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Deng T, Wang Z, Geng Q, Wang Z, Jiao Y, Diao W, Xu J, Deng T, Luo J, Tao Q, Xiao C. Methylation of T and B Lymphocytes in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2024; 66:401-422. [PMID: 39207646 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-024-09003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
The role of abnormal epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, in the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) has garnered increasing attention. Lymphocyte dysfunction is a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of ARDs. Methylation is crucial for maintaining normal immune system function, and aberrant methylation can hinder lymphocyte differentiation, resulting in functional abnormalities that disrupt immune tolerance, leading to the excessive expression of inflammatory cytokines, thereby exacerbating the onset and progression of ARDs. Recent studies suggest that methylation-related factors have the potential to serve as biomarkers for monitoring the activity of ARDs. This review summarizes the current state of research on the impact of DNA and RNA methylation on the development, differentiation, and function of T and B cells and examines the progress of these epigenetic modifications in studies of six specific ARDs: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Additionally, we propose that exploring the interplay between RNA methylation and DNA methylation may represent a novel direction for understanding the pathogenesis of ARDs and developing novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Deng
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qishun Geng
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhaoran Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yi Jiao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Wenya Diao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jiahe Xu
- China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Tingting Deng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of TCM Rheumatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Qingwen Tao
- Department of TCM Rheumatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Cheng Xiao
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Hsu CC, Chuang HK, Hsiao YJ, Chiang PH, Chen SW, Luo WT, Yang YP, Tsai PH, Chen SJ, Hsieh AR, Chiou SH. Predicting Risks of Dry Eye Disease Development Using a Genome-Wide Polygenic Risk Score Model. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2024; 13:13. [PMID: 38767906 PMCID: PMC11114613 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.5.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to conduct a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) and construct a polygenic risk score (PRS) for risk stratification in patients with dry eye disease (DED) using the Taiwan Biobank (TWB) databases. Methods This retrospective case-control study involved 40,112 subjects of Han Chinese ancestry, sourced from the publicly available TWB. Cases were patients with DED (n = 14,185), and controls were individuals without DED (n = 25,927). The patients with DED were further divided into 8072 young (<60 years old) and 6113 old participants (≥60 years old). Using PLINK (version 1.9) software, quality control was carried out, followed by logistic regression analysis with adjustments for sex, age, body mass index, depression, and manic episodes as covariates. We also built PRS prediction models using the standard clumping and thresholding method and evaluated their performance (area under the curve [AUC]) through five-fold cross-validation. Results Eleven independent risk loci were identified for these patients with DED at the genome-wide significance levels, including DNAJB6, MAML3, LINC02267, DCHS1, SIRPB3P, HULC, MUC16, GAS2L3, and ZFPM2. Among these, MUC16 encodes mucin family protein. The PRS model incorporated 932 and 740 genetic loci for young and old populations, respectively. A higher PRS score indicated a greater DED risk, with the top 5% of PRS individuals having a 10-fold higher risk. After integrating these covariates into the PRS model, the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) increased from 0.509 and 0.537 to 0.600 and 0.648 for young and old populations, respectively, demonstrating the genetic-environmental interaction. Conclusions Our study prompts potential candidates for the mechanism of DED and paves the way for more personalized medication in the future. Translational Relevance Our study identified genes related to DED and constructed a PRS model to improve DED prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chien Hsu
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Kai Chuang
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jer Hsiao
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Hsuan Chiang
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Wen Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Luo
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Yang
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Hsing Tsai
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ai-Ru Hsieh
- Department of Statistics, Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hwa Chiou
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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3
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Pitaksalee R, Parmar R, Hodgett R, Emery P, Ponchel F. DNA Hypomethylation in the TNF-Alpha Gene Predicts Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification in Patients with Early Inflammatory Symptoms. Cells 2023; 12:2376. [PMID: 37830590 PMCID: PMC10571942 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and particularly for anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA)-negative patients, remain an important hurdle for the early initiation of treatment. Taking advantage of DNA-methylation patterns specific to early RA, quantitative methylation-specific qPCR (qMSP) offers a robust technology for the development of biomarkers. We developed assays and established their value as RA classification biomarkers. METHODS DNA-methylation data were screened to select candidate CpGs to design qMSP assays. Eight assays were developed and tested on two early inflammatory arthritis cohorts. Logistic regression and bootstrapping were used to demonstrate the added value of the qMSP assays. RESULT Differentially methylated CpG data were screened for candidate CpG, thereby meeting the qMSP assay requirements. The top CpG candidate was in the TNF gene, for which we successfully developed a qMSP assay. Significantly lower DNA-methylation levels were observed in RA (p < 4 × 10-9), with a high predictive value (OR < 0.54/AUC < 0.198) in both cohorts (n = 127/n = 157). Regression using both datasets showed improved accuracy = 87.7% and AUC = 0.944 over the model using only clinical variables (accuracy = 85.2%, AUC = 0.917). Similar data were obtained in ACPA-negative patients (n = 167, accuracy = 82.6%, AUC = 0.930) compared to the clinical variable model (accuracy = 79.5%, AUC = 0.892). Bootstrapping using 2000 datasets confirmed that the AUCs for the clinical+TNF-qMSP model had significant added value in both analyses. CONCLUSION The qMSP technology is robust and can successfully be developed with a high specificity of the TNF qMSP assay for RA in patients with early inflammatory arthritis. It should assist classification in ACPA-negative patients, providing a means of reducing time to diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujiraporn Pitaksalee
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Rekha Parmar
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Richard Hodgett
- Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Paul Emery
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds LS1 9LF, UK
| | - Frederique Ponchel
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
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4
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Wang SS, Lewis MJ, Pitzalis C. DNA Methylation Signatures of Response to Conventional Synthetic and Biologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1987. [PMID: 37509625 PMCID: PMC10377185 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex condition that displays heterogeneity in disease severity and response to standard treatments between patients. Failure rates for conventional, target synthetic, and biologic disease-modifying rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are significant. Although there are models for predicting patient response, they have limited accuracy, require replication/validation, or for samples to be obtained through a synovial biopsy. Thus, currently, there are no prediction methods approved for routine clinical use. Previous research has shown that genetics and environmental factors alone cannot explain the differences in response between patients. Recent studies have demonstrated that deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and disease progression of RA. Importantly, specific DNA methylation profiles associated with response to conventional, target synthetic, and biologic DMARDs have been found in the blood of RA patients and could potentially function as predictive biomarkers. This review will summarize and evaluate the evidence for DNA methylation signatures in treatment response mainly in blood but also learn from the progress made in the diseased tissue in cancer in comparison to RA and autoimmune diseases. We will discuss the benefits and challenges of using DNA methylation signatures as predictive markers and the potential for future progress in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Siyu Wang
- Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NIHR BRC & NHS Trust, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Myles J Lewis
- Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NIHR BRC & NHS Trust, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Costantino Pitzalis
- Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NIHR BRC & NHS Trust, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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5
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Nannini DR, Zheng Y, Joyce BT, Kim K, Gao T, Wang J, Jacobs DR, Schreiner PJ, Yaffe K, Greenland P, Lloyd-Jones DM, Hou L. Genome-wide DNA methylation association study of recent and cumulative marijuana use in middle aged adults. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:2572-2582. [PMID: 37258616 PMCID: PMC10611566 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02106-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Marijuana is a widely used psychoactive substance in the US and medical and recreational legalization has risen over the past decade. Despite the growing number of individuals using marijuana, studies investigating the association between epigenetic factors and recent and cumulative marijuana use remain limited. We therefore investigated the association between recent and cumulative marijuana use and DNA methylation levels. Participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study with whole blood collected at examination years (Y) 15 and Y20 were randomly selected to undergo DNA methylation profiling at both timepoints using the Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Recent use of marijuana was queried at each examination and used to estimate cumulative marijuana use from Y0 to Y15 and Y20. At Y15 (n = 1023), we observed 22 and 31 methylation markers associated (FDR P ≤ 0.05) with recent and cumulative marijuana use and 132 and 16 methylation markers at Y20 (n = 883), respectively. We replicated 8 previously reported methylation markers associated with marijuana use. We further identified 640 cis-meQTLs and 198 DMRs associated with recent and cumulative use at Y15 and Y20. Differentially methylated genes were statistically overrepresented in pathways relating to cellular proliferation, hormone signaling, and infections as well as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance-related disorders. We identified numerous methylation markers, pathways, and diseases associated with recent and cumulative marijuana use in middle-aged adults, providing additional insight into the association between marijuana use and the epigenome. These results provide novel insights into the role marijuana has on the epigenome and related health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew R Nannini
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Yinan Zheng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brian T Joyce
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kyeezu Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tao Gao
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David R Jacobs
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Pamela J Schreiner
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kristine Yaffe
- University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Philip Greenland
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Donald M Lloyd-Jones
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lifang Hou
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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6
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Gerussi A, Soskic B, Asselta R, Invernizzi P, Gershwin ME. GWAS and autoimmunity: What have we learned and what next. J Autoimmun 2022; 133:102922. [PMID: 36209690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are common conditions characterized by loss of tolerance, female predominance and a remarkable heterogeneity among different populations. Most often they are polygenic and several genetic loci have been linked with the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. However, causal inference is difficult. When the genomic revolution began there were high hopes of translating fast genetic analyses to the bedside but this has proven to be challenging. Nonetheless, over the last decade, fine-mapping strategies have greatly improved; one of the most significant research lines focuses on the in vivo and ex vivo definition of the effect of genetic variants within the target tissues and within specific subpopulations of immune cells that are involved in the disease pathogenesis. This strategy also includes the longitudinal tracking of a large number of immunophenotypes in many individuals to build a large reference atlas for variant characterization. In this review, we discuss the results obtained by GWAS in autoimmune diseases and review recent advances in fine mapping strategies. More importantly, we discuss gaps and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Gerussi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
| | - Blagoje Soskic
- Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Rosanna Asselta
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Merrill E Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Li Q, Liang Z, Wang X, Zhou F, Ma X, Wei W, Tian D, Yu H. The emerging role of epigenetics and gut microbiota in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. Gene 2022; 818:146222. [PMID: 35092860 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized often by acute diffuse uveitis, also known as idiopathic uveoencephalitis. The associated complications can potentially affect multiple systems throughout the body, including eyes, ears, skin and nervous system. Although the pathogenesis of VKH syndrome remains unclear, it has been established that the various genetic factors, epigenetic factors and the imbalance in immune regulation can significantly contribute to the development of this disease. In addition, the experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) has been commonly used to further explore the pathogenesis of the disease. Herein, in this review article, we discuss about the major research advances made in understanding of the different epigenetic factors and gut microbes involved in the pathogenesis of VKH syndrome as well as EAU. The information discussed can help to better understand the pathogenesis of VKH syndrome, and thereby might provide a basis for finding novel molecular targets and innovative treatment strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinxingzi Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Special Key Laboratory of Ocular Diseases of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Zhongzhi Liang
- Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Special Key Laboratory of Ocular Diseases of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Fangyu Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Special Key Laboratory of Ocular Diseases of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Xiaomin Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Special Key Laboratory of Ocular Diseases of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Wenwen Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Special Key Laboratory of Ocular Diseases of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Dan Tian
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Special Key Laboratory of Ocular Diseases of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China
| | - Hongsong Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Special Key Laboratory of Ocular Diseases of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Guizhou 563000, China.
