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Oakes EG, Dillon E, Buhler KA, Guan H, Paudel M, Marks K, Adejoorin I, Yee J, Ellrodt J, Tedeschi S, Sparks J, Case SM, Hsu T, Solomon DH, Jonsson AH, Alexander RV, Rao DA, Choi MY, Costenbader KH. Earlier vs. later time period of COVID-19 infection and emergent autoimmune signs, symptoms, and serologies. J Autoimmun 2024; 148:103299. [PMID: 39096716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103299] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Autoantibodies and autoimmune diseases after SARS-CoV-2 infection are widely reported. Given evolving variants, milder infections, and increasing population vaccination, we hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 infection earlier in the pandemic would be associated with more autoimmune connective tissue disease (CTD) symptoms and immunologic abnormalities. METHODS Patients ≥18 years old with COVID-19 3/1/2020-8/15/2022 completed the CTD Screening Questionnaire and were tested for 27 autoimmune serologies, SARS-CoV-2 serologies, cell-bound complement activation products (CB-CAPs), and T and B lymphocyte immunophenotypes by flow cytometry. We assessed relationships between symptoms, serologies, and immunophenotypes in earlier (3/1/2020-1/31/2021) vs. later (2/1/2021-8/15/2022) periods, with different predominating SARS-CoV-2 viruses. RESULTS 57 subjects had earlier and 23 had later pandemic COVID-19. 35 % of earlier vs. 17 % of later pandemic patients had CTD symptoms (p 0.18). More patients were antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive (44 % vs. 13 %, p 0.01) and had lupus anticoagulant (11 % vs. 4 %, p 0.67). After adjustment for age, race, and sex, earlier (vs. later) COVID-19 was associated with increased ANA positivity (OR 4.60, 95%CI 1.17, 18.15). No subjects had positive CB-CAPs. T and B cell immunophenotypes and SARS-CoV-2 serologies did not differ by group. In heatmap analyses, higher autoantibody variety was seen among those with infection in the early pandemic. CONCLUSION In this sample, having COVID-19 infection in the earlier (pre-2/1/2021) vs. later pandemic was associated with more CTD symptoms, ANA positivity, and autoantibody reactivities. Earlier SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in a less vaccinated population with less natural immunity may have been more immunogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Oakes
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Eilish Dillon
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Katherine A Buhler
- Division of Rheumatology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hongshu Guan
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Misti Paudel
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kathryne Marks
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ifeoluwakiisi Adejoorin
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jeong Yee
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jack Ellrodt
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sara Tedeschi
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jeffrey Sparks
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Siobhan M Case
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Tiffany Hsu
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Daniel H Solomon
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - A Helena Jonsson
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | - Deepak A Rao
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - May Y Choi
- Division of Rheumatology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Karen H Costenbader
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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Ning A, Xiao N, Yu X, Wang H, Guan C, Guo C, Dong Y, Ma X, Xia H. Dimethyloxallyl Glycine Preconditioning Promotes the Anti-inflammatory and Anti-fibrotic Effects of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Kidney Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Related to TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway. Inflammation 2024:10.1007/s10753-024-02092-5. [PMID: 39044003 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-024-02092-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease lacking effective treatments without adverse effects. Dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG) enhanced mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) capabilities, but it remains unclear how DMOG-pretreatment of MSCs augments their SLE treatment. Here, we explore the therapeutic potential of DMOG-pretreated human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC-MSCs) in a mouse lupus nephritis (LN) model. In vitro experiments showed that DMOG could alleviate the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-6 and increase the mRNA level of IL-13 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in hUC-MSCs. DMOG enhanced the migratory and invasive abilities of the hUC-MSCs. In vivo animal studies revealed that DMOG-pretreated hUC-MSCs exhibited more pronounced inhibition of lymphadenectasis and reduced kidney weight and urinary protein content than MSCs alone. DMOG-pretreated hUC-MSCs improved renal morphological structure and alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and renal fibrosis, evidenced by the reduced mRNA levels of fibrosis markers, including fibronectin (Fn), collagen alpha-1 chain (Colα1), collagen alpha-3 chain (Colα3), and TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-6 cytokines. Further investigation revealed that DMOG-pretreated hUC-MSCs down-regulated the expressions of transforming growth factor (Tgf)-β1 and its downstream effectors Smad2 and Smad3, recognized as central mediators in renal fibrosis (P < 0.05). The findings suggest that DMOG-pretreated hUC-MSCs can augment the therapeutic efficacy of hUC-MSCs in LN by enhancing their anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects, and the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway may be involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anfeng Ning
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, 100081, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Nansong Xiao
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, 100081, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaoqin Yu
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, 100081, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Hu Wang
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, 100081, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Chunyi Guan
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, 100081, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Changlong Guo
- National Human Genetic Resources Center, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yichao Dong
- National Human Genetic Resources Center, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xu Ma
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, 100081, China.
