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Yang Y, Ren C, Xu X, Yang X, Shao W. Decoding the connection between SLE and DNA Sensors: A comprehensive review. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 137:112446. [PMID: 38878488 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112446] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is recognized as a prevalent autoimmune disorder characterized by a multifaceted pathogenesis potentially influenced by a combination of environmental factors, genetic predisposition, and hormonal regulation. The continuous study of immune system activation is especially intriguing. Analysis of blood samples from individuals with SLE reveals an abnormal increase in interferon levels, along with the existence of anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies. This evidence suggests that the development of SLE may be initiated by innate immunity. The presence of abnormal dsDNA fragments can activate DNA sensors within cells, particularly immune cells, leading to the initiation of downstream signaling cascades that result in the upregulation of relevant cytokines and the subsequent initiation of adaptive immune responses, such as B cell differentiation and T cell activation. The intricate pathogenesis of SLE results in DNA sensors exhibiting a wide range of functions in innate immune responses that are subject to variation based on cell types, developmental processes, downstream effector signaling pathways and other factors. The review aims to reorganize how DNA sensors influence signaling pathways and contribute to the development of SLE according to current studies, with the aspiration of furnishing valuable insights for future investigations into the pathological mechanisms of SLE and potential treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Yang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; Medical School of Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Changhuai Ren
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; Medical School of Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaopeng Xu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; Medical School of Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; Medical School of Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenwei Shao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; Medical School of Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
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Rutkowska-Zapała M, Grabowska-Gurgul A, Lenart M, Szaflarska A, Kluczewska A, Mach-Tomalska M, Baj-Krzyworzeka M, Siedlar M. Gene Signature of Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Children with Selective IgA Deficiency and Common Variable Immunodeficiency. Cells 2024; 13:417. [PMID: 38474381 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050417] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD) is the most common form and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most symptomatic form of predominant antibody deficiency. Despite differences in the clinical picture, a similar genetic background is suggested. A common feature of both disorders is the occurrence of autoimmune conditions. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are the major immune cell type that maintains autoimmune tolerance. As the different types of abnormalities of Treg cells have been associated with autoimmune disorders in primary immunodeficiency (PID) patients, in our study we aimed to analyze the gene expression profiles of Treg cells in CVID and SIgAD patients compared to age-matched healthy controls. The transcriptome-wide gene profiling was performed by microarray technology. As a result, we analyzed and visualized gene expression patterns of isolated population of Treg cells. We showed the differences at the gene level between patients with and without autoimmunizations. Our findings suggest that the gene signatures of Treg cells isolated from SIgAD and CVID patients differ from age-matched healthy controls and from each other, presenting transcriptional profiles enriched in innate immune or Th response, respectively. The occurrence of autoimmunity in both types of PID is associated with down-regulation of class I IFNs signaling pathways. In summary, our findings improve our understanding of Treg dysfunctions in patients with common PIDs and associated autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Rutkowska-Zapała
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Paediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Grabowska-Gurgul
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Paediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marzena Lenart
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Paediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Szaflarska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Paediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Kluczewska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Paediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Monika Mach-Tomalska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Monika Baj-Krzyworzeka
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Paediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
| | - Maciej Siedlar
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Paediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Krakow, Poland
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Gravand A, Alesaeidi S, Khoshbakht S, Saghaei M, Kenarangi T, Mosallaei M, Soosanabadi M. Demethylation of CDKN2A in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis: a blood biomarker for diagnosis and assessment of disease activity. Clin Rheumatol 2023; 42:3387-3395. [PMID: 37597101 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06736-z] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES Considering the phenotypic and serological heterogeneity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), significant challenges may intervene with the precise diagnosis. In this regard, numerous studies have shown that changes in DNA methylation levels can be used to distinguish between healthy individuals and those with SLE and RA, as well as to predict disease activity and prognosis. METHODS In the current study, we evaluated quantitative methylation level of CDKN2A promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE and RA patients, and healthy controls by methylation-quantification of endonuclease-resistant DNA (MethyQESD), a bisulfite conversion-independent method. RESULTS Our findings revealed an excessive hypomethylation of CDKN2A in SLE and RA patients compared to healthy individuals (P < 0.001). Besides, by determining efficient cutoff value, the specificity of CDKN2A for correct diagnosis of healthy subjects was measured to be 77.30% and the sensitivity for SLE and RA diagnosis were 81.33%, and 72%, respectively. Furthermore, CDKN2A methylation level was shown to be positively associated with C3 and C4 levels and negatively associated with anti‑dsDNA concentration (P < 0.001). Moreover, a statistically significant difference in the DNA methylation levels of CDKN2A promoter was identified between SLE cases with age of ≤ 18 and patients with > 18 years of age (P = 0.025). CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrated that CDKN2A methylation levels in PBMCs of SLE and RA patients could be used as a promising diagnostic biomarker. The significant association between hypomethylation of CDKN2A promoter and disease activity factors in SLE patients, is suggesting that CDKN2A hypomethylation could be used as an alternative biomarker for assessment of disease activity. Key Points • Several studies have reported increased expression of CDKN2A in SLE and RA suggesting that it may be involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders. • CDKN2A hypomethylation has been implicated in different autoimmune diseases. • Our findings demonstrated that CDKN2A methylation levels in PBMCs of SLE and RA patients could be used as a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdollah Gravand
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Samira Alesaeidi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrouz Khoshbakht
- Student Research Committee, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mozhdeh Saghaei
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Taiebe Kenarangi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Statistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meysam Mosallaei
- Personalized Medicine and Genometabolomics Research Center, Hope Generation Foundation, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Soosanabadi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Filipowicz G, Wajda A, Stypińska B, Kmiołek T, Felis-Giemza A, Stańczyk S, Czuszyńska Z, Walczyk M, Olesińska M, Paradowska-Gorycka A. Mixed Connective Tissue Disease as Different Entity: Global Methylation Aspect. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15495. [PMID: 37895173 PMCID: PMC10607312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015495] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a very rare disorder that belongs in the rare and clinically multifactorial groups of diseases. The pathogenesis of MCTD is still unclear. The best understood epigenetic alteration is DNA methylation whose role is to regulate gene expression. In the literature, there are ever-increasing assumptions that DNA methylation can be one of the possible reasons for the development of Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases (ACTDs) such as systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to define the global DNA methylation changes between MCTD and other ACTDs patients in whole blood samples. The study included 54 MCTD patients, 43 SSc patients, 45 SLE patients, and 43 healthy donors (HC). The global DNA methylation level was measured by ELISA. Although the global DNA methylation was not significantly different between MCTD and control, we observed that hypomethylation distinguishes the MCTD patients from the SSc and SLE patients. The present analysis revealed a statistically significant difference of global methylation between SLE and MCTD (p < 0.001), SLE and HC (p = 0.008), SSc and MCTD (p ≤ 0.001), and SSc and HC (p < 0.001), but neither between MCTD and HC (p = 0.09) nor SSc and SLE (p = 0.08). The highest % of global methylation (median, IQR) has been observed in the group of patients with SLE [0.73 (0.43, 1.22] and SSc [0,91 (0.59, 1.50)], whereas in the MCTD [0.29 (0.20, 0.54)], patients and healthy subjects [0.51 (0.24, 0.70)] were comparable. In addition, our study provided evidence of different levels of global DNA methylation between the SSc subtypes (p = 0.01). Our study showed that patients with limited SSc had a significantly higher global methylation level when compared to diffuse SSc. Our data has shown that the level of global DNA methylation may not be a good diagnostic marker to distinguish MCTD from other ACTDs. Our research provides the groundwork for a more detailed examination of the significance of global DNA methylation as a distinguishing factor in patients with MCTD compared to other ACTDs patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Filipowicz
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartanska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (G.F.)
| | - Anna Wajda
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartanska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (G.F.)
| | - Barbara Stypińska
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartanska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (G.F.)
| | - Tomasz Kmiołek
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartanska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (G.F.)
| | - Anna Felis-Giemza
- Biologic Therapy Center, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartanska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland (S.S.)
| | - Sandra Stańczyk
- Biologic Therapy Center, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartanska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland (S.S.)
| | - Zenobia Czuszyńska
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology, Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Smulochowskiego 17, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Marcela Walczyk
- Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartanska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marzena Olesińska
- Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartanska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Paradowska-Gorycka
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Spartanska 1, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (G.F.)