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8
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Zhao J, Wei K, Chang C, Xu L, Jiang P, Guo S, Schrodi SJ, He D. DNA Methylation of T Lymphocytes as a Therapeutic Target: Implications for Rheumatoid Arthritis Etiology. Front Immunol 2022; 13:863703. [PMID: 35309322 PMCID: PMC8927780 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.863703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can cause joint damage and disability. Epigenetic variation, especially DNA methylation, has been shown to be involved in almost all the stages of the pathology of RA, from autoantibody production to various self-effector T cells and the defects of protective T cells that can lead to chronic inflammation and erosion of bones and joints. Given the critical role of T cells in the pathology of RA, the regulatory functions of DNA methylation in T cell biology remain unclear. In this review, we elaborate on the relationship between RA pathogenesis and DNA methylation in the context of different T cell populations. We summarize the relevant methylation events in T cell development, differentiation, and T cell-related genes in disease prediction and drug efficacy. Understanding the epigenetic regulation of T cells has the potential to profoundly translate preclinical results into clinical practice and provide a framework for the development of novel, individualized RA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Zhao
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Wei
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cen Chang
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingxia Xu
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Jiang
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shicheng Guo
- Computation and Informatics in Biology and Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Steven J Schrodi
- Computation and Informatics in Biology and Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Dongyi He
- Guanghua Clinical Medical College, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Rheumatology, Shanghai Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Arthritis Institute of Integrated Traditional and Western medicine, Shanghai Chinese Medicine Research Institute, Shanghai, China
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9
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Abstract
Significance: Epigenetic dysregulation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and development of autoimmune diseases. Oxidative stress is associated with autoimmunity and is also known to alter epigenetic mechanisms. Understanding the interplay between oxidative stress and epigenetics will provide insights into the role of environmental triggers in the development of autoimmunity in genetically susceptible individuals. Recent Advances: Abnormal DNA and histone methylation patterns in genes and pathways involved in interferon and tumor necrosis factor signaling, cellular survival, proliferation, metabolism, organ development, and autoantibody production have been described in autoimmunity. Inhibitors of DNA and histone methyltransferases showed potential therapeutic effects in animal models of autoimmune diseases. Oxidative stress can regulate epigenetic mechanisms via effects on DNA damage repair mechanisms, cellular metabolism and the local redox environment, and redox-sensitive transcription factors and pathways. Critical Issues: Studies looking into oxidative stress and epigenetics in autoimmunity are relatively limited. The number of available longitudinal studies to explore the role of DNA methylation in the development of autoimmune diseases is small. Future Directions: Exploring the relationship between oxidative stress and epigenetics in autoimmunity will provide clues for potential preventative measures and treatment strategies. Inception cohorts with longitudinal follow-up would help to evaluate epigenetic marks as potential biomarkers for disease development, progression, and treatment response in autoimmunity. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 36, 423-440.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Zheng
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amr H Sawalha
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Lupus Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Jadhav RR, Hu B, Ye Z, Sheth K, Li X, Greenleaf WJ, Weyand CM, Goronzy JJ. Reduced chromatin accessibility to CD4 T cell super-enhancers encompassing susceptibility loci of rheumatoid arthritis. EBioMedicine 2022; 76:103825. [PMID: 35085847 PMCID: PMC8790491 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103825] [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: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that manifests as a preclinical stage of systemic autoimmunity followed by chronic progressive synovitis. Disease-associated genetic SNP variants predominantly map to non-coding, regulatory regions of functional importance in CD4 T cells, implicating these cells as key regulators. A better understanding of the epigenome of CD4 T cells holds the promise of providing information on the interaction between genetic susceptibility and exogenous factors. Methods We mapped regions of chromatin accessibility using ATAC-seq in peripheral CD4 T cell subsets of patients with RA (n=18) and compared them to T cells from patients with psoriatic arthritis (n=11) and age-matched healthy controls (n=10). Transcripts of selected genes were quantified using qPCR. Findings RA-associated epigenetic signatures were identified that in part overlapped between central and effector memory CD4 T cells and that were to a lesser extent already present in naïve cells. Sites more accessible in RA were highly enriched for the motif of the transcription factor (TF) CTCF suggesting differences in the three-dimensional chromatin structure. Unexpectedly, sites with reduced chromatin accessibility were enriched for motifs of TFs pertinent for T cell function. Most strikingly, super-enhancers encompassing RA-associated SNPs were less accessible. Analysis of selected transcripts and published DNA methylation patterns were consistent with this finding. The preferential loss in accessibility at these super-enhancers was seen in patients with high and low disease activity and on a variety of immunosuppressive treatment modalities. Interpretation Disease-associated genes are epigenetically less poised to respond in CD4 T cells from patients with established RA. Funding This work was supported by I01 BX001669 from the Veterans Administration.
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Puncevičienė E, Gaiževska J, Sabaliauskaitė R, Šnipaitienė K, Vencevičienė L, Vitkus D, Jarmalaitė S, Butrimienė I. Analysis of Epigenetic Changes in Vitamin D Pathway Genes in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. Acta Med Litu 2022; 29:78-90. [PMID: 36061943 PMCID: PMC9428646 DOI: 10.15388/amed.2021.29.1.7] [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: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease with complex etiopathogenesis launched by multiple risk factors, including epigenetic alterations. RA is possibly linked to vitamin D that is epigenetically active and may alter DNA methylation of certain genes. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the relationship between DNA methylation status of vitamin D signaling pathway genes (VDR, CYP24A1, CYP2R1), vitamin D level and associations with RA.Materials and Methods: Totally 76 participants (35 RA patients and 41 healthy controls) were enrolled from a case-control vitamin D and VDR gene polymorphisms study regarding age and vitamin D concentration. CpG islands in promoter regions of the VDR, CYP24A1, CYP2R1 genes were chosen for DNA methylation analysis by means of pyrosequencing. Chemiluminescent microplate immunoassay was used to assess 25(OH)D serum levels. RA clinical data, i.e. the disease activity score C-reactive protein 28 (DAS28 – CRP) as well as patient-reported outcome questionnaires were recorded.Results: The study showed similar methylation pattern in the promoter regions of vitamin D pathway genes in RA and control group with p>0.05 (VDR gene 2.39% vs. 2.48%, CYP24A1 gene 16.02% vs. 15.17% and CYP2R1 2.53% vs. 2.41%). CYP24A1 methylation intensity was significantly higher in compare to methylation intensity of VDR and CYP2R1 genes in both groups (p<0.0001). A tendency of higher vitamin D concentration in cases having methylated VDR (57.57±28.93 vs. 47.40±29.88 nmol/l), CYP24A1 (53.23±26.22 vs. 48.23±34.41 nmol/l) and CYP2R1 (60.41±30.73 vs. 44.54±27.63 nmol/l) genes and a positive correlation between VDR, CYP2R1 methylation intensity and vitamin D level in RA affected participants was revealed (p>0.05). A significantly higher CYP24A1 methylation intensity (p=0.0104) was detected in blood cells of vitamin D deficient (<50 nmol/l) RA patients vs. vitamin D deficient controls.Conclusions: Our data suggests some indirect associations between DNA methylation status of vitamin D pathway genes and vitamin D level in RA.
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12
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Contribution of Dysregulated DNA Methylation to Autoimmunity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111892. [PMID: 34769338 PMCID: PMC8584328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs are known regulators of gene expression and genomic stability in cell growth, development, and differentiation. Because epigenetic mechanisms can regulate several immune system elements, epigenetic alterations have been found in several autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss the epigenetic modifications, mainly DNA methylation, involved in autoimmune diseases in which T cells play a significant role. For example, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus display differential gene methylation, mostly hypomethylated 5′-C-phosphate-G-3′ (CpG) sites that may associate with disease activity. However, a clear association between DNA methylation, gene expression, and disease pathogenesis must be demonstrated. A better understanding of the impact of epigenetic modifications on the onset of autoimmunity will contribute to the design of novel therapeutic approaches for these diseases.
