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Jin W, Zheng Y, Zhu P. T cell abnormalities in systemic sclerosis. Autoimmun Rev 2022; 21:103185. [PMID: 36031049 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with a poor prognosis. To date, the pathogenesis of SSc is still unclear; moreover, its pathological conditions include microvascular damage, inflammation, and immune abnormalities. Different types of T cells may cause vasculitis and fibrosis in SSc by means of up- and down-regulation of cell surface molecules, abnormal release of pro-fibrotic or pro-inflammatory cytokines and direct contact with fibroblasts. These T cells, which are mainly CD4 + T cells, include the subtypes, T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, regulatory T Cells (Treg), interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing Th17 cells, CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and angiogenic T (Tang) cells. In addition to the Th1/Th2 imbalance, which has long been established, there is also a Th17/Treg imbalance in SSc. This imbalance may be closely related to the abnormal immune status of SSc. There is mounting evidence that suggest T cell abnormalities may be crucial to the pathogenesis of SSc. In terms of treatment, existing therapies that target T cells, such as immunosuppressive therapy (tacrolimus), Janus kinase(JAK) inhibitors, and biologics(abatacept), have had some success. Other non-drug therapies, including Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have extensive and complex mechanisms of action actually including T cell regulation. Based on the current evidence, we believe that the study of T cells will further our understanding of the pathogenesis of SSc, and may lead to more targeted treatment optionsfor patients with SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jin
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, PR China; National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, PR China; National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Xi'an, PR China.
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2
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Hinchcliff M, Garcia-Milian R, Di Donato S, Dill K, Bundschuh E, Galdo FD. Cellular and Molecular Diversity in Scleroderma. Semin Immunol 2021; 58:101648. [PMID: 35940960 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2022.101648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With the increasing armamentarium of high-throughput tools available at manageable cost, it is attractive and informative to determine the molecular underpinnings of patient heterogeneity in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Given the highly variable clinical outcomes of patients labelled with the same diagnosis, unravelling the cellular and molecular basis of disease heterogeneity will be crucial to predicting disease risk, stratifying management and ultimately informing a patient-centered precision medicine approach. Herein, we summarise the findings of the past several years in the fields of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics that contribute to unraveling the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of SSc. Expansion of these findings and their routine integration with quantitative analysis of histopathology and imaging studies into clinical care promise to inform a scientifically driven patient-centred personalized medicine approach to SSc in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Hinchcliff
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, USA.
| | | | - Stefano Di Donato
- Raynaud's and Scleroderma Programme, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leeds, UK
| | | | - Elizabeth Bundschuh
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, USA
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Raynaud's and Scleroderma Programme, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leeds, UK.
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3
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Starnoni M, Pappalardo M, Spinella A, Testoni S, Lattanzi M, Feminò R, De Santis G, Salvarani C, Giuggioli D. Systemic sclerosis cutaneous expression: Management of skin fibrosis and digital ulcers. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021; 71:102984. [PMID: 34840747 PMCID: PMC8606707 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease with cutaneous involvement. Clinical manifestations result from the balance of inflammations/autoimmunity process and fibrogenesis. Patients suffer from skin ulcers, non-ulcerative lesions including digital pitting scars, telangiectasias, subungual hyperkeratosis, abrasions, fissures, and subcutaneous calcinosis. A review about the pathophysiology of the disease, the physical examination of the patients, the instrumental assessment, and possible treatments is performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Starnoni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marco Pappalardo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Amelia Spinella
- Department of Rheumatology, Division of Rheumatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Sofia Testoni
- Department of Rheumatology, Division of Rheumatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Melba Lattanzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Raimondo Feminò
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Giorgio De Santis
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Carlo Salvarani
- Department of Rheumatology, Division of Rheumatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Dilia Giuggioli
- Department of Rheumatology, Division of Rheumatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
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4
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Kitanaga Y, Imamura E, Nakahara Y, Fukahori H, Fujii Y, Kubo S, Nakayamada S, Tanaka Y. In vitro pharmacological effects of peficitinib on lymphocyte activation: a potential treatment for systemic sclerosis with JAK inhibitors. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 59:1957-1968. [PMID: 31764973 PMCID: PMC7382595 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Peficitinib, a novel Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, demonstrated promising results in treating RA in phase 3 clinical trials. This in vitro study was undertaken to characterize the pharmacological properties of peficitinib and investigate the involvement of JAK and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways in the pathological processes of SSc, which is also an autoimmune disease. Methods Phosphorylation levels of STAT molecules were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from patients with RA or SSc and healthy subjects, and in skin specimens obtained from 19 patients with SSc. In vitro inhibition of STAT phosphorylation and cytokine/chemokine production by peficitinib, tofacitinib and baricitinib were also characterized. Results Higher spontaneous STAT1 or STAT3 phosphorylation was observed in peripheral T-cells and monocytes from patients with RA and SSc compared with healthy subjects. In skin sections from patients with SSc, phosphorylated STAT3–positive cells were found in almost all cases, irrespective of disease subtype or patient characteristics. Conversely, phosphorylated STAT1-positive cells were observed only in samples from untreated patients with diffuse disease of short duration. Peficitinib inhibited STAT phosphorylation induced by various cytokines, with comparable efficacy to tofacitinib and baricitinib. Peficitinib also suppressed cytokine and chemokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin fibroblasts. Conclusion Our results suggest that JAK/STAT pathways are constitutively activated in SSc and RA, and that the JAK inhibitor may represent a novel therapeutic option for SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Kitanaga
