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Sherri N, Assaf R, Bitar ER, Znait S, Borghol AH, Kassem A, Rahal EA. Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Exacerbates Arthritis in a Mouse Model via Toll-like Receptor 9. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4661. [PMID: 38731877 PMCID: PMC11083462 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094661] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA is known to be shed upon reactivation of latent EBV. Based on our previous findings linking Toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9) to an EBV DNA-driven surge in IL-17A production, we aimed to examine the therapeutic potential of TLR9 inhibition in EBV DNA-exacerbated arthritis in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. C57BL/6J mice were administered either collagen, EBV DNA + collagen, EBV DNA + collagen + TLR9 inhibitor, or only the TLR9 inhibitor. After 70 days, paw thicknesses, clinical scores, and gripping strength were recorded. Moreover, affected joints, footpads, and colons were histologically scored. Furthermore, the number of cells co-expressing IL-17A, IFN-γ, and FOXP3 in joint sections was determined by immunofluorescence assays. Significantly decreased paw thicknesses, clinical scores, and histological scores with a significantly increased gripping strength were observed in the group receiving EBV DNA + collagen + TLR9 inhibitor, compared to those receiving EBV DNA + collagen. Similarly, this group showed decreased IL-17A+ IFN-γ+, IL-17A+ FOXP3+, and IL-17A+ IFN-γ+ FOXP3+ foci counts in joints. We show that inhibiting TLR9 limits the exacerbation of arthritis induced by EBV DNA in a CIA mouse model, suggesting that TLR9 could be a potential therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis management in EBV-infected individuals.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Mice
- Arthritis, Experimental/virology
- Arthritis, Experimental/pathology
- Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/virology
- Disease Models, Animal
- DNA, Viral/genetics
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/virology
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/pathology
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology
- Interleukin-17/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Toll-Like Receptor 9/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Sherri
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon; (N.S.); (R.A.); (E.R.B.); (S.Z.); (A.H.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Rayan Assaf
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon; (N.S.); (R.A.); (E.R.B.); (S.Z.); (A.H.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Elio R. Bitar
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon; (N.S.); (R.A.); (E.R.B.); (S.Z.); (A.H.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Sabah Znait
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon; (N.S.); (R.A.); (E.R.B.); (S.Z.); (A.H.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Abdul Hamid Borghol
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon; (N.S.); (R.A.); (E.R.B.); (S.Z.); (A.H.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Aya Kassem
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon; (N.S.); (R.A.); (E.R.B.); (S.Z.); (A.H.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Elias A. Rahal
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon; (N.S.); (R.A.); (E.R.B.); (S.Z.); (A.H.B.); (A.K.)
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon
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Borghol AH, Bitar ER, Hanna A, Naim G, Rahal EA. The role of Epstein-Barr virus in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024:1-21. [PMID: 38634723 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2024.2344114] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a dsDNA herpesvirus, is believed to play a significant role in exacerbating and potentially triggering autoimmune and autoinflammatory maladies. Around 90% of the world is infected with the virus, which establishes latency within lymphocytes. EBV is also known to cause infectious mononucleosis, a self-limited flu-like illness, in adolescents. EBV is often reactivated and it employs several mechanisms of evading the host immune system. It has also been implicated in inducing host immune dysfunction potentially resulting in exacerbation or triggering of inflammatory processes. EBV has therefore been linked to a number of autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's syndrome. The review examines the molecular mechanisms through which the virus alters host immune system components thus possibly resulting in autoimmune processes. Understanding the mechanisms underpinning EBV-associated autoimmunity is pivotal; however, the precise causal pathways remain elusive. Research on therapeutic agents and vaccines for EBV has been stagnant for a long number of years until recent advances shed light on potential therapeutic targets. The implications of EBV in autoimmunity underscore the importance of developing targeted therapeutic strategies and, potentially, vaccines to mitigate the autoimmune burden associated with this ubiquitous virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Hamid Borghol
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elio R Bitar
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aya Hanna
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Georges Naim
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elias A Rahal