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Hongfei Xia
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, 100081, China.
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Yuan L, Wang Y, Shen X, Ma F, Wang J, Yan F. Soluble form of immune checkpoints in autoimmune diseases. J Autoimmun 2024; 147:103278. [PMID: 38943864 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103278] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Immune checkpoints are essential regulators of immune responses, either by activating or suppressing them. Consequently, they are regarded as pivotal elements in the management of infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. In recent years, researchers have identified numerous soluble immune checkpoints that are produced through various mechanisms and demonstrated biological activity. These soluble immune checkpoints can be produced and distributed in the bloodstream and various tissues, with their roles in immune response dysregulation and autoimmunity extensively documented. This review aims to provide a thorough overview of the generation of various soluble immune checkpoints, such as sPD-1, sCTLA-4, sTim-3, s4-1BB, sBTLA, sLAG-3, sCD200, and the B7 family, and their importance as indicators for the diagnosis and prediction of autoimmune conditions. Furthermore, the review will investigate the potential pathological mechanisms of soluble immune checkpoints in autoimmune diseases, emphasizing their association with autoimmune diseases development, prognosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yuan
- Geriatric Diseases Institute of Chengdu, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yuxia Wang
- Geriatric Intensive Care Unit, Sichuan Geriatric Medical Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xuxia Shen
- Geriatric Diseases Institute of Chengdu, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Fujun Ma
- Department of Training, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Fang Yan
- Geriatric Diseases Institute of Chengdu, Department of Geriatrics, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China; Geriatric Diseases Institute of Chengdu, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China; Center for Medicine Research and Translation, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
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Vinay K, Kamat D, Narayan R V, Minz RW, Singh J, Bishnoi A, Chatterjee D, Parsad D, Kumaran MS. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene frequency in acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation: a case control study. Int J Dermatol 2024; 63:773-779. [PMID: 38263574 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.17017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele frequencies have a known association with the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. METHODS We recruited 31 Indian patients of acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation (ADMH) and 60 unrelated, age-and-gender-matched healthy controls. After history and clinical examination, 5 ml of blood in EDTA vials was collected. These samples were subjected to DNA extraction and the expression of HLA A, B, C, DR, DQ-A, and DQ-B was studied. RESULTS There was a predominance of females with a gender ratio of 23 : 8 and the most common phototype was Fitzpatrick type IV (83.9%). There was a significant association of HLA A*03:01 (OR: 5.8, CI: 1.7-17.0, P = 0.005), HLA B*07:02 (OR: 5.3, CI: 1.9-14.6, P = 0.003), HLA C*07:02 (OR: 4.3, CI: 1.8-9.6, P = 0.001), HLA DRB1*10:01 (OR: 7.6, CI: 1.7-38.00, P = 0.022), and HLA DRB1*15:02 (OR: 31.0, CI: 4.4-341.8, P < 0.001) with patients compared to controls, whereas HLA DQB*03:01 was less associated with patients compared to controls (OR: 0.2, CI: 0.0-0.6, P = 0.009). CONCLUSION Patients with ADMH are more likely to have the HLA A*03:01, HLA B 07*02, HLA C*07:02, HLA DRB1*10:01, HLA DRB1*15:02 and less likely to have the HLA DQB*03:01 allele. Larger cohort studies may thus be conducted studying these specific alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshavamurthy Vinay
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Divya Kamat
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vignesh Narayan R
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ranjana W Minz
- Department of Immunopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Jagdeep Singh
- Department of Immunopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Anuradha Bishnoi
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Debajyoti Chatterjee
- Department of Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Davinder Parsad
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Muthu S Kumaran
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Carter LM, Md Yusof MY, Wigston Z, Plant D, Wenlock S, Alase A, Psarras A, Vital EM. Blood RNA-sequencing across the continuum of ANA-positive autoimmunity reveals insights into initiating immunopathology. Ann Rheum Dis 2024:ard-2023-225349. [PMID: 38740438 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-225349] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mechanisms underpinning clinical evolution to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from preceding antinuclear antibodies (ANA) positivity are poorly understood. This study aimed to understand blood immune cell transcriptional signatures associated with subclinical ANA positivity, and progression or non-progression to SLE. METHODS Bulk RNA-sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated at baseline from 35 ANA positive (ANA+) subjects with non-diagnostic symptoms was analysed using differential gene expression, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, deconvolution of cell subsets and functional enrichment analyses. ANA+ subjects, including those progressing to classifiable SLE at 12 months (n=15) and those with stable subclinical ANA positivity (n=20), were compared with 15 healthy subjects and 18 patients with SLE. RESULTS ANA+ subjects demonstrated extensive transcriptomic dysregulation compared with healthy controls with reduced CD4+naïve T-cells and resting NK cells, but higher activated dendritic cells. B-cell lymphopenia was evident in SLE but not ANA+ subjects. Two-thirds of dysregulated genes were common to ANA+ progressors and non-progressors. ANA+ progressors showed elevated modular interferon signature in which constituent genes were inducible by both type I interferon (IFN-I) and type II interferon (IFN-II) in vitro. Baseline downregulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex I components significantly associated with progression to SLE but did not directly correlate with IFN modular activity. Non-progressors demonstrated more diverse cytokine profiles. CONCLUSIONS ANA positivity, irrespective of clinical trajectory, is profoundly dysregulated and transcriptomically closer to SLE than to healthy immune function. Metabolic derangements and IFN-I activation occur early in the ANA+ preclinical phase and associated with diverging transcriptomic profiles which distinguish subsequent clinical evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Marie Carter
