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Lin Q, Zhang C, Huang H, Bai Z, Liu J, Zhang Y, Li X, Wang G. TLR2 reprograms glucose metabolism in CD4 + T cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients to mediate cell hyperactivation and TNF-α secretion. Clin Rheumatol 2024; 43:3537-3549. [PMID: 39356380 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-024-07125-w] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease in which activated CD4+ T cells participate in the disease process by inducing inflammation. We aimed to investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) on CD4+ T cells in RA patients, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which TLR2 contributes to the pathogenesis of RA. METHODS Serum samples were collected from RA patients and healthy controls. Soluble TLR2 levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry was employed to assess the TLR2 expression level, activation status, cytokine production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and glucose uptake capacity of CD4+ T cells. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure the expression of enzymes associated with glucose and lipid metabolism. The concentration of lactic acid in the culture supernatant was determined using a dedicated detection kit. RESULTS RA patients had higher levels of TLR2 in their serum, which positively correlated with C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor. The expression level of TLR2 in CD4+ T cells of RA patients was increased, and TLR2+ cells showed higher activation levels than TLR2- cells. Activation of TLR2 in CD4+ T cells of RA patients promoted their activation, TNF-α secretion, and increased production of ROS. Furthermore, TLR2 activation led to changes in enzymes related to glucose metabolism, causing a shift in glucose metabolism towards the pentose phosphate pathway. Blocking oxidative phosphorylation and the pentose phosphate pathway had varying effects on CD4+ T cell function. CONCLUSION TLR2 reprograms the glucose metabolism of CD4+ T cells in RA patients, contributing to the development of RA through ROS-mediated cell hyperactivation and TNF-α secretion. Key Points • TLR2 is upregulated in CD4+ T cells of RA patients and correlates with disease severity markers such as CRP and RF. • Activation of TLR2 in CD4+ T cells promotes cell activation, TNF-α secretion, and increased ROS production, contributing to the pathogenesis of RA. • TLR2 activates glucose metabolism in CD4+ T cells, shifting towards the pentose phosphate pathway, which may be a novel therapeutic target for RA treatment. • Blocking glucose metabolism and ROS production can reduce CD4 + T cell hyperactivation and TNF-α secretion, indicating potential therapeutic strategies for RA management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Lin
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Huina Huang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ziran Bai
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jiaqing Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| | - Guan Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
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Graham JP, Zhang Y, He L, Gonzalez-Fernandez T. CRISPR-GEM: A Novel Machine Learning Model for CRISPR Genetic Target Discovery and Evaluation. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:3413-3429. [PMID: 39375864 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR gene editing strategies are shaping cell therapies through precise and tunable control over gene expression. However, limitations in safely delivering high quantities of CRISPR machinery demand careful target gene selection to achieve reliable therapeutic effects. Informed target gene selection requires a thorough understanding of the involvement of target genes in gene regulatory networks (GRNs) and thus their impact on cell phenotype. Effective decoding of these complex networks has been achieved using machine learning models, but current techniques are limited to single cell types and focus mainly on transcription factors, limiting their applicability to CRISPR strategies. To address this, we present CRISPR-GEM, a multilayer perceptron (MLP) based synthetic GRN constructed to accurately predict the downstream effects of CRISPR gene editing. First, input and output nodes are identified as differentially expressed genes between defined experimental and target cell/tissue types, respectively. Then, MLP training learns regulatory relationships in a black-box approach allowing accurate prediction of output gene expression using only input gene expression. Finally, CRISPR-mimetic perturbations are made to each input gene individually, and the resulting model predictions are compared to those for the target group to score and assess each input gene as a CRISPR candidate. The top scoring genes provided by CRISPR-GEM therefore best modulate experimental group GRNs to motivate transcriptomic shifts toward a target group phenotype. This machine learning model is the first of its kind for predicting optimal CRISPR target genes and serves as a powerful tool for enhanced CRISPR strategies across a range of cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P Graham
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Lifang He
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
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Zandhuis ND, Guislain A, Popalzij A, Engels S, Popović B, Turner M, Wolkers MC. Regulation of IFN-γ production by ZFP36L2 in T cells is time-dependent. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2451018. [PMID: 38980256 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202451018] [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: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
CD8+ T cells kill target cells by releasing cytotoxic molecules and proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF and IFN-γ. The magnitude and duration of cytokine production are defined by posttranscriptional regulation, and critical regulator herein are RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Although the functional importance of RBPs in regulating cytokine production is established, the kinetics and mode of action through which RBPs control cytokine production are not well understood. Previously, we showed that the RBP ZFP36L2 blocks the translation of preformed cytokine encoding mRNA in quiescent memory T cells. Here, we uncover that ZFP36L2 regulates cytokine production in a time-dependent manner. T cell-specific deletion of ZFP36L2 (CD4-cre) had no effect on T-cell development or cytokine production during early time points (2-6 h) of T-cell activation. In contrast, ZFP36L2 specifically dampened the production of IFN-γ during prolonged T-cell activation (20-48 h). ZFP36L2 deficiency also resulted in increased production of IFN-γ production in tumor-infiltrating T cells that are chronically exposed to antigens. Mechanistically, ZFP36L2 regulates IFN-γ production at late time points of activation by destabilizing Ifng mRNA in an AU-rich element-dependent manner. Together, our results reveal that ZFP36L2 employs different regulatory nodules in effector and memory T cells to regulate cytokine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nordin D Zandhuis
- Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Department of Research, T cell differentiation Lab, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity, Cancer center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aurélie Guislain
- Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Department of Research, T cell differentiation Lab, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity, Cancer center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Abeera Popalzij
- Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Department of Research, T cell differentiation Lab, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity, Cancer center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Engels
- Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Department of Research, T cell differentiation Lab, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity, Cancer center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Branka Popović
- Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Department of Research, T cell differentiation Lab, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity, Cancer center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Turner
- Immunology Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Monika C Wolkers
- Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Department of Research, T cell differentiation Lab, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection & Immunity, Cancer center Amsterdam, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Talib M, Gyebrovszki B, Bőgér D, Csomor R, Mészáros A, Fodor A, Rojkovich B, Sármay G. Helper T Cells are Hyperactive and Contribute to the Dysregulation of Antibody Production in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:10190. [PMID: 39337675 PMCID: PMC11431999 DOI: 10.3390/ijms251810190] [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: 08/24/2024] [Revised: 09/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease, mediated by a complex interaction between B cells and various subsets of T cells. Dysfunction of helper T (Th) and regulatory T (Treg) cells may contribute to the breakdown of self-tolerance and the progression of autoimmune disease. In this study, we investigated the activity of Th and Treg cells on the differentiation of autologous B cells in vitro using cell cultures from the peripheral blood of healthy controls (HCs) and RA patients. The expressions of programmed death 1 (PD-1) and IL-21 were monitored as activation markers for Th cells. Unstimulated Th cells from RA patients showed remarkably higher PD-1 expression than HC samples. Stimulation of Th cells from RA patients with Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) in the presence of B cells significantly induced their PD-1 and IL-21 expression at a considerably higher level in RA compared to HCs, and Treg cells did not affect IL-21 production. When monitoring B-cell differentiation, a significantly higher frequency of plasma cells was observed, even in unstimulated samples of RA patients compared to HCs. In the SEB-stimulated co-cultures of the RA samples, plasma cell frequency and IgG production were considerably higher than in HCs and were not significantly affected by Tregs. These findings demonstrate that Th cells are constitutively active in RA, and their hyperactivity upon interaction with diseased B cells may lead to uncontrolled antibody production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Talib
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1053 Budapest, Hungary; (M.T.); (B.G.); (D.B.); (R.C.); (A.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Balázs Gyebrovszki
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1053 Budapest, Hungary; (M.T.); (B.G.); (D.B.); (R.C.); (A.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Dorottya Bőgér
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1053 Budapest, Hungary; (M.T.); (B.G.); (D.B.); (R.C.); (A.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Réka Csomor
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1053 Budapest, Hungary; (M.T.); (B.G.); (D.B.); (R.C.); (A.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Anna Mészáros
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1053 Budapest, Hungary; (M.T.); (B.G.); (D.B.); (R.C.); (A.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Anna Fodor
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1053 Budapest, Hungary; (M.T.); (B.G.); (D.B.); (R.C.); (A.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Bernadette Rojkovich
- Rheumatology-Rehabilitation Department, Buda Hospital of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God, 1027 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Gabriella Sármay
- Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, 1053 Budapest, Hungary; (M.T.); (B.G.); (D.B.); (R.C.); (A.M.); (A.F.)
