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Merzbach S, Hoffman A, Lazarovici P, Gilon C, Amer R. Development of Clarstatin, a Novel Drug Lead for the Therapy of Autoimmune Uveitis. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:723. [PMID: 38931845 PMCID: PMC11206685 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We describe the design, synthesis, and activity of a potent thiourea-bridged backbone cyclic peptidomimetic known as Clarstatin, comprising a 5-amino acid sequence (Q/D)1-(R/K)2-X3-X4-A5-(Gln/Asp)1-(Arg/Lys)2-AA3-AA4-Ala5-based on a motif called "shared epitope (SE)", specifically present in specific alleles of the HLA-DRB1 gene. This SE binds to a particular site within the proline reach domain (P-domain) of the cell surface-calreticulin (CS-CRT). CS-CRT is a multifunctional endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium-binding protein that is located on the cell surface of T cells and triggers innate immune signaling, leading to the development of inflammatory autoimmune diseases. The development of Clarstatin was based on the parent peptide W-G-D1-K2-S3-G4-A5- derived from the active region of the SE. Following the design based on the cycloscan method, the synthesis of Clarstatin was performed by the Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) method, purified by HPLC to 96% homogeneity, and its structure was confirmed by LC-MS. Clarstatin reduced calcium levels in Jurkat lymphocyte cultures, ameliorated uveitis in vivo in the experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) mice model, and was safe upon acute toxicity evaluation. These findings identify Clarstatin as a promising lead compound for future drug development as a novel class of therapeutic agents in the therapy of uveitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Merzbach
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; (S.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Amnon Hoffman
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; (S.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Philip Lazarovici
- Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel; (S.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Chaim Gilon
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel;
| | - Radgonde Amer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel;
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Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Oxidative Stress, and Rheumatic Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11071306. [PMID: 35883795 PMCID: PMC9312221 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11071306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multi-functional organelle responsible for cellular homeostasis, protein synthesis, folding and secretion. It has been increasingly recognized that the loss of ER homeostasis plays a central role in the development of autoimmune inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatic diseases. Purpose/Main contents: Here, we review current knowledge of the contribution of ER stress to the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases, with a focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We also review the interplay between protein folding and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), where ER stress induces oxidative stress (OS), which further aggravates the accumulation of misfolded proteins and oxidation, in a vicious cycle. Intervention studies targeting ER stress and oxidative stress in the context of rheumatic diseases are also reviewed. Conclusions: Loss of ER homeostasis is a significant factor in the pathogeneses of RA and SLE. Targeting ER stress, unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways and oxidative stress in these diseases both in vitro and in animal models have shown promising results and deserve further investigation.
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Scavuzzi BM, van Drongelen V, Holoshitz J. HLA-G and the MHC Cusp Theory. Front Immunol 2022; 13:814967. [PMID: 35281038 PMCID: PMC8913506 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.814967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are significant genetic risk factors in a long list of diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain elusive in many cases. The best-characterized function of classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens is to allow safe presentation of antigenic peptides via a self/non-self-discrimination process. Therefore, most hypotheses to date have posited that the observed associations between certain HLA molecules and human diseases involve antigen presentation (AP). However, these hypotheses often represent inconsistencies with current knowledge. To offer answers to the inconsistencies, a decade ago we have invoked the MHC Cusp theory, postulating that in addition to its main role in AP, the MHC codes for allele-specific molecules that act as ligands in a conformationally-conserved cusp-like fold, which upon interaction with cognate receptors can trigger MHC-associated diseases. In the ensuing years, we have provided empirical evidence that substantiates the theory in several HLA-Class II-associated autoimmune diseases. Notably, in a recent study we have demonstrated that HLA-DRB1 alleles known to protect against several autoimmune diseases encode a protective epitope at the cusp region, which activates anti-inflammatory signaling leading to transcriptional and functional modulatory effects. Relevant to the topic of this session, cusp ligands demonstrate several similarities to the functional effects of HLA-G. The overall goal of this opinion article is to delineate the parallels and distinctive features of the MHC Cusp theory with structural and functional aspects of HLA-G molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincent van Drongelen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Joseph Holoshitz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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4
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HLA-DRB1 allelic epitopes that associate with autoimmune disease risk or protection activate reciprocal macrophage polarization. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2599. [PMID: 33510427 PMCID: PMC7844024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82195-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Associations between particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and susceptibility to-or protection from-autoimmune diseases have been long observed. Allele-specific antigen presentation (AP) has been widely proposed as a culprit, but it is unclear whether HLA molecules might also have non-AP, disease-modulating effects. Here we demonstrate differential macrophage activation by HLA-DRB1 alleles known to associate with autoimmune disease risk or protection with resultant polarization of pro-inflammatory ("M1") versus anti-inflammatory ("M2") macrophages, respectively. RNA-sequencing analyses of in vitro-polarized macrophages in the presence of AP-incompetent short synthetic peptides corresponding to the third allelic hypervariable regions coded by those two HLA-DRB1 alleles showed reciprocal activation of pro- versus anti-inflammatory transcriptomes, with implication of corresponding gene ontologies and upstream regulators. These results identify a previously unrecognized mechanism of differential immune modulation by short HLA-DRB1-coded allelic epitopes independent of AP, and could shed new light on the mechanistic basis of HLA-disease association.
