1
|
Nurgaziyev M, Issilbayeva A, Bersimbaev R, Ilderbayev O, Vinogradova E, Jarmukhanov Z, Nurgozhina A, Sergazy S, Kozhabergen N, Akhmetova Z, Meiramova A, Chulenbayeva L, Ibrayeva A, Mukhanbetzhanov N, Mukhanbetzhanova Z, Kozhakhmetov S, Ainabekova B, Kushugulova A. Gut microbiome-immune interactions and their role in rheumatoid arthritis development. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17477. [PMID: 39006008 PMCID: PMC11246623 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The primary objective is to study the impact of gut microbiota and their interactions with diverse immunological markers on the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods This study was performed in Astana, Kazakhstan, and included 77 Kazakh female patients older than 18 years, who met the American College of Rheumatology 2010 classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 113 healthy controls. The DNA was extracted from fecal samples obtained from all study participants for subsequent sequencing at the 16S rRNA gene V1-V3 locus, facilitating the analysis of the gut microbiome. The Multiplex immunoassay was employed to measure the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and immunoglobulins in both fecal and plasma samples. Results Our taxonomic analysis revealed significant differences in the composition of the gut microbiota between the healthy control cohort and the cohort with rheumatoid arthritis RA. Alpha diversity was significantly lower in the RA group. Lachnospiraceae were the most abundant taxon and found to be crucial, showing correlations with immunological markers such as IL5. Additionally, Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospiraceae exhibited the most predictable power and distinguished the composition of both study groups. Conclusion Our study identifies key differences in the gut microbiome of RA patients, revealing distinct microbial patterns and specific taxa abundance. We highlight potential biomarkers in immunological and bacterial pathways, offering insights into RA development and indicating possibilities for personalized treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madiyar Nurgaziyev
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
- Department of General Biology and Genomics, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Argul Issilbayeva
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
- NJSC Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Rakhmetkazhi Bersimbaev
- Department of General Biology and Genomics, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Oralbek Ilderbayev
- Department of General Biology and Genomics, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Elizaveta Vinogradova
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Zharkyn Jarmukhanov
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Ayaulym Nurgozhina
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Shynggys Sergazy
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Nuray Kozhabergen
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Assel Meiramova
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
- NJSC Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Laura Chulenbayeva
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Aigerim Ibrayeva
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Nurislam Mukhanbetzhanov
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Zhanel Mukhanbetzhanova
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Samat Kozhakhmetov
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Bayan Ainabekova
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
- NJSC Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Almagul Kushugulova
- Laboratory of Microbiome, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Peng Y, Huang Y, Li H, Li C, Wu Y, Wang X, Wang Q, He J, Miao C. Associations between rheumatoid arthritis and intestinal flora, with special emphasis on RA pathologic mechanisms to treatment strategies. Microb Pathog 2024; 188:106563. [PMID: 38331355 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints. Individuals at risk for RA and people with RA develop intestinal dysbiosis. The changes in intestinal flora composition in preclinical and confirmed RA patients suggest that intestinal flora imbalance may play an important role in the induction and persistence of RA. METHODS Based on the current research on the interaction between RA and intestinal microbiota, intestinal microbiota metabolites and intestinal barrier changes. This paper systematically summarized the changes in intestinal microbiota in RA patients, the metabolites of intestinal flora, and the influence mechanism of intestinal barrier on RA, and further discussed the influence of drugs for RA on intestinal flora and its mechanism of action. RESULTS Compared with healthy controls, α diversity analysis of intestinal flora showed no significant difference, β diversity analysis showed significant differences. The intestinal flora produces bioactive metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids and aromatic amino acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects. Abnormal intestinal flora leads to impaired barrier function and mucosal immune dysfunction, promoting the development of inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and chemical drugs can also alleviate RA by regulating intestinal flora, intestinal flora metabolites, and intestinal barrier. Intestinal flora is closely related to the pathogenesis of RA and may become potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of RA. CONCLUSIONS Intestinal flora and its metabolites play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as RA, and are expected to become a new target for clinical diagnosis and treatment, providing a new idea for targeted treatment of RA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhui Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yurong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yajie Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- Department of Humanistic Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Preparation, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Fengyang, Anhui, China
