing the risk of SLE. Furthermore, genetic associations of IL-2/IL-2R such as rs791588, rs2281089, rs2104286, rs11594656, and rs35285258 are significantly associated with RA susceptibility. The IL-2 polymorphism including rs2069762A, rs6822844T, rs6835457G, and rs907715T are significant connections with systemic sclerosis. In addition, rs2104286 (IL-2), rs11594656 (IL-2RA), rs35285258 (IL-2RB) gene polymorphism significant increases the risk of multiple sclerosis. In therapeutic approaches, low-dose IL-2 therapy could regulate Tfr and Tfh cells, resulting in a reduction in disease activity in the SLE patients. In addition, elevated sIL-2R levels in the peripheral blood of SLE patients could be linked to an immunoregulatory imbalance, which may contribute to the onset and progression of SLE. Consequently, sIL-2R could potentially be a target for future SLE therapy. Moreover, Low dose-IL2 was well-tolerated, and low levels of Treg and high levels of IL-21 were associated with positive responses to Ld-IL2 suggested to be a safe and effective treatment for RA. Additionally, low-dose IL-2 treatment improves the exocrine glands' ability to secrete saliva in SS-affected mice. Whereas, Basiliximab targets the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor suggested as a potential treatment for SSc. Also, pre-and post-treatment with Tregs, MDSCs, and IL-2 may have the potential to prevent EAE induction in patients with MS. It is suggested that further studies should be conducted on IL-2 polymorphism in Sjogren syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Rafaqat
- Department of Biotechnology (Specialized in Human Genetics), Lahore College for Women University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Saira Rafaqat
- Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
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Li Y, Zhu W, Lin R, Zhao J, Wang Y. Vasoactive intestinal peptide exerts therapeutic action by regulating PTEN in a model of Sjögren's disease. Immun Inflamm Dis 2023; 11:e936. [PMID: 37506142 PMCID: PMC10336679 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the loss of the secretory function of the exocrine glands. At present, drugs that can both correct the immune imbalance and improve exocrine gland function are needed. Meanwhile, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has been reported as a candidate with anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties for treating autoimmune diseases. METHODS Nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice and the primary splenic lymphocyte cells (SPLCs) were used to construct the SS model. The therapeutic effects of VIP for SjD by evaluating water consumption, histopathology, T cell subsets, and related cytokines. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to identify the expression of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. RESULTS We found that VIP therapy in NOD mice could increase the expression of PTEN and VIP/VPAC1 receptor, as well as decrease the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vitro, the results showed that the PTEN knockdown decreased the Treg/Th17 ratio and enhanced the phosphorylated PI3K/AKT pathway, which were reversed with VIP treatment. CONCLUSIONS VIP exerts potential therapeutic action in SjD by upregulating PTEN through the PI3K/AKT pathway and Treg/Th17 cell balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixi Li
- Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineThe First School of Clinical MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Wen Zhu
- Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineThe First School of Clinical MedicineNanjingChina
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese MedicineAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Rui Lin
- Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineSchool of Health and Rehabilitation, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pesdiatrics, Medical Metabolomics CenterNanjingChina
| | - Junjie Zhao
- Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineThe First School of Clinical MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Yue Wang
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese MedicineAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingChina
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Cheng L, Liu L, Su R, Yan H, Zi X, Gao C, Li X, Wang C. The decreased of peripheral blood natural killer cell is associated with serum IL-2 level in the renal tubular acidosis in patients with primary sjogren's syndrome. BMC Immunol 2023; 24:17. [PMID: 37391717 PMCID: PMC10314557 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-023-00550-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary Sjogren's Syndrome (pSS) is a lymphoproliferative disease with autoimmune characteristics, which is characterized by lymphocyte infiltration of exocrine glands and involvement and dysfunction of extraglandular organs. Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a common renal involvement in pSS. This study investigated the phenotypic characteristics of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in pSS patients complicated with RTA (pSS-RTA). METHOD This retrospective study included 25 pSS patients complicated with RTA and 54 pSS patients without RTA (pSS-no-RTA). To examine the level of peripheral lymphocytes subsets, flow cytometry analysis was used. The level of serum cytokines were detected by flow cytometry bead array(CBA). The influencing factors related to the occurrence of pSS-RTA were identified through logistic regression analyze. RESULTS The absolute number of CD4 + T cells and Th2 cells in peripheral blood were decreased in pSS-RTA patients than pSS-no-RTA patients. Moreover, the absolute number of NK cells and Treg cells were also decreased in pSS-RTA patients than pSS-no-RTA. The level of serum IL-2 was higher in pSS-RTA patients than pSS-no-RTA patients, and is negatively correlated with the number of NK cells, the number and percentage of Th17 cells, and Th17/Treg. Serum IL-2 level is also correlated with various cytokines. Multivariate logistic analysis proved that elevated ESR and ALP were risk factors for pSS complicated with RTA, while Treg was a protective factor. CONCLUSION The increase of serum IL-2 level and the decrease of peripheral blood NK cells and Treg cells may be the immune mechanism of the development of pSS-RTA disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Cheng
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Ronghui Su
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Huanhuan Yan
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zi
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Chong Gao
- Pathology, Joint Program in Transfusion Medicine, Children's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Caihong Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
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11
