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Dyab A, Emnegard A, Wänman M, Sjöström F, Kindstedt E. Human gingival fibroblasts are a source of B cell-activating factor during periodontal inflammation. J Periodontol 2024; 95:673-681. [PMID: 38088123 DOI: 10.1002/jper.23-0543] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Host-modulating therapy is a possible treatment for individuals that respond poorly to conventional periodontal therapy. B cells, abundant in periodontitis lesions, require the cytokines B cell-activating factor (BAFF) and A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) for survival and maturation. Although mRNA levels of BAFF and APRIL are increased in tissue from periodontitis lesions, it is unknown if periodontal resident cells express BAFF and/or APRIL during periodontal inflammation. In this study, we aim to analyze the expression of BAFF and APRIL in human gingival fibroblasts after stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we perform protein analysis in tissues and serum from periodontitis patients and healthy controls. METHODS Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured and stimulated with the proinflammatory cytokines' tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). The mRNA expression of BAFF and APRIL was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the protein was detected in tissue sections using immune staining. Serum levels of BAFF were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS In gingival fibroblasts, TNF-α upregulated BAFF mRNA, but APRIL was unaffected. IL-1β affected neither BAFF nor APRIL expression. BAFF protein was detected in the oral epithelium and in cells of the underlying connective tissue in periodontitis tissue, and BAFF protein was increased in the serum of periodontitis patients. CONCLUSION Periodontal resident cells express BAFF during periodontal inflammation and participate in providing a favorable milieu for the survival and action of B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahed Dyab
- Department of Odontology, Section for Molecular Periodontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ava Emnegard
- Department of Odontology, Section for Molecular Periodontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Magnus Wänman
- Department of Odontology, Section for Molecular Periodontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Filippa Sjöström
- Department of Odontology, Section for Molecular Periodontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Elin Kindstedt
- Department of Odontology, Section for Molecular Periodontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Zheng A, Hu N, Xu J, Yuan Y, Zhang S, Chen W, Bai Y, Sun H. Associations between TNFSF13B polymorphisms and primary Sjögren's syndrome susceptibility in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients: A meta-analysis. Immun Inflamm Dis 2023; 11:e1103. [PMID: 38156381 PMCID: PMC10698818 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1103] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE B-cell activating factor (BAFF) is a key regulator of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), which is characterized by B-lymphocyte hyperactivity. BAFF, also known as tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13B, is encoded by TNFSF13B. This study aimed to explore the possible relationships between five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TNFSF13B (rs9514827, rs1041569, rs9514828, rs1224141, and rs12583006) and pSS susceptibility. METHODS We searched the following databases for articles on TNFSF13B polymorphism and pSS published up to January 2023: PubMed, Cochrane, Elsevier, Web of Science, CNKI, CQVIP, and WanFang. The odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) of genotypes and SNP alleles of TNFSF13B were investigated in patients with pSS to determine their relationships with pSS. RESULTS This meta-analysis employing the fixed-effect model comprised three studies of pSS patients and randomly selected healthy controls (HCs), revealing statistically significant relationships between pSS susceptibility and two SNPs: rs1041569 and rs12583006. Because rs1041569 was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the HC group, it was eliminated from the analysis. CONCLUSIONS Polymorphisms in the BAFF (TNFSF13B) gene were related to vulnerability to pSS among pSS patients and HCs alike. The SNP rs12583006 was significantly related to pSS susceptibility in pSS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anhao Zheng
- Medical Integration and Practice CenterCheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinanChina
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyShandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Naiwen Hu
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyShandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinanChina
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyShandong Provincial Hospital, Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Jing Xu
- Graduate SchoolShandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Ye Yuan
- Graduate SchoolShandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Shumin Zhang
- Graduate SchoolShandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Wenbin Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyShandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinanChina
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyShandong Provincial Hospital, Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Yanyan Bai
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyShandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinanChina
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyShandong Provincial Hospital, Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Hongsheng Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyShandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityJinanChina
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyShandong Provincial Hospital, Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
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Maeda S, Hashimoto H, Maeda T, Tamechika SY, Isogai S, Naniwa T, Niimi A. High-dimensional analysis of T-cell profiling variations following belimumab treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus Sci Med 2023; 10:e000976. [PMID: 37802602 PMCID: PMC10565340 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2023-000976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study sought to elucidate the molecular impacts of belimumab (BEL) treatment on T-cell immune profiling in SLE. METHODS We used mass cytometry with 25 marker panels for T-cell immune profiling in peripheral blood T cells (CD3+) from 22 patients with BEL-treated SLE and 20 controls with non-BEL-treated SLE. An unsupervised machine-learning clustering, FlowSOM, was used to identify 39 T-cell clusters (TCLs; TCL01-TCL39). TCLs (% of CD3+) showing significant (p<0.05) associations with BEL treatment (BEL-TCL) were selected by a linear mixed-effects model for comparing groups of time-series data. Furthermore, we analysed the association between BEL treatment and variations in regulatory T-cell (Treg) phenotypes, and the ratio of other T-cell subsets to Treg as secondary analysis. RESULTS Clinical outcomes: BEL treatment was associated with a decrease in daily prednisolone use (coef=-0.1769, p=0.00074), and an increase in serum CH50 (coef=0.4653, p=0.003), C3 (coef=1.1047, p=0.00001) and C4 (coef=0.2990, p=0.00157) levels. Molecular effects: five distinct BEL-TCLs (TCL 04, 07, 11, 12 and 27) were identified. Among these, BEL-treated patients exhibited increased proportions in the Treg-like cluster TCL11 (coef=0.404, p=0.037) and two naïve TCLs (TCL04 and TCL07). TCL27 showed increased levels (coef=0.222, p=0.037) inversely correlating with baseline C3 levels. Secondary analyses revealed associations between BEL treatment and an increase in Tregs (coef=1.749, p=0.0044), elevated proportions of the fraction of Tregs with inhibitory function (fTregs, coef=0.7294, p=0.0178) and changes in peripheral helper T cells/fTreg (coef=-4.475, p=0.0319) and T helper 17/fTreg ratios (coef=-6.7868, p=0.0327). Additionally, BEL was linked to variations in T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein-3 expression (coef=0.2422, p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS The study suggests an association between BEL treatment and variations in T cells, particularly Tregs, in SLE pathologies involving various immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Maeda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Medical School, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroya Hashimoto
- Clinical Research Management Center, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoyo Maeda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Medical School, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shin-Ya Tamechika
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Medical School, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shuntaro Isogai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Medical School, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Taio Naniwa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Medical School, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akio Niimi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Medical School, Nagoya, Japan
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Ferri DM, Nassar C, Manion KP, Kim M, Baglaenko Y, Muñoz-Grajales C, Wither JE. Elevated Levels of Interferon-α Act Directly on B Cells to Breach Multiple Tolerance Mechanisms Promoting Autoantibody Production. Arthritis Rheumatol 2023; 75:1542-1555. [PMID: 36807718 DOI: 10.1002/art.42482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Elevated levels of serum interferon-α (IFNα) and the disruption of B cell tolerance are central to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) immunopathogenesis; however, the relationship between these 2 processes remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of elevated IFNα levels on B cell tolerance mechanisms in vivo and determine whether any changes observed were due to the direct effect of IFNα on B cells. METHODS Two classical mouse models of B cell tolerance were used in conjunction with an adenoviral vector encoding IFNα to mimic the sustained elevations of IFNα seen in SLE. The role of B cell IFNα signaling, T cells, and Myd88 signaling was determined using B cell-specific IFNα receptor-knockout, CD4+ T cell-depleted, or Myd88-knockout mice, respectively. Flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and cell cultures were used to study the effects of elevated IFNα on the immunologic phenotype. RESULTS Elevation of serum IFNα disrupts multiple B cell tolerance mechanisms and leads to autoantibody production. This disruption was dependent upon B cell expression of IFNα receptor. Many of the IFNα-mediated alterations also required the presence of CD4+ T cells as well as Myd88, suggesting that IFNα acts directly on B cells to modify their response to Myd88 signaling and their ability to interact with T cells. CONCLUSION The results provide evidence that elevated IFNα levels act directly on B cells to facilitate autoantibody production and further highlight the importance of IFN signaling as a potential therapeutic target in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario M Ferri
- Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carol Nassar
- Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kieran P Manion
- Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Kim
- Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yuriy Baglaenko
- Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carolina Muñoz-Grajales
- Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joan E Wither
- Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, and Division of Rheumatology, Schroeder Arthritis Institute, University Health Network, and Departments of Medicine and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Gavin AL, Blane TR, Thinnes TC, Gerlt E, Marshak-Rothstein A, Huang D, Nemazee D. Disease in the Pld4thss/thss Model of Murine Lupus Requires TLR9. Immunohorizons 2023; 7:577-586. [PMID: 37555846 PMCID: PMC10441812 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Phospholipase D4 (PLD4) is an endolysosomal exonuclease of ssRNA and ssDNA, rather than a phospholipase as its name suggests. Human polymorphisms in the PLD4 gene have been linked by genome-wide association studies to systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. However, B6.129 Pld4-/- mice develop features of a distinct disease, macrophage activation syndrome, which is reversed in mice mutated in TLR9. In this article, we compare a Pld4 null mutant identified on the BALB/c background, Pld4thss/thss, which has distinct phenotypes: short stature, thin hair, and features of systemic lupus erythematosus. All phenotypes analyzed were largely normalized in Pld4thss/thssTlr9-/- mice. Thus, Pld4thss/thss represents a rare model in which mouse lupus etiology is TLR9 dependent. Compared with PLD4-deficient B6 mice, Pld4thss/thss mice had elevated levels of serum IgG, IgG anti-dsDNA autoantibodies, BAFF, and IFN-γ and elevated B cell numbers. Overall, the data suggest that PLD4 deficiency can lead to a diverse array of rheumatological abnormalities depending upon background-modifying genes, and that these diseases of PLD4 deficiency are largely driven by TLR9 recognition of ssDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L. Gavin
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tanya R. Blane
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Theresa C. Thinnes
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | | | - Deli Huang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - David Nemazee
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Choi D, Kim J, Yang JW, Kim JH, Park S, Shin JI. Dysregulated MicroRNAs in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:2495-2514. [PMID: 37215992 PMCID: PMC10197884 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.74315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease of which clinical presentation is vastly heterogeneous, ranging from mild skin rashes to severe renal diseases. Treatment goal of this illness is to minimize disease activity and prevent further organ damage. In recent years, much research has been done on the epigenetic aspects of SLE pathogenesis, for among the various factors known to contribute to the pathogenic process, epigenetic factors, especially microRNAs, bear the most therapeutic potential that can be altered unlike congenital genetic factors. This article reviews and updates what has been discovered so far about the pathogenesis of lupus, while focusing on the dysregulation of microRNAs in lupus patients in comparison to healthy controls along with the potentially pathogenic roles of the microRNAs commonly reported to be either upregulated or downregulated. Furthermore, this review includes microRNAs of which results are controversial, suggesting possible explanations for such discrepancies and directions for future research. Moreover, we aimed to emphasize the point that had been overlooked so far in studies regarding microRNA expression levels; that is, which specimen was used to assess the dysregulation of microRNAs. To our surprise, a vast number of studies have not considered this factor and have analyzed the potential role of microRNAs in general. Despite extensive investigations done on microRNA levels, their significance and potential role remain a mystery, which calls for further studies on this particular subject in regard of which specimen is used for assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daeun Choi
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jimin Kim
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Won Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hong Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoyeon Park
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Il Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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7
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Ahmadian E, Khatibi SMH, Vahed SZ, Ardalan M. Novel treatment options in rituximab-resistant membranous nephropathy patients. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 107:108635. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by diverse serological autoantibodies. Anti-dsDNA antibodies are involved in multiple organ damage, especially the kidney, skin, and central nervous system. Anti-dsDNA antibodies play a pivotal role in SLE, and researchers have developed therapeutic strategies targeting these antibodies. Approaches to reduce anti-dsDNA antibodies via B cell targeted biologics against B cell surface antigens, B cell survival factors, or Bruton's tyrosine kinase have effectively eliminated B cells. However, their non-specific depletion hampers normal immune system functioning and limits the therapeutic benefits. Thus, scientists have attempted anti-dsDNA antibodies or lupus-specific strategies, such as the immature dendritic cell vaccine and immunoadsorption. Recently, synthetic mimic peptides (hCDR1, pCONs, DWEYS, FISLE-412, and ALW) that directly block anti-dsDNA autoantibodies have attracted attention, which could ameliorate lupus, decrease the serological autoantibody titer, reduce the deposition of renal autoantibodies, and improve pathological performance. These potent small peptide molecules are well tolerated, non-toxic, and non-immunogenic, which have demonstrated a benign safety profile and are expected to be hopeful candidates for SLE management. In this review, we clarify the role of anti-dsDNA antibodies in SLE, mainly focus on the current strategies targeting anti-dsDNA antibodies, and discuss their potential clinical value.
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Olsen TH, Boyles F, Deane CM. Observed Antibody Space: A diverse database of cleaned, annotated, and translated unpaired and paired antibody sequences. Protein Sci 2021; 31:141-146. [PMID: 34655133 PMCID: PMC8740823 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The antibody repertoires of individuals and groups have been used to explore disease states, understand vaccine responses, and drive therapeutic development. The arrival of B‐cell receptor repertoire sequencing has enabled researchers to get a snapshot of these antibody repertoires, and as more data are generated, increasingly in‐depth studies are possible. However, most publicly available data only exist as raw FASTQ files, making the data hard to access, process, and compare. The Observed Antibody Space (OAS) database was created in 2018 to offer clean, annotated, and translated repertoire data. In this paper, we describe an update to OAS that has been driven by the increasing volume of data and the appearance of paired (VH/VL) sequence data. OAS is now accessible via a new web server, with standardized search parameters and a new sequence‐based search option. The new database provides both nucleotides and amino acids for every sequence, with additional sequence annotations to make the data Minimal Information about Adaptive Immune Receptor Repertoire compliant, and comments on potential problems with the sequence. OAS now contains 25 new studies, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 data and paired sequencing data. The new database is accessible at http://opig.stats.ox.ac.uk/webapps/oas/, and all data are freely available for download.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias H Olsen
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fergus Boyles
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Wise LM, Stohl W. Belimumab and Rituximab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Tale of Two B Cell-Targeting Agents. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:303. [PMID: 32695790 PMCID: PMC7338653 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the centrality of B cells to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), it stands to reason that a candidate therapeutic agent that targets B cells could be efficacious. Both rituximab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds to CD20 on the surface of B cells, and belimumab, a mAb that binds and neutralizes the B cell survival factor BAFF, have been extensively studied for the treatment of SLE. Despite the greater ability of rituximab to deplete B cells than that of belimumab, randomized controlled trials of rituximab in SLE failed to reach their primary clinical endpoints, whereas the primary clinical endpoints were reached in four independent phase-III clinical trials of belimumab in SLE. Accordingly, belimumab has been approved for treatment of SLE, whereas use of rituximab in SLE remains off-label. Nevertheless, several case series of rituximab have pointed to some utility for rituximab in treating SLE. In this review, we provide a concise summary of the factors that led to belimumab's success in SLE as well an analysis of the elements that may have contributed to the lack of success seen in the rituximab randomized controlled trials in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanna M Wise
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - William Stohl
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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11
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Marks C, Deane CM. How repertoire data are changing antibody science. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:9823-9837. [PMID: 32409582 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.010181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies are vital proteins of the immune system that recognize potentially harmful molecules and initiate their removal. Mammals can efficiently create vast numbers of antibodies with different sequences capable of binding to any antigen with high affinity and specificity. Because they can be developed to bind to many disease agents, antibodies can be used as therapeutics. In an organism, after antigen exposure, antibodies specific to that antigen are enriched through clonal selection, expansion, and somatic hypermutation. The antibodies present in an organism therefore report on its immune status, describe its innate ability to deal with harmful substances, and reveal how it has previously responded. Next-generation sequencing technologies are being increasingly used to query the antibody, or B-cell receptor (BCR), sequence repertoire, and the amount of BCR data in public repositories is growing. The Observed Antibody Space database, for example, currently contains over a billion sequences from 68 different studies. Repertoires are available that represent both the naive state (i.e. antigen-inexperienced) and that after immunization. This wealth of data has created opportunities to learn more about our immune system. In this review, we discuss the many ways in which BCR repertoire data have been or could be exploited. We highlight its utility for providing insights into how the naive immune repertoire is generated and how it responds to antigens. We also consider how structural information can be used to enhance these data and may lead to more accurate depictions of the sequence space and to applications in the discovery of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Marks
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte M Deane
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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12