| | - Juan He
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chenggui Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang D, Zheng Z, Yu H, Dou D, Gao Y, Xu S, Li Z, Sun L, Qiu X, Zhong X. Impact of humid climate on rheumatoid arthritis faecal microbiome and metabolites. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16846. [PMID: 37803075 PMCID: PMC10558475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43964-4] [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: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies have shown that high humidity is a condition that aggravates the pain of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the relevant mechanism is controversial. Currently, there is a lack of experimental animal studies on high humidity as an adverse factor related to the pathogenesis of RA. We used healthy SD rats and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats to investigate the effects of high humidity on arthritis. Integrated metabolomics analyses of faeces and 16S rRNA sequencing of the faecal microbiota were performed to comprehensively assess the diversity of the faecal microbiota and metabolites in healthy and CIA rats. In this study, high humidity aggravated arthritis in CIA rats, which manifested as articular cartilage lesions, increased arthritis scores, and an increase in proinflammatory cytokines. High humidity had a certain effect on the articular cartilage extent, arthritis score and proinflammatory cytokines of healthy rats as well. Furthermore, high humidity caused significant changes in faecal microbes and metabolites in both healthy and CIA rats. 16S rRNA sequencing of faecal samples showed that high humidity increased the amount of inflammation-related bacteria in healthy and CIA rats. Faecal metabolomics results showed that high humidity significantly altered the level of faecal metabolites in healthy rats and CIA rats, and the changes in biological functions were mainly related to the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Combined analysis showed that there was a strong correlation between the faecal microbiota and faecal metabolites. High humidity is an adverse factor for the onset and development of RA, and its mechanism is related to the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. However, the question of how high humidity impacts RA pathogenesis needs to be further investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dingnan Wang
- Institute of Synopsis of Golden Chamber Department, School of Chinese Medicine College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhili Zheng
- Institute of Synopsis of Golden Chamber Department, School of Chinese Medicine College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Yu
- Formulas of Chinese Medicine, Basic Medical College of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dou Dou
- Institute of Synopsis of Golden Chamber Department, School of Chinese Medicine College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yining Gao
- Institute of Synopsis of Golden Chamber Department, School of Chinese Medicine College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Xu
- Institute of Synopsis of Golden Chamber Department, School of Chinese Medicine College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiming Li
- Institute of Synopsis of Golden Chamber Department, School of Chinese Medicine College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Sun
- Institute of Synopsis of Golden Chamber Department, School of Chinese Medicine College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xudong Qiu
- Institute of Synopsis of Golden Chamber Department, School of Chinese Medicine College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianggen Zhong
- Institute of Synopsis of Golden Chamber Department, School of Chinese Medicine College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hu J, Ni J, Zheng J, Guo Y, Yang Y, Ye C, Sun X, Xia H, Liu Y, Liu H. Tripterygium hypoglaucum extract ameliorates adjuvant-induced arthritis in mice through the gut microbiota. Chin J Nat Med 2023; 21:730-744. [PMID: 37879792 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(23)60466-2] [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: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Levl.) Hutch (THH) are widely used in Chinese folk to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to investigate whether the anti-RA effect of THH is related with the gut microbiota. The main components of prepared THH extract were identified by HPLC-MS. C57BL/6 mice with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) were treated with THH extract by gavage for one month. THH extract significantly alleviated swollen ankle, joint cavity exudation, and articular cartilage destruction in AIA mice. The mRNA and protein levels of inflammatory mediators in muscles and plasma indicated that THH extract attenuated inflammatory responses in the joint by blocking TLR4/MyD88/MAPK signaling pathways. THH extract remarkably restored the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in AIA mice, featuring the