Elevated plasma levels of TL1A in newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Role of TL1A in Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

TL1A, also called TNFSF15, is a member of tumor necrosis factor family. It is expressed in different immune cell, such as monocyte, macrophage, dendritic cell, T cell and non-immune cell, for example, synovial fibroblast, endothelial cell. TL1A competitively binds to death receptor 3 or decoy receptor 3, providing stimulatory signal for downstream signaling pathways, and then regulates proliferation, activation, apoptosis of and cytokine, chemokine production in effector cells. Recent findings showed that TL1A was abnormally expressed in autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, primary biliary cirrhosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spondylitis. In vivo and in vitro studies further demonstrated that TL1A was involved in development and pathogenesis of these diseases. In this study, we comprehensively discussed the complex immunological function of TL1A and focused on recent findings of the pleiotropic activity conducted by TL1A in inflammatory autoimmune disease. Finish of the study will provide new ideas for developing therapeutic strategies for these diseases by targeting TL1A.

Anti-TLR7 Antibody Protects Against Lupus Nephritis in NZBWF1 Mice by Targeting B Cells and Patrolling Monocytes

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody production and multiple organ damage. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), an innate immune RNA sensor expressed in monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), and B cells, promotes disease progression. However, little is known about the cellular mechanisms through which TLR7 drives lupus nephritis. Here, we show that the anti-mouse TLR7 mAb, but not anti-TLR9 mAb, protected lupus-prone NZBWF1 mice from nephritis. The anti-TLR7 mAb reduced IgG deposition in glomeruli by inhibiting the production of autoantibodies to the RNA-associated antigens. We found a disease-associated increase in Ly6C^low patrolling monocytes that expressed high levels of TLR7 and had upregulated expression of lupus-associated IL-10, CD115, CD31, and TNFSF15 in NZBWF1 mice. Anti-TLR7 mAb abolished this lupus-associated increase in patrolling monocytes in the circulation, spleen, and glomeruli. These results suggested that TLR7 drives autoantibody production and lupus-associated monocytosis in NZBWF1 mice and, that anti-TLR7 mAb is a promising therapeutic tool targeting B cells and monocytes/macrophages.

TL1A-DR3 Plasma Levels Are Predictive of HIV-1 Disease Control, and DR3 Costimulation Boosts HIV-1-Specific T Cell Responses

Relative control of HIV-1 infection has been linked to genetic and immune host factors. In this study, we analyzed 96 plasma proteome arrays from chronic untreated HIV-1-infected individuals using the classificatory random forest approach to discriminate between uncontrolled disease (plasma viral load [pVL] >50,000 RNA copies/ml; CD4 counts 283 cells/mm3, n = 47) and relatively controlled disease (pVL <10,000 RNA copies/ml; CD4 counts 657 cells/mm3, n = 49). Our analysis highlighted the TNF molecule's relevance, in particular, TL1A (TNFSF15) and its cognate DR3 (TNFSRF25), both of which increased in the relative virus control phenotype. DR3 levels (in plasma and PBMCs) were validated in unrelated cohorts (including long-term nonprogressors), thus confirming their independence from CD4 counts and pVL. Further analysis in combined antiretroviral treatment (cART)-treated individuals with a wide range of CD4 counts (137-1835 cells/mm3) indicated that neither TL1A nor DR3 levels reflected recovery of CD4 counts with cART. Interestingly, in cART-treated individuals, plasma TL1A levels correlated with regulatory T cell frequencies, whereas soluble DR3 was strongly associated with the abundance of effector HLA-DR+CD8+ T cells. A positive correlation was also observed between plasma DR3 levels and the HIV-1-specific T cell responses. In vitro, costimulation of PBMC with DR3-specific mAb increased the magnitude of HIV-1-specific responses. Finally, in splenocytes of DNA.HTI-vaccinated mice, costimulation of HTI peptides and a DR3 agonist (4C12) intensified the magnitude of T cell responses by 27%. These data describe the role of the TL1A-DR3 axis in the natural control of HIV-1 infection and point to the use of DR3 agonists in HIV-1 vaccine regimens.

