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Papadimitriou TI, Singh P, van Caam A, Walgreen B, Gorris MAJ, Vitters EL, van Ingen IL, Koenders MI, Smeets RL, Vonk M, de Vries JM, van der Kraan PM, van Oosterhout Y, Huynen MA, Koenen HJPM, Thurlings RM. CD7 activation regulates cytotoxicity-driven pathology in systemic sclerosis, yielding a target for selective cell depletion. Ann Rheum Dis 2024; 83:488-498. [PMID: 38123919 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-224827] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are central effector cells in cancer and infections. Their effector response is regulated by activating and inhibitory receptors. The regulation of these cells in systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc) is less defined. METHODS We conducted ex vivo analysis of affected skin and blood samples from 4 SSc patient cohorts (a total of 165 SSc vs 80 healthy individuals) using single-cell transcriptomics, flow cytometry and multiplex immunofluorescence staining. We further analysed the effects of costimulatory modulation in functional assays, and in a severely affected SSc patient who was treated on compassionate use with a novel anti-CD3/CD7 immunotoxin treatment. RESULTS Here, we show that SSc-affected skin contains elevated numbers of proliferating T cells, cytotoxic T cells and NK cells. These cells selectively express the costimulatory molecule CD7 in association with cytotoxic, proinflammatory and profibrotic genes, especially in recent-onset and severe disease. We demonstrate that CD7 regulates the cytolytic activity of T cells and NK cells and that selective depletion of CD7+ cells prevents cytotoxic cell-induced fibroblast contraction and inhibits their profibrotic phenotype. Finally, anti-CD3/CD7 directed depletive treatment eliminated CD7+ skin cells and stabilised disease manifestations in a severely affected SSc patient. CONCLUSION Together, the findings imply costimulatory molecules as key regulators of cytotoxicity-driven pathology in systemic autoimmune disease, yielding CD7 as a novel target for selective depletion of pathogenic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodoros Ioannis Papadimitriou
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Medical Immunology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Prashant Singh
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan van Caam
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mark A J Gorris
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Division of Immunotherapy, Oncode Institute, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elly L Vitters
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Iris L van Ingen
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ruben L Smeets
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Medical Immunology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Radboudumc Laboratory for Diagnostics, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Madelon Vonk
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Martijn A Huynen
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans J P M Koenen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Medical Immunology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Arntz OJ, Thurlings RM, Blaney Davidson EN, Jansen PWTC, Vermeulen M, Koenders MI, van der Kraan PM, van de Loo FAJ. Profiling of plasma extracellular vesicles identifies proteins that strongly associate with patient's global assessment of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 10:1247778. [PMID: 38274452 PMCID: PMC10808582 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1247778] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic synovial inflammation and cartilage/bone damage. Intercellular messengers such as IL-1 and TNF play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of RA but have limited diagnostic and prognostic values. Therefore, we assessed whether the protein content of the recently discovered extracellular vesicles (EVs), which have gained attention in the pathogenesis of RA, correlates with disease activity parameters in RA patients. Methods We identified and quantified proteins in plasma-derived EVs (pEVs), isolated by size exclusion chromatography from 17 RA patients by mass spectrophotometry (MS). Quantified protein levels were correlated with laboratory and clinical parameters and the patient's own global assessment of their disease activity (PGA-VAS). In a second MS run, the pEV proteins of nine other RA patients were quantified and compared to those from nine healthy controls (HC). Results No differences were observed in the concentration, size, and protein content of pEVs from RA patients. Proteomics revealed >95% overlapping proteins in RA-pEVs, compared to HC-pEVs (data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD046058). Remarkably, in both runs, the level of far more RA-pEV proteins correlated positively to PGA-VAS than to either clinical or laboratory parameters. Interestingly, all observed PGA-VAS positively correlated RA-pEV proteins were associated with the actin-cytoskeleton linker proteins, ezrin, and moesin. Conclusion Our observation suggests that PGA-VAS (loss of vitality) may have a different underlying pathological mechanism in RA, possibly related to enhanced muscle actin-cytoskeleton activity. Furthermore, our study contributes to the growing awareness and evidence that pEVs contain valuable biomarkers for diseases, with added value for RA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onno J. Arntz
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rogier M. Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Pascal W. T. C. Jansen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Oncode Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Michiel Vermeulen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Oncode Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marije I. Koenders
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Fons A. J. van de Loo
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Evers BJ, Schers HJ, van den Ende CHM, Thurlings RM, Koëter S. Diagnosing knee osteoarthritis in patients, differences between general practitioners and orthopedic surgeons: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Prim Care 2023; 24:155. [PMID: 37528362 PMCID: PMC10391755 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-02107-4] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND knee complaints are one of the most common reasons to consult the general practitioners in the Netherlands and contribute to the increasing burden on general practitioners. A proportion of patients that are referred to orthopedic outpatient clinics are potentially referred unnecessarily. We believe osteoarthritis is not always considered by general practitioners as the cause of atraumatic knee complaints. This may impede early recognition and timely care of osteoarthritis complaints and lead to unnecessary referrals. METHODS the aim of this study was to compare the frequency of (differential) diagnosis of osteoarthritis mentioned in referral letters of general practitioners with the frequency of osteoarthritis mentioned as orthopedic diagnosis at the outpatient clinic. Therefore we conducted a retrospective cohort study based on data collected from referral letters and the corresponding outpatient clinic reports of patients with atraumatic knee complaints of 45 years or older referred to a regional hospital in Nijmegen, The Netherlands in the period from 1-6-2019 until 1-01-2020. RESULTS a total of 292 referral letters were included. In the younger aged patients (45-54 years) osteoarthritis was mentioned less frequent and meniscal lesions were mentioned more frequent in referral letters when compared to diagnoses made at the outpatient clinic. Differences in differential diagnosis of osteoarthritis as well as meniscal lesions between orthopedic surgeon and general practitioners were found (both p < 0.001, McNemar). Matching diagnoses were present in 58.2% when all referral letters were analyzed (n = 292) and 75.2% when only referrals containing a differential diagnosis were analyzed (n = 226). Matching diagnoses were present in 31.6% in the younger age categories (45-54 years). A linear trend showing fewer matching diagnoses in younger patient categories was observed (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Osteoarthritis was less frequently mentioned in general practitioner referral letters among the differential diagnosis then it was diagnosed at the outpatient clinic, especially in younger patients (45-54 years). Also matching diagnoses in younger patients were evidently lower than in older patients, partly explained by underdiagnosing of osteoarthritis in younger patients in this cohort. Better recognition of osteoarthritis in younger patients and changing the diagnostic approach of general practitioners might improve efficacy in knee care. Future research should focus on the effectiveness of musculoskeletal triage, the need for multidisciplinary educational programs for patients and promotion of conservative treatment modalities among general practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob J Evers
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Henk J Schers
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Koëter
- Department of Orthopedics, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Lee AYS, Putty T, Lin MW, Swaminathan S, Suan D, Chataway T, Thurlings RM, Gordon TP, Wang JJ, Reed JH. Isolated anti-Ro52 identifies a severe subset of Sjögren’s syndrome patients. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1115548. [PMID: 37006271 PMCID: PMC10061105 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1115548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionSerum autoantibodies targeting the SSA/Ro proteins are a key component of the classification criteria for the diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Most patients' serum reacts with both Ro60 and Ro52 proteins. Here we compare the molecular and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with SS with anti-Ro52 in the presence or absence of anti-Ro60/La autoantibodies.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed. Patients in the SS biobank at Westmead Hospital (Sydney, Australia) that were positive for anti-Ro52 were included and stratified based on the absence (isolated) or presence (combined) of anti-Ro60/La, measured by line immunoassay. We examined clinical associations and the serological and molecular characteristics of anti-Ro52 using ELISA and mass spectrometry in serological groups.ResultsA total of 123 SS patients were included for study. SS patients with isolated anti-Ro52 (12%) identified a severe serological subset characterised by higher disease activity, vasculitis, pulmonary involvement, rheumatoid factor (RhF) and cryoglobulinaemia. Serum antibodies reacting with Ro52 in the isolated anti-Ro52 subset displayed less isotype switching, less immunoglobulin variable region subfamily usage and a lower degree of somatic hypermutation than the combined anti-Ro52 subset.ConclusionsIn our cohort of SS patients, isolated anti-Ro52 represents a severe subset of SS, and is associated with the presence of cryoglobulinaemia. We therefore provide clinical relevance to the stratification of SS patients by their sero-reactivities. It is possible that the autoantibody patterns may be immunological epiphenomena of the underlying disease process, and further work is required to unearth the mechanisms of the differential clinical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Y. S. Lee
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Westmead Hospital and Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research (ICPMR), Westmead, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Adrian Y. S. Lee,
| | - Trishni Putty
- Department of Immunology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- Department of Immunology, SA Pathology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Ming-Wei Lin
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Westmead Hospital and Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research (ICPMR), Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Sanjay Swaminathan
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Westmead Hospital and Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research (ICPMR), Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Dan Suan
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Westmead Hospital and Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research (ICPMR), Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Chataway
- Flinders Proteomic Facility, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Rogier M. Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tom P. Gordon
- Department of Immunology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- Department of Immunology, SA Pathology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Jing Jing Wang