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki.,First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Emiko Imamura
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki
| | - Yutaka Nakahara
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki
| | | | - Yasutomo Fujii
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma, Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki
| | - Satoshi Kubo
- First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Shingo Nakayamada
- First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Tanaka
- First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
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5
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Cheikhi AM, Johnson ZI, Julian DR, Wheeler S, Feghali-Bostwick C, Conley YP, Lyons-Weiler J, Yates CC. Prediction of severity and subtype of fibrosing disease using model informed by inflammation and extracellular matrix gene index. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240986. [PMID: 33095822 PMCID: PMC7584227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a chronic disease with heterogeneous clinical presentation, rate of progression, and occurrence of comorbidities. Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) is a rare rheumatic autoimmune disease that encompasses several aspects of fibrosis, including highly variable fibrotic manifestation and rate of progression. The development of effective treatments is limited by these variabilities. The fibrotic response is characterized by both chronic inflammation and extracellular remodeling. Therefore, there is a need for improved understanding of which inflammation-related genes contribute to the ongoing turnover of extracellular matrix that accompanies disease. We have developed a multi-tiered method using Naïve Bayes modeling that is capable of predicting level of disease and clinical assessment of patients based on expression of a curated 60-gene panel that profiles inflammation and extracellular matrix production in the fibrotic disease state. Our novel modeling design, incorporating global and parametric-based methods, was highly accurate in distinguishing between severity groups, highlighting the importance of these genes in disease. We refined this gene set to a 12-gene index that can accurately identify SSc patient disease state subsets and informs knowledge of the central regulatory pathways in disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin M. Cheikhi
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Zariel I. Johnson
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Dana R. Julian
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Sarah Wheeler
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - Yvette P. Conley
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - James Lyons-Weiler
- Genomic and Proteomic Core Laboratories, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Cecelia C. Yates
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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6
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Galant C, Marchandise J, Stoenoiu MS, Ducreux J, De Groof A, Pirenne S, Van den Eynde B, Houssiau FA, Lauwerys BR. Overexpression of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 15 in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts increases response to transforming growth factor β. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; 58:708-718. [PMID: 30608617 PMCID: PMC6434377 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/key401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Ubiquitination of proteins leads to their degradation by the proteasome, and is regulated by ubiquitin ligases and substrate-specific ubiquitin-specific peptidases (USPs). The ubiquitination process also plays important roles in the regulation of cell metabolism and cell cycle. Here, we found that the expression of several USPs is increased in SSc tenosynovial and skin biopsies, and we demonstrated that USP inhibition decreases TGF-β signalling in primary fibroblast cell lines. Methods High-density transcriptomic studies were performed using total RNA obtained from SSc tenosynovial samples. Confirmatory immunostaining experiments were performed on tenosynovial and skin samples. In vitro experiments were conducted in order to study the influence of USP modulation on responses to TGF-β stimulation. Results Tenosynovial biopsies from SSc patients overexpressed known disease-associated gene pathways: fibrosis, cytokines and chemokines, and Wnt/TGF-β signalling, but also several USPs. Immunohistochemistry experiments confirmed the detection of USPs in the same samples, and in SSc skin biopsies. Exposure of primary fibroblast cell lines to TGF-β induced USP gene expression. The use of a pan-USP inhibitor decreased SMAD3 phosphorylation, and expression of COL1A1, COL3A1 and fibronectin gene expression in TGF-β-stimulated fibroblasts. The effect of the USP inhibitor resulted in increased SMAD3 ubiquitination, and was blocked by a proteasome inhibitor, thereby confirming the specificity of its action. Conclusion Overexpression of several USPs, including USP15, amplifies fibrotic responses induced by TGF-β, and is a potential therapeutic target in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Galant
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
| | - Joel Marchandise
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
| | - Maria S Stoenoiu
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Rheumatology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
| | - Julie Ducreux
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
| | - Aurélie De Groof
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
| | - Sophie Pirenne
- Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
| | - Benoit Van den Eynde
- Institut de Duve, Department of Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frédéric A Houssiau
