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Wu J, Zhang X, Lin S, Wei Q, Lin Z, Jin O, Gu J. Alterations in peripheral T- and B-cell subsets in patients with systemic sclerosis. Int J Rheum Dis 2024; 27:e15145. [PMID: 38661314 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.15145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the alteration of peripheral T and B cell subsets in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to evaluate their correlation with the progression of SSc. METHODS We recruited 47 SSc patients and 45 healthy controls (HCs) in this study. Demographic and clinical data were then collected. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportions of 44 different T and B cell subsets in circulating blood. RESULTS The proportion of total B cells (p = .043) decreased in SSc patients, together with similar frequencies of total T cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells in both groups. Several subsets of T and B cells differed significantly between these two groups. Follicular helper T cells-1 (Tfh1) (p < .001), helper T cells-1 (Th1) (p = .001), regulatory T cells (Treg) (p = .004), effector memory CD8+ T cells (p = .041), and cytotoxic T cells-17 (Tc17) (p = .01) were decreased in SSc patients. Follicular helper T cells-2 (Tfh2) (p = .001) and, helper T cells-2 (Th2) (p = .001) levels increased in the SSc group. Regulatory B cells (Breg) (p = .015) were lower in the SSc group, together with marginal zone (MZ) B cells (p < .001), memory B cells (p = .001), and non-switched B cells (p = .005). The modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) correlated with helper T cells-17 (Th17) (r = -.410, p = .004), Tfh1 (r = -.321, p = .028), peripheral helper T cells (Tph) (r = -.364, p = .012) and plasma cells (r = -.312, p = .033). CONCLUSIONS The alterations in T and B cells implied immune dysfunction, which may play an essential role in systemic sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shen Lin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiujing Wei
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiming Lin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ou Jin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jieruo Gu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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2
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O'Reilly S. Emerging therapeutic targets in systemic sclerosis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:465-478. [PMID: 38386070 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02424-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease which is characterised by vascular perturbations, inflammation, and fibrosis. Although huge progress recently into the underlying molecular pathways that are perturbed in the disease, currently no therapy exists that targets the fibrosis element of the disease and consequently there is a huge unmet medical need. Emerging studies reveal new dimensions of complexity, and multiple aberrant pathways have been uncovered that have shed light on disturbed signalling in the disease, primarily in inflammatory pathways that can be targeted with repurposed drugs. Pre-clinical animal models using these inhibitors have yielded proof of concept for targeting these signalling systems and progressing to clinical trials. This review will examine the recent evidence of new perturbed pathways in SSc and how these can be targeted with new or repurposed drugs to target a currently intractable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven O'Reilly
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK.
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3
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Pan J, Dong F, Ma L, Zhao C, Qin F, Wen J, Wei W, Lei L. Therapeutic effects of thalidomide on patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. J Scleroderma Relat Disord 2023; 8:231-240. [PMID: 37744042 PMCID: PMC10515992 DOI: 10.1177/23971983231180077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of thalidomide in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Methods Ninety-six systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease patients who received basic glucocorticoid treatment and admitted between 2016 and 2020 were included in this study, including 48 cases in the thalidomide group (combination of thalidomide and cyclophosphamide) and 48 cases in control group (cyclophosphamide monotherapy). Evaluation items included clinical symptoms, modified Rodnan skin score, pulmonary function test, chest high-resolution computed tomography scores, and adverse effects between two groups after 24 weeks of treatment. Results Remarkable improvements in several aspects were found in the thalidomide group, including modified Rodnan skin score, expiratory dyspnea score, cough visual analog scale score, total ground-glass opacity score, and total interstitial lung disease score. Compared to the control group, improvements in the thalidomide group were found, such as significantly decreased cough visual analog scale score and expectoration; increased number of platelets; improved pulmonary fibrosis (p = 0.056), and reduced carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (p = 0.053). There were no statistically significant differences in the expiratory dyspnea score and predicted forced vital capacity between the two groups. Patients who experienced at least one adverse event in the control group and thalidomide group were 33.3% and 64.6% (p = 0.002); while those with serious adverse events were 8.3% versus 12.5% (p = 0.504). Venous thrombosis was found in one case in the thalidomide group. Conclusion Thalidomide combined with cyclophosphamide can improve the symptoms of cough and expectoration in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, and may slightly delay the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, but with the possibility of an increased risk of adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Li Ma
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Fang Qin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jing Wen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Wanling Wei
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Ling Lei
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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4
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Ko J, Noviani M, Chellamuthu VR, Albani S, Low AHL. The Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis: The Origin of Fibrosis and Interlink with Vasculopathy and Autoimmunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14287. [PMID: 37762589 PMCID: PMC10532389 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease associated with increased mortality and poor morbidity, impairing the quality of life in patients. Whilst we know that SSc affects multiple organs via vasculopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis, its exact pathophysiology remains elusive. Microvascular injury and vasculopathy are the initial pathological features of the disease. Clinically, the vasculopathy in SSc is manifested as Raynaud's phenomenon (reversible vasospasm in reaction to the cold or emotional stress) and digital ulcers due to ischemic injury. There are several reports that medications for vasculopathy, such as bosentan and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) modulators, improve not only vasculopathy but also dermal fibrosis, suggesting that vasculopathy is important in SSc. Although vasculopathy is an important initial step of the pathogenesis for SSc, it is still unclear how vasculopathy is related to inflammation and fibrosis. In this review, we focused on the clinical evidence for vasculopathy, the major cellular players for the pathogenesis, including pericytes, adipocytes, endothelial cells (ECs), and myofibroblasts, and their signaling pathway to elucidate the relationship among vasculopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junsuk Ko
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.K.); (M.N.); (S.A.)
| | - Maria Noviani
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.K.); (M.N.); (S.A.)
