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Linking Human Betaretrovirus with Autoimmunity and Liver Disease in Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091941. [PMID: 36146750 PMCID: PMC9502388 DOI: 10.3390/v14091941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by the production of diagnostic antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) reactive to the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. A human betaretrovirus (HBRV) resembling mouse mammary tumor virus has been characterized in patients with PBC. However, linking the viral infection with the disease is not a straight-forward process because PBC is a complex multifactorial disease influenced by genetic, hormonal, autoimmune, environmental, and other factors. Currently, PBC is assumed to have an autoimmune etiology, but the evidence is lacking to support this conjecture. In this review, we describe different approaches connecting HBRV with PBC. Initially, we used co-cultivation of HBRV with biliary epithelial cells to trigger the PBC-specific phenotype with cell surface expression of cryptic mitochondrial autoantigens linked with antimitochondrial antibody expression. Subsequently, we have derived layers of proof to support the role of betaretrovirus infection in mouse models of autoimmune biliary disease with spontaneous AMA production and in patients with PBC. Using Hill’s criteria, we provide an overview of how betaretrovirus infection may trigger autoimmunity and propagate biliary disease. Ultimately, the demonstration that disease can be cured with antiviral therapy may sway the argument toward an infectious disease etiology in an analogous fashion that was used to link H. pylori with peptic ulcer disease.
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Jóźwik IK, Li W, Zhang DW, Wong D, Grawenhoff J, Ballandras-Colas A, Aiyer S, Cherepanov P, Engelman A, Lyumkis D. B-to-A transition in target DNA during retroviral integration. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:8898-8918. [PMID: 35947647 PMCID: PMC9410886 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Integration into host target DNA (tDNA), a hallmark of retroviral replication, is mediated by the intasome, a multimer of integrase (IN) assembled on viral DNA (vDNA) ends. To ascertain aspects of tDNA recognition during integration, we have solved the 3.5 Å resolution cryo-EM structure of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) strand transfer complex (STC) intasome. The tDNA adopts an A-like conformation in the region encompassing the sites of vDNA joining, which exposes the sugar-phosphate backbone for IN-mediated strand transfer. Examination of existing retroviral STC structures revealed conservation of A-form tDNA in the analogous regions of these complexes. Furthermore, analyses of sequence preferences in genomic integration sites selectively targeted by six different retroviruses highlighted consistent propensity for A-philic sequences at the sites of vDNA joining. Our structure additionally revealed several novel MMTV IN-DNA interactions, as well as contacts seen in prior STC structures, including conserved Pro125 and Tyr149 residues interacting with tDNA. In infected cells, Pro125 substitutions impacted the global pattern of MMTV integration without significantly altering local base sequence preferences at vDNA insertion sites. Collectively, these data advance our understanding of retroviral intasome structure and function, as well as factors that influence patterns of vDNA integration in genomic DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona K Jóźwik
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Da-Wei Zhang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou 213001, China
| | - Doris Wong
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Julia Grawenhoff
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Sriram Aiyer
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Peter Cherepanov
- Chromatin Structure and Mobile DNA Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK,Department of Infectious Disease, St-Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Alan N Engelman
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Alan N. Engelman. Tel: +1 617 632 4361; Fax: +1 617 632 4338;
| | - Dmitry Lyumkis
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 858 453 4100 (Ext 1155);
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Bevilacqua G. The Viral Origin of Human Breast Cancer: From the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) to the Human Betaretrovirus (HBRV). Viruses 2022; 14:v14081704. [PMID: 36016325 PMCID: PMC9412291 DOI: 10.3390/v14081704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A Human Betaretrovirus (HBRV) has been identified in humans, dating as far back as about 4500 years ago, with a high probability of it being acquired by our species around 10,000 years ago, following a species jump from mice to humans. HBRV is the human homolog of the MMTV (mouse mammary tumor virus), which is the etiological agent of murine mammary tumors. The hypothesis of a HMTV (human mammary tumor virus) was proposed about 50 years ago, and has acquired a solid scientific basis during the last 30 years, with the demonstration of a robust link with breast cancer and with PBC, primary biliary cholangitis. This article summarizes most of what is known about MMTV/HMTV/HBRV since the discovery of MMTV at the beginning of last century, to make evident both the quantity and the quality of the research supporting the existence of HBRV and its pathogenic role. Here, it is sufficient to mention that scientific evidence includes that viral sequences have been identified in breast-cancer samples in a worldwide distribution, that the complete proviral genome has been cloned from breast cancer and patients with PBC, and that saliva contains HBRV, as a possible route of inter-human infection. Controversies that have arisen concerning results obtained from human tissues, many of them outdated by new scientific evidence, are critically discussed and confuted.
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The intestinal and biliary microbiome in autoimmune liver disease-current evidence and concepts. Semin Immunopathol 2022; 44:485-507. [PMID: 35536431 PMCID: PMC9088151 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-022-00936-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune liver diseases are a group of immune-mediated liver diseases with three distinct entities, including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The interplay of genetic and environmental factors leads to the breakdown of self-tolerance, resulting in hyper-responsiveness, and auto-aggressive immune activation. Emerging evidence links autoimmune liver diseases with alterations of the commensal microbiome configuration and aberrant immune system activation by microbial signals, mainly via the gut-liver axis. Thus, the microbiome is a new frontier to deepen the pathogenetic understanding, uncover biomarkers, and inspire innovative treatments. Herein, we review the current evidence on the role of the microbiome in autoimmune liver diseases from both clinical and basic research. We highlight recent achievements and also bottlenecks and limitations. Moreover, we give an outlook on future developments and potential for clinical applications.
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Parisi F, Freer G, Mazzanti CM, Pistello M, Poli A. Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) and MMTV-like Viruses: An In-depth Look at a Controversial Issue. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050977. [PMID: 35632719 PMCID: PMC9147501 DOI: 10.3390/v14050977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery as a milk factor, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been shown to cause mammary carcinoma and lymphoma in mice. MMTV infection depends upon a viral superantigen (sag)-induced immune response and exploits the immune system to establish infection in mammary epithelial cells when they actively divide. Simultaneously, it avoids immune responses, causing tumors through insertional mutagenesis and clonal expansion. Early studies identified antigens and sequences belonging to a virus homologous to MMTV in human samples. Several pieces of evidence fulfill a criterion for a possible causal role for the MMTV-like virus in human breast cancer (BC), though the controversy about whether this virus was linked to BC has raged for over 40 years in the literature. In this review, the most important issues related to MMTV, from its discovery to the present days, are retraced to fully explore such a controversial issue. Furthermore, the hypothesis of an MMTV-like virus raised the question of a potential zoonotic mouse–man transmission. Several studies investigate the role of an MMTV-like virus in companion animals, suggesting their possible role as mediators. Finally, the possibility of an MMTV-like virus as a cause of human BC opens a new era for prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Parisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge, 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Giulia Freer
- Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Chiara Maria Mazzanti
- Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Via Ferruccio Giovannini, 13, 56017 San Giuliano Terme, Italy;
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Alessandro Poli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge, 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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Gerussi A, Paraboschi EM, Cappadona C, Caime C, Binatti E, Cristoferi L, Asselta R, Invernizzi P. The Role of Epigenetics in Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094873. [PMID: 35563266 PMCID: PMC9105933 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a rare autoimmune disease of the liver, affecting mostly females. There is evidence that epigenetic changes have a pathogenic role in PBC. Epigenetic modifications are related to methylation of CpG DNA islands, post-translational modifications of histone proteins, and non-coding RNAs. In PBC, there are data showing a dysregulation of all these levels, especially in immune cells. In addition, epigenetics seems to be involved in complex phenomena such as X monosomy or abnormalities in the process of X chromosome inactivation, which have been reported in PBC and appear to influence its sex imbalance and pathogenesis. We review here historical data on epigenetic modifications in PBC, present new data, and discuss possible links among X-chromosome abnormalities at a genetic and epigenetic level, PBC pathogenesis, and PBC sex imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Gerussi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (C.C.); (E.B.); (L.C.)
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Elvezia Maria Paraboschi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy; (E.M.P.); (C.C.); (R.A.)
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Claudio Cappadona
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy; (E.M.P.); (C.C.); (R.A.)
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Chiara Caime
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (C.C.); (E.B.); (L.C.)
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Eleonora Binatti
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (C.C.); (E.B.); (L.C.)
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Laura Cristoferi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (C.C.); (E.B.); (L.C.)
