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Ivanova M, Zimba O, Dimitrov I, Angelov AK, Georgiev T. Axial Spondyloarthritis: an overview of the disease. Rheumatol Int 2024:10.1007/s00296-024-05601-9. [PMID: 38689098 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-024-05601-9] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic, inflammatory, immune-mediated rheumatic disease that comprises two subsets, non-radiographic and radiographic axSpA, and belongs to a heterogeneous group of spondyloarthritides (SpA). Over the years, the concept of SpA has evolved significantly, as reflected in the existing classification criteria. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the genetic and immunological basis of axSpA, in studying the processes of chronic inflammation and pathological new bone formation, which are pathognomonic for the disease. As a result, new medication therapies were developed, which bring more effective ways for disease control. This review presents a brief overview of the literature related to these aspects of disease after summarising the available information on the topic that we considered relevant. Specifically, it delves into recent research illuminating the primary pathological processes of enthesitis and associated osteitis in the context of inflammation in axSpA. The exploration extends to discussion of inflammatory pathways, with a particular focus on Th1/Th17-mediated immunity and molecular signaling pathways of syndesmophyte formation. Additionally, the review sheds light on the pivotal role of cytokine dysregulation, highlighting the significance of the IL-23/17 axis and TNF-α in this intricate network of immune responses which is decisive for therapeutic approaches in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Ivanova
- Medical Faculty, Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria.
- Clinic of Rheumatology, University Hospital "St. Ivan Rilski", 13, Urvich St., Sofia, 1612, Bulgaria.
| | - Olena Zimba
- Department of Rheumatology, Immunology and Internal Medicine, University Hospital in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
- National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Internal Medicine N2, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Ivan Dimitrov
- Clinic of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University Hospital "Prof. Dr. St. Kirkovich", Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
- Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | | | - Tsvetoslav Georgiev
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
- Rheumatology Clinic, St. Marina University Hospital-Varna, Varna, Bulgaria
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Chen Y, Liu W, Xu X, Zhen H, Pang B, Zhao Z, Zhao Y, Liu H. The Role of H3K27me3-Mediated Th17 Differentiation in Ankylosing Spondylitis. Inflammation 2024:10.1007/s10753-024-02002-9. [PMID: 38517649 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-024-02002-9] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common chronic progressive inflammatory autoimmune disease. T helper 17 (Th17) cells are the major effector cells mediating AS inflammation. Histone 3 Lys 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) is an inhibitory histone modification that silences gene transcription and plays an important role in Th17 differentiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of H3K27me3 in patients with AS and to explore its epigenetic regulation mechanism of Th17 differentiation during AS inflammation. We collected serum samples from 45 patients with AS at various stages and 10 healthy controls to measure their Interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels using ELISA. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify the mRNA levels of RORc and the signaling molecules of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, JMJD3, and EZH2. Additionally, Western blot analysis was performed to quantify the protein levels of H3K27me3, RORγt, JAK2, STAT3, JMJD3, and EZH2 in cell protein extracts. The results showed that H3K27me3 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was significantly lower in patients with active AS compared to both the normal control groups and those with stable AS. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was observed between H3K27me3 expression and the characteristic transcription factor of Th17 differentiation, RORγt. We also discovered that patients with active AS exhibited significantly higher levels of JMJD3, an inhibitor of H3K27 demethylase, compared to the normal control group and patients with stable AS, while the expression of H3K27 methyltransferase (EZH2) was significantly lower. These findings suggest that H3K27me3 may be a dynamic and important epigenetic modification in AS inflammation, and JMJD3/EZH2 regulates the methylation level of H3K27me3, which may be one of the key regulatory factors in the pathogenesis of AS. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of epigenetics in AS and may have implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuening Chen
- Department of Rheumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Wanlin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Proteome Research Center, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xiaohan Xu
- Guang'anmen Hospital Jinan, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Hongying Zhen
- Department of Cell Biology, Basic Medical School, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Clinical Laboratory, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Zhe Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Hongxiao Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing, 100053, China.