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Tao S, Tan X, Chai W, Peng X, Zheng W, Fu R, Deng M. Knockdown of KLF5 ameliorates renal fibrosis in MRL/lpr mice via inhibition of MX1 transcription. Immun Inflamm Dis 2023; 11:e937. [PMID: 37506140 PMCID: PMC10373570 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to elucidate the role of Kruppel-like factor (KLF5) and myxovirus resistance 1 (MX1) in the progression of renal fibrosis in lupus nephritis (LN). METHODS First, the expression of KLF5 and MX1 was assessed in the peripheral blood of LN patients and healthy participants. Next, the pathological changes in renal tissues were evaluated and compared in BALB/c and MRL/lpr mice, by detecting the expression of fibrosis marker proteins (transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β] and CTGF) and α-SMA, the content of urine protein, and the levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and serum double-stranded DNA antibody. In TGF-β1-induced HK-2 cells, the messenger RNA levels of KLF5 and MX1 were tested by qRT-PCR, and the protein expression of α-SMA, type I collagen (Col I), fibronectin (FN), and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) was measured by western blot analysis. Moreover, the relationship between KLF5 and MX1 was predicted and verified. RESULTS In renal tissues of MRL/lpr mice and the peripheral blood of LN patients, KLF5 and MX1 were highly expressed. Pearson analysis revealed that KLF5 was positively correlated with MX1. Furthermore, KLF5 bound to MX1 promoter and promoted its transcription level. MRL/lpr mice showed substantial renal injury, accompanied by increased expression of α-SMA, TGF-β, CTGF, Col I, FN, and MMP9. Injection of sh-KLF5 or sh-MX1 alone in MRL/lpr mice reduced renal fibrosis in LN, while simultaneous injection of sh-KLF5 and ad-MX1 exacerbated renal injury and fibrosis. Furthermore, we obtained the same results in TGF-β1-induced HK-2 cells. CONCLUSION Knockdown of KLF5 alleviated renal fibrosis in LN through repressing the transcription of MX1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Tao
- Department of Nephrology, Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiao Tan
- Department of Hematology, Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wen Chai
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiaojie Peng
- Department of Nephrology, Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Weimin Zheng
- Department of Nephrology, Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Rui Fu
- Department of Nephrology, Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Meihui Deng
- Department of Nephrology, Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Ibáñez-Cabellos JS, Pallardó FV, García-Giménez JL, Seco-Cervera M. Oxidative Stress and Epigenetics: miRNA Involvement in Rare Autoimmune Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040800. [PMID: 37107175 PMCID: PMC10135388 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases (ADs) such as Sjögren’s syndrome, Kawasaki disease, and systemic sclerosis are characterized by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and autoantibodies, which cause joint tissue damage, vascular injury, fibrosis, and debilitation. Epigenetics participate in immune cell proliferation and differentiation, which regulates the development and function of the immune system, and ultimately interacts with other tissues. Indeed, overlapping of certain clinical features between ADs indicate that numerous immunologic-related mechanisms may directly participate in the onset and progression of these diseases. Despite the increasing number of studies that have attempted to elucidate the relationship between miRNAs and oxidative stress, autoimmune disorders and oxidative stress, and inflammation and miRNAs, an overall picture of the complex regulation of these three actors in the pathogenesis of ADs has yet to be formed. This review aims to shed light from a critical perspective on the key AD-related mechanisms by explaining the intricate regulatory ROS/miRNA/inflammation axis and the phenotypic features of these rare autoimmune diseases. The inflamma-miRs miR-155 and miR-146, and the redox-sensitive miR miR-223 have relevant roles in the inflammatory response and antioxidant system regulation of these diseases. ADs are characterized by clinical heterogeneity, which impedes early diagnosis and effective personalized treatment. Redox-sensitive miRNAs and inflamma-miRs can help improve personalized medicine in these complex and heterogeneous diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federico V. Pallardó
- U733, Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Mixed Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.V.P.); (J.L.G.-G.); (M.S.-C.); Tel.: +34-963-864-646 (F.V.P.)
| | - José Luis García-Giménez
- U733, Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Mixed Unit for Rare Diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.V.P.); (J.L.G.-G.); (M.S.-C.); Tel.: +34-963-864-646 (F.V.P.)
| | - Marta Seco-Cervera
- Hospital Dr. Peset, Fundación para la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana, FISABIO, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.V.P.); (J.L.G.-G.); (M.S.-C.); Tel.: +34-963-864-646 (F.V.P.)
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Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis Identifies DDX60 as a Potential Biomarker for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. DISEASE MARKERS 2023; 2023:8564650. [PMID: 36655136 PMCID: PMC9842429 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8564650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with strong heterogeneity, leading to variable clinical symptoms, which makes diagnosis and activity evaluation difficult. Methods The original dataset of GSE88884 was analyzed to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of SLE and the correlation between DEGs and clinical parameters (SLEDAI, anti-dsDNA, C3, and C4). The result was validated by microarray GSE121239 and SLE patients with RT-qPCR. Next, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, correlation analysis, and ordinal logistic regression were applied, respectively, to evaluate the capability of diagnosis and prediction of the candidate biomarker. Subsequently, the biological functions of the candidate biomarker were investigated through KEGG and GO enrichment, protein-protein interaction network, and the correlation matrix. Results A total of 283 DEGs were screened, and seven of them were overlapped with SLE-related genes. DDX60 was identified as the candidate biomarker. Analyses of GSE88884, GSE121239, and SLE patients with RT-qPCR indicated that DDX60 expression level is significantly higher in patients with high disease activity. ROC analysis and the area under the ROC curve (AUC = 0.8818) suggested that DDX60 has good diagnostic performance. DDX60 expression level was positively correlated with SLEDAI scores (r = 0.24). For every 1-unit increase in DDX60 expression value, the odds of a higher stage of activity of SLE disease are multiplied by 1.47. The function of DDX60 mainly focuses on IFN-I-induced antiviral activities, RIG-I signaling, and innate immune. Moreover, DDX60 plays a synergistic role with DDX58, IFIH1, OASL, IFIT1, and other related genes in the SLE pathogenesis. Conclusions. DDX60 is differently expressed in SLE, and it is significantly related to both serological indicators and the disease activity of SLE. We suggested that DDX60 might be a potential biomarker for SLE diagnosis and management.