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Thapa M, Tedesco D, Gumber S, Elrod EJ, Han JH, Kitchens WH, Magliocca JF, Adams AB, Grakoui A. Blockade of BAFF Reshapes the Hepatic B Cell Receptor Repertoire and Attenuates Autoantibody Production in Cholestatic Liver Disease. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:3117-3128. [PMID: 32332110 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Defects in biliary transport proteins, MDR3 in humans and Mdr2 in mice, can lead to a spectrum of cholestatic liver disorders. Although B cell disorders and the aberrant Ab production are the leading extrahepatic manifestations of cholestatic liver diseases, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is incompletely understood. Using mice with deficiency of Mdr2 that progressively develop cholestatic liver disease, we investigated the contributions of BAFF to aberrant IgG autoantibody production and hepatic fibrosis. In Mdr2-/- mice, hepatic B lymphocytes constitutively produced IgG during fibrosis progression, which correlated with elevated serum levels of BAFF, antinuclear Abs (ANA) and immune complexes. The elevated BAFF and ANA titers were also detected in human patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and hepatobiliary cholangiopathies. Consistent with the higher BAFF levels, liver-specific selection of the focused BCR IgH repertoire was found on hepatic B cells in Mdr2-/- mice. Interestingly, the administration of anti-BAFF mAb in Mdr2-/- mice altered the BCR repertoire on hepatic B lymphocytes and resulted in reduced ANA and immune complex titers. However, anti-BAFF treatment did not attenuate hepatic fibrosis as measured by collagen deposition, hepatic expressions of collagen-1a, α-smooth muscle actin, and mononuclear cell infiltration (CD11b+ Ly-6chi monocytes and CD11b+ Gr1+ neutrophils). Importantly, depletion of B cells by anti-CD20 mAb reduced both hepatic fibrosis and serum levels of ANA and immune complexes. Our findings implicate B cells as the potential therapeutic targets for hepatic fibrosis and targeting BAFF specifically for attenuating the autoantibody production associated with cholestatic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Thapa
- Emory Vaccine Center, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329;
| | - Dana Tedesco
- Emory Vaccine Center, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - Sanjeev Gumber
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Yerkes Research Primate Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - Elizabeth J Elrod
- Emory Vaccine Center, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - Jin-Hwan Han
- Emory Vaccine Center, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - William H Kitchens
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329; and
| | - Joseph F Magliocca
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329; and
| | - Andrew B Adams
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329; and
| | - Arash Grakoui
- Emory Vaccine Center, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329; .,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329
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Serum Levels of BAFF and APRIL Predict Clinical Response in Anti-PLA2R-Positive Primary Membranous Nephropathy. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:8483650. [PMID: 31781684 PMCID: PMC6874868 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8483650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) is a renal-specific autoimmune disease caused by circulating autoantibodies that target glomerular podocyte antigens (PLA2R/THSD7A). However, very little is known on the molecular mechanisms controlling B cell response in this nephropathy. The present study was aimed at correlating the serum levels of B cell activators BAFF/BLyS and APRIL with the presence of anti-PLA2R antibodies in PMN patients and with long-term clinical outcome. To this aim, 51 patients with anti-PLA2R-positive biopsy-proven PMN and nephrotic range proteinuria (>3.5 g/24 hours) were enrolled between January 2009 and December 2015 and treated with conventional 6-month immunosuppressive therapy. After 6 months, 29 patients (56.9%) cleared circulating anti-PLA2R, while in remaining 22 (43.1%), they persisted. Intriguingly, in the first group, baseline serum levels of BAFF/BLyS and APRIL were significantly lower than those in the second one. Moreover, after 6 months of immunosuppressive therapy, an overall reduction in both cytokine serum levels was observed. However, in PMN patients with anti-PLA2R clearance, this reduction was more prominent, as compared with those with anti-PLA2R persistence. When related to clinical outcome, lower baseline BAFF/BLyS (<6.05 ng/mL) and APRIL (<4.20 ng/mL) serum levels were associated with significantly higher probability to achieve complete or partial remission after 24-month follow-up. After dividing the entire study cohort into three groups depending on both cytokine baseline serum levels, patients with both BAFF/BLyS and APRIL below the cut-off showed a significantly higher rate of complete or partial remission as compared with patients with only one cytokine above the cut-off, while the composite endpoint was achieved in a very low rate of patients with both cytokines above the cut-off. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the role of BAFF/BLyS and APRIL in both the pathogenesis of anti-PLA2R-positive PMN and the response to immunosuppressive therapy.
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14
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Tan C, Noviski M, Huizar J, Zikherman J. Self-reactivity on a spectrum: A sliding scale of peripheral B cell tolerance. Immunol Rev 2019; 292:37-60. [PMID: 31631352 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Efficient mechanisms of central tolerance, including receptor editing and deletion, prevent highly self-reactive B cell receptors (BCRs) from populating the periphery. Despite this, modest self-reactivity persists in (and may even be actively selected into) the mature B cell repertoire. In this review, we discuss new insights into mechanisms of peripheral B cell tolerance that restrain mature B cells from mounting inappropriate responses to endogenous antigens, and place recent work into historical context. In particular, we discuss new findings that have arisen from application of a novel in vivo reporter of BCR signaling, Nur77-eGFP, expression of which scales with the degree of self-reactivity in both monoclonal and polyclonal B cell repertoires. We discuss new and historical evidence that self-reactivity is not just tolerated, but actively selected into the peripheral repertoire. We review recent progress in understanding how dual expression of the IgM and IgD BCR isotypes on mature naive follicular B cells tunes responsiveness to endogenous antigen recognition, and discuss how this may be integrated with other features of clonal anergy. Finally, we discuss how expression of Nur77 itself couples chronic antigen stimulation with B cell tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey Tan
- Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark Noviski
- Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Rosalind Russell and Ephraim P. Engleman Arthritis Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Huizar
- School of Medicine, HHMI Medical Fellows Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julie Zikherman
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Rosalind Russell and Ephraim P. Engleman Arthritis Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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15
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Tan C, Mueller JL, Noviski M, Huizar J, Lau D, Dubinin A, Molofsky A, Wilson PC, Zikherman J. Nur77 Links Chronic Antigen Stimulation to B Cell Tolerance by Restricting the Survival of Self-Reactive B Cells in the Periphery. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 202:2907-2923. [PMID: 30962292 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Nur77 (Nr4a1) belongs to a small family of orphan nuclear receptors that are rapidly induced by BCR stimulation, yet little is known about its function in B cells. We have previously characterized a reporter of Nr4a1 transcription, Nur77-eGFP, in which GFP expression faithfully detects Ag encounter by B cells in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we report that Nur77 expression correlates with the degree of self-reactivity, counterselection, and anergy among individual B cell clones from two distinct BCR transgenic mouse models but is dispensable for all of these tolerance mechanisms. However, we identify a role for Nur77 in restraining survival of self-reactive B cells in the periphery under conditions of competition for a limited supply of the survival factor BAFF. We find that Nur77 deficiency results in the progressive accumulation of self-reactive B cells in the mature repertoire with age and is sufficient to break B cell tolerance in VH3H9 H chain transgenic mice. We thus propose that Nur77 is upregulated in self-reactive B cells in response to chronic Ag stimulation and selectively restricts the survival of these cells, gradually pruning self-reactivity from the mature repertoire to impose a novel layer of peripheral B cell tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey Tan
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - James L Mueller
- Division of Rheumatology, Rosalind Russell/Ephraim P. Engleman Rheumatology Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Mark Noviski
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - John Huizar
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Medical Fellows Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Denise Lau
- Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology, Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.,Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637; and
| | - Alexandra Dubinin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Ari Molofsky
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Patrick C Wilson
- Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology, Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.,Committee on Immunology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637; and
| | - Julie Zikherman
- Division of Rheumatology, Rosalind Russell/Ephraim P. Engleman Rheumatology Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143;
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16
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Signalling circuits that direct early B-cell development. Biochem J 2019; 476:769-778. [PMID: 30842310 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, the B-cell lineage arises from pluripotent progenitors in the bone marrow. During their development, B-cells undergo lineage specification and commitment, followed by expansion and selection. These processes are mediated by regulated changes in gene expression programmes, rearrangements of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes, and well-timed rounds of proliferation and apoptosis. Many of these processes are initiated by environmental factors including cytokines, chemokines, and cell-cell contacts. Developing B-cells process these environmental cues into stage-specific functions via signalling pathways including the PI3K, MAPK, or JAK-STAT pathway. The cytokines FLT3-Ligand and c-Kit-Ligand are important for the early expansion of the B-cell precursors at different developmental stages and conditions. Interleukin 7 is essential for commitment to the B-cell lineage and for orchestrating the Ig recombination machinery. After rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain, proliferation and apoptosis, and thus selection, are mediated by the clonal pre-B-cell receptor, and, following light chain rearrangement, by the B-cell receptor.