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Fox RI, Fox CM, McCoy SS. Emerging treatment for Sjögren's disease: a review of recent phase II and III trials. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2023:1-14. [PMID: 37127914 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2023.2209720] [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: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sjögren's Disease, SjD, is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by reduced function of the salivary and lacrimal glands. Patients suffer from dryness, fatigue, and pain and may present with or without extra-glandular organ involvement. Symptoms limit SjD patients' quality of life and are the most difficult to improve with therapy. SjD patients are heterogeneous and clustering them into biologically similar subgroups might improve the efficacy of therapies. The need for therapies that address both the symptoms and extra glandular organ involvement of SjD presents an unmet opportunity that has recently attracted a growing interest in the pharmaceutical industry. AREAS COVERED The goal of this report is to review recent phase II/III studies in SjD. To accomplish our goal, we performed a literature search for phase II/III studies and abstracts recently presented at conferences. EXPERT OPINION This review allows updates the reader on the multitude of recent phase II/III clinical trials. We speculate on how subtypes of SjD will drive future therapeutic targeting and inform pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert I Fox
- Scripps Memorial Hospital and Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Carla M Fox
- Scripps Memorial Hospital and Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Sara S McCoy
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Ringgold standard institution, Madison, United States
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12
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Ma D, Wu Z, Zhao X, Zhu X, An Q, Wang Y, Zhao J, Su Y, Yang B, Xu K, Zhang L. Immunomodulatory effects of umbilical mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes on CD4 + T cells in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Inflammopharmacology 2023:10.1007/s10787-023-01189-x. [PMID: 37012581 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01189-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease that leads to the destruction of exocrine glands and multisystem lesions. Abnormal proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of CD4+ T cells are key factors in the pathogenesis of pSS. Autophagy is one of the important mechanisms to maintain immune homeostasis and function of CD4+ T cells. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (UCMSC-Exos) may simulate the immunoregulation of MSCs while avoiding the risks of MSCs treatment. However, whether UCMSC-Exos can regulate the functions of CD4+ T cells in pSS, and whether the effects via the autophagy pathway remains unclear. METHODS The study analyzed retrospectively the peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in pSS patients, and explored the relationship between lymphocyte subsets and disease activity. Next, peripheral blood CD4+ T cells were sorted using immunomagnetic beads. The proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and inflammatory factors of CD4+ T cells were determined using flow cytometry. Autophagosomes of CD4+ T cells were detected using transmission electron microscopy, autophagy-related proteins and genes were detected using western blotting or RT-qPCR. RESULTS The study demonstrated that the peripheral blood CD4+ T cells decreased in pSS patients, and negatively correlated with disease activity. UCMSC-Exos inhibited excessive proliferation and apoptosis of CD4+ T cells in pSS patients, blocked them in the G0/G1 phase, inhibited them from entering the S phase, reduced the Th17 cell ratio, elevated the Treg ratio, inhibited IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-17F secretion, and promoted IL-10 and TGF-β secretion. UCMSC-Exos reduced the elevated autophagy levels in the peripheral blood CD4+ T cells of patients with pSS. Furthermore, UCMSC-Exos regulated CD4+ T cell proliferation and early apoptosis, inhibited Th17 cell differentiation, promoted Treg cell differentiation, and restored the Th17/Treg balance in pSS patients through the autophagy pathway. CONCLUSIONS The study indicated that UCMSC-Exos exerts an immunomodulatory effect on the CD4+ T cells, and maybe as a new treatment for pSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Ma
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, Shanxi, China
| | - Zewen Wu
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, Shanxi, China
| | - Xingxing Zhao
- Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, 030619, Shanxi, China
| | - Xueqing Zhu
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, Shanxi, China
| | - Qi An
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, Shanxi, China
| | - Yajing Wang
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, Shanxi, China
| | - Jingwen Zhao
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, Shanxi, China
| | - Yazhen Su
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, Shanxi, China
| | - Baoqi Yang
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, Shanxi, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, Shanxi, China
| | - Liyun Zhang
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, Shanxi, China.
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13
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Liao HH, Livneh H, Lin MC, Lu MC, Lai NS, Yen HR, Tsai TY. Relationship between Chinese Herbal Medicine Use and Risk of Sjögren’s Syndrome in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Retrospective, Population-Based, Nested Case-Control Study. Medicina (B Aires) 2023; 59:medicina59040683. [PMID: 37109641 PMCID: PMC10144515 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS) is a common extra-articular feature among subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used to treat symptoms of RA for many years, few studies have examined its efficacy in guarding against the SS onset. This study aimed to compare risk of SS for RA patients with and without use of CHM. Materials and Methods: Data obtained for this nested case-control study were retrieved from Taiwanese nationwide insurance database from 2000–2013. Cases with SS claims were defined and matched to two randomly selected controls without SS from the recruited RA cohorts. Risk of SS in relation to CHM use was estimated by fitting multiple conditional logistic regression. Results: Patients aged between 20 and 80 years were included and 916 patients with incident SS were matched to 1832 non-SS controls by age, sex and index year. Among them, 28.1% and 48.4% cases ever received CHM therapy, respectively. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, CHM use was found to be related to a lower risk of SS among them (adjusted odds ratio = 0.40, 95% confidence interval: 0.34–0.47). A dose-dependent, reverse association, was further detected between the cumulative duration of CHM use and SS risk. Those receiving CHM therapy for more than 730 days showed a significantly reduced risk of SS by 83%. Conclusions: Findings of this study indicated that the add-on CHM formula, as part of RA care, may be a beneficial treatment for prevention against the incident SS.