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13
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Suhre K, Zaghlool S. Connecting the epigenome, metabolome and proteome for a deeper understanding of disease. J Intern Med 2021; 290:527-548. [PMID: 33904619 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) identify genes that are dysregulated by the studied clinical endpoints, thereby indicating potential new diagnostic biomarkers, drug targets and therapy options. Combining EWAS with deep molecular phenotyping, such as approaches enabled by metabolomics and proteomics, allows further probing of the underlying disease-associated pathways. For instance, methylation of the TXNIP gene is associated robustly with prevalent type 2 diabetes and further with metabolites that are short-term markers of glycaemic control. These associations reflect TXNIP's function as a glucose uptake regulator by interaction with the major glucose transporter GLUT1 and suggest that TXNIP methylation can be used as a read-out for the organism's exposure to glucose stress. Another case is the association between DNA methylation of the AHRR and F2RL3 genes with smoking and a protein that is involved in the reprogramming of the bronchial epithelium. These examples show that associations between DNA methylation and intermediate molecular traits can open new windows into how the body copes with physiological challenges. This knowledge, if carefully interpreted, may indicate novel therapy options and, together with monitoring of the methylation state of specific methylation sites, may in the future allow the early diagnosis of impending disease. It is essential for medical practitioners to recognize the potential that this field holds in translating basic research findings to clinical practice. In this review, we present recent advances in the field of EWAS with metabolomics and proteomics and discuss both the potential and the challenges of translating epigenetic associations, with deep molecular phenotypes, to biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Suhre
- From the, Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - S Zaghlool
- From the, Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
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14
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Yang M, Yi P, Jiang J, Zhao M, Wu H, Lu Q. Dysregulated translational factors and epigenetic regulations orchestrate in B cells contributing to autoimmune diseases. Int Rev Immunol 2021; 42:1-25. [PMID: 34445929 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2021.1964498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
B cells play a crucial role in antigen presentation, antibody production and pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion in adaptive immunity. Several translational factors including transcription factors and cytokines participate in the regulation of B cell development, with the cooperation of epigenetic regulations. Autoimmune diseases are generally characterized with autoreactive B cells and high-level pathogenic autoantibodies. The success of B cell depletion therapy in mouse model and clinical trials has proven the role of B cells in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The failure of B cell tolerance in immune checkpoints results in accumulated autoreactive naïve B (BN) cells with aberrant B cell receptor signaling and dysregulated B cell response, contributing to self-antibody-mediated autoimmune reaction. Dysregulation of translational factors and epigenetic alterations in B cells has been demonstrated to correlate with aberrant B cell compartment in autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, primary Sjögren's syndrome, multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus and pemphigus. This review is intended to summarize the interaction of translational factors and epigenetic regulations that are involved with development and differentiation of B cells, and the mechanism of dysregulation in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ping Yi
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiao Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haijing Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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15
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Barik RR, Bhatt LK. Emerging epigenetic targets in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 2021; 41:2047-2067. [PMID: 34309725 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-021-04951-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex disorder that is characterized by irreversible and progressive destructions of joints, but its exact etiology remains mainly unknown. The occurrence and the progression of the disease entirely depend on environmental and genetic factors. In recent years, various epigenetic changes involving DNA methylation, histone modification, miRNA, X-chromosome inactivation, bromodomain, sirtuin, and many others were identified that were found to be linked to the activation and the aggressive phenotype in rheumatoid arthritis. Epigenetics is found to be one of the root causes, which brings changes in the heritable phenotype and is not determined by changes in the DNA sequences and understanding these epigenetic mechanisms and the pathogenesis of the disease can help in understanding the disease and various other possible ways for its control and/or prevention. The various epigenetic modification occurring are reversible and can be modulated by drugs, diet, and environmental factors. This article focuses on various epigenetic factors involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Further, various epigenetic therapies that might be successful in inhibiting these epigenetic modifications are summarized. Several therapeutic agents alter the epigenetic modifications occurring in various diseases and many of the epigenetic therapies are under pre-clinical and clinical trial. However, exploring these epigenetic prognostic biomarkers would give a broader perspective and provide more ideas and knowledge regarding the process and pathways through which the diseases occur, and also combining various therapeutic agents would show more beneficial and synergistic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reema R Barik
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, 400056, India
| | - Lokesh Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, 400056, India.
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16
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Dai R, Wang Z, Ahmed SA. Epigenetic Contribution and Genomic Imprinting Dlk1-Dio3 miRNAs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:680. [PMID: 34062726 PMCID: PMC8147206 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease that afflicts multiple organs, especially kidneys and joints. In addition to genetic predisposition, it is now evident that DNA methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs), the two major epigenetic modifications, are critically involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. DNA methylation regulates promoter accessibility and gene expression at the transcriptional level by adding a methyl group to 5' cytosine within a CpG dinucleotide. Extensive evidence now supports the importance of DNA hypomethylation in SLE etiology. miRNAs are small, non-protein coding RNAs that play a critical role in the regulation of genome expression. Various studies have identified the signature lupus-related miRNAs and their functional contribution to lupus incidence and progression. In this review, the mutual interaction between DNA methylation and miRNAs regulation in SLE is discussed. Some lupus-associated miRNAs regulate DNA methylation status by targeting the DNA methylation enzymes or methylation pathway-related proteins. On the other hand, DNA hyper- and hypo-methylation are linked with dysregulated miRNAs expression in lupus. Further, we specifically discuss the genetic imprinting Dlk1-Dio3 miRNAs that are subjected to DNA methylation regulation and are dysregulated in several autoimmune diseases, including SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujuan Dai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
| | | | - S. Ansar Ahmed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
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17
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Nair N, Barton A, Wilson AG. Cell-specific epigenetic drivers of pathogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis. Epigenomics 2021; 13:549-560. [PMID: 33820439 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex, inflammatory autoimmune disease, which is characterized by pain, swelling and joint damage driven by the altered behavior of a number of different cell types such as synovial fibroblasts macrophages and lymphocytes. The mechanism underlying pathogenesis is unclear but increasing evidence points to altered epigenetic regulation within these cell types which promotes the activated destructive behavior that underlies disease pathogenesis. This review summarizes the key epigenetic modifications in the most important cells types in rheumatoid arthritis, which are associated with disease activity. We also discuss emerging avenues of research focusing on readers of epigenetic markers which may serve to be potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Nair
- Centre for Genetics & Genomics Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Anne Barton
- Centre for Genetics & Genomics Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal BRU, Central Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Anthony G Wilson
- University College Dublin School of Medicine & Medical Science, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
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18
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The pre-clinical phase of rheumatoid arthritis: From risk factors to prevention of arthritis. Autoimmun Rev 2021; 20:102797. [PMID: 33746022 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease considered as a multistep process spanning from the interaction of genetic (e.g., shared epitope or non-HLA loci), environmental and behavioral risk factors (e.g., smoking) leading to breaking immune tolerance and autoimmune processes such as the production of autoantibodies (e.g., antibodies against citrullinated proteins ACPA or rheumatoid factors, RF), development of the first symptoms without clinical arthritis, and, finally, the manifestation of arthritis. Despite the typical joint involvement in established RA, the pathogenesis of the disease likely begins far from joint structures: in the lungs or periodontium in association with citrullination, intestinal microbiome, or adipose tissue, which supports normal findings in synovial tissue in ACPA+ patients with arthralgia. The presence of ACPA is detectable even years before the first manifestation of RA. The pre-clinical phase of RA is the period preceding clinically apparent RA with ACPA contributing to the symptoms without subclinical inflammation. While the combination of ACPA and RF increases the risk of progression to RA by up to 10 times, increasing numbers of novel autoantibodies are to be investigated to contribute to the increased risk and pathogenesis of RA. With growing knowledge about the course of RA, new aspiration emerges to cure and even prevent RA, shifting the "window of opportunity" to the pre-clinical phases of RA. The clinical definition of individuals at risk of developing RA (clinically suspect arthralgia, CSA) makes it possible to unify these at-risk individuals' clinical characteristics for "preventive" treatment in ongoing clinical trials using mostly biological or conventional synthetic disease-modifying drugs. However, the combination of symptoms, laboratory, and imaging biomarkers may be the best approach to select the correct target at-risk population. The current review aims to explore different phases of RA and discuss the potential of (non)pharmacological intervention aiming to prevent RA.
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19
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Ai R, Boyle DL, Wang W, Firestein GS. Distinct DNA Methylation Patterns of Rheumatoid Arthritis Peripheral Blood and Synovial Tissue T Cells. ACR Open Rheumatol 2021; 3:127-132. [PMID: 33544432 PMCID: PMC7966880 DOI: 10.1002/acr2.11231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To study epigenetic patterns in T lymphocytes that accumulate in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium, we characterized DNA methylation of CD3+ T cells in peripheral blood and synovial tissue in patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Genomic DNA of CD3+ T cells was isolated from patients with RA (n = 8) and OA (n = 5) from blood or the synovium at the time of an arthroplasty using antibodies and magnetic beads. Methylation was measured by using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC Kit. Differentially methylated loci (DML) and differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were identified by using Welch’s t‐test. Principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, and pathway analysis were used to determine relationships among groups. Results When we compared DNA methylation of CD3+ T cells between peripheral blood and synovial tissue within each disease, 4615 and 164 DML were identified in RA and OA samples, respectively, resulting in 832 and 36 DMGs. A principal component analysis showed that methylation differences in T cells were greater on the basis of on location (blood vs synovium) rather than disease (RA vs OA). Differentially modified pathways were significantly enriched between RA blood and synovial T cells, especially in genes related to complement, integrin cell surface interactions, and the P53 pathway. The limited number of DMGs identified between OA blood and synovial T cells did not conform to biologic pathways. Conclusion The patterns of DNA methylation in RA show location‐specific differences related to immune pathways, whereas methylation differences in OA are limited. The RA joint‐specific signatures could be due to selective accumulation of T‐cell populations or expansion of differentially marked adaptive immune cells. Understanding epigenetic patterns could provide clues to the types of T cells that accumulate in the RA joint and identify potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizi Ai
- University of CaliforniaSan Diego
| | | | - Wei Wang
- University of CaliforniaSan Diego
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20
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Liu YF, Xing GL, Chen Z, Tu SH. Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR knockdown alleviates gouty arthritis through miR-20b upregulation and NLRP3 downregulation. Cell Cycle 2021; 20:332-344. [PMID: 33467979 PMCID: PMC7889175 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2021.1874696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the mechanism underlying the regulation of gout by the HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). The expression levels of HOTAIR, miR-20b, and Nlrp3 were estimated by qRT-PCR and western blotting. The methylation level of HOTAIR was detected by methylation-specific PCR. The recruitment of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) to the lncRNA HOTAIR promoter was confirmed by a ChIP assay. RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays were used to confirm the interaction between HOTAIR and miR-20b. LncRNA HOTAIR and Nlrp3 expression was upregulated, and that of miR-20b was downregulated in synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) collected from patients with gouty arthritis and monosodium urate (MSU)-stimulated THP-1 cells. Interleukin (IL)-1β level increased substantially upon stimulation by MSU crystals. The methylation percentage of HOTAIR was reduced in SFMCs from patients with gouty arthritis and MSU-stimulated THP-1 cells. DNMT1 expression was downregulated in MSU-stimulated THP-1 cells, and DNMT1 knockdown increased lncRNA HOTAIR expression. In addition, the interaction of HOTAIR with miR-20b was confirmed. HOTAIR knockdown suppressed Nlrp3 expression and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines via miR-20b regulation. Finally, in vivo experiments showed that HOTAIR knockdown alleviated ankle swelling in a mouse model of gouty arthritis. These findings suggest that lncRNA HOTAIR knockdown suppresses inflammatory cytokine secretion by upregulating miR-20b and downregulating NLRP3, thereby alleviating ankle swelling in gouty arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Fei Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo-Lan Xing
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Hao Tu
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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21
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Latin American Genes: The Great Forgotten in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10040196. [PMID: 33114702 PMCID: PMC7711650 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10040196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The successful implementation of personalized medicine will rely on the integration of information obtained at the level of populations with the specific biological, genetic, and clinical characteristics of an individual. However, because genome-wide association studies tend to focus on populations of European descent, there is a wide gap to bridge between Caucasian and non-Caucasian populations before personalized medicine can be fully implemented, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not an exception. In this review, we discuss advances in our understanding of genetic determinants of RA risk among global populations, with a focus on the Latin American population. Geographically restricted genetic diversity may have important implications for health and disease that will remain unknown until genetic association studies have been extended to include Latin American and other currently under-represented ancestries. The next few years will witness many breakthroughs in personalized medicine, including applications for common diseases and risk stratification instruments for targeted prevention/intervention strategies. Not all of these applications may be extrapolated from the Caucasian experience to Latin American or other under-represented populations.