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Bowler S, Papoutsoglou G, Karanikas A, Tsamardinos I, Corley MJ, Ndhlovu LC. A machine learning approach utilizing DNA methylation as an accurate classifier of COVID-19 disease severity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17480. [PMID: 36261477 PMCID: PMC9580434 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22201-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing cases with variable outcomes continue globally because of variants and despite vaccines and therapies. There is a need to identify at-risk individuals early that would benefit from timely medical interventions. DNA methylation provides an opportunity to identify an epigenetic signature of individuals at increased risk. We utilized machine learning to identify DNA methylation signatures of COVID-19 disease from data available through NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus. A training cohort of 460 individuals (164 COVID-19-infected and 296 non-infected) and an external validation dataset of 128 individuals (102 COVID-19-infected and 26 non-COVID-associated pneumonia) were reanalyzed. Data was processed using ChAMP and beta values were logit transformed. The JADBio AutoML platform was leveraged to identify a methylation signature associated with severe COVID-19 disease. We identified a random forest classification model from 4 unique methylation sites with the power to discern individuals with severe COVID-19 disease. The average area under the curve of receiver operator characteristic (AUC-ROC) of the model was 0.933 and the average area under the precision-recall curve (AUC-PRC) was 0.965. When applied to our external validation, this model produced an AUC-ROC of 0.898 and an AUC-PRC of 0.864. These results further our understanding of the utility of DNA methylation in COVID-19 disease pathology and serve as a platform to inform future COVID-19 related studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Bowler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 E 69th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Georgios Papoutsoglou
- JADBio - Gnosis DA S.A, Science and Technology Park of Crete, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aristides Karanikas
- JADBio - Gnosis DA S.A, Science and Technology Park of Crete, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsamardinos
- JADBio - Gnosis DA S.A, Science and Technology Park of Crete, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Computer Science, University of Crete, 70013, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Michael J Corley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 E 69th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Lishomwa C Ndhlovu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 413 E 69th St, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
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9
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Sadic M, Schneider WM, Katsara O, Medina GN, Fisher A, Mogulothu A, Yu Y, Gu M, de los Santos T, Schneider RJ, Dittmann M. DDX60 selectively reduces translation off viral type II internal ribosome entry sites. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e55218. [PMID: 36256515 PMCID: PMC9724679 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202255218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-opting host cell protein synthesis is a hallmark of many virus infections. In response, certain host defense proteins limit mRNA translation globally, albeit at the cost of the host cell's own protein synthesis. Here, we describe an interferon-stimulated helicase, DDX60, that decreases translation from viral internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). DDX60 acts selectively on type II IRESs of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV), but not by other IRES types or by 5' cap. Correspondingly, DDX60 reduces EMCV and FMDV (type II IRES) replication, but not that of poliovirus or bovine enterovirus 1 (BEV-1; type I IRES). Furthermore, replacing the IRES of poliovirus with a type II IRES is sufficient for DDX60 to inhibit viral replication. Finally, DDX60 selectively modulates the amount of translating ribosomes on viral and in vitro transcribed type II IRES mRNAs, but not 5' capped mRNA. Our study identifies a novel facet in the repertoire of interferon-stimulated effector genes, the selective downregulation of translation from viral type II IRES elements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gisselle N Medina
- Plum Island Animal Disease Center, ARSUSDAGreenportNYUSA,National Bio and Agro‐Defense Facility (NBAF), ARSUSDAManhattanKSUSA
| | | | - Aishwarya Mogulothu
- Plum Island Animal Disease Center, ARSUSDAGreenportNYUSA,Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary ScienceUniversity of ConnecticutStorrsCTUSA
| | - Yingpu Yu
- The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
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Lee Y, Riskedal E, Kalleberg KT, Istre M, Lind A, Lund-Johansen F, Reiakvam O, Søraas AVL, Harris JR, Dahl JA, Hadley CL, Jugessur A. EWAS of post-COVID-19 patients shows methylation differences in the immune-response associated gene, IFI44L, three months after COVID-19 infection. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11478. [PMID: 35798818 PMCID: PMC9261254 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15467-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although substantial progress has been made in managing COVID-19, it is still difficult to predict a patient’s prognosis. We explored the epigenetic signatures of COVID-19 in peripheral blood using data from an ongoing prospective observational study of COVID-19 called the Norwegian Corona Cohort Study. A series of EWASs were performed to compare the DNA methylation profiles between COVID-19 cases and controls three months post-infection. We also investigated differences associated with severity and long-COVID. Three CpGs—cg22399236, cg03607951, and cg09829636—were significantly hypomethylated (FDR < 0.05) in COVID-19 positive individuals. cg03607951 is located in IFI44L which is involved in innate response to viral infection and several systemic autoimmune diseases. cg09829636 is located in ANKRD9, a gene implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes, including the degradation of IMPDH2. The link between ANKRD9 and IMPDH2 is striking given that IMPDHs are considered therapeutic targets for COVID-19. Furthermore, gene ontology analyses revealed pathways involved in response to viruses. The lack of significant differences associated with severity and long-COVID may be real or reflect limitations in sample size. Our findings support the involvement of interferon responsive genes in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and indicate a possible link to systemic autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunsung Lee
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Skøyen, P.O. box 222, 0213, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Mette Istre
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, 0372, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andreas Lind
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevaal, 0372, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Olaug Reiakvam
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, 0372, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arne V L Søraas