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van Drongelen V, Ali WH, Holoshitz J. Uncovering a Shared Epitope-Activated Protein Citrullination Pathway. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:579-586. [PMID: 32591395 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is closely associated with shared epitope (SE)-coding HLA-DRB1 alleles and circulating anticitrullinated protein Abs (ACPA), but neither the respective pathogenic roles of SE and ACPA in RA nor the mechanisms underlying their coassociation are known. It was recently shown that the SE functions as a signal transduction ligand that activates a cell surface calreticulin-mediated, proarthritogenic, bone erosive pathway in an experimental model of RA. In this study, we demonstrate that stimulation of murine macrophages with LPS or DTT facilitated cell surface translocation of calreticulin, which in turn enabled increased SE-activated calcium signaling and activation of peptidylarginine deiminase with the resultant increased cellular abundance of citrullinated proteins. The i.p. administration of LPS to transgenic mice carrying a human SE-coding HLA-DRB1 allele lead to increased serum levels of TNF-α and anticitrullinated cyclic peptide Abs, along with terminal phalanx bone destruction. These data uncover a previously unknown signal transduction pathway by which the SE facilitates protein citrullination, ACPA production, and bone destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent van Drongelen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Wahida H Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Joseph Holoshitz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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Busch R, Kollnberger S, Mellins ED. HLA associations in inflammatory arthritis: emerging mechanisms and clinical implications. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2020; 15:364-381. [PMID: 31092910 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-019-0219-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying HLA associations with inflammatory arthritis continues to evolve. Disease associations have been refined, and interactions of HLA genotype with other genes and environmental risk factors in determining disease risk have been identified. This Review provides basic information on the genetics and molecular function of HLA molecules, as well as general features of HLA associations with disease. Evidence is discussed regarding the various peptide-dependent and peptide-independent mechanisms by which HLA alleles might contribute to the pathogenesis of three types of inflammatory arthritis: rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Also discussed are HLA allelic associations that shed light on the genetic heterogeneity of inflammatory arthritides and on the relationships between adult and paediatric forms of arthritis. Clinical implications range from improved diagnosis and outcome prediction to the possibility of using HLA associations in developing personalized strategies for the treatment and prevention of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Busch
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, Whitelands College, London, UK.
| | - Simon Kollnberger
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UHW Main Building, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Elizabeth D Mellins
- Department of Pediatrics, Program in Immunology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Linkage of Periodontitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Current Evidence and Potential Biological Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184541. [PMID: 31540277 PMCID: PMC6769683 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease (PD) has been the focus of numerous investigations driven by their common pathological features. RA is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation, the production of anti-citrullinated proteins antibodies (ACPA) leading to synovial joint inflammation and destruction. PD is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with a dysbiotic microbial biofilm affecting the supporting tissues around the teeth leading to the destruction of mineralized and non-mineralized connective tissues. Chronic inflammation associated with both RA and PD is similar in the predominant adaptive immune phenotype, in the imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and in the role of smoking and genetic background as risk factors. Structural damage that occurs in consequence of chronic inflammation is the ultimate cause of loss of function and disability observed with the progression of RA and PD. Interestingly, the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated in the generation of ACPA in RA patients, suggesting a direct biological intersection between PD and RA. However, more studies are warranted to confirm this link, elucidate potential mechanisms involved, and ascertain temporal associations between RA and PD. This review is mainly focused on recent clinical and translational research intends to discuss and provide an overview of the relationship between RA and PD, exploring the similarities in the immune-pathological aspects and the possible mechanisms linking the development and progression of both diseases. In addition, the current available treatments targeting both RA and PD were revised.
