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Carvalheiro T, Marut W, Pascoal Ramos MI, García S, Fleury D, Affandi AJ, Meijers AS, Giovannone B, Tieland RG, Elshof E, Ottria A, Cossu M, Meizlish ML, Veenendaal T, Ramanujam M, Moreno-García ME, Klumperman J, Liv N, Radstake TRDJ, Meyaard L. Impaired LAIR-1-mediated immune control due to collagen degradation in fibrosis. J Autoimmun 2024; 146:103219. [PMID: 38696927 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Tissue repair is disturbed in fibrotic diseases like systemic sclerosis (SSc), where the deposition of large amounts of extracellular matrix components such as collagen interferes with organ function. LAIR-1 is an inhibitory collagen receptor highly expressed on tissue immune cells. We questioned whether in SSc, impaired LAIR-1-collagen interaction is contributing to the ongoing inflammation and fibrosis. We found that SSc patients do not have an intrinsic defect in LAIR-1 expression or function. Instead, fibroblasts from healthy controls and SSc patients stimulated by soluble factors that drive inflammation and fibrosis in SSc deposit disorganized collagen products in vitro, which are dysfunctional LAIR-1 ligands. This is dependent of matrix metalloproteinases and platelet-derived growth factor receptor signaling. In support of a non-redundant role of LAIR-1 in the control of fibrosis, we found that LAIR-1-deficient mice have increased skin fibrosis in response to repeated injury and in the bleomycin mouse model for SSc. Thus, LAIR-1 represents an essential control mechanism for tissue repair. In fibrotic disease, excessive collagen degradation may lead to a disturbed feedback loop. The presence of functional LAIR-1 in patients provides a therapeutic opportunity to reactivate this intrinsic negative feedback mechanism in fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Carvalheiro
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wioleta Marut
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - M Inês Pascoal Ramos
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Samuel García
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Rheumatology & Immuno-mediated Diseases Research Group (IRIDIS), Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), SERGAS-UVIGO, Vigo, Spain
| | - Devan Fleury
- Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ridgefield, USA
| | - Alsya J Affandi
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Aniek S Meijers
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Barbara Giovannone
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ralph G Tieland
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Eline Elshof
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea Ottria
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marta Cossu
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Matthew L Meizlish
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Tineke Veenendaal
- Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Meera Ramanujam
- Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ridgefield, USA
| | | | - Judith Klumperman
- Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nalan Liv
- Cell Biology, Centre for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Timothy R D J Radstake
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Linde Meyaard
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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2
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Servaas NH, Hiddingh S, Chouri E, Wichers CGK, Affandi AJ, Ottria A, Bekker CPJ, Cossu M, Silva-Cardoso SC, van der Kroef M, Hinrichs AC, Carvalheiro T, Vazirpanah N, Beretta L, Rossato M, Bonte-Mineur F, Radstake TRDJ, Kuiper JJW, Boes M, Pandit A. Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4A Signaling as a Key Disease Pathway of CD1c+ Dendritic Cell Dysregulation in Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2023; 75:279-292. [PMID: 36482877 PMCID: PMC10108054 DOI: 10.1002/art.42319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to identify key disease pathways driving conventional dendritic cell (cDC) alterations in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS Transcriptomic profiling was performed on peripheral blood CD1c+ cDCs (cDC2s) isolated from 12 healthy donors and 48 patients with SSc, including all major disease subtypes. We performed differential expression analysis for the different SSc subtypes and healthy donors to uncover genes dysregulated in SSc. To identify biologically relevant pathways, we built a gene coexpression network using weighted gene correlation network analysis. We validated the role of key transcriptional regulators using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing and in vitro functional assays. RESULTS We identified 17 modules of coexpressed genes in cDCs that correlated with SSc subtypes and key clinical traits, including autoantibodies, skin score, and occurrence of interstitial lung disease. A module of immunoregulatory genes was markedly down-regulated in patients with the diffuse SSc subtype characterized by severe fibrosis. Transcriptional regulatory network analysis performed on this module predicted nuclear receptor 4A (NR4A) subfamily genes (NR4A1, NR4A2, NR4A3) as the key transcriptional regulators of inflammation. Indeed, ChIP-sequencing analysis indicated that these NR4A members target numerous differentially expressed genes in SSc cDC2s. Inclusion of NR4A receptor agonists in culture-based experiments provided functional proof that dysregulation of NR4As affects cytokine production by cDC2s and modulates downstream T cell activation. CONCLUSION NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 are important regulators of immunosuppressive and fibrosis-associated pathways in SSc cDCs. Thus, the NR4A family represents novel potential targets to restore cDC homeostasis in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nila H Servaas
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Hiddingh
- Center for Translational Immunology and Ophthalmo-Immunology Unit, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eleni Chouri
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina G K Wichers
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alsya J Affandi