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22
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Guo S, Xu L, Chang C, Zhang R, Jin Y, He D. Epigenetic Regulation Mediated by Methylation in the Pathogenesis and Precision Medicine of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Genet 2020; 11:811. [PMID: 32849810 PMCID: PMC7417338 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex disease triggered by the interaction between genetics and the environment, especially through the shared epitope (SE) and cell surface calreticulin (CSC) theory. However, the available evidence shows that genetic diversity and environmental exposure cannot explain all the clinical characteristics and heterogeneity of RA. In contrast, recent studies demonstrate that epigenetics play important roles in the pathogenesis of RA, especially DNA methylation and histone modification. DNA methylation and histone methylation are involved in innate and adaptive immune cell differentiation and migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and mesenchymal characteristics of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Epigenetic-mediated regulation of immune-related genes and inflammation pathways explains the dynamic expression network of RA. In this review, we summarize the comprehensive evidence to show that methylation of DNA and histones is significantly involved in the pathogenesis of RA and could be applied as a promising biomarker in the disease progression and drug-response prediction. We also explain the advantages and challenges of the current epigenetics research in RA. In summary, epigenetic modules provide a possible interface through which genetic and environmental risk factors connect to contribute to the susceptibility and pathogenesis of RA. Additionally, epigenetic regulators provide promising drug targets to develop novel therapeutic drugs for RA. Finally, DNA methylation and histone modifications could be important features for providing a better RA subtype identification to accelerate personalized treatment and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shicheng Guo
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.,Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, United States
| | - Lingxia Xu
- Department of Rheumatology, Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cen Chang
- Department of Rheumatology, Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Runrun Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yehua Jin
- Department of Rheumatology, Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongyi He
- Department of Rheumatology, Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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23
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Li X, Yang Y, Sun G, Dai W, Jie X, Du Y, Huang R, Zhang J. Promising targets and drugs in rheumatoid arthritis: a module-based and cumulatively scoring approach. Bone Joint Res 2020; 9:501-514. [PMID: 32922758 PMCID: PMC7468554 DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.98.bjr-2019-0301.r1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systematic autoimmune disorder, characterized by synovial inflammation, bone and cartilage destruction, and disease involvement in multiple organs. Although numerous drugs are employed in RA treatment, some respond little and suffer from severe side effects. This study aimed to screen the candidate therapeutic targets and promising drugs in a novel method. METHODS We developed a module-based and cumulatively scoring approach that is a deeper-layer application of weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA) and connectivity map (CMap) based on the high-throughput datasets. RESULTS Four noteworthy RA-related modules were identified, revealing the immune- and infection-related biological processes and pathways involved in RA. HLA-DMA, HLA-DMB, HLA-DPA1, HLA-DPB1, HLA-DQB1, HLA-DRA, HLA-DRB1, BLNK, BTK, CD3D, CD4, IL2RG, INPP5D, LCK, PTPRC, RAC2, SYK, and VAV1 were recognized as the key hub genes with high connectivity in gene regulation networks and gene pathway networks. Moreover, the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the RA-related modules, such as FAM30A and NEAT1, were identified as the indispensable interactors with the hub genes. Finally, candidate drugs were screened by developing a cumulatively scoring approach based on the selected modules. Niclosamide and the other compounds of T-type calcium channel blocker, IKK inhibitor, and PKC activator, HIF activator, and proteasome inhibitor, which harbour the similar gene signature with niclosamide, were promising drugs with high specificity and broad coverage for the RA-related modules. CONCLUSION This study provides not only the promising targets and drugs for RA but also a novel methodological insight into the target and drug screening.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(8):501-514.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyan Li
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yejing Yang
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Guili Sun
- Department of Nutriology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Wanwu Dai
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xuri Jie
- Department of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yongjun Du
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Runjie Huang
- Second Clinical College, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Choudhary N, Gupta R, Bhatt LK. Anti-rheumatic activity of Phenethyl isothiocyanate via inhibition of histone deacetylase-1. Chem Biol Interact 2020; 324:109095. [PMID: 32289289 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2020.109095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects approximately 1% of the total world population. Despite incessant research and development of new therapeutic agents, management of RA is still a troublesome affair. Histone Deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is an epigenetic regulator which play important role in pathogenesis of RA. In present study, we hypothesized that Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a potent inhibitor of HDAC1, may ameliorate RA. Efficacy of PEITC was evaluated in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis model in rats. CFA (0.1 ml) was injected subplantarly in the left hind paw on day 0 to all the groups except normal control. The administration of test drug PEITC (10, 24 & 50 mg/kg) and standard drug Ibuprofen started simultaneously and was continued for 21 days. Paw edema, total arthritic index, mobility score, stair climbing ability, behavioral parameters, and bone erosion were evaluated. Further, radiographic studies, TNF-alpha as well as HDAC1 levels in synovial tissue homogenate and histological analysis were performed. Prophylactic treatment of PEITC attenuated paw edema, total arthritic index, mobility score, stair climbing ability, behavioral parameters, and bone erosion in dose dependent manner. Furthermore, there was significant decrease in TNF-alpha as well as HDAC1 levels in synovial tissue homogenate. Histological analysis revealed no cartilage damage, bone erosion, hyperplasia at synovial lining as well as infiltration of inflammatory cells in treatment group. Results of this study suggest potent anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity of Phenethyl isothiocyanate in CFA induced RA model in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayan Choudhary
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai, India
| | - Riya Gupta
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai, India
| | - Lokesh Kumar Bhatt
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai, India.
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Guderud K, Sunde LH, Flåm ST, Mæhlen MT, Mjaavatten MD, Lillegraven S, Aga AB, Evenrød IM, Norli ES, Andreassen BK, Franzenburg S, Franke A, Haavardsholm EA, Rayner S, Gervin K, Lie BA. Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients, Both Newly Diagnosed and Methotrexate Treated, Show More DNA Methylation Differences in CD4 + Memory Than in CD4 + Naïve T Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:194. [PMID: 32117312 PMCID: PMC7033478 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Differences in DNA methylation have been reported in B and T lymphocyte populations, including CD4+ T cells, isolated from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients when compared to healthy controls. CD4+ T cells are a heterogeneous cell type with subpopulations displaying distinct DNA methylation patterns. In this study, we investigated DNA methylation using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing in two CD4+ T cell populations (CD4+ memory and naïve cells) in three groups: newly diagnosed, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) naïve RA patients (N = 11), methotrexate (MTX) treated RA patients (N = 18), and healthy controls (N = 9) matched for age, gender and smoking status. Results: Analyses of these data revealed significantly more differentially methylated positions (DMPs) in CD4+ memory than in CD4+ naïve T cells (904 vs. 19 DMPs) in RA patients compared to controls. The majority of DMPs (72%) identified in newly diagnosed and DMARD naïve RA patients with active disease showed increased DNA methylation (39 DMPs), whereas most DMPs (80%) identified in the MTX treated RA patients in remission displayed decreased DNA methylation (694 DMPs). Interestingly, we also found that about one third of the 101 known RA risk loci overlapped (±500 kb) with the DMPs. Notably, introns of the UBASH3A gene harbor both the lead RA risk SNP and two DMPs in CD4+ memory T cells. Conclusion: Our results suggest that RA associated DNA methylation differences vary between the two T cell subsets, but are also influenced by RA characteristics such as disease activity, disease duration and/or MTX treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Guderud
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K. G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line H Sunde
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K. G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Siri T Flåm
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K. G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marthe T Mæhlen
- Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Siri Lillegraven
- Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Ida M Evenrød
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ellen S Norli
- Department of Rheumatology, Martina Hansens Hospital, Bærum, Norway
| | - Bettina K Andreassen
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute for Population-Based Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sören Franzenburg
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andre Franke
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Simon Rayner
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristina Gervin
- Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,PharmaTox Strategic Research Initiative, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Benedicte A Lie
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,K. G. Jebsen Inflammation Research Centre, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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26
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Petralia MC, Mazzon E, Basile MS, Cutuli M, Di Marco R, Scandurra F, Saraceno A, Fagone P, Nicoletti F, Mangano K. Effects of Treatment with the Hypomethylating Agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine in Murine Type II Collagen-Induced Arthritis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:ph12040174. [PMID: 31783688 PMCID: PMC6958460 DOI: 10.3390/ph12040174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The emerging role of epigenetics in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases has recently attracted much interest on the possible use of epigenetic modulators for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. In particular, we and others have shown that drugs that inhibit DNA methylation, such as azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC), already used for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, exert powerful beneficial effects in rodent models of type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain Barrè syndrome. Along this line of research, we have presently studied the effects of DAC in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis induced by type II collagen and have demonstrated that DAC administration was associated with a significant amelioration of the clinical condition, along with in vivo and ex vivo modification of the immunological profile of the so-treated mice, that exhibited a diminished production of Th1 and Th17 pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduction of anti-type II collagen autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.C.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Maria Sofia Basile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
| | - Marco Cutuli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Roberto Di Marco
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Fabiola Scandurra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
| | - Andrea Saraceno
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
| | - Paolo Fagone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
| | - Ferdinando Nicoletti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-478-1270
| | - Katia Mangano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.B.); (F.S.); (A.S.); (P.F.); (K.M.)