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Sebastian A, Madej M, Gajdanowicz P, Sebastian M, Łuczak A, Zemelka-Wiącek M, Jutel M, Wiland P. Interferon Gamma Targeted Therapy: Is It Justified in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome? J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11185405. [PMID: 36143051 PMCID: PMC9504735 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11185405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The pathomechanism of primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) is multifactorial. Many cytokines take part in this process, including interferon. The study aimed to quantify certain cytokines involved in the pathomechanism of primary Sjögren syndrome (IL2, IL5, IL6, IL10, IL13, TNFα, IFNγ) and determine their common clinical correlation. On this basis, we discuss the potential use of anti-cytokine drugs in pSS therapy. Methods: The study group consisted of adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of pSS. Results: The most frequently detected cytokines were IFNγ (82% of patients), TNFα (70%), IL6 (50%), and IL2 (42.5%). In all patients, except for one patient, IFNγ was found in the presence of other specific cytokines. There was no difference in clinical symptoms, age, and laboratory test results between the group of patients with IL-6 + TNFα + IFNγ positive cytokine, and the group of patients in whom they were not detected. There was no correlation between the presence of IL5, IL13, IL2, IL6, IL10, TNFα and musculoskeletal symptoms, skin lesions, glandular domains, pulmonary neurological, lymphadenopathy, biological and hematological domains in ESSDAI (p > 0.05). Conclusions: IFNγ most likely plays a central role in the pathomechanism of the disease. We have not noticed a clinical correlation between the three most common cytokines (IL6, IFNγ and TNFα), preliminary research results open up the possibility of searching for new treatments for pSS. The lower percentage of patients with detectable levels of TNFα and IL6 may explain the ineffectiveness of drugs targeting cytokines in clinical trials to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Sebastian
- Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Marta Madej
- Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Gajdanowicz
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Sebastian
- Department of General, Minimally Invasive and Endocrine Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Anna Łuczak
- Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Marek Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Wiland
- Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
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15
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Zhou P. Emerging mechanisms and applications of low-dose IL-2 therapy in autoimmunity. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 67:80-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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16
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Zeng P, Liu W, Yang X, Zhang S, Du S, Fan Y, Zhao L, Wang A. Qing Zao Fang (QZF) Alleviates the Inflammatory Microenvironment of the Submandibular Gland in Sjögren's Syndrome Based on the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1 α/VEGF Signaling Pathway. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:6153459. [PMID: 35140821 PMCID: PMC8820932 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6153459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) which could lead to a disorder of our immune system is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by invading exocrine glands such as salivary glands and lacrimal glands and other exocrine glands. Its common symptom is dry mouth and dry eyes, often accompanied by a large number of lymphocyte infiltrations and can involve other organs to cause complex clinical manifestations. In this study, we aimed at investigating the effect of QZF in SS, identifying the molecular mechanism in modulating autoimmune response, and determining the important roles of these factors' function as a modulator in the pathogenesis of SS. The NOD mice were utilized to establish the rats' model of Sjögren's syndrome. After 10 weeks' hydroxychloroquine and QZF in different dose interference, submandibular gland tissue was collected. The therapeutic effect of QZF on SS rats was identified, and the results suggest the comparable potential to hydroxychloroquine. In submandibular gland tissue, interleukin- (IL-) 17 was significantly lower in high-dose QZF than that in SS rats and the focal lymphocytes were highly attenuated. Moreover, we found that PI3K/Akt signals were activated and the downstream HIF-1α/VEGF signals were enhanced in SS rats whose protein expression could be inhibited by QZF treatment. In addition, QZF could modulate autophagy in submandibular gland tissue and then inhibit the inflammation response and therefore facilitate the tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zeng
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Wei Liu
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Xiaochun Yang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China
| | - Shumin Zhang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Shaopeng Du
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Yihua Fan
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Longmei Zhao
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Aihua Wang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, 300381, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
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Song M, Tian J, Middleton B, Nguyen CQ, Kaufman DL. GABA Administration Ameliorates Sjogren’s Syndrome in Two Different Mouse Models. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10010129. [PMID: 35052808 PMCID: PMC8773584 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltrates in the salivary and lachrymal glands resulting in oral and ocular dryness. There are no clinically approved therapies to slow the progression of SS. Immune cells possess receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA (GABA-Rs) and their activation has immunoregulatory actions. We tested whether GABA administration has potential for amelioration of SS in NOD.B10-H2b and C57BL/6.NOD-Aec1Aec2 mice, two spontaneous SS models. Oral GABA treatment was initiated (1) after the development of sialadenitis but before the onset of overt symptoms, or (2) after the appearance of overt symptoms. When assessed weeks later, GABA-treated mice had greater saliva and tear production, as well as quicker times to salvia flow, in both SS mouse models. This was especially evident when GABA treatment was initiated after the onset of overt disease. This preservation of exocrine function was not accompanied by significant changes in the number or area of lymphocytic foci in the salivary or lachrymal glands of GABA-treated mice and we discuss the possible reasons for these observations. Given that GABA-treatment preserved saliva and tear production which are the most salient symptoms of SS and is safe for consumption, it may provide a new approach to help ameliorate SS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Song
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (M.S.); (J.T.); (B.M.)
| | - Jide Tian
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (M.S.); (J.T.); (B.M.)
| | - Blake Middleton
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (M.S.); (J.T.); (B.M.)
| | - Cuong Q. Nguyen
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Daniel L. Kaufman
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (M.S.); (J.T.); (B.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-310-794-9664
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18
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Abstract
Failure of regulatory T (Treg) cells to properly control immune responses leads invariably to autoimmunity and organ damage. Decreased numbers or impaired function of Treg cells, especially in the context of inflammation, has been documented in many human autoimmune diseases. Restoration of Treg cell fitness and/or expansion of their numbers using low-dose natural IL-2, the main cytokine driving Treg cell survival and function, has demonstrated clinical efficacy in early clinical trials. Genetically modified IL-2 with an extended half-life and increased selectivity for Treg cells is now in clinical development. Administration of IL-2 combined with therapies targeting other pathways involved in the expression of autoimmune diseases should further enhance its therapeutic potential. Ongoing clinical efforts that capitalize on the early clinical success of IL-2 treatment should bring the use of this cytokine to the forefront of biological treatments for autoimmune diseases.