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Rosanna Asselta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy; (E.M.P.); (C.C.); (R.A.)
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (C.C.); (E.B.); (L.C.)
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Goubran M, Wang W, Indik S, Faschinger A, Wasilenko ST, Bintner J, Carpenter EJ, Zhang G, Nuin P, Macintyre G, Wong GKS, Mason AL. Isolation of a Human Betaretrovirus from Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050886. [PMID: 35632628 PMCID: PMC9146342 DOI: 10.3390/v14050886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A human betaretrovirus (HBRV) has been linked with the autoimmune liver disease, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and various cancers, including breast cancer and lymphoma. HBRV is closely related to the mouse mammary tumor virus, and represents the only exogenous betaretrovirus characterized in humans to date. Evidence of infection in patients with PBC has been demonstrated through the identification of proviral integration sites in lymphoid tissue, the major reservoir of infection, as well as biliary epithelium, which is the site of the disease process. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that patients with PBC harbor a transmissible betaretrovirus by co-cultivation of PBC patients’ lymph node homogenates with the HS578T breast cancer line. Because of the low level of HBRV replication, betaretrovirus producing cells were subcloned to optimize viral isolation and production. Evidence of infection was provided by electron microscopy, RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, cloning of the HBRV proviral genome and demonstration of more than 3400 integration sites. Further evidence of viral transmissibility was demonstrated by infection of biliary epithelial cells. While HBRV did not show a preference for integration proximal to specific genomic features, analyses of common insertion sites revealed evidence of integration proximal to cancer associated genes. These studies demonstrate the isolation of HBRV with features similar to mouse mammary tumor virus and confirm that patients with PBC display evidence of a transmissible viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Goubran
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Stanislav Indik
- Department of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.I.); (A.F.)
| | - Alexander Faschinger
- Department of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.I.); (A.F.)
| | - Shawn T. Wasilenko
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Jasper Bintner
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Eric J. Carpenter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada;
| | - Guangzhi Zhang
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Paulo Nuin
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada;
| | - Georgina Macintyre
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Gane K.-S. Wong
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada;
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Andrew L. Mason
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(780)-492-8176
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Revisiting the MMTV Zoonotic Hypothesis to Account for Geographic Variation in Breast Cancer Incidence. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030559. [PMID: 35336966 PMCID: PMC8955943 DOI: 10.3390/v14030559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human breast cancer incidence varies by geographic location. More than 20 years ago, we proposed that zoonotic transmission of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) from the western European house mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, might account for the regional differences in breast cancer incidence. In the intervening years, several developments provide additional support for this hypothesis, including the limited impact of genetic factors for breast cancer susceptibility revealed by genome-wide association studies and the strong effect of antiretroviral therapy to reduce breast cancer incidence. At the same time, economic globalization has further expanded the distribution of M. m. domesticus to Asia, leading to a significant increase in breast cancer incidence in this region. Here, we revisit this evidence and provide an update to the MMTV zoonotic hypothesis for human breast cancer at a time when the world is recovering from the global COVID-19 zoonotic pandemic. We present evidence that mouse population outbreaks are correlated with spikes in breast cancer incidence in Australia and New Zealand and that globalization has increased the range of M. m. domesticus and MMTV. Given the success of global vaccination campaigns for HPV to eradicate cervical cancer, a similar strategy for MMTV may be warranted. Until breast cancer incidence is reduced by such an approach, zoonotic transmission of MMTV from mice to humans as an etiologic factor for breast cancer will remain controversial.
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Turvey SL, Saxinger L, Mason AL. Apples to Apples? A Comparison of Real-World Tolerability of Antiretrovirals in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030516. [PMID: 35336923 PMCID: PMC8949089 DOI: 10.3390/v14030516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously characterized a human betaretrovirus and linked infection with the development of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). There are in vitro and in vivo data demonstrating that antiretroviral therapy used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be repurposed to treat betaretroviruses. As such, PBC patients have been treated with nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), alone and in combination with a boosted protease inhibitor or an integrase strand transfer inhibitor in case studies and clinical trials. However, a randomized controlled trial using combination antiretroviral therapy with lopinavir was terminated early because 70% of PBC patients discontinued therapy because of gastrointestinal side effects. In the open-label extension, patients tolerating combination therapy underwent a significant reduction in serum liver parameters, whereas those on NRTIs alone rebounded to baseline. Herein, we compare clinical experience in the experimental use of antiretroviral agents in patients with PBC with the broader experience of using these agents in people living with HIV infection. While the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects in the PBC population appears somewhat increased compared to those with HIV infection, the clinical improvement observed in patients with PBC suggests that further studies using the newer and better tolerated antiretroviral agents are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon L. Turvey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (S.L.T.); (L.S.)
| | - Lynora Saxinger
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (S.L.T.); (L.S.)
| | - Andrew L. Mason
- Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-780-492-8176; Fax: +1-780-492-1655
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Mustafa F, Ahmad W, Khader T, Panicker N, Akhlaq S, Baby J, Gull B. MMTV-like Env sequences from human breast cancer patients cannot yet be considered as a separate species. HAMDAN MEDICAL JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/hmj.hmj_35_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Early histopathologic changes in primary biliary cholangitis: does 'minimal change' primary biliary cholangitis exist? A pathologist's view. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 33:e7-e12. [PMID: 32804848 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), formerly known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is an autoimmune, slowly progressive, cholestatic liver disease characterized by nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis, and interlobular bile duct destruction. Necroinflammatory activities of the hepatic parenchyma and limiting plates of milder form along with late liver fibrosis may develop. Serum liver tests include elevated serum alkaline phosphatase along with a positive antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) in nearly 95% of patients. Liver biopsies are an important confirmatory and staging tool and are additionally very helpful when AMA is negative. More specifically, the earliest changes in liver biopsy suspicious for PBC can be detected, namely loss of the canals of Hering (CoH), as proposed by various authors recently. CoH loss has been described as an early feature of PBC. We focus on early histologic features of PBC, investigating through the literature the possible role of 'minimal change' supporting the clinical diagnosis of PBC, even in the absence of characteristic granulomatous duct destructive lesions.