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Zoe Wigston
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Darren Plant
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Adewonuola Alase
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Antonios Psarras
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Edward M Vital
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
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Shurin MR, Wheeler SE. Clinical Significance of Uncommon, Non-Clinical, and Novel Autoantibodies. Immunotargets Ther 2024; 13:215-234. [PMID: 38686351 PMCID: PMC11057673 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s450184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoantibodies are a common mark of autoimmune reaction and their identification in the patients' serum, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissues is generally believed to represent diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers of autoimmune diseases or autoinflammatory conditions. Traditionally, autoantibody testing is an important part of the clinical examination of suspected patients, and in the absence of reliable T cell tests, characterization of autoantibody responses might be suitable in finding causes of specific autoimmune responses, their strength, and sometimes commencement of autoimmune disease. Autoantibodies are also useful for prognostic stratification in clinically diverse groups of patients if checked repeatedly. Antibody discoveries are continuing, with important consequences for verifying autoimmune mechanisms, diagnostic feasibility, and clinical management. Adding newly identified autoantibody-autoantigen pairs to common clinical laboratory panels should help upgrade and harmonize the identification of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disorders and other autoimmune conditions. Herein, we aim to summarize our current knowledge of uncommon and novel autoantibodies in the context of discussing their validation, diagnostic practicability, and clinical relevance. The regular updates within the field are important and well justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Shurin
- Division of Clinical Immunopathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sarah E Wheeler
- Division of Clinical Immunopathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Simkus A, Holtz KD, Twombly EC. An intersectionality framework for identifying relevant covariates in health equity research. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1286121. [PMID: 38560446 PMCID: PMC10979543 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1286121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Health equity research uses impact evaluations to estimate the effectiveness of new interventions that aim to mitigate health inequities. Health inequities are influenced by many experiential factors and failure of research to account for such experiential factors and their potential interactions may jeopardize findings and lead to promoted methods that may unintentionally sustain or even worsen the targeted health inequity. Thus, it is imperative that health equity impact evaluations identify and include variables related to the circumstances, conditions, and experiences of the sample being studied in analyses. In this review, we promote intersectionality as a conceptual framework for brainstorming important yet often overlooked covariates in health equity related impact evaluations. Methods We briefly review and define concepts and terminology relevant to health equity, then detail four domains of experiential factors that often intersect in ways that may obscure findings: Biological, Social, Environmental, and Economic. Results We provide examples of the framework's application to lupus-related research and examples of covariates used in our own health equity impact evaluations with minority patients who have lupus. Discussion Applying an intersectionality framework during covariate selection is an important component to actualizing precision prevention. While we do not provide an exhaustive list, our aim is to provide a springboard for brainstorming meaningful covariates for health equity evaluation that may further help unveil sustainable solutions to persisting health inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Simkus
- KDH Research and Communication, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Rudbaek JJ, Agrawal M, Torres J, Mehandru S, Colombel JF, Jess T. Deciphering the different phases of preclinical inflammatory bowel disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:86-100. [PMID: 37950021 PMCID: PMC11148654 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00854-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) of the gastrointestinal tract and includes two subtypes: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It is well-recognized that IBD is associated with a complex multifactorial aetiology that includes genetic predisposition and environmental exposures, with downstream dysregulation of systemic immune function and host-microbial interactions in the local environment in the gut. Evidence to support the notion of a multistage development of IBD is growing, as has been observed in other IMIDs such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. With the rising worldwide incidence of IBD, it is increasingly important to understand the complex interplay of pathological events during the different stages of disease development to enable IBD prediction and prevention strategies. In this article, we review comprehensively the current evidence pertaining to the preclinical phase of IBD, including at-risk, initiation and expansion phases. We also discuss the framework of preclinical IBD, expanding on underlying pathways in IBD development, future research directions and IBD development in the context of other IMIDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas J Rudbaek