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Lin M, Qin Y, Zhou X, Chen N, Liu N, Xiao X. Thermodynamics-Guided Strand-Displacement-Based DNA Probe for Determination of the Average Methylation Levels of Multiple CpG Sites. Anal Chem 2019; 92:792-798. [PMID: 31763817 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meng Lin
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P.R. China
| | - Yang Qin
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P.R. China
| | - Xing Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P.R. China
| | - Na Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P.R. China
| | - Na Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P.R. China
| | - Xianjin Xiao
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P.R. China
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28
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Tsai MH, Lin CH, Tsai KW, Lin MH, Ho CJ, Lu YT, Weng KP, Lin Y, Lin PH, Li SC. S100A6 Promotes B Lymphocyte Penetration Through the Blood-Brain Barrier in Autoimmune Encephalitis. Front Genet 2019; 10:1188. [PMID: 31850060 PMCID: PMC6901080 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a severe neurological disease. The brain of the AE patient is attacked by a dysregulated immune system, which is caused by the excessive production of autoantibodies against neuronal receptors and synaptic proteins. AE is also characterized by the uncontrolled B lymphocyte infiltration through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) layer, and the investigation of the underlying mechanism involved in this infiltration may facilitate the discovery of novel therapies for AE. However, few AE-related studies have focused on this issue. In this study, we aimed to identify the factors involved in B lymphocyte infiltration in AE. For this purpose, we first enrolled four healthy control and five AE subjects, collecting their serum and/or total white blood cell samples. The white blood cell samples were further used for collecting RNA and DNA. Then, we simulated the in vivo B lymphocyte infiltration with an in vitro leukocyte transendothelial migration model. It turned out that AE serum treatment significantly and specifically promoted B cells to penetrate the BBB endothelial layer without affecting neutrophils. Next, through genome-wide DNA methylation assays on bisulfite-conversion DNA samples, we identified S100A6 and S100A11 as potential hypo-methylated disease genes in the AE samples. Further qPCR assays demonstrated their upregulation in AE samples, reflecting the negative correlations between gene expression and DNA methylation. Finally, recombinant S100A6 protein treatment significantly increased B lymphocyte infiltration through the BBB endothelial layer, which partially recapitulated the effect of AE serum. In summary, by using an in vitro leukocyte transendothelial migration model, we confirmed that S100A6 promoted B lymphocyte to penetrate the BBB endothelial layer, which is similar to the in vivo clinical manifestations of AE. Therefore, further studies on how the S100A6 protein facilitates B lymphocyte infiltration and on whether other factors in serum also contribute to this phenomenon are likely to improve our understanding of AE and hopefully to reveal novel therapeutic targets for this emerging treatable neurological disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Han Tsai
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsiang Lin
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Wang Tsai
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hong Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Jui Ho
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Ting Lu
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ken-Pen Weng
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, Shu-Zen Junior College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yuyu Lin
- Genomics and Proteomics Core Laboratory, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsien Lin
- Genomics and Proteomics Core Laboratory, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Chou Li
- Genomics and Proteomics Core Laboratory, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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29
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Ibáñez-Cabellos JS, Seco-Cervera M, Osca-Verdegal R, Pallardó FV, García-Giménez JL. Epigenetic Regulation in the Pathogenesis of Sjögren Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Genet 2019; 10:1104. [PMID: 31798626 PMCID: PMC6863924 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune rheumatic diseases, such as Sjögren syndrome (SS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are characterized by chronic inflammation and autoimmunity, which cause joint tissue damage and destruction by triggering reduced mobility and debilitation in patients with these diseases. Initiation and maintenance of chronic inflammatory stages account for several mechanisms that involve immune cells as key players and the interaction of the immune cells with other tissues. Indeed, the overlapping of certain clinical and serologic manifestations between SS and RA may indicate that numerous immunologic-related mechanisms are involved in the physiopathology of both these diseases. It is widely accepted that epigenetic pathways play an essential role in the development and function of the immune system. Although many published studies have attempted to elucidate the relation between epigenetic modifications (e.g. DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, miRNAs) and autoimmune disorders, the contribution of epigenetic regulation to the pathogenesis of SS and RA is at present poorly understood. This review attempts to shed light from a critical point of view on the identification of the most relevant epigenetic mechanisms related to RA and SS by explaining intricate regulatory processes and phenotypic features of both autoimmune diseases. Moreover, we point out some epigenetic markers which can be used to monitor the inflammation status and the dysregulated immunity in SS and RA. Finally, we discuss the inconvenience of using epigenetic data obtained from bulk immune cell populations instead specific immune cell subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Santiago Ibáñez-Cabellos
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, Valencia, Spain.,INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Mixed Unit for rare diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Seco-Cervera
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, Valencia, Spain.,INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Mixed Unit for rare diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Osca-Verdegal
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Federico V Pallardó
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, Valencia, Spain.,INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Mixed Unit for rare diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Luis García-Giménez
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Institute of Health Carlos III, Valencia, Spain.,INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Mixed Unit for rare diseases INCLIVA-CIPF, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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30
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Ciechomska M, Roszkowski L, Maslinski W. DNA Methylation as a Future Therapeutic and Diagnostic Target in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cells 2019; 8:E953. [PMID: 31443448 PMCID: PMC6770174 DOI: 10.3390/cells8090953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disease of unknown etiology that leads to progressive joint destruction and ultimately to disability. RA affects as much as 1% of the population worldwide. To date, RA is not a curable disease, and the mechanisms responsible for RA development have not yet been well understood. The development of more effective treatments and improvements in the early diagnosis of RA is direly needed to increase patients' functional capacity and their quality of life. As opposed to genetic mutation, epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, are reversible, making them good therapeutic candidates, modulating the immune response or aggressive synovial fibroblasts (FLS-fibroblast-like synoviocytes) activity when it is necessary. It has been suggested that DNA methylation might contribute to RA development, however, with insufficient and conflicting results. Besides, recent studies have shown that circulating cell-free methylated DNA (ccfDNA) in blood offers a very convenient, non-invasive, and repeatable "liquid biopsy", thus providing a reliable template for assessing molecular markers of various diseases, including RA. Thus, epigenetic therapies controlling autoimmunity and systemic inflammation may find wider implications for the diagnosis and management of RA. In this review, we highlight current challenges associated with the treatment of RA and other autoimmune diseases and discuss how targeting DNA methylation may improve diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzena Ciechomska
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, 02-635 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Leszek Roszkowski
- Department of Rheumatology, National Institute of Geriatrics Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, 02-635 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wlodzimierz Maslinski
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, 02-635 Warsaw, Poland
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31
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Rheumatoid arthritis-relevant DNA methylation changes identified in ACPA-positive asymptomatic individuals using methylome capture sequencing. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:110. [PMID: 31366403 PMCID: PMC6668183 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0699-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To compare DNA methylation in subjects positive vs negative for anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), a key serological marker of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk. Methods With banked serum from a random subset (N = 3600) of a large general population cohort, we identified ACPA-positive samples and compared them to age- and sex-matched ACPA-negative controls. We used a custom-designed methylome panel to conduct targeted bisulfite sequencing of 5 million CpGs located in regulatory or hypomethylated regions of DNA from whole blood (red blood cell lysed). Using binomial regression models, we investigated the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between ACPA-positive vs ACPA-negative subjects. An independent set of T cells from RA patients was used to “validate” the differentially methylated sites. Results We measured DNA methylation in 137 subjects, of whom 63 were ACPA-positive, 66 were ACPA-negative, and 8 had self-reported RA. We identified 1303 DMRs of relevance, of which one third (402) had underlying genetic effects. These DMRs were enriched in intergenic CpG islands (CGI) and CGI shore regions. Furthermore, the genes associated with these DMRs were enriched in pathways related to Epstein-Barr virus infection and immune response. In addition, 80 (38%) of 208 RA-specific DMRs were replicated in T cells from RA samples. Conclusions Sequencing-based high-resolution methylome mapping revealed biologically relevant DNA methylation changes in asymptomatic individuals positive for ACPA that overlap with those seen in RA. Pathway analyses suggested roles for viral infections, which may represent the effect of environmental triggers upstream of disease onset. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-019-0699-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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32
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Ramos PS, Zimmerman KD, Haddad S, Langefeld CD, Medsger TA, Feghali-Bostwick CA. Integrative analysis of DNA methylation in discordant twins unveils distinct architectures of systemic sclerosis subsets. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:58. [PMID: 30947741 PMCID: PMC6449959 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0652-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune fibrosing disease with an incompletely understood genetic and non-genetic etiology. Defining its etiology is important to allow the development of effective predictive, preventative, and therapeutic strategies. We conducted this epigenomic study to investigate the contributions of DNA methylation to the etiology of SSc while minimizing confounding due to genetic heterogeneity. Methods Genomic methylation in whole blood from 27 twin pairs discordant for SSc was assayed over 450 K CpG sites. In silico integration with reported differentially methylated cytosines, differentially expressed genes, and regulatory annotation was conducted to validate and interpret the results. Results A total of 153 unique cytosines in limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and 266 distinct sites in diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) showed suggestive differential methylation levels in affected twins. Integration with available data revealed 76 CpGs that were also differentially methylated in blood cells from lupus patients, suggesting their role as potential epigenetic blood biomarkers of autoimmunity. It also revealed 27 genes with concomitant differential expression in blood from SSc patients, including IFI44L and RSAD2. Regulatory annotation revealed that dcSSc-associated CpGs (but not lcSSc) are enriched at Encyclopedia of DNA Elements-, Roadmap-, and BLUEPRINT-derived regulatory regions, supporting their potential role in disease presentation. Notably, the predominant enrichment of regulatory regions in monocytes and macrophages is consistent with the role of these cells in fibrosis, suggesting that the observed cellular dysregulation might be, at least partly, due to altered epigenetic mechanisms of these cells in dcSSc. Conclusions These data implicate epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of SSc and suggest functional mechanisms in SSc etiology. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-019-0652-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula S Ramos