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12
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Lytvyak E, Niazi M, Pai R, He D, Zhang G, Hübscher SG, Mason AL. Combination antiretroviral therapy improves recurrent primary biliary cholangitis following liver transplantation. Liver Int 2021; 41:1879-1883. [PMID: 34008271 PMCID: PMC8362166 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent primary biliary cholangitis (rPBC) is frequent following liver transplantation and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It has been argued that rPBC behaves like an infectious disease because more potent immunosuppression with tacrolimus is associated with earlier and more severe recurrence. Prophylactic ursodeoxycholic acid is an established therapeutic option to prevent rPBC, whereas the role of second line therapies, such as obeticholic acid and bezafibrate in rPBC, remains largely unexplored. To address the hypothesis that a human betaretrovirus plays a role in the development of PBC, we have tested antiretroviral therapy in vitro and conducted randomised controlled trials showing improvements in hepatic biochemistry. Herein, we describe the utility of combination antiretroviral therapy to manage rPBC in two patients treated with open label tenofovir/emtricitabine-based regimens in combination with either lopinavir or raltegravir. Both patients experienced sustained biochemical and histological improvement with treatment, but the antiretroviral therapy was associated with side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellina Lytvyak
- Department of MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Mina Niazi
- Department of MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Rohit Pai
- Department of MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Daniel He
- Department of MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Guangzhi Zhang
- Department of MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Stefan G. Hübscher
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyUniversity of BirminghamBirminghamUK,Department of Cellular PathologyQueen Elizabeth HospitalBirminghamUK
| | - Andrew L. Mason
- Department of MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
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Montano-Loza AJ, Allegretti JR, Cheung A, Ebadi M, Jones D, Kerkar N, Levy C, Rizvi S, Vierling JM, Alvarez F, Bai W, Gilmour S, Gulamhusein A, Guttman O, Hansen BE, MacParland S, Mason A, Onofrio F, Santamaria P, Stueck A, Swain M, Vincent C, Ricciuto A, Hirschfield G. Single Topic Conference on Autoimmune Liver Disease from the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver. CANADIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2021; 4:401-425. [PMID: 35989897 PMCID: PMC9235119 DOI: 10.3138/canlivj-2021-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune liver disease (AILD) spans a spectrum of chronic disorders affecting the liver parenchyma and biliary system. Three main categories of AILD are autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). This review condenses the presentation and discussions of the Single Topic Conference (STC) on AILD that was held in Ottawa, Ontario, in November 2019. We cover generalities regarding disease presentation and clinical diagnosis; mechanistic themes; treatment paradigms; clinical trials, including approaches and challenges to new therapies; and looking beyond traditional disease boundaries. Although these diseases are considered autoimmune, the etiology and role of environmental triggers are poorly understood. AILDs are progressive and chronic conditions that affect survival and quality of life. Advances have been made in PBC treatment because second-line treatments are now available (obeticholic acid, bezafibrate); however, a significant proportion still present suboptimal response. AIH treatment has remained unchanged for several decades, and data suggest that fewer than 50% of patients achieve a complete response and as many as 80% develop treatment-related side effects. B-cell depletion therapy to treat AIH is in an early stage of development and has shown promising results. An effective treatment for PSC is urgently needed. Liver transplant remains the best option for patients who develop decompensated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma within specific criteria, but recurrent AILD might occur. Continued efforts are warranted to develop networks for AILD aimed at assessing geo-epidemiological, clinical, and biochemical differences to capture the new treatment era in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo J Montano-Loza
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jessica R Allegretti
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Angela Cheung
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Maryam Ebadi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Jones
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Nanda Kerkar
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Cynthia Levy
- Schiff Center for Liver Diseases, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Sumera Rizvi
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Fernando Alvarez
- Department of Pediatrics, Hôpital Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Wayne Bai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Susan Gilmour
- Stollery Children's Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Aliya Gulamhusein
- Ajmera Family Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Orlee Guttman
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Ajmera Family Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sonya MacParland
- Ajmera Family Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Mason
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Fernanda Onofrio
- Ajmera Family Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pere Santamaria
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ashley Stueck
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Mark Swain
- Calgary Liver Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine Vincent
- Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Amanda Ricciuto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gideon Hirschfield
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network & Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Ronca V, Mancuso C, Milani C, Carbone M, Oo YH, Invernizzi P. Immune system and cholangiocytes: A puzzling affair in primary biliary cholangitis. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:659-671. [PMID: 32349179 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5mr0320-200r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a cholestatic liver disease characterized by the destruction of the small and medium bile ducts. Its pathogenesis is still unknown. Despite the genome wide association study findings, the therapies targeting the cytokines pathway, tested so far, have failed. The concept of the biliary epithelium as a key player of the PBC pathogenesis has emerged over the last few years. It is now well accepted that the biliary epithelial cells (BECs) actively participate to the genesis of the damage. The chronic stimulation of BECs via microbes and bile changes the cell phenotype toward an active state, which, across the production of proinflammatory mediators, can recruit, retain, and activate immune cells. The consequent immune system activation can in turn damage BECs. Thus, the crosstalk between both innate and adaptive immune cells and the biliary epithelium creates a paracrine loop responsible for the disease progression. In this review, we summarize the evidence provided in literature about the role of BECs and the immune system in the pathogenesis of PBC. We also dissect the relationship between the immune system and the BECs, focusing on the unanswered questions and the future potential directions of the translational research and the cellular therapy in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Ronca
- Division of Gastroenterology and Centre for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,National Institute of Health Research Liver Biomedical Research Centre Birmingham, Centre for Liver Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Clara Mancuso
- Division of Gastroenterology and Centre for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Milani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Centre for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Marco Carbone
- Division of Gastroenterology and Centre for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Ye Htun Oo
- National Institute of Health Research Liver Biomedical Research Centre Birmingham, Centre for Liver Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Centre for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
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15
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Zhang G, Bashiri K, Kneteman M, Cave K, Hong Y, Mackey JR, Alter HJ, Mason AL. Seroprevalence of Human Betaretrovirus Surface Protein Antibodies in Patients with Breast Cancer and Liver Disease. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2020; 2020:8958192. [PMID: 32411244 PMCID: PMC7204138 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8958192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is a betaretrovirus that plays a causal role in the development of breast cancer and lymphoma in mice. Closely related sequences that share 91-99% nucleotide identity with MMTV have been repeatedly found in humans with neoplastic and inflammatory diseases. Evidence for infection with a betaretrovirus has been found in patients with breast cancer and primary biliary cholangitis and referred to as the human mammary tumor virus and the human betaretrovirus (HBRV), respectively. Using the gold standard technique of demonstrating retroviral infection, HBRV proviral integrations have been detected in cholangiocytes, lymph nodes, and liver of patients with primary biliary cholangitis. However, the scientific biomedical community has not embraced the hypothesis that MMTV like betaretroviruses may infect humans because reports of viral detection have been inconsistent and robust diagnostic assays are lacking. Specifically, prior serological assays using MMTV proteins have produced divergent results in human disease. Accordingly, a partial HBRV surface (Su) construct was transfected into HEK293 to create an ELISA. The secreted HBRV gp52 Su protein was then used to screen for serological responses in patients with breast cancer and liver disease. A greater proportion of breast cancer patients (n = 98) were found to have serological reactivity to HBRV Su as compared to age- and sex-matched control subjects (10.2% versus 2.0%, P=0.017, OR = 5.6 [1.25-26.3]). Similarly, the frequency of HBRV Su reactivity was higher in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (n = 156) as compared to blood donors (11.5% vs. 3.1%, P=0.0024, OR = 4.09 [1.66-10.1]). While the sensitivity of the HBRV Su ELISA was limited, the assay was highly specific for serologic detection in patients with breast cancer or primary biliary cholangitis, respectively (98.0% [93.1%-99.7%] and 97.0% [93.4%-98.6%]). Additional assays will be required to link immune response to betaretrovirus infection and either breast cancer or primary biliary cholangitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhi Zhang
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3M4, Canada
| | - Kiandokht Bashiri
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Mark Kneteman
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Kevan Cave
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Youngkee Hong
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - John R. Mackey
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Harvey J. Alter
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Andrew L. Mason
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
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16
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Lytvyak E, Hosamani I, Montano-Loza AJ, Saxinger L, Mason AL. Randomized clinical trial: Combination antiretroviral therapy with tenofovir-emtricitabine and lopinavir-ritonavir in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. CANADIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2019; 2:31-44. [PMID: 33981960 DOI: 10.3138/canlivj.2018-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies using reverse transcriptase inhibitors to treat a human betaretrovirus (HBRV) in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) resulted in a 21% reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Herein, we studied the safety and efficacy of combination tenofovir-emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) and lopinavir-ritonavir (LPRr) in PBC patients unresponsive to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). METHODS A double-blind randomized controlled trial was performed in patients on UDCA for 6 months or more with ALP levels greater than two-fold the upper limit of normal or bilirubin greater than the upper limit of normal. Patients were randomized to daily TDF/FTC 300/200 mg and LPRr 800/200 mg versus identical placebo for 6 months. The primary endpoint was reduction of ALP below 1.67 × ULN or normalization of bilirubin. HBRV DNA levels were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using digital droplet polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The enrolment was limited to 13 patients because most patients were unable to tolerate LPRr due to the development of gastrointestinal symptoms. No difference in the primary endpoint was achieved. A significant reduction was observed in ALP by 25% (P < 0.05) and in HBRV proviral load (P < 0.05) after 6 months of combination antiretroviral therapy. The majority of patients had diminished levels of LPRr after 6 months' therapy suggesting inadequate intake of protease inhibitor toward the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS Combination anti-retroviral therapy resulted in improvement in hepatic biochemistry with reduction in proviral load. The frequency of side effects from LPRr in patients with PBC exceeds the frequency reported for HIV, warranting the search for better tolerated combinations in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellina Lytvyak
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Centre of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ishwar Hosamani
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Centre of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Aldo J Montano-Loza
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Centre of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lynora Saxinger
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrew L Mason
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Centre of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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17
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Tanaka A, Leung PSC, Gershwin ME. Pathogen infections and primary biliary cholangitis. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 195:25-34. [PMID: 30099750 PMCID: PMC6300644 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a multi-factorial disease caused by the interaction of both genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. Bacterial infection has been investigated most intensively, both epidemiologically and experimentally, as a prime environmental aetiology in PBC. The association of recurrent history of urinary tract infection (UTI) with PBC has been frequently confirmed by several large-scale, case-control studies, despite variation in geographic area or case-finding methods. Escherichia coli is a predominant pathogen in most cases with UTI. Animal studies and molecular mimicry analysis between the human and E. coli E2 subunit of the 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenase complexes demonstrated that E. coli infection is a key factor in breaking immunological tolerance against the mitochondria, resulting in the production of anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA), the disease-specific autoantibodies of PBC. Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, a ubiquitous xenobiotic-metabolizing bacterium, is another candidate which may be involved in the aetiology of PBC. Meanwhile, improved environmental hygiene and increased prevalence of PBC, especially in males, may argue against the aetiological role of bacterial infection in PBC. Multiple mechanisms can result in the loss of tolerance to mitochondrial autoantigens in PBC; nonetheless, bacterial infection is probably one of the dominant pathways, especially in female patients. Notably, there is a rising prevalence of male patients with PBC. With increasing exposure to environmental xenobiotics in both genders, studies directed towards identifying the environmental culprit with systematically designed case-control studies are much needed to further determine the environmental factors and role of bacterial infections in PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Tanaka
- Department of MedicineTeikyo University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - P. S. C. Leung
- Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyUniversity of California School of MedicineDavisCAUSA
| | - M. E. Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyUniversity of California School of MedicineDavisCAUSA
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18
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Abstract
Primary cholangitis (cirrhosis) is a chronic cholestatic disease with an unquestionable female predominance. It is characterised by inflammation of the small and medium size bile ducts, and can eventually progress to cirrhosis. Most patients remain asymptomatic and are diagnosed by the casual finding of an anicteric biochemical cholestasis with increased alkaline phosphatase. The pathogenesis is unknown and of presumed autoimmune origin in genetic susceptible subjects. M2-type antimitochondrial antibodies, and specific antinuclear antibodies (gp210 and Sp100) are typical and specific of the disease. The positivity of these antibodies and a biochemical cholestasis are sufficient for diagnosis, without the need for liver biopsy. Ursodeoxycholic acid is the specific treatment with an excellent response in more than 60% of patients. When this optimal response is not observed, it can be combined with new agents, but those that have shown to be effective are those that improve cholestasis such as fibrates and obeticholic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Parés
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital Clinic, Universidad de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, Barcelona, España.
