1
|
Papadimitriou TI, Singh P, van Caam A, Walgreen B, Gorris MAJ, Vitters EL, van Ingen IL, Koenders MI, Smeets RL, Vonk M, de Vries JM, van der Kraan PM, van Oosterhout Y, Huynen MA, Koenen HJPM, Thurlings RM. CD7 activation regulates cytotoxicity-driven pathology in systemic sclerosis, yielding a target for selective cell depletion. Ann Rheum Dis 2024; 83:488-498. [PMID: 38123919 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-224827] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells are central effector cells in cancer and infections. Their effector response is regulated by activating and inhibitory receptors. The regulation of these cells in systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc) is less defined. METHODS We conducted ex vivo analysis of affected skin and blood samples from 4 SSc patient cohorts (a total of 165 SSc vs 80 healthy individuals) using single-cell transcriptomics, flow cytometry and multiplex immunofluorescence staining. We further analysed the effects of costimulatory modulation in functional assays, and in a severely affected SSc patient who was treated on compassionate use with a novel anti-CD3/CD7 immunotoxin treatment. RESULTS Here, we show that SSc-affected skin contains elevated numbers of proliferating T cells, cytotoxic T cells and NK cells. These cells selectively express the costimulatory molecule CD7 in association with cytotoxic, proinflammatory and profibrotic genes, especially in recent-onset and severe disease. We demonstrate that CD7 regulates the cytolytic activity of T cells and NK cells and that selective depletion of CD7+ cells prevents cytotoxic cell-induced fibroblast contraction and inhibits their profibrotic phenotype. Finally, anti-CD3/CD7 directed depletive treatment eliminated CD7+ skin cells and stabilised disease manifestations in a severely affected SSc patient. CONCLUSION Together, the findings imply costimulatory molecules as key regulators of cytotoxicity-driven pathology in systemic autoimmune disease, yielding CD7 as a novel target for selective depletion of pathogenic cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodoros Ioannis Papadimitriou
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Medical Immunology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Prashant Singh
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan van Caam
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mark A J Gorris
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Division of Immunotherapy, Oncode Institute, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elly L Vitters
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Iris L van Ingen
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ruben L Smeets
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Medical Immunology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Radboudumc Laboratory for Diagnostics, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Madelon Vonk
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Martijn A Huynen
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans J P M Koenen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine - Medical Immunology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|