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Abstract
Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a systemic autoimmune disease marked by xerostomia (dry mouth), keratoconjunctivitis sicca (eye dryness), and other systematic disorders. Its pathogenesis involves an inflammatory process that is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration into exocrine glands and other tissues. Although the development of ectopic lymphoid tissue and overproduction of autoantibodies by hyperactive B cells suggest that they may promote SjS development, treatment directed towards them fails to induce significant laboratory or clinical improvement. T cells are overwhelming infiltrators in most phases of the disease, and the involvement of multiple T cell subsets of suggests the extraordinary complexity of SjS pathogenesis. The factors, including various cellular subtypes and molecules, regulate the activation and suppression of T cells. T cell activation induces inflammatory cell infiltration, B cell activation, tissue damage, and metabolic changes in SjS. Knowledge of the pathways that link these T cell subtypes and regulation of their activities are not completely understood. This review comprehensively summarizes the research progress and our understanding of T cells in SjS, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ TRM cells, and innate T cells, to provide insights into for clinical treatment.
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20
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Chen Y, Dana R. Autoimmunity in dry eye disease - An updated review of evidence on effector and memory Th17 cells in disease pathogenicity. Autoimmun Rev 2021; 20:102933. [PMID: 34509656 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The classic Th1/Th2 dogma has been significantly reshaped since the subsequent introduction of several new T helper cell subsets, among which the most intensively investigated during the last decade is the Th17 lineage that demonstrates critical pathogenic roles in autoimmunity and chronic inflammation - including the highly prevalent dry eye disease. In this review, we summarize current concepts of Th17-mediated disruption of ocular surface immune homeostasis that leads to autoimmune inflammatory dry eye disease, by discussing the induction, activation, differentiation, migration, and function of effector Th17 cells in disease development, highlighting the phenotypic and functional plasticity of Th17 lineage throughout the disease initiation, perpetuation and sustention. Furthermore, we emphasize the most recent advance in Th17 memory formation and function in the chronic course of dry eye disease, a major area to be better understood for facilitating the development of effective treatments in a broader field of autoimmune diseases that usually present a chronic course with recurrent episodes of flare in the target tissues or organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihe Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Reza Dana
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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21
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Li N, Li L, Wu M, Li Y, Yang J, Wu Y, Xu H, Luo D, Gao Y, Fei X, Jiang L. Integrated Bioinformatics and Validation Reveal Potential Biomarkers Associated With Progression of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome. Front Immunol 2021; 12:697157. [PMID: 34367157 PMCID: PMC8343000 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.697157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease of the exocrine glands characterized by specific pathological features. Previous studies have pointed out that salivary glands from pSS patients express a unique profile of cytokines, adhesion molecules, and chemokines compared to those from healthy controls. However, there is limited evidence supporting the utility of individual markers for different stages of pSS. This study aimed to explore potential biomarkers associated with pSS disease progression and analyze the associations between key genes and immune cells. Methods We combined our own RNA sequencing data with pSS datasets from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) via bioinformatics analysis. Salivary gland biopsies were collected from 14 pSS patients, 6 non-pSS patients, and 6 controls. Histochemical staining and transmission electron micrographs (TEM) were performed to macroscopically and microscopically characterize morphological features of labial salivary glands in different disease stages. Then, we performed quantitative PCR to validate hub genes. Finally, we analyzed correlations between selected hub genes and immune cells using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Results We identified twenty-eight DEGs that were upregulated in pSS patients compared to healthy controls. These were mainly involved in immune-related pathways and infection-related pathways. According to the morphological features of minor salivary glands, severe interlobular and periductal lymphocytic infiltrates, acinar atrophy and collagen in the interstitium, nuclear shrinkage, and microscopic organelle swelling were observed with pSS disease progression. Hub genes based on above twenty-eight DEGs, including MS4A1, CD19, TCL1A, CCL19, CXCL9, CD3G, and CD3D, were selected as potential biomarkers and verified by RT-PCR. Expression of these genes was correlated with T follicular helper cells, memory B cells and M1 macrophages. Conclusion Using transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis combined with our clinical data, we identified seven key genes that have potential value for evaluating pSS severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Li
- Department of Stomatology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyao Wu
- Department of Stomatology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yusi Li
- Department of Stomatology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Core Facility of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yicheng Wu
- Core Facility of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haimin Xu
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Danyang Luo
- Department of Stomatology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiming Gao
- Department of Stomatology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochun Fei
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liting Jiang
- Department of Stomatology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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22
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Wang Y, Xiao J, Duan Y, Miao M, Huang B, Chen J, Cheng G, Zhou X, Jin Y, He J, Li Z, So KF. Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Ameliorates Sjögren's Syndrome in a Murine Model. Mol Nutr Food Res 2021; 65:e2001118. [PMID: 33825332 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202001118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS AND RESULTS Non-obese diabetic mice (the pSS model) are randomly divided into four groups: Low dose LBP (LBP.L, 5 mg kg-1 d-1 ), high dose LBP (10 mg kg-1 d-1 ), low dose interleukin (IL)-2 (25 000 IU/d), and control (saline water). Drugs were treated for 12 weeks. LBP.L significantly reduces the salivary gland inflammation compared with the control group (histological score p LBP.L vs Control = 0.019; foci number: p LBP.L vs Control = 0.038). LBP.L also remarkably reduces the effector follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and the CD4+ IL-17A+ helper T (Th17) cells in both spleen and cervical lymph node (cLN) cells. Additionally, the ratios of regulatory T cell (Treg)/Tfh cells and Treg/Th17 cells are substantially increased in mice treated with LBP.L in both spleen and cLNs. LBP also inhibits Th17 and Tfh cells and markedly increases the Treg/Tfh ratio in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CONCLUSION LBP.L inhibits the progression of pSS in mice, associated with modulation of T cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Xiao
- Clinical Research Institute and Department of Interventional Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuchen Duan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Miao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiali Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Gong Cheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xingyu Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuebo Jin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing He