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Rheumatology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
| | - Bernard R Lauwerys
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Rheumatology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
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7
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Carvalheiro T, Affandi AJ, Malvar-Fernández B, Dullemond I, Cossu M, Ottria A, Mertens JS, Giovannone B, Bonte-Mineur F, Kok MR, Marut W, Reedquist KA, Radstake TR, García S. Induction of Inflammation and Fibrosis by Semaphorin 4A in Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2019; 71:1711-1722. [PMID: 31012544 PMCID: PMC6790618 DOI: 10.1002/art.40915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the potential role of semaphorin 4A (Sema4A) in inflammatory and fibrotic processes involved in the pathology of systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS Sema4A levels in the plasma of healthy controls (n = 11) and SSc patients (n = 20) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of Sema4A and its receptors in monocytes and CD4+ T cells from healthy controls and SSc patients (n = 6-7 per group) was determined by ELISA and flow cytometry. Th17 cytokine production by CD4+ T cells (n = 5-7) was analyzed by ELISA and flow cytometry. The production of inflammatory mediators and extracellular matrix (ECM) components by dermal fibroblast cells (n = 6) was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, ELISA, Western blotting, confocal microscopy, and ECM deposition assay. RESULTS Plasma levels of Sema4A, and Sema4A expression by circulating monocytes and CD4+ T cells, were significantly higher in SSc patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.05). Inflammatory mediators significantly up-regulated the secretion of Sema4A by monocytes and CD4+ T cells from SSc patients (P < 0.05 versus unstimulated SSc cells). Functional assays showed that Sema4A significantly enhanced the expression of Th17 cytokines induced by CD3/CD28 in total CD4+ T cells as well in different CD4+ T cell subsets (P < 0.05 versus unstimulated SSc cells). Finally, Sema4A induced a profibrotic phenotype in dermal fibroblasts from both healthy controls and SSc patients, which was abrogated by blocking or silencing the expression of Sema4A receptors. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that Sema4A plays direct and dual roles in promoting inflammation and fibrosis, 2 main features of SSc, suggesting that Sema4A might be a novel therapeutic target in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Carvalheiro
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alsya J Affandi
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ilse Dullemond
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Cossu
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Ottria
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jorre S Mertens
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Giovannone
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marc R Kok
- Maasstad Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wioleta Marut
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kris A Reedquist
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy R Radstake
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Samuel García
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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8
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Flower VA, Barratt SL, Ward S, Pauling JD. The Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Systemic Sclerosis. Curr Rheumatol Rev 2019; 15:99-109. [DOI: 10.2174/1573397114666180809121005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The pathological hallmarks of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) constitute an inter-related triad of autoimmunity, vasculopathy and tissue remodeling. Many signaling mediators have been implicated in SSc pathology; most focusing on individual components of this pathogenic triad and current treatment paradigms tend to approach management of such as distinct entities. The present review shall examine the role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in SSc pathogenesis. We shall outline potential mechanisms whereby differential Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A) isoform expression (through conventional and alternative VEGF-A splicing,) may influence the relevant burden of vasculopathy and fibrosis offering novel insight into clinical heterogeneity and disease progression in SSc. Emerging therapeutic approaches targeting VEGF signaling pathways might play an important role in the management of SSc, and differential VEGF-A splice isoform expression may provide a tool for personalized medicine approaches to disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A. Flower
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Shaney L. Barratt
- Academic Respiratory Unit, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Ward
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - John D. Pauling
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
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9
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Identification of regulators of the myofibroblast phenotype of primary dermal fibroblasts from early diffuse systemic sclerosis patients. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4521. [PMID: 30872777 PMCID: PMC6418101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41153-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc or scleroderma) is an auto-immune disease characterized by skin fibrosis. While primary cells from patients are considered as a unique resource to better understand human disease biology, the effect of in vitro culture on these cells and their evaluation as a platform to identify disease regulators remain poorly characterized. The goal of our studies was to provide insights into the utility of SSc dermal fibroblast primary cells for therapeutic target discovery. The disease phenotypes of freshly isolated and in vitro cultured SSc dermal fibroblasts were characterized using whole transcriptome profiling, alpha smooth muscle actin (ASMA) expression and cell impedance. SSc dermal fibroblasts retained most of the molecular disease phenotype upon in vitro culture for at least four cell culture passages (approximatively 10 cell doublings). We validated an RNA interference high throughput assay that successfully identified genes affecting the myofibroblast phenotype of SSc skin fibroblasts. These genes included MKL1, RHOA and LOXL2 that were previously proposed as therapeutic anti-fibrotic target, and ITGA5, that has been less studied in fibrosis biology and may be a novel potential modifier of SSc fibroblast biology. Together our results demonstrated the value of carefully-phenotyped SSc dermal fibroblasts as a platform for SSc target and drug discovery.