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Ottria
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis P J Bekker
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Cossu
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra C Silva-Cardoso
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten van der Kroef
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anneline C Hinrichs
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tiago Carvalheiro
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nadia Vazirpanah
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Beretta
- Scleroderma Unit, Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marzia Rossato
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Femke Bonte-Mineur
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy R D J Radstake
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jonas J W Kuiper
- Center for Translational Immunology and Ophthalmo-Immunology Unit, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne Boes
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Aridaman Pandit
- Center for Translational Immunology and Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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3
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Ottria A, Zimmermann M, Paardekooper LM, Carvalheiro T, Vazirpanah N, Silva-Cardoso S, Affandi AJ, Chouri E, V D Kroef M, Tieland RG, Bekker CPJ, Wichers CGK, Rossato M, Mocholi-Gimeno E, Tekstra J, Ton E, van Laar JM, Cossu M, Beretta L, Garcia Perez S, Pandit A, Bonte-Mineur F, Reedquist KA, van den Bogaart G, Radstake TRDJ, Marut W. Hypoxia and TLR9 activation drive CXCL4 production in systemic sclerosis plasmacytoid dendritic cells via mtROS and HIF-2α. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:2682-2693. [PMID: 34559222 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disease characterized by vascular abnormalities and inflammation culminating in hypoxia and excessive fibrosis. Previously, we identified CXCL4 as a novel predictive biomarker in SSc. Although CXCL4 is well-studied, the mechanisms driving its production are unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms leading to CXCL4 production. METHODS Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) from 97 healthy controls and 70 SSc patients were cultured in the presence of hypoxia or atmospheric oxygen level and/or stimulated with several TLR-agonists. Further, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, CXCL4, HIF-1α and HIF-2α gene and protein expression were assessed using ELISA, Luminex, qPCR, FACS and western blot assays. RESULTS CXCL4 release was potentiated only when pDCs were simultaneously exposed to hypoxia and TLR9 agonist (p < 0.0001). Here, we demonstrated that CXCL4 production is dependent on the overproduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) (p = 0.0079) leading to stabilization of HIF-2α (p = 0.029). In addition, we show that hypoxia is fundamental for CXCL4 production by umbilical cord (uc)CD34 derived pDCs. CONCLUSION TLR-mediated activation of immune cells in the presence of hypoxia underpins the pathogenic production of CXCL4 in SSc. Blocking either mtROS or HIF-2α pathways may therapeutically attenuate the contribution of CXCL4 to SSc and other inflammatory diseases driven by CXCL4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ottria
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maili Zimmermann
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Laurent M Paardekooper
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Tiago Carvalheiro
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nadia Vazirpanah
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra Silva-Cardoso
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Alsya J Affandi
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Eleni Chouri
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten V D Kroef
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ralph G Tieland
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelis P J Bekker
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Catharina G K Wichers
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marzia Rossato
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Enric Mocholi-Gimeno
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Janneke Tekstra
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Evelien Ton
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap M van Laar
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marta Cossu
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Beretta
- Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, University of Milan & Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Via Pace 9, Milan, Italy
| | - Samuel Garcia Perez
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Aridaman Pandit
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Femke Bonte-Mineur
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kris A Reedquist
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Geert van den Bogaart
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Immunology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Timothy R D J Radstake
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wioleta Marut
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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4