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Nga HT, Nguyen TL, Yi HS. T-Cell Senescence in Human Metabolic Diseases. Diabetes Metab J 2024; 48:864-881. [PMID: 39192822 PMCID: PMC11449820 DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2024.0140] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunosenescence denotes a state of dysregulated immune cell function characterized by a confluence of factors, including arrested cell cycle, telomere shortening, markers of cellular stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of proteostasis, epigenetic reprogramming, and secretion of proinflammatory mediators. This state primarily manifests during the aging process but can also be induced in various pathological conditions, encompassing chronic viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders. Age-associated immune system alterations extend to innate and adaptive immune cells, with T-cells exhibiting heightened susceptibility to immunosenescence. In particular, senescent T-cells have been identified in the context of metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Recent investigations suggest a direct link between T-cell senescence, inflammation, and insulin resistance. The perturbation of biological homeostasis by senescent T-cells appears intricately linked to the initiation and progression of metabolic diseases, particularly through inflammation-mediated insulin resistance. Consequently, senescent T-cells are emerging as a noteworthy therapeutic target. This review aims to elucidate the intricate relationship between metabolic diseases and T-cell senescence, providing insights into the potential roles of senescent T-cells in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. Through a comprehensive examination of current research findings, this review seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between immunosenescence and metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Thi Nga
- Laboratory of Endocrinology and Immune System, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Thi Linh Nguyen
- Laboratory of Endocrinology and Immune System, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hyon-Seung Yi
- Laboratory of Endocrinology and Immune System, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
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Yue SY, Niu D, Ma WM, Guan Y, Liu QS, Wang XB, Xiao YZ, Meng J, Ding K, Zhang L, Du HX, Liang CZ. The CXCL10/CXCR3 axis regulates Th1 cell differentiation and migration in experimental autoimmune prostatitis through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Andrology 2024; 12:1408-1418. [PMID: 38095276 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of the CXCL10/CXCR3 axis regulating Th1 cell differentiation and migration through the PI3K/AKT pathway in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). METHODS Experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) model, a well-described and validated animal model of CP/CPPS, was used in our study. After treatment with CXCL10, the severity of EAP and Th1 cell proportion were respectively measured by HE stains, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Then, the protein expression of the PI3K/AKT pathway in CXCL10/CXCR3-regulated Th1 cell differentiation and migration was evaluated by western blotting. Additionally, by the CXCR3 antagonist AMG487 and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 applications, the effects of CXCL10/CXCR3 through PI3K/AKT pathway on the Th1 cell differentiation and migration were further assessed. RESULTS The EAP model was successfully built. CXCL10 increased the proportion of Th1 cells in EAP mice, accompanied by upregulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Additionally, the PI3K/AKT pathway was found to be involved in CXCL10/CXCR3 axis-mediated Th1 cell differentiation and migration. CONCLUSIONS Our investigations indicate that the CXCL10/CXCR3 axis regulates Th1 cell differentiation and migration in EAP through the PI3K/AKT pathway, which provides a new perspective on the immunological mechanisms of CP/CPPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Yu Yue
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Di Niu
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wen-Ming Ma
- Department of Urology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Guan
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qiu-Shi Liu
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Bin Wang
- Department of Urology, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yun-Zheng Xiao
- Department of Urology, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jialin Meng
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ke Ding
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - He-Xi Du
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chao-Zhao Liang
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Yin X, Zou J, Yang J. The association between the aggregate index of systemic inflammation and risk of rheumatoid arthritis: retrospective analysis of NHANES 1999-2018. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1446160. [PMID: 39247634 PMCID: PMC11378752 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1446160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The investigation purpose was to examine the correlation between the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by utilizing the NHANES database from the years 1999 to 2018. Methods The NHANES database was utilized to extract data spanning from 1999 to 2018. AISI, comprising neutrophils (NEU), monocytes (MONO), platelets (PLT), and lymphocytes (LYM), was computed based on counts. The identification of RA patients was accomplished through questionnaire data. To investigate the connection between AISI and RA, a weighted multivariate regression and subgroup analysis were conducted. In addition, restricted cubic splines (RCS) were employed for examining non-linear associations. Results The study encompassed a total of 41,986 patients, among whom 2,642 (6.29%) were diagnosed with RA. Upon controlling for all covariates, the outcomes of the multivariate logistic regression assay demonstrated a statistically significant association between higher Ln(AISI) levels and elevated odds of RA (odds ratio [OR]: 1.097; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.096-1.099, p < 0.001). The interaction test findings indicate that there is no statistically significant impact within this particular association. The results of the RCS regression model revealed a non-linear pattern in the correlation between Ln(AISI) and RA. The threshold level of AISI for RA was determined as 298.9. The risk of RA rises steeply when AISI surpasses the threshold value. Conclusion Overall, a positive association has been observed between AISI and RA. This study highlights the potential of AISI as an innovative, vital, and appropriate inflammatory biomarker for predicting the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in older individuals residing in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshuang Yin
- Department of Immunology, Mianyang Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinmei Zou
- Department of Immunology, Mianyang Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Immunology, Mianyang Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan, China
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Mao X, Shi M, Zhang B, Fu R, Cai M, Yu S, Lin K, Zhang C, Li D, Chen G, Luo W. Integration of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing revealed immune heterogeneity and its association with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Immunol Res 2024:10.1007/s12026-024-09513-5. [PMID: 39009881 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-024-09513-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by cartilage, bone damage, synovial inflammation, hyperplasia, autoantibody production, and systemic features. To obtain an overall profile of the immune environment in RA patients and its association with clinical features, we performed single-cell transcriptome and T-cell receptor sequencing of mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (PBMC) and synovial fluid (SF) from RA patients, integrated with two large cohorts with bulk RNA sequencing for further validation and investigation. Dendritic cells (DCs) exhibited relatively high functional heterogeneity and tissue specificity in relation to both antigen presentation and proinflammatory functions. Peripheral helper T cells (TPHs) are likely to originate from synovial tissue, undergo activation and exhaustion, and are subsequently released into the peripheral blood. Notably, among all immune cell types, TPHs were found to have the most intense associations with disease activity. In addition, CD8 effector T cells could be clustered into two groups with different cytokine expressions and play distinct roles in RA development. By integrating single-cell data with bulk sequencing from two large cohorts, we identified interactions among TPHs, CD8 cells, CD16 monocytes, and DCs that strongly contribute to the proinflammatory local environment in RA joints. Of note, the swollen 28-joint counts exhibited a more pronounced association with this immune environment compared to other disease activity indexes. The immune environment alternated significantly from PBMCs to SF, which indicated that a series of immune cells was involved in proinflammatory responses in the local joints of RA patients. By integrating single-cell data with two large cohorts, we have uncovered associations between specific immune cell populations and clinical features. This integration provides a rapid and precise methodology for assessing local immune activation, offering valuable insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms at play in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Mao
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Maohua Shi
- Department of Rheumatology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Beiying Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Rongdang Fu
- Department of Hepatology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Mengyun Cai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Sifei Yu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Kairong Lin
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Chuling Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Dingru Li
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoqiang Chen
- Department of Rheumatology, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China.
| | - Wei Luo
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China.
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Graham JP, Zhang Y, He L, Gonzalez-Fernandez T. CRISPR-GEM: A Novel Machine Learning Model for CRISPR Genetic Target Discovery and Evaluation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601587. [PMID: 39005295 PMCID: PMC11244939 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
CRISPR gene editing strategies are shaping cell therapies through precise and tunable control over gene expression. However, achieving reliable therapeutic effects with improved safety and efficacy requires informed target gene selection. This depends on a thorough understanding of the involvement of target genes in gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that regulate cell phenotype and function. Machine learning models have been previously used for GRN reconstruction using RNA-seq data, but current techniques are limited to single cell types and focus mainly on transcription factors. This restriction overlooks many potential CRISPR target genes, such as those encoding extracellular matrix components, growth factors, and signaling molecules, thus limiting the applicability of these models for CRISPR strategies. To address these limitations, we have developed CRISPR-GEM, a multi-layer perceptron (MLP)-based synthetic GRN constructed to accurately predict the downstream effects of CRISPR gene editing. First, input and output nodes are identified as differentially expressed genes between defined experimental and target cell/tissue types respectively. Then, MLP training learns regulatory relationships in a black-box approach allowing accurate prediction of output gene expression using only input gene expression. Finally, CRISPR-mimetic perturbations are made to each input gene individually and the resulting model predictions are compared to those for the target group to score and assess each input gene as a CRISPR candidate. The top scoring genes provided by CRISPR-GEM therefore best modulate experimental group GRNs to motivate transcriptomic shifts towards a target group phenotype. This machine learning model is the first of its kind for predicting optimal CRISPR target genes and serves as a powerful tool for enhanced CRISPR strategies across a range of cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh P Graham
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | - Lifang He
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
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Takada H, Demoruelle MK, Deane KD, Nakamura S, Katsumata Y, Ikari K, Buckner JH, Robinson WH, Seifert JA, Feser ML, Moss L, Norris JM, Harigai M, Hsieh EW, Holers VM, Okamoto Y. Expansion of HLA-DR Positive Peripheral Helper T and Naive B Cells in Anticitrullinated Protein Antibody-Positive Individuals At Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2024; 76:1023-1035. [PMID: 38412870 PMCID: PMC11213678 DOI: 10.1002/art.42839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate immune dysregulation in the peripheral blood that contributes to the pre-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stage of RA development in anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)+ individuals. METHODS Using 37 markers by mass cytometry, we investigated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from ACPA+ at-risk individuals, ACPA+ early untreated patients with RA, and ACPA- controls in the Tokyo Women's Medical University cohort (n = 17 in each group). Computational algorithms, FlowSOM and Optimized t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding, were employed to explore specific immunologic differences between study groups. These findings were further evaluated, and longitudinal changes were explored, using flow cytometry and PBMCs from the US-based Targeting Immune Responses for Prevention of RA cohort that included 11 ACPA+ individuals who later developed RA (pre-RA), of which 9 had post-RA diagnosis PBMCs (post-RA), and 11 ACPA- controls. RESULTS HLA-DR+ peripheral helper T (Tph) cells, activated regulatory T cells, PD-1hi CD8+ T cells, and CXCR5-CD11c-CD38+ naive B cells were significantly expanded in PBMCs from at-risk individuals and patients with early RA from the Tokyo Women's Medical University cohort. Expansion of HLA-DR+ Tph cells and CXCR5-CD11c-CD38+ naive B cells was likewise found in both pre-RA and post-RA time points in the Targeting Immune Responses for Prevention of RA cohort. CONCLUSION The expansion of HLA-DR+ Tph cells and CXCR5-CD11c-CD38+ naive B cells in ACPA+ individuals, including those who developed inflammatory arthritis and classified RA, supports a key role of these cells in transition from pre-RA to classified RA. These findings may identify a new mechanistic target for treatment and prevention in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideto Takada
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - M. Kristen Demoruelle
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kevin D. Deane
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shohei Nakamura
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Katsumata
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsunori Ikari
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Women’s Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Multidisciplinary Management of Rheumatic Diseases, Tokyo Women’s Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - William H. Robinson
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Seifert
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Marie L. Feser
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - LauraKay Moss
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jill M. Norris
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Masayoshi Harigai
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Elena W.Y. Hsieh
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Immunology and Microbiology Aurora, CO, USA
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy & Immunology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - V. Michael Holers
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yuko Okamoto
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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黄 会, 赵 静, 赵 祥, 白 自, 李 霞, 王 冠. [Regulatory effect of lactate on peripheral blood CD4 + T cell subsets in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. BEIJING DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF PEKING UNIVERSITY. HEALTH SCIENCES 2024; 56:519-525. [PMID: 38864139 PMCID: PMC11167554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the serum lactate level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relationship with disease activity, and to analyze the effect of sodium lactate on the activation of CD4+ T cells, the ability of secreting cytokines and CD4+T cell subsets in peripheral blood of the RA patients. METHODS The peripheral blood of healthy controls (HC) and RA patients was collected, and the content of lactate in the supernatant was detected by lactate detection kit, the correlation between the content of lactate and the disease score of the RA patients was analyzed; the activation level of CD4+ T cells, the proportion of CD4+ T cell subsets and the cytokines secreted by CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood of all the RA patients were detected by flow cytometry after being stimulated with sodium lactate. RESULTS The serum lactate level in the RA patients (n=66) was significantly higher than that in the HC (n=60, P < 0.001), and there was a certain correlation with disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28)-C-reactive protein (CRP) (r=0.273, P=0.029), The levels of rheumatoid factor [RF, 197.50 (26.03, 783.00) IU/mL vs. 29.30 (0.00, 102.60) IU/mL, P < 0.01], CRP [37.40 (11.30, 72.60) mg/L vs. 5.83 (2.36, 12.45) mg/L, P < 0.001], were increased in patients with the lactate concentration greater than 5 mmol/L were significantly higher than those in patients with the lactate concentration less than or equal 5 mmol/L, however, there was no significant difference in the expression of erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR, 42.00 (19.00, 77.00) mm/h vs. 25.00 (12.50, 45.50) mm/h, P>0.05] and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptied (CCP) antibody [82.35 (17.70, 137.00) RU/mL vs. 68.60 (25.95, 119.70) RU/mL, P>0.05]. Compared with the control group, the expression of PD-1 (46.15%±8.54% vs. 41.67%±9.98%, P < 0.001), inducible costimulatory molecule (ICOS, 5.77%±8.60% vs. 18.65%±7.94%, P < 0.01) and CD25 (25.89%±5.80% vs. 22.25%±4.59%, P < 0.01) on the surface of CD4+ T cells in the RA patients treated with sodium lactate was significantly increased. Compared with the control group, the proportion of Th17 (4.62%±1.74% vs. 2.93%±1.92%, P < 0.05) and Tph (28.02%±6.28% vs. 20.32%±5.82%, P < 0.01) cells in CD4+T cells of the RA patients in the sodium lactate treatment group increased. Compared with the control group, the expression of IL-21 (5.73%±1.59% vs. 4.75%±1.71%, P < 0.05) in CD4+T cells was up-regulated in the RA patients treated with sodium lactate. CONCLUSION The level of serum lactate in RA patients is increased, which promotes the activation of CD4+T cells and the secretion of IL-21, and up-regulates the proportion of Th17 and Tph cells in the RA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- 会娜 黄
- 大连医科大学基础医学院免疫学教研室, 辽宁大连 116044Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - 静 赵
- 北京大学人民医院风湿免疫科, 北京 100044Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - 祥格 赵
- 大连医科大学基础医学院免疫学教研室, 辽宁大连 116044Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - 自然 白
- 大连医科大学基础医学院免疫学教研室, 辽宁大连 116044Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - 霞 李
- 大连医科大学基础医学院免疫学教研室, 辽宁大连 116044Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
| | - 冠 王
- 大连医科大学基础医学院免疫学教研室, 辽宁大连 116044Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, Liaoning, China
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12