The haplotypes of various TNF related genes associated with scleritis in Chinese Han

Background

Several studies have stated that TNF-α participates in the pathogenesis of scleritis, but also in several systemic autoimmune diseases and vasculitis, of which some are associated with scleritis. Earlier GWAS and SNP studies have confirmed that multiple SNPs of TNF related genes are associated with many immune-mediated disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of TNF related gene polymorphisms with scleritis in Chinese Han. A case-control study was carried out in 556 non-infectious scleritis cases and 742 normal controls. A total of 28 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped by the iPLEXGold genotyping assay.

Results

No significant correlations were seen between the individual SNPs in the TNF related genes and scleritis. Haplotype analysis showed a significantly decreased frequency of a TNFAIP3 TGT haplotype (order of SNPs: rs9494885, rs3799491, rs2230926) (Pc = 0.021, OR = 0.717, 95% CI = 0.563–0.913) and a significantly increased frequency of a TNFSF4 GT haplotype (order of SNPs: rs3850641, rs704840) (Pc = 0.004, OR = 1.691, 95% CI = 1.205–2.372) and TNFSF15 CCC haplotype (order of SNPs: rs6478106, rs3810936, rs7865494) (Pc = 0.012, OR = 1.662, 95% CI = 1.168–2.363) in patients with scleritis as compared with healthy volunteers.

Conclusions

This study reveals that a TGT haplotype in TNFAIP3 may be a protective factor for the development of scleritis and that a GT haplotype in TNFSF4 and a CCC haplotype in TNFSF15 may be risk factors for scleritis in Chinese Han.

A profile of multiple circulating tumor necrosis factor receptors associated with early progressive kidney decline in Type 1 Diabetes is similar to profiles in autoimmune disorders

This study comprehensively evaluated the association between known circulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily ligands and receptors and the development of early progressive kidney decline (PKD) leading to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Type 1 diabetes. Participants for the study were from the Macro-Albuminuria Study (198 individuals), and the Micro-Albuminuria Study (148 individuals) of the Joslin Kidney Study. All individuals initially had normal kidney function and were followed for seven-fifteen years to determine the slope of the estimate glomerular filtration rate and to ascertain onset of ESKD. Plasma concentrations of 25 TNF superfamily proteins were measured using proximity extension assay applied in the OLINK proteomics platform. In the both studies risk of early PKD, determined as estimated glomerular filtration rate loss greater than or equal to three ml/min/1.73m²/year, was associated with elevated circulating levels of 13 of 19 TNF receptors examined. In the Macro-Albuminuria Study, we obtained similar findings for risk of progression to ESKD. These receptors comprised: TNF-R1A, -R1B, -R3, -R4, -R6, -R6B, -R7, -R10A, -R10B, -R11A, -R14, -R21, and -R27. Serial measurements showed that circulating levels of these TNF receptors had increased before the onset of PKD. In contrast, none of the six measured TNF ligands showed association with risk of early PKD. Of significance, the disease process that underlies PKD leading to ESKD in Type 1 diabetes has a profile also seen in autoimmune disorders. The mechanisms of this enrichment may be causally related to the development of PKD in Type 1 diabetes and must be investigated further. Thus, some of these receptors may be used as new risk predictors of ESKD.

Circulating TNF-like protein 1A (TL1A) is elevated early in rheumatoid arthritis and depends on TNF

Background

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily cytokine TNF-like protein 1A (TL1A) and its receptor DR3 are essential for diverse animal models of autoimmune disease and may be pathogenic in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the relationship of TL1A to disease duration, activity, and response to anti-TNF and other therapies in RA is not clear.

Methods

We measured soluble TL1A in synovial fluid (SF), serum, or plasma from RA first-degree relatives (FDRs) and in early RA and established disease. We measured the effects of anti-TNF and methotrexate (MTX) therapy on circulating TL1A from multiple independent RA treatment trials. We also determined the ability of a blocking anti-TL1A antibody to inhibit clinical disease and articular bone destruction in the murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model of human RA.