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, 0372, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jennifer R Harris
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Skøyen, P.O. box 222, 0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - John Arne Dahl
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, 0372, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Astanand Jugessur
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Skøyen, P.O. box 222, 0213, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, P.O. box 7804, 5020, Bergen, Norway
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11
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Abdelgalil Ali Ahmed S, Adam Essa ME, Ahmed AF, Elagib EM, Ahmed Eltahir NI, Awadallah H, Hassan A, Khair ASM, Ebad MAB. Incidence and Clinical Pattern of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease in Sudanese Patients at Omdurman Military Hospital: Hospital-Based Study. Open Access Rheumatol 2021; 13:333-341. [PMID: 34916856 PMCID: PMC8668256 DOI: 10.2147/oarrr.s335206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare autoimmune disease, characterized by the production of specific autoantibody anti-RNP, which presents with varied overlapping symptoms of different connective tissue disorders. The aim of this study is to identify the frequency and patterns of MCTD. Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted at the rheumatology clinic at Omdurman Military Hospital between February 2019 and July 2019. The study included 30 patients and data were collected using a designated questionnaire. Results The study showed that the majority of patients (96.7%) were females and only 3.3% was male. About 30% of the patients aged between 30 and 39 years were the most affected. As a first diagnosis, 10% of the patients had a MCTD fulfilling the Alarcon-Segovia criteria. The remaining 90% of the patients were diagnosed with other diseases before evolving into MCTD. The most common clinical presentation was arthralgia in 100% of the patients, 90% were symmetrically followed by myositis in 70% of the patients, arthritis in 63.3% of the patients, puffy fingers in 63.3% of the patients, and hand swelling in 60% as major musculoskeletal symptoms. Regarding the initial results in immunological profile, the most common positive autoantibodies among the patients were anti-RNP titer in 96.7% of the patients, ANA in 90%, anti-Sm in 50%, RF in 50%, anti-Ds DNA in 46.7%, and anti-Ro in 43.3%. Conclusion This study showed that MCTD is more common in females, only 10% of patients presented with a fulfilling criteria of the disease at diagnosis, and the rest of the patients presented with other rheumatologic diseases before evolving into MCTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulafah Abdelgalil Ali Ahmed
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ahfad University, Khartoum, Sudan.,Department of Rheumatology, Omdurman Military Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mohammed Elmujtba Adam Essa
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical and Cancer Research Institute, Nyala, Sudan.,Faculty of Medicine, Al Fashir University, Al Fashir, Sudan
| | - Amar F Ahmed
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Elnour Mohammed Elagib
- Department of Rheumatology, Omdurman Military Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Karrary University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Noha Ibrahim Ahmed Eltahir
- Department of Rheumatology, Omdurman Military Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Karrary University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Huyam Awadallah
- Department of Internal Medicine, Detroit Medical Centre, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Abubakr Hassan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical and Cancer Research Institute, Nyala, Sudan
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12
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Teruel M, Barturen G, Martínez-Bueno M, Castellini-Pérez O, Barroso-Gil M, Povedano E, Kerick M, Català-Moll F, Makowska Z, Buttgereit A, Pers JO, Marañón C, Ballestar E, Martin J, Carnero-Montoro E, Alarcón-Riquelme ME. Integrative epigenomics in Sjögren´s syndrome reveals novel pathways and a strong interaction between the HLA, autoantibodies and the interferon signature. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23292. [PMID: 34857786 PMCID: PMC8640069 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01324-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and damage of exocrine salivary and lacrimal glands. The etiology of SS is complex with environmental triggers and genetic factors involved. By conducting an integrated multi-omics study, we confirmed a vast coordinated hypomethylation and overexpression effects in IFN-related genes, what is known as the IFN signature. Stratified and conditional analyses suggest a strong interaction between SS-associated HLA genetic variation and the presence of Anti-Ro/SSA autoantibodies in driving the IFN epigenetic signature and determining SS. We report a novel epigenetic signature characterized by increased DNA methylation levels in a large number of genes enriched in pathways such as collagen metabolism and extracellular matrix organization. We identified potential new genetic variants associated with SS that might mediate their risk by altering DNA methylation or gene expression patterns, as well as disease-interacting genetic variants that exhibit regulatory function only in the SS population. Our study sheds new light on the interaction between genetics, autoantibody profiles, DNA methylation and gene expression in SS, and contributes to elucidate the genetic architecture of gene regulation in an autoimmune population.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Teruel
- GENYO, Center for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Guillermo Barturen
- GENYO, Center for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Martínez-Bueno
- GENYO, Center for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Olivia Castellini-Pérez
- GENYO, Center for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Barroso-Gil
- GENYO, Center for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Elena Povedano
- GENYO, Center for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Martin Kerick
- IPBLN-CSIC, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Francesc Català-Moll
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- IDIBELL, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zuzanna Makowska
- Pharmaceuticals Division, Bayer Pharma Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Buttgereit
- Pharmaceuticals Division, Bayer Pharma Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Concepción Marañón
- GENYO, Center for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Esteban Ballestar
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- IDIBELL, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Martin
- IPBLN-CSIC, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18016, Granada, Spain
| | - Elena Carnero-Montoro
- GENYO, Center for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Marta E Alarcón-Riquelme
- GENYO, Center for Genomics and Oncological Research Pfizer/University of Granada/Andalusian Regional Government, 18016, Granada, Spain.