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-National University of Singapore Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore;
| | - Vasuki Ranjani Chellamuthu
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-National University of Singapore Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore;
| | - Salvatore Albani
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.K.); (M.N.); (S.A.)
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-National University of Singapore Academic Medical Centre, Singapore 169856, Singapore;
| | - Andrea Hsiu Ling Low
- Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore; (J.K.); (M.N.); (S.A.)
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169608, Singapore
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5
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Yu JCY, Zeng Y, Zhao K, Lu T, Oros Klein K, Colmegna I, Lora M, Bhatnagar SR, Leask A, Greenwood CMT, Hudson M. Novel insights into systemic sclerosis using a sensitive computational method to analyze whole-genome bisulfite sequencing data. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:96. [PMID: 37270501 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01513-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal DNA methylation is thought to contribute to the onset and progression of systemic sclerosis. Currently, the most comprehensive assay for profiling DNA methylation is whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), but its precision depends on read depth and it may be subject to sequencing errors. SOMNiBUS, a method for regional analysis, attempts to overcome some of these limitations. Using SOMNiBUS, we re-analyzed WGBS data previously analyzed using bumphunter, an approach that initially fits single CpG associations, to contrast DNA methylation estimates by both methods. METHODS Purified CD4+ T lymphocytes of 9 SSc and 4 control females were sequenced using WGBS. We separated the resulting sequencing data into regions with dense CpG data, and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were inferred with the SOMNiBUS region-level test, adjusted for age. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed with ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). We compared the results obtained by SOMNiBUS and bumphunter. RESULTS Of 8268 CpG regions of ≥ 60 CpGs eligible for analysis with SOMNiBUS, we identified 131 DMRs and 125 differentially methylated genes (DMGs; p-values less than Bonferroni-corrected threshold of 6.05-06 controlling family-wise error rate at 0.05; 1.6% of the regions). In comparison, bumphunter identified 821,929 CpG regions, 599 DMRs (of which none had ≥ 60 CpGs) and 340 DMGs (q-value of 0.05; 0.04% of all regions). The top ranked gene identified by SOMNiBUS was FLT4, a lymphangiogenic orchestrator, and the top ranked gene on chromosome X was CHST7, known to catalyze the sulfation of glycosaminoglycans in the extracellular matrix. The top networks identified by IPA included connective tissue disorders. CONCLUSIONS SOMNiBUS is a complementary method of analyzing WGBS data that enhances biological insights into SSc and provides novel avenues of investigation into its pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Y Yu
- McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Yixiao Zeng
- McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Kaiqiong Zhao
- McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Tianyuan Lu
- McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Kathleen Oros Klein
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Côte Sainte Catherine, Montreal, H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Inés Colmegna
- McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Maximilien Lora
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
| | | | | | - Celia M T Greenwood
- McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Côte Sainte Catherine, Montreal, H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Marie Hudson
- McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, H3A 0G4, Canada.
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Côte Sainte Catherine, Montreal, H3T 1E2, Canada.
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6
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Silva IS, Ferreira BH, Almeida CR. Molecular Mechanisms Behind the Role of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Systemic Sclerosis. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12. [PMID: 36829561 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects multiple systems. It is characterized by immunological deregulation, functional and structural abnormalities of small blood vessels, and fibrosis of the skin, and, in some cases, internal organs. Fibrosis has a devastating impact on a patient's life and lung fibrosis is associated with high morbimortality. Several immune populations contribute to the progression of SSc, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been identified as crucial mediators of fibrosis. Research on murine models of lung and skin fibrosis has shown that pDCs are essential in the development of fibrosis, and that removing pDCs improves fibrosis. pDCs are a subset of dendritic cells (DCs) that are specialized in anti-viral responses and are also involved in autoimmune diseases, such as SSc, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and psoriasis, mostly due to their capacity to produce type I interferon (IFN). A type I IFN signature and high levels of CXCL4, both derived from pDCs, have been associated with poor prognosis in patients with SSc and are correlated with fibrosis. This review will examine the recent research on the molecular mechanisms through which pDCs impact SSc.
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7
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Oparaugo NC, Ouyang K, Nguyen NPN, Nelson AM, Agak GW. Human Regulatory T Cells: Understanding the Role of Tregs in Select Autoimmune Skin Diseases and Post-Transplant Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24. [PMID: 36675037 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in maintaining immune tolerance and homeostasis by modulating how the immune system is activated. Several studies have documented the critical role of Tregs in suppressing the functions of effector T cells and antigen-presenting cells. Under certain conditions, Tregs can lose their suppressive capability, leading to a compromised immune system. For example, mutations in the Treg transcription factor, Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), can drive the development of autoimmune diseases in multiple organs within the body. Furthermore, mutations leading to a reduction in the numbers of Tregs or a change in their function facilitate autoimmunity, whereas an overabundance can inhibit anti-tumor and anti-pathogen immunity. This review discusses the characteristics of Tregs and their mechanism of action in select autoimmune skin diseases, transplantation, and skin cancer. We also examine the potential of Tregs-based cellular therapies in autoimmunity.