Results

Soluble TL1A was specifically elevated in the blood and SF of patients with RA compared to patients with other diseases and was elevated early in disease and in at-risk anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) (+) first-degree relatives (FDRs). Therapeutic TNF inhibition reduced serum TL1A in both responders and non-responders, whereas TL1A declined following MTX treatment only in responders. In murine CIA, TL1A blockade was clinically efficacious and reduced bone erosions.

Conclusions

TL1A is specifically elevated in RA from early in the disease course and in at-risk FDRs. The decline in TL1A after TNF blockade suggests that TL1A levels may be a useful biomarker for TNF activity in RA. These results support the further investigation of the relationship between TL1A and TNF and TL1A blockade as a potential therapeutic strategy in RA.

Association between TL1A gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese Han population

Our previous studies showed elevated tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1 aberrance (TL1A) expression in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, TL1A polymorphisms with SLE susceptibility remain to be elucidated. In addition, we made meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship of TL1A polymorphisms and autoimmune diseases owing to inconsistent results. The present research was carried out by 404 SLE, 150 primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) patients, and 574 healthy individuals. Three TL1A polymorphisms (rs3810936, rs6478109, rs7848647) were genotyped using TaqMan genotyping assay. Then, the meta-analysis was performed by collecting the present case-control study and previously published research. Results showed that genotypes of rs3810936, rs7848647 were different between SLE patients and healthy controls, whereas no significant association was observed in the three polymorphisms and pSS patients. Genotypes distribution of rs6478109, rs7848647 were strongly related to lupus nephritis within SLE (p = 0.004, p = 0.011), respectively. Moreover, combined meta-analysis consisted of ten comparative research involving 4,305 patients and 5,600 controls. An association between autoimmune diseases and rs6478109 polymorphism was found. Our findings indicate that gene polymorphisms (rs3810936, rs7848647) of TL1A might correlate with lupus.

TNFSF15 is likely a susceptibility gene for systemic lupus erythematosus

We aim to explore the correlation of TNFSF15 genetic polymorphisms with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study enrolled SLE patients and healthy individuals to detect three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TNFSF15 (rs3810936, rs6478108 and rs4979462) through using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to analyze the possible association of these three SNPs with the risk of SLE and the mRNA level of TNFSF15 was quantified by real-time PCR. The rs3810936 T allele carrier greatly decreased risk of SLE (OR = 0.620, 95% CI = 0.454-0.849, P = 0.003), while the risk of SLE for rs4979462 T allele carrier was significantly increased (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.243-2.218, P < 0.001). The mRNA level of TNFSF15 was obviously higher in SLE patients, and specifically, the patients who carried the CC genotype of TNFSF15 rs3810936 had a higher TNFSF15 mRNA, but the rs4979462 CC genotype carriers appeared to be associated with the decreased TNFSF15 mRNA (all P < 0.05). Besides, the genotypes of rs3810936 and rs4979462 of TNFSF15 were significantly associated with butterfly rash, arthritis, serositis, renal nephritis, hematological disorder, immunological disorder and positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) of SLE patients (all P < 0.05). CCT and CTT haplotypes were risk factors of SLE, but CCC and TTT were protective factors of SLE (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that rs3810936 and rs4979462 of TNFSF15, histories of chilblain and wet living environment were independently associated with the risk of SLE (all P < 0.05).The current results suggested that TNFSF15 (rs3810936 and rs4979462) SNPs may confer susceptibility to SLE risk, which were significantly associated with the clinical phenotypes of SLE.

Associations between TNFSF4, TNFSF8 and TNFSF15 and Behçet's disease but not VKH syndrome in Han Chinese

