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Mezher N, Mroweh O, Karam L, Ibrahim JN, Kobeissy PH. Experimental models in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF): Insights into pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies. Exp Mol Pathol 2024; 135:104883. [PMID: 38266955 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2024.104883] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a recurrent polyserositis characterized by self-limiting episodes or attacks of fever along with serosal inflammation. It mainly impacts people of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern basin. FMF is a recessive autoinflammatory condition caused by mutation in the MEFV gene located on chromosome 16p13. MEFV mutations lead to the activation of the pyrin inflammasome resulting in an uncontrolled release of IL-1β. Various in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo experimental models have been developed to further comprehend the etiology and pathogenesis of FMF. These models have been proven to be clinically relevant to human FMF and can provide significant information about biological systems with respect to this condition. Additionally, these models have provided pertinent contributions to the development of potent therapeutic strategies against FMF. In this review, we describe the different experimental models utilized in FMF and we focus primarily on the most widely used models that have produced prominent insights into the pathophysiology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawal Mezher
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ola Mroweh
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Louna Karam
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - José-Noel Ibrahim
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Philippe Hussein Kobeissy
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University (LAU), Beirut, Lebanon.
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Ravichandran KA, Heneka MT. Inflammasomes in neurological disorders - mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:67-83. [PMID: 38195712 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00915-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Inflammasomes are molecular scaffolds that are activated by damage-associated and pathogen-associated molecular patterns and form a key element of innate immune responses. Consequently, the involvement of inflammasomes in several diseases that are characterized by inflammatory processes, such as multiple sclerosis, is widely appreciated. However, many other neurological conditions, including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, sepsis-associated encephalopathy and neurological sequelae of COVID-19, all involve persistent inflammation in the brain, and increasing evidence suggests that inflammasome activation contributes to disease progression in these conditions. Understanding the biology and mechanisms of inflammasome activation is, therefore, crucial for the development of inflammasome-targeted therapies for neurological conditions. In this Review, we present the current evidence for and understanding of inflammasome activation in neurological diseases and discuss current and potential interventional strategies that target inflammasome activation to mitigate its pathological consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishore Aravind Ravichandran
- Department of Neuroinflammation, Institute of innate immunity, University of Bonn Medical Center Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael T Heneka
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, North Worcester, MA, USA.
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Şen B, Balcı‐Peynircioğlu B. Cellular models in autoinflammatory disease research. Clin Transl Immunology 2024; 13:e1481. [PMID: 38213819 PMCID: PMC10784111 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic autoinflammatory diseases are a heterogeneous group of rare genetic disorders caused by dysregulation of the innate immune system. Understanding the complex mechanisms underlying these conditions is critical for developing effective treatments. Cellular models are essential for identifying new conditions and studying their pathogenesis. Traditionally, these studies have used primary cells and cell lines of disease-relevant cell types, although newer induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models might have unique advantages. In this review, we discuss the three cellular models used in autoinflammatory disease research, their strengths and weaknesses, and their applications to inform future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Başak Şen
- Department of Medical BiologyHacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, SıhhiyeAnkaraTurkey
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Wouters F, Bogie J, Wullaert A, van der Hilst J. Recent Insights in Pyrin Inflammasome Activation: Identifying Potential Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Pyrin-Associated Autoinflammatory Syndromes. J Clin Immunol 2023; 44:8. [PMID: 38129719 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-023-01621-5] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Pyrin is a cytosolic protein encoded by the MEFV gene, predominantly expressed in innate immune cells. Upon activation, it forms an inflammasome, a multimolecular complex that enables the activation and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18. In addition, the Pyrin inflammasome activates Gasdermin D leading to pyroptosis, a highly pro-inflammatory cell death. Four autoinflammatory syndromes are associated with Pyrin inflammasome dysregulation: familial Mediterranean fever, hyper IgD syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency, pyrin-associated autoinflammation with neutrophilic dermatosis, and pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne syndrome. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating the two-step model of Pyrin inflammasome activation. Based on these insights, we discuss current pharmacological options and identify a series of existing molecules with therapeutic potential for the treatment of pyrin-associated autoinflammatory syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flore Wouters
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Jeroen Bogie
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- University MS Center Hasselt, 3900, Pelt, Belgium
| | - Andy Wullaert
- Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research VIB, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Protein Science, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signalling (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jeroen van der Hilst
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immune Pathology, Jessa General Hospital and Limburg Clinical Research Center, Hasselt, Belgium.