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8
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Cheon SY, Park JH, Ameri AH, Lee RT, Nazarian RM, Demehri S. IL-33/Regulatory T-Cell Axis Suppresses Skin Fibrosis. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2668-2676.e4. [PMID: 35341735 PMCID: PMC9511765 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological hallmark of systemic sclerosis, a deadly autoimmune disease affecting the connective tissues of multiple organs. However, the immune mechanisms underlying fibrosis and systemic sclerosis remain unclear. To determine the initiating immune pathway in fibrosis, we investigated the role of type 2 alarmin cytokines in the mouse model of skin fibrosis. Wild-type mice that received subcutaneous bleomycin injections developed skin fibrosis accompanied by elevated IL-33 expression in the dermis. Likewise, we found IL-33 upregulation in human skin fibrosis. Mice with germline deletion of IL-33 receptor (ST2 knockout) showed markedly exacerbated skin fibrosis in association with significantly increased T helper 2 cell to regulatory T-cell ratio in the skin. Mice that lacked ST2 specifically on regulatory T cells (Foxp3Cre,ST2flox/flox) showed significantly worse skin fibrosis, increased T helper 2 to regulatory T cell ratio and IL-13 expression in the skin compared with wild-type mice. Our findings show that IL-33 cytokine signaling to regulatory T cells suppresses skin fibrosis and highlight a potential therapeutic axis to alleviate the debilitating manifestations of systemic sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Yun Cheon
- Center for Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jong Ho Park
- Center for Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amir H Ameri
- Center for Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard T Lee
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rosalynn M Nazarian
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shadmehr Demehri
- Center for Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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9
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Choreño-Parra JA, Cervantes-Rosete D, Jiménez-Alvarez LA, Ramírez-Martínez G, Márquez-García JE, Cruz-Lagunas A, Magaña-Sanchez AY, Lima G, López-Maldonado H, Gaytán-Guzmán E, Caballero A, Fernández-Plata R, Furuzawa-Carballeda J, Mendoza-Milla C, Navarro-González MDC, Llorente L, Zuniga J, Rodriguez-Reyna TS. Dendritic cells drive profibrotic inflammation and aberrant T cell polarization in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022; 62:1687-1698. [PMID: 36063053 PMCID: PMC10070068 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a devastating autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis and obliterative vasculopathy affecting the skin and visceral organs. While the processes mediating excessive extracellular matrix (EM) deposition and fibroblast proliferation are clear, the exact link between autoimmunity and fibrosis remains elusive. Th17 cells have been proposed as critical drivers of profibrotic inflammation during SSc, but little is known about the immune components supporting their pathogenic role. METHODS Dendritic cells (DCs) activate and shape T cell differentiation by producing polarizing cytokines. Hence, we investigated the cytokine responses of monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs) from patients with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc), diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), and healthy controls (HC) after stimulation with toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. Also, using co-culture assays, we analyzed T cell subpopulations after contact with autologous TLR-activated Mo-DCs. RESULTS In general, we observed an increased production of Th17 related cytokines like IL-1β, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22 by SSc compared with HC Mo-DCs, with variations between lcSSc vs. dcSSc and early- vs. late-stage subgroups. Noticeably, we found a significant increment in IL-33 production by Mo-DCs in all SSc cases regardless of their clinical phenotype. Strikingly, T cells displayed Th2, Th17, and dual Th2/Th17 phenotypes after exposure to autologous TLR-stimulated Mo-DCs from SSc patients but not HC. These changes were pronounced in individuals with early-stage dcSSc and less significant in the late-stage lcSSc subgroup. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that functional alterations of DCs subsidize the immune mechanisms favoring the aberrant T cell polarization and profibrotic inflammation behind the clinical SSc heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Alberto Choreño-Parra
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calz. De Tlalpan 4502, Col. Sección XVI., Tlalpan, 14080. Mexico City, Mexico.,Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., México, 64849
| | - Diana Cervantes-Rosete
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga, 15. Col. Belisario Dominguez Sección XVI. Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis Armando Jiménez-Alvarez
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calz. De Tlalpan 4502, Col. Sección XVI., Tlalpan, 14080. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Ramírez-Martínez
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calz. De Tlalpan 4502, Col. Sección XVI., Tlalpan, 14080. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jose Eduardo Márquez-García
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calz. De Tlalpan 4502, Col. Sección XVI., Tlalpan, 14080. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Cruz-Lagunas
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calz. De Tlalpan 4502, Col. Sección XVI., Tlalpan, 14080. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ana Yelli Magaña-Sanchez
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco, de Quiroga, 15. Col. Belisario Dominguez Sección XVI. Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Lima
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco, de Quiroga, 15. Col. Belisario Dominguez Sección XVI. Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Humberto López-Maldonado
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco, de Quiroga, 15. Col. Belisario Dominguez Sección XVI. Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Emanuel Gaytán-Guzmán
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco, de Quiroga, 15. Col. Belisario Dominguez Sección XVI. Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Adrian Caballero
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco, de Quiroga, 15. Col. Belisario Dominguez Sección XVI. Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosario Fernández-Plata
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calz. De Tlalpan 4502, Col. Sección XVI., Tlalpan, 14080. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Janette Furuzawa-Carballeda
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco, de Quiroga, 15. Col. Belisario Dominguez Sección XVI. Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Criselda Mendoza-Milla
- Laboratorio de Transducción de Señales, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calz. De Tlalpan, 4502, Col. Sección XVI. Tlalpan, 14080. Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Maria Del Carmen Navarro-González
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Reumáticas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calz. De Tlalpan, 4502, Col. Sección XVI. Tlalpan, 14080, . Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis Llorente
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., México, 64849
| | - Joaquin Zuniga
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calz. De Tlalpan 4502, Col. Sección XVI., Tlalpan, 14080. Mexico City, Mexico.,Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., México, 64849
| | - Tatiana Sofia Rodriguez-Reyna
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco, de Quiroga, 15. Col. Belisario Dominguez Sección XVI. Tlalpan, 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
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Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with a poor prognosis. To date, the pathogenesis of SSc is still unclear; moreover, its pathological conditions include microvascular damage, inflammation, and immune abnormalities. Different types of T cells may cause vasculitis and fibrosis in SSc by means of up- and down-regulation of cell surface molecules, abnormal release of pro-fibrotic or pro-inflammatory cytokines and direct contact with fibroblasts. These T cells, which are mainly CD4 + T cells, include the subtypes, T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, regulatory T Cells (Treg), interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing Th17 cells, CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and angiogenic T (Tang) cells. In addition to the Th1/Th2 imbalance, which has long been established, there is also a Th17/Treg imbalance in SSc. This imbalance may be closely related to the abnormal immune status of SSc. There is mounting evidence that suggest T cell abnormalities may be crucial to the pathogenesis of SSc. In terms of treatment, existing therapies that target T cells, such as immunosuppressive therapy (tacrolimus), Janus kinase(JAK) inhibitors, and biologics(abatacept), have had some success. Other non-drug therapies, including Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have extensive and complex mechanisms of action actually including T cell regulation. Based on the current evidence, we believe that the study of T cells will further our understanding of the pathogenesis of SSc, and may lead to more targeted treatment optionsfor patients with SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jin
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, PR China; National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, PR China; National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Xi'an, PR China.