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Karout I, Salhab Z, Sherri N, Bitar ER, Borghol AH, Sabra H, Kassem A, Osman O, Alam C, Znait S, Assaf R, Fadlallah S, Jurjus A, Hashash JG, Rahal EA. The Effects of Endosomal Toll-like Receptor Inhibitors in an EBV DNA-Exacerbated Inflammatory Bowel Disease Mouse Model. Viruses 2024; 16:624. [PMID: 38675965 PMCID: PMC11054613 DOI: 10.3390/v16040624] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a Herpesviridae family member, is associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disease development in the host. We previously demonstrated that EBV DNA elevates levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17A and that inhibiting Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, 7, or 9 reduces its levels. Moreover, this DNA exacerbated colitis in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the study at hand, we examined whether inhibition of TLR3, 7, or 9 alleviates this exacerbation. Mice were fed 1.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) water and administered EBV DNA. Then, they were treated with a TLR3, 7, or 9 inhibitor or left untreated. We also assessed the additive impact of combined inhibition of all three receptors. Mice that received DSS, EBV DNA, and each inhibitor alone, or a combination of inhibitors, showed significant improvement. They also had a decrease in the numbers of the pathogenic colonic IL-17A+IFN-γ+ foci. Inhibition of all three endosomal TLR receptors offered no additive benefit over administering a single inhibitor. Therefore, inhibition of endosomal TLRs reduces EBV DNA exacerbation of mouse colitis, offering a potential approach for managing IBD patients infected with EBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Karout
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Zahraa Salhab
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Nour Sherri
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Elio R. Bitar
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Abdul Hamid Borghol
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Hady Sabra
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Aya Kassem
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Omar Osman
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Charbel Alam
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Sabah Znait
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Rayan Assaf
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Sukayna Fadlallah
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
| | - Abdo Jurjus
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon;
| | - Jana G. Hashash
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA;
| | - Elias A. Rahal
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon; (I.K.); (Z.S.); (N.S.); (E.R.B.); (A.H.B.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (O.O.); (C.A.); (S.Z.); (R.A.); (S.F.)
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Ren C, Carrillo ND, Cryns VL, Anderson RA, Chen M. Environmental pollutants and phosphoinositide signaling in autoimmunity. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133080. [PMID: 38091799 PMCID: PMC10923067 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Environmental pollution stands as one of the most critical challenges affecting human health, with an estimated mortality rate linked to pollution-induced non-communicable diseases projected to range from 20% to 25%. These pollutants not only disrupt immune responses but can also trigger immunotoxicity. Phosphoinositide signaling, a pivotal regulator of immune responses, plays a central role in the development of autoimmune diseases and exhibits high sensitivity to environmental stressors. Among these stressors, environmental pollutants have become increasingly prevalent in our society, contributing to the initiation and exacerbation of autoimmune conditions. In this review, we summarize the intricate interplay between phosphoinositide signaling and autoimmune diseases within the context of environmental pollutants and contaminants. We provide an up-to-date overview of stress-induced phosphoinositide signaling, discuss 14 selected examples categorized into three groups of environmental pollutants and their connections to immune diseases, and shed light on the associated phosphoinositide signaling pathways. Through these discussions, this review advances our understanding of how phosphoinositide signaling influences the coordinated immune response to environmental stressors at a biological level. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights into potential research directions and therapeutic targets aimed at mitigating the impact of environmental pollutants on the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. SYNOPSIS: Phosphoinositide signaling at the intersection of environmental pollutants and autoimmunity provides novel insights for managing autoimmune diseases aggravated by pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Ren
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Noah D Carrillo
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Vincent L Cryns
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Richard A Anderson
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Mo Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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Fadlallah S, Bitar ER, Hussein H, Jallad MA, Matar GM, Rahal EA. The interplay between Epstein-Barr virus DNA and gut microbiota in the development of arthritis in a mouse model. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0204223. [PMID: 37615438 PMCID: PMC10581075 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02042-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA may influence the development of autoimmune diseases by increasing the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Such cytokines have been associated with inducing the dysbiosis of colonic microbiota, which, in turn, is a risk factor for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, we investigated the role that EBV DNA may play in modulating the intestinal microbiota and consequent exacerbation of arthritis in a mouse model. Mice were treated with collagen (arthritis-inducing agent), EBV DNA and collagen, EBV DNA, or water. Fecal samples were collected from arthritic and control mice, and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to determine the effect of EBV DNA on the composition of colonic microbiota. EBV DNA causes a change in the alpha diversity of the microbiota resulting in an increased Chao1 microbial richness and decreased Shannon diversity index in the RA mouse model. In addition, the abundance of particular genera/genus clusters was significantly