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhanguo Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- GMH Institute of Central Nervous System Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Hu P, Ming B, Wu X, Cai S, Tang J, Dong Y, Zhou T, Tan Z, Zhong J, Zheng F, Dong L. Intratracheal Poly(I:C) Exposure Accelerates the Immunological Disorder of Salivary Glands in Sjogren's-Like NOD/ShiLtJ Mice. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:645816. [PMID: 33928105 PMCID: PMC8076562 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.645816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidences have suggested that Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is associated with viral infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of respiratory viral poly(I:C) in the pathogenesis of SS and potential mechanisms using a SS-like NOD/ShiLtJ (NOD) mouse model. 5-week female NOD mice were intratracheally administered poly(I:C) every other day for 5 times to mimic viral infection. Pilocarpine induced saliva secretion was determined every 8 days. Submandibular glands (SMG) and lungs were harvested for the detection of pathological changes. We found that intratracheal administration of poly(I:C) significantly advanced and enhanced the reduction of saliva flow rate in NOD mice. Furthermore, poly(I:C) treatment aggravated the histopathological lesions and inflammatory cells infiltration in SMG. Accompanied by elevated expression of IFN cytokines and IL-33, Th1 activation was enhanced in SMG of poly(I:C)-treated NOD mice, but Th17 cells activation was unchanged among the groups. In addition, intratracheal poly(I:C) exposure promoted the expression of IL-33 and increased T cells proportion in the lung, which were consistent with the change in SMG. Therefore, intratracheal poly(I:C) exposure aggravated the immunological and function disorder of SMG in NOD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bingxia Ming
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuefen Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaozhe Cai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jungen Tang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanji Dong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tianshu Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Tan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jixin Zhong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Zheng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingli Dong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Jones DM, Read KA, Oestreich KJ. Dynamic Roles for IL-2-STAT5 Signaling in Effector and Regulatory CD4 + T Cell Populations. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 205:1721-1730. [PMID: 32958706 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
CD4+ Th cells are responsible for orchestrating diverse, pathogen-specific immune responses through their differentiation into a number of subsets, including TH1, TH2, TH9, T follicular helper, T follicular regulatory, and regulatory T cells. The differentiation of each subset is guided by distinct regulatory requirements, including those derived from extracellular cytokine signals. IL-2 has emerged as a critical immunomodulatory cytokine that both positively and negatively affects the differentiation of individual Th cell subsets. IL-2 signals are propagated, in part, via activation of STAT5, which functions as a key regulator of CD4+ T cell gene programs. In this review, we discuss current understanding of the mechanisms that allow IL-2-STAT5 signaling to exert divergent effects across CD4+ T cell subsets and highlight specific roles for this pathway in the regulation of individual Th cell differentiation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin M Jones
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210; and.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Kaitlin A Read
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210; and.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Kenneth J Oestreich
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210; and
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25
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Zhao Y, Liu Z, Qin L, Wang T, Bai O. Insights into the mechanisms of Th17 differentiation and the Yin-Yang of Th17 cells in human diseases. Mol Immunol 2021; 134:109-117. [PMID: 33756352 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Th17 cells are a lineage of CD4+ T helper cells with Th17-specific transcription factors RORγt and RoRα. Since its discovery in 2005, research on Th17 has been in rapid progress, and increasing cytokines or transcription factors have been uncovered in the activation and differentiation of Th17 cells. Furthermore, growing evidence proves there are two different subsets of Th17 cells, namely non-pathogenic Th17 (non-pTh17) and pathogenic Th17 (pTh17), both of which play important roles in adaptive immunity, especially in host defenses, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In this review, we summarize and discuss the mechanisms of Th17 cells differentiation, and their roles in immunity and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangzhi Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Zhongshan Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Lei Qin
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Tiejun Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Ou Bai
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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26
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Schinocca C, Rizzo C, Fasano S, Grasso G, La Barbera L, Ciccia F, Guggino G. Role of the IL-23/IL-17 Pathway in Rheumatic Diseases: An Overview. Front Immunol 2021; 12:637829. [PMID: 33692806 PMCID: PMC7937623 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.637829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine composed of two subunits, IL-23A (p19) and IL-12/23B (p40), the latter shared with Interleukin-12 (IL-12). IL-23 is mainly produced by macrophages and dendritic cells, in response to exogenous or endogenous signals, and drives the differentiation and activation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells with subsequent production of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-6, IL-22, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Although IL-23 plays a pivotal role in the protective immune response to bacterial and fungal infections, its dysregulation has been shown to exacerbate chronic immune-mediated inflammation. Well-established experimental data support the concept that IL-23/IL-17 axis activation contributes to the development of several inflammatory diseases, such as PsA, Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis; AS, Ankylosing Spondylitis; IBD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease; RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis; SS, Sjogren Syndrome; MS, Multiple Sclerosis. As a result, emerging clinical studies have focused on the blockade of this pathogenic axis as a promising therapeutic target in several autoimmune disorders; nevertheless, a greater understanding of its contribution still requires further investigation. This review aims to elucidate the most recent studies and literature data on the pathogenetic role of IL-23 and Th17 cells in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Schinocca
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Palermo, Italy
| | - Chiara Rizzo
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Palermo, Italy
| | - Serena Fasano
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Grasso
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lidia La Barbera
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Ciccia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuliana Guggino
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, Palermo, Italy
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27
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Hong X, Meng S, Tang D, Wang T, Ding L, Yu H, Li H, Liu D, Dai Y, Yang M. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals the Expansion of Cytotoxic CD4 + T Lymphocytes and a Landscape of Immune Cells in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome. Front Immunol 2021; 11:594658. [PMID: 33603736 PMCID: PMC7884617 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.594658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease, and its pathogenetic mechanism is far from being understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to pathogenesis of this disease. Methods We applied single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to 57,288 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from five patients with pSS and five healthy controls. The immune cell subsets and susceptibility genes involved in the pathogenesis of pSS were analyzed. Flow cytometry was preformed to verify the result of scRNA-seq. Results We identified two subpopulations significantly expand in pSS patients. The one highly expressing cytotoxicity genes is named as CD4+ CTLs cytotoxic T lymphocyte, and another highly expressing T cell receptor (TCR) variable gene is named as CD4+ TRAV13-2+ T cell. Flow cytometry results showed the percentages of CD4+ CTLs, which were profiled with CD4+ and GZMB+ staining; the total T cells of 10 patients with pSS were significantly higher than those of 10 healthy controls (P= 0.008). The expression level of IL-1β in macrophages, TCL1A in B cells, as well as interferon (IFN) response genes in most cell subsets was upregulated in the patients with pSS. Susceptibility genes including HLA-DRB5, CTLA4, and AQP3 were highly expressed in patients with pSS. Conclusions Our data revealed disease-specific immune cell subsets and provided some potential new targets of pSS. Specific expansion of CD4+ CTLs may be involved in the pathogenesis of pSS, which might give valuable insights for therapeutic interventions of pSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Hong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Southern Medical University, Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuhui Meng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Donge Tang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Liping Ding