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Singh A, Schurman SH, Bektas A, Kaileh M, Roy R, Wilson DM, Sen R, Ferrucci L. Aging and Inflammation. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041197. [PMID: 38052484 PMCID: PMC11146314 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Aging can be conceptualized as the progressive disequilibrium between stochastic damage accumulation and resilience mechanisms that continuously repair that damage, which eventually cause the development of chronic disease, frailty, and death. The immune system is at the forefront of these resilience mechanisms. Indeed, aging is associated with persistent activation of the immune system, witnessed by a high circulating level of inflammatory markers and activation of immune cells in the circulation and in tissue, a condition called "inflammaging." Like aging, inflammaging is associated with increased risk of many age-related pathologies and disabilities, as well as frailty and death. Herein we discuss recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms leading to inflammaging and the intrinsic dysregulation of the immune function that occurs with aging. We focus on the underlying mechanisms of chronic inflammation, in particular the role of NF-κB and recent studies targeting proinflammatory mediators. We further explore the dysregulation of the immune response with age and immunosenescence as an important mechanistic immune response to acute stressors. We examine the role of the gastrointestinal microbiome, age-related dysbiosis, and the integrated stress response in modulating the inflammatory "response" to damage accumulation and stress. We conclude by focusing on the seminal question of whether reducing inflammation is useful and the results of related clinical trials. In summary, we propose that inflammation may be viewed both as a clinical biomarker of the failure of resilience mechanisms and as a causal factor in the rising burden of disease and disabilities with aging. The fact that inflammation can be reduced through nonpharmacological interventions such as diet and exercise suggests that a life course approach based on education may be a successful strategy to increase the health span with few adverse consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Singh
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Shepherd H Schurman
- Clinical Research Unit, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Arsun Bektas
- Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Mary Kaileh
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Roshni Roy
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - David M Wilson
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek 3500, Belgium
| | - Ranjan Sen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | - Luigi Ferrucci
- Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
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13
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Liu G, Wang Z, Li S. Heterogeneity and plasticity of tissue-resident memory T cells in skin diseases and homeostasis: a review. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1378359. [PMID: 38779662 PMCID: PMC11109409 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1378359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Skin tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells are produced by antigenic stimulation and remain in the skin for a long time without entering the peripheral circulation. In the healthy state Trm cells can play a patrolling and surveillance role, but in the disease state Trm cells differentiate into various phenotypes associated with different diseases, exhibit different localizations, and consequently have local protective or pathogenic roles, such as disease recurrence in vitiligo and maintenance of immune homeostasis in melanoma. The most common surface marker of Trm cells is CD69/CD103. However, the plasticity of tissue-resident memory T cells after colonization remains somewhat uncertain. This ambiguity is largely due to the variation in the functionality and ultimate destination of Trm cells produced from memory cells differentiated from diverse precursors. Notably, the presence of Trm cells is not stationary across numerous non-lymphoid tissues, most notably in the skin. These cells may reenter the blood and distant tissue sites during the recall response, revealing the recycling and migration potential of the Trm cell progeny. This review focuses on the origin and function of skin Trm cells, and provides new insights into the role of skin Trm cells in the treatment of autoimmune skin diseases, infectious skin diseases, and tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guomu Liu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ziyue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of Ministry of Education, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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14
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Jiang J, Huang M, Zhang SS, Wu YG, Li XL, Deng H, Qili XY, Chen JL, Meng Y, Sun WK. Identification of Hedyotis diffusa Willd-specific mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network in rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology, bioinformatics analysis, and experimental verification. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6291. [PMID: 38491124 PMCID: PMC10943027 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56880-y] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Hedyotis diffusa Willd (HDW) possesses heat-clearing, detoxification, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain under-researched. In this study, we identified potential targets of HDW and collected differentially expressed genes of RA from the GEO dataset GSE77298, leading to the construction of a drug-component-target-disease regulatory network. The intersecting genes underwent GO and KEGG analysis. A PPI protein interaction network was established in the STRING database. Through LASSO, RF, and SVM-RFE algorithms, we identified the core gene MMP9. Subsequent analyses, including ROC, GSEA enrichment, and immune cell infiltration, correlated core genes with RA. mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA regulatory networks were predicted using databases like TargetScan, miRTarBase, miRWalk, starBase, lncBase, and the GEO dataset GSE122616. Experimental verification in RA-FLS cells confirmed HDW's regulatory impact on core genes and their ceRNA expression. We obtained 11 main active ingredients of HDW and 180 corresponding targets, 2150 RA-related genes, and 36 drug-disease intersection targets. The PPI network diagram and three machine learning methods screened to obtain MMP9, and further analysis showed that MMP9 had high diagnostic significance and was significantly correlated with the main infiltrated immune cells, and the molecular docking verification also showed that MMP9 and the main active components of HDW were well combined. Next, we predicted 6 miRNAs and 314 lncRNAs acting on MMP9, and two ceRNA regulatory axes were obtained according to the screening. Cellular assays indicated HDW inhibits RA-FLS cell proliferation and MMP9 protein expression dose-dependently, suggesting HDW might influence RA's progression by regulating the MMP9/miR-204-5p/MIAT axis. This innovative analytical thinking provides guidance and reference for the future research on the ceRNA mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jiang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China
| | - Meng Huang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China
| | - Si-Si Zhang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China
| | - Yong-Gang Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xindu District People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiao-Long Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Xindu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Deng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sichuan Taikang Hospital, Chengdu, 610213, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin-Yu Qili
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian-Lin Chen
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China
| | - Yao Meng
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China.
| | - Wen-Kui Sun
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China.
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15
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Baker KF, McDonald D, Hulme G, Hussain R, Coxhead J, Swan D, Schulz AR, Mei HE, MacDonald L, Pratt AG, Filby A, Anderson AE, Isaacs JD. Single-cell insights into immune dysregulation in rheumatoid arthritis flare versus drug-free remission. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1063. [PMID: 38316770 PMCID: PMC10844292 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45213-2] [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: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are typically characterised by relapsing and remitting flares of inflammation. However, the unpredictability of disease flares impedes their study. Addressing this critical knowledge gap, we use the experimental medicine approach of immunomodulatory drug withdrawal in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remission to synchronise flare processes allowing detailed characterisation. Exploratory mass cytometry analyses reveal three circulating cellular subsets heralding the onset of arthritis flare - CD45RO+PD1hi CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and CD27+CD86+CD21- B cells - further characterised by single-cell sequencing. Distinct lymphocyte subsets including cytotoxic and exhausted CD4+ memory T cells, memory CD8+CXCR5+ T cells, and IGHA1+ plasma cells are primed for activation in flare patients. Regulatory memory CD4+ T cells (Treg cells) increase at flare onset, but with dysfunctional regulatory marker expression compared to drug-free remission. Significant clonal expansion is observed in T cells, but not B cells, after drug cessation; this is widespread throughout memory CD8+ T cell subsets but limited to the granzyme-expressing cytotoxic subset within CD4+ memory T cells. Based on our observations, we suggest a model of immune dysregulation for understanding RA flare, with potential for further translational research towards novel avenues for its treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth F Baker
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
- Musculoskeletal Unit, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - David McDonald
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Gillian Hulme
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rafiqul Hussain
- Genomics Core Facility, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jonathan Coxhead
- Genomics Core Facility, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - David Swan
- School of Medicine, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK
| | - Axel R Schulz
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henrik E Mei
- Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lucy MacDonald
- School of Infection and Immunity, Glasgow University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Arthur G Pratt
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Musculoskeletal Unit, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrew Filby
- Flow Cytometry Core Facility, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Amy E Anderson
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - John D Isaacs
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Musculoskeletal Unit, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Chai W, Yao W, Pan J, Huang Z, Wang B, Xu B, Fan X, He W, Wang W, Zhang W. Moniezia benedeni drives CD3 + T cells residence in the sheep intestinal mucosal effector sites. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1342169. [PMID: 38371601 PMCID: PMC10869452 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1342169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction T cells are the core of the cellular immunity and play a key role in the regulation of intestinal immune homeostasis. In order to explore the impact Moniezia benedeni (M. benedeni) infection on distributions of CD3+ T cells in the small intestine of the sheep. Methods In this study, sheep pET-28a-CD3 recombinant plasmid were constructed and expressed in BL21 receptor cells, then the rabbit anti-sheep CD3 polyclonal antibody was prepared through recombinant protein inducing. The M. benedeni-infected sheep (infection group, n = 6) and healthy sheep (control group, n = 6) were selected, and the distributions of CD3+ T cells in intestinal laminae propria (LP) and mucous epitheliums were observed and analyzed systematically. Results The results showed that the rabbit anti-sheep CD3 polyclonal antibody had good potency and specificity. In the effector area of small intestine, a large number of CD3+ T cells were mainly diffusely distributed in the intestinal LP as well as in the mucous epitheliums, and the densities of intestinal LP from duodenum to jejunum to ileum were 6.01 cells/104 μm2, 7.01 cells/104 μm2 and 6.43 cells/104 μm2, respectively. Their distribution densities in mucous epitheliums were 6.71 cells/104 μm2, 7.93 cells/104 μm2 and 7.21 cells/104 μm2, respectively; in the infected group, the distributions of CD3+ T cells were similar to that of the control group, and the densities in each intestinal segment were all significantly increased (p < 0.05), meanwhile, the total densities of CD3+ T cells in duodenum, jejunum and ileum were increased by 33.43%, 14.50%, and 34.19%. In LP and mucous epitheliums, it was increased by 33.57% and 27.92% in duodenum; by 25.82% and 7.07% in jejunum, and by 27.07% and 19.23% in ileum, respectively. Discussion It was suggested that M. benedeni infection did not change the spatial distributions of CD3+ T cells in the small intestine of sheep, but significantly increased their densities, which lays a foundation for further research on the regulatory mechanism of sheep intestinal mucosal immune system against M. benedeni infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhu Chai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wanling Yao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Baoshan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Lanzhou Safari Park Management Co., Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiping Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wanhong He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wenhui Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wangdong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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Monteiro AC, de Andrade Garcia D, Du Rocher B, Fontão APGA, Nogueira LP, Fidalgo G, Colaço MV, Bonomo A. Cooperation between T and B cells reinforce the establishment of bone metastases in a mouse model of breast cancer. Bone 2024; 178:116932. [PMID: 37832903 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2023.116932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Immune cells educated by the primary breast tumor and their secreted factors support the formation of bone pre-metastatic niche. Indeed, we showed that RANKL+ CD3+ T cells, specific for the 4T1 mammary carcinoma cell line, arrive at the bone marrow before metastatic cells and set the pre-metastatic niche. In the absence of RANKL expressed by T cells, there is no pre-metastatic osteolytic disease and bone metastases are completely blocked. Adding to the role of T cells, we have recently demonstrated that dendritic cells assist RANKL+ T cell activities at bone pre-metastatic niche, by differentiating into potent bone resorbing osteoclast-like cells, keeping their antigen-presenting cell properties, providing a positive feedback loop to the osteolytic profile. Here we are showing that bone marrow-derived CD19+ B cells, from 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, also express the pro-osteoclastogenic cytokine receptor activator of NFκB ligand (RANKL). Analysis of trabecular bone mineral density by conventional histomorphometry and X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) demonstrated that B cells expressing RANKL cooperate with 4T1-primed CD3+ T cells to induce bone loss. Moreover, RANKL expression by B cells depends on T cells activity, since experiments performed with B cells derived from 4T1 tumor-bearing nude BALB/c mice resulted in the maintenance of trabecular bone mass instead of bone loss. Altogether, we believe that 4T1-primed RANKL+ B cells alone are not central mediators of bone loss in vivo but when associated with T cells induce a strong decrease in bone mass, accelerating both breast cancer progression and bone metastases establishment. Although several studies performed in different pathological settings, showed that B cells, positively and negatively impact on osteoclastogenesis, due to their capacity to secret pro or anti-osteoclastogenic cytokines, as far as we know, this is the first report showing the role of RANKL expression by B cells on breast cancer-derived bone metastases scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Monteiro
- Laboratory of Osteo and Tumor Immunology, Department of Immunobiology, Fluminense Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Diego de Andrade Garcia
- Laboratory of Osteo and Tumor Immunology, Department of Immunobiology, Fluminense Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Barbara Du Rocher
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gabriel Fidalgo
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, Physics Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinicius Colaço
- Laboratory of Applied Physics to Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, Physics Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Adriana Bonomo
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil; Research Network on Neuroinflammation (RENEURIN), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Zheng Q, Wang D, Lin R, Chen Y, Xu Z, Xu W. Quercetin is a Potential Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis via Targeting Caspase-8 Through Ferroptosis and Pyroptosis. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:5729-5754. [PMID: 38059150 PMCID: PMC10697095 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s439494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of its pathogenesis are unknown. This study aimed to identify the common biomarkers of ferroptosis and pyroptosis in RA and screen potential drugs. Methods The RA-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in GSE55235 were screened by R software and intersected with ferroptosis and pyroptosis gene libraries to obtain differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (DEFRGs) and differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes (DEPRGs). We performed Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of the Genome (KEGG), ClueGO, and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis for DEFRGs and DEPRGs and validated them by machine learning. The microRNA/transcription factor (TF)-hub genes regulatory network was further constructed. The key gene was validated using the GSE77298 validation set, cellular validation was performed in in vitro experiments, and immune infiltration analysis was performed using CIBERSORT. Network pharmacology was used to find key gene-targeting drugs, followed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the binding stability between small-molecule drugs and large-molecule proteins. Results Three hub genes (CASP8, PTGS2, and JUN) were screened via bioinformatics, and the key gene (CASP8) was validated and obtained through the validation set, and the diagnostic efficacy was verified to be excellent through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The ferroptosis and pyroptosis phenotypes were constructed by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), and caspase-8 was detected and validated as a common biomarker for ferroptosis and pyroptosis in RA, and quercetin can reduce caspase-8 levels. Quercetin was found to be a potential target drug for caspase-8 by network pharmacology, and the stability of their binding was further verified using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Conclusion Caspase-8 is an important biomarker for ferroptosis and pyroptosis in RA, and quercetin is a potential therapy for RA via targeting caspase-8 through ferroptosis and pyroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingcong Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Du Wang
- Arthritis Clinical and Research Center, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rongjie Lin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuchao Chen
- Department of Paediatrics, Fujian Provincial Hospital South Branch, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zixing Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weihong Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Bakinowska E, Kiełbowski K, Pawlik A. The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Cells 2023; 12:2716. [PMID: 38067147 PMCID: PMC10706487 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells can communicate with each other through extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are membrane-bound structures that transport proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. These structures have been found to mediate cellular differentiation and proliferation apoptosis, as well as inflammatory responses and senescence, among others. The cargo of these vesicles may include immunomodulatory molecules, which can then contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases. By contrast, EVs secreted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown important immunosuppressive and regenerative properties. Moreover, EVs can be modified and used as drug carriers to precisely deliver therapeutic agents. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence on the roles of EVs in the progression and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), which are important and prevalent joint diseases with a significant global burden.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrzej Pawlik
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (E.B.); (K.K.)