The present study was designed to explore the interrelationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily (TNFSF) and its respective receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) genes and Behcet's disease (BD) and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH) in Han Chinese. The study sample included 796 patients with BD, 792 patients with VKH syndrome, and 1604 healthy controls. The genotyping of 35 SNPs was performed by MassARRAY platform (Sequenom), iPLEX Gold Assay, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and TaqMan SNP assay. The mRNA expression levels of TNFSF4, TNFSF8 and TNFSF15 were analyzed by real-time PCR. The IL-6 and TNF-α expression levels were measured by ELISA. The A allele and AA genotype frequencies of TNFSF4/rs1234313 were significantly increased, and the GG genotype frequency of rs1234313 was decreased in subjects with BD. Significantly lower frequencies of the C allele and the CC genotype and higher frequencies of the TT and CT genotypes of TNFSF15/rs4246905 were observed in BD patients. A decreased frequency of the A allele of TNFSF8/rs7028891 was observed in BD patients. The expression of TNFSF15 in CT carriers was significantly higher than that in CC/TT individuals. Increased IL-6 expression and TNF-α production were found in the TNFSF15 CT carriers compared with the CC/TT genotype carriers. No significant differences were observed between the VKH patients and controls. This study indicates that TNFSF4, TNFSF15 and TNFSF8 may participate in the susceptibility to BD among Han Chinese.

The TNF Receptor Superfamily in Co-stimulating and Co-inhibitory Responses

Cytokines related to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) provide a communication network essential for coordinating multiple cell types into an effective host defense system against pathogens and malignant cells. The pathways controlled by the TNF superfamily differentiate both innate and adaptive immune cells and modulate stromal cells into microenvironments conducive to host defenses. Members of the TNF receptor superfamily activate diverse cellular functions from the production of type 1 interferons to the modulation of survival of antigen-activated T cells. Here, we focus attention on the subset of TNF superfamily receptors encoded in the immune response locus in chromosomal region 1p36. Recent studies have revealed that these receptors use diverse mechanisms to either co-stimulate or restrict immune responses. Translation of the fundamental mechanisms of TNF superfamily is leading to the design of therapeutics that can alter pathogenic processes in several autoimmune diseases or promote immunity to tumors.

Elevated levels of TL1A are associated with disease activity in patients with systemic sclerosis

TL1A is a member of the TNF superfamily. It performs significantly in the pathogenesis of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases partly through regulating the Th17 pathway. The clinical implication of circulating TL1A in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) remains unclear, and correlation between TL1A and Th17-related cytokines in the pathogenesis of SSc needs to be discussed. We measured serum levels of TL1A and Th17-related cytokines by ELISA in 47 patients with SSc, 56 patients with SLE, and 53 healthy subjects, and investigated association of these cytokines with clinical manifestations and laboratory variables. TL1A in relation to Th17-related cytokines were examined. In addition, the transcript level of TL1A in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). Serum TL1A levels were higher in patients with SSc than in healthy controls (P = 0.001), but were lower compared with SLE patients (P = 0.004). Diffuse cutaneous SSc or limited cutaneous SSc patients reported elevated expression of TL1A than those in healthy controls (P = 0.002, P = 0.007). Patients with active disease showed significantly higher expression of TL1A when compared with less active disease (P = 0.014). SSc patients with arthritis, elevated IgG titer, ESR >30 mm/h, and CRP >5 mg/l displayed elevated expression of TL1A, respectively. Serum levels of IL-17 and IL-21 were increased in SSc patients compared with healthy controls and positively related to TL1A levels (r _s = 0.373, P = 0.010; r _s = 0.370, P = 0.011, respectively). Moreover, TL1A mRNA expression in PBMCs was significantly higher in patients with SSc compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). TL1A may play a role in the development of SSc.

Beyond TNF: TNF superfamily cytokines as targets for the treatment of rheumatic diseases

TNF blockers are highly efficacious at dampening inflammation and reducing symptoms in rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, and also in nonrheumatic syndromes such as inflammatory bowel disease. As TNF belongs to a superfamily of 19 structurally related proteins that have both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory activity, reagents that disrupt the interaction between proinflammatory TNF family cytokines and their receptors, or agonize the anti-inflammatory receptors, are being considered for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Biologic agents that block B cell activating factor (BAFF) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) have been approved for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and osteoporosis, respectively. In this Review, we focus on additional members of the TNF superfamily that could be relevant for the pathogenesis of rheumatic disease, including those that can strongly promote activity of immune cells or increase activity of tissue cells, as well as those that promote death pathways and might limit inflammation. We examine preclinical mouse and human data linking these molecules to the control of damage in the joints, muscle, bone or other tissues, and discuss their potential as targets for future therapy of rheumatic diseases.