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Haiyan Yu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Dongzhou Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong Dai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Clinical Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Autoimmune Disease Precision Medicine, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Southern Medical University, Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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28
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van Beers JJ, Damoiseaux JG. Immune Monitoring upon Treatment with Biologics in Sjögren's Syndrome: The What, Where, When, and How. Biomolecules 2021; 11:116. [PMID: 33467204 PMCID: PMC7830440 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the years, a wide variety of therapeutic antibodies has been successfully introduced in the auto-immunology clinic, and many more are on the way. Many of these treatments address either a pathogenic circulating molecule or a cell-bound molecule. Whereas addressing the former target results in neutralization of the soluble factor and binding to the latter target either inhibits cellular function or induces selective cell death. If this targeted molecule or cell is part of the immune system, this therapy evokes a state of immunodeficiency with infections as a possible consequence. Therefore, immune monitoring is needed to prevent such adverse side effects of immunotherapy. In this paper, different immunotherapies used in Sjögren's syndrome, as well as different approaches to monitoring the immune system, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce J.B.C. van Beers
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory Maastricht University Medical Center, Laboratory Specialist in Medical Immunology and Clinical Chemistry, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan G.M.C. Damoiseaux
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory Maastricht University Medical Center, Laboratory Specialist in Medical Immunology, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands;
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29
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Ríos-Ríos WDJ, Sosa-Luis SA, Torres-Aguilar H. T Cells Subsets in the Immunopathology and Treatment of Sjogren's Syndrome. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1539. [PMID: 33187265 PMCID: PMC7698113 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sjogren´s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease whose pathogenesis is characterized by an exacerbated T cell infiltration in exocrine glands, markedly associated to the inflammatory and detrimental features as well as the disease progression. Several helper T cell subsets sequentially converge at different stages of the ailment, becoming involved in specific pathologic roles. Initially, their activated phenotype endows them with high migratory properties and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in target tissues. Later, the accumulation of immunomodulatory T cells-derived factors, such as IL-17, IFN-γ, or IL-21, preserve the inflammatory environment. These effects favor strong B cell activation, instigating an extrafollicular antibody response in ectopic lymphoid structures mediated by T follicular helper cells (Tfh) and leading to disease progression. Additionally, the memory effector phenotype of CD8+ T cells present in SS patients suggests that the presence of auto-antigen restricted CD8+ T cells might trigger time-dependent and specific immune responses. Regarding the protective roles of traditional regulatory T cells (Treg), uncertain evidence shows decrease or invariable numbers of circulating and infiltrating cells. Nevertheless, an emerging Treg subset named follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) seems to play a critical protective role owing to their deficiency that enhances SS development. In this review, the authors summarize the current knowledge of T cells subsets contribution to the SS immunopathology, focusing on the cellular and biomolecular properties allowing them to infiltrate and to harm target tissues, and that simultaneously make them key therapeutic targets for SS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- William de Jesús Ríos-Ríos
- Department of Clinical Immunology Research of Biochemical Sciences Faculty, Universidad Autónoma “Benito Juárez” de Oaxaca, Oaxaca City 68120, Mexico;
| | - Sorely Adelina Sosa-Luis
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Honorio Torres-Aguilar
- Department of Clinical Immunology Research of Biochemical Sciences Faculty, Universidad Autónoma “Benito Juárez” de Oaxaca, Oaxaca City 68120, Mexico;
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30
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Wang D, Lei L. Interleukin-35 regulates the balance of Th17 and Treg responses during the pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases. Int J Rheum Dis 2020; 24:21-27. [PMID: 32918357 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-35 belongs to the IL-12 cytokine family and is a heterodimer of the p35 and Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) subunits. Functionally, IL-35 can promote the proliferation and activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppress the function of T helper 17 (Th17) cells and other inflammatory cells to inhibit immune responses. In recent years, an abnormal IL-35 expression causing a Th17/Treg imbalance has been associated with the development and progression of several connective tissue diseases (CTDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), dermatomyositis (DM)/polymyositis (PM), and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Here, we review the role of IL-35 in regulating the balance of Th17/Treg responses in different types of CTDs and provide new insights into the role of IL-35 in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Ling Lei
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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31
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The Increased Ratio of Blood CD56 bright NK to CD56 dim NK Is a Distinguishing Feature of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome. J Immunol Res 2020; 2020:7523914. [PMID: 32695834 PMCID: PMC7368214 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7523914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to characterize the subsets of circulating CD56+ NK cells in pSS patients and their potential value in the diagnosis and/or prediction of prognosis in patients with pSS. Methods We included 52 pSS patients fulfilling the 2002 AECG criteria or 2012 ACR criteria and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. The frequency and absolute number of NK cells and CD56 NK cell subsets in peripheral blood samples were detected by flow cytometry. Other laboratory parameters such as the IgG level and complement protein levels were extracted from the clinical system. Results Both the frequency and the absolute number of peripheral blood NK cells were reduced in pSS patients compared to healthy controls. The proportion of CD56bright NK cell subset was increased, and the proportion of CD56dim NK cell subset was decreased among NK cells, resulting in the ratio of CD56bright NK to CD56dim NK which was significantly elevated in pSS patients. ROC analysis indicated that the AUC of CD56bright NK/CD56dim NK ratio was 0.838, and the best diagnostic cut-off point was 0.0487 for pSS patients. Furthermore, this CD56bright NK/CD56dim NK ratio was positively correlated with the IgG level and negatively correlated with the complement protein C3 and C4 levels. More importantly, the CD56bright/CD56dim NK ratio was either slightly increased or not changed in other autoimmune diseases such as SLE and IgG4-related disease. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the ratio of blood CD56bright NK to CD56dim NK might have a diagnostic value relatively specific for pSS.