- Department of Immunology, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- Department of Immunology, SA Pathology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Joanne H. Reed
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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Kolijn PM, Huijser E, Wahadat MJ, van Helden-Meeuwsen CG, van Daele PLA, Brkic Z, Rijntjes J, Hebeda KM, Groenen PJTA, Versnel MA, Thurlings RM, Langerak AW. Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma clonotypes are detectable prior to eMZL diagnosis in tissue biopsies and peripheral blood of Sjögren's syndrome patients through immunogenetics. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1130686. [PMID: 37035202 PMCID: PMC10076775 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1130686] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Activated B cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) through the production of autoantibodies and the development of ectopic germinal centers in the salivary glands and other affected sites. Around 5-10% of pSS patients develop B-cell lymphoma, usually extranodal marginal zone lymphomas (eMZL) of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). The aim of the current study is to investigate if the eMZL clonotype is detectable in prediagnostic blood and tissue biopsies of pSS patients. Methods/Results We studied prediagnostic tissue biopsies of three pSS patients diagnosed with eMZL and four pSS controls through immunoglobulin (IG) gene repertoire sequencing. In all three cases, we observed the eMZL clonotype in prediagnostic tissue biopsies. Among controls, we observed transient elevation of clonotypes in two pSS patients. To evaluate if eMZL clonotypes may also be detected in the circulation, we sequenced a peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) sample drawn at eMZL diagnosis and two years prior to eMZL relapse in two pSS patients. The eMZL clonotype was detected in the peripheral blood prior to diagnosis in both cases. Next, we selected three pSS patients who developed eMZL lymphoma and five additional pSS patients who remained lymphoma-free. We sequenced the IG heavy chain (IGH) gene repertoire in PBMC samples taken a median of three years before eMZL diagnosis. In two out of three eMZL patients, the dominant clonotype in the prediagnostic PBMC samples matched the eMZL clonotype in the diagnostic biopsy. The eMZL clonotypes observed consisted of stereotypic IGHV gene combinations (IGHV1-69/IGHJ4 and IGHV4-59/IGHJ5) associated with rheumatoid factor activity, a previously reported feature of eMZL in pSS. Discussion In conclusion, our results indicate that eMZL clonotypes in pSS patients are detectable prior to overt eMZL diagnosis in both tissue biopsies and peripheral blood through immunogenetic sequencing, paving the way for the development of improved methods of early detection of eMZL.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Martijn Kolijn
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory Medical Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Erika Huijser
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - M. Javad Wahadat
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Paul L. A. van Daele
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Zana Brkic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jos Rijntjes
- Department of Pathology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Anton W. Langerak
- Department of Immunology, Laboratory Medical Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Anton W. Langerak,
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Opdam MAA, de Leijer JH, den Broeder N, Thurlings RM, van der Weele W, Nurmohamed MT, Kok MR, van Bon L, Ten Cate DF, Verhoef LM, den Broeder AA. Rituximab dose-dependent infection risk in rheumatoid arthritis is not mediated through circulating immunoglobulins, neutrophils or B cells. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022; 62:330-334. [PMID: 35686851 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Rituximab (RTX) is a safe and effective treatment for RA. A dose-dependent infection risk was found in the REDO trial. Some studies associate RTX use with higher infection risks, possibly explained by low immunoglobulin levels and/or neutropenia. Additionally, a higher infection risk shortly after RTX infusion is reported. The objectives of this study were (i) to compare incidence rates of infections between doses and over time, and (ii) to assess B-cell counts, immunoglobulin levels, neutrophil counts and corticosteroid/disease modifying rheumatic drug use as mediating factors between RTX study dose and infection risk. METHODS Post hoc analyses of the REDO trial were performed. Infection incidence rates between RTX dosing groups and between time periods were compared using Poisson regression. A step-wise mediation analysis was performed to investigate if any of the factors mentioned above act as a mediator in the observed dose-dependent difference in infection risk. RESULTS The potential mediators that were investigated (circulating B-cell counts, immunoglobulin levels, neutrophil counts and drug use) did not explain the dose-dependent infection risk observed in the REDO trial. Additionally, a trend towards a time-dependent infection risk was found, with higher infection rates shortly after RTX infusion. CONCLUSIONS These secondary analyses of the REDO trial confirmed the observed dose-dependent infection risk. Additionally, we found that infection risks were higher shortly after RTX infusion. However, a mediating pathway was not found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merel A A Opdam
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek.,Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Marc R Kok
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Maasstad Ziekenhuis, Rotterdam
| | - Lenny van Bon
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Group Twente, Almelo, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Alfons A den Broeder
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek.,Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Radboudumc, Nijmegen
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Evers BJ, Van Den Bosch MHJ, Blom AB, van der Kraan PM, Koëter S, Thurlings RM. Post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis; the role of inflammation and hemarthrosis on disease progression. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:973870. [PMID: 36072956 PMCID: PMC9441748 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.973870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Knee injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament ruptures and meniscal injury are common and are most frequently sustained by young and active individuals. Knee injuries will lead to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in 25–50% of patients. Mechanical processes where historically believed to cause cartilage breakdown in PTOA patients. But there is increasing evidence suggesting a key role for inflammation in PTOA development. Inflammation in PTOA might be aggravated by hemarthrosis which frequently occurs in injured knees. Whereas mechanical symptoms (joint instability and locking of the knee) can be successfully treated by surgery, there still is an unmet need for anti-inflammatory therapies that prevent PTOA progression. In order to develop anti-inflammatory therapies for PTOA, more knowledge about the exact pathophysiological mechanisms and exact course of post-traumatic inflammation is needed to determine possible targets and timing of future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob J. Evers
- Department of Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Bob J. Evers
| | - Martijn H. J. Van Den Bosch
- Department of Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Arjen B. Blom
- Department of Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Peter M. van der Kraan
- Department of Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Rogier M. Thurlings
- Department of Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Broeren MGA, Wang JJ, Balzaretti G, Groenen PJTA, van Schaik BDC, Chataway T, Kaffa C, Bervoets S, Hebeda KM, Bounova G, Pruijn GJM, Gordon TP, De Vries N, Thurlings RM. Proteogenomic analysis of the autoreactive B cell repertoire in blood and tissues of patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis 2022; 81:644-652. [PMID: 35144926 PMCID: PMC8995816 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-221604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective To comparatively analyse the aberrant affinity maturation of the antinuclear and rheumatoid factor (RF) B cell repertoires in blood and tissues of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) using an integrated omics workflow. Methods Peptide sequencing of anti-Ro60, anti-Ro52, anti-La and RF was combined with B cell repertoire analysis at the DNA, RNA and single cell level in blood B cell subsets, affected salivary gland and extranodal marginal zone lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of patients with SjS. Results Affected tissues contained anti-Ro60, anti-Ro52, anti-La and RF clones as a small part of a polyclonal infiltrate. Anti-Ro60, anti-La and anti-Ro52 clones outnumbered RF clones. MALT lymphoma tissues contained monoclonal RF expansions. Autoreactive clones were not selected from a restricted repertoire in a circulating B cell subset. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) repertoires displayed similar antigen-dependent and immunoglobulin (Ig) G1-directed affinity maturation. RF clones displayed antigen-dependent, IgM-directed and more B cell receptor integrity-dependent affinity maturation. This coincided with extensive intra-clonal diversification in RF-derived lymphomas. Regeneration of clinical disease manifestations after rituximab coincided with large RF clones, which not necessarily belonged to the lymphoma clone, that displayed continuous affinity maturation and intra-clonal diversification. Conclusion The ANA and RF repertoires in patients with SjS display tissue-restricted, antigen-dependent and divergent affinity maturation. Affinity maturation of RF clones deviates further during RF clone derived lymphomagenesis and during regeneration of the autoreactive repertoire after temporary disruption by rituximab. These data give insight into the molecular mechanisms of autoreactive inflammation in SjS, assist MALT lymphoma diagnosis and allow tracking its response to rituximab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathijs G A Broeren
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jing J Wang
- Department of Immunology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Giulia Balzaretti
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Barbera D C van Schaik
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tim Chataway
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte Kaffa
- Radboud Technology Center for Bioinformatics, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Bervoets
- Radboud Technology Center for Bioinformatics, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Konnie M Hebeda
- Department of Pathology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ger J M Pruijn
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas P Gordon
- SA Pathology, Department of Immunology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Niek De Vries
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Papadimitriou TI, van Caam A, van der Kraan PM, Thurlings RM. Therapeutic Options for Systemic Sclerosis: Current and Future Perspectives in Tackling Immune-Mediated Fibrosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020316. [PMID: 35203525 PMCID: PMC8869277 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe auto-immune, rheumatic disease, characterized by excessive fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs. SSc is accompanied by high morbidity and mortality rates, and unfortunately, few disease-modifying therapies are currently available. Inflammation, vasculopathy, and fibrosis are the key hallmarks of SSc pathology. In this narrative review, we examine the relationship between inflammation and fibrosis and provide an overview of the efficacy of current and novel treatment options in diminishing SSc-related fibrosis based on selected clinical trials. To do this, we first discuss inflammatory pathways of both the innate and acquired immune systems that are associated with SSc pathophysiology. Secondly, we review evidence supporting the use of first-line therapies in SSc patients. In addition, T cell-, B cell-, and cytokine-specific treatments that have been utilized in SSc are explored. Finally, the potential effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and other novel therapeutic approaches in reducing fibrosis is highlighted.