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kip D Zimmerman
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Center for Public Health Genomics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | | | - Carl D Langefeld
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.,Center for Public Health Genomics, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Thomas A Medsger
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Carol A Feghali-Bostwick
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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33
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Herrera S, de Vega WC, Ashbrook D, Vernon SD, McGowan PO. Genome-epigenome interactions associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Epigenetics 2018; 13:1174-1190. [PMID: 30516085 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2018.1549769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disease of unknown etiology. Multiple studies point to disruptions in immune functioning in ME/CFS patients as well as specific genetic polymorphisms and alterations of the DNA methylome in lymphocytes. However, potential interactions between DNA methylation and genetic background in relation to ME/CFS have not been examined. In this study we explored this association by characterizing the epigenetic (~480 thousand CpG loci) and genetic (~4.3 million SNPs) variation between cohorts of ME/CFS patients and healthy controls. We found significant associations of DNA methylation states in T-lymphocytes at several CpG loci and regions with ME/CFS phenotype. These methylation anomalies are in close proximity to genes involved with immune function and cellular metabolism. Finally, we found significant correlations of genotypes with methylation modifications associated with ME/CFS. The findings from this study highlight the role of epigenetic and genetic interactions in complex diseases, and suggest several genetic and epigenetic elements potentially involved in the mechanisms of disease in ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Herrera
- a Centre for Environmental Epigenetics and Development , University of Toronto , Scarborough , Canada.,b Department of Biological Sciences , University of Toronto , Scarborough , Canada
| | - Wilfred C de Vega
- a Centre for Environmental Epigenetics and Development , University of Toronto , Scarborough , Canada.,b Department of Biological Sciences , University of Toronto , Scarborough , Canada.,c Department of Cell and Systems Biology , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada
| | - David Ashbrook
- a Centre for Environmental Epigenetics and Development , University of Toronto , Scarborough , Canada.,b Department of Biological Sciences , University of Toronto , Scarborough , Canada
| | | | - Patrick O McGowan
- a Centre for Environmental Epigenetics and Development , University of Toronto , Scarborough , Canada.,b Department of Biological Sciences , University of Toronto , Scarborough , Canada.,c Department of Cell and Systems Biology , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.,e Department of Psychology , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada.,f Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada
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34
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Gerussi A, Cristoferi L, Carbone M, Asselta R, Invernizzi P. The immunobiology of female predominance in primary biliary cholangitis. J Autoimmun 2018; 95:124-132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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35
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Webster AP, Plant D, Ecker S, Zufferey F, Bell JT, Feber A, Paul DS, Beck S, Barton A, Williams FMK, Worthington J. Increased DNA methylation variability in rheumatoid arthritis-discordant monozygotic twins. Genome Med 2018; 10:64. [PMID: 30176915 PMCID: PMC6122744 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-018-0575-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Epigenome-wide association studies can identify environmentally mediated epigenetic changes such as altered DNA methylation, which may also be influenced by genetic factors. To investigate possible contributions of DNA methylation to the aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis with minimum confounding genetic heterogeneity, we investigated genome-wide DNA methylation in disease-discordant monozygotic twin pairs. METHODS Genome-wide DNA methylation was assessed in 79 monozygotic twin pairs discordant for rheumatoid arthritis using the HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array (Illumina). Discordant twins were tested for both differential DNA methylation and methylation variability between rheumatoid arthritis and healthy twins. The methylation variability signature was then compared with methylation variants from studies of other autoimmune diseases and with an independent healthy population. RESULTS We have identified a differentially variable DNA methylation signature that suggests multiple stress response pathways may be involved in the aetiology of the disease. This methylation variability signature also highlighted potential epigenetic disruption of multiple RUNX3 transcription factor binding sites as being associated with disease development. Comparison with previously performed epigenome-wide association studies of rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes identified shared pathways for autoimmune disorders, suggesting that epigenetics plays a role in autoimmunity and offering the possibility of identifying new targets for intervention. CONCLUSIONS Through genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in disease-discordant monozygotic twins, we have identified a differentially variable DNA methylation signature, in the absence of differential methylation in rheumatoid arthritis. This finding supports the importance of epigenetic variability as an emerging component in autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy P Webster
- Arthritis Research UK Centre for Genetics and Genomics, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. .,Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Darren Plant
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester Academy of Health Sciences, Manchester University Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Simone Ecker
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Flore Zufferey
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jordana T Bell
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Feber
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.,Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dirk S Paul
- MRC/BHF Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephan Beck
- Department of Cancer Biology, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anne Barton
- Arthritis Research UK Centre for Genetics and Genomics, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester Academy of Health Sciences, Manchester University Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Frances M K Williams
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jane Worthington
- Arthritis Research UK Centre for Genetics and Genomics, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. .,NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester Academy of Health Sciences, Manchester University Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
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Ambatipudi S, Sharp GC, Clarke SLN, Plant D, Tobias JH, Evans DM, Barton A, Relton CL. Assessing the Role of DNA Methylation-Derived Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Immunol Res 2018; 2018:2624981. [PMID: 30186880 PMCID: PMC6112073 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2624981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease of chronic systemic inflammation (SI). In the present study, we used four datasets to explore whether methylation-derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (mdNLR) might be a marker of SI in new onset, untreated, and treated prevalent RA cases and/or a marker of treatment response to the tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) etanercept. mdNLR was associated with increased odds of being a new onset RA case (OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.95-2.80, P < 2 × 10-16) and performed better in distinguishing new onset RA cases from controls compared to covariates: age, gender, and smoking status. In untreated preclinical RA cases and controls, mdNLR at baseline was associated with diagnosis of RA in later life after adjusting for batch (OR = 4.30, 95% CI = 1.52-21.71, P = 0.029) although no association was observed before batch correction. When prevalent RA cases were treated, there was no association with mdNLR in samples before and after batch correction (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.05-1.82, P = 0.23), and mdNLR was not associated with treatment response to etanercept (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.75-1.68, P = 0.64). Our results indicate that SI measured by DNA methylation data is indicative of the recent onset of RA. Although preclinical RA was associated with mdNLR, there was no difference in the mean mdNLR between preclinical RA cases and controls. mdNLR was not associated with RA case status if treatment for RA has commenced, and it is not associated with treatment response. In the future, mdNLR estimates may be used as a valuable research tool to reliably estimate SI in the absence of freshly collected blood samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikant Ambatipudi
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Gemma C. Sharp
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sarah L. N. Clarke
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, UK
| | - Darren Plant
- NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Manchester Academy of Health Sciences, Central Manchester NHS Trust, and Arthritis Research UK Centre for Genetics and Genomics, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jonathan H. Tobias
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - David M. Evans
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anne Barton
- NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Manchester Academy of Health Sciences, Central Manchester NHS Trust, and Arthritis Research UK Centre for Genetics and Genomics, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Caroline L. Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Mok A, Rhead B, Holingue C, Shao X, Quach HL, Quach D, Sinclair E, Graf J, Imboden J, Link T, Harrison R, Chernitskiy V, Barcellos LF, Criswell LA. Hypomethylation of CYP2E1 and DUSP22 Promoters Associated With Disease Activity and Erosive Disease Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. Arthritis Rheumatol 2018; 70:528-536. [PMID: 29287311 PMCID: PMC5876118 DOI: 10.1002/art.40408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Objective Epigenetic modifications have previously been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we aimed to determine whether differential DNA methylation in peripheral blood cell subpopulations is associated with any of 4 clinical outcomes among RA patients. Methods Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 63 patients in the University of California, San Francisco RA cohort (all satisfied the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria; 57 were seropositive for rheumatoid factor and/or anti‐cyclic citrullinated protein). Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting was used to separate the cells into 4 immune cell subpopulations (CD14+ monocytes, CD19+ B cells, CD4+ naive T cells, and CD4+ memory T cells) per individual, and 229 epigenome‐wide DNA methylation profiles were generated using Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. Differentially methylated positions and regions associated with the Clinical Disease Activity Index score, erosive disease, RA Articular Damage score, Sharp score, medication at time of blood draw, smoking status, and disease duration were identified using robust regression models and empirical Bayes variance estimators. Results Differential methylation of CpG sites associated with clinical outcomes was observed in all 4 cell types. Hypomethylated regions in the CYP2E1 and DUSP22 gene promoters were associated with active and erosive disease, respectively. Pathway analyses suggested that the biologic mechanisms underlying each clinical outcome are cell type–specific. Evidence of independent effects on DNA methylation from smoking, medication use, and disease duration were also identified. Conclusion Methylation signatures specific to RA clinical outcomes may have utility as biomarkers or predictors of exposure, disease progression, and disease severity.