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Carvalheiro T, Malvar Fernández B, Ottria A, Giovannone B, Marut W, Reedquist KA, Garcia S, Radstake TR. Extracellular SPARC cooperates with TGF-β signalling to induce pro-fibrotic activation of systemic sclerosis patient dermal fibroblasts. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 59:2258-2263. [PMID: 31840182 PMCID: PMC7449812 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES SSc is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, vascular injury and excessive fibrosis in multiple organs. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a matricellular glycoprotein that regulates processes involved in SSc pathology, such as inflammation and fibrosis. In vivo and in vitro studies have implicated SPARC in SSc, but it is unclear if the pro-fibrotic effects of SPARC on fibroblasts are a result of intracellular signalling or fibroblast interactions with extracellular SPARC hampering further development of SPARC as a potential therapeutic target. This study aimed to analyse the potential role of exogenous SPARC as a regulator of fibrosis in SSc. METHODS Dermal fibroblasts from both healthy controls and SSc patients were stimulated with SPARC alone or in combination with TGF-β1, in the absence or presence of a TGF receptor 1 inhibitor. mRNA and protein expression of extracellular matrix components and other fibrosis-related mediators were measured by quantitative PCR and western blot. RESULTS Exogenous SPARC induced mRNA and protein expression of collagen I, collagen IV, fibronectin 1, TGF-β and SPARC by dermal fibroblasts from SSc patients, but not from healthy controls. Importantly, exogenous SPARC induced the activation of the tyrosine kinase SMAD2 and pro-fibrotic gene expression induced by SPARC in SSc fibroblasts was abrogated by inhibition of TGF-β signalling. CONCLUSION These results indicate that exogenous SPARC is an important pro-fibrotic mediator contributing to the pathology driving SSc but in a TGF-β dependent manner. Therefore, SPARC could be a promising therapeutic target for reducing fibrosis in SSc patients, even in late states of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Carvalheiro
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology
| | | | - Andrea Ottria
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology
| | - Barbara Giovannone
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wioleta Marut
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology
| | - Kris A Reedquist
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology
| | - Samuel Garcia
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology
| | - Timothy R Radstake
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology
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5
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Servaas NH, Zaaraoui-Boutahar F, Wichers CGK, Ottria A, Chouri E, Affandi AJ, Silva-Cardoso S, van der Kroef M, Carvalheiro T, van Wijk F, Radstake TRDJ, Andeweg AC, Pandit A. Longitudinal analysis of T-cell receptor repertoires reveals persistence of antigen-driven CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell clusters in systemic sclerosis. J Autoimmun 2020; 117:102574. [PMID: 33307312 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The T-cell receptor (TCR) is a highly polymorphic surface receptor that allows T-cells to recognize antigenic peptides presented on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Changes in the TCR repertoire have been observed in several autoimmune conditions, and these changes are suggested to predispose autoimmunity. Multiple lines of evidence have implied an important role for T-cells in the pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), a complex autoimmune disease. One of the major questions regarding the roles of T-cells is whether expansion and activation of T-cells observed in the diseases pathogenesis is antigen driven. To investigate the temporal TCR repertoire dynamics in SSc, we performed high-throughput sequencing of CD4+ and CD8+ TCRβ chains on longitudinal samples obtained from four SSc patients collected over a minimum of two years. Repertoire overlap analysis revealed that samples taken from the same individual over time shared a high number of TCRβ sequences, indicating a clear temporal persistence of the TCRβ repertoire in CD4+ as well as CD8+ T-cells. Moreover, the TCRβs that were found with a high frequency at one time point were also found with a high frequency at the other time points (even after almost four years), showing that frequencies of dominant TCRβs are largely consistent over time. We also show that TCRβ generation probability and observed TCR frequency are not related in SSc samples, showing that clonal expansion and persistence of TCRβs is caused by antigenic selection rather than convergent recombination. Moreover, we demonstrate that TCRβ diversity is lower in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from SSc patients compared with memory T-cells from healthy individuals, as SSc TCRβ repertoires are largely dominated by clonally expanded persistent TCRβ sequences. Lastly, using "Grouping of Lymphocyte Interactions by Paratope Hotspots" (GLIPH2), we identify clusters of TCRβ sequences with homologous sequences that potentially recognize the same antigens and contain TCRβs that are persist in SSc patients. In conclusion, our results show that CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells are highly persistent in SSc patients over time, and this persistence is likely a result from antigenic selection. Moreover, persistent TCRs form high similarity clusters with other (non-)persistent sequences that potentially recognize the same epitopes. These data provide evidence for an antigen driven expansion of CD4+/CD8+ T-cells in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- N H Servaas
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - F Zaaraoui-Boutahar
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C G K Wichers
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A Ottria
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - E Chouri
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A J Affandi
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - S Silva-Cardoso
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - M van der Kroef
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - T Carvalheiro
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - F van Wijk
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - T R D J Radstake
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A C Andeweg
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A Pandit
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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6
