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Xiang Y, Liu L, Hou Y, Du S, Xu S, Zhou H, Shao L, Li G, Yu T, Liu Q, Xue M, Yang J, Peng J, Hou M, Shi Y. The mTORC1 pathway participate in hyper-function of B cells in immune thrombocytopenia. Ann Hematol 2023; 102:2317-2327. [PMID: 37421506 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-023-05348-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
B cell hyper-function plays an important role in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), but the molecular mechanisms underlying such changes remain unclear. We sought to identify regulators of B cell dysfunction in ITP patients through transcriptome sequencing and the use of inhibitors. B cells were isolated from PBMC of 25 ITP patients for B cell function test and transcriptome sequencing. For the potential regulatory factors identified by transcriptome sequencing, the corresponding protein inhibitors were used to explore the regulatory effect of the regulatory factors on B cell dysfunction in vitro. In this study, increased antibody production, enhanced terminal differentiation and highly expressed costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 were found in B cells of patients with ITP. In addition, RNA sequencing revealed highly activated mTOR pathway in these pathogenic B cells, indicating that the mTOR pathway may be involved in B cell hyper-function. Furthermore, mTOR inhibitors rapamycin or Torin1 effectively blocked the activation of mTORC1 in B cells, resulting in reduce antibody secretion, impaired differentiation of B cells into plasmablasts and downregulation of costimulatory molecules. Interestingly, as an unspecific inhibitor of mTORC2 besides mTORC1, Torin1 did not show a stronger capacity to modulate B cell function than rapamycin, suggesting that the regulation of B cells by Torin1 may depend on blockade of mTORC1 rather than mTORC2 pathway. These results indicated that the activation of mTORC1 pathway is involved in B cell dysfunction in patients with ITP, and inhibition of mTORC1 pathway might be a potential therapeutic approach for ITP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujiao Xiang
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao) of Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yu Hou
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immunohematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao) of Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shenghong Du
- Department of Hematology, Taian Central Hospital, Taian, China
| | - Shuqian Xu
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hai Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Linlin Shao
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guosheng Li
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tianshu Yu
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Meijuan Xue
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Junhui Yang
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jun Peng
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immunohematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ming Hou
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immunohematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center in Hematological Diseases, Jinan, China
- Leading Research Group of Scientific Innovation, Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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Li R, Wu X, Peng S, Shen J, Cheng Y, Chu Q. CCR2 antagonist represses fibroblast-like synoviocyte-mediated inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 122:110570. [PMID: 37390649 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease with a global incidence of approximately 1%. Its complex pathogenesis makes the development of RA-related therapeutics very difficult. Existing drugs for RA have many side effects and are prone to drug resistance. One potential target for RA drugs includes C-Cchemokinereceptortype2 (CCR2), which belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family. A series of RA drugs targeting CCR2 have been developed; however, the pre-clinical and clinical research results for CCR2 antagonists are inconsistent. We found that CCR2 was also expressed in primary Fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) from patients with RA. CCR2 antagonists can inhibit inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases released by RA-FLS but do not affect the proliferation and migration ability of RA-FLS. In addition, CCR2 antagonist-treated RA-FLS indirectly repressed macrophage-mediated inflammation and rescued the viability of chondrocytes. Finally, a CCR2 antagonist ameliorated the collagen-induced arthritic (CIA). CCR2 antagonists may exert anti-inflammatory effects on RA-FLS by inhibiting the JAK-STAT pathway. In summary, a CCR2 antagonist can exert anti-inflammatory effects by acting on RA-FLS. This study provides a new experimental basis for the use of CCR2 antagonists in the development of RA drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruilin Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Hefei First People's Hospital, Hefei, China.