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17
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Merrill JT, Wallace DJ, Wax S, Kao A, Fraser PA, Chang P, Isenberg D. Efficacy and Safety of Atacicept in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Results of a Twenty-Four-Week, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Arm, Phase IIb Study. Arthritis Rheumatol 2019; 70:266-276. [PMID: 29073347 PMCID: PMC6099253 DOI: 10.1002/art.40360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of atacicept, an antagonist of B lymphocyte stimulator/APRIL–mediated B cell activation, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods ADDRESS II is a 24‐week, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐arm, phase IIb study evaluating the safety and efficacy of atacicept in patients with SLE (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01972568). Patients with active, autoantibody‐positive SLE receiving standard therapy were randomized (1:1:1) to receive atacicept (75 mg or 150 mg) or placebo for 24 weeks. The primary end point was the SLE responder index 4 (SRI‐4) at week 24. Results The intent‐to‐treat (ITT) population included 306 patients. There was a trend toward an improved SRI‐4 response rate with atacicept 75 mg (57.8%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.78, P = 0.045) and 150 mg (53.8%; adjusted OR 1.56, P = 0.121) at week 24 as compared with placebo (44.0%) (primary analysis; using the screening visit as baseline). In a prespecified sensitivity analysis using study day 1 as baseline, a significantly larger proportion of patients receiving atacicept 75 mg and 150 mg achieved an SRI‐4 response at week 24 compared with placebo. In predefined subpopulations with high levels of disease activity (HDA) at baseline, serologically active disease, or both, statistically significant improvements in the SRI‐4 and SRI‐6 response rates were seen with atacicept versus placebo. A severe risk of disease flare was reduced with atacicept therapy in both the ITT and the HDA populations. The risks of serious adverse events and serious or severe infection were not increased with atacicept as compared with placebo. Conclusion Atacicept treatment showed evidence of efficacy in SLE, particularly in HDA and serologically active patients. Reductions in disease activity and severe flare were observed with atacicept treatment, with an acceptable safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan T Merrill
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
| | - Daniel J Wallace
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Stephen Wax
- Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Amy Kao
- Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | | | - Peter Chang
- Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts
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18
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Kovaltsuk A, Leem J, Kelm S, Snowden J, Deane CM, Krawczyk K. Observed Antibody Space: A Resource for Data Mining Next-Generation Sequencing of Antibody Repertoires. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 201:2502-2509. [PMID: 30217829 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abs are immune system proteins that recognize noxious molecules for elimination. Their sequence diversity and binding versatility have made Abs the primary class of biopharmaceuticals. Recently, it has become possible to query their immense natural diversity using next-generation sequencing of Ig gene repertoires (Ig-seq). However, Ig-seq outputs are currently fragmented across repositories and tend to be presented as raw nucleotide reads, which means nontrivial effort is required to reuse the data for analysis. To address this issue, we have collected Ig-seq outputs from 55 studies, covering more than half a billion Ab sequences across diverse immune states, organisms (primarily human and mouse), and individuals. We have sorted, cleaned, annotated, translated, and numbered these sequences and make the data available via our Observed Antibody Space (OAS) resource at http://antibodymap.org The data within OAS will be regularly updated with newly released Ig-seq datasets. We believe OAS will facilitate data mining of immune repertoires for improved understanding of the immune system and development of better biotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr Kovaltsuk
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3LB, United Kingdom; and
| | - Jinwoo Leem
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3LB, United Kingdom; and
| | | | | | - Charlotte M Deane
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3LB, United Kingdom; and
| | - Konrad Krawczyk
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3LB, United Kingdom; and
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19
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Replacing mouse BAFF with human BAFF does not improve B-cell maturation in hematopoietic humanized mice. Blood Adv 2017; 1:2729-2741. [PMID: 29296925 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017010090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic humanized mice (hu-mice) have been developed to study the human immune system in an experimental in vivo model, and experiments to improve its performance are ongoing. Previous studies have suggested that the impaired maturation of human B cells observed in hu-mice might be in part due to inefficient interaction of the human B-cell-activating factor (hBAFF) receptor with mouse B-cell-activating factor (mBAFF), as this cytokine is an important homeostatic and differentiation factor for B lymphocytes both in mice and humans. To investigate this hypothesis, we created a genetically engineered mouse strain in which a complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding full-length hBAFF replaces the mBAFF-encoding gene. Expression of hBAFF in the endogenous mouse locus did not lead to higher numbers of mature and effector human B cells in hu-mice. Instead, B cells from hBAFF knock-in (hBAFFKI) hu-mice were in proportion more immature than those of hu-mice expressing mBAFF. Memory B cells, plasmablasts, and plasma cells were also significantly reduced, a phenotype that associated with diminished levels of immunoglobulin G and T-cell-independent antibody responses. Although the reasons for these findings are still unclear, our data suggest that the inefficient B-cell maturation in hu-mice is not due to suboptimal bioactivity of mBAFF on human B cells.
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20
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Han SS, Yang SH, Jo HA, Oh YJ, Park M, Kim JY, Lee H, Lee JP, Lee SH, Joo KW, Lim CS, Kim YS, Kim DK. BAFF and APRIL expression as an autoimmune signature of membranous nephropathy. Oncotarget 2017; 9:3292-3302. [PMID: 29423047 PMCID: PMC5790464 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Based on the fact that B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) have a regulatory role in B cell biology, excessive levels of these cytokines can promote autoimmune pathogenesis. However, the expression and implication remain unresolved in cases of membranous nephropathy (MN). Results The plasma BAFF levels of the primary MN patients were higher than those of healthy controls but lower than those of secondary MN patients, whereas the APRIL levels were similar between the MN patients and healthy controls. The BAFF levels were higher in relapse cases, whereas the APRIL levels were higher in the patients who did not experience remission compared with the counterpart patients. The ectopic expression of BAFF and APRIL was observed in the glomeruli or circulating B cells of MN patients, and this high expression trend was similar to that of lupus patients. Conclusions Expression profile of BAFF and APRIL in MN is similar to that of other autoimmune disease, which affects the kidney outcomes. Methods Plasma BAFF and APRIL levels were measured upon kidney biopsy in patients with primary (n = 89) and secondary MN (n = 13), and the results were compared with the levels in healthy controls (n = 111). The kidney outcomes (e.g., remission and relapse) were traced for the median of 3 years. Aberrant expression of the cytokines was evaluated in the kidney and circulating B cells using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analyses, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Seok Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Hee Yang
- Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyung Ah Jo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yun Jung Oh
- Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Minkyoung Park
- Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joo Young Kim
- Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hajeong Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Pyo Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang-Ho Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwon Wook Joo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chun Soo Lim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yon Su Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Ki Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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21
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Perera J, Zheng Z, Li S, Gudjonson H, Kalinina O, Benichou JIC, Block KE, Louzoun Y, Yin D, Chong AS, Dinner AR, Weigert M, Huang H. Self-Antigen-Driven Thymic B Cell Class Switching Promotes T Cell Central Tolerance. Cell Rep 2017; 17:387-398. [PMID: 27705788 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
B cells are unique antigen-presenting cells because their antigen presentation machinery is closely tied to the B cell receptor. Autoreactive thymic B cells can efficiently present cognate self-antigens to mediate CD4+ T cell-negative selection. However, the nature of thymocyte-thymic B cell interaction and how this interaction affects the selection of thymic B cell repertoire and, in turn, the T cell repertoire are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that a large percentage of thymic B cells have undergone class switching intrathymically. Thymic B cell class switching requires cognate interaction with specific T cells. Class-switched thymic B cells have a distinct repertoire compared with unswitched thymic B cells or splenic B cells. Particularly, autoreactive B cell specificities preferentially expand in the thymus by undergoing class switching, and these enriched, class-switched autoreactive thymic B cells play an important role in CD4 T cell tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Perera
- Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, and Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Zhong Zheng
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, and Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Shuyin Li
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, and Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Herman Gudjonson
- Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Graduate Program in the Biophysical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Olga Kalinina
- Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jennifer I C Benichou
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Katharine E Block
- Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, and Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yoram Louzoun
- Department of Mathematics and Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Dengping Yin
- Section of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Anita S Chong
- Section of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Aaron R Dinner
- Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Graduate Program in the Biophysical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Martin Weigert
- Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Haochu Huang
- Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, and Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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22
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Alloimmune-induced intragraft lymphoid neogenesis promotes B-cell tolerance breakdown that accelerates chronic rejection. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2017; 21:368-74. [PMID: 27258579 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) has emerged as a leading cause of allograft loss in solid organ transplantation. A better understanding of AMR immunopathology is a prerequisite to improve its management. RECENT FINDINGS The prevalent dogma considers that AMR is the consequence of a thymo-dependent B-cell response against donor-specific polymorphic antigens (mainly mismatched human leukocyte antigen molecules).Nevertheless, antibodies directed against nonpolymorphic antigens expressed by the graft are also generated during chronic rejection and can contribute to allograft destruction. This implies that a breakdown of self-tolerance occurs during chronic rejection. Accumulating evidence suggests that this event occurs inside the ectopic 'tertiary' lymphoid tissue that develops within rejected allografts.Thus, AMR should be viewed as a complex interplay between allo- and autoimmune humoral responses. SUMMARY The interplay between allo- and autoimmune humoral responses in chronic rejection highlights several unmet medical issues like better diagnosis tools are needed to screen recipients for nonhuman leukocyte antigen alloantibodies and autoantibodies, therapeutic strategies shall aim at blocking the response against alloantigens but also the breakdown of self-tolerance that occurs within tertiary lymphoid tissue.