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20
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Gao W, Lei Y, Guo X, Luo Y, Zhang Z, Xi Y, Wang W, Xia W, Wang Z, Niu X, Chen G, Yue T. Comparison and subsets analysis of peripheral CD4 +T cells in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Mol Immunol 2023; 163:174-180. [PMID: 37812989 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a disease that transformed from psoriasis (PsO), and its underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Overactivation of the immune system is a key factor driving inflammatory diseases. Our goal is to define the unbalanced subsets of peripheral blood CD4 +T cells between PsO and PsA patients. Blood samples from 43 patients (23 PsA and 20 PsO) and 36 healthy donors (HD) were studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were separated from blood and underwent fluorescent staining to assess CD4+T cell subsets by flow cytometry. We found that frequencies of various CD4+T cells including Th1, Th2, Th17, and Tfh were higher in the patients with PsO or PsA than those of healthy donors, indicating the general expansion of CD4+T cells in inflammatory conditions. More importantly, we observed the significant imbalance of Th1/Th2 between patients with PsO and PsA. Pearson correlation analysis showed that Th1/Th2 ratio was positively correlated with disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (DAPSA), Tfh/Tfr ratio was positively correlated with DAPSA score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score in PsA patients. Together, our results highlight the CD4+T cell changes in the transition from PsO to PsA, may contribute to early assessment and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqin Gao
- Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunxuan Lei
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Guo
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanping Luo
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenghua Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yebin Xi
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weifeng Wang
- Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjie Xia
- Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaojun Wang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyin Niu
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Guangjie Chen
- Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Tao Yue
- Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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21
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Hu H, Dou X, Hu X, Wang L, Ma Y, Liu J, Zhou X, Cao H, Liu X, Deng X, Li N. Identification of a novel cuproptosis-related gene signature for rheumatoid arthritis-A prospective study. J Gene Med 2023; 25:e3535. [PMID: 37338187 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3535] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial systemic autoimmune disease characterized by ongoing synovial inflammation, leading to the degradation of cartilage. Cuproptosis, as a newly characterized form of cell death, may influence RA progression by regulating immune cells and chondrocytes. This study sets out to identify the hub cuproptosis-related gene (CRG) associated with the pathogenesis of RA. METHODS A series of bioinformatic analyses were performed to evaluate the expression score of CRGs and the immune infiltration landscape between RA and normal samples. The hub gene was screened through the correlation analysis of CRGs, and the interaction network between the hub gene and transcription factors (TFs) was constructed. Finally, the hub gene was validated through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) of patient samples and cell experiments. RESULTS Drolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT) was screened as the hub gene. Correlation analysis between the hub gene and immune microenvironment demonstrated that DLAT had the highest correlation with T follicular helper cells. Eight pairs of DLAT-TF interaction networks were constructed. Single-cell sequencing showed that CRGs were highly expressed in RA chondrocytes, and chondrocytes could be classified into three different subsets. qRT-PCR was used to validate the above results. Dlat knockdown in immortalized human chondrocytes led to significantly improved mitochondrial membrane potentials and reduced levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial ROS and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS This study rudimentarily demonstrates the correlation between CRGs and immune cell infiltration in RA. The biomarker DLAT may provide comprehensive insights into the pathogenesis and drug targets of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Institute of Immunology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Faculty of Anesthesiology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyu Dou
- Department of Orthopedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Spinal Diseases, Beijing, China
- Engineering Research Center of Bone and Joint Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangjia Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Institute of Immunology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linbang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Spinal Diseases, Beijing, China
- Engineering Research Center of Bone and Joint Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yunlong Ma
- Pain Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingkun Liu
- Data Centre Department, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuchang Zhou
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Cao
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoguang Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Spinal Diseases, Beijing, China
- Engineering Research Center of Bone and Joint Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoming Deng
- Faculty of Anesthesiology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Li
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Institute of Immunology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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22
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Dehnavi S, Sadeghi M, Tavakol Afshari J, Mohammadi M. Interactions of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and immune cells following MSC-based therapeutic approaches in rheumatoid arthritis. Cell Immunol 2023; 393-394:104771. [PMID: 37783061 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2023.104771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered to be a degenerative and progressive autoimmune disorder. Although several medicinal regimens are used to treat RA, potential adverse events such as metabolic disorders and increased risk of infection, as well as drug resistance in some patients, make it essential to find an effective and safe therapeutic approach. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are a group of non-hematopoietic stromal cells with immunomodulatory and inhibitory potential. These cells exert their regulatory properties through direct cell-to-cell interactions and paracrine effects on various immune and non-immune cells. As conventional therapeutic approaches for RA are limited due to their side effects, and some patients became refractory to the treatment, MSCs are considered as a promising alternative treatment for RA. In this review, we introduced various experimental and clinical studies conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effects of MSCs on animal models of arthritis and RA patients. Then, possible modulatory and suppressive effects of MSCs on different innate and adaptive immune cells, including dendritic cells, neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer cells, B lymphocytes, and various subtypes of T cells, were categorized and summarized. Finally, limitations and future considerations for the efficient application of MSCs as a therapeutic approach in RA patients were presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Dehnavi
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahvash Sadeghi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | | | - Mojgan Mohammadi
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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23
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Cai Q, Zha HJ, Yuan SY, Sun X, Lin X, Zheng XY, Qian YX, Xia RF, Luo YS, Shi Z, Su JC, Wan LS. Diterpenoids from Euphorbia fischeriana with Kv1.3 Inhibitory Activity. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2023; 86:2379-2390. [PMID: 37796721 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Euphorbia diterpenoids possess inhibitory effects of Kv1.3 ion channel, but most of this research has focused on diterpenoids with jatrophane-related or ingenane-related skeletons. In the present study, nine undescribed (1-9) and 16 known (10-25) diterpenoids, based on jatrophane, lathyrane, ingenane, abietane, and atisane skeletons, were identified from the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Euphorbia fischeriana. The structures were established by analysis of the spectroscopic data as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Among the isolated diterpenoids, macrocyclic jatrophanes and lathyranes exerted Kv1.3 blocking activity. Compound 8 exhibited good selectivity on the inhibition of the Kv 1.3 channel rather than hERG channel, with a selectivity index over 7.0. The selective activity of lathyrane diterpenoids indicates that macrocyclic diterpenoids have the potential to be further investigated as therapeutic agents for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Cai
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Jing Zha
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Ying Yuan
- Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing Sun
- Hebei Chemical and Pharmaceutical College, Shijiazhuang 050026, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Lin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Yu Zheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Xian Qian
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Ru-Feng Xia
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue-Shan Luo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimian Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Cheng Su
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, People's Republic of China
| | - Luo-Sheng Wan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
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24
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Peng HY, Wang L, Das JK, Kumar A, Ballard DJ, Ren Y, Xiong X, de Figueiredo P, Yang JM, Song J. Control of CD4 + T cells to restrain inflammatory diseases via eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:415. [PMID: 37875468 PMCID: PMC10598003 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells, particularly IL-17-secreting helper CD4+ T cells, play a central role in the inflammatory processes underlying autoimmune disorders. Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase (eEF2K) is pivotal in CD8+ T cells and has important implications in vascular dysfunction and inflammation-related diseases such as hypertension. However, its specific immunological role in CD4+ T cell activities and related inflammatory diseases remains elusive. Our investigation has uncovered that the deficiency of eEF2K disrupts the survival and proliferation of CD4+ T cells, impairs their ability to secrete cytokines. Notably, this dysregulation leads to heightened production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17, fosters a pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the absence of eEF2K in CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, the absence of eEF2K in CD4+ T cells is linked to increased metabolic activity and mitochondrial bioenergetics. We have shown that eEF2K regulates mitochondrial function and CD4+ T cell activity through the upregulation of the transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Crucially, the deficiency of eEF2K exacerbates the severity of inflammation-related diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and ulcerative colitis. Strikingly, the use of C188-9, a small molecule targeting STAT3, mitigates colitis in a murine immunodeficiency model receiving eEF2K knockout (KO) CD4+ T cells. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of eEF2K in controlling the function and metabolism of CD4+ T cells and its indispensable involvement in inflammation-related diseases. Manipulating eEF2K represents a promising avenue for novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of inflammation-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yun Peng
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Liqing Wang
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jugal Kishore Das
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Anil Kumar
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Darby J Ballard
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Yijie Ren
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Xiaofang Xiong
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
| | - Paul de Figueiredo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77845, USA
| | - Jin-Ming Yang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, and Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
| | - Jianxun Song
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA.