| | - Xuming Wu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Song Peng
- Hefei First People's Hospital, Hefei, China; Department of General Practice, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Juan Shen
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Hefei First People's Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Yahui Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Hefei First People's Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Qiangqiang Chu
- Hefei First People's Hospital, Hefei, China; Department of General Practice, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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3
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Marques-Ramos A, Cervantes R. Expression of mTOR in normal and pathological conditions. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:112. [PMID: 37454139 PMCID: PMC10349476 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01820-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a protein discovered in 1991, integrates a complex pathway with a key role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. By comprising two functionally distinct complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2, it is a central cellular hub that integrates intra- and extracellular signals of energy, nutrient, and hormone availability, modulating the molecular responses to acquire a homeostatic state through the regulation of anabolic and catabolic processes. Accordingly, dysregulation of mTOR pathway has been implicated in a variety of human diseases. While major advances have been made regarding the regulators and effectors of mTOR signaling pathway, insights into the regulation of mTOR gene expression are beginning to emerge. Here, we present the current available data regarding the mTOR expression regulation at the level of transcription, translation and mRNA stability and systematize the current knowledge about the fluctuations of mTOR expression observed in several diseases, both cancerous and non-cancerous. In addition, we discuss whether mTOR expression changes can be used as a biomarker for diagnosis, disease progression, prognosis and/or response to therapeutics. We believe that our study will contribute for the implementation of new disease biomarkers based on mTOR as it gives an exhaustive perspective about the regulation of mTOR gene expression in both normal and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Marques-Ramos
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - R Cervantes
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisbon, Portugal
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Hanlon MM, Canavan M, Barker BE, Fearon U. Metabolites as drivers and targets in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 208:167-180. [PMID: 35020864 PMCID: PMC9188347 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by neovascularization, immune cell infiltration, and synovial hyperplasia, which leads to degradation of articular cartilage and bone, and subsequent functional disability. Dysregulated angiogenesis, synovial hypoxia, and immune cell infiltration result in a ‘bioenergetic crisis’ in the inflamed joint which further exacerbates synovial invasiveness. Several studies have examined this vicious cycle between metabolism, immunity, and inflammation and the role metabolites play in these interactions. To add to this complexity, the inflamed synovium is a multicellular tissue with many cellular subsets having different metabolic requirements. Metabolites can shape the inflammatory phenotype of immune cell subsets during disease and act as central signalling hubs. In the RA joint, the increased energy demand of stromal and immune cells leads to the accumulation of metabolites such as lactate, citrate, and succinate as well as adipocytokines which can regulate downstream signalling pathways. Transcription factors such as HIF1ɑ and mTOR can act as metabolic sensors to activate synovial cells and drive pro-inflammatory effector function, thus perpetuating chronic inflammation further. These metabolic intermediates may be potential therapeutic targets and so understanding the complex interplay between metabolites and synovial cells in RA may allow for identification of novel therapeutic strategies but also may provide significant insight into the underlying mechanisms of disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Hanlon
- Molecular Rheumatology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin.,EULAR Centre of Excellence for Rheumatology, Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Canavan
- Molecular Rheumatology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin.,EULAR Centre of Excellence for Rheumatology, Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brianne E Barker
- Molecular Rheumatology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin.,EULAR Centre of Excellence for Rheumatology, Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ursula Fearon
- Molecular Rheumatology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin.,EULAR Centre of Excellence for Rheumatology, Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Zhang M, Iwata S, Sonomoto K, Ueno M, Fujita Y, Anan J, Miyazaki Y, Ohkubo N, Sumikawa MH, Todoroki Y, Miyata H, Nagayasu A, Kanda R, Trimova G, Lee S, Nakayamada S, Sakata K, Tanaka Y. mTOR activation in CD8+ cells contributes to disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis and increases therapeutic response to TNF inhibitors. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:3010-3022. [PMID: 34791054 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to understand the role of mTOR in CD8+ cells in the pathogenicity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the changes after treatment with biologic drugs. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 17 healthy controls and 86 patients with RA. Phosphorylation of mTOR (p-mTOR) and its clinical relevance were evaluated. The role of mTOR in CD8+ cells was also examined in vitro. RESULTS Patients with RA who had a moderate or high disease activity, were biologic-naïve, and were refractory to MTX were enrolled in this study. The p-mTOR levels in CD8+ cells were higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls, and they positively correlated with the disease activity in such patients. However, after one year of treatment with TNF inhibitors, the p-mTOR levels in CD8+ cells were suppressed and showed a positive correlation with the treatment response, which was not observed in the abatacept-treatment group. In vitro stimulation of CD8+ cells with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies induced mTOR phosphorylation and increased the production of granzyme B, GNLY, TNF-α, and IFN-γ but decreased the production of granzyme K. However, on treatment with TNF inhibitors, p-mTOR levels in CD8+ cells and granzyme B production decreased, while granzyme K production increased. The production of GNLY and IFN-γ was not affected by the TNF inhibitors. CONCLUSION These results suggested that mTOR activation in CD8+ cells may be a novel evaluation marker for RA disease activity and a predictive marker of therapeutic response to TNF inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzeng Zhang
