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Akthar M, Nair N, Carter LM, Vital EM, Sutton E, McHugh N, Bruce IN, Reynolds JA. Deconvolution of whole blood transcriptomics identifies changes in immune cell composition in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with mycophenolate mofetil. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:111. [PMID: 37391799 PMCID: PMC10311871 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03089-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous autoimmune disease. We explored whether the deconvolution of whole blood transcriptomic data could identify differences in predicted immune cell frequency between active SLE patients, and whether these differences are associated with clinical features and/or medication use. METHODS Patients with active SLE (BILAG-2004 Index) enrolled in the BILAG-Biologics Registry (BILAG-BR), prior to change in therapy, were studied as part of the MASTERPLANS Stratified Medicine consortium. Whole blood RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was conducted at enrolment into the registry. Data were deconvoluted using CIBERSORTx. Predicted immune cell frequencies were compared between active and inactive disease in the nine BILAG-2004 domains and according to immunosuppressant use (current and past). RESULTS Predicted cell frequency varied between 109 patients. Patients currently, or previously, exposed to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) had fewer inactivated macrophages (0.435% vs 1.391%, p = 0.001), naïve CD4 T cells (0.961% vs 2.251%, p = 0.002), and regulatory T cells (1.858% vs 3.574%, p = 0.007), as well as a higher proportion of memory activated CD4 T cells (1.826% vs 1.113%, p = 0.015), compared to patients never exposed to MMF. These differences remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, disease duration, renal disease, and corticosteroid use. There were 2607 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in patients exposed to MMF with over-representation of pathways relating to eosinophil function and erythrocyte development and function. Within CD4 + T cells, there were fewer predicted DEGs related to MMF exposure. No significant differences were observed for the other conventional immunosuppressants nor between patients according disease activity in any of the nine organ domains. CONCLUSION MMF has a significant and persisting effect on the whole blood transcriptomic signature in patients with SLE. This highlights the need to adequately adjust for background medication use in future studies using whole blood transcriptomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mumina Akthar
- Rheumatology Department, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Nisha Nair
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lucy M Carter
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Edward M Vital
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Emily Sutton
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal & Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Neil McHugh
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Ian N Bruce
- Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Division of Musculoskeletal & Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - John A Reynolds
- Rheumatology Department, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK.
- Rheumatology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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Feng Y, Li Z, Xie C, Lu F. Correlation between peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and primary systemic lupus erythematosus. Open Life Sci 2022; 17:839-845. [PMID: 36045722 PMCID: PMC9372708 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study explored the correlation between peripheral blood CD3+, CD3+/CD4+, CD3+/CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, CD3-/CD16+ CD56+, and CD3-CD19+ and disease activity of different subtypes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The percentages of CD3+, CD3+/CD4+, CD3+/CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, CD3-/CD16+ CD56+, and CD3-CD19+ in the peripheral blood of patients (n = 80) classified into lupus nephritis, blood involvement, and joint involvement and SLE in different active stages were detected by flow cytometry. Their correlations with baseline clinical experimental indicators of SLE patients' SLE disease activity index score (SLEDAI) and complement C3 were analyzed. The results showed that CD3+, CD3+/CD4+, and CD3+/CD8+ at baseline level were negatively correlated with SLEDAI scores. These were positively correlated with C3. In conclusion, T-lymphocyte subpopulations are closely related to SLE activity and can be used as reference indicators to evaluate the SLE activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Feng
- Rheumatology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huai Nan, China
| | - Zhijun Li
- Rheumatology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bangbu, China
| | - Changhao Xie
- Rheumatology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bangbu, China
| | - Fanglin Lu
- Rheumatology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huai Nan, China