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11
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Kobayashi S, Nagafuchi Y, Shoda H, Fujio K. The Pathophysiological Roles of Regulatory T Cells in the Early Phase of Systemic Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:900638. [PMID: 35686127 PMCID: PMC9172592 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.900638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by vascular damage and fibrosis. Both clinical manifestations and immunological disturbances are diverse according to the disease duration. Particularly, changes in immunological processes are prominent in the early phase of SSc. The orchestration of several subsets of immune cells promotes autoimmune responses and inflammation, and eventually stimulates pro-fibrotic processes. Many reports have indicated that CD4+ T cells play pivotal roles in pathogenesis in the early phase of SSc. In particular, the pathogenic roles of regulatory T (Treg) cells have been investigated. Although the results were controversial, recent reports suggested an increase of Treg cells in the early phase of SSc patients. Treg cells secrete transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which promotes myofibroblast activation and fibrosis. In addition, the dysfunction of Treg cells in the early phase of SSc was reported, which results in the development of autoimmunity and inflammation. Notably, Treg cells have the plasticity to convert to T-helper17 (Th17) cells under pro-inflammatory conditions. Th17 cells secrete IL-17A, which could also promote myofibroblast transformation and fibrosis and contributes to vasculopathy, although the issue is still controversial. Our recent transcriptomic comparison between the early and late phases of SSc revealed a clear difference of gene expression patterns only in Treg cells. The gene signature of an activated Treg cell subpopulation was expanded in the early phase of SSc and the oxidative phosphorylation pathway was enhanced, which can promote Th17 differentiation. And this result was accompanied by the increase in Th17 cells frequency. Therefore, an imbalance between Treg and Th17 cells could also have an important role in the pathogenesis of the early phase of SSc. In this review, we outlined the roles of Treg cells in the early phase of SSc, summarizing the data of both human and mouse models. The contributions of Treg cells to autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and fibrosis were revealed, based on the dysfunction and imbalance of Treg cells. We also referred to the potential development in treatment strategies in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Kobayashi
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan.,Department of Medicine and Rheumatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Itabashi-ku, Japan
| | - Yasuo Nagafuchi
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan.,Department of Functional Genomics and Immunological Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Shoda
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Keishi Fujio
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
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12
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Rosendahl AH, Schönborn K, Krieg T. Pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2022; 38:187-195. [PMID: 35234358 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is an autoimmune-triggered chronic fibrosing disease that affects the skin and many other organs. Its pathophysiology is complex and involves an early endothelial damage, an inflammatory infiltrate and a resulting fibrotic reaction. Based on a predisposing genetic background, an altered balance of the acquired and the innate immune system leads to the release of many cytokines and chemokines as well as autoantibodies, which induce the activation of fibroblasts with the formation of myofibroblasts and the deposition of a stiff and rigid connective tissue. A curative treatment is still not available but remarkable progress has been made in the management of organ complications. In addition, several breakthroughs in the pathophysiology have led to new therapeutic concepts. Based on these, many new compounds have been developed during the last years, which target these different pathways and offer specific therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Helen Rosendahl
- Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany
| | - Katrin Schönborn
- Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Krieg
- Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Ageing-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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13
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Liu X, Wu Y, Li M, Hao J, Wang Q, Zeng X. Plasticity of Treg and imbalance of Treg/Th17 cells in patients with systemic sclerosis modified by FK506. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2021; 35:2058738421998086. [PMID: 33631989 PMCID: PMC7917869 DOI: 10.1177/2058738421998086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To determine the effects of Tacrolimus (FK506) on Treg cells and subpopulations in SSc patients and assess the ability of FK506 to modify the immune imbalance of Treg/Th17 cells. We analyzed PBMC from five SSc patients and six healthy control by flow cytometry after cultured with 0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/ml FK506 in vitro. The number of Treg cells decreased in SSc patients treated with FK506. The number of FrI cells were decreased in SSc following FK506 treatment. The drug did increase the frequency of FrII/Treg cells, but not FrII cells. However, FK506 significantly decreased FrIII in both SSc patients and controls. FK506 clearly decreased the numbers of Th17 cells and FoxP3+IL-17+ cells. The proliferation capacity of cells was also inhibited by FK506, which had a greater effect on FoxP3- cells than FoxP3+ cells. FK506 did inhibit the proliferation of FrIII cells, but not FrI or FrII cells. Our study provides that FK506 reduced the number of FoxP3low CD45RA- T cells (FrIII) by inhibiting its proliferation. Therefore, FK506 modifies Treg cells and the immune imbalance between Tregs and Th17 cells in SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjuan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Mengtao Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyu Hao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zeng
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
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14