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25
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Orsini F, Crotti C, Cincinelli G, Di Taranto R, Amati A, Ferrito M, Varenna M, Caporali R. Bone Involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloartritis: An Updated Review. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1320. [PMID: 37887030 PMCID: PMC10604370 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Several rheumatologic diseases are primarily distinguished by their involvement of bone tissue, which not only serves as a mere target of the condition but often plays a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. This scenario is particularly prominent in chronic inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA). Given the immunological and systemic nature of these diseases, in this review, we report an overview of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying specific bone involvement, focusing on the complex interactions that occur between bone tissue's own cells and the molecular and cellular actors of the immune system, a recent and fascinating field of interest defined as osteoimmunology. Specifically, we comprehensively elaborate on the distinct pathogenic mechanisms of bone erosion seen in both rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis, as well as the characteristic process of aberrant bone formation observed in spondyloarthritis. Lastly, chronic inflammatory arthritis leads to systemic bone involvement, resulting in systemic bone loss and consequent osteoporosis, along with increased skeletal fragility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Orsini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy (A.A.)
- Department of Rheumatology and Medical Sciences, ASST G.Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Crotti
- Bone Diseases Unit, Department of Rheumatology and Medical Sciences, ASST G.Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gilberto Cincinelli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy (A.A.)
- Department of Rheumatology and Medical Sciences, ASST G.Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Di Taranto
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy (A.A.)
- Department of Rheumatology and Medical Sciences, ASST G.Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Amati
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy (A.A.)
- Department of Rheumatology and Medical Sciences, ASST G.Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Ferrito
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy (A.A.)
- Department of Rheumatology and Medical Sciences, ASST G.Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Varenna
- Bone Diseases Unit, Department of Rheumatology and Medical Sciences, ASST G.Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Caporali
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy (A.A.)
- Department of Rheumatology and Medical Sciences, ASST G.Pini-CTO, 20122 Milan, Italy
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26
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Wang Z, Zhao Z, Li Z, Xu L, Li H, Zhu H, Cheng G, Yao R, Pei W, Liang R, Liang R, Ye H, Jiang S, Niu H, Sun X, Su Y. Tyro3 receptor tyrosine kinase contributes to pathogenic phenotypes of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis and disturbs immune cell balance in experimental arthritis. Clin Immunol 2023; 255:109753. [PMID: 37678714 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by synovitis and joint damage, the underlying causes of which remain unclear. Our prior investigations revealed a notable correlation between the expression of Tyro3 Protein Tyrosine Kinase (Tyro3TK) and the progression of RA. To further elucidate the pathogenic role of Tyro3TK in RA, we analyzed the influence of Tyro3TK on pathogenic phenotypes of RA fibroblast like synoviocyte (FLS) in vitro and compared disease severity, joint damages and immunological parameters of K/BxN serum transfer arthritis (STA) in Tyro3TK-/- deficient mice and wild type controls. Our findings underscored the remarkable effectiveness of Tyro3TK blockade, as evidenced by diminished secretion of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), curtailed migration and invasiveness of RAFLS, and attenuated differentiation of pathogenic helper T cell subsets mediated by RAFLS. Correspondingly, our in vivo investigations illuminated the more favorable outcomes in Tyro3TK-deficient mice, characterized by reduced joint pathology, tempered synovial inflammation, and restored immune cell equilibrium. These data suggested that Tyro3TK might contribute to aggravated autoimmune arthritis and immunological pathology and act as a potential therapeutic target for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziye Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Zhichang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liling Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Hongchao Li
- Department of Rheumatology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Huaqun Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Gong Cheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - RanRan Yao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Wenwen Pei
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Ruyu Liang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Renge Liang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Hua Ye
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Germ-Free Animals and Microbiota Application, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haitao Niu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Germ-Free Animals and Microbiota Application, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiaolin Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China.
| | - Yin Su
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China.
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Crater JM, Dunn DC, Nixon DF, Furler O’Brien RL. A History and Atlas of the Human CD4 + T Helper Cell. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2608. [PMID: 37892982 PMCID: PMC10604283 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells have orchestrated and regulated immunity since the introduction of jawed vertebrates, yet our understanding of CD4+ T cell evolution, development, and cellular physiology has only begun to be unearthed in the past few decades. Discoveries of genetic diseases that ablate this cellular population have provided insight into their critical functions while transcriptomics, proteomics, and high-resolution microscopy have recently revealed new insights into CD4+ T cell anatomy and physiology. This article compiles historical, microscopic, and multi-omics data that can be used as a reference atlas and index to dissect cellular physiology within these influential cells and further understand pathologies like HIV infection that inflict human CD4+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Robert L. Furler O’Brien
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 E 69th St., Belfer Research Building, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Bhattacharya G, Sengupta S, Jha R, Shaw SK, Jogdand GM, Barik PK, Padhan P, Parida JR, Devadas S. IL-21/23 axis modulates inflammatory cytokines and RANKL expression in RA CD4 + T cells via p-Akt1 signaling. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1235514. [PMID: 37809066 PMCID: PMC10551441 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1235514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction CD4+ T cells are critically involved in the pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis; an autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation and bone degeneration. In this study, we focused on the critical role of cytokines, IL-21 and IL-23 in facilitating the aberrant status of RA Th17-like cells and report their significant contribution(s) in modulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines and RANKL. Methods Blood and synovial fluid collected from a total of 167 RA patients and 25 healthy volunteers were assessed for various inflammatory markers and RANKL expression in plasma and CD4+ T cells. Subsequent ex vivo studies examined the role of specific cytokines, IL-21 and IL-23 in mediating inflammation and RANKL upregulation by blocking their expression with neutralizing antibodies in RA CD4+ T cells and terminally differentiated human Th17 cells. Further, the role of p-Akt1 as a signalling target downstream of IL-21 and IL-23 was evinced with IL-21 and IL-23 inhibition and phospho Akt-1/2 kinase inhibitor. Results Our observations highlighted the augmented inflammatory cytokine levels in plasma and an aberrant CD4+ T cell phenotype expressing exaggerated inflammatory cytokines and membrane RANKL expression in RA as opposed to healthy controls. Neutralization of either IL-21 or IL-23 (p19 and p40) or both, resulted in downregulation of the cytokines, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17 and RANKL expression in these cells, signifying the critical role of IL-21/23 axis in modulating inflammation and RANKL. Subsequent dissection of the signaling pathway found p-Akt1 as the key phosphoprotein downstream of both IL-21 and IL-23, capable of increasing inflammatory cytokines and RANKL production. Discussion Our findings unequivocally identify IL-21/23 axis in RA CD4+ T cells as a key regulator dictating two critical processes i.e. exaggerated inflammation and higher RANKL expression and provide critical targets in their downstream signalling for therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gargee Bhattacharya
- Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad-Gurgaon, Haryana, India
| | - Soumya Sengupta
- Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad-Gurgaon, Haryana, India
| | - Rohila Jha
- Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad-Gurgaon, Haryana, India
| | - Shubham K. Shaw
- Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad-Gurgaon, Haryana, India
| | | | | | - Prasanta Padhan
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Jyoti R. Parida
- Odisha Arthritis & Rheumatology Centre (OARC), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Satish Devadas
- Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad-Gurgaon, Haryana, India
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Marasco E, Fabbriciani G, Rotunno L, Longhi M, De Luca P, de Girolamo L, Colombini A. Identification of biomarkers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis responsive to DMARDs but with progressive bone erosion. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1254139. [PMID: 37809106 PMCID: PMC10551039 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1254139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that may cause joint destruction and disability. The pharmacological treatment of RA aims at obtaining disease remission by effectively ceasing joint inflammation and arresting progressive bone erosions. Some patients present bone lesions accrual even after controlling joint inflammation with current therapies. Our study aimed to analyze lymphocyte subsets and levels of circulating cytokines in patients with RA with progressive bone erosions. Methods We enrolled 20 patients with a diagnosis of RA and 12 healthy donors (HD). Patients with RA were divided into patients with bone erosions (RA-BE+) and without bone erosions (RA-BE-). Lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood were evaluated by flow cytometry. Circulating cytokines levels were evaluated by protein array. Results The distribution of lymphocyte subsets was not able to separate HD from AR patients and RA-BE+ and RA-BE- in cluster analysis. We observed a significant expansion of CXCR5- PD1+ T peripheral helper cells (Tph cells) and a reduction in both total memory B cells and switched memory B cells in RA patients compared to HD. We observed an expansion in the frequency of total B cells in RA-BE+ patients compared to RA-BE- patients. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis of 39 cytokines resulted in a fairly good separation of HD from RA patients but not of RA-BE+ patients from RA-BE- patients. RA-BE+ patients showed significantly higher levels of IL-11 and IL-17A than RA-BE- patients. Conclusion We show that patients with progressive erosive disease are characterized by abnormalities in B cells and in cytokines with a proven role in bone reabsorption. Understanding the role played by B cells and the cytokine IL-11 and IL-17A in progressive erosive disease can help identify novel biomarkers of erosive disease and design treatment approaches aimed at halting joint damage in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Marasco
- Division of Rheumatology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, Roma, Italy
- Ph.D. Course “Immunology, Molecular Medicine and Applied Biotechnology”, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Rotunno
- Unit of Rheumatology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Longhi
- Unit of Rheumatology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola De Luca
- Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Applicate all’Ortopedia, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura de Girolamo
- Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Applicate all’Ortopedia, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Colombini
- Laboratorio di Biotecnologie Applicate all’Ortopedia, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
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Qu Y, Fu Y, Liu Y, Liu C, Xu B, Zhang Q, Jiang P. The role of TRPV1 in RA pathogenesis: worthy of attention. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1232013. [PMID: 37744324 PMCID: PMC10514908 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1232013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) is a Ca2+permeable, non-selective cation channel that is found primarily in sensory nerve fibres. Previous studies focused on pain transmission. However, recent studies have found that the TRPV1 channel, in addition to being associated with pain, also plays a role in immune regulation and their dysregulation frequently affects the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A thorough understanding of the mechanism will facilitate the design of new TRPV1-targeted drugs and improve the clinical efficacy of RA. Here, we provide an updated and comprehensive overview of how the TRPV1 channel intrinsically regulates neuronal and immune cells, and how alterations in the TRPV1 channel in synoviocytes or chondrocytes extrinsically affect angiogenesis and bone destruction. Rapid progress has been made in research targeting TRPV1 for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis, but there is still much-uncharted territory regarding the therapeutic role of RA. We present a strategy for targeting the TRPV1 channel in RA therapy, summarising the difficulties and promising advances in current research, with the aim of better understanding the role of the TRPV1 channel in RA pathology, which could accelerate the development of TRPV1-targeted modulators for the design and development of more effective RA therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Qu
- First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yang Fu
- Institute of Chinese Orthopedics and Traumatology, Shandong Wendeng Osteopathic Hospital, Weihai, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Chuanguo Liu
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Science and Technology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Ping Jiang
- First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Lesnak JB, Mazhar K, Price TJ. Neuroimmune Mechanisms Underlying Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) Pain, Predictions from a Ligand-Receptor Interactome. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2023; 25:169-181. [PMID: 37300737 PMCID: PMC10256978 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-023-01107-8] [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: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Individuals with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) complain of persistent musculoskeletal pain. Determining how COVID-19 infection produces persistent pain would be valuable for the development of therapeutics aimed at alleviating these symptoms. RECENT FINDINGS To generate hypotheses regarding neuroimmune interactions in PASC, we used a ligand-receptor interactome to make predictions about how ligands from PBMCs in individuals with COVID-19 communicate with dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons to induce persistent pain. In a structured literature review of -omics COVID-19 studies, we identified ligands capable of binding to receptors on DRG neurons, which stimulate signaling pathways including immune cell activation and chemotaxis, the complement system, and type I interferon signaling. The most consistent finding across immune cell types was an upregulation of genes encoding the alarmins S100A8/9 and MHC-I. This ligand-receptor interactome, from our hypothesis-generating literature review, can be used to guide future research surrounding mechanisms of PASC-induced pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B Lesnak
- School for Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, BSB 14.102G, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Khadijah Mazhar