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19
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Lombardi A, Tsomos E, Hammerstad SS, Tomer Y. Interferon alpha: The key trigger of type 1 diabetes. J Autoimmun 2018; 94:7-15. [PMID: 30115527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
IFNα is a cytokine essential to a vast array of immunologic processes. Its induction early in the innate immune response provides a priming mechanism that orchestrates numerous subsequent pathways in innate and adaptive immunity. Despite its beneficial effects in viral infections IFNα has been reported to be associated with several autoimmune diseases including autoimmune thyroid disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, primary biliary cholangitis, and recently emerged as a major cytokine that triggers Type 1 Diabetes. In this review, we dissect the role of IFNα in T1D, focusing on the potential pathophysiological mechanisms involved. Evidence from human and mouse studies indicates that IFNα plays a key role in enhancing islet expression of HLA-I in patients with T1D, thereby increasing autoantigen presentation and beta cell activation of autoreactive cytotoxic CD8 T-lymphocytes. The binding of IFNα to its receptor induces the secretion of chemokines, attracting monocytes, T lymphocytes, and NK cells to the infected tissue triggering autoimmunity in susceptible individuals. Furthermore, IFNα impairs insulin production through the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress as well as by impairing mitochondrial function. Due to its central role in the early phases of beta cell death, targeting IFNα and its pathways in genetically predisposed individuals may represent a potential novel therapeutic strategy in the very early stages of T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lombardi
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Effie Tsomos
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sara S Hammerstad
- Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Aker, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Ulleval, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yaron Tomer
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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20
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Abstract
The human betaretrovirus and the closely related mouse mammary tumor virus have been linked with the development of cholangitis and mitochondrial antibody production in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and mouse models of autoimmune biliary disease, respectively. In vitro, betaretroviruses have been found to stimulate the expression of mitochondrial autoantigens on the cell surface of biliary epithelial cells. In vivo, both mitochondrial autoantigens and viral proteins have been shown to be co-expressed in biliary epithelium and lymphoid tissue. Notably, both mice and humans make poor antibody responses to betaretrovirus infection, whereas proinflammatory responses to viral proteins have been observed in T lymphocyte studies. Furthermore, proviral integration studies have confirmed the presence of human betaretrovirus in biliary epithelium of patients with PBC. Preliminary proof of principal studies using combination antiretroviral therapy have shown that suppression of viral expression is associated with sustained biochemical response. As the previous regimen used was poorly tolerated, further randomized controlled trials are planned to determine whether betaretrovirus infection plays an important role in the development of PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew L Mason
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada.
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21
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Parés A. Advances in treatment options for patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2017.1394840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Albert Parés
- Liver Unit, University of Barcelona, Hospital Clínic, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Barcelona, Spain
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22
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Montano-Loza AJ, Bhanji RA, Wasilenko S, Mason AL. Systematic review: recurrent autoimmune liver diseases after liver transplantation. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2017; 45:485-500. [PMID: 27957759 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) constitute the third most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) worldwide. Outcomes post LT are generally good but recurrent disease is frequently observed. AIMS To describe the frequency and risk factors associated with recurrent AILD post-LT and provide recommendations to reduce the incidence of recurrence based on levels of evidence. METHODS A systematic review was performed for full-text papers published in English-language journals, using the keywords 'autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)', 'primary biliary cholangitis and/or cirrhosis (PBC)', 'primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)', 'liver transplantation' and 'recurrent disease'. Management strategies to reduce recurrence after LT were classified according to grade and level of evidence. RESULTS Survival rates post-LT are approximately 90% and 70% at 1 and 5 years and recurrent disease occurs in a range of 10-50% of patients with AILD. Recurrent AIH is associated with elevated liver enzymes and IgG before LT, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates in the explants and lack of steroids after LT (Grade B). Tacrolimus use is associated with increased risk; use of ciclosporin and preventive ursodeoxycholic acid with reduced risk of PBC recurrence (all Grade B). Intact colon, active ulcerative colitis and early cholestasis are associated with recurrent PSC (Grade B). CONCLUSIONS Recommendations based on grade A level of evidence are lacking. The need for further study and management includes active immunosuppression before liver transplantation and steroid use after liver transplantation in autoimmune hepatitis; selective immunosuppression with ciclosporin and preventive ursodeoxycholic acid treatment for primary biliary cholangitis; and improved control of inflammatory bowel disease or even colectomy in primary sclerosing cholangitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Montano-Loza
- Division of Gastroenterology & Liver Unit, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - R A Bhanji
- Division of Gastroenterology & Liver Unit, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - S Wasilenko
- Division of Gastroenterology & Liver Unit, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - A L Mason
- Division of Gastroenterology & Liver Unit, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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23
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Mattner J. Impact of Microbes on the Pathogenesis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17111864. [PMID: 27834858 PMCID: PMC5133864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17111864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) represent the major clinical entities of chronic cholestatic liver diseases. Both disorders are characterized by portal inflammation and slowly progress to obliterative fibrosis and eventually liver cirrhosis. Although immune-pathogenic mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of PBC and PSC, neither disorder is considered to be a classical autoimmune disease, as PSC and PBC patients do not respond to immune-suppressants. Furthermore, the decreased bile flow resulting from the immune-mediated tissue assault and the subsequent accumulation of toxic bile products in PBC and PSC not only perpetuates biliary epithelial damage, but also alters the composition of the intestinal and biliary microbiota and its mutual interactions with the host. Consistent with the close association of PSC and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the polyclonal hyper IgM response in PBC and (auto-)antibodies which cross-react to microbial antigens in both diseases, an expansion of individual microbes leads to shifts in the composition of the intestinal or biliary microbiota and a subsequent altered integrity of epithelial layers, promoting microbial translocation. These changes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both devastating disorders. Thus, we will discuss here these recent findings in the context of novel and alternative therapeutic options.