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10
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van der Meer PF, Verbakel SK, Honohan Á, Lorinser J, Thurlings RM, Jacobs JF, de Korte D, Eggink CA. Allogeneic and autologous serum eye drops: a pilot double-blind randomized crossover trial. Acta Ophthalmol 2021; 99:837-842. [PMID: 33590715 PMCID: PMC9544559 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Serum eye drops (SEDs) are used to treat a variety of ocular surface defects. Serum eye drops (SEDs) are normally produced from the patient’s blood. However, not all patients can donate sufficient or suitable blood, and logistics can be challenging. Allogeneic blood from voluntary blood donors does not have these disadvantages. Our aim was to evaluate whether autologous and allogeneic SEDs have comparable efficacy and tolerability. Methods In a prospective, double‐blind crossover trial, patients with severe dry eyes were randomized to first receive autologous SEDs for one month, followed by one‐month washout, before receiving allogeneic SEDs for 1 month; or receive the SED preparations in reverse order. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was the primary endpoint, and various secondary endpoints were determined. A linear mixed model with random intercept for each patient was applied per treatment group to compare the pre‐ and postoutcome measurements. Results Nineteen patients were enrolled, of whom 15 completed the trial. When autologous SEDs were used, the mean ± SD OSDI improved from 62 ± 19 to 57 ± 18. For allogeneic SEDs, the OSDI changed from 59 ± 20 to 56 ± 23. The estimated mean difference (95% confidence interval) was −4.2 (−9.5 to 1.2) for autologous and −4.5 (−9.8 to 0.9) for allogeneic SEDs (both, not significant). Adverse events were mild and resolved completely. Conclusion Autologous and allogeneic SEDs have comparable efficacy and tolerability for use in patients with severe dry eyes. Allogeneic SEDs are therefore an attractive alternative for patients who need SEDs but are clinically or logistically unable to donate blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter F. van der Meer
- Department of Product and Process Development Sanquin Blood Bank Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Transfusion Research Sanquin Research Leiden The Netherlands
- Department of Haematology Haga Teaching Hospital The Hague The Netherlands
| | - Sanne K. Verbakel
- Department of Ophthalmology Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Áine Honohan
- Department of Clinical Transfusion Research Sanquin Research Leiden The Netherlands
- Clinical Research Office Dijklander Hospital Hoorn The Netherlands
| | - Jos Lorinser
- Department of Product and Process Development Sanquin Blood Bank Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Rogier M. Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Joannes F.M. Jacobs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Laboratory Medical Immunology Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Dirk de Korte
- Department of Product and Process Development Sanquin Blood Bank Amsterdam The Netherlands
- Department of Blood Cell Research Sanquin Research Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Catharina A. Eggink
- Department of Ophthalmology Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
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11
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Theeuwes WF, van den Bosch MHJ, Thurlings RM, Blom AB, van Lent PLEM. The role of inflammation in mesenchymal stromal cell therapy in osteoarthritis, perspectives for post-traumatic osteoarthritis: a review. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:1042-1053. [PMID: 33410465 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OA is a complex and highly prevalent degenerative disease affecting the whole joint, in which factors like genetic predisposition, gender, age, obesity and traumas contribute to joint destruction. ∼50-80% of OA patients develop synovitis. OA-associated risk factors contribute to joint instability and the release of cartilage matrix fragments, activating the synovium to release pro-inflammatory factors and catabolic enzymes in turn damaging the cartilage and creating a vicious circle. Currently, no cure is available for OA. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been tested in OA for their chondrogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Interestingly, MSCs are most effective when administered during synovitis. This review focusses on the interplay between joint inflammation and the immunomodulation by MSCs in OA. We discuss the potential of MSCs to break the vicious circle of inflammation and describe current perspectives and challenges for clinical application of MSCs in treatment and prevention of OA, focussing on preventing post-traumatic OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wessel F Theeuwes
- Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Arjen B Blom
- Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter L E M van Lent
- Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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12
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Wienke J, Mertens JS, Garcia S, Lim J, Wijngaarde CA, Yeo JG, Meyer A, van den Hoogen LL, Tekstra J, Hoogendijk JE, Otten HG, Fritsch-Stork RDE, de Jager W, Seyger MMB, Thurlings RM, de Jong EMGJ, van der Kooi AJ, van der Pol WL, Arkachaisri T, Radstake TRDJ, van Royen-Kerkhof A, van Wijk F. Biomarker profiles of endothelial activation and dysfunction in rare systemic autoimmune diseases: implications for cardiovascular risk. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:785-801. [PMID: 32810267 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Vasculopathy is an important hallmark of systemic chronic inflammatory connective tissue diseases (CICTD) and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated disease-specific biomarker profiles associated with endothelial dysfunction, angiogenic homeostasis and (tissue) inflammation, and their relation to disease activity in rare CICTD. METHODS A total of 38 serum proteins associated with endothelial (dys)function and inflammation were measured by multiplex-immunoassay in treatment-naive patients with localized scleroderma (LoS, 30), eosinophilic fasciitis (EF, 8) or (juvenile) dermatomyositis (34), 119 (follow-up) samples during treatment, and 65 controls. Data were analysed by unsupervised clustering, Spearman correlations, non-parametric t test and ANOVA. RESULTS The systemic CICTD, EF and dermatomyositis, had distinct biomarker profiles, with 'signature' markers galectin-9 (dermatomyositis) and CCL4, CCL18, CXCL9, fetuin, fibronectin, galectin-1 and TSP-1 (EF). In LoS, CCL18, CXCL9 and CXCL10 were subtly increased. Furthermore, dermatomyositis and EF shared upregulation of markers related to interferon (CCL2, CXCL10), endothelial activation (VCAM-1), inhibition of angiogenesis (angiopoietin-2, sVEGFR-1) and inflammation/leucocyte chemo-attraction (CCL19, CXCL13, IL-18, YKL-40), as well as disturbance of the Angiopoietin-Tie receptor system and VEGF-VEGFR system. These profiles were related to disease activity, and largely normalized during treatment. However, a subgroup of CICTD patients showed continued elevation of CXCL10, CXCL13, galectin-9, IL-18, TNFR2, VCAM-1, and/or YKL-40 during clinically inactive disease, possibly indicating subclinical interferon-driven inflammation and/or endothelial dysfunction. CONCLUSION CICTD-specific biomarker profiles revealed an anti-angiogenic, interferon-driven environment during active disease, with incomplete normalization under treatment. This warrants further investigation into monitoring of vascular biomarkers during clinical follow-up, or targeted interventions to minimize cardiovascular risk in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Wienke
- Centre for Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jorre S Mertens
- Centre for Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Dermatology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Samuel Garcia
- Centre for Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Lim
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Neuroscience Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Camiel A Wijngaarde
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joo Guan Yeo
- Rheumatology and Immunology Service, Department of Paediatric Subspecialties, KK Women's and Children's Hospital and Duke-NUS Medical School, Duke, NUS, Singapore.,Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth-Academic Medical Centre, Duke, NUS, Singapore
| | - Alain Meyer
- Service de Physiologie et d'Explorations Fonctionnelles, Centre, de Référence des, Maladies Autoimmunes Rares, Rhumatologie, Institut de Physiologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, France
| | - Lucas L van den Hoogen
- Centre for Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Janneke Tekstra
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica E Hoogendijk
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henny G Otten
- Centre for Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruth D E Fritsch-Stork
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria, Vienna, Austria.,Medizinische Abteilung Hanusch Krankenhaus und Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für Osteologie, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wilco de Jager
- Centre for Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke M B Seyger
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elke M G J de Jong
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Anneke J van der Kooi
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Neuroscience Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - W Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Thaschawee Arkachaisri
- Rheumatology and Immunology Service, Department of Paediatric Subspecialties, KK Women's and Children's Hospital and Duke-NUS Medical School, Duke, NUS, Singapore
| | - Timothy R D J Radstake
- Centre for Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annet van Royen-Kerkhof
- Paediatric Rheumatology and Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Femke van Wijk
- Centre for Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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13
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Ramwadhdoebe TH, van Baarsen LGM, Boumans MJH, Bruijnen STG, Safy M, Berger FH, Semmelink JF, van der Laken CJ, Gerlag DM, Thurlings RM, Tak PP. Effect of rituximab treatment on T and B cell subsets in lymph node biopsies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; 58:1075-1085. [PMID: 30649469 PMCID: PMC6532448 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/key428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [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: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The exact underlying mechanism of rituximab treatment in patients with RA is poorly defined and knowledge about the effect of B cell depletion on immune cells in secondary lymphoid organs is lacking. We analysed lymphoid tissue responses to rituximab in RA patients. Methods Fourteen RA patients received 2 × 1000 mg rituximab intravenously, and lymph node (LN) biopsies were obtained before and 4 weeks after the first infusion. Tissues were examined by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. LN biopsies from five healthy individuals (HC) served as controls. Results LN biopsies of RA patients showed increased frequencies of CD21+CD23+IgDhighIgMvariable follicular B cells and CD3+CD25+CD69+ early activated, tissue resident T cells when compared with HCs. After treatment, there was incomplete depletion of LN B cells. There was a significant decrease in CD27−IgD+ naïve B cells, and CD27+IgD+ unswitched memory B cells including the CD27+IgD+IgM+ subset and follicular B cells. Strikingly, CD27+IgD− switched memory B cells persisted in LN biopsies after rituximab treatment. In the T cell compartment, a significant decrease was observed in the frequency of early activated, tissue resident T cells after rituximab treatment, but late activated T cells persisted. B cell proliferation inducing cytokine IL-21 was higher expressed in LN biopsies of RA patients compared with HC and expression was not affected by rituximab treatment. Conclusion Rituximab does not cure RA, possibly due to persistence of switched memory B cells in lymphoid tissues suggesting that factors promoting B cell survival and differentiation need to be additionally targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara H Ramwadhdoebe
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC), Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lisa G M van Baarsen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC), Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maria J H Boumans
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC), Netherlands
| | - Stefan T G Bruijnen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, ARC, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mary Safy
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC), Netherlands
| | - Ferco H Berger
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Johanna F Semmelink
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC), Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Conny J van der Laken
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, ARC, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Danielle M Gerlag
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC), Netherlands.,Clinical Unit Cambridge, GlaxoSmithKline, UK
| | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC), Netherlands
| | - Paul P Tak