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Martin-Gutierrez L, Peng J, Thompson NL, Robinson GA, Naja M, Peckham H, Wu W, J'bari H, Ahwireng N, Waddington KE, Bradford CM, Varnier G, Gandhi A, Radmore R, Gupta V, Isenberg DA, Jury EC, Ciurtin C. Stratification of Patients With Sjögren's Syndrome and Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus According to Two Shared Immune Cell Signatures, With Potential Therapeutic Implications. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 73:1626-1637. [PMID: 33645922 DOI: 10.1002/art.41708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Similarities in the clinical and laboratory features of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have led to attempts to treat patients with primary SS or SLE with similar biologic therapeutics. However, the results of many clinical trials are disappointing, and no biologic treatments are licensed for use in primary SS, while only a few biologic agents are available to treat SLE patients whose disease has remained refractory to other treatments. With the aim of improving treatment selections, this study was undertaken to identify distinct immunologic signatures in patients with primary SS and patients with SLE, using a stratification approach based on immune cell endotypes. METHODS Immunophentyping of 29 immune cell subsets was performed using flow cytometry in peripheral blood from patients with primary SS (n = 45), patients with SLE (n = 29), and patients with secondary SS associated with SLE (SLE/SS) (n = 14), all of whom were considered to have low disease activity or be in clinical remission, and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 31). Data were analyzed using supervised machine learning (balanced random forest, sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis), logistic regression, and multiple t-tests. Patients were stratified by K-means clustering and clinical trajectory analysis. RESULTS Patients with primary SS and patients with SLE had a similar immunologic architecture despite having different clinical presentations and prognoses. Stratification of the combined primary SS, SLE, and SLE/SS patient cohorts by K-means cluster analysis revealed 2 endotypes, characterized by distinct immune cell profiles spanning the diagnoses. A signature of 8 T cell subsets that distinctly differentiated the 2 endotypes with high accuracy (area under the curve 0.9979) was identified in logistic regression and machine learning models. In clinical trajectory analyses, the change in damage scores and disease activity levels from baseline to 5 years differed between the 2 endotypes. CONCLUSION These findings identify an immune cell toolkit that may be useful for differentiating, with high accuracy, the immunologic profiles of patients with primary SS and patients with SLE as a way to achieve targeted therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Meena Naja
- University College London and University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Vivek Gupta
- University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - David A Isenberg
- University College London and University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth C Jury
- University College London and University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Coziana Ciurtin
- University College London and University College London Hospitals, London, UK
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Protective Effects of Collagen Peptides on the Dexamethasone-Induced Immunosuppression in Mice. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10187-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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B Cell Abnormalities in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis-Role in Pathogenesis and Effect of Immunosuppressive Treatments. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20246231. [PMID: 31835612 PMCID: PMC6940927 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20246231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities in B cells play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN). Breach in central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms generates autoreactive B cells which contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE and LN. Dysregulation of B cell transcription factors, cytokines and B cell-T cell interaction can result in aberrant B cell maturation and autoantibody production. These immunological abnormalities also lead to perturbations in circulating and infiltrating B cells in SLE and LN patients. Conventional and novel immunosuppressive medications confer differential effects on B cells which have important clinical implications. While cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) showed comparable clinical efficacy in active LN, MMF induction was associated with earlier reduction in circulating plasmablasts and plasma cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that MMF maintenance is associated with lower risk of disease relapse than azathioprine, which may be explained by its more potent and selective suppression of B cell proliferation. Novel therapeutic approaches targeting the B cell repertoire include B cell depletion with monoclonal antibodies binding to cell surface markers, inhibition of B cell cytokines, and modulation of costimulatory signals in B cell-T cell interaction. These biologics, despite showing improvements in serological parameters and proteinuria, did not achieve primary endpoints when used as add-on therapy to standard treatments in active LN patients. Other emerging treatments such as calcineurin inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors and proteasome inhibitors also show distinct inhibitory effects on the B cell repertoire. Advancement in the knowledge on B cell biology has fueled the development of new therapeutic strategies in SLE and LN. Modification in background treatments, study endpoints and selective recruitment of subjects showing aberrant B cells or its signaling pathways when designing future clinical trials may better elucidate the roles of these novel therapies for SLE and LN patients.
