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Ermann J, Lefton M, Wei K, Gutierrez-Arcelus M. Understanding Spondyloarthritis Pathogenesis: The Promise of Single-Cell Profiling. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2024; 26:144-154. [PMID: 38227172 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-023-01132-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Single-cell profiling, either in suspension or within the tissue context, is a rapidly evolving field. The purpose of this review is to outline recent advancements and emerging trends with a specific focus on studies in spondyloarthritis. RECENT FINDINGS The introduction of sequencing-based approaches for the quantification of RNA, protein, or epigenetic modifications at single-cell resolution has provided a major boost to discovery-driven research. Fluorescent flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and image-based cytometry continue to evolve. Spatial transcriptomics and imaging mass cytometry have extended high-dimensional analysis to cells in tissues. Applications in spondyloarthritis include the indexing and functional characterization of cells, discovery of disease-associated cell states, and identification of signatures associated with therapeutic responses. Single-cell TCR-seq has provided evidence for clonal expansion of CD8+ T cells in spondyloarthritis. The use of single-cell profiling approaches in spondyloarthritis research is still in its early stages. Challenges include high cost and limited availability of diseased tissue samples. To harness the full potential of the rapidly expanding technical capabilities, large-scale collaborative efforts are imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joerg Ermann
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Micah Lefton
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Kevin Wei
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Gutierrez-Arcelus
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Feng X, Wang C, Ji B, Qiao J, Xu Y, Zhu S, Ji Z, Zhou B, Tong W, Xu W. CD_99 G1 neutrophils modulate osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in the pathological process of ankylosing spondylitis. Ann Rheum Dis 2024; 83:324-334. [PMID: 37977819 PMCID: PMC10894850 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-224107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to identify the types and heterogeneity of cells within the spinal enthesis and investigate the underlying mechanisms of osteogenesis. METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to identify cell populations and their gene signatures in the spinal enthesis of five patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and three healthy individuals. The transcriptomes of 40 065 single cells were profiled and divided into 7 clusters: neutrophils, monocytic cells, granulomonocytic progenitor_erythroblasts, T cells, B cells, plasma cells and stromal cells. Real-time quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, osteogenesis induction, alizarin red staining, immunohistochemistry, short hairpin RNA and H&E staining were applied to validate the bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS Pseudo-time analysis showed two differentiation directions of stromal cells from the mesenchymal stem cell subpopulation MSC-C2 to two Cxcl12-abundant-reticular (CAR) cell subsets, Osteo-CAR and Adipo-CAR, within which three transcription factors, C-JUN, C-FOS and CAVIN1, were highly expressed in AS and regulated the osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells. A novel subcluster of early-stage neutrophils, CD99_G1, was elevated in AS. The proinflammatory characteristics of monocyte dendritic cell progenitor-recombinant adiponectin receptor 2 monocytic cells were explored. Interactions between Adipo-CAR cells, CD99_G1 neutrophils and other cell types were mapped by identifying ligand-receptor pairs, revealing the recruitment characteristics of CD99_G1 neutrophils by Adipo-CAR cells and the pathogenesis of osteogenesis induced in AS. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed the dynamics of cell subpopulations, gene expression and intercellular interactions during AS pathogenesis. These findings provide new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of osteogenesis and will benefit the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzhe Feng
- Department of Joint Bone Disease Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Joint Bone Disease Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Boyao Ji
- Department of Joint Bone Disease Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjie Qiao
- Department of Joint Bone Disease Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihong Xu
- Department of Joint Bone Disease Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanbang Zhu
- Department of Joint Bone Disease Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhou Ji
- Department of Joint Bone Disease Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bole Zhou
- Department of Joint Bone Disease Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenwen Tong
- Department of Joint Bone Disease Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidong Xu
- Department of Joint Bone Disease Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Venerito V, Del Vescovo S, Lopalco G, Proft F. Beyond the horizon: Innovations and future directions in axial-spondyloarthritis. Arch Rheumatol 2023; 38:491-511. [PMID: 38125058 PMCID: PMC10728740 DOI: 10.46497/archrheumatol.2023.10580] [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: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine and sacroiliac joints. This review discusses recent advances across multiple scientific fields that promise to transform axSpA management. Traditionally, axSpA was considered an immune-mediated disease driven by human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27), interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 signaling, biomechanics, and dysbiosis. Diagnosis relies on clinical features, laboratory tests, and imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nowadays. Management includes exercise, lifestyle