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Xiao F, Liu X, Guo SW. Platelets and Regulatory T Cells May Induce a Type 2 Immunity That Is Conducive to the Progression and Fibrogenesis of Endometriosis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:610963. [PMID: 33381124 PMCID: PMC7767909 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.610963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a hormonal disease, as well as a chronic inflammatory disease. While various immune cells are documented to be involved in endometriosis, there is a wanton lack of a bigger picture on how these cells are coordinated to work concertedly. Since endometriotic lesions experience cyclical bleeding, they are fundamentally wounds that undergo repeated tissue injury and repair (ReTIAR). In this study, we attempted to characterize the role of platelets and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in modulating the lesional immune microenvironment and its subsequent effects on lesional progression and fibrogenesis. Through two mouse experiments, we show that, by disrupting predominantly a type 2 immune response in lesional microenvironment, both platelets and Tregs depletion decelerated lesional progression and fibrogenesis, likely through the suppression of the TGF-β1/Smad3 and PDGFR-β/PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. In particular, platelet depletion resulted in significantly reduced lesional expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), leading to reduced aggregation of macrophages and alternatively activated (M2) macrophages, and of Tregs, T helper 2 (Th2) and Th17 cells but increased aggregation of Th1 cells, in lesions, which, in turn, yields retarded fibrogenesis. Similarly, Tregs depletion resulted in suppression of platelet aggregation, and reduced aggregation of M2 macrophages, Th2 and Th17 cells but increased aggregation of Th1 cells, in lesions. Thus, both platelet and Tregs depletion decelerated lesional progression and fibrogenesis by disrupting predominantly a type 2 immunity in lesional microenvironment. Taken together, this suggests that both platelets and Tregs may induce a type 2 immunity in lesional microenvironment that is conducive to lesional progression and fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyi Xiao
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xishi Liu
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sun-Wei Guo
- Shanghai OB/GYN Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Li T, Ortiz-Fernández L, Andrés-León E, Ciudad L, Javierre BM, López-Isac E, Guillén-Del-Castillo A, Simeón-Aznar CP, Ballestar E, Martin J. Epigenomics and transcriptomics of systemic sclerosis CD4+ T cells reveal long-range dysregulation of key inflammatory pathways mediated by disease-associated susceptibility loci. Genome Med 2020; 12:81. [PMID: 32977850 PMCID: PMC7519528 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00779-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a genetically complex autoimmune disease mediated by the interplay between genetic and epigenetic factors in a multitude of immune cells, with CD4+ T lymphocytes as one of the principle drivers of pathogenesis. METHODS DNA samples exacted from CD4+ T cells of 48 SSc patients and 16 healthy controls were hybridized on MethylationEPIC BeadChip array. In parallel, gene expression was interrogated by hybridizing total RNA on Clariom™ S array. Downstream bioinformatics analyses were performed to identify correlating differentially methylated CpG positions (DMPs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were then confirmed utilizing previously published promoter capture Hi-C (PCHi-C) data. RESULTS We identified 9112 and 3929 DMPs and DEGs, respectively. These DMPs and DEGs are enriched in functional categories related to inflammation and T cell biology. Furthermore, correlation analysis identified 17,500 possible DMP-DEG interaction pairs within a window of 5 Mb, and utilizing PCHi-C data, we observed that 212 CD4+ T cell-specific pairs of DMP-DEG also formed part of three-dimensional promoter-enhancer networks, potentially involving CTCF. Finally, combining PCHi-C data with SSc GWAS data, we identified four important SSc-associated susceptibility loci, TNIP1 (rs3792783), GSDMB (rs9303277), IL12RB1 (rs2305743), and CSK (rs1378942), that could potentially interact with DMP-DEG pairs cg17239269-ANXA6, cg19458020-CCR7, cg10808810-JUND, and cg11062629-ULK3, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study unveils a potential link between genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptional deregulation in CD4+ T cells of SSc patients, providing a novel integrated view of molecular components driving SSc pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianlu Li
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lourdes Ortiz-Fernández
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Eduardo Andrés-León
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Laura Ciudad
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Biola M Javierre
- 3D Chromatin Organization, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena López-Isac
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Alfredo Guillén-Del-Castillo
- Unit of Systemic Autoimmunity Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Pilar Simeón-Aznar
- Unit of Systemic Autoimmunity Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esteban Ballestar
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Research Institute (IJC), 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Javier Martin
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain.
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16
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Nicola S, Rolla G, Bucca C, Geronazzo G, Ridolfi I, Ferraris A, Fusaro E, Peroni CL, Dughera L, Brussino L. Gastric Juice Expression of Th-17 and T-Reg Related Cytokines in Scleroderma Esophageal Involvement. Cells 2020; 9:E2106. [PMID: 32947843 PMCID: PMC7564480 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder which key feature is a fibrotic process. The role of Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and T-helper (Th)-1 cells in lung and skin fibrosis is well known, although Th17- and Treg-cells were found to be involved. However, no studies analyzed cytokines expression in gastric-juice of SSc patients. Our study aimed to evaluate proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines in gastric-juice of SSc patients and to investigate their correlations with esophageal dysmotility. METHODS Patients performed upper-gastrointestinal-endoscopy with gastric-juice collection, esophageal manometry and thoracic CT-scan. GM-CSF, ET-1, Th-1 (IFN-γ, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-9), Th-17 (IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23) and T-reg (IL-10, TGF-β) related cytokines were measured in 29 SSc-patients and 20 healthy-controls. RESULTS Patients showed significant lower levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-22 and ET-1 (p < 0.005) compared with controls. Patients with atrophic gastritis presented significant lower levels of IL-2, IL-9, IL-6, TGF-β, GM-CSF, IL-17 and ET-1 (p < 0.005) compared to patients without gastritis. Increased values of IL-2, IL-9, IL-1β, IL-17, ET-1 and GM-CSF (p < 0.005) were observed in patients with esophageal impairment. This is the first report of cytokines measurement in gastric juice of patients with SSc. The high IL-17 concentrations in gastric-juice of scleroderma patients with esophageal dysmotility support the signature of Th-17 cells in scleroderma esophageal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Nicola
- Department of Medical Sciences, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Torino & Mauriziano Hospital, 10128 Turin, Italy; (S.N.); (G.R.); (C.B.); (G.G.); (I.R.)