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Carini C, Hunter E, Ramadass AS, Green J, Akoulitchev A, McInnes IB, Goodyear CS. Chromosome conformation signatures define predictive markers of inadequate response to methotrexate in early rheumatoid arthritis. J Transl Med 2018; 16:18. [PMID: 29378619 PMCID: PMC5789697 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-018-1387-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a pressing need in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to identify patients who will not respond to first-line disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD). We explored whether differences in genomic architecture represented by a chromosome conformation signature (CCS) in blood taken from early RA patients before methotrexate (MTX) treatment could assist in identifying non-response to DMARD and, whether there is an association between such a signature and RA specific expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL). Methods We looked for the presence of a CCS in blood from early RA patients commencing MTX using chromosome conformation capture by EpiSwitch™. Using blood samples from MTX responders, non-responders and healthy controls, a custom designed biomarker discovery array was refined to a 5-marker CCS that could discriminate between responders and non-responders to MTX. We cross-validated the predictive power of the CCS by generating 150 randomized groups of 59 early RA patients (30 responders and 29 non-responders) before MTX treatment. The CCS was validated using a blinded, independent cohort of 19 early RA patients (9 responders and 10 non-responders). Last, the loci of the CCS markers were mapped to RA-specific eQTL. Results We identified a 5-marker CCS that could identify, at baseline, responders and non-responders to MTX. The CCS consisted of binary chromosome conformations in the genomic regions of IFNAR1, IL-21R, IL-23, CXCL13 and IL-17A. When tested on a cohort of 59 RA patients, the CCS provided a negative predictive value of 90.0% for MTX response. When tested on a blinded independent validation cohort of 19 early RA patients, the signature demonstrated a true negative response rate of 86 and a 90% sensitivity for detection of non-responders to MTX. Only conformations in responders mapped to RA-specific eQTL. Conclusions Here we demonstrate that detection of a CCS in blood in early RA is able to predict inadequate response to MTX with a high degree of accuracy. Our results provide a proof of principle that a priori stratification of response to MTX is possible, offering a mechanism to provide alternative treatments for non-responders to MTX earlier in the course of the disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12967-018-1387-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Carini
- Pfizer Inc., Cambridge, USA. .,Department of Asthma, Allergy & Lung Biology, GSTT Campus, King's College School of Medicine, London, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Iain B McInnes
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Carl S Goodyear
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Julià A, Absher D, López-Lasanta M, Palau N, Pluma A, Waite Jones L, Glossop JR, Farrell WE, Myers RM, Marsal S. Epigenome-wide association study of rheumatoid arthritis identifies differentially methylated loci in B cells. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:2803-2811. [PMID: 28475762 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of immune cell types could be critical for the development and maintenance of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). B cells are highly relevant in RA, since patients express autoantibodies and depleting this cell type is a successful therapeutic approach. Epigenetic variation, such as DNA methylation, may mediate the pathogenic activity of B cells. In this study, we performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) for RA with three different replication cohorts, to identify disease-specific alterations in DNA methylation in B cells. CpG methylation in isolated B lymphocytes was assayed on the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip in a discovery cohort of RA patients (N = 50) and controls (N = 75). Differential methylation was observed in 64 CpG sites (q < 0.05). Six biological pathways were also differentially methylated in RA B cells. Analysis in an independent cohort of patients (N = 15) and controls (N = 15) validated the association of 10 CpG sites located on 8 genes CD1C, TNFSF10, PARVG, NID1, DHRS12, ITPK1, ACSF3 and TNFRSF13C, and 2 intergenic regions. Differential methylation at the CBL signaling pathway was replicated. Using an additional case-control cohort (N = 24), the association between RA risk and CpGs cg18972751 at CD1C (P = 2.26 × 10-9) and cg03055671 at TNFSF10 (P = 1.67 × 10-8) genes was further validated. Differential methylation at genes CD1C, TNFSF10, PARVG, NID1, DHRS12, ITPK1, ACSF3, TNFRSF13C and intergenic region chr10p12.31 was replicated in a cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (N = 47) and controls (N = 56). Our results highlight genes that may drive the pathogenic activity of B cells in RA and suggest shared methylation patterns with SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Julià
- Rheumatology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Devin Absher
- Absher Lab, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama 35806, USA
| | - María López-Lasanta
- Rheumatology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Nuria Palau
- Rheumatology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Andrea Pluma
- Rheumatology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Lindsay Waite Jones
- Absher Lab, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama 35806, USA
| | - John R Glossop
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Keele ST4?7QB, UK
| | - William E Farrell
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Keele ST4?7QB, UK
| | - Richard M Myers
- Myers Lab, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama 35806, USA
| | - Sara Marsal
- Rheumatology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona 08035, Spain
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40
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Guo Q, Wu D, Fan C, Peng S, Guan H, Shan Z, Teng W. Iodine excess did not affect the global DNA methylation status and DNA methyltransferase expression in T and B lymphocytes from NOD.H-2 h4 and Kunming mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2017; 55:151-157. [PMID: 29253821 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2017.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated DNA methylation in lymphocytes has been linked to various autoimmune disorders. Excessive iodine intake leads to lymphocyte dysfunction and contributes to autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) flares in humans and animals. However, whether excessive iodine modifies the DNA methylation status in lymphocytes is unknown. Twenty NOD.H-2h4 mice and 20 Kunming mice were randomly divided into high iodine and control groups. We scored lymphatic infiltration in the thyroid by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and assayed serum thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) levels by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CD3+ T cells and CD19+ B cells were separated by flow cytometry. Global DNA methylation levels were examined by absorptiometry. Methylation of long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) repeats was detected with bisulfite sequencing PCR. Expression of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b mRNA and protein were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. We observed evident thyroiditis in the high‑iodine-treated NOD.H-2h4 mice, while mice in the other three groups did not develop thyroiditis. No differences were found in the global methylation levels and methylation status of LINE-1 repeats in T and B lymphocytes from high‑iodine-treated NOD.H-2h4 mice and Kunming mice compared with those from normal‑iodine-supplemented controls. We did not find obvious changes in DNMT mRNA and protein expression levels in T and B lymphocytes among the studied groups. In conclusion, we showed for the first time that excess iodine did not affect the global methylation status or DNMT expression in T and B lymphocytes in NOD.H-2h4 and Kunming mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingling Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenyang Medical College (Shenyang 242 Hospital), Shenyang, China
| | - Chenling Fan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shiqiao Peng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haixia Guan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Zhongyan Shan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Weiping Teng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Institute of Endocrinology, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Endocrine Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Fang G, Zhang QH, Tang Q, Jiang Z, Xing S, Li J, Pang Y. Comprehensive analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation datasets identify valuable biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis progression. Oncotarget 2017; 9:2977-2983. [PMID: 29423022 PMCID: PMC5790439 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a common systemic autoimmune disease which lays chronic and persistent pain on patients. The purpose of our study is to identify novel RA-related genes and biological processes/pathways. All the datasets of this study, including gene expression and DNA methylation datasets of RA and OA samples, were obtained from the free available database, i.e. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). We firstly identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between RA and OA samples through the limma package of R programming software followed by the functional enrichment analysis in the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) for the exploring of potential involved biological processes/pathways of DEGs. For DNA methylation datasets, we used the IMA package for their normalization and identification of differential methylation genes (DMGs) in RA compared with OA samples. Comprehensive analysis of DEGs and DMGs was also conducted for the identification of valuable RA-related biomarkers. As a result, we obtained 394 DEGs and 363 DMGs in RA samples with the thresholds of |log2fold change|> 1 and p-value < 0.05, and |delta beta|> 0.2 and p-value < 0.05 respectively. Functional analysis of DEGs obtained immune and inflammation associated biological processes/pathways. Besides, several valuable biomarkers of RA, including BCL11B, CCDC88C, FCRLA and APOL6, were identified through the integrated analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation datasets. Our study should be helpful for the development of novel drugs and therapeutic methods for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Fang
- Laboratory of Zhuang Medicine Prescriptions Basis and Application Research, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Qing Huai Zhang
- Laboratory of Zhuang Medicine Prescriptions Basis and Application Research, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Qianqian Tang
- Department of Rheumatism, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Zuling Jiang
- Department of Zhuang Medicine, The First Affiliated of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Shasha Xing
- Department of Rheumatism, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Jianying Li
- Laboratory of Zhuang Medicine Prescriptions Basis and Application Research, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Yuzhou Pang
- Laboratory of Zhuang Medicine Prescriptions Basis and Application Research, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
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Chavez-Valencia RA, Chiaroni-Clarke RC, Martino DJ, Munro JE, Allen RC, Akikusa JD, Ponsonby AL, Craig JM, Saffery R, Ellis JA. The DNA methylation landscape of CD4 + T cells in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. J Autoimmun 2017; 86:29-38. [PMID: 28969936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is presumed to be driven by an adverse combination of genes and environment. Epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation, act as a conduit through which the environment can regulate gene activity. Altered DNA methylation has been associated with adult autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, but studies are lacking for paediatric autoimmune rheumatic diseases including JIA. Here, we performed a genome-scale case-control analysis of CD4+ T cell DNA methylation from 56 oligoarticular JIA (oJIA) cases and 57 age and sex matched controls using Illumina HumanMethylation450 arrays. DNA methylation at each array probe was tested for association with oJIA using RUV (Remove Unwanted Variation) together with a moderated t-test. Further to this 'all-inclusive' analysis, we stratified by age at diagnosis (≤6yrs, >6yrs) and by sex as potential sources of heterogeneity. Following False Discovery Rate (FDR) adjustment, no probes were associated with oJIA in the all-inclusive, >6yrs-diagnosed, or sex-stratified analyses, and only one probe was associated with oJIA in the ≤6yrs-diagnosed analysis. We attempted technical validation and replication of 14 probes (punadj<0.01) at genes of known/potential relevance to disease. At VPS53, we demonstrated a regional shift towards higher methylation in oJIA (all-inclusive) compared to controls. At REEP3, where polymorphism has been previously associated with JIA, we demonstrated higher DNA methylation in male oJIA compared to male controls. This is the most comprehensive JIA case-control analysis of DNA methylation to date. While we have generated some evidence of altered methylation in oJIA, substantial differences are not apparent in CD4+ T cells. This may indicate a lesser relevance of DNA methylation levels in childhood, compared to adult, rheumatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul A Chavez-Valencia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia
| | - Rachel C Chiaroni-Clarke
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia
| | - David J Martino
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia; In-FLAME, the International Inflammation Network, World Universities Network (WUN), Australia
| | - Jane E Munro
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia; Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia
| | - Roger C Allen
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia; Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia
| | - Jonathan D Akikusa
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia; Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia
| | - Anne-Louise Ponsonby
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia
| | - Jeffrey M Craig
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia
| | - Justine A Ellis
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia; Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Australia.