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9
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Yao Y, Cai X, Yu H, Xu Q, Li X, Yang Y, Meng X, Huang C, Li J. PSTPIP2 attenuates joint damage and suppresses inflammation in adjuvant-induced arthritis. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 859:172558. [PMID: 31325437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Proline-serine-threonine-phosphatase-interacting protein 2 (PSTPIP2) is related to inflammation. In this study, we investigated the function of PSTPIP2 in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) by using adeno-associated virus (AAV) to overexpress PSTPIP2 in rat. AIA rats were developed by injecting Lewis rats with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) on day 0. AAV-empty or AAV-PSTPIP2, or PBS was administered intraarticularly into each knee joint on day 8 postinduction. All animals were killed at day 18 after adjuvant injection. WB was used to detect the expression of PSTPIP2 in rat synovial tissues. Fluorescence microscopy showed the transduction efficiency in synovial tissue. The morphology of arthritic joints was examined by HE, safranin O/fast green, or Toluidine blue staining. The bone destruction was examined via X-ray and micro-CT analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis or TRAP staining were used to investigate the role of PSTPIP2 in osteoclasts and the expression of PSTPIP2 in synovial tissue. RT-qPCR and ELISA were used to examine the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in synovial tissue or serum. AIA rats were found to have decreased PSTPIP2 expression and AIA-associated bone loss and inflammatory infiltration. We showed that administration of AAV-PSTPIP2 before arthritis onset significantly reduces the severity of AIA. PSTPIP2 was highly expressed in synovial cells. In addition, inflammatory responses and the number of osteoclasts were reduced with AAV-PSTPIP2 treatment. These findings demonstrate that PSTPIP2 may improve the severity of AIA by inhibiting the function of fibroblast-like synoviocytes, suppressing inflammation and reducing the number of osteoclasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yao
- The Department of Pharmacy, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310006, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiaoyu Cai
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Haixia Yu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Qingqing Xu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xiaoming Meng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jun Li
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230032, China.
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10
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Fu J, Nogueira SV, Drongelen VV, Coit P, Ling S, Rosloniec EF, Sawalha AH, Holoshitz J. Shared epitope-aryl hydrocarbon receptor crosstalk underlies the mechanism of gene-environment interaction in autoimmune arthritis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:4755-4760. [PMID: 29666259 PMCID: PMC5939100 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1722124115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The susceptibility to autoimmune diseases is affected by genetic and environmental factors. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the shared epitope (SE), a five-amino acid sequence motif encoded by RA-associated HLA-DRB1 alleles, is the single most significant genetic risk factor. The risk conferred by the SE is increased in a multiplicative way by exposure to various environmental pollutants, such as cigarette smoke. The mechanism of this synergistic interaction is unknown. It is worth noting that the SE has recently been found to act as a signal transduction ligand that facilitates differentiation of Th17 cells and osteoclasts in vitro and in vivo. Intriguingly, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a transcription factor that mediates the xenobiotic effects of many pollutants, including tobacco combustion products, has been found to activate similar biologic effects. Prompted by these similarities, we sought to determine whether the SE and AhR signaling pathways interact in autoimmune arthritis. Here we uncovered a nuclear factor kappa B-mediated synergistic interaction between the SE and AhR pathways that leads to markedly enhanced osteoclast differentiation and Th17 polarization in vitro. Administration of AhR pathway agonists to transgenic mice carrying human SE-coding alleles resulted in a robust increase in arthritis severity, bone destruction, overabundance of osteoclasts, and IL17-expressing cells in the inflamed joints and draining lymph nodes of arthritic mice. Thus, this study identifies a previously unrecognized mechanism of gene-environment interaction that could provide insights into the well-described but poorly understood amplification of the genetic risk for RA upon exposure to environmental pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Fu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Sarah V Nogueira
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | | | - Patrick Coit
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Song Ling
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Edward F Rosloniec
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163
| | - Amr H Sawalha
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Joseph Holoshitz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109;
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van Drongelen V, Holoshitz J. Human Leukocyte Antigen-Disease Associations in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2018; 43:363-376. [PMID: 28711139 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The cause and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are influenced by environmental and genetic risk factors. Shared epitope-coding human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 alleles increase RA risk and severity; however, the underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. In contrast, several other DRB1 alleles protect against RA. Additionally, genome-wide association studies suggest that RA associates with other, HLA and non-HLA, genes; but the relative contributions of such risk loci to RA are incompletely understood. Future research challenges include integrating the epidemiologic and genomic data into validated arthritogenic pathways and determining the mechanisms