- School for Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, BSB 14.102G, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Theodore J Price
- School for Behavioral and Brain Sciences and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, BSB 14.102G, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
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Huang L, Liang L, Ji Z, Chen S, Liu M, Huang Q, Huang Z, Sun S, Ding J, Chen J, Huang X, Zheng S, Deng W, Huang Y, Li T. Proteomics profiling of CD4 + T-cell-derived exosomes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 122:110560. [PMID: 37423153 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our study profiled the CD4 + T-cell-derived exosomes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using proteomics. METHODS Proteomic analysis of CD4 + T-cell-derived exosomes was performed by tandem mass tags (TMT) combined with LC-MS/MS. We validated the most significantly upregulated and downregulated proteins using ELISA and WB. RESULTS The proteomic results showed that there were 3 upregulated differentially expressed proteins and 31 downregulated differentially expressed proteins in the RA group. The results indicated that dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 3 (DPYSL3) was significantly upregulated in CD4 + T-cell-derived exosomes, whereas proteasome activator complex subunit 1 (PSME1) was significantly downregulated in the RA group. Bioinformatics analysis showed that proteins were enriched in "positive regulation of gene expression", "antigen processing and presentation", "acute-phase response" and "PI3K-AKT signaling" pathways. ELISA verified that compared to the control group, the RA group showed significant upregulation of DPYSL3, and downregulation of PSME1 in CD4 + T-cell-derived exosomes. CONCLUSIONS The proteomic analysis results of CD4 + T-cell-derived exosomes from patients with RA suggest that these differentially expressed proteins may be involved in RA pathogenesis. DPYSL3 and PSME1 may become useful biomarkers for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Huang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Liang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuyi Ji
- The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuyang Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng Liu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qidang Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhixiang Huang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanmiao Sun
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiali Ding
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiajun Chen
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuechan Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoling Zheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiming Deng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yukai Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Tianwang Li
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Zhaoqing Central People's Hospital, Zhaoqing, China; The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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Yang J. Integrated bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed genes in the temporomandibular joint internal derangement. Clin Exp Dent Res 2023; 9:641-652. [PMID: 37555363 PMCID: PMC10441599 DOI: 10.1002/cre2.768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to identify significant mechanisms and potential treatments for temporomandibular joint internal derangement (TMJD) through integrated bioinformatics analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Gene expression data sets (GSE66864) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified both in the treatment groups and in controls by R packages. Network analysis of protein-protein interaction (PPI) and Human Protein Atlas was used to explore DEGs' potential function. DGIdb database was utilized to gain potential drug targets. RESULTS In conclusion, 126 DEGs were selected for TMJD through bioinformatics analysis. Both GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses combined showed the pathways involved in TMJD. A PPI network was constructed to select the top 10 hub genes, of which five hub genes were chosen for further investigation. Moreover, the microenvironment of immune cells related to hub genes was evaluated by R packages. Macrophages play an important role in inflammation and oral-related tumors. The Human Protein Atlas analysis indicated that the five hub genes are highly related to head and neck cancer. Finally, eight potential drugs were selected for two genes using the DGIdb database. CONCLUSION Our integrated bioinformatics analysis identified DEGs in TMJD and provided potential ideas for further research and treatment approaches. However, experimental validation of the hub genes and potential drug targets is still needed. The key mechanisms of the identified genes and their potential roles as biomarkers or drug targets in TMJD require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junda Yang
- The Stomatological Hospital (College) of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityShaanxiXianChina
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Bechara R, Vagner S, Mariette X. Post-transcriptional checkpoints in autoimmunity. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:486-502. [PMID: 37311941 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-00980-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Post-transcriptional regulation is a fundamental process in gene expression that has a role in diverse cellular processes, including immune responses. A core concept underlying post-transcriptional regulation is that protein abundance is not solely determined by transcript abundance. Indeed, transcription and translation are not directly coupled, and intervening steps occur between these processes, including the regulation of mRNA stability, localization and alternative splicing, which can impact protein abundance. These steps are controlled by various post-transcription factors such as RNA-binding proteins and non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs, and aberrant post-transcriptional regulation has been implicated in various pathological conditions. Indeed, studies on the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases have identified various post-transcription factors as important regulators of immune cell-mediated and target effector cell-mediated pathological conditions. This Review summarizes current knowledge regarding the roles of post-transcriptional checkpoints in autoimmunity, as evidenced by studies in both haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic cells, and discusses the relevance of these findings for developing new anti-inflammatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Bechara
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Immunologie des maladies virales, auto-immunes, hématologiques et bactériennes (IMVA-HB/IDMIT/UMR1184), Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.
| | - Stephan Vagner
- Institut Curie, CNRS UMR3348, INSERM U1278, PSL Research University, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Xavier Mariette
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Immunologie des maladies virales, auto-immunes, hématologiques et bactériennes (IMVA-HB/IDMIT/UMR1184), Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bicêtre, Department of Rheumatology, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
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Moon J, Lee AR, Kim H, Jhun J, Lee SY, Choi JW, Jeong Y, Park MS, Ji GE, Cho ML, Park SH. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii alleviates inflammatory arthritis and regulates IL-17 production, short chain fatty acids, and the intestinal microbial flora in experimental mouse model for rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:130. [PMID: 37496081 PMCID: PMC10373287 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03118-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic chronic inflammatory disease that leads to joint destruction and functional disability due to the targeting of self-antigens present in the synovium, cartilage, and bone. RA is caused by a number of complex factors, including genetics, environment, dietary habits, and altered intestinal microbial flora. Microorganisms in the gut bind to nod-like receptors and Toll-like receptors to regulate the immune system and produce various metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that interact directly with the host. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a representative bacterium that produces butyrate, a well-known immunomodulatory agent in the body, and this microbe exerts anti-inflammatory effects in autoimmune diseases. METHODS In this study, F. prausnitzii was administered in a mouse model of RA, to investigate RA pathology and changes in the intestinal microbial flora. Using collagen-induced arthritic mice, which is a representative animal model of RA, we administered F. prausnitzii orally for 7 weeks. RESULTS The arthritis score and joint tissue damage were decreased in the mice administered F. prausnitzii compared with the vehicle-treated group. In addition, administration of F. prausnitzii reduced the abundance of systemic immune cells that secrete the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 and induced changes in SCFA concentrations and the intestinal microbial flora composition. It also resulted in decreased lactate and acetate concentrations, an increased butyrate concentration, and altered compositions of bacteria known to exacerbate or improve RA. CONCLUSION These results suggest that F. prausnitzii exerts a therapeutic effect on RA by regulation of IL-17 producing cells. In addition, F. prausnitzii modify the microbial flora composition and short chain fatty acids in experimental RA mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeonghyeon Moon
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - A Ram Lee
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
- Rheumatism Research Center, College of Medicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Korea
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222, Banpo-Daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejung Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - JooYeon Jhun
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
- Rheumatism Research Center, College of Medicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Korea
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222, Banpo-Daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Yeong Lee
- Rheumatism Research Center, College of Medicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Korea
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222, Banpo-Daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Won Choi
- Rheumatism Research Center, College of Medicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Korea
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222, Banpo-Daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunju Jeong
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Geun Eog Ji
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Research Center, BIFIDO Co., Ltd., Hongcheon, South Korea
| | - Mi-La Cho
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
- Rheumatism Research Center, College of Medicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Korea.
- Lab of Translational ImmunoMedicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222, Banpo-Daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Medical Life Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222, Banpo-Daero, Seocho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung-Hwan Park
- Rheumatism Research Center, College of Medicine, Catholic Research Institute of Medical Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, Korea.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
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Zhang Y, Yang M, Xie H, Hong F, Yang S. Role of miRNAs in Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy. Cells 2023; 12:1749. [PMID: 37443783 PMCID: PMC10340706 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease characterized by autoimmunity, synovial inflammation and joint destruction. Pannus formation in the synovial cavity can cause irreversible damage to the joint and cartilage and eventually permanent disability. Current conventional treatments for RA have limitations regarding efficacy, safety and cost. microRNA (miRNA) is a type of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) that regulates gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The dysregulation of miRNA has been observed in RA patients and implicated in the pathogenesis of RA. miRNAs have emerged as potential biomarkers or therapeutic agents. In this review, we explore the role of miRNAs in various aspects of RA pathophysiology, including immune cell imbalance, the proliferation and invasion of fibroblast-like synovial (FLS) cell, the dysregulation of inflammatory signaling and disturbance in angiogenesis. We delve into the regulatory effects of miRNAs on Treg/Th17 and M1/M2 polarization, the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway, neovascular formation, energy metabolism induced by FLS-cell-induced energy metabolism, apoptosis, osteogenesis and mobility. These findings shed light on the potential applications of miRNAs as diagnostic or therapeutic biomarkers for RA management. Furthermore, there are some strategies to regulate miRNA expression levels by utilizing miRNA mimics or exosomes and to hinder miRNA activity via competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network-based antagonists. We conclude that miRNAs offer a promising avenue for RA therapy with unlimited potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chronic Diseases, Fuzhou Medical University, Fuzhou 344000, China; (Y.Z.); (M.Y.)
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Meiwen Yang
- Key Laboratory of Chronic Diseases, Fuzhou Medical University, Fuzhou 344000, China; (Y.Z.); (M.Y.)
- Department of Physiology, Fuzhou Medical College of Nanchang University, Fuzhou 344100, China
- Technology Innovation Center of Chronic Disease Research in Fuzhou City, Fuzhou Science and Technology Bureau, Fuzhou 344100, China
| | - Hongyan Xie
- Department of Foreign Language, Fuzhou Medical College of Nanchang University, Fuzhou 344100, China;
| | - Fenfang Hong
- Experimental Centre of Pathogen Biology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Shulong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Chronic Diseases, Fuzhou Medical University, Fuzhou 344000, China; (Y.Z.); (M.Y.)
- Department of Physiology, Fuzhou Medical College of Nanchang University, Fuzhou 344100, China
- Technology Innovation Center of Chronic Disease Research in Fuzhou City, Fuzhou Science and Technology Bureau, Fuzhou 344100, China
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Li T, Liu X, Han P, Aimaier A, Zhang Y, Li J. Syringaldehyde ameliorates mouse arthritis by inhibiting dendritic cell maturation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 121:110490. [PMID: 37339567 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110490] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Syringaldehyde (SD), a kind of flavonoid polyphenolic small molecule compound, has the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. But it is unknown whether SD has properties on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by modulating dendritic cells (DCs). We explored the effect of SD on the maturation of DCs in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that SD significantly down-regulated the expression of CD86, CD40 and MHC II, decreased the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12p40 and IL-23, and increased IL-10 secretion and antigen phagocytosis in vitro induced by lipopolysaccharides in a dose-dependent manner through reducing the activation of MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways. SD also significantly inhibited the expression of CD86, CD40 and MHC II on DCs in vivo. Moreover, SD suppressed the expression of CCR7 and the in vivo migration of DCs. In arthritis mouse models induced by λ-carrageenan and complete Freund's adjuvant, SD significantly alleviated paw and joint oedema, reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 and increased the level of IL-10 in serum. Interestingly, SD significantly decreased the numbers of type I helper T cells (Th1), Th2, Th17 and Th17/Th1-like (CD4+IFN-γ+IL-17A+), but increased the numbers of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in spleens of mice. Importantly, the numbers of CD11c+IL-23+ and CD11c+IL-6+ cells were negatively correlated with the numbers of Th17 and Th17/Th1-like. These results suggested that SD ameliorated mouse arthritis through inhibiting the differentiation of Th1, Th17 and Th17/Th1-like and promoting the generation of Tregs via regulation of DC maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Li
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Xiaoying Liu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Peng Han
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Alimu Aimaier
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Yaosheng Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Jinyao Li
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China.