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Gabcova G, Horak P, Mikulkova Z, Skacelova M, Zehnalova S, Smrzova A, Petrackova A, Mrazek F, Kriegova E. Modulatory Effect of the Euro-Lupus Low-Dose Intravenous Cyclophosphamide Regimen on Circulating Immune Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2019; 67:415-425. [PMID: 31620814 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-019-00563-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A Euro-Lupus regimen of low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide (CFA) is commonly used to treat severe organ manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), particularly lupus nephritis (LN). There are no data on the distributions and dynamics of immune cell populations in patients with various treatment outcomes. The circulating immune cells of 11 female SLE patients were assessed before and after Euro-Lupus regimen (cumulative dose of 3000 mg CFA) by flow cytometry together with those of 16 healthy women. A subanalysis was performed in LN patients who achieved complete remission (CR; n = 3), partial remission (PR; n = 4), and no response (NR; n = 2). In SLE, the Euro-Lupus regimen decreased the percentage and absolute count of B cells; increased the percentage of CD8+ T cells, T regulatory cells, neutrophils, and monocyte subsets; and activated T and NK cells compared to healthy controls (P < 0.050). Patients with LN achieving CR had significantly lower proportions of CD27+ B memory cells compared to poor responders (PR/NR, P = 0.035). The post-treatment percentages and absolute numbers of B cells, T cells, NK cells, monocytes, and neutrophils showed high inter-individual variability with no association with treatment outcome. Our pilot study revealed the dynamics of changes in immune cell populations in SLE patients during a Euro-Lupus regimen, mainly the lowering of B cells. In LN patients who achieved CR, a lower proportion of CD27+ B memory cells was evident compared to poor responders (PR/NR). Further studies on usefulness of monitoring immune cells for treatment response prediction on larger cohorts are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Gabcova
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Hnevotinska 3, 775 15, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Horak
- Department of Internal Medicine III-Nephrology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Mikulkova
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Hnevotinska 3, 775 15, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Skacelova
- Department of Internal Medicine III-Nephrology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Sarka Zehnalova
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Smrzova
- Department of Internal Medicine III-Nephrology, Rheumatology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Petrackova
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Hnevotinska 3, 775 15, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Mrazek
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Hnevotinska 3, 775 15, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kriegova
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, University Hospital Olomouc, Hnevotinska 3, 775 15, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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7
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Men K, Chen Y, Zhang J, Wei D. The evaluation of cellular immune function in elderly patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Korean J Intern Med 2019; 34:932-937. [PMID: 29172398 PMCID: PMC6610183 DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2017.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS To evaluate cellular immune function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients over 60 years old, the association between antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers and the ratio of CD4+ /CD8+ was analyzed in this study. The distribution of ANAs and extractable nuclear antibodies (ENAs) in a healthy elderly population was also investigated. METHODS Serum ANA titers were assayed by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and the CD4+ /CD8+ T-cell ratio was determined by flow cytometry in 76 SLE patients and 30 healthy control individuals. IIF of cytoplasm and nuclear and nucleolar staining were performed on samples taken from 286 healthy elderly individuals. ENA levels were determined using a strip enzyme immunoassay among patients that tested positive for ANAs. RESULTS ANA titers were negative in the 30 control individuals, but were positive in the 76 SLE patients. Based on ANA titers, the SLE patients were stratified to low (≤ 1:320), medium (1:640 to 1:1,280), and high (≥ 1:2,560) titer groups. The average CD4+ /CD8+ ratio of the SLE group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Among the 286 healthy elderly volunteers, 59 (20.63%) tested positive for ANAs. A homogeneous pattern was present in 47.46% of those 59 patients and a granule pattern in the karyoplasm was present in 33.90%. Furthermore, of the 59 patients, ENAs immunoassay was positive in 18 (30.51%); Sjogren syndrome-related antigen A (SSA)/52 kd and Sjogren syndrome antigen B (SSB)/La were the two major antibodies. CONCLUSION The significantly lower CD4+ /CD8+ ratio among SLE patients over 60 years old is associated with deregulated immune responses and the development of SLE. A low ANA titer (1:160) is common in healthy elders, emphasizing the importance of considering age when determining if the evaluation of ANA titers is to be included in autoimmune disease diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Men
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingwei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dianjun Wei
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Correspondence to Dianjun Wei, Ph.D. Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, No. 23 PingJiang Rd, He’xi Dist, Tianjin, 300211, China Tel: +86-22-88328930 Fax: +86-22-88326837 E-mail:
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8
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Baker D, Jacobs BM, Gnanapavan S, Schmierer K, Giovannoni G. Plasma cell and B cell-targeted treatments for use in advanced multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2019; 35:19-25. [PMID: 31279232 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2019.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that agents that target peripheral B cells and in some instances plasma cells can exhibit marked effects on relapsing multiple sclerosis. In addition, B cells, including plasma cells, within the central nervous system compartment are likely to play an important role in disease progression in both relapsing and progressive MS. However, current B cell-targeting antibodies may not inhibit these, because of poor penetration into the central nervous system and often oligoclonal bands of immunoglobulin persist within the cerebrospinal fluid despite immunotherapy. Through targeting B cells and plasma cells in the CNS, it may be possible to obtain additional benefit above simple peripheral depletion of B cells. As such there are a number of inhibitors of B cell function and B cell depleting agents that have been developed for myeloma and B cell leukaemia and lymphoma, which could potentially be used off-label or as an experimental treatment for advanced (progressive) MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Baker
- BartsMS, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom.