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MESH Headings
- Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Bacterial/biosynthesis
- Bacterial Translocation
- Bile/drug effects
- Bile/microbiology
- Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
- Cholangitis, Sclerosing/diagnostic imaging
- Cholangitis, Sclerosing/drug therapy
- Cholangitis, Sclerosing/immunology
- Cholangitis, Sclerosing/microbiology
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin M/biosynthesis
- Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/diagnostic imaging
- Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/drug therapy
- Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/immunology
- Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/microbiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Mattner
- Mikrobiologisches Institut-Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Wasserturmstr. 3/5, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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24
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Ali AH, Tabibian JH, Carey EJ, Lindor KD. Emerging drugs for the treatment of Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2016; 21:39-56. [PMID: 26901615 DOI: 10.1517/14728214.2016.1150999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune chronic disease of the liver that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It affects approximately 1 in 4,000 with a 10:1 female to male ratio. The diagnosis of PBC can be made based on serum antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) in a patient with abnormally high serum alkaline phosphatase after ruling out other causes of cholestasis and biliary obstruction. Genome-wide association studies have revealed several human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and non-HLA risk loci in PBC, and complex environmental-host immunogenetic interactions are believed to underlie the etiopathogenesis of the disease. Fatigue and pruritus are the most common and often problematic symptoms; although often mild, these can be severe and life-alternating in a subset of patients. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the only drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of PBC. Clinical trials have shown that UDCA significantly improves transplant-free survival. However, nearly 40% of PBC patients do not respond adequately to PBC and are at higher risk for serious complications when compared to PBC patients with complete response to UDCA. AREAS COVERED Here we provide a detailed discussion regarding novel therapeutic agents and potential areas for further investigation in PBC-related research. EXPERT OPINION Results of ongoing clinical trials and emerging treatment paradigms for PBC will likely further improve medical management of this disorder in the near future.
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Shimoda S, Tanaka A. It is time to change primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC): New nomenclature from "cirrhosis" to "cholangitis", and upcoming treatment based on unveiling pathology. Hepatol Res 2016; 46:407-15. [PMID: 26518139 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic, organ-specific, autoimmune liver disease characterized by progressive cholestasis, eventually leading to cirrhosis. Several lines of evidence have revealed a crucial role of adaptive as well as innate immune responses in the etiopathogenesis of PBC, and more recently, the biology of bile duct cells and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) demonstrated several key molecules and pathways in this enigmatic disease. Although ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been the only approved drug for PBC with clinical evidences for improvement of long-term outcomes, a substantial population have suboptimal responses to UDCA, resulting in unfavorable outcomes. In this regard, second-line treatment for patients refractory to UDCA is strongly awaited. In Japan, bezafibrate (BF) has been frequently used for this purpose, yet recent clinical trials failed to clearly demonstrate clinical efficacy of BF. Novel pharmacotherapies targeted to key molecules and pathways in PBC are upcoming. Finally, we sincerely call on all members of the Japan Society of Hepatology to use from this moment on the name "primary biliary cholangitis" for the disease known by its abbreviation PBC, in keeping with a very recent global agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Shimoda
- Department of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Kouroumalis E, Notas G. Primary biliary cirrhosis: From bench to bedside. World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther 2015; 6:32-58. [PMID: 26261733 PMCID: PMC4526840 DOI: 10.4292/wjgpt.v6.i3.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Revised: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic non-suppurative destructive intrahepatic cholangitis leading to cirrhosis after a protractive non cirrhotic stage. The etiology and pathogenesis are largely unknown and autoimmne mechanisms have been implicated to explain the pathological lesions. Many epitopes and autoantigens have been reported as crucial in the pathophysiology of the disease and T and B cells abnormalities have been described, the exact pathways leading to the destruction of small intrahepatic ductules are mostly speculative. In this review we examined the various epidemiologal and geoepidemiological data as well as the complex pathogenetic aspects of this disease, focusing on recent in vivo and in vitro studies in this field. Initiation and progression of PBC is believed to be a multifactorial process with strong infuences from the patient’s genetic background and by various environmental factors. The role of innate and adaptive immunity, including cytokines, chemokines, macrophages and the involvement of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species are outlined in detailed. The current pathogenetic aspects are presented and a novel pathogenetic theory unifying the accumulated clinical information with in vitro and in vivo data is formulated. A review of clinical manifestations and immunological and pathological diagnosis was presented. Treatment modalities, including the multiple mechanisms of action of ursodeoxycholate were finally discussed.
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Does primary biliary cirrhosis cluster in time? Spat Spatiotemporal Epidemiol 2015; 14-15:1-8. [PMID: 26530818 DOI: 10.1016/j.sste.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aetiology of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is not well established. Previously we found evidence of space-time clustering and seasonal variation in the date of diagnosis, suggesting a possible role for a transient or seasonally varying environmental factor. We examined whether a temporally varying environmental agent may be involved by analysing population-based PBC data from northeast England over 1987-2003. Using an adaptation of a method proposed by Potthoff and Whittinghill, we found significant temporal variation by date of diagnosis at the level of aggregation of one year. However, there was no evidence for general irregular (non-seasonal) temporal clustering within periods less than a year. These results provide little support for the involvement of agents occurring in geographically widespread mini-epidemics, but--taken together with studies of spatial and spatio-temporal clustering--do not preclude the role of more localised sporadic mini-epidemics. Future research should seek to elicit putative environmental agents.
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Sharon D, Chen M, Zhang G, Girgis S, Sis B, Graham D, McDougall C, Wasilenko ST, Montano-Loza A, Mason AL. Impact of combination antiretroviral therapy in the NOD.c3c4 mouse model of autoimmune biliary disease. Liver Int 2015; 35:1442-50. [PMID: 25302564 PMCID: PMC4403978 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The NOD.c3c4 mouse model develops autoimmune biliary disease characterized by spontaneous granulomatous cholangitis, antimitochondrial antibodies and liver failure. This model for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) has evidence of biliary infection with mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV), suggesting that the virus may have a role in cholangitis development and progression of liver disease in this mouse model. We tested the hypothesis that MMTV infection is associated with cholangitis in the NOD.c3c4 mouse model by investigating whether antiretroviral therapy impacts on viral levels and liver disease. METHODS NOD.c3c4 mice were treated with combination antiretroviral therapy. Response to treatment was studied by measuring MMTV RNA in the liver, liver enzyme levels in serum and liver histology using a modified Ishak score. RESULTS Combination therapy with the reverse transcriptase inhibitors, tenofovir and emtricitabine, resulted in a significant reduction in serum liver enzyme levels, attenuation of cholangitis and decreased MMTV levels in the livers of NOD.c3c4 mice. Furthermore, treatment with the retroviral protease inhibitors, lopinavir and ritonavir, in addition to the reverse transcriptase inhibitors, resulted in further decrease in MMTV levels and attenuation of liver disease in this model. CONCLUSIONS The attenuation of cholangitis with regimens containing the reverse transcriptase inhibitors, tenofovir and emtricitabine, and the protease inhibitors, lopinavir and ritonavir, suggests that retroviral infection may play a role in the development of cholangitis in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sharon
- Department of Medicine, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Guangzhi Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Safwat Girgis
- Department of Pathology, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Banu Sis
- Department of Pathology, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Don Graham
- Department of Medicine, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Andrew L Mason
- Department of Medicine, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada,Correspondence Andrew L. Mason, Division of Gastroenterology, Center of Excellence in Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research 7-142 KGR, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2X8 Canada, Tel: (780) 492-8172, Fax: (780) 492-1655, e-mail:
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Role of novel retroviruses in chronic liver disease: assessing the link of human betaretrovirus with primary biliary cirrhosis. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2015; 17:460. [PMID: 25754451 PMCID: PMC4353873 DOI: 10.1007/s11908-014-0460-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A human betaretrovirus resembling mouse mammary tumor virus has been characterized in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. The agent triggers a disease-specific phenotype in vitro with aberrant cell-surface expression of mitochondrial antigens. The presentation of a usually sequestered self-protein is thought to lead to the loss of tolerance and the production of anti-mitochondrial antibodies associated with the disease. Similar observations have been made in mouse models, where mouse mammary tumor virus infection has been linked with the development of cholangitis and production of anti-mitochondrial antibodies. The use of combination antiretroviral therapy has been shown to impact on histological and biochemical disease in mouse models of autoimmune biliary disease and in clinical trials of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. However, the HIV protease inhibitors are not well tolerated in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, and more efficacious regimens will be required to clearly link reduction of viral load with improvement of cholangitis.