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Li D, Liu W, Sun S, Zhang Y, Zhang P, Feng G, Wei J, Chai L. Chinese herbal formula, modified Xianfang Huoming Yin, alleviates the inflammatory proliferation of rat synoviocytes induced by IL-1β through regulating the migration and differentiation of T lymphocytes. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 309:116297. [PMID: 36849102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Xianfang Huoming Yin (XFH) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula, which has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying toxins, dispersing swellings, activating blood circulation, and relieving pain. It is usually applied to treat various autoimmune diseases, including Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). AIM OF THE STUDY The migration of T lymphocytes plays an indispensable role in the pathogenesis of RA. Our previous studies demonstrated that modified Xianfang Huoming Yin (XFHM) could modulate the differentiation of T, B, and NK cells, and contribute to the restoration of immunologic balance. It also could downregulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by regulating the activation of NF-κ B and JAK/STAT signaling pathways in the collagen-induced arthritis mouse model. In this study, we want to investigate whether XFHM has therapeutic effects on the inflammatory proliferation of rat fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLSs) by interfering with the migration of T lymphocytes in vitro experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS High performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometer system was used to identify the constituents of the XFHM formula. A co-culture system of rat fibroblast-like synovial cells (RSC-364 cells) and peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) was used as the cell model. IL-1β inhibitor (IL-1βRA) was used as a positive control medicine, and two concentrations (100 μg/mL and 250 μg/mL) of freeze-dried XFHM powder were used as intervention measure. The lymphocyte migration levels were analyzed by the Real-time xCELLigence analysis system after 24 h and 48 h of treatment. The percentage of CD3+CD4+ T cells and CD3+CD8+ T cells, and the apoptosis rate of FLSs were detected by flow cytometry. The morphology of RSC-364 cells was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein expression of key factors for T cell differentiation and NF-κ B signaling pathway-related proteins in RSC-364 cells were examined by western-blot analysis. The migration-related cytokines levels of P-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in the supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Twenty-one different components in XFHM were identified. The migration CI index of T cells was significantly decreased in treatment with XFHM. XFHM also could significantly downregulate the levels r of CD3+CD4+T cells and CD3+CD8+T cells that migrated to the FLSs layer. Further study found that XFHM suppresses the production of P-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1. Meanwhile, it downregulated the protein levels of T-bet, ROR γ t, IKKα/β, TRAF2, and NF-κ B p50, upregulated the expression of GATA-3 and alleviated synovial cells inflammation proliferation, contributing to the FLSs apoptosis. CONCLUSION XFHM could attenuate the inflammation of synovium by inhibiting T lymphocyte cell migration, regulating differentiation of T cells through modulating the activation of the NF-κ B signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Song Sun
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yingkai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Pingxin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guiyu Feng
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
| | - Limin Chai
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
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Wang XQ, Cai HH, Deng QW, Chang YZ, Peng YP, Qiu YH. Dopamine D2 receptor on CD4 + T cells is protective against inflammatory responses and signs in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:87. [PMID: 37237413 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03071-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and has been found to regulate lymphocytes by acting on dopamine receptors (DRs). CD4+ T cells express all the five subtypes of DRs, D1R to D5R. Although CD4+ T cells have been involved in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), roles of DRs expressed on these cells in RA are poorly understood. This study determined whether D2R expressed on CD4+ T cells regulates inflammatory responses and signs in collagen type II (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA), a mouse model of RA. METHODS DBA/1 mice and C57BL/6 mice with global D1r or D2r deficiency (D1r-/- or D2r-/-) or CD4+ T cell-specific D2r deletion (D2rfl/fl/CD4Cre) were used to prepare CIA model by intradermal injection of CII. D2R agonist sumanirole was intraperitoneally administered in CIA mice. CD4+ T cells obtained from CIA mice were exposed to sumanirole or/and D2R antagonist L-741,626 in vitro. Arthritic symptoms were assessed by clinical arthritis scores. Flow cytometric assay measured frequencies of CD4+ T cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells). Expression of specific transcription factors for the CD4+ T cell subsets was tested by Western blot. Cytokine production was estimated by quantitative PCR and ELISA. RESULTS CIA mice manifested a bias of CD4+ T cells towards Th1 and Th17 cells. D2r-/- CIA mice showed a stronger bias towards Th1 and Th17 phenotypes than CIA mice, while D1r-/- CIA mice did not show the changes. CD4+ T cell-specific D2r deletion exacerbated both the polarization towards Th1 and Th17 cells and the symptoms of arthritis. Sumanirole administration in CIA mice ameliorated the bias of CD4+ T cells towards Th1 and Th17 phenotypes as well as arthritic symptoms. Sumanirole treatment of in vitro CD4+ T cells obtained from CIA mice promoted the shift to Treg cells, and the effect of sumanirole was blocked by L-741,626. CONCLUSIONS D2R expressed on CD4+ T cells is protective against imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory T cells and arthritic symptoms in CIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qin Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Huan-Huan Cai
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Qiao-Wen Deng
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Ya-Zhou Chang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yu-Ping Peng
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, China.
| | - Yi-Hua Qiu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, 226001, China.
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Hascoët E, Blanchard F, Blin-Wakkach C, Guicheux J, Lesclous P, Cloitre A. New insights into inflammatory osteoclast precursors as therapeutic targets for rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. Bone Res 2023; 11:26. [PMID: 37217496 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-023-00257-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory diseases leading to increased bone resorption. Preventing this inflammatory bone resorption is a major health challenge. Both diseases share immunopathogenic similarities and a common inflammatory environment. The autoimmune response or periodontal infection stimulates certain immune actors, leading in both cases to chronic inflammation that perpetuates bone resorption. Moreover, RA and periodontitis have a strong epidemiological association that could be explained by periodontal microbial dysbiosis. This dysbiosis is believed to be involved in the initiation of RA via three mechanisms. (i) The dissemination of periodontal pathogens triggers systemic inflammation. (ii) Periodontal pathogens can induce the generation of citrullinated neoepitopes, leading to the generation of anti-citrullinated peptide autoantibodies. (iii) Intracellular danger-associated molecular patterns accelerate local and systemic inflammation. Therefore, periodontal dysbiosis could promote or sustain bone resorption in distant inflamed joints. Interestingly, in inflammatory conditions, the existence of osteoclasts distinct from "classical osteoclasts" has recently been reported. They have proinflammatory origins and functions. Several populations of osteoclast precursors have been described in RA, such as classical monocytes, a dendritic cell subtype, and arthritis-associated osteoclastogenic macrophages. The aim of this review is to synthesize knowledge on osteoclasts and their precursors in inflammatory conditions, especially in RA and periodontitis. Special attention will be given to recent data related to RA that could be of potential value in periodontitis due to the immunopathogenic similarities between the two diseases. Improving our understanding of these pathogenic mechanisms should lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets involved in the pathological inflammatory bone resorption associated with these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Hascoët
- Nantes Université, Oniris, Univ Angers, CHU Nantes, INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Frédéric Blanchard
- Nantes Université, Oniris, Univ Angers, CHU Nantes, INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | | | - Jérôme Guicheux
- Nantes Université, Oniris, Univ Angers, CHU Nantes, INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000, Nantes, France.
| | - Philippe Lesclous
- Nantes Université, Oniris, Univ Angers, CHU Nantes, INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Alexandra Cloitre
- Nantes Université, Oniris, Univ Angers, CHU Nantes, INSERM, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, F-44000, Nantes, France
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Mei D, Zhang T, Liu R, Wang P, Hu L, Xu L, Ge J, Zhang X, Wang H, Xue Z, Liang F, Yu Q, Wei W, Zhang L. hIgD-Fc-Ig fusion protein regulates T cell functions by inhibiting TCR signaling pathway in adjuvant arthritis rats. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 119:110154. [PMID: 37062257 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110154] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of hIgD-Fc-Ig on TCR-Lck-Erk activated by IgD in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats. Wistar rats were divided into the normal, AA model, hIgD-Fc-Ig (1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg and 9 mg/kg) and Etanercept (3 mg/kg) groups. The overall index of AA rats was measured every 3 days. The pathologic examination of knee joints and the proliferation of the spleen and thymus of AA rats were detected by H&E staining and CCK-8. The blood flow signal of knee joints of experimental rats was examined by US. The articular bone injury was detected by X-ray. The changes in PBMCs and spleen T cell subsets were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of CD3ε, p-Lck, p-Zap70, Ras, and p-Erk in rat spleens was detected by immunofluorescence and WB. Rat spleen T cells or Jurkat cells treated by IgD to observe the effect of hIgD-Fc-Ig on TCR and its downstream protein expression. The results showed that hIgD-Fc-Ig had a therapeutic effect on AA rats by reducing the secondary inflammation, improving pathological changes. hIgD-Fc-Ig can reduce the ratio of Th cells of PBMCs of AA rats, the ratio of Th, Th1, Th17 cells and increase the ratio of Th2, Treg cells of AA rat spleens. hIgD-Fc-Ig could down-regulate the expression of CD3ε, p-Lck, p-Zap70, Ras, p-Erk in vivo or in vitro. In conclusion, hIgD-Fc-Ig could alleviate the symptoms of AA rats and regulate T cells through TCR-Lck-Erk signaling pathway and maybe a new promising biological agent for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Mei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Tianjing Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ruijin Liu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ling Hu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Li Xu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jinru Ge
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xianzheng Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China; Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Han Wang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ziyang Xue
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Faqin Liang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qianqian Yu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
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Feng C, Zhang Y, Li W, Liu Y, Duan C, Ma J, Wang Y, Zhuang R, Ding Y. Identification of CaMK4 as a sex-difference-related gene in knee osteoarthritis. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2023; 11:194. [PMID: 37007557 PMCID: PMC10061463 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-4284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease with a higher prevalence in females than in males. Sex may be a key factor affecting the progression of OA. This study aimed to investigate critical sex-difference-related genes in patients with OA and confirm their potential roles in OA regulation. Methods OA datasets GSE12021, GSE55457, and GSE36700 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to screen OA-causing genes that are differentially expressed in the two sexes. Cytoscape was used to construct a protein-protein interaction network and determine hub genes. Synovial tissues of patients (male and female) with OA and female non-OA healthy controls were obtained to confirm the expression of hub genes and screen the key genes among them. Destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM)-induced OA mice model was established to verify the screened key genes. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Safranin O-fast green dye staining were employed to observe synovial inflammation and pathological cartilage status. Results The abovementioned three datasets were intersected to obtain 99 overlapping differentially expressed genes, of which 77 were upregulated and 22 were downregulated in female patients with OA. The hub genes screened were EGF, AQP4, CDC42, NTRK3, ERBB2, STAT1, and CaMK4. Among them, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-4 (CaMK4) was identified as a key sex-related gene for OA. It was significantly higher in female OA patients than in the cases of male patients. Moreover, CaMK4 was significantly increased in female patients with OA compared with the female non-OA group. These results suggest that CaMK4 plays an important role in the progression of OA. OA mouse models demonstrated that CaMK4 expression in the mice knee joint synovial tissue elevated after DMM, with aggravated synovial inflammation and significant cartilage damage. Cartilage damage improved after intraperitoneal administration of the CaMK4 inhibitor KN-93. Conclusions CaMK4 is a key sex-related gene influencing the progression and pathogenesis of OA and may be considered as a new target for OA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongyang Feng
- Orthopedic Department of Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wenpeng Li
- Orthopedic Department of Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yitian Liu
- Orthopedic Department of Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chujun Duan
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jingchang Ma
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuling Wang
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ran Zhuang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yong Ding
- Orthopedic Department of Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Liu B, Wang J, Li YY, Li KP, Zhang Q. The association between systemic immune-inflammation index and rheumatoid arthritis: evidence from NHANES 1999-2018. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:34. [PMID: 36871051 PMCID: PMC9985219 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03018-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to explore the relationship between the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using NHANES from 1999 to 2018. METHODS We collected data from the NHANES database from 1999 to 2018. The SII is calculated from the counts of lymphocytes (LC), neutrophils (NC), and platelets (PC). The RA patients were derived from questionnaire data. We used weighted multivariate regression analysis and subgroup analysis to explore the relationship between SII and RA. Furthermore, the restricted cubic splines were used to explore the non-linear relationships. RESULT Our study included a total of 37,604 patients, of which 2642 (7.03%) had rheumatoid arthritis. After adjusting for all covariates, the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high SII (In-transform) levels were associated with an increased likelihood of rheumatoid arthritis (OR=1.167, 95% CI=1.025-1.328, P=0.020). The interaction test revealed no significant effect on this connection. In the restricted cubic spline regression model, the relationship between ln-SII and RA was non-linear. The cutoff value of SII for RA was 578.25. The risk of rheumatoid arthritis increases rapidly when SII exceeds the cutoff value. CONCLUSION In general, there is a positive correlation between SII and rheumatoid arthritis. Our study shows that SII is a novel, valuable, and convenient inflammatory marker that can be used to predict the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in US adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015 China