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43
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Bhat J, Helmuth J, Chitadze G, Kouakanou L, Peters C, Vingron M, Ammerpohl O, Kabelitz D. Stochastics of Cellular Differentiation Explained by Epigenetics: The Case of T-Cell Differentiation and Functional Plasticity. Scand J Immunol 2017; 86:184-195. [PMID: 28799233 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic marks including histone modifications and DNA methylation are associated with the regulation of gene expression and activity. In addition, an increasing number of non-coding RNAs with regulatory activity on gene expression have been identified. Alongside, technological advancements allow for the analysis of these mechanisms with high resolution up to the single-cell level. For instance, the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) simultaneously probes for chromatin accessibility and nucleosome positioning. Thus, it provides information on two levels of epigenetic regulation. Development and differentiation of T cells into functional subset cells including memory T cells are dynamic processes driven by environmental signals. Here, we briefly review the current knowledge of how epigenetic regulation contributes to subset specification, differentiation and memory development in T cells. Specifically, we focus on epigenetic mechanisms differentially active in the two distinct T cell populations expressing αβ or γδ T cell receptors. We also discuss examples of epigenetic alterations of T cells in autoimmune diseases. DNA methylation and histone acetylation are subject to modification by several classes of 'epigenetic modifiers', some of which are in clinical use or in preclinical development. Therefore, we address the impact of some epigenetic modifiers on T-cell activation and differentiation, and discuss possible synergies with T cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bhat
- Institute of Immunology, University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - J Helmuth
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratories: Epigenomics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - G Chitadze
- Institute of Immunology, University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - L Kouakanou
- Institute of Immunology, University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - C Peters
- Institute of Immunology, University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - M Vingron
- Department of Computational Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - O Ammerpohl
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - D Kabelitz
- Institute of Immunology, University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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44
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Nair N, Wilson AG, Barton A. DNA methylation as a marker of response in rheumatoid arthritis. Pharmacogenomics 2017; 18:1323-1332. [PMID: 28836487 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2016-0195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex disease affecting approximately 0.5-1% of the population. While there are effective biologic therapies, in up to 40% of patients, disease activity remains inadequately controlled. Therefore, identifying factors that predict, prior to the initiation of therapy, which patients are likely to respond best to which treatment is a research priority and DNA methylation is increasingly being explored as a potential theranostic biomarker. DNA methylation is thought to play a role in RA disease pathogenesis and in mediating the relationship between genetic variants and patient outcomes. The role of DNA methylation has been most extensively explored in cancer medicine, where it has been shown to be predictive of treatment response. Studies in RA, however, are in their infancy and, while showing promise, further investigation in well-powered studies is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Nair
- Arthritis Research UK Centre for Genetics & Genomics, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Anthony G Wilson
- University College Dublin School of Medicine & Medical Science & Conway Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anne Barton
- Arthritis Research UK Centre for Genetics & Genomics, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal BRU, Central Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
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Hao J, Liu Y, Xu J, Wang W, Wen Y, He A, Fan Q, Guo X, Zhang F. Genome-wide DNA methylation profile analysis identifies differentially methylated loci associated with ankylosis spondylitis. Arthritis Res Ther 2017; 19:177. [PMID: 28743287 PMCID: PMC5526246 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-017-1382-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic rheumatic and autoimmune disease. Little is known about the potential role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of AS. This study was undertaken to explore the potential role of DNA methylation in the genetic mechanism of AS. Methods In this study, we compared the genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between five AS patients and five healthy subjects, using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate the relevance of the identified differentially methylated genes for AS, using another independent sample of five AS patients and five healthy subjects. Results Compared with healthy controls, we detected 1915 differentially methylated CpG sites mapped to 1214 genes. The HLA-DQB1 gene achieved the most significant signal (cg14323910, adjusted P = 1.84 × 10–6, β difference = 0.5634) for AS. Additionally, the CpG site cg04777551 of HLA-DQB1 presented a suggestive association with AS (adjusted P = 1.46 × 10–3, β difference = 0.3594). qRT-PCR observed that the mRNA expression level of HLA-DQB1 in AS PBMCs was significantly lower than that in healthy control PBMCs (ratio = 0.48 ± 0.10, P < 0.001). Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of differentially methylated genes identified four GO terms and 10 pathways for AS, functionally related to antigen dynamics and function. Conclusions Our results demonstrated the altered DNA methylation profile of AS and implicated HLA-DQB1 in the development of AS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1382-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangcan Hao
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemc Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Liu
- Xi'an No.5 Hospital, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiawen Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemc Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wen
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemc Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Awen He
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemc Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianrui Fan
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemc Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemc Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemc Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
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Genomics and epigenomics in rheumatic diseases: what do they provide in terms of diagnosis and disease management? Clin Rheumatol 2017; 36:1935-1947. [PMID: 28725948 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-017-3744-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Most rheumatic diseases are complex or multifactorial entities with pathogeneses that interact with both multiple genetic factors and a high number of diverse environmental factors. Knowledge of the human genome sequence and its diversity among populations has provided a crucial step forward in our understanding of genetic diseases, identifying many genetic loci or genes associated with diverse phenotypes. In general, susceptibility to autoimmunity is associated with multiple risk factors, but the mechanism of the environmental component influence is poorly understood. Studies in twins have demonstrated that genetics do not explain the totality of the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases. One method of modulating gene expression through environmental effects is via epigenetic modifications. These techniques open a new field for identifying useful new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this context, the development of "-omics" techniques is an opportunity to progress in our knowledge of complex diseases, impacting the discovery of new potential biomarkers suitable for their introduction into clinical practice. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in the fields of genomics and epigenomics in rheumatic diseases and their potential to be useful for the diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment of these diseases. The ultimate aim of genomic studies in any human disease is to understand its pathogenesis, thereby enabling the prediction of the evolution of the disease to establish new treatments and address the development of personalized therapies.
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Ospelt C, Gay S, Klein K. Epigenetics in the pathogenesis of RA. Semin Immunopathol 2017; 39:409-419. [DOI: 10.1007/s00281-017-0621-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Glossop JR, Nixon NB, Emes RD, Sim J, Packham JC, Mattey DL, Farrell WE, Fryer AA. DNA methylation at diagnosis is associated with response to disease-modifying drugs in early rheumatoid arthritis. Epigenomics 2016; 9:419-428. [PMID: 27885849 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM A proof-of-concept study to explore whether DNA methylation at first diagnosis is associated with response to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PATIENTS & METHODS DNA methylation was quantified in T-lymphocytes from 46 treatment-naive patients using HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. Treatment response was determined in 6 months using the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria. RESULTS Initial filtering identified 21 cytosine-phosphate-guanines (CpGs) that were differentially methylated between responders and nonresponders. After conservative adjustment for multiple testing, six sites remained statistically significant, of which four showed high sensitivity and/or specificity (≥75%) for response to treatment. Moreover, methylation at two sites in combination was the strongest factor associated with response (80.0% sensitivity, 90.9% specificity, AUC 0.85). CONCLUSION DNA methylation at diagnosis is associated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatment response in early RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Glossop
- Guy Hilton Research Centre, Institute for Applied Clinical Sciences, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7QB, UK.,Haywood Rheumatology Centre, Haywood Hospital, High Lane, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 7AG, UK
| | - Nicola B Nixon
- Haywood Rheumatology Centre, Haywood Hospital, High Lane, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 7AG, UK
| | - Richard D Emes
- School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.,Advanced Data Analysis Centre, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Julius Sim
- School of Health & Rehabilitation, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Jon C Packham
- Guy Hilton Research Centre, Institute for Applied Clinical Sciences, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7QB, UK.,Haywood Rheumatology Centre, Haywood Hospital, High Lane, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 7AG, UK
| | - Derek L Mattey
- Guy Hilton Research Centre, Institute for Applied Clinical Sciences, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7QB, UK.,Haywood Rheumatology Centre, Haywood Hospital, High Lane, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 7AG, UK
| | - William E Farrell
- Guy Hilton Research Centre, Institute for Applied Clinical Sciences, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Anthony A Fryer
- Guy Hilton Research Centre, Institute for Applied Clinical Sciences, Keele University, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7QB, UK
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Boer K, de Wit LEA, Peters FS, Hesselink DA, Hofland LJ, Betjes MGH, Looman CWN, Baan CC. Variations in DNA methylation of interferon gamma and programmed death 1 in allograft rejection after kidney transplantation. Clin Epigenetics 2016; 8:116. [PMID: 27891189 PMCID: PMC5112717 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-016-0288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The role of DNA methylation in the regulation of the anti-donor-directed immune response after organ transplantation is unknown. Here, we studied the methylation of two mediators of the immune response: the pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon γ (IFNγ) and the inhibitory receptor programmed death 1 (PD1) in naïve and memory CD8+ T cell subsets in kidney transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive medication. Both recipients experiencing an episode of acute allograft rejection (rejectors) as well as recipients without rejection (non-rejectors) were included. Results CpGs in the promoter regions of both IFNγ and PD1 were significantly (p < 0.001) higher methylated in the naïve CD8+ T cells compared to the memory T cell subsets. The methylation status of both IFNγ and PD1 inversely correlated with the percentage of IFNγ or PD1-producing cells. Before transplantation, the methylation status of both IFNγ and PD1 was not significantly different from healthy donors. At 3 months after transplantation, irrespective of rejection and subsequent anti-rejection therapy, the IFNy methylation was significantly higher in the differentiated effector memory CD45RA+ (EMRA) CD8+ T cells (p = 0.01) whereas the PD1 methylation was significantly higher in all memory CD8+ T cell subsets (CD27+ memory; p = 0.02: CD27− memory; p = 0.02: EMRA; p = 0.002). Comparing the increase in methylation in the first 3 months after transplantation between rejectors and non-rejectors demonstrated a significantly more prominent increase in the PD1 methylation in the CD27− memory CD8+ T cells in rejectors (increase in rejectors 14%, increase in non-rejectors 1.9%, p = 0.04). The increase in DNA methylation in the other memory CD8+ T cells was not significantly different between rejectors and non-rejectors. At 12 months after transplantation, the methylation of both IFNγ and PD1 returned to baseline levels. Conclusions The DNA methylation of both IFNγ and PD1 increases the first 3 months after transplantation in memory CD8+ T cells in kidney transplant recipients. This increase was irrespective of a rejection episode indicating that general factors of the kidney transplantation procedure, including the use of immunosuppressive medication, contribute to these variations in DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Boer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room Na520, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L Elly A de Wit
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room Na520, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Fleur S Peters
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room Na520, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis A Hesselink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room Na520, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leo J Hofland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Endocrinology, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel G H Betjes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room Na520, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Caspar W N Looman
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carla C Baan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Room Na520, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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50
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Epipolymorphisms associated with the clinical outcome of autoimmune arthritis affect CD4+ T cell activation pathways. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:13845-13850. [PMID: 27849614 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1524056113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Multifactorial diseases, including autoimmune juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), result from a complex interplay between genetics and environment. Epigenetic mechanisms are believed to integrate such gene-environment interactions, fine-tuning gene expression, and possibly contributing to immune system dysregulation. Although anti-TNF therapy has strongly increased JIA remission rates, it is not curative and up to 80% of patients flare upon treatment withdrawal. Thus, a crucial unmet medical and scientific need is to understand the immunological mechanisms associated with remission or flare to inform clinical decisions. Here, we explored the CD4+ T-cell DNA methylome of 68 poly-articular and extended oligo-articular JIA patients, before and after anti-TNF therapy withdrawal, to identify features associated with maintenance of inactive disease. Individual CpG sites were clustered in coherent modules without a priori knowledge of their function through network analysis. The methylation level of several CpG modules, specifically those enriched in CpG sites belonging to genes that mediate T-cell activation, uniquely correlated with clinical activity. Differences in DNA methylation were already detectable at the time of therapy discontinuation, suggesting epigenetic predisposition. RNA profiling also detected differences in T-cell activation markers (including HLA-DR) but, overall, its sensitivity was lower than epigenetic profiling. Changes to the T-cell activation signature at the protein level were detectable by flow cytometry, confirming the biological relevance of the observed alterations in methylation. Our work proposes epigenetic discrimination between clinical activity states, and reveals T-cell-related biological functions tied to, and possibly predicting or causing, clinical outcome.
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