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Wang W, Indik S, Wong GKS, Mason AL. Editorial: Betaretrovirus in biliary epithelia of patients with autoimmune and cryptogenic liver disease - authors' reply. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2015; 41:491. [PMID: 25631652 PMCID: PMC4329381 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- W Wang
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | - S Indik
- Department of Virology, University of Veterinary MedicineVienna, Austria
| | - G K-S Wong
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada,Department of Biological Sciences, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada,BGI-Shenzhen, Bei Shan Industrial ZoneShenzhen, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | - A L Mason
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada,Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada,E-mail:
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Tabibian JH, Lindor KD. Editorial: Betaretrovirus in biliary epithelia of patients with autoimmune and cryptogenic liver disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2015; 41:490. [PMID: 25631651 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J H Tabibian
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Wang W, Indik S, Wasilenko ST, Faschinger A, Carpenter EJ, Tian Z, Zhang Y, Wong GKS, Mason AL. Frequent proviral integration of the human betaretrovirus in biliary epithelium of patients with autoimmune and idiopathic liver disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2015; 41:393-405. [PMID: 25521721 PMCID: PMC4312917 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A human betaretrovirus (HBRV) has been linked with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) following the detection of viral particles in biliary epithelium by electron microscopy and cloning of the betaretrovirus genome from biliary epithelium and peri-hepatic lymph nodes. Evidence for viral infection was found in the majority of PBC patients' peri-hepatic lymph node samples. However, less than a third of the liver samples had detectable HBRV, whereas others were unable to detect betaretrovirus infection or noted the presence of virus in the liver of patients with other diagnoses. AIMS To address the hypothesis that the betaretrovirus may be below the limits of detection in the liver, biliary epithelial cells (BEC) were investigated for the evidence of infection. METHODS Ligation-mediated PCR and next generation sequencing were used to detect proviral integrations in liver, lymph nodes and BEC isolated from liver transplant recipients. Hybridisation-based assays were used to detect betaretroviral RNA in BEC. RESULTS Unique HBRV integrations and betaretrovirus RNA were detected in the majority of biliary epithelia derived from patients with PBC, autoimmune hepatitis and cryptogenic liver disease but rarely in other liver transplant recipients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and other hepatic disorders. HBRV integrations were commonly found in PBC patients' lymph nodes but rarely in whole liver samples. CONCLUSIONS Human betaretrovirus infection is frequently observed at the site of disease in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and also in biliary epithelium of patients with autoimmune hepatitis and cryptogenic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Wang
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | - S Indik
- Department of Virology, University of Veterinary MedicineVienna, Austria
| | - S T Wasilenko
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | - A Faschinger
- Department of Virology, University of Veterinary MedicineVienna, Austria
| | - E J Carpenter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Z Tian
- BGI-Shenzhen, Bei Shan Industrial ZoneShenzhen, China
| | - Y Zhang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Bei Shan Industrial ZoneShenzhen, China
| | - G K-S Wong
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada,Department of Biological Sciences, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada,BGI-Shenzhen, Bei Shan Industrial ZoneShenzhen, China,Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada,Prof. G. K.-S. Wong,, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E9, Canada.,
| | - A L Mason
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada,Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB, Canada,Correspondence to:, Dr A. L. Mason, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 7-142 KGR, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2E1., E-mail:
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Bogdanos D, Leung PS, Gershwin ME. Liver and the Biliary Tract. Mucosal Immunol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-415847-4.00087-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) can lead to end-stage liver disease and death. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment can normalize serum liver enzymes in PBC, and such UDCA-responsive patients have a similar life expectancy as age and sex-matched controls. Nearly up to 50% of the patients with PBC, depending on sex and age at diagnosis, show an incomplete biochemical response to UDCA and require additional/alternative treatment. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the molecular mechanisms and clinical benefit of fibrate treatment in these patients. RECENT FINDINGS Fibrates have anticholestatic, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects in animal and in-vitro studies. The mechanisms that underlie these effects are complementary, and largely mediated through activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors. Fibrate treatment ameliorated liver biochemical tests in UDCA unresponsive patients, either as mono-therapy or in combination with UDCA. These results, however, were obtained in case series and small pilot studies. The results of phase III studies, such as the Bezafibrate in Combination With Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (BEZURSO) trial, are currently awaited. SUMMARY A considerable body of observational evidence supports the safety and efficacy of fibrate treatment in PBC patients with an incomplete response to UDCA. These results encourage the evaluation of its effects on liver-related morbidity and mortality in larger clinical trials.
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Barbeau B, Hiscott J, Bazarbachi A, Carvalho E, Jones K, Martin F, Matsuoka M, Murphy EL, Ratner L, Switzer WM, Watanabe T. Conference highlights of the 16th International Conference on Human Retrovirology: HTLV and related retroviruses, 26-30 June 2013, Montreal, Canada. Retrovirology 2014; 11:19. [PMID: 24558960 PMCID: PMC3939404 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-11-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The 16th International Conference on Human Retrovirology: HTLV and Related Retroviruses was held in Montreal, Québec from June 26th to June 30th, 2013 and was therefore hosted by a Canadian city for the first time. The major topic of the meeting was human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLVs) and was covered through distinct oral and poster presentation sessions: clinical research, animal models, immunology, molecular and cellular biology, human endogenous and emerging exogenous retroviruses and virology. In this review, highlights of the meeting are provided by different experts for each of these research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Barbeau
- Département des sciences biologiques and BioMed Research Center, Université du Québec à Montréal, Room SB-3335, 2080 St-Urbain, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - John Hiscott
- VGTI Florida, Port St., Lucie, FL, USA
- Lady Davis Insitute, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ali Bazarbachi
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Edgar Carvalho
- Immunology Department, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Kathryn Jones
- Basic Research Program, Cancer and Inflammation Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Fabiola Martin
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, Hull and York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Masao Matsuoka
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Edward L Murphy
- University of California San Francisco and Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lee Ratner
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - William M Switzer
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Toshiki Watanabe
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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McNally RJQ, James PW, Ducker S, Norman PD, James OFW. No rise in incidence but geographical heterogeneity in the occurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis in North East England. Am J Epidemiol 2014; 179:492-8. [PMID: 24401563 PMCID: PMC3908630 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwt308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we examined temporal changes in the incidence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and investigated associations between PBC incidence and sociodemographic factors and spatial clustering. We included 982 patients aged ≥40 years from North East England with incident PBC diagnosed during 1987–2003. Age-standardized incidence rates with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Negative binomial regression was used to analyze incidence and socioeconomic deprivation. Clustering analysis was performed using point process methods, testing the null hypothesis that disease risk does not vary spatially and that PBC cases occur independently. The age-standardized incidence rate was 53.50 per million persons per year (95% confidence interval: 48.65, 58.35) in 1987–1994 and 45.09 per million persons per year (95% confidence interval: 41.10, 49.07) in 1995–2003. Risk of PBC increased in areas with higher levels of socioeconomic deprivation (P = 0.035). More specifically, risk increased in areas with higher levels of overcrowded homes (P = 0.040), higher levels of households without cars (P < 0.001), and higher levels of non-owner-occupied homes (P < 0.001). Overall, there was evidence of spatial clustering (P = 0.001). The findings confirm that overall incidence of PBC did not rise over time, but sociodemographic variations suggest that certain aspects of deprivation are involved in its etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. Q. McNally
- Correspondence to Dr. Richard J. Q. McNally, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Institute, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, United Kingdom (e-mail: )
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Abstract
We recently introduced the concept of the infectome as a means of studying all infectious factors which contribute to the development of autoimmune disease. It forms the infectious part of the exposome, which collates all environmental factors contributing to the development of disease and studies the sum total of burden which leads to the loss of adaptive mechanisms in the body. These studies complement genome-wide association studies, which establish the genetic predisposition to disease. The infectome is a component which spans the whole life and may begin at the earliest stages right up to the time when the first symptoms manifest, and may thus contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmunity at the prodromal/asymptomatic stages. We provide practical examples and research tools as to how we can investigate disease-specific infectomes, using laboratory approaches employed from projects studying the “immunome” and “microbiome”. It is envisioned that an understanding of the infectome and the environmental factors that affect it will allow for earlier patient-specific intervention by clinicians, through the possible treatment of infectious agents as well as other compounding factors, and hence slowing or preventing disease development.