| | - Benjamin M Jacobs
- BartsMS, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom
| | - Sharmilee Gnanapavan
- BartsMS, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom; Clinical Board:Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus Schmierer
- BartsMS, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom; Clinical Board:Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- BartsMS, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom; Clinical Board:Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom
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Slight-Webb S, Guthridge JM, Chakravarty EF, Chen H, Lu R, Macwana S, Bean K, Maecker HT, Utz PJ, James JA. Mycophenolate mofetil reduces STAT3 phosphorylation in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. JCI Insight 2019; 4:124575. [PMID: 30674728 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.124575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a highly variable autoimmune disease that can involve severe organ-threatening symptoms, such as lupus nephritis. Certain drugs, such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), are effective at reducing morbidity associated with nephritis; however, the immune pathways associated with disease suppression are poorly defined. Here, we provide evidence that MMF inhibits phosphorylation of STAT3 and other associated immune pathways. Using mass cytometry and bead-based or ELISA assays, the systemic phenotype of SLE patients not taking (MMF-) or taking (MMF+) MMF were studied. MMF+ SLE patients had significant reductions in total numbers of transitional B cells, plasmablasts, and T cells, specifically CD4+ Th17-type and CD4+ Treg-type cells, compared with MMF- patients. Plasma soluble mediators were decreased in MMF+ patients including chemokines (MIG/CXCL9 and SDF-1α/CXCL12) and growth factors (VEGF-A and PDGF-BB). Soluble mediators and cell subsets grouped by functional properties revealed significant modifications associated with STAT3 and B cell pathways. Further, healthy PBMCs treated with IL-6 revealed a reduction in p-STAT3 following the addition of mycophenolic acid (the active metabolite of MMF). In conclusion, the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation by MMF may explain the effectiveness of this treatment in SLE patients, since increased levels of p-STAT3 are associated with disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Slight-Webb
- Department of Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Joel M Guthridge
- Department of Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.,Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Eliza F Chakravarty
- Department of Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Rufei Lu
- Department of Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.,Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Susan Macwana
- Department of Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Krista Bean
- Department of Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | | | - Paul J Utz
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Judith A James
- Department of Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.,Departments of Medicine and Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
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Wang Z, Wang Y, Xu B, Liu J, Ren Y, Dai Z, Cui D, Su X, Si S, Song SJ. Vitamin D improves immune function in immunosuppressant mice induced by glucocorticoid. Biomed Rep 2016; 6:120-124. [PMID: 28123720 DOI: 10.3892/br.2016.817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin with multiple functions. Vitamin D receptor has been shown to be expressed in several types of immune cells suggesting vitamin D may have immune regulatory roles. Vitamin D insufficiency has been suggested to increase the risk of autoimmune diseases. However, little is known regarding its immunomodulatory effects in the condition of immune suppression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the regulatory effects of vitamin D on immune function in immunosuppressant mice. An immunosuppressant mouse model was induced by intraperitoneal injection with glucocorticiod for 3 days. Immunosuppressant mice were intragastrically administered with 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3; 0,4, 6 or 10 IU/g body weight] for 7 days. On day 8, the mice were decapitated. The body weight and the weights of thymus and spleen were measured. Thymus and spleen indexes were calculated. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, proliferation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production of spleen T lymphocytes was detected. Compared with the mice in the control group, the body weight, thymus and spleen indexes, the ratios of CD4+/CD8+ in peripheral blood and IL-2 production and proliferation of spleen T lymphocytes were decreased in immunosuppressant mice induced by glucocorticiod. However, in vitamin D-treated mice, the thymus indexes, the ratios of CD4+/CD8+, secretion of IL-2 and the proliferation index of spleen T lymphocytes were significantly increased (P<0.05). Among the three doses of 1,25(OH)2D3, 6 IU/g was most effective in improving the immune function. These results indicate that vitamin D supplementation can improve immune recovery in immunosuppressant mice by stimulating T-cell proliferation and elevating IL-2 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongye Wang