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32
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Ridley ML, Fleskens V, Roberts CA, Lalnunhlimi S, Alnesf A, O'Byrne AM, Steel KJA, Povoleri GAM, Sumner J, Lavender P, Taams LS. IKZF3/Aiolos Is Associated with but Not Sufficient for the Expression of IL-10 by CD4 + T Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2020; 204:2940-2948. [PMID: 32321757 PMCID: PMC7231851 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The expression of anti-inflammatory IL-10 by CD4+ T cells is indispensable for immune homeostasis, as it allows T cells to moderate their effector function. We previously showed that TNF-α blockade during T cell stimulation in CD4+ T cell/monocyte cocultures resulted in maintenance of IL-10-producing T cells and identified IKZF3 as a putative regulator of IL-10. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that IKZF3 is a transcriptional regulator of IL-10 using a human CD4+ T cell-only culture system. IL-10+ CD4+ T cells expressed the highest levels of IKZF3 both ex vivo and after activation compared with IL-10-CD4+ T cells. Pharmacological targeting of IKZF3 with the drug lenalidomide showed that IKZF3 is required for anti-CD3/CD28 mAb-mediated induction of IL-10 but is dispensable for ex vivo IL-10 expression. However, overexpression of IKZF3 was unable to upregulate IL-10 at the mRNA or protein level in CD4+ T cells and did not drive the transcription of the IL10 promoter or putative local enhancer constructs. Collectively, these data indicate that IKZF3 is associated with but not sufficient for IL-10 expression in CD4+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Ridley
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Veerle Fleskens
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Ceri A Roberts
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Sylvine Lalnunhlimi
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Aldana Alnesf
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Aoife M O'Byrne
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn J A Steel
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni A M Povoleri
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Sumner
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom; and
| | - Paul Lavender
- MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Leonie S Taams
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom;
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33
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Qu M, Qi X, Wang Q, Wan L, Li J, Li W, Li Y, Zhou Q. Therapeutic Effects of STAT3 Inhibition on Experimental Murine Dry Eye. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020; 60:3776-3785. [PMID: 31503282 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-26928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the therapeutic effects of targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) activation on the ocular surface damage of dry eye in mice. Methods Adult Balb/C and C57BL/6 mice with benzalkonium chloride (BAC) treatment, lacrimal gland excision, and meibomian gland dysfunction were used as dry eye models. The levels of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) were detected with immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. STAT3 inhibition was performed by topical application of STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201. Corneal epithelial barrier function, tear production, and conjunctival goblet cell density were quantified with fluorescein sodium staining, phenol red cotton test, and histochemical staining. The expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3/9, TUNEL, and inflammation cytokines were assessed with immunofluorescence staining, qPCR, and ELISA assays. The therapeutic effect of S3I-201 was further compared with the Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib and ruxolitinib. Results Elevated levels of nuclear p-STAT3 were detected in the corneal and conjunctival epithelium of three dry eye models. Topical application of S3I-201 improved corneal epithelial barrier function, increased tear production and conjunctival goblet cell density in BAC-induced dry eye mice. Moreover, S3I-201 decreased the expression of MMP-3/9, suppressed the apoptosis of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells, and reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and IFN-γ. Compared with tofacitinib and ruxolitinib, the STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201 showed superior improvement of tear production and inflammatory cytokine expression in lacrimal gland. Conclusions Elevated STAT3 activation is involved in the pathogenesis of dry eye, while targeting STAT3 effectively alleviates BAC-induced ocular surface damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Qu
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Xia Qi
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Lei Wan
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Wei Li
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yingli Li
- Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qingjun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
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Mavragani CP, Moutsopoulos HM. Sjögren's syndrome: Old and new therapeutic targets. J Autoimmun 2019; 110:102364. [PMID: 31831255 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a prototype autoimmune disease characterized by oral and ocular mucosal dryness following chronic inflammation of salivary and lachrymal glands, respectively. Profound B cell hyperactivity along with systemic manifestations including fatigue, musculoskeletal complaints, features related to hepatic, pulmonary, renal and nervous system involvement, as well as lymphoma development can be also present. Despite that activation of both innate and adaptive immune pathways has been long well documented in SS pathogenesis, systemic immunosuppression in SS, in contrast to other autoimmune diseases, has been largely inefficacious. Biological agents previously implemented in successful therapeutic outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), such as anti-TNF agents, anakinra, tocilizumab and rituximab failed to reach primary outcomes in randomized double-blind controlled trials in the context of SS. Abatacept and belimumab, already licensed for the treatment of RA and lupus respectively, as well combination regimens of both rituximab and belimumab hold some promise in alleviation of SS-specific complaints, but data from large controlled trials are awaited. Recent advances in dissecting the molecular pathways underlying SS pathogenesis led to an expanding number of novel biological compounds directed towards type I interferon system, antigen presentation, costimulatory pathways, B and T cell activation, as well as germinal center formation. While targeting of cathepsin-S (Petesicatib), inducible costimulator of T cells ligand (prezalumab), and lymphotoxin beta receptor (baminercept) failed to fulfil the primary outcome measures, preliminary results from two randomized placebo controlled trials on CD40 blockade (Iscalimab) and B-cell activating factor receptor (Ianalumab) inhibition resulted in significant reduction of SS disease activity, with a favorable so far safety profile. Results from administration of other kinase inhibitors, a transmembrane activator and calcium-modulator and cytophilin ligand interactor TACI fusion protein (RC18), as well as low dose recombinant interleukin-2 to expand T-regulatory cells are currently awaited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clio P Mavragani