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10
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Nagahara H, Seno T, Yamamoto A, Obayashi H, Inoue T, Kida T, Nakabayashi A, Kukida Y, Fujioka K, Fujii W, Murakami K, Kohno M, Kawahito Y. Role of allograft inflammatory factor-1 in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 495:1901-1907. [PMID: 29225172 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a protein expressed by macrophages infiltrating the area around the coronary arteries in a rat ectopic cardiac allograft model. We previously reported that AIF-1 is associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and skin fibrosis in sclerodermatous graft-versus-host disease mice. Here, we used an animal model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis to analyze the expression of AIF-1 and examine its function in lung fibrosis. The results showed that AIF-1 was expressed on lung tissues, specifically macrophages, from mice with bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Recombinant AIF-1 increased the production of TGF-β which plays crucial roles in the mechanism of fibrosis by mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Recombinant AIF-1 also increased both the proliferation and migration of lung fibroblasts compared with control group. These results suggest that AIF-1 plays an important role in the mechanism underlying lung fibrosis, and may provide an attractive new therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidetake Nagahara
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Seno
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Aihiro Yamamoto
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Takuya Inoue
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Kida
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Amane Nakabayashi
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Kukida
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuki Fujioka
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Wataru Fujii
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ken Murakami
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masataka Kohno
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kawahito
- Inflammation and Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
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11
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Savioli B, Abdulahad WH, Brouwer E, Kallenberg CG, de Souza AWS. Are cytokines and chemokines suitable biomarkers for Takayasu arteritis? Autoimmun Rev 2017; 16:1071-1078. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2017.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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12
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Antonelli A, Ferrari SM, Giuggioli D, Ferrannini E, Ferri C, Fallahi P. Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)10 in autoimmune diseases. Autoimmun Rev 2013; 13:272-80. [PMID: 24189283 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2013.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 391] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
(C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)10 (CXCL10) belongs to the ELR(-) CXC subfamily chemokine. CXCL10 exerts its function through binding to chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (CXCR3), a seven trans-membrane receptor coupled to G proteins. CXCL10 and its receptor, CXCR3, appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases, organ specific (such as type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroiditis, Graves' disease and ophthalmopathy), or systemic (such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed cryoglobulinemia, Sjögren syndrome, or systemic sclerosis). The secretion of CXCL10 by cluster of differentiation (CD)4+, CD8+, natural killer (NK) and NK-T cells is dependent on interferon (IFN)-γ, which is itself mediated by the interleukin-12 cytokine family. Under the influence of IFN-γ, CXCL10 is secreted by several cell types including endothelial cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, thyrocytes, preadipocytes, etc. Determination of high level of CXCL10 in peripheral fluids is therefore a marker of host immune response, especially T helper (Th)1 orientated T-cells. In tissues, recruited Th1 lymphocytes may be responsible for enhanced IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α production, which in turn stimulates CXCL10 secretion from a variety of cells, therefore creating an amplification feedback loop, and perpetuating the autoimmune process. Further studies are needed to investigate interactions between chemokines and cytokines in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and to evaluate whether CXCL10 is a novel therapeutic target in various autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Silvia Martina Ferrari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Dilia Giuggioli
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Maternal, Pediatric and Adult Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41100 Modena, Italy.
| | - Ele Ferrannini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Clodoveo Ferri
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Maternal, Pediatric and Adult Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41100 Modena, Italy.
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi, 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
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