- Center for Molecular Prediction of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Section for Biomarkers, Immunology and Antibodies, Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhangen, Denmark
| | - Manasi Agrawal
- Center for Molecular Prediction of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joana Torres
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Saurabh Mehandru
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jean-Frederic Colombel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tine Jess
- Center for Molecular Prediction of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
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Pandey SP, Bhaskar R, Han SS, Narayanan KB. Autoimmune Responses and Therapeutic Interventions for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Comprehensive Review. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2024; 24:499-518. [PMID: 37718519 DOI: 10.2174/1871530323666230915112642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) or Lupus is a multifactorial autoimmune disease of multiorgan malfunctioning of extremely heterogeneous and unclear etiology that affects multiple organs and physiological systems. Some racial groups and women of childbearing age are more susceptible to SLE pathogenesis. Impressive progress has been made towards a better understanding of different immune components contributing to SLE pathogenesis. Recent investigations have uncovered the detailed mechanisms of inflammatory responses and organ damage. Various environmental factors, pathogens, and toxicants, including ultraviolet light, drugs, viral pathogens, gut microbiome metabolites, and sex hormones trigger the onset of SLE pathogenesis in genetically susceptible individuals and result in the disruption of immune homeostasis of cytokines, macrophages, T cells, and B cells. Diagnosis and clinical investigations of SLE remain challenging due to its clinical heterogeneity and hitherto only a few approved antimalarials, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are available for treatment. However, the adverse effects of renal and neuropsychiatric lupus and late diagnosis make therapy challenging. Additionally, SLE is also linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases due to inflammatory responses and the risk of infection from immunosuppressive treatment. Due to the diversity of symptoms and treatment-resistant diseases, SLE management remains a challenging issue. Nevertheless, the use of next-generation therapeutics with stem cell and gene therapy may bring better outcomes to SLE treatment in the future. This review highlights the autoimmune responses as well as potential therapeutic interventions for SLE particularly focusing on the recent therapeutic advancements and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surya Prakash Pandey
- Aarogya Institute of Healthcare and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 302033, India
- Department of Zoology, School of Science, IFTM University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, 244102, India
| | - Rakesh Bhaskar
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, South Korea
| | - Sung Soo Han
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, South Korea
| | - Kannan Badri Narayanan
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, South Korea
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, 38541, South Korea
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Hoseinzadeh A, Mahmoudi M, Rafatpanah H, Rezaieyazdi Z, Tavakol Afshari J, Hosseini S, Esmaeili SA. A new generation of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells differentially trained by immunoregulatory probiotics in a lupus microenvironment. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:358. [PMID: 38072921 PMCID: PMC10712058 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03578-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence suggests that multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising intervention strategy in treating autoimmune inflammatory diseases. It should be stated that systemic immunoregulation is increasingly recognized among the beneficial effects of MSCs and probiotics in treating morbid autoimmune disorders such as lupus. This study aimed to determine if immunoregulatory probiotics L. rhamnosus or L. delbrueckii can change the immunomodulatory effects of MSCs in lupus-like disease. METHODS Pristane-induced lupus (PIL) mice model was created via intraperitoneal injection of Pristane and then confirmed. Naïve MSCs (N-MSCs) were coincubated with two Lactobacillus strains, rhamnosus (R-MSCs) or delbrueckii (D-MSCs), and/or a combination of both (DR-MSCs) for 48 h, then administrated intravenously in separate groups. Negative (PBS-treated normal mice) and positive control groups (PBS-treated lupus mice) were also investigated. At the end of the study, flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis were used to determine the percentage of Th cell subpopulations in splenocytes and the level of their master cytokines in sera, respectively. Moreover, lupus nephritis was investigated and compared. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for multiple comparisons. RESULTS Abnormalities in serum levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies, creatinine, and urine proteinuria were significantly suppressed by MSCs transplantation, whereas engrafted MSCs coincubation with both L. strains did a lesser effect on anti-dsDNA antibodies. L. rhamnosus significantly escalated the ability of MSCs to scale down the inflammatory cytokines (IFN-ɣ, IL-17), while L. delbrueckii significantly elevated the capacity of MSCs to scale down the percentage of Th cell subpopulations. However, incubation with both strains induced MSCs with augmented capacity in introducing inflammatory cytokines (IFN-ɣ, IL-17). Strikingly, R-MSCs directly restored the serum level of TGF-β more effectively and showed more significant improvement in disease parameters than N-MSCs. These results suggest that R-MSCs significantly attenuate lupus disease by further skew the immune phenotype of MSCs toward increased immunoregulation. CONCLUSIONS Results demonstrated that Lactobacillus strains showed different capabilities in training/inducing new abilities in MSCs, in such a way that pretreated MSCs with L. rhamnosus might benefit the treatment of lupus-like symptoms, given their desirable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram Hoseinzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Mahmoudi