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Ottria A, Hoekstra AT, Zimmermann M, van der Kroef M, Vazirpanah N, Cossu M, Chouri E, Rossato M, Beretta L, Tieland RG, Wichers CGK, Stigter E, Gulersonmez C, Bonte-Mineur F, Berkers CR, Radstake TRDJ, Marut W. Fatty Acid and Carnitine Metabolism Are Dysregulated in Systemic Sclerosis Patients. Front Immunol 2020; 11:822. [PMID: 32528464 PMCID: PMC7256194 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare chronic disease of unknown pathogenesis characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, vascular alteration, and dysregulation of the immune system. In order to better understand the immune system and its perturbations leading to diseases, the study of the mechanisms regulating cellular metabolism has gained a widespread interest. Here, we have assessed the metabolic status of plasma and dendritic cells (DCs) in patients with SSc. We identified a dysregulated metabolomic signature in carnitine in circulation (plasma) and intracellularly in DCs of SSc patients. In addition, we confirmed carnitine alteration in the circulation of SSc patients in three independent plasma measurements from two different cohorts and identified dysregulation of fatty acids. We hypothesized that fatty acid and carnitine alterations contribute to potentiation of inflammation in SSc. Incubation of healthy and SSc dendritic cells with etoposide, a carnitine transporter inhibitor, inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 through inhibition of fatty acid oxidation. These findings shed light on the altered metabolic status of the immune system in SSc patients and opens up for potential novel avenues to reduce inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ottria
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - A T Hoekstra
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - M Zimmermann
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - M van der Kroef
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - N Vazirpanah
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - M Cossu
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - E Chouri
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - M Rossato
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - L Beretta
- Referral Center for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, University of Milan and Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Milan, Italy
| | - R G Tieland
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - C G K Wichers
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - E Stigter
- Department of Molecular Cancer Research, Center Molecular Medicine, Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - C Gulersonmez
- Department of Molecular Cancer Research, Center Molecular Medicine, Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - F Bonte-Mineur
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - C R Berkers
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - T R D J Radstake
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - W Marut
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Carvalheiro T, Affandi AJ, Malvar-Fernández B, Dullemond I, Cossu M, Ottria A, Mertens JS, Giovannone B, Bonte-Mineur F, Kok MR, Marut W, Reedquist KA, Radstake TR, García S. Induction of Inflammation and Fibrosis by Semaphorin 4A in Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2019; 71:1711-1722. [PMID: 31012544 PMCID: PMC6790618 DOI: 10.1002/art.40915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the potential role of semaphorin 4A (Sema4A) in inflammatory and fibrotic processes involved in the pathology of systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS Sema4A levels in the plasma of healthy controls (n = 11) and SSc patients (n = 20) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of Sema4A and its receptors in monocytes and CD4+ T cells from healthy controls and SSc patients (n = 6-7 per group) was determined by ELISA and flow cytometry. Th17 cytokine production by CD4+ T cells (n = 5-7) was analyzed by ELISA and flow cytometry. The production of inflammatory mediators and extracellular matrix (ECM) components by dermal fibroblast cells (n = 6) was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, ELISA, Western blotting, confocal microscopy, and ECM deposition assay. RESULTS Plasma levels of Sema4A, and Sema4A expression by circulating monocytes and CD4+ T cells, were significantly higher in SSc patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.05). Inflammatory mediators significantly up-regulated the secretion of Sema4A by monocytes and CD4+ T cells from SSc patients (P < 0.05 versus unstimulated SSc cells). Functional assays showed that Sema4A significantly enhanced the expression of Th17 cytokines induced by CD3/CD28 in total CD4+ T cells as well in different CD4+ T cell subsets (P < 0.05 versus unstimulated SSc cells). Finally, Sema4A induced a profibrotic phenotype in dermal fibroblasts from both healthy controls and SSc patients, which was abrogated by blocking or silencing the expression of Sema4A receptors. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that Sema4A plays direct and dual roles in promoting inflammation and fibrosis, 2 main features of SSc, suggesting that Sema4A might be a novel therapeutic target in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Carvalheiro
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alsya J Affandi
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ilse Dullemond
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Cossu
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Ottria
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jorre S Mertens
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Giovannone
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marc R Kok
- Maasstad Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wioleta Marut
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kris A Reedquist
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy R Radstake
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Samuel García
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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8
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Affandi AJ, Carvalheiro T, Ottria A, Broen JCA, Bossini-Castillo L, Tieland RG, Bon LV, Chouri E, Rossato M, Mertens JS, Garcia S, Pandit A, de Kroon LMG, Christmann RB, Martin J, van Roon JAG, Radstake TRDJ, Marut W. Low RUNX3 expression alters dendritic cell function in patients with systemic sclerosis and contributes to enhanced fibrosis. Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 78:1249-1259. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-214991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
ObjectivesSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with unknown pathogenesis manifested by inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis in skin and internal organs. Type I interferon signature found in SSc propelled us to study plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in this disease. We aimed to identify candidate pathways underlying pDC aberrancies in SSc and to validate its function on pDC biology.MethodsIn total, 1193 patients with SSc were compared with 1387 healthy donors and 8 patients with localised scleroderma. PCR-based transcription factor profiling and methylation status analyses, single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping by sequencing and flow cytometry analysis were performed in pDCs isolated from the circulation of healthy controls or patients with SSc. pDCs were also cultured under hypoxia, inhibitors of methylation and hypoxia-inducible factors and runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) levels were determined. To study Runx3 function, Itgax-Cre:Runx3f/f mice were used in in vitro functional assay and bleomycin-induced SSc skin inflammation and fibrosis model.ResultsHere, we show downregulation of transcription factor RUNX3 in SSc pDCs. A higher methylation status of the RUNX3 gene, which is associated with polymorphism rs6672420, correlates with lower RUNX3 expression and SSc susceptibility. Hypoxia is another factor that decreases RUNX3 level in pDC. Mouse pDCs deficient of Runx3 show enhanced maturation markers on CpG stimulation. In vivo, deletion of Runx3 in dendritic cell leads to spontaneous induction of skin fibrosis in untreated mice and increased severity of bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis.ConclusionsWe show at least two pathways potentially causing low RUNX3 level in SSc pDCs, and we demonstrate the detrimental effect of loss of Runx3 in SSc model further underscoring the role of pDCs in this disease.
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9
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Vazirpanah N, Ottria A, van der Linden M, Wichers CGK, Schuiveling M, van Lochem E, Phipps-Green A, Merriman T, Zimmermann M, Jansen M, Radstake TRDJ, Broen JCA. mTOR inhibition by metformin impacts monosodium urate crystal-induced inflammation and cell death in gout: a prelude to a new add-on therapy? Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 78:663-671. [PMID: 30814053 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-214656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis worldwide, and patients experience a heavy burden of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The inflammation is caused by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in tissues, especially in the joints, triggering immune cells to mount an inflammatory reaction. Recently, it was shown that MSU crystals can induce mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling in monocytes encountering these crystals in vitro. The mTOR pathway is strongly implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic disease. We hypothesised that inhibiting this pathway in gout might be a novel avenue of treatment in these patients, targeting both inflammation and comorbidities. METHODS We used a translational approach starting from ex vivo to in vitro and back to in vivo. RESULTS We show that ex vivo immune cells from patients with gout exhibit higher expression of the mTOR pathway, which we can mimic in vitro by stimulating healthy immune cells (B lymphocytes, monocytes, T lymphocytes) with MSU crystals. Monocytes are the most prominent mTOR expressers. By using live imaging, we demonstrate that monocytes, on encountering MSU crystals, initiate cell death and release a wide array of proinflammatory cytokines. By inhibiting mTOR signalling with metformin or rapamycin, a reduction of cell death and release of inflammatory mediators was observed. Consistent with this, we show that patients with gout who are treated with the mTOR inhibitor metformin have a lower frequency of gout attacks. CONCLUSIONS We propose mTOR inhibition as a novel therapeutic target of interest in gout treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Vazirpanah
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Ottria
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten van der Linden
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Catharina G K Wichers
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Schuiveling
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen van Lochem
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tony Merriman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Maili Zimmermann
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs Jansen
- Department of Immunology, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy R D J Radstake
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center, Utrech, The Netherlands
| | - Jasper C A Broen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center, Utrech, The Netherlands
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10
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Dolcino M, Ottria A, Barbieri A, Patuzzo G, Tinazzi E, Argentino G, Beri R, Lunardi C, Puccetti A. Gene Expression Profiling in Peripheral Blood Cells and Synovial Membranes of Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128262. [PMID: 26086874 PMCID: PMC4473102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis whose pathogenesis is poorly understood; it is characterized by bone erosions and new bone formation. The diagnosis of PsA is mainly clinical and diagnostic biomarkers are not yet available. The aim of this work was to clarify some aspects of the disease pathogenesis and to identify specific gene signatures in paired peripheral blood cells (PBC) and synovial biopsies of patients with PsA. Moreover, we tried to identify biomarkers that can be used in clinical practice. Methods PBC and synovial biopsies of 10 patients with PsA were used to study gene expression using Affymetrix arrays. The expression values were validated by Q-PCR, FACS analysis and by the detection of