of interaction between RA risk genes and environmental influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent van Drongelen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Joseph Holoshitz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Tao Y, Wang Z, Wang L, Shi J, Guo X, Zhou W, Wu X, Liu Y, Zhang W, Yang H, Shi Q, Xu Y, Geng D. Downregulation of miR-106b attenuates inflammatory responses and joint damage in collagen-induced arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2017; 56:1804-1813. [PMID: 28957555 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kex233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective miRNAs are small, signal-strand, non-coding RNAs that function in post-transcriptional regulation. We analysed the in vivo effect of miR-106b (miR-106b-5p) on inflammatory bone loss in CIA mice. Methods CIA mice are developed by injecting DAB/1 mice with bovine type II collagen containing Freund's adjuvant and then the in vivo effect of miR-106b is examined. On day 22, mice were given lentiviral negative control, lentiviral-mediated miR-106b mimics or lentiviral-mediated miR-106b inhibitor via orbital injection on a weekly basis. Morphological changes in the ankle joints were assessed via micro-CT and histopathology and cytokine expression levels were examined via immunohistochemical staining, ELISA or flow cytometric analysis. miR-106b and osteoclastic-related gene expression was evaluated via quantitative real-time PCR. Results CIA mice were found to have increased miR-106b expression and CIA-associated bone loss and inflammatory infiltration. miR-106b inhibitor treatment markedly decreased arthritis incidence and attenuated bone destruction and histological severity compared with the control group. Moreover, miR-106b inhibitor treatment suppressed RANK ligand (RANKL) expression, increased osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression and reduced the RANKL:OPG ratio in CIA mice. miR-106b inhibition also significantly decreased inflammatory mediator production in joint sections and reduced serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels when compared with the control group. Additionally, miR-106b inhibition decreased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cell numbers and suppressed murine bone marrow macrophage differentiation. Conclusion These findings indicate that miR-106b inhibition can ameliorate CIA-associated inflammation and bone destruction and thus may serve as a potential therapeutic for human RA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxia Tao
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Zhirong Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu
| | - Liangliang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Jiawei Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Xiaobin Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Xiexing Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Wen Zhang
- Orthopedic Institute, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Huilin Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Qin Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Yaozeng Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
| | - Dechun Geng
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou
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Clarke A, Perry E, Kelly C, De Soyza A, Heesom K, Gold LI, Ollier W, Hutchinson D, Eggleton P. Heightened autoantibody immune response to citrullinated calreticulin in bronchiectasis: Implications for rheumatoid arthritis. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2017; 89:199-206. [PMID: 28652209 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Calreticulin (CRT) and citrullinated (citCRT) are implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathology. citCRT binds to RA shared epitopes (SE) on HLA-DR molecules with high affinity and triggers pro-inflammatory events in adjacent cells. The aim of the study was to detect the presence of citCRT prior to developing RA and evaluate if citCT is a target for autoantibodies in RA cohorts with and without lung disease. Antibodies were assessed by ELISA against native CRT, citCRT and general protein citrullination, in sera from 50 RA patients without lung disease, 122 bronchiectasis (BR) patients, 52 bronchiectasis patients with RA (BRRA), 87 asthma patients and 77 healthy controls (HC). Serum citCRT was detected by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry. Genomic DNA was genotyped for HLA-DRB1 alleles. Patients were assessed for DAS28, rheumatoid factor, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. Extracellular citCRT was detected in BR patients sera prior to them developing RA. A citCRT SE binding peptide GEWKPR261citQIDNPDYK was identified. Anti-CRT antibodies were observed in 18% of BR patients with or without RA. Anti-citCRT antibodies were observed in ∼35% of BR or RA patients, increasing to 58% in BRRA patients. In the RA alone patients 7/20 (35%) who were negative for RF and anti-CCP were anti-CRT antibody positive and had higher DAS28 scores than triple negative RA alone patients. Three of the four BR patients who developed RA over 18 months were anti-citCRT+ve SE+ve. The detection of citCRT in BR and development of anti-citCRT in BR patients suggests citCRT antigens are early targets of antigenicity in these patients, especially in SE+ve patients prior to the onset of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Clarke
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Elizabeth Perry
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK; Rheumatology Department,Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, Somerset, UK
| | - Clive Kelly
- Rheumatology Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, UK
| | - Anthony De Soyza
- Institute for Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University & Sir William Leech Centre, Adult Bronchiectasis Service, The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, UK
| | - Kate Heesom
- Proteomics Facility, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Leslie I Gold
- Division of Translational Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States
| | - William Ollier
- Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - David Hutchinson
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK; Rheumatology Department, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, UK
| | - P Eggleton
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.