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23
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Mabuka JM, Dugast AS, Muema DM, Reddy T, Ramlakhan Y, Euler Z, Ismail N, Moodley A, Dong KL, Morris L, Walker BD, Alter G, Ndung’u T. Plasma CXCL13 but Not B Cell Frequencies in Acute HIV Infection Predicts Emergence of Cross-Neutralizing Antibodies. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1104. [PMID: 28943879 PMCID: PMC5596076 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunological events in acute HIV-1 infection before peak viremia (hyperacute phase) may contribute to the development of broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies. Here, we used pre-infection and acute-infection peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma samples from 22 women, including 10 who initiated antiretroviral treatment in Fiebig stages I-V of acute infection to study B cell subsets and B-cell associated cytokines (BAFF and CXCL13) kinetics for up to ~90 days post detection of plasma viremia. Frequencies of B cell subsets were defined by flow cytometry while plasma cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. We observed a rapid but transient increase in exhausted tissue-like memory, activated memory, and plasmablast B cells accompanied by decline in resting memory cells in untreated, but not treated women. B cell subset frequencies in untreated women positively correlated with viral loads but did not predict emergence of cross-neutralizing antibodies measured 12 months post detection of plasma viremia. Plasma BAFF and CXCL13 levels increased only in untreated women, but their levels did not correlate with viral loads. Importantly, early CXCL13 but not BAFF levels predicted the later emergence of detectable cross-neutralizing antibodies at 12 months post detection of plasma viremia. Thus, hyperacute HIV-1 infection is associated with B cell subset changes, which do not predict emergence of cross-neutralizing antibodies. However, plasma CXCL13 levels during hyperacute infection predicted the subsequent emergence of cross-neutralizing antibodies, providing a potential biomarker for the evaluation of vaccines designed to elicit cross-neutralizing activity or for natural infection studies to explore mechanisms underlying development of neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenniffer M. Mabuka
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Anne-Sophie Dugast
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Daniel M. Muema
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Tarylee Reddy
- Biostatistics Unit, Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Yathisha Ramlakhan
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Zelda Euler
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Nasreen Ismail
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Amber Moodley
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Krista L. Dong
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Lynn Morris
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Bruce D. Walker
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
- Institute for Medical and Engineering Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Galit Alter
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Thumbi Ndung’u
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
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Soldemo M, Karlsson Hedestam GB. Env-Specific Antibodies in Chronic Infection versus in Vaccination. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1057. [PMID: 28928737 PMCID: PMC5591324 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies are central in vaccine-mediated protection. For HIV-1, a pathogen that displays extreme antigenic variability, B cell responses against conserved determinants of the envelope glycoproteins (Env) are likely required to achieve broadly protective vaccine-induced responses. To understand antibodies in chronic infection, where broad serum neutralizing activity is observed in a subset of individuals, monoclonal antibodies mediating this activity have been isolated. Studies of their maturation pathways reveal that years of co-evolution between the virus and the adaptive immune response are required for such responses to arise. Furthermore, they do so in subjects who display alterations of their B cell subsets caused by the chronic infection, conditions that are distinctly different from those in healthy hosts. So far, broadly neutralizing antibody responses were not induced by vaccination in primates or small animals with natural B cell repertoires. An increased focus on the development vaccine-induced responses in healthy subjects is therefore needed to delineate how the immune system recognizes different forms of HIV-1 Env and to optimize approaches to stimulate antibody responses against relevant neutralizing antibody epitopes. In this review, we describe aspects of Env-directed antibody responses that differ between chronic HIV-1 infection and subunit vaccination for an increased appreciation of these differences; and we highlight the need for an improved understanding of vaccine-induced B cell responses to complex glycoproteins such as Env, in healthy subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Soldemo
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Malkiel S, Jeganathan V, Wolfson S, Manjarrez Orduño N, Marasco E, Aranow C, Mackay M, Gregersen PK, Diamond B. Checkpoints for Autoreactive B Cells in the Peripheral Blood of Lupus Patients Assessed by Flow Cytometry. Arthritis Rheumatol 2017; 68:2210-20. [PMID: 27059652 DOI: 10.1002/art.39710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are diagnostic in several autoimmune disorders, yet the failure to achieve B cell tolerance in these diseases is still poorly understood. Although secreted ANAs detected by an indirect immunofluorescence assay are the gold standard for autoreactivity, there has been no convenient assay with which to measure the frequency of circulating B cells that recognize nuclear antigens (ANA+ B cells) in patients. The aim of this study was to generate an assay to easily identify these B cells and to examine its utility in a study of autoreactive B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS We developed and validated a novel flow cytometry-based assay that identifies ANA+ B cells using biotinylated nuclear extracts, and utilized it to examine B cell tolerance checkpoints in peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from SLE patients and healthy controls. RESULTS We observed progressive selection against ANA+ B cells as they matured from transitional to naive to CD27+IgD- and CD27+IgD+ memory cells in both healthy subjects and SLE patients; however, ANA+ naive B cells in SLE patients were not anergized to the same extent as in healthy individuals. We also showed that anergy induction is restored in SLE patients treated with belimumab, an inhibitor of BAFF. CONCLUSION This assay will enable studies of large populations to identify potential genetic or environmental factors affecting B cell tolerance checkpoints in healthy subjects and patients with autoimmune disease and permit monitoring of the B cell response to therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Cynthia Aranow
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
| | - Meggan Mackay
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
| | - Peter K Gregersen
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
| | - Betty Diamond
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
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Lenert A, Niewold TB, Lenert P. Spotlight on blisibimod and its potential in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: evidence to date. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2017; 11:747-757. [PMID: 28331294 PMCID: PMC5357079 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s114552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
B cells in general and BAFF (B cell activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor [TNF] family) in particular have been primary targets of recent clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In 2011, belimumab, a monoclonal antibody against BAFF, became the first biologic agent approved for the treatment of SLE. Follow-up studies have shown excellent long-term safety and tolerability of belimumab. In this review, we critically analyze blisibimod, a novel BAFF-neutralizing agent. In contrast to belimumab that only blocks soluble BAFF trimer but not soluble 60-mer or membrane BAFF, blisibimod blocks with high affinity all three forms of BAFF. Furthermore, blisibimod has a unique structure built on four high-affinity BAFF-binding peptides fused to the IgG1-Fc carrier. It was tested in phase I and II trials in SLE where it showed safety and tolerability. While it failed to reach the primary endpoint in a recent phase II trial, post hoc analysis demonstrated its efficacy in SLE patients with higher disease activity. Based on these results, blisibimod is currently undergoing phase III trials targeting this responder subpopulation of SLE patients. The advantage of blisibimod, compared to its competitors, lies in its higher avidity for BAFF, but a possible drawback may come from its immunogenic potential and the anticipated loss of efficacy over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander Lenert
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Kentucky, Kentucky Clinic, Lexington, KY
| | - Timothy B Niewold
- Division of Rheumatology and Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Petar Lenert
- Division of Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Smulski CR, Kury P, Seidel LM, Staiger HS, Edinger AK, Willen L, Seidl M, Hess H, Salzer U, Rolink AG, Rizzi M, Schneider P, Eibel H. BAFF- and TACI-Dependent Processing of BAFFR by ADAM Proteases Regulates the Survival of B Cells. Cell Rep 2017; 18:2189-2202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Soluble BAFF Cytokine Levels and Antibody-Mediated Rejection of the Kidney Allograft. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2017; 64:47-53. [PMID: 28083608 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-016-0428-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The B-cell activating factor (BAFF) cytokine has important functions for the survival and maturation of B lymphocytes, which implies that this cytokine might play a role in the development of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after kidney transplantation. In our study, we compared the concentrations of the soluble BAFF cytokine in kidney graft recipients with AMR and patients without rejection with the goal of testing the hypothesis whether BAFF level measurement might be useful as a diagnostic marker of AMR. The study included a cohort of 19 high-risk patients with diagnosed AMR and 17 control patients free of rejection. BAFF was measured in all patients before transplantation, during the rejection episodes, and three months after transplantation in patients free of rejection using the Luminex technique. Before transplantation, the serum concentrations of BAFF in patients with AMR and kidney recipients without rejection did not significantly differ. After transplantation, however, BAFF levels were significantly lower in patients with AMR and also in patients with concurrent humoral and cellular rejection compared with patients without rejection (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). No correlation was found between BAFF and the production of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) before and after transplantation. Patients experiencing AMR and simultaneous cellular and AMR had significantly lower concentrations of BAFF in comparison with patients free of rejection.
