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Andersson A, Stubelius A, Karlsson MN, Engdahl C, Erlandsson M, Grahnemo L, Lagerquist MK, Islander U. Estrogen regulates T helper 17 phenotype and localization in experimental autoimmune arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2015; 17:32. [PMID: 25888974 PMCID: PMC4355457 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-015-0548-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The incidence and progression of many autoimmune diseases are sex-biased, which might be explained by the immunomodulating properties of endocrine hormones. Treatment with estradiol potently inhibits experimental autoimmune arthritis. Interleukin-17-producing T helper cells (Th17) are key players in several autoimmune diseases, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of estrogen on Th17 cells in experimental arthritis. METHODS Ovariectomized DBA/1 mice treated with 17β-estradiol (E2) or placebo were subjected to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), and arthritis development was assessed. Th17 cells in joints and lymph nodes were studied by flow cytometry. Lymph node Th17 cells were also examined in ovariectomized estrogen receptor α-knockout mice (ERα-/-) and wild-type littermates, treated with E2 or placebo and subjected to antigen-induced arthritis. RESULTS E2-treated mice with established CIA showed reduced severity of arthritis and fewer Th17 cells in joints compared with controls. Interestingly, E2-treated mice displayed increased Th17 cells in lymph nodes during the early phase of the disease, dependent on ERα. E2 increased the expression of C-C chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) on lymph node Th17 cells as well as the expression of the corresponding C-C chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) within lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study in which the effects of E2 on Th17 cells have been characterized in experimental autoimmune arthritis. We report that E2 treatment results in an increase of Th17 cells in lymph nodes during the early phase of arthritis development, but leads to a decrease of Th17 in joints during established arthritis. Our data suggest that this may be caused by interference with the CCR6-CCL20 pathway, which is important for Th17 cell migration. This study contributes to the understanding of the role of estrogen in the development of autoimmune arthritis and opens up new fields for research concerning the sex bias in autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annica Andersson
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Alexandra Stubelius
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Merja Nurkkala Karlsson
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Cecilia Engdahl
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden. .,Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Vita Stråket 11, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Malin Erlandsson
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Louise Grahnemo
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Marie K Lagerquist
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Vita Stråket 11, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Ulrika Islander
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 480, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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