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC), Netherlands.,University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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14
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Verhoef LM, den Broeder N, Thurlings RM, van der Laan WH, van der Weele W, Kok MR, Bernelot Moens HJ, Woodworth TG, van den Bemt BJF, van den Hoogen FHJ, den Broeder AA. Ultra-low doses of rituximab for continued treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (REDO study): a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. Lancet Rheumatol 2019; 1:e145-e153. [PMID: 38229391 DOI: 10.1016/s2665-9913(19)30066-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rituximab is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, given as either two doses of 1000 mg (2 weeks apart) every 6 months (the dose recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency) or two doses of 500 mg (2 weeks apart) or one dose of 1000 mg (a standard low dose) every 6 months. Findings of several small uncontrolled studies suggest that doses lower than the recommended dose or standard low dose might be sufficient for maintenance treatment, potentially improving safety and reducing costs. Therefore, we aimed to compare the efficacy of ultra-low doses of rituximab (one dose of 500 mg or 200 mg) with a standard low dose of rituximab (one dose of 1000 mg) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who respond to standard doses of rituximab. METHODS The REDO study is a randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority trial done at five centres in the Netherlands. Adults (aged ≥18 years) with rheumatoid arthritis responding well to rituximab were randomly allocated (1:2:2) to receive intravenous rituximab as one dose of either 1000 mg, 500 mg, or 200 mg, respectively. Volumes of all doses were equal to achieve masking. Randomisation lists were computer-generated and stratified by rheumatoid factor or anti-citrullinated protein antibody status (positive or negative) and concomitant use of conventional synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (yes or no). The primary analysis was a per-protocol hierarchical testing procedure comparing ultra-low doses with a standard low dose (500 mg vs 1000 mg at 3 months, followed by 500 mg vs 1000 mg at 6 months, 200 mg vs 1000 mg at 3 months, and 200 mg vs 1000 mg at 6 months), using a non-inferiority margin of 0·60 on change from baseline in the 28-joint disease activity score based on C-reactive protein levels (DAS28-CRP). The study is registered at www.trialregister.nl, NTR6117. FINDINGS Between Dec 15, 2016, and Sept 20, 2018, 142 patients were randomly allocated to either 1000 mg rituximab (n=29), 500 mg rituximab (n=58), or 200 mg rituximab (n=55). The 500 mg dose was non-inferior to 1000 mg at 3 months (mean change from baseline in DAS28-CRP, -0·07, 95% CI -0·41 to 0·27) but not at 6 months (0·29, -0·08 to 0·65). Because of the hierarchical testing procedure, non-inferiority could not be tested for the 200 mg dose. 13 patients had serious adverse events, three (10%) in the 1000 mg group, six (10%) in the 500 mg group, and four (7%) in the 200 mg group. The most frequently reported serious adverse events were cardiovascular. No deaths occurred during the study. A significantly lower incidence of infections was seen in the ultra-low-dose groups compared with the standard dose group (1·10 infections per patient-year with the 1000 mg dose vs 0·52 per patient-year with the 500 mg dose and 0·51 per patient-year with the 200 mg dose; rate ratio 0·47, 95% CI 0·21-0·83; p=0·013 for 500 mg vs 1000 mg; 0·44, 0·22-0·88; p=0·019 for 200 mg vs 1000 mg). INTERPRETATION Our study did not show non-inferiority of ultra-low doses of rituximab for continued treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nonetheless, in clinical practice, a strategy with an ultra-low dose of rituximab might be considered after evaluation of risks and benefits, although further studies are needed to establish non-inferiority. Further analyses and a 2-year observational extension are ongoing and should provide further insight into efficacy and safety. FUNDING Menzis and Centraal Ziekenfonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise M Verhoef
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | - Marc R Kok
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Thasia G Woodworth
- Department of Medicine/Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bart J F van den Bemt
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Department of Pharmacy, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Frank H J van den Hoogen
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Alfons A den Broeder
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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15
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de Molon RS, Thurlings RM, Walgreen B, Helsen MM, van der Kraan PM, Cirelli JA, Koenders MI. Systemic Resolvin E1 (RvE1) Treatment Does Not Ameliorate the Severity of Collagen-Induced Arthritis (CIA) in Mice: A Randomized, Prospective, and Controlled Proof of Concept Study. Mediators Inflamm 2019; 2019:5689465. [PMID: 31780864 PMCID: PMC6875002 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5689465] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Specialized proresolving mediators (SPRM), which arise from n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3FA), promote resolution of inflammation and may help to prevent progression of an acute inflammatory response into chronic inflammation in patients with arthritis. Thus, this study is aimed at determining whether systemic RvE1 treatment reduces arthritis onset and severity in murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and spontaneous cytokine production by human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial explants. 10-week-old DBA1/J male mice were subjected to CIA and treated systemically with 0.1 μg RvE1, 1 μg RvE1, 5 mg/kg anti-TNF (positive control group), PBS (negative control group), or with a combination of 1 μg of RvE1 plus 5 mg/kg anti-TNF using prophylactic or therapeutic strategies. After CIA immunization, mice were treated twice a week by RvE1 or anti-TNF for 10 days. Arthritis development was assessed by visual scoring of paw swelling and histology of ankle joints. Moreover, human RA synovial explants were incubated with 1 nM, 10 nM, or 100 nM of RvE1, and cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, INF-γ, and TNF-α) were measured using Luminex bead array. CIA triggered significant inflammation in the synovial cavity, proteoglycan loss, and cartilage and bone destruction in the ankle joints of mice. Prophylactic and therapeutic RvE1 regimens did not ameliorate CIA incidence and severity. Anti-TNF treatment significantly abrogated signs of joint inflammation, bone erosion, and proteoglycan depletion, but additional RvE1 treatment did not further reduce the anti-TNF-mediated suppression of the disease. Treatment with different concentrations of RvE1 did not decrease the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in human RA synovial explants in the studied conditions. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that RvE1 treatment was not an effective approach to treat CIA in DBA1/J mice in both prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, no effects were noticed when human synovial explants were incubated with different concentrations of RvE1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Scaf de Molon
- Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry at Araraquara, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rogier M. Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Birgitte Walgreen
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Monique M. Helsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Peter M. van der Kraan
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Joni Augusto Cirelli
- Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry at Araraquara, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Marije I. Koenders
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands
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16
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Smits M, van de Groes S, Thurlings RM. Synovial Tissue Biopsy Collection by Rheumatologists: Ready for Clinical Implementation? Front Med (Lausanne) 2019; 6:138. [PMID: 31281817 PMCID: PMC6595539 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Synovial tissue from arthritis patients is increasingly used for both basic pathophysiological and clinical translational research. This development has been spurred by the development of biotechnological techniques for analysis of complex tissues and the validation of ultrasound guided biopsies for easier tissue sampling. This increasing use of synovial tissue raises questions on standardization of methodologies for tissue processing and cellular & molecular analyses. Furthermore, it raises the question if synovial tissue biopsy analysis may be more widely implemented in clinical practice, what are the methodological hurdles for implementation and what are the lessons that can be learned from previous experience. This will be the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijn Smits
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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17
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Pollastro S, Klarenbeek PL, Doorenspleet ME, van Schaik BDC, Esveldt REE, Thurlings RM, Boumans MJH, Gerlag DM, Tak PP, Vos K, Baas F, van Kampen AHC, de Vries N. Non-response to rituximab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with incomplete disruption of the B cell receptor repertoire. Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 78:1339-1345. [PMID: 31217169 PMCID: PMC6788876 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-214898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To gain more insight into the dynamics of lymphocyte depletion and develop new predictors of clinical response to rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS RNA-based next-generation sequencing was used to analyse the B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire in peripheral blood and synovial tissue samples collected from 24 seropositive patients with RA treated with rituximab. Clonal expansion, mutation load and clonal overlap were assessed in samples collected before, at week 4 and at week 16 or 24 after treatment and correlated to the patients' clinical response. RESULTS After 4 weeks of rituximab-induced B cell depletion, the peripheral blood BCR repertoire of treated patients consisted of fewer, more dominant and more mutated BCR clones. No significant changes in the synovial tissue BCR repertoire were detected until week 16 post-treatment, when a reduced clonal overlap with baseline and an increased mutation load were observed. In patients who were non-responders at month 3 (n=5) using the European League Against Rheumatism response criteria, peripheral blood samples taken at week 4 after rituximab treatment showed more dominant clones compared with moderate responders (n=9) (median (IQR): 36 (27-52) vs 18 (16-26); p<0.01) and more clonal overlap with the baseline (median (IQR): 5% (2%-20%) vs 0% (0%-0%); p≤0.01). CONCLUSION Significant changes in BCR clonality are observed in peripheral blood of patients 4 weeks after rituximab treatment, while changes in synovial tissue were observed at later time points. Incomplete depletion of the dominant baseline peripheral blood BCR repertoire in the first month of treatment might predict clinical non-response at 3 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Pollastro
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC)
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Immunology
- Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L Klarenbeek
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC)
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke E Doorenspleet
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC)
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Barbera D C van Schaik
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rebecca E E Esveldt
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC)
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maria J H Boumans
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC)
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Danielle M Gerlag
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC)
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Clinical Unit Cambridge, GlaxoSmithKline, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paul P Tak
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC)
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medicine, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Flagship Pioneering, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Koen Vos
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC)
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Baas
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC)
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Laboratory for Diagnostic Genome Analysis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Antoine H C van Kampen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Niek de Vries
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center (ARC)
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands .,Department of Experimental Immunology
- Amsterdam Infection & Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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18