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Mason AL, Montano-Loza AJ, Saxinger L. Letter: biochemical response to combination anti-retroviral therapy in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2014; 39:236-7. [PMID: 24330248 DOI: 10.1111/apt.12575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A L Mason
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Poupon R, Corpechot C. Treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2013. [DOI: 10.1517/21678707.2014.870031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Questionnaire based assessment of risk factors for primary biliary cirrhosis. Dig Liver Dis 2013; 45:589-94. [PMID: 23490343 PMCID: PMC3686972 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2013.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary biliary cirrhosis is a cholestatic liver disease characterized by immune-mediated destruction of bile ducts. Its pathogenesis is largely unknown, although complex interactions between environment and genetic predisposition are proposed. AIMS Identify disease risk factors using a detailed patient questionnaire and compare study findings to 3 published reports. METHODS Questionnaire data were prospectively collected from 522 cases and 616 controls of the Mayo Clinic Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Genetic Epidemiology Registry. Case and control responses were compared using logistic regression, adjusting for recruitment age, sex, and education level. RESULTS Cases reported ever regularly smoking cigarettes more frequently than controls (P < 0.001). History of urinary tract infection was similar between groups; however, cases reported multiple urinary tract infections more commonly than controls (P < 0.001). Frequency of other autoimmune disease was higher in cases than controls (P < 0.001). As well, prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis among first-degree relatives was higher in case families than control families (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms prior reported risk factors associated with disease risk. Given the potential importance of gene and environment interactions, further examination of environmental risk factors considering genetic background may provide new insight into primary biliary cirrhosis pathogenesis.
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HIRSCHFIELD GIDEONM, CHAPMAN ROGERW, KARLSEN TOMH, LAMMERT FRANK, LAZARIDIS KONSTANTINOSN, MASON ANDREWL. The genetics of complex cholestatic disorders. Gastroenterology 2013; 144:1357-74. [PMID: 23583734 PMCID: PMC3705954 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.03.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Revised: 03/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cholestatic liver diseases are caused by a range of hepatobiliary insults and involve complex interactions among environmental and genetic factors. Little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms of specific cholestatic diseases, which has limited our ability to manage patients with these disorders. However, recent genome-wide studies have provided insight into the pathogenesis of gallstones, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. A lithogenic variant in the gene that encodes the hepatobiliary transporter ABCG8 has been identified as a risk factor for gallstone disease; this variant has been associated with altered cholesterol excretion and metabolism. Other variants of genes encoding transporters that affect the composition of bile have been associated with cholestasis, namely ABCB11, which encodes the bile salt export pump, and ABCB4, which encodes hepatocanalicular phosphatidylcholine floppase. In contrast, studies have associated primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis with genes encoding major histocompatibility complex proteins and identified loci associated with microbial sensing and immune regulatory pathways outside this region, such as genes encoding IL12, STAT4, IRF5, IL2 and its receptor (IL2R), CD28, and CD80. These discoveries have raised interest in the development of reagents that target these gene products. We review recent findings from genetic studies of patients with cholestatic liver disease. Future characterization of genetic variants in animal models, stratification of risk alleles by clinical course, and identification of interacting environmental factors will increase our understanding of these complex cholestatic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- GIDEON M. HIRSCHFIELD
- Centre for Liver Research, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England
| | - ROGER W. CHAPMAN
- Department of Gastroenterology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, England
| | - TOM H. KARLSEN
- Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - FRANK LAMMERT
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - KONSTANTINOS N. LAZARIDIS
- Center for Basic Research in Digestive Diseases, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - ANDREW L. MASON
- Centre of Excellence in Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Hirschfield GM, Gershwin ME. The immunobiology and pathophysiology of primary biliary cirrhosis. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2013; 8:303-30. [PMID: 23347352 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-020712-164014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease characterized by clinical homogeneity among patients, an overwhelming female predominance, production of a multilineage immune response to mitochondrial autoantigens, inflammation of small bile ducts, and in some patients the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis. The targets in this disease are small bile ducts, and the prototypic serologic response includes antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs). Several key observations have greatly advanced our understanding of PBC. First, the multilineage immune response, including AMAs, is directed at the E2 component of the 2-oxo-dehydrogenase pathway, particularly PDC-E2. Second, such autoantibodies may be identified years before the clinical diagnosis of disease. Third, the autoreactive T cell precursor frequency for both CD4 and CD8 cells is significantly higher in liver and regional lymph node than in blood, so the multilineage antimitochondrial response may be required for the development of this disease. Fourth, the apotope of biliary cells contains intact PDC-E2; this apotope, in a setting that includes granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor-stimulated macrophages and AMAs, produces an intense proinflammatory response. Fifth, several mouse models of PBC highlight the importance of loss of tolerance to PDC-E2 as well as a critical role for the interleukin (IL)-12 signaling pathway. Finally, genome-wide association studies suggest an important role for the IL-12 pathway in disease susceptibility. Taken together, these findings have resulted in a better understanding of the mechanism for selective biliary cell destruction and have also suggested unique pathways for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gideon M Hirschfield
- Centre for Liver Research, NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Impact of microbes on autoimmune diseases. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2013; 61:175-86. [PMID: 23417246 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-013-0216-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases arise as a consequence of complex interactions of environmental factors with genetic traits. Although specific allelic variations cluster in predisposed individuals and promote the generation and/or expansion of autoreactive T and B lymphocytes, autoimmunity appears in various disease phenotypes and localizes to diverging tissues. Furthermore, the discovery that allelic variations within genes encoding components of the innate immune system drive self-reactive immune responses as well, led to the distinction of immune responses against host tissues into autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. In both categories of disorders, different pathogenic mechanisms and/or subsequent orders of tissue assaults may underlie the target cell specificity of the respective autoimmune attack. Furthermore, the transition from the initial tissue assault to the development of full-blown disease is likely driven by several factors. Thus, the development of specific forms of autoimmunity and autoinflammation reflects a multi-factorial process. The delineation of the specific factors involved in the pathogenic process is hampered by the fact that certain symptoms are assembled under the umbrella of a specific disease, although they might originate from diverging pathogenic pathways. These multi-factorial triggers and pathogenic pathways may also explain the inter-individual divergent courses and outcomes of diseases among humans. Here, we will discuss the impact of different environmental factors in general and microbial pathogens in particular on the regulation/expression of genes encoded within susceptibility alleles, and its consequences on subsequent autoimmune and/or autoinflammatory tissue damage utilizing primarily the chronic cholestatic liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis as model.
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Smyk DS, Rigopoulou EI, Bogdanos DP. Potential Roles for Infectious Agents in the Pathophysiology of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: What's New? Curr Infect Dis Rep 2013. [PMID: 23188623 DOI: 10.1007/s11908-012-0304-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive cholestatic liver disease serologically characterized by the presence of high-titer antimitochondrial antibodies and, histologically by chronic nonsuppurative cholangitis and granulomata. The aetiology of the disease remains elusive, although genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and infectious factors have been considered important for the induction of the disease in genetically prone individuals. The disease shows a striking female predominance and becomes clinically overt at the fourth to sixth decade. These characteristics have prompted investigators to consider infections that predominate in women at these ages as the likely candidates for triggering the disease. Recurrent urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli were the first infections to be considered pathogenetically relevant. Over the years, several other microorganisms have been linked to the pathogenesis of PBC owing to epidemiological, immunological, microbiological, or experimental findings in animal models. Recent studies have provided data supporting the pathogenic role of Novosphingobium aromaticivorans and betaretroviruses. Several reports have linked other organisms to the induction of the disease and/or the maintenance of the auto-aggressive responses that are perpetuated over the course of the disease. This review highlights the findings of the most recent studies investigating the link between infections and PBC. We also discuss the close interplay of the infectious agents with other environmental and genetic factors, which may explain the multifaceted nature of this puzzling disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Smyk
- Institute of Liver Studies, Division of Transplantation Immunology and Mucosal Biology, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill Campus, London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom,
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Wasilenko ST, Montano-Loza AJ, Mason AL. Is there a role for cyclophilin inhibitors in the management of primary biliary cirrhosis? Viruses 2013; 5:423-38. [PMID: 23348060 PMCID: PMC3640509 DOI: 10.3390/v5020423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are poorly understood autoimmune liver diseases. Immunosuppression is used to treat AIH and ursodeoxycholic acid is used to slow the progression of PBC. Nevertheless, a proportion of patients with both disorders progress to liver failure. Following liver transplantation, up to a third of patients with PBC experience recurrent disease. Moreover a syndrome referred to as "de novo AIH" occurs in a proportion of patients regardless of maintenance immunosuppression, who have been transplanted for disorders unrelated to AIH. Of note, the use of cyclosporine A appears to protect against the development of recurrent PBC and de novo AIH even though it is a less potent immunosuppressive compared to tacrolimus. The reason why cyclosporine A is protective has not been determined. However, a virus resembling mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been characterized in patients with PBC and AIH. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the protective effect of cyclosporine A in liver transplant recipients may be mediated by the antiviral activity of this cyclophilin inhibitor. Treatment of the MMTV producing MM5MT cells with different antivirals and immunosuppressive agents showed that both cyclosporine A and the analogue NIM811 inhibited MMTV production from the producer cells. Herein, we discuss the evidence supporting the role of MMTV-like human betaretrovirus in the development of PBC and de novo AIH and speculate on the possibility that the agent may be associated with disease following transplantation. We also review the mechanisms of how both cyclosporine A and NIM811 may inhibit betaretrovirus production in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn T Wasilenko
- Department of Medicine, Zeidler Ledcor Centre, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Bogdanos DP, Smyk DS, Invernizzi P, Rigopoulou EI, Blank M, Pouria S, Shoenfeld Y. Infectome: a platform to trace infectious triggers of autoimmunity. Autoimmun Rev 2012; 12:726-40. [PMID: 23266520 PMCID: PMC7105216 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2012.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The "exposome" is a term recently used to describe all environmental factors, both exogenous and endogenous, which we are exposed to in a lifetime. It represents an important tool in the study of autoimmunity, complementing classical immunological research tools and cutting-edge genome wide association studies (GWAS). Recently, environmental wide association studies (EWAS) investigated the effect of environment in the development of diseases. Environmental triggers are largely subdivided into infectious and non-infectious agents. In this review, we introduce the concept of the "infectome", which is the part of the exposome referring to the collection of an individual's exposures to infectious agents. The infectome directly relates to geoepidemiological, serological and molecular evidence of the co-occurrence of several infectious agents associated with autoimmune diseases that may provide hints for the triggering factors responsible for the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. We discuss the implications that the investigation of the infectome may have for the understanding of microbial/host interactions in autoimmune diseases with long, pre-clinical phases. It may also contribute to the concept of the human body as a superorganism where the microbiome is part of the whole organism, as can be seen with mitochondria which existed as microbes prior to becoming organelles in eukaryotic cells of multicellular organisms over time. A similar argument can now be made in regard to normal intestinal flora, living in symbiosis within the host. We also provide practical examples as to how we can characterise and measure the totality of a disease-specific infectome, based on the experimental approaches employed from the "immunome" and "microbiome" projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios P Bogdanos
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill Campus, London, UK.