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Houshang Rafatpanah
- Immunology Research Centre, Division of Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zahra Rezaieyazdi
- Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jalil Tavakol Afshari
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, BuAli Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sara Hosseini
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed-Alireza Esmaeili
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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11
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Touil H, Mounts K, De Jager PL. Differential impact of environmental factors on systemic and localized autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1147447. [PMID: 37283765 PMCID: PMC10239830 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1147447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The influence of environmental factors on the development of autoimmune disease is being broadly investigated to better understand the multifactorial nature of autoimmune pathogenesis and to identify potential areas of intervention. Areas of particular interest include the influence of lifestyle, nutrition, and vitamin deficiencies on autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. In this review, we discuss how particular lifestyles and dietary patterns may contribute to or modulate autoimmunity. We explored this concept through a spectrum of several autoimmune diseases including Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Alopecia Areata (AA) affecting the central nervous system, whole body, and the hair follicles, respectively. A clear commonality between the autoimmune conditions of interest here is low Vitamin D, a well-researched hormone in the context of autoimmunity with pleiotropic immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. While low levels are often correlated with disease activity and progression in MS and AA, the relationship is less clear in SLE. Despite strong associations with autoimmunity, we lack conclusive evidence which elucidates its role in contributing to pathogenesis or simply as a result of chronic inflammation. In a similar vein, other vitamins impacting the development and course of these diseases are explored in this review, and overall diet and lifestyle. Recent work exploring the effects of dietary interventions on MS showed that a balanced diet was linked to improvement in clinical parameters, comorbid conditions, and overall quality of life for patients. In patients with MS, SLE and AA, certain diets and supplements are linked to lower incidence and improved symptoms. Conversely, obesity during adolescence was linked with higher incidence of MS while in SLE it was associated with organ damage. Autoimmunity is thought to emerge from the complex interplay between environmental factors and genetic background. Although the scope of this review focuses on environmental factors, it is imperative to elaborate the interaction between genetic susceptibility and environment due to the multifactorial origin of these disease. Here, we offer a comprehensive review about the influence of recent environmental and lifestyle factors on these autoimmune diseases and potential translation into therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanane Touil
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kristin Mounts
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Philip Lawrence De Jager
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Columbia Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
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Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are a diverse group of conditions characterized by aberrant B cell and T cell reactivity to normal constituents of the host. These diseases occur widely and affect individuals of all ages, especially women. Among these diseases, the most prominent immunological manifestation is the production of autoantibodies, which provide valuable biomarkers for diagnosis, classification and disease activity. Although T cells have a key role in pathogenesis, they are technically more difficult to assay. In general, autoimmune disease results from an interplay between a genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Genetic predisposition to autoimmunity is complex and can involve multiple genes that regulate the function of immune cell populations. Less frequently, autoimmunity can result from single-gene mutations that affect key regulatory pathways. Infection seems to be a common trigger for autoimmune disease, although the microbiota can also influence pathogenesis. As shown in seminal studies, patients may express autoantibodies many years before the appearance of clinical or laboratory signs of disease - a period called pre-clinical autoimmunity. Monitoring autoantibody expression in at-risk populations may therefore enable early detection and the initiation of therapy to prevent or attenuate tissue damage. Autoimmunity may not be static, however, and remission can be achieved by some patients treated with current agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Pisetsky
- Duke University Medical Center, Medical Research Service, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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13