increases of Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, and Lactobacillus and the decreases of Butyricimonas, Parabacteroides, and Anaeroplasma. Furthermore, the altered bacteria were closely correlated with physiological indices and drove metabolic changes of the intestinal microbiota. In addition, antibiotic-induced pseudo germ-free mice were employed to verify the role of the intestinal flora. Strikingly, THH treatment failed to ameliorate the arthritis symptoms and signaling pathways in pseudo germ-free mice, which validates the indispensable role of the intestinal flora. For the first time, we demonstrated that THH extract protects joint inflammation by manipulating the intestinal flora and regulating the TLR4/MyD88/MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, THH extract may serve as a microbial modulator to recover RA in clincial practice.ver RA in clincial practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianghui Hu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Jimin Ni
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Junping Zheng
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yanlei Guo
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China
| | - Cheng Ye
- Wuhan Customs Technology Center, Wuhan 430050, China
| | - Xiongjie Sun
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Hui Xia
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yanju Liu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Hongtao Liu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China; Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing 400065, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lee EH, Kim H, Koh JH, Cha KH, Lee KK, Kim WU, Pan CH, Lee YH. Dysbiotic but nonpathogenic shift in the fecal mycobiota of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2149020. [PMID: 36472468 PMCID: PMC9728469 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2149020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is closely associated with the oral and gut microbiomes. Fungal cell wall components initiate inflammatory arthritis in mouse models. However, little is known regarding the role of the fungal community in the pathogenesis of RA. To evaluate the association between RA and the gut microbiome, investigations of bacterial and fungal communities in patients with RA are necessary. Therefore, we investigated the compositions and associations of fecal bacterial and fungal communities in 30 healthy controls and 99 patients with RA. The relative abundances of Bifidobacterium and Blautia decreased, whereas the relative abundance of Streptococcus increased, in patients with RA. The relative abundance of Candida in the fecal fungal community was higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls, while the relative abundance of Aspergillus was higher in healthy controls than in patients with RA. Candida species-specific gene amplification showed that C. albicans was the most abundant species of Candida. Ordination analysis and random forest classification models supported the findings of structural changes in bacterial and fungal communities. Aspergillus was the core fecal fungal genus in healthy controls, although Saccharomyces spp. are typically predominant in Western cohorts. In addition, bacterial-fungal association analyses showed that the hub node had shifted from fungi to bacteria in patients with RA. The finding of fungal dysbiosis in patients with RA suggests that fungi play critical roles in the fecal microbial communities and pathogenesis of RA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Ha Lee
- Natural Product Informatics Research Center, KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Korea,Interdisciplinary Program in Agricultural Genomics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Hee Koh
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea,Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Hyun Cha
- Natural Product Informatics Research Center, KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Korea
| | - Kiseok Keith Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Wan-Uk Kim
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea,Center for Integrative Rheumatoid Transcriptomics and Dynamics, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea,CONTACT Wan-Uk Kim Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea; Cheol-Ho Pan Natural Product Informatics Research Center, KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Korea; Yong-Hwan Lee Interdisciplinary Program in Agricultural Genomics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Cheol-Ho Pan
- Natural Product Informatics Research Center, KIST Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Korea
| | - Yong-Hwan Lee
- Interdisciplinary Program in Agricultural Genomics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea,Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea,Center for Plant Microbiome Research, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea,Plant Immunity Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea,Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cong S, Wang L, Meng Y, Cai X, Zhang C, Gu Y, Ma X, Luo L. Saussurea involucrata