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.,Department of Hematology, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shigeru Iwata
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Koshiro Sonomoto
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Masanobu Ueno
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yuya Fujita
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Junpei Anan
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.,Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Miyazaki
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Naoaki Ohkubo
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Maiko Hajime Sumikawa
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Todoroki
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Hiroko Miyata
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Atsushi Nagayasu
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Kanda
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Gulzhan Trimova
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.,Department of Clinical Subjects, High School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health care, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
| | - Seunghyun Lee
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Shingo Nakayamada
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Kei Sakata
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.,Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Tanaka
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
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Iwata S, Tanaka Y. Therapeutic perspectives on the metabolism of lymphocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2021; 17:1121-1130. [PMID: 34351835 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1964957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The activation of autoreactive T- and B-cells and production of autoantibodies by B cells are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recently, the concept of 'immunometabolism' has attracted significant attention. Immune cells produce large amounts of energy in the form of ATP and biosynthesize biological components such as nucleic acids and lipids via metabolic reprogramming to activate, differentiate, and exert their functions. AREAS COVERED While the mechanisms underlying the metabolism of CD4+ T cells in SLE have been extensively studied, the metabolic changes underlying B cell activation, differentiation, and function remain unclear. Drugs targeting mTOR and AMPK, such as sirolimus, rapamycin, and metformin, have shown some efficacy and tolerability in clinical trials on patients with SLE, but have not led to breakthroughs. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the immunometabolic mechanisms involved in SLE and RA and discuss the potential novel therapeutic drugs. EXPERT OPINION The intensity of activation of different immune cells and their metabolic kinetics vary in different autoimmune diseases; thus, understanding the disease- and cell-specific metabolic mechanisms may help in the development of clinically effective immunometabolism-targeting drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeru Iwata
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, Assistant Professor, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, School of Medicine, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Tanaka
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, Professor and Chairman, Deputy Director, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, the University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kitakyushu, Japan
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Liu D, Liu B, Lin C, Gu J. Imbalance of Peripheral Lymphocyte Subsets in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Meta-Analysis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:696973. [PMID: 34295337 PMCID: PMC8291033 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.696973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis is a complicated consequence of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Enthesitis is believed to be the hallmark of ankylosing spondylitis, and the chronic inflammatory state of this disease is perpetuated by the disturbances of both the innate immune system and the acquired immune system. To clarify the alteration of immune system in patients with AS, we conducted a meta-analysis concerning the proportions of major lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of AS patients. We systematically searched PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for articles related to this subject. A total of 95 articles involving 4,020 AS patients and 3,065 healthy controls were included in the analysis. This meta-analysis is performed on R platform using R package "meta", and Egger's tests were used to determine the presence of publication bias. Results showed that the percentages of T cells, NK cells and NKT cells were not significantly different between AS patients and healthy controls, but B cells were significantly increased. Among the subsets of T cells, the proportions of CD4+ T cells, Th17 cells, Tfh cells as well as Th1/Th2 ratio were significantly increased, while Tregs were significantly decreased. Subgroup analysis showed that the proportions of Th17 among both PBMCs, T cells and CD4+ T cells were significantly elevated, while Tregs were only significantly lower in PBMCs. Subgroup analysis also demonstrated that Tregs defined by "CD4+CD25+FoxP3+", "CD4+CD25+CD127low"or "CD4+CD25+CD127-"were significantly downregulated, indicating that the selection of markers could be critical. Further study is warranted in order to elucidate the complicated interactions between different lymphocyte subsets in AS patients. This study implied that the disequilibrium between Th17 and Tregs, as well as between Th1 and Th2 could contribute to the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis, further cementing the understanding that ankylosing spondylitis is a consequence of disrupted balance of innate immune system and acquired immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Budian Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Churong Lin
- Radiology Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieruo Gu
- Department of Rheumatology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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