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Arntz OJ, Pieters BCH, Thurlings RM, Wenink MH, van Lent PLEM, Koenders MI, van den Hoogen FHJ, van der Kraan PM, van de Loo FAJ. Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With Circulating Extracellular Vesicles Positive for IgM Rheumatoid Factor Have Higher Disease Activity. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2388. [PMID: 30420853 PMCID: PMC6215817 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that mainly affects synovial joints. Validated laboratory parameters for RA diagnosis are higher blood levels of rheumatoid factor IgM (IgM-RF), anti-citrullinated protein autoantibodies (ACPA), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Clinical parameters used are the number of tender (TJC) and swollen joints (SJC) and the global patient visual analog score (VAS). To determine disease remission in patients a disease activity score (DAS28) can be calculated based on SJC, TJC, VAS, and ESR (or alternatively CRP). However, subtle and better predictive changes to follow treatment responses in individual patients cannot be measured by the above mentioned parameters nor by measuring cytokine levels in blood. As extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a role in intercellular communication and carry a multitude of signals we set out to determine their value as a biomarker for disease activity. EVs were isolated from platelet-free plasma of 41 RA patients and 24 healthy controls (HC) by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). We quantified the particle and protein concentration, using NanoSight particle tracking analysis and micro-BCA, respectively, and observed no differences between RA patients and HC. In plasma of 28 out of 41 RA patients IgM-RF was detectable by ELISA, and in 13 out of these 28 seropositive RA patients (RF+RA) IgM-RF was also detected on their isolated pEVs (IgM-RF+). In seronegative RA patients (RF-RA) we did not find any RF present on pEVs. When comparing disease parameters we found no differences between RF+RA and RF-RA patients, except for increased ESR levels in RF+RA patients. However, RF+RA patients with IgM-RF+ pEVs showed significantly higher levels of CRP and ESR and also VAS and DAS28 were significantly increased compared to RA+ patients without IgM-RF+ pEVs. This study shows for the first time the presence of IgM-RF on pEVs in a proportion of RF+RA patients with a higher disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onno J Arntz
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Bartijn C H Pieters
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Mark H Wenink
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Peter L E M van Lent
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marije I Koenders
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Frank H J van den Hoogen
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Peter M van der Kraan
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Fons A J van de Loo
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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19
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Broeren MGA, Waterborg CEJ, Wiegertjes R, Thurlings RM, Koenders MI, Van Lent PLEM, Van der Kraan PM, Van de Loo FAJ. A three-dimensional model to study human synovial pathology. ALTEX 2018; 36:18-28. [PMID: 30303512 DOI: 10.14573/altex.1804161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic agents that are used by patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases were originally developed and tested in animal models, and although retrospective studies show a limited predictive value, it could be explained by the fact that there are no good in vitro alternatives. In this study, we developed a 3-dimensional synovial membrane model made of either human primary synovial cell suspensions or a mix of primary fibroblast-like synoviocytes and CD14+ mononuclear cells. We analyzed the composition of the mature micromasses by immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry and show that the outer surface forms a lining layer consisting out of fibroblast-like and macrophage-like cells, reflecting the in vivo naïve synovial membrane. To recreate the affected synovial membrane in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the micromasses were exposed to the pro-inflammatory cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α). This led to increased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and production and to hyperplasia of the membrane. To recreate the synovial membrane in osteoarthritis (OA), the micromasses were exposed to Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β). This led to fibrosis-like changes of the membrane, including increased Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin and increased expression of fibrosis-related genes PLOD2 and COL1A1. Interestingly, the macrophages in the micromass showed phenotypic plasticity as prolonged TNF-α or TGF-β stimulation strongly reduced the occurrence of Cluster of Differentiation 163-positive M2-like macrophages. We showed the plasticity of the micromasses as a synovial model for studying RA and OA pathology and propose that the synovial lining micromass system can be a good alternative for testing drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathijs G A Broeren
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Claire E J Waterborg
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Renske Wiegertjes
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marije I Koenders
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter L E M Van Lent
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter M Van der Kraan
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Fons A J Van de Loo
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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20
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van den Hombergh WMT, Kersten BE, Knaapen-Hans HKA, Thurlings RM, van der Kraan PM, van den Hoogen FHJ, Fransen J, Vonk MC. Hit hard and early: analysing the effects of high-dose methylprednisolone on nailfold capillary changes and biomarkers in very early systemic sclerosis: study protocol for a 12-week randomised controlled trial. Trials 2018; 19:449. [PMID: 30134971 PMCID: PMC6104002 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-2798-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mounting evidence indicates that inflammatory mechanisms drive systemic sclerosis (SSc) vasculopathy and fibrosis, especially early in the disease. Therefore, patients with very early SSc could benefit from early treatments targeting inflammation. Glucocorticoids are among the most potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents. Several studies have demonstrated a mixed response to treatment with glucocorticoids in SSc, probably because it is seldom initiated at very early stages of the disease. We hypothesise that by inhibiting the inflammatory process driving SSc disease progression, glucocorticoid treatments will induce remission in patients with very early SSc. Methods/design This study is a 12-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial analysing the effects of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone in very early SSc. Thirty patients who fulfil the criteria for very early SSc will be randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either intravenous methylprednisolone or a placebo on three consecutive days over three consecutive months. In this study, the primary endpoint will be the change in capillary density between the baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. The secondary outcomes of this study are a change in selected biomarkers, other changes in the nailfold capillaries, signs of established SSc and changes in physical function, general health and utilities, as reported through questionnaires. Discussion This trial is the first aiming to treat very early SSc and is promising because it targets the very early stages of the disease process by using an inexpensive and relatively safe treatment known to be highly effective against inflammation. The use of vasculopathy and inflammatory biomarkers as well as clinical signs and symptoms as the endpoints in our study enables us to meet the patient need for markers of disease activity. If it is possible to prevent clinically significant disease in patients with very early SSc by using a safe treatment, this will cause a paradigm shift in scleroderma care and research. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03059979. Registered on 20 February 2017. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-2798-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieneke M T van den Hombergh
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Brigit E Kersten
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke K A Knaapen-Hans
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter M van der Kraan
- Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank H J van den Hoogen
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap Fransen
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Madelon C Vonk
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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21
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Tweehuysen L, den Broeder N, van Herwaarden N, Joosten LAB, van Lent PL, Vogl T, van den Hoogen FHJ, Thurlings RM, den Broeder AA. Predictive value of serum calprotectin (S100A8/A9) for clinical response after starting or tapering anti-TNF treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. RMD Open 2018; 4:e000654. [PMID: 29657832 PMCID: PMC5892754 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2018-000654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Calprotectin (S100A8/A9) has been correlated with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of serum calprotectin for clinical response after starting and tapering anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment in RA. Methods Serum samples and clinical outcomes were derived from two longitudinal RA studies. At baseline (starting or tapering of adalimumab or etanercept), calprotectin levels were determined by ELISA. In the Biologic Individual Optimised Treatment Outcome Prediction (BIO-TOP) study, treatment effect was assessed after 6 months using the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria. In the Dose Reduction Strategies of Subcutaneous TNF Inhibitors (DRESS) study, patients were classified at 18 months as being successfully dose reduced, discontinued or not able to reduce the dose. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were generated to evaluate the predictive value of calprotectin and logistic prediction models were created to assess its added value. Results In the BIO-TOP study, calprotectin levels were higher in responders (n=50: 985 ng/mL (p25–p75: 558–1417)) compared with non-responders (n=75: 645 ng/mL (p25–p75: 415–973), p=0.04). AUC for predicting EULAR good response was 0.61 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.71). The prediction model with calprotectin (AUC 0.77, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.85) performed similarly to the baseline model (AUC 0.74, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.82, p=0.29). In the DRESS study, calprotectin levels were similar between the three groups (n=47; n=19; n=36) and calprotectin was not predictive for clinical response after tapering. Conclusions Serum calprotectin has some predictive value for clinical response after starting anti-TNF treatment, although it has no added value to other clinical factors. In patients with low disease activity, serum calprotectin is not predictive for clinical response after tapering anti-TNF treatment. Trial registration number NTR4647 (BIO-TOP study) and NTR3216 (DRESS study); Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieke Tweehuysen
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nathan den Broeder
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Leo A B Joosten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter L van Lent
- Department of Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Vogl
- Department of Immunology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank H J van den Hoogen
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alfons A den Broeder
- Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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22
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Mertens JS, Thurlings RM, Kievit W, Seyger MMB, Radstake TRD, de Jong EMGJ. Long-term outcome of eosinophilic fasciitis: A cross-sectional evaluation of 35 patients. J Am Acad Dermatol 2017; 77:512-517.e5. [PMID: 28734566 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a connective tissue disease with an unknown long-term course. OBJECTIVE To evaluate presence and determinants of residual disease damage in patients with EF after long-term follow-up. METHODS Patients with biopsy-proven EF were included for this cross-sectional study. Outcome measures included the Physician's Global Assessment of Disease Activity, Physician's Global Assessment of Damage (PhysGA-D), skin pliability scores, passive range of motion, and health-related quality of Life (HRQoL) questionnaires. RESULTS In total, 35 patients (24 of whom were female [68.6%]) with a median age of 60 years participated. All patients had detectable residual damage. Impairment of HRQoL, assessed by the Dermatology Quality of Life Index and the 36-Item Short-Form Survey, correlated to the extent of residual damage. The PhysGA-D score at participation correlated to signs of severe disease at presentation, such as increased C-reactive protein level (Spearman's rho [rs ] = 0.486, P = .006), involvement of the neck (rs = 0.528, P = .001) and trunk (rs = 0.483, P = .003), prolonged time to disease remission (rs = 0.575, P = .003), and presence of concomitant morphea (rs = 0.349, P = .040). Lastly, maximum methotrexate dose correlated negatively to PhysGA-D score at study participation (rs = -0.393, P = .022). LIMITATIONS Sample size. CONCLUSION All patients with EF had detectable residual damage. Impairment of HRQoL correlated to the extent of residual damage. Advanced age and signs of severe disease at presentation were associated with the severity of residual damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorre S Mertens