changes, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and if this is not sufficient to achieve disease control also biological and targeted-synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Beyond long-recognized genetic risks like HLA-B27, high-throughput sequencing has revealed intricate gene-environment interactions influencing dysbiosis, immune dysfunction, and aberrant bone remodeling. Elucidating these mechanisms promises screening approaches to enable early intervention. Advanced imaging is revolutionizing the assessment of axSpA's hallmark: sacroiliac bone-marrow edema indicating inflammation. Novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques sensitively quantify disease activity, while machine learning automates complex analysis to improve diagnostic accuracy and monitoring. Hybrid imaging like synthetic MRI/computed tomography (CT) visualizes structural damage with new clarity. Meanwhile, microbiome analysis has uncovered gut ecosystem alterations that may initiate joint inflammation through HLA-B27 misfolding or immune subversion. Correcting dysbiosis represents an enticing treatment target. Moving forward, emerging techniques must augment patient care. Incorporating patient perspectives will be key to ensure innovations like genetics, microbiome, and imaging biomarkers translate into improved mobility, reduced pain, and increased quality of life. By integrating cutting-edge, multidisciplinary science with patients' lived experience, researchers can unlock the full potential of new technologies to deliver transformative outcomes. The future is bright for precision diagnosis, tightly controlled treatment, and even prevention of axSpA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Venerito
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), Polyclinic Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Sergio Del Vescovo
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), Polyclinic Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lopalco
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), Polyclinic Hospital, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Fabian Proft
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology (including Nutrition Medicine), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Allard-Chamard H, Li Q, Rahman P. Emerging Concepts in Precision Medicine in Axial Spondyloarthritis. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2023; 25:204-212. [PMID: 37505349 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-023-01113-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) is among the rheumatology's most heritable complex diseases, yet precision medicine at clinics still needs to be explored. We reviewed the emerging concepts and recent developments in polygenic risk scores, Mendelian randomization, pharmacogenomics, single-cell sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics. RECENT FINDINGS Polygenic risk score has resulted in encouraging results with potential diagnostic utility as it appears to outperform current diagnostic tools. Its performance and generalizability vary with ethnicity. Mendelian randomization has elucidated multiple causal associations, particularly between inflammatory bowel disease and AxSpA. Single-cell transcriptomics (particularly scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq) has identified numerous cell types, including synovial and blood immunological cells, to understand the contribution of both innate and adaptative immunity in AxSpA. Current molecular tools provide an exciting opportunity to advance precision medicine for AxSpA patients. However, extensive research and implementation strategies are still required before they can have an impact in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugues Allard-Chamard
- Division of Rheumatology, Faculté de Médecine Et Des Sciences de La Santé de L'Université de Sherbrooke Et Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Quan Li
- Department of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Proton Rahman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 154 LeMarchant Rd, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1C-5B8, Canada.
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Shen Y, Voigt A, Leng X, Rodriguez AA, Nguyen CQ. A current and future perspective on T cell receptor repertoire profiling. Front Genet 2023; 14:1159109. [PMID: 37408774 PMCID: PMC10319011 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1159109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell receptors (TCR) play a vital role in the immune system's ability to recognize and respond to foreign antigens, relying on the highly polymorphic rearrangement of TCR genes. The recognition of autologous peptides by adaptive immunity may lead to the development and progression of autoimmune diseases. Understanding the specific TCR involved in this process can provide insights into the autoimmune process. RNA-seq (RNA sequencing) is a valuable tool for studying TCR repertoires by providing a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the RNA transcripts. With the development of RNA technology, transcriptomic data must provide valuable information to model and predict TCR and antigen interaction and, more importantly, identify or predict neoantigens. This review provides an overview of the application and development of bulk RNA-seq and single-cell (SC) RNA-seq to examine the TCR repertoires. Furthermore, discussed here are bioinformatic tools that can be applied to study the structural biology of peptide/TCR/MHC (major histocompatibility complex) and predict antigenic epitopes using advanced artificial intelligence tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Alexandria Voigt
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Xuebing Leng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Amy A. Rodriguez