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Erdei E, Zhou X, Shuey C, Ass'ad N, Page K, Gore B, Zhu C, Kanda D, Luo L, Sood A, Zychowski KE. Serum autoantibodies and exploratory molecular pathways in rural miners: A pilot study. J Transl Autoimmun 2023; 6:100197. [PMID: 36942097 PMCID: PMC10023988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2023.100197] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Southwestern United States (SWUS) has an extensive history of coal and metal mining, including uranium (U) mining. Lung diseases, including but not limited to, lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis, have been studied extensively in miners due to occupational, dust-related exposures. However, high-throughput autoimmune biomarkers are largely understudied in miners, despite the fact that ore miners, such as U-miners, are at an increased risk for the development of autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Additionally, there are current gaps in knowledge regarding which signaling pathways may play a role in occupational exposure-associated autoimmunity. Methods Most current and former miners in the SWUS live close to their previous workplaces, in remote areas, with limited access to healthcare. In this pilot study, by leveraging a mobile clinical platform for patient care and clinical outreach, we recruited 44 miners who self-identified as either U (n = 10) or non-U miners (n = 34) and received health screenings. Serum IgG and IgM autoantibodies against 128 antigens were assessed using a high-throughput molecular technique, as a preliminary health screening opportunity. Results Even when adjusting for age as a covariate, there was a significant (p < 0.05) association between self-reported U-mining exposure and biomarkers including IgM alpha-actinin, histones H2B, and H4, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and myelin basic protein. However, adjusting for age did not result in significant associations for IgG autoantibody production in U-miners. Bioinformatic pathway analysis revealed several altered signaling pathways between IgM and IgG autoantibodies among both U and non-U miners. Conclusions Further research is warranted regarding the mechanistic connection between U-exposure and autoantibody development, especially regarding histone-related alterations and IgM autoantibody production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Erdei
- College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico- Health Sciences Center, 905 Vassar Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
| | - Xixi Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico- Health Sciences Center, 905 Vassar Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
| | - Chris Shuey
- Southwest Research and Information Center, 105 Stanford Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
| | - Nour Ass'ad
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Kimberly Page
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Bobbi Gore
- Miners' Colfax Medical Center, 203 Hospital Drive, Raton, NM, 87740, USA
| | - Chengsong Zhu
- Department of Immunology and Microarray Core, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Deborah Kanda
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
| | - Li Luo
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, USA
| | - Akshay Sood
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
- Miners' Colfax Medical Center, 203 Hospital Drive, Raton, NM, 87740, USA
| | - Katherine E. Zychowski
- College of Nursing, University of New Mexico- Health Sciences Center, 2502 Marble Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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14
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Hundt JE, Hoffmann MH, Amber KT, Ludwig RJ. Editorial: Autoimmune pre-disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1159396. [PMID: 36865538 PMCID: PMC9971971 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1159396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E. Hundt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Markus H. Hoffmann
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kyle T. Amber
- Division of Dermatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States,Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ralf J. Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany,Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany,*Correspondence: Ralf J. Ludwig,
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15
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Miller FW. The increasing prevalence of autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases: an urgent call to action for improved understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Curr Opin Immunol 2023; 80:102266. [PMID: 36446151 PMCID: PMC9918670 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.102266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmunity is characterized by self-reactive immune components and autoimmune disease by autoimmunity plus pathology. Both autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases are dramatically increasing in many parts of the world, likely as a result of changes in our exposures to environmental factors. Current evidence implicates the momentous alterations in our foods, xenobiotics, air pollution, infections, personal lifestyles, stress, and climate change as causes for these increases. Autoimmune diseases have a major impact on the individuals and families they affect, as well as on our society and healthcare costs, and current projections suggest they may soon take their place among the predominant medical disorders. This necessitates that we increase the scope and scale of our efforts, and coordinate our resources and studies, to understand autoimmune disease risk factors and pathogeneses and improve our diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive approaches, as the costs of inaction will be profound and far greater without such investments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick W Miller
- Environmental Autoimmunity Group, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 101, Maildrop A2-03, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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16