soluble mediators. Results Synovial biopsies of patients showed a modulation of approximately 200 genes when compared to the biopsies of healthy donors. Among the differentially expressed genes we observed the upregulation of Th17 related genes and of type I interferon (IFN) inducible genes. FACS analysis confirmed the Th17 polarization. Moreover, the synovial trascriptome shows gene clusters (bone remodeling, angiogenesis and inflammation) involved in the pathogenesis of PsA. Interestingly 90 genes are modulated in both compartments (PBC and synovium) suggesting that signature pathways in PBC mirror those of the inflamed synovium. Finally the osteoactivin gene was upregulared in both PBC and synovial biopsies and this finding was confirmed by the detection of high levels of osteoactivin in PsA sera but not in other inflammatory arthritides. Conclusions We describe the first analysis of the trancriptome in paired synovial tissue and PBC of patients with PsA. This study strengthens the hypothesis that PsA is of autoimmune origin since the coactivity of IFN and Th17 pathways is typical of autoimmunity. Finally these findings have allowed the identification of a possible disease biomarker, osteoactivin, easily detectable in PsA serum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Antonio Puccetti
- Institute G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy
- University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- * E-mail:
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11
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Dolcino M, Puccetti A, Barbieri A, Bason C, Tinazzi E, Ottria A, Patuzzo G, Martinelli N, Lunardi C. Infections and autoimmunity: role of human cytomegalovirus in autoimmune endothelial cell damage. Lupus 2015; 24:419-432. [DOI: 10.1177/0961203314558677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Molecular mimicry between infectious agents and normal human host cell proteins represents one of the possible mechanisms responsible for autoimmunity. Among infectious agents, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an ideal candidate for involvement in autoimmune disorders because of its lifelong persistence through periods of reactivation and latency and because of the extensive manipulation of innate and adaptive immunity. HCMV has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular damage in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and atherosclerosis. Based on our data, which demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship between HCMV and endothelial cell aggression in SSc and atherosclerosis, we propose that immune responses to particular HCMV proteins may result in autoaggression through a mechanism of molecular mimicry of normally expressed endothelial cell surface molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dolcino
- Institute Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - A Puccetti
- Institute Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
- University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - A Barbieri
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - C Bason
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - E Tinazzi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Ottria
- University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - G Patuzzo
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - N Martinelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - C Lunardi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Dolcino M, Lunardi C, Ottria A, Tinazzi E, Patuzzo G, Puccetti A. Crossreactive autoantibodies directed against cutaneous and joint antigens are present in psoriatic arthritis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115424. [PMID: 25514237 PMCID: PMC4267814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin, characterized by erosions and new bone formation. Diagnosis of PsA is mainly clinical and there are no biomarkers available. Moreover in PsA autoantibodies have not been described so far. Indeed an autoimmune origin has been suggested but never proven. Aim of the study was to investigate the possible presence of autoantibodies typically associated with PsA. Methods We used pooled IgG immunoglobulins derived from 30 patients with PsA to screen a random peptide library in order to identify disease relevant autoantigen peptides. Results Among the selected peptides, one was recognised by nearly all the patients’ sera. The identified peptide (PsA peptide: TNRRGRGSPGAL) shows sequence similarities with skin autoantigens, such as fibrillin 3, a constituent of actin microfibrils, desmocollin 3, a constituent of the desmosomes and keratin 78, a component of epithelial cytoskeleton. Interestingly the PsA peptide shares homology with the nebulin-related anchoring protein (N-RAP), a protein localized in the enthesis (point of insertion of a tendon or ligament to the bone), which represents the first affected site during early PsA. Antibodies affinity purified against the PsA peptide recognize fibrillin, desmocollin, keratin and N-RAP. Moreover antibodies directed against the PsA peptide are detectable in 85% of PsA patients. Such antibodies are not present in healthy donors and are present in 13/100 patients with seroposive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In seronegative RA these antibodies are detectable only in 3/100 patients. Conclusions Our results indicate that PsA is characterized by the presence of serum autoantibodies crossreacting with an epitope shared by skin and joint antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elisa Tinazzi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Puccetti
- Institute Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
- University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- * E-mail:
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13
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Dolcino M, Puccetti A, Ottria A, Barbieri A, Patuzzo G, Lunardi C. Modulation of adaptive immune response following intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in common variable immunodeficiency. Isr Med Assoc J 2014; 16:648-650. [PMID: 25438459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
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