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B Cell-Activating Factor as a New Potential Marker in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Dig Dis Sci 2016; 61:2608-18. [PMID: 27056038 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-016-4136-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND B cell-activating factor (BAFF) has been proposed to be a regulator of B cell and T cell immune responses and be associated with inflammatory processes in autoimmunity and B cell malignancies. No study has reported the role of BAFF in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). AIMS The purpose of this study was to investigate expression and concentrations of BAFF in IBD and determine its value to discriminate patients with IBD. METHODS Seventy-eight ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, 37 Crohn's disease (CD) patients, 12 irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and 44 healthy controls were recruited. We examined serum and faecal BAFF levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intestinal BAFF expression was analysed in biopsies obtained from IBD patients. Intestinal mucosa localization of BAFF was conducted by immunofluorescence. RESULTS The median (25th-75th percentile) serum BAFF concentration (pg/ml) was 1430 (1105-1624) in CD patients, 1472 (1018-1772) in UC patients and 977 (482-1345) in healthy controls. Serum BAFF was 64 % sensitive and 93 % specific for identifying active IBD from healthy controls. The BAFF expression was significantly increased in biopsy specimens from IBD patients. Fecal BAFF concentration was 369 (326-493) pg/ml in CD patients, 542 (358-1758) pg/ml in UC patients, 294 (287-299) pg/ml in IBS patients and 295 (284-309) pg/ml in healthy controls. Fecal BAFF was 90 % sensitive and 96 % specific for identifying active IBD from healthy controls and IBS patients. CONCLUSION The novel association between BAFF and IBD seems to identify that BAFF might regulate the inflammatory process in these diseases and it appears to be a potential marker of IBD.
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Suurmond J, Calise J, Malkiel S, Diamond B. DNA-reactive B cells in lupus. Curr Opin Immunol 2016; 43:1-7. [PMID: 27504587 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
IgG anti-DNA antibodies are both diagnostic and pathogenic for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They contribute to tissue inflammation through direct tissue binding and to systemic inflammation through activation of Toll-like receptors by nucleic acid-containing immune complexes. IgG DNA-reactive antibodies originate when B cell tolerance mechanisms are impaired. The heterogeneous immune perturbations in SLE lead to the survival and activation of DNA-reactive B cells in various B cell subsets at distinct stages of B cell maturation and differentiation. We propose that the spectrum of B cell alterations and failed tolerance mechanisms for DNA-reactive B cells in lupus patients is best understood by studying genetic risk alleles. This implies that the B cells producing IgG anti-DNA antibodies and the failed tolerance mechanisms(s) will differ across patients. A better understanding of these differences should lead to better patient stratification, improved outcomes of clinical trials, and the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien Suurmond
- Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore-LIJ, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Justine Calise
- Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore-LIJ, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA; PhD Program in Molecular Medicine, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine, 500 Hofstra Blvd, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Susan Malkiel
- Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore-LIJ, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Betty Diamond
- Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore-LIJ, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.
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Abstract
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAVs) are near universally fatal conditions if untreated. Although effective therapeutic options are available for these diseases, treatment regimens are associated with both short- and long-term adverse effects. The recent identification of effective B-cell-targeted therapy with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody has transformed the treatment landscape of AAV. Questions, nevertheless, remain regarding the appropriate timing, dose, frequency, duration, and long-term effects of treatment. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the current information, recent advances, ongoing clinical trials, and future treatment possibilities in AAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Koster
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Kenneth J Warrington
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
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Polverino F, Cosio BG, Pons J, Laucho-Contreras M, Tejera P, Iglesias A, Rios A, Jahn A, Sauleda J, Divo M, Pinto-Plata V, Sholl L, Rosas IO, Agustí A, Celli BR, Owen CA. B Cell-Activating Factor. An Orchestrator of Lymphoid Follicles in Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2015; 192:695-705. [PMID: 26073875 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201501-0107oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have increased pulmonary lymphoid follicle (LF) counts. B cell-activating factor of tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) regulates B cells in health, but its role in COPD pathogenesis is unclear. OBJECTIVES To determine whether BAFF expression in pulmonary LFs correlates with COPD severity, LF size or number, and/or readouts of B-cell function in LFs. METHODS We correlated BAFF immunostaining in LFs in lung explants or biopsies from nonsmoking control subjects (NSC), smokers without COPD (SC), and patients with COPD with the number and size of LFs, and LF B-cell apoptosis, activation, and proliferation. We analyzed serum BAFF levels and BAFF expression in B cells in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage samples from the same subject groups. We assessed whether: (1) cigarette smoke extract (CSE) increases B-cell BAFF expression and (2) recombinant BAFF (rBAFF) rescues B cells from CSE-induced apoptosis by inhibiting activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage IV COPD had increased numbers and larger pulmonary LFs than patients with GOLD stages I-II COPD and SC. We identified two main types of pulmonary LFs: (1) type A, the predominant type in GOLD stages I-II COPD and SC, characterized by abundant apoptotic but few BAFF-positive cells (mostly B cells); and (2) type B, the main type in GOLD stage IV COPD, characterized by abundant BAFF-positive cells but few apoptotic cells (mostly B cells). BAFF levels were also higher in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage B cells in patients with COPD versus NSC and SC. Surprisingly, rBAFF blocked CSE-induced B-cell apoptosis by inhibiting CSE-induced NF-κB activation. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the hypothesis that B-cell BAFF expression creates a self-perpetuating loop contributing to COPD progression by promoting pulmonary B-cell survival and LF expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Polverino
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and.,2 Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico.,3 University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Borja G Cosio
- 4 Research Unit, FISIB, IdISPa, and.,5 Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Son Espases, Ciber de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Mallorca, Spain
| | - Jaime Pons
- 4 Research Unit, FISIB, IdISPa, and.,6 Immunology Department, Hospital Son Espases, Mallorca, Spain
| | | | - Paula Tejera
- 7 Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | | | | | | | - Jaume Sauleda
- 4 Research Unit, FISIB, IdISPa, and.,5 Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Son Espases, Ciber de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Mallorca, Spain
| | - Miguel Divo
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and.,2 Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Victor Pinto-Plata
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and.,2 Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Lynette Sholl
- 8 Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ivan O Rosas
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and.,2 Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Alvar Agustí
- 5 Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital Son Espases, Ciber de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Mallorca, Spain.,9 Thorax Institute, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, and CIBERES, FISIB, Mallorca, Spain
| | - Bartolome R Celli
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and.,2 Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Caroline A Owen
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and.,2 Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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B cells biology in systemic lupus erythematosus—from bench to bedside. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2015; 58:1111-25. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-015-4953-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Jardine JG, Ota T, Sok D, Pauthner M, Kulp DW, Kalyuzhniy O, Skog PD, Thinnes TC, Bhullar D, Briney B, Menis S, Jones M, Kubitz M, Spencer S, Adachi Y, Burton DR, Schief WR, Nemazee D. HIV-1 VACCINES. Priming a broadly neutralizing antibody response to HIV-1 using a germline-targeting immunogen. Science 2015; 349:156-61. [PMID: 26089355 DOI: 10.1126/science.aac5894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 315] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A major goal of HIV-1 vaccine research is the design of immunogens capable of inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that bind to the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env). Poor binding of Env to unmutated precursors of bnAbs, including those of the VRC01 class, appears to be a major problem for bnAb induction. We engineered an immunogen that binds to VRC01-class bnAb precursors and immunized knock-in mice expressing germline-reverted VRC01 heavy chains. Induced antibodies showed characteristics of VRC01-class bnAbs, including a short CDRL3 (light-chain complementarity-determining region 3) and mutations that favored binding to near-native HIV-1 gp120 constructs. In contrast, native-like immunogens failed to activate VRC01-class precursors. The results suggest that rational epitope design can prime rare B cell precursors for affinity maturation to desired targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Jardine
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Takayuki Ota
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Devin Sok
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Matthias Pauthner
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Daniel W Kulp
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Oleksandr Kalyuzhniy
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Patrick D Skog
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Theresa C Thinnes
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Deepika Bhullar
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Bryan Briney
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sergey Menis
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Meaghan Jones
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mike Kubitz
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Skye Spencer
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yumiko Adachi
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Dennis R Burton
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02129, USA.
| | - William R Schief
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02129, USA.