- Institute for Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 67, Solna, Sweden.
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13
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Prokop JW, Hartog NL, Chesla D, Faber W, Love CP, Karam R, Abualkheir N, Feldmann B, Teng L, McBride T, Leimanis ML, English BK, Holsworth A, Frisch A, Bauss J, Kalpage N, Derbedrossian A, Pinti RM, Hale N, Mills J, Eby A, VanSickle EA, Pageau SC, Shankar R, Chen B, Carcillo JA, Sanfilippo D, Olivero R, Bupp CP, Rajasekaran S. High-Density Blood Transcriptomics Reveals Precision Immune Signatures of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Hospitalized Individuals. Front Immunol 2021; 12:694243. [PMID: 34335605 PMCID: PMC8322982 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.694243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune response to COVID-19 infection is variable. How COVID-19 influences clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients needs to be understood through readily obtainable biological materials, such as blood. We hypothesized that a high-density analysis of host (and pathogen) blood RNA in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 would provide mechanistic insights into the heterogeneity of response amongst COVID-19 patients when combined with advanced multidimensional bioinformatics for RNA. We enrolled 36 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (11 died) and 15 controls, collecting 74 blood PAXgene RNA tubes at multiple timepoints, one early and in 23 patients after treatment with various therapies. Total RNAseq was performed at high-density, with >160 million paired-end, 150 base pair reads per sample, representing the most sequenced bases per sample for any publicly deposited blood PAXgene tube study. There are 770 genes significantly altered in the blood of COVID-19 patients associated with antiviral defense, mitotic cell cycle, type I interferon signaling, and severe viral infections. Immune genes activated include those associated with neutrophil mechanisms, secretory granules, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), along with decreased gene expression in lymphocytes and clonal expansion of the acquired immune response. Therapies such as convalescent serum and dexamethasone reduced many of the blood expression signatures of COVID-19. Severely ill or deceased patients are marked by various secondary infections, unique gene patterns, dysregulated innate response, and peripheral organ damage not otherwise found in the cohort. High-density transcriptomic data offers shared gene expression signatures, providing unique insights into the immune system and individualized signatures of patients that could be used to understand the patient’s clinical condition. Whole blood transcriptomics provides patient-level insights for immune activation, immune repertoire, and secondary infections that can further guide precision treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W Prokop
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Nicholas L Hartog
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Allergy & Immunology, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Dave Chesla
- Office of Research, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - William Faber
- Physical Sciences, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Chanise P Love
- Office of Research, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | | | | | | | - Li Teng
- Ambry Genetics, Aliso Viejo, CA, United States
| | | | - Mara L Leimanis
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - B Keith English
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Amanda Holsworth
- Allergy & Immunology, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Austin Frisch
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Jacob Bauss
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Nathisha Kalpage
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Aram Derbedrossian
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Ryan M Pinti
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Nicole Hale
- The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Joshua Mills
- Department of Biology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, United States
| | - Alexandra Eby
- Department of Science, Davenport University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | | | - Spencer C Pageau
- Office of Research, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Rama Shankar
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Joseph A Carcillo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Dominic Sanfilippo
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Rosemary Olivero
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Infectious Disease, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Caleb P Bupp
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Medical Genetics, Spectrum Health Medical Genetics, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Surender Rajasekaran
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Office of Research, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.,Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
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14
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Toro-Domínguez D, Alarcón-Riquelme ME. "Precision Medicine in Autoimmune Diseases: Fact or Fiction". Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:3977-3985. [PMID: 34003926 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Much is said about precision medicine, but its real significance and the possibility of making it a real possibility is far from certain. Several studies in each of the autoimmune diseases have provided important insight into molecular pathways but the use of molecular studies, particularly those looking into transcriptome pathways, have seldom approached the possibility of using the data for disease stratification and then for prediction, or diagnosis. Only the type I interferon signature has been considered in the use of this signature for therapeutic purposes, particularly in the case of systemic lupus erythematosus. Here, the authors provide an update on precision medicine, what can be translated into clinical practice, and what do single-cell molecular studies provide to our knowledge in autoimmune diseases, focusing on a few examples. The main message being that we should try to move from precision medicine of established disease to preventive medicine in order to predict the development of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Toro-Domínguez
- Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government (GENYO) Center for Genomics and Oncological Research, Av de la Ilustración 114, Parque Tecnológico de la Salud, Granada, 18016, Spain
| | - Marta E Alarcón-Riquelme
- Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government (GENYO) Center for Genomics and Oncological Research, Av de la Ilustración 114, Parque Tecnológico de la Salud, Granada, 18016, Spain
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15
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Wajda A, Łapczuk-Romańska J, Paradowska-Gorycka A. Epigenetic Regulations of AhR in the Aspect of Immunomodulation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6404. [PMID: 32899152 PMCID: PMC7504141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors contribute to autoimmune disease manifestation, and as regarded today, AhR has become an important factor in studies of immunomodulation. Besides immunological aspects, AhR also plays a role in pharmacological, toxicological and many other physiological processes such as adaptive metabolism. In recent years, epigenetic mechanisms have provided new insight into gene regulation and reveal a new contribution to autoimmune disease pathogenesis. DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin alterations, microRNA and consequently non-genetic changes in phenotypes connect with environmental factors. Increasing data reveals AhR cross-roads with the most significant in immunology pathways. Although study on epigenetic modulations in autoimmune diseases is still not well understood, therefore future research will help us understand their pathophysiology and help to find new therapeutic strategies. Present literature review sheds the light on the common ground between remodeling chromatin compounds and autoimmune antibodies used in diagnostics. In the proposed review we summarize recent findings that describe epigenetic factors which regulate AhR activity and impact diverse immunological responses and pathological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wajda
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Joanna Łapczuk-Romańska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Paradowska-Gorycka
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland;
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16
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Zhang L, Wu H, Zhao M, Lu Q. Meta‐analysis of differentially expressed microRNAs in systemic sclerosis. Int J Rheum Dis 2020; 23:1297-1304. [DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lian Zhang
- Department of Dermatology Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Central South University Changsha China
| | - Haijing Wu
- Department of Dermatology Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Central South University Changsha China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Central South University Changsha China
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics Central South University Changsha China
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17
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Ballestar E, Sawalha AH, Lu Q. Clinical value of DNA methylation markers in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2020; 16:514-524. [PMID: 32759997 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-020-0470-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Methylation of cytosine residues in DNA, the best studied epigenetic modification, is associated with gene transcription and nuclear organization, and ultimately the function of a cell. DNA methylation can be influenced by various factors, including changes in neighbouring genomic sites such as those induced by transcription factor binding. The DNA methylation profiles in relevant cell types are altered in most human diseases compared with the healthy state. Given the physical stability of DNA and methylated DNA compared with other epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation is an ideal marker for clinical purposes. However, few DNA methylation-based markers have made it into clinical practice, with the notable exception of some markers used in the field of oncology. Autoimmune rheumatic diseases are genetically complex entities that can vary widely in terms of prognosis, subtypes, progression and treatment responses. Increasing reports showing strong links between DNA methylation profiles and different clinical outcomes and other clinical aspects in autoimmune rheumatic diseases reinforce the usefulness of DNA methylation profiles as novel clinical markers. In this Review, we provide an updated discussion on DNA methylation alterations in autoimmune rheumatic diseases and the advantages and disadvantages of using these markers in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Ballestar
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Amr H Sawalha
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics; Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Lupus Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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18
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Key J, Maletzko A, Kohli A, Gispert S, Torres-Odio S, Wittig I, Heidler J, Bárcena C, López-Otín C, Lei Y, West AP, Münch C, Auburger G. Loss of mitochondrial ClpP, Lonp1, and Tfam triggers transcriptional induction of Rnf213, a susceptibility factor for moyamoya disease. Neurogenetics 2020; 21:187-203. [PMID: 32342250 PMCID: PMC7283203 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-020-00609-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human RNF213, which encodes the protein mysterin, is a known susceptibility gene for moyamoya disease (MMD), a cerebrovascular condition with occlusive lesions and compensatory angiogenesis. Mysterin mutations, together with exposure to environmental trigger factors, lead to an elevated stroke risk since childhood. Mysterin is induced during cell stress, to function as cytosolic AAA+ ATPase and ubiquitylation enzyme. Little knowledge exists, in which context mysterin is needed. Here, we found that genetic ablation of several mitochondrial matrix factors, such as the peptidase ClpP, the transcription factor Tfam, as well as the peptidase and AAA+ ATPase Lonp1, potently induces Rnf213 transcript expression in various organs, in parallel with other components of the innate immune system. Mostly in mouse fibroblasts and human endothelial cells, the Rnf213 levels showed prominent upregulation upon Poly(I:C)-triggered TLR3-mediated responses to dsRNA toxicity, as well as upon interferon gamma treatment. Only partial suppression of Rnf213 induction was achieved by C16 as an antagonist of PKR (dsRNA-dependent protein kinase). Since dysfunctional mitochondria were recently reported to release immune-stimulatory dsRNA into the cytosol, our results suggest that mysterin becomes relevant when mitochondrial dysfunction or infections have triggered RNA-dependent inflammation. Thus, MMD has similarities with vasculopathies that involve altered nucleotide processing, such as Aicardi-Goutières syndrome or systemic lupus erythematosus. Furthermore, in MMD, the low penetrance of RNF213 mutations might be modified by dysfunctions in mitochondria or the TLR3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Key