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Veyssiere M, Sadat Aghamiri S, Hernandez Cervantes A, Henry T, Soumelis V. A mathematical model of Familial Mediterranean Fever predicts mechanisms controlling inflammation. Clin Immunol 2023; 257:109839. [PMID: 37952562 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109839] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a monogenic disease caused by gain-of-function mutations in the MEditerranean FeVer (MEFV) gene. The molecular dysregulations induced by these mutations and the associated causal mechanisms are complex and intricate. OBJECTIVE We sought to provide a computational model capturing the mechanistic details of biological pathways involved in FMF physiopathology and enabling the study of the patient's immune cell dynamics. METHODS We carried out a literature survey to identify experimental studies published from January 2000 to December 2020, and integrated its results into a molecular map and a mathematical model. Then, we studied the network of molecular interactions and the dynamic of monocytes to identify key players for inflammation phenotype in FMF patients. RESULTS We built a molecular map of FMF integrating in a structured manner the current knowledge regarding pathophysiological processes participating in the triggering and perpetuation of the disease flares. The mathematical model derived from the map reproduced patient's monocyte behavior, in particular its proinflammatory role via the Pyrin inflammasome activation. Network analysis and in silico experiments identified NF-κB and JAK1/TYK2 as critical to modulate IL-1β- and IL-18-mediated inflammation. CONCLUSION The in silico model of FMF monocyte proved its ability to reproduce in vitro observations. Considering the difficulties related to experimental settings and financial investments to test combinations of stimuli/perturbation in vitro, this model could be used to test complex hypotheses in silico, thus narrowing down the number of in vitro and ex vivo experiments to perform.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Sadat Aghamiri
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM U976, Paris, France; University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | | | - Thomas Henry
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Univ Lyon, Lyon F-69007, France
| | - Vassili Soumelis
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM U976, Paris, France; Owkin, 14 boulevard Poissonniere, Paris 75009, France.
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Zekry ME, Sallam AAM, AbdelHamid SG, Zarouk WA, El-Bassyouni HT, El-Mesallamy HO. Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of MEFV Gene and Their Impact on Clinical Outcome in Auto-Inflammatory Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:721-737. [PMID: 36661534 PMCID: PMC9857527 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications play a pivotal role in autoimmune/inflammatory disorders and could establish a bridge between personalized medicine and disease epidemiological contexts. We sought to investigate the role of epigenetic modifications beside genetic alterations in the MEFV gene in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). The study comprised 63 FMF patients diagnosed according to the Tel Hashomer criteria: 37 (58.7%) colchicine-responders, 26 (41.3%) non-responders, and 19 matched healthy controls. MEFV mutations were detected using a CE/IVD-labeled 4-230 FMF strip assay. DNA methylation of MEFV gene exon 2 was measured using bisulfite modification and related to pyrin level, phenotypic picture, MEFV mutations, disease severity, serum amyloid A (SAA), CRP, ESR, disease severity, and colchicine response. Our results showed that FMF patients exhibited significantly higher methylation percentage (p < 0.001) and lower pyrin levels (p < 0.001) compared to the control. The MEFV gene M694I mutation was the most commonly reported mutation (p < 0.004). High methylation percentage of the MEFV exon 2 and low pyrin concentration were correlated with disease severity, high SAA, ESR levels, H-pylori, and renal calculi. In conclusion, this study highlights the relation between high methylation percentage, reduced pyrin level, and different biomarkers in FMF, which underscores their role in the pathogenesis of FMF and could be considered as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- May E. Zekry
- Molecular Genetics and Enzymology Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Al-Aliaa M. Sallam
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | | | - Waheba A. Zarouk
- Molecular Genetics and Enzymology Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | | | - Hala O. El-Mesallamy
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
- Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, North Sinai 45518, Egypt
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