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Van Drongelen V, Holoshitz J. A reciprocal HLA-Disease Association in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pemphigus Vulgaris. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2017; 22:909-919. [PMID: 27814654 DOI: 10.2741/4524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) have been extensively studied as being antigen presenting receptors, but many aspects of their function remain elusive, especially their association with various autoimmune diseases. Here we discuss an illustrative case of the reciprocal relationship between certain HLA-DRB1 alleles and two diseases, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and pemphigus vulgaris (PV). RA is strongly associated with HLA-DRB1 alleles that encode a five amino acid sequence motif in the 70-74 region of the DR beta chain, called the shared epitope (SE), while PV is associated with the HLA-DRB1*04:02 allele that encodes a different sequence motif in the same region. Interestingly, while HLA-DRB1*04:02 confers susceptibility to PV, this and other alleles that encode the same sequence motif in the 70-74 region of the DR beta chain are protective against RA. Currently, no convincing explanation for this antagonistic effect is present. Here we briefly review the immunology and immunogenetics of both diseases, identify remaining gaps in our understanding of their association with HLA, and propose the possibility that the 70-74 DR beta epitope may contribute to disease risk by mechanisms other than antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Holoshitz
- University of Michigan, 5520D MSRB1, SPC 5680, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5680,
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Gehlot P, Volk SL, Rios HF, Jepsen KJ, Holoshitz J. Spontaneous destructive periodontitis and skeletal bone damage in transgenic mice carrying a human shared epitope-coding HLA-DRB1 allele. RMD Open 2016; 2:e000349. [PMID: 27933212 PMCID: PMC5133411 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2016-000349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Shared epitope (SE)-coding DRB1 alleles are associated with bone erosion in several diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease (PD), but the underlying mechanism is unknown. We have recently identified the SE as an osteoclast-activating ligand. To better understand the biological effects of the SE in vivo, here we sought to determine whether it can facilitate spontaneous bone damage in naïve mice. Methods 3-month old naïve transgenic mice that carry the human SE-coding allele DRB1*04:01, or a SE-negative allele DRB1*04:02 were studied. Bone tissues were analysed by micro-CT, and the tooth-supporting tissues were studied by histology, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Serum biomarkers were determined by ELISA. Results Transgenic mice expressing the SE-coding DRB1*04:01 allele, but not mice carrying the SE-negative allele DRB1*04:02, showed spontaneous PD associated with interleukin (IL)-17 overabundance and periostin disruption. Mandibular bone volumetric and mineralisation parameters were significantly lower in SE-positive mice, and alveolar bone resorption was significantly increased in these mice. SE-positive mice also had more slender tibiae, and their marrow, cortical and total areas were lower than those of SE-negative mice. Additionally, significantly increased serum IL-17, tumour necrosis factor-α and osteoprotegrin levels were found in SE-positive mice, while their receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand levels were significantly lower. Conclusions A human SE-coding allele increases the propensity to spontaneous bone-destructive periodontal inflammation and skeletal bone damage in transgenic mice. These findings provide new insights into the previously documented but poorly understood association of the SE with accelerated bone erosion in RA and several other human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashasnika Gehlot
- Departments of Internal Medicine , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan , USA
| | - Sarah L Volk
- Departments of Periodontics and Oral Medicine , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan , USA
| | - Hector F Rios
- Departments of Periodontics and Oral Medicine , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan , USA
| | - Karl J Jepsen
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan , USA
| | - Joseph Holoshitz
- Departments of Internal Medicine , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan , USA
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16
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Chukkapalli S, Rivera-Kweh M, Gehlot P, Velsko I, Bhattacharyya I, Calise SJ, Satoh M, Chan EKL, Holoshitz J, Kesavalu L. Periodontal bacterial colonization in synovial tissues exacerbates collagen-induced arthritis in B10.RIII mice. Arthritis Res Ther 2016; 18:161. [PMID: 27405639 PMCID: PMC4942913 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-016-1056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has been previously hypothesized that oral microbes may be an etiological link between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal disease. However, the mechanistic basis of this association is incompletely understood. Here, we investigated the role of periodontal bacteria in induction of joint inflammation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in B10.RIII mice. Methods CIA-prone B10.RIII mice were infected orally with a polybacterial mixture of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia for 24 weeks before induction of CIA. The ability of polybacterial mixture to colonize the periodontium and induce systemic response, horizontal alveolar bone resorption in infected B10.RIII mice was investigated. Arthritis incidence, severity of joint inflammation, pannus formation, skeletal damage, hematogenous dissemination of the infection, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) levels, and interleukin-17 expression levels were evaluated. Results B10.RIII mice had gingival colonization with all three bacteria, higher levels of anti-bacterial immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, significant alveolar bone resorption, and hematogenous dissemination of P. gingivalis to synovial joints. Infected B10.RIII mice had more severe arthritis, and higher serum matrix metalloproteinase 3 levels and activity. Histopathological analysis showed increased inflammatory cell infiltration, destruction of articular cartilage, erosions, and pannus formation. Additionally, involved joints showed had expression levels of interleukin-17. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that physical presence of periodontal bacteria in synovial joints of B10.RIII mice with collagen-induced arthritis is associated with arthritis exacerbation, and support the hypothesis that oral bacteria, specifically P. gingivalis, play a significant role in augmenting autoimmune arthritis due to their intravascular dissemination to the joints. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-016-1056-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasanka Chukkapalli
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida Gainesville, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Mercedes Rivera-Kweh
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida Gainesville, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Prashasnika Gehlot
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Irina Velsko
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida Gainesville, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Indraneel Bhattacharyya
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - S John Calise
- Departments of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Minoru Satoh
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Department of Clinical Nursing, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Edward K L Chan
- Departments of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Joseph Holoshitz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lakshmyya Kesavalu
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida Gainesville, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA. .,Departments of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
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Ling S, Liu Y, Fu J, Colletta A, Gilon C, Holoshitz J. Shared epitope-antagonistic ligands: a new therapeutic strategy in mice with erosive arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67:2061-70. [PMID: 25892196 DOI: 10.1002/art.39158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mechanisms underlying bone damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are incompletely understood. We recently identified the shared epitope (SE), an HLA-DRB1-coded 5-amino acid sequence motif carried by the majority of RA patients as a signal transduction ligand that interacts with cell surface calreticulin and accelerates osteoclast (OC)-mediated bone damage in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Given the role of the SE/calreticulin pathway in arthritis-associated bone damage, we sought to determine the therapeutic targetability of calreticulin. METHODS A library of backbone-cyclized peptidomimetic compounds, all carrying an identical core DKCLA sequence, was synthesized. The ability of these compounds to inhibit SE-activated signaling and OC differentiation was tested in vitro. The effect on disease severity and OC-mediated bone damage was studied by weekly intraperitoneal administration of the compounds to DBA/1 mice with CIA. RESULTS Two members of the peptidomimetics library were found to have SE-antagonistic effects and antiosteoclast differentiation effects at picomolar concentrations in vitro. The lead mimetic compound, designated HS(4-4)c Trp, potently ameliorated arthritis and bone damage in vivo when administered in picogram doses to mice with CIA. Another mimetic analog, designated HS(3-4)c Trp, was found to lack activity, both in vitro and in vivo. The differential activity of the 2 analogs depended on minor differences in their respective ring sizes and correlated with distinctive geometry when computationally docked to the SE binding site on calreticulin. CONCLUSION These findings identify calreticulin as a novel therapeutic target in erosive arthritis and provide sound rationale and early structure/activity relationships for future drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Ling
- University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor
| | - Ying Liu
- University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor
| | - Jiaqi Fu
- University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor
| | | | - Chaim Gilon
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Holoshitz J. The quest for better understanding of HLA-disease association: scenes from a road less travelled by. DISCOVERY MEDICINE 2013; 16:93-101. [PMID: 23998445 PMCID: PMC4064294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Dozens of human diseases and health traits are significantly more common among individuals carrying particular human leukocyte antigens (HLA) alleles. The underlying mechanism of this phenomenon, commonly referred to as "HLA-disease association," has been the subject of a decades-long debate. The prevailing hypotheses implicate an auto-aggressive immune response due to aberrant presentation of self-, self-mimicking-, or altered self-antigens by HLA molecules. However, the identity of such putative antigens remains elusive in the vast majority of HLA-associated diseases. Moreover, antigen presentation-based hypotheses are difficult to reconcile with epidemiologic data and functional characteristics of HLA molecules. To provide better answers to these inconsistencies an alternative theory involving allele-based, antigen presentation-independent mechanism is proposed here. Recent research findings in rheumatoid arthritis, an emblematic HLA-associated disease, lend support to the proposed theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Holoshitz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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