altered among the various groups, with the EBV DNA-exacerbated arthritic group having the highest number of altered genera/genus cluster abundances. This group also had the highest number of cells co-expressing IL-17A, FOXP3, and IFNγ in the colons. Antimicrobial-cleared mice transplanted with fecal samples from EBV DNA-exacerbated arthritic mice showed a higher incidence and enhanced severity of RA compared to those transplanted with fecal samples from water or collagen-treated mice. IMPORTANCE Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA alters the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) mouse model. These induced changes are associated with enhanced severity of symptoms. This better understanding of the various factors involved in the development of RA will possibly help in creating individualized treatments for RA patients including target mediators triggered by viral DNA. Given that a large swathe of the population harbors EBV, a significant proportion of subjects with arthritis may benefit from possible approaches that target EBV or mediators triggered by this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukayna Fadlallah
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elio R. Bitar
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hadi Hussein
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mary-Ann Jallad
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ghassan M. Matar
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elias A. Rahal
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Yang G, Ren Z, Wang K. Association between human papillomavirus infection or immunization and risk for rheumatoid arthritis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1130217. [PMID: 37122753 PMCID: PMC10146259 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1130217] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Little is known about the association between HPV infection or immunization and the risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether HPV infection or immunization is related to the risk for RA in adults. Methods Data were obtained from the 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We developed three independent multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate the association between HPV infection or immunization and the risk for RA in adults. Results Finally, we analyzed 15,677 and 8,944 subjects, respectively. In all models, HPV infection was positively associated with an increased prevalence of RA in adults aged 18-59 years, with the highest value of the odds ratio (OR) in model 2 (after weighting: OR 1.095, 95% CI 1.092, 1.097), whereas HPV immunization significantly reduced the prevalence of RA in adults aged 18-59 years, with the lowest OR in model C (after weighting: OR 0.477, 95% CI 0.472, 0.481). These associations persisted after correction for confounders such as age, sex, race, education level, marital status, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and BMI. Conclusion In summary, our study suggests that HPV infection is positively associated with the prevalence of RA in adults, and HPV immunization can reduce the prevalence of RA in adults. However, our findings need more powerful to prove these associations through rigorously designed prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxia Yang
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zeqin Ren
- Department of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
- *Correspondence: Kai Wang,
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Zhao Y, Jin H, Qu J, Zhang S, Hu S, Xue J, Zhao M. The influences of perfluoroalkyl substances on the rheumatoid arthritis clinic. BMC Immunol 2022; 23:10. [PMID: 35246023 PMCID: PMC8895528 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-022-00483-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of environmental factors on genetically susceptible individuals is a basic link in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of synthetic organic fluorine chemicals, which have been mass-produced and widely used in the past 60 years, and also have been shown to be one of the major pollutants affecting human health. The impact of fluoride on the development of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is unclear. This study explored the relationship between common fluoride and clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS A cohort of 155 patients with RA and 145 health controls in Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were investigated. Serum concentrations of all fluoride detected were higher in RA patients than in healthy controls. There were 43 male patients and 112 female patients in the RA cohort. Some of perfluoroalkyl substances (perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), perfluorotrdecanoate (PFTrA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS)) were correlated negatively with the Body Mass Index (BMI); some of them (PFOA, PFNA, PFTrA, PFOS, 8:2 Chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (8:2Cl-PFESA)) were correlated positively with the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28); two (PFOA, PFOS) of them were correlated positively with the white blood cell count, and one (Perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnA)) of them was correlated negatively with the hemoglobin; two (Perfluorodecanoate (PFDA), PFUnA) of them were correlated negatively with the presence of interstitial lung disease. CONCLUSION These data suggest that exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances may promote the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis and the visceral lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hangbiao Jin
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianli Qu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Sunzhao Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Shilei Hu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Xue
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Meirong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
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