oral liquid regulates gut microbiota and serum metabolism during alleviation of collagen‐induced arthritis in rats. Phytother Res 2022; 37:1242-1259. [PMID: 36451529 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Saussurea involucrata oral liquid (SIOL) can clinically relieve symptoms, such as joint pain and swelling, and morning stiffness, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the mechanism of action remains unclear. This study used a combination of gut microbiota and serum metabolomics analysis to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of SIOL intervention on rats with RA induced by type II bovine collagen and Freund's complete adjuvant. Results showed that SIOL treatment consequently improved the degree of ankle joint swelling, joint histopathological changes, joint pathological score, and expression of serum-related inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in RA model rats. 16 S rRNA sequencing results showed that SIOL increased the relative richness of the Lactobacillus and Bacteroides genus and decreased the relative richness of Romboutsia, Alloprevotella, Blautia, and Helicobacter genus. Serum nontargeted metabolomic results indicated that SIOL could regulate metabolites related to metabolic pathways, such as glycine, serine, threonine, galactose, cysteine, and methionine metabolism. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the regulatory effects of SIOL on the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, phenylalanine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism pathways were correlated with changes in the richness of the Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, Bacteroides, and Alloprevotella genus in the gut microbiome. In conclusion, this study revealed the ameliorative effects of SIOL on RA and suggested that the therapeutic effects of SIOL on RA may be related to the regulation of the community richness of the Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, Bacteroides, and Alloprevotella genus, thereby improving the TCA cycle; phenylalanine metabolism; phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism-related pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shan Cong
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University Xinjiang China
| | - Lingrui Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University Xinjiang China
| | - Yan Meng
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University Xinjiang China
| | - Xuanlin Cai
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University Xinjiang China
| | - Chenxi Zhang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University Xinjiang China
| | - Yanqin Gu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University Xinjiang China
| | - Xiumin Ma
- Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University Xinjiang China
| | - Li Luo
- First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University Xinjiang China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li A, Zhang Z, Ru X, Yi Y, Li X, Qian J, Wang J, Yang X, Yao Y. Identification of SLAMF1 as an immune-related key gene associated with rheumatoid arthritis and verified in mice collagen-induced arthritis model. Front Immunol 2022; 13:961129. [PMID: 36110846 PMCID: PMC9468826 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.961129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthropathy. Immune dysregulation was implicated in the pathogenesis of RA. Thus, the aim of the research was to determine the immune related biomarkers in RA. Methods We downloaded the gene expression data of RA in GSE89408 and GSE45291 from Gene Expression Omnibus public database (GEO). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between RA and control groups. Infiltrating immune cells related genes were obtained by ssGSEA and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). We performed functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed immunity-related genes (DEIRGs) by “clusterProfiler” R package, key genes screening by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEIRGs. And mice collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was employed to verify these key genes. Results A total of 1,885 up-regulated and 1,899 down-regulated DEGs were identified in RA samples. The ssGSEA analysis showed that the infiltration of 25 cells was significantly different. 603 immune related genes were obtained by WGCNA, and 270 DEIRGs were obtained by taking the intersection of DEGs and immune related genes. Enrichment analyses indicated that DEIRGs were associated with immunity related biological processes. 4 candidate biomarkers (CCR7, KLRK1, TIGIT and SLAMF1) were identified from the PPI network of DEIRGs and literature research. In mice CIA model, the immunohistochemical stain showed SLAMF1 has a significantly high expression in diseased joints. And flow cytometry analysis shows the expression of SLAMF1 on CIA mice-derived CTL cells, Th, NK cells, NKT cells, classical dendritic cell (cDCs) and monocytes/macrophages was also significantly higher than corresponding immune cells from HC mice. Conclusion Our study identified SMLAF1 as a key biomarker in the development and progression of RA, which might provide new insight for exploring the pathogenesis of RA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Li
- School of Medicine & Nursing, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Zhanfeng Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Xiaochen Ru
- School of Medicine & Nursing, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Yanfeng Yi
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Medicine & Nursing, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Jing Qian
- School of Medicine & Nursing, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Jue Wang
- School of Medicine & Nursing, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Xiaobing Yang
- Department of Rheumatology, Huzhou Third Municipal Hospital, Huzhou, China
| | - Yunliang Yao
- School of Medicine & Nursing, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yunliang Yao,
| |
Collapse
|