| | - Giovanni Rolla
- Department of Medical Sciences, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Torino & Mauriziano Hospital, 10128 Turin, Italy; (S.N.); (G.R.); (C.B.); (G.G.); (I.R.)
| | - Caterina Bucca
- Department of Medical Sciences, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Torino & Mauriziano Hospital, 10128 Turin, Italy; (S.N.); (G.R.); (C.B.); (G.G.); (I.R.)
| | - Giada Geronazzo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Torino & Mauriziano Hospital, 10128 Turin, Italy; (S.N.); (G.R.); (C.B.); (G.G.); (I.R.)
| | - Irene Ridolfi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Torino & Mauriziano Hospital, 10128 Turin, Italy; (S.N.); (G.R.); (C.B.); (G.G.); (I.R.)
| | - Andrea Ferraris
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Surgical Sciences, Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Enrico Fusaro
- Rheumatology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (E.F.); (C.L.P.)
| | - Clara Lisa Peroni
- Rheumatology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy; (E.F.); (C.L.P.)
| | - Luca Dughera
- Unit of Digestive Motility and Endoscopy, Department of Medicine, Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Luisa Brussino
- Department of Medical Sciences, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Torino & Mauriziano Hospital, 10128 Turin, Italy; (S.N.); (G.R.); (C.B.); (G.G.); (I.R.)
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17
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Wang D, Lei L. Interleukin-35 regulates the balance of Th17 and Treg responses during the pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases. Int J Rheum Dis 2020; 24:21-27. [PMID: 32918357 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-35 belongs to the IL-12 cytokine family and is a heterodimer of the p35 and Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) subunits. Functionally, IL-35 can promote the proliferation and activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppress the function of T helper 17 (Th17) cells and other inflammatory cells to inhibit immune responses. In recent years, an abnormal IL-35 expression causing a Th17/Treg imbalance has been associated with the development and progression of several connective tissue diseases (CTDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), dermatomyositis (DM)/polymyositis (PM), and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Here, we review the role of IL-35 in regulating the balance of Th17/Treg responses in different types of CTDs and provide new insights into the role of IL-35 in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Ling Lei
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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Lu Y, Zhao C, Lei L, Tao Z, Zheng L, Wen J, Li X. Effects of thalidomide on Th17, Treg cells and TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis. Int J Rheum Dis 2019; 23:406-419. [PMID: 31840939 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the immune regulatory and anti-fibrosis function of thalidomide (Thal) in systemic sclerosis (SSc), we investigated the effects of Thal on: (a) Th17 and Treg cell production; (b) related factors expression; and (c) transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad3 pathway, using a mouse model of SSc. METHODS Forty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a normal control (NC) group, SSc group (bleomycin [BLM]-induced experimental SSc), BLM + Thal (10 mg/kg/day) group, BLM + Thal (20) group, and BLM + Thal (30) group. Thal was administered a day after BLM. At the end of the animal experiments, mouse tissues were collected for detection of pathological changes and hydroxyproline content. Flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, Western blot and other methods were used to measure Th17, Treg cell population and their related factors, as well as TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway expression. RESULTS Thal treatment: (a) reduced skin, and pulmonary tissue fibrosis, inflammation score, and hydroxyproline content (P < .001) in BLM-induced SSc mice; (b) reduced the percentages of Th17 cells and associated interleukin (IL)-17A expression (both P < .05) but increased the percentages of Treg cells and its transcription factor Foxp3 expression (both P < .05); (c) correlation analysis found positive correlations between Th17/Treg ratio, the inflammatory score of the skin and pulmonary tissues, hydroxyproline content, and type I collagen messenger RNA expression (r = .8546, .8656, .6902, .6807, .8118, and .8424, respectively, P < .01); (d) Thal inhibited TGF-β1 expression and Smad3 phosphorylation (both P < .05); (e) TGF-β1 was positively correlated with the IL-17A and Th17/Treg ratio (r = .5856, P = .005; r = .6684, P = .0107, respectively). CONCLUSION Thal can effectively prevent skin and pulmonary tissue fibrosis in a mouse model of SSc through the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and can rectify the distortion of the Th17/Treg balance in SSc by potentially regulating Th17 and Treg cell production, as well as their related factors expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lu
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Ling Lei
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhiqing Tao
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Leting Zheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Jing Wen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
| | - Xi Li
- Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China
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19
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Velikova T, Lazova S, Perenovska P, Tumangelova-Yuzeir K, Miteva D, Velikov P, Ivanova-Todorova E, Kyurkchiev D, Petrova G. Th17 cells in Bulgarian children with chronic obstructive lung diseases. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2019; 47:227-33. [PMID: 30262413 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Th17 lymphocytes are now widely believed to be critical in various chronic pulmonary diseases. However, there is still a small number of investigations regarding children. We aimed to assess the percentage of Th17 lymphocytes and IL-17A in peripheral blood of children with chronic obstructive lung diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS We included a total of 42 children: 20 with bronchial asthma (BA), 12 with cystic fibrosis (CF) and 10 healthy children without a history of allergies, aged 4-17 years. Th17 cells (CD3+CD4+CD161+CCR6+) were determined in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. The concentration of serum IL-17A was measured by ELISA. RESULTS The BA patients had a significantly higher percentage of Th17 (12.40±1.16%) compared to the CF children (7.64±0.87%, p=0.0035) and healthy (7.25±0.45%, p=0.008). Stratifying the BA group, we found higher levels of Th17 in patients with severe BA (p=0.03), whereas patients with moderate BA had Th17 cells close to those in CF and healthy children. We found that patients with better control of BA had Th17 closer to those with CF (p=0.98) than BA children with poor control (p<0.001) (post hoc, Bonferroni correction). CF patients with concomitant P. aeruginosa infection showed slightly higher percentages of Th17 cells than those without infection (8.08±3.09% vs. 6.25±2.42%, p=0.294). CONCLUSIONS The percentage of Th17 cells was significantly increased in the peripheral blood of children with severe BA compared to the children with moderate BA, which suggests that the former could possibly benefit from future target therapies.
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20
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Göschl L, Scheinecker C, Bonelli M. Treg cells in autoimmunity: from identification to Treg-based therapies. Semin Immunopathol 2019; 41:301-314. [PMID: 30953162 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-019-00741-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory (Treg) cells are key regulators of inflammation and important for immune tolerance and homeostasis. A major progress has been made in the identification and classification of Treg cells. Due to technological advances, we have gained deep insights in the epigenetic regulation of Treg cells. The use of fate reporter mice allowed addressing the functional consequences of loss of Foxp3 expression. Depending on the environment Treg cells gain effector functions upon loss of Foxp3 expression. However, the traditional view that Treg cells become necessarily pathogenic by gaining effector functions was challenged by recent findings and supports the notion of Treg cell lineage plasticity. Treg cell stability is also a major issue for Treg cell therapies. Clinical trials are designed to use polyclonal Treg cells as therapeutic tools. Here, we summarize the role of Treg cells in selected autoimmune diseases and recent advances in the field of Treg targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Göschl
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Rheumatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clemens Scheinecker
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Rheumatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Bonelli
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Rheumatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Kano M, Kobayashi T, Date M, Tennichi M, Hamaguchi Y, Strasser DS, Takehara K, Matsushita T. Attenuation of murine sclerodermatous models by the selective S1P 1 receptor modulator cenerimod. Sci Rep 2019; 9:658. [PMID: 30679645 PMCID: PMC6345830 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37074-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a lipid mediator, regulates lymphocyte migration between lymphoid tissue and blood. Furthermore, S1P participates in several physiological phenomena including angiogenesis, inflammation, immune regulation, and neurotransmitter release. Moreover, S1P/S1P receptor signaling involves in systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate whether the selective S1P1 receptor modulator cenerimod attenuates murine sclerodermatous models. Cenerimod was orally administered to murine sclerodermatous chronic graft versus host disease (Scl-cGVHD) mice, either from day 0 to 42 or day 22 to 42 after bone marrow transplantation. Bleomycin-induced SSc model mice were administered cenerimod from day 0 to 28. Early cenerimod administration inhibited, and delayed cenerimod administration attenuated skin and lung fibrosis in Scl-cGVHD mice. Cenerimod suppressed the infiltration of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD11b+ cells into the inflamed skin of Scl-cGVHD mice as opposed to control mice. In contrast, cenerimod increased the frequency of regulatory T cells in the spleen and skin of Scl-cGVHD mice. Additionally, cenerimod attenuated the mRNA expression of extracellular matrix and fibrogenic cytokines in the skin. Furthermore, cenerimod attenuated bleomycin-induced fibrosis in the skin and lung. Hence, the selective S1P1 receptor modulator cenerimod is a promising candidate for treating patients with SSc and Scl-cGVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyu Kano
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Tadahiro Kobayashi
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Mutsumi Date
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Momoko Tennichi
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Hamaguchi
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Daniel S Strasser
- Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Drug Discovery, Hegenheimermattweg 91, CH-4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Kazuhiko Takehara
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan
| | - Takashi Matsushita
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan.
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Wang Q, Shi G, Zhang Y, Lu F, Xie D, Wen C, Huang L. Deciphering the Potential Pharmaceutical Mechanism of GUI-ZHI-FU-LING-WAN on Systemic Sclerosis based on Systems Biology Approaches. Sci Rep 2019; 9:355. [PMID: 30674993 PMCID: PMC6344516 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is a complicated idiopathic connective tissue disease with seldom effective treatment. GUI-ZHI-FU-LING-WAN (GFW) is a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula widely used for the treatment of SSc. However, the mechanism of how the GFW affects SSc remains unclear. In this study, the system biology approach was utilized to analyze herb compounds and related targets to get the general information of GFW. The KEGG enrichment analysis of 1645 related targets suggested that the formula is involved in the VEGF signaling pathway, the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, etc. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the relationship among the 3 subsets (formula targets, drug targets and disease genes) showed that the formula targets overlapped with 38.0% drug targets and 26.0% proteins encoded by disease genes. Through the analysis of SSc related microarray statistics from the GEO database, we also validated the consistent expression behavior among the 3 subsets before and after treatment. To further reveal the mechanism of prescription, we constructed a network among 3 subsets and decomposed it into 24 modules to decipher how GFW interfere in the progress of SSc. The modules indicated that the intervention may come into effect through following pathogenic processes: vasculopathy, immune dysregulation and tissue fibrosis. Vitro experiments confirmed that GFW could suppress the proliferation of fibroblasts and decrease the Th1 cytokine (TNF-α, MIP-2 and IL-6) expression for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and bleomycin (BLM) stimulation in macrophages, which is consistent with previous conclusion that GFW is able to relieve SSc. The systems biology approach provides a new insight for deepening understanding about TCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Wang
- TCM Clinical Basis Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China
| | - Guoshan Shi
- Department of Integrative Traditional & Western Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225001, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- TCM Clinical Basis Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China
| | - Feilong Lu
- TCM Clinical Basis Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China
| | - Duoli Xie
- TCM Clinical Basis Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China
| | - Chengping Wen
- TCM Clinical Basis Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China.
| | - Lin Huang
- TCM Clinical Basis Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, China.