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, The 306th Hospital of PLA, ChaoYang, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, The 306th Hospital of PLA, ChaoYang, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Bingxin Xu
- Center for Special Medicine and Experimental Research, The 306th Hospital of PLA, ChaoYang, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Junli Liu
- Center for Special Medicine and Experimental Research, The 306th Hospital of PLA, ChaoYang, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Ye Ren
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, The 306th Hospital of PLA, ChaoYang, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Zhuojie Dai
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, The 306th Hospital of PLA, ChaoYang, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Di Cui
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, The 306th Hospital of PLA, ChaoYang, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoming Su
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, The 306th Hospital of PLA, ChaoYang, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Shaoyan Si
- Center for Special Medicine and Experimental Research, The 306th Hospital of PLA, ChaoYang, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
| | - Shu Jun Song
- Center for Special Medicine and Experimental Research, The 306th Hospital of PLA, ChaoYang, Beijing 100101, P.R. China
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW None of the medications used in clinical practice to treat sarcoidosis have been approved by the regulatory authorities. Understanding how to use disease-modifying antisarcoid drugs, however, is essential for physicians treating patients with sarcoidosis. This review summarizes the recent studies of medications used for sarcoidosis with a focus on nonsteroidal therapies. Studies from 2006 to 2013 were considered for review to update clinicians on the most relevant literature published over the last few years. RECENT FINDINGS Several recently published pieces of evidence have helped expand our ability to more appropriately sequence second-line and third-line therapies for sarcoidosis. For instance, methotrexate and azathioprine may be useful and well tolerated medications as second-line treatment. Mycophenolate mofetil might have a role in neurosarcoidosis. TNF-α blockers and other biologics seem to be well tolerated medications for the most severely affected patients. SUMMARY Corticosteroids remain the first-line therapy for sarcoidosis as many patients never require treatment or only necessitate a short treatment duration. Second-line and third-line therapies described in this article should be used in patients with progressive or refractory disease or when life-threatening complications are evident at the time of presentation.
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Wilhelm AJ, Major AS. Accelerated atherosclerosis in SLE: mechanisms and prevention approaches. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 7:527-539. [PMID: 24672580 DOI: 10.2217/ijr.12.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-organ autoimmune disease characterized by increased serum autoantibody levels and tissue damage. With improved diagnosis and more effective treatment of the resultant kidney disease, accelerated atherosclerosis has become a major cause of morbidity in patients suffering from SLE. Although the exact mechanisms for SLE-accelerated atherosclerosis are unknown, multiple factors have been established as potential players in this process. Among these potential players are dysregulation of T and B cell populations and increased circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, SLE patients exhibit a proatherogenic lipid profile characterized by low HDL and high LDL and triglycerides. Recent therapeutic approaches have focused on targeting B cells, the producers of autoantibodies, but most studies do not consider the effects of these treatments on atherosclerosis. Evidence suggests that T cells play a major role in SLE-accelerated atherosclerosis. Therefore, therapies targeted at T cells may also prove invaluable in treating SLE and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley J Wilhelm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Amy S Major
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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