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Koutsoumpas AL, Kriese S, Rigopoulou EI. Popular and unpopular infectious agents linked to primary biliary cirrhosis. AUTOIMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS 2012; 3:95-104. [PMID: 26000132 PMCID: PMC4389080 DOI: 10.1007/s13317-012-0039-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive cholestatic liver disease characterized by the autoimmune destruction of the biliary epithelial cells of the small and medium-size bile ducts. The disease affects middle aged women and usually affects more than one member within a family. The pathognomonic serological hallmark of the disease is the presence of circulating anti-mitochondrial antibodies, and disease-specific anti-nuclear antibodies. Susceptibility genes and environmental risk factors such as infections and smoking have been reported as important for the development of the disease. Among the environmental agents, infectious triggers are the best studied. Most of the work published so far has investigated the role of infections caused by Novosphingobium aromaticivorans and Escherichia coli. This review will discuss the popular and unpopular infectious agents causatively linked to PBC. It will also examine reports investigating the epidemiological aspects of the disease and their direct or indirect implications to bacterial-induced PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eirini I Rigopoulou
- Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly Medical School, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41110 Larissa, Greece
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Milkiewicz M, Caballería L, Smyk DS, Milkiewicz P. Predicting and preventing autoimmunity: the case of anti-mitochondrial antibodies. AUTOIMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS 2012; 3:105-12. [PMID: 26000133 PMCID: PMC4389078 DOI: 10.1007/s13317-012-0038-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
To be able to predict who will develop autoimmune disease would allow for early treatment which may dramatically alter the course of the disease. In some cases, it may also lead to prevention of the disease development. The prediction of disease development is based on the analysis of risk factors which have been associated with the disease in question. These factors include genetic susceptibility, as well as immunological and environmental factors. One autoimmune disease that may serve as a model for disease prediction is primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), an autoimmune liver disease affecting the small- and medium-sized bile ducts. PBC could be an ideal model due to recent advances in elucidating its genetic associations. As well, a variety of immunological and environmental risk factors have been well established. Indeed, the presence of PBC-specific antimitochondrial antibodies and/or antinuclear antibodies has been shown to be predictor of disease development and possibly prognosis. This review will examine the current evidence which suggests that we may potentially be able to predict the development of PBC in some individuals. These concepts may also be applied to autoimmune diseases in general.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel S Smyk
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Piotr Milkiewicz
- Liver Unit, Pomeranian Medical University, Al. Powstancow Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
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Smyk D, Rigopoulou EI, Zen Y, Abeles RD, Billinis C, Pares A, Bogdanos DP. Role for mycobacterial infection in pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis? World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:4855-65. [PMID: 23002357 PMCID: PMC3447267 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i35.4855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2011] [Revised: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 05/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a progressive cholestatic liver disease characterized by the immune-mediated destruction of biliary epithelial cells in small intrahepatic bile ducts. The disease is characterized by circulating antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) as well as disease-specific antinuclear antibodies, cholestatic liver function tests, and characteristic histological features, including granulomas. A variety of organisms are involved in granuloma formation, of which mycobacteria are the most commonly associated. This has led to the hypothesis that mycobacteria may be involved in the pathogenesis of PBC, along with other infectious agents. Additionally, AMAs are found in a subgroup of patients with mycobacterial infections, such as leprosy and pulmonary tuberculosis. Antibodies against species-specific mycobacterial proteins have been reported in patients with PBC, but it is not clear whether these antibodies are specific for the disease. In addition, data in support of the involvement of the role of molecular mimicry between mycobacterial and human mitochondrial antigens as triggers of cross-reactive immune responses leading to the loss of immunological tolerance, and the induction of pathological features have been published. Thus, antibodies against mycobacterial heat shock protein appear to cross-recognize AMA-specific autoantigens, but it is not clear whether these autoantibodies are mycobacterium-species-specific, and whether they are pathogenic or incidental. The view that mycobacteria are infectious triggers of PBC is intriguing, but the data provided so far are not conclusive.
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Mantaka A, Koulentaki M, Chlouverakis G, Enele-Melono JM, Darivianaki A, Tzardi M, Kouroumalis EA. Primary biliary cirrhosis in a genetically homogeneous population: disease associations and familial occurrence rates. BMC Gastroenterol 2012; 12:110. [PMID: 22898439 PMCID: PMC3444887 DOI: 10.1186/1471-230x-12-110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a disease with genetic and environmental pathogenetic background. Chemicals, infectious agents, hormone therapy, reproductive history and surgical interventions have been implicated in the induction of PBC. Familial PBC has been documented in first degree relatives (FDR). Most cohort studies are genetically heterogeneous. Our study aimed to determine eventual lifestyle or disease associations and familial occurrence rates in a genetically homogeneous and geographically defined population of PBC patients. Methods 111 consenting PBC patients, were compared with 115 FDR and 149 controls matched for age, sex, Cretan origin and residence. All participants completed a questionnaire regarding demographics, lifestyle, medical, surgical and reproductive history. Significant variables on the univariate analysis were analyzed by multivariate analysis using a forward step-wise logistic regression model. Results Dyslipidaemia was found in 69.4% of patients, 60% of FDR and 40.9% of controls (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.003 respectively), autoimmune diseases in 36.9% of patients, 30.4% of FDR and 13.4% of controls (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.011 respectively). Hashimoto’s disease (p = 0.003), Raynaud syndrome (p = 0.023) and Sjögren syndrome (p = 0.044) were significantly associated with PBC. On multivariate analysis statistically significant associations were found with primary educational level (AOR 2.304, 95% CI 1.024-5.181), cholecystectomy (AOR 2.927, 95% CI 1.347-6.362) and the presence of at least another autoimmune disease (AOR 3.318, 95% CI 1.177-6.22). Cancer history was more frequent in patients than in controls (p = 0.033). Familial PBC was found to be 9.9%. Conclusions Dyslipidaemia and autoimmune diseases were significantly increased not only in patients as expected but also in their FDR. An increased prevalence of malignancies was found in patients. Primary educational level, cholecystectomy and the presence of at least another autoimmune disease were found as putative risk factors for PBC. No association was found with smoking, urinary tract infection or reproductive history. The reported high familial occurrence of PBC could imply screening with AMA of FDR with at least another autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Mantaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Heraklion, P,O, BOX 1352, Heraklion, 71100, Crete, Greece.
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