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Rogier M Thurlings
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wietske Kievit
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Evidence, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke M B Seyger
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy R D Radstake
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elke M G J de Jong
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Radboud University Medical Centre, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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23
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Broeren MGA, de Vries M, Bennink MB, van Lent PLEM, van der Kraan PM, Koenders MI, Thurlings RM, van de Loo FAJ. Functional Tissue Analysis Reveals Successful Cryopreservation of Human Osteoarthritic Synovium. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167076. [PMID: 27870898 PMCID: PMC5117761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease affecting cartilage and is the most common form of arthritis worldwide. One third of OA patients have severe synovitis and less than 10% have no evidence of synovitis. Moreover, synovitis is predictive for more severe disease progression. This offers a target for therapy but more research on the pathophysiological processes in the synovial tissue of these patients is needed. Functional studies performed with synovial tissue will be more approachable when this material, that becomes available by joint replacement surgery, can be stored for later use. We set out to determine the consequences of slow-freezing of human OA synovial tissue. Therefore, we validated a method that can be applied in every routine laboratory and performed a comparative study of five cryoprotective agent (CPA) solutions. To determine possible deleterious cryopreservation-thaw effects on viability, the synovial tissue architecture, metabolic activity, RNA quality, expression of cryopreservation associated stress genes, and expression of OA characteristic disease genes was studied. Furthermore, the biological activity of the cryopreserved tissue was determined by measuring cytokine secretion induced by the TLR ligands lipopolysaccharides and Pam3Cys. Compared to non frozen synovium, no difference in cell and tissue morphology could be identified in the conditions using the CS10, standard and CryoSFM CPA solution for cryopreservation. However, we observed significantly lower preservation of tissue morphology with the Biofreeze and CS2 media. The other viability assays showed trends in the same direction but were not sensitive enough to detect significant differences between conditions. In all assays tested a clearly lower viability was detected in the condition in which synovium was frozen without CPA solution. This detailed analysis showed that OA synovial tissue explants can be cryopreserved while maintaining the morphology, viability and phenotypical response after thawing, offering enhanced opportunities for human in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathijs G. A. Broeren
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke de Vries
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Miranda B. Bennink
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter L. E. M. van Lent
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter M. van der Kraan
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marije I. Koenders
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rogier M. Thurlings
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Fons A. J. van de Loo
- Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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24
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Mertens JS, van den Reek JM, Kievit W, van de Kerkhof PCM, Thurlings RM, Radstake TRD, Seyger MMB, de Jong EMGJ. Drug Survival and Predictors of Drug Survival for Methotrexate Treatment in a Retrospective Cohort of Adult Patients with Localized Scleroderma. Acta Derm Venereol 2016; 96:943-947. [PMID: 26983450 DOI: 10.2340/00015555-2411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Data regarding the efficacy and safety of methotrexate (MTX) in adults with localized scleroderma (LoS) is scarce. This study gathered data from a retrospective cohort of adult patients with LoS (n?=?107), treated with MTX (1993-2015). MTX drug survival and predictors thereof were analysed. After 1 and 2 years, 26% and 63% of patients stopped MTX due to disease remission, respectively. Patients with younger age at MTX initiation (hazard ratio (HR) 1.159 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.052-1.277)) and those with no other autoimmune diseases (HR 3.268 (95% CI 1.334-8.009)) more often stopped MTX due to disease remission. In addition, 24% of patients stopped MTX due to treatment failure within one year. Patients with circumscribed superficial LoS (HR 0.221 (95% CI 0.081-0.601)) experienced treatment failure less often than those with other LoS subtypes. Finally, adding folic acid (HR 0.184 (95% CI 0.079-0.425)) and reducing treatment delay (HR 1.056 (95% CI 1.004-1.112)) could be the most important factors in minimizing MTX treatment failure in LoS in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorre S Mertens
- Department of Dermatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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de Vries M, Broeren MGA, Bennink MB, van Lent PLEM, van der Kraan PM, Koenders MI, Thurlings RM, van de Loo FAJ. A10.08 Detailed analysis of the effect of cryopreservation on the viability and cytokine release of human synovial tissue. Ann Rheum Dis 2016. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209124.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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26
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Hoogeveen RM, van der Bom T, de Boer HH, Thurlings RM, Wind BS, de Vries HJC, van Lent AU, Beuers U, van der Wal AC, Nellen FJ. A lethal case of the dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome involving the myocardium. Neth J Med 2016; 74:89-92. [PMID: 26951355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In the Netherlands dapsone is used for the treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis, leprosy and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and prophylaxis in case of cotrimoxazole allergy. An idiosyncratic drug reaction, known as the dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS), appears in about 0.5-3.6% of persons treated with dapsone. DHS can be associated with fever, rash and systemic involvement. We present a 35-year-old woman who developed severe DHS seven weeks after starting dapsone. Six weeks after being discharged in a good clinical condition she died from fulminant myocarditis, 11 weeks after the first DHS symptoms and the discontinuation of dapsone.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Hoogeveen
- Department of Infectious disease, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Van der Horst A, Choi YK, van Schaardenburg DJ, Gerlag DM, Hamann D, Tak PP, Thurlings RM. A7.3 The mucosal anti-citrullinated protein antibody response in pre-clinical rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-207259.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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28
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Ramwadhdoebe TH, Boumans MJH, Bruijnen STG, Safy M, Berger FH, van Baarsen LGM, van der Laken CJ, Gerlag DM, Thurlings RM, Tak PP. A8.10 The effect of rituximab treatment on B and T cell subsets in lymphoid tissues of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-207259.195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Thurlings RM, Boumans M, de Jager WJ, Vos K, Marie van Westing D, van Baarsen LG, Gerlag DM, Prakken B, Tak PP, Tak PP. A1.73 Relationship between expression of synovial B cell survival factors and clinical response to rituximab treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2014. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-205124.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Choi IY, Gerlag DM, Herenius MJ, Thurlings RM, Wijbrandts CA, Foell D, Vogl T, Roth J, Tak PP, Holzinger D. MRP8/14 serum levels as a strong predictor of response to biological treatments in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2013; 74:499-505. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Ćalasan MB, Thurlings RM, Wulffraat NM, Prakken BJ. Translational medicine from bedside to bench and back again: methotrexate revisited. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.2217/ijr.13.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Doorenspleet ME, Klarenbeek PL, Boumans MJ, Thurlings RM, Esveldt RE, van Schaik BD, van Kampen AH, Gerlag DM, Baas F, Tak PP, Plenge RM, de Vries N. Disruption of dominant B cell/plasma cell clones in rheumatoid arthritis synovium by rituximab correlates with treatment response. Ann Rheum Dis 2012. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2011-201234.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Boumans MJH, Thurlings RM, Yeo L, Scheel-Toellner D, Vos K, Gerlag DM, Tak PP. Rituximab abrogates joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. Ann Rheum Dis 2011; 71:108-13. [PMID: 22072013 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2011-200198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine how rituximab may result in the inhibition of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS Twenty-eight patients with active RA were treated with rituximab. Radiographs of hands and feet before and 1 year after therapy were assessed using the Sharp-van der Heijde score (SHS). Expression of bone destruction markers was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence of synovial biopsies obtained before and 16 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Serum levels of osteoprotegerin, receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), osteocalcin and cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx) were measured by ELISA before and 16 weeks post-treatment. RESULTS After 1 year, the mean (SD) change in total SHS was 1.4 (10.0). Sixteen weeks after treatment there was a decrease of 99% in receptor activator of nuclear factor κB-positive osteoclast precursors (p=0.02) and a decrease of 37% (p=0.016) in RANKL expression in the synovium and a trend towards reduced synovial osteoprotegerin expression (25%, p=0.07). In serum, both osteoprotegerin (20%, p=0.001) and RANKL (40%, p<0.0001) levels were significantly reduced 16 weeks after treatment, but the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio increased (157%, p=0.006). A trend was found towards an increase of osteocalcin levels (p=0.053), while NTx concentrations did not change. CONCLUSIONS Rituximab treatment is associated with a decrease in synovial osteoclast precursors and RANKL expression and an increase in the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio in serum. These observations may partly explain the protective effect of rituximab on the progression of joint destruction in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J H Boumans
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Boumans MJH, Thurlings RM, Gerlag DM, Vos K, Tak PP. Response to rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in different compartments of the immune system. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 63:3187-94. [DOI: 10.1002/art.30567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Thurlings RM, Boumans M, Tekstra J, van Roon JA, Vos K, van Westing DM, van Baarsen LG, Bos C, Kirou KA, Gerlag DM, Crow MK, Bijlsma JW, Verweij CL, Tak PP. Relationship between the type I interferon signature and the response to rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis patients. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 62:3607-14. [PMID: 20722020 DOI: 10.1002/art.27702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the relationship between the type I interferon (IFN) signature and clinical response to rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS Twenty RA patients were treated with rituximab (cohort 1). Clinical response was defined as a decrease in the Disease Activity Score evaluated in 28 joints (DAS28) and as a response according to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria at week 12 and week 24. The presence of an IFN signature was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by measuring the expression levels of 3 IFN response genes by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. After comparison with the findings in healthy controls, patients were classified as having an IFN high or an IFN low signature. The data were confirmed in a second independent cohort (n = 31). Serum IFNα bioactivity was analyzed using a reporter assay. RESULTS In cohort 1, there was a better clinical response to rituximab in the IFN low signature group. Consistent with these findings, patients with an IFN low signature had a significantly greater reduction in the DAS28 and more often achieved a EULAR response at weeks 12 and 24 as compared with the patients with an IFN high signature in cohort 2 versus cohort 1. The pooled data showed a significantly stronger decrease in the DAS28 in IFN low signature patients at weeks 12 and 24 as compared with the IFN high signature group and a more frequent EULAR response at week 12. Accordingly, serum IFNα bioactivity at baseline was inversely associated with the clinical response, although this result did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION The type I IFN signature negatively predicts the clinical response to rituximab treatment in patients with RA. This finding supports the notion that IFN signaling plays a role in the immunopathology of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogier M Thurlings
- Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Herenius MMJ, Thurlings RM, Wijbrandts CA, Bennink RJ, Dohmen SE, Voermans C, Wouters D, Izmailova ES, Gerlag DM, van Eck-Smit BLF, Tak PP. Monocyte migration to the synovium in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with adalimumab. Ann Rheum Dis 2011; 70:1160-2. [PMID: 21345816 PMCID: PMC3086080 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2010.141549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Objectives The mechanism of action of treatment with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blockers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still not completely understood. The aim of this study was to test if adalimumab treatment could affect the influx of monocytes into the synovium. Methods A novel technique was used to analyse the migration of labelled autologous monocytes before and 14 days after initiation of adalimumab treatment using scintigraphy. CD14 monocytes were isolated from patients with RA, using a positive selection procedure with magnetic-activated cell sorting, and labelled with technetium-99m-hexamethylpropylene-amino-oxime. Scintigraphic scans were made 1, 2 and 3 h after re-infusion. Results As early as 14 days after the start of treatment with adalimumab a significant decrease in disease activity score evaluated in 28 joints was shown. There was no significant decrease in the influx of monocytes into the joint at this time. Conclusions This study indicates that adalimumab treatment does not reduce the influx of monocytes into the synovium early after initiation of treatment. As previous studies showed a rapid decrease in macrophage infiltration after TNF-antibody therapy, which could not be explained by increased cell death, this points to an important role for enhanced efflux of inflammatory cells from the synovium.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M J Herenius
- D ivision of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Gheorghe KR, Thurlings RM, Westman M, Boumans MJ, Malmström V, Trollmo C, Korotkova M, Jakobsson PJ, Tak PP. Prostaglandin E2 synthesizing enzymes in rheumatoid arthritis B cells and the effects of B cell depleting therapy on enzyme expression. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16378. [PMID: 21298002 PMCID: PMC3029314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 10/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/13/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction B cells may play an important role in promoting immune activation in the rheumatoid synovium and can produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) when activated. In its turn, PGE2 formed by cyclooxygenase (COX) and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase 1 (MPGES1) contributes to the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathological process. Therapeutic depletion of B cells results in important improvement in controlling disease activity in rheumatoid patients. Therefore we investigated the expression of PGE2 pathway enzymes in RA B cells and evaluated the effects of B cell depleting therapy on their expression in RA tissue. Methods B cells expressing MPGES1 and COX-2 were identified by flow cytometry in in vitro stimulated and control mononuclear cells isolated from synovial fluid and peripheral blood of RA patients. Synovial biopsies were obtained from 24 RA patients before and at two consecutive time points after rituximab therapy. Expression of MPGES1, COX-1 and COX-2, as well as interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, known inducers of MPGES1, was quantified in immunostained biopsy sections using computerized image analysis. Results Expression of MPGES1 or COX-2 was significantly upregulated upon stimulation of B cells from blood and synovial fluid while control cells displayed no detectable enzymes. In synovial biopsy sections, the expression of MPGES1, COX-1 or COX-2 was resistant to rituximab therapy at 8 or 16 weeks after start of treatment. Furthermore expression of IL-1β in the synovial tissue remained unchanged, while IL-6 tended to decrease after therapy. Conclusions Therapy with B cell depleting agents, although efficient in achieving good clinical and radiographic response in RA patients, leaves important inflammatory pathways in the rheumatoid synovium essentially unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Roxana Gheorghe
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rogier M. Thurlings
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marie Westman
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maartje J. Boumans
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vivianne Malmström
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christina Trollmo
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marina Korotkova
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Actar AB Inc., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per-Johan Jakobsson
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Paul-Peter Tak
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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van de Sande MGH, Thurlings RM, Boumans MJH, Wijbrandts CA, Modesti MG, Gerlag DM, Tak PP. Presence of lymphocyte aggregates in the synovium of patients with early arthritis in relationship to diagnosis and outcome: is it a constant feature over time? Ann Rheum Dis 2010; 70:700-3. [PMID: 21173012 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2010.139287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the presence of lymphocyte aggregates in synovial tissue of patients with early arthritis in relationship to clinical outcome and to determine whether this is a stable feature over time. METHODS Arthroscopic synovial biopsy samples were collected in a prospective cohort of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naïve patients with early arthritis (<1 year's disease duration) at baseline (n=93) and, if rheumatoid arthritis was suspected, after 6 months of follow-up (n=17). After 2 years of follow-up, definitive diagnosis and clinical outcome were assessed. Size of synovial lymphocyte aggregates was graded (score 1-3). Lymphoid neogenesis (LN) was defined by the presence of grade ≥2 aggregates and subclassified based on the presence of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). RESULTS LN was present in 36% of all patients and FDCs in 15% of patients with LN. Presence of lymphocyte aggregates differed over time. LN was associated with the degree of synovial inflammation. There was no relationship between the presence of lymphocyte aggregates at baseline and definitive diagnosis or clinical outcome after follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Presence of lymphocyte aggregates is a dynamic phenomenon related to the degree of synovitis and can be detected in different forms of early arthritis. This feature does not appear to be related to clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen G H van de Sande
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center-University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Kormelink TG, Tekstra J, Thurlings RM, Boumans MHJ, Vos K, Tak PP, Bijlsma JWJ, Lafeber FPJG, Redegeld FA, van Roon JAG. Decrease in immunoglobulin free light chains in patients with rheumatoid arthritis upon rituximab (anti-CD20) treatment correlates with decrease in disease activity. Ann Rheum Dis 2010; 69:2137-44. [DOI: 10.1136/ard.2009.126441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
ObjectivesImmunoglobulin (Ig) free light chains (FLCs) are short-lived B cell products that contribute to inflammation in several experimental disease models. In this study, FLC concentrations in inflamed joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as compared to patients with osteoarthritis were investigated. In addition, the relationship of FLCs and disease activity upon B cell depletion (rituximab) in patients with RA was studied.MethodsSynovial fluid (SF) and tissue from patients with RA were analysed for local presence of FLCs using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. In addition, FLC concentrations were measured (at baseline, 3 and 6 months after treatment) in 50 patients with RA with active disease who were treated with rituximab. Changes in FLCs were correlated to changes in disease activity and compared to alterations in IgM, IgG, IgA, IgM-rheumatoid factor (RF) and IgG-anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) concentrations.ResultsFLCs were detected in synovial tissue from patients with RA, and high FLC concentrations were found in SF from inflamed joints, which positively correlate with serum FLC concentrations. Serum FLC concentrations significantly correlated with disease activity score using 28 joint counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C reactive protein, and changes in FLC correlated with clinical improvement after rituximab treatment. Moreover, effect of treatment on FLC concentrations discriminated clinical responders from non-responders, whereas IgM-RF and IgG-ACPA significantly decreased in both patient groups.ConclusionsFLCs are abundantly present in inflamed joints and FLC levels correlate with disease activity. The correlation of FLC concentrations and disease activity indicates that FLCs may be relevant biomarkers for treatment response to rituximab in patients with RA and suggests that targeting FLC may be of importance in the therapy of RA.
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Thurlings RM, Boumans M, Tekstra J, Vos K, van Westing DM, van Baarsen LG, Bos C, Kirou KA, Gerlag DM, Crow MK, Verweij CL, Tak PP. The relationship between the type I interferon signature and the response to rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2010. [DOI: 10.1136/ard.2010.129585k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Cantaert T, van Baarsen LG, Wijbrandts CA, Thurlings RM, van de Sande MG, Bos C, van der Pouw Kraan TCTM, van der Pouw TK, Verweij CL, Tak PP, Baeten DL. Type I interferons have no major influence on humoral autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2009; 49:156-66. [PMID: 19933783 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kep345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Type I IFNs have recently been implicated in autoantibody-mediated diseases such as SLE. As half the RA patients display a type I IFN(high) signature, we investigated in a pilot study if type I IFN determines the autoantibody response in RA. METHODS Serum and peripheral blood cells were obtained from 52 RA patients, with paired samples before and after infliximab treatment in 21 patients. Additional samples were collected from 8 anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive individuals without arthritis and from 10 ACPA-negative healthy controls. The type I IFN signature was determined by peripheral blood cell gene expression analysis and quantitative RT-PCR. ACPA IgG and IgM, RF IgM, anti-nucleosome IgM and anti-dsDNA were measured by ELISA. RESULTS The type I IFN signature was not related to the presence and titers of ACPA and RF during active disease. TNF blockade induced a similar rise of ANAs, and a similar decrease in RF titers in both groups. ACPA IgG and IgM levels appeared to be down-modulated only in the type I IFN(low) group. These changes were independent of the changes in type I IFN response gene activity after TNF blockade. Furthermore, the ACPA response in individuals without arthritis and inflammation was not related to an increase of type I IFN. CONCLUSIONS In this explorative study, type I IFN signature does not appear to have a major impact on the humoral autoimmune response in RA. Replication of these data remains warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tineke Cantaert
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Thurlings RM, Wijbrandts CA, Bennink RJ, Dohmen SE, Voermans C, Wouters D, Izmailova ES, Gerlag DM, van Eck-Smit BLF, Tak PP. Monocyte scintigraphy in rheumatoid arthritis: the dynamics of monocyte migration in immune-mediated inflammatory disease. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7865. [PMID: 19924229 PMCID: PMC2773010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 04/22/2009] [Accepted: 07/31/2009] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Macrophages are principal drivers of synovial inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a prototype immune-mediated inflammatory disease. Conceivably, synovial macrophages are continuously replaced by circulating monocytes in RA. Animal studies from the 1960s suggested that macrophage replacement by monocytes is a slow process in chronic inflammatory lesions. Translation of these data into the human condition has been hampered by the lack of available techniques to analyze monocyte migration in man. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We developed a technique that enabled us to analyze the migration of labelled autologous monocytes in RA patients using single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT). We isolated CD14+ monocytes by CliniMACS in 8 patients and labeled these with technetium-99m (99mTc-HMPAO). Monocytes were re-infused into the same patient. Using SPECT we calculated that a very small but specific fraction of 3.4 x 10(-3) (0.95-5.1 x 10(-3)) % of re-infused monocytes migrated to the inflamed joints, being detectable within one hour after re-infusion. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The results indicate monocytes migrate continuously into the inflamed synovial tissue of RA patients, but at a slow macrophage-replacement rate. This suggests that the rapid decrease in synovial macrophages that occurs after antirheumatic treatment might rather be explained by an alteration in macrophage retention than in monocyte influx and that RA might be particularly sensitive to treatments targeting inflammatory cell retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogier M. Thurlings