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Cuong Q. Nguyen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center of Orphaned Autoimmune Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Gestal-Mato U, Herhaus L. Autophagy-dependent regulation of MHC-I molecule presentation. J Cell Biochem 2023. [PMID: 37126231 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules present peptide antigens to MHC class I-restricted CD8+ T lymphocytes to elicit an effective immune response. The conventional antigen-processing pathway for MHC-I presentation depends on proteasome-mediated peptide generation and peptide loading in the endoplasmic reticulum by members of the peptide loading complex. Recent discoveries in this field highlight the role of alternative MHC-I peptide loading and presentation pathways, one of them being autophagy. Autophagy is a cell-intrinsic degradative pathway that ensures cellular homoeostasis and plays critical roles in cellular immunity. In this review article, we discuss the role of autophagy in MHC class I-restricted antigen presentation, elucidating new findings on the crosstalk of autophagy and ER-mediated MHC-I peptide presentation, dendritic cell-mediated cross-presentation and also mechanisms governing immune evasion. A detailed molecular understanding of the key drivers of autophagy-mediated MHC-I modulation holds promising targets to devise effective measures to improve T cell immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uxia Gestal-Mato
- Goethe University School of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry II, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lina Herhaus
- Goethe University School of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry II, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Prinz JC. Immunogenic self-peptides - the great unknowns in autoimmunity: Identifying T-cell epitopes driving the autoimmune response in autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1097871. [PMID: 36700227 PMCID: PMC9868241 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1097871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
HLA-associated autoimmune diseases likely arise from T-cell-mediated autoimmune responses against certain self-peptides from the broad HLA-presented immunopeptidomes. The limited knowledge of the autoimmune target peptides has so far compromised the basic understanding of autoimmune pathogenesis. This is due to the complexity of antigen processing and presentation as well as the polyspecificity of T-cell receptors (TCRs), which pose high methodological challenges on the discovery of immunogenic self-peptides. HLA-class I molecules present peptides to CD8+ T cells primarily derived from cytoplasmic proteins. Therefore, HLA-class I-restricted autoimmune responses should be directed against target cells expressing the corresponding parental protein. In HLA-class II-associated diseases, the origin of immunogenic peptides is not pre-specified, because peptides presented by HLA-class II molecules to CD4+ T cells may originate from both extracellular and cellular self-proteins. The different origins of HLA-class I and class II presented peptides determine the respective strategy for the discovery of immunogenic self-peptides in approaches based on the TCRs isolated from clonally expanded pathogenic T cells. Both involve identifying the respective restricting HLA allele as well as determining the recognition motif of the TCR under investigation by peptide library screening, which is required to search for homologous immunogenic self-peptides. In HLA-class I-associated autoimmune diseases, identification of the target cells allows for defining the restricting HLA allotype from the 6 different HLA-class I alleles of the individual HLA haplotype. It furthermore limits the search for immunogenic self-peptides to the transcriptome or immunopeptidome of the target cells, although neoepitopes generated by peptide splicing or translational errors may complicate identification. In HLA class II-associated autoimmune diseases, the lack of a defined target cell and differential antigen processing in different antigen-presenting cells complicate identification of the HLA restriction of autoreactive TCRs from CD4+ T cells. To avoid that all corresponding HLA-class II allotypes have to be included in the peptide discovery, autoantigens defined by autoantibodies can guide the search for immunogenic self-peptides presented by the respective HLA-class II risk allele. The objective of this article is to highlight important aspects to be considered in the discovery of immunogenic self-peptides in autoimmune diseases.
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Mistegaard CE, Proft F. The Complement System in Spondyloarthritis: What Do We Know? Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022. [DOI: 10.17925/rmd.2022.1.2.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) encompasses a group of rheumatologic diseases, including axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), psoriatic arthritis, arthritis with associated inflammatory bowel disease (i.e. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), reactive arthritis and undifferentiated SpA, which all share certain clinical, biological and genetic features. However, the pathogenesis remains largely unexplained. Recent evidence suggests an autoinflammatory component of the disease. The complement system is a cornerstone of the innate immune system. This review aims to evaluate the current knowledge of the complement system in SpA. Animal models have shown that complement activation is associated with axSpA. Complement proteins L-ficolin and H-ficolin levels are elevated in patients with axSpA, and complement factor C3 levels decrease after the initiation of tumour necrosis factor-inhibitor therapy. Associations with disease activity are inconsistent, as one study found that the serum levels of complement factors C3 and C4 did not differ in patients with different Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index scores but, in another study, were associated with baseline Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index improvement after treatment with a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor. Future studies should focus on the complement system in various SpA entities, involvement in pathogenesis and disease progression under clinically relevant conditions.
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