| | - David Nemazee
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Verstappen GM, Kroese FGM, Vissink A, Bootsma H. Pharmacotherapy for managing extraglandular symptoms of primary Sjögren’s syndrome. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2015. [DOI: 10.1517/21678707.2015.1010510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Kuzmina Z, Gounden V, Curtis L, Avila D, RNP TT, Baruffaldi J, Cowen EW, Naik HB, Hasni SA, Mays JW, Mitchell S, Baird K, Steinberg SM, Pavletic SZ. Clinical significance of autoantibodies in a large cohort of patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease defined by NIH criteria. Am J Hematol 2015; 90:114-9. [PMID: 25363867 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.23885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
There is an unmet need for identifying new clinical biomarkers in chronic Graft-versus-Host-disease (cGVHD) suitable for diagnosis and disease monitoring. Circulating autoantibodies represent an ongoing immune response and suggest a pathogenic role for B cells in cGVHD. Autoantibodies could be useful markers of cGVHD disease activity, severity, or organ specificity; however, their clinical utility is not established. The focus of this study was to determine the incidence and associations of a broad array of clinical autoantibodies with cGVHD manifestations in a large patient cohort characterized by NIH criteria. A panel of 21 circulating antibodies commonly used in clinical medicine was tested in 280 cGVHD patients (70% severe) enrolled in a cross-sectional prospective natural history study. Median cGVHD duration was two years. Patients with circulating autoantibodies (62%) had significantly higher levels of IgM (P < 0.0001), IgG (P < 0.0001), and IgA (P = 0.001), elevated uric acid (P = 0.008) and total protein (P = 0.0004), and higher numbers of CD3+ (P = 0.002), CD4+ (P = 0.001), CD8+ (P = 0.023) T cells, and CD19+ B cells (P < 0.0001). Multiple antibodies were detected in 35% of patients. Prior rituximab therapy (n = 66) was associated with reduced presence of autoantibodies (48 vs. 66% P = 0.01). Only oral cGVHD was significantly associated with presence of autoantibodies in this study (P = 0.028). No significant associations were found between cGVHD activity and severity, and presence of autoantibodies. Circulating autoantibodies are common in patients with advanced cGVHD. Their presence is associated with better quantitative immunologic reconstitution but does not have utility as a clinical biomarker of cGVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoya Kuzmina
- Graft-versus-Host and Autoimmunity Unit, Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda Maryland
- Internal Medicine Department; Evangelical Hospital; Vienna Austria
| | - Verena Gounden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Center, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Lauren Curtis
- Graft-versus-Host and Autoimmunity Unit, Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda Maryland
| | - Daniele Avila
- Graft-versus-Host and Autoimmunity Unit, Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda Maryland
| | - Tiffani Taylor RNP
- Graft-versus-Host and Autoimmunity Unit, Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda Maryland
| | - Judy Baruffaldi
- Graft-versus-Host and Autoimmunity Unit, Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda Maryland
| | - Edward W. Cowen
- Dermatology Branch, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Haley B. Naik
- Dermatology Branch, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Sarfaraz A. Hasni
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | | | - Sandra Mitchell
- Outcomes Research Branch, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences NIH
| | - Kristin Baird
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Seth M. Steinberg
- Biostatistics and Data Management Section NIH, Center for Cancer Research
| | - Steven Z. Pavletic
- Graft-versus-Host and Autoimmunity Unit, Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute NCI, National Institutes of Health; Bethesda Maryland
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DNA vaccine molecular adjuvants SP-D-BAFF and SP-D-APRIL enhance anti-gp120 immune response and increase HIV-1 neutralizing antibody titers. J Virol 2015; 89:4158-69. [PMID: 25631080 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02904-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) specific for conserved epitopes on the HIV-1 envelope (Env) are believed to be essential for protection against multiple HIV-1 clades. However, vaccines capable of stimulating the production of bNAbs remain a major challenge. Given that polyreactivity and autoreactivity are considered important characteristics of anti-HIV bNAbs, we designed an HIV vaccine incorporating the molecular adjuvants BAFF (B cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) with the potential to facilitate the maturation of polyreactive and autoreactive B cells as well as to enhance the affinity and/or avidity of Env-specific antibodies. We designed recombinant DNA plasmids encoding soluble multitrimers of BAFF and APRIL using surfactant protein D as a scaffold, and we vaccinated mice with these molecular adjuvants using DNA and DNA-protein vaccination strategies. We found that immunization of mice with a DNA vaccine encoding BAFF or APRIL multitrimers, together with interleukin 12 (IL-12) and membrane-bound HIV-1 Env gp140, induced neutralizing antibodies against tier 1 and tier 2 (vaccine strain) viruses. The APRIL-containing vaccine was particularly effective at generating tier 2 neutralizing antibodies following a protein boost. These BAFF and APRIL effects coincided with an enhanced germinal center (GC) reaction, increased anti-gp120 antibody-secreting cells, and increased anti-gp120 functional avidity. Notably, BAFF and APRIL did not cause indiscriminate B cell expansion or an increase in total IgG. We propose that BAFF and APRIL multitrimers are promising molecular adjuvants for vaccines designed to induce bNAbs against HIV-1. IMPORTANCE Recent identification of antibodies that neutralize most HIV-1 strains has revived hopes and efforts to create novel vaccines that can effectively stimulate HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies. However, the multiple immune evasion properties of HIV have hampered these efforts. These include the instability of the gp120 trimer, the inaccessibility of the conserved sequences, highly variable protein sequences, and the loss of HIV-1-specific antibody-producing cells during development. We have shown previously that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily ligands, including BAFF and APRIL, can be multitrimerized using the lung protein SP-D (surfactant protein D), enhancing immune responses. Here we show that DNA or DNA-protein vaccines encoding BAFF or APRIL multitrimers, IL-12p70, and membrane-bound HIV-1 Env gp140 induced tier 1 and tier 2 neutralizing antibodies in a mouse model. BAFF and APRIL enhanced the immune reaction, improved antibody binding, and increased the numbers of anti-HIV-1 antibody-secreting cells. Adaptation of this vaccine design may prove useful in designing preventive HIV-1 vaccines for humans.
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Factors regulating immunoglobulin production by normal and disease-associated plasma cells. Biomolecules 2015; 5:20-40. [PMID: 25615546 PMCID: PMC4384109 DOI: 10.3390/biom5010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulins are molecules produced by activated B cells and plasma cells in response to exposure to antigens. Upon antigen exposure, these molecules are secreted allowing the immune system to recognize and effectively respond to a myriad of pathogens. Immunoglobulin or antibody secreting cells are the mature form of B lymphocytes, which during their development undergo gene rearrangements and selection in the bone marrow ultimately leading to the generation of B cells, each expressing a single antigen-specific receptor/immunoglobulin molecule. Each individual immunoglobulin molecule has an affinity for a unique motif, or epitope, found on a given antigen. When presented with an antigen, activated B cells differentiate into either plasma cells (which secrete large amounts of antibody that is specific for the inducing antigen), or memory B cells (which are long-lived and elicit a stronger and faster response if the host is re-exposed to the same antigen). The secreted form of immunoglobulin, when bound to an antigen, serves as an effector molecule that directs other cells of the immune system to facilitate the neutralization of soluble antigen or the eradication of the antigen-expressing pathogen. This review will focus on the regulation of secreted immunoglobulin by long-lived normal or disease-associated plasma cells. Specifically, the focus will be on signaling and transcriptional events that regulate the development and homeostasis of long-lived immunoglobulin secreting plasma cells.
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Lenert A, Lenert P. Current and emerging treatment options for ANCA-associated vasculitis: potential role of belimumab and other BAFF/APRIL targeting agents. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2015; 9:333-47. [PMID: 25609919 PMCID: PMC4294650 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s67264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) comprises several clinical entities with diverse clinical presentations, outcomes, and nonunifying pathogenesis. AAV has a clear potential for relapses, and shows unpredictable response to treatment. Cyclophosphamide-based therapies have remained the hallmark of induction therapy protocols for more than four decades. Recently, B-cell depleting therapy with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab has proved beneficial in AAV, leading to Food and Drug Administration approval of rituximab in combination with corticosteroids for the treatment of AAV in adults. Rituximab for ANCA-associated vasculitis and other clinical trials provided clear evidence that rituximab was not inferior to cyclophosphamide for remission induction, and rituximab appeared even more beneficial in patients with relapsing disease. This raised hopes that other B-cell-targeted therapies directed either against CD19, CD20, CD22, or B-cell survival factors, B-cell activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand could also be beneficial for the management of AAV. BAFF neutralization with the fully humanized monoclonal antibody belimumab has already shown success in human systemic lupus erythematosus and, along with another anti-BAFF reagent blisibimod, is currently undergoing Phase II and III clinical trials in AAV. Local production of BAFF in granulomatous lesions and elevated levels of serum BAFF in AAV provide a rationale for BAFF-targeted therapies not only in AAV but also in other forms of vasculitis such as Behcet’s disease, large-vessel vasculitis, or cryoglobulinemic vasculitis secondary to chronic hepatitis C infection. BAFF-targeted therapies have a very solid safety profile, and may have an additional benefit of preferentially targeting newly arising autoreactive B cells over non-self-reactive B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander Lenert
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Kentucky, Kentucky Clinic, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Petar Lenert
- Division of Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Sthoeger Z, Sharabi A, Mozes E. Novel approaches to the development of targeted therapeutic agents for systemic lupus erythematosus. J Autoimmun 2014; 54:60-71. [PMID: 24958634 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2014.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem disease in which various cell types and immunological pathways are dysregulated. Current therapies for SLE are based mainly on the use of non-specific immunosuppressive drugs that cause serious side effects. There is, therefore, an unmet need for novel therapeutic means with improved efficacy and lower toxicity. Based on recent better understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE, targeted biological therapies are under different stages of development. The latter include B-cell targeted treatments, agents directed against the B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), inhibitors of T cell activation as well as cytokine blocking means. Out of the latter, Belimumab was the first drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of SLE patients. In addition to the non-antigen specific agents that may affect the normal immune system as well, SLE-specific therapeutic means are under development. These are synthetic peptides (e.g. pConsensus, nucleosomal peptides, P140 and hCDR1) that are sequences of conserved regions of molecules involved in the pathogenesis of lupus. The peptides are tolerogenic T-cell epitopes that immunomodulate only cell types and pathways that play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE without interfering with normal immune functions. Two of the peptides (P140 and hCDR1) were tested in clinical trials and were reported to be safe and well tolerated. Thus, synthetic peptides are attractive potential means for the specific treatment of lupus patients. In this review we discuss the various biological treatments that have been developed for lupus with a special focus on the tolerogenic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zev Sthoeger
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel; Department of Internal Medicine B and Clinical Immunology, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Amir Sharabi
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edna Mozes
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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Caro-Maldonado A, Wang R, Nichols AG, Kuraoka M, Milasta S, Sun LD, Gavin AL, Abel ED, Kelsoe G, Green DR, Rathmell JC. Metabolic reprogramming is required for antibody production that is suppressed in anergic but exaggerated in chronically BAFF-exposed B cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 192:3626-36. [PMID: 24616478 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 377] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
B cell activation leads to proliferation and Ab production that can protect from pathogens or promote autoimmunity. Regulation of cell metabolism is essential to support the demands of lymphocyte growth and effector function and may regulate tolerance. In this study, we tested the regulation and role of glucose uptake and metabolism in the proliferation and Ab production of control, anergic, and autoimmune-prone B cells. Control B cells had a balanced increase in lactate production and oxygen consumption following activation, with proportionally increased glucose transporter Glut1 expression and mitochondrial mass upon either LPS or BCR stimulation. This contrasted with metabolic reprogramming of T cells, which had lower glycolytic flux when resting but disproportionately increased this pathway upon activation. Importantly, tolerance greatly affected B cell metabolic reprogramming. Anergic B cells remained metabolically quiescent, with only a modest increase in glycolysis and oxygen consumption with LPS stimulation. B cells chronically stimulated with elevated BAFF, however, rapidly increased glycolysis and Ab production upon stimulation. Induction of glycolysis was critical for Ab production, as glycolytic inhibition with the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitor dichloroacetate sharply suppressed B cell proliferation and Ab secretion in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, B cell-specific deletion of Glut1 led to reduced B cell numbers and impaired Ab production in vivo. Together, these data show that activated B cells require Glut1-dependent metabolic reprogramming to support proliferation and Ab production that is distinct from T cells and that this glycolytic reprogramming is regulated in tolerance.