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Venerito V, Del Vescovo S, Lopalco G, Proft F. Beyond the horizon: Innovations and future directions in axial-spondyloarthritis. Arch Rheumatol 2023; 38:491-511. [PMID: 38125058 PMCID: PMC10728740 DOI: 10.46497/archrheumatol.2023.10580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine and sacroiliac joints. This review discusses recent advances across multiple scientific fields that promise to transform axSpA management. Traditionally, axSpA was considered an immune-mediated disease driven by human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27), interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 signaling, biomechanics, and dysbiosis. Diagnosis relies on clinical features, laboratory tests, and imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nowadays. Management includes exercise, lifestyle changes, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and if this is not sufficient to achieve disease control also biological and targeted-synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Beyond long-recognized genetic risks like HLA-B27, high-throughput sequencing has revealed intricate gene-environment interactions influencing dysbiosis, immune dysfunction, and aberrant bone remodeling. Elucidating these mechanisms promises screening approaches to enable early intervention. Advanced imaging is revolutionizing the assessment of axSpA's hallmark: sacroiliac bone-marrow edema indicating inflammation. Novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques sensitively quantify disease activity, while machine learning automates complex analysis to improve diagnostic accuracy and monitoring. Hybrid imaging like synthetic MRI/computed tomography (CT) visualizes structural damage with new clarity. Meanwhile, microbiome analysis has uncovered gut ecosystem alterations that may initiate joint inflammation through HLA-B27 misfolding or immune subversion. Correcting dysbiosis represents an enticing treatment target. Moving forward, emerging techniques must augment patient care. Incorporating patient perspectives will be key to ensure innovations like genetics, microbiome, and imaging biomarkers translate into improved mobility, reduced pain, and increased quality of life. By integrating cutting-edge, multidisciplinary science with patients' lived experience, researchers can unlock the full potential of new technologies to deliver transformative outcomes. The future is bright for precision diagnosis, tightly controlled treatment, and even prevention of axSpA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Venerito
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), Polyclinic Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Sergio Del Vescovo
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), Polyclinic Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lopalco
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), Polyclinic Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Fabian Proft
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology (including Nutrition Medicine), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Mariani FM, Alunno A, Di Ruscio E, Altieri P, Ferri C, Carubbi F. Human Leukocyte Antigen B*27-Negative Spondyloarthritis: Clinical, Serological, and Radiological Features of a Single-Center Cohort. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3550. [PMID: 38066792 PMCID: PMC10706745 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13233550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The strong genetic association between HLA-B*27 and spondyloarthritis (SpA) accounts for about 90% of the susceptibility to axial SpA (axSpA), and the presence of HLA-B*27 is helpful in classifying patients according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria. However, over the years, other HLA-B alleles have been associated with an increased risk of developing SpA; on this basis, the aim of our study was to describe the demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics of a cohort of SpA patients who were negative for HLA-B*27. We identified 85 patients with a clinical diagnosis of SpA displaying HLA-B alleles other than HLA-B*27; HLA-B*51 emerged as the most prevalent allele (N = 33, 39%), regardless of the fulfilment of either the axial or the peripheral ASAS criteria. The second most prevalent allele in the full cohort (N = 16, 19%) and in the patients fulfilling either the axial or the peripheral criteria was HLA-B*35. The third most prevalent allele in the full cohort was HLA-B*18 (N = 12, 15%), which was also the second most prevalent allele in the patients fulfilling neither of the two sets of criteria. Overall, the clinical picture was similar across the subgroups fulfilling the different sets of ASAS criteria; however, the patients not fulfilling any ASAS criteria had a higher likelihood of having arthritis compared to the patients fulfilling the axial criteria, whereas the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index was significantly higher in those patients fulfilling the axial criteria compared to those who did not fulfill any criteria. Our results indicate that other HLA alleles, beyond HLA-B*27, could be useful in facilitating SpA diagnosis, particularly in patients with a clinical picture which is consistent with SpA but does not fulfill the ASAS classification criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Claudio Ferri
- Internal Medicine and Nephrology Division, ASL1 Avezzano-Sulmona-L’Aquila, Department of Clinical Medicine, Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy (A.A.); (P.A.); (F.C.)
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Saad MA, Abdul-Sattar AB, Abdelal IT, Baraka A. Shedding Light on the Role of ERAP1 in Axial Spondyloarthritis. Cureus 2023; 15:e48806. [PMID: 38024089 PMCID: PMC10645460 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48806] [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] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease affecting the axial skeleton (axSpA) and/or peripheral joints (p-SpA) and entheses. The disease's pathogenesis depends on genetic, immunological, mechanical, and environmental factors. Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) is a multifunctional enzyme that shapes the peptide repertoire presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ERAP1 that are associated with several autoimmune diseases, including axSpA. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the ERAP1 role in axSpA could make it a potential therapeutic target for this disease and offer greater insight into its impact on the immune system. Here, we review the biological functions and structure of ERAP1, discuss ERAP1 polymorphisms and their association with axSpA, highlight the interaction between ERAP1 and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27, and review the association between ERAP1 SNPs and axSpA clinical parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Saad
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Hospital, Kuwait, KWT
| | - Amal B Abdul-Sattar
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, EGY
| | - Ibrahim T Abdelal
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, EGY
| | - Ahmed Baraka
- Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, EGY
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Bustin SA, Jellinger KA. Advances in Molecular Medicine: Unravelling Disease Complexity and Pioneering Precision Healthcare. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14168. [PMID: 37762471 PMCID: PMC10531697 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The escalating impacts of the climate crisis, zoonotic spill-over, and antibiotic resistance have positioned molecular medicine at the forefront of pioneering translational research [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A. Bustin
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
| | - Kurt A. Jellinger
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Alberichgasse 5/13, A1150 Vienna, Austria
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