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Carla A. Wijbrandts
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Roelof J. Bennink
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Serge E. Dohmen
- Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Experimental Immunohematology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn Voermans
- Landsteiner Laboratory, Department of Experimental Immunohematology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Wouters
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Elena S. Izmailova
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Department of Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Danielle M. Gerlag
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Berthe L. F. van Eck-Smit
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Paul P. Tak
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Klaasen R, Thurlings RM, Wijbrandts CA, van Kuijk AW, Baeten D, Gerlag DM, Tak PP. The relationship between synovial lymphocyte aggregates and the clinical response to infliximab in rheumatoid arthritis: A prospective study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 60:3217-24. [DOI: 10.1002/art.24913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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van den Bemt BJF, Vos K, Broeder AAD, Blom M, Thurlings RM, Bartelds GM, Stapel SO, Barrera P, Tak PP, Nurmohamed MT, Wolbink GJ. A single course of rituximab does not abrogate anti-infliximab antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2009; 68:1368-9. [DOI: 10.1136/ard.2008.095448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Thurlings RM, Teng O, Vos K, Gerlag DM, Aarden L, Stapel SO, van Laar JM, Tak PP, Wolbink GJ. Clinical response, pharmacokinetics, development of human anti-chimaeric antibodies, and synovial tissue response to rituximab treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2009; 69:409-12. [PMID: 19596693 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2009.109041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyse whether persistence of synovial B lineage cells and lack of clinical response to rituximab treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated with low rituximab serum levels and anti-rituximab antibody (ARA) formation. METHODS Fifty-eight patients with RA were treated with rituximab. The clinical response was determined 24 weeks after each treatment course using the Disease Activity Score evaluated in 28 joints (DAS28) and EULAR response criteria. Rituximab serum levels, ARAs and synovial B lineage cell numbers were determined before and after treatment. RESULTS Four weeks after treatment rituximab serum levels were highly variable. Low rituximab levels were associated with ARA formation (in five patients (8.6%)) and high baseline erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Interestingly, serum rituximab levels were not related to persistence of synovial B lineage cells or clinical response. Furthermore, response to treatment and re-treatment was similar in ARA-positive and ARA-negative patients. CONCLUSION There is clear variability in serum levels after rituximab treatment, but rituximab levels are not lower in patients with persistence of synovial B lineage cells or lack of clinical response. The current treatment schedule suffices to induce and maintain a clinical response, even when ARAs are formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Thurlings
- Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Cantaert T, Brouard S, Thurlings RM, Pallier A, Salinas GF, Braud C, Klarenbeek PL, de Vries N, Zhang Y, Soulillou JP, Tak PP, Baeten D. Alterations of the synovial T cell repertoire in anti-citrullinated protein antibody-positive rheumatoid arthritis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 60:1944-56. [DOI: 10.1002/art.24635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Thurlings RM, Vos K, Gerlag DM, Tak PP. Disease activity-guided rituximab therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: the effects of re-treatment in initial nonresponders versus initial responders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 58:3657-64. [PMID: 19035505 DOI: 10.1002/art.24035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy of re-treatment with rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were initial nonresponders to treatment, and to evaluate the effects of rituximab in RA when re-treatment is given in a standardized way based on the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), according to the international consensus statement. METHODS Patients with RA who had a DAS28 of > or =3.2 received up to 3 courses of rituximab at intervals of at least 6 months, regardless of whether the patient had responded to the first course of treatment with rituximab. RESULTS Of the 30 patients with RA who were included in the study, 26 could be evaluated for the efficacy of treatment after 6 months. Eighteen patients qualified for re-treatment at 6 months, 6 patients were re-treated at a later time point because of a disease relapse, and 2 other patients were not re-treated because they had low disease activity. Seven of the 24 patients who qualified for re-treatment had not exhibited clinical improvement after the first treatment course. These patients typically did not respond to subsequent courses of rituximab. Of interest, in the 17 patients who had exhibited a clinical response to the first course of rituximab, the second and third treatment courses resulted in European League Against Rheumatism responses similar to those observed after the first course, and no major relapses occurred before re-treatment. CONCLUSION Rituximab re-treatment is not effective in patients who do not exhibit clinical improvement after the first treatment course, which is consistent with the notion that such patients represent a different pathogenetic subset of RA. Patients who initially responded to rituximab treatment experienced sustained benefit from DAS28-based systematic re-treatment according to the international consensus statement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogier M Thurlings
- Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Cantaert T, Kolln J, Timmer T, van der Pouw Kraan TC, Vandooren B, Thurlings RM, Cañete JD, Catrina AI, Out T, Verweij CL, Zhang Y, Tak PP, Baeten D. B lymphocyte autoimmunity in rheumatoid synovitis is independent of ectopic lymphoid neogenesis. J Immunol 2008; 181:785-94. [PMID: 18566445 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.181.1.785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
B lymphocyte autoimmunity plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. The local production of autoantibodies and the presence of ectopic lymphoid neogenesis in the rheumatoid synovium suggest that these dedicated microenvironments resembling canonical lymphoid follicles may regulate the initiation and maturation of B cell autoimmunity. In this study, we assessed experimentally the relevance of ectopic lymphoid neogenesis for B cell autoimmunity by a detailed structural, molecular, and serological analysis of seropositive and seronegative human synovitis. We demonstrate that synovial lymphoid neogenesis is a reversible process associated with inflammation which is neither restricted to nor preferentially associated with autoantibody positive rheumatic conditions. Despite the abundant expression of key chemokines and cytokines required for full differentiation toward germinal center reactions, synovial lymphoid neogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis only occasionally progresses toward fully differentiated follicles. In agreement with that observation, we could not detect Ag-driven clonal expansion and affinity maturation of B lymphocytes. Furthermore, ectopic lymphoid neogenesis is not directly associated with local production of anti-citrullinated protein Abs and rheumatoid factor in the rheumatoid joint. Therefore, we conclude that synovial lymphoid neogenesis is not a major determinant of these rheumatoid arthritis-specific autoantibody responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tineke Cantaert
- Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Thurlings RM, Wijbrandts CA, Mebius RE, Cantaert T, Dinant HJ, van der Pouw-Kraan TCTM, Verweij CL, Baeten D, Tak PP. Synovial lymphoid neogenesis does not define a specific clinical rheumatoid arthritis phenotype. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 58:1582-9. [PMID: 18512774 DOI: 10.1002/art.23505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between lymphoid neogenesis in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and characteristics of inflammation and disease severity. METHODS Arthroscopic synovial biopsy was performed in 103 patients with active RA (Disease Activity Score 28-joint assessment >or=3.2) who had not received treatment with biologic agents. Sections were stained and assessed by digital image analysis. Lymphocyte aggregates were counted and graded for size (1-3). Synovial lymphoid neogenesis was defined as the presence of grade 2 or 3 aggregates and subclassified based on the presence of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). RESULTS Lymphoid neogenesis was present in 31% of the RA synovial tissues, whereas an additional 25% contained only grade 1 aggregates. FDCs were present in 28% of the samples with lymphoid neogenesis, corresponding to 8% of the total RA cohort. Histologically, synovia with lymphoid neogenesis showed increased infiltration by T and B lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages, and increased expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha and lymphotoxin beta compared with samples without lymphoid neogenesis. Patients with lymphoid neogenesis also had higher C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, and leukocyte and thrombocyte counts, but exhibited no increase in the severity of clinical signs and symptoms. Of importance, there was no relationship between the presence of lymphoid neogenesis and IgM rheumatoid factor or anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. The presence of lymphocyte aggregates with FDCs did not define a specific clinical phenotype compared with lymphocyte aggregates without FDCs. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that synovial lymphoid neogenesis is associated with more severe synovial and systemic inflammation, but this is not confined to a specific clinical subset of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogier M Thurlings
- Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Bennink RJ, Thurlings RM, van Hemert FJ, Voermans C, Dohmen SE, van Eck-Smit BL, Tak PP, Busemann-Sokole E. Biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled monocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Nucl Med 2008; 49:1380-5. [PMID: 18632808 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.108.051755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves the accumulation of monocyte-derived macrophages in the affected synovial tissue. This process of cell migration could be portrayed scintigraphically to monitor noninvasively the effects of therapy on the progress of the disease. For this purpose, labeling of purified autologous monocytes with 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) at very high specific radioactivity has recently been developed. The aim of this study was to assess the biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled monocytes in adult patients with RA. METHODS In 8 patients with RA, monocytes were isolated from 100 mL of blood and labeled with 99mTc-HMPAO to a yield of 10 Bq/cell. Multiple whole-body scans were performed up to 20 h after reinjection of an average of 200 MBq of 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled monocytes. Urine and blood samples were collected. The fraction of administered activity in 7 source organs was quantified from the attenuation-corrected geometric mean counts in conjugate views. Radiation-absorbed doses were estimated with OLINDA/EXM software. RESULTS Autologous monocytes labeled with 99mTc-HMPAO at high intracellular yields showed in vivo kinetics comparable with labeled leukocytes, with initial trapping in the lungs followed by distribution into the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. The radiation-absorbed estimates for 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled monocytes were comparable with those for 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled mixed white blood cells, with an effective dose of 0.011 mSv/MBq. CONCLUSION 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled monocytes have biodistribution and radiation dosimetry similar to those of 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled mixed white blood cells and might therefore be used for in vivo monitoring of immunomodulating therapy in patients with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roelof J Bennink
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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