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Stohl W. Therapeutic targeting of the BAFF/APRIL axis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014; 18:473-89. [DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.888415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Meng W, Jayaraman S, Zhang B, Schwartz GW, Daber RD, Hershberg U, Garfall AL, Carlson CS, Luning Prak ET. Trials and Tribulations with VH Replacement. Front Immunol 2014; 5:10. [PMID: 24523721 PMCID: PMC3906580 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
VH replacement (VHR) is a type of antibody gene rearrangement in which an upstream heavy chain variable gene segment (VH) invades a pre-existing rearrangement (VDJ). In this Hypothesis and Theory article, we begin by reviewing the mechanism of VHR, its developmental timing and its potential biological consequences. Then we explore the hypothesis that specific sequence motifs called footprints reflect VHR versus other processes. We provide a compilation of footprint sequences from different regions of the antibody heavy chain, and include data from the literature and from a high throughput sequencing experiment to evaluate the significance of footprint sequences. We conclude by discussing the difficulties of attributing footprints to VHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhao Meng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, PA , USA
| | - Sahana Jayaraman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, PA , USA
| | - Bochao Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University , Philadelphia, PA , USA
| | - Gregory W Schwartz
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University , Philadelphia, PA , USA
| | - Robert D Daber
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, PA , USA ; Center for Personalized Diagnostics, University of Pennsylvania Health System , Philadelphia, PA , USA
| | - Uri Hershberg
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University , Philadelphia, PA , USA ; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Drexel University , Philadelphia, PA , USA
| | - Alfred L Garfall
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, PA , USA
| | - Christopher S Carlson
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , Seattle, WA , USA
| | - Eline T Luning Prak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, PA , USA
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The promise and challenge of high-throughput sequencing of the antibody repertoire. Nat Biotechnol 2014; 32:158-68. [PMID: 24441474 PMCID: PMC4113560 DOI: 10.1038/nbt.2782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 471] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Georgiou and colleagues discuss rapidly evolving methods for high-throughput sequencing of the antibody repertoire, and how the resulting data may be applied to answer basic and translational research questions. Efforts to determine the antibody repertoire encoded by B cells in the blood or lymphoid organs using high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies have been advancing at an extremely rapid pace and are transforming our understanding of humoral immune responses. Information gained from high-throughput DNA sequencing of immunoglobulin genes (Ig-seq) can be applied to detect B-cell malignancies with high sensitivity, to discover antibodies specific for antigens of interest, to guide vaccine development and to understand autoimmunity. Rapid progress in the development of experimental protocols and informatics analysis tools is helping to reduce sequencing artifacts, to achieve more precise quantification of clonal diversity and to extract the most pertinent biological information. That said, broader application of Ig-seq, especially in clinical settings, will require the development of a standardized experimental design framework that will enable the sharing and meta-analysis of sequencing data generated by different laboratories.
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Targeting the splicing of mRNA in autoimmune diseases: BAFF inhibition in Sjögren's syndrome as a proof of concept. Mol Ther 2013; 22:821-7. [PMID: 24304965 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2013.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 11/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BAFF (B-cell-activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family), a pivotal cytokine for B-cell activation, is overexpressed by salivary gland (SG) epithelial cells in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). ΔBAFF, a physiological inhibitor of BAFF, is a minor alternative splice variant of BAFF. A U7 RNA was reengineered to deliver antisense sequences targeting BAFF splice regions. A major decrease of BAFF messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein secretion, concomitantly with the increase of ΔBAFF mRNA, was observed in vitro. In vivo, SG retrograd instillation of nonobese diabetic mice by the modified U7 cloned into an adeno-associated virus vector significantly decreased BAFF protein expression and lymphocytic infiltrates and improved salivary flow. This study offers a rationale for localized therapeutic BAFF inhibition in pSS and represents a proof of concept of the interest of exon skipping in autoimmune diseases.
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Abstract
With the approval by the FDA in 2011 of a biologic agent (namely belimumab) for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), optimism abounds that additional biologic (and nonbiologic) agents will be similarly endorsed. Given the numerous immune-based abnormalities associated with SLE, the potential therapeutic targets for biologic agents and the candidate biologic approaches are also numerous. These approaches include: biologic agents that promote B-cell depletion, B-cell inactivation, or the generation of regulatory B cells; biologic agents that induce T-cell tolerance, block T-cell activation and differentiation, or alter T-cell trafficking; biologic agents that target the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) axis, type I interferons, IL-6 and its receptor, or TNF; and the adoptive transfer of ex vivo-generated regulatory T cells. Owing to the great heterogeneity inherent to SLE, no single approach should be expected to be effective in all patients. As our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of SLE continues to expand, additional therapeutic targets and approaches will undoubtedly be identified and should be fully exploited.
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Berrih-Aknin S, Ragheb S, Le Panse R, Lisak RP. Ectopic germinal centers, BAFF and anti-B-cell therapy in myasthenia gravis. Autoimmun Rev 2013; 12:885-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2013.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease and the most prevalent of all autoimmune disorders. Here we review recent advances in the development and availability of biologic agents with a focus on monoclonal antibody or smaller formats of targeted engineered therapeutics including novel, non-antibody-based therapeutics. AREAS COVERED Today an array of biologics blocking either proinflammatory cytokines or lymphocyte activation/survival are available that enable a substantial improvement over conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). We review the engineering process of antibody-based biologics, their preclinical and clinical application, and current efforts to treat RA by interfering with B-cell function (notable targets covered are CD20, CD38, B-cell activating factor, transmembrane activator and calcium-modulating and cyclophilin interactor), with T-cell function (CD3, CD4, CD28), with bone erosion (RANKL), and with cytokines or growth factors (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1 [IL-1], IL-6, IL-17, VEGF). Future treatment choices might encompass the blockade or modulation of danger-associated molecular patterns such as HMGB1, pattern recognition receptors, messenger RNAs or noncoding RNAs, histone acetylation, and inflammasome components. EXPERT OPINION Although current therapies can reduce the signs and symptoms of RA for many patients, the quest for a cure (or a more complete blockade of the structural damage) in RA is still ongoing and will need treatment approaches, which are not exclusively confined to blocking a particular cytokine, receptor, or autoreactive B or T cell involved in disease progression. To this end exciting treatment alternatives and drug targets are on the horizon that may become available to patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Bossaller
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Worcester, MA, USA.
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Barrera M, Bahamondes V, Sepúlveda D, Quest A, Castro I, Cortés J, Aguilera S, Urzúa U, Molina C, Pérez P, Ewert P, Alliende C, Hermoso M, González S, Leyton C, González M. Sjögren's syndrome and the epithelial target: A comprehensive review. J Autoimmun 2013; 42:7-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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