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Bieber K, Hundt JE, Yu X, Ehlers M, Petersen F, Karsten CM, Köhl J, Kridin K, Kalies K, Kasprick A, Goletz S, Humrich JY, Manz RA, Künstner A, Hammers CM, Akbarzadeh R, Busch H, Sadik CD, Lange T, Grasshoff H, Hackel AM, Erdmann J, König I, Raasch W, Becker M, Kerstein-Stähle A, Lamprecht P, Riemekasten G, Schmidt E, Ludwig RJ. Autoimmune pre-disease. Autoimmun Rev 2023; 22:103236. [PMID: 36436750 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 5% of the world-wide population is affected by autoimmune diseases. Overall, autoimmune diseases are still difficult to treat, impose a high burden on patients, and have a significant economic impact. Like other complex diseases, e.g., cancer, autoimmune diseases develop over several years. Decisive steps in the development of autoimmune diseases are (i) the development of autoantigen-specific lymphocytes and (often) autoantibodies and (ii) potentially clinical disease manifestation at a later stage. However, not all healthy individuals with autoantibodies develop disease manifestations. Identifying autoantibody-positive healthy individuals and monitoring and inhibiting their switch to inflammatory autoimmune disease conditions are currently in their infancy. The switch from harmless to inflammatory autoantigen-specific T and B-cell and autoantibody responses seems to be the hallmark for the decisive factor in inflammatory autoimmune disease conditions. Accordingly, biomarkers allowing us to predict this progression would have a significant impact. Several factors, such as genetics and the environment, especially diet, smoking, exposure to pollutants, infections, stress, and shift work, might influence the progression from harmless to inflammatory autoimmune conditions. To inspire research directed at defining and ultimately targeting autoimmune predisease, here, we review published evidence underlying the progression from health to autoimmune predisease and ultimately to clinically manifest inflammatory autoimmune disease, addressing the following 3 questions: (i) what is the current status, (ii) what is missing, (iii) and what are the future perspectives for defining and modulating autoimmune predisease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Bieber
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jennifer E Hundt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Xinhua Yu
- Priority Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Marc Ehlers
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, University of Lübeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Frank Petersen
- Priority Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Christian M Karsten
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jörg Köhl
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Khalaf Kridin
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Germany; Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Unit of Dermatology and Skin Research Laboratory, Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Israel
| | - Kathrin Kalies
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anika Kasprick
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Stephanie Goletz
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jens Y Humrich
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Rudolf A Manz
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Axel Künstner
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christoph M Hammers
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Reza Akbarzadeh
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hauke Busch
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Tanja Lange
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hanna Grasshoff
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Alexander M Hackel
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jeanette Erdmann
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Inke König
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Walter Raasch
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mareike Becker
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anja Kerstein-Stähle
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Peter Lamprecht
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gabriela Riemekasten
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Enno Schmidt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ralf J Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Germany.
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Ohmes J, Comdühr S, Akbarzadeh R, Riemekasten G, Humrich JY. Dysregulation and chronicity of pathogenic T cell responses in the pre-diseased stage of lupus. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1007078. [PMID: 36389689 PMCID: PMC9650673 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1007078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In the normal immune system, T cell activation is tightly regulated and controlled at several levels to ensure that activation occurs in the right context to prevent the development of pathologic conditions such as autoimmunity or other harmful immune responses. CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are crucial for the regulation of T cell responses in the peripheral lymphatic organs and thus for the prevention and control of autoimmunity. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a prototypic systemic autoimmune disease with complex etiology, a disbalance between Treg and pathogenic effector/memory CD4+ T cells develops during disease progression indicating that gradual loss of control over T cell activation is an important event in the immune pathogenesis. This progressive failure to adequately regulate the activation of autoreactive T cells facilitates chronic activation and effector/memory differentiation of pathogenic T cells, which are considered to contribute significantly to the induction and perpetuation of autoimmune processes and tissue inflammation in SLE. However, in particular in humans, little is known about the factors which drive the escape from immune regulation and the chronicity of pathogenic T cell responses in an early stage of autoimmune disease when clinical symptoms are still unapparent. Here we briefly summarize important findings and discuss current views and models on the mechanisms related to the dysregulation of T cell responses which promotes chronicity and pathogenic memory differentiation with a focus on the early stage of disease in lupus-prone individuals.
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