- Experimental Neurology, Goethe University Medical School, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Antonia Maletzko
- Experimental Neurology, Goethe University Medical School, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Aneesha Kohli
- Experimental Neurology, Goethe University Medical School, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University Medical School, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Suzana Gispert
- Experimental Neurology, Goethe University Medical School, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sylvia Torres-Odio
- Experimental Neurology, Goethe University Medical School, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ilka Wittig
- Functional Proteomics Group, Goethe-University Hospital, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Juliana Heidler
- Functional Proteomics Group, Goethe-University Hospital, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Clea Bárcena
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carlos López-Otín
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Oncología, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Yuanjiu Lei
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - A Phillip West
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Christian Münch
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University Medical School, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Georg Auburger
- Experimental Neurology, Goethe University Medical School, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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19
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Casares-Marfil D, Martín J, Acosta-Herrera M. Genomic opportunities for drug repositioning in systemic seropositive rheumatic diseases. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2020; 16:343-346. [DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2020.1738926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Javier Martín
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, IPBLN-CSIC, Granada, Spain
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Arvaniti P, Le Dantec C, Charras A, Arleevskaya MA, Hedrich CM, Zachou K, Dalekos GN, Renaudineau Y. Linking genetic variation with epigenetic profiles in Sjögren's syndrome. Clin Immunol 2019; 210:108314. [PMID: 31765834 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2019.108314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation represents an important regulatory event governing gene expression that is dysregulated in Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) and a number of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. As disease-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have relevance in controlling DNA methylation, 94 non-HLA SjS-SNPs were investigated, among them 57 (60.6%) with widespread effects on 197 individual DNA methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) were selected. Typically, these SNPs are intronic, possess an active promoter histone mark, and control cis-meQTLs located around transcription start sites. Interplay is independent of the physical distance between SNPs and meQTLs. Using epigenome-wide association study datasets, SjS-meQTLs were characterized (41 genes and 13 DNA methylation CpG motifs) and for the most part map to a pro-inflammatory cytokine pathway, which is important for the control of DNA methylation in autoimmune diseases. In conclusion, exploring meQTLs represents a valuable tool to predict and investigate downstream effects of genetic factors in complex diseases such as SjS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinelopi Arvaniti
- Laboratory of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Brest University Medical School Hospital, Brest, France; Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Christelle Le Dantec
- UMR1227, Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Université de Brest, INSERM, CHU de Brest, Brest, France.
| | - Amandine Charras
- UMR1227, Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Université de Brest, INSERM, CHU de Brest, Brest, France; Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK & Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
| | | | - Christian M Hedrich
- Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK & Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Kalliopi Zachou
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
| | - George N Dalekos
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.
| | - Yves Renaudineau
- Laboratory of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Brest University Medical School Hospital, Brest, France; UMR1227, Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunité, Université de Brest, INSERM, CHU de Brest, Brest, France.
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Interferons ( IFN-A/-B/-G) Genetic Variants in Patients with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD). J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8122046. [PMID: 31766529 PMCID: PMC6947393 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8122046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare complex autoimmune disease in which autoantigens are recognized by endosomal TLRs. Their activation induces a higher secretion of the type I interferons, IFN-γ and the up-regulation of the INF-inducible genes. The present study aimed to investigate whether SNPs that are located in the IFN-A, IFN-B, and IFN-G genes are associated with MCTD. 145 MCTD patients and 281 healthy subjects were examined for IFN-A, IFN-B, and IFN-G genetic variants by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. ELISA determined IFN-α/-β/-γ serum levels. Among the seven tested SNPs, four polymorphisms: IFN-A rs10757212, IFN-A rs3758236, IFN-G rs2069705, IFN-G rs2069718, as well as INF-G rs1861493A/rs2069705A/rs2069718G haplotype were significantly associated with a predisposition for MCTD. Raynaud's phenomenon, erosive arthritis, swollen hands and fingers, and sclerodactyly were significantly more frequently observed in MCTD patients with IFN-G rs2069718 G allele than in patients with IFN-G rs2069718 A allele. We also found that anti-U1-A autoantibodies most frequently occurred in MCTD patients with rs2069718 GA genotype, while the IFN-G rs2069705 AG and rs2069718 GA genotypes might be a marker of anti-Ro60 presence in MCTD patients. Our results indicate that IFN-G genetic variants may be potential genetic biomarkers for MCTD susceptibility and severity.
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