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Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an idiopathic systemic autoimmune disease. It is characterized by a triad of hallmarks: immune dysfunction, fibrosis and vasculopathy. Immune dysfunction in SSc is characterized by the activation and recruitment of immune cells and the production of autoantibodies and cytokines. How immune abnormalities link the fibrosis and vasculopathy in SSc is poorly understood. A plethora of immune cell types are implicated in the immunopathogenesis of SSc, including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, mast cells and macrophages. How these different cell types interact to contribute to SSc is complicated, and can involve cell-to-cell interactions and communication via cytokines, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-4. We will attempt to review significant and recent research demonstrating the importance of immune cell regulation in the immunopathogenesis of SSc with a particular focus on fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Brown
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - S O'Reilly
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Abstract
In recent years, accumulating evidence suggest that regulatory T cells (Tregs) are of paramount importance for the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and immune homeostasis, even though they represent only about 5-10% of the peripheral CD4+ T cells in humans. Their key role is indeed supported by the spontaneous development of autoimmune diseases after Tregs depletion in mice. Moreover, there is also a growing literature that investigates possible contribution of Tregs numbers and activity in various autoimmune diseases. The contribution of Tregs in autoimmune disease has opened up a new therapeutic avenue based on restoring a healthy balance between Tregs and effector T-cells, such as Treg-based cellular transfer or low-dose IL-2 modulation. These therapies hold the promise of modulating the immune system without immunosuppression, while several issues regarding efficacy and safety need to be addressed. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an orphan connective tissue disease characterized by extensive immune abnormalities but also microvascular injury and fibrosis. Recently, data about the presence and function of Tregs in the pathogenesis of SSc have emerged although they remain scarce so far. First, there is a general agreement in the medical literature with regard to the decreased functional ability of circulating Tregs in SSc. Second the quantification of Tregs in patients have led to contradictory results; although the majority of the studies report reduced frequencies, there are conversely some indications suggesting that in case of disease activity circulating Tregs may increase. This paradoxical situation could be the result of a compensatory, but inefficient, amplification of Tregs in the context of inflammation. Nevertheless, these results must be tempered with regards to the heterogeneity of the studies for the phenotyping of the patients and of the most importance for Tregs definition and activity markers. Therefore, taking into account the appealing developments of Tregs roles in autoimmune diseases, together with preliminary data published in SSc, there is growing interest in deciphering Tregs in SSc, both in humans and mice models, to clarify whether the promises obtained in other autoimmune diseases may also apply to SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia Frantz
- INSERM U1016, UMR8104, Cochin Institute, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Cedric Auffray
- INSERM U1016, UMR8104, Cochin Institute, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Jerome Avouac
- INSERM U1016, UMR8104, Cochin Institute, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Yannick Allanore
- INSERM U1016, UMR8104, Cochin Institute, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
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Arcangeletti MC, Maccari C, Vescovini R, Volpi R, Giuggioli D, Sighinolfi G, De Conto F, Chezzi C, Calderaro A, Ferri C. A Paradigmatic Interplay between Human Cytomegalovirus and Host Immune System: Possible Involvement of Viral Antigen-Driven CD8+ T Cell Responses in Systemic Sclerosis. Viruses 2018; 10:E508. [PMID: 30231575 PMCID: PMC6163388 DOI: 10.3390/v10090508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a highly prevalent opportunistic agent in the world population, which persists as a latent virus after a primary infection. Besides the well-established role of this agent causing severe diseases in immunocompromised individuals, more recently, HCMV has been evoked as a possible factor contributing to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc). The interplay between HCMV and immune surveillance is supposed to become unbalanced in SSc patients with expanded anti-HCMV immune responses, which are likely involved in the exacerbation of inflammatory processes. In this study, blood samples from a cohort of SSc patients vs. healthy subjects were tested for anti-HCMV immune responses (IgM, IgG antibodies, and T cells to peptide pools spanning the most immunogenic HCMV proteins). Statistically significant increase of HCMV-specific CD8+ T cell responses in SSc patients vs. healthy subjects was observed. Moreover, significantly greater HCMV-specific CD8+ T cell responses were found in SSc patients with a longer disease duration and those with higher modified Rodnan skin scores. Given the known importance of T cells in the development of SSc and that this virus may contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases, these data support a relevant role of HCMV-specific CD8+ T cell responses in SSc pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Cristina Arcangeletti
- Virology Unit, University-Hospital of Parma, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Clara Maccari
- Virology Unit, University-Hospital of Parma, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Rosanna Vescovini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Volpi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Dilia Giuggioli
- Rheumatology Unit, Medical School, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, University-Hospital Policlinico of Modena, 41121 Modena, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Sighinolfi
- Rheumatology Unit, Medical School, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, University-Hospital Policlinico of Modena, 41121 Modena, Italy.
| | - Flora De Conto
- Virology Unit, University-Hospital of Parma, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Carlo Chezzi
- Virology Unit, University-Hospital of Parma, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Adriana Calderaro
- Virology Unit, University-Hospital of Parma, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
| | - Clodoveo Ferri
- Rheumatology Unit, Medical School, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, University-Hospital Policlinico of Modena, 41121 Modena, Italy.
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