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Ding T, Niu H, Zhao X, Gao C, Li X, Wang C. T-Follicular Regulatory Cells: Potential Therapeutic Targets in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2709. [PMID: 31849938 PMCID: PMC6901970 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an incurable aggressive chronic inflammatory joint disease with a worldwide prevalence. High levels of autoantibodies and chronic inflammation may be involved in the pathology. Notably, T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells are critical mediators of T follicular helper (Tfh) cell generation and antibody production in the germinal center (GC) reaction. Changes in the number and function of Tfr cells may lead to dysregulation of the GC reaction and the production of aberrant autoantibodies. Regulation of the function and number of Tfr cells could be an effective strategy for precisely controlling antibody production, reestablishing immune homeostasis, and thereby improving the outcome of RA. This review summarizes advances in our understanding of the biology and functions of Tfr cells. The involvement of Tfr cells and other immune cell subsets in RA is also discussed. Furthermore, we highlight the potential therapeutic targets related to Tfr cells and restoring the Tfr/Tfh balance via cytokines, microRNAs, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, and the gut microbiota, which will facilitate further research on RA and other immune-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ding
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hongqing Niu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiangcong Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chong Gao
- Pathology, Joint Program in Transfusion Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Caihong Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Jing R, Qi T, Wen C, Yue J, Wang G, Pei C, Ma B. Interleukin-2 induces extracellular matrix synthesis and TGF-β2 expression in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Dev Growth Differ 2019; 61:410-418. [PMID: 31608440 PMCID: PMC6899885 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Macular fibrosis is a vital obstacle of vision acuity improvement of age‐related macular degeneration patients. This study was to investigate the effects of interleukin 2 (IL‐2) on epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and transforming growth factor β2 (TGF‐β2) expression in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. 10 μg/L IL‐2 was used to induce fibrosis in RPE cells for various times. Western blot was used to detect the EMT marker α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), ECM markers fibronectin (Fn) and type 1 collagen (COL‐1), TGF‐β2, and the activation of the JAK/STAT3 and NF‐κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, JAK/STAT3 and NF‐κB signaling pathways were specifically blocked by WP1066 or BAY11‐7082, respectively, and the expression of α‐SMA, COL‐1, Fn and TGF‐β2 protein were detected. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to measure cell migration ability of IL‐2 with or without WP1066 or BAY11‐7082. After induction of IL‐2, the expressions of Fn, COL‐1, TGF‐β2 protein were significantly increased, and this effect was correlated with IL‐2 treatment duration, while α‐SMA protein expression did not change significantly. Both WP1066 and BAY11‐7082 could effectively downregulate the expression of Fn, COL‐1 and TGF‐β2 induced by IL‐2. What's more, both NF‐κB and JAK/STAT3 inhibitors could suppress the activation of the other signaling pathway. Additionally, JAK/STAT3 inhibitor WP1066 and NF‐κB inhibitor BAY 11‐7082 could obviously decrease RPE cells migration capability induced by IL‐2. IL‐2 promotes cell migration, ECM synthesis and TGF‐β2 expression in RPE cells via JAK/STAT3 and NF‐κB signaling pathways, which may play an important role in proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihua Jing
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tiantian Qi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chan Wen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiaqi Yue
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guangyan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Cheng Pei
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bo Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Shao Q, Gao H. Progress in interleukin-2 therapy for rheumatic immune diseases by regulating the immune balance of T cells. Scand J Immunol 2019; 90:e12822. [PMID: 31494958 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Breaking the balance between effector T cells, including Th17 (T helper cell 17) cells, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) is a key link in the pathogenesis of rheumatic immune diseases, which lead to a new concept of regulating immune balance in the treatment of rheumatic immune diseases. Interleukin (IL)-2 can effectively regulate the differentiation, development and functional activity of regulatory T cells, thus restoring the immune balance between regulatory T cells and effector T cells. Therefore, low-dose IL-2 has been used in the treatment of rheumatic immune diseases, and it has become a promising new choice to achieve therapeutic purpose by regulating the immune balance of T cell. Here, we discuss the role of T cells immune imbalance in the pathogenesis of rheumatic immune diseases and the mechanism of IL-2 in the treatment of rheumatic immune diseases by regulating T cells immune balance and summarize the relevant clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Shao
- Department of Rheumatology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongyan Gao
- Department of Rheumatology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
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Skarlis C, Marketos N, Mavragani CP. Biologics in Sjögren's syndrome. Pharmacol Res 2019; 147:104389. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshio Odani
- Adeno-Associated Virus Biology Section, Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John A. Chiorini
- Adeno-Associated Virus Biology Section, Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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