| | - Jie Wang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015 China
| | - Yan-yan Li
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Kang-peng Li
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015 China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Orthopaedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015 China
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Li W, Sun J, Feng SL, Wang F, Miao MZ, Wu EY, Wallet S, Loeser R, Li C. Intra-articular delivery of AAV vectors encoding PD-L1 attenuates joint inflammation and tissue damage in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1116084. [PMID: 36936967 PMCID: PMC10021025 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1116084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Intra-articular gene delivery to block proinflammatory cytokines has been studied in pre-clinical models and human clinical trials. It has been demonstrated that the level of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study examined the therapeutic role of PD-L1 by intra-articular delivery via adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in the mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Methods Mice were intra-articularly injected with AAV5 vectors encoding human PD-L1 on day 0 and immunized with bovine type II collagen to induce CIA simultaneously. On day 49 post AAV administration, joints were collected for histo-pathological and cytokine analysis. Additionally, the systemic impacts of intra-articular injection of AAV5/PD-L1 vectors were also studied. To study the therapeutic effect of PD-L1, AAV5/PD-L1 vectors were administered into the joints of RA mice on day 21. Results After administration of AAV5/PD-L1 vectors, strong PD-L1 expression was detected in AAV transduced joints. Joints treated with PD-L1 at the time of arthritis induction exhibited significantly less swelling and improved histopathological scores when compared to untreated joints. Additionally, the infiltration of T cells and macrophages was decreased in joints of CIA mice that received AAV5/PD-L1 vectors (P<0.05). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, IL-17 and TNFα, were lower in AAV5/PD-L1 treated than untreated joints (P<0.05). Furthermore, the administration of AAV5/PD-L1 vectors into the joints of CIA mice did not impact serum cytokine levels and the antibody titers to type II collagen. Biodistribution of AAV vectors after intra-articular injection showed undetectable AAV genomes in other tissues except for a low level in the liver. Similar to the results of AAV5/PD-L1 vector administration on day 0, decreased joint swelling and lower histopathological damage were observed in joints treated with AAV5/PD-L1 vectors on day 21. Conclusion The results from this study demonstrate that local AAV mediated PD-L1 gene delivery into the joints is able to prevent the development and block the progression of arthritis in CIA mice without impacting systemic immune responses. This study provides a novel strategy to effectively treat inflammatory joint diseases using local AAV gene therapy by interference with immune checkpoint pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Li
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine, University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Junjiang Sun
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Susi Liu Feng
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Feng Wang
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michael Z. Miao
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine, University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Eveline Y. Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Shannon Wallet
- Department of oral biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Richard Loeser
- Thurston Arthritis Research Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Chengwen Li
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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45
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Lu Y, Ruan Y, Hong P, Rui K, Liu Q, Wang S, Cui D. T-cell senescence: A crucial player in autoimmune diseases. Clin Immunol 2023; 248:109202. [PMID: 36470338 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.109202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Senescent T cells are proliferative disabled lymphocytes that lack antigen-specific responses. The development of T-cell senescence in autoimmune diseases contributes to immunological disorders and disease progression. Senescent T cells lack costimulatory markers with the reduction of T cell receptor repertoire and the uptake of natural killer cell receptors. Senescent T cells exert cytotoxic effects through the expression of perforin, granzymes, tumor necrosis factor, and other molecules without the antigen-presenting process. DNA damage accumulation, telomere damage, and limited DNA repair capacity are important features of senescent T cells. Impaired mitochondrial function and accumulation of reactive oxygen species contribute to T cell senescence. Alleviation of T-cell senescence could provide potential targets for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinyun Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Yongchun Ruan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Pan Hong
- Department of Hematology, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Ke Rui
- Department of Transfusion, Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shaoxing, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
| | - Shengjun Wang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
| | - Dawei Cui
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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46
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Chen L, Li Z, Wu H. CeDAR: incorporating cell type hierarchy improves cell type-specific differential analyses in bulk omics data. Genome Biol 2023; 24:37. [PMID: 36855165 PMCID: PMC9972684 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-02857-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Bulk high-throughput omics data contain signals from a mixture of cell types. Recent developments of deconvolution methods facilitate cell type-specific inferences from bulk data. Our real data exploration suggests that differential expression or methylation status is often correlated among cell types. Based on this observation, we develop a novel statistical method named CeDAR to incorporate the cell type hierarchy in cell type-specific differential analyses of bulk data. Extensive simulation and real data analyses demonstrate that this approach significantly improves the accuracy and power in detecting cell type-specific differential signals compared with existing methods, especially in low-abundance cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luxiao Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, GA 30322 Atlanta, USA
| | - Ziyi Li
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center, 77030 Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Faculty of Computer Science and Control Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen University Town, Shenzhen, 518055 P.R. China
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47
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Pedersen K, Nielsen MA, Juul-Madsen K, Hvid M, Deleuran B, Greisen SR. Galectin-3 interacts with PD-1 and counteracts the PD-1 pathway-driven regulation of T cell and osteoclast activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Scand J Immunol 2023; 97:e13245. [PMID: 36537046 PMCID: PMC10078345 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and bone erosions. The glycosylated programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor plays an important role in regulating immune responses and maintaining tolerance. In this study, we focus on two features observed in RA: impaired PD-1 signalling and Galectin-3 (Gal-3) upregulation. We hypothesize that Gal-3 binds PD-1 and PD-1 ligands, potentially contributing to impaired PD-1 signalling. PD-1 and Gal-3 levels in RA synovial fluid (SF) and plasma were evaluated by ELISA. PD-1 and Gal-3 interaction was examined by Surface Plasmon Resonance and ELISA. PD-1, PD-L1 and Gal-3 expression on mononuclear cells from SF and peripheral blood as well as fibroblast-like synoviocytes were examined by flow cytometry. Effects of Gal-3 and PD-L1 on osteoclast formation was evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase assay. We show that Gal-3 binds PD-1 and PD-L1. Results demonstrated high expression of PD-1 and Gal-3 on mononuclear cells, especially from SF. Gal-3 inhibited PD-1 signalling when PD-L1 was present. Furthermore, a role of Gal-3 in osteoclast formation was observed in vitro, both directly but also through PD-1:PD-L1 inhibition. Effects of Gal-3 on the PD-1 signalling axis are proposed to be inhibitory, meaning high Gal-3 levels in the complex synovial microenvironment are not desirable in RA. Preventing Gal-3's inhibitory role on PD-1 signalling could, therefore, be a therapeutic target in RA by affecting inflammatory T cell responses and osteoclasts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Morten Aagaard Nielsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kristian Juul-Madsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Malene Hvid
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bent Deleuran
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Stinne Ravn Greisen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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48
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Role of T Cells in the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Focus on Immunometabolism Dysfunctions. Inflammation 2023; 46:88-102. [PMID: 36215002 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-022-01751-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Evidence demonstrated that metabolic-associated T cell abnormalities could be detected in the early stage of RA development. In this context, molecular evaluations have revealed changes in metabolic pathways, leading to the aggressive phenotype of RA T cells. A growing list of genes is downregulated or upregulated in RA T cells, and most of these genes with abnormal expression fall into the category of metabolic pathways. It has been shown that RA T cells shunt glucose towards the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), which is associated with a high level of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and intermediate molecules. An increased level of NADPH inhibits ATM activation and thereby increases the proliferation capabilities of the RA T cells. Defects in the DNA repair nuclease MRE11A cause failures in repairing mitochondrial DNA, resulting in inhibiting the fatty acid oxidation pathway and further elevated cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Accumulated lipid droplets employ to generate lipid membranes for the cell building program and are also used to form the front-end membrane ruffles that are accomplices with invasive phenotypes of RA T cells. Metabolic pathway involvement in RA pathogenesis expands the pathogenic concept of the disease beyond the common view of autoimmunity triggered by autoantigen recognition. Increased knowledge about metabolic pathways' implications in RA pathogenesis paves the way to understand better the environment/gene interactions and host/microbiota interactions and introduce potential therapeutic approaches. This review summarized emerging data about the roles of T cells in RA pathogenesis with a focus on immunometabolism dysfunctions and how these metabolic alterations can affect the disease process.
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49
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Wang T, Wang Z, Qi W, Jiang G, Wang G. The role, targets and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating the balance of T helper type 17/regulatory Tcells in rheumatoid arthritis. Int J Rheum Dis 2023; 26:613-624. [PMID: 36680325 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.14560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a persistent systemic autoimmune disease, having all the hallmarks of joint swelling, joint tenderness, and progressive joint destruction, with synovitis and pannus formation as the basic pathological changes. T-lymphocyte infiltration is the key to its pathogenesis. During the growth of RA, the share of regulatory T (Treg) cells decreases, while the percentage of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells increases, giving rise to an imbalance of Th17/Treg cells. Modern medicine has made great advances in the treatment of RA and the selection of available drugs, but there are also the disadvantages of gastrointestinal reaction, high price, and low patient compliance. Therapy of RA remains a problem. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has RA therapy developments, both in experimental research and clinical research, and its advantages of lasting effects and less detrimental reactions and fewer adverse effects are accepted by most patients. Numerous clinical and experimental studies have been performed in TCM on regulating Th17/Treg balance. However, the detailed mechanism of TCM intervention in Th17/Treg equilibrium in preventing and treating RA has not been discovered. In this article, the theory of regulating Th17/Treg cell equilibrium in RA is described from the perspectives of single Chinese medicine, active components of Chinese medicine, Chinese medicine compounds, and other therapies of TCM. It was found that TCM can regulate Th17/Treg cell balance and inhibit immunoreaction by intervening in cytokines, transcription factors, and signal pathways. It enables us to comprehensively and deeply understand the mechanism of TCM intervening in Th17/Treg balance in RA; provides direction for clinical therapy of RA; and offers new thoughts for understanding the pathogenesis of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhandong Wang
- Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wenxia Qi
- Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
| | | | - Gang Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
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50
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Treg-targeted efficient-inducible platform for collagen-induced arthritis treatment. Mater Today Bio 2023; 19:100557. [PMID: 36714199 PMCID: PMC9874074 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) display great promise in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy. However, their low number and differentiation rate limit their further application in the clinics. In the present study, we first optimized a combination of IL-2, TGF-β and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor AS2863619 (IL-2/TGF-β/AS), which could induce Tregs with high efficiency in vitro. After the induced Tregs (iTregs) were confirmed to suppress lymphocyte proliferation and pro-inflammatory T help cells (Th1 and Th17) activation, a chitosan-stabilized nanoparticle drug delivery system (NDDS) was developed according to the optimized formula of IL-2/TGF-β/AS. In vivo study, the NDDS was injected into the knees of mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). As a result, the NDDS remarkably reduced the pathological score of the CIA, alleviated the inflammatory cell infiltration and synovial hyperplasia, and minimized cartilage tissue damage in the knee joint of the CIA mice. Mechanically, the NDDS administration promoted Treg differentiation and decreased Th17 production, consequently reversing the ratio of Treg/Th17, and reducing the secretion of TNF-α in the sera, which facilitated to relieve the severity and progression of arthritis. In sum, NDDS capable of efficiently inducing Tregs were constructed successfully and provided a potential platform for treating RA by restoring